#452 22 - 28 May 2009 16 pages Rs 30

Weekly Internet Poll # 452 Q. What is the most desirable coalition: Total votes: 4,676

Weekly Internet Poll # 453. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. What is your opinion of Madhav Kumar as PM?

Silver lining?

ANANDA SHRESTHA KIRAN PANDAY

his isn’t Darfur, it is a sandstorm hitting the desertified Kosi after the river was diverted to its previous channel. New Nepal T For the 60,000 people displaced by the river after it arring new complications, Madhav breached its levee last August the past year has been a living hell. B Kumar Nepal is being voted Nepal’s With the monsoons less than a month away, there is fear the Kosi new prime minister. will flood again. The stalemate that paralysed parliament for over two weeks was The most vulnerable in the flimsy tented camps are the women finally resolved with a compromise and children. Babies born after the flood suffer eye infections from the resolution in the house, and caretaker blowing sand as well as other diseases. And now, there is the added PM addressed danger of human traffickers who are preying on older children, selling parliament on Thursday, making way for a them off as farmhands and restaurant workers in India. new UML-led coalition. Dahal is moving out of Baluwatar to his rented house in Naya Bajar The effect on Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve’s endangered arna, fresh on Friday. water dolphin and birdlife have been overlooked. Construction work The House is expected to vote for to divert the river and human encroachment threaten the sanctuary. the new prime minister on Friday or over PLAIN SPEAKING Prashant Jha The only silver lining is that according to last month’s arna census, the weekend. But the bigger hurdle is to Past imperfect p2 the number of wild buffalo is up from 159 five years ago to 219 today. keep everyone in the 22-party coalition happy with cabinet posts. From past STATE OF THE STATE CK Lal experience, that process could take A time to heal p3 Special Report p10-11 anywhere up to a week. 2 EDITORIAL 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452

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START AGAIN aoist impatience, high- challenge: a task he may not live decisions. The political deadlock continues because Nepal’s rulers either handedness, refusal to up to because of the debts owed. And the fifth character is have no idea what they are doing or have no concern for what is M renounce violence, K P Oli’s stance led the UML Rakesh Sood, unarguably the at stake: stability, peace and democracy. arrogance, duplicity and to take a strong position on most unpopular Indian envoy The Maoists say that they are hindering CA proceedings to stunning ability to antagonise Katawal’s dismissal, and his here in the last decade. Contrary establish ”civilian supremacy”, Orwellian doublespeak which multiple forces simultaneously backing is allowing Nepal to to Maoist propaganda, India actually means “we get our way, or else”. There is no way an have all contributed to the fulfill his dream. Oli will have a kept a relatively hands-off institution can be made supreme without allowing it first to do present mess. veto over key decisions. Knowing approach in the past eight what it is expected to do: elect a new leader after the old one But does that give moral Oli’s visceral anti-Maoist stand, months and did not plot to oust has resigned. legitimacy to the new political his skepticism about the peace the government. But the Katawal Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal occupied the moral high arrangement that is about to take process, and his opposition to episode changed that, making ground by exiting from the government the moment he realised office? Can the Madhav Kumar most demands of the them angry and insecure and his allies had deserted him in the middle of a crisis in Nepal-led formation address marginalised, do not be surprised enhancing their intervention. governance. He needs to show similar statesmanship and let a successor government take office through accepted norms and if there is little political will to Nepal could not have cobbled procedures of a parliamentary system. Everyone knows he is PLAIN SPEAKING find common ground with the this together without the moral, buying time. Prashant Jha Maoists. political and financial support The UML now wants to disown its past in a coalition with the Bijay Gachhedar, who along extended by Lainchaur. Indians Maoists. It has now emerged that Dahal had taken the decision to with Khum Bahadur Khadka and have an interest in ensuring that sack Gen Rookmangud Katawal with full knowledge, even if not the key political issues that Govind Raj Joshi, made the 1990s the government does not fail the direct consent, of his UML colleagues. The UML needs to confront us today: integration, synonymous with corruption and miserably. And Nepal will be devise a face-saving formula to protect its own democratic justice, constitution writing, opportunism is the third hero of most amenable to taking advice credentials and hide its duplicity. changing the state structure, this alliance. He will be justly and instructions. It is unlikely Katawal may have to step down to save the Nepal Army from engaging with disenchanted rewarded for veering the Forum MKN and these five musketeers the charges of harbouring political ambitions. This is an option communities, and providing away from the Maoists. are capable of responding to the that can buy the UML support of the Maoists and rid it from the services? Do remember that till the end, politics of grievances and destabilising influence of minor parties. The NC has a selective While Nepal is the face of this he neither wanted the elections aspirations that engulf this memory and doesn’t realise it set a destructive precedence by government, he is obliged to five to happen nor the monarchy country. obstructing CA session that it has helped call in the first place. masters who will behave like abolished. Along with Sharat This is not a plea for Maoist The political impasse isn’t as inextricable as it seems. It appears independent power centres. The Singh Bhandari, he was or Upendra rule. Neither is it an knotty because parties in the gridlock are looking for excuses first is General Katawal. If anyone encouraged by the army to join attempt to equate Maoists with rather than solutions. kidded himself that the army is the MJF. Gachhedar, who has a politics of change. The mismatch Time to stop the blame game and accept in all humility that apolitical or the chief is just stellar record of systematically between their rhetoric and every major political actor has failed to live up to the another neutral soldier, the myth ruining whichever ministry he actions is clear after their stint at expectations of the Nepali electorate. Corrective measures will has been shattered. Not only was has headed, is in the running for the top. The real point is that the begin to shape once they realise that all of them are equally he the trigger for this crisis, he deputy prime ministership and old discredited conservative responsible for the mess they find themselves in. They should all has invested enormous capital in the home portfolio. guard is back. This is a plea to learn to say sorry and start again. engineering the alternative The fourth in line is re-engineer the broader peace coalition, using his leverage with President . compact. old NC conservatives, the MJF Whether you agree or disagree Even today, there are only right wing and the Oli faction. with his action on Katawal, three forces capable of doing that. Pushpa Kamal Yadav is no longer a ceremonial Only a re-energised GPK who Dahal’s reference about head but a political figure. His sheds his bitterness can counter how a few are talking reply to the SC show-cause notice the loony right-wing tendencies about being Rajpakses admits as much. Parties which in the alliance he is backing. and treating Maoists constitute almost half the CA, Only a more honest PKD who like LTTE was a direct Maoists and MJF, have sheds his duplicity and dogma take-off from officially termed his action can rebuild this process. And Katawal’s unconstitutional. only an Indian government conversations with Yadav has been engaging which thinks constructively can certain interlocutors. closely with politicians in the be the external guarantor by Katawal will expect to run up to the government using its leverage to encourage have a say in crucial formation, and it is clear where consensus instead of polarising political issues. his preferences lie. Even if forces further. Showing Katawal he does not cross the line Otherwise, welcome the who’s boss will be publicly, he will play a behind- anarchy, conflict and political Nepal’s biggest the- scenes role in key political stalemate that lie right ahead. MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA

