#64 12 - 18 October 2001 20 pages Rs 20

JAZZ 19STUDY 10,11,12

BINOD BHATTARAI ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ust a few years ago Nepali domestic aviation was a model of successful Jderegulation. New airlines were popping up every week, services were getting better, and even the price of tickets had started going down. Today it is all in shambles. Buffeted by aMayday, Mayday tourism slump that started with the Indian Airlines hijack in December 1999 and carried on to the post-11 September worldwide downturn, Nepal’s domestic • The government had given air operator airlines are struggling to stay aloft. certificates to 31 airlines by 2000. Nepal’s domestic airlines are on the verge of collapse. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The impact of the policy of opening up To be sure, most of the aircraft in the LAXMAN UPRETI the skies was there for all to see: domestic field are second-hand, safety standards have not been up to mark with a • The number of Nepalis flying internally series of tragic crashes. But tourists and jumped almost five times from about Nepali passengers have benefited. There are 350,000 in 1992/93 to 1.8 million last year.now more than 20 flights a day between Kathmandu and Pokhara, about 15 a day to • Domestic airlines hauled a million Lukla. There are no waits for flights to tonnes of cargo last year, compared to half Jomsom or Bhairahawa. However, airlines that amount in 1992. have not made much of an impact in • Last year there were 19 private airlines remote, non-profitable sectors like Jumla, flying, compared to only Royal Nepal Bajhang or Taplejung. Private airlines that Airlines ten years ago. do venture out to these routes are known to charge double, sometimes triple, the Royal Nepal Airline’s rate on the sly. Weekly Internet Poll #4 There were already serious problems Q:Should the government lift restrictions on Nepali with undercutting and unhealthy competi- women going to the Gulf to work? tion for passengers and the domestic airline industry was getting ready for a shakeout. There were talks of mergers and acquisi- tions. Also, as the airline industry generates quick revenue that is where fly-by-night Necon’s losses over the past few years investors would want to be. Anyone with had pinned their hopes on the autumn have ranged between Rs 100-120 million When Pragyan S. Rana of Mountain Air just enough money to buy/lease two aircraftseason. But the cancellations after 11 and revenues are now sliding even faster. was asked why the airlines were still flying. can join and these would be the first to September and the strikes against According to Pun, Necon’s monthly “We have no choice,” he shot back. “We leave when the downturn begins. Afghanistan have spooked all except the earnings average around Rs 40 million, have to get as close to break even hoping But the crisis in tourism has made most determined tourists. while the operation cost is to the tune ofthat things will improve.” matters much worse and much faster than “We just don’t have enough people Rs70 million. Necon has been trying to cut costs by anyone imagined. Now, the challenge is flying,” said Lt Col (retd) Narayan Singh Pun, No business can run with such statisticstaking on a smaller partner—in a marketing staving off bankruptcy. A tourism slump who took over as Chairman and Managing but industry analysts suspect the situation alliance—but the process remains caught had hit nearly all private airlines and theyDirector of Necon Air last month. “Necon hasis similar for others in the business, but up in employee resistance and other Selected responses on p. 8 Total votes: 958 big problems, almost close to shutting down ifthey do not disclose their numbers as easily.procedural hold-ups. things don’t improve.” The world’s most reliable See p. 9ð UPS for PCs Recommended by Microsoft, IBM, NEC and Novell “Cinema can highlight the plight of those without lobbies” MIN BAJRACHARYA For the film aficionado Shyam Benegal needs no introduction. One of the major personalities of the ‘new cinema’ in India, at last count he had made 21 feature films, 45 documentaries, including the epic 53-hourBharat Ek Khoj (Discovery of India), and over 1000 commercial film-lets. Such a wide-ranging oeuvre aside, he can also be credited for providing the first real breaks to such artistes as the late Smita Patil, Back-UPS 500 Shabana Azmi, Girish Karnad, Om Puri and Amrish Puri. He has received several • Compact design with surge protected national and international awards for his films, apart from the top Indian civilian outlet for Laser printers awards, the Padma Shree and the Padma Bhusan. • Three battery back-up outlets During the film director’s recent visit to Kathmandu to chair the Jury at Film South • Lightning and surge suppression Asia ’01 held 4-7 October, Nihal Rodrigo met him over coffee, cappuccino and (many) • EMI/RFI filters for noise filtration • Communication interface port (auto cigarettes and asked about his vision of the cinema, the responses his films have shutdown for all major desktop OS) evoked, and the relationship between film and literature. • Quickswap™ battery replacement • Quick Recharge after power outages • Save battery power with user adjustable option switches Your first film,Ankur , looked at social and gender The cinema or individual films are not capable ofchange. really This must be preceded by a change in • Industry approval (safe & reliable) discrimination in a feudalistic society in rural India.effecting huge political and social changes in Indiaperception. or It won’t happen with one film. It is a anywhere else. But the film is a powerful mediumprocess. for ® Two years later, in 1976, you cameManthan up with, bringing to the fore, subjects which otherwise wouldI have sought to reach out to audiences beyond Legendary ReliabilitySM dealing with social mobilisation and empowermentbe lost of to public discourse. Cinema can give social those already conscious and aware – people of the Authorized Distributor rural dairy farmers and their struggle against urgency and highlight the need to deal with the plight same feather. Film must be engaging, engrossing to a of groups who have no lobbies. That is the primary exploitation. Latter films too deal with social issues very large number of people. Films must entertain. thing the (politically and socially conscious) cinema Computerland Building, New Plaza, Ramshahpath, Kathmandu that have largely been ignored by other filmmakers. Popular acceptance and appeal is essential. Tel: 430858, 430859, 431199, 431746 Fax: 430641 can do. You have to work towards an attitudinal E-mail: [email protected] To what extent do you believe can films bring about The Total Solutions Company social and economic change in real life? See p. 17ð Achhami settlers from the hills (with their 2 other-worldly miniatureNEPALI cows) can TIMES provide INTERVIEW NEPALI TIMES 3 EDITORIAL 12 - 18 OCTOBER 2001 12 - 18programme OCTOBER going 2001 in the next 5-10 sufficient stimulation to even the most years? Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, jaded culture-vulture. Tikapur could Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit Editor:Anagha Neelakantan Nepal will probably remain a priority STATE OF THE STATE become a tourismby CK destination LAL if talent, time Design:Swosti Rajbhandari, Kiran Maharjan country. There is a lot to be done when it [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com and money were to be intelligently invested “There is willingness at the top, and at the from Chisapani in the east. In the middle of comes to poverty alleviation, but there is Advertising:Sunaina Shah, Anup Adhikary in its promotion. it all, Tikapur flickers in splendid isola- willingness at the top and certainly there is [email protected] But it’s to the lonely—and the lost— only in hydropower. Security may be an Subscription:Anil Karki [email protected] Nothing totion—an do urban dreamin of a royalTikapur loyal issue for other industries. willingness at the grassroots. There is Sales:Sudan Bista [email protected] conceived as a statement of supreme that Tikapur provides succour the most. It grassroots something in between doesn’tsomething in between that doesn’t work” work. is a new town—nobody belongs here. Ergo, Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur sycophancy. How has your experience with But Nepal needs development money everyone is like everyone else—a little lost, GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal As long as the town establishment had Khimti been, especially with the because there are some things that cannot Tel: 01-543333-7, Fax: 01-521013 Printed at Jagadamba Press: 01-521393 —If you have nothing to do, you and searching for something all the time. TIKAPUR hardwoodsal trees left to fell and sell, it It’s been two and a half years since the BPC’s (Butwal Power Com- debate for changing power pur- be done with private capital alone. It is can do all that to your heart’s content here Could the collective search be for peace? didn’t lack the revenue to finance its follies. Norway opened its embassy in Norwegian ambassadorpany) holdto Nepal,any lessons? INGRIDchase OFSTAD arrangements? speaks to Nepalidifficult to see Times from outside onwhat isthe slow in the middle of nowhere. With no Even a stray visitor forms a bond with the But now that the royal grants have run out, Nepal. How have things gone? It is very tragic it has taken such a long Khimti was the first large private invest- actually the main problem, some of it may JUST PEACE mountains to gaze at and no monuments to locals that seekers strike over a long time pace of development, Norwegian investments in Nepal and on the peace talks. decay seems to have set in. Gardeners of the What is special about Nepal-Norway strong move towards decentralisation, time. Neither the Norwegian, nor English ment in Nepal and it is always difficult to be structural. Some people benefit from explore, there are no pressures of anticipa- along the trails of pilgrimage. In Tikapur, if the structures remaining in place. sprawling Bangla (Bungalow) Park have not cooperation is that it started with people- which○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ I think is the key. But what is investors are so interested anymore. I just be the first one, both for○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the company and An insurgency does not have a clear beginning or a neat end. Liketion in this town set amidst a forest. Towns all you want to do is count stars in the monsoon floods, it arrives, it devastates, and departs, leaving destruction been paid for the last three months, and to-people collaboration, between NGOs andmissing is the local ownership of schools, hope they will finalise it and not go for a for the government. It was quite hard to often evolve around a central function— azure sky on a balmy October evening, in its wake. But just as floods teach people how to cope with another one weeds have started taking over the floors of continued as private sector partnership likethe relationship between the school and new round of bidding. There is nothing to get the systems moving and to put the It has become fashionable to question administration, trade, industry, or even people understand. They don’t ask you next time round, there are lessons to be learnt from insurgencies too. the two holiday homes built for visiting the Khimti hydropower plant. All this the local community. be gained from that. It you want to things in place. It was also more costly democracy and blame it for every- entertainment. But this town is different. why. In fact, some of them may even say There are signs that the Maoist leadership has come to the realisation royalty. happened before aid came in. It is aid privatise you have to make the private because it wasthe first project. There was thing that is not happening. Do you Tikapur has been designed as a town with that it is the most natural thing to do. also share this cynicism? that, for now, the armed struggle is a dead end. There could be many building on the peoples’ relationship and Do you see some positive signs? sector feel welcome, if they don’t feel an extra risk to it, it was an investment in a the sole purpose of creating a town. Leisure Renowned engineer-architect Shankar Shops down shutters by six, streetlights go factors that have led to this, and we tried to list some of them in previous private investment and not the other way I see positive signs. Because one of the welcome they go somewhere else, to fairly remote area and it is possible to make It is not very constructive to be cynical. is the central feature of this settlement thatNath Rimal prepared the physical plan of off by seven, and by eight issues. Comrade Prachanda has apologised for the excesses his cadre round, which is usually the case. The reasonproblems with aid is that donors are also another country. One can question the upcoming investments cheaper. It is very Democracy in Nepal is still very young, was created to commemorate a royal visit. the town, and it shows. Thatched huts sit most of the town is fast have committed in the name of revolution, although he is silent about what for establishing the embassy was to not giving the government the right political will when it takes such a long difficult to renegotiate a PPA (Power very fragile and to build multiparty he is going to do about them. The “students” of the ANNFSU In 1968, the area where the town on extensive plots meant to accommodate asleep. The town is democracy takes time. People that are bungalows with double-car garages, but strengthen government to government backing, and are taking too much more time. Norway is a small country and it Purchase Agreement). Because this is the (Revolutionary) have publicly promised to mend their ways. Governmentstands today was a dense forest with a few officially dry, so only the relationship and to widen the cooperation.control themselves. For the government to first major project, everybody is looking at involved have not been involved too long, has softened its criticism of the Maoists. The truce holds, and peace there are no vehicles on the four-lane roads, very rich can afford to does not put political pressure. But that sparsely populated Tharu hamlets in the We came with the interest to collaborate inbe responsible we have to be responsible asdoes not mean a company with Norwe- what happens, to see if you can trust the not used to being transparent and account- seems within reach. But this will not be a lasting peace unless the save a few cycles. With no economic drink in the safety of their able. Eleven years is a very short time, and government addresses the root causes of the insurgency. clearings. King Mahendra was on a hunt in the social sector. Our support was chan- well. The education project (Basic and gian link can be rejected twice, without government. Suklaphanta when he had a heart attack. houses. But there aren’t Primary Education Project) shows that it is the problems are deep rooted—the ethnic, Despite the havoc Maoists have created, the revolt has exposed the nelled to education because it was where the being given a fair chance. Royal physicians advised against flying the many rich people here government took a more active role. possible for the government to take on that It there possibility of more Norwe- gender, caste issues, etc, it takes much hollowness of Nepal’s political leaders who have discredited andking to Kathmandu, so a patch of forest anyway. responsibility if it is given the chance. We longer to change them. It is more construc- squandered our hard-won democracy. It has also shown the depth of Is linking Norwegian investment gian investment in hydro? was cleared on the western bank of the Away from the How effective has the support been?are all concerned about results, and if with aid projects a strategy, or did I think there is. The same company has a tive to be supporting the forces of change, frustration of a neglected people whose basic needs have been ignored and show a willingness to change than to for too long. More than a decade after the promulgation of a constitutionKarnali to land a plane, and a hunting lodge pollution of commercial It’s too early to judge, but things aren’t results are not coming it is difficult to it just happen? license for Khimti-II. But future projects that made the people sovereign, rural Nepal is still waiting to seeof woodwhat and it thatch media, the topic of moving as fast as we would like. You don’t continue supporting the program. It is extremely important that Nepal gets out would depend on if it is possible to sell be cynical. What is even more difficult for actually means to be the true rulers of this country. Call them ignorantwas erected or in discussion with some of see substantial changes when it comes to of donor dependency, Nepal cannot keep on power, either locally or to India. No Nepal is that you have very deep-rooted illiterate, but they have yet to see and feel the supposed advantagesdouble-quick of time. the local youth was not primary education in this country. There isYou a are also getting involved in with receiving donor funds for a very long company will invest if it cannot sell. traditions, parts of the country are very democracy. And, mark this, they know exactly who the crooks are.And The King Mahendra the war of vengeance being supporting privatisation. time. It is a part of Norwegian policy to remote while some are very modern. Maoists had felt the pulse of the people and they knew the anger,started to rule from waged against a country DfID (the British Department for What is delaying the Melamchi frustration and hopelessness in the hinterland. They let the people down finance some projects now financed with his makeshift that is already in ruins. We International Development) has been development money through commercial water supply project? How do you assess the govern- by fighting a futile, wasteful war in their name, that is another matter. They ment’s peace talks with the lived with the people—in many cases they sanatorium here in did not talk about Nepali Maoists either, supporting the privatisation project. investments especially in large infrastruc- The difficult part is not technical, the the western tarai. the Maoists? even though we did agree that the scourge But it has not been very success- tures. For the social sectors, it is the issue is about how you manage it and the seeds of Tikapur of the countryside appeared to be on the I would like to be very optimistic. It is very ful. So we have come in as partner government’s responsibility. price of water in Kathmandu Valley. It is town were sown wane. Instead, we chatted about the positive that at least they say they like to for the second phase. The not fair for Nepalis if the government puts when some of his possibility of putting up a ‘Water Kingdom’ Are there security issues mainly too much money into water supply for the solve the issue in a non-violent way. It will government, DfID and the take a long time to get the conflict werethe people. Like Mao said,minions decided to type of recreation centre in Tikapur and relating to the Maoist insurgency? people of Kathmandu. The government opportunity to make a living, people who government of Norway want it to resolved. They may not agree on a lot of they were like fish in water. After the rebels lay down their guns, thatstay back is the even after attracting domestic tourists. We prattled I am not sure about what role conflict should not fall into a populist trap, but were lured into building houses here find be different than what it is now. issues, but it is possible to continue kind of intimacy that political parties and their activists should bethe aiming king had left for that they can’t afford to set up home. Two about turning the abandoned airport into a plays inthis. It is a bit difficult to say ensure that people who are able to start his palace in faraway disagreeing in a non-violent way. It is quite for. Much of this is happening in many parts of Nepal as local self- out of every three houses are either locked couple of sports stadiums and luring cricket There are people who want because there are areas of conflict in paying for water. Unfortunately the Kathmandu. They cowardly to take up violence. governance takes root. Such successful examples of grassroots or looked after by a keeper. If Tikapur has lovers into this remote corner by staging privatisation at the top govern- the world where we have private project is expensive, it should be done in democracy in action must be replicated nationwide if we are to preventneeded a patronan who to be saved, it desperately needs a function.India-Pakistan matches. ment level, but there there are investments. But it may be more the cheapest way, which is why we are even more desperate insurgency replacing the present one. could help them colonise the new clearing, Becoming an education centre is the The idea of holding kite-flying competi- many that are against privatisa- important for the poverty reduction putting grant money into it. I hope the Nepalis know the limitations of their country’s resources only andtoo Khadga well. Bahadur Singh turned out to pricing will be such that also poor people dream of Tikapur, but it’s more of a mirage,tions on the windy shores of the Karnali was tion, and these forces are very work in the country. The conflict is It is the experts and the populist leaders who want to transform beNepal just the into man. have access to the water, the distribution considering its location. It can never be an explored without a touch of irony. And strong. Privatisation itself is not a not de-linked from private investment, Singapore or Switzerland. The people themselves would be quite happyA mere also-ran, KhadgaOS recognised the system should also be improved. industrial or trading town for the very samewhen we climbed down from the roof to go goal, the aim is to get industry running but it is also important to see how even if the process of building a more just and tolerant society werechance to to leap into the big time. He to sleep, the half moon mocked us with a Where do you see Norway’s aid begin—if there were a glint of hope at the end of the long dark tunnel. reason. That leaves leisure, and Tikapur more efficiently. The government conducive government policy is transformed himself into a political sponger barely suppressed smile. towards the private sector—how Despite the utopia that the Maoists have promised, all the people really suits to a tee for doing nothing. subsidises the companies and there are want is to be left to live in peace. The government therefore has ofto anre- emotionally insecure ruler and begged If you haven’t been here, come before bureaucratic and corrupt it is in To be sure, there is ample scope for huge losses for the country. Privatisa- establish the rule of law. National highways can’t be blocked by thefive king to grant him the land he had the Tourism Board discovers it, and decide handling investments. The security hooligans protesting a traffic accident to extort money from travellers.stepped on to build a memorial park and aconventional tourism. Taking out a dugout tion is a heavy political issue and situation is a part of that, but our canoe to the Karnali, going on an excursionto stage one of their garishmahotsavs at There must be equality before the law for elected leaders who misusebeautiful city. Those were the days of royal Bangla Park.t it has to be resolved investments are of a long term nature and their mandate and plunder the people. whims and fancies, and the wish of a into the cane forest nearby, sightseeing politically and by the That done, people must be made to feel free. This can only happenflunkey wasby gladly granted. tours to Ghora-Ghori lake in the north- involved partners. You west, or a safari in the wildlife reserve of creating an environment where every individual’s right to security, dignityTikapur is a nowhere place on the map. have to get a consen- and identity is respected. It goes beyond law and order: it includes jobs, Bardiya are enough attractions to entice It lies 14 km south of the East-West adventure enthusiasts. The lifestyle of sus from parliament. education for all, and health services. In the past 12 years socialHighway inequities and 15 km north of the border have grown, the gap between rich and poor has grown. Democracy must indigenous Tharus of the plains and migrant Does the saga of mean equal opportunity. The dignity of every individual in a largerwith collective India. Flanked by the Karnali on the is what democracy is all about. Every person needs to be respected;east and several of its branches on the west, caste, community, class and gender differences should not be obstaclesthe town has no rural hinterland. Supply for an individual’s progress. That is the government’s role beyondlines the from India are better connected with peace talks. To do what it was supposed to be doing all along, butDhangadhi now in the west and the feeder road with added commitment and urgency to make up for lost time. Otherwiseto Achham in the mountains branches off

