www.nepalitimes.com #148 6 - 12 June 2003 20 pages Rs 25

Speculation is rife about what Editorial p2 Record year of nixed Madhab The Kathmandu Shuffle Kumar Nepal’s record-breaking chances, and political insiders we interviewed The 50th anniversary of the first ascent said it was strong opposition from several of Sagarmatha was a record-breaking The king castles embassies in Kathmandu. “The international year for breaking records on the world’s community just can’t digest a communist

KUNDA DIXIT ○○○○○○ highest mountain. Appa Sherpa made ○○○○○ Castling: A special defensive manoeuvre in chess government here, especially one that still calls his 13th ascent (see p5) and said ing Gyanendra’s during which the king and the rook move together. If itself ‘Marxist-Leninst’,” said one source. modestly that he wasn’t trying to break move on Wednesday not followed up properly, it can be a trap. Perhaps sensing this, the UML toned down its any records. Lakpa Gyelu raced to the K to appoint Surya radical anti-monarchist sloganeering, but that summit in under 11 hours, slashing two Bahadur Thapa as prime past. Thapa was a liberal-Pancha who struggled The Maoists have indicated they will talk seems to have come too late. hours off the record set by Pemba minister was sharply criticised to expand prime ministerial powers during an to Thapa, and he may even be tempted to There was also some deft Gyalzen two days before. Lhakpa by those who lost out. But it absolute monarchy. He met stiff resistance agree to constituent assembly elections, which mediation by senior RPP Sherpa became the first woman to fulfilled the main demands of from hardliners in the palace, whom he would be a re-enactment of the 1980 leaders to convince Girija climb Everest three times and took parties agitating against the collectively called Bhumigat Giroha, “The referendum. It was Thapa who delivered a Prasad Koirala that he along her 15-year-old sister Ming Kipa king. On Wednesday, the Underground Gang”. Some of them had multiparty defeat to Naryanhiti on a platter should go along with his who became the youngest climber to king used Article 127 to made a comeback, so this week’s events were then, and he retains some of his crisis old buddy, Surya Bahadur reach the top. Ang Chhring Sherpa of activate Clause 35 which in a sense a settling of scores. management skills. Thapa and abandon his Kantipur became the first Nepali gives the prime minister Surya Bahadur Thapa is now a much more But the UML is smarting from alliance with the UML. journalist to reach the top and file a executive powers and powerful prime minister than he ever was four humiliation, and Thapa needs to do a lot of If it is true that there was story. The largest number from a single full authority to times previously. His first order of business fence-mending. The UML’s Subhas family ever to climb Everest were six out diplomatic activity in favour of seven Sherpa brothers from Beding name a cabinet. is to pacify the five-party combine by Nemwang told us: “The king does not of Thapa, then it is also in Dolakha. Two of the brothers have King offering them a face-saving way to call off listen to parties that commanded 190 seats likely that the same forces climbed Everest nine times, the seventh Gyanendra and their agitation. He can dangle juicy cabinet in parliament and chooses someone whose will now try to convince brother turned back from the summit at Surya Bahadur positions or even announce a willingness to party had only 11 members in the house. the parties to join his
8,400m because of high winds. One of Thapa have not seen eye-to-eye in the declare elections. How can we accept that?” interim government. the other brothers is the only Nepali to have climbed K2.

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From1030 – 1930 hrs For reservations and more information please call 55 26271/ 55 24694 2 EDITORIAL 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL Desk Editor: Trishna Gurung, Design: Kiran Maharjan Webmaster: Bhushan Shilpakar [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki [email protected] Sales: Sudan Bista [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333/ 5523845 Fax: 01-5521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hattiban: 01-5547018/17 Staking claim he appointment of Surya Bahadur Deception is everything THE KATHMANDU SHUFFLE Thapa as the second prime minister T after the October Fourth royal in times of war very time history brings us to a fork on the road, our leaders have this move doesn’t resolve any of the extraordinary capacity to take the wrong turn. We then meander all over the outstanding political issues in the the skin of a fox E place, blundering in the wilderness, to come back to where we started. country. Thapa is leading just another Here we go again. The king, country, parties, and all of us have gone back to shall be my secret suit of armour. October Fourth. Once more we were taken through an excruciating search for a government “of the king, by the king”, prime minister acceptable to all, or at least one against whom no one has any and by implication, “for the king”. - Nietzsche violent objections. No mean feat, considering that last time the only person who Vesting the executive authority in the footed the bill was Mr Caretaker himself, Lokendra Bahadur Chand. new government doesn’t indemnify the any self-respecting individual in Once more we engaged in long debates about the constitutionality, or palace from its future actions. Thapa’s Mandal’s position would have resigned otherwise, of the process. And finally, we have fifth-time premier Surya Bahadur nomination isn’t a political settlement, to save face. But all Mandal did was Thapa. If only he had agreed in October maybe we would have been prevented it’s yet another administrative fiat of an grin and pretend nothing happened. It a lot of national heartburn, and not wasted months experimenting with this activist monarch. The irony is that the isn’t at all surprising that royalty values and that. choice of Thapa was probably thrust the loyalty of such a malleable madhesi. The UML has lost face, and can be expected to pour its fury out on the upon the king, since Thapa isn’t known The half-hour Mandal harangue at streets in the coming days. The Nepali Congress was torn by severe internal to have been too close to King Narayanhiti on Friday evening irritated criticism of Girija Prasad Koirala’s embrace of Madhab Kumar Nepal and will be Gyanendra in the past. Koirala no end, but it’s very unlikely that more subdued. A question mark hangs over the whole peace process. In all probability, Thapa won the Mandal was doing this in the presence of We are back to square one, but not to 4 October 2002. We are back to May race due to what Newsweek senior editor the king and the crown prince all on his 1990, when the first kangresi-communist interim government was formed to Michael Hirsh calls the exercise of own. As a street-smart survivor, Mandal oversee elections after the Peoples’ Movement. In terms of the evolution of American power through the knows how to unfurl his sails in the democracy we have returned 13 years to a time when a new polity was “imperialism of neighbors”. If Nepal’s direction of the prevailing wind. being crafted. imperial neighbour is unable to deliver a As home minister Mandal would The only difference political miracle by way of helping probably have to share part of the today is that the resolve the Maoist insurgency, the king blame for agreeing to confer Nepali euphoria of democracy may once again be tempted to try citizenship on a proportion of is missing, the hope is another of his faithful courtiers, Badri gone— there is just an Bhutanese refugees. But here again, the overwhelming sense of Prasad Mandal. The latter is waiting in responsibility for that historic blunder weariness with this the wings along with other loyalists to is likely to be shouldered by the game of musical chairs pounce upon the failures of a leader seen technocrat foreign minister Narendra in Kathmandu. The to have been imposed from outside. Bikram Shah. entrenched political Unlike the natural buffoonery of parties could do after that was fret and Whatever face the dice of power class, it seems, will go Kuber Sharma or the artifice of Ramesh fume. By rallying the masses in the name may show for the moment, after the around in circles till Nath Pandey, boorishness is not as of the king, Mandal exposed the political charade at the Narayanhiti there are no more intrinsic to Badri Prasad Mandal as it hollowness of their claims of holding Palace last Friday, Mandal may have chairs left. We find appears at first glance. For the shrewd sway in the tarai. become our own teflon man. The ourselves agreeing supremo of the splinter Sadbhabana He then went ahead and chances of royalist Badri Mandal as with the Maoist Party, an apparent lack of sophistication appropriated the political legacy of late PM-in-waiting looks brighter than ever. analysis of this as a shuffling of cards of the ‘old regime’. History has moved on, is his most trusted shield. He uses his Gajendra Narayan Singh by splitting the He would face very few challengers stop-gap measures to buy time and prolong the power of Kathmandu’s ruling rustic exterior to camouflage his Sadbhabana, and his continuing since it would be politically suicidal for cliques cannot last. unbridled political ambitions. influence inside the palace bureaucracy tarai-based leaders like Koirala and We can understand Madhabji’s self-righteous rage. After all, he was the Mandal first proved his political was on full display again last Friday. Sher Nepal to oppose the candidature of a common candidate for prime ministership put forward by six parliamentary mettle by humbling Nepali Congress Bahadur Deuba got invited to the 30 determined madhesi. So what if he parties. But something happened between Friday night’s joint-party meeting with heavyweight Shailaja Acharya on her May meet of mainstream political parties mashed a nurse 20 years ago? the king, and Wednesday morning when Surya Bahadurji was summoned to the home turf, in the traditional Koirala at the palace, but Anandi Devi wasn’t Mandal is the trump card up palace. What disqualified the leader of the Unified Marxist-Leninists? stronghold of Morang. Narayanhiti extended the same courtesy, even though Narayanhiti’s sleeves to counter the The West has always been allergic to that pseudo-radical party name, and appears to have taken due note of the status of NC(D) isn’t very different Girija-Madhab combine. And despite regional players had their own favourite who was not the UML general secretary. Mandal’s remarkable exploit. from that of SP(AD). questions of protocol the Maoists would It is an indication of how weak we have become as a state that diplomats this His antics as a junior minister during Mandal, the smooth-operator then prefer a royalist on the saddle to a fellow time didn’t even bother to conceal their meetings with political leaders and the Panchayat, when he was alleged to used realpolitik to oust Col Narayan express their preference for leadership. traveller comrade for now. Singh Pun from centre-stage of the We have brought this interference on ourselves. It is our own disunity, dismal have molested a nurse at Bir Hospital, As long as prime ministers are chosen governance and the absence of a sense of greater national purpose that makes were soon overshadowed by Mandal’s government-Maoist talks. After Mandal from among many petitioners, Mandal will us so vulnerable to geo-political tectonics. In the end, it shouldn’t really matter claims to represent the political interests of began leading the negotiations from the remain a serious contender for the whether it was Surya Bahadur or Madhab Nepal, the king would have used madhesis. When the time came to find the government side, the profile of Maoist leadership of the country. Only a Article 127 to appoint either. Both would have the unenviable task of trying to first-ever deputy prime minister from the convenor Baburam Bhattarai went down concerted campaign against him can turn agree on the composition and portfolios of a new cabinet. And both would have tarai, the choice for the king was clear. several notches. Mandal into a fall guy. If he is retained by had to work with other parties to fill the cabinet posts. Mandal subsequently justified his Mandal once again came in handy Thapa as his deputy (with mainstream This may then be the time to look forward and help create a stable interim selection by successfully organising the when the Royal Nepali Army brass political parties bent upon boycotting the administration under a newly-powerful prime minister to take the peace talks first public reception for the king in decided to deny that the movements of new cabinet as well, this is a strong forward, and oversee local and general elections. Surely, that is worth uniting for. Biratnagar in January. All that the its men had been confined to a 5 km possibility), Mandal will remain in the race leaders of Nepali Congress and UML perimeter of barracks. After this fiasco, for the top job and is the man to watch.

L L ETTERS

PARTY TIME position than anything else. The resume their corrupt practices). playing the game, ‘ministerial plight of Lok Bahadur Kharki TIBETANS Re: The editorial, ‘Party time’ Maoists seem most interested in The king seems adamant about musical chairs’. They have shown does indeed have a happy As friends of Nepal for over 40 (#145). In the heat of the battle containing the army (so that they teaching the political parties a no leadership qualities, they are ending. Thanks to the hard work years, we have always been of the current political stalemate, can continue to be a force to be lesson for all the mayhem of the just cronies— their best asset is of the IPPG doctors and the proud of your nation’s the big picture is getting lost, and reckoned with). The political last 12 years (so that he play-making. It is clear to dozens of porters who carried commitment to human rights and, the warring parties seem more parties don’t seem to want to go remains a potent rallying force). everybody they will bring the Lok’s body to Kunde and then in particular, your generosity and interested in protecting and beyond restoring the 1990 However, all three are behaving country down again unless the kept a 24 hour vigil at Teaching support for Tibetan refugees advancing their own power constitution (so that they can in a predictable manner. No one king guides democracy with vision hospital for him, Lok has made who have streamed into Nepal is talking about the necessary and good work ethics. God bless an amazing recovery. He is now for half a century. As we all institutional reforms—political, Nepal. able to walk on his own, speak celebrate the 50th Anniversary economic and social—to Sagar Onta, Portland, USA coherently, and can even cook of the climbing of Everest, promote not only responsibility for himself. Doctors estimated should we not also be but also accountability. LOK BAHADUR that this would take an entire celebrating Nepal’s historic Alok Bohara, New Mexico, Thank you for the continued year to reach this stage. We are welcome to suffering Tibetans? USA attention your newspaper has now expecting a speedy and full Thus it is with great shock and given to the plight of trekking recovery. sadness that we read that Nepal It was good to hear that porters in Nepal. This issue is of Lok is a testament to the has deported 18 Tibetans. The Lokendra Bahadur Chand critical importance to the future of strength and determination of Nepal Police's collaboration with resigned so that a resolution Nepal’s trekking and tourism Nepali porters, and his story is Chinese officials has resulted in could be found to the present industry, and the Nepali Times again a testament to the fact that the arresting, detaining, and deadlock. However, the king has realised this from the very compassion and solidarity can now deporting of innocent should lay down certain rules beginning. accomplish miracles. Tibetans, half of them children otherwise the same old corrupt Your recent coverage of the Ben Ayers, and juveniles. As a state party

NEPALNEWS.COM leaders will have a field day IPPG Machermo Aid Post and the Portersí Progress Nepal to the International Covenant on NATION 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 3 COMMENT by BP GIRI The king’s way Maybe now we will find the middle ground between absolute

anarchy and absolute monarchy.

