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King Gyanendra accompanied by Queen Komal driving back after offering Pooja to Pashupatinath temple on the day of Shivaratri. Bhashwor Ojha Two mistakes Party unity wrong: PM

ä nf correspondent party.” made the confession when some of the senior and deserving people senior party leaders mostly from western did not get the ticket. I could not With just a month left for the polls to the who were denied tickets, called on challenge him.” Among those who met constituent assembly, Prime Minister GP him separately. him recently to express their unhappiness Koirala is giving conflicting messages Putting the entire blame for denial of included Sunil Bhandari, Yagyaraj Pathak regarding the party unity and the certain ‘deserving candidates’ on Sher and half a dozen others from the west. citizenship issue. According to senior Bahadur Deuba (who headed the Although Koirala pleaded helplessness leaders of the Congress Party, Koirala Congress-Democratic party till it was in case of senior leaders like Bhandari, has been confessing his two major united with the one led by the Prime Pathak and others, it is believed that a ‘mistakes’- one against the interest of Minister) Koirala is believed to have said, majority of the party tickets were decided democracy and another against country’s “Deuba made it a prestige issue that by the Koirala family. While sovereignty. was given a free hand to decide on his “Distributing citizenship to 24 lakh Koirala has been con- followers, PM Koirala himself accommo- people in Madhesh without any proof to fessing his two major dated some of the candidates who Sujata back-up the entitlement was a mistake as and Shekhar wanted. The candidates it will pose a threat to the national unity in ‘mistakes’- one against belonging to the Deuba faction have been the long-run,” Koirala is believed to have the interest of democracy complaining that since Koirala controls the told some senior leaders of the party at and another against purse, they are not getting money from his residence recently. The other mistake, country’s sovereignty. the party’s central office, leaving it on “was to have united the two Congress Deuba to manage funds for them. „

Ph:- Shop 5011685, Factory: 5555459 2 10-16 March, 2008 News No backtracking Unsafe diplomats How safe are the common people? Yadav says no to GPK A year has lapsed their visit to Jhapa by Congress party as a whole in around after the government the Young Commu- 120 constituencies in the Terai. promised fool-proof nist League. Koirala With Maoist party either absent in security to the had also personally most parts of Terai, or weak, the diplomats in the apologised to obvious advantage of the fierce country. But the Moriarty during his conflict between the MJF and the Norwegian ambas- farewell speech for Congress is likely to go to the sador was robbed, Moriarty at the Communist Party of Nepal-United and a security guard Tore Toren American Embassy Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML). wounded during an in July. A senior leader of the United armed robbery at his residence in In response to a collective Madheshi Democratic Front (UMDF) Bhainsepati early Sunday. letter of concern by most of the said the PM himself was responsible Ambassador Tore Toren was diplomatic and UN missions in for scuttling every possibility of at his residence when the armed Nepal for their safety in the wake understanding in the election. “He robbery took place, but he was of these attacks, the government denied even minimum time to the lucky to escape unharmed. The had promised to make all Yadav and Koirala

