#592 17 - 23 February 2012 16 pages Rs 30

DEEPENDRA BAJRACHARYA

DARK AGE ost people know Apa Sherpa has Mclimbed Mt Everest 21 times, but Escaping a prolonged they don’t know is that in 1985 a glacial power cut at home, 11- lake outburst fl ood washed away his farm and home in Khumbu. Apa is now year-old Avant Gurung Editorial page 2 on an epic 1,700 km trek of the Great (above) does her Grade 4 Two legs bad Himalayan Trail to draw worldwide homework under a street attention to the effect of climate change This Maoist revolution is looking on the fragile Himalaya. light at Darbar more and more like a real-life Square on Tuesday. reenactment of Animal Farm. page 6-7 2 EDITORIAL 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 TWO LEGS GOOD

or committed revolutionaries who joined the Maoist minorities, it turns out, were just using it as a slogan to party in the early 1990s, there must be a profound Prolonging this volatile recruit cannon fodder for the war. Some of the most Fsense of disillusionment as they watched their transition any longer will open vociferous opponents of ethnic federalism are now the leaders on the stage on 1 February as the party marked Maoists themselves. the anniversary of the war. the possibility of an implosion Reckless political brinkmanship has pushed this Many of them became Maoists because they were within the Maoist party, and country closer to a communal conflagration, while convinced that parliamentary democracy was not competing territorial claims are leading to violence and bringing about the transformational change in state unleash an Orwellian dystopia. factional confrontation. It is now looking like the interim structure to dismantle a feudal monarchy. They had seen constitution may even have to be the new constitution. structural violence at election time in the mid-western Ethnic federalism has become just too hot to handle, and hills, and were convinced that democracy was just a way achieve in ten years was attained in 19 days of largely there is no way a directly-elected presidential system is for the feudal elites to shuffle the cards every four years peaceful street protests. The 2006 people’s movement going to go through the CA. through elections. Inspired by Mao Zedong’s teachings, represents a moral victory for non-violent political The root of the problem lies in the lack of trust between they concluded that an armed struggle to overthrow the struggle. Those gains are being frittered away. the Maoists and the rest, and the main reason for which is state was the only way to liberate the country. It is what followed 2006 that must be making some the party’s continued adherence to goals like violent state Many of us often ask ourselves whether the 16,000 committed Maoists, including those who were willing to capture. If the Maoists can convince the other parties that Nepali lives lost, and the cost in delayed development kill and be killed in the frontlines, wonder how things they have once and for all turned a new leaf, demonstrate were worth it. The Maoist comrades argue that without went so badly wrong. The state decided to compensate that they now swear by democracy, pluralism and free the war, the monarchy could never have been removed, the ex-guerrillas for their re-assimilation into society by elections, there will be closure. and the country would never have been turned into a giving them some pocket money, but their own party is Failure to do so will prolong this volatile transition, federal democratic republic. taking it away from them. open the possibility of an implosion within the Maoist May be. But it is also true that what the war could not We all knew that the battle-hardened fighters were party itself and unleash an Orwellian dystopia. never in the ‘cantonments’, they became the dreaded YCL. Now, the YCL wants its pound of flesh too, and there is a strong possibility the estimated Rs 2 billion compensation for them is going to be diverted from state coffers as well. But what must be the most disheartening for those driven by a genuine desire to liberate the people is the sight of their party bosses being corrupted by money and power. Luxurious mansions, liquor parties, kickbacks and corruption, cheating one’s own cadre: it is almost an exact real-life reenactment of Animal Farm. Senior leaders of a party that launched a revolution to overthrow a feudal centralised Khas state and replace it with autonomous federated provinces for ethnic BIKRAM RAI

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OPPORTUNITY COST has not empowered the Madhesi ENERGY EMERGENCY SQUARE ONE I thought chronic load shedding will people, and this is true for Looks like our government has no Both the UN and International IDEA last until 2015 plus a year or two other communities as well. The plans to get us out of this energy elites now blame Nepali elites for (‘Opportunity cost’, Editorial, #591). politicians want to hide all their crisis (‘Energy emergency’, Dewan the mess they created with their But now two Nepali Times articles failures and corruption behind Rai, #591). If the state can provide complete ignorance of Nepali are saying the new optimistic hurdle slogans for ethnic autonomy. subsidies for fossil fuel, why not ground reality, history and culture is 2020. Do we hold our collective And by inciting people to focus on alternative energy sources (‘Back to square one?’, Interview breath until then? solely on ethnic issues, they are like solar power and wind power? with Yash Ghai and Jill Cottrell, Here and there taking away attention from other Should ordinary Nepalis expect to #591). They seem to think that important concerns like the lack of live in complete darkness and with constitutions are like a value-free Anyone who expects good jobs, security, water, electricity etc. no gas for the next decade? and history-free piece of capitalist governance will be disappointed It is understandable that Nepalis Indra Giri merchandise that can be marketed in a new . We have many all over the country, not just the globally with MBA marketing skills. things in Nepal from load-shedding Madhesis, are getting angrier at The best option to get out of Party Peedit to loot-sharing because we have the political leadership’s inability the present mess is to deploy two an inclusive assembly. Inclusive in to focus on the real problems. So medium-size atomic plants for Why is the Nepali Times Nepal means including kidnappers, if there is going to be a storm it around 10 years. We should build glorifying this conjugal murderers, and the power hungry. will happen not for ethnic reasons, as many hydroelectric plants as consultancy? They brought Anonymous but because even the basic possible and then decommission disaster not just to Nepal but to needs of the people are not being harmed Nepal. But this is also our own the nuclear project. A medium- all the other countries they have STORM addressed. And it will be a much fault. Since we have zero political and sized atomic plant would take about “advised”. Donors like Idea should Columns like this (A gathering bigger storm than the one economic stability, we are absolutely two years to start production and we not be allowed to experiment with storm’, #591) by Anurag Acharya envisioned by this writer. voiceless on the international front. So can outsource surplus electricity to Nepal. will only widen the gap between the Dev let’s stop spewing hatred against our US or French companies. Kiran L ‘pahadis’ and ‘madhesis’. I think own people (Madhesis) or our bigger Dhruva Lal Karna someone needs to remind the writer Some selfi sh Madhesi leaders neighbours (India). that hundreds of villages in the hills are playing with the sentiments of Icare Solar is the stopgap measure and mountains also lack roads, innocent Madhesis to grab their for Nepal. It will take 10 years to schools, electricity, drinking water votes. It’s not a crisis of identity, it’s I mostly agree with Anurag Acharya. build enough hydro-capacity for the The Madhes justifi ably feels estranged and sanitation just like the Madhes. a greed for power and money. In country under best circumstances. Weekly Internet Poll # 592 Should the hill and mountain people Nepal, poverty is everywhere, so from the country, and we need to Most households in the country can also severe ties with the state? why are we only talking about the work hard to make them feel Nepali generate enough power for home Q. If given the chance, will you emigrate from Nepal? These are national issues not Madhes? too. The Pahadis need to get rid of use via solar. The panels, batteries regional. Also how does Anurag Vikash Lama this “they came from south and got and equipment aren't cheap: up Total votes: 2005 propose we convince the Madeshis citizenship” mentality. We are talking to one lakh for a rural home, and that they are not second-class Whenever there are discussions about people who are dying of cold and as much as ten times that for a citizens? Aren’t they getting equal about the Madhes, we fi rst accuse all who have been trapped in poverty since modern house in the city. A 50 per privileges (if not more) in Nepal Madhesis of being Indians and then generations. However, Madhesi leaders cent government subsidy for solar these days anyway? we go on to blame India for all our themselves need to respect their own installations would pay off in 10 years Sandmand troubles and our inability to get out of heterogeneity. The struggle is not so in savings on diesel, better industrial this rut. Yes, our southern neighbour much for identity but for equity and productivity, and would help keep the Experience proves that has meddled with our internal politics more share in national decision making. lights on everywhere. Weekly Internet Poll # 593. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com empowering the Madhesi politicians and made decisions that have Bahun friend of Madhesis John Q. Should Baburam Bhattarai step down?