just peace will be just a mirage. NARENDRA SHRESTHA

Deuba wants to make sure LETTERS to those for standing up to that all 22 million Nepalis pegging, and no government the Maoists (aka extortion- should have their own piece ONE MAN’S TERRORIST... nately, you cannot. We can wants to deal with this on top of ists, mobsters, robbers). of land. to make his bank statements I may not agree with all whatstop the killing here by the all the political chaos. Nepalis who want nothing look healthy or had he a letter CK Lal has written (“The terrorists. Watch, it will stop. 2. A lot of the Nepali But times have changed.but a hard-day’s work and anfrom a bank manager who was The murderers will be caught eagle is wounded, #61) but businesses are still controlledIncreasingly, the livelihood honest living should revolt his next-door neighbour. and killed. A less savage he does have a point. Terror by people who have strong tiessystem of even the rural against these scoundrels Perhaps Mr Raut isn’t Nepali death than the people they is terror and should be to India so they would like to farmers is diversified. With andoff- fight for our right to after all, and has something killed. Then the needy people denounced unconditionally, see this stable exchange ratefarm employment, it is no property, freedom, and against Nepalis. Whatever it is, of Afghanistan will be helped whether it is from fanatics between the two countries. longer subsistence. Unfortu-justice. he probably had to bend the and left to live in any way they like bin Laden’s henchmen They are powerful, and their nately, our rulers are limited in truth to be able to stay in the please. Our fight is not with or Israeli terror over Pales- voices will be heard. Just mytheir vision and are not able to UK. We would really like to the common people of Af- tine which is supported by two cents.... see beyond the narrow view of know what Mr Raut’s and your the United States. It’s timeghanistan, it is with a small agriculture being the saviour paper’s motives were in doing group of ignorant men. Come for America to revisit its of Nepalis. “Desh Bhakta” such an inconsiderate and policy of Global Policeman.to New York and see where by email foolish thing. George Bush has stated itdeath has left its scar. Then categorically: “You are withyou will write differently. us or you are with the Shourav Udas WHO IS RAUT? terrorists.” I’m afraid the by email I would like to commend Muna Pandey choice is not as stark as it Nepali Times and Jitendra seems: how about state- Raut for putting so many via email Steve SimpsonLAND AHOY Rajesh B Shrestha sponsored terrorism? Nepalis in danger with your New York Re: “The government’s great Hanoi story on asylum-seekers Jitendra Raut is with the BBC land grab” by Kabindra (Asylum, #63). Why do you Nepali Service, London. –Ed. TWO CENTS Pradhan (#61) In Nepal’s PARSA want to make it difficult for feudal past, the major basis those poor people just trying to I totally agree with Artha Beed Vigilante justice in Parsa? It of revenue for the state was survive? Hard-working NepalisAIRLINE FOOD (#59) that the Nepali rupee does not surprise me. In fact, I Rajeeb Mishra land. The state promoted may now be exposed, thanks should not be pegged to the was wondering why it has Kunda Dixit’s airline food Schaumburg, Illinois forest clearance for agricul- to your article. Give people a Indian Rupee, I believe there are taken such a long time. Kudos column (“Chicken soup for ture to generate more tax chance. What is Mr Raut doing two (wrong) reasons the the soul”, #61) is right on income from the peasantry. in England anyway? What’s CK Lal has lost his perspec-government has not moved target. Forget the omelette, The state also awarded land his status? Did he buy certifi- tive on world terror. He away from it: go straight for the styrofoam. grants which was a symbol of cates from a neigbouring speaks lofty things, but can’t Obviously he has never tried 1. In the current bleak power and status for the elite. country or were his parents in get close to seeing and it with green chilli sauce, economic and political situationSome Nepalis depended on a position to influence deci- feeling what has really otherwise you wouldn’t have the Nepali Rupee will only land for survival, and some sions? Did he borrow money happened. If you could stop dissed it. depreciate against the US dollarfor status and power. Now, the killing in Nepal you would as soon as they remove the do it. Right now unfortu- D Hillary by email MIN BAJRACHARYA time. “Once started, the increment will not be important. 4 NATION NEPALI TIMES NATION centre daily. The hospital, whichWhat’s important is instilling NEPALI TIMES 5 12 - 18 OCTOBER 2001 12 - 18 OCTOBER 2001 cost around Rs 210 million, was confidence, faith, and reassur- built mostly with money col- ance among patients.” Since the defect in the heart, most com- coronary heart disease may be lected from health taxes. first open-heart surgery in Nepal monly a ‘hole’ in the heart. more prevalent in urban There are plans to add was carried out by Dr Koirala in Winning to lose There’s also a disorder that may populations leading a sedentary ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ facilities like a catheteri- 1997, facilities have been or may not be congenital, called lifestyle,” says Dr Bhagawan available at Teaching Hospital Women activists are furious. The 11th Muluki Ain (Civil Code) Amend- arrhythmia. In this relatively Koirala, executive director of sation laboratory for and Bir Hospital. But people are ment Bill, popularly called the Property Rights Bill, was approved by which patients pres- the Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday amidst a boycott by the uncommon ailment, the heart has the Shahid watching to see the success rates CPN (UML). The main opposition argued that the Bill undermines the by Dr Ornice has allowed him to an abnormal electrical rhythm. Gangalal National ently have to go to lead a happier and healthier life. He of the operations.And until they equality guaranteed by the constitution. If the Bill becomes law in its Heart to heartPatients have palpitations, feel Heart Centre. India. Catheterisation is a present form, it will allow women to inherit equal property once they are are convinced that these facilities doesn’t have to live with the dread 16, but they will have to return it if they marry. Currently women can like their heart has skipped a beat Dr Koirala, a relatively common procedure work well, Nepalis will prefer to of expecting a heart attack. The 69- and sometimes feel giddy. similar to angiography, in which inherit parental property—if they have reached 35 and are unmarried. This Dasain, go easy on the grease, cigarettes and alcohol. cardiac surgeon, fly to India for treatment and The government decision to go ahead with the Bill as it is signals a year-old has turned vegetarian, catheters (hollow tubes) are quit drinking, taken to walking Valvular heart disease, where estimates that some100,000 operations. reversal of an earlier decision of parliament’s Law, Justice and Parlia- RAMYATA LIMBU placed into the heart to evaluate mentary Affairs Committee to allow women to retain parental property ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ briskly for 30-40 minutes one or more of the four valves in people in Nepal require some “But surgery is not the The heart of the matter the heart gets narrow or starts the anatomy and function of the even after they get married. A study carried out by the Committee everyday, and started going kind of surgery on the heart. But remedy,” stresses Dr Rana who, around the country earlier this year indicated that more than 90 The terrible fear of dying of a leaking, is often due to a bout of the sad—and accepted—medical heart and surrounding blood through a low-fat, low-salt diet. vessels. So much useful informa- upon reverting to his old lifestyle percent of the people surveyed demanded an amendment to the heart attack doesn’t accompany Dr rheumatic fever, but could also befact is that only 50 percent of present system of division of parental property. That’s not all. He’s started tion can be obtained from these after his first bypass, soon had to Krishna Jung Rana to bed anymore. an infection of heart valves or duethem will even see a doctor. The taking an interest in the world tests that they are performed in undergo another operation. The “Until five or six years ago, and in himself. “I was a taciturn to a degenerative condition seen centre has one hundred beds and heart club advocates a change in in the elderly, or due to syphilis. virtually all patients being before I went to sleep, there was man,” explains Dr Rana. “I never plans to make arrangements for lifestyle to prevent the disease that But the most common form of200 more soon. After initial considered for cardiac surgery or always this fear I would die,” says talked much, I was just interested angioplasty. is a leading cause of death in work. Today I’m involved with heart trouble is coronary heart setbacks, Nepal’s only heart worldwide. Says Rana, echoing the retired public health expert. How long it will take the Relief to farmers “Being a doctor, I knew it was various clubs in my neighbour- disease, when one or more centre providing coronary care Dean Ornice’s words. “If you live ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ hospital to become a fully irrational. But I couldn’t help hood. And, on the other hand, I arteries supplying blood to the and cardiac surgery was set up by like an American, you’ll die like an The government this week announced a relief package for farmers in functioning heart centre will myself,” says Rana. meditate. I can’t explain enough heart is blocked. Partial blockage the government in 1995 on the American.”t the Eastern Development Region who were affected by a prolonged initiative of a group of doctors depend on the commitment and drought during the monsoon in June/July and by heavy rains last week. Such fears and anxieties are what a change there’s been in results in an angina while a complete blockage results in a who sorely felt the need for a quality of care, but Koirala is Around 74,000 ha of land across 16 districts of the region remained common among people with heart my life.” uncultivated during the recent rainy season, when much of the area heart attack. hospital that would exclusively optimistic that will happen in disease. The survivor of two bypass Dr Karki, cardiologist and went dry. Worse, the paddy crop was planted late and recently inun- vice chairman of the Nepal Heart “Heart disease is not a rich treat people with heart trouble. dated by torrential rains. The drought, which, according to government heart surgeries in 1983 and 1984 About 60-90 patients visit the statistics, has affected about 62,000 farmers, is expected to reduce and a recent angioplasty, Dr Rana Foundation, says “Regulating man’s disease anymore, but paddy production by about 230,000 metric tonnes. Relief measures is president of the Heart Club. ones lifestyle helps patients avoid include free seeds for vegetables and a 50 percent subsidy on wheat, Members—people with heart prohibitive medical costs and lentil and oil seeds. The Rs 156 million relief package is to be footed undergoing expensive operations.” by the Agriculture and Co-operative Ministry with assistance from the trouble, laymen, doctors—meet Water Resources Ministry and the Agriculture Development Bank. on the last Saturday of every Although there are no compre- Nepali month at 9 am at hensive studies on heart disease in Better living through chemistry Narayani Hotel to have a heart to Nepal, Dr Karki says the number heart discussion about preven- of patients visiting private clinics Genetics plays a part in determining whether one will develop heart tion, cure, and care of heart and government hospitals is disease, but there are some measures everyone can take to reduce the Education Act increasing. Other statistics are risk of coronary heart disease. As risk factors for heart disease include conditions. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ also telling: approximately 20 high blood pressure or hypertension, high cholesterol levels and blood A major goal of the club is to circulation problems, a good place to start is cutting down on grease, The Lower House approved the Seventh Amendment to the Education raise awareness and sensitise percent of the patients at Teach- cigarettes, salt, caffeine and, surprisingly, anything that exacerbates Act last week. The new law is expected to bring about far-reaching people about heart disease, which ing Hospital and 15 percent of diabetes. changes in school education. It will require teachers to acquire patients admitted to Bir Hospital licences, a move aimed at ensuring there is some sort of quality control experts say will still be the South Asians like to believe that a vegetarian diet reduces the risk among those in the teaching profession—one that is said to be made leading cause of mortality and suffer from some kind of heart of heart disease because unlike meat and eggs, the ingredients of a up largely of those that have failed in party politics and also in their disability by 2020. As heart concentrated in the belly,” explains disease. veggie diet are cholesterol-free. But this is not strictly true, because academics. Many teachers are also said to have fake academic South Asian vegetarians often lay on the ghee, butter, cream and certificates. New entrants to the profession, both in public and private disease becomes one of the MIN BAJRACHARYA risk any given time, and anyone Dr DB Karki, cardiologist and vice lead more sedentary lives, at least in Rough guide to heart dis- coconut oil, all of which contain unsaturated fats. A degree of physical schools, will need a teaching licence before joining the school system. leading causes of death in the could fall under that ten percent, chairman of the Nepal Heart labour may use up all that fat, but a sedentary lifestyle in the urban Kasliwal, a senior consultant cities, both of which contribute to ease and care Now for the surprising part—be extra careful if you are diabetic.Government teachers, estimated to number around 150,000, will be world, it is now on the priority but the risks are higher for people Foundation. areas simply does not. issued temporary teaching licences within six months of the law being cardiologist in India. In fact, the Not too many of us know this, but heart disease is the leading cause of the risk of heart disease. with bulging bellies, cautions Dr There’s a surprising amount that Smoking is an absolute no-no if there is any reason you might be enforced, but they will be required to obtain a permanent one within list of the WHO. Dr Rana has a bible for all this: death among diabetics. Even on a tightly-controlled diet, diabetics doctor says, there is plenty of Men above 35 and women can go wrong with the heart. five years. Failure to do so will lead to compulsory retirement, although Kasliwal. “There are risk factors at risk for coronary heart disease. Nicotine increases the heart haverate andhigher blood sugar levels than non-diabetics, and that extra Yet there is the common research to prove that South Asian Reversal of Heart Disease without if the teachers in question are in permanent positions, they will receive above 40 should watch their weight specific to this population—the Sometimes heart disease is blood pressure, and damages the inner lining of the blood vessels—sugar contributes to clogged arteries that reduce the heart’s blood perception that heart disease is Operation by American cardiologist benefits through normal retirement procedures. genes put one at a higher risk for and lifestyle, and health experts presence of triglycerides (which can congenital—a child is born with a and increases clotting of blood inside the arteries, which affectssupply. not a South Asian phenomenon. heart disease—four times more than Dean Ornice. He swears that a circulation, which, of course, goes right back to the basic function of the The law also seeks to give school authorities more power. It will advise “intelligent living” and lead to a hardening of the arteries), And sugar brings us to: alcohol. It’s getting to be a dangerously Completely untrue, says Dr RK change in lifestyle as recommended heart. Some studies suggest that every cigarette you smoke can shorten allow schools to expel American and 20 times more than common little bit of information that a drink or two a day keeps heart regular comprehensive check-ups. ineffective insulin and weight your life by five and a half minutes. teachers for failing to Japanese people. In addition, South attacks at bay. Not strictly true. In younger men (under 40) and pre- Ten percent of the population is at Hypertension, commonly called high blood pressure also affects fulfil basic duties; menopausal women, excessive alcohol use can cause high blood Asians generally eat richer food and being involved in the circulation of blood and the functioning of the heart. Peoplepressure, with irregular heart rhythms, and weakness of the heart muscle, in politics; coming to high blood pressure know they must cut down on salt. But whataddition most of to a host of other problems. If you are older, say, over 60, the work intoxicated and us do not know is that even if you aren’t hypertensive, salt canbenefits precipi- of moderate alcohol consumption outweigh the ill-effects, and taking unreported tate heart attack, by increasing the reactivity of platelets, the youtiny canblood have a peg or two a day without too much harm being done. HERE AND THERE by DANIEL LAK elements that help blood to clot. leave for more than If this seems like excessive warning, given that the holiday season15 days. Coffee is the other addictive substance to avoid. Like too much is around the corner, remember that other cardinal rule of avoidingAnother major salt, it increases the chances of hypertension. And it doesn’t justheart make disease: stay happy, take it easy, and talk to your friends. t you excitable—some compounds in coffee are also suspected to change will be that increase cholesterol levels. So if you need a bit of a jolt, drink juice, or pubic schools, that are henceforth to be called “community schools”, even tea. will be allowed to levy fees at the middle and higher secondary levels. In effect this means that only primary education will be free. Private War diary schools will now be called “institutional schools” and be brought under the tax net, registered either as trusts or as companies. Private schools will lose all privileges—like tax concessions. These schools will also QUETTA, PAKISTANDay – one of the ‘war’. In the dead of night, have to comply with a ceiling on fees. death rains from the sky. American military technology, some of it lentOn the ground zero of world journalism, too many of us are not up to the task. to the British, pours down on one of the world’s poorest countries. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ That such a land apparently harboured terror, evil, violence aimed us. There are fatwas calling for Americans—and all foreigners—to be outward is no surprise. It is a truism of human history that the worst- killed on sight. These can’t be confirmed but the fear is understand- off places often breed nastiness. able. So far, the anger and menace of the mob is being vented on Yet there was a hope—futile, fleeting—that for once, America property. Cars are smashed, shops and cinemas burnt down. Paksitan’s would not be tempted to use its high tech advantage, that ancient skills silent majority—who support neither the airstrikes nor Osama bin of diplomacy and politics might achieve the aims of a bereaved and Laden—take the brunt of the extremists’ wrath. Of course, this was to rightfully angry people. Afghan history is littered with deals made and be expected. A fanatical fringe, bred by the Paksitani elite, godfathered deals broken, a canvas painted in blood, treachery and the forgotten by the same countries now leading the “coalition against terror” has lives of the innocent. The deal-making and breaking might have taken long plagued this country. But the authorities, as usual, are caught flat- time, but it might also have worked. The Taliban toppled, at least footed when anger becomes violence, and honest folk suffer. It is ever some of the men accused of the horrors of 11 September caught, thus, and not just in Pakistan. brought to book, deprived of safe havens where they can repeat their Early Wednesday morning. The strikes continue. Now the actions of alluring menace. Americans announce “air superiority over Afghanistan.” A retired senior But no. The temptation to press buttons, to soar on silver wings general on CNN litters his analysis with the word “we”. The presenter above a blasted landscape, and blast it some more—this triumphed in agrees, he is onside, journalistic credibility jettisoned in what his the early days of the war. Why not? Why shouldn’t high-tech, low network, mysteriously, has now labelled a “strike against terror”. What LUNCH casualty options be pursued to the utmost? Countless “experts” are happened to the war? If it’s good enough for Bush, Powell and trotted out to tell us those answers. I can’t help wonder about the Rumsfeld, why not CNN? A picture has been subtly painted this week. cheques from arms manufacturers protruding from back pockets, or at A country that many of us know to be already in ruins, with a vicious least from the bulging coffers of the think tanks they represent. No elite of tribal fanatics imposed by Pakistan, is being painted as a matter. These are side issues. Afghans are fleeing in fear out there, terrorist-supporting super-state with a medium technology air defence Every Saturday & Sunday come to the Godavari Village Resort and savour a wonderfully juicy Barbeque Lunch taking to battered roads between minefields laid a generation ago, system. This justifies the expenditure of hundreds of millions of prepared to delight your palate. Unwind in the lush-green Vaijayanta Garden Restaurant or the Poolside and savour taxpayers dollars from across the West to bomb it into oblivion. I seen heading for countries that don’t want them. Of course, that’s only the the delectable cuisine at your own leisurely pace. You could also watch Chef Prem Baniya showcase his outstanding an end. I see a means. able bodied, the men and young women who can trudge the distance. cooking style and pick up culinary skills from him. Behind them, they leave the sickly, the starving, the widows—Afghani- From Kabul, news of civilian casualties. Four UN mine clearance stan has more per capita than most—and those the Taliban retain as workers will no longer do their saintly work, making their country’s human fodder for their defence strategy. roads, fields and play areas safe for citizens. They’ve been blasted to Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine or beer for adults and soft drink for children. Prior reservations are recommended Were there no other choices? Did the magnificent and already bits by a Cruise missile. Friendly fire. Collateral damage. An unfortuate to avoid disappointment. decimated land of Afghanistan really deserve a high altitude pounding? consequence of war. The eggs that get broken to make the omelette. I Will it work? All that’s certain is that we’re heading into a time of can’t help but wonder whether we will ever know about the other anxiety, fear and uncertainty. ordinary Afghans dying in these attacks. What international organisa- Rate: Rs. 650/- + tax per person. Later the same day. I awake to a whiff of tear gas. No, more tion will speak up for them? 50% discount for children below 4 ft.* than a whiff, my eyes are streaming in my hotel bedroom. Outside, Tony Blair is promising now, on whose behalf I wonder, that Time: 12:30 - 15:00 hrs. Business Advantage/GVR/0109 there’s shouting, gunfire and panic. My fellow foreign journalists, Afghanistan will no longer be ignored when it’s not being bombed, that Village Resort trapped here in the luxurious Serena Hotel, wonder what’s going on it will be rebuilt and aided into development and long term peace. I *Swimming included in the package (during KathmandulNepal and assume the worst. Rumours fly. The mad mullahs are coming to get hope, no I pray, that he keeps a promise broken so often in thet past. season).