LLL ETTERS

USEFUL IDIOTS hasty and shallow alliance with the Maoists Kudos and Kudos to Kul Chandra perhaps gradually ensure that Nepalis It is disingenuous of you to use Lenin’s as a way forward (‘Breakthrough in Delhi,’ Gautam for his balanced, analytical and can once again be proud to be Nepali. famous words, ‘useful idiots’, to #273) despite the fact that the fabled 12- professional piece (‘The jury is out,’ Subhadra Belbase, Uganda describe only the political parties of point understanding demanded little #451). Thanks to Nepali Times for Nepal (‘Useful idiots,’ #450). Lenin, of commitment from the republishing his What I want to know is who elected course, used the term for anyone that Maoists to peaceful, very thoughtful these self-appointed civil society leaders (perhaps unwittingly) helped the pluralistic politics in voice of reason in who are willing to be deployed by the Bolsheviks attain more power. In the tangible terms. The this tumultuous and Maoist party as a vanguard to extend Nepali context, our civil society, human hollowness of that erratic period of their militancy on the streets. Where did rights organisations and media, as well ‘breakthrough’ has been Nepal’s history. they come from? Who elected them? As as foreign powers (India) and the UN laid bare in the recent I doubt that our far as I can see they are a bunch of have been no less ‘useful’ in red- Shaktikhor Tapes. Let’s politicians will get whining stay-at-homes whose only role carpeting the Maoists from the jungles to face it: the idiocy that Gautam’s is to spread cynicism and abet our city-streets and ultimately Singha brought such dangerous message, but hope totalitarians. Darbar–all in the name of elements into the that at least the Gyan Subba, Kumaripati ‘mainstreaming’ them and seeking a mainstream of power self-appointed ‘peaceful solution’ to the decade-long extends beyond the ‘leaders’ of civil As always Nepali Times has been conflict. Had this feat been much-maligned political society will search informative, analytical(‘Semi-automatic accomplished with full sincerity, clear parties. All these within their autonomy’, # 451) and entertaining vision and sufficient homework, it would elements need to now conscience, if they (‘Civilian society supremacy’, #451). have been truly laudable. But, in reality, jointly take responsibility still have one, and Ironies abound about Chairman it was an objective pursued with little for the deep quagmire they’ve gotten learn to be as balanced and thoughtful as Chhabilal. He has, in fact, now turned regard to long-term national interest. us into. him. Maybe this will help them ‘lead’ our into Chairman Liar. Your paper itself welcomed the SPA’s Satyajeet Nepali, email politicians in the right direction and MP, Calgary, email OP-ED 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 3

KIRAN PANDAY A time to heal Nepal may be the fixer Nepal needs

oth Marxist Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikari and Maoist Premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal led a government that lasted only Bnine months. The official residence for prime ministers of Nepal seems to be jinxed: no occupant has served his full term since this bizarre edifice was set up to house palace puppets during the Panchayat. There are other similarities between the abrupt ousters of Comrades Adhikari and Dahal. Both tried to rule unilaterally despite being a minority in the legislature. Each tried to subvert the system from within in similar ways: get rid of everyone likely to resist and fill every instrument of the state with hardcore loyalists. Both succumbed to Kathmandu’s entrenched power elite. But that’s where the STATE OF THE STATE similarities end. C K Lal Within nine months of its term, UML leaders acquired a taste for trappings of power and had no hesitation later in cohabiting with every imaginable political permutation of rightist radicals and leftist militants. The UML has since loyally served prime ministers of all political colours. PM-designate Madhav Kumar Nepal is perhaps the most pragmatic personality of contemporary Nepali politics, and he is the fixer the nation needs to repair broken channels of communication between different national and international stakeholders. Chairman Dahal is losing his political stature by coming in the way of a man who would be prime minister for only as long as the Maoists wish. The moment Chairman Jhalnath Khanal gets the hint that the utility of Comrade Nepal is over, the rug would be pulled from under the feet of his 22-party coalition of non-Maoist forces. Adhikari’s aborted premiership, Dahal’s fall from grace, Nepal’s possible eclipse have the same reason: from crimson to pink, communists of every hue scare the hell out of the Delhi establishment. Having seen the way leftist parties perpetuate themselves in office through means fair and foul once they enter the corridors of power, South Block’s tolerance level for the left is low. The list of Dahal’s sins in office is long: he disgraced his office with blatant nepotism, favouritism and partisanship. Random charges of bribery don’t appear so plausible, but that doesn’t make the ills of political corruption any less serious. However, misreading the lips of Indian interlocutors was his gravest miscalculation. Little wonder, ranking Maoist cadres have been told in no uncertain terms that if they wish to come back to power, they would have to think of a leader more acceptable to the Indian establishment than Dahal. It may not directly imply that the stars of are in ascendance, but Dahal knows that his glory days are over. That’s the reason the man who was instrumental in bringing down the Shah dynasty has begun to whine. He may bounce back, but communism isn’t prone to political reincarnation. The UML has an asset the Maoists didn’t: the bureaucracy. Unlike Dahal, Nepal doesn’t have to worry about war-scarred combatants itching to take up guns once more to settle old scores regardless of the consequences of their rash actions. The international community was apprehensive at best of the Maoists’ intention, with NGO-run UML, they know what they get when they are paying for it. Comrade Nepal may surprise everyone by removing the curse that no leftist occupant can last longer than nine months at Baluwatar. In order to do that, he would have to consult Dahal and Koirala as often as possible but keep a constant eye on his own party colleagues. Without an insider, no hidden hand can play foul in the game of musical chairs that are inherent to all evolving parliamentary democracies. 4 NATION 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452

Blue Sky takes off as an Cash crunch adventurous adventure Printing bank notes without tourism tackling the real malaise company will inflame inflation