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impose a Panchayat-style government led by old individuals who lead these forces or not. The last palace loyalists has failed. It is true that major eight months have been wasted, not just because the parliamentary parties are discredited by the near- Chand administration lacked popular mandate to total anarchy they unleashed in the country in the rule, but because rule by decree is hardly the way to last decade. usher Nepal into the 21st century. The agitation the parties spearheaded forced the The king must now use his position of authority king’s hand, and he had to roll back the Chand to strengthen the institutions that monitor the administration. But the real point here is even after corrupting powers of an irresponsible government: the king put together a government of his liking, he the CIAA, the investigative processes of the seemed powerless to exercise popular authority to parliament and the judiciary. Only a monarchy that bring about much needed political or social change, refuses to compete with democracy at the political or impose his will on the people. The king enjoys a level has a future in a country surrounded by two unity of command of the country’s executive, fairly radical systems of ideas (China’s state legislative and judicial powers unhindered by capitalism with socialist characteristics and India’s constitutional provisions. But due to the same bourgeois democracy). weaknesses that plagued Nepal’s monarchy during Chand’s resignation as prime minister has its Panchayat years, it cannot translate its formidable opened up an opportunity for Nepal’s political elite authority into effective political and administrative (including the Maoists whose leaders, despite their action. rhetoric, are alienated from the same middle class Already the signs of its decaying authority are they despise so much) to work together one more everywhere. Numerous press reports tell us about time. But a number of things are still likely go how the Maoists are running amok in the wrong: countryside with extortion, intimidation, and forced
The palace may still want to sabotage the transfer recruitment in a scale bigger than the last time they of power to the elected parties by trying to meddle sat for the talks with the Deuba regime. Despite all in the process of creating the next government. It is the negotiation that is taking place, it is clear that the likely that the change hasn’t come about because of rebels are preparing for battles on a larger scale. Soon, the king’s change of heart, but through international there will be temptation to use accumulated pressure and strategic calculations. weapons to gain political advantage in a later stage in
The major political parties already seem inclined the negotiations. to declare the change in government a victory of ROBIN SAYAMI The establishment does have international their street agitation. It may partly be true, but they here is no shortage of commentary in the What motivated the king to take the current support. But if it can’t figure out how to translate should also know that it masks their shameful failure Nepali press advising the king publicly on course of action? There are as many opinions as there diplomatic or military advantage into effective to institute a politics of possibility for over a decade. T how to tackle the two political problems are commentators. If there is some consensus, it is political or administrative action, no amount of
The Maoists’ desire to play kingmaker has been facing the country: the non-cooperation of the that he lost faith in the Deuba-led government and international support will make any real difference interrupted by Chand’s resignation. A functioning parliamentary parties post-October Fourth, and a the parliamentary parties to tackle the insurgency, or on the ground. democracy, not the king per se, is their real enemy. peaceful resolution of the Maoist insurgency. solve the country’s development crisis. Now that his government of royal nominees is Historically, communists have shown a capacity to Although committed in principle to the From events that unfolded later, his desire to no more, at the fundamental level the king’s fight feudalism, but they have failed to win the war constitutional provisions of a parliamentary broker and oversee negotiations with the rebels, too, challenge is whether or not he can exercise enough of ideas in a pluralist democracy. democracy, the king's actions have since indicated seems to have been a likely motivation for action. Of moral, political and coercive authority to bring the he is not satisfied with the status quo which until course, the king may have used all this as a pretext to warring political forces to the parliamentary So, expect the Maoists to continue making recently limited the monarch to a ceremonial role, grab political power in a soft take-over cannot be mainstream and encourage constructive leadership threatening noises. Their hope of positioning leaving the effective rule of the country to an ruled out. Indeed, many of the parties fervently toward modernisation. themselves as the harbingers of a new totalitarianism elected government. Without going into the believe this. A big leap in economic and political reforms is now truly threatened.
merits or shortcomings of his October Fourth Taking over the reigns of power is one thing, along the lines that China took in the early 1980s, declaration, it is reasonable to conclude in but effecting a lasting solution to the country’s or India in the 1990s, is not just a slogan. It is what (BP Giri is editor of Center for retrospect that his action has proved to be a formidable problems is another, and it is here that the country direly needs at the moment. For this to South Asian Studies strategic blunder with serious implications for the king's course of action has proved to be happen, the king will have to learn to work with the Newsletter at the University of the country. regrettable. First, the king’s hope that he could existing political forces whether he likes the Virginia in the United States.)

Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), was politically correct and it have the economy so dependent Nepali intelligentia and psyche. who need to act. There isn’t going CAKE and adherant to the seems that he spoke from his on this activity. The point of your editorial is well to be any divine intervention. It is CK Lal’s ‘Let them eat the cake’ “Gentleman’s Agreement” of heart; feelings were genuine. Luis Paulo Ferraz, understood in spite of the poor we, we have to be responsible (#147) was impressive, 1989 between UNHCR and the But at the same time, he showed Kathmandu taste in satire. Why are you trying for our own actions. For a however I feel that Lal deviates Tibetan government in exile, some “foreigner” approaches. to beat a dead cow? BP Koirala repsonsible news media like from his previous views. Our Nepal is bound to protect the The way he talked about The Everest Golden Jubilee was a good political leader, maybe your’s, it is indeed interesting to society only hears the loud right of Tibetans who seek corruption, for instance, gave celebrations are over. The way in even a visionary, but, he is dead. observe the fatalistic (karmic) destructive voices, but not the refuge from persecution. How is the impression that it is a which the fragile environment of He has been dead. There’s attitude in your editorial. All you silent grievances. We are drifting it that Nepal has now turned its phenomenon that only exists in the region was neglected for the nothing he can do for the Nepali are doing is justifying and back to the Rana period. At that back on its Tibetan friends countries like Nepal. It’s time to race-to-record by the climbers people anymore. It’s time to wake perpetuating a dysfunctional time only a few courtiers had across the border and buckled change the question. Instead of was disheartening. Why do we up and smell the coffee. We are socio-religious system. access to education, similarly in under Chinese pressure? We “what are the consequences of forget that the real beauty of the only ones who can help SN Singh, email future only those who have trust that Nepal’s free press will the conflict on tourism” the Everest is not only its height but ourselves. The silent majority money can have access to not allow this outrageous action question should be: “what also its pristine surroundings needs to awaken and tell the ‘Interview with BP’ was quality education. And one thing to pass without vigorous impact has tourism had on the which we have so cruelly politicians, parties, Maoists, hilarious and sad at the same time. is sure: unless the children of protest. insurgency?” The benefits of neglected? bureaucrats, extremists, At this moment of crisis, the this hi-fi class are affected, Malcolm and Marcia tourism have not filtered down Bhumika Ghimire, opportunists, royalists and elite country needs someone with his nobody will bother about the Odell, South Hampton, USA to the people and this has Kathmandu that they cannot no longer take us vision and boldness. His theme of children of poor people. Since helped create the conditions for for granted. We need to vote out ‘national reconciliation’ in a slightly this strike affected all the people MESSNER ‘Maoism’ to grow. Nepal must BP the malignant tumor that is a modified strategy is what we who have the authority but not I attended the talk by Reinhold also discuss other economic Your editorial ‘Interview with BP’ plague to our society. Calling on need now to bring the palace, the will, let’s hope something Messner and read your review alternatives. Tourism is very (#147) once more demonstrates Lord Pasupatinath or BP may parties and the extremists good comes out of it. “’Messner: Don’t mess with sensitive to external factors the flirtation with fatalistic merely have a psychological together. Giri Raj Dahal, Everest’, #147). His speech and it is a strategic mistake to tendencies so prevalent in the comfort, but, it is we, us Nepalis Sridhar Pandey, New Delhi Chosun University, Korea

ECONOMY 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 5 BIZ NEWS STRICTLY BUSINESS by ASHUTOSH TIWARI

Brand ambassador Raising the profile of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ number crunchers. When Appa Sherpa stood on top of ICAN can Sagarmatha for a record 13th time on the morning of 23 May 2003, he was hen will accounting be as carrying a flag of Nepal. But he also respected as medicine, unfurled the banner of Standard Wengineering and law in Chartered Bank (SCB), which Nepal? sponsored his climb and also made The statistics are depressing. him its Brand Ambassador. Earlier this year a Valley-wide study The bank held a Town Hall commissioned by the Private Sector Meeting on 4 June with all staff from its Kathmandu branches present. CEO Promotion Project of GTZ-Nepal Sujit Mundul presented Appa with a found only 2,000 out of almost cheque for Rs 500,000 (see pic, right). 7,000 auditors and accountants are Mundul said: “We are proud to have professionally active, and those not Appa Sherpa as the Standard Chartered Bank Brand Ambassador since he embodies our values of necessarily full time. From Nepali creativity, responsiveness, internationalism, courage and trustworthiness.” affiliates of Global Big Four autonomous, professionally want to spell out what more they Appa then symbolically took the cheque over to the bank counter and cashed it. He also signed the accounting firms to one-man- managed institute that would serve will do to make accounting a more bank’s banner that was taken to the summit which will go on a tour of SCB branches and finally to the outfits run by D-Class Registered as both license-issuer and a business respectable profession. Raising bank’s headquarters in London. “It was a source of immense joy for us. Appa Sherpa carried with him the Auditors, the two major concerns membership organisation. And so, requirements of entry, though pride and aspirations of each and every staff member of Standard Chartered Bank to the Top of The of accountants were expanding in 1998 the Institute of Chartered important, is only the first step. World,” said Anil Shah the head of consumer banking at Standard Chartered. their share in a Rs 450 million Accountants of Nepal (ICAN) came After all, in a profession that can Appa said climbing Mt Everest is never easy, even if it is for the 13th time. There are so many challenges: the wind, the weather, human factors and the crowd on top. Appa Sherpa is 40 years old and market and sprucing up their into being with a mission statement only grow if more clients buy its was born in Thame, he is married to Yangi Sherpa and has two sons and two daughters. He first reached professional image, which, let’s that sought: “to be recognised as a services, improving public the top of Mt Everest in 1990 and has been doing it every year except 1996. face it, is notorious for less than respected and highly professional perception about auditors and ethical practices. accounting body, providing accountants is necessary for long To some extent, those concerns leadership on standards, education term growth. luxury cars to tyres for transport trucks. Organised by emanate from a historical legacy. and self-regulation in Nepal”. ICAN together with the Big Upswing After all, until six years ago, it used To its credit, in the last four Four affiliates is in a unique

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Global Position and Management Services, the show SARS and the Iraq war may have taken a toll on our will also exhibit fuels and lubricants, tubes, batteries, to be easy to be an accountant in years ICAN has worked hard. Along position to take industry-wide tourism but May saw an remarkable spike in Indian accessories and even garage equipment. Eager Nepal. All one needed to do was the way they earned enemies who proactive leadership. They can arrivals. A total of 10,182 Indians visited Nepal last participants began booking their spaces this week. submit educational credentials to wanted to maintain the status quo market the strengths of the entire month, marking a 30 percent growth over last May. the Office of the Auditor General, but they continued to conduct profession to Nepali firms that are The influx was attributed to holiday packages floated who would then issue a license— examinations, issue licenses, run either unaware or unsure about the

by Indian Airlines, Summer Getaway by NTB and SKAL Asian Assembly ○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ arbitrarily, perfunctorily and skill upgrade workshops, foster range of services that auditors and five-star hotels in Nepal. The nation’s present SARS- SKAL International held inevitably. This led to an explosion relations with donor agencies and accountants offer beyond pushing free status has also made it a popular alternative for its Asian Assembly in in the number of auditors and counterparts abroad to make itself a the usual statutory paperwork. Indian vacationers. Long-haul and third country Kathmandu 29 May – accountants of varying financially strong entity that Having completed the groundwork arrivals from Germany, Japan and the US, however, 1June in Kathmandu plummeted. competencies. demanded high professional for their professional development with nearly 100 top In the meantime, highly standards. Unwilling to rest on infrastructure, the challenge facing managers and executives from the qualified Chartered Accountants their laurels, ICAN officials say ICAN’s new executive committee is Motor show decided enough was enough, and much remains to be done, convincing the junta that they are

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ travel industry attending. The assembly elected Calling all motorheads. NADA’s third auto show is Ambica Shrestha of the Dwarika’s Hotel as the new started lobbying for a new Nepal especially after their elections vital to business success, and not a scheduled for 17-21 September and the focus is head of SKAL West Asia. In picture: Peter Hillary and Chartered Accountants Act. later this month. burden to be avoided or called going to be on everything from two-wheeled bikes, Jamling Sherpa at the SKAL opening. Enacted in 1997, the act paved the As ICAN members solicit votes upon a day before filing audit or tax way for a government-recognised in the next two weeks, they might reports.

FEEDBACK by KABINDRA PRADHAN

HUBERT H. HUMPHREY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM A carpetbagger’s utopia The Commission for Educational Exchange between the United States and Nepal (also known as the Fulbright Commission and USEF/N) announces the competition for Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowships for the academic year 2004-2005. here have been some negative comments in One way around would be to give a modest salary, the Nepali media on the Bhote Kosi hydro perhaps in dollars, to the dairy farmers and especially The Humphrey Fellowship Program brings mid-career professionals from developing project (‘The price we pay for power’, #142) women who do most of the work, which brings up the countries to the United States for one year of graduate study and related practical, profes- and a rebuttle from Panda Energy third principle. sional experiences. Fellowships are granted competitively to professional candidates TInternational (‘Misleading and inaccurate’, #144) Payment has to be made in hard currency if there who can demonstrate a commitment to public service in the government, NGO, or private regarding the power purchase agreement with the is foreign equity involved to protect against the steady sectors and potential for national leadership. The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship is a Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA). devaluation of the local currency. Additionally, it non-degree program. Trust the Nepalis to completely miss the silver ensures a steady stream of foreign investment, the The Humphrey Fellowships are offered only in the following areas: lining in the pockets of shareholders. There is much to mantra of all economic development. Once the thank the promoters for, government agrees to buy all 1) Agricultural Development/Agricultural Economics; especially their pioneering the milk produced in a price 2) Communications/Journalism; work in establishing a few basic that is solely dependent on 3) Economic Development; principles on how to get rich: the cost of production (and not 4) Education, including Educational Planning, Educational Administration, Assured market, Business price current market prices) and to Curriculum Development, Teaching of English as a Foreign Language; 5) Finance and Banking; determined only on the cost of pay for the milk in hard 6) Human Resource Management; production, and payment in currency, foreign investors will 7) Law and Human Rights; hard Currency. These are the come in hordes to invest in 8) Natural Resources and Environmental Management; ‘ABCs’ of joint venture foreign Nepal—SARS or the Maoists 9) Public Health Policy and Management, including HIV/AIDS Policy and investment in Nepal. be damned. Prevention as well as Drug Abuse Education, Treatment and Prevention; There is no doubt that we There is one last trick. The 10) Public Policy Analysis and Public Administration; will quickly become a nation government can easily go 11) Technology Policy and Management; of rich people (or at least rich back on its word so it is 12) Urban and Regional Planning. shareholders) if we follow these important to have strong General Requirements for Entering the Competition principles. Better still, if we support. In Nepal, the apply the same to the dairy shareholders of the Bhote Kosi Applicants must have at least 5 years of progressively more responsible professional industry the resulting flood of project have very powerful experience in Nepal, be under 45 years of age, and possess the equivalent of a U.S. milk would be a Kosi, a dudh Kosi in fact. backers who don’t shy away from using force—money, bachelor’s degree (i.e., at least six years of study beyond SLC). Except in the field of The first step in any enterprise is ensuring a market missiles or marines—to get what they want. journalism, applicants must hold policy-level positions as Managers, Administrators or for the product, even though it is plagued by fickle To sum up, I propose a multimillion dollar dairy Planners. PLEASE NOTE THAT TECHNICIANS, TEACHERS OR RESEARCHERS ARE customers and suppliers who undercut each other. farm, financed almost exclusively by citizens and NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE HUMPHREY FELLOWSHIP. An applicant’s employment record Even worse is if selective purchase results in wastage. banks of a certain superpower. The government is to must show a pattern of exceptional career progress. The first principle then is to force the market to pay for buy all the milk at the site of production and pay in everything produced, thereby creating a captive dollars with an annual increase in purchase price Qualified women candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this exceptional market. The product must be collected from the place linked to the US inflation rate. The purchase price will professional development opportunity. of production: a very important consideration in our include a reasonable salary for farmers and include a Application Forms roadless country, and absolutely necessary during steady return on the investment, no matter how Application forms and further information regarding the Humphrey Fellowship competition strikes. If the cow, buffalo or yak is milked, payment expensive the investment proves to be. I am even are available at the Fulbright Commission, the American Center, Gyaneshwor. Applica- must be made. willing to gift the government all the dairy animals tions and information may also be accessed and downloaded from the Commission’s The second principle is determining price. Right after 30 years. Is anyone willing to join me in this website: www.fulbrightnepal.org.np now, the government does a rather unfair job that fails venture?  to take into consideration the high cost of production NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE GIVEN OUT AFTER JULY 11, 2003. COMPLETED APPLI- due to special “Nepali Conditions” (read rock bottom (Kabindra Pradhan has a farm in Butwal and runs a CATIONS MUST REACH THE COMMISSION NO LATER THAN 4:00 P.M., FRIDAY, AU- productivity). They also assume labour costs are low. furniture factory in Kathmandu.) GUST 1, 2003. INCOMPLETE OR LATE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. 6 NATION 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 The war hasn’t stopped Thousands of internally-displaced people in the district headquarters bear the double tragedy of losing loved ones, and having to fend for themselves. ALL PICS: NARESH NEWAR