Amarabati, Toukhel, Godavari. Tel: 560675, 560775. Fax: 977-1-560777. E-mail: [email protected] ~ Website: www.godavariresort.com.np 6 NEPALI TIMES 7 NATION 12 - 18 OCTOBER 2001 NATION 12 - 18 OCTOBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES

SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL Phewa Tal, the argument from the by PUSKAR BHUSAL left goes, they would have asked for it. What the comrades miss is the fact that the rules of the cold war Block. If Nepal’s domestic and do not apply here. President What Kathmanduforeign policies have often looked George W Bush has been prepar- can learn from Kabul carpet industries submitted a Labour pain like identical twins, it is because ing Americans—and the rest of charter of demands to the government that included of the special relations carefully the world—for a long struggle t is reassuring to be reminded doing away with the piece-rate forged in 1950 and reinforced against terrorism, one that will that Nepal still has a foreign system of payment, in which four decades later. include diplomatic and economic Ipolicy and that some people But things may be about to measures as well as military wages are paid according to how much and how fast actually care about it. Moments change. The left is incensed by the operations, and probably take workers work. The unions after Prime Minister Sher Bahadur audacity of our right honourable years. Some battles will be won in wanted to fix a minimum wage Deuba offered Nepal’s airspace and prime minister to abandon Nepal’s the full public glare,other of Rs 3000, a dearness allow- facilities to the United States in thetraditional foreign policy tenets successes will remain secret until ance of Rs 1000 and a rent global war on terrorism, words like perfected during the most vilified they pass the CIA’s declassification allowance of Rs 1000. They non-alignment,panchashil and three decades of the country’s deadline. With the stealth of the also demanded a reduction in peaceful co-existence made their modern history. Even if Deuba was battle plans laid out so clearly, you total weekly working hours to way back to the political lexicon. so determined to commit this wouldn’t expect Deuba to tell the 40, and an increase in compen- For most of the past 12 years, sacrilege, how dare he not have opposition what the Americans