Publisher and Editor: Kunda Dixit Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Chief Operating Offi cer: Sunim Tamang | Hattiban, Godavari Road, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu | Design: Kiran Maharjan [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5250333/845 Fax: +977-1-5251013 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma, Min Shrestha [email protected] | Advertorial/features: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscription: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Nepali Times on Facebook Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 OP-ED 3 The Tarai is tinder dry Don’t push the Madhes to another violent movement

PICS: KAMLESH MANDAL

frustration here. The credibility of Madhesi TALE OF TWO CITIES: Protests in last month over the relocation of On top of that, there is leaders holding influential a tax offi ce (left) and a counter protest (right) in Bardibas after the government growing animosity among position in the government for cancelled the relocation. As it turned out the offi ce was not being relocated COMMENT people of hill origin who were most of the last five years has after all, and a sub-offi ce was being opened. Navin Jha forced to sell their property taken a battering. They were and homes for a pittance and busy forging passports, extorting pressurised to move out. businessmen and looting state voice is now sorely missed. the fire. Unless the discontent Madhesi dissatisfaction coffers while the condition of As a result, the field is wide on the streets gets a political politicised dispute has also been fuelled by both the people in Madhes went from open for anyone spewing hate. voice and attention of the state, over the supposed contesting proposals submitted bad to worse. Feeding all this is growing the Madhes is only waiting for a Arelocation of a tax by the State Restructuring The ‘anti-Madhes’ posture unemployment and the lack spark. The Tarai is tinder dry. office in Mahottari has Commission that divided the of the mainstream media and of opportunities for Madhesi widened the rift between Madhes into two provinces. political elites put off many youth. Criminalisation of Navin Jha is a reporter with Madhesi and Pahadi people While the CA mulls the issue moderate Madhesis and their politics has added further fuel to Himal Khabarpatrika. and threatens to re-ignite of federalism, the hardening hills vs plains tension in the rhetoric of Madhesi leaders in eastern Tarai. the last few weeks indicates The Internal Revenue which way the wind is Department says it had no blowing. intention of relocating the At a function organised to tax office from Janakpur to observe the fifth anniversary Bardibas, it was just trying to of Madhes uprising in open a sub-office along the Kathmandu last week, East-West Highway. However, the Madhesi leaders and Madhesi political parties intellectuals made a grim enforced a shutdown in assessment of the last five Janakpur last month in protest. years. While political access The government to the power centres of backtracked, and this led to a Kathmandu has increased, the counter-shutdown of the East- lives of common Madhesis West Highway in Bardibas by have actually become worse. people of hill origin, many There is speculation that of whom were forced out of prominent leaders of the areas further south during the Madhesi parties who are facing Madhes movement in 2007. corruption charges, or have The agitation shows no been jailed for kidnapping, sign of subsiding and the are using the race card to put Madhesi parties have closed pressure on the state. down Jaleswor for nearly Madhesi leaders know they three weeks now. It says much can use hardline rhetoric to about the Kathmandu media mobilise anger in the Tarai that the Jaleswor shutdown over issues like the inclusion has got almost no coverage in bill which is in limbo. the national newspapers. Madhesis still do not feel “Instead of trying to bring Kathmandu gives them enough the hills and plains people respect and their fight is for together, the political parties acceptance and inclusion, not are trying to widen the divide for isolation and an exclusive between them and spread fear identity. and suspicion,” says Birganj- JP Gupta’s statement that based intellectual, Binod Madhesis will sever their Gupta. ties with the state in the Five years after the near future got him a sharp Madhes movement, people reprimand from none other from the plains have got than President Ram Baran increased representation in Yadav, himself a Madhesi. the Constituent Assembly, the Sarat Singh Bhandari had president and vice-president to resign when he suggested are Madhesis and the current secession, and Education coalition has senior Madhesi Minister Rajendra Mahato figures as ministers. However, was greeted with howls of the lack of development and protests in Kathmandu when the continued marginalisation he threatened to blockade the of the eastern Tarai has fed capital. 4 NATION 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 Regime change in paradise

IN HAPPIER TIMES: Waheed Hassan (left) with the president he replaced, Mohamed Nasheed, in Male in 2010 when he was vice-president. CHALO DILLI Jyoti Malhotra embarrassed India. Several observers are now asking why India acted in such “unseemly haste” by issuing not s he walks about Male in his only a press release offering unstinted flip-flops, no longer a president cooperation to the new government but Abut still not a fully free man, also following that up by a phone call Mohamed Nasheed doesn’t look like a to Waheed from none other than Prime man who is going to give up without Minister Manmohan Singh. a fight. Third, India believes that a power Watch the crowds as they call out vacuum in the Maldives is certainly not to him in support. They will grow, in its interest. There are the Islamists certainly, and Nasheed (the president of whom Nasheed fought vigorously the Maldives who was ousted last week) during his three-year tenure, waiting will use his charisma for another struggle on the sidelines to infiltrate the power for democracy. structure. Nasheed himself ousted the dictator And then there is China, whose and former president, Maumoon Abdul maritime presence in the Indian Ocean KUNDA DIXIT Gayoom in 2008, when free and fair has been increasing. It has sought to elections were held after 25 years. But woo Nasheed and the MDP by offering ‘Anni’ as he is popularly known in the Ousted President Mohamed Nasheed doesn’t look like to build houses, to a history museum, Maldives, is already a ‘former’ president. a man who is going to give up without a fight and expanding its naval interests. New Delhi dispatched a senior Nasheed is a former prisoner of diplomat from the ministry of external conscience who was in jail during affairs, M Ganapathi, to Male this week the ground that continues to cause MDP supporters. the Gayoom regime for seven years, and he has met all sides, Nasheed and concern. Reports of violence against If India has accepted that Waheed including two in solitary confinement. the new president Mohamed Waheed Nasheed’s Maldives Democratic party should take charge, one could come He brought his tiny country of 320,000 Hassan included, delegations from the (MDP) especially in the southernmost to the indelicate conclusion that it people across 1,200 islands into the United States, the Commonwealth and Addu Atoll say demonstrators have has dumped Nasheed for a variety of news, whether it was by staging and the United Kingdom. been stripped, chained and beaten up, reasons. The first is that Mr Nasheed did underwater cabinet meeting to highlight India believes that Nasheed’s ouster although Male itself is relatively quiet. not “seek assistance” from India, even the effect of sea level rise caused by has paved the way for a “legitimately New Delhi, government sources say, though India’s high commissioner to the climate change, or disagreeing with formed government” under the new will insist that Waheed abides by his Maldives, D Mulay, was in close touch India on its Burma policy. president, and that after the restoration of promise to keep Nasheed and his family with him in the hours preceding the The Maldives is certain to spring a calm and stability in some months, fresh safe. It’s not clear, however, whether resignation, as well as afterwards. surprise and Anni will be at the centre elections should be held in the Indian India has insisted that Waheed should Second, it is clear that Nasheed’s of it. The question is: how is India Ocean archipelago. also prevent the Maldivian police and the apparent volte face, saying that he was going to deal with that moment when it Still, it’s the fragile situation on security forces from cracking down on forced to resign “almost at gunpoint”, has comes? 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 BUSINESS 5