epal’s financial system is witnessing a new liquidity crunch. Banks and financial institutions say there is N scarcity of higher denomination Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes in the market. These two constitute more than 90 per cent of the approximate Rs 138 billion currently in circulation. The crisis adds to the inflation that is a result of the state’s enforcement failure. No financial common sense or market logic has answers to the reasons behind the liquidity crisis. Neither does Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) seem overly concerned about the situation, and its ability and willingness to deal with the problem remains questionable. It has said the crisis will persist for at least two more months: until the first consignment of the COMMENT newly printed notes arrives Achyut Wagle from France. The currency crunch is the cumulative outcome of mainly three factors. First, the Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme (VDIS) and disclosure of income source made mandatory by the Maoist government is believed to have driven Soaring on tourism about Rs 10 billion in cash off the market. People chose to stash cash in private coffers. In hindsight, the benefit of economies of scale created by this Rs 10 billon would Pokhara’s location above Fewa have been much larger than over-trumpeted success of VDIS that Lake is ideal both in terms of netted a mere Rs 1.5 billion. scenic beauty and catabatic winds Second, the oversubscription of IPOs of mainly Class A banks that are essential for soaring. halted the circulation of several billion rupees for a couple of Blue Sky paragliding currently months, as was the case of Sunrise Bank holding about Rs 10 billion this time around. Also, people may maintain substantial has six instructors: three contingency of cash reserve for other IPOs, like Prime Bank. foreigners and three Nepalis. It Third, the unresponsiveness and unwillingness of the has nine more on its register. government to “There is an element of visible resolve the rowing up flying kites in risk with paragliding,” Parajuli problem, and Pokhara, Narayan Prasad said. “At the start of each flight, underlying G Parajuli never imagined we make sure that our Swiss- vested interest that he would someday open up designed and Spain- of the NRB a company whose business manufactured gear is safe.” The leadership would be to make people fly like pilots are trained in all required have a kite above the Sarangkot. safety procedures. During the off- exacerbated In early 2000, when a season, the pilots get refresher the situation. SUBASH KUMAR Had the foreigner offered to demonstrate courses in first-aid and other regulatory to a few tourism professionals safety issues when they renew Pokhara alone, with two more on authorities the potential of this new their licences. the way, so Blue Sky is looking wanted, one business, Parajuli(pictured right) Parajuli says that paragliding for its own unique selling point well-meaning signed up for paragliding is not viewed as a tourism-related by diverse locations. notice would lessons. He got hooked on the sport by the government. It’s been “Locations such as Rolpa and have been sport. Later that year, together characterised as a segment of other mid hill stations across sufficient to with Swiss partners, he opened aviation business. As such, Western Nepal have the potential bring the Blue Sky Paragliding on the Parajuli and his brothers deal to be paragliding destinations,” hoarded Pokhara lakeside. Since then his with the Department of Civil he says, “but because they are so amount to the banking system. Instead, NRB seems to think the solution is to print the new notes and bring them in to company has flown about 2,000 Aviation for permits, licences and remote and under-developed that circulation as soon as possible. flights, with the annual number areas in which to fly. Blue Sky is is a deterrent.” Interestingly, the currency shortage provides an excuse and going up every year. even thinking of expanding to The company pays 50 per cent opportunity for NRB leadership to print new currency notes. It “From October to March, other parts of Nepal. of its revenue to pay world-class decided to print about 100 million units of new notes mainly of Rs Pokhara offers a natural venue for He has even done a cross- paragliders to serve as instructors, 500, but without much justification. The market and commercial paragliding,” Parajuli told Nepali country test flight from Pokhara 20 per cent on administration and activities have not substantially expanded. Even with Rs10 billion Times this week after being to Kathmandu which took a total 10 per cent on logistics. He is in cash going out of circulation and the 10 per cent annual growth, selected as the paper’s Company of three days and a total of 22 happy that as Pokhara becomes the aggregate requirement does not exceed Rs 24 billion. of the Month for May 2009. hours of flight time. “We are famous as a paragliding There are enough reusable notes stockpiled, so the current The Himalayas act as a wall looking to see whether we can destination, more and more liquidity crisis could be orchestrated. Be that as it may, but there against the chilly mountain air. reach Kathmandu within a day,” paragliders from around the is a tendency of printing more than required amount of currency notes under different pretexts, especially when a new governor is On any given day, as soon as Parajuli says. world are adding it to their list of appointed during periods of shaky politics. Parajuli’s pilots spot three to five Blue Sky flies paragliding must visit places. The term of present governor Dipendra Kshetry ends on 2 eagles soaring above Sarankgot, passengers in Sirkot in Syangja “There’s a subculture of hard- February 2010, but he may even have to quit early if the Supreme they know the thermals are up and in Bandipur. There are now core paragliders who are very Court reinstates the suspended governor Bijaya Nath Bhattarai. and they are ready to fly. two established competitors in much interested in making Nepal The next hearing on the case is scheduled for 31 May. Kshetry a paragliding destination,” he also has the politically-correct excuse of not circulating old notes says, “our being a member of carrying the portraits of former kings and printing replacements. Fédération Aéronautique As a short term redress, NRB released Rs 2 billion through Internationale (FAI), which is the open market operations last Monday when the inter-bank rate air sports federation in touched 10 per cent and there was no ‘investible’ liquidity with the Switzerland, has also helped us banks. The issue of shortage and printing of new bills aside, the reason given by NRB as ‘lack of investible liquidity’ point to other access the global market.” graver problems in the economy. The recent competition among Parajuli said that Nepal has to the banks to attract the depositors by offering higher interest rates differentiate its tourism offerings. implies more than a shortfall in the circulation cycle. One way to do that would be to This may be indicative of a decrease in deposits and decline market Nepal as a destination for in the repayment of the loans. A significant amount could also be extreme sports that are managed clogged up in unproductive sectors like real estate, and immediate with an eye on safety and return from this type of investment is unlikely. affordability. In this scenario, the economy may plunge into a contraction trap. The government, regulatory authorities and the financial Blue Sky Paragliding, Lakeside market should try to address the real problems jointly instead of Pokhara deflecting them as a temporary defect in money supply. www.paragliding-nepal.com www.fai.org DAMODAR PARAJULI BUSINESS 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 5

On top ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ On his 19th climb to the summit of Everest on 21 May, Apa Sherpa Positive partnerships put up a banner proclaiming ‘Stop Climate Change–Let the Himalayas Live!’. This is one of the events being held by WWF as part of a year-long awareness campaign, which aims to prompt Time for constructive thinking policy makers and business leaders in Nepal to take action. Bangkok: It has been interesting

Branching out and encouraging to meet ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ positive minded Nepalis here AVCO International, sole distributor of Hyundai vehicles in Nepal, who have launched restaurants has opened a new showroom at Tinkune. This is its second and meeting places for their showroom following the one at Nagpokhari. AVCO also has a new fellow countrymen and women. after sale service centre at Dhobighat. Unfortunately, these such positive thinking Nepalis are in

Flat win the minority. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ CG Electronics is offering lucky draw prizes on every purchase of an LG product as part of its new year marketing campaign. ECONOMIC SENSE Giveaways include 32” LG LCD tv's. Artha Beed Press aid

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Why is it that when Nepalis Orbit MBBS Preparation and Doctor’s Club Nepal conducted first meet each other for the first aid and basic life support training for reporters and photographers in Nepal to prepare them when injuries occur while reporting during time, they invariably discuss strikes. how dire the political situation is– even if it happens to be a WIRE UP: Chaudhary Group has launched a brand of inverters. green card holder you meet on a They are available from 325VA to 3KVA and CG is offering 24 flight who hasn’t visited Nepal months warranty on tubular and 12 months on flat plate batteries. for years? Nepali identity seems After-sale service is also available. rooted to the news headlines in the media. I have never heard of Americans, Thais or Indians meeting for the first time and immediately discussing their national political gloom. Despite all its political issues and the impact of the global financial crisis, Thailand seems to be bouncing back. The stock market in the past couple of months has shown healthy growth and the construction MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA industry is back in business. Cranes are part of the cityscape takes a beating. The elections were like doing and what you do best again marking out where some also a big rejection of the left and is something that keeps one away big building projects are coming how market-oriented societies from deliberating too much on up. Working towards another would like to be closer to the politics and perhaps that is the phase of economic growth is centre right rather than trying to only way we Nepalis can bring what every citizen feels hope for state largesse. about economic change as many responsible for. The good news for Nepal is other “written- off” countries (However it still perplexes that a resilient India, that has not have been able to do from me why Thailand is not taken such a severe beating in the Mozambique to Uganda to El embracing the English language global financial crisis as other Salvador. extensively despite being so countries, would hasten its At international meetings dependent on tourism. For economic pace: with no left allies when you encounter people from Nepal, the reintroduction of trying to block reform agendas nearly 100 countries it is always English in education in the some of the growth should trickle good to let the positive energies mid-nineties has by sheer down to Nepal. This could mean of making the world a better accident been able to produce a more tourists from India and place brush off on each other. fair amount of fluent English potentially some Indian When one hears such great speakers able to find access to companies thinking of stories of many nations making education and careers abroad.) investments in Nepal. progress, I just keep on The results of the Indian There is little each Nepali can wondering why it is that we elections also perhaps point out perhaps do to influence politics. Nepalis only have our stories of clearly for Nepal how politics is So why do we let them affect our political mess to share. taking a backseat as regionalism, day to day lives so profoundly? politics of caste and identity Staying focused on what you www.arthabeed.com 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 Matters of procedure

Interview with Kul Bahadur Khadka, Naya Patrika, 17 May

What is your current post? I was appointed acting army chief by the government, but I am not being allowed to do my job. The Supreme Court has already scrapped the writ petition filed against my appointment and it’s clear that both the cabinet and the Supreme Court have authenticated my appointment. According to the law, I should be the army chief. When the post above me was vacated, it was a matter of procedure that the government would appoint me to the post as I was the next most senior general at the time. Coming back empty-handed