Pix by Bhashwor Ojha UMDF to prepare for the polls. robbers took away a personal arrangements regarding this Moreover, Koirala showed the door to laptop of the ambassador besides issue. The YCL activists had ä nf correspondent Kathmandu from Biratnagar on Gachchedar when he put forward a Rs. 40,000 and 90 Euro. An however been let off without any March 10 sent feelers to the MJF similar proposal only last week in armed guard who put up some cases filed against them. The Madheshi Janadhikar Forum leaders that they should not cause a Baluwatar,” a Front leader said. resistance was attacked by the An official in Shital Niwas said (MJF) has declined to consider situation where pro-democracy votes Gachchedar, on behalf of the UDF, robbers, police said. what happened at the residence Prime Minister GP Koirala’s request are divided. “But the response was is believed to have suggested an The attack on the security staff of the Norwegian ambassador to withdraw its candidates in favour negative,” a family source told alliance with the Congress in about of the ambassador and robbery was a reflection of the prevailing of his daughter Sujata Koirala and newsfront. 30 seats, but Koirala was not willing at his house comes less than a law and order situation in the nephew . PM With the prospect of the Congress to concede to anything. “UMDF year after Prime Minister GP country including the capital, and Koirala’s request was turned down declining by the day, “Koirala now decision to field formidable candidates Koirala and Foreign Affairs that, “it does not look as if it was by MJF leader Upendra Yadav and seems reconciled to the fact that he against Sujata and Shekhar Koirala Minister, Sahana Pradhan had targeting any diplomat.” The Bijay Gachchedar who are contest- may not be able to lead the govern- was a direct result of that”, the Front apologised for the attack on US robbery has received huge ing election to the constituent ment after the CA polls,” a senior leader said. “ The question of any Ambassador James Moriarty and publicity in most media in Norway assembly from Sunsari and Morang leader of the Congress who is very alliance or understanding at this Abraham Abraham, Representa- and “possibly the issue will not go against Sujata and Shekhar close to the PM said. MJF’s rebuff moment is over. I will be meeting tive of the United Nations High unnoticed by the government respectively. has not only demoralised the PM, but Koirala after I win the election,” Commission for Refugees, during there,” the official said. PM Koirala who was to return to is also posing a threat to the Gachchedar told newsfront. Breach Endorsing impunity King’s route leaked YCL guilty, but above law In what appears as a Extortion list major security breach, weeks treatment for injuries King Gyanendra’s visit to ä nf correspondent From rickshwallas to hotels and trauma that he sustained Pashupatinath and A phenomenal increase in the number of A seven party probe panel in the attack. Guheshwari temple as a tourists coming to Nepal might be good news for belonging to the ruling The all party panel had ‘commoner’ was leaked to the hotel and restaurant business as well as for alliance has concluded that been asked to go into the the media. His visit to the the rickshawallas. And the Communist Party of the attack last month on incident involving attack on temple sans usual Nepal-Maoists (CMN-M) cadres know exactly Congress leader, Dilendra Badu besides the confron- security and status got who should be included in their extortion list. As Prasad Badu in Darchula by tation between security into print in the media the sight of rickshapullers with the foreigners the Maoist cadres, was done forces and the Young with details of the route enjoying the tri-cycle ride has become increas- with the intention of murder- Communist League in and timing soon after it ingly common, the Maoists have now targeted ing him. The probe panel Kathmandu valley after was conveyed by the this low-income group of labourers as the source however, suggests that it is Minister of State for Home, Royal palace to the Prime of their revenue. Each rickshawallas in the valley for the political party RK Chaudhary, ordered the Minister’s house. have to pay Rs ten each to the comrades. concerned, and not the police to evict YCL from A source in Baluwatar But that does not fill their deep pocket. So they government to take action houses which they had confirmed that a senior have issued fresh orders to the restaurants in against the culprits. forcibly captured. palace official had Kathmandu to levy ten per cent additional The probe panel headed The probe team has not conveyed to PM Koirala on amount from the customers. This ten per cent by Shankar Pokhrel of the blamed the police for the the eve of the Shivaratri which has to be in cash, is over and above the Communist Party of Nepal- raids, and rather it maintained that the king would like to ten per cent service charge added in the bill, United Maoists Leninist that YCL and Maoist cadres go to the temple during ‘Arati’. The meant for hotel unions controlled by the Maoists. (CPN-UML) submitted its were still driven or guided by visit was planned with clearance and India, asking the Pashupati “This ten per cent is not meant for us, as a major findings along with recom- the war-time psychology. “All from the PM. “But given last year’s Area Development Trust (PADT) to part of it goes to the leaders of the hotel union mendations for actions to these clashes and attacks by attack on the king and the security manage the entire affair this time that is under Maoist control,” an employee Peace and Reconstruction the YCL are influenced by risk that he faces in the current onwards. working in a Lazimpat restaurant told newsfront. Minister, Ram Chandra that,” the report said. It has political climate, security agencies at Some of the Sadhus from India Hotel owners complain that YCL and Maoist Poudel on March 5. The 26- also held Maoist guilty for the top level had been informed to however, declined to accept the cadres have, “asked us to charge ten per cent page report suggests that the unilateral attack on a series of keep the route details a secret,” alms, saying that the supply of logs more in cash and hand it over to us. They have Maoist leadership must take attacks on other party cadres sources said. The palace sources for fire and other arrangements also threatened that we will not be allowed to run action against the people in Baitadi, Sindhuli and other refused to comment on the issue. including the supply system was poor our business if we do not comply with their involved in the incident ‘which parts of the country. However, despite the ‘leakage’ this year. An estimated 250,000 orders.” The new drive is supposed to be a fresh appears clearly aimed at Interestingly, the panel saw King Gyanendra, accompanied by pilgrims visited the temple on the way of collecting election money for the party taking Mr. Badu’s life.’ no reason for the government queen Komal, drove to Guheswari Mahashivaratri this year. The figure candidates in the capital which among others Badu, a radical pro-republic to act on these ‘crimes’ by the temple and then to Pashupatinath which was far less compared to last include Party Chief Prachanda, Ministers parliamentarian of the Maoists as it simply asked the spending more than an hour in year could be because of the unrest Pampha Bhushal and Hishila Yami besides senior Congress and someone party to discipline its workers Pooja. PM Koirala who represented in Terai and shortage of fuel, a PADT leaders Barshaman Pun alias Anant and Hitman considered close to the and take ‘internal actions’. ‘secular Nepal’ in the temple visited source said. Shakya. Maoists earlier, had jumped Narayan Sharma, a Maoist the temple just before the king and Some people raised slogans in Another restaurant owner at Durbar Marg down from the window of a member in the probe panel, spent nearly ten minutes there. He support of the king as he came out. said he that he would rather close down the hotel house after Maoists locked it however, wrote a note of had stopped the palace from King Gyanendra smiled but chose than succumb to this ‘day light political robbery.’ from outside and set it ablaze. dissent suggesting that no getting involved in distribution of not to respond to any of the He said the restaurant owners will be collectively He was discharged from the action should be taken against alms to the Sadhus assembled queries of the media people opposing the move in a formal way, adding, “We Teaching Hospital in his party cadres who, “may there from different parts of Nepal present there. will also approach the Election Commission Kathmandu after nearly two have acted in retaliation.” against this terror tactics of the Maoists.” News 10-16 March, 2008 3 UN air-crash CA Election Countdown Dream merchant What will Nepal be like in 40 years when stop the 193-year old practice of recruitment of Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai will be the Gorkha soldiers in the British and Indian army approaching 100 years, if they survive that long? right away. It will be one of the world’s most prosperous and The Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) ä nf correspondent advanced countries. But in 40 days? Maybe that has its top leadership coming from Aryan-Khas- Prachanda will be the first president of the upper castes, blamed these castes for Nepal being The United Nations Mission to Nepal ‘Republic Nepal.’ These are the promises that relegated into the current state of economic and (UNMIN) lost its ten members, four of Maoist manifesto, a document of commitment social position, but made no promise that the them international arms monitors, in a released last week, promises. leadership will go outside this group. tragic accident that took place in The manifesto that among other things It insists that the country will be a Federal Ramecchhap district, about 140-KM north promises 10,000 MW hydro-electricity generation Democratic Republic divided into 11 provinces: east from Kathmandu on March 3. The within 10 years, almost 15 times increase in the two of them, Bheri-Seti and Karnali-Mahakali, UNMIN made public the names of per capita income of each Nepali and a revolu- based on geography; and the rest based on international monitors only four days after tionary land-reform promising land to the tillers on caste and ethnicity. Each state will be autono- the crash—through press release and domestic front, scrapping of the 1950-treaty of mous and have the right to self determination. media ads— after the family members peace and friendship with India, review of other Despite Maoists’ present conduct and were duly notified. The identity of three unequal bilateral and multilateral relations, approach on the contrary, it guarantees that it will Nepali employees had however, been settlement of Susta and Kalapani issues on the honour all the human and fundamental rights confirmed within hours of the crash. basis of evidences and in ‘mutual interest’ on the including right to property and right to religion The Ministry of Civil Aviation has formed external front. The manifesto also says that it will besides freedom of the press. a commission of inquiry into the accident, and the UNMIN has pledged full coopera- tion in it. The UNMIN pledge comes after the Maoists tried the UNMIN officials and Nepali media Brief Nominations in figure to obstruct the were locked in a bitter tussle with UNMIN Total Candidates - 4212 election meeting stopping the media personnel from taking Male - 3827 of Rashtriya photographs at the crash site. ‘Blessed’ Female - 385 Prajatantra Party The Federation of Nepali Journalists Party candidates - 2302 (RPP) Chief Association has expressed regret over the Bhattarai Independent - 1010 Pashupati UNMIN behaviour with the Nepali media Shumsher Rana that contradicted its oft repeated public Recall the at his constitu- stance in favour of open support for the Maoist ency in right to information and unhindered cadres who Sindhupalchowk. access to the events. The UNMIN also shot dead According to asked a rescue team of the Nepali army the sons the compliant joined by officials of the civil aviation who were in lodged by Rana with the EC, the Young ministry which had reached the site in the mourning for Communist League assaulted his supporters morning of March 4, to not to take any their and tried to obstruct his election meeting on photograph of the bodies lying nearby. parents. March 8. Among others, a retired army doctor, KS Recall the Political parties, international community Shrestha had also joined the rescue team. defilement of and the EC are quietly pursuing a ‘verbal The revelation of the identity of UNMIN Shiva temple complaint’ that - Maoists have issued a secret international monitors came after a five - in far west circular to their party units in constituencies member South Korean team arrived in by Maoist and districts to obstruct election meeting and the capital from Seoul to authorise the cadres Not so innova- use weapons if necessary, but without making postmortem of Lt.Col Hyung Jum Park, a saying religion was a crime. Contrary to that it obvious that the have done it. The confiden- Korean national, in the teaching hospital party ideologue, Baburam Bhattarai began his tive tial circular, sources say, also suggests that here. Those who lost their lives in the air election campaign from Gorkha by bowing there must be arms and ammunitions crash included international arms before the almighty Gorakhnath, the famous Perhaps nobody took it seriously when ‘supplied’ in different constituencies to face any monitors, Maj. Famara Jammeh ascetic who is considered to the Avatar Maoist Chief Prachanda said his party would eventuality during the electioneering and the (Gambia), Maj. Mats Norhult (Sweden), (incarnation) of Shiva, Nepal’s presiding deity. capture power through the polls. Now it shows polling. Lt. Col Sondang Irawan (Indonesia) Dr. Bhattarai bowed before the priest of the he has the knack to copy electoral mal- besides Park. The crew members of the Gorakhnath temple in Gorkha in ‘obeisance,’ practices used elsewhere. It seems Maoists Thapa defies ill-fated M18 Russian aircraft that had and empowered with the blessing hit the have fielded at least 18 candidates from been leased by the UNMIN here were: election campaign. Kathmandu constituency -10 as independent Maoists Nikolay Yamshchikov (Russia), Sergey A few years ago, Dr Bhattarai had taken his candidates. Although all of them seem pitted Oreshenko (Russia) and old parents to Manalapan temple in Gorkha, against Prachanda, the party’s official As the NikolayYamshchikov (Belaus). the abode of goddess of Shakti, although he candidate, it is basically meant to use all ruling seven The Nepali employees who lost their later had pleaded that he had gone there as a resources including two vehicles each of which party alliance lives include Bhim Bahadur Gurung tourist. Is this an exercise of the right to every candidate is entitled to while campaign- has ap- (liasion officer), Rajesh Maharjan (vehicle religion by Bhattarai, and an indicator that ing for Prachanda. The practice is quite proached the mechanic) and Rabindra Khaniya Maoists will now onwards respect others’ right common in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh where Election (language asst). UN Secretary General to religion and rituals? either independent candidate is fielded by Commission to Ban Ki Moon expressed deep sorrow over major party contestants so that the vehicles of vacate all the the loss of UN employees lives for the Undoing what the lesser candidates could be used for 62 captured cause of peace. He also expressed his is greater mobility of the greater one. houses that appreciation to the Nepali authorities for was done Moreover, each candidate gets to have two the Maoists agents posted in each booth. As a result, have captured their assistance provided to UNMIN in It might not be easy for the Maoists to undo Prachanda led Maoist party can have 38 in the capital, recovering the remains of the victims, and what they did. But they are doing it. Under the agents in each booth and they can easily keep at least one for the many expressions of sympathy the instruction of the Election Commission, the Maoist an eye on who is voting for which party. What leader outside the ruling alliance, has taken mission has received from people in cadres have begun rubbing off from the walls, the could poor Election Commission do to defeat re-possession of his house without govern- Nepal. slogans that were adulatory to their leader such innovating and ‘not-illegal’ methods used ment help. The arrival of the South Korean team is Prachanda and derogatory to King Gyanendra. in the election? But at least it has asked the Kamal Thapa, former Home Minister and also expected to go into major security Most slogans said ‘Red salute to the first Maoists to respond to the news that it has president of the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party aspects and operation guidelines for the future President of Republic Nepal.’ EC MI17 that crashed. It is understood that fielded 18 candidates to use their resources. (Nepal) took possession of his house in sources said they had been informed by Hetaunda although the Young Communist the UNMIN aircraft had hired its own Maoist central committee member, Dina Nath maintenance group—Vertical T or TVER League had captured it a few months ago and Sharma in writing and Baburam Bhattarai had planted Maoist flag over its roof-top company—and the civil aviation had no orally, that they would abide by the instructions Maoists ob- operational jurisdiction above it except that warning others that it was a no-entry zone. of the commission. The Communist Party of Thapa who is contesting the elections from it conducted a week long familarising Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) struct Rana training for the crew. Only few days ago , Hetaunda went along with his supporters, was the first to begin erasing slogans In a clear breach of code of conduct broke the locks, and possessed rightfully his one of the aircraft had force-landed voluntarily. prescribed by the Election Commission (EC), following fire alarms. property. 4 10-16 March, 2008 Editorial