BIZ BRIEFS

Upgraded Sanima Bank started operating as a Commercial Bank from February 15 onwards. It was allowed to upgrade into “A” class commercial bank after Nepal Rastra Bank handed over its ‘Letter of Intent’ in November 2011. Promoted by Non-Resident Nepalese (NRNs), Sanima opened in 2004 as a national level development bank and has 21 branches across Nepal. Delightful shopping John Players, a premium men’s clothing line is offering a winter sale with discounts up to 50 percent on selected items. John Players range encompasses. At John Players, customers can choose from a wide selection of shirts, trousers, sweaters and sweat shirts. The offer is valid at exclusive outlets and select stores across the country. Expanding services Nepal Credit and Commerce Bank has commenced ATM services in Dipayal in Doti district. The bank has been providing ATM services Invest in what? through its 23 counters across Nepal and plans on expanding in other districts as well. Why should anyone put money into a country where no one listens to the prime minister, not even his own cadre? Class apart Cathay Pacifi c Airways is offering a new ‘Premium Economy Class’ which features a quieter and more spacious cabin with better followed all the applicable legal is that there is no respect entertainment systems than the traditional economy class along with a labour laws and paid the for contracts, land titles, and host of other upgrades. Tickets for the new class will be on sale starting STRICTLY BUSINESS workers well. private ownership. from 1 April onwards. Only last year, under similar Given that other countries Ashutosh Tiwari circumstances, a Maoist trade in Asia and Africa have geared union succeeded in shutting up their Investment Boards Far west bound down Surya Nepal’s garment and pro-private sector policies, Janata Bank has opened its 20th branch in Khalanga in Darchula he Bhattarai government factory that was employing attracting investments to Nepal district. This is Janata’s third branch in the far west region. The bank committed last year to about 600 women. In the is already a difficult task. This plans to start three more branches in Kathmandu and Rolpa. Tdeclare 2012-13 Nepal meantime, though the PM has is evidenced by the sorry state Investment Year. It formed a issued a directive to open the of our basic infrastructure And the winners are ... National Investment Board, Unilever factory, it remains (electricity, water, roads). Kantipur City College was declared the winner of the Springwood chose the CEO, and appointed shut, losing Rs 4 million a day, The least that the Bhattarai inter-college advertisement competition with 906 votes. The representatives from the private and grinding work to a halt at government could do is give out competition was held from 18 till 31 December 2011 where 7 teams sector as members. But getting several feeder factories too. consistently positive signals to from different management colleges participated. The contestants the logistics right is only half What’s an investor to make investors instead of saying one were judged on the basis of the number of likes on their videos on the story, the other half is about of this? You can follow all the thing in public and then acting Springwood’s facebook page. getting the signals right. laws that you want. But that’s the other way. Four missed deadlines: no insurance against Nepal’s The fact that the Constituent politically-affiliated labour Assembly has missed four unions, who do not even listen deadlines (28 May, 2010, 28 to the prime minister. May 2011, 31 August, 2011 and Confiscated land: The recent 30 November, 2011) to come up quarrel between the Maoists and with an acceptable constitution other parties over the former’s does not give out a signal that we plans to allow land grabbers to have our internal housekeeping turn pieces of occupied land in order. The fifth deadline to get into private property should the constitution in shape is on alarm investors. When a major 30 May. By most accounts, that’s political party does not appear going to be missed too. to believe in respecting the right In that case, as per a Supreme to private property, and instead, Court decision, the present CA tries to threaten and intimidate would be dissolved and fresh the opposition to get its way, elections would be held, and most investors would want to further uncertainties would grip spend neither time nor money our political future. All these hoping that the party would see actions would push back the task the light and change. The signal of writing the constitution by a that comes out of the mere act few more years. As a result, we of trying to make illegal land are going to lose several years trying to do basic housekeeping while our elected representatives refuse to grow up and understand the costs of time and uncertainty they have imposed on the rest of Nepal. When even after several extensions, our elected leaders remain unable to engage in the give-and-take of democratic politics to put together the rules of governance, that’s a signal to investors that our ways of working are unpredictable. Uncompromising labour unions: Early this week, the management of Unilever Nepal asked the government for permission to go for a ‘lock out’. It said it had no choice. The agitating workers (goaded, it turns out, by union leaders who are close to the PM’s party) had put up a list of demands which the company said were ‘ambitious, irrelevant and illegal’, especially when the company claimed that it had 6 LIFE TIMES 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592

Apa Sherpa and his team have just completed the first month of their epic 1,700 km The State journey on foot across Nepal’s Great Himalayan Trail to draw attention to the threats of of the global climate change and the opportunities of eco-tourism. This week, Nepali Times spoke to Apa Sherpa as he sat besides Tso Rolpa lake in Rolwaling, the glacial lake that is dangerously swollen by global warming. Apa’s team has just traversed the Tesi Laptsa Pass, Himalaya and will now be heading towards Langtang.

APA SHERPA time in 1990. But it was only in recent years like my younger brother. GREAT COUNTRY: (clockwise I have never looked back that I started to ask myself why Prashant pointed out from above) Camping under the since. I just kept climbing the I was doing this, putting my life something that I had not constellations in the Tamor Valley. hat most people know world’s highest mountain over on the line in one of the most noticed. He said: “Apa Dai, you Local fi sherman prepares to throw in a line on a river. Child helps mother about me is only that and over again. With god’s grace dangerous places on earth. In are famous for climbing Everest hoe the fi eld at Lelep. Portrait of I was successful in climbing the 2008, I met Prashant Singh of multiple times, but you lost WI have climbed Mt an elderly porter at Salpa Phedi. Everest 21 times. What they mountain 21 times in 21 years. I the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) everything to climate change The Climate Smart Celebrity Trek at don’t know is that I am also a never intended it, but I became who was a friend of Dawa and you earned everything back the Nepal-Sikkim border in eastern victim of climate change. a world record holder. Steven Sherpa, my long time because of mountain tourism.” I Nepal at the start of their journey last In 1985, when the Dig Tso I was happy and content. associate, and someone I love had never thought of it like that. month. glacial lake burst because it Prashant was right. was swollen with melted ice, After thinking about it for the flash flood of muddy water a bit, I found my goal in life. I Great Himalayan Trail. On my and boulders washed away my GREAT HIMALAYAN TRAIL decided to dedicate myself to 19th climb on Chomolungma I potato farm and homestead near saving the fragile mountains had unfurled the WWF banner Thame. Most of my property of my motherland from the with the message ‘Stop Climate and belongings were destroyed, impact of global warming by Change. Let the Himalaya Live’. and I could no longer remain a building awareness about it in It had brought world attention farmer. I was forced to become my community and the world. on the effects of climate change an expedition porter in the Dawa promised he would help on the Himalaya. I picked some Everest region, carrying loads to in any way he could. rocks from the summit and higher camps. I climbed to the That is when Prashant, handed it over to our prime top of Chomolungma for the first Dawa and I planned to do the minister, President Barack 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 LIFE TIMES 7

Obama and several other world leaders. I had been building awareness by going vertical, now it was time to make a horizontal journey across Nepal from east to west to see the impact of climate change on remote mountain communities. This is why Dawa, me and the team are now on the Great Himalayan Trail. I have come to realise that Nepal is not a small country, it is huge and is facing an immense problem from global warming. We are just one month into our four- month journey on foot. We are talking to people along the way, sheperds, traders and farmers and hearing local experiences about erratic rains, unseasonal blizzards, receding glaciers and flashfloods. We have in our team photographers, journalists and bloggers who are spreading the word around the world. We are also advocating pro-poor sustainable tourism so that local communities can build resilience against the effects of climate change. The establishment of the Great Himalayan Trail is a part of that plan. My argument is simple, and is based on my own example: climate change will create problems for us in the mountains, we must be prepared for that. If villagers and communities can promote eco-tourism by linking to the Great Himalayan Trail this will bring the trekkers who will provide employment and help raise living standards. To fight climate change we have to help lift the quality of life so Himalayan communities can cope. Climate change may damage us, but tourism will heal us. Just like it did with me. COVER On the trip across eastern Nepal I have Money loving Maoists been greeted by large numbers of local people who have wished us well on our EDITORIAL journey. I know I have the blessings of my The perilous road ahead for fellow Nepalis, and I will do my best to the Maoists return their kindness. REPORTS Climate Smart Trek is being organised by Brooding communalism Himalayan Climate Initiative with active in the Tarai support of the Government of Nepal and its Crippling Congress development partners. Rapidly vanishing public uti liti es Follow Apa on Facebook: facebook.com/ climatesmarttrek INTERVIEW or Twitter @ twitter.com/Climatesmartterk Ram Chandra Poudel Live updates every day: www.climatesmartrek.org.np OPINION ALL PICS: SAMEER JUNG THAPA Manmohan Bhatt arai on the HIMAL Radheshaym Adhikari on KHABARPATRIKA state restructuring Valenti ne’s Day Special 13 – 27 February, 2012 All for love

