The National Newsmagazine 11

• Hotel Industry: Searching for a truce • UML Politics: Leadership in crisis • Agitation in Parliamen t THE KHUKRI IS THE FAMOUS NATIONAL WEAPON OF THE GORKHA SOLDIERS OF NEPAL KHUKRI RUM IS THEIR FAMOUS NATIONAL DRINK ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, IN A BATTLE OR IN A BOTTLE, YOU CAN ALWAYS PUT YOUR TRUST IN A KHUKRL

THE NEPAL DISTILLERIES PVT. LTD. BALAJU,KATHMANDU PH. : 350988, 350725, FAX: 350971 CONTENTS

Page

Letters

News Notes 4

'efs 6

Quote Unquote 7

COVER STORY: Learning The Lessons Off The Record 8 Amidst the gradual erosion of leaching-learning environment. the school education system needs to ponder its shortcomings to build on the achievements it made in the past five decades. OPINION: Bishnu Dult. Uprety 9 Cover Photo: Shyam Chitracar Page 16

DISPUTE IN PARLIAMENT: Politics or Agitation 11

UML POLITICS: Leadership Style 12

CITIZENSHIP ROW: Renewed Contro\'ersy 13

TEL EMPLOYEES VS OWNERS: Time To Mend Fences 15

NEPALESE ABROAD: Cultural Unity 24

J PARLIAMENT: Polities of Agitation MUSIC: Pied Pipers At The Capital 25 MPs use their fists to make their point.

Page 10 BOOK REVIEW 26

THE BOTTOMLINE 27

ENCOUNTER: Prof. Dhruva Kumar 28

PASTIME 29 INTERVIEW: ASKO LUUKKAINEN LEISURE 30 Finnish Charge d'Affai'es says Nepal can gain a 10l from Informa- tion Technology sector. FORUM: Madhav Kumar Rimal 32 Page 22

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23. 2001 SPOTLIGHT EDITOR'S NOTE THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE 'V~. 20, No.32, February 23,2001 (Falgun 12, 2057) I he fifty first anniversary of democracy was celebrated in Nepal a few days Chief Editor And Publisher back. Except a few corrupt politicians and their henchmen hardly any Madhav Kumar Rimal Nepalese was in the mood of celebrating the day. Almost the whole nation Editor was enveloped in gloom and despair. Even those who sacrificed their Sarita Rimal most precious lives must be turning in their graves (if they have one) at I erthe shameless and abominable behavior of their so called leaders. Lt seems, even King Managing Editor Keshab Poudel Birendra who is a stickler in constitutional monarchy • has started worry in g althe state of affairs in the nation. If one were to read between the lines the Democracy Day Message Associate Editor he gave the other day, one will not miss hi s concern. Here we quote a part of the message. Bhagirath Yogi 'The obj ecti ves of a democratic polity are Ihe overall prosperity of the nation and Jia Senior Reporter welfare of its people. In our country, we have been engaged for SO years in the exer. Sanjaya Dhakal of democracy. Democracy should not be confined onl y to the philosophical realm: it must Reporter be renected in our political conduct as we ll as in our way of life." Nothing could be more Akshay Sharma strai ghtforward and poignant. But. for those who understand onl y the language of brute force. the language of the stick and the gun, these kinds of sophi sti cated messages mean Design and Layout Jyoti Singh nothing. Moreover those men who had their ori entation in politics in an alien land and all their political gurus were aliens, how are they supposed to understand our language? And Photographer Nishchal Chapagain how are we to hope that they will be )oyal to our country and our people? Anyway, it has lessened our concem to find that all our exhortations had not fallen flat. Now, we see a Art definite light in the tunnel that our good King is equally perturbed and may not shirk from M.S. Khokna taking stronger measures to defend the integrity of the country. Since these men, we feel Legal Advisor ashamed to call them leaders, have betrayed the nation and the people they must be treated Advocate Lok Bhakta Rana as criminals. It is time the poor and innocent peoples of thi s hapless country woke up and Marketing/Advertisement dealt with them the way they deserve. We cannot afford to mi ss the bus again. Sarit Rimal(USA) * * * Hi s Majesty King Birendra's ensuing State visit to Peopl e's Republic of China must be Marketing Madan Kaji 8asnet seen in the correct perspective to understand Nepal's national and South Asian regional Navin Kumar Maharjan politics. That PRC prefers 10 dea l rather with a patriotic consti tutional monarch than an Madan Raj Poudel anti-national democraticall y elected all powerful govemmcnl must be read as the Editorial Office concern felt by Nepal's northern friend for her safety and welfare. It comes as a GPO Box 7256, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, contrast to the behavior of Nepa)'s fri end in the South who has. for some time past. Tel : (977-1) 423127, Fax: (977-1) 417845 blaming Nepal for posing a great threat to her security and consequently punishing her Chief Editor's: 435594 E·mail: [email protected] by hurling her tou ri sm industry, onc of the pillars of her economy. China is undoubtedly Internet Add: http://www.nepalnews.com/ one of the few Nepal's 1110St dependable friends, who has never tri ed 10 interfere in spotlight Nepal's domestic affairs, nor has pressurized her in any manner. We do trust this visit of Cover Design Kin g Birendra will provide the Chinese leaders an opportunity to understand Nepal's Wordscape problems in a better way. We do wish Their Majesties a very happy visit. Kamal Pokhari, Ph : 410772, Fax: 432872 • • • Distribution It is very gratifyin g 10 see that King Birendra has sent th e anti -national citizenship Bazaar International amendment bill to the Supreme Court for its advice. The onl y fact that the government 228 Sanchaya Kosh Bldg. Kathmandu wanted to pressuri ze the Head of State to give 'hi s assent to the bill by labeling it as G.P.O Box 2480, Ph: 222983 Fax: 229437 e-mail: [email protected] "finance bill" should be more than sufficient to prove the l1Ialaflde of Koirala govern­ men t. The whole nation has heaved a sigh of relief. We are quile hopeful of the outcome. Printers: Kishor offset Press (P.) Ltd. There cannot be even ajot of doubt that the judges of'Nepal's Supreme Court will not fail P.O. Box 4665, Galkopakha, Thamel, Kathmandu,Tel:351044(Off),351172(Res.), to risc to the occasion to defend the sovereignty of the country by calling the bill Fax: 977-1-351172, unconstitutional and expose the true character of the anti-national government. • E-mail: [email protected]

i C.D.O. Regd. No 15110)9-40 Postal Kegd. No I 42/057/58 V.S. Library orCongres~ Madhav Kumar Rimal Catnlogue No. 91 -905060 I Chief Edi to r& Publisher

2 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUA RY 23. 2001 LETTERS ______

Golf Is Not Green Mirror Of Nation 1 guess tourism is only one of the benefits that come YOllr cover story, "50 with a huge cost from the golf years ofDemocracy: Trial courses ("Face To Face" ANd Error", (SPOT­ SPOTLIGHT February 2). LIGHT, Febntary !6-22) First, they occupy an unbe­ SPOTLIG1I ,"VQS ill rich information lievably huge amount of land. aobllt different facets of Take Gokarna. for example. Nepal's 50-year-old It's located in the middle of the demcoracy. Overall, the is­ woods, which means that al­ sue was a remarkable one, though the golf course may covering all the esselltial officially take about a thou­ sand acre, it's affecting an­ aspects of the nation's per­ other fi ve thousand acres formance in varioLls around it. That'S because of spheres. YOllr StOI)' has also habitat fragmentation and the encollraged the young to edge effects it creates on the demonstrate a real commit­ surrounding areas. But my ment to strengthening the main concern is with the rootsofdemocracy.! ,,"ould amount of pesticides they use like to thank vour team for in "maintaining" their lawn. helping to raise awareness God forbid, if they even find a about the people role ill de­ single dandelion among their acres of manicured grasses, veloping a functioning Trial &Error Pesticides are poured in just democratic polity. unbelievable amounts (l don't [swar Pokharel know about Gokarna but that's Vi jay Chowk, Kathmandu the practice at most gol f courses)! Of course, that means that all the pesticide At The Crossroads to maintain the peoples faith country's economic structure. runoffs go to the most "holy" In the 50th yearofdemoc- in the democratic system of The Indian media is reporting Bagm81i river. And grasses ~Y. lhe country is at thecross­ governance. Thanks (0 our these facts with glee. The In­ have their own stories. These roads again. Many hopes are immature and corrupt politi­ dian media has never been are not your garden variety yet to be met and promises cians, the system is getting a friendly to Nepal. With its grasses. Most of the species remain unfulfilled. Without bad name among the people. multi-billion-dollar publicity are engineered especially for economic prosperity. the Who could have thought that paraphernalia. the Indian me­ • the purpose and their lengths Nepalese people will not be the leaders who fought their dia has always spread TUrnars are maintained at a fraction of able to really enjoy the divi­ whole life rorthe cause of de­ about Nepal.lt is believed that an inch! Canyouimaginehow dends of democracy and free­ mocracy would. in the end. they receive active coopera­ I much manpower it takes to dom. It is clear that the present work towards its destruction? tion from the Indian establish­ maintain all this? It's safe to breed of leadership is utterly Raja" Amatya ment in this sinister move. say that there are no other sports unqualified lO steer the nation New Baneshwor Nepal can in no way match that puts so much toll to both clear of the mess. This is in­ such behavior with its meager Indian Tourists human and natural resources. deed disturbing. Unless we resources. Now, the Indian Anyway, that's my one-sided have able leaders, no kind of In Nepal government is further aggra­ opinion about this senseless political system will work here. Formorethan a year, since vating the situation by harass­ "sport." I just fail to under­ Nabill Da/IQ/ the hijacking of the Indian ing citizens who want to travel stand what people get out of Samakhusi Airlines aircraft, the now of to Nepal. How should the this beside the show off of Indian tOllrists into Nepal has Nepalese people take all this their obscene wealth on ridicu­ Maintain Faith gone down considerably. This - as a traditional and friendly lously expensive equipment. As your cover story suc­ has adversely affected Nepal, gesture or a vindictive act? Ka/yall Pallde cinctly indicated. the most as the tourism industry is one A hotelier Madison, Wisconsin, USA important challenge today is of the main pillars of the Kathmandu via email

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23. 2001 3 NEWSNOTES

15 Killed In Stampede Two Rebels Killed Indian state of Kerala banning 'bandhs'. He said a case should be filed against At least 15 peoplc were killed and Two suspected Maoist rebels were those who call for ·bandhs". Organizers two dozen others injured in the aftermath killed when police opened fire at a group should be compelled to pay compensa­ of a fire that swept through a Muslim of Maoist activists enjoying a picnic at tion for any damage that take place dur­ religious fair at Nawaiparasi, nearly 200 Baguwa village developmcntcommince ing the protest programs. A senior police km west of Kathmandu, on Thursday in western district of Gorkha . Human official. Rup Sagar Moktan, said there night (February 16). officials said. The rights activist Krishna Subedi of INSEC had been more than 100 transport strikes stampede occurred when the fire started in Pokhara was quoted as sayi ng that two in the eastern development region over from a thatched hut at the hill at Kodiya rebcls, induding a girl student. were killed the last one year. Secretary of NATO. vil lage development committee in the when police opened fire on them. The BasantaRaj Mishra,callcd upon all mem­ district at about 8 p.m. The 15 people police later set on fire the bodies of the bers of society to become serious LO re­ were killed when thousands of Muslim rebels at Bauwa Khola near Ihesiteofthe solve the issue. Compiled from reports pilgrims started funl1ing away to protect encounter. In a separate incident, sus­ Feb. 15. themselves. Among those killed were pected Maoist rebels hacked to death three children and nine women. said Chief Shanta Devi Rawal, wife ofLok Bahadur Chinese Workers District Officer of Nawalparasi Bishnu Rawal. at her house at Narayanpur VDC • Raj Kusum. Thousands of people from in Kailali district. The Rawal couple had Seek Security India and Nepal had gathered at the an­ rented out their house to the Ilaka Ad­ Chinese nationals working at the nual Madar Baba Fair that began on ministration Office in the district. Com­ Indrawati III Hydro Electricity Project Thursday. This is the first time such an piled Jrol1l reporls Feb. 15. have demanded security from the local accident occurred in this religious gath­ administration. reports said. The Chi­ ering. Leading dailies reporl Feb, 17, Tourism Entrepreneurs nese workers have reportedly warned Worried By 'Bandhs' that they would abandon their work and Relief Material Sent return to China if adequate security ar­ Tourism entrepreneurs have ex­ rangements were not made. an official To Gujarat pressed concern over frequent 'bandhs' with the district administration office at A Royal Nepal Army plane left here (shutdown strikes) and 'chakka jam' Sindhupalchok said. The request was for Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Thursday car­ (transport strike) taking place in the coun­ made after a group of Maoist rebels at­ rying 2.5 tonnes of relief materials lO be try. Participating in an interaction pro­ tacked a vehicle carrying explosives for handed over to victims of the recent earth­ gram organized here by Nepal Tour Op­ the hydro power project, injuring II per­ quake there. Six organizations, includ­ erators' Association (NATO) Wednes­ sons, including a Chinese national , last ing the Federation of Nepalese Cham­ day, they said it had had a very advcrse week. Compiled Jrom reporls Feb. 1_ bcrs of Co mm ercc and Industry (FNCCI), impact on country's touri sm indusry. A had collected the reliefmatcrials, includ­ veteran tourism entrepreneur. Tek Chan­ Maoists Take Out ing medicine and tents, to assist the earth­ dra Pokhrcl. said time had come for lOur­ quake victims in the neighboring coun­ ism entrepreneurs to knock the doors of A Rally In Delhi try. The FNCCI had previously sent re­ the court to ball frequent 'bandhs.' Hc Indian police disrupted a rally taken lief materials worth Rs 5 million to the referred to a court verdict in the southern out by Nepalis in New Delhi Tuesday quake victims. Chairperson of the inter­ supp orting th e national coordination council of the Maoist 'pl:oplc'S FNCCI, Suraj Vaidya, said the plane war in Nepal. At would bring back Nepalese nationals se­ least 100 people riously injured in the quake for medical were injured when treatment. Nine Nepalese died and at police resorted to least 400 others were injured in the quake. balOn charge 111 the Thousands of Nepalese were believed to rally, which was par­ have been working in the area when the ticipated tn by quake struck. Vaidyasaid his team would around 1,000 try lO learn lessons from the earthquake. people. Organizers Nepal lies in a highly active seismic of the rally later lone. Experts say casualties, both. human handed over a and physical, could be enormous in Nepal memorandum to the if a major earthquake hit the kingdom. ~:-,:,"""--::~----______....J Royal NepaJeseEm- A bandh scene CompiledJrom reports Feb. 16. bassy in New Delhi