Editor & Publisher : Yubaraj Ghimire Executive Editor : Sushma Amatya News Coordinator : Manoj Dahal Design: Sunil Khadgi, Kishor Raj Panta & Ramkrishna Rana Address : PO Box: 8830, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel : 4443888, Fax : 4421147 (Edt.), 4411912 (Mkt.) Email: [email protected], [email protected] (Mkt.) Printed by: Express Color Press, Buddhanagar, Tel.: 4781810, Distribution: Kasthamandap, Tel.: 2010821 Point to Ponder When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers. - Ralph Waldo Emerson Justifying plunder It is a rare moment in the current context of Nepal that the Supreme Court (SC) musters enough courage to issue a show cause notice to the government on issues of public importance. It happened, belatedly though, that the SC at least mustered enough courage to ask the government not to disburse Rs. one Letters lakh each to the sitting members of interim parliament which the finance ministry allocated. The allocation that was made on the Election awareness in that about 50 per cent of the eve of election process was clearly meant to bribe electorate in the people electorate would be out of the poll name of carrying development activities. process if Madeshi groups insisted The parties are not taking the A parliament that has rarely discussed and debated develop- on boycotting the polls. Most write- CA polls seriously. The historic mental issues in the House suddenly displaying its collective will ups and letters with Pahadi mind- and commitment to development is unbelievable to say the least. polls which was once declared by sets challenged such suggestions. The SC which initially chose not to restrain the government from King Tribhuvan some 50 years It is still not known what allocating the fund when a case was filed before it, however, felt ago but couldn’t come into percentage of electorate will be compelled after the Election Commission (EC), issued orders to existence is very crucial and supporting which party. The simple the government not to go ahead with the allocation. It would have important in Nepal’s recent fact that this government failed to been a matter of shame for the SC not to have taken cognisance political context. But the people ensure supply of essential of what the EC did, and it swiftly passed fresh instruction to the do not seem to be aware of the commodities in most parts of the government conforming what the EC did. procedures of the polls and the country including the capital during For any sensible government, it would have been the right features of Constituent Assembly. the 16-day strike in Terai at the occasion to retreat and inform the government that it was not That is why people are not going to go ahead with the allocation. But the response that Prime call of Terai based groups. How taking it seriously as they should be. can one imagine that such a Minister GP Koirala, and Speaker Subhash Nembwang have filed They should be fully aware that it is before the SC clearly indicates that both have tried to justify the government could have ensured the election to draft news constitu- plunder and they have displayed deficiency of their character as law and order and proper tion and that the drafted constitu- well as moral bankruptcy. atmosphere for the polls if the They have tried to justify this heinous crime simply by stating that tion will fully replace the 1991 strike had continued? And there was nothing wrong in it as it was just a continuation of what constitution which once called ‘the naturally, the electorate in Terai the previous government had done. Their reactions cannot be taken best constitution ever made.’ would not have been able to cast merely as individual opinion or the stance taken by Koirala or We have seen a number of their votes. Nembwang. This gives the impression that both the executive and candidates facing corruption charges and Only a Pahadi mindset could imagine the legislature are corrupt as institutions with no respect left for what with questionable characters being and humiliation into an opportunity for that with any kind of situation in Terai, the Election Commission or the SC has desired. nominated. Why did parties select them? social service as well as for spreading the country must go to the polls. The government has been mildly rebuked already by some The parties are also not transparent education in remote corners of the Fortunately, accords have been singed members of the international community, although many of them, about their expenses and financial country. Krishna deserves all praise for between the government and the who were earlier vocal against institutionalised corruption during sources. We haven’t seen any party all that she has done. earlier regimes, seem to be in a condoning mood this time, agitating parties in Terai, and now disclosing their financial transparency and I am sure there are many who, in definitely the situation is much better through their silence. There are also reports that taking advantage inner party democracy in their manifesto. their own modest and quiet ways, are of absence of monitoring mechanism, some of the members have and Terai electorate will be voting as per Why cannot the so called civil society doing similar things in similar manner. already spent the money from districts. This blatant act of the their choice. press on the political parties for it? Newsfront will be doing a great job if it government clearly gives certain political advantage to the sitting ä Rashmi Jha members, an overwhelming majority of them belongs to Con- Nepal needs clean, responsible continues to uncover more people like Pulchowk, Lalitpur gress, UML and Maoists, over the new contestants. leaders; not corrupted, visionless her and brings out their contribution to This discrimination in itself is in violation of the law or equality. leaders and parties. public knowledge. Besides, it is a case of state acting for some candidates and ä Dilli Raj Upadhyaya ä Sharat Panthi Readers, your reactions, against others with an intention to motivate or influence voters to Salaura, Dang Naya Bazar, Kathmandu criticisms, comments, cast their franchise in a particular way, that is, in favour of those Praiseworthy suggestions are most ‘who have already begun developmental activities.’ The PM and It was indeed an inspiring interview by Pahadi mindset the Speaker, even at this stage, must withdraw their earlier and welcome. Please address Ellen Coon in which she brings to the Newsfront and most other papers are pledge before the SC that they would erase the blemish on them, public the metal Krishna Bista is made full of opinion pieces and readers’ letters it to: of having headed the corruption drive. of. She has turned her personal grief taking offence about some media writing [email protected]