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Latin Nights, dance the night away EVENTS with Latin tunes while enjoying special discounts on great food and drinks. Manny’s Eatery and Tapas Bar, Contemporary Forms, Kathmandu Shaligram Hotel Complex, 5536919 Contemporary Arts Centre presents ‘The Prakriti Project Eternal Visions - Contemporary Forms’ by Rabindra Shakya and Maureen Drdak. Till 26 February, 5.30 pm, Siddhartha Art Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited STATION BBQ, try the table top grills for self-cooked barbeque or order Tavern Tales: Untold Histories. mutton skewers and pork chops. Researcher and journalist, Bhola Jhamsikhel Paswan, in conversation with one of Nepal’s leading documentary fi lm on preservation and protection of Ides of March, be a part of Chongqing Fast Food, gear up for makers, Tsering Rhitar Sherpa. February local heritage 18 Feb till 15 April. First the epic concert with bands some mouth watering Chinese dishes 19, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Ramlaya, performance 18 February, 5:00 pm like Antim Grahan, Jindabaad, like Sour and Spicy Pork and Kung Pao Lazimpat. onwards, Asan Severe Dementia and Laakhey Chicken. Thamel performing for a good cause. Nepal Ladies Night every Wednesday at Hip Hop at House, enjoy Lyrics Indy and Hemophilia Society. 31 March, 1pm Casablanca, enjoy the music, drinks, his hip hop moves as part of the Black to 8pm karaoke and happy hour. Casablanca History Month celebrations. Lounge, Babar Mahal Revisited. Rs 200, 7.30 pm onwards, House of Music, Thamel DINING Ultimate Photography Workshop, Artudio presents the 12th session of Sounds of the Season. Bands from Boudha Stupa Restaurant & CINNAMON GRILL AND LOUNGE, digital photography workshop. Rs 3000, different genres of music will come Café, enjoy wood-fi red pizza, mouth watering delicacies with live Starting from mid-February, 7am to together for an unforgettable musical homemade pastas and the one music. Try the grilled tenderloin steak 9am, Artudio, Lazimpat, 9841498425, evening. 18 February, 1:00 pm onwards, and only tibetan gyakok. Boudha, and quiche lorraine with fresh fruit 9841379780 Neon Pub Thamel. 012130681, 9841484408. TAMA, enjoy delicious khaja and salad. Jhamsikhel, 5521339 taas set,and host of other Indian and Doc at Sattya, watch special LET THERE BE LIGHTS, get out of your Peri Peri, home of legendary Nepali snacks at a reasonable price. documentary screenings centered seats and unite against loadshedding Portugese fl amed grilled chicken, Gairidhara. around African American history. Free with 1974 AD, Albatross and Abhaya enjoy the dishes served with entrance, 6pm to 9pm, Sattya Media and the Steam Injuns. Free entrance, 18 the trademark Piri Piri sauce. Arts Collective, Jawalakhel February, 4pm to 7pm, Lainchaur Ground Jhamsikhel, 9808563803 MUSIC

Cobweb playing at Tranzit, enjoy rock songs from the legendary Nepali rock band Cobweb. 17 February, 7:00 pm onwards. Tranzit Woodfi re Pizza Restaurant and Bar, Thamel JAPANESE CREPE STATION, try the PUMPERNICKEL BAKERY, grab KUTUMBA PLAYING FOR uniquely Nepali khuwa crepe for a quick an early breakfast or brunch with HERITAGE II, Kutmba will be travelling fi x. Kichapaokhari and Basantapur. Call interesting choices of bread and across Nepal. to generate awareness 4256655 sandwiches. Experiment with its goat 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 LIFE TIMES 9 cheese or yak cheese sandwiches, or have a sip of coffee in the classy indoor GETAWAYS dining area. Thamel, 7.30am to 7pm, 4259185 Fulbari Resort, enjoy the scenic view as you pamper yourself with tennis, Summit Hotel, posh dining area offers golf, drinks and dinners. Rs 6500 a romantic night view of the city. Get per person for 2 nights and 3 days, busy with the succulent ribs basket, and , 4461918, 4462248, add the fi nishing touch with a hot Dutch [email protected], apple pie. Jhamsikhel, 5521810 THE FACTORY, a trendy restobar with [email protected] great food, drinks and zesty music. Try the cheesecake, it’s a must. Mandala Ace Travels Winter Package, enjoy Street, Thamel a luxurious yet affordable holiday package with Ace Travels to countries Just Baked, a cozy café with amazing like Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. pastries and friendly ambience. Old Offers start from Rs 48,800 per person Baneshwor for a 4 nights and 5 days tour package to Thailand, call its toll free number Dhokaima Cafe, exquisite atmosphere, 16600100600 MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA friendly service, cozy bar, place to see and be seen at. Patan Dhoka, Yala Maya Kendra, 5522113 LHASA BAR, enjoy a beer or a splash Flower power of cocktail at this springboard for Casablanca, enjoy the food and sing excellent young musicians starting your hearts out at the karaoke station. eera Joshi Pradhan will be showcasing water colour and acrylic out on the Thamel circuit. Thamel, Babar Mahal Revisited Npaintings in her solo exhibition entitled ‘Placid Nuances’ starting from 985101043 25 February at the Park Gallery, Pulchowk. Neera, the daughter of late Chopstix, savory Asian food cooked artist Ramananda Joshi, is a botanical artist and illustrator who has been Casa de Cass, offers continental in true Chinese fashion sure to charm involved in botanical art since 1999. Beyond the accurate portrayal of the delicacies, baked goodies, brewed and impress. Try the famous drums of botanical subjects, Neera expresses the soul of fl owers on the canvases coffee and everything in between. heaven. Kumaripati, 5551118 THE BORDERLANDS ECO using her distinct personal style. She derives her passion for art and fl ora Jawalakhel ADVENTURE RESORTS, raft in from nature and is fascinated by the rich texture and hues of fl ower petals. Singma Food Court, for the best the mighty Bhote Kosi, try a canyon Everest Steak House, an old-school Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine descent, an off-the-beaten trek to a Placid Nuances joint for everything steak. A sanctuary in town. Pulchok, 5009092 and hidden monastery or a mountain bike 24 February-16 March at Park Gallery,Pulchowk for meat. Thamel, near Chhetrapati Bhatbhateni, 4411078, ride along the Tibetan border. Call Chok, 4260471 [email protected] 4700894