NARESH NEWAR

in KHALANGA

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ or the last seven years, Lakshina Budha has been F lying to her daughter Sapana that her father, Chhat Prasad Budha, is still alive and is working in Kathmandu. She doesn’t have the heart to tell her about the brutal murder of her father by a group of Maoists when she was just six months pregnant. One of the villagers had a personal grudge against Chhat Prasad and misled the From l-r: Khalanga, where there are some 2,000 displaced people from the interior trying to survive. Bir Bahadur’s family members are refugees in Khalanga. Lakshina Budha with Maoists at the beginning by daughter, Sapana, who was born three months after her father was killed by Maoists. falsely accusing him as spying against them. village, but the Maoists traced her thousands of Nepalis the ceasefire Bahadur to join them as a porter night, development projects are hasn’t yet paid any of the Around midnight, a group there. Not wanting to endanger came too late. In Khalanga alone, and local guide. Reluctantly, Bir gradually returning, the political promised compensation, and of Maoists entered the house her parents, she left with a packet there are about 750 displaced Bahadur joined the army patrol parties are active again, schools the charities haven’t offered and forcibly took Chhat Prasad. of rice, carried the newly-born families. “If only this peace had and traveled with them twice. He have restarted. But for the effective reintegration. The Two months later the Maoists Sapana and walked for days to taken place earlier, my son would was killed on his third trip out. refugee families there are the political parties are too busy announced her husband’s death Khalanga. be alive today,” says a 60-year-old Post-ceasefire Rukum is full of psychological scars and the hand- holding anti-king rallies to during a rally here. The villager Lakshina still gets nightmares. mother who has been bedridden the horror stories of relatives of to-mouth existence. The ones to help. achieved his personal vendetta. At Khalanga, she stays in a rented for the last ten months since her the dead still trying to come to suffer the most are the children, Most want to return to Lakshina became a pregnant house paying Rs 1,000 for one son, Bir Bahadur Budha was terms with tragedies and widows and the elderly parents their villages, to plant crops widow at 25. Things did not room. She can barely afford killed during a firefight between desperately surviving from day to of those killed. Rukum lost more when the rains come. But the stop there. Villagers constantly square meals and the school fees the army and the Maoists. day. It is a place of hope and than 700 people in the past Maoists are occupying their harassed Lakshina and forced her for Sapana. “I have to live for my Bir Bahadur had escaped from dread. Hope that the peace will seven years, both at the hands of homes and fields. The Maoists to leave the village. All her cows daughter. Sapana is the only his village when the Maoists tried be real this time, and a sense of the Maoists and the army. About have asked displaced families and buffaloes were slaughtered. family I have. But I don’t know to force him to join the dread about what will happen if 500 of them were non- to come back, but the people The Maoists confiscated her how she will react when she movement. His family had to flee, it doesn’t. combatants. do not trust them. Many do house, land and all her grows up and finds out the truth leaving behind all their livestock Life for local residents is No one is offering any help or not believe the Maoists have belongings. She went to her about her father,” she says. and property. When they arrived getting better: the income is good, rehabilitation for the displaced given up violence, since the mother’s house in another For Lakshina, and tens of in Khalanga, the army asked Bir shops and hotels run till late people here. The government cadre is still extorting and

HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK The United States of Reason comedian with whom I share my country’s passive aggressive ambivalence towards the United States, makes the following The silent majority whose hearts A suggestion. He proposes that our native land, Canada, get together with Cuba to form a single nation. Not so we all can enjoy aren’t with Bush and the Neo-Imps Fidel Castro’s seven-hour speeches but because of the effect on Washington. “We’d have them surrounded,” he says. are desperate for an alternative. American friends with the proper sense of humour give this the small chuckle it deserves. Canadians usually find it hilarious. And to their government in times or trouble. And these are such times. increasingly, in the rest of the world beyond the United States, such 3) Constructive opposition and bridge building. Those jokes are catching on as Pax Americana. A policy that is enforced by Americans—the silent majority or large minority whose hearts the mailed fist of the Pentagon which looms ever larger. Afghanistan, aren’t with Bush and the Neo Imps—they’re desperate for an Iraq, maybe Iran next and then Syria, Pakistan, Congo in there alternative. Their natural home, the Democratic Party has never somewhere, Colombia’s coca lands, Aceh, Burma: name a trouble in a babel of tongues and election after election being won in been so mealy mouthed, so obsessed with policy trivia. US politics spot and it’s just possible that a pointy head defence planner at the various countries by people with no agenda beyond bashing have never been so utterly dominated by bit money and special Pentagon has drawn up an invasion plan with a catchy name and Washington. Revitalised anarchist and Trotskyist movements, interest groups on either side of the narrow American political mapped out the TV camera positions. polite salon opinion from London to Luanda, Mexico City to spectrum. Many, if not most, Americans are troubled. They need to So how does the rest of the world—whether merely sceptical or Melbourne, dissing Uncle Sam and all his citizens with an almost be constructively engaged by intelligent international thinkers from firmly against George Bush and his Neo-Imperialists, Rumsfeld, racist fervour. In truth, I can see this option becoming more and other societies, by governments with broad electoral support and Wolfowicz, et al—deal with this? There are various options, none more attractive to many of the world’s liberal internationalists, as committed policies in Europe and elsewhere. with guaranteed results save more of the same but, for the record, well as the disgruntled and hitherto unsuccessful leftists, nihilists In short, we need a United States of Reason that is world-wide, here they are: and “smash-everything-ists”. that supports American-style values of liberty and generosity. 1) Compliance. Trust the Neo-Imps to have “our” best interests at This makes it most dangerous and least productive. America is Liberal democracies with liberal value systems, ie most of them, heart. You’ll see. Afghanistan and Iraq will be model developing not its government. The present administration was elected by the need to get together with civil society’s representatives from all world democracies within months. Maybe, but at least we can prove barest of margins, or not at all if you buy the theory that Florida over the world to tell the mad cowboys who have taken over the the outcome of this one by watching the situation closely. And we was rigged or at the very least a shambles of banana republic middle ground in Washington that enough is enough. Other voices will, Mr Bush, we will. proportions. George W Bush ran on a ticket of splendid isolation have a right to be heard. 2) Outrage. Anti American rampages in European and Asian capitals, and leaving other countries alone. Most Americans, while deploring Join with Canada and Cuba and surround them with reason, not to mention North and South America. “Yankee go home” graffiti terrorism and dictatorial excesses everywhere, offer uneasy support understanding and nerves of steel.
NATION 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 7 in Rukum intimidating subsistence farmers visiting them in their villages to feed them. Also, they and promising help. Some remember how the Maoists 8,000 people from Rolpa and forced every family to send a Jajarkot attended a rally at the boy or girl for the revolution. Rukumkot airfield addressed by There is equal fear of the Deb Gurung (see pic, right). army: their arbitrary arrests, the The speeches lasted four torture and killings. hours, but there was not a single “Both the Maoists and the word of remorse or regret for the army have major responsibility innocent victims of the peoples’ to create an environment of war or the displaced, no offers trust and convince the people of help to resettle or re-integrate Two Deb Gurungs at Chaurjhari that violence and killings are not the people. There were vague done anymore,” says Bhola promises of how things would Deb Gurung is 10-years-old. And like his namesake, he says he is a Education is important to launch the revolution and formal education is Maoist: he blames the army for turning him into one. important in dealing with international issues and agendas, the Mahat, regional coordinator of be better when “peoples’ rule” Two years ago, when he was helping an injured Maoist with water international language and modern education.” the human rights group, came, and a harangue against to drink. An army patrol spotted him, and since then he has been on Deb says that he spends time reading Marxist books and going INSEC. western “imperialism”, diatribes the run. He ended up in a Maoist camp and today speaks in Maoist around talking to children explaining Maoist principles and theories. The Maoist leadership seems against the UML “lackeys”, and jargon. He can turn serious, and stuns those around him with his When asked about the peace talks he gives us a Maoist lal salaam (see to have realised they need to do predicting an Afghanistan-type mature speaking style and in-depth knowledge of Marxist theories pic, above) and asks us to give this message to the people in some public relations to win conflict if the peace talks failed. and Maoist thought. Kathmandu: “There should no cheating or double standards in the peace Working as a ‘child representative’ of the Maoists, Deb Gurung talks. The talks should be done with utmost sincerity. To make this back the hearts and minds of If they came to offer hope, you goes around villages forming Maoist’s ‘children associations’. Deb successful, we should go ahead without any bias and dishonesty. All the people. They have been couldn’t see it in the faces of the still goes to school and attends class six. But he says: “I have two people and powers should be working together to make this peace talk a organising public meetings and crowd at Chaurjhari.
kinds of education: Marxbadi siksha and formal education. success.”

DOMESTIC BRIEFS

Mountain men businesses in Japan and tips on living and

○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ travelling in Japan. The Mountain Institute (TMI) in Nepal now has

two directors, both Nepal hands: Lhakpa N Newars abroad ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Sherpa and Brian J Peniston are joint directors ○○○○ of the Himal Program at the TMI. Catherine More than 200 US-based Newars and guests Nixon Cooke, TMI CEO said the Nepal program attended the second convention of the Newah of the international NGO is the biggest Organisation of America (NOA) on 25 May held component and needed two directors. Sherpa in Metropolitan Washington. In its first year of was the project manager of the TMI’s operation, the NOA organised various events Quomolongma Conservation Project, and like the Nepal Sambat Day and a campaign to joined the organisation in 2000. Peniston has aid Nepal Bhasa Academy Cultural Centre. worked for the TMI since 1996, serving as Prominent members of the community stressed Nepal’s regional manager directing the the importance of Newar language classes and organisations’ work in the Makalu Barun the importance of creating a repository for National Park. Established in 1972, the US- Newari arts and crafts before the skills based TMI came to Nepal in 1986 to begin become extinct. The convection concluded conservation work in and around the Everest with the screening of the Newari movie region. Last year it handed over the Makalu Paakha, cultural dances and a “Taste of Barun project to the local community. The Newah Cuisine” dinner. Chomulongma project is already halfway through its five-year period. Peniston told us

TMI’s future plans include conservation work Flak for deportation

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ at Jaljale and Milke Danda between the Makalu Eighteen Tibetan refugees of the 21 who were Barun and Kangchenjunga. apprehended by the Nepali police at the Tatopani Nepal-China border last month were

Ambulances handed over to Chinese officials in Kathmandu

○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ this week and taken back to China, leading to The Indian Embassy Wednesday donated a international concern over their fate. The UN fleet of 16 ambulances to various rural health refugee body, UNHCR, dubbed the move a groups. Ambassador Shyam Saran, presiding blatant violation of Nepal’s obligations under international law, calling it a “refoulement”. A 1990 agreement between Nepal and UNHCR allowed access to “persons of concern” and let refugees from Tibet transit through Nepal. This agreement had been generally followed until last week’s deportation of 18 Tibetans. There were also sharp rebukes from the United States, Britain and human rights groups. The US said the deportation violated international norms and practices regarding the over the function in Lazimpat, said the treatment of asylum seekers and the British vehicles symbolised the deep friendship expressed dismay over the way the Nepali between Nepal and India. In the absence of government ignored repeated appeals on ex-Health Minister Upendra Devkota, chief behalf of the refugees by diplomatic missions secretary Bimal Koirala handed over the keys in Kathmandu. While the government, which of the ambulances to the recipient groups. was in transition from the Chand administration, chose to retreat behind silence it was left to the Chinese Embassy to defend

Link up the Nepali action. “It was well within Nepal’s ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ A website to promote information on Japan jurisdiction and it is a common international and Nepal, www.nepaljapan.com, was practice,” the embassy said in a statement. launched in Japan by students and former UNHCR officials told us the Home Ministry was students in Japan. Mohan Krishna Shrestha, not responding to enquiries on the deportation. acting Ambassador of Nepal to Japan The Dalai Lama’s representative in Nepal, inaugurated the homepage and said it would Wangchuk Tshering, questioned the presence contribute informally towards strengthening of Chinese officials who accompanied the the relationship between the two countries. refugees as soon as they were released from The site is designed and maintained by Kumar police custody. “This was quite strange,” he Basnet and will carry information on educa- said. “Why should the Chinese officials be tion opportunities, online job search, Nepali here to take back the Tibetan refugees?” 8 NATION 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL Rearranging the furniture With at least a quarter of kangresi MPs always in his pocket, Khum Bahadur Khadka determined the shape of post-1990 politics.