Have you carried out the tasks of the army chief? Even before I could begin, the president sent the letter to reinstate Sapana Basyal in The Nepali embassy in the 1 April, demanding that the levy the previous army chief. But Rookmangud is acting out his role. I Himal Khabarpatrika,15-29 May capital Kuala Lumpur says that from foreign workers be doubled. don’t think it makes a difference whether I individually think around 40 Nepalis come to the After employers protested against what he is doing is right or wrong. There’s a case filed against the embassy each day claiming they this policy, the government president’s move in the Supreme Court and the government’s The global financial crisis has hit have lost their jobs or are not withdrew it, opting instead to move is also under discussion. This is about the president, the Malaysia, one of the biggest labour being paid. Ambassador Rishi Raj demand that a single levy be government and law. markets for Nepal, hard. Many Adhikari says: “The number of collected from the companies that Nepali workers are now returning those who have to return home employ the workers. However, What were the army’s actions after you were appointed? home empty-handed due to lack has increased dramatically. Many Adhikari says, “Even this policy The army is a disciplined, professional organisation. Why should of employment. have not even been here for a will be hard to implement.” they be disgruntled when I started service from the bottom and Malaysia employs the highest year.” A lot of the workers do not The depression is also rose up the ranks by fair procedure to become the head? Rumours number of foreign workers in even have enough money to pay affecting Nepali remittance that the army is divided are false. The army will continue its Asia. At least 400,000 Nepalis are their fare home. companies because the migrant service to the country no matter who heads it. working there making it At the onset of the financial workers are sending less money Malaysia’s second highest source crisis, 45,000 Malaysian workers back. Nepali businessman in of immigrant labour. lost their jobs in February 2008. Malaysia, Biswa Rai, says the One of the major sectors that The government introduced a downturn is having a dramatic the financial crisis has hit is the policy to make sure Malaysians negative impact on Nepali shops electronic companies, particularly were given priority over foreign and restaurants opened targeting multinationals which are said to workers in various factories such migrant workers. provide the best working as electronics or textile. When Also affected by the crisis are conditions and salaries. Many human rights activists and NGOs publications like Janprista companies that employed Nepalis opposed this policy claiming that Bhumi, which provided news and have shut down or are it was not justifiable, the information about Nepal for downsizing, leaving the foreign Malaysian labour department workers in Kuala Lumpur has workers jobless. introduced another, effective from also lost its market there. Housing the landless

Nepal Samarcharpatra, 19 May

A modern apartment block with various facilities will be completed in Sankhamul soon. These apartments are not being constructed by a commercial housing company but by the government for the landless who live by the Bagmati in Sankhamul. This is a pilot project launched by the KIRAN PANDAY government in an effort to solve the acute landless situation in the capital, where land is scarce. Doesn’t it reflect badly on the army that it followed the This program was announced in the current president and didn’t listen to the government? fiscal year budget speech and it states that 20m of MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA This is concerned with the constitution and law. When there was land from each side of the Bagmati would be set disagreement and it came to a point where the government aside for the apartments. families are not all happy with the project. resigned, the issue became something above just posts and the Each flat will have two rooms, a toilet and The project is still awaiting approval by the army. This can only be solved through constitutional procedure. I kitchen for one family. Ministry of Physical Planning and Works. hope there’s no violence in the country, that the peace process But the apartments do not come free of charge. According to the working policy, the landless will reaches a conclusion and issues like this gain clarity in the new Each landless family will have to repay a loan of be given the option of either getting land, paying for constitution. Rs 350,000 at a minimum interest rate over a period an apartment at a low interest rate or relocation to of 15 years. However, Sankamul’s 108 landless another place. What’s the difference between being acting army chief and not? Sometimes I feel that I am under constant surveillance. People who come to visit and my family also feel that way. I’ve become extremely cautious.

Who is the highest in the chain of command of the army? Commander-in-chief. But I do not make decisions on who it is. This issue has gone out of the army’s control. Arms: political party Injured person: Is it true you’ve been threatened with a court martial? constitution-writing, peace First of all, I need to have done something wrong to be taken to a process court martial. This is also a rumour. If I am in the wrong, the government can decide on punishment. I am open to that. Abin Shrestha in Nagarik, 21 May CONSTITUTION 2010 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 7 Division of sovereignty Federalism weakens nationalism

MINA PUN There’s also a misconception amongst women that a federal state will address the issues of oppression and ational People’s Front is the only discrimination of women. Nepali women political party that is not are oppressed not because of one person N advocating federalism in Nepal. or group but because of the patriarchal Although the interim constitution of 2006 social structure. declared that Nepal will be a federal One Madhes is a very tricky demand. republic without the matter being referred Madhesis do not want a federal system, to the constituent assembly, it will be very they simply want an end to centuries of difficult to implement that provision. discrimination. The Madhes needs a There are already major differences in movement against not just the feudal the models proposed by the political decision-making state mechanism, but parties. Some support creating the federal also local jamindars. structure along geographical lines, while There are many Pahadi Nepalis who others want it according to ethnicity. The have been terrorised and killed in the proposal put forward by the Madhesi Tarai. Such actions will have a long-term community of One Madhes is not impact on national integrity. The Tarai acceptable to the Tharu. has many languages, cultures, traditions

It has to be understood that federalism KIRAN PANDAY and religions and it will be very will not work in a country that is lagging dangerous to promote the Madhesh as behind economically. The idea of states were created along ethnic lines. There federal system, it is much better to opt for a one autonomous body. federalism did not come forward through are Punjabi chief ministers in Punjab, unitary government with democratic For a country like Nepal that lies Jana Andolan, but was drilled into people’s Bengali in West Bengal and yet, none of decentralisation so that self-governance is between India and China division into heads by foreign powers. them has helped alleviate the plight of the also encouraged. many autonomous groups is even more Many marginalised communities in people they represent. Even at the federal Nepal consists of more than 100 ethnic dangerous. Some may form alliances with Nepal probably supported the idea of state level, the power is class-based. There groups. Carving out states based on a India, while others may become close to federalism because they thought it would are classes even inside castes and handful of ethnicities will only China. They may only limit trading and finally address their grievances. Instead of ethnicities. Whether the power is with marginalise other minorities. Drawing up other relations between themselves, coming up with policies to better the Tamang, Tharu or Newar, those with the map by ethnicity will not end while the rest of the country is deprived situation of various castes, ethnicities and influence will still govern the poor. grievances. Who’s to say that in the future and suffers. women, leaders are playing politics with There is no doubt that these groups minority ethnicities won’t rise up and ask identity. were discriminated against for decades. But for their separate province, prompting Mina Pun is a CA member of National Take India as an example. There many instead of dividing the country under a communal violence? People’s Front Party Naturally Nepal Protecting the natural environment is protecting the nation

DEWAN RAI the preservation of nature. But it has never before had a provision ith such a high for environmental rights in its percentage of Nepalis constitution. “We hope the W totally dependent on constitutional provision on the the land for survival, a healthy environment will make the environment and continued government more responsible supply of natural resources are when taking decisions regarding vital. Faced with the reality of environmental issues,” Pant prolonged droughts, says. unpredictable weather patterns About 50 countries have caused by climate change is mentioned environmental rights making already vulnerable in their constitution including Nepalis even more vulnerable. Bhutan, China, Russia, Bolivia Activists are now pushing for and India. Bhutan has adopted environmental rights to be the policy of maintaining 60 per enshrined as a fundamental right cent forest cover. in the new constitution. The The initial draft has Constitutional Committee has proposed a provision of received the draft on compensation for environmental environment, climate change, KIRAN PANDAY damage with the polluters liable natural resources management, creatures.’ says environmental rights number of recommendations to for any damage caused. It has sustainable use of natural The draft also specifies the should be in the constitution be included in the new also specified that the duties and resources and risk minimisation fundamental rights of indigenous because they are so vitally linked constitution: stakeholders responsibilities of the state of natural disasters, prepared by communities, women, Dalits and with human existence. should participate in making regarding the environment be the Supplementary Subjects and marginalised communities over Some 85 per cent of Nepalis environmental law and policies included in the directive Inter Committee Coordination land, energy and natural are subsistence farmers totally and in implementing and principles and policies of the Sub Committee of the Natural resources. dependent on the natural monitoring the activities that state. Resource Management Committee In the Interim Constitution resources that surround them, he might affect the environment. It has stated the need to of the CA. 2007 the universal right to a clean explains. Those communities are The CA member and identify, preserve and promote The draft proposes that environment was set out for the the most affected by committee coordinator Sunil traditional skills. The benefits of environmental issues be first time. Article 16 (1) states, environmental degradation. “The Babu Pant says: “Environmental such skills should be equally included in the preamble to the ‘Every person shall have the right irony is that they are the ones and natural resources rights are distributed among the constitution with the line to live in a clean environment.’ who are excluded in the process the most important of all because communities with the skills. It pledging ‘sustainable But such rights cannot be of writing the constitution. The they are directly linked with has also proposed maintaining conservation, utilisation and ensured unless the natural new constitution should people’s lives and survival.” Nepal’s 40 per cent forest equal distribution of resources for environment and ecological guarantee them the right to access Nepal has signed 27 cover (up from the current 24 economic, social and cultural system are healthy in the first the resources they require to international conventions on per cent) to preserve transformation as well as for place. The IUCN’s executive simply survive,” he says. environment and climate change. environmental resources and the conservation of nature and country director Narayan Belbase The committee has made a There are also legal provisions for ecosystem. 8 HEALTH

AGE OLD TRADITION: The centuries old therapy of head massage can be used to bring gentle relief to people of all ages.