sation awards for accidents by Nepali leaders have ensured that consulted the opposition? Foreign did or didn’t ask for. os 50 percent. our international posture remained policy is not something like, say, The left continues to spew The management in many an extension of the country’s paying off your marriage debts. The vitriol that the United States factories signed the agreements, overriding domestic priority: the government asserts that it is clearly brought all this upon itself by acquisition and preservation of focused on the global challenges of creating the World’s bin Ladens but at the same time also were to the US, and even carpet political power at all costs. From the future. In a wired world, threatsto make sure the Soviets bled to started shutting down to avoid manufacturers were hoping to the seeds of the restoration of and challenges will come in entirely death in Afghanistan. But doesn’t complying with them. In expand into the American market multiparty democracy sown at the different forms and shapes. Most of this provide all the more reason September alone, 10 garment to get by. The Central Carpet Chaksibari conclave to the Siliguri the time they won’t even have for the Americans to clean up the manufacturers that employed Industries Association (CCIA) conference on the course of the attributes. The war against mess they created? The CIA tried between 300 and 700 workers says that 24 export manufactur- This monumental reconfiguration of international Maoist insurgency, every domestic shadowy terror groups cannot, to do that by buying back some of pulled down their shutters. Nepal, until two weeks ago less ers in the Valley had closed political move has received the therefore, be premised on tradi- the Stinger missiles it had more than three decades, playing “We are told to contact them than 15 percent of the garment down within 15 days last month architecture will affect Nepal. imprimatur of the region’s behe- tional notions of the sovereignty of donated to the mujahideen during a prominent role in Afghan in November, but there is no factories were operating, and after the Maoist trade unions nation-states. (Even in traditional ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ reconfiguration of the interna- national○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ reconciliation, we guarantee that the factory will nowCarpets more of them and are heading garments until recently moth. The popularity of phrases the Reagan administration, but it Forum at the Federation of pressed their demands. Almost terms, when the United States, tional should know how to straighten re-open and there will be formeant closure. “Earlier, jobs we and foreign exchange. Now like “All roads lead to Delhi” in the didn’t work. Since the scourge hashas allowed countries to readjust Nepalese Chambers of Commerce 30,000 labourers, including Russia, China, India and Cuba are architecture. Even if our intelli- out our national priorities. For a work,” said Tulsi Ram Karki, ourselves were hesitant in taking political discourse sums up the spreadacross the world in the years their foreign and domestic policies HEMLATA RAI Dasain approaching, workers are and Industry (FNCCI). the two industries weavers,are in spinners big andtrouble. carding on the same side, who do our gence apparatus were the dumbestcountry that has morejanjatis ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ who was laid off from Cotton new orders because of the urgency with which we hold the since the collapse of the Soviet in very convenient, if often brazen, worried about getting laid off. If the Maoist strategy is to workers, are left without jobs. If comrades want us to remain non- in the world, that still wouldn’t thanjillas , Nepal could find in ctober usually means Comfort Pvt Ltd, one of the aggressive campaigning by the external dynamics of Nepal’s empire, isn’t it vital for all govern- ways. The Russians have an eye on bring the country to economic the situation does not improve in aligned between? Al Qaeda and the deprive us of our rightful role in an Afghan-styleloya jirgaa useful good business for Nepal’s Garments, carpets and largest readymade garment workers supported by the internal balance of power. To be ments to join hands? As the Chechnya. The Turks have theirs ruin, it appears to be working the next six months, about 100 “civilised world”?) the international arena. Granted, Ogarment industry. Not tourism are Nepal’s highest manufacturers in Kathmandu. Maoists. Now, our clients (the sure, criticism of the south has retribution-versus-root cause debateon the Kurds. Sections of our way of evolving the national better than they could have more factories will shut down. we may not be able to teach other this year. Domestic labour foreign exchange earners and From all indications, Americans) are holding back on proved a winnable electoral strategy There is growing concern that continues, the construction of a mainstream parties already have consensus wehave been resolving expected. For their part, the It is not just individual for all political parties. Patriotism is governments how to run effective disputes (sometimes with generate the most jobs for semi- Cotton Comfort and its six orders fearing recession follow- Deuba’s hasty hospitality may have broad coalition against terrorism drawn up the outlines of a counter- to reach all these years. And the carpet and garment industries are workers and investors who will measured in the power of the operations to penetrate terrorist Maoist undertones), clients skilled and unskilled workers. sub-contractors, like others in ing the 11 September bombing,” unwittingly pushed Nepal to the offensive against the Maoists. How best part is that ourtribal elders shutting shop since they feel that be affected if these two industries adjectives used against the domi- cells. But we sure can learn a abroad losing confidence in the But all three sectors are also the business, have closed down he said. brink of becoming another swiftly the strategic equations in can continue squabbling over the fulfilling Maoist demands for cash grind to a halt. The majority of neering attitudes ofbabus and lesson or two for our good. sector’s performance, and the prone to labour disputes. temporarily in the hope the The outlook is even bleaker Afghanistan. If the Americans South Asia have changed can be Afghanistan, a multiethnic, direction our foreign policy Workers in these industries are will destroy the price advantage the labourers laid off are usually bibijis. Once in power, however, wanted our airspace, land or even economic downturn in most situation will improve as the for the carpet industry. Exports discerned by the way India and multilingual, landlocked and should or shouldn’t take without mainly youth with generic skills that cheap labour gives them in breadwinners in their families. A major markets are killing the government-Maoist dialogue were already down to 2.2 the survival of every party or Pakistan find themselves on the mountainous country, may be a being restrained by the party who probably sense the lack of the international market. 1998 survey by the Centre for 15-year-old industry. advances to Round Three. But million square metres in 2000/ coalition has been inextricably same side against international good place to begin with. With whip.t job security and advancement “Fearing more unrest and Governance and Development Last year, the garment other factors have now come 2001, compared to 2.5 million linked with the strength of the terrorism while still accusing each Mohammed Zahir Shah, out of possibilities as they can be easily disputes, many enterprises are not Studies says that 86 percent of industry, which provides some into play. According to Pushkar square metres in 1999/2000. sanctification granted by South other of fomenting it. the throne, and the country, for replaced. That makes them a renewing orders from interna- garment workers support six or 50,000 jobs, was the highest Dev Panta, vice-president of The sector had been through its Nepal cannot expect to remain volatile workforce. The final tional customers,” said Vinod more family members—large- foreign exchange earner in the the Garment Association- spate of troubles—it couldn’t untouched by this monumental blow could come from their Kumar Nepal of the Central scale lay-offs will mean entire manufacturing segment with diversify production fast enough trade unions tie up with the Carpet Industries Association families will have to find new exports worth $164 million (up to cement its market reach and Maoists. “These sectors are (CCIA). means of supporting themselves. from $126 million the previous had also felt the effects of bad economically strategic to In June, the Maoist-affiliated The trouble is, these workers year). This year, the picture is publicity about child labour and bringing the government to its trade unions in the garment and hardly have other alternatives. gloomy. The first six months the use of environment- knees,” said Narayan Manandhar Around 90 percent of garment saw an 8 percent drop in unfriendly chemicals. After child garment exports, and with of the Industrial Relations workers have only a School worker-free labelling was Leaving Certificate or less. A introduced, the market had 1998 survey by the CCIA found started to revive, but was then that displaced carpet workers hit hard by the Maoists de- had gone back to agriculture or mands. opted for employment in India The FNCCI says that all or West Asia. But the agriculture wool product exports, including sector does not expand fast pashmina, were down by 50 enough to absorb a growing percent last year compared to workforce and so young people the year before. Given the are being compelled to leave the economic downturn globally, country—often to work in business is unlikely to pick up, unsavoury conditions. which means more job cuts. In Even the threat of war in the 1993/1994, when carpets were Gulf has not slowed down the “hot”, the sector employed flow of Nepali workers there. about 300,000 weavers. Now, Last month alone more than less than half of that—about 8,500 workers obtained permis- 120,000—have jobs weaving sion to go the Gulf countries. carpets. They will continue to go to “If the employers had agreed India, South Korea, Japan, and to the demands of the legally Southeast Asia if they cannot recognised labour unions (which find employment at home. And themselves comply with the given the present state of Nepali Labour Act and Regulations) industry, there seems no way to they could have saved both their reverse the trend.t business and our jobs,” said Hari Dutta Joshi of the Inde- pendent Textile and Garment Workers’ Union of Nepal. But that may only be wishful thinking now. Tougher times are ahead post-11 September. About 80 percent of the garment exports from Nepal that should not be at the expense of the private investors,” a private operator told us. “The one way that can work is to subsidise the fares but pay the difference between our operational cost and revenue or give us a freer hand at pricing in sectors where people can pay.” 8 NEPALI TIMES NEPALI TIMES 9 NEPALI ECONOMY 12 - 18 OCTOBER 2001 ECONOMY 12 - 18 OCTOBEROld habits 2001 die hard in the bureaucracy, which can sit on vital commercial decisions for years such as BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED how bad things could get, it’s wait andthe issue of fare revision. Politicians Tourist count from tourists.” see for now,” a hotel operator said. are also less interested to push such a The overall tourism situation Flying in Nepal is hardly a ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ decision, unlike, say, one for leasing a September was another bad month for tourism: all arrivals were down by almost 29 percent, and that of looks bleak. Pre-WTC attacks arrivals luxury; only 58 of the country’s 75 jet for Royal Nepal. Indian visitors by a whopping 44 percent. What is more worrying is that the Nepal Tourism Board’s numbers in September were down by 29 districts have road connections and “They tell us they are aware of the compare the changes with the year before (2000), when tourism numbers had dropped byOn about nine the tourist trail percent; the Indian share had gone many of them are motorable only in problems we’re facing but just don’t percent. Nepal’s tourism averaged at around 350,000 until the Visit Nepal Year (1998), when the numbers downTailspin even further—by almost 44 the dry seasons. It is more of a daily decide,” says Pun, who has already had reached 463,684. The growth spilled over into 1999—there was a six percent increase in overall percent. Large tour operators and necessity and the one reason the injected about over Rs 70 million into arrivals. But the industry took a downturn since the hijacking of the IC814 flight in December 1999, and hotels had their first round of government justifies its grip on the recovery has been very slow. Necon. “But there is a limit to how far Perhaps we need to hand tourism over to people who cancellations after the attacks in New fares and why there are such cheap an investor can go.”t There was some hope in the first three months of 2001, when overall arrivals grew by about 15 commitments soon enough, and so York and Washington. Now with the rates for flights to remote destinations. percent. April arrivals were lower than last year, but there were some signs of recovery inknow May. The what they are doing. they have very little at stake. In the outbreak of war, more bad news may “It’s all right to have low fares but numbers nose-dived after the 1 June massacre. This season, there has been a similar story—it looked case of travel and trekking agencies be coming their way. “We don’t know good and then came the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. The resulting cancellationsn the last in couple travel of weeks this Beed Enough has been said by all, too, the volume of business they plans worldwide, and South and East Asia in particular, has reduced the number of tourists tohas Nepal received to a anumber of requests including your Beed, about the handle is many fold the investments trickle. With the overall arrivals (from January to September) already down by about 10 percent,Ito write and about Indian the future of Nepali government’s failure on all fronts, made and financing is undertaken arrivals are down by 26 percent, a total recovery looks almost impossible. It may only be a tourism.matter Moreof time than a few people thinkwhether handling tourism at the by pledging vehicles, office before the travel industry begins to downsize. that right now it looks as bleak as it policy level or the flying debacle that isequipment or receivables. did twelve years ago, during the RNAC. Now it is time to say The tourism downturn will affect undercutting now underway is not Indian trade embargo. The problem something no one likes to hear—the doing any good to anyone but when with Nepali tourism is this: we have a private sector needs to get its act financial institutions the most, as they will be saddled with non-performing survival is at stake and cash flows are great product, but have never had a together. The larger investments in since 1993 while prices of everything low many don’t have a choice,” says government that could formulate tourism have been in either operating assets. And then there are the indirect from spares, insurance and fuel, and Indrawati hydro to go public links, which mean that down the Upendra Karki of Cosmic Air. ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ visionary policies, or a private sector airlines or hotels. Domestic airlines parking and landing fees have “Essentially private airlines make that understood how the industry have been working on a lease-and- line hotel suppliers, trekking and from p. 1ð increased several times. The insurance The promoters of the Indrawati hydro-project are planning to issue Rs 140 million worth of shares to the tour guides, and handicraft money by flying tourists, now there general public. Preliminary work for the issue is underway and company sources say a formalideally announce- works. Like water resources, we operate strategy, so if something goes premiums have also doubled since the industries will also suffer. are not many of them to fly.” ment is imminent. The 7.5 MW project is expected to begin power production later this year.keep The talking project, about the potential of wrong, shareholders don’t really feel There are just too many reasons last fare revision—not to mention the The increasing losses and the rush estimated to cost $19 million upon completion, has power selling agreements with the Nepaltourism, Electricity but don’t do nearly enough the impact. If one were to examine the So what do we do in the long for the problems nagging the new coverage airlines have to seek to Authority (NEA). It will sell electricity at Rs 3 per unit during the monsoon and Rs 4.26 in the dry season. term? People who come to Nepal to keep cash boxes ringing could be a to think of long-term strategies. shareholders’ funds and compare industry. First is oversupply of seats, protect themselves from possible recipe for potential disaster the The NEA will pay for 70 percent of the power purchase amount in convertible currency for 10 years and in those figures with the value of assets spend more in airfare than they do in- especially to the main hubs and the terrorist attacks. Nepali Rupees thereafter. The company has a 25-year power selling agreement with the NEA.The industry is facing a crisis— moment cost cutting concerns override operations could be shut, banks could the airline firm is operating, it country and perhaps we are not tourist routes, which has triggered Some of the existing domestic fares competing with other destinations. security and safety spending. The be foreclosed, and hundreds of becomes clear that the financing agency steep undercutting in the already low are just unbelievably low and operatorsgovernment does not seem aware of the people could be laid off in hotels or bears most of the losses. The same After all, people who come to see fares. Necon’s latest rates, sent to say they don’t cover the costs even at Everest and trek the Annapurna will impending crisis. The spokesman at Temple Tiger travel agencies. goes for hotels, where investments are travel agents two weeks ago, offer a 100 percent occupancy. One example the Tourism Ministry did not know if more often borrowings rather than still come. The objective would now mountain flight in an ATR plane for is the rate from Biratnagar to ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The grand old years of tourism— the government was doing anything to be to ensure that they get quality as low as $1400. In a full-occupancy 1992-1994 were extremely profitable promoters’ funds. With public issues Tumlingtar, which costs Rs 400 for a avert the situation. “There has been no Temple Tiger Jungle Lodge has been awarded the Tourism for Tomorrow Award 2001 award by British and creative financing mechanisms, service at a price. The supply in the scenario this translates into a ride to Airways in recognition of its contribution to protecting wildlife and conservation areas. Thefor prize operators is given in the toindustry because 20-minute flight. Because the rates, decision on revising the fares yet and I tourism industry should be regulated. Mount Everest and back for as little as activities and projects that promote sustainable tourism. Temple Tiger was one of 141 applicantsof limited for supply the and high demand. core promoters recoup their initial especially to the remote destinations arecan’t tell you if the Ministry is award from 59 countries. Temple Tiger is one of seven companies that run camps within the Royal Chitwan The Beed even believes that no new $32, almost 60 percent below the so unrealistic, most private operators Nepal had the capacity to take in about entrants should be allowed into the working on it,” he said. Hattiban government-approved rates. It is a National Park, and was awarded for its support of anti-poaching activities, treatment of wastewaterhalf-a-million and tourists and received stay away from them, forcing the “We will operate as long as the industry until some semblance of different matter that passengers may other sustainable tourism activities. 350,000. Around this time the first government-run Royal Nepal to order is restored. Since no one here not actually get tickets that cheap direct costs are met,” said Birendra wave of reforms was on and the service the routes—and dig deeper intoBasnet of Buddha Air. He added that seems to understand the industry, because the travel agents pocket the its losses. country and the economy were let us leave it to professional his smaller aircraft have given him difference. Government fixes the fares and Beauty & compassion suitably euphoric. All came together in companies. If we allow international more operational flexibility but the form of high earnings per tourist. The problem with all operators is airlines have freedom to manoeuvre ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ travel agencies and consultants to increases in running costs threaten to And then, in 1995, the slide began that they are already so deep in debt rates within a 30-percent range above be back-breaking. “If tourism Johnson & Johnson says it doesn’t just sell beauty and personal care products, but also has a big heart. operate, they will find a way out. and commitments that it is almost Under a unique sales drive underway since January this year, Johnson & Johnson Nepal giveswith capacity Rs 2 enhancement.from Now we We havepaid a price for protection- and below the approved rates. Now, collapses, then we’ll be the next to go impossible to close shop and walk even that does not seem to matter the sale of every pH 5.5 beauty care product—facial wash and shampoos—to support theare upkeep in a position of to service nearly 1.5 ism, we need to widen our horizon if because whatever we earn today comes out. If low tourism is one reason for because the companies are desperate to orphans at Bal Mandir. The company handed over the second instalment of Rs 85,000 last millionweek. tourists, while demand is just tourism is to remain an option for the downturn the other—larger— sell for anything as long as it ensures a one-third of that. Naturally, prices this country.t tumble and with them, profitability. problem is government, and the sustained cash flow. “The rates and the Santro Returns on investment in the industry incomplete liberalisation of domestic have slipped to about one percent. Readers can post their views at aviation. By law, the government fixes ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ [email protected] the fares, which have not been revised Hyundai has a special deal for Dasain shoppers—a gold One percent—it does not require a coin with every Santro you buy. Avco International says the financial whiz to know that something new Santros come with a face-lift and more bells and is very wrong. whistles: brake lamps, clear lens fog lamp, body coloured door handles, new tail gate and Euro II specifications.

www.nepalnews.com Weekly Internet Poll #4 Should the government lift restrictions on Nepali women going to the Gulf to work?

abroad have been sexually abused orfrankly in most cases it will be miser- There should be strict scrutinisation on Being a citizen of the poor country, oneBy letting our female folks with little exploited but this must be made clearable. to Let them know beyond any doubt, the nature of work they are going for, has to do something to raise one’s education and poor professional qualifi- whoever is wanting to go to work there.that it is not just hard work they face, unlike their male counterparts. We do not standard of living. Women are both cation abroad is to encourage them to It is up to the women, but governmentbut and quite likely some sort of sexual want our socially and legally targeted in our work in an immoral profession. Never private sector should also be involvedassault to as well. chelisto be abused, killed or country. We have to focus on educatingmind money, but dignity and prestige make the whole environment safer. tortured. We can take the example of the women heading towards foreign come first no matter how poor one is. Philippine government, which is very Capt Lama countries for employment rather thanOnce Nepali women are better educated protective about its citizens working fear hypothetical consequences. and professionally trained, it would be Mandip Rai abroad. Women working should not be Restriction makes no sense, rather itOK to work abroad. discouraged, but the nature of the job and It doesn’t matter whether or not the increases possibility of exploitation of their safety should be the major concern.Nepali women going to the Gulf countriesgovernment lifts the restriction. women. Lift the restriction, educate Government and the public, both are to work and to earn money is not a good them with necessary skills in their fieldJNR, Brunei idea. Especially those who go on a going their own way. Restriction for of work, and be clear and cautious to Dr Krishna Kaphle housemaid visa. The intention of bringingwhat purpose ? Our women are wellthe legal rights of the land where they women to their country is mainly for sex.enough. A weak woman cannot thinkwork. Nepali women should be allowed to go to I feel sad and somewhat guilty whenIt I does not matter whether they are about crossing the border. Not even any country for their livelihood. It will help hear about sufferings of our brothersmarried and or not. It is hard even for men,women, a weak man also fears going to reduce poverty and they will know sisters in the Gulf. They don’t respectworking hard under the scorching sunaboard. Let the river flow. Everyone about the wider world. women there, that’s obvious. It is alsoand our ruining their health. Working in thecan take care of themselves. irresponsibility especially government.Gulf is not a good idea. Jhak Gurung Mala Sharan Why can’t the government punish manpower agencies that exploit Nepalis? Elvina, Tokyo The choice of whether women want Howto can you even put such a stupid and Limbu, Taplejung work in the Gulf or not is theirs, and Iirresponsible topic for poll on the web? I don’t think that the government nor think you should discuss this thing in your Tilak Raj Limbu I have worked in the Gulf for past six anyone else has the right to make thatown family and not on the website. years. I know the condition of Gulf Government should not lift the restriction decision for them. The one positive thingShame, big shame. countries very well. There is a lot of Parallel to lifting the restrictions, the on Nepali women going to the Gulf. Do that they can do is to provide informa- forced sex with the owners, other- government and the private sector shouldyou know Nepali boys are also dying tion and education on the different wise they are punished or threatened. Saurav Ojha create more employment opportunitiesthere? for But yet lots of Nepalis are still sectors of work in the Gulf and protect Please don’t let your country’s women both women and men right here in Nepal.going there to work. Most don’t know them against any acts of inhumanity by go to the Gulf. I have seen a lot of Women and men should be able to gowhat they have to do, and what is the establishing strong diplomatic provisionsNo, and never. Because women are more Nepali women suffering. Send them to anywhere as per their free will, restrictingworking environment. with those Gulf countries. It doesn’t vulnerable to exploitation and sexual and European countries instead, conditions someone’s freedom to do so is not the job make sense to keep the women at homeother forms of harassment, the ban must are much better here. of the government, neither is it an answer just because there is potential dangernot be lifted. JP Rijal to the underlying problems of this country. outside. On the contrary, they need to Besides, do we really trust the govern- be empowered so that they are able KPto Use our advantage to yours ment to protect women’s interests in No.this Sending our women to work in theWang Lee, Sweden comprehend the dangers and protect country while scores of women are beinggulf is like sending them to brothels. If the themselves. Not a good idea for women to work in sold to the brothels in India right undergovernment the is responsible for the national Why can’t the woman who is going to any narrow-minded Arab country. Yes, watchful eyes of our government? identity and self-respect, this ban should a Gulf country decide what is right or they should be given visas on account of DHL NEPAL PVT. LTD. not be lifted, but more restricted. Find wrong for herself? Everyone has a respectable job offer, but not for DHL HOUSE, jobs for Nepali women in Nepal. equal right and freedom to do anything household chores or any other menial NAYA BANESHWOR he/she wishes. “Equality” jobs. Women want to go abroad to earn Manish Pandey “Swabhimani Nepali” money for their families, but are ignorant KATHMANDU, NEPAL of the dangers. They are probably safer Pradyumna Khadka Girls are going to India for prostitution TEL: +977-1-496427/496248/495861(NAYA BANESHWOR), 223222(KAMALADI) 264259(THAMEL), in their home country. If we want to treat women as equals,Women let must be free to go, but no trouble and why not to the Gulf? After all they 545870(PATAN), 061-28730(POKHARA), 021-21730(BIRATNAGAR) will be sold there as well. us. Of course, there must have beenor a expense should be spared to prepareIt is quite clear that one cannot make few experiences were women workingthem for what they will face there, and FAX :+977-1- 477859 Email: [email protected] 21st century women kitchen-bound. Prakash Limbu Prakriti 10 EDUCATION NEPALI TIMES NEPALI TIMES 11 12 - 18 OCTOBER 2001 12 - 18 OCTOBER 2001