Sher Bahadur Deuba Sushil Koirala Chiranjibi Wagle

Khum Bahadur Khadka Bijay Kumar Gachhedar Govinda Raj Joshi ALL PICS: MIN BAJRACHARYA

ith the most laterally- could muster as Deuba’s home The damage had been done. UML top brass still seethes help prolong his tenure. In the the quarrels within his party were mobile kangresi having minister. The challenge of In the current political when it recalls the most end, Deuba decided to getting nastier. Some kangresis W made his latest move, reinventing the Nepali Congress context, it is perhaps irrelevant prominent Kangresi face underpin the endurance of his encouraged the premier to some commotion in national demanded organisational skills to recall how Deuba held his grinning behind the split that government on a three-pronged strengthen his grip on the politics was inevitable. After all that rivalled Koirala’s. ground when the palace wanted denied the comrades their formula: promises of phase-wise government by proving his that has happened in the last In the larger scheme of him to sack some of his more majority government in 1999. cabinet expansions to majority in the house once again. seven days, though, it would be things, Khadka’s post-October sullied ministers. What’s With such power behind the accommodate and pacify Remember how two kangresi tempting to dismiss Khum Fourth plight marked the important here is that Koirala throne, why would Khadka ever supporters, peace talks with the MPs failed to show up for the Bahadur Khadka’s abandoning apotheosis of political showed sympathy long before the want to sit on it? Maoists, and a “revolutionary” vote and brought Deuba down? of Sher Bahadur Deuba’s ship as accountability. The man who kangresi-in-chief got his own Deuba, too, has his set of land-reform agenda. Khadka instantly blamed “foreign an irrelevant ripple. The helped push tougher anti- summons from the anti-graft human foibles. Although it In each initiative, Khadka elements”. If Lokendra Bahadur pertinent point the Nepali corruption legislation through watchdog. And after all Khadka didn’t look so ominous two was omnipresent. When the Chand hadn’t already cut a deal Congress (Democratic) ex- parliament became one of its did to put Deuba in the prime years ago, his troubles started home minister flew off to an with Bam Dev Gautam, Deuba general secretary makes is that first test cases. Symbolism, minister’s seat and Shailaja even before he took the prime HIV/AIDS conference in might have spewed out his fire Nepali politics continues to be however, can provide limited Acharya on the party president’s. ministerial oath. For three days, Melbourne two years ago, he right there. Koirala’s failure to re- enlivened by empathy. succour in solitude. Those close With at least a quarter of the planetary position wasn’t left Deuba a list of MPs he enter the Baluwatar premises To be sure, without Khadka to Khadka tell us his latest kangresi MPs always in his propitious for the swearing-in wanted aboard just in case the pushed Khadka into the and his band of loyalists, switch was inspired by the pocket, Khadka’s dexterity has ceremony. For another two premier planned to expand the opposition benches and made Deuba’s party would probably phone calls he received from determined the shape of post- days, Deuba tried hard getting cabinet in between. Deuba’s injury less insulting. have been something akin to CP Koirala. Deuba let it be known 1990 politics. From Krishna the political alignments right Actually Deuba’s animosity A final thought: Maybe Deuba Mainali’s Marxist-Leninist that his moral moorings Prasad Bhattarai to Koirala and while drawing up his cabinet goes back to the 6 March 1997 will turn out to be a sympathetic faction. The Baneshwor wouldn’t allow him to come out Deuba, premiers have staked list. In between, aides to the vote of confidence the first- listener if Khadka discovers he convention that ousted Girija in defence of a tainted ally. their fate on the motions of this prime minister-elect tried term premier was never can no longer put up with Prasad Koirala as party When Khadka’s release on bail man. Once he helped you get the rearranging the furniture at his required to take. He had just Govinda Raj Joshi and Krishna president required much more became imminent, Deuba did top job, he made you perpetually Singha Darbar office along defeated a no-trust motion the Sitaula intercepting his calls to than the resources Khadka begin to show some solidarity. aware of your mortality. The directions they hoped would opposition had registered, but Koirala.

JOURNALISTS COMPETITION FOR WASH AWARDS ANNOUNCED

The Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council, a multi-stakeholder organization based in Geneva, Switzerland, is holding a competition for journalists from developing countries who investigate issues relating to sanitation, hygiene and water problems in their countries, in collaboration with the International Federation of Environmental Journalists (IFEJ).

The winner will receive US$500 plus an all-expenses paid trip to Dakar, Senegal, to attend the first WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for All campaign) Global Forum meeting in March 2004. There will be four other prizes of US$ 250 each including a "Youth Reporter" award.

A journalist can submit a maximum of three entries. These should be one or more articles which have already been printed in 2003 in a newspaper or magazine, or one or more stories which have been telecast or broadcast on radio. Entries should be copies of printed articles, with the title of the journal, city in which it is published and date clearly marked, and similar details for video or audio tapes from journalists working in the electronic media.

The organisers will appoint panels of judges for entries in three languages - English, French and Spanish. Any material in Nepali has to be translated in any one of these three languages for entry. The deadline for receiving entries is November 30, 2003......

Please submit entries to: Queries can be addressed to: Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) Darryl D'Monte International Environment House Chairperson Chemin des Anemones 9 Forum of Environmental Journalists of India (FEJI) EASY TIMES 1219 Chatelaine President, International Federation of Environmental Geneva Switzerland Journalists (IFEJ) It’s never been easier Attention: Ms. Eirah Gorre-Dale 29-B Carter Road, Bandra West, Mumbai 400 050, India to subscribe to E-mail: [email protected] Tel: 91-22-642-7088 Telefax: 91-22-645-9286 Nepali Times E-mail: [email protected] Just dial this number ...... and leave your address. Published by: Mr. Umesh Pandey (NEWAH), National Co-ordinator of WSSCC for Nepal 5543333 WILDLIFE 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 9 Khumbu’s wild dogs Monkey business

The forests in Sagarmatha National Park have a new predator. HEMLATA RAI ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the seasonal pastures near Pheriche. ollowing the Indian ban on Gurung gestured to them with hand the export of rhesus monkeys commands that should have been F for use in bio-medical familiar, but they kept their distance research, Western research as if expecting hostility. Then he saw labs now seem to be eyeing Nepali monkeys. them try to hunt down a Danphe Two years ago the private pheasant that escaped by flying off Natural History Society (NHS) in through the undergrowth. “That was Kathmandu put forward a proposal enough to convince me that those dogs to provide monkeys to foreign labs, were indeed feral,” says Gurung. but dropped it after conservation Padam Ghale of Mandala Treks activists, particularly the King has come across the dogs along the Mahendra Trust for Nature Everest trail. “They are not friendly, Conservation created a furore. and they hunt in packs attacking Mukesh Chalise of NHS doesn’t kitchen tents at night,” he recalls. understand the fuss: “We are not Chhingdu Tshering, an elderly talking about selling our monkeys, we just want to provide scientists woman who lives just below Namche with primates to conduct studies. It Bazaar pointed to one of the cliffs would contribute to the whole of across the valley where she once saw RAJENDRA GURUNG humanity.” two dogs circling a calf. The helpless This time, activists allege, the NAVIN SINGH KHADKA and go wild. It seems there have cries of the animal carried across the Washington National Primate

in KHUMBU Centre (WNPC) and its Nepali ○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○ been quite a few dogs especially in mountain as it fell. If cows stray too rekkers in Nepal have often Khumbu that are living wild in the far from their herders, the dogs are counterpart, NHS, have decided to For over 30 years, the WNPC purpose”. The chief of the been impressed by the moraines near Lobuje, taking on the quick to seize their chance. From the come through the back door. A has been active in primate research Department of National Park, friendliness of Nepali dogs habits of their evolutionary ones that escape, locals have group of US researchers led by overseas. The centre maintains a Swayambhu Man Amatya, Randall Kyes of WNPC conducted breeding colony housing over maintains that his office is not T ancestors, the wolves. deduced that the dogs kill their along the trails. Most approach larger prey in true wolf style— by a five-day ‘health camp’ for rhesus 1,000 monkeys in Indonesia and aware of any activities conducted hikers, tails wagging, and they have After hearing rumours of wild on Swayambhu Hill where 20 also works with the Institute of by WNPC in Kathmandu recently. got used to being fed biscuits and dogs from yak herders, Rajendra sinking their fangs into the jugular monkeys were said to have died Medical Primatology in Russia. At Meanwhile, the International will follow trekkers. Some dogs Gurung at the Khumbu office of the vein. “This is becoming regular,” from a mysterious epidemic. the American Society of Primate Protection League (IPPL) have even followed trekkers across World Wildlife Fund decided to Tshering told us. “We don’t know But this was apparently done Primatologists annual conference has posted an appeal in its site the Tashi Labtsa or Thorung Pass. investigate. He encountered two where these dogs come from and without permission from the held in June last year, Randall www.ippl.org to protest plans to They bond with visitors, acting wild dogs one early morning in where they go.” government’s Department of Kyes is said to have expressed exploit Nepali primates, and has as guides and watchdogs: all in upper Khumbu. They looked like a Conservationists in the region National Park and Wildlife WNPC’s interest to establish a also requested Nepal not to allow return for some food, and familiar breed but something was believe the wild dogs have profited Conservation. During that time, monkey-breeding centre in Nepal monkey-breeding labs to be set up. sometimes the privilege of snuggling different. “They stared at me like by a lack of other predators in the they collected stool, blood and to ensure the availability of non- India banned the export of into sleeping bags. But many of wolves,” Gurung recalls. “The way Khumbu forests. A few years ago locals hair from more than 40 monkeys human primates for bio-medical rhesus monkeys in 1977 on the and flew back to Washington, their research. grounds that they are worshiped as these dogs are abandoned when the they looked at me, I was certain they had poisoned the dogs when they became a nuisance and buried them. activities still largely unknown. Nepal does not have a law on the god, Hanuman. China is the trekkers fly back to Kathmandu were no longer tame.” “This is a case of bio-piracy,” says a the export of laboratory animals, biggest exporter of monkeys for bio- from Lukla or Jomsom, and they These were not your docile lap But other dogs dug them up at night, source at WWF (World Wildlife but a1973 law empowers the medical research, while the US is eagerly await for the next trekking dogs to begin with: they were fierce ate them up, and died of secondary Fund for Nature Conservation) government to fine or imprison up the biggest importer of primates group to follow. Tibetan mastiffs who somehow must poisoning. Many Himalayan eagles also Nepal Chapter. Our email queries to two years anyone found guilty of with an annual intake of about Others get lost in the forests have got lost and decided to stay in died from the poison.
to Randall Kyes went unanswered. trying to “harm wild animals for any 14,000 primates.  8 LIFESTYLE Maybe it shouldn’t be public enemy number one.

St Bartholomew’s and the Royal the body in a number of locations London Medical School. But fat called depots. Depots are found doesn’t just hang around in your under the skin (subcutaneous fat), body like a passive pat of butter. lining your belly, and wrapping It’s stored in a specialised tissue internal organs such as your guts called adipose tissue—often and kidneys in an intimate referred to as body fat. Take a look embrace. Scientists are finding that at adipose tissue under the different depots are designed to microscope, and you’ll see that it’s perform different jobs, from a honeycomb of plump fat cells, providing a quick-response energy FFFatatat each hoarding its share of the service, to feeding specialised FFatat body’s liquid gold reserve. Like designer fuel to our immune isis little balloons filled with oil, they systems. What’s more, the relative isisis shrink and expand with the ebb and sizes of these depots differ between flow of the food supply. “The men and women. amount of fat that goes in and out Men have less fat in general, up of adipose tissue in a typical day is to a fifth of their body weight. The enormous,” says Keith Frayn, average, healthy woman has more— professor of human metabolism at between one-fifth and one-quarter the University of Oxford. “It’s best of her weight is due to fat. Both regarded as a sort of buffer.” sexes store most of their fat under Packed together in elastic the skin, although men store more tissue, your fat cells pad out your around their internal organs and fabfab fingertips and eye sockets. They belly than women do. CLAIRE AINSWORTH

fab○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ fabfabyou be? Chained to your fridge, cushion your heels and joints, Why the difference? A woman ated, feared and reviled, fat that’s where. helping to absorb the mechanical needs to be good at storing energy is the modern-day If it weren’t for your fat stores, shock of walking. Life without fat to nourish a growing baby. She also H bogeyman that scares adults you would need to eat almost would be a bumpy ride. It could needs fat if she wants to be a drop- steady supply of energy to support fat’s sweeping powers lies in its and children alike. Only constant constantly just to stay alive. also get a bit chilly. Although not dead gorgeous sex goddess. A young pregnancy and breast-feeding—a ability to communicate by making a vigilance, diet and exercise, it is Without a cache of fat to fuel a specifically designed to keep out woman’s body fat is placed in role fulfilled by her slow-burning hormone called leptin. When leptin thought, will keep this dreadful constant energy supply, you’d be the cold, fat is a fairly good strategic places, such as her breasts subcutaneous fat. However, men was first discovered in the early 90s, demon at bay. But it’s time the lucky to last more than a day. insulator. Recent discoveries have and hips, rather than her belly, to needed an energy store that they it was hailed a potential new truth came out. Fat is no evil, lard- Stockpiling your fuel as fat is a made scientists sit up and see fat in give her the feminine curves that could draw on at short notice, out wonder drug to fight obesity. When guzzling monster that lies in wait stroke of biological genius. High in an entirely new light. “Fat is an men find irresistible. So why do hunting and fighting. To this day, it was given to overweight mice, on your hips. It is a beautifully energy, it’s light and easy to store. organ,” says Coppack. “You should men tend to store their fat around belly fat is laid down and burned up they got thinner. However, most designed and multi-talented body And although most of us know that think of it as a little bit like the the middle? three times faster than obese people make plenty of their organ that plays a crucial role in having a bit of fat will tide us over liver.” This organ is responsible for Steve O’Rahilly, professor of subcutaneous fat. So if all else fails, own leptin, but don’t seem to be keeping us healthy and happy. Far in times of starvation, few managing puberty, fertility and sex metabolic medicine at the blame your paunch on the very sensitive to it—meaning it has from despising it, we should learn appreciate its dynamic role in appeal, as well as shoring up our University of Cambridge, has some Pleistocene. limited use as a drug. But the to love our fat. Bemoaning your smoothing out the energy peaks and defences against infection. It words of comfort for the modern Scientists are only now discovery that leptin can brief the bulges in front of the mirror, you troughs between daily meals. influences our behaviour, and may man in despair of his gut. Our male discovering how body fat lies at the brain on the state of the body’s energy may be tempted to wish that fat “It isn’t just for rainy days, it’s even have a say in our mood. and female ancestors, he reckons, heart of a complex and finely coffers put paid to the idea of fat as a had never been invented. But if basic housekeeping,” says Simon Instead of being concentrated had different stresses on their balanced system that helps our passive dollop of lard. “It made fat your wish came true, where would Coppack, an obesity researcher at in one place, fat is spread through systems. Women would need a bodies run smoothly. The secret of much cleverer than it was thought to 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 9 be before,” says O’Rahilly. of your energy budget goes towards In healthy people, leptin your immune system, so it’s a performs a delicate juggling act; logical place to make savings if putting a brake on our eating if we you’re forced to run a metabolism have too much fat, and ringing the on a shoestring. Leptin does this by alarm bells if our energy accounts withdrawing its support for the start wandering into overdraft. But vital white cells that fight off Keeping abreast although leptin is important to infection—but only as a last resort. keep us from overindulging, some As soon as you put on a tiny bit of researchers think it really comes fat, everything starts to behave The truth behind the most eroticised piece of feminine frippery. into its own at the other end of the normally again. But as well as