4 SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 NEWSNOTES

demanding an end to the ongoing vio­ the budgetary 0110- r------...,----..IIIiiO::'i lence in Nepal and alleged atrocities com­ cations being made mitted by Nepal Police against Maoist at present. He said a supporters. among others. The Nepalese poor country like co mmunity in the Indian citiesofKolkata, Nepal was spending Chennai and Mumbai also took out simi­ a huge amount on lar rallies. Compiled from rep orIs Feb. internal security be­ 14. cause of the deterio­ rating Financial Crisis situation. memberDr. In The Offing: Mahat Sharma soid Aday after assuming office, Finance was a need for fix­ Minister Or. Ram Sharan Mahat said the ing the priority of ntry could fall into a financial crisis if development the present trend of widening budget projects and COI11- Textile workers deficit continued. Addressing a seminar plet i ng them on ..:..:::.::.::..:...... :=-=-=------on "Improvement lIme. FiJlanceSecretary in Management of Dr. Bimal Koirala (HTM) from Monday. 1.092 workers and Public Expenditures" said the significance organized jointly of public expendi- officials allhe mill have been relieved of ture management has increased their posts with compensation in accor­ ,...... "1" because of the pressure on general dance with a cabinet deCISIon. About 40 expenditure caused by the com­ peoplchave been retained temporarily to pulsion of making investments in settle the accounts and for security pur­ development works and maintain­ poses. ing law-and-order in the country. Bijaya Kumar Upadhyay. general Leading dailies report Feb. 14. managerofHTM. said the mill would be able to senle the employees' dues within Seven Nepalis a month. The government decided to retrench all the workers at the factory and Killed In India had allocated Rs 250 million in compen­ Seven NepaJis from the far­ sation. The government has not made western district of Baitadi died re­ public any plan on the future of the mill. cently while working at a tunnel Compiled from reporls. for Tehariyo hydroelectric project at Tehri-Garhwal in Uttaranchal RNAC slate of India, authorities said. Denies l'it!:t1:i:f'!;:"~';1 Chief District Officer of Baitadi. News Report Ram Krishna Bhurtel. saId efforts The State-owned Royal Nepal Air­ were under way to provide com­ Jjnes has clarified that it has completed pensation tQ the families of vic- the payment of all the installments of the t!!;\l~r.~~:W:1 tims through Jayaprakash indus­ second Boeing 757 (9M-CB) it had lease tries. the Indian company .hat had purchased. in time. In a statement issued ~~2j~~~~Q~ employed the Nepali workers. Wednesday. the RNAC said as the loan " Thousands of Nepalese nationals Mahat from the Lyonnaise Bank of France has from far-western Nepal visit bor- been paid on lime. there would be no deri ng Indian districts every year by additional financial burden on it except the National Planning Commission in search of menial jobs. Gorkhapatra the legal fee to the (NPC). the Fm.nce Ministry and Public Feb. 18. consultant for the Expenditure Review Commission completion of the hand-over process. The state-owned (PERC) here Tuesday. Maha, said, as airlines refuted a news re­ Textile port published revenues had not increased in proportion Employees in Kantipurdaily Wednes­ day. which to increasing public expenditures, there Laid Off said that the last installment of the lease-p was a possibility of such a crisis. The urchasc remains to be paid. The government has decided to lay 'The minister said many projects would news report is wrong and mislead­ not be off more Ihan 1.000 employees completed even of the in g,' the airlines said. Leading dailies in the next 50 years with loss-making Hetauda Textile Mills report. •

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23. 2001 5 BRIEFS

Central Water Commission of India arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday for their week-long visit to Nepal. According to Bishnu BahadurThapa. Deputy Director-General altheDepartrnenlofEleclricity Development (DED). the team left for Butwal Friday en route to prospecuve sue at Naumure. The si te is about two kilometers below the poim where the Jhimrukh and Modi ri vers confluence. The Indian ream is also sched­ uled to visit the site of Budhi Gandaki later nex.t week.

ROY AL NEPAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOL­ ogy (RONAST) and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences have agreed to encourage scienti fie cooperation between the two academies in areas of mutual interest. A letter to lhi s effect was signed by Vice­ Chancel1orofRONASTProf. Dayananda Bajracharya and President of the Swedish Academy Prof. J. Carlsson at Thailand lOuclling the8ay bankers from six South Asian nations and experts from the Internationa1 of Bengal. Foreign MinisterChakra Prasad Bastala made this request at Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank and other internalional the meeting of the regional body in Yangon, Myanmar, Thursday, agencies are taking part in a three-day seminar on "Issues in Exchange Gorkhapatra daily reported Monday. Nepal is participating in the Rate Management." meeting an observer. Officials said Nepal is lobbying for the BIMST­ EC memberShip as its trade and economy is significantly linked with the NEPAL AND MYANMAR AGREED TO START DIRECT FLIGHTS five-nation group. '·India and Thailand are our significant trade partners. between the two countries during a meeting between Foreign Minister We are trying to improve trade with Bangladesh." said Gyan Chandra Chakra P. Bastola and Myanmarese Foreign Minister Win Aung in Acharya. spokesman at the Foreign Ministry, before leaving for Yangon Friday. According to the Foreign Mmistry. Myanmar has Myanmar. offered Nepal the use of Mandalay International Airport as an option for air connection between l:le two countries or beyond. Myanmarofficials A TEAM OF INDIAN WATER RESOURCES OFFICIALS HAS said arrangement for operations of private-sector airlines could also be arrived in Nepal to explore the possibility of setting up medium-sized made between the two countries. Both sides also discussed the possibil­ hydel project and left for the sites. The four-member team from the ity of using land and sea routes for increasmg bilateral trade. •

6 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23, 2001 QUOTE UNQUOTE

can read and write perfectly "I - nobody should snatch away that right from me. I am still in a position to be my own spokesperson." Former prime minister Krislllla Prasad Blzaltarai, denyillg controversial news reports quoting sources close to him, ill Kantipur. * * *

"I have indications Ihat if the present situation (in the parliament) persists for jh. title 'f seven or ten morc days. our IO-year-old rnt)j -new P~; .... tiO'V\.9 democracy may come to an end." i, -Polihcs I Tarallallr Rana Bhat, speaker of the Houseo/Representatives. in Kanlipur. * • •

"I was never a cashier. ( K·haJ anc I11· ) • worked as an assistant in Nepal Bank lim­ ited:· A1adlzav KUlIlar Nepal, main opposi­ tion/eader, denying persislellt reports that he once worked as a Khajallchi. in Chhalfal. • • *

"What is true nature of the UML fight's - against corruption or for commission? "The PM has no right to stay in power "The coming days are dark fortheNepali If its fight is for commission. the govern­ for even a single minule if he cares for men! should make it clear." Congress. How many limes will the people ethics." give Radha KrislmQ MailUlIi,Jonller mill­ a majority to NCT Rabilldra Natlt Slrarma, leader of Kltlllll isterand leae/ero/Marxist Leninis1, ill Balradur Kltadka, ce1l1rai Rastriya Prajarallfra Parly Bimarsha. , ill member of Nepal; Congress, ill Nepalipatra. • * * Ghatana Ra Bichar. • • • * * * am \\\\\\\' "I nol much interested in that dispute, \\ I don't know the reasons for the dispute, either," Paslll/pari SJB Ralla, RPP leader alld sOIl-in-len.". oJVijaya RajcScindia. IlIdia 's BJ P leader alld/onner Maha­ ..--___ O""::=.2!-{~I1;~ ( / ~ rani oJ Gwalior, II'ho died rece1l1ly. commentillg 011 Seindia's will whieh ~~-- debars 'ler ollly SOli Madhavrao Seindia from her property, ill Jana Aastha. * * * "Th e par I·lament . IS constituted to dis- .,. cuss and find solutions to problems. By 1 obstructing parliament and by preventing 1 discussions, democracy will be weakened," .~ Purlla Mall Shakya, constitutiollal > ~.L-______expert. ill Deshanter. _ * • * SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23, 2001 7 OFF THE RECORD

Matter Of Degrees the constitution, a group of intellectuals backed his con­ REVELATION In Nepalese politics, it tention. When Nepal later did does not matter whether you a U-turn. the same intellectu­ 'The People Know are a graduate of Thakur Ram als endorsed his new views. In • Campus or Oxford. If they the case of Bhattarai. nobody Started The Violence' want (0 survive, Western-edu­ knows what hi s real intentions • • • cated leaders have to follow in meeting intellectuals are. the taclics used by homcgrown And that makes things a little OMKAR SHRESTHA, MillisterofCtd­ graduates. RPP leade rs tricky for ou r thinkers. Pashupati Sumsher Rana and tllre, Tourism and Civil Aviation, who Dr. Prakash Chandra Lohani was slightly injllred ill rliis week's \/io­ '.'.''','.--,. -{ Tit For Tat 'el/ce ill parliamellt, spoke to reporters ,'- seem to have understood this I".~ J ' When opposition leaders about the episode. Excerpts: insist on the resignation of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Who was responsible for the out· Koirala, Minisler for Educa­ break of the violence? tion, Youth and SpOl1S Amod The CPN-UML was responsible. ~"~ ' Upadhayaya lectures them on As a member of a democralic pany. I the par'liarnentary procedures always believe in peaceful ways ofsorl­ for removing the lOp elected ing out problems. 1 believe in the principles of parliamentary official of the country. Up­ democracy. adhyaya cannot be faulted for But the main opposition party said you started emphasizing adherence to the violence? That is a completely false accusation against me. Dr. Lohani : No use constitution. But when ANFA president Ganesh Thapa, who were the ones who pushed me from behind. reality very well. This may be is the brother of a key RPP What proof do you have? why they arc taki ng part in leader. demands due process Since parliament has a video recording of the nrclce,erlino,, 1 opposition prOlests launched In the conduct o f his wc can see who used force first. by CPN-UML general secre­ organisation's affairs, he has But CPN-UML whip Rajendra Pandey was injured? tary Madhav Kumar Nepal. to put up with a government­ As you know, the CPN-UML is known for its abi lity imposed rival Gccla Rana. In dramalize events in their favor. After the problcm, I spoke Evergreen lhe political playground lhat Pandey in the speaker's room and he was alright. Two our spons sector has become, aft er th e incident, he was sent to hospital as if he was sel' IOII~ Intellectuals there is always a lIt for every injured. One cannot fool the people. They can sce through UML's drama. In Nepal, advice is avail­ tal. able in ahundance. Not only that, from many of our intel­ ANFAGames are as politicized as in Nepal. Screen Test lectuals, you can get exactly There must be few coun­ Our politicians do not hesitate Nepalese beauty pageant what you want to hear. Former tries in the world where sports to set up dozens of associa­ winners arc in a long queue to pri me 111 in iSler Kri sh na Prasad ti ons as long as they get to fill take a plunge into the film Bhaltarai has developed a habit them with henchman. But ex­ industry. With the boom in of assembling intellectuals perience has shown that hench­ the local filmland, new actors whenever he feels something men cannot rule. When Gancsh and actresses are in great de­ is wrong in politics. His bri­ Thapa left for Kuala Lumpur mand. gade of evergreen intellectu­ to take part in FIFA's general People like Ruby Rana, als can often be mistaken for meeting, the government-pro­ Jharna Bajracharya and hiredconsuhants. Someofour moted ANFA led by Geela Poonam Ghimire have yet to big brains are known for their Rana found itself busy schem­ establish themselves in the intellectual acrobatics in keep­ ing to grab FIFA's recogni­ industry. Nevertheless, there ing with the political winds. A tion. The kicks and shoves are countless other aspirants few months ago, when CPN­ within the nation's premier whoarec1osely watching how UML general secretary football organisationis have these women [are before they Madhav Kumar Nepal said drawn a sizeable number of decide to lake their own there was no need to amend spectators. plunge. •

8 SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 Role Of The Standing Committees In The Legislative Procedures By BlSHNU DUTTA UPRETY