management, engineering, arts College comes to Dhulikhel—and(which even offers a BA in music), the country education, and medical science. Its affiliates offer bachelor’s degrees in Kathmandu University may be institution of higher education, thatsocial work, medicine, management, they did more than just give KU environment and development the answer to Nepal’s their approval. “We made a studies. KU’s MBA and BBA commitment to the university that programs are reputed to be the best educational needs, and a whole we would not only provide the land in the country and 12 colleges in it needed, but also build the basic Pokhara, Bharatpur, Nepalganj and infrastructure—roads, water supply, host of other problems as well. Kathmandu have been granted that almost all the KU alumni we and electricity,” says Mayor affiliation. Tribhuvan University school. “Every paisa students pay spoke to seemed determined not to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Shrestha. The university received had been mandated to modernise goes exclusively into their leave the country. Having got a over 3.5 ha of land and 50 percent the nation, but 80 percent of the and staff quarters. Resources for education, and the government good university education here, of the municipality’s annual budget,students it trained were in the managerial and IT advice. students are improving every year— funds go for physical development. they say, makes them more a little over Rs 3 million. humanities, and the technical Ayush Karki, a third-year over 300 of the university’s 1,850 We have to keep a certain standard optimistic about the future of the In return KU reserves a certain manpower all had to be trained computer science student at KU, students are on scholarship. There so that the market can judge us,” country. So they stay here and outside the country for more than says he knows why the university is is not much the teachers can number of seats for students from says the vice-chancellor. utilise their skills. Whether they are the area. But the university’s real two decades. KU seems to be takingdoing so well. Apart from the complain about. They are given The other major advantage is in computer engineers or environmen- impact has been much more than on this role now, with its diverse teaching style, he attributes its ample opportunities to go abroad, and come back better prepared in numbers. Unlike TU, which has tal engineers, managers or musi- just that. Students from Dhulikhel course offerings. success to the absence of political cians, KU’s students form a small got into the KU but the course was While expanding faculties, KU unions, which he believes, allows their subjects. over 190,000 students, KU says it will never enrol more than 2,500 at but growing workforce of so difficult, it was impossible for is also committed to maintaining itsstudents there to focus on learning, All this costs money and democracy days and the municipal- a time, to maintain the high 1:10 homegrown talent that Nepal them to do well. Realising the high standards and making students unlike what often happens at certainly KU is much more ity after 1991 always prioritised teacher-student ratio. urgently needs.t problem wasn’t with the students aware of the value and aims of a Tribhuvan University. expensive than Tribhuvan Univer- provides a perfect example of a education. We were enthusiastic but with the education system, the good education. Today, KU The KU campus is well sity, but officials say it is all What is most encouraging is symbiotic partnership between an but lacked the resources. We in Science course in July 1992, Dhulikhel municipality and KU graduates are all over the Valley, equipped in terms of infrastructure, accounted for and put back into the outside insitution and a local desperately wanted to do something when the School of Science was came up with a four-year project to working as nurses and teachers, andgrounds, hostels for boys and girls, unlike other colleges in the Valley, it community. about it,” says Bel Prasad Shrestha, ALL PHOTOS: ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY ALL PHOTOS: opened in Tangal. After that, improve the quality of education in in market research organisations, was very selective and wanted only the About 30 km southwest of mayor of Dhulikhel. Shrestha, an ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEYPulchowk. As it turned out it was faculties were added swiftly and all the schools in Dhulikhel. consulting firms and in IT. Many ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Kathmandu on the outskirts of the independent candidate, is serving best. Dr Sharma says that the aim waseasily. In 1993, the School of After initially deciding to work even start their own firms. hen Nepal’s first university just the first rung of the ladder he to eventually establish a university. Valley lies the picturesque his third term as mayor of the Management started functioning in on training teachers at the higher Atul Shrestha joined the MBA was established in 1959 it intended to climb. “The education Five years later, in November 1991, Dhulikhel municipality. Dhulikhel municipality and is also on the Baneswore offering an MBA secondary level, the university Wheralded a new chapter in scenario was terrible,” says Dr Kathmandu University was chartered is not just another municipality. KU Senate. programme in 1998 and was programme. The following year, the realised that the roots of the Nepal’s history. Within years Sharma. “There were only a few by an Act of Parliament. A 28- What sets it apart is the commit- At the same time, KU’s surprised by the amount of work he academic council decided to problem went much deeper. So they Tribhuvan University wasagued pl good colleges that provided quality member University Senate was formed ment its citizens have shown in had to put in and by how much the introduce three-year degree founders were looking for land in a decided to train all teachers, from by the ills legion in government- education. Whatever few resources to lay down the policies that would taking their area forward in the field teaching-learning process excited programmes for BA and BSc pass and place that would suit their goals the primary level up. One of the controlled institutions. By now, TU iseducational establishments had at govern KU, with the then Prime of education. Until 1990 there was him. “It was all so interactive and four-year programmes for BA and BSc and ambitions. They looked around most interesting results of the not a total failure, but it is a measure their disposal were not being used Minister Girija Prasad Koirala as only one high school in the practical that later when I started honours, the BE, and the BPharm. and found a perfect match in programme has been the debate it of students’ discontent that in five properly. We felt we had to do Chancellor and Dr Suresh Raj municipality and a huge portion of working I felt confident and ready That same year the School of Dhulikhel. The municipality was so has sparked off in what “quality short years another institution has something about it or the Sharma as Vice-Chancellor. “What the students were failing the School to take on the world,” he says. Engineering was established at the happy at the prospect of having an schooling” means—in the particular earned more respect from academ- generations to come would blame we had in mind was academic Leaving Certificate exams. “The Shrestha recently founded a university’s new grounds in context of Dhulikhel schools where ics, students and parents than TU us for not providing them with autonomy, but in a completely Nagar Panchayat in the pre- consulting firm which offers Dhulikhel. And this is where the resources even as basic as toilets are was able to garner in its four quality education.” public property that would not be story gets really interesting for it sometimes non-existent. decades of existence. The Kathmandu Valley Campusfor profit,” says Dr Sharma. As for the KU, it too is moving It was in 1985 when Dr Suresh was initially affiliated to the KU began its own Intermediate on and today has schools of science, Raj Sharma helped found the Tribhuvan University and offered Kathmandu Valley Campus in Intermediate in Science courses, but

UPSTAIRS JAZZ BAZAAR q

PRESENTS The ResortLast

The British Council For Peace

C elebrating 100 yrs of jazzM patan jazz ensemble

ROBIN LAL SHRESTHA - Tabla

SANTOSH BHAKTA - Ishraj SURESH RAJ BAJRACHARYA - Sarod at JEEVAN ALE - Flute

NAVIN CHETTRI - Drums/Vocals PRAVIN CHETTRI - Guitars/Trumpet JIGMEE SHERPA - Guitars

CHI THAPA - Bass

percussion ensemble

CADENZA & FRIENDS LIVE IN A CONCERT A LIVE IN & FRIENDS CADENZA HOMNATH UPADHYA - Tabla, Pakhawaz, Mridangam jazz NAVIN CHETTRI - Drums, Udu

PRAVIN CHETTRI - Congas

JIGMEE SHERPA - Djembe [email protected]

date: 13th october|time: 6:30 pm | venue: Patan Museum, Patan | tickets: 599/-

TICKETS available at BRITISH COUNCIL | SUMMIT HOTEL/PATAN MUSEUM CAFE | UPSTAIRS JAZZ CLUB, lazimpat | THE LASTthamel RESORT, FOR MORE DETAILS : CALL 416983, 427257 12 WORLD 13 EDUCATION 12 - 18 OCTOBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES 12 - 18 OCTOBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES Engineering success COMMENTRY by VACLAV HAVEL receiving their degree. Redefining the West Pulchowk’sDespite its success, Institutethe IOE has to of Engineering may not look it, but it has fight many odds. The government rary world, one of the spheres of achievedestablished the institute enough to produce to crow about. hat does the term “the civilisation that is characterised technical○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ manpower trained in the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ It is time for “East” and “West” to become morally neutral termsby a shared again.history, culture, scale country. Students here pay subsidised Tribhuvan University and pays a lot West” mean? First, it of values, type of responsibility, fees, but given the tiny annual grant, income is still spent on non-academic more for extra classes taught. The Wis a geographically ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ in the forcible liquidation of current shape of our global areas. Now, salaries account for 55 delimited territory that can be other cultures, suppression of as well as by its very own specific extracurricular activities are a dream. Institute also allows its employees to try and economic history emanating order. My unease lies in an In recent years, the institute has percent of the annual budget, and their hand at engineering consultancy described as the Euro-Atlantic other religions, and fetishism of concerns. The same should also from a common set of spiritual To be sure, it is now unacknowledged judgement that be true of the “East,” despite all received Rs 40 million annually from there is more allocation of funds to payand research projects off-campus. It has or Euro-American region. sources. For many centuries the incessant economic expansion partly defines the terms “West” faculty overtime in an attempt to recognised that the West the problems, obviously deep- the government, 93 percent of which seven research and consultancy centres However, it is of equal, if not character of its civilisation and regardless of its qualitative and “East”—at least in our went to faculty and administration motivate, cajole, and sometimes bully, that offer technical services to national greater, importance to define exported to the rest of the effects. However, the key factor rooted, that afflict it at present. its inner ethos equipped it to world many wonderful accom- postcommunist environment. salaries. There are 270 faculty them to moonlight less and focus moreand international clients. Teachers the West in terms of its values exert a major influence on other in the present circumstances— As long as the word “East” on providing their students at IOE plishments but also less Soviet rule, in the USSR and its members in the departments of routed to such work through the IOE and culture. The West has had, regions and eventually to particularly for us in what was evokes a pejorative connotation, quality education. praiseworthy values, resulting European satellites, was architecture, civil, electrical, electron- get to keep 65 percent of the fee, and the in essence, a shared political determine disproportionately the until recently considered the and the word “West” an affirma- ics, computer, and mechanical The IOE requires teachers to take rest goes to the campus’ kitty.t characterised by spiritual and East—is that the West has also physical oppression, callousness, tive one, it will be immensely engineering, the pure sciences, and thefewer classes per week than the deepened and propagated difficult to build a new world social sciences. The remaining Rs 3 ignorance, empty fundamental principles such as monumentalism and a general order based on equality among million or so had to be stretched to the rule of law, respect for the various regions. There is cover everything else. And it was state of backwardness, boastfully IT at the Institute human rights, a democratic presented as progress. These nothing wrong in being part of stretched pretty thin. As a result, political system, and economic the West, nor is there any reason students who, a few years ago, would IOE watchers say there is no telling how good the school could traits contrasted so manifestly become if it had more resources. They point to the success of the freedom. Many other countries with the culture and prosperity not to profess this affiliation. On a regulation that would enable the happily attend the IOE, decided to go campus’ computing and networking centre as a clever way of making now also profess these values, the other hand, being a West- administration to ask for a written to other, better-equipped—but not of the democratic West that it use of limited resources. The campus has 70 laboratories and but they belong to other erner or a Western country does explanation if a teacher failed to necessarily better—colleges in Nepal workshops, all networked through the campus’s Computer Centre. The inevitably led us to perceive the of the most popular institutes of geographical areas and so—if not mean beinga priori superior. higher education in Nepal. Competi- conduct a class. It worked—from only and abroad. centre, which is open every day 8am-8pm, did not go through an West as good and the East as HEMLATA RAI Internet Service Provider, but instead invested in its own V-SAT (Very only for this purely external The same should apply for all the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ tion to enrol here is stiff—over seven 70 percent of classes actually taking Worried, the Pulchowk Campus evil. The term “West” thus Small Aperture Terminal) to provide broadband Internet access to reason—cannot be considered epal’s newspapers and students take the entrance exam for place in 1998, last year more than 95 students, faculty and administrative staff and charging them a became, both unwittingly and other entities of today’s world, started its own fund-raising activities. part of the West. magazines are laden with each of the 370 seats at the college. percent of classes were held. Once it Half the students now pay Rs 30,000 minimal fee of Rs 250 per month. knowingly, a synonym for and there is no reason to feel Nattractive offers from engineer- Those who perform best at the exams was established that the teachers meant per semester, and those how can prove Everyone at the Institute benefits from this, but one programme in Yet, as a citizen of a advancement, culture, freedom ashamed because of an affiliation ing colleges, scholarships, discounts, go to Pulchowk, the others go to its business, students, too, found it worththey need support pay the old particular is really only possible because of the computing facilities European postcommunist and decency; “East,” on the to any of them. Respect for other flashy course names and big promises three associate campuses in Dharan, their while to attend. subsidised fee of Rs 985 per term. As available here—the Department of Electronics and Computer country, I must admit that other hand, was reduced to a identities, and a certainty that all Engineering began offering a four-year undergraduate programme in are equal, must be concomitants of quality education. Through all this, Pokhara and Kathmandu’s The college, which will celebrate a result, the campus has raised its computer engineering in 1998. There’s plenty of demand for some- when I listen to the mantra-like synonym for underdevelopment, Nepal’s oldest engineering school, the Thapathali Campus, and six its 30th anniversary next year, has annual budget to over Rs 50 million. thing like this—close to 90 percent of all applicants say computer claims about our Western authoritarianism and omnipres- of the effort to forge a world Institute of Engineering (IOE), affiliated private campuses in the bucked the trend of increasing The IOE also receives support from science is their first academic preference. Most are disappointed, as affiliation, the Western ent nonsense. order based on genuine peace and popularly known as Pulchowk Valley. Those who do not make the unemployment among engineering donors under the Engineering there are only 48 places in the programme every year, half of them direction of our policies, and partnership, an order emanating reserved for government scholarships. But even the lucky full fee- Needless to say, the end of Campus, maintains its composure. grade pursue their engineering graduates in the country, with talent Education Project sponsored by the from a universally shared commit- paying students who get in get a relatively good deal. Standard fees the obligation of Western the bipolar division of the world In 1998, Thailand’s Asian dreams at other private schools. scouts from the USA, India, Thailand,World Bank, and the Canadian and for the degree are Rs 122,000 in the year of admission and a twice- ment to certain absolutely organisations, such as NATO and the progress of our civilisa- “The high position of this campus and Malaysia queuing up to hire its Swiss governments. yearly semester fee of Rs 36,000. About 60 percent of the students fundamental moral and political Institute of Technology (AIT) ranked and the EU, to offer us speedy tion along the course we call students even before they have enrolled for the computer science degree are from outside the Valley, principles. Asian technical schools on the basis of in AIT’s survey means I have greater The major part of this extra which is encouraging, although less than 10 percent are women. admission, I feel somewhat graduated. IOE graduates don’t all go globalisation urge us to engage the performance of their alumni at responsibility to maintain the quality The department has a 25-strong faculty, which makes the student- uncomfortable. There is an The time of the domination AIT. Pulchowk campus came in of education here,” said a proud Dr abroad. Dr Pradhan is quick to point in a radically new way of teacher ration extremely favourable. Among the teachers are two implied tone underlying this thinking about the future world of the white man, the European, eighth. The following year, the IOE Mukund PS Pradhan, who runs the out that even those who stay on in PhDs and 13 Masters of Computer Science. rhetoric that I find disturbing. the American or the Christian came in fifth and last year it was IOE. Among the first changes Dr Nepal find jobs within a year of order. The implicit perception It is not a huge start, but it is important that the country’s pre- of Western superiority and over the entire globe is over. We ranked third among all the engineeringPradhan instituted was ensuring that eminent engineering school now trains students in the technology of are entering a new era, it is our colleges that send their graduates to classes were conducted—he introduced the future. “There are job opportunities for graduates now, but since so Eastern inferiority is untenable many institutes are producing computer science graduates, accommo- in the long run. No single duty to respect one another and AIT for higher studies. to work together for the benefit It isn’t surprising that this is one dating all of them in the not-so-developed IT industry is difficult,” says geographical and cultural Dr Subarna Shakya, deputy head of the Department of Electronics territory can be considereda of all. t and Computer Engineering. A computer graduate starting out with the government starts at about Rs 9,000, but can also work part-time in the priori better than any other private sector. once and for all, or as a matter The first batch of computer engineering graduates from Pulchowk of principle. Campus will enter the job market this year. From December this year Indeed, I believe that the department will also offer a two-year Masters of Science in Intolerant liberalism Information and Communication Engineering, for 16 students per “West” should become a year. Graduates in electronic, computer or electrical engineering will MADELEINE BUNTING morally neutral word again. In be eligible to apply for the course. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ the future, it should mean no he bombs have hit Kabul, the special forces are on standby, alliesThe west’s arrogant assumption of its more and no less than a clearly (Project Syndicate) have been cajoled, bullied and bribed into position. That is notsuperiority is as dangerous as any defined region of the contempo- Tall that was carefully prepared ahead of last week’s launch of the Recognising this need not be the prelude to an onslaught on liberalism—justother form the crucialof fundamentalism. imperative of recognising that, like all Vaclav Havel is President of the attacks. Crucially for a modern war, public opinion formers at home Czech Republic. have been prepared and marshalled into line with a striking degree ofsystems○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of human thought, liberalism has weaknesses○○○○○○○○○ as well as unanimity. The voices of dissent can barely be heard over the chorusstrengths. of In the heat of battle and panicky fear of terrorism, liberal approval and self-righteous enthusiasm. strengths such as tolerance, humility and a capacity for self-criticism The latter is a sign of how quickly the logic of war distorts and are often the first victims. manipulates our understanding. War propaganda requires moral In all systems of human thought, there are contradictions. One of clarity—what else can justify the suffering and brutality?—so the the most acute in liberalism is between its claim to tolerance and its conflict is being cast as a battle between good and evil. Bin Laden andhubristic claim to universality, which Italian Prime Minister Silvio the Taliban are being demonised into absurd Bond-style villains, whileBerlusconi’s comments on the superiority of western civilisation halos are hung over our heads by throwing the moral net wide: we arebrought embarrassingly to the fore two weeks ago. An aggressive not just fighting to protect ourselves, but for a new moral order in reassertion and a thoughtful re-examination of our culture and its which the Afghans will be the first beneficiaries. values will have a lasting impact on our relations with the non-western The extent to which this is being uncritically accepted is astonish-world, not just Muslim world. Aggressive reassertion can smack of ing. Few gave a damn about the suffering of women under the Talibanfundamentalism, a point obliquely made by Harold Evans recently: on 10 September—now we are supposedly fighting a war for them. “What do we set against the medieval hatreds of the fundamentalists? Even fewer knew (let alone cared) that Afghanistan was suffering fromWe have our fundamentals too: the values of western civilisation. famine. Now the west is promising to solve the humanitarian crisis Whenit they are menaced, we need a ringing affirmation of what they has hugely exacerbated with its threats and then with its military mean.” The only problem is that “ringing” can block out all other action. Incredible is not just the belief that you can end terrorism bysound and produce nothing but tinnitus. taking on the Taliban, but that doing so can be elevated into a grand There is a compelling alternative for how we can coexist. Political moral purpose—rather than it incubating a host of evils from Chechnyaphilosopher Bhikhu Parekh starts from the premise that “the grandeur and to Pakistan. depth of human life is too great to be captured in one culture.” Because Is this gullibility? Naivety? Wishful thinking? There may be “we are all prisoners of our subjectivity,” argues Parekh, progress will elements of these, but also lurking here is the outline of a form of always come from dialogue between cultures. Parekh argues that liberalism western fundamentalism which, at its worst, echoes the characteristicsis right to assert there are universal moral principles (such as the rights of it finds so repulsive in its enemy, bin Laden: first, a sense of unques-women, free speech and the right to life), but wrong to insist there is only tioned superiority; second, an assertion of the universal applicabilityone of interpretation of those principles and that that is its own. Rights come its values; and third, a lack of will to understand what is profoundlyinto conflict and every culture negotiates different trade-offs between them. different from itself. Understanding those trade-offs is sometimes difficult. But no one culture This is the shadow side of liberalism, and it has periodically has cracked the perfect trade-off, as western liberalism in its more honest moments is the first to admit. There is a huge amount we can learn from wreaked havoc around the globe for over 150 years. It is detectable in Islam in its social solidarity, its appreciation of the collective good and the the writings of great liberal thinkers such as John Stuart Mill, and generosity and strength of human relationships. Islamic societies are emerged in the complacence of mid-Victorian Britain. But its roots go grappling with exactly the same challenge as the west—how to balance back further to its inheritance of Christianity’s claim to be the one true freedom and responsibility—and we need each other’s help, not each faith. The US founding recipe of puritanism and enlightenment other’s brands of fundamentalism. If we are asking Islam to stamp out their bequeathed a profound sense of being morally good. This superiority, fundamentalism, we have no lesser duty to do the same.t once allied to economic and technological power, underpinned the worst excesses of colonialism, as it now underpins the activities of multinational corporations and the IMF’s structural adjustment programmes.