Café Soma

baked goods wait behind a glass case. The Carrot Walnut muffin (Rs 75) is fluffy and heated to order. Ask for a knife and a slice of cold butter. Other favourites include the brittle Almond SOMEPLACE ELSE Cookie (Rs 55) and the twisted Almond Danish (Rs 80), but I can go on. A non-deafening soundtrack of crooners like Louis and Billie on play, PICS: MARCO POLLO free WiFi, accessible outlets (though he anodyne to almost any subject to load shedding), clean comfy ailment—be it writer’s block before of VAT): Two perfectly poached eggs couches, good lighting and bookshelves Ta pressing deadline, a dogged over smoked ham stacked on toast in selling the everyman’s library of hangover from a night on the town or lieu of the traditional English muffin contemporary and classic tomes create plain old heartbreak that reaffirms the and smothered with a tart, creamy the closest thing to an ideal coffee shop folly of a holiday deriding singlehood Hollandaise sauce. The decadent in Kathmandu. and reveling the grand illusions of courtly emulsion of egg yolk, butter and lemon Service at Soma is a tad too lax and love (humph!)—Café Soma hits a spot juice is a literal injection of the old adage, can be more attentive. Should we queue that no paramour or inamorato can dare “The way to a man’s heart is through his up or sit and wait for a menu? However, arouse. stomach.” breakfast mitt of eggs and sausages, while regulars on their portables attuned to The quaint nook in Jhamel is more But the Lucullan feast does not end the Eggs, Mayonnaise and Capers (Rs 270) long hours in a ‘coffice’ (yet another than just a coffee shop vending decent there. A house special on the list of coffee is just that and divine. The Mozzarella portmanteau) seem to appreciate Soma’s coffee, filling sandwiches and good reads; beverages is the Browniccino (Rs 190), Cheese Steak (Rs 350) packs tender prime laidback atmosphere and the cure-all it’s a neighborhood den whose homely a delectable portmanteau that blends beefsteak and slithers of mozzarella in comforts it feeds. charm readily invites a morning or brownie bits and espresso into a frappe a toasted white loaf with grilled onions. Marco Pollo midday routine. that could have only been the brainchild Sandwiches and burgers like the healthy At Soma’s core is a breakfast menu of an American franchise. Grilled Chicken & Rosemary (Rs 295) are Across from a that kindly accommodates to white nights To risk prattling on about dished with a scant serving of slaw and a bicycle shop and sleeping in on weekends (available portmanteaux, Soma does brunch. bowl of hearty potato wedges, a rare and down the street 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM weekdays; 7:30 The sandwich selection is welcomed fashion in the valley. from Herman’s AM to 2:00 PM weekends). The mother comprehensive of all appetites, catering For sweets indulge in desserts like Bakery in of all panaceas is Soma’s version of Eggs to latecomers, high teas and lunchboxes. Crêpes with Sugar and Lemon (Rs 120) Jhamel Benedict (Rs 280; all prices are inclusive The All-day Breakfast (Rs 295) is a warm or take on to the counter where in-house 10 HAPPENINGS 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592

WEEKEND WEATHER

The westerlies are coming at us in waves. The remnants of the storms that battered eastern Europe are fi nally reaching us. Most of their oomph and moisture are spent, but expect partly KATHMANDU cloudy skies with snow in the mountains of western Nepal. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY will continue to be plagued by smoggy mornings and minimum temperatures in the low single digits. 19-04 19-05 21-06 Loot

comes across as the preferred hero. The actor as ‘Haku Kale’ is theatrical and exaggerates his scripted heavy Newari accent unnecessarily, Karma as MUST SEE ‘Nare’ is good enough with the obligatory red eyes that go with his character as a nocturnal gambler, Prateek Raj Sophia Pande Neupane plays ‘Khatri’ a small time drug/arms dealer with shaggy hair, Dayahang Rai is genuinely hilarious as the unemployed side-kick and loyal friend of ‘Pandey’ (Sushil o make a good fi lm, many disparate entities must Raj Pandey) the star-crossed and slightly too soulful lover of come together and gel perfectly. A decent fi lm emerges ‘Ayesha’ played by a charming Reecha Sharma. Tfrom the morass of production which involves people The plot of the fi lm is simple enough. We see Haku running around setting up lights, laying down heavy cables, Kale recruiting the other four characters in order to plan scrambling to iron clothes for costume changes, and and execute the robbery of a bank. The cinematography is providing food for the cast and crew: all in a 12-hour day. excellent, innovative and slick. However, when the camera Additionally, the assistant director who is in charge of moves so much in a fi lm it’s usually because the director is making things happen on time almost always loses her mind, worried the story is not strong enough. Not even the best BIKRAM RAI the producers are constantly fussing about how their money actors can salvage a fl awed script. A good script, on the is being spent, and, of course, there is the poor director other hand, can be ruined by bad actors. Good writing is the CLEAN BRICKS: Two brick kiln owners were awarded “orange” certifi cations by to whom everyone turns when things go wrong, and who base of good fi lm, and good casting is key. Laxmi Bank CEO Suman Joshi on behalf of BrickClean Network on Sunday at must be prepared to fi x all problems from hissy actors to In order to make good fi lms in Nepal we can no longer the Nepali Times EcoFair. No brick kiln has yet won the “green” certifi cate. disgruntled crew members. It is always diffi cult, therefore, rely on gimmicky scripts and innovative camera angles. to eviscerate bad fi lms once one knows how much blood, We must concentrate on writing stories that truly matter, sweat and tears have gone into even the most mediocre of and develop characters with more moral and psychological productions. complexity. Action movies are fun enough, and Loot has its Loot, a gangstery heist fi lm, set in our now very urban moments, but for truly edifying cinema, we all need to work Kathmandu could certainly have been a better fi lm if only it a little bit harder. Nepal is full of stories, one just has to fi nd had been slightly shorter. An editor with an unsentimental the ones worth making for the cost, and the hard-work that eye would have sliced away all the unnecessary, repetitive goes into any and every fi lm. dialogues and the interminable action sequences garnished with the slightly too loud fl esh-meets-fl esh noises. DVDs reviewed in this column are available at The main problem with Nischal Basnet’s fi lm is its Music and Expression, Thamel, 01-4700092 script, which he also wrote. Not entirely original and more than a little derivative, it starts off with a very prescribed, almost pedantic, introduction into its fi ve main characters, nepalitimes.com all of whom are in desperate need of money. This is a fi lm Watch trailer written for an ensemble cast, and no particular character

BIKRAM RAI LET THERE BE LIGHT: An exhibitor at the Nepali Times EcoFair showcases solar Bird flu scare photo-voltaic panels as an alternative to power cuts for households.

cause efficient human to human virus is lethal. Aside from transmission. The spread is culling the birds, the other DHANVANTARI limited to birds, and humans are means for controlling spread Buddha Basnyat, MD occasional victims when they are vaccines and antiviral come in contact with infected agents. If oseltamivir is started birds. Among the 564 confirmed within the first 48 hours of human cases reported symptoms, the benefit is he news from sunsari worldwide through August significant. But the problem about culling poultry 2011, nearly all were acquired is the cost and the availability T(pictured) because of by direct contact with poultry, of the drug when you need it. bird flu is alarming. The vaccine against There are also reports this virus is stockpiled that crows are dying in rich countries, in Kathmandu in large and it is unlikely that MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA numbers. This has this vaccine will be EMPTY JAR: A student helps his friend carry an empty cylinder to a gas depot in caused anxiety and available in adequate Kathmandu on Wednesday morning. The government says the LPG shortage raised questions about amounts for Nepal. will last another week. whether humans are at So for now how do risk. The first outbreak we deal with an of bird flu was in May outbreak? 1997 when a child in Poultry farmers, Hong Kong died of butchers, and cooks this illness, perhaps who deal directly with the first known human poultry and raw meat infection with influenza are the most vulnerable. A (H5N1), or avian In Kathmandu people influenza (bird flu). NARENDRA SHRESTHA should avoid contact After 18 cases and with dead crows. six deaths in Hong Kong, the with person to person spread Washing hands virus appeared to be under being almost non-existent. Bird thoroughly with soap and water control and possibly eradicated flu is often compared to another every time we go to the toilet or by the end of 1997. But it avian strain, the agent of the any time we handle live birds, returned in 2003, and it has Spanish flu of 1918-1919, which raw poultry or uncooked eggs is subsequently continued to traversed the world in three protective. Proper cooking kills evolve and spread. The good months and caused an estimated the virus, so eating steaming BIKRAM RAI news is that the Achilles heel 50 million deaths. chicken momos will not cause HOLY SMOKE: Sadhus and holy men have started arriving for the Shivaratri of the virus is its inability to When it infects people, the bird flu. festival at Pashupati which falls on Monday, 20 February. 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 NATION 11 REBECCA VAN OMMEN