ALL PICS: THOMAS L KELLY The medium is the massage

SHRADHA BASNYAT The global spa industry today is worth (SWAN) along with other organisations $60 billion and even in Nepal, hotels want to change that image. Early this offering ayurvedic treatments average month, SWAN and Nepal Tourism Board aking purifying baths in $10,000 a year each in profit. Currently, held a conference with 20 delegates from There is sacred springs, healing rituals 10-15 per cent of tourists use the 32 spa China, Indonesia, Thailand and the and massages have long been a facilities in the country and the number of Philippines to help continue to build and part of Nepali culture, long locals is also increasing. promote the spa sector in Nepal. plenty of Tbefore luxurious five star spa getaways Yet, Nepal could still capitalise more “Right now, what we want to promote became fashionable. Using medicinal on this ancient tradition and knowledge. is simply head and foot massages, so that herbs and ayurvedic treatments has been “Purifying bathing in sacred lakes as a form we can slowly change the meaning of what room for a traditional way of life in the Himalaya of revitialisation is an ancient part of massage means in Nepal,” says Dunham. for centuries. Himalayan pilgrimage culture. Spa is not The benefits of massage therapy in Such treatments now constitute a something new that needs to be imported. easing anxiety, tension and depression as multi-billion dollar global industry We have to build on our own indigenous well as physiological disorders and Nepal to which is growing. In Asia-Pacific alone healing knowledge. Our rich natural injuries are well known. But people are there are nearly 22,000 spas employing resources make Nepal an obvious also increasingly willing to look beyond 363,684 workers with a turnover of $11.4 destination for rejuvenating body, mind modern medicine, and particularly the use capitalise billion, according to the Global Spa and spirit,” says Carroll Dunham of Wild of antibiotics, to ancient, holistic healing Summit 2008. Earth. Nepal has a wealth of indigenous rituals and herbs to cure various illnesses. With the increasing stresses of daily healing practices suitable for application Rajendra Kumar Giri, who specialises on spa life and changing lifestyles, more and in modern spas," she says. in traditional ayurvedic medicine, more people are leaning towards spas While Thamel’s shady massage says: “Many are opting for ayurvedic as a way to rejuvenate the body, mind parlours have made people wary, the Spa treatments as it is natural and has no tourism and spirit. and Wellness Association of Nepal side effects.” 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 9

ON THE BEAT: Natural physicians such as Tibetan doctor Amchi Tsewang Ngudrup Rinpoche, could prove to be a major lure for ‘holistic health tourists’.

CALM KIDS: Wild Earth masseuse, Sashi Nakarmi, demonstrates a soothing baby massage at The Nepal Children’s Organisation at Bal Mandir, Naxal.

SOUND THOUGHTS: Nepal’s expertise in areas such as sound therapy could soon be used to attract tourists as part of the growing international interest in natural healing techniques. 10 KOSI FLOOD 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 Where the buffalos used Correcting the impact of the Kosi flood means addressing the needs of the wildlife reserve

this year. Yet conservationists warn that the endangered animals and birds in the reserve face grave threats. The diversion of the river back to its old channel with the construction of a coffer dam has disturbed wildlife. Last month, security personnel discovered three stranded dolphins and managed to rescue two. The third was fatally poisoned by locals. PICS: SITA MADEMBA The green pastures near the breached levees where the arna SITA MADEMBA in SUNSARI flood victims, no one gave a have been severely depleted by outbreak of hoof and mouth used to graze, now look like a thought to the plight of animals habitat encroachment and disease, disease spread by livestock and it desert and the animals have been hen the Kosi breached in the Kosi Tappu Wildlife and no one really knew how many was felt the population needed to forced to graze outside the reserve. its levee and swept Reserve. there were left in the world. be spread out. This puts them at risk from W through villages here The Kosi Tappu Wildlife Kosi Tappu was established in Despite the threats, a buffalo disease and poaching. last August, 42,000 people were Reserve is the last remaining 1975 to primarily conserve the census carried out last month Indian contractors working on displaced. While national and habitat for the wild buffalo, arna, endangered wild buffalo. Twelve showed that the number of wild the rechanneling of the Kosi have international sympathy, and in Nepal and the Gangetic fresh years previously, all the arna in buffalo in the reserve has also been illegally extracting sand donations, poured in for the water dolphin. Their numbers Chitwan were wiped out by an increased from 159 in 2004 to 219 from the arna pastures. The

Another monsoon is around the corner and newborns in Kosi’s refugee camps are more Flood of babies vulnerable than ever

KONG YEN LIN in SUNSARI

he heat and glare in the white sand flats of the T Kosi’s floodplain is overpowering. Nearly one year after the river suddenly changed course and just before the monsoon starts up again, the misery of 60,000 displaced in Sunsari continues. After the embankment was plugged earlier this year and the Kosi sent back to its former course, what used to be fertile fields here have turned into desert. The displaced live like refugees in tent cities. In one of them in Paschim Kusaha a group of 20 women, all cradling babies, are huddled in a maternity tent run by charities. Despite the help, the conditions are terrible. “When the wind blows, sand gets into our eyes and babies have eye infections,” says Naju Katun, who named her six-month-old son Sibir Ansari, after the camp he was born in. “Every breath we take or food we eat, sand gets into our mouths.” PICS: KONG YEN LIN It doesn’t help that the settlement area lies parallel to the blockade of the East-West deliveries. When born, babies have it takes a day through ruined the Kosi breached its highway where frequent bandas Highway to protest delayed to survive not just the harsh roads, when they are not closed embankments on 18 August occur and where there is constant relief. desert-like environment but also by strikes. last year. exposure to tear gas. Last month The mothers, mainly Madhesi pneumonia, dehydration, Official records show 42,000 While most have already the Kosi Victims Struggle and Muslim, struggle against poor malnutrition and diarrhoea. The locals and 11,000 Indian returned home, there are 1,240 Committee staged a week-long living conditions and risky nearest hospital is 25km away and nationals were displaced when households still remaining in the KOSI FLOOD 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 11 to roam Stolen children

fter the Kosi breached its embankments last year, there has been a rise in the A abduction of children by Indian human traffickers. If the refugees are vulnerable, their children are even more vulnerable. In the desolate villages of Sunsari, local middlemen of transborder traffickers are taking advantage of the desperation. They are usually locals who partner with Indian criminal groups to sell people into India. Local recruiter Dalu Sada offered to take 11- year-old Phuleswor Sada and his nine-year-old brother Harihar to Punjab to get a job. Now, they