(The Guardian) 14 megawatts and start exporting15 it. ASIA 12 - 18 OCTOBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 12 - 18 OCTOBERNEPALI 2000 TIMES Electricity has to be generated at a accept the recommendations of thevery low cost, and this needs a policy ANALYSIS by MARWAAN MACAN-MARKAR Unification and Sixth Convention. Issues that we change to make that happen. “Our goal is to capture the centre” do not agree on can be set aside forHow can that be done, there is Asia’s war economy reunification the moment. The Seventh the debate of big and small ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○ projects. What is the way to Samadristi, 30 September Convention will be held 15 months BANGKOK - For hungry and poor Asians, things are about to get worse: Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, one of the three negotiators named by the Communist Party of from now and we can work throughgo? the region will see a rise in the number of people deprived ofIslam’s daily angry young men Nepal (Maoist) to talk to the government,Janadharana in , 4 October 2001 Projects, whether small or big, can those matters then. We are flexible meals in coming months, due to the changed global political and Excerpts from an interview with on other issues. The ML wants thebe attractive, feasible and cheap— economic landscape since the attacks in the US. The numbers of Bam Dev Gautam, General they can also be very expensive. They hungry people could be in the millions, says RB Singh, regional – Islam’s angry young men The formation of a republic is a minor issues on which no agreement had BANGKOK The international pan-Islamist Sunnijihad movement spawned Secretary, Communist Party of need to be selected very carefully. representative for Asia and the Pacific at the FAO here. Asia isare home on the to move again. Over the past majority of the world’s one billion demand for communists. Our aim is to been reached to be dealt with two-thirds of the world’s 500 million hungry people, with the bulk of them in Afghanistan is likely to grow. establish Nepal (Marxist-Leninist) The Rolwaling project under week, thousands of them from Muslims, Shi’ites are the minority. Janabad (people’s democracy), immediately. The Sixth Convention living in South Asian countries. The Maoists are suggesting a seems to be the stumbling block. construction is very cheap. The religious schools in northern Pakistan ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ “The ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Taliban have been projecting Singh’s is one of the number of dismal predictions being made by then socialism and finally communism. republic. Will it make a Upper Karnali project is also cheap, have been heading to neighbouring themselves as practitioners of a Both parties have placed all the experts here due to the economic downturn following 11 September. Saudi-born Osama bin Laden. Taliban. They became members of this You analyse the present situation, the difference if the ML supports as are the Upper Trisuli and Dudh Afghanistan. pure Sunni faith, Afghanistan as decadence of the reactionaries, the state issues at hand before their central “Asia-Pacific countries will be hit hard,” says Kim Hak-Su, executive On that occasion, the mujahideeninternationaljihad , and fought battles this idea? committees. The central commit- Kosi. The Middle Marsyangdi, the This journey is not secret. Heads pure Sunni Islamic country,” she of the political parties and the aspirations Do you think the Maoists really secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for had the United States to thank. in Kashmir, Chechnya and Afghani- of the common people, if you can organise tees have given new directives and Kali Gandaki and the Modi will Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). “The economic downturn in theof US religious will schools,madrasas , have added. “Sunni Muslims will be able Besides the assistance given to them bystan. There are hardly any th20 century all these forces a republic can be formed want to establish a republic? They based on these the dialogue is beinggenerate electricity at the cost of four impact many Asian countries, particularly those with manufacturingbeen forthcoming and with information— to relate to such rhetoric easily, have been going on about it more export sectors that depend on the US market.” Kim expects a rise in the US and its allies—estimated to beexamples ofjihad as violence assuming without the qualms that arise with this very day. The sacrifice of the people carried forward. Unification will cents per kilowatt. Electricity from their charges will swell the ranks of and their aspirations will all go to waste if than we have. We still believe in the unemployment as companies close down due to lowered demand for around $10 billion worth of arms and so “pronounced an ‘Islamic’ and take some time. In the meantime IPP projects cost about seven cents fighting ajihad , they say. Many of countries like Iran, which is Shi’ite, we move away from the idea of a republic. present constitution. We have asked their products in the US market. aid—something more significant was international character,” writes Eqbal and Iraq or Syria, which are more we must work towards finding per kilowatt. Meanwhile, Dr Bjorn Melgaard, head of the Thailand WHOthem office, have been steeled in guerrilla offered: legitimacy. Former US We have to gain the maximum benefit from for constitutional amendments, but It is said foreign investment in Ahmad in a critique of the movement secular and socialist than Islamic.” the dialogue. The republic is just the common ground with other left says the region’s health systems will come under pressure due warfareto a rise and received training to use President Ronald Reagan delivered we still function within the titledJihad International Incorpo- Such growing fervour is making stepping stone, forgetting the larger goal parties. A common working agenda power is driving up the cost in the number of poor people, with children and women especiallyweapons such as anti-aircraft guns. this famous line when members of the parameters of this constitution. Ourcan be formed. of electricity used by vulnerable. And, he adds, hospitals may have difficulty coping due to rated. “Thejihad’s pan-Islamic governments in Muslim countries will be insulting the peoples’ revolution. This made up a small part of their mujahideen visited the White House: final aim is a republic but as we households. Is it true? lack of drugs and decrease in the number of medical and nursing staff. dimension was a historic new edgy. Beyond asking the US to Since dialogue was the main agenda of curriculum, apart from hours spent They are the “moral equivalent of our the Deuba government, we decided to go abide by the present constitution, Load-shedding became a compulsion The troubles ahead come on the heels of an already lacklustre phenomenon,” he adds. “With the direct its assault against terrorism studying a narrow interpretation founding fathers.” This time around, in for talks. We felt that if we moved forward we are not publicising this. The after they scrapped Arun III. picture in parts of Asia. Economies from Taiwan and Singapore to Afghanistan war, pan-Islamism grew rather than Islam, they can do of Islam. that is hardly the case. Those heading with a minimum agenda, all forces, be they Maoists do not believe in the Independent power producers Malaysia and the Philippines, some just recovering from the 1997 on a significant scale as a financial, little, given the policies—or lack Asian crisis, have cut growth rates due to a global slowdown in electronicBut there is a sense of déjà vu in to Afghanistan are raging against the democratic or left, would support us. Then present constitutional process, they moved in at this time. Bhote Kosi cultural, political and military thereof—they have pursued as goods in the past year, and many have seen export growth rates fall US. This time, too, legitimacy is we could combine all these forces and do not believe in a constitutional or happened because of independent this: Like-thinking men have been phenomenon with a worldwide regards thejihad conceived in move forward. We came for a dialogue on this year. down this road before and with out of the question, at least from judicial struggle. This is why they producers, and load-shedding was The dire economic scenario many foresee has already come true in network of exchange and collabora- Afghanistan. Most have done little their advice. Despite that, they have not are being so vocal about a republic. similar purpose, soon after Afghani- the United States. accepted the minimum point in the agenda and are in fact trying to push back the country. reduced. In a sense this was the right an important foreign exchange earner for Thailand—tourism. Govern- tion.” to question or stop their nationals stan was invaded by the Soviet Union But will the US offensive in This is bankruptcy of the so-called democratic and some left forces. This is proofThe ofUML their and the ML have move, but you had to pay in dollars ment plans to boost tourism, which last year brought $6.5 billion to the With Afghanistan under siege travelling abroad to fight in wars of in 1979. Then, Muslims from varying lack of vision and philosophy, they are not moving forward but stepping back inbeen time. discussing possible under the Power Purchase country, are shattered. Many tourists have cancelled their trips and the Afghanistan provide Islam’s angry another country. If crackdowns Tourism Authority of Thailand says tourist arrivals during the peaknationalities, Arab and non-Arab, the pan-Islamic message is gaining Instead of giving people their freedom, they are instead interested in keeping themreunification. in What is the Agreement (PPA) for electricity that young men with a boost, propelling have occurred, as in Egypt, they period from October to November could drop by as much as 30were percent drawn to Afghanistan with the currency. The landlocked country shackles. status of the talks? was generated in this country. Our their significance in the Muslim world? have been on Muslim radicals this year compared with the same period last year. Other Asiansame coun- zeal. Calling themselves Will it give their ideas a fresh airing? has become a magnet for Islam’s There are two types of government in the country. The Maoist-led revolution Weis on had the one meeting. The Maoists load factor right now is 50-55 tries are equally affected, particularly those who, like Thailand, depend functioning locally. Some, like mujahideen (Islamic fighters), angry young men—from Africa, Asia move and we will be victorious. We are trying to provide leadership in all spheresalso metof life. with our representatives. In percent. We cannot ask our on tourism for foreign exchange. In Nepal authorities have spoken of Afghanistan has played a central role in Saudi Arabia, openly encouraged thousands pledged to fight a and the Arab world. Once again, We are trying to organise the people and then educate them. In fact we have notthe beencourse of this meeting we How can unification be consumers to waste electricity. But 50 percent of hotel bookings being cancelled. their lives, as have the pan-Islamic such movement. Besides funding “jihad” to defend a Muslim calling themselves mujahideen, able to provide leadership as per the aspirations of the people. realised that we could not reach an possible if neither side is since we have PPAs with IPPs, we The World Bank last week in a preliminary assessment of the notions rooted in what has become an such activities, the Saudis have also country, and their Muslim men from Indonesia, It is clear that there are fundamental differences between the reactionary forcesagreement and on uniting with them. willing to give in? have to pay them. Our peak load is economic fallout from the attacks in the US, wrote: “In the countries that internationaljihad organisation. These made use of it to push through the stall or fall into recession as a result of decline in exports, tourism,campaign led to the Malaysia, the Philippines and us. We want to form the government and take it to great heights. We will be ableWe to have do agreed to work together We are very flexible. If they (the between 5PM to 11PM or midnight. men have been schooled in the notion fundamentalist version of Sunni commodity prices, or foreign investment, the number of peopleSoviet living Union’s Bangladesh have pledged to this. At present, those in power, a minority, are oppressing and suppressing thewhere majority. possible. ML) accept the Sixth Convention, The load is almost nil after this, so below one dollar a day will rise.” New concerns arising from the attack, that Islam is a warrior religion. Equally Islam they practise, called retreat after a participate in the jihad, says When we come to power, the poor, the oppressed and the suppressed majorityIf willthe situationrun arises, will thethen all issues can be discussed andwe have installed “time of day” like security, are raising costs and retarding economic activity, it added. important is the stance taken by Wahabism. It is taught to members decade-long IslamOnline, an electronic magazine the government. The people’s governments that we have formed in many districtsML pickis the up weapons? If it resolved after unification. meters—which means that after “Insurance and security costs and delays at customs clearance are governments in the Muslim world based in Doha, Qatar. Mauritaniansof thejihad , spawning a narrow, forerunner of our central government that will be formed in the near future. Planned among the main factors pushing up trade costs. Major shippingoccupation. lines, Among toward such activity. economic, social and political changes can only be brought about after we havewill, captured then will it really make But how can the ML accept 11PM, the cost of electricity goes for example, have increased freight rates to India by 10 to 15 percent.” and other Africans are also listed intolerant and oppressive brand of the Arabs who Since the ‘80s, a passage through the centre. Since this is a war situation, we cannot have a very planned form ofa develop-difference whether or not that if they do not even down by almost 50 percent. This is in stark contrast to the Asian Development Bank’s assessment in a force prepared to defend the Muslim men. The Taliban is a case identified with this Afghanistan has acquired the stature of ment. But, as far as possible, we are building up the infrastructure, carrying outthe public party unites with the accept the Sixth Convention?When was such a self- of the region’s economic prospects prior to September. In its reportjihad was the Taliban, it notes, adding that theyin point. relations and providing justice as and when required. Maoists? They participated in the Sixth destructive agreement signed? a rite. From countries as distant as are a “pan-global Islamic force Current US action against the We have come to the realisation that everything except power at the centre isThere a dream. are many differences betweenConvention. By whom? Sudan and Algeria to formed to defend any Muslim Taliban could serve as a rallying cry the Maoists and us. We differ on So unification is impossible The Khimti agreement was reached country under attack by ‘enemies Therefore till we capture power at the centre we will continue destroying the elements that nearby Uzbekistan, for thejihad to increase its make up the existing system. In places where we have formed the local people’sprinciples—we govern- have major philo- before the Seventh Conven- during the tenure of Laxman young Muslim men of Islam’.” numbers from the world’s Sunni ments, we have done a lot of work. In fact, we have brought about more developmentsophical differences.than They believe intion? Ghimire—in 1993/94. The project came to train, Afghanistan’s attraction also Muslims, ensuring its radical the reactionary forces had ever done. We can only fulfil the aspirations of the peoplethe philosophy once of Marx, Lenin, MaoIf the ML accepts the Sixth was completed when the UML was often with the stems from it being a predominantlycreed lives on. we form a government at the centre. Till that time, we must change the view of andsociety Prachanda. to We believe in the Convention decisions, everything in power. Later, Pashupati Sumshere Sunni Muslim country, says a such an extent that they become one with our thinking and the revolution. We havephilosophy started of Marx and Lenin only.else can be rectified at the Seventh.became the water resources minister Growth and Change in Asia and the Pacific—Key Indicators, the 2001 specialist on Asian Islam, who many programmes, political, social and economic at the local level and althoughThere people is no need for them to followIs unification possible if bothand did a review of the PPA and AsDB said the Asia-Pacific region had “notched up the highest growth requested anonymity. Sunnis are the realise that this is a war situation, they have fully supported us and are working with us. We have accepted them too. Therefore the people are with us both mentally andMao’s physi- philosophy. As for the sides stick to their respectiveapproved it. The Bhote Kosi was rates in the world, expanding by over six percent per annum, except in Prachanda Path, that is not a agendas? approved by the UML government 1998, the first year of the Asian crisis.” It even predicted that Asia was cally. on course to achieving the International Development Goals’ targets by We have said that we will rise to great heights, much higher than the Chinesephilosophy Cultural at all. Given this, how The possibility of unification still when Hari Pandey was minister. can our parties unite? exists, that door is still open. If Why is the price of electricity 2015. They include halving the number of the very poor, increasing Revolution. Coming from the Paris Commune to the Cultural Revolution we have realised universal primary education and reducing infant and maternal Second, the Maoists use both of us (negotiators) stick to therising so fast? mortality rates. t(IPS) that Maoism alone will not be able to solve the problems of the 21st century. Therefore a new model was required and this is Prachanda Path. The central government weaponsmust be and are conducting a mandate defined by our parties, It is mainly because we have to buy (IPS) formed under the directives of the people and the people’s struggle must alwaysclosed be struggle. an This is not the rightthen unification is not possible in our own production and pay in on-going process. We have to make sure that the people will be able to handletime a counter-to do such a thing. We believethe near future. Some time later, dollars. When the Khimti and Bhote revolution if it breaks out tomorrow. everything can be achieved through maybe. Kosi agreements were signed, the The rhetoric of anxiety peaceful struggle, and this is what Is the UML ready to rectify exchange rate was about $1:Rs 49. we are working towards. The the decisions of the Sixth Now it is around $1:Rs 73 (it is Maoists say there are no socialists Convention? more now)—the rupee is depreciat- The UK believes it has “proved” bin left in the world—but there are, in The central committee may be ableing against the dollar every year. We Salsa Mexicana ! Laden’s guilt. Saudis, who also fear him, Cuba, China, Korea, Vietnam and to find a way out. have to pay in dollars and we also probably read the “evidence” differently. Laos, and they are getting stronger. have to pay royalties for Khimti— 13th October 2001 The Maoists say they want to form a around Rs 5.50 per unit. Add to all ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ South Asian Federation. We are this, loss in distribution and Gala Mexican Dinner at the transactions, and the end result is againsthumanity on 11 September. fighting to free the country and not to integrate it with others. We that a unit of electricity costs almost Yak & Yeti Poolside, featuring Arabs studying the British document may be amused to learn that bin Laden cannot join hands with such a force. Rs 7.50. ROBERT FISK runs a holding company called Wadi al Aqiq, which translates as “Valley of the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ What is the possibility of the It is said the Kali Gandaki is Masterchefs - Sergio & Roberto he Americans are finding it a hard sell in the Middle East, and the BritishBrown Gem”, and Al Themar Al Mubaraka, “The Blessed Fruit”, and intrigued likely to overshoot its budget QUOTE OF THE WEEK UML and ML uniting? Government’s document “proving” Osama bin Laden’s responsibility forby the information that an American warship was attacked by apparent suicide It is possible, but the UML must be and won’t be completed on Tthe 11 September atrocities is unlikely to rally the Arab world to the bombers several months before the bombing of the USS Cole in Aden harbour. We demand compensation because the state discriminated against us...and because of that we suffer inwilling to rectify many of their Optimising hydro-time. West’s “war on terrorism”. Only nine of the document’s 70 points relate to theThey will be less impressed by the statement that “on 3 and 4 October, every aspect. It made (caste) rules to deprive us of economic and social opportunities. mistakes. The unification of the two The media has written a lot about operatives of al-Qa’ida participated in the attack on US military personnel attacks in the US, and these often rely on conjecture, not evidence. Claiming Lal Bahadur Biswokarma, Member of Parliament, UML,Jana Aastha , 10 October 2001 parties must be on the basis of power the possibility. It is better to go out that “an operation on the scale of the 11 September attacks would have beenserving in Somalia as part of the operation “Restore Hope”. The Americans were there and see for yourself. Kali equality and respect. They are not ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ approved by Osama bin Laden himself” (point 63) is not going to cut much icein fact attacking the presumed base of a Somali warlord when their helicopters prepared to do this and so unifica- Janadharana,4 October Gandaki is the biggest project in the in Saudi Arabia or other Gulf states. were shot down by gunmen, including some of bin Laden’s men. tion is not possible in the near country, it will generate 144 In Riyadh, the US Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, admitted the But as usual in the Arab world, what the people think and what the kings future. Excerpts from an interview with megawatts. The main factors causing Saudis were worried about the “secondary effects” of a “war on terror”— and presidents believe are not necessarily the same thing. Any Gulf emir reading Bishnu Bam Malla, Managing the delay are geological. An entire shorthand for the fear of the House of Saud that their regime may be overthrownbin Laden’s words about “cleansing” the Gulf of Americans will realise that the Director, Nepal Electricity mountain had to be removed, if America bombs Afghanistan and kills bin Laden. Rumsfeld’s remarks show kings and sultans who invited the Americansare among those bin Laden wants Authority expenditure increased by Rs 1 Live Latin Band - how frightened the Saudis are of associating themselves with President Bush’s“cleansed”. The British Government may feel that bin Laden’s remark billion. Still, Kali Gandaki is a war. “We had a very substantive and interesting and thoughtful discussion aboutabout “Satan’s US troops and the devil’s supporters allying with them” You say the government has feasible, cheap project. It was Los Sonidos Latinos & the nature of the problem and the complexities of the problem, and the refers “unquestionably” to the United Kingdom, but the Saudi royal family to introduce policy changes estimated to cost $428 million, but importance of dealing with it in a way that recognises secondary effects that knows that the “devil’s supporters” undoubtedly alludes to them. to develop hydropower in we contracted it for only $300 Salsa dancing, could occur,” he said after his talks with King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah. America has meanwhile been expressing its anger at the only free Arab Nepal. What are these? million. We have spent $360 million Which doesn’t sound like wholehearted support for the US. television station, the al-Jazeera channel transmitting from Qatar. The We cannot use all the power we so far, which is still lower than the Rs. 850 ++ per person Events are now moving at such speed that for many Arab nations, the State Department, which only a year ago was praising the station as a generate by ourselves. To maximiseestimated costs. 7.00 pm onwards details, or lack of details, of bin Laden’s involvement in the 11 September bastion of free speech in the Middle East, has now asked the Qatari More on unificationthe power consumption, the hijackings may appear almost irrelevant. Most Arab leaders regard bin Ladengovernment as a to “rein in” al-Jazeera because it is allegedly inciting anti- ○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○ government should make sure that threat to their own stability, let alone America’s, and would be happy to acceptAmerican sentiments. Al-Jazeera, which interviewed the US Secretary of Dristi,2 October industrialisation takes place on a our “evidence” of his guilt. But they are unlikely to convince their people of this.State Colin Powell only the previous week, just happens to be the only large scale, and excess electricity Newspapers in the Gulf and in Egypt, where Rumsfeld went next, are almostArab station with correspondents in Afghanistan. Excerpts from an interview with can also be sold to other countries. uniformly anti-American, repeatedly demanding an end to the “double stand- Muzzling Qatari television is not going to change the bleak prospects of Bharat Mohan Adhikary, UML India produces 100,000 megawatts ards” of the US, its unconditional support for Israel and its refusal to understandArab co-operation in Bush’s war. With the Gulf largely unhelpful and Egypt of electricity, Bangladesh produces the Arab struggle against “Israeli terrorism”. Editorial writers are likely toanxious to avoid its own social explosion, the Americans appear to be “Talks” What is the status of the 6,000 megawatts. We produce only be less than enthusiastic about a document which uses evidence of bin looking north, to the former Soviet Muslim republics, for real military reunification process with the300-400 megawatts. We should Laden’s involvement in earlier bombings to imply his guilt for the crimesassistance.t ML? think of producing 20-22,000 For Reservation & Information Rajdhani daily, 5 October. Both parties have put forward their Contact Guest Relations at 248999, Extn. 28865 views. We want both parties to (The Independent) 16 17 SPORTS 12 - 18 OCTOBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES CULTURE AND SOCIETY 12 - 18 OCTOBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES “The evocativeness of literature is very