RABI THAPA YAK ATTACK IN FLIGHT: Robyn Hemming, John Martin, Ganga Thapa, Allan Shrestha, Shubha Giri

f a desert tribe from Mali can come to London and mesmerise catch up on musical developments and “Icrowds of people with its music, work on music videos. He is tireless in why can’t Nepali musicians do the same?” his collaboration with like-minded Nepali Shubha Giri, founder of London-based musicians, such as Cadenza and Lumbini ensemble Yak Attack, has a point to make. groove’s Pravin Chhetri, and hopes to It’s one he keeps coming back to. Nepalis record with pop star Nima Rumba. Far need to recognise the depth and range from feeling disadvantaged by his distance of their own musical heritage, he says, from Nepal, Shubha feels London offers and join the conversation taking place Building bridges him the opportunities – as a musician, across cultures within the loosely defined producer and promoter – to bolster the genre known as ‘world music’. Working reputation of Nepali music in novel ways. together collectively, he wants to reach Yak Attack unearths musical synapses “One way to start would be to get out to mainstream audiences in Nepal and Nepalis living abroad into it,” he says. abroad, promoting ‘peace and harmony’. between Nepali folk and rest of the world “There’s such a huge community of Nepali As anyone who has seen the Tuareg- youth in London, and they have massive Berger band Tinariwen perform, this is parties. But the promoters only think of not as fanciful as it sounds. listen to other music either, beyond of Nepali folk rhythms and Afro-jazz club nights. So there they are, 2000 Nepali Appropriately, the best advocate of MTV-derived American rock. We need to sensibilities that practices just what kids, listening to Rihanna all night long.” Shubha Giri’s mission is Yak Attack’s dig deeper – rock came from blues, and Shubha preaches. He laughs. “I tell the promoters: Guys, we music itself, now available on their debut blues came from Africa, after all.” ‘Hariyo Dadha Mathi’, with melodious gotta mix it up a little!” EP Taal Sutra. With the circular guitar It’s clear Yak Attack has been digging guest vocals from Mongolian Heart’s Raju Shubha’s energy is infectious, and Yak lines that chime through the opening bars deep, and has built both musical and Lama, is the obvious candidate to lead Attack provides ample evidence of his of the band’s rousing rendition of Nepali personal bridges across cultures. The Yak Attack’s EP. But one can’t help but talent for collaboration. And his desire to folk classic ‘Hariyo Dadha Mathi’,Yak self-declared “shape-shifting musical be uplifted by the unexpected Tamang see his compatriots get their act together: Attack invites us to that conversation. It’s outfit built around a core of Afro-Asian selo that riffs through the track ‘Tibet’, “People come to Nepal from all over the one that reaches beyond the tired tropes rhythms” currently includes three interlaced with jazzy keyboard and guitar world to see our culture. But many Nepalis of rock, easing us into the seamless blend Nepalis – Shubha and Gagan Thapa on solos, and the unabashed funk blow-up of abroad are just doing their own thing, and of the familiar and unfamiliar achieved by guitar, and Allan Shrestha on drums ‘Be Free’ makes one yearn for a live show don’t see the need to come together. If the very best fusion. – as well as other talents unearthed in in Kathmandu. we’re talking of New Nepal and all that,” Shubha acknowledges we have a long the rich cross-fertilisation that is the For now, Yak Attack is hoping Taal he concludes, “we just need to snap out of way to go. “There’s this attitude Nepalis London music scene, such as John Martin Sutra will generate demand for a full this culture of bullshit.” have – we think foreigners won’t listen to (saxophones) and Robyn Hemming album to be released later this year. our music because they don’t understand (bass). Add world music veteran Dubulah Following the EP’s London launch on www.subsonicroutes.com/ it and won’t be interested. So we don’t to the mix, and you have a potent meld 25 February, Shubha will visit Nepal to releases taal-sutra-ep/ 12 NATION 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 AIDS 2.0 It’s time for a second generation response

GUEST COLUMN Rajiv Kafle

hen we speak about AIDS in public or with our friends and families we still lower our voices to a gossipy tone, as if Wwe are discussing something as secret as a high school crush. We don’t want others to hear, because we are fearful of being associated with the outcasts of society. Since AIDS is linked to taboos like sex, alcohol, drugs and crime, even medical doctors, professionals and political leaders hesitate to publicly talk about it. Campaigns which aim to sensitise people on AIDS automatically refer to sexual intercourse as unethical. None of us would exist without sex, yet we unnecessarily stigmatise sex, drugs and HIV/AIDS. A few years ago when politician Gagan Thapa posed alongside an HIV positive person for a poster aimed at reducing the stigma An epidemic attached to AIDS, he was inundated with questions and rather unpleasant comments by curious reporters and colleagues. What relation did he have with those living with AIDS? Why was he sympathetic towards them? All Gagan wanted to do was to promote greater acceptance and hoped people living with AIDS would not be ostracised any longer. But after being hounded by the media for months and after giving of stigma and hundreds of clarifi cations, he told me in a rather tired and defeated voice that he would do anything to fi ght AIDS related stigma in the future, but under one condition: I would not ask him to pose for another poster. I respected Gagan’s feelings and have not asked him to be on another campaign poster. But his experience confi rms how far we in discrimination Nepal still are from normalising AIDS in our discourse. HIV in Nepal is technically a ‘concentrated’ epidemic. More than four out of every fi ve HIV infections are transmitted through heterosexual transmission. People who inject drugs, men who have sex with other men and female sex workers are the key high-risk Fewer Nepalis are being infected groups driving the epidemic. with HIV/AIDS, but ostracisation Male labour migrants (particularly from India where they visit female sex workers) and clients of female sex workers in Nepal serve within families, in schools and as the bridging population groups transferring infections from high risk groups to a low risk general population. As the epidemic matures workplaces is still a major barrier 23 years after the fi rst reported case of HIV in 1988, more and more infections are being recorded among the general populations. Offi cially, 55,626 Nepalis were HIV positive in 2010 out of which slightly more than half (58 per cent) were men and 28 per cent women of reproductive age group. Children under 15 made up eight per cent RAI a part of India’s patent STD Control (NCASC). of infections. laws which allows Indian However, money for ART companies to produce cheap is underutilised or wasted, versions of generic anti- and ART centres in rural areas epal has made retroviral drugs. The Novartis still do not provide quality dramatic strides in vs India case heads to the service. “At a time when basic Nreducing new HIV Indian Supreme Court on 28 healthcare services are missing infections in recent years, but February. in many parts of the country, progress is threatened by the Even though fewer people ART centres have a mixed spread of injecting drug use are being infected in Nepal, the record,” explains Madhav and migrant workers coming number of people with HIV is Bhandari of SPARSHA Nepal, home with the AIDS virus. expected to grow five-fold to which works with HIV infected In addition, ongoing 200,000 by 2020. At present people. negotiations between Europe most infected people are in the Despite improved and India on free trade are 15-49 age group, male migrant government spending in the going to make anti-retroviral workers make up nearly one- drugs much more expensive, third of all infected people, putting it beyond the reach of and 25 per cent are women. the poorest infected people “The decline in the HIV In the past year, Nepal has made progress in reducing HIV in Nepal. An average patient prevalence rate is a fantastic prevalence among injecting drug users and sex workers. We have today has to spend Rs 2,600 achievement and Nepal is also succeeded in dramatically reducing AIDS related deaths through per month for the drugs, and likely to meet the HIV-related the use of life prolonging antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. More than this amount will increase Millennium Development 6,000 HIV positive Nepalis are now living healthier and longer lives. four-fold if the agreement Goals,” says Nafisa Binte The transmission of HIV among those undergoing ARV treatment was goes through. Shafique UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS reduced by 96 per cent, and ARV might help prevent the spread of “The head of the EU chief. new infections in the future. mission in Nepal told us Over the years, new As Nepal gears up for a new National AIDS Strategy for the next during our demonstration on prevention programs and fi ve years, donors have pledged over $100 million to achieve its goals. 3 February that the agreement treatment and care facilities We have gained valuable experience in managing programs for hard- will have no impact on to-reach populations in the past 20 years, and we must put this to have been set up and the good use for effi cient and effective AIDS response. India’s capacity to produce biggest achievement has been We also have young Nepali scientists and researchers, expert cheap generic medicines, in setting up anti-retroviral clinicians, health care providers and most importantly groups of but we don’t believe it. treatment (ART) centres. More people living with AIDS who have dared to overcome the stigma and If Europe succeeds, the than 6,000 HIV positive people are living openly with HIV in almost 65 out of 75 districts. They are health of millions across the currently get treatment in 36 the second generation leaders who will power the future of our AIDS developing world will be at centres around the country. response. risk,” says Rajiv Kafle, a HIV “The ART program has This means those of us who have been the pioneers of the AIDS positive activist who runs been very successful in movement in Nepal need to back up and make space for the next Navakiran Plus, a hospice for stabilising the infection and the generation. It’s time we proudly pass on the baton to the bigger, better HIV patients. prevalence rate has dropped and stronger wave of activists and troopers. In two weeks, the Facebook.com/rajiv.kafl e in high risk groups,” explains pharmaceutical giant Ramesh Kharel, director of the Novartis is set to challenge National Centre for Aids and 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 NATION 13