work as bonded labourers in a house in SOMNATH BASTOLA Ludhiana. Dalu had promised the family they would be paid IRs 1000 a month and admitted away by Dalu Sada’s gang last July. They paid her that he sold the boys to an Indian agent for Rs 5000 as advance. IRs 2000. Child traffickers were active here even before grasslands are now furrowed by reserve to graze. The movement A Himal Khabarpatrika investigation showed last year’s flood. But it has got much worse. Organ 10-foot deep pits where wildlife of people is even more at least 23 children from flood affected Sripur smugglers are also said to be active. Three can be trapped or drown. uncontrolled because of all the and Haripur VDCs have been sold as domestic suspicious innocents have been lynched to death Conservation official Nilamber construction work going on. workers and bonded labourers into India. The in Sunsari in the past two weeks. Mishra says, “If any animal falls Kosi Tappu is considered most vulnerable are children who live in Sunsari rights worker Birendra Sah has been into those pits, it will die. We one of the best sites for bird makeshift tents installed after the flood. pursuing the traffickers and has rescued four have requested the contractors watching with over 480 species Supaul Sada from India convinced children by buying them back from where they and engineers to not dig the holes of birds recorded and many Sukhichand Sada’s family in Sripur that he were working in Bihar. The middleman who sold too deep. But they don’t take us migrant species, but after the would pay their loan, which had a 15 per cent them, Jogindar Kumar Srideb, is in jail. But he is seriously.” river changed its channel last interest rate, if they let him take 14-year-old the only one. Since the collapse of the year the birds didn’t come. Sukhi to Punjab. Sukhichand called home last The children sold into Punjab have to work 16 levee, the reserve has become an Kosi flood victims in month, crying and told the family that he had hours a day in farms, fields and brick factories. island in a sea of humans. Eight Sunsari have demanded that the been sold for IRs 10,000. Sah, who visited a number of places in India security posts that were closed reserve’s boundary be shifted one Fourth grader Sushil Sada was sold to a while trying to rescue children, say they are down during the conflict haven’t kilometre to the west. But if that paper factory for IRs 8,000. Three months ago, tortured if they fail to work and not given yet been re-established. The is done, say conservation Sushil called home and there has been no news food. barbed wire boundary erected two officials, the river that is a since. Voluntary health worker in Sripur, years ago has been stolen. crucial source of food and water Jhwaridebi Ram’s 14-year-old son was taken Somnath Bastola in Sunsari Villagers from the buffer zone are for the animals, and birds will now bringing livestock into the no longer be in the reserve.

BORN INTO A CRISIS: Children born during or after the Kosi floods with their mothers in a temporary maternity shelter. Each mother receives a bottle of baby massage oil, an apple and a packet of biscuit a day, but that’s about it. Every drop of fresh water is precious in the desert camps.

12 camps, with half of them Food-for-Work scheme. landless. The distribution But elsewhere, the displaced process of government relief is are trying to rebuild their lives. slow and sporadic. One year Hadis Miya, 33, from Sripur later, only an estimated 10 per counts himself fortunate to be cent of flood affected able to receive the return households have received help. package. The father of five lost Others remain jobless, facing his own father in the flood, and even greater poverty and now lives with seven surviving destitution than they family members in a wooden experienced before the flood. house off Paschim Kusaha. “Plans? I have no plans for “It’s so hard to start anew, the future. Without money and each time we try to move on regular income everything is something gets in the way,” says impossible,” says Naju Katun, Hadis, whose provision shop who used to work as a farm was taken over by protesters labourer before the flood swept during a banda, “I just hope away her farm. my children have access to “There’s nothing at all to basic education facilities and look forward to,” adds Ruksana won't have to continue Khatun. She is ineligible for the suffering.” 12 INTERNATIONAL 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 New beginning in Sri Lanka The Tigers may have been defeated, but has the war ended?

he Sri Lankan army A democracy second to none away from their boss: by then more campaign against the in South Asia (high voter turnouts, of a millennial cult leader than a T Liberation Tigers of Tamil literacy rates above 90 per cent, military commander. Eelam (LTTE) seemed to reach its relative equality between men and This past month’s steady bloody climax in recent days. The women) didn’t prevent a sickening advance, interrupted only by interminable Indian general downward spiral into violence, India’s request for less blood election had to run its course hatred and dysfunction. during election time, made it a before Colombo’s forces made LTTE cadres infamously matter of time. First the Tigers had their final move against Tiger fought to the death, either from been caged, then picked off one- supremo Velupillai Prabakaran, opponent’s bayonets and bullets by-one, till only the alpha male or the cyanide vials they wore remained. HERE AND THERE around their necks. Suicide No one expects that the Tigers Daniel Lak bombing then, strapping oneself will give up so utterly as a terrorist with dynamite sticks, bags of ball force. Tamil grievances remain bearings and clicking a hand-held acute and President Rajapaksa evidently pinned down with close detonator, wasn’t much beyond a has to live up to promises that he’ll family and comrades in a patch of last crunch of the teeth into a be generous in victory, coastal forest smaller than glass ampoule. Except of course compassionate, ready to make Sri Tundikhel in Kathmandu. for those you take with you. Lanka’s largest minority a full part All around were the heavy Sri Lankan leaders, Tamil of his plans for the island’s future. guns, armour and weaponry moderates, Rajiv Gandhi and In the meantime he’ll inevitably purchased by years of military In previous days, the world’s ceasefires and access for countless civilians were face those suicide bombs, perhaps expansionism in Sri Lanka. conscience had been pricked humanitarian workers, but Sri murdered by fanatical Tiger even a spectacular, diaspora- Helicopters and bombers flew time and again by the ordeal Lanka had its sights set on cadres. Norway’s attempt to funded, overseas atrocity or two. forays over targets so tightly facing Tamil civilians in the area. closure: an end to 30 years of broker peace in the early years of Human rights groups will find much packed that it was impossible to India estimates tens of thousands conflict between the state and one this century came to naught, fault with what he has done, and miss. Pictures put out by the were killed and injured. Sri Lanka of the world’s most effective ripped apart by insincerity on all rightly so in the case of civilians Untied Nations at one point says it kept non-combatant insurgent groups. sides and by the fanaticism of casualties. There will need to be showed a landscape pockmarked casualties to a minimum and This was a war that began some young overseas Tamils and redressal. like the moon. blamed the caged Tigers for using when festering ethnic grievances their commitment to a cause they At the end of the day though, Then, Tamil Nadu voted on the “human shields.” Tamil groups as old as independent Sri Lanka didn’t have to die for. history will conclude that he has last day of India’s five week around the world begged to differ boiled over in the 1980s. A well At first, the revitalised Tigers done the right thing by eliminating election. The green signal came and poured into the streets organised LTTE with training and looked strong, capable of standing Velupillai Prabakaran, a monster as polls closed in Chennai. demanding international action to support from India took over half up to Sri Lanka’s army but that whose ego and overseas bank President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s stop the carnage, to protect, feed of an isle many viewed as illusion was rudely dashed as accounts were all that benefited men unleashed a hellish firestorm and compensate those affected. Serendip itself, a land so government forces retook much of from four decades of war in " into the last scrap of Sri Lankan The United Nations, Europe, stunningly perfect that it must rebel-held territory. Crucially, key South Asia’s most ‘developed’ land beyond government control. India and the US all called for have been a gift of the gods. Tiger commanders were peeling nation. z CULTURE 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #45213 The final journey Probing our unease with death, Departures explores the catharsis of ritual and the dignity of work