On bike seatstheory was that the saddle pushed into difficult to produce in cinema” the perineum—the soft tissue between Do men who bicycle a lot havethe performance sit bones of the pelvis. Routed between those bones are the major problems in othercycling andareas? genital numbness or blood vessels that feed the penis. impotence have been published in Compressing soft tissue between a hard who○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ are impotent and those who will scholarly○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ journals, experts say these saddle and a hard bone, he suggested, be.” Even a single ride on the wrong reports are flawed. Biking on a narrow,was courting disaster. rock-hard seat—or any ill-fitting or seat can do major and permanent According to the magazine article, damage, he says, and the only safe wayuncomfortable saddle—may numb Goldstein assembled a test group of to cycle is on a recumbent bike. your privates, but there’s no clear proof show how real it is.” 100 bike-riding men who had come to Anxious to quell fears raised by that temporary discomfort or lack of Goldstein says he’s been too busy feeling is linked to impotence. him for treatment of impotence. He to submit his studies for publication in a these remarks, manufacturers rushed measured blood flow to the penis while to produce anatomically contoured Contacted for this article, four peer-reviewed journal and that it is hard they lay flat on their backs and he to find sponsors to pay for corroborat- bike seats for both sexes. (Goldstein well-regarded urologists said that whileapplied pressure to the perineum with ing research. But from where he sits— Antarnaad, made in 1999, is a film based on the teachings of Parwan Shastri, says women cyclists also face it is possible for male cyclists to one of two cycling saddles or a chair. reproductive health concerns.) These damage the sexual apparatus in an with a professorship at the Boston who lectured on interpretations of Gitathe . According to Shastri, the real cause of Goldstein says he found a 66 percent University School of Medicine, honours presumably safer seats are now sold accident—especially by smashing the average reduction in blood flow from a MIN BAJRACHARYA the vicious cycle of under-development was a lack of self-esteem among from his professional colleagues and a words are filled up by the reader in whom things are evoked through his own widely, but consumers still worry. crotch against the top tube, the narrow saddle, a 25 percent reduction marginalised people which inhibits the emergence of their latent talent and practice where he treats as many as six from p. 1ð associations and imagination. Cinema does not always have that associational And aside from the self-assured horizontal bar between the seat and from a wide saddle and no reduction capabilities. Thousands of village communities in Gujarat and Maharashtra were the handlebars—the chances of doing patients a week for impotence that he What precisely was the impact and reach, then, of what you soughttransformed by theSwadhyayi concept, which shuns charity hand-outs. Philan- capability. The evocativeness of literature is very difficult to produce in cinema. ROY FURCHGOTT impotence warning was appearing in Goldstein, no one seems to know from a chair. From this, he concluded ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ what to believe. lingering damage by just sitting tight believes is related to cycling—Goldstein to convey in your films—speciallyManthan ? thropy is not their idea. The basic concept is that you create wealth by sharing—notIn cinema, you see everything through the director’s eye and that becomes totally or a fitness story with legs—and just about every article about biking that repeated compression of the penilesays he needs no further convincing. “If subjective. Four years after Goldstein’s and pedalling are very low. “It’s safe to Ankur was commercially successful not only in India, but all over the world. Butby giving or selling your surplus, but by sharing what you have. real public impact—it’s hard to and injury. Goldstein, whose artery would cause it to flatten or you sat in my chair, it would be clear. bombshell, many experts retain grave bicycle,” says William D Steers, become blocked, which would Manthan was a unique film in more than one respect. In the 1970s, the movementMore recently, Hari Bharilast year (which starred Shabana Azmi and Nandita Ftop the one that ran in a 1997 comments in the initial article were chairman of the urology department at The impotent come in here, and I am You have made both documentary and feature films. How Das) took up the controversial issue of fertility and family planning.Antarnaad and somewhat guarded— “I cannot say doubts about the evidence on which it eventually result in impotence. to establish milk cooperatives had begun in Gujarat spearheaded by Dr Verghese different is one from the other? issue ofBicycling magazine. the University of Virginia School of the advocate for them.” Hari Bhari have had successful commercial runs. that sitting on a bicycle seat causes rests. Goldstein’s findings have never Arthur Burnett, associate professor Kurien of the Indian National Dairy Development Board and involving about The documentary film attracts filmmakers who have something to say—more The article cited an unpublished Medicine in Charlottesville. “That’s an While advocacy may not foster half-a-million dairy farmers. I had already made a documentary on the subject and impotence,” he told the magazine, been reviewed and assessed by his of urology at the Johns Hopkins than the feature film. Documentaries by and large tend to deal with the real stuff study by nationally prominent easy one. This whole [impotence- dispassionate research, it sells in the free gathered a great deal of research material. I discussed with Dr Kurien the possibil- and “I can’t claim that long-term peers, published in an academic Given your reputation for making films which take on challengingof life, reality directly observed. Much of what you do in documentaries is not urologist Irwin Goldstein suggesting cycling] thing is really out of Medical Institutions in Baltimore, callsmarket. Former emergency physician ity of making a commercially viable fiction film which would also have an compression causes impotency, but I journal or tested and replicated by larger social and political themes, have you attempted films whichnecessarily within your control. When you make a documentary “about” that bike seats crush the main proportion. In China 90 percent of this study, based on questionnaires to and inventor Roger Minkow used important real story to tell. Dr Kurien agreed and suggested that the dairy farmers kind of think it does in a very small other researchers. And while other members of a running club and a are personal and introspective, and which probe deeply into thesomething, you are not in the real thick of it. In fiction films, you can get into artery to the penis, causing the male population cycles, and they Goldstein’s data to design a saddle with themselves be the producers—i.e. the individual psyche? percentage of cases”—was soon studies suggesting a link between cycling club, “terribly flawed’. “I think characters, into their motivation and into various things, even though you are permanent impotence. don’t seem to have a problem a channel cut to relieve pressure on the financiers—of the film. Each member of Deep psychological enquiry is, to some extent, a middle-class luxury as far as dispensing irresistible quotes, such as, the premise was inflated; to presume subjective. You bring an interiority into the subject and to be able to do so gives Soon the story was picked up by maintaining the population.” perineum. The Specialised Body the milk cooperative, half a million of cinema is concerned. This is particularly so for India where there are so manyyou in fact a greater sense of reality than when you merely observe and reproduce “There are two kinds of cyclists: those Goldstein says he became that [cycling] is a major cause of Geometry saddle has sold 1.3 million them, contributed two rupees each. The larger, more pressing concerns around. I would not say the same is true of literature television programme “20/20” and an erectile dysfunction in America is not reality. Film fictionalised from real life tends to give you great opportunities to convinced of cycling’s ill-effects after units and sparked a design revolution. funny thing is that not only was the film,which is more personal and inwardly probing. correct,” says Burnett. Goldstein’s present such a greater reality. noticing in the mid-1980s that many of Minkow says his seat—if it is properly therefore, produced by the farmers Take my filmSuraj Ka Satwan Ghoda (1992). It is based on a Hindi literary hypothesis, he says, “needs to be his male patients with complaints of fitted to the rider—is as easy on the themselves, it was also popularised by classic of Dharamabeer Bharati with many interesting aspects in it. A young manWho are the film directors you like the most? corroborated by other studies that sexual dysfunction were cyclists. He perineum as a chair. He also says he has them. Farmers travelled in lorries and tells three stories to define what love is. They are about three different women Mywith tastes are very catholic. Among the older American directors, I like John wondered if some of these problems research—unpublished—to back up buses from all over to see the film at the whom he has had relationships, first as a pre-pubescent, then as an adolescentFord. and Among contemporary US directors, Martin Scorcese and Coppola. In nearest town. It had a second usage as well. stemmed from sitting on a narrow this claim. thirdly as a mature adult. But all these relationships are happening at the sameJapan, the great directors Kurosawa and Ozu. In Italy, Fellini and Pasolini. In While the hazardous-saddle There were no video players then but withtime, simultaneously. There is no time difference. He knows the three girls atIndia, the Satyajit Ray, of course, and in the popular cinema, Ritwik Ghatak. I like saddle for prolonged periods. His Super 8 and 16 mm portable projectors, question remains unresolved, some same time. As human beings, we have this inner psychology and a way of creatingalso in a the popular Hindi cinema, Mehboob and Guru Dutt; in the popular Campaign Head spearhead teams went to villages in milk self-image and behaviour with people at certain moments of that relationship.Tamil This cinema, Mani Ratnam. Also Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Ritupatno Ghosh riders just like having a choice of seat producing areas to engage them in configurations.t behaviour freezes in that position. For is a marvellous Bengali director. With all these directors, you can hear their voice ELIMU-INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CAMPAIGN dialogue as to how they could increase example, you sometimes behave with your in their films. milk production, maximise their earningsfather even in your adulthood as though and improve the breed of their cattle. Theyou were still 12 years old. (The Washington film was, therefore, very important to stimulate discussions. The film was seen byThat film was a difficult exercise. ActionAid works in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America Post) more people than any single film made in India. It was shown in over 150,000 Literature has the ability to deal with and the Caribbean to listen to, learn from and work in partnership villages in addition to the cinema circuits. It was a springboard to develop newtime and space in a way that cinema finds cooperatives all over India. Today, twenty years later, the film is still being used. with 5 million poor people to help them realise their potential and difficult to do. Cinema concretises the Susman, made in 1986, dealt with what is the second largest trained humanimage. Symbols and emblems become secure their basic rights of food, water, education, healthcare and Oriental Decorator resource in India—the handloom and textile workers. However, the film did notvery definite and concrete in film unlike the chance to earn a living. Kathmandu-3, Nepal have the same popularity and spread asanthan M but helped to bring to the surfacein literature. Words are abstract, but Tel: 242389, 241760, an issue which involved such a large section of the population and a cottage when put together in literature, they have 241058 industry, and an art that was threatened. Fax: 977-1-428122 an associational context. Spaces between We believe that by fighting poverty together- working with poor lo- Samar (1998) was a comedy on caste prejudice that could make a lot of people cal communities, national governments and international Up to 50% uncomfortable and unhappy. Its commercial release has been held up and I have cflZjg 26 ­ sflt{s 4 ut] Oct. 12th-20th organisations- we can help bring about real and lasting change in Discount at been agitating for its release. 2058 2001 the lives of poor people. Tripureshwor On the e[s'^L d)*k Bhrikuti Mandap occasion of A dynamic leader with considerable project management skills is required to Happy Vijaya co-ordinate our International Education Campaign (ELIMU) in the posi- Dashami & tion ofCampaign Head. This campaign currently involves ActionAid and Deepawali other organisations in 32 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America. Sponsored by: TOURS PVT.LTD INTERCITY BUS SERVICES