PICS: BIKRAM RAI

health sector, allocation for Shoko Noda, Nepal country HIV related projects is still director for UNDP. The other low. Overcoming red tape challenge has been cultural in budget allocation is a stigma and discrimination huge obstacle. “The budget within families, in schools Positive education is first passed around from and workplaces against those n a society where people with HIV/AIDS are ostracised even by family one ministry to another and living with AIDS. Even in Imembers, refused treatment by doctors and stigmatised in the classroom, by the time it reaches the high-risk groups like sex Punarbal Shikshya Sadan is a unique school where infected children are patients there is not much workers, awareness about HIV treated like everyone else. time left,” says Bishnu transmission does not always Started fi ve years ago, the school in Sitapaila gives Sharma of Richmond lead to behaviour change in priority to children of HIV positive parents and children with Fellowship, which works in use of safe sex practices. HIV/AIDS and they can study without worrying about bullying drug and alcohol awareness Injecting drug users are or discrimination. and rehab. reusing syringes even if they Sunila Baniya (pictured, left) and Apsara Khadka started Growing drug use know about the dangers. Punarbal Plus (‘renewed strength’ in Nepali) after working as counselors for HIV positive people. “We found that schools among Nepalis threatens “Unsafe sex is one of the most turn away children just because of their or their family’s HIV to derail the progress made common ways of transmitting status,” explains Baniya, “since no one else wanted them, we so far in HIV prevention. the virus,” says Sunila Baniya decided to open a school for such children.” In 1996, the National at Punarbal Plus, “but there Punarbal started with 35 students of which more than Coordinating Committee for is so much stigma attached half were HIV positive and in the beginning struggled to gain Drug Control estimated a to sex, especially outside acceptance in the local community as teachers, staff and total of 50,000 drug users, of marriage or outside of students faced constant harassment. Today, the school runs which is now 150,000. A heterosexual relationships from nursery to third grade for 65 students. problem that used to be that it becomes very hard for The school is now so popular parents want to enroll even confined to Kathmandu and people to open up about high- non-infected children. Baniya, Khadka and the staff are trying Pokhara has now spread to risk behaviour.” to place Punarbal students into ‘regular’ schools as well. “We do not want to expand classes beyond grade fi ve, because districts like Dang and Doti. The condition is worse we want to eventually integrate our students into mainstream Although more money is for children of HIV positive schools,” explains Baniya. being funneled into harm parents who are also infected But so far only one student has been admitted and reduction programs to (see box). Says Baniya: “we Khadka is distressed at the way schools are refusing to prevent HIV infection among take care of children who cooperate because other parents threaten to take their injection drug users, the can’t go to school because children out if they admit HIV students. Punarbal also has a shortage of drop-in centres they or their families are hostel for 27 children orphaned by AIDS from western Nepal. has hampered accessibility. infected.” Punarbal relies on donations, but money is always short. Recent funding loss for For now, Khadka and her colleagues have decided to cut organisations like Sparsha http://www.ncasc.gov.np/ costs by removing free lunch. She says: “People praise and Richmond has also set http://www.un.org.np/unaids us for our good work but very few are willing to support us fi nancially.” back prevention and care. Bhrikuti Rai “There is still much nepalitimes.com work to be done to protect www.punarbalplus.org the rights of people infected Patients or patents? #576 “They don’t get rich, they get +977-1-4284497 and affected by HIV, and HIV” # 353 individuals at risk,” says 14 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592

Radical republic Mind your tongue Pampha Bhusal on BBC Nepali Service, 13 February BBC Nepal: What did the nation gain from the so called ‘people’s war’? Editorial, Nagarik, 15 February has remained silent over Pampha Bhusal: Since the start of the the reckless behaviour of people’s war, Nepali society has experienced his ministers. If Bhattarai radical transformation. We overthrew the was sensitive about national monarchy and established a Federal Republic The objectionable views where the oppressed and backward castes, integrity, he would have expressed by incumbent class, ethnic minorities, and women have ministers about national spoken publicly about greater representation in the state apparatus. sovereignty are unfortunate. his issue and asked the People are more aware of their rights. It is highly irresponsible of ministers for justifications. members of the cabinet to The PM’s inaction has But these are all theoretical achievements. make such public statements. raised serious doubts over The creation of a Republic is a very real Therefore it was not surprising the present government’s achievement. stance on territorial integrity. when President Rambaran However, it could also be What has the Republic done so far for the people of Karnali? Yadav reprimanded the various that the ministers made Once we conclude the peace process, a new constitution will be in place, ministers for speaking against those statements simply to and issues related to women, Madhesis, Dalits, and backward communities will take centre stage. We can then take forward the process of economic national unity, and harmony. raise controversy and draw transformation alongside social reforms. Members of the opposition people’s attention away from parties have been demanding constitution writing. for the resignation of the But people say only the leaders have reaped the benefits of ‘new’ especially from the Madhesi If the views against Nepal. For instance, Prachanda’s journey from the jungle to a minister of Information and Janadhikar Forum- Republic, national sovereignty were luxurious mansion, is this a part of the Prachandapath? Communication Jaya Prakash have expressed anti-Nepal made intentionally, such That’s not entirely true, because a few people were already rich. I don’t Gupta who had threatened to views. When the parliament ministers have no rights to agree with everything that has happened so far or the way certain leaders break off Madhes’s ties with raised concerns over the remain in office. Therefore, have behaved. Once the transition period is over, these transgressions the state. Similarly, minister of statements, Members of the the prime minister should should be investigated. Health and Population, Rajendra Madhesi Morcha announced immediately demand You waged a war and introduced a culture of violence. But it looks Mahato had threatened to seal that a ‘civil war’ had begun. clarifications from them so like the past is coming back to haunt you. off Kathmandu. as to silence the critics and Prime Minister Baburam We launched our war under very different circumstances. People were Of late incumbent ministers, Bhattarai, on the other hand, console the Nepali people. poor and had serious grievances. But if this culture of violence continues, it could turn nasty. Nepalis might lose trust in us if we don’t make an effort to curb such practices.