Spiritual Corner Revealing Samadhi to mankind He produced a number of thought to have authored for thousands of years watching the welfare of Gorakshanath (also known as writings and even today is several books including the humanity. Other legends ascribe different stories Gorakhnath) was an 11th to 12th century Nath considered the greatest of the Goraksha Samhita, Goraksha to his birth and the period of his worldly existence, yogi, connected to Shaivism as one of the two Naths. It has been purported Gita, Siddha Siddhanta and they vary greatly. The Nath Rahasya, which most important disciples of Matsyendranath, the that it was Gorakshanath who Paddhati, Yoga Martanada, literally translates into the mystery of the masters, other being Caurangi. There are varying wrote the first books on Laya Yoga Siddhanta Paddhati, recounts birth, work, and death of nine such records of the spiritual descent of Yoga. In India there are many Yoga-Bija, Yoga Chintamani. Naths (masters), and Guru Gorakshanath was Gorakshanath. All name Adinath and caves, many with temples built He is believed to be the the ninth Nath, preceded by his Guru, the eighth Matsyendranath as two teachers preceding him over them, where it is said that founder of the Nath Nath, namely, Matsyendranath. in the succession. Though one account lists five Gorakshanath spent time in Sampradaya and it is stated Traditionally, Guru Gorakshanath is believed gurus preceding Adinath and another lists six meditation. According to Bhagawan that the nine Naths and 84 Siddhas are all to have been born sometime in the 8th century, teachers between Matsyendranath and Nityananda, the Samadhi shrine (tomb) of human forms created as yogic manifesta- whereas some believe it to be anytime from 8th Gorakshanath, current tradition has Adinath Gorakshanath resides at Nath Mandir near the tions to spread the message of yoga and century to several centuries later. He traveled identified with Lord Shiva as the direct teacher Vajreshwari temple about a kilometer from meditation to the world. It is they who widely across the Indian subcontinent, and of Matsyendranath, who was himself the direct Ganeshpuri, Maharashtra, India. reveal Samadhi to mankind.” accounts about him are found in some forms or teacher of Gorakshanath. Romola Butalia, an Indian writer of Yoga One legend states that Guru others several places including Afghanistan, The Nath tradition underwent its greatest history lists the works attributed to Gorakshanath, the “eternal sage” traditionally Baluchistan, Punjab, Sind, Uttar Pradesh, Nepal, expansion during the time of Gorakshanath. Gorakshanath as: “Guru Gorakhnath is associated with Hatha Yoga has been around Assam, Bengal, Maratha, and even Sri Lanka. Debating Development 10-16 March, 2008 5 Mother of all elections in a mortgaged nation NC candidate Narahari Acharya filing his nomination from Kathmandu-5

Without appropriate security and safety of the citizens, the voting booths may remain empty, foiling

the very NPA purpose of the

elections. Dipesh Shreshtha/

Now that the major political forces The international booths may remain empty foiling the society by enabling it to make its including many of those representing very purpose of the elections. move quickly and efficiently. This task Tarai have agreed to take part in the community must Moreover, nobody can imagine, much can be achieved, among others, with forthcoming constituent assembly have heaved a sigh less feel, the ‘freeness and fairness’ the help of media which is the only elections, there seems to be hardly of relief on this of elections if every eligible voter is sector that has developed and any doubt that the elections will not not allowed to vote. expanded during the last one decade ä Binod P. Bista take place. Thanks to the last minute occasion as the in Nepal. Indian intervention, despite several Nepali leaders, Since the forthcoming election is questions raised on the modality and the first of its kind in terms of marking Disregard to the code of conduct venue directly challenging the particularly the the ballot as mixed system of direct established by the election sovereignty of a beleaguered Nepal, government, had and proportional representation is commission has become a norm the uncertainty surrounding the been making being planned, the voters need to be rather than an exception. Illegal elections, to take place on 10 April educated clearly on all options actions and activities of sister 2008, seems to have been removed promises but hardly available to them. For example, if a organisations of some of the parties for now. keeping them in the voter likes a party but does not like a contesting in the election have placed candidate can he still vote for the the rest in an awkward position. The international community must two failed attempts party without supporting the Some others are making have heaved a sigh of relief on this earlier. candidate? Does the voter have a unwarranted noises such as ‘seizing occasion as the Nepali leaders, choice of supporting a party and also power by any means’ or ‘the party will particularly the government, had vote for a candidate of another party? resort to a force of massive been making promises but hardly resistance if confronted in the process keeping them in the two failed Without clearly understanding of electioneering’. attempts earlier. The people of Nepal, these basics the entire exercise might too, had been pushed on edge by the turn into a fiasco. Wrong things done All these remarks point to uncertainties surrounding the most forces. The entire country could have now would yield wrong results. confrontation in-the-making. The important election of all times in been easily drawn into a civil war of Although it is the government’s government has remained virtually Nepal. It was agreed by most during unimaginable proportions. The future responsibility to ensure a free and fair non existent and condones everything the 2006 April revolution that the of all Nepalis looked bleak. election for the sake of present and in the name of furthering the peace constituent assembly would chart a Fortunately for all, the catastrophe future Nepali generations, process. So much so that some of the new course for Nepal ushering into has been averted presently. government efforts alone may not well meaning leaders have taken a an era of prosperity and pride for all suffice to educate and prepare the submissive attitude reflective in their Nepalis. However, the government which voters for same. statement that ‘if anything were to go has the responsibility of conducting wrong United States and India will Among others, the key issue the elections cannot remain The political parties and their take care of Nepal’. It seems to be a revolved around the lack of complacent and not do everything in leaders, who are taking part in the clear case of a mentality of a inclusiveness of all people of Nepal its power to make it a success. Since election, must support the effort of mortgaged nation. owing to outdated and illegal practice the government holds the state the government. The reports of non-inclusion of the weak and power and has legal authority within received so far appear to be quite Nepalis must wake up in time to get vulnerable class in the society and the bounds of Nepali constitution inadequate in the sense that neither out of this mentality since a national affairs. While there was an (which, however seems to be the parties’ cadres have come in mortgaged nation can hardly find a overriding concern on Maoists’ action changing at the beck and call of contact with the voters nor the voters firm ground much less stand tall on it. during and after the elections, lack of seven parties) it must first provide the are fully aware of the importance as We all must be reminded of the elections would have placed Nepal on much-needed security in the country. well as the modality of the constituent courage, valor and pride of a free a path to massive confrontation Without appropriate security and assembly election. This creates a and independent nation, although between the existing and emerging safety of the citizens, the voting good opportunity for the Nepali civil impoverished. ä 6 10-16 March, 2008 Debating Development Real obstacle for elections–the Maoists

Prachanda

ä Siddhartha Thapa

In a free and fair election, the Maoists stand no chance of securing a majority. Bhaswor Ojha