.. I~;:~~~~:,~~~~ :The functions of a modern welfare government have into the floor of the House and the cOlmno",.ee r---:-::==""""l l( enlarged in respect of their volume. nature and scope. In debate of the Parliament. same way enormous volume of work appear before the Parliament. Functions of the Committees many limitations 1I1c1uding limited time at the disposal of the Apart from other functions. follo\\ ing iamenr make It impossible to consider the issues at length on the are. the main functions to be performed by the of rhe House. At this juncture If the Parliamentary work is to be committees of the Parliament: I.,:cc.moli sh"d the responsibility for considerations on various issues I. Legislative function entrusted to some other organs in which the whole House has 2. Function of evaluation ofGovt. work 'onn,iiencc. In this reference most practical method devised IS the performance i of committees composed of a small number of members of 3, Function of Examination of Gov!. the respective House of the parliament. Nowadays. ('onducr of assurances legi~lative business have become practically impossible \Iithout these 4. Function of Examination of Public named the Parliamentary Commluees. Accounts In a parliamemary democracy like ours. tht: present constitution 5. Function of Examination of Delegated Legislation has opened the door to form the committees for each House and the joint 6. Function of Exammation of the annual reports of the constltu· parliamentary committees. The hislOry and praCl1ce of the old parha­ tional Bodies. (Annual Repon of Attorney General. Annual ments like U.K .. India,japan and the history of American congres.s Report of the Commission of the Investigation of Abuse clearly shows that committees are the strong arm~ of the legislatures. Authority, Annual Report of the Public Service Commission). The performance of the parliament really lies to lhe great extent on the 7. Function Assigned by the Hou~e/A.!isembly from time to lime. effectiveness of such committees. It is evident that one of the major task At present it has been felt that committees have been contesting to of the committees is to discuss the bills. Committees are the places each other to expand their jurisdiction and functions in their own way. where bills are discussed with clause by clause and experts are con­ A tendency of expanding roles and scope has been lIlcreased. They are sulted whenever felt necessary which is not pmsible allhe noor of the diverted to fulfill the political ends rather than accomplishing works louse. AnOlherequally important [ask of the committees is to study the withm their jurisdiction. In thiS context. it can be suggested that the tabled before the House by the constitutional bodies through His members should precisely define the scope and functions of the com­ the King. TheComminees after going through such reports are mittees so that they would not be dragged imo the controversy and to suggest & recommend the deCision to the concerned thereby saving the Parliamentary Institution from blaming and cmiciz- . of the government. Mindful of the imponance of the ing. Parliamentary Comminees. each oflhe committee is constituted in such Categorization of lhl' Committee: way that there IS proportional repre~enlation of almost all the parties Under the Article 64 and 65 of the con:;.titU11011 and the Rules far as possible. procedure!t of the Houses, Parliamentary Committees can be As stated above with the evolution of the democratic institutions tmed. Under thiS provision both the Houses have conSlitu,,'C:~d]e~::;:~:::~1 ~md polllical environment the [oles of the Parliamentary Committees Committees. ad hoc Committees and lheJOlnt committees. T have been changing gradually. TIle number and functions of the comminee~ IS constituted for the whole period of the Parliamentary Committees are also increasing wllh the development of whereas the standing commillee of the National Assembly 1",U"U.I."'" the sphere of the governmental activities. in every two year~, The members of the standing committees While observing the imponance of the Parliamentary committees nominated by the Speaker/Chairman with the consent of the House. constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal, 1990 has given ducempha~ls maximum number of members for the House standing calm nni]lleesl IloCanst"Ulle the committees in both the Houses of the Parliament. Ever including the ex-officio member is twenty five and for the since thecommencemenr of the present constitUlion the committees in committet! of the National Assembly is fifteen. There is not the Nepal Parliament have been fomled. strengthened. and rationalized si on of the ex-officIO member in the standing committees steadily. However. we have not been able to claim to have a well-knit National Assembly. The House standing committee arc the Icc,m,nillee system working under a uniform body of rules. the goot..! committees whereas the Assembly standing committees are """g"«JI done by the commillees and its salutary effect on the administra­ responsibi lities in a different way. been slowly recognized. While exercising the powers con­ In a broader term the various comminees can be categories in by theconstitulion and the rules of tile procedureoftheconcemed following categories as per their nalUre and scope: some of the committees have fallen in controversy with the I. Committees to inquire: Committee on privileges. committee Id"cisic.n taken by them. Quile recentl y, the Public Accounts commtltee petitions. and Ethics Committee. very much in the picture with respect to the decisions taken by 2. Committees to advise: Business Advisory Committee. some occasions the activities and the working style of the Public 3. House Keeping Committees: Canteen committee (Informal). IAcC(,",,,, 'Camrnit'ee (PAC) have been critical and even questioned by 4. Committees 10 scrutinize and control: Gov!. Assurances quarters of the society. mittee. Delegated Legisla[ion Committee. Public Ac:caunts<:alm-I It is the fact that Nepal's endeavourin the experiment of the multi­ millee. system of democracy for the last eleven years have come across Advantages of the Committees some boulenecks We have been struggling hard to emerge as a Commiuees haveagreat importance in thecoulllry "Kec,ur".. 'nere I stable system . Despitematurity shown by the voters, time and again the multi party system of democracy has been gradually laking its roots, political leaders have nOl been able to understand the exertion of the system of Parliamentary government which we have adopted certainl people. The rough and meshhy politics have naturally been reflected need some advanced and modem mechanism to run the Parliament

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23. 2001 9 smoothly. I n this regard committees as a living postulate can contribute by most House members on the legislative process. The general dl!:cus-I III scrutinizing, controJling and supervising the function of the Execu· si on is both practical and symbolic. It assures both legislators live and making it accountable to a rcsonable degree. When we give due public that the House makes its decisions in a democratic importance to the parliamentary committees. at the same time we due respect for majority and minority opinion. The general should not take them and treat them for postponing or absorbing which is the primary stage of a biU appropriately tests th" e

10 SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 NATIONAL

norms, it becomes virtually impossible to DISPUTE IN PARLIAMENT smoothl y run parliament and conduct the wider task of governance by consent. "As a democrat, I believe in the rule of Politics Of Agitation the game and I cannotjustify any opposition party's obstruction of tlie"process though The confrontational approach of opposition parties force ," said advocate Harihar Dahal, who is close to the ruling Nepali Congress. invites extremism and violence in parliament At a time when all the players in parlia­ ment start to play on their own. experts By KESHAB POUDEL lively. Even during the dissolved Rastriya arguc. onc cannot save thccssence of parlia­ Panchayal. Kininidhi Sista was beaten by mentary practices. iberalism and extremism cannot go Angdandi Lama. In our decade-long exercise of L together. This was on display when But thi s lime the position of opposition multiparty democracy. political parties have N-UML whip Rajendra Prasad Pandey parties was different As the main opposi­ spent most of their time in setting the wrong nd Minister ofCullUfC. Tourism and Civil tion pany CPN-UML and its four allies practices in parliament. Aviation Omkar Prasad Shrestha were in­ continue la obstruct the proceedings of the Nepal is still in a transitionnl phase, volved in physical violcnce on Monday at house, t'le whole business of the willler which is normally a difficult period. The the House of Representatives. session has suffered. The greater the democratic process enn take roots by prac­ The tension erupted when Pandey ob- agilationai altitude shown by opposition tice. A prerequisite to the success of democ· racy is discipline and re sponsibility towards one's ro le. lf we sce the experience of Nepal. eXlremism has always hampered the liber· alism process. Whether it was in 2004, 2017.2023 or 2046, agitation brewed when the pol itical atmosphere or the day was in the process being liberalized. The vicious circle of agitation. extrem­ ism and violence is a constantlhreat to the blossoming of democracy. The government. for its part, was put on the defensive and hccame repressive. Repression provokes further agitation and extremism. "The speaker of the House of Representatives must take action against those involved in the vandalism." said Sharat Mohan Adhiakary. chief whip of CPN­ UML. Although each political party is accus­ Opposition MPs: In attack mode ing the other fortile vandalism. Pandey was slightly injured during the violence. Thanks srruclcd Minister Shrestha. who was head­ parties. the greater the possibility of vio­ to the prompt adjournment by Speaker ing {Q the rostrum with the permission of lence in parliament. Interestingly, when· Ranabhat. a worsening of the violent con· Speaker Taranath Ranabhat to make an ever a liberal political process seems to be frontation was averted. Despite the adjourn­ official statement on (he controversial Lauda on its way ahead. extremi sm and confronta­ ment, the situation was tense. Air deal. The oppositi on parties were dis· lional aniludes flare up. ''This is naked violation of the parlia­ rupling the proceedings of parliament for In the last 10 years, whenever agitation mentary code of conduct by the main oppo­ the sixth consecuti ve day on Tuesday de· and extremism have emerged as dominant si ti on CPN-lJML," said Minister Shrestha. manding the resignation of Prime Minister factors in politics. it has hit the process of "They were the first to use force. They Girija Prasad Koirala on his alleged in­ liberalism. According toa political analyst. manhandled me when J was on the way to volvement in the Lauda Air deal. a cardinal rule of democracy is to adhere to the rostrum." Such vandalism is not new in Nepal's parliamentary procedures and uphold the As the opposition panics and govern­ parliamentary history. Surya SahadurThapa dignity and decorum of the chamber. ment are still locking horns with each other. and Ram Chandra Poudel were also beaten When the main opposition parties are the CO Unlry is bracing for a long season of in parliament in 1992 and 1997 respec- no mood to follow established political the politics of agitation and violence. •

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23, 200t 11 NATIONAL

also seen in this light. UML POLITICS Political analysts believe Nepal' s strat­ egy could boomerang on the general secretary's political career. If Koirala - Leadership Style who stHl has a majority in parliament­ eventually resigns under the UML' s pres­ As CPN-UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal finds him­ sure. it would set a bad precedent in the house. self in a precarious position, he is courting the party's extreme fringe If Koirala manages to overcome this challenge, Nepal will lose face in the party, By KESHAB POUDEL vertical split. Because of that crack, the paving the way for the rise of OIL UML's total strength in parliament saw a "Nepal needs an alliance with the radi- dramatic decline. cals in the party to retain his position at this s the struggle for Jeadership in the After the split, Nepal saw the depar- moment." said Dr. Surendra K.C., whoill A party continues, CPN-UML gcn- ture of many strong rivals, including Barn Ph.D. dissertation analyzed the co mmuni~ era I secretary Nepal has opted to aJly him- DevGautam and c.P. Mainali.ButNepal's movement in Nepal. "Factional ism is a self with. the extreme fringe of the organi- position remained far from stable. tradition inNepal'scommunistmovement," zatian. This is why he seems to be in no As CPN-UML leader K.P. Sharma he said. mood to allow parliament to function as Oli is coming upwithgreater suppol1 within Nepal may feel more secure if Oli is long as Girija Prasad Koirala continues as the party, Nepal has no choice bUl to ap- defeated in the recounting of voles in hi s prime minister. pease the extreme fringe. The current cam- Jhapaconstituency. Oli won overhisNepali Nepal's supporters control the most paign to force Prime Minister Koirala out Congress rival by a slender margin of 15 inlluential of the party's sister organiza- of office seems to be part of this strategy of VOles. 111is may be one reason behind the tions, including the student, youth, peasant appeasement. RPP's move to support the UML's pro- and intellectual froms. But this is not enough Nepal's threat to launch street dernon- posal to force the government to extend the for Nepal to retain the party 's leadership. strations to force Koirala's resignation is tenure of Special Elections Court that is The general secretary also recauntingvotcs indisputedcon- must please a large numberofradi- stilucncies. cals in the party ta widen hi s sup- Nepal projected such a mod- port base, and that is precisely what erate image until a few l]lonths he seems to be doing these days. ago that his party did not even For the radical s, Nepal has al- raise the Lauda Air controversy ready given two emotive slogans: then. Even Nepali CongresJt.i The Purnagiri dam liasco and the leader Krishna Prasad Bhattar~ demand for the prime minister's accused Nepal of being a gov- resignation in the con text of the ernment supporter. controversialLaudaAirdeal. These "Madhavji knows every slogans are intended to rouse party method of consp iracy needed to workers to safeguard nationalism retain the pany leadership and and fight corruption - and shore knows how to garner support up Nepal's own position. from within the party," said Known as a moderate, why Siddhi Lal Singh, CPN-ML has Nepal chosen to change tracks leader. at the particular moment? The Nepal-Oli duo was at After the death of general sec- the forefront of the so-called retary Madan Bhandary in 1993, 'Mahakali sell-out', but Nepal is Nepal' s moderate image was seen now opposing the Purnagiri dam as the glue that could hold all fac- to prove his nationalist posture. lions together. In his flfst tenn as ' Whether it was Bhauaraj's general secretary, Nepal succeeded encouragernem or its own deci- in turning the CPN-UML into the sion,theCPN-UMLhaschanged single largest party in parliament. \4 its stand in the current session of At thesecondgeneralconven- we parliament. The con se- tion of the party, Nepal was re- ______---1 quences could prove far-reach- elected. But his party suffered a Nepal: Can he meet expectations? ing for Nepal and his party .•

t2 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 NATIONAL

CITIZENSHIP ROW Maiden Century Renewed Controversy Munik Shrestba, the young cricketer, entered his name as the first Nepalese to Following a six-month dispute score a century in one-day international , King Birendra seeks the Supreme tournament. Shrcstha ~cored an unbeaten Court's opinion on the controversial citizenship bill 113 runs in tbe Under 17 Asia Cup match against Singapore on February 19. The By KESHAB POUDEL tournament is being held in Dhaka. ' . lional controversies, but he cann ot throw Bangladesh, every issue to the court. ing Birendra's decision [Q send the Nepal won the match by According to Article 88 (5) of the con­ astonishing proposed Citizenshi p Amendment 224 runs but failed to stitu ti on. if the King wishes to seek the apex qualify to the Bill 2021 to the Supreme Court, second round court's advice or opinion on complications of the tournament. In its eking its opinion on whether the bill of constitutinonal and legal intrepretions, group, Nepal could manage to become should receive the royal seal. has sparked a he can do it. third after Pakistan and the host new round of cOnlroversy. As usual, consti­ This is not the first time the King has Bangladesh. tutional experts are divided along part y sought lne suggestion of the court. The The Nepalese team had earlier de­ lines on whether the monarch's action was monarc h soug ht the suggestion of the apex feated Kuwait. Shrestha's sparkling un ­ in favoroforagainsl thespiritofparliamen- .--______court in lhe case to form th e Dasdhunga beaten ll3 came offjust 185 ball,. He was ., Investigation Com- declared the man of the match for his mission in 1993 and remarkable innings. The younger sibling the proposal of Prime of cricketers Monis Shrestha and Monir Minister Surya Baha­ Shrestha, Monik was alsodeelared man 0 dUT Thapa to dissolve the match in the earlier match against the House of Repre­ Kuwait. • sentatives in 1998.