Armed PM

Naya Patrika, 16 February

Government staff: Mr Prime Minister, you need to stop the illegal transfer of bureaucrats. Prime minister: Some transfers can be withdrawn. Government staff: All transfers should be withdrawn. Prime minister: You are employees of the government. You are not supposed to play political games. If you want to be involved in politics, resign from your posts first and come join the rest of us. How dare you argue with the 10 Years Ago Sign board: Constitution writing Prime Minister? Man: Political parties Government staff: Mr Prime Minister, if you Papers: Not enough time have the courage, go ahead and punish us. Himal Khabarpatrika, 1 February 2012 Prime minister: I got here by raising arms. I am Abin Shrestha in Kantipur, 16 February not afraid of you. It was 2:30PM when Harka Bahadur Rai, the Government staff: It was ordinary Nepalis who QUOTE OF THE WEEK raised arms, not you. principal of the Chisapani High School in southern Khotang district was preparing a roasting corn for a snack. Armed members of the Maoist affiliated Kirat Rastriya Ministers are in prison. IGPs are

Mukti Morcha dragged him out and took “going to jail over corruption. MPs

him away. After about an hour, villagers kidnap businessmen for ransom and a heard a gunshot. Rai had been consistently police offi cer murders his“ wife. Things opposed to an ethnic state. The person who have gone so bad for this country, no was involved in this incident 10 years ago one can be trusted. is Gopal Khambu (pictured, above), and he is a minister in the current Maoist-led Baburam Bhattarai in Bara quoted in government. And in eastern Nepal the flames Nagarik, 14 February of ethnic intolerance have since spread. 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 15 Absurd classification

Lok Bahadur Khadka on and a Rai wife. Does this Facebook mean my father and I are also aadibasis? If food culture is an indication, nothing is forbidden I am of mixed heritage and in my home. If appearance extremely proud of my family. is the determinant, everyone I was born to a Sherpa mother who knows my mother says and a Chhetri father in Upallo I look like her. Our daughter Kirant. I moved to Lalbandi, resembles her mother and our Sarlahi to help my mother run son and his maternal uncle a hotel. I married a Rai from are mirror images. If economic , Sunsari whom I had met background is considered, we while working for a night bus. I live in poverty and have been am told my mother’s ancestors struggling to make a living for had migrated from Tibet and generations. During the Madhes my father’s family migrated to movement, my parents had to eastern Nepal from the Karnali close their hotel and take refuge

region around 600 years ago. at my mother’s parental house From Sarlahi my wife and in the hills. And if the white I moved to Kathmandu in sahebs are responsible for state search of better opportunities. allocation, who should I contact My wife, who runs a vegetable and where should I apply? shop in a small rented room Under this ridiculous and I manage to earn a meager system, my brother-in-law income. We read in newspapers has an autonomous state, my about writing of the new cousins are eligible for quota- constitution and restructuring of based employment, my Jha the state. However, I am baffled landlord from Lalbandi has by the absurd classification reservations in the Nepal Army of the ethnic minorities and and the son of my house owner, indigenous population. On what a Tuladhar from Budhhanagar basis are states being created who is a gold trader by and people being granted profession, is entitled to special rights? government scholarships. Even If language is the criteria for though I am the son of a poor new states, Sherpa is my mother father, I am left empty handed tongue, I also speak the Bantawa because of my surname. Rai language after marriage No one bothers about the and my children study at an contribution of impoverished inexpensive English-medium Nepalis to the nation school and are fluent in Nepali and families like mine and English. If ancestry is a already feel unwanted in this factor, I have a Sherpa mother new Nepal.

Hounded by hawkers

Kantipur, 10 February

The minute tourists get off their buses and vans, they are surrounded by street peddlers who pull their hands, and haggle them until they give in and buy the goods out of sheer desperation. The harassment is worse around protected world heritage sites like the durbar squares, where visitors say they neither feel safe nor comfortable despite paying exorbitant fees (sometimes as high as Rs 1,100) to the municipality. The offi cials and police offi cers never intervene, but rather watch on as the tourists are picked apart. Mark Hurbon from Germany was roaming through Bhaktapur when he was hounded by three street vendors. “I came to Nepal to see its beautiful architecture and geography and take photographs. But the hawkers constantly nagged me and didn’t even let me take photos. That incident dampened my whole experience,” Hurbon recalls. Although the information department of Bhaktapur Municipality claims that hawkers are banned from the site, there are at least a 100 of them in the durbar square area alone. Tourism entrepreneurs say the municipality has failed to provide security and vital services for the visitors so far. Unless there is stricter enforcement of rules and until services are upgraded, tourists will continue to suffer. 16 BACK SIDE 17 - 23 FEBRUARY 2012 #592 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

And that is the end of the news ome followers of the donkey have written in Sto ask if the headline last week ‘Minister Goes Mad’ was made up. Let me, once and for all, set the record straight here and clarify unequivocally that NOTHING on the backside page is made up. Exaggerated maybe, the truth bent perhaps, sometimes embellished, but everything here is as real as it gets. And so it was with the minister (will remain unnamed until his next of kin PICS: BIKRAM RAI are notified) who while driving But Comrade Tremendousness stopped making a killing. fire alongside the runway at FG to work last week suddenly has redeployed his YCL into The latest estimate is that the TIA last week is apparently tried to get out of the moving an espionage network led by party has awarded itself Rs investigating if resident The number of ex-expats vehicle and asked his driver none other than Moon Brave 15 billion worth of moolah monkeys at the airport were returning to Nepal to have and bodyguard to let him travel Thapa, also known by his nom since 2006 as cantonment experimenting with matches tooth jobs done by Dr Neil has on the roof of the SUV. The de guerre, Special Agent Sagar. allowances, retirement packages, on the dry grass. As part of the grown exponentially in recent quick-thinking driver drove PKD’s spies have got Balu Water compensation for victims’ recommendations, the Task years. Latest arrivals have been him straight to Norvic hospital under such close surveillance families, allocated Rs 40 million Force is mulling allowing cows ex-plenipotentiaries and ex- where the minister was that every evening he is for Comrade Son-Also-Rises back into Gauchar to graze UNMIN chiefs. NTB take note: promptly straitjacketed. debriefed in Lazimpart about to climb Mt Everest, etc. How as they used to in the days the country could cash in on the huge potential for orthodontic FG whom the prime minister met, much of that went to the party of Dakotas because the civil for how long, and sometimes coffers and how much into aviation authoritarians seem to tourism. Kangresis and mainstream Eh- even a transcript of what was the deep pockets of various have no inclination to mow the FG Maleys have decided that this discussed. comrades is not yet clear. This grass. If like me, you can’t make is not the time to bring down And this just in, the reason must be why Comrade God FG the BRB coalition, and have Awe-inspiring was in such a has been so adamant in not head or tail of what’s going on given him till mid-March. But hurry to move house was because allowing the House to ratify Voters in Sarlahi and Sunsari, from reading the daily papers the main threat to the prime Comrade Uma told him a couple international agreements to curb fed up with the lack of progress these days, here is a simplified minister’s longevity comes of months ago that he was going money laundering, extradition of in writing the constitution, synopsis of what is going on: from within his own party. to be bumped off one of these organised criminals and terrorism have threatened members of Awesome is working overtime days. PKD was overheard telling funding. Paris Danda hardliners the Constituent Assembly PKD wants RCP to be PM behind the scenes and got the a confidante soon after: “Good must have plenty to hide if they that they will be taken around BKG wants PKD to be PM Politburo to vote on Sunday thing I kept the cantonments are so fixated on filibustering town in a donkey if they lay JNK wants KPO to be PM to get the PM to resign within otherwise Ram Bahadur would the Paris meeting on FATF this foot in their districts. It was RCP wants BRB to continue a week. Comrade Babu got so have finished me.” week? meant as an insult to the ass- BRB wants BRB to continue spooked he dashed off in his FG FG embly members, but as far as Mustang to Makunay’s home this columnist is concerned And that is the end under the cover of darkness The Maoists may have stopped The High-Level Committee they couldn’t have bestowed a of the news. during loadshedding hours. killing people, but they haven’t that was formed to probe the greater honour on our ilk. ISSN 1814-2613

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