I was aghast to read that take place. First, the Maoist insurgency they are singled out for the deferral of the only realistic opportunity to endure if they lose the elections is of Dr.Baburam Bhattarai, a senior is not just a Nepali phenomenon but the polls. Hence, they will participate capture state power. a far greater magnitude than that is Maoist leader declaring, “The Maoists it’s a global and a regional in the polls but they will want to understood by the larger populace. would launch a new revolution if his phenomenon. The Maoists have been dictate the terms and the conditions However, it is critical to understand The YCL has an annual budget of Rs party lost the elections,” during his aided by international leftist of what they define as free and fair what actually motivates the political 1 billion as reported by their election campaign rally in Bhachhek, organisations and of course the elections. In a free and fair election, decisions taken by the Maoists. chairman. To sustain such an Gorkha recently. Furthermore, COMPOSA and the CPI-M in India. the Maoists know they stand no Dr.Bhattarai is fundamentally correct enormous organisation; great Prachanda, the commander of the so Having said this, the Maoists came into chance of winning. Even Prachanda when he opines the Maoists will resources are required. A vast called Peoples Liberation Army has an agreement with the SPA as a has been forced to negate an change the course of the economy majority of the resources generated been reported by Kantipur Daily to tactical move to capture state power agreement with the UML to ensure when the Maoists come to power. by the Maoists’ for the elections has have reached some form of an through the 12 Point Agreement. his victory from Kathmandu where The Maoists aim not just to change been collected through illegitimate agreement with the UML to secure the UML have a strong base. the structural functions of the means such as abduction, intimidation his victory from constituency number However, if the Maoists fail to economy but they also envisage a and coercion. 10 in Kathmandu. What this signifies secure a majority in forthcoming If the Maoists lose these elections, classless society – free from social, is that the Maoists are caught in a elections, the Maoist party will not be their revolution and of course the cultural and religious assertions. For Concurrently, the Maoists are also serious dilemma about facing in a position to implement their leadership will be in utter crisis. To the Maoists to be in a position to guilty of orchestrating some the worst elections. Most importantly, the revolutionary ideals. The whole secure a majority in the forthcoming implement such rigid and radical crimes that often resulted in silence of the Maoists in the recent purpose or the rationale of elections, the Maoists would have to ideology, a majority is a precondition. unimaginable human rights abuses. days suggests the crisis fermenting in participating in the transitional phase capture booths and hold farcical Fortunately, that is not possible. The people in general are buoyed by their camp. In a free and fair election, and participating in the elections polls but then other political parties the prospect of the polls and have the Maoists stand no chance of would prove futile if the Maoists can’t will either boycott or not agree to the Similarly, the Maoists have sold lofty given in into the intimidation of the securing a majority. secure a majority and implement their results of such polls. In any event, dreams to their cadres by promising Maoists for the sake of peace and outdated dogmatic ideals. So, in a the Maoists want to capture power - to implement their radical brand of democracy. However, the Maoists I remain very much a pessimist - I perfect situation you will have they have to or they face a crisis, communism. Therefore, if the Maoists know that the longer they remain a doubt the elections will happen. There elections that are semi free and fair both internal and external in nature. lose these elections, not only will they part of the status quo their chances of are three things that need to go wrong and the Maoists will reject the results. Prachanda and his comrades very face desertions internally, the Maoists getting exposed for who they actually for the elections not to happen and well know that time is against them, would also face the possible threat of stand for is higher. Hence, they need about 30 things that need to happen On the other hand, the Maoists will and the comrades believe the external isolation. to capture power to avoid further correctly if the elections are really to not want to be in a position where present uncertainty provides them The crisis the Maoists would embarrassing exposures. ä Interview 10-16 March, 2008 7 Lover of life You have to love life – both your own life and of those around you.

Ellen Coon Kesar Lal Shrestha

Born in Kathmandu in 1927, Kesar a loan for 400 rupees, and went down rulers didn’t want anything innovative. What I think is that for 2500 and Top Secret. So I took the letter Lal Shrestha is one of Nepal’s most to Nagpur and got 500 copies printed Juddha Shumsher called a dozen or Buddhism has been a pacifist religion, and got a driver to take me in a jeep to prolific writers, with over 100 articles on Nepali paper. That was in 1961. so people together once and said, it is of compassion and wisdom, and they Singha Darbar. The ADC gave the and three dozen books to his name. The book was called Lore and not good to imitate what the Indians have been trying to protect themselves PM the letter, and he immediately His works include original poetry and Legends of Nepal, and it is still in print. have done. Let us do what we have as best they can. Newar Buddhism came out. I didn’t realise what had stories; collections of the rich oral done according to tradition. You developed into a kind of armor happened until he told the driver not to literature of this country; and English You have published many books of merchants sell things, you Brahmins designed to protect Buddhism’s soft uncover the flag on the car. Then I translations of works written in Newari folktales, but not just Newari stories. stick to your preaching – and so forth. and simple essential core. That realised that from that moment he was and Nepali. His contribution to the You have trekked all over Nepal But time didn’t wait for him. explains the emphasis on secrecy, and not the PM any longer. That was the literature of Nepal has been great. collecting stories. how the priests became more first period of democracy. Even so, he is a gentle person, There’s a wonderful picture in that Brahmin than the Brahmins. It unassuming and modest about his I have always liked three things: book of you leaning out of a became quite something else. It is not Was it then that you began accomplishments. He likes to answer writing, trekking and travelling, and window with Hridaya. what it used to be; they are just trying working for the US Mission? questions by telling a story, and can photography, when I could afford it. I That photo was taken by Irving to survive. come up with a tale to fit any situation. have always felt at home in lonesome Penn, the famous Vogue Magazine After that, I had nothing to do for a Ellen Coon interviewed him recently places, in the wild, with nature. As photographer. He came to Nepal in How is it that someone educated couple of days. By chance, I met a for newsfront: soon as I am inside the borders of May of 1967. Elizabeth Hawley asked before 1945 knows such good friend who was working at USAID. I Nepal, I feel comfortable, whether in me if I could spare a month to assist English? met him at Tribhuvan’s statue. He said, Tell us about your latest books. the Tarai or in the mountains. him here, and it turned out to be one why not try USAID? So I went back to There is Legends of the Kathmandu of the happiest periods of my whole Schooling in those days was very MP Koirala, and told him about it, and Valley, published by Nepal Bhasa In those days, almost everybody working life. He was such a dedicated rare. My father was my teacher, and then and there I typed out a letter of Academy. This may be my last book knew a story or two, but now people artist. He had a little portable studio he taught me to read in English. I read recommendation to Paul Rose, and MP about the legends of the valley. And don’t hear those stories anymore. So I made of canvas that could be set up in constantly. But I never went to school. signed it. I went to Rabi Bhawan the then, my latest book is a slim book of decided to collect as many stories as I half an hour. His wife, who was a next morning, and within a few minutes poems, The God of Compassion. I can. Wherever I went, I would ask model and I, would walk around the Who were the other members of I was hired. I was supposed to come to have been writing on and off about people to tell me a story from their streets looking for interesting people to the Newar literary movement? work the next day, but King Tribhuvan Buddhist themes, very simple things own ethnic background. I found it photograph, and if they agreed, we passed away that very day, so the office like the Buddha meeting an old man, worked best if I told a story first. I would bring them to where Penn had Chittadar Hridaya had a guru called was closed for 13 days. I reported to seeing a dead man, and then the night would tell them a Newari story, or a the studio set up. Jog Bir Singh Kansakar. He was a work the 14th day. I went over to the his son was born. And about my visits Japanese story, or a story from Tuladhar who had a cloth shop in Kel US Embassy once it was established in to Lumbini and Kushinagar – what Grimm’s Fairy Tales – and then ask He also set it up on the banks of the Tol, a poet who wrote in Newari, and 1960, and stayed on until my retirement those places mean to me personally. them for a story in return. I have also Manohara, Patan, Jamal – in various he had literary friends. One of the in 1985. As another writer has said, I feel lucky translated some stories I found in places. One day, he saw Chittadar friends was Siddhidas Amatya. He to have been born in the same part of writing. I’m about to bring out a book Hridaya walking in the street and said, printed a book of verses on how to live Are you going to do more the world where Lord Buddha was of Rai-Kirati Limbu folktales, based on oh, this looks like a wonderful man, a virtuous life, in Newari, but because translations? What are your next born so many centuries ago. a book published by Shiva Kumar let’s take a photograph. Because I he was very poor he was only able to projects? Shrestha from Dhankuta College. knew him personally, Hridaya said yes. get that one book printed. You did the How did you become a writer? There was a carved wooden window bulk of your writing while holding down I am interested in modern Newar For as long as I can remember I Your translation into English of above us, very ornate, and I asked the full time jobs. You worked with both short stories, and so far have wanted to write. I wrote my first story Chittadar Hridaya’s Letters of a house owner if we could use the BP and MP Koirala, and then with the translated about fifty of them. And I when I was 18. It was published in an Lhasa Merchant to his Wife is one window for a photograph. He said US Mission to Nepal. have published one book about the Indian magazine called Pushpa, in the of my favorite books. Was the yes, so Hridaya and I went upstairs, Newar merchants in Lhasa, but there December 1945 issue. I tried to write book a part of the Newari literary and Irving Penn took a photograph of I worked first for BP Koirala in 1951- is a lot of material for another book what an Indian reader would expect, movement? us looking out of the window together. 52, as a typist. Then, when he about Newars and their relationship under the pen name Ashok Pal. I I treasure that photograph. resigned, I went to work for his with Tibet. Also, I’d like to publish a published about a dozen stories back Chittadar Hridaya was a real initiator brother, MP Koirala, who became book about my treks and travels. then. My greatest achievement at that of that movement. He was a You grew up in Masangalli, near Prime Minister. After he was not the time was to write an article about Tuladhar, who took Hridaya as his pen Asan. Was it an interesting place? PM anymore, I went back to my old job Do you have any advice for young Shivaratri that got published in the name – it means heart in Sanskrit. He that was always open to me, working writers? Statesman, in Calcutta. I didn’t use my was a real writer; he wrote all the time, For me the most interesting place in in a friend’s drugstore. Then when pen name that time. it was his whole life, and because of the area was the Bangsa Chen, the old MP became PM again, I worked for You have to love life – both your that, he was jailed for six years. Customs House. I still don’t know how him again. own life and of those around you. Be How did you start publishing the paying of the customs duty on Tibet interested in people, whoever they folktales and legends? Why? Who jailed him? trade worked, but it was there. The On the last day that MP Koirala was are. Don’t get caught up in big ideas, I have always looked around me for Juddha Shumsher jailed him in the house belonged to a Kansakar family in office, he was in a meeting of what but focus observantly on the little things to write about. I am curious forties. He was singled out as a writer who had been in Tibet for many years. was called the Defense Committee in things around you. And don’t waste about everything. I wrote some in Newari. It was illegal to write in Lots of Tibetans from Kyirong and Kuti Singha Darbar. Keshar Shamsher time. Once there was a boy drowning, Newar stories – ones that in those Newari; one man who wrote in Newari would come for two or three months in was the Defense Minister, and there and a man passing by jumped in and days, every little boy and girl had was hanged, and all his writing was the winter time and camp out in the were a couple of Foreign Ministers. I saved him. The boy thanked the man, heard, like Dhoncholechaa – sort of destroyed. But Hridaya was not the courtyard, so I knew about Tibet. was at the residence across the and the man asked, what for? For our Cinderella. I showed the stories to only one put in jail, there were many bridge. A man came galloping on saving my life, the boy replied. The an American friend, and he thought others working for political freedom, Is there a Newar Buddhism that is horseback with a letter from the man said, then make sure that your life that they should be published. So I got for industrialisation and so on. The distinct and special? palace. It was marked Very Urgent is worth saving. ä 8 10-16 March, 2008 Opinion Make space for younger, committed, capable leaders Currently none of the candidates nominated by the parties for the election can claim to ä Suvechha Adhikari represent the interests, values and aspirations of the young people.