According to Ar­ the upper house and during the second VOle ticle 88.5 of the Con­ in the lower house. st itution of the King­ Although the bill was passed twice by dom of Nepal 1990, the lower house, almost all opposition par­ the King can seck ad­ ties, including 'he CPN-UML, requested vice from the court on the King not give his asse nt. arguing that it constitutional matters. violated the sp irit of' the constituti on. Passed unanimously "The King has taken the right decision Supreme Court: Law moves in by the House of Rep­ by se nding the bill to the court. If the King resentatives as a fi­ had given hi s assent, thousands of nOI1- nance bill and rejected by tary democracy. the National As­ Nepalis would have secured Nepali citi zen­ sembly, the bill was sent to the Royal Palace ship till Although the spirit of the presenl form the court declared the law null and after it was passed again by the lower house. void," said advocate of government is based on the theory that Bal Krishna Neupane, According to Article 69 (5) of the con­ who has fought the king can do no wrong. jf the monarch three cases against citizen­ stitution. the King does not have the author­ ship regulation ge ts involved in a controversy, he has to s. "On th e citizenship issue, ity to return a finance bill once defend himself. it is passed by the true face of all major parties has already the House of Reprcsentaives. been exposed." "The move is against the spiri t of the Although the main opposition CPN­ As the parliamentary form of government," said maller nuw lies in the court, the UML earlier supPoTled the bill in the House focus of national se ni or advocate Mukunda Neupane, who attention is on what rec­ of Representatives, it opted to oppose it in om was a rnem ber of the commission that drafted mendation it will send 10 the King . • the present constitution. "lfthe law is against RPP the spirit of the constit uti on, the apex court PRESS MEET ca n always The Rastriya declare it null and void," said Prajatantra Party (RPP), the third largest party in parliament, seems Regmi. to be in a mood to enhance its public relations. The party organized an interaction with Article 88 (5) of the the representatives Constitution of from the media in February 20. The reception was attended by all }(jngdom of Nepal contains a provi the top leaders sion that of RPP including Surya Bahadur Thapa, Pashupati SIB Rana, Kamal allows the king 10 seek the court's opinion Thapa, Dr, Prakash Chandra Lohani, among others. During the program a booklet and advice on matters related to constilU- titled "Mechi- Mahakali" was also launched.

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 13 NATIONAL

stands the importance of Nepal 's stabil­ ity to maintain peace in the Tibet Au­ tonomous Region. Nepal shares a 1,414-km border with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and one cannot ignore a big po­ tential to tap the Chinese market across the Himalayas. .. "The forthcoming visit to People's Republic of China by King Birendra and visit of Chinese defense minister will further strengthen Nepal-China re­ lations," said Yuba Raj Singh Pradhan, former Royal Nepalese AmbassadorAI China. ~ King Direndra with Chinese President Jiang : SU'engthening ties "China does not want to bring Nepal into its own influence; what it wants NEPAL-CHINA to see is that Nepal remains indepen­ dent. Because an independent Nepal has its own aspirations and will not be Growing Contacts dictated by outside powers against Chi­ nese interests," said Dev Raj Dahal, The visits of King Birendra and the Chinese defence minister associate professor at Tribhuvan University's Department of Political will further consolidate the relations between two countries Science. "Nepal has historically been con­ By KESHAB POUDEL between the two cQunlries. sidered by the Chinese strategists as In the last few years, there has been part of a chain of their nation's f the announcement of King frequent exchange of high-level con­ concentratic inner Asian defense sys­ I Birendra' s forthcoming state VISIl tacts between two countries which has tem and even now bears no little impor­ to People's Republic of China is any helped to strengthen Nepal-China rela­ tance for the security of its underbelly, indication, it shows the growing friendly lions. Tibet. where a large number of ani.1 contacts at the highest level between Inlerestingly. no communist party, Chinese forces have cornering intpolitics of Nepal: Survival Strategies of Chinese Defence Minister Chi Haotian and China to build a new road linking a Small State". is paying a four-day official visit to the two countries. The road, many "Chinese are sensitive to the possi­ Nepal which will start from February analysts say, will provide a boost to bility of Nepal serving as a spring 21. After Chinese President Jiang Nepal's efforts to consolidate its inde­ board for Khampa-like anti-Chinese Zemin, defence minister is the first high­ pendence. activities that continued until the mid ranking official to pay official visit to Instead. Nepal's communist par­ 70s." Nepal following the restoration of de­ ties are busy trying to topple the gov­ "Chinese diplomacy operates on a mocracy. ernment which has entered into the long-term basis which cannot manifest. Just a fortnight before the visit. agreement with the People's Republic Chinese actions can tell the intention," Ch~ncse assistant minister of roreign of China. Harping on anti-Indian slo­ a foreign relations expert said on condi­ affairs Wang Yi visited Nepal and signed gans on the Purnagiri Dam issue. the tion of anonymity. As Nepal's strategic an agreement to construct an alterna ti ve CPN-UML is busy launching an agita­ importance is tremendous and it will be road to link the Tibet Autonomous Re­ tion against the government just on the an asset for the country but it seems gion of China. The alternative road will eve of high-level visil. liability to the political leaders." boost Nepal's trade volume with China. When Chinese Defense Minister As the two countries are encourag­ Foreign Minister Chakra Prasad Marshal Chen Yi visited Nepal in 1960, ing the high-level visit between two Banstola also paid an official visit to the si tuation in South Asia was tense. countries, Nepal-China relations are China in July 2000 to mark the 45 years As Nepal lies in a strategically impor­ entering a new phase with an alternative of establishment of diplomatic relations lant zone in South Asia, China under- road. •

14 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23, 200 1 TOURISM

HOTEL EMPLOYEES Vs. OWNERS deadlock was inevitable. Hence, it may not have been an easy task for the high-level committee to dig into the controversial is­ Time To sue and come out with a handy solution. Mend "We Fences sought to answer the question: what is As a high-level the rationale behind levyingascrvicecharge committee presents a comprehensive in the hotel induslf)"'" said Dc Narayan report, both parties are forced to find a solution Manandhar, exccutivedirector at the Indus­ trial Relations Forum (IRF) at the FNCCL who was a member of the committee. By A CORRESPONDENT entire indu stry toward doom in a competi­ As there are wide variations in the tive global market like this," said Narendra practices related 10 service charge world­ week after the report by the high­ Bajracharya, President of HOlel Associa­ wide. the lntemati .- onal Labor Organization level committee was made public, tion of Nepal (HAN),ln response to a threat (!LO) has prescribed a lixed wage system to government officials and hotel union of strike by the ~ workers, hotel owners closed guarantee the regular and secu re income of leaders sat down at the Tourism Mini down stry their hotels unilaterally forone day on hotel and restaurant workers. Monday to find a solution (0 the months­ December II last year, ''The service charge is a bipartite issue long impasse. Though lhe meeting remained Rer orlS say thecounlry loses nearly Rs (Q be resolved by each and every enterprise inconclusive. there were indications of some 60 million every day due to closure of at the unitleve!''' said Dc Manandhar. "The type or agreement between them. hotels. The falloulofbad name it gave to our logical question is how to uphold the rights "We have gi ven four more days for the hospitality industry, which was trying to of the customer," gove rnment to consider our demands:' said overcome the setback in th e aftennath of As the debate goes on, it would be Prem Pounji. a member of the joint action hijacking of Indian Airlines plane in De­ better if the hOlel owners and trade unions committee of the hotel unions. ''The action cember 1999, could be even enormous, agreed to find a common ground6that is not cO llll11inec will meet on February 24 and As the politically backed trade unions to harm the interests of the industry while will decide our future course of action, came face to face with lhe hote l owners, a bargaining for their collective interests . • inc luding a nationwide suike, if our de­ mands were not met by then." Officials arc, however. hopeful that an Major Recommendations of the Ligal Committee amicable solution would be fo und to the Looking at [he declining competitive situation one-poinldemand put by of Nepal in the tourism market and weak rale lheagitating work­ 01" return on investment on tourism. It does nor look appropriate to introduce the mandatory ers 6 that is. to introduce 10 percem service service charge in acompulsory way, In ordent) grddually manage the tlpssystcm ,charge in a compulsory being practiced way. "I hope both now following recommendations are made: , hOlel workers and holel owners will In the first phase, to introduce hos.pitality charge in a voluntary way as per the deSire of the come to a point of agreement in near fu­ customer, lure," said Prithvi Raj To collectlile Ligal. vice-chairman hospitality charge by mentioning in the bHl to be delivered to the customer. The customer should of National Planning Commission (NPC), be informed about the provision of. and use of. the hospitality charge. The customer has tile who headed a high-level committee formed right not to pay service charge if he/she is not satisfied with the services offered. more than three months ago to study the As banquet, conference hotel workers' demands. and calenng services in the hotels already charge service charges, these should be replaced by a certain percentage Though the commiuee has said the of hospitality charge as agreed upon between the management and workers. nnplemcntation of mandatory service charge There should be a separate ·hospimlity fund' in each hotel and restaurant where is inappropriate at present. it has rec the charge om­ is levied. 20 percent of the fund should go to lhe breakage mend and other compensation, 30 percent ed gradual introduction of voluntary in enhancing the level of service of the employees and reSI 50 percem be distributed among the hospitality charge as the ftrst step toward employees and their welfare works. managing tips (See: Box) . It has also rec­ Lead-time should be given to adjust the hospitaJlty charge in their transactions. ommended fixing and regulating The committee recommends the basic a fixed wage system to ensure Cl safe and reliable source of standard income for the workers. of services in hotels and restau­ Each enterprise should work toward improving [he basic pay scale rather than rants and reform the labor laws. among raising other benefits. Nepal Tourism others. Board should be developed as a regulatory body to promote healthy competition in the hospitality The recommendations have made ho­ industry while maintaining the quality ot their services. The government should also work to regulate and manage tel owners, who are dead against the intro­ the unhealthy competition seen in this area. The concerned agency should take necessary steps to discourage duction of compulsory service charge in all practices strike. lockout etc, in a most sensitive industry like tourism. the services offered by hotels, happy, ''The To make timely amendments in the existing hote) labor laws so as to develop cordial relations workers' demand is not only imprac­ between the employer and employees and promote more domestic and foreign investment into tical, if implemented it would push the this sector.

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 15 COVER STORY SCHOOL EDUCATION Learning Our Lessons Nepal has made tremendous progress in educating its citizens over the past five decades. The general literacy rate has jumped from 2 percent in 1950 to 53 percent today. Government investment in the sector has increased considerabl y, reaching around 15 percent of the total annual budget. More than five million students are enrolled in primary- and secondary-levct.. schools. Enrollment in higher education, too, is growing by an average of nine percent a year. Despite such headway, the sector is still mired in problems. From strikes and political intervention to insurgency and sense of insecurity, the education sector is facing assaults from various fronts. In this dawn of the new millennium, Nepal's education sector is in dire need of a fresh impetus to move ahead. By SANJAY A DHAKAL return from the West, where he acquired and respect of children's right to study, modern education, King Birendradeclared the country's education system has seen s the country prepares to cel- primary education free in that speech. many ups and downs. ebrate Education Day on Falgun Ever since, Falgun 12 is celebrated as Although the country has made some 12 (February 23), it would be Education Day in Nepal. remarkable progress in education, recent fitting to remember that day in From that day to February 6this year, incidents of growing political violence 1975 when His Majesty King when thousands of students, frustrated and strikes have come as a serious impedi­ ABirendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev in his with the growing tendency to close down ment to the smooth functioning of this coronation address to the nation under­ schools on various political or other pre­ seCLOr. Dearth of clear-cut government scored the importance ofeducEtion forthe texts, took out a procession in the capital policies is not helping the maller either. development of the nation. Fresh from his demanding a fair academic environment While the situation of the country's

