I

THE BRITAIN- SOCIETY

Journal

Number 13

1989 ~------

Our President

His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, GCVO

1 THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCIETY

Journal Number 13

WE'VE TAKEN TIME OFF 1989

FROM OUR o CON1ENTS INVESTMENT PROGRAMMES 5 EDITORIAL TO INVEST IN THIS ONE. 6 EVEREST EXPEDITION ~ A Situation Report

7 . THE SOCIETY'S

13 . NEPALESEART at the Victoria and Albert Museum by Mayura Brown

16 . AND NEPAL Broadcasting to South Asia by William Crawley

21 . INSECTS OF NEPAL by Colonel M.G. AlIen FRES, FRGS

25 . THE NEPALl SUPPER by Mayura Brown

28 . BOOK REVIEWS B odhisattlla Avalokitesvara by Lieutenant Colonel T.M. Lowe Circa 14th century See article "Nepalese Art at the 31 . N01ES on the Britain-Nepal Society Victoria and Albert Museum" BARCLAYS de ZOETE WEDD

~ THE INVESTMENT BANKING ARM OF THE BARCLAYS GROUP

Designed & Produced by Glenbum Services

2 3 ------~------

EDITORIAL From Strength to Strength

Lectures given at the Alpine Club by of paintings of birds of Nepal now in the members of the Society have always possession of the Zoological Society of provided Some excellent articles for the London. Many members will reCall the Journal and this issue is no exception. aalk on "Changes in Nepalese A vi fauna" Mr. William Crawley, Assistant Head of to the Society at the Alpine Club by the RB.C. Eastern follows up Mrs. Carol Inskipp in 1985 (see Silver his well-attended talk with the contribution Jubilee number of this Journal) and also Route va,."",,,w.,,!'. to South Asia be aware of her book ., A Guide to the and Colonel M.G. Birds of The other book to which we feel com­ to make reference here is one , which is not easy to down once It is the told herself of a American who volun- Our thanks to them and to all our COI1l­ teered to become a Peace Corps science Mrs.Mayura Brown for teacher in a village on the east side of our attention to the excellent Kathmandu. Her very frank and vivid display of Art, including some narrative describes conditions prevailing very fine pieces from Nepal, in the new some years ago and how much gallery at the Victoria and Albert Mu­ changed but her courage and genuine seum in London. The authorities of the admiration for the people she lived and Victoria and Albert have very kindly worked with, which enabled her to carry provided the illustrations which accom­ out her undertaking when many others pany her article. gave up make" A Classful of Gods and FOR RESERVATIONS CALL Colonel Lowe has again drawn atten­ Goddesses in Nepal" by Ruth Higbie tion to the latest publications of special (The Boxwood Press, Pacific Grove, 01-3834314 interest to our members, in his reviews California) a fascinating book as much 01 .. 3871541/71 and book list. To those he has listed we for those who know Nepal well as for would here add two titles and the first those who have not yet ventured there. Telex 265241 DABIN G must be "A Himalayan Ornithologist" A third book which has not yet come by Mark Cocker and Carol Inskipp (Oxford our way but which we are happy to an­ Fax 01-528 7789 University Press) which besides telling nounce to our readers is "Samraj" by the life story of , Elame Aron (New English Libary), the a remarkable life that extended over very first of a trilogy based on the Mahabharata. DABIN TRAVEL LTD, GSA nearly the whole of the 19th Century, The book has evidently been well re­ describes in seven fascinating chapters searched and comes out not long before 118 Tottenham Court Road his extraordinary achievements as anatu­ the RRC. will be showing a "nine-hour London W1 P 9HL ralist and orientalist, and provides 49 dramatization" by Peter Brooks of the colour plates selected from his collection great epic.

4 5 It remains only to draw attention to the BRITISH SERVICES EVEREST THE SOCIETY'S NEWS many interesting activities of the Society EXPEDITION 1988 which are described in detail in "The Society's News" and also to let it be A Situation Report by and it has had three Presidents. The first known that the move of the Gurkha Lieutenant Colonel HRA Streamer OBE and longest serving was Lord Hunt who Museum to Winchester is progressing guided the Society through its early days. wen and the museum should be to It will be recalled that in 1988 three He was succeeded by Mr. Arthur Kellas welcome visitors in next year. In determined attempts to reach the summit formerly Ambassador to Kathmandu. He the meantime the important King by members of the Services Everest relinquished the Presidency when he and Mahendra UK Trust for Nature Conser­ Expedition were turned back by appalling his wife retired to Argyl. In 1979 after a vation is appealing for more support from weather and snow conditions. Application successful career in the Civil Service and members and from the public (see The was immediately made to the Chinese in business Sir George Bishop agreed to Society's News). As for our Society, it Government for permission to make a In February the following announce­ become President. For ten years he and continues to progress and to go from further attempt in 1991 or even sooner if ment appeared in the Court Circular' 'The Lady Bishop have diligently attended the strength to strength. this could be arranged. The Chinese were Duke of Gloucester has become Presi­ Society's functions and the monthly unable to grant permission before 1991 dent of the Britain-Nepal Society for meetings at the Alpine Club. and recent troubles there have now also three years" . Earlier this year Sir George announced put this out of the question. It is hoped His Royal Highness is no stranger to his intention to retire in his seventy-fifth The King Mahendra UK Trust that the situation will stabilise and that an the Society. Their Royal Highnesses The year and in May members had the oppor­ for Nature Conservation, attempt in 1992 might be possible. This Duke and Duchess were invited to join tunity of thanking him and Lady Bishop 103, Mount Street, time the team would not attempt the the Society as Honorary Life Members at a well attended party held in the lovely London route by the long West Ridge but would when Lieutenant Colonel e.G. Wylie Cambridge Cottage Garden at Kew. On WIY SHE try by the North Face direct. As a result of was Chairman of the Society (1969-73) behalf of the Society Lord Hunt thanked the delay in time much work will be since when His Royal Highness has taken Sir George warmly and presented him involved in selecting a new team and in an active interest in the Society. In July with a Kukri made in Kathmandu. In his finding sponsors. 1981 the Duke attended a dinner given by speech HE The Nepalese Ambassador the Society at the Royal Over-Seas League also thanked Sir George and took the in honour of TRH Prince