China transferred leadership roles to the Nepali people will not see any difference in younger next generation and brought in forthcoming elections with the ‘old faces and old younger people. The exit polls of Super leaders’ being nominated in both the direct and Tuesday in America also showed that in almost closed list for proportional represented based every state, youth voter turnout increased election. Considering the current list of dysfunc- significantly from 2000 and 2004; three millions tional candidates that the parties have prepared, voters under the age of 30 were seen flooding Nepal politics may once again fail to live up to in the polls. The reason for these young the expectations, aspirations and dreams of American being active in the voting process was many Nepalis, especially of the young people. the hope and urgency to change things and they In analysing the process of conflict transfor- saw the opportunity to effect change in the spirit mation of Northern Ireland and South Africa of fresh and young candidate like Barrack Ramsbotham and Woodhouse (1999) said that, Obama, with whom they can identify with. “Conflict is directly relational to the transforma- The aim of any election is to see change in tion of the actors involved. And such transforma- the leadership. Nepal needs to respond to the tions may take the form of ‘a change of reform needed in the political, legal, social, character, a change of leadership, a change in educational and health sectors. There is a need for a new crop of politicians who are different the constituency of the leader or adoption of its Source: National Election Commission goals, values, or beliefs.” from their older counterparts; those who are The hierarchical and traditional structures and leadership and are left out from giving any attract young voters. technocratic, more global in outlook, more processes of political party leadership has once meaningful role or position. Currently none of the candidates nominated comfortable with technology, more idealistic and again resisted change; change not only of Even the mainstream parties like Nepali by the parties for the election can claim to yet less ideological and less invested in old leadership but of ideas and ideologies that are Congress and CPN-UML are neglecting the represent the interests, values and aspirations debates. contemporary in outlook. It has deterred the role sentiments of the youth, which consist more than of the young people. All around the world The change today is desired by all the of young political leaders who played an 50% of nation total population (Nepal Population political players have realised the strength of sections is possible only through the overhaul in important role in every democratic struggle, in Census, 2001) and 50% of parties vote bank youth and brought young new faces in the terms of leadership; leadership which wants to bringing social and political change either by filed nomination of only handful of young government and in the parties to meet the understand and do something for the country, participating in the democratic struggle directly candidates. This has slashed the enthusiasm of challenges of 21st century. Gordon Brown in for themselves and for the future generation. or indirectly. The political parties’ nomination has young Nepalis and increased apathy and Britain slashed the average age of the Cabinet There is still a chance for the mainstream signified that the ‘old age’ leadership is still cynicism among many young voters. Mere to under 50, by appointing young people in his political parties to regain their credibility among fighting against young catalysts of their own jargons for good governance, end to corruption, cabinet and appointing the youngest foreign the young voters by bringing in younger faces party structures. Once again they youth leaders hunger, lawlessness, power cuts, water secretary in 30 years in the worlds’ biggest with more commitment, clearer vision and better became dictated and misused by the party shortage, unemployment, bad roads will not government. capabilities. ä From the region 10-16 March, 2008 9 Will Clinton-Obama fight injure Dems? WASHINGTON — Massachusetts Democratic Being lukewarm or waiting, science at the University of Let and Sen. Edward Kennedy fought though, could be costly. In Pittsburgh. rip each other up to and during the 1968, Democrats split bitterly Both candidates largely apart. It’s really no problem for convention, and Carter never and sometimes violently over agree on how to tackle major the Democratic Party, veteran had the enthusiastic support of the , and backers issues, notably the Iraq war. Democratic his party that fall. He lost. of antiwar candidates Eugene As a result, “the odds will still strategist Bob Mulholland said. Twelve years later, McCarthy and Robert F. be with a Democratic win,” “This is not a debate about conservative commentator Pat Kennedy had a hard time Barker said. ideology or war,” he said. “This Buchanan’s supporters forgiving Vice President Hubert The problem for the is about which one we remained wary of President Humphrey, the nominee, who eventual nominee could come Democrats love the most.” George H.W. Bush, and lost in November. down to the most basic of That’s the line most analysts think that a lot of them McCarthy didn’t formally motivations: whether voters Democratic activists are using stayed home rather than vote endorse Humphrey until like the candidate enough to these days as they watch the for the man who’d broken his October. Humphrey, who was vote for him or her. two presidential hopefuls “read my lips, no new taxes” tion - particularly if the decision out for Obama? far behind in the polls, began a Ohio exit polls made it clear engage in an increasingly bitter pledge. He lost, too. turns on some insider Most experts give a qualified comeback as dissident that many Obama supporters battle for the nomination, a war Concerns are starting to maneuver such as last-minute yes to both those questions. Democrats grudgingly gave would be less than happy if that, at least theoretically, grow that this year’s Clinton- switches or a “Everyone knows that him support. But he fell short, Clinton wins, and vice versa. threatens to open wounds that Obama contest could fracture convention credentials winning the presidency is the losing the popular vote to “Is there going to be could be tough to heal. the Democratic Party. African- committee ruling on disputed ultimate goal,” said Leo Richard Nixon, 43.4 percent to enthusiasm for Hillary Clinton in “This could be a serious American turnout has Florida and Michigan Lalonde, a veteran Michigan 42.7 percent. Third-party the black community? No,” said problem,” said Shirley Anne exploded, and Obama usually delegates - will they back Democratic activist. candidate George Wallace David Bositis, a senior research Warshaw, a presidential rolls up 8 or 9 to 1 ratios Clinton in the fall? Warshaw said the key would claimed the rest. associate at the Joint Center scholar at Gettysburg College. among black voters. He also And would Clinton backers, be the loser’s attitude. If that But there’s a big difference for Political and Economic The past offers some does well among upper- notably the older women person quickly and eagerly between 2008 and1968, Studies, which researches worrisome lessons. In 1980, income voters of all races. who’ve routinely given her 2 to embraces the winner, support- argued David Barker, an black voting trends. President Carter and But if he loses the nomina- 1 majorities in primaries, come ers should be quick to follow. associate professor of political (Bradenton Herald) ‘Musharraf trying to sabotage people’s mandate’

Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif mounted another attack on President Musharraf, alleging that the Presidency had been converted into a centre of intrigues to sabotage the mandate of the parties that won the February 18 elections trouncing the PML-Q. In an interview, he alleged the president had become partisan and leaders of the PML-Q were meeting him everyday, which was regrettable. Sharif said parties winning the polls had not been transferred power and the caretaker government was increasing the prices of various commodities without any authority. He said his party would disband the National Security Council, an institution set up through an enactment to institutionalise army’s role in politics. The PML-N leader said the army should have no role to play in governance and his party would strike down the NSC to achieve the target. (Khaleej Times) Special Olympic trains in China commuter buses would run between the Qingdao railway station and Olympic venues during the Games. The 2008 Olympic Games run from Aug. 8 to 24 and Beijing is expected to have 500,000 to 550,000 overseas visitors during the period. China has Workers labor on the interior of the ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium in Beijing, geared up transport Thursday, March 6, 2008. preparations for the Games with Beijing airport’s new Special trains are to run Terminal 3, a major expansion between Beijing and co-host project, getting its first commercial Olympics cities — including Hong flight last week. The country will Kong, Qingdao and Tianjin — for give the world a unique, well-run the convenience of athletes and Olympic Games, Premier Wen spectators, a Chinese legislator Jiabao said on Wednesday at the said Friday. Luo Jinbao, who is also opening of the NPC session. The deputy director of the Beijing 2008 Olympics and Paralympics are railway administration, made the of great importance in promoting remarks on the sidelines of the China’s economic and social annual session of the National development and increasing People’s Congress, the top friendship and cooperation legislature. Earlier, the government between Chinese and people in of Qingdao, where the sailing other countries, Wen said. events will be held, said that (Xinhua) 10 10-16 March, 2008 Opinion

ä Lucille Bulduc applauding today’s feudal lords as heroes of democracy and donor money tidies up the most What Dr. Bhattarai’s favorite philosopher, Karl obscene examples of neglect, allowing the leaders Marx, described as the ‘feudal mode of in Kathmandu to play their games unhindered. production’ is fading away in the thin air of the Nepal will not step out of the looking glass and Himalayan foothills. Neal is racing, in the space become a nascent modern state until at least one of decades, from the medieval to the modern party embraces the idea of citizenship as the goal world. But in that race one element has been of development, not a result of it. New Nepal will forgotten, and, as the country heads to elections not be created from words, donor money, or on April 10, it will cripple the country, unless kilometers of asphalt. Education does not mean addressed. building concrete huts, printing textbooks, or hiring The country has its flawed Magna Carta, in party drones to work as teachers. It requires a the Comprehensive Peace Agreement; we have leader or a party driven to change the people of an out-of-touch King, John Bikram Shah Dev. Nepal, not by building donor-funded hospitals or Fast forward to the ineffectual government of Indian-subsidised dams, nor by blowing them up, self-appointed aristocrats, with Congress as the but by changing the way the people think, and House of Lords, complete with blood feuds. giving them the intellectual tools to expect more. Prime Minister Koirala, living on imported If the state cannot teach people to read and

oxygen and borrowed time, is King George III, Bhashwor Ojha write, that political party must. If the state cannot wondering what happened to his empire. teach people critical thinking; that party must help. We have our peasants’ revolt. Quickly we Well-educated people in Kathmandu talk about moved from the middle ages and arrived in feudalism in coffee shops, but act as though 1917 Saint Petersburg. Nepal is counterpoint to people in bondage will somehow free themselves. the United States, countries born within a Fast forward Today’s political parties pretend the people have decade of each other. Where the Americans freed themselves already, so their easily guided distilled the values of 19th century Britain, of the cadres can be passed off as citizens’ armies. individual and the citizen, Nepal adopted the without clear vision An educated citizenry can be created in five symbols and rituals. Where America evolved years, and every free and wealthy country in the politically, Nepal devolved: instead of competitive …Robes of democracy are not only elections, but citizens: world stands as testimony to the need, and to elections, hereditary prime ministers. people with a sense of their rights and obligations who the benefits, of swift action. But first Nepal’s But Nepal’s democrats and revolutionaries, rulers must accept this goal as their driving with their affection for the form over the believe that they own their government. purpose: to stop talking about what the people substance of western ideas, ignored one want and start offering them something real, in element that cannot be faked. They forgot the attempts went down a slow and often bumpy Czar Putin passed the scepter to his heir, with the form of an education in critical thinking. robes of democracy are not only elections, but road, people experimented with greater rights, an election as a coronation ceremony. And in Quotas, deals among rich men, no matter what citizens: people with a sense of their rights and balanced them against their obligations to each Nepal the subjects of the state prepare to do as family, clan, or caste they are from, will not make obligations who believe that they own their other, to the family, the state. But every country they are told, in elections that may or may not a prosperous federal republic. Only a state of government. Without them it makes no that tried to skip this step suffered for the happen a month from now. citizens can do that, and citizens are made, not difference whether the government calls itself mistake. The Soviet Union created an empire of Just as wars used to be fought over the often- born. There is no more time for excuses, or study royal, democratic, communist: they will always healthy, educated humans who lacked the habits imaginary need for new territory, Nepal’s parties missions, or five year plans: this is a country be barons, the people always serfs. of criticism and skepticism. today battle over dead ideologies. But the people waiting for the liberation of its minds. Once that Creating citizens is a political project. Through So this past week Russia, in democratic doing the fighting do not have a say. And they begins, everything becomes possible. Until that human history few people embraced it. Most costume, acted out the same old feudal play, as won’t get one, not with foreign governments begins, nothing is worth trying. Perspective 10-16 March, 2008 11 Buddhism is not Nastik March Hare Festival ä Acharya Mahayogi Sridhar Rana non – dual. This is a complex topic we shall Rinpoche deal with later. An annual island-wide celebration of words and music.