16 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23, 2001 COVER STORY

In public schools and 28 percent in private schools. Growth in private schools has been ala much higher rate in recent years." Access to schools has improved sub­ stantially. The average walk from home 10 school takes about half an hour. Every Village Development Committee (VDC) has at least a couple of schools. The literacy rate, too. has increased considerably. According (0 the govern­ ment. 53 percent of Nepalis are literate. Whiledonoragencies and others refuse to buy this claim, they. too. put the literacy rate at above 42 percent. During the Rana regime. education was seen as a threat la the establi shment. The policy then was to discourage educa­ tion. Only a handful of upper class elites used 10 rccei ve education by going.as far away as Benaras, India. After the establishment of democracy in 1950, the education sector began to flourish. In 2028 BS (1972), the govem­ public schools is anybody's guess, the pri­ a growing number of students from our mentcentralized this sector. In 2036 (1980) vate ones, too. are feeling the heat. "This is limited resources, these problems have the private sector was allowed to open a very unfortunate situation. Tt is true that in surfaced," said Khagendra Basnet, Secre­ schools. a democratic system of governance every­ tary at the Ministry of Education. Downside body has the right to protect their interests. Arguments apart, the school educa­ Although there is a gradual quantita­ But the tendency to target schools in any tion system in Nepal is clearly at the cross­ tive progress in education, quality remains kind of strikes will prove fatal. We urge roads. With the private sector making some to be achieved. The teacher/student atten­ everybody concerned to refrain from dis­ progress in quality and public schools wid­ dance, pass raLes and retention level in turbing the academic atmosphere," said ening their reach, the immediate challenge public schools are frustratingly low. ShreSlha. senior vice-president of is to sustain and intensify the achievements Drop-outs and repetition rates are I and Boarding Schools Organiza- made in the past five decades. very high. According to a recent National tion Nepal (PABSON) and founding prin­ Strides Made Achievement Survey conducted among cipal of Little Angel's School. The literacy rate in Nepal when de­ students of Grades 3 to 5, it was seen that Thousands of schools across the coun­ mocracy was established in 2007 BS (1950 their achievement was in the average range try were forced to close down for a whole AD) was around 2 percent of the total of 27-50 percent. That is, the students week in mid-December last year at the call population. Thanks to the anti-education secure marks in thi s average in exams. of a pro-Maoist student organ ization. The policy of then Rana regime, schools were The pass rate of the SLC examination also ANNFSU (Revolutionary) had called the rare even in urban areas. There were a has been unsatisfactorily low. Rarely does shutdown in support of its 15-point de­ little more than 300 primary schools and a this rale cross 50 percent. mand that included free school education, dozen secondary school s. There could be various reasons for nationalization of private schools, making This dark situation has changed dra­ thi s inferior quality of education in public Sanskrit education optional and ending the matically. There arc now 25,599 schools schools. Absence of adequate trained practice of singing the national anthem in in the country, with 8.547 being private teachers. materials and resources con­ schools. ones (Education Statistics of Nepal 1999). straints, lack of teachin g- learning envi­ "We see that there is a gradual erosion The total enrollments up to the secondary ronment and dearth of proper monitoring in the school system as the teaching-learn­ level has risen to 5,071 ,643 from a couple could be some of the reasons. ing atmosphere is being destroyed," said of hundreds in the 1950s. "Over the past "Unless the government introduces educationist Min Bahadur Bista. twenty-five years enro llm ents in second­ special programs to produce qualified But authorities deny such a situation ary schooling have increased seven-fold," teachers, the public schools will not be exists. "It is true that problems have in­ states the World Bank's report on Nepal able to deliver quality," says Keshab creased. But this does not mean there is a Public Expenditure Review. "Overall, 72 Bhattarai, President of Nepal Teachers' situation of anarchy. As we have to cater to percent of eorollments in grades 6-10 are Association (NTA) . "When we see MPs

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23. 2001 17 COVER STORY

recruitmg their cronies as teachers, how principal of the Bani Bilas Secondary merely about passing exams with good can we expect quality?" School, Pyangaun in Chapagaun VDC. marks?" That apart, the students who join pub­ Private schools, on the other hand, Notwithstanding their ills, everybody lic schools are from the lower-income have done well by stressing on quality. agrees that private schools have offered a group of the population. Naturally. there Almost 90 percent of SLC board toppers much-needed alternative to parents in is a lesser tendency to engage in improv­ come from private schools. But these search of quality. ing quality of education among this group schools, too, are not free from ills. Investment growth as thciroverriding concern lies elsewhere. "The private schools are developing The public investment in education "The quality is better in private into cram-schools. Their style of teaching has gradually increased over the past five schools because the students and parents is to make their students come out lOp in decades. This sector now bags nearly 15 there are more sincere, whereas the public exams and that's all," says Bista. He says percent of the total annual budget. In the schools suffer from lack of resources and the government should first define what budget for the current fiscal year 2000/ qualified teachers," saidJal KrishnaSingh, quality/decent education is all about. "Is it 200 I, the government has allocated more Anarchy Hurts The Teaching-Learning Environment' - MlN BAHADUR B1ST

BAHADUR BISTA is a well known results in the short term. control and regula­ ledllc,'I"""SI in the cowllry. Bista is also the How do you judge the overall educa­ tion has been affected IIIallO"lal coordinGfOI- of Institutional Linkage tion policy of the government? in these regions. of Basic and Primary Edllcation In the last one decade, the government Whataboutthe lPr.o",'Om /I (BPEP). He spoke 10 SANJAYA has increased its investment in education. quality of education IUJ'1f1.lV1Lon the prevailing silllario1J of edu­ Almost 15 percenl of its LOtal budget is appor­ in public schools? in fhe country. Excerpts: tioned to this sector of which 55 percent is The facilities invested in primary education. On the one have expanded. hand, you see the increase in investment. but Now, on average. the '-__...1.1:" Ihellpirlg this project'1 on the other. confusion regarding its poli cy walking distance from home to school main focusoftheBPEP is to improve still persists. There are confusions on the role come down to less than half an hour. of primary education especially to dis­ of the government, private sector. the rela­ although the government celebrates the i ladvarltalled community. including girls. to tionship between the two. maintaining the provement in enrolment. relai I"""a"e" quality of education and to build the regional imbalance, developing curriculum, and achievement is quite another story. Icapac:rty of education managemem right from improving teaching profession and various cording to a study on the achievement ministry level. Currently, we are in other things. students from 3 to 5 grades. it was Itn,e ",cc,no phase of the program with the total It is said there is a anarchy-like situa­ that their average marks ranged between US$106 million. Bilateral and mul­ tion in the education sector today. What do 50 percent, which was alarmingly low. Irilar.rat donor agencies. including the World you say? SLC pass rate still hovers below 50 Bank, EU, NORAD, DANIDA and FlNNIDA, To an extent this is the result of confusion This could be due la many reasons.rnc:lu,orngl helping the project. During its first phase in the government policy. There was a race weakness of institutional leadership. lack (1992/93 - 1998/99) the focus was on develop­ among success! ve governments to make edu­ monitoring and support. Politicization ment of school buildings, education materials cation free. Because of political compulsions. teachers is another problem. But [his lack and so on. It was more input-oriented and these governments declared education free quality not limited to public schools ISUDDlv-drive".But the second phase is more in without doing a financial analysis. As a result. Even the pri vate ones are developing as th program mode and is outcome-ori- on one hand, the government says education is schools". They teach students with the 11 emphasizes on empowering local free. while on the other. it asks public schools objective of passing them. They are yet Istllkeholderrs like parents. to charge up to a certain amount 10 sustain give the overall decem education. Anvu,"v There is talk of allowing the commu­ themselves. That apart, the failure to monitor one has to praise the role of pri"v::a. ~te~:~:;~~~~;~~1 to run schools on their own. What do and regulate private schools has resulted in they are successful in creating tf say? further chaos. This anarchy is going to erode ing environment and changing the Until now. we see that all of the decisions the school system as it hurts the teaching­ perception on the importance of quality made from the center, whether it is curricu­ learning environment cati on. development, training or management of Insurgency has also affected education The quality of education is very I""U''''. But the proposed seventh amendment in certain rural areas. What are your obser­ ent in public and private schools. [0 the Education Act includes some provi­ vations? would happen if this gap is not bridged to decentralize the system. It talks about Because of these incidents. the effecti ve time? Icomnnurrity control of local schools by elect- instructional time has been reduced. Thegov­ Thedivision in education will u""g.

18 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23, 2001 COVER STORY

Ihan 11 billion rupees to educati on. T he tion," states the W o rld Ba nk's re port. in private sch ools was Rs 8,574. 10lal budgel for this fiscal year was above Over the last decade alone, in vest­ As the in vest ment growth clearl y in ­ 91 b illio n rupee s. ment in education has swoll en 10 a great dicates [he governmen t's intention to de­ Expenditure on educati on was 1.4 exte nt. In 1990, tile governmenl spent Rs ve lop the sector, there are still reasons 10 percent of G D P a nd 9.4 of lotal govern­ 30 1 m illio n in the regular budget and Rs be more adamant in the pursuit for belter me nt expe nditure (T GE) in 198018 1. This 1.22 bill ion in the developme nt budget for education . S lill. Nepal has some of the rose to 2.6 percenl of GDP and 13. 1 per­ educati on. The budget has now increased worst fi gures in terms of education stati s­ cent of T GE in 1998199. by ten folds. tics in South Asia. The literacy rate in "or the total expenditure on ed uca­ In 1991192, the governme nt's invest­ 1995 was 36 percent in Nepal compared tion. 45 percent is for pri mary and 0 0 11 - ment on a student was Rs 654 a year. to 90 percent in Sri Lanka. 52 percenl in fo rmal education, 32 percent for second­ Today it is spe nding m ore Ihan Rs 2,500. India . 39 percent in Bangladesh and 35 ary, 6 pe rcent for technjcal and voca­ A sample study by M in Ba hadur Bista in percent in Pakistan. lional, a nd 16 percent for teniary educa- 1998 showed thal in vestmenl pe r student cademic Environment Has To Be Improved'

is fhe sefllOr vice-pre.\i- government and private schools? schools. Lawsshould r----: of the Pri\'are Boardi/1 g Schools Had thegovernment/public schools done be made in thi s re­ IO"S(l lI i"atilllllifl>t'el'l'/ (,PA/J SON). TheJOllllder their job we ll . there woul d have been no need gard. It shoul d be Iprill(:i,,,,/ of Liule Angel 's School, a leadmg for the private !:lector. Due to the deterioration clari lied whether th is school. Shrestha talked to SA NJA YA of quali ty in pu blic sc h oo l ~. people became is a service or service IU,t1A."'\L abow the major issues and chal­ at tracted 10 private schools. Parents areclearin indust ry. lenges of educatioll ill rite cO l/nil:\,. Excerpts: their concept th at private schools give quality How can the education in an environment that is conducive gap between public How do you find the present anar ch y~ 10 academic progress. Bu t this does not mean and private school situation in the education sector, with that private schools are frcc of any ills. We are education be I ~::~;::;:: ;and strikes being announced frc- also accused of becoming more ex pensive and bridged? other things. Actuall y. the Shuuing down of schools for even a si ngle Despite progress in enrolment and ac~ pri vate sector has not covered th e inllicts great damage to the whole nation. cess, schools, especially public ones, a re yet the popu lation. It only serves 30 percent fi nancial terms. losses worth mi llions of to improve quality. th e popul ation in the secondary level. occur when schools are forced lO close T he fi rst thi ng is there shoul d be proper takes three to fo ur decade~ to find out a week. like what happened here some control and monitoring from the authorities. impac( of education. So. the re is goi ng to ago. I call it a natio nal loss. This ki nd Merely building more schools will not deliver a long-term impact of such gaps. situation must not be allowed to persist. A quality. T he overall academic environment sc hools. too. should be given the opportunity few weeks ago, thousands of students came has to be im proved. This is true also in the case to improve. Introducti on of concepts like demanding a fair academic environment. of pri vate schools. The mushrooming of pri­ Illodel schools and pub li c-pri vate oal-tn<:rslliol there was transport strike lwo weeks vate schools needs to be checked. could help. the re was a big pressure from parents 10 There is also an emerging concept of Wha t are the main functions the school. Such publi c pressure should community~c()ntrolled schools. Clauses to PABSON? that efrect are also said to be included in the We area professional or!!ani zo,t ion vvork-I A student outfit recently called a week­ proposed 7th amendment bill to the Educa­ ing for the overall inlcn:St of pri vate schools. closure of schools demanding, among tion Act. What are your observations? We have demanded clear pOli cies and things, the nationalisation of all pri­ T hree decades ago when I st udi ed in a lions from the government. PABSON is schools. How do you see that demand? sc hool in a remote village in Bhoj pur district. ready 10 rectify public grievances aboUl T he government talked with the students the parents and the community were very vate schools th rough more di alogue and ut wc don ' t k now w ha t tra nspired. concerned about education. They used to bring action. v3tization has become a global phenom­ teachers from India. But aft er the education What are immediate challenges . In Nepal. there arc 8.000 pri vate schools po licy of 1972 when government committed the education sector? 75.000 teache rs work and one million itself to all sectors of schools. community Educatio n being an international ISl lla,:ms study. Among them, 24.000 students invo lve ment vani shed. These days we see that we have to e mbrace global tre nd s. The ohtained some kind of scholarships. communi ty involvement is more on pany lines. diate chall enge. lherefore. is how to adj ust In. v" .. " fi ve billio n rupees worth of financial How do you find the government's curricul um to match the global demands Itrll11s,actionoccurs per year in this sector. So. it policy toward private schools? seClOrs li ke Inform ation TechnOlogy. D"" U"',I be unwise 10 close all these schools in We have been tell ing the government we need to develop our human resources go. si nce the last one decade that there shoul d be meet the chall enges of the country. How big are the differences between stri ct monitoring and regulari zatio n of pri vate changes in syllabus are also i

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23 , 200 1 19 COVER STORY 'Govt. Has Realized The Importance Of People's Participation' - KHAGENDRA BASNET