As Campaign Head you will provide strategic direction and leadership to the Floor & Furnishing international campaign and ensure implementation of agreed plans through Emporium participation in international networks, coalitions and policy Panipokhari, advocacy forums. KTM., Nepal Tel: 428414, 427806, 434075 This is an exciting opportunity for an outstanding communicator with Fax: 977-1-428122 experience of developing and implementing participatory and empowering official casuals ! advocacy strategies to turn our campaign goals into reality. The ability to

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ABOUT TOWN YAK YETI YAK by MIKU that rare thing—attract jazz aficiona- HAPPENINGS dos, while also converting new people to the joys of improvised music that is MOVIES Jazz in the Valley both funked-up and cerebral. v Nepali and Hindi movies online ticket booking at www.nepalshop.com Cadenza didn’t always play jazz. Nabin formed a band with a couple of EXHIBITION friends in the mid-1990s, but three v Paintings and sculptures by Batsa Gopal Vaidya and Shashi Shah.Until 17 October, 11am-6pm. years ago they decided to pursue the Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal Revisited. 411122 American dream. Nabin stayed back v Images from BhaktapurSolo photo exhibition by Kishore Kayastha. Until 21 October, 10am-6pm. and played with people here and Park Gallery, Pulchowk. 522307 there, mostly in Thamel, it is an RAVI MANANDHAR v Group Photographic ExhibitionPhotojournalists 2001 Ashesh Dangol, Chandra Man Maharjan, experience he is glad he had. “The and freelance photographer Prasant Shrestha’s works on culture, people and places, and fine art. Until good thing about playing in Thamel 16 October 10am-5pm. Nepal Art Council Gallery, Babermahal v was we were exposed to the world. Women artistsNineteen women artists from the two-day spot-painting event at Bungamati, There would be the odd tourist who Lalitpur display their works. Proceeds go to a training course for women in craft skill development. 13- wanted to jam with us—and turn out 14 October, Hotel Yak &Yeti. 248999 BOOKWORM to be a real pro,” he says. It was these passers-by who led Nabin to discover Labour Relations: Problems and Issues in Nepal Narayan Manandhar jazz. He had to keep the band going, POWER TO THE WOMEN: Women activists of the Left being arrested on EVENTS Sunday, 8 October near Singha Darbar as they protest the passage of the Industrial Relations Forum, Kathmandu, 2001 and so convinced his brother, long- v Contemporary Jazz dance classes by Meghna Thapa. At Alliance Francaise Sundays and time friend Chi, and Jigme to leave Property Rights Bill. Rs 250 Tuesdays 4.30pm-6.30pm, 241163, 242832. At Banu’s, Kamal Pokhari, Wednesdays 6.30pm-8pm, Darjeeling for Kathmandu. They Saturdays 1.30pm, 434024, 434830. The author attempts to chart the terrain of industrial and labour relations after the restoration ALOK TUMBAHANGPHEY ○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○ formed Cadenza, and last year, after v Cadenza are getting ready to expand Six Summit Tour Non-competitive, non-commercial, free for all mountain biking of multiparty democracy. Manandhar pays particular attention to labour disputes, t is an experience many music- Chhetri, the charismatic drummer they had been playing together two tour of six summits in the valley including Kakani, Rani Ban, Haati Ban, Panauti, employment and labour standards, trade unions, labour law, minimum wage, social security, lovers in this city have had at least out cultural horizonsand vocalist, once tries hisagain. hand at all kinds years, they were invited to the Palmer Nagarkot, and Phulchowki. Starts 13 October. 6.30am. Departure from Dawn to Dusk child labour and privatisation. so many new fans is that it keeps Ionce. Friends come in from out of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ of percussion sounds,○○○○○○○○○ even as the rest Street Jazz Festival in Australia where, MTB Shop, Thamel. innovating and trying new kinds of of the band plays straight ahead jazz to by all accounts, they were a huge hit. town. Eager to impress them, you jazz, and new takes on old forms. Nepalese Textiles Susi Dunsmore decide the thing to do on Saturday complement the Wednesday night Cadenza is so sure of its Their rendition of Louis Armstrong, classical beats. Not bad for someone MUSIC British Museum Press, London, 1993 night is catch good, live music. Jazz. InJohn Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald improvisational and cross-genre skills

Kathmandu. You make your way to the who started playing drums barely six DINESH SHRESTHA v Rs 1,950 standards is superb, and when they that on Saturday, 13 October, it is Jazz at PatanCelebrating 100 years of jazz and for peace. Cadenza and Nepali classical Upstairs Jazz Bar in Lazimpat. The years ago. This versatility is typical of Susi Dunsmore travelled all over Nepal recording traditional techniques, photographing bring out that djembe—which they do putting on a fusion show at the Patan musicians including Jeevan Ale, Suresh Raj Bajracharya, Robin Lala Shrestha, Santosh Bhakta, and reaction is along the order of a the band—guitarist Jigme Sherpa, for Museum Café to celebrate 100 years Homnath Upadhya in concert. Patan Museum Café. 13 October. 6.30pm Tickets Rs 599. Forweavers details at work and collecting outstanding examples of their craft. The author has examined regularly now—it makes for a surreal lepidopterist discovering a prize instance, takes a turn or two on the of jazz. A hundred years of jazz and call 416983 manuscripts and stone carvings for the earliest evidence of textiles. The volume contains experience as the streets of 1950s djembe or conga on Saturdays. v Festival of Music Presented by Embassy of India. Flute by Ronu Majumdar Saturday, 13 October. butterfly in the heart of Manhattan. Cuba and Puerto Rico comealive in the 101 illustrations of looms and spindles and descriptions of dyes and raw materials. The music attracts a surprisingly Sitar by Purbayan Chatterjee Sunday, 14 October. Classical vocal music by Meeta Pandit Monday, 15 Five years ago, Cadenza was just Kathmandu. The ghosts of Tito diverse crowd—young and old, college October. Malla Plaza Hall, Hotel Malla 6pm. Passes at: Embassy of India, Lainchaur (413174), Nepal- another band in Kathmandu, started Puente and Mongo Santamaria take a FILM SOUTH ASIA: Chair of the Jury at Film South Asia ‘01, Shyam Bharat Sanskritik Kendra, RNAC Building, New Road (243497, 255414), Indian Airlines, Hattisar students and socialites, architects, st by boys from Darjeeling, playing bow and the band takes off. anniversary of Duke Benegal, presents the Ram Bahadur Trophy and certificate for best film to (429468), Chez Caroline, Baber Mahal Revisited (251647, 263070) Indigo Gallery (413580) covers. Today, if you don’t know who doctors, journalists, expats of all v Live music Tuesday and Friday nights at the 40,000 ½ ft Bar, Rum Doodle Restaurant. 414336 But that’s only on the weekend. Ellington couldn’t be celebrated Fauzia Khan of Bangladesh, who received it on behalf of her compatriot Courtesy Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] they are, you don’t know your jazz. shades, from embassy official to VSO v Live acoustic music Dinesh Rai and Deependra every Friday at the Himalatte Café. 7.30pm- On occasional Wednesdays, they better. This sort of thing is why Yasmine Kabir director of the winning film,My Migrant Soul, on Sunday, 8 Since Cadenza last featured in these volunteer, rafting freaks and other Cadenza is not going out of style any 10pm 262526 pages (#17), its weekend performancesperform a different kind of fusion— musicians. Cadenza and Upstairs do October. Member of the Jury, Neer Shah, looks on. v Martin Chautari: Issues on Environmental Justice inPundits Nepal Jagannath Adhikari and CLASSIFIED with percussionists skilled in time soon. And why the band’s have become an integral part of the name is so appropriate—it comes Sharad Ghimire. Tuesday 16 October. Unless otherwise noted all discussions are in Nepali. Martin city’s cultural calendar. Hindustani classical music. Nabin Chautari, Thapathali. [email protected]. 246065 from ‘cadence’—the movement of The way to Mexico is too far. Botega Restau-○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ (MIDI compatible), Aiwa CD-tape recorder Part of the reason the band attracts sound, an improvisation. (For more rant and Tequila Bar is near Thamel Chowk.player, Panasonic VCR. Also other furniture on the concert, see About Town.)t 266433. 15 percent off-season discount. and household items. All in good condition, very reasonable prices. Ring 373218 EATING OUT before 9.30am and after 5.30pm. v Feria Mexicana Mexican Festival withbuffet dinner and a la carte at the Sunrise Café. SpecialThe Borderlands Resort For canyoning, menu at the Chimney, special Mexican snack menu at the Piano Lounge and Mexican buffetrafting, dinner trekking at Tibet borders, Professional at the Madhuban Gardens with live Latin bands and salsa dancing. 12 October. Hotel Yak &Development Yeti. Program, Leadership CoursesReflexologyProfessionally US/Europe- KISHOR MAHARJAN v Dasain Special at TheCocktail, Rox momo and sekuwa. Live music and lucky draws. Entranceand Rs many more. 425836/425894. Arniko’s resurrection trained naturopath. Suitable for specific 600 for couples. Free for CATH members. 16 October. Hyatt Regency. 491234 [email protected]. health problems and as a preventive v Barbeque lunch with complementary wine or beer for adults, soft drink for children. Saturdayswww.borderlandresorts.com. and measure. Improves blood circulation and ANOOP RANJAN BHATTARAI Sundays at the Godavari Village Resort. 560675 ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ strengthen the histori- v All-new at Dwarika’s!Krishnarpan Nepali ceremonial four-course lunch, $13, daily. Three-course energy flow throughout the body. 413774 or Do we know what Nepal’s legendary architect- cal bonds between the PHOTOGRAPHERS GALORE: Photographers Mani Lama, Nati Kaji email [email protected]. course set lunches daily at the Toran Garden Restaurant, $11. Friday sculptor and traveller looked like? No prizes for two countries, and also Maharjan and Min Bajracharya inaugurate “The Galleria”, an exhibition by Gourmet weekendfor Nepalis and expatriates guessing he wore a Nepali introduce Nepal to Night Sekuwa with fusion music by Himalayan Feelings. Special price topi anddaura-suruwal , upcoming photographers, Ashesh Dongol, Chandra Man Maharjan and Prasant throughout October: Rs 555 per person, Rs 1,010 per couple. All prices Naked Chef, Nagarkot, B&B, three-course potential visitors, and had features best described as a melange ofcoming all as it is in Shrestha, at the Nepal Art Council Gallery, Monday, 9 October. nett. 479488 international gourmet dinner, transport bothHouse for rent or saleSitapaila Ring v Sandwiches Over the Rainbow American Diner has reopened. Fifth Nepal’s ethnicities. conjunction with

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NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

There is a striking band of clouds on the satelliteMon-Fri 0615-0645 BBC World Today picture, extending from the Arabian Sea through to South-east Asia. The strong cyclone around Sat 0615-0645 BBC Science in Action the Bay of Bengal is trying to force its way to the Himalaya, but two high pressure zones over Sun 0615-0645 BBC Agenda

DSES-10-10-2001 1200 GMT Tibet are keeping them at bay. Which means fair weather finally, in time for Dasain. Temperatures have risen again in the Valley to about 29 Daily 2045-2115 BBCg]kfnL ;]jf degrees in the daytime and about 16-18 degrees at night. Daily 2245-2300 BBCg]kfnL ;]jf

Radio Sagarmatha KATHMANDU VALLEY

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681 Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 E-mail: [email protected] S www.radiosagarmatha.org 29-17 28-18 28-18 29-17 29-16 /]l8of] ;u/dfyf 20 12 - 18 OCOTBER NEPALI 2001 TIMES Under My Hat NEPALI SOCIETY significant. This is the one that has been recognised,” says Deokota, by Kunda Dixit Man with a movie camera who quit a promising career in hotel management to make films. verite,” reads the jury’s citation. When the 27-year-old came It’s no wonder Devkota can’t across Lachuman Magar in a stop smiling. The filmmaker plans Bardiya hotel in west Nepal, where Fried goat guts to return to Bardiya soon to show the former Indian Gorkha cleans Lachuman the film and to build toilets and makes up tourists’ beds his family a tube well. In the for a living, Deokota just knew he meantime, he’ll continue filming had to film him. bungee jumps—his bread-and- for all by Dasain “Lachuman is everyman,” saysbutter—to fund more films. Deokota. “I don’t think his story is On hold is Deokota’s ethnog- uncommon. It reflects our society. raphy on he news that Nepal has denied transit visas to addingtoks . They are both expected to get a severe A simple man, no pretences.” 10,000 mountain goats and sheep from Tibet to reprimand from the Crime Minister when they return Lachuman’s character (still feisty jhankris (shamans)—one T enter the kingdom for Dasain this year has been for spoiling party unity during the Dasain go-slow. despite the many blows life has of the protagonists died and greeted with utter dismay in some quarters. This is Unless all members of the cabinet show strict discipline dealt him, he has no regrets andanother is working in Saudi finds much to laugh about) andArabia, and Deokota is trying to understandable, because it could be an irreversible and consensus, the Chief Whip will be compelled to Deokota’s skilful piecing togetherraise of money. But he’s also setback for national efforts to stockpile sautéed goat give them all a tongue-lashing when they get back. And his varied and colourful life, playing with the possibility of guts for Kathmandu’spaploo and kaudaclass this it will not just be lip service, you can be sure of that. obviously impressed the jury, thatdoing an anti-poaching film in festival season. There are workaholics among us who will insist on included noted Indian director west Nepal. Shyam Benegal. So has he got some funding? As we all know, deep-fried goat innards washed going to work in the coming week to push paper. Woe “A picaresque account of an “No, no. I’m not even looking on such spoilsports, they need help. It’s not that we are down with beer are an important guarantee of inert- ordinary man—made extraordinaryfor any. I don’t think it’s a good ness, and without adequate supplies Nepalis may less lazy the rest of the year. But Dasain is the time that by his appetite for life and love.idea,” he says. “The whole actually end up doing something useful and important we can really let ourselves go by wallowing in sloth. This film is a fine example of dynamics change. You lose in the national interest while preparing to celebrate Even though we know this, we sometimes lapse into control. It’s not your film Nepal’s nationalchard . This is why the semi-govern- exertion and toil. Vigilance, that is what is required. anymore. It becomes a mere Vigilance against hard work. Just look at all the mouthpiece.” ment National Institute for Lethargy and Inertia has Now that’s a rare breed—a unday evening was a blur moved swiftly to identify alternate sources of truly independent filmmaker.t goat protein so that there is sufficient indolence for Dinesh Deokota, director Sof and lassitude to go around this Dasain. (Special A Rough Cut on the Life khasi reinforcements are being rushed to and Times of Lachuman Magar, a ciné Kathmandu from Syangja, highly-placed sources candid profile of a naughty old told us on condition of anonymity.) Vigilance Magar man. squads have already been deputed by most Now, a few days after his film came in second and won a cash ministries, and they are carrying out spot prize of $ 1000 at the biennial checks at various departments, corporations, festival of South Asian documen- public sector enterprises, and our embassies taries, Film South Asia, Deokota is abroad to make sure that no civil servants are letting his victory sink in and sneaking into their offices to actually get some acknowledging the accolades. work done in the run-up to Dasain. benefits of sloth: we have always underestimated the “Now, I truly feel like a Even senior ministers and secretaries are not role laziness plays in non-violence and in ending wars. documentary filmmaker,” says the Making people too lazy to fight should be the aim of allvisibly happy Deokota. Competing exempt from this crackdown. It has come to our peace-making endeavours. There is nothing like a senseagainst 44 other impressive notice, for instance, that the Home-away-from-Home entries, Deokota’s film only goes of time having stopped to bring warring sides to lay to prove that the genre of Minister and the Health Hazard Minister have escapeddown their arms. to Australia under the pretext of attending an interna- documentary and short film- Having said that, it has just come to my notice thatmaking is coming into its own in tional conference, and at the moment of going to press, Nepal. are both busy catching up with a backlog of pending I am now too lazy to complete this column. May you all attain nirvana this Dasain: that state of perfect “I’ve been in the audio-visual work that they brought from home. They were spotted Deokota receiving certificate and immobility and bliss. t production line for five or six during their flights out poring over piles of files and years and produced nothing cash prize for Second Best Film from member of the Jury at Film South Asia, Professor Firdous Azim.

CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59