eath is so unfathomable, so alien to any experience that precedes it, that it is a subject that we avoid, a taboo. Its D inevitability is a repudiation of our ingrained sense of self- preservation. Yojiro Takita’s Departures gently probes, almost satirically, our fear and discomfort regarding death by taking as its subject a Three- minute democracy Nokanshi or ‘encoffiner,’ a person whose job is to prepare the deceased for its final journey by reverentially washing and dressing the body in a ceremony witnessed by the grievers. By couple of friends were seven winners—one each from and the chaos of transition. dramatically documenting this particular cultural practice, Takita surfing on youtube the Western Hemisphere, Europe, Sound bites from the general creates both a statement about the powerful catharsis of ritual and when they came across a Middle East/North Africa, Sub- public can be heard throughout the dignity of work. A Takita overlays an site posted by the US Saharan Africa, South and the video. “We talked to students, CRITICAL CINEMA impressively effective Department of State announcing Central Asia, East Asia/Pacific shopkeepers, housewives, A Angelo D’Silva comical touch with a delicate a short three minute and one anonymous winner will professionals and even jogis,” appreciation of the macabre documentary competition about be announced. says director Choden, “music that especially succeeds as a personal perspective of In October, this year, the six plays a key role in the video as it it also reveals our own complex feelings about death. But democracy. winners–one from each of the six is the best way to capture the Departures is hampered by an overly melodramatic plot and Amateur filmmaker Tsering geographic regions–will get an complex meaning of democracy in sentimental elaboration from what could have been a subtly Choden, along with a handful of all-expenses-paid trip to a straightforward and simple persuasive and moving film. friends, decided it would be fun Washington DC, New York and way.” Perfectly scored and sensitively shot, the film opens with an to portray the Nepali perspective Hollywood, where their Yanik Shrestha of the rap enchanting display of the encoffinner’s art with the protagonist of democracy in a short film. documentaries will be screened. group Lyrics InThePenDense says, Daigo–stately and adroit–dressing and washing a body as his Some 900 people from 95 The winners will interact with “It was important to come up mentor looks on with the grieving family. Actor Masahiro Motoki communicates the grace and beauty of the practice and the countries participated in the filmmakers, representatives from with something witty and poignancy of a skill being passed from one generation to the next in competition and out of them 18 the US film industry and meet unconventional as we were an era when such finalists were chosen. Choden’s with government officials and making a powerful point, but it practices may be video from Nepal is amongst the civil society members. was also important that we have fading. Then the finalists. In order to win, they The video from Nepal fun while doing it.” movie flashes back need votes from the public. The portrays its struggle for To vote : go to www.youtube.com/ to the events that led deadline is 15 June after which democracy, the April Uprising, democracychallenge Daigo to take up this profession. Having lost his job as a cellist in a city orchestra, Daigo and his wife return to Picture freedom his hometown. Looking for work, he hen the photography exhibition almost accidentally Chobi Mela first launched in Dhaka stumbles into this W in 2000, most in the region knew rather morbid job, but the money entices him to stay long enough to very little about non-western photography overcome his squeamishness and begin to appreciate the art and chiefly because of the lack of opportunity for value of his work. The small town setting provides the film with South Asian photographers to screen their ample opportunity to celebrate institutions, practices and values work. There was another major ambition that modern life threatens to leave behind. behind the launch of the festival—in a nation One of the most powerful images in the film, as one would where the majority of people cannot read or expect, is the transformation that takes place as Daigo helps his write, photography provided one of the boss (played by a wondrously understated Tsutomu Yamazaki) do few means of communicating with the the job. The application of make-up restores the familiarity of the average person. visage to the mourners. The seriousness and formality that keeps Earlier this year, the fifth Chobi Mela took the grievers civil, thaws and breaks and in that renewed place in Dhaka from 30 January-20 February. recognition they get to bid farewell a final time. For Daigo, It is now travelling to Kathmandu from witnessing this transformative magic marks his own evolution as 22-28 May at Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal. he realises the powerful good his occupation can bring about as he This year’s theme is freedom and the mela comes to terms with working with the dead. will feature 12 works by artists from Argentina, The taboo of his work also entails dramatic consequences for Bangladesh, France, Japan, the United States, Daiga including being ostracised from his small community and the Netherlands, Nepal, Nigeria and Norway. It even having to deal with his wife’s inability to come to terms with it. will also feature a number of workshops and Unfortunately, these and other overly dramatic plot elements presentations on topics such as exhibition overcrowd the quieter and cleverer parts of the film and draw the curation, the use of photography in social film to an unnecessary 130 minutes. Sometimes, I suppose, even activism and digital workflow. with a good thing, the end can’t come soon enough. For photographers and media professionals, the travelling festival provides Departures an opportunity to seek inspiration, learn and Director: Yojiro Takita enjoy a variety of styles and subjects in world Cast: Masahiro Motoki, Tsutomu Yamazaki, Ryoko Hirosue class photography. For Nepalis at large it is 2009, 131 mins. an occasion to contemplate freedom and what it means to us. MUNEM WASIF 14 CITY 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452

ABOUT TOWN Star Trek is the incredible story of a young crew’s maiden voyage onboard the most advanced starship ever created: EXHIBITIONS the USS Enterprise. On a journey filled with action, comedy ™ Festivals of the Kathmandu Valley - an exhibition by Scott Faiia and cosmic peril, the new recruits must find a way to stop an evil being whose mission of vengeance threatens all of at Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited till 29 May, mankind. The fate of the galaxy rests in the hands of bitter 11AM- 6PM. Daily. 4218048 rivals. One, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine), is a delinquent, thrill-seeking Iowa farm boy. The other, Spock (Zachary EVENTS Quinto), was raised in a logic-based society that rejects all emotion. As fiery instinct clashes with calm reason, their ™ Tai chi & chi kung, 23 May, 10-11.30 AM at Himalayan Buddhist unlikely but powerful partnership is the only thing capable Meditation Centre, Keshar Mahal Marg. 4410402 Entertainment of leading their crew through unimaginable danger and going ™ Workshop with members of Rock Power Trio, 24 May, to a place where no one has gone before. 2.30- 4PM, Alliance Française Call 4442220 for show timings at Jai Nepal

™ Waiting for Godot, a play by Samuel Beckett, Hotel Vajra, till Quest www.jainepal.com 24 May at 7.15 PM. 4271545 ™ Workplace Bullying, a talk program, 24 May at The New Era Institute, Battisputali. 9851023958. ™ Citizen’s movement in current politics, discussion by sfd ;fgf ] 7nf" ] eGg ] x'Fb}g . kl;gfsf ] s'g} /ª / hft klg x'Fb}g . sfd g]kfn ;/sf/ Dr. Devendraraj Pandey, 28 May, 12- 2 PM, Martin Chautari. u/]/ vfg nhfpg' klg x'Fb}g . rf]/]/, 9fF6]/, 5n]/, n'6]/ vfg kf] 4238050 nhfpgk5' { . hf ] hxf F /x/] hg' sfd u5 { pm To;df} /dfpgk5' { uf/a} ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno ™ IPL 2009, watch IPL 2009 live matches at Rox Bar Hyatt ugk5'{ { / ;dlkt{ eP/ ugk5'{ { . sfd g } zlQm xf,] elQm xf ] / dlQm' ;"rgf ljefu Regency Kathmandu at 4491234 xf ] . sfdsf ] OHht u/f,}+ kl;gfsf ] ;Ddfg u/f }+ . ™ Call for entries for Film South Asia till 31 May, documentaries made in and after January 2007 qualified. 5552141