KHAGENDRA BA SNET is the Secretary with the private sector. To Ihat extent, their How does the government find the at the Ministry of Education. He spoke 10 demand was totally against the government's conceptofcommunity-controlled schools? SANJAYA DHAKAL on rlie go\'emment's policy and we did not want to talk with them The government has realized both from position 011 key isslIesjacillg the education on that point. policy as well as practical experience that SP('IOI". Excerpts: It is alleged that the government's ulHil and unless civil society panicipates, It is said that there is a situation of position is unclear as to whether it re­ there cannot be effecti ve control on the day­ uncertainty and anarchy in the education gards the operation of private schools as lo-day administration of schools. The gov­ sector. How is the government looking at service or an service-industry. What do ernment is firm in its conviction that the this situation? you say? rural community has a major role to play in I do nol agree th at there is a sit uation of According to the government' s poljcy, the management of schools. In the ame - anarchy or uncertainty. h is true that prob­ we have divided schools into Ihree catego­ ment bill, we have proposed a drastic cha lems are increasing by the day. Blit that is ries - public schools, trust-run schools and in the structure of management boards of because of growing enrolment which we private professional schools. This categori­ public schools. The proposed management have not been able 10 cater LO properly zation is included in the proposed seventh board will have 51 percent of its members because of lack of malcJials and resources. amendment bill to the Education Act, which elected from among guardians. Theconcep[ Many orlhe problems are also an indication is curre ntl y in parliament. So schools could of village education committee and educa­ that wc will now havcwITIove LOsolvethcm. be either a service-oriented or a business ti on fund, which will alsO be under the The main problem at present is dearth of activit y. What we have emphasized is that if control of guardians. is also included in it. resources. Another thing is that. after the a school falls in the latter category. it ""ill The emphasis is on people's participation. rc.;storation of democracy. the people's ex­ have 10 be operated in accordance with There is a big gap in the quality peclation grew. BUl wecouldn'l fu lfi 11 all of existing laws and regulmions. between students from public and pri­ them. which then led to some gloom. But How has the Maoist insurgency af­ vate schools. Ho\\ can we bridge this gap? this is not tantamount to anarChy. fected the operation of' schools in areas This does not mean that we have to What will be the long- and short­ where the rebels are active? curtail the quality provided by the private term affects of strikes and bandhs? After studyi ng their poljcies, I have schools. In fact. that should be further en­ Strikes and bandhs affect all spheres of come to understand that they are more vehe­ hanced. BUI the need of the hour is to society, including tourism. transportation. ment on closing down private schools rather improve the quality in public schools. The communication and education. In fac t. edu­ than public ones. So. I have not found the government has given special emphasis to cation is more susceptible to it. Schools are insurgency affecting public schools. the training of teachers. We have two sepa­ run on the basis of an academic calendar. In spite of progress in enrolment and rate provisions for basic and primary level We have provisions to open schools for 220 access, (he (IUality of education in public and secondary level teachers. The traini days in a year out of whi ch 180 days should schools is still low. How can it be im­ is regard ed as the compulsory condition for be compulsori ly set aside for teaching. proved? teachers. We are also working on a strategy Strikes definitely hurt this calendar. The We have been saying that the con­ to introduce a system of givi ng license to dislUrbances will hamper exams and other straints of resources, materials, trained teach­ qualified leachers. activili es, too. ers and various other things are responsible There are reports that many teach­ A few months ago, a student organi­ for the lack of improvement in quality. The ers have entered the profession OD the zation forced schools to dose down for a government is keen on improving the qual­ basis of fake education or citizen certifi. week. The government later held talks ity and is trying hard in this direc ti on. cates. How does the government plan to with the group. Was any progress made? How do you rate the changes in check this? We did talk with the slUdents. Their Nepal's education sector in the last five So far as ciljzenship is concerned, that demands. however, were not about the rights decades? is the basic and compulsory condition to be and interest of students but about the state's There ha s been a tremendous change in recruited as teac her, and Ihi s is specified in policy on educati on. Such demands could thi s sector. From a two percent literacy rate acts and laws. As for fake certificates, our alTeet thegovernmenl's policy and wecould in pre-2007 BS era 10 aboul 53 percent minister of state has also clarified that we not agree to them. As a result, the dialogue literacy at present, we have come a long have issued a 13-point directive two weeks could nOI succeed. way. BUl still lhis pace of development was ago. The directive asks the District Educa­ One of their demands included the below the expected rate. Take, for instance, tion Office to maintain the personal/profes­ nationalization of private schools. What lhe goals sel by lhe Ninlh Five Year Plan. sional record of each and every teacher was the government's response? The plan had sel the goal of laking lhe working in lhedistrict. The record will have A country is run in accordance with the lit eracy rate to 70 percent, but as we stand the original certificates. And if there are policy of the govemment. The current gov­ now. we will nOl be able 10 reach 57158 doubts as to the authenticity of some certifi­ ernment of the Nepali Congress pursues an percent by th e time the plan year ends. All in cates, they will be immediately proceeded education policy that favors a partnership all, the progress has been remarkable. for further investigaLion and action. •

20 SPOTLIGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 200 1 COVER STORY

Sense of insecurity necessary money," said one In the past few years, a sense of headmaster of public school. Insecurity has gripped school education. Future Ahead In regions affected by the Maoist in sur­ ... As Nepal's school educalion gency. the schools are almost paralyzed. systems stand at such a critical ''They threaten teachers all the time. juncture. there is a need for some Some have even been murdered. The situ­ urgent changes. The proposed ation is really dangerous in some parts of seventh amendment to the Edu­ the counlry." says Bhattarai. cation Act. which is currently The Maoist insurgents are said to before parliament, has proposed have LUrned schools in certain regIOns as to encourage community-con­ recruitment centers for cadres. Students. trolled schools. too, are kidnapped and turned into their "But inasociety where a large in districts like Rolpa. Rukum. section of the community is still and others, it is alleged. uneducated. how efficient this con­ According to Bista, the in~tructi o nal trol will be is still in doubt," said lal time in schools from Maoist-affected rc­ Krishna Singh, a school principal. gions bas come down to 75 days a year. The bac;ic and primary education As if the insurgency was not enough. project and the decentralization of various kind of strikes and bandhs regu­ management and financing of larly disrupt classes. From the Hrithik schools could be steps in tl,e right Roshan-episode to the transport strike. direction. BUllhe overriding chal­ each had its impact on schools. lenge of the sehool education sys­ "As the students are constantly ex­ tem remains the prevention of the posed to news of cOlTUption. violence and further erosion of the teaching- strikes, there is a dearth of role models to ______learning environment. • follow . I am concerned about how these things will affect the mentality of our Annual SUBSCRIPTION Rate' young students," says Bhanarai. Frequent political interference in edu­ cation. too, has added to the confusing Indi\idu.1I Institution Indi,idu;,1 11I-.lilulilll1 scenario. From recruitment of teachers to ..... CIKd NR ... R~ . 1400.00 NR, R..... 25000u Nepal NR, R". I.lOIl O() NR ... R. ~<;()O iW' LI ,activities of teachers' union. polilics Indi.t le R ... , 1400.00 le R'). 3200.00 Indlol le R, 1401.\ '10 le R '\~!lU.tMI Olh.;r SAARC Other SAARC ,,IIIIf,ccome a deep-rootcd feature of the Cllunlrll:, US S 75.00 US S 150.00 Counlric~ US S 75 00 l 'S .... 1<;1100 education scctor. J"pan lIS S 100.00 US S '20().OO Japan US S 100.00 L·S .... 2(01)0 The 140,OOO-odd teachers nredi vided A.,..:an Counlnc!'t US S90.{)() US S )80.00 A ... can Cou[J\nc~ L'S ... 90.00 l 'S .... ):\000 Chlna/Kor"::.! US S 100.00 among various political fronts. As politics US S 200.00 China/Korea US S 100.00 t 'S .... 2110lMI start right from their recruitment, there is SUBSCRIBE NOW (Send a GIFT subscriptiQll10 friends they willlmlc it) linle the teachers can do without clinging ,------, I Pk'hC Imd enclo... t:d hcr..:wnh my annual !'.ub.,cnptlOn for... l'\IPIC' to onc or the other party. I Even asitting State Minister for Edu­ ,(,,,h/DO/Cheque No...... for R.J£/US S. . DJ!e . calion recently conceded that many teach­ IN ..utw I ers have been wrongfully recruited - on 1Addrt.'" .... the basis of fake certificates. I The government's intention to make I ...... ,. Pm Code ...... I education free has also fallen victim of I politics. Becauseofpolitical compUlsions, I successive governments have declared I Si~nature Tel~phone Fa\ L ______~ education free up to the secondary level. But as the decision was made without DO NOT Send CASH in ~IAIL Plc.l!.C ... end your remitt.mec by Draft/Cheque to conducting a financial analysis, this could not happen in reality. "On the one hand, SPOTLIGHT the government makes a decision of free THE NATIONAL N"~ \VSMAGAZINE education while, on the other, it sends a GP. Box 7256. Baluwatar. Ph 977-1 -413 I ~7. 435594. Fax 977-1·417S-15 E-maIl. edilOr@~potmo~.comnp circular to schools allowing them tocharge

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23, 2001 21 INTERVIEW 'Nepal's Hope Rests On Tourism and IT' - ASKO LUUKKAINEN

ASKO LUUKKAlNEN, clwrged'affaires of Fillland (0 where we have made tangible change. In these areas, Nepal, holds rhe view that Nepal needs to maintain law hundreds and thousands of people have benefited from and order fa promorejoreign trade. Lflukkainen, who Finnish projects, Khimti transmission line project is arrh'ed in Nepal six momhs ago, .spoke to KESHAB now bringingeleclIicity. The mapping project will also POUDEL on \'orious issues relating co Nepal's eea· yield results. In the education sector, we are fin~i'1g nomic development. E\"CerpISfrom the "al/-hollr inter­ through basket projects with other donors. H~l view: rights. democracy and good governance are new areas for us. We have already funded many small projects. How do you see the state of Nepal-Finland Many non-government organizatjons are applying for economic cooperation? project grants. Small NGOs are implementing the Unfortunately, it is quile low at the moment. Basi­ projects themselves. This is going [0 the grass-roots cally, this is because we don't have big infrastructure level. projects now. So we don 't have many statistics to In the context of donors' severe criticism of disclose. We are contributing a few million US dollar Nepal's performance in aid projects, what is per )'ear, which is a pity. But that is quite normal Finland's reaction? between Finland and countries so far away. Nepal Well. 1 have not heard so much criticism because produces mainly agriculture products, garmenLS and I have been here for just a short time. So far, my carpets. The demand for these products is not high in impression is that Nepal is not very much different from Finland at this moment. Butl see a future in the area of other countries we are cooperating with. Some compa­ information technology. That is the thing I always talk nies sce the situation by applying European standards. aboUl because we are very advanced in information So such difficulties come up. We have to understand the technology, but there are not enough people in Finland difference. Nepalese authorities should understand our 10 implemenllhe plans we have. So Finland is trying 10 standards and work more effectively. find partners from different countries. Nepal definitely What is Finland's aid strategy to Nepal? seems to be a good place to cooperate with. as the We had bilateral discussions in November last "So far, my Nepalese people are very talented in IT. They can easily year. We discussed future cooperation in the fi If be trained. After that. they can cooperate with Finish education. We are planning 10 increase our aid 1 le impression is companies via the Internet. So. I can really see a future area of rural water supply. We want to become involved there. in these two areas and in the environment. After the that Nepal is What are the areas of development coopera­ completion of the mapping. our emphasis will be in not very much tion? these areas. It seems to me that there will be greater Rural water supply and SanilallOn are the tradi­ cooperation in the future. different from tional ones. Now the environment is coming into promi­ How do you see Nepal's transition to democ­ other countries nence. We have already done the mapping of the whole racy? of Nepal. We are also involved in the education sector I think that everybody notices that democracy is we are cooper­ through the Basic and Primary Education Project. We not working perfectly yet. When you look at the sudden ating with. are providing funds in the areas of human rights, de­ strikes launched by different pressure groups, it shows mocracy and good governance and small environment lhatdemocracy is not yet advanced. In advanced state of Some compa­ programs. These are the main areas of cooperation. democracy, demonstrations are under control through nies see the Actually, our idea is 10 go out of the valley because we agreement between unions and political parties. They really see the need of the people in rural areas. Our main use other peaceful means when the negotiating party situation by emphasis is to go outside the valley for development ignores the agreements. Democracy in its advanced applying Euro­ projects. state has an organized system for that. There are still Finland has been helping Nepal's economic complications in Nepal's new democracy. That is not pean standards. development in a big way. Do you think Finnish surprising at all. If you look at what happened to So such diffi­ cooperation is yielding results? counlries formerly under communist rule. many are in Many of the projects have been evaluated and the a Slate of disorder. Now they are slowly recovering. atlties come results are quite satisfactory. Everyone can sec the That is going to happen in Nepal, [00, because the up. " changes when he or she visits the sites of our develOp­ situation and process is completely new. You had ment projects. We have been active in areas ofLumbini multiparty democracy earlier for just a short period. For