SALLY WEALE and separate, Cross Your Heart,

○○○○○○○○○ scale—to stop us from starving to issuing orders to immune cells from ○○○○○○ death when times are lean. “Its real on high, fat rolls up its sleeves and esterday, I conducted my latex, Playtex, lycra and lace; function is to drop below a very mucks in at the front line, too. The own little experiment. there’s been Hello Boys, push up low limit,” says O’Rahilly. This heart, as it pumps tirelessly day and Y I went into the office and plunge; the balcony, the Bliss, happens when there isn’t enough night, might call on the body fat toilet, removed my bra, then Affinity, Lovable, and something body fat to keep the levels of leptin around it for support. “It’s a very spent the day without it. For as called Essensis. Strappy, strapless, in the blood topped up. Not only attractive idea,” says Frayn, “but long as I can remember bras underwired, wireless, sports bras, does this switch on a voracious there’s no anatomical evidence for have been a source of day bras—new ones with strings to appetite, but it helps the body save that.” discomfort. My earliest bra control your cleavage size and the energy for vital organs like the Still, as scientists have only memories date back to the first yoghurty-sounding Bioform with revolutionary plastic inserts brain by cutting corners elsewhere. recently started to take an interest year of senior school, when half the girls in class moved with a instead of underwiring. A $700 One of the first casualties is in fat, there could be many more million industry aimed at your whether we buy them for a $15 with health; they may be good for your reproduction. Women with very surprises in store. Some researchers quiet pride into their trainer bras. Oh, the shame of changing chest. our groceries in a Marks & Spencer figure, they can be a turn-on little body fat, such as anorexics, think it has a say in our mood, Then recently we read a report store, or spend $150 after a two- (black, lacy push-up) or a turn-off don’t have periods, which makes behaviour and hormonal responses. for double PE to reveal a virginal white vest while the rest suggesting that wearing a bra hour personal fitting in a leading (grey, saggy, gone through the perfect sense. “If you went into Long underrated, fat is a talented of them giggled in their little could damage your health. department store. For many of us wash too many times) but pregnancy malnourished, that manager, book balancer and white bras. Researchers asked 100 pre- they are so uncomfortable it would according to Cawthorn they can’t would be catastrophic for both the housekeeper—a Jack-of-all-trades Eventually I graduated to menopausal women to go without hardly be surprising if they were stop the natural ageing process. baby and the mother,” says and master of many. So pie and my own trainer. It was white, with a bra for three months then return bad for our health. Not even if you wear one all night Coppack. “It’s crucial that the chips all round, then? Fat chance. little pink roses, and made me to wearing one for another three This is what one woman had to like Marilyn Monroe to keep them mother’s system knows she has Although body fat is a highly feel very grown-up. It was utterly months and record the differences. say: “My whole life I’ve had one perky. “There’s no evidence that enough energy on board.” What’s sophisticated organ, you can have redundant, but reasonably On average, the number of pain- good bra—one bra that was wearing a bra will prevent your more, girls with a rare genetic too much of a good thing. As comfortable—that is, until free days went up by 7 percent comfortable, that didn’t leave breasts from drooping and defect who lack the ability to make doctors keep telling us, people with twanged repeatedly by one’s when the women stopped wearing enormous scarlet weals on my flesh, sagging,” he says. leptin never go through puberty in too much body fat are more fascinated male peers. Next bras. Which seems unsurprising to that gave me two breasts instead of Which brings me back nicely the first place. But fat isn’t just a susceptible to coronary heart came the teen bra, with its most bra-wearing females. Bras are one; that gave support without to my own little experiment. It was feminine tissue. Boys need leptin disease, cancer and diabetes. But adjustable straps and vicious at best uncomfortable, at worst stopping me breathing. One good much, much more comfortable to tell their bodies that they have making fat the scapegoat is unfair. little hooks that were forever they can be instruments of torture. bra!” going without. No red marks on enough energy to fuel puberty too. After all, the expanding waistlines being undone by classmates, And even worse, they can cause Vests are fine for women with the shoulders; no sore, itchy bit at Men who have no leptin are we see today could be due to body male and female. I began to cancer! But the theory that women flat chests, but for women with big the back where the label sticks and perpetual Peter Pans; they never fat’s naturally thrifty streak coming look wistfully at my drawerful of in cultures where bras are not worn breasts, bras are essential for tickles; no constricted breathing or reach sexual maturity. unstuck with TV dinners and flat white vests. By then, however, do not suffer breast cancer is more comfort. And our breasts are pinched ribs. Very earthy. Very As a person’s energy economy sedentary desk jobs. So although I began to need a bra and there likely to be because of their diet getting bigger all the time. When pleasant. But I stayed very, very rather than their underwear. Tony Dixey, group general still, all day. And when I did plummets deeper into recession, the chances of us learning to love was no turning back. That was Whether bras are subsequently manager for Playtex, began move, I clutched something to my their body fat is forced to make our fat are slim, it’s time to get it—for the rest of my life, just like
the rest of the adult female shown to cause breast cancer or working in the bra industry 20 years chest to hide any unprofessional further cuts—by slashing the things into perspective. not, many of us do not have very ago 34B was the average size, now jiggling. Bras: a necessary evil.
defence budget. About 15 percent (© The Observer) population. Since then there’s been lift happy relationship with our bras, it’s 36C. Bras may be bad for your (© The Observer) 12 WORLD 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 ANALYSIS by EMMA BONINO, GIANFRANCO DELL’ ALBA Overhauling the UN It must become a different organisation to be fit for democracy.

he war in Iraq raised starkly without the endless delays, vetoes, in judgement of democracies and for share the same values into an “globalise” democracy as well as legitimacy necessary to react the question of the indecisiveness, and unwillingness to Libya to chair the Commission for amorphous forum of the trade. Yet other countries remain credibly to threats to peace and T international order, in ensure respect for its decisions. The Human Rights. international community—an stubbornly outside this emerging promote freedom and human rights. particular about the role of the UN was born as a community of The Charter empowered the indistinct body that never democratic order, and some That re-founding should start UN. Many regard the UN’s role as nations committed to safeguard and UN to react to threats to peace and investigates the democratic democracies may be moving toward without delay. A good place to the guarantor of international law promote the values at the heart of international order arising from non- credentials of its members. authoritarianism. Shouldn’t these begin would be to form, before the and legitimacy as self-evident, and the fight against Nazism and member states, including a Today’s UN, which entrusts the attributes have an impact on their next General Assembly, a caucus of now argue that its stature, Fascism. requirement—never implemented— protection of fundamental human international status? democratic states to coordinate undermined by the US-led invasion, At its origin—with only 50 that signatories provide “military rights to countries that are The UN must be re-founded on their actions and establish common must be quickly restored if the rule signatories of its Charter—the UN contingents under the command of themselves among the prime the basis of its original principles. positions.
(© Project Syndicate) of law is to prevail internationally. was a rather exclusive club of the Military Staff Committee, violators of these rights, is no longer The standard for admission should But to be a genuine locus of countries. Indeed, Article 53 of the composed of the Chiefs of Staff of acceptable. We must modify not not be a country’s mere existence, (Emma Bonino, a former EU international legitimacy, the UN Charter defined the formerly fascist the permanent members.” In this only the working mechanisms of the but its fulfillment of certain criteria Commissioner, is a Transnational must become a different Axis countries as “enemy states” of context, the veto power conferred UN, but also its composition. What of democratic governance. Like the Radical Member of the European organisation—one secure in its own the UN, so that Italy had to wait on the victors of World War 2 was is needed is a “World Organisation European Union, the UN should Parliament. Gianfranco Dell’Alba is legitimacy and able to function until 1955 to become a member. not concerned with “internal” of Democracies,” devoted to possess mechanisms to suspend or a Transnational Radical Member Japan joined only in 1956 and conflicts among the member states; promoting the original values of the even expel members that fail to of the European Parliament and Germany in 1973. it extended only to threats to peace UN, including democracy, the rule respect democratic norms. Only a the director of the NGO No Peace The UN Charter was, above all, from countries outside the UN of law, and respect for human rights. re-founded UN will have the Without Justice.) a manifesto of nations committed to consensus. Such a UN could follow the freedom and justice. It also Over time the UN was organisational model of the WTO, contained a series of specific transformed by two factors. First, for example, or the Council of political objectives: decolonisation the presence of dictatorships among Europe. The latter is worth and self-determination of peoples, the permanent members of the emulating because admission and social progress, and the promotion Security Council caused paralysis continued membership are of fundamental human rights. But and made many provisions of the conditioned on respect for specific with the onset of the Cold War and Charter dead letters. Second, the democratic standards. Countries the emergence of the non-aligned rise of the non-aligned movement, from the former Soviet bloc, for movement, the intentions of the founded by Zhou En Lai, Nehru, example, had to adapt their UN’s founding fathers were and Tito in 1955, launched a sort of legislation to these standards in progressively thwarted. Indeed, we substitute ideology for the UN. It order to join. The same should hold are so far today from the original emphatically reaffirmed the principle with respect to the new UN: to join spirit of the UN Charter that it of non-interference in states’ and remain a UN member would seems normal for dictatorships to sit internal affairs and this principle’s require respecting the international primacy over the rights of commitments undertaken by each individuals enshrined in Article 1 of state, beginning with the UN the Charter. Charter and the Universal The non-aligned movement also Declaration of Human Rights. stood for the principle of including In recent years, a number of in the UN, as a matter of right, all countries, often after painful sovereign countries. This turned the reforms, have become democratic, UN from a club of countries that showing that it is possible to

OPINION

G8 for Africa

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ EVIAN – While the French and British governments were pressing to keep Africa as a special agenda item, the United States argued that development in all countries should be given equal priority. The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) was developed two years ago under the leadership of five African heads of state. It has since been adopted as the official economic Industrialisation program of the African Union, as well as by the G8 as the basis Lille, Liege, Lyons and Barcelona in of their Africa Action Plan. continental Europe, much of More energy has gone into non-African issues such as the Britain and the United States, parts aftermath of the Iraq war than into matters of vital importance to of Canada and Ireland, and Africa, says Ezra Mbogori of Mwengo that serves NGOs in East Melbourne, Buenos Aires and and Southern Africa. Caroline Sande Mukulira, spokesperson for Johannesburg (plus, of course, Oxfam International says the G8 has not delivered on its promise Tokyo) were centres of modern made at last year’s summit. This includes contributing additional $6 industry. billion a year in aid to Africa and agreeing to a timetable towards Beyond these limits, however, reaching the $25-35 billion a year which the UN estimates Africa the fires of the Industrial will need if it is to meet the Millennium Goals. Meanwhile, political Revolution barely smouldered, if analysts say African leaders need to take responsibility for Africa they burned at all. For two instead of pleading to the world to save the continent. (IPS) centuries, far-sighted Ottoman viziers had argued for the need to

Debt relief spur Turkey’s economic and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ technological development: back in ANNEMASSE – Civil society organisations issued another call to 1453, Sultan Mehmet II’s armies the Group of Eight (G8) most powerful countries to cancel the had conquered Constantinople, $350 million foreign debt owed by the world’s 52 poorest because Mehmet had built the most nations—although they do not harbour hopes for a favourable response. In Annemasse, 40km from Evian, a civil society technologically advanced and powerful artillery in the world. counter-summit debated questions like the relationship between th trade and development, the effects of globalisation, terrorism, the In the early 19 century, environment, and human rights. he war in Iraq is over. But the “did not make the Islamic steam engines). Coal, canals and Egypt’s Mehemet Ali looked at the Besides the cancellation of the foreign debt of highly-indebted battle to transform the Revolution to lower the price of metalworkers were the foundation global balance of economic and poor countries (HIPC), the chief demands that NGOs made include T economies of the Middle watermelons.” By that logic, for building, installing and using the military power, and decreed that financing for HIV/AIDS programs, access to water and the need East—the only hope of preventing capitalism and Islam are automatic spinning machines, Egypt must industrialise, fast. He to hold transnational corporations accountable. But instead of fanaticism from claiming a incompatible. Are they? power looms and railway feared that unless Egyptians could writing off the debt, the G8 responded with the promise to reduce generation of young unemployed History may provide some locomotives that were the first learn modern industrial the amount by 110 billion dollars, but later announced only $60 Arabs and Iranians—is only guidance here. The Industrial modern machine industries. technologies and develop an million would be cut. In the end the approved reduction of the debt beginning. Revolution started in the English Steam power, factories, markets economy prosperous enough to has amounted to just 36 billion dollars,10 percent of what activists That struggle goes beyond midlands and Belgian forests— and industry quickly spread support modern industrial armies, and poor countries were requesting. Activists maintained that the development strategies and touches regions endowed with coal, canals throughout northwest Europe and his descendants would be mere G8 would have no problem writing off the debt if the political will the roots of Islam. “The people of (along which barges could carry the its settler colonies. By the end of puppets of British and French to do so existed. (IPS) Iran,” the late Ayatollah Khomeini coal), and skilled metalworkers the 19th century Turin, Vienna, viceroys. His decree went nowhere: is reported to have liked to say, (who could build coal-burning Prague, Wroclaw, Essen, Paris, Egypt did not industrialise, and ASIA 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 13 COMMENT by SARA SIEVERS Schools for development

n 21 September, 1832, in Boston’s Franklin Hall, the first American woman to deliver a public lecture, Maria Stewart, If your country wants to get ahead, O shocked the town when she stood and spoke. What cause first and foremost you invest in compelled her to abandon social norms and decorum so brazenly? “Daughters of Africa, awake! Arise!,” she cried, as she demanded that the educating your people. United States provide education for black girls. As so often turns out to be the case, our forebears were right. If Mrs Stewart, herself an African-American, knew what we know about development today, her demand would be the same now as it was then. Every shred of evidence we’ve accumulated over the past 30 years of academic and policy research, all the experience of our development efforts, confirm what our pioneering ancestors knew innately: education for all our children—poor, rich, white, black, boys, girls—means healthier babies, stronger families, wealthier economies, and more vibrant democracies. Ask leaders of the “tiger” economies of Southeast Asia their secret for rapid development, and they’ll all tell you the same thing: first and foremost, we invested in our people. In its most basic form, that’s what development is: investing in people and their welfare. So, where does the world stand now? Roughly speaking, almost everyone in the rich countries, the formerly communist countries, and decentralising education—a laudable goal—and in helping poor countries the Asian tigers is educated, with adult literacy rates approaching 100 to “live within their means” (a nasty requirement in an age of global percent, as are people of means in the poor countries. The poor in poor prosperity). In fact, the policy was a disaster for the world’s most countries, however, fare worse, as do some poor people in rich countries. vulnerable children: any out of pocket costs for schooling meant no With half of the world’s 6 billion people living on $2 per day or less, the schooling at all. education gap remains stark. Recent evidence from Uganda and Kenya show just how costly this Indeed, reasonable estimates put the number of school-age children error was. In 2000, upon receiving debt alleviation, Uganda chose to who are not attending school at 113 million, with 97 percent living in eliminate all school fees and says its number of schoolchildren nearly developing countries. These numbers are bad, and they’re getting worse. doubled thereafter. The new government of President Mwai Kibaki in According to the UN’s Human Development Report, one in five children Kenya announced his country would eliminate school fees, and within days in the world’s poorest countries does not go to school, including a an additional 1.2 million kids showed up for class. staggering 40 percent of school-age kids in sub-Saharan Africa. We know what to do to educate our children. We know that basic In addition, the Human Development Report notes that 24 education should be a free public good. We know that school meal COMPUTER LAB ON RENT countries around the world are making insufficient or no progress—if not programs are a development marvel that do as much as anything else to actually backsliding—in achieving the Millennium Development Goal of increase enrollment while providing nutrition to the hungriest youngsters, universal primary education. One can only imagine how dire conditions markets for their fathers’ produce, and often jobs for village mothers. Fully furnished and air-con- may be in the 93 countries for which no data on the topic even exist. In Innovative initiatives providing rural child care mean that girls can go to ditioned computer laboratory the words of Mark Malloch-Brown, Administrator of the UN school, and basic public health provision—such as de-worming—attracts with 20 networked P4 PC (ex- Development Program, “We’re losing the battle for primary education.” chronically sick children to the classroom for both learning and healing.
pandable to 40 units) includ- In the 1990’s, we in the development community made a serious and (© Project Syndicate) ing spacious meeting area costly blunder by pressuring national governments in developing and support staff at a mod- countries to impose school fees in order to help achieve balanced (Sara Sievers is Executive Director of the Center for Globalisation and ern building with large park- budgets. Some research suggested that fees might be useful in Sustainable Development at the Earth Institute, Columbia University.) ing facility available for full or partial rent on hourly, daily or weekly basis. Customized IT by J BRADFORD DELONG courses can also be arranged on request. Please mail requirement to [email protected] for quick quote or call 4243156 and Islam and ask for Mrs. Khadka. What determines whether a country can break free from the

grip of backwardness and poverty?