MUSIC ™ ROCK NEPAL, 23 May, 5PM, Invitations available at the Alliance Française in Kathmandu, SAC Music Shop in Thamel, Sur Sudha Music in Thamel and at Party Nepal, Nepal Academy Kamaladi. 4422089 ™ Louis Bertignac & Bijaya Vaidya concert with SAC MUSIC, Academy Hall, 23 May ™ TGIF at Jazzabella Café every Wednesday and Friday. 2110475 ™ Kathmandu express, performance by International Acts, 7.30 PM onwards free entry at Moksh ™ Live band every Friday and rooftop bbq everyday at Kausi Kitchen, Durbar Marg. 4227288 ™ Sunday Jazz brunch barbecue and live jazz music at the Terrace, Hyatt Regency from 12-3.30 PM. 4491234 ™ Jazz evening at Delices de France Restaurant every Wednesday, 11AM-2PM. 4260326 ™ Epic, at the Brunchilli- the Acoustic Lounge every Friday, Thamel. 9851035437 ™ Strings Band live every Tuesday at G’s Terrace Restaurant and Bar, Thamel. ™ Wednesday Melody at Jazzabell Café, Happy hour 6-8PM and TGIF party with live band Epic every Friday at 8PM. 2114075 ™ Some like it hot every Friday BBQ and live music by Dinesh Rai and the Sound Minds, 7PM onwards, Rs 899 at Fusion, Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL ™ Happy cocktail hour, 5-7PM, ladies night on Wednesday with live unplugged music With a month to go for the official arrival of the monsoon to Nepal, at Jatra Café & Bar. there are some active fronts developing over the Bay and southern ™ Live Sensation, performance by Yankey every Saturday, 9PM, India. However, up here in the mountains the winds are still westerly. Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu. 4491234. This satellite picture taken on Thursday afternoon shows the ™ Fusion and Looza Band every Friday night, Bhumi Resto Lounge, systems over the Bay, a good sign of healthy pre-monsoon and the Lazimpat. 4412193 timely onset of the rains. A sustained low pressure zone over eastern Tibet is still pulling the westerlies and will blow this DINING circulation away. But the moisture induction will grow into afternoon ™ Weekend Brunch by the Poolside every Saturday and Sunday, and evening thunderstorms across the central mountains. Expect Soaltee Crowne Plaza Kathmandu ,11AM-3PM. 4273999 pre-monsoon showers to start from next week, leading up to the ™ Pizza & Pasta at the Rox Restaurant every Monday & Tuesday, Big Bang sometime in mid-June. Valley residents may expect hot Hyatt Regency. 4489362 and humid days with sunny intervals and short showers over ™ Pasta pesto passion at La Dolce Vita, Thamel. 4700612 the weekend. ™ Home made pasta at Alfresco, Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 4273999 ™ Gourmet trout at Olive Garden, 6PM onwards at Rs 850+, Radisson Hotel, Lazimpat. 4411818 ™ Chez Caroline for French and Mediterranean cuisine, Babar KATHMANDU Mahal Revisited. 4263070 ™ High tea with scones and sandwiches everyday at the Lounge from 4.30-6.30 PM, Hyatt Regency, Kathmandu. 4491234 ™ Mediterranean cuisine every Friday from Greece, Italy and the KATHMANDU VALLEY Middle-East at The Café, Hyatt Regency. 4491234 ™ Nhuchhe goes Thai at Nhuchhe’s Thai Kitchen, Baluwatar. Fri Sat Sun 4429903 ™ Fusion of Marcela Ragan’s new menu and Mannie’s new bar at Dhokaima Café. 5522113 6 ™ Plat Du Jour at Hotel Shangri La, Kathmandu, Rs 600. 4412999 31-18 31-17 6 32-17 6 ™ Reality Bites, The Kaiser Café, Garden of Dreams, operated by Dwarika’s Group of Hotels, 9AM-10PM. 4425341 ™ Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-la with live performance by Ciney Gurung, Rs 999, at the Shambala Garden, every Friday 7PM onwards. 4412999 For inclusion in the listing send information to editors(at)nepalitimes.com HAPPENINGS 22 - 28 MAY 2009 #452 15

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA FAN THE FLAMES: Maoists continue their protests against the president's move to reinstate Army Chief Rookmangud Katawal by burning effigies at Khula Manch on Sunday.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA SMOOTH MOVE: PLA Commander Nanda Kishor Pun (Pasang) takes part in the Maoist mass gathering alongside Minister of Tourism Hisila Yami at Khula Manch on Sunday.

KIRAN PANDAY MISTY POLITICS: Madhesi Janadhikar Forum leaders Jitendra Sapkota and Sharat Singh Bhandari help their colleague Bijay Gachhedar decipher a document at an interaction program after he forgot his reading glasses.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA HOT OFF THE PRESS: Senior journalist Bhairab Risal releases Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha's collected writings in a book titled Nepal: Nakhuleka Pataharu, at the 13th Education and Book Fair on Monday.

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA HIGH FLYER: Tourism Minister Hisila Yami braces herself to swing from the bridge at the Last Resort on Friday. R 16 signed upfortheUML-NC reservation forDalits.Andhe government toincrease committee andforthe included intheconstitutional party buthegotaMuslim the onlyrepinCAfromhis Paswan ofDalitJanajatiPartyis bargain, likeBisweshChandra power. Theyaredrivingahard listened tobeforenowhave the smallpartiesthatnoone democracy. Andsureenough,all brings outthebestina Still, theysaycoalitionpolitics turn inpolitics. shows howquicklyfortunes Thapa forroyalistsupportjust GPK andPKDcourtingKamal Lainchaur. Andthesightofboth entire exerciseisoutsourcedto years agoisthatthistimethe The onlydifferencewith15 Upadro refusedto arms toswitchsideswhen faces. 1990s. Andit’sthesameold cobbling isreminiscentofmid- recedes. Theprolongedcoalition- closer wegettoit,themoreit and morelikeamirage.The BijayG beingpulledbyboth Nepal islookingmore federal constitutionof ate wearegoing,thenew BACKSIDE FG toe theline Federal express . have beenDefencebutgiventhat broad daylight seen itdonethisblatantlyin politics, buttheAsshasnever there ishorse-tradingin the Gachhedarfaction.Weknow spokesperson toincludehimin UML MJFandnow begging JitendraDev,theex- member wasoverheardliterally at ReportersClub,oneMJFCA formed afterthis.” months? Iwilljointheone sarkar thatwilllastthree “You thinkI’mstupidtojoina the Makunay-ledgovt,said: the Assifhewouldbejoining senior NCleader,whenaskedby out tofeathertheirnests.One And eventhebiggerpartiesare offered minister. coalition onlyafterhewas own party. reward foralmostbreakinghis BijayG isgunningforDPMasa who getstheplumposts? member jumbocabinets?And he resurrectDeuba-era56- parties inthenewcabinet?Will to accommodateall22allied How onearthisMakunaygoing of ushacks After apressmeetorganised Sujata Didi . FG FG within

earshot could shoot justsothereareofficial Tinkunay organisedaphoto one thatComradeMakunayat Baddies aregoingtopullafast Looks likeheissonervousthe obstruction.” continue thehouse “Then wewon’tagreeand Absurdity oftheWeek this qualifiesasour a declaration,hereplied(and CA membersvotedagainstsuch army chief.Askedwhatifthe president’s movetosavethe declaration againstthe only ifmembersfirstpasseda allow parliamenttofunction other dayhispartywould Poudel toldKantipurFMthe member KamredDevendra themselves into.Politburo corner theyhavepainted face-saving wayoutofthe The Baddiesarelookingfora is wherethemoolais. Physcial Planningbecausethat Local Developmentand chief. Therealscrambleisover minister whohatesthearmy want torepeathavingadefence complicate things.Wedon’t even onspeakingtermsmay she andGenCutwallarenot FG FG ): pocket the“PC”(percent).The trade, cornerallcontractsand could controlallcontraband was fought:sotherevolutionaries we getit,thiswaswhythewar police raidandYCLguards.Now emergency exitsincasethereisa back doorsforlocals.Thereare gamble, sothey’venowopened legally allowingNepalisto KTM couldn’tgetawaywith Maoist-controlled casinosin from India’. headline forthatone:‘Nepalis Indian? TheAsshadaperfect MKN issecondgeneration news inmediadownsouththat And whowasitspreadingthe doesn’t wanttotakeanychances. can stillgowrongandtheman pictures readyforrelease.Things CDO Regd No194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd.No 04/058/59 FG if ithadeverstopped. restart extortion.”As pulls out,wewilljust overheard saying:“Ifthebank along). OneMaobuddywas revolutionary guerrillasall financing theupkeepofourbrave imperialists wereactually lackeys ofinternational cantonments (guesswhat,the reconsider footingforPLA the After CDgateexposedPKDslies, trafficking toTibet. control theredsandalwood Bangladesh, andtheynow biggest supplierofNepalioxento YCL inthewesterntaraiis ass(at)nepalitimes.com Worldly Bank 22 -28MAY 2009 FG said itmay #452

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