22 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23. 2001 INTERVIEW

mc, it is not surprising at all. When Finland became Independent in 1917, we had acivil war in 1918.11 took place because nobody knew how to run the country. The fjghl between supporters of communists and cunserva· lives escalated lhe civil war. That is nOI happenmg in Nepal. So we have experienced quite a lot difficulties on the road to democracy. We are now not where we were 85 years ago. How do you see the future of Nepal? I believe Nepal has good prospects. The Nepalese people are very friendly and there are many things to offer foreigners. Tourism will be one of the major areas to uplift the economy. Infonnation Technology gives a lot of hope to this country because it does not require a~ s to the sea. After the emergence of the Internet G. -mail. you are no more a landlocked country. That will be big change for Nepal. Is democracy an easy process or does it need time to evolve? It lakes a lot time 10 evolve. Even in 1950, afler 30 years of democracy, we had a general strike and people representatives are corrupt, they will not vote for them were out on the streets. But we were able 10 manage our again. That is the system we like tofollow. The party also problems. has to take an initiative to control corruption. "Tourism What are the problems of democracy will in Nepal? \Vc have a Wcstminster.style government and a Is it the politic_.1 process or the institutions? first·past.the-post system. But we have many donors be one of the The problem is thal the people are not yet experi­ that are rollowing the proportional. representation enced in mllningademocracy. There major areas to are many different system. When dill'erent countries are promoting their thoughts and ideas about democracy. There is no con­ own systems, won't it be confusing? uplift the sensus yet on how to run the country. Normally. the In my opinion. you have a democratic system of government is chosen though parliamentary elections. economy. governance and elections. The basics are there. Nepal is After that. it stays in power until the next elections. You not like Finland, so we can not impose our views. Every Information can change part of the country during that time. There country has its own tradition and habits. If you have a is a certain provision to choose the government and Technology democratic system, as a donor we are your partners. If change the government in a constitutional way. In you follow the mleoflaw. wedon't have anything tosay. gives a lot of elections. it is the people who can decide which party How do you see the law·and-order problem in trAvant. This is the way democracy normally works. Nepal? hope to this Bll'Ptere I have sometimes seen strange lhings like We all know what is happening in lhewestern part of country be­ strike~ and demonstrations. Nepal- and that the situation is not good. The Maoists Most donor countries are openly cause it does talking about are also taking advantage uf the poverty and backward­ corruption in Nepal. How do you look at it? ness of the people. Their movement is nOl being launched not require This is a subject everybody has been talking about. in a democratic way. as innocent people are being killed. I am a newcomer, so I can not draw a conclusion access to the from A couple of children were killed a few days ago. The thaL Controlling corruption is a difficult task for the situation is very difficult there. According to newspaper sea. After the government, but it is not an impossible task. That has reports, the government is virtually non-existent there. In been done in oilier countries. Here I must proudly say that emergence such a situation, how can government deliver? This is the of according to Transparency International. Finland is the time for the government to slartnegotialions. l met Padma the Internet least corrupt country in the world. We are proud of this Ratna Tuladhar who mediated talks a few months back. reputation and we want to keep it. How to eradicate and The government can once again ask him to play the role e-mail, corruption is a big question. Now you have democracy of a mediator. If the situation continue in the remote areas, you are no and you have many political parties. So the parties donors may have to pull oul their programs. No one will themselves need to become active to control it. Political send people to unsafe areas. /17.0 re a land­ parties should choose candidates who don ' I have a tai nted Donor countries have been talking character. about the locked coun­ deteriorating law-and·order situation in Nepal. But Western democracies are promoting the rights at the same time they continue working in places try. " and freedom ofthe people. At the same time , they are where the situation is much worse. No country pulls also proposing the creation of authoritarian institu­ out from Sri Lanka or Colombia. Why they are tions t,o lead so the fight against corruption. Isn't this a concerned about Nepal? contradictory approach? Finland was active in Sri Lanka for quite a long I believe in a system where elected people are time, but finally we pulled out. That is what could responsible to the voters. If the voters think that their happen here if the violence escalate. •

SP01LIGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 23 NATIONAL

NEPALESE ABROAD BUTWALPOWER COMPANY Cultural Unity Toward Private Time has come to unify Nepalese living abroad to their motherland Hands

By A CORRESPONDENT world. The largest privatization bid in "Spi ritu ality does not have any lan­ the country is finally on track guage, it's the matter of feeling and real­ hat do Nepalese working in dif­ ilalian. He said that when spirituality Wilh two companies vying 10 buy 75 Mrt W ferent parts of the world wanl gels the language, it becomes religion cent stakes In the ~Iate-owncd BUlwal p~. from Nepal' "Nalional pride and a sense which creales discrimination among the Company (SPCI. the largesl ever of cu hural unification," found people which is unfortunately taking privatization orrer hy the government is Chinlamani Yogi. Principal of Hindu place al every corner of the globe," he finally under way. The finance Ministry Yidyapecth-Nepal IHYP). an educational said. fonnally received two technical proposals institute run on a non-profit basis. during AI a talk program on 'Essence of from Interkraft Nepal and Independent his recent visit to the USA. Hindu Philosophy' was organized in Power Corporation in connection with During his three-week-Iong stay in Washinglon D.C. on behalf of George privatization of the Butwal Power Com­ the US (Jan 15 -Feb 8. 2001), Yogi at­ Mason University - Nepalese Students pany (BPC) lasl week. While Jyoti Group tended several meetings and delivered Association (GMU - NSA). Yogi said is the local panner of Interkraft. a Norwe­ talks at programs organiled by US orga- Hindu philosophy is based on Yeda which gian company, Chaudhary Group is the does nOI include any local partner of Independent Power Com­ caste system and is pany/PLC, a US-UK company. Secretary not biased toward at the Finance Mlnislry. Dr. Bim.1 Koirala any race, sex, calor said after technical evaluation. the finan­ and natiollJlilY. He cial proposal of the selected company will also urged all the be opened in the next two weeks. The Nepalese living there government had initiated the process 0 lowork withlhespirit privatization of SPC - that runs ~'? of unity to preserve projects generating 30 MW or poY!.<, Nepali culture and among others - nearly three years ago but spiritual values. ~ould not decick on the case due to pres­ In Boston, Yogi sures and conditions from the bidding par­ warned that i r once ties. BPC is the largest-ever company be­ cultural and religious ing privalized by Nepal and the first power halmony and integ­ company being sold to private parties. Yogi (3 rd from left) with Nepalese in V.S. : Disscminatingthe message of unily rity of Nepal were ESlablished jointly hy HMG Nepal broken down, then it and United Mission 10 Nepal (UMN) in nizations as we ll as organizations of the would be almosl impossible for us to 1966. BPC manages and operates Iwo Nepalese li ving in the US. restore that beaulY of Nepal. Right from hydro power stmions with a total capacity He attended conferences organized the day the cultural harmony in Nepal of 17 MW, and owns 14.9'J!- or Himal by 'Spiritual Forum for Ihe Uniled Na­ starts fragmenting, the ill fate of Nepal Power Limited. Himal Power is currently ti ons' in New York, 'Soul Support Sys­ will begin and we have all realized that it Ihe owner and operator of US$135 mil­ tem' in Vermont and . 1nter-religious has more or less started in Nepal, which is hon Khimti hydropower project. The and International Federation for World about to engulf the whole country. privatization of the BPC had derailed for Peace' in New York. In all the meetings As the world is now becoming a sometime after IPC decided to withdraw he attended Mr. Yogi spoke about the global village, il has become ulmost its application sometime back alleging significance of the eastern philosophy important to preserve and majntain our lack of transparency in Ihe bid. Officials and spirituality and also highlighted upon identity to lead a happy, prosperous and refuted the allegalions. It, however, par­ the Nepalese cu lture and the message prestigious life as a Nepali all over the ticipaled in Ihe latest bid opened by the which Nepal can pass on to the entire world. he said. • government last year. •

24 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23. 2001 ART

America and played no fewer than I SO concert MUSIC dales every year. His recorded albums and soundtracks for famous films like 'Uttle Bud­ dha' directed by Bernardo Bertollucci, Ismail Pied Merchant's directorial debut and 'Vanaprastham' . Pipers that was chosen and At The Capital screened at the Cannes Elm festival in May 1999. He has received wide­ Tablamaestro ZakirHussain and spread recognition as a composer for his many Ustad Sultan Khan on ensembles and historic collaborations. the sarangi held the audience captivated on "God has blessed us with music. And it February 3 feels like a miracle while I play. It's seen in differenlculrures like lheAmerican Indians have By AKSHAY country.lodia. SHARMA but he has managed togain recog­ what they ealJ the Rain Dance," He is a staunch nition around the world. believer in music. saying. "Music has a certain Nepalese audiences enjoyed two-hour incc its fonnation. con­ kind offrequcllcy.lt has an erfeclon theenviron­ the B.. P. Koirala In.dia­ cen. "The program seems to be the mother of all menL you are in. You start to unwind to another ~ Nepal Foundation (BPKF) has orgamzed concens," said Ajay Singh Basnyet, police in­ environment listening to the ral cultural and musical programs kinds of music. to spector at Durbarmarg Police Center. Music has been 19then the cultural used in therapy for sick people. relations between two Husseint said. "r have seen some g

SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 25 REVIEW

Giri and for the culture, she seeks BOOK to reclaim in her poetry, a crime more consequently than violation Lyrics Of Life is abandonment. Within her writing the ideal of wholeness, of man Giri's poems portray the realities of NepaJese women and woman complementing and completing, of world and beings sus­ in moving words taining and surpassing, is seen well, when understood, is taken up and af­ By KESHAB PQUDEL and perfect imagination to capture di­ finned in human creation and in cul­ verse subjects within the confines of ture." lucid comprehension. A ithough the poems are translated Reading the poems of Banira Giri Making every new di scovery from from Nepali to English, the transl.'; E is always II1 spmng. Her st ~~ng the poems of Giri is both fascinating words and forceful logical expositIOn have maintained thecharm of the Ne~ and heart-warming to the reader. The probe the depths of human wounds and language and the original spirit of the force of her ideas and words stimulate carry the inner voice of the victim. In situation. the mind. The reality she portrays goads many ways, Giri's poems area compen­ Wayne Amtzis, Ann Hunkins, the reader not only to see but also to dium of the society and cuiture she lives Michael Hutt and Manjushree Thapa perceive. Ill. have tried and generally succeeded in Giri is at her best when she speaks Her poems are powerful in their maintaining the originality of the poet­ or women. In "Pashugayatri" , she uses reflection of soc ial realiti es, In ess. In many cases, the translators ap­ the allegory of the desecration of the "Women" , her metaphor ranges from a pearto have veered away from theorigi­ holy Bagmati river to portray the de­ lake of great water to the creator of the nal. but without diminishing the spirit generation of culture. The poetess world. Giri uses her language of the message. touches every issue of women and high­ An acclaimed personality in Nepali liohts the scale of the brutality they face literature, Giri has allowed her creativ­ in~soc iety. She is clearly impatient with ity to cover an immense ly larger-and the slow process of social transforma­ grateful - audience. • tion. Some of her descrip­ tions are literary gems. Most of the poems in this book are based on the Ii re of woman and her pain, sorrows and happi ness. The poetess probes the dis­ tasteful life of a woman Since the 17th Century. ManakatD8n8 tetn.plc has and the eyes society uses bcen vvidcly venerated to look at her. Her words becaue of'thc be~ef'that . ManakallDana DCV1. Fu1.fil1.s capture and then radiate all wishes. social realities over a wide Today. instead of the area. 4 to 5 hour arduous trek:, Manakarnana is no'W' Giri paints dominant accessible in just 10 images of violence against Dlinutes by women in Kathmandu, In Msnsksrnana Cable Car. "Kathmandu", she de- By Banira Giri scribes the sorrowful story Every Insured lipto Edited with an introduction ~assenger bv Wavlle Allltl.is of a woman who was - ~ if'~'P"<><>oqo- Published b'" Hi';'!1'hikhar Publication, beaten unconsciousness. ~ M1IfiII<1I1l'dI1laI lXliurnll IVI Ltcl_ K~th"'(lIIdl/ Nepal W A t Haul. Nagpokhan, Kathmandu. Hepat Phone: 434690. ~34825 , 434648 ayne mIZIS wn cs Fax 9n-,-434515,amaH dtitwan(!la::.wtink.eom.np.StatlOn064-Sr044 Price: US$ IOIRs. 500 (hard cover) in the introduction: "For b:!::!~=-":':::"::' ______... US$ 8IRs.300 (paperback)

26 SPOTLtGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 THE BOTTOM LINE

By M.S.KHOKNA

mittec, undertheconvenorshjp AWARDED : Tarabir ogy, for Sweden. at the invi­ TRANSITION of lndira Rana, a member of Basnet, with a cash prize of tation of Royal Swiss Acad­ National Human Rights Com­ Rs 20,000, by Maiti Nepal, emy of Sciences, to explore APPOINTED: Dr. Madhav mission. for his direct cooperati on possi bi Ii Lies of expanding sci­ Sharan Upadhyaya, as rec­ which led to the arrest ofRudra entific relations between the tor of Mahendra Sanskrit RELIEVED : Khum Baba­ Bahadur Katuwal, alleged to two institutions. University, by His Majesty duI' Khadka,MinisterforCon­ have sold more than 100 the King in hi s capacity as suuction and Physical Planning, Nepalese girls. DETERIORATED: The Chancellor of the university. of his post, by Hi s Majesty the health condition of Dr. DiIIi King. as per the recommenda­ LEFT: Prof. Dr. Dayananda Raman Regmi, seniorpolili­ FORMED: An I I-member tion of the prime minister and Bajracharya, Vice-Chancel­ cian, who is receiving treat­ Woman Human Rights Pro­ in accordance with the Consti­ lor of the Royal Nepal Acad­ ment in a hospital in Bangkok, tection and Promotion Cam- tution orthe Kingdom of Nepal. emy of Science and Technol- Thailand. •

SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23. 2001 27 ENCOUNTER 'There Is Lack of Seriousness In The Govt. To Resolve The Maoist Insurgency' - PROF. DHRUV A KUMAR