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Mehemet Ali’s great grandchildren ago. North African oranges? Of course. generation—and possibly three did indeed become puppets of the Industrialisation means novelty But other key reasons for the generations—behind other regions British and French. and change. If those who hold slow pace of economic in terms of its commitment to Today’s 70 million Egyptians power fear that change may bring development in the Islamic world universal literacy, and where higher live much better than their heavily unpleasant consequences, they will reflect the standard dilemmas of education largely ignores the skills taxed cotton- and grain-growing systematically obstruct it, which poor governance. “Protect and subjects needed to enable predecessors of Mehemet Ali’s rulers in the Middle East proceeded property rights and enforce people to master technology. time. But the gap between the to do for centuries. But slow and contracts,” say Western After all, blocked export economies of the Arab Middle East distorted development in the economists. But property rights opportunities, weak government and Western Europe—in (non-oil Islamic world is the result of and contracts are threatened at institutions and high levels of sector) productivity, technological blocked opportunities as well. many levels. They are corruption are worldwide problems. capability, and standards of living— Wouldn’t Pakistan be much better threatened by roving bandits, by Even political and religious leaders is wider than it was a century ago, off if it exported more of its textiles local notables, and, most of all, hostile to change and and vastly greater than at the start to the rich industrial world? by government functionaries industrialisation are not uncommon. of the Industrial Age. Wouldn’t waiving Pakistan’s quota who use their offices to extort But as we compare patterns of In many respects, the slow pace under the Multi-Fibre Agreement extra income. Simply put, a development throughout the world, of the Islamic world’s economic have been a very good and weak state cannot enforce more and more evidence is piling up development has been a matter of important step for the US contracts and property rights, that universal literacy and a large choice. The Prophet Muhammad government to take in while a state that is strong class of people with industrial- was a merchant, and the Quraysh reciprocation of the Pakistani enough to enforce them must technical skills are key resources (Mecca’s ruling tribe at the time of government’s help as US-led forces control its own bureaucrats. that determine whether countries the Prophet) lived by guiding attacked al Qaeda bases in However, the most important are able to break free from the grip caravans from Arabia to the Fertile Afghanistan? reasons that the Islamic world has of backwardness and poverty.
Crescent. But the affinity between No doubt it would have been. done worse than Latin America or (© Project Syndicate) Islamic attitudes, rulers, merchants Wouldn’t prospects for economic Southeast Asia seem to be focused and craftsmen that made Cairo, development in Morocco, Algeria, around education. There can be (J Bradford DeLong is Professor Damascus, Baghdad, and and Tunisia be much more little hope for sustained economic of Economics at the University of Samarkand jewels of High Medieval promising if European governments development where the California at Berkeley and a former urban civilisation vanished long would let EU citizens buy more educational system is at least one Assistant US Treasury Secretary.) 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 The people speak Tibetan refugees raises some

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ serious questions about our Himalaya Times, 1 June foreign policy. It couldn’t come Foreign hand at a worse time: Nepal is being An all-party government is the dragged into controversy at a way out of the present political volatile time in its political Gokul Baskota in Drishti, 3 June stalemate: the majority of history. Internal conflict, Kathmandu Valley’s residents competition and insurgency Nepal has turned into a playground for foreign powers. The biggest question facing Nepalis expressed this opinion in a survey today is where this foreign interference will take the country and its people’s sovereignty. The have almost brought us to a recent visit of KV Rajan, former Indian ambassador to Nepal, raises an interesting point of conducted by Himalaya Times. point where we won’t be able to inquiry. It was during his visit that Surya Bahadur Thapa emerged as a candidate for Sixty-five percent said an all- resist external pressures. Nepal is premiership, despite the recommendation of the five political parties. Of course, this party government should be sincere and sensitive towards its succeeded in making our political future even more uncertain. The nomination, however, did formed with a mandate to hold prosperous and powerful highlight one thing clearly: India intends to turn Nepal into another Sikkim. Surya Bahadur elections as soon as possible. The neighbours, and is equally Thapa is a puppet. other 35 percent thought heartfelt in its relationship with Immediately after sacking Sher Bahadur Deuba, King Gyanendra made a tour to India on reinstatement of the dissolved the US, its major ally and the pretext of a pilgrimage. While the parties launched their agitation against the king’s parliament was the key to ending donor. We cannot afford to be October Fourth move, former prime minister Thapa trotted off to lobby with the South Block. A the present political instability. caught in a conflict of interest royal audience followed his return, and immediately after that Lokendra Bahadur Chand Different recommendations were between them. Therefore, it tendered his resignation—seemingly out of the blue. In quick succession the RPP made to end the present volatility becomes the responsibility of demanded an all-party government and the Maoists sat for a second round of but no common consensus could peace talks. those countries we count upon be reached on the fundamentals as friends to respect, not trap us place after Maoist supremo during interviews by the Central in such a sensitive situation. We Prachanda’s telephone Department of Political Science must not be used as a means to conversation with Bob Abhagin, at Tribhuban University. A their ends. It is clear that we are Chairman of the Revolutionary professor said reinstating finding it hard to shoulder our International Movement (RIM) parliament and mandating it to own burden at present. We and the General Secretary of the decide on breaking the deadlock cannot also be loaded with the American Communist Party. would end the constitutional interests of other powerful The party’s publication section void, but his students challenged nations. This would go against chief CP Gajurel held talks that view saying there would be all norms of civilised behaviour with the leaders of the People’s no solution if politics is not and friendship. War Group in India before the actively part of the constitutional meet. The Maoists concluded it Both took place due to pressure from India and the United States. On 2 June, the British framework. special envoy Jeffrey James arrived in Nepal on an official visit, and there are rumours of Minutes would be unwise to identify Indian defence minister George Fernandes gracing us with his presence shortly. The ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ India’s interference in Nepal’s Americans, who view Nepal through New Delhi’s lenses, have vowed not to interfere in Fallow money Ghatana ra Bichaar, 4 June internal politics. In a bid to

Indian interests. India shows overwhelming interest in Nepali politics, perhaps even more ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ attract more supporters they also than to their own regional elections. Deshantar, 1 June A new strategy has been plotted inflated the number of their While it is true that we cannot change the mindset of our neighbours, we can however, by the Communist Party of guerrillas to twice that of the reach a consensus on our foreign policy to protect national interest. When our parties are on The combined effect of defunct Nepal (Maoists) after Royal Nepali Army. There are the offensive they oppose foreign interference, talk about sovereignty and national integrity. local bodies and political geopolitical changes. The party’s plans to further investigate why But in the race for power these same leaders will not hesitate to ally themselves to India, instability has badly hit central committee meeting in their campaign suffered so many neglecting all talk of nationalism. We must ensure that nobody—from the parties to the development activities. More Rolpa earlier this week decided reversals in the central region palace—will curry favour from Delhi and Washington just for power. than half the development to proceed simultaneously with during the armed struggle The US seeks to exert its influence over Nepal without alarming India. They are looking activities planned and being street demonstrations, armed compared to the west. Party for avenues that serve Indian interests while securing a niche for themselves. India’s implemented by local bodies are struggle, peace talks and interest in Nepal is limited to our natural resources and accessibility, but the US needs us to leaders said secret documents in limbo. Sources from the propaganda war. that fell into the hands of the monitor China’s economic and military fronts. Perhaps they hope to do this through a Ministry of Local Development military base here. To meet their ends, these two giants are employing all the means at their The Rolpa meeting took RNA were partially to blame. disposal, even interfering in political matters that do not concern them. This should worry (MLD) say that less than half of every patriotic Nepali. Without independence and sovereignty we cannot have democracy the development budget and development. The biggest need of the hour is solidarity against foreign interference. allocated for the current fiscal year has been utilised and only two months of the current fiscal calendar is left. Statistics provided Age no bar by the Evaluation and Monitoring Section of the MLD Himal Khabarpatrika, 30 May-14 June reveal that apart from a few priority projects, others used less A 61-year-old grandmother is in the same class as her grandson at than 40 percent of what they Madanpur VDC of Nuwakot. Chandra Kumari Wagle and Sushil were allocated. In this situation, even share the same bench in grade five at Chanda Devi Primary even high-priority sectors like School. Chandra says, “My grandson Sushil helps me with district road networks are homework, and I help him with whatever I know. English is very difficult.” expected to receive only half of Chandra Kumari regrets not educating her children. “If I had what they need. An official at the educated them, they might have been teachers in this school but in Evaluation and Monitoring my time we believed those who studied English became Section claims that despite the disrespectful and took to drinking. My son’s peers have all done so simplification of budget release, well, but he is still tilling the fields,” she told us. Danga Ra, her modules lack accountability in eldest son, never set a foot in a school but willingly supports his the absence of elected mother’s education. Chandra was motivated by the sheer joy of representatives. The situation was learning. “I plan to stay in school as long as this old body supports me,” she says. Hari Sharan Pandey, the acting principal at the exacerbated by the fear of school does not give her any special treatment. “She is treated like Maoists. Despite food for any other student,” he says, “but due to her age she cannot grasp development and west tarai things as easily as her younger classmates.” Not that it deters the poverty alleviation programs granny. She finished 20th out of 25 students in the last exams, but spending more than what they takes pride in never having failed a grade since she joined school. were allocated, the result would be less than expected. The local bodies could utilise only 25 percent of the allocated development budget in the first eight months of the year. It Nepal-Bhutan Talks means that more about Rs 5.71 billion of the development Himal Khabarpatrika, 30 May-14 June budget will remain fallow. QUOTE OF THE WEEK Our place

“We won’t have problems talking to a new government because it won’t be fundamentally different from ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the old one.” Rajdhani, 4 June