We do not need a Let it be said that whereas most other ä Yuyutsu RD Sharma and latest Canadian Province to join the being of any kind religious systems are theistic (Taoism being the Confederation. A cursory look in any to create gravity. It only exception). Buddhism is non – theistic. Non The arrival at Canada’s New encyclopedia will show how Newfoundland is the law of nature – theistic does not mean here not believing in Found Land is reminiscent of has a number of historical firsts. The oldest that whenever gods and goddesses and other realms of Nepal in every possible way - the known settlement anywhere in The Americas there is some existence where they exist. That would be landscape, the strategic position built by Europeans is located at L’Anse aux mass there is atheistic. Non – theistic here means, not of the Canadian island and the Meadows, Newfoundland. It was founded gravity. This is believing in a single creator or any creator as gusto of the people here at the Annual March around 1000 A.D. by Leif Ericson’s Vikings. what Niyaam such for that matter. In Sanskrit, we use the Hare festival. The March Hare is Atlantic Remnants and artifacts of the occupation can means in word Unishwarvadin. Iswhar meaning the Canada’s largest poetry festival. It began as an still be seen at L’Anse aux Meadows, now a MARSHLAND FLOWERS Buddhism. Every- creator, God. evening of poetry and entertainment in Corner UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island thing arises through causes and conditions; Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, and has was inhabited by the Beothuks and later the including those causes and conditions However, Buddhism is not ‘Nastik’/non- evolved into an annual island-wide celebration Mi’kmaq. themselves arise through other causes and believer as some mislead and unread Hindus of words and music. conditions. Because of this there can be no would like to believe. Astik comes from the John Cabot became the first European since beginning. Therefore there can be no creation word ‘Astha’ which means belief. So Astik Associated with Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, it the Vikings to discover Newfoundland landing at ‘in the beginning’. About this there are no two would mean ‘believer’ as opposed to ‘Nastik’ takes place in March of each year. It invited poets, Cape Bonavista on June 24, 1497. On, 1583, minds within any form of Buddhism. Any which would mean ‘non – believer’. While authors, musicians and storytellers, featuring in Sir Humphrey Gilbert formally claimed system that believes in a beginning (and thus a Buddhism does not accept the Vedas or any recent years Michael Ondaatje, Alistair MacLeod, Newfoundland as England’s first overseas creator) cannot subscribe to the principle that other scriptures and whatever comes within Paul Durcan, Lorna Crozier, Susan Musgrave, colony under Royal Prerogative of Queen all things arise from causes and conditions. their paradigm, it does believe that man can be Stephen Reid, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Wayne Elizabeth I. And without that, that system of thought does free from suffering and thus attain Mokchhya Johnston, Stan Dragland, Ron Hynes, and not and cannot fall within the paradigm of or Mukti. It does believe in karma and the cycle others. The festival was made possible in the As I am working on my Helumbu poems, a Buddhism. of existence, it does believe in other realms of past with the collective efforts of Al Pittman, John drive from St. John’s to Gander tells me how existence; it does believe that man can attain Steffler, Randall Maggs, Rex Brown, Adrian alarmingly similar the alpine landscape here is to Many people get confused because many enlightenment. Thus it is an ‘Astik’ system. In a Fowler, David “Smoky” Elliott, Des Walsh, Clyde the Himalayan high hills with juniper, fir, and systems of meditation also use the word non– sense, all systems believe in their own tenets Rose, Nick Avis, and Pamela Morgan. frozen lakes. dual like Buddhism and thus come to the and thus are ‘Astik’. conclusion that the final point ‘non – dual’ is St. Joan’s where the festival began yesterday The visit to the Canadian island also the same. But this is merely a confusion that But Buddhism is a paradigm shift from all had all the wonderful elements and memories of exemplifies the forging of international friendship arose due to the use of similar words. other theistic systems, be they monotheistic or the past. Soon I realise how New Found Land made possible with the modern-day travels and Actually the Sanskrit words used in Buddhism polytheistic. With this background now let us take had remained isolated like Nepal from the rest of technological revolution of cyber space. Now I is Advaya while in monotheistic system is up what the Abhidharma has to say about the the world and displays a strong cultural identity am reading here as guest poet and there’s a Advaita (Hinduism to be more specific); but psi phenomena. (To be continued) and unparallel passion for music and poetry. possibility of Canadian poetry coming to the when translated into English both are called (Sridhar Rinpoche is a Vajrayana Master) Himalayan kingdom in Nepali translation. Newfoundland and Labrador is the tenth ([email protected]) 12 10-16 March, 2008 Final words We have the tiresome repetitions by the CPN-M and its leaders on how they are fighting for the ‘people,’ while the people seem unaware of this uncalled for championing on their behalf.

created. We in Nepal are very familiar with this by the feudal classes. Democrats see underde- parallelism. There is a dichotomy even on the velopment as being caused by a myriad of definition of ‘political parties.’ Is it a vehicle to socio-political, economic, domestic as well as formulate and articulate views or, as the international factors. communists would have it, a vehicle to usurp The SPA has just agreed in principle to the and maintain power? autonomy of Madhesh, to be endorsed by the The CA elections are only about a month CA. It will be interesting to see what happens, away. Democrats consider ‘elections’ a periodic since the communists view ‘autonomy’ as the impartial event. For communists, it is an event principle of de jure federalism with de facto SPA has agreed for autonomous Madhesh. which endorses the rule of the Communist centralisation through the Communist Party, Bhashwor Ojha Party. That is why we have these events - the while to democrats, autonomy is the principle of proclamation that 200 YCL cadres will be decisions being most effective if they are taken present at each voting booth; the statement by a closer to the ground. Again, social harmony, to top Maoist leader that should the CPI-M not win democrats, means that no group or segment of the election it will not be an election; and the the population is left unfairly behind. To numerous instances of YCL ruffians employing communists, it is the elimination (physically in POLITICAL scare tactics to prevent candidates from rival most cases) of all ‘anti-people’ elements. parties from campaigning. ‘Development’ has largely been ignored in It should also be increasingly apparent that Nepal while a divided government is preoccu- vocabulary parliamentary democracy is anathema to pied jockeying for power. Even here, democrats communists. ‘parliament’, to democrats, is an consider that the establishment of a framework ä Roop Joshi pluralistic form of governance where all views effective arm of governance providing checks and conditions for all to prosper leads to have the chance to be endorsed or rejected and balance to the executive. Communists development. Communists want to achieve “All men are enemies. All animals are through elections by the majority and, once consider parliament an instrument to rubber- development by allocating resources as per comrades.” - George Orwell, Animal Farm accepted or rejected, is binding to all. To stamp the activities of the executive. political needs. Finally, and most strikingly, A discerning political analyst friend, P.S. communists, democracy is a tactical move Equality to democrats is equality of opportu- ‘history,’ to democrats, is facts from the past Kunwar, recently suggested to me that there is a leading to a form of governance whereby a nity while, to communists, it is equality of while to communists it is interpretation for the lot of confusion in political discussions in Nepal communist party, which is supposed to repre- outcomes. How the outcomes are achieved is future. Of course, the interpretation is the these days due to the unfortunate fact that the sent the voice of the ‘people’s’ rules. up to the wisdom of the Communist Party, with purview of the communist leadership. same words have different meanings for Hence we have the tiresome repetitions by all ends justifying the means. Simplistic defini- So we stumble on with two groups speaking democrats and communists. Right off, this the CPN-M and its leaders on how they are tions mired in outdated doctrines are also the two different languages yet telling us Nepalis statement implies that a communist is not a fighting for the ‘people,’ while the people seem monopoly of the communists. For them, that they are united. The question is for how democrat. unaware of this uncalled for championing on underdevelopment is caused by the oppression long are we going to be fooled? ä In fact, our communists consider Jana their behalf. This is inevitable since, to commu- Andolan II as only a ‘democratic revolution’ nists, people are the recipients of the party’s which is to be followed by the real revolution on benevolence who need to be directed and 10th April 2008 when the CPI-M will win and taught. Democrats consider people as the transform the country into its own image. ultimate deciders of the direction of the State. Consequently, the term ‘Federal Democratic The ‘State,’ to democrats, is a permanent Republic of Nepal,’ is being bandied about so framework that governs society, and the parties haphazardly, already has a built-in contradiction which have won popular approval can steer the since this term has been endorsed by the state for a limited time. It is an instrument of the communists in the SPA. party for communists. If the state does not follow ‘Democracy,’ to democrats, stands for a party lines then parallel institutions will be