A political sciellfis( and acclaimed strllregic ment in resolving this conflict? How justified will it be to use force to analyst at fhe Center for Nepal and Asian The role oflhegovcrnment is to find out suppress the rebellion? SllIdies (CNAS) of Tribhul'an Universit)" how to accommodate Maoistsl demands In a democracy. you can't always have a PROF. DHRUVA KUil1AR has been stlldy­ within the purview of the constitution. De­ legitimate oppOSition. BUlYOU need to accom­ illg alU/ closely watchil1g the 'people's war' mocracy means dialogue. We ha ve [0 see modate thos.e who are adopting extra-constitu~ Imlllched by the underground Communist whether a demand like scrapping the special tional means as witnessed in France, Britainor Parry of Nepal (Maois!) right/rom 'he begi/!­ privileges or lhe royal family helps to resolve the US in the seventies. To enter into a n - lIing. On the eve of the complerioll of five the immediate problems facing the country or tiation, the government should create a c years of the 'people's war,' he spoke 10 aggravates it. The government should make nial environment. The government can estab­ BRAG/RA TH YOGI Oil the flllllre oJ ill.Hlr­ initiatives looking at the geo-political sirua~ lish its credibility only If it is able to garner gelJe.", prospects ojralks alld issues related /0 {ion or people's perception. It should see popular support. So, the time has come for the conflict resolution ill Nepal. Excerpts: whether agreement at certain level could be government 10 engage in self-assessment. The reached by pUlling off certain issues, Politics best way out should be tried first. I f they (the How do you assess the present state or is also a human relationship. As the govern­ rebels) go on increasing violence, then the domestic connicl in Nepal? ment is a responsible party, it mu st have a government has every right to suppress them The credibility of our democratic lead­ serious commilmenttoward conflict resolu­ through use of force. In that situation, the ership has collapsed over the last 10 years. tion. Unfonunately, we haven't seen such people will also support the government. The side effect ha~ been that extremely seriousness in the government yet. If the How would you assess the external marginaJized forces have come to the na­ government had seriousness, this conflict dimensions of the present conflict? tiona! mainstream. This has further eroded could have been resolved way back in 1996. Neither the Indians nor Chinese will the legitimacy of our leaders. In the context How do you see the nature of the con­ tolerate severe instability in Nepal. We can of a domestic conflict. the situation is sup­ flict right now? see that Tibet. Uttar Pradesh" Bihar\ posed to be that ofa win-win type. not a zero­ An enforced and managed conflict can Uttarakhand are under-developed and pov­ ~Ul11 game. The government seems to be bent never be resolved. It ' ll be very temporal. In a erty-stricken areas. They don't want to see an on employing repressive measures (to con­ country like ours, the prevention of a conflict insurgency growing in these area. New Delhi tain th e Maoist insurge.ncy). which may pose is more important than resolving it. In the becomes more sensitive to disturbances in the a diftlculty in managing the present conflict. beginning, the Maoists were limiled in num­ cow-belt rather than in the peninsula. There is a need for efforts to bring them into ber. their organizational strength was weak, Do you see the probability of Maoist­ a mutually agreed upon standard framework. public sympathy was almost nil and they were related violence escalating? Both sides should work for [his. In the ab­ a little-known force. Their dramatic rise in I don't see the probability of the M sence of such efforts, the conflict may worscn. strength is an outcome of governmental crime. movement escalating. Of course, sporadic as we are seeing today in Kashmir. The governments over the last 10 years are the violence may be there. We can assume that So whal could be the way out? producers of the conflict. In a sitlJation of Maoists groups in India are supporting the When both sides go on stepping up vio­ instability. the culprit is the government and movement in Nepal. not tbe central Indian lence. they may be forced to agree to a political parties. The problem, which could be government. India is we\l aware that the esca­ ceasefire. BUlthal will never lead [Q peBce.ln resolved easily, has now been aggravated be­ lation of conflict in Nepal could aggravate the an ideal context, both parties need to under­ cause of the government's inefficiency. situation in Kashmir, It 's a well-known fact take voluntary compliance. If the govern­ What should the government focus on that when a conflict escalates it is no more ment is really committed. most of the 40 now? localize'd. So, we must look into such a situ­ demands put forward by the Maoists can be The government's decision to set up an ationcarefully. So, the government must show easily met. Of course, some of their demands Armed Police Force has shown that violence it s commitment. The government has failed are of a non-negotiable type. But those de­ is inevitable. It also showed that there is a to manage even small problems like garbage mands can be put aside for future. probability of civil war in the country. The or shortage of kerosene. cooking gas and How can a point of agreement be government's decision is a positive step in sugar. A responsible government must ad­ reached when the rebels are demanding no terms of strengthening security, but where is dress these issues. Since the government has less than a constituent assembly? the cut-off point? What should be the been ignoring these issues the rebellion has Recently. there has some sort of flexibil­ government's priority-to stress on negotia­ completed five years. Of course while deal­ ity in the Nepali Congress and [he UML tions or employ repressive measures if the ing with the insurgency the govemment should regarding the Maoist's proposal of amending conflict goes out of control? Of course, it's exhibit its strength and also use it in a proper the constitution, If we go for (electjons to) not easy to bring the rebels to the table of way. It should be decided crucially how the constiruent assembly it wi ll be tantamount to negotiation. but if we employ repressivemea­ necessary budget will be mobilized and a accepting that the decade-long democratic sures it will lead into continuity of the prob­ system of command. control, communication exercise has failed. This wi ll mean a win-win lem and violence will escalate. So, the best and in formation be set up. The most impor­ situation for the Maoist only. way fo r the government is to create an envi­ tant thing to figh t an insurgency is determina ~ Row do you see the role of the govern- ronment fo r talks. lion on part of tbe government. •

28 SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23. 2001 PASTIME

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SPOTLlGHT/FEBRUARY 23 . 2001 29 LEISURE

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30 SPOTLIGHT/FEBRUARY 23, 2001 LEISURE

CROSSWORD Par 06jective News, Views and AnaEysis

1?gad

ACROSS DOWN SPOTLIGHT I. Incredibly cheap drinks for support­ I . Di shonestly obtain data about horse ers in skirts (12) (7) THE NATIONAL NEWSMAGAZINE 9. New conductoris function almost a 2. Peers are possessed by this fi eld of disaster (4,5) study (5) 10. Boothis seat in the theatre (5) 3. Knock on gate to get out? (3,6) 11 . Opening carriage occupied by doc­ 4. Secure northern beer, when told (4) tor (6) 5. Degree one didn!t turn up La receive P,very Priday 12. Thick characters showing brazen (8) I,!;;;;;;======;;"I impudence (4,4) 6. Oiled, or became less tight (5) 13. Bathcrls cry when noticing water 7. Tree fo und by river in north of De­ risin g') (6) von (8) Confident, or ruddy hopeful ? (8) 8. Cheat to avoid churc h (6) • . Generator, for example, needs im­ 14. Clothing busin ess distributing garter proved casing (8) ad (3,5) 19. Exhi bit type of jam (4-2) 16. Burrowin g animal could be selfish 21. In conversation, bring up rodents user of land (9) and bats (8) 17. Recent arrival of In em 0 and crew at 23. I may do casting, havi ng one senled sea (8) as Engli sh king (6) 18. North Afri can pric kl y shrub is eradi­ 26. Losing wife, went and died (5) cated (6) "Yourfaith is greater 27. Month spent producin g ereremonial 20. l ake about girl bein g narrowminded parade (5,4) (7) than my Shakti 28. lewel that one may be putting on to 22. Precocious girl , or woman, embraced provide colour (7,5) by males (5) Faith can grow on the 24. Desert holiday (5) 25. Exam taken, as the Georgics were soil of Dharma with long ago omitted (4) sub-soil 11310 '~l3Ae~q 'P l wepc y;J 'll UCl!J I\I 'Oll;;! qJ ~ 8 'SI laUIOJMaN 'L I ~04p Un OJ a '9 ' dpeJl-3e ~ 'P I ;)J;);)1!:l '8 pU!Jewcl. 'L pasc3 '9 mloJ23V .~ (!eN 'v I'J>[;)!'" I!H 'E WIC;) 'H 'z 'd liicu!d 'I : NMOa ofVeda."

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SPOTLlGHTIFEBRUARY 23, 2001 31 FORUM Kashmir Solidarity Day In Pakistan By MADHA V KUMAR RlMAL

Ihe seminar on Ka'hmir SolidarilY Day 011 4 Fob., 2001 would she do with her enemy neighbor IS for anybody Co guess. Sanae the foreign minister of Pakistan smd" On this day we are One refugee in Pakistan held Kashmir. nearChakhoti village by I together by a shared feeling - a sentiment. if you will - of side of Jhelum river just a couple of miles from rhe Line of Control solidarity with the people of Kashmir. a decent. cultured and loleram utterly pessimistic when he told thiS scribe, "India will never give up people. historically contenllO live peacdullives in their beaulifulland. occupied Kashmir. his neitherthe people nor the territory. It is the who never coveted conquest who never imposed suffenng on another she needs. Ifshe loses occuplcd KashmIr. !<>hc loses the water. And Hnd who want nothing more than the ordinary chance la enJOY will never do thaL" And perhcmmi1f. Almost all the panicipants forces In Kashmir and it is not easy. It i~ undoubtedly the lexp""",d their serious concern at the ongoing violence in the India held concentration of armed forces anywhere in the world. And in' I ,,",ISn'mlr and were unambiguously solicitous fora peaceful resolution as terrain maintenance becomes prohibitive:' as possible. Since war and bJoodsht.!d. suppression and oppression. Kashmir problem is directly influencing the desllOY of over I emphasized. havc never brought peace anywhere. all the parties billion poor people of South Asia.No power including the United Il'onec,rn"d muSt Sit wgelher:J.nd start a dialogue withoUlloslng any more or no international organization including the United Nations can If all the partlcs cannot agree for a dialogue. they think. the other more slay complacent humoring India or Pakistan and totally disregard lullcrrl.1live IS only the pkbisdtc. It IS reported in little more than adccadc the poor billions. If they fail to take appropriate steps to resolve this 75.000 people have been kllleu by lhe Indian security forces. Issue, once for all. they will not only expose their hypocrisy and kind of carnage cannot and should not he permilled to continue. vacant rhetorics about preservation of human rights, they will also The seminar that was held in Islamabad on 4 February 2001 the poor oppressed people 10 lose faith in all human p,,"e,;[altiOl1S Idclih,>,.,leriOIl the Kashmir issue but few delegates did come out with dignity. Pakistan's endeavors to arouse world opinion by ho!ldil1gl leoncrele suggestion" for a quick selllement of over hal f a century long international seminars on Kashmir's Solidarity may not be SUlflClerl!. ing problem. However the majority of delegates were of the opinion The powers that be have to be cOllvinced i no country or international authority were direclly making any Timor, Kosovo and Bosnia why not in Kashmir. The ina,drrlissibl,el anempt to pressurize India to agree to ajust settlement based on Indian attempt to violate and break her obligation should never c human nghts of the Kashmiri people for self-determination. "Any accepted. The reports of the International CommiSSIOn of of the Kashmirissue must be agreed to by the Kashmlli people" Genc\'a, 1995 IS slill not dead and needs to bc implemented. To one refugee at a refugee camp. "We arc not toys to be catapulted by the repon says:' The peoples of the State of Jammu and Kashrnirl India or Pakistan." Unlike in the occupied Kashmir we have an acquired a right of self-detennination at the time of the partition letted Prt!sident and elected Prime Minister, "he asserted vehemently. The right has neither been exercised nor abandoned and Iherefc"el This scnbe was invited by the government of Pakistan to attend the remains capable of exercise. TIle rip,ht belongs to the people of the lsemlnar and visit the refugee camps. If the mood of the Pakistani and not to Pakistan. and IS therefore not affecled by the Id"le;;mlesat the seminar was morosc and belligerent. the international GovemmenL of Pakistan. The parties should be encouraged to Ip',rti,cipanllS seemed completely overwhelmed to hear the harrowing negotiated solution to b4.put to the people of the state for ratification' le.,.oeriene,,, of the refugees. Only on humanitarian ground. this uncer­ a referendum." situation where hves of millions ofunfonunate people hang on the "Hoth Pakistan and India should recognize and respond the call huns of the aggressors, cannot be perm1t!ed to linger even for a day. self determination for the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir within i ing to the delegatt!s. the Chief Executive of Pakistan General 1947 boundaries, inherent in the relevam United Nations resolullions.1 Muzharraf said, "Time for initimives is gone, Thaw has taken The United Nations should reactivate its role as a catalyst in this . Time to start lalkinghas come." But India is adamant. Herrefusal unquote." As long both Pakistan and India Sincerely do not maKClup l.n"'''1 to issue passports to the All p"irties I-Iurrient Conference leaders minds 10 resol ve this issue, there is lilllechance ofre"ce rel.un,ing tl) ItlCl exposed the chink in her armor. TIle Hurriet leaders in both the troubled land of Jammu and Kashmir. Sa((ar has stated III his aU1"eSS,[ "'o"nl"''' are in close contact everyday. One ofIhe executive members '"The United Nations Chaner provides forthe use of all peaceful Syeu Faiz Naqshbandi told thiS scribe "We. the Huniet including enquiry ,mediation, conciliation. arbitration and in both p~lfts of Kashmir are in dialogue everyday. There is Besides, any member has the right 10 bring any dispule LO the Icomrllelc understanding between us. India' s refusal to let the ieaders of oftheSecurity Council and thechaner provides for Ihe Security i from occupied Kashmir 10 come to Pakistan can in no way be to promote adjustment of dispUles." Nothing more could have been died. This should clearly tell the world that they don't want peace. fairer proposition. but India has not shown any signs of obliging It 15 immaterial as far as we are concerned." What India refuses to Security CounciL Today, even though the Kashmirproelem ha'l beeolnel understand is that it cannot hold Kashlniri freedom fighters by force. one of the darkest examples of human rights violations, neither ""m,srn being carried out by Indian security forces in the valley and Security Council nor the only super power which boasts itself to be where will lead New Delhi no where.lndia'sassertion that Pakistan champIOn of human rights, are making any sincere attempts lo find helping the Kashmiri Mujahideens could have some truth if not the final solmion. Since this issue is very adversely affecting [he destiny truth. Would nOllndia have donc the same thing if the situation the poorest peoples of this region. all lhe nations of South Asia [cversed,! If India could be harsh with her weaker neigh bars whom come together and work in unison [0 restore their basic human right calls traditionally friendJy countries and forcibly impose unequal self-determination [0 the peoples of Jammu and Kashmir. so that lateral agreements la make them compliant to their policy goals, what troubled region may enjoy a lasting peace. •

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