- Krishna Bahadur Mahara in Rajdhani, 1 June The United States’ furor over Nepal’s deportation of 18 HISTORY AND CULTURE 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 15 NEPALITERATURE by MANJUSHREE THAPA KUMAR ALE Purna Bahadur Vaidya One and the world ew poets today write as well as the Nepal- Discoveries lie all over somebody’s path The moment I see doors and windows— bhasa poet Purna Bahadur Vaidya about how The struts of rooms and houses are of no use I startle— F we are interconnected with our surroundings. The path is itself the way of gathering I must liberate myself The external and the internal meld together in his How would we know the other if there were no I must step out of myself sensibility, as he offers up the elements, space and path? nature as objective correlatives to deeply personal The second poem focuses on the fear of old age experiences. Water is Water, his book of poems I inside and death, a theme as universal as any: examining water as an extended metaphor, has and outdoors, the world been translated into English by the American poet I feel a dissatisfaction Wayne Amtzis, and is awaiting publication. until I leave these restless dimensions When the breeze blows The poems below are twice-translated: they a desire to see the countenances of my face In the end were originally written in Nepal-bhasa, and The outdoors feel a similar urgency to obtain me in the evening... it has no choice but to accept translated into Nepali in the book Newari Bhasaka My form is daubed outdoors the most solid evidence to prove its doubts Kehi Adhunik Kabita (Royal Nepal Academy, 2049). My life is lost somewhere outdoors When a breeze starts up in the evening A soldier defeated and wounded From those renderings they appear here in English. Experiences have spilled all over the path the entire pond starts to shiver in the mandatory battle with time It is impossible to tell how close they are to the The body that was moist in the morning original. What is the home but a rehearsal room? Its cheeks, firm in the morning has folded a little The first poem visits a theme that Vaidya often Only beyond the threshhold does the path begin wrinkle at the evening breeze has dried a little writes on, the search for personal freedom: My expression is outdoors now and the expression of the outdoors is in me When the breeze starts up Should I not go? the pond gathers into itself Within is the fear of the terrible The moment I see a pair My path could lag behind and holds tight onto its banks Its restiveness may suddenly A screw in the machine could drop out The evening breeze reaches it disappear as it watches on of feet A light may not light up in the lamppost as soon as the day passes— The waves of youthfulness The moment I see a pair of feet How could one say that And who can stop it? arise as stifled sighs I start to murmur— something unwanted might not happen Terrorised by this relentless truth and arise again and again My destination remains on the selfish, hastening path? a hundred times a day Only emptiness arises Many places I must reach the water extends the waves In that too it used to harbour a dream The moment I see doors and windows— The moment I see a pair of feet along its wrinkled surface to flow from there, gurgling, somewhere I startle— I start to murmur— and hunches them into itself else I must liberate myself My destination remains That dream too hides along with the sighs I must step out of myself Many places I must reach The sky-mirror watches on and is thoroughly finished For Pico Iyer, travels never cease Pico Iyer was born to first time. Travel-writing, like fiction or poetry, has to take on new forms to change no more than people do. In the case of Nepal, I did return seven travel. Born in England to deal with a new kind of world. In my next book, out next spring, I have a years after my initial trip and found (as described in my book Tropical whole chapter on jet lag as a foreign land that no human had visited till forty Classical) that there were many more tourists and motorcycles and the Indian parents, he moved or so years ago, but one where more and more of us spend more and more of pollution was worse. But the sweetness of the Nepali people, and the at the age of seven to our lives. various hopes or longings Westerners projected onto them (and vice-versa) California where he did had not changed much at all. his schooling. Educated How do book journeys compare to geographic journeys? at Eton, Oxford and I’m most interested in the kinds of journeys that can be made while sitting You seem to defy a definition of home. What is home to you? still. Travel is only interesting to me in its inner effects, and the kind of Home to me is in part the English language, which has kept me company Harvard, he later joined transformations that can potentially come in the comfort of one’s own for every waking moment of my life. It exists in the friendships and beliefs Time in New York, to sit home—and it’s no coincidence that many of the great physical travellers are and assumptions I carry everywhere I go. It is, as much as anything, a in little cubicles and also great readers. Books are a form of travel as much as travels are a form of Japanese friend I return to and a Benedictine monastery where I stay four “write palpitating, text. They offer a much more democratic form of travel that many more times a year every year. people can enjoy—more and more of the world is an honorary resident of breathless accounts of foraging my way New York or Los Angeles, in that sense (often with tragic results, especially if VS Naipaul glories in his anxiety of belonging nowhere. Your writing, through the Philippines jungles or ascending they try to come to those countries in life). on the other hand, glories in belonging everywhere. Don’t you need a the Andes to find the Sendero Luminoso mooring? without ever having been to those places and But the place you wrote about yesterday will not be the same today. I feel that movement has been my inheritance, and I’ve rejoiced in it the without knowing what they look like”. There isn’t much left of the Freak Street in Video Night. way others might rejoice in being Bangladeshi or Indian or French. My I’m less interested in roots than in flowerings. I don’t have a very strong particular home has been the state of movement, and that’s where I belong, Ajit Baral recently caught up with Pico Iyer in historical sense, and so, I’m much more compelled by the present and the and what I’m used to—the space between places, or categories. I could wish his travels through cyberspace. In this virtual future appearing around the corner than, say, musty churches or what that I had a different life, but to do so is as futile as wishing one were interview, Iyer talks among other things about happened in the place 300 years ago. So in writing about Freak Street, say, I immortal, or every day never ended. the book, Video Night in Kathmandu, that was writing of a new blending of East and West. When I stayed in Los made him (and Kathmandu) famous. Angeles Airport for two weeks, I was trying, as best as I could, to see a new You have now started writing fiction. Which is more difficult fiction or global future forming, in a place that might look like our cities of tomorrow travelogue? (with people from a hundred cultures walking and talking past one another). Fiction is more difficult, and therefore more attractive and interesting to Ajit Baral: What purpose do travel writings such as The Great The airplane has been more a theme for me than the bullock-cart. You’re me. It is about surrender, and not being able to bribe the Muse to make Railway Bazaar or Video Night in Kathmandu primarily serve? right that, as with Zeno’s arrow and its paradoxical house-calls, or force inspiration to come, which makes it at once more Aren’t they just better written Lonely Planet Guides? non-arrival, one can never catch the present because, frustrating and more magical. It’s the difference Pico Iyer: That’s a wonderful question. I think that travel books of the by the time one’s written about it, or photographed between walking around the block and completing kind you mention are the opposite of guidebooks, in that they don’t tell you it, it is gone. Yet one can orient oneself towards a somersault in mid-air while holding a torch of what to see, but how to see. In a way they offer a pair of spectacles as trying to see what the future holds or chronicling flame in both hands. In all my travel-writing, most subjective and distorted as any other, but allow you to think about the and gauging the effects of the past (as such great of what I’m writing about is the states inside us. So world in a special way. In Video Night, I felt that there was nothing I could traveling historians as Jan Morris or William nobody that I’m aware of has talked of Abandon as a add to the wonderful accounts that writers more accomplished than I had Dalrymple have done). By looking at Freak Street, travel-book in disguise, or travelling incognito. offered. But there was something new going on—a fresh kind of which no longer exists, I was trying to look at a new They might note that it has vivid scenes of exoticism—in the ways the East was taking in the West that seemed to speak form of transnational tribalism that is in fact more Damascus and Venice and Agra and Paris and to a whole new global culture. The only reason to write something, and with us with every passing year. Iran—not to mention California—but I think they inflict all those words on a reader and all those long hours at the desk see instantly that it’s first and foremost a romance, a on oneself, is if one can contribute something new that hasn’t been covered How about re-visiting places to take stock of mystery and a novel of ideas. The scenery is just already. the changes? Are you curious about what has happened to Kathmandu make-up.
in the decade-and-half since Video Night? But what purpose does it serve in a world that has become smaller? I do tend to revisit the place I wrote about quite a lot, and of course, as the Pico Iyer’s books: Cuba and the Night, Abandon (both fiction), There are always uncharted places to discover and record: Iraq right now for Buddhists tell us, nothing stays the same. The person observing the place is The Lady and the Monk, Falling off the Map, Tropical Classical, example is in many ways a new country. The world is constantly in flux, himself moving on or getting old, and inevitably he registers all the things and Video Night in Kathmandu are all available in Kathmandu there is never a shortage of new places to explore and come upon for the he hadn’t seen before, or now misses. But the underlying characters of places book shops. 16 CITY 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 BOOKWORM Three Plays: Fire in the Monastery, A Journey into Thamel, The Caretaker’s Sky Abhi Subedi translated by Sangita Rayamajhi Across Publication, 2003 Rs 300 These plays by Nepali writer, thinker and academic Abhi Subedi has been translated by feminist academic Sangita Rayamajhi. Fire in the Monastery is a post-modernist play that explores the subjective and objective realities in the lives of a group of Buddhist nuns. The last two plays revolve around the socio- cultural milieu of a bygone aristocratic era in Nepali history.

ABOUT TOWN Resources and Population: A Study of Gurungs of Nepal Alan Macfarlane Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 2003 (Second Edition) FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS Rs 995
Orchids and Jewels of Nature Botanical art exhibit by Neera J Pradhan from 1-15 June at Park This study is probably the most intensive longitudinal study of a single community in the Himalaya. It Gallery, Lazimpat. 981055263 uses the tools of social anthropology and population in an attempt to map causes and consequences of
Contemporary Tibetan Art from Lhasa till 14 June at Lotus Gallery, Thamel. 4253646
population growth and some of the effects of change in natural resources. Unfortunately, the conclusions Exhibition and sale carpets, thankas, handloom and pashmina at Gallery Room, Kathmandu Guest that the author reaches are extremely gloomy. House, Thamel. 4413632.

EVENTS Art and Architecture: Remains in the Western Terai Region of Nepal Gitu Giri
Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Directed by Deborah Merola at The Lincoln School 7PM on 6 Adroit Publishers, 2003 June, 5PM on 7, 8 June. Tickets: Rs 300 for adults, Rs 150 for students. Available at Himalayan Java, Rs 1,200 Pilgrim’s Bookshop, Hyatt Regency. Reservations: 4436458 The area around Lumbini is considered one of the most archaeologically rich sites in the tarai. The author
Imaging Everest photographic exhibition from the Royal Geographical Society, London, in throws light on the history, archaeological sites, art, architecture and tourism potential of the region. association with The British Council, Kathmandu. 8.30 AM-4.45 PM till 31 July at the British Council, Photographs, drawings and maps have been included to make the volume more authentic, informative Lainchour. and attractive.
Ride and raft with the Himalayan Enfielders on 13-15 June for Rs 3,500. Email: [email protected]. 4440462
Hyatt Opens Tennis Tournament 19-21 June. For registrations: Hyatt Regency Kathmandu 4491234 Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 4227711, [email protected] ext 5165
Queensland Day celebrated at Rox Bar. 8PM onwards on 6 June. International bands performing rock and roll, blues, jazz, acoustic. Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu. 4491234 CLASSIFIED
Shehnai recital by Pandit Rajendra Prasanna presented by The Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Embassy of India. 6PM on 11 June at the Royal Nepal Academy Auditorium, Kamaladi. Visit Ground Zero Fine wines, designer candles, ○○○○○○○○○○○○ from Bishalnagar Chowk (turn right and downhill).
Inter-Cultural Film Society screens The Road Home a film by Zhang Yimou 5.30 PM on 15 June at cards, gifts, stationery, wooden items, perfumes Nepal Tourism Board, Bhrikuti Mandap. and more. Darbar Marg, opposite Hotel de Custom Made: Generate Wealth with Feng Shui. Get
Charity Ball in aid of the Nepal Football Fan Club Street Children Project, presented by the British l’Annapurna a custom made tabletop fountain. Call 981054102 Council, the British Embassy and the British School. Guest of honour: Brian McClair (ex-Man Utd and Scotland player, presently Man Utd Reserve team coach). 7PM onwards, 13 June at Radisson Hotel, Visit Femilines, the Exclusive Lingerie Store for Co-Q10 and all dietary supplements imported from Kathmandu. Black tie. Tickets: Rs 1,800. Available at British Embassy Sterling Club 4410583, British ladies undergarments, nightwear, bathrobes and Singapore & Malaysia Contact 5520294 School reception, BGN (contact Matt Pittaway). more. Ladies staff. Opposite Sajha Yatayat, Harihar Bhawan, Pulchowk. Tel: 547428 To Let: Rabibhawan area, two-storey house, 4 ○○○○○○○○ bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, large kitchen, dining, living, MUSIC Flowerlovers: Flowerlovers, it’s FUCHSIA time terrace, lobby, porch and telephone. Contact:
Live Music Friday at 5.30 PM, Saturday movie at 4.30 PM. Jivin’ Joe’s Restaurant, Kupondole.
again!! See 60 beautiful varieties in bloom! Our Roshani 4275180 Live Acoustic Jam 7PM on Saturdays at Himalatte Cafe, Thamel. 4256738 lovely CYCLAMEN are also flowering. Only at
Full Circle acoustic jam every Friday at New Orleans Café, Thamel. 4427311 THE BISHALNAGAR NURSERY, tel. 4431797; 5 New York Pizza: Free Home delivery
Thunderbolt with Ram Shrestha and Sabu Lama. 8PM onwards Wednesdays and Saturdays at the Red Onion Bar, Lazimpat. 4416071 min. from Bhatbateni Supermarket, 2 minutes Contact:5539345 For insertions ring NT Marketing at 5543333-36. DRINKS
Fusion offers over 100 cocktails. Happy hour from 6-7PM. Dwarika’s Hotel.
The Jazz Bar reopens with 50 percent discount on beverages, DJ or live entertainment through June. Shangri-la Hotel, Lazimpat. 4412999.
K-too! Special Tropical Khukri drinks Rs 125 or Rs 750 for every 1.5 litre. Free Irish Coffee with every main course. K-too! Beer & Steakhouse, Thamel. 4433043.
The Piano Lounge & Bar features the Trio Givone for Gypsy music, cocktails and snacks. Yak & Yeti Hotel.

FOOD
Summer specials at Kilroy’s of Kathmandu, Thamel. 4250440
Naachghar Revisited with Myrna, an international exotic dancer, and North Indian delicacies. Every evening from 7.30 PM onwards. Rs 749 per person. Hotel Yak & Yeti, Durbar Marg.
Wood fired pizzas, Baskin Robbins icecream, cocktails and coffee at the Roadhouse Café, Thamel. X-Men 2 continues the Ramgopal Verma
Café Bahal Dieter’s delight for the health conscious at Kathmandu Guest House’s Food Court, Thamel. cinematic saga of those strange has teamed up with 4413632 mutant superheroes who made his golden girl
Kids Combo Meal at all Bakery Cafés. Kids’ meals with exciting gifts. the smooth transition from Urmila Matondkar
Weekend breakfast: Smoked salmon scrambled eggs and filtered coffee Rs 100. 9AM-12PM. Thomas comic book to celluloid. This once again for Kilroy at 1905, Kantipath. 4225272 sequel directed by Bryan what promises to
Traditional Nepali Thali Lunch at Patan Museum Café 11AM-4PM. 5526271 Singer brings back Patrick be a Hindi film
Saturday Asian Brunch at The Café, Sunday European Lunch at Rox Restaurant. Hyatt Regency Stewart, Ian McKellan, Halle that is out of the Kathmandu. 4491234 Berry, Hugh Jackman, Anna ordinary. Quite literally. Bhoot is a supernatural
Saturday BBQ Lunch at Club Himalaya Nagarkot. Rs 500 per person. 4680083 Paquin, Brian Cox and Alan thriller set in Mumbai that involves dead spirits (as
The greenest patch Weekend lunches at The Fort Resort, [email protected]. 226799 Cumming. It’s packed with almost non-stop action the name of the movie suggests), sceptics and
Newari Bhoj at Lajana Restaurant. Lazimpat. 413874 and some reviewers think X2 trumps the first part. believers. This spine tingler that also stars Ajay
Tukche Thakali Kitchen at Darbar Marg for buckwheat, barley, bean, and dried meat specialities. Fans of the first X-Men film will find this bigger and Devgan, Nana Patekar, Rekha and Fardeen Khan better. is a refreshing change from the normal Bollywood GETAWAYS 4PM, 6.30PM fare. 11AM, 1.30 PM
Dakshinkali Package every Saturday Rs 500+tax. 4370714, 4371537
Shivapuri Heights a traditional cottage with modern facilities. Rs 1,850 pp. www.escape2nepal.com, JAI NEPAL CINEMA Telephone booking: 4442220 Online booking www.jainepal.com Email: [email protected]
Great Godavari Getaway special weekend packages. Godavari Village Resort. 5560675
The secret of Kathmandu Overnight package $99. Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488
Gamcha Organic Farm Guesthouse Traditional Nepali farmhouse. 6631734.
Bardia Tiger Madness special deals for expats. Jungle Base camp, Bardia. 061-532112. Email: [email protected]. on FM 102.4 Mon-Fri 0615-0645 BBC World Today NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Sat 0615-0645 BBC Reporting Religion VIS -05 -06-2003 06:00 GMT Sun 0615-0645 BBC Agenda This satellite image taken on Thursday morning shows a g]kfnL ;]]jf giant cyclone building up over the Bay of Bengal. Two Daily 2045-2115 BBC g]kfnL ;]]]jf powerful low-pressure points, one in the east and the other Daily 2245-2300 BBC g]kfnL ;]]]jf in northwest India, is pushing moisture laden clouds in our direction. By next weekend, the eastern parts of Nepal will Sun-Fri 0740- 0800 Ps}}}}}l5g\\\\\ -/]]]]]l8of]]]]] klqsf_ experience the first monsoon showers—just about six days late. It will take another four days to reach Kathmandu Sun-Fri 0800- 0830 8anL8anL8anL -ljifout-ljifout-ljifout cGt/lqmof_cGt/lqmof_cGt/lqmof_ Valley. Western Nepal will have to wait another week for a Sun-Fri 2000- 2030 cfhsf s'''/f -;d;fdlos ljifodf ax;_ respite from the current heat wave and dry spell. The Valley can expect pre-monsoon rain and thunderstorms in Sat 0800- 0830 zflGt cleofg the next few days. Sat 1930- 2000 cfrf/ ljrf/ -e|||||i6frf/lj?4 ;xsfo{_{_{_{_{_ KATHMANDU VALLEY Sat 2000- 2030 s"6gLlts d~r Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Radio Sagarmatha P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal


Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 32-19 31-18 32-18 31-18 30-17 E-mail: [email protected], www.radiosagarmatha.org /]l8of ] ;u/dfyf TRAVEL 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 17 Go

EastWith new flights, Malaysia is closer Nepal’s Malaya than you think, and truly Asia. In Nepali, the word “Malaya” resonates in folk songs, in novels and short S SHAH stories. In the Pacific War, Gurkha soldiers fought alongside the British and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the Australians in the jungles to stop the Japanese advance on Singapore. Many were taken prisoner, and stayed behind after they were released. Others migrated down from Burma and Thailand, and there are thriving n the past this beautiful and Towers to those who want to feel and prosperous Nepali kampongs today in the Malaysian peninsular. diverse Asian nation failed to dwarfed by the amazing rainforests. Most have assimilated and intermarried, some older ones still speak register on our holiday The first stop is usually the by Moorish designs share the same with the aid of a calculator. Nepali. Others, like academic Bishan Bahadur Singh, don’t speak a word of radars. Now, increasing capital, Kuala Lumpur, universally skyline with mosque minarets and Experiencing KL can be tailored Nepali but often their names give them away. Or there is Bhakta Bahadur Inumbers of Nepalis and expats in known as KL. This city of 1.2 glass-enveloped towers—centuries to suit every budget. There are Rana whose father emigrated to Burma at the age of six. They moved Kathmandu are discovering the million is where the prosperity and of civilisation telescoped into one upscale hotels that are used to down to Surat Thai in Thailand and then after the war fled to Malaya. He pleasure of a holiday destination multi-ethnicity of Malaysia is on view. housing state leaders and won’t joined the British Gurkha in the anti-communist insurgency. Today, at age that won’t break the bank and display. It’s not so much a melting On street level, KL is a melange bat a lash over a request for a 80, Bhakta Bahadur runs a successful security business with his sons and is allows you to set your own pace. pot as it is a peaceful co-existence of colours, scents and textures. In manicure for your poodle— the godfather of Malaysia’s original 5,000 or so Nepalis. Malaysia offers something for of different cultures: Malays, many ways it retains the local charm miniature mutts have become the Now, Malaysia is seeing an influx of ‘New Nepalis’: migrant workers you everyone—from urban animals who Chinese, Indians, indigenous and flavour that other Asian cities new status symbol among the see at gas stations, restaurants and palm and rubber plantations. There are an estimated 30,000 Nepali workers in Malaysia and the numbers are get chills of joy just standing in the peoples and even a few Malay were only to eager to erase in the moneyed class. Alternatively, you growing. shadow of the Petronas Twin Nepalis—little wonder that the bid to become a global city. can find accommodation as a Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board Street stalls sell everything from paying guest with local families advertises the country as “Truly Asia”. delicious Nonya cooking that simply for nominal amounts. The food and architecture must be sampled, to designer label Eating out is a joy in KL, reflects the people who turned KL knock-offs which vendors insist are especially in the evenings when into a mega-metropolis from a the real thing. the Garden City of Lights takes humble mining town in the 19th Bargaining is acceptable and on another dimension (see Eat all century. Walk along any street in even expected, and since English is you can). the city centre and glance upwards: widely spoken you need not be colonial British buildings inspired reduced to haggling in sign language
see p18 18 TRAVEL 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 of Lumut. Malaysia’s natural beauty cannot be overstated. Geologists have established that Malaysia’s forests, which vary from shoreline Under the sea mangrove to mountaintop oak, are far more ancient than those in the Amazon and the Congo. In
see p16 Borneo a single 500 square metre area alone may contain more than 800 different species of trees alone, and a profusion of flora and fauna. The adventurous can climb southeast Asia’s highest mountain Mt Kinabalu, stalk big game, go fly-fishing for giant carp, hike through the forest (especially spectacular at night) and even try their hand spelunking in the numerous If Malaysia’s forests are a revelation, then its marine life is a rich caverns that riddle the hills, wonderland. The incredible bio-diversity in the clear, tropical especially at the Gunung Mulu waters coupled with beautiful beaches is putting the country on National Park. One of the most the world map for the best dive destination in the Indo-Pacific spectacular tracts of pristine Basin. The reef ecosystem has more than 50 genera of corals
from p17 The Cameron Highlands are the boating, para- and jet-sailing, rainforest is the Taman Negara and over 200 species of fish, with more being constantly added cool exception, making it the snorkelling and diving (see Under National Park. The 4,343 sq km to the list. The nucleus is the Golden preferred retreat for colonial the Sea). Lumut offers a unique park is accessible only by boat. Reputable diving schools certified by international and Dusk and dawn are the best times governmental bodies offer courses for beginners, instructors Triangle—whole blocks of coffee- rulers like the Dutch and the array of processed seafood, most of and refreshers. If that sounds like too much work, then try houses, nightclubs, fine dining English. Not surprisingly this is which, like fish paste, anchovies and to visit. In Sarawak and Sabah snorkelling which is as easy as breathing. And you’d just rather establishments, supermalls and where you can enjoy a true cup cuttlefish are an acquired taste! For a you can even visit tribes like the not get wet at all then get on one of the many glass bottom luxury hotels—bordered by of English tea from the tea beach combing budget holiday Dayaks who still live in boats. Jalan Raja Chulan, Jalan Sultan estates they established. make your way to Teluk Batik, a longhouses, large communal Water visibility is best during April to August. The Ismail and Jalan Bukit Bintang. Malaysian history steeps the beautiful beach with its own dwellings shared by the whole temperature ranges between 27-31 degrees Celsius so you A visit to Chinatown and Little streets of Melaka. Founded in bay just a few kilometres south tribe.
don’t need a thick wetsuit for diving. India is always well worth a 1396 by a Sumatran prince it culinary visit too. became a prosperous port-of-call For those who get a thrill from that attracted Chinese, Indian, the smell of burnt rubber and Arabian and European trade. screeching high-powered engines, Melaka fell to the Portuguese, KL is the closest you can get to then the Dutch who true blue Formula 1 action in Asia. relinquished it to the English The Sepang International Circuit with another round of back and outside the airport is 5.5km with forth till finally Malaysia claimed 15 turns and 9 straights that have sovereignty in 1956. The legacy tested the mettle of greats like of the colonists can be seen in Michael Schumacher, Mika Stadthuys, St Francis Xavier’s Hakkinenen and Kimi Raikkonen. church and A’ Famosa, one of The F1-crazy nation comes to a the most photographed subjects virtual standstill every year for the in the town. Even with 600 Petronas Malaysian Grand Prix. years of history behind it, Malaysia is in the tropics so the Melaka is a strangely unique only two weather conditions blend of the old and tourism you’re likely to experience are hot boom new. You can try your and rainy, with high humidity. hand at speed and banana Eat all you can

Sampling new food is part of travelling, and Malaysia is an epicurean paradise. There is a wide variety of cuisines on offer from Nonya (a fusion of Chinese and Malay food), Indian, and Chinese to Indonesian and Western dishes but ironically, authentic Malaysian food, apart from the ubiquitous satay, is difficult to find. Coffee houses are very popular and so are outdoor food stalls that dish up delicious food at very reasonable rates. Coconuts play an important role in the local cuisine, especially in laksa, a superb seafood noodle soup flavoured with lemongrass and coconut milk. You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to fruit—rambutans, kiwis, succulent mangoes and passion fruit can be had for a fraction of what they cost at home. If you have a sweet tooth don’t pass up the chance of tasting cendol, a concoction of coconut milk, sugar syrup, milk and coloured noodles. The other dessert is ais kacang, a delicious mix of beans and jellies topped with shaved ice, syrups and condensed milk. If you’re a beer drinker KL offers a suprisingly wide variety from all over the world. The favourites are Bintang and Tiger drunk icy cold while watching the world go by from a street café. REVIEW 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 19 Hillary mania in DC queasiness than altitude itself. The exhibition runs until 1 An exhibition pays homage to a September, but for the more sedentary readers, there is also an mountaineering legend. excellent website, www.nationalgeographic.com/ everest, which is full of sound and music signifying the Himalaya. Imaging Everest, a photographic exhibition is currently on display at the British Council, Lainchaur. The 84 original photographs from the Royal Geographical Society’s archives in London cover the first attempt on Everest till 1953 when Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary made the summit. The exhibition will be on till 31 July.

MARK TURIN in WASHINGTON ○○○○○○○○○○○

○○○○○ summit photographs, the clothing t building number 1145, he wore on the summit, the nylon 17th Street North West in rope, oxygen frame, pack and mask Washington DC, in the he used during the climb, one of the A Explorers Hall, the folks at three tractors he drove to the South National Geographic have created Pole, various religious and domestic an impressive exhibit entitled ‘Sir Sherpa artefacts, and a selection of Edmund Hillary: Everest Beyond’, Hillary’s many awards and replete with an entirely recreated decorations, from the Order of the Sherpa school classroom. Garter to the Kathmandu Taxi The exhibition explores all Drivers Association Award. We are aspects of Hillary’s life, from his thankfully spared his toenail early years as a beekeeper and clippings and used underwear. novice climber, to his celebrated The exhibition organisers Everest climb 50 years ago should be given credit for their alongside Tenzing Norgay, to his sensitive handling of the often humanitarian work for the people acrimonious debate about who got of the Himalaya. Told through to the top first, the nationality of panoramic landscapes, original film Tenzing Norgay (Nepali or Indian) footage of the 1953 expedition, and the sore fact that he was never replica Sherpa buildings and objects made Sir Tenzing. As for the wall from the Everest ascent, the exhibit panels devoted to the Yeti, they are also charts Hillary’s other journeys. unsensationalist and They include his South Pole tractor straightforward, combining trek from 1956 to 1958 and his jet excellent visuals with solid boat pilgrimage up the Ganges commentary—the kind of reporting River following the death of his wife we have come to expect from and daughter in 1975. National Geographic. While the exhibition is strong Aiming for embedded in many aspects, the focus is interactivity, the curators of the excessively Hillary-centric. This is exhibition have decided to let particularly ironic and unbecoming visitors walk across a ladder over an given that Hillary (invariably image of a crevasse and try on referred to as Sir Edmund Hillary in backpacks of various weights to the exhibition) has retained his simulate what Hillary and the team charming humility and carried up Everest as a reminder of unpretentiousness to this day. how heavy the loads felt at different Overt Hillary fetishes on show altitudes. Watching an entire family include the ice axe he used on of severely overweight visitors strap Everest, his Kodak Retina 35mm the packs on and waddle around camera that recorded the legendary proclaiming success induced greater 20 6 - 12 JUNE 2003 NEPALI TIMES #148 Under My Hat by Kunda Dixit For the record COMPILED FROM NEWSY REPORTS in case they didn’t get to go to Seoul. KATHMANDU - With no other records left to break Others were there to prove the point that in a on Mt Everest this season, Nepalis are turning their democracy any citizen is eligible to try his or her hand attention once more to the neglected arena of politics at being prime minister at some point in their lives, and where a veteran statesman shattered all previous so what if they didn’t get the US diversity visa lottery? records this week by becoming prime minister for the Most simply just wanted to get into the Guinness Book umpteenth time. of World Records. A jubilant, but visibly tired, Mr Surya Bahadur One eager candidate, Pokche Prasad, said he Thapa was mobbed by reporters as he arrived at Base wanted to try to crush the previous land speed record Camp in Maligau, where he said: “I just wanted to by being prime minister for the shortest period in prove to myself that I could do it, each time is a Nepali history. Clutching his photo ID and handwritten challenge.” Asked if he would try to be head of petition to His Majesty, he said: “I’ll be happy if I can government once again in the foreseeable future he be PM for just five minutes. It will said: “Yes, my goal is to hold make my parents very proud.” office for a world record 50 times, A random sample of some and I think given the state the others in the queue showed no country is in, and with support dearth of imagination as to what from my colleagues inside and Nepalis can achieve if they just put outside Nepal, there is no reason their minds to it. One social climber why I can’t do it.” wanted to be prime minister just so Thapa shattered the previous she could be the first Nepali female to repeat ascent record held for just six hold the top job without the aid of months by his predecessor, Mr bottled oxygen. “It will be a Lokendra Bahadur Chand, who was breathtaking achievement if she prime minister so many times that makes it,” said one western the Nepali people have lost count. diplomatic source. In any case, carbon dating of Near the end of the queue was some historical artifacts found in two-year-old Ankit Ascharya his household have removed any munching a fist full of ‘PM’ doubts that Mr Thapa had been Instant Noodles. His mother said appointed prime minister for the very first time during Ankit showed all the qualities to go down in history as the late Lichhavi Period. Nepal’s youngest prime minister. Also spotted in the Earlier this week, there was a long queue outside queue was a noted columnist wearing a hat emblazoned the West Gate of the Royal Palace made up of Nepalis with the message ‘Why Not Me?’. He said modestly from various walks of life lining up to stake their claim that he wanted to be the first journalist to be the to prime ministership. Some said they had applied with country’s premier. “If nominated, I swear I’ll never a Manpower Agency for new job openings in South write another weekly column again, and you can quote Korea, but were also trying for prime ministership just me on that,” the reporter told reporters.

NEPALI SOCIETY Rubbish awards orld Environment Day Sharada, who launched a 1992 with a handful of friends on Thursday was model community garbage to reduce, reuse and recycle W award time for Sharada management system in Patan, is Kathmandu’s household waste. Vaidya of the Women taking it all in stride. “We are not “We used to blame the Environment Protection affected by awards, donors or government, the municipality— Committee (WEPCO). The United change in governments,” she everyone but ourselves,” she Nations Environment Program says. “Whatever happens, our recalls. (UNEP) inducted the NGO into its work will go on.” Clad in green saris, WEPCO prestigious Global 500 Roll of Everyone grouses about women went around collecting Honour and the World Wildlife Kathmandu’s garbage, but few waste and advising Kupondol Fund gave it the Abraham do anything about it. Sharada is residents to separate their Conservation Award. among the very few who garbage. Initially, they were met decided to set up WEPCO in with derision. People said it was the municipality’s job, why are you getting your hands dirty? But slowly, the residents started taking notice and then they began actively cooperating and sorting the garbage. Today, WEPCO collects garbage from 3,000 households in Patan, free of charge. It recycles paper waste into office files, envelopes, boxes, wrapping paper and penholders in its own paper plant. A compost site was built in 1996 to produce fertiliser from organic waste. And it runs its collection out of the revenue generated from sales of fertiliser and recycled paper products. Nearly 65 percent of valley waste is organic, and WEPCO has been trying tell households that garbage is valuable stuff. Sharada’s office overlooks the Bagmati, and the smell reminds visitors of the enormous work that lies ahead. WEPCO is now planning to turn a stretch along the Bagmati called UN Park into a sanctuary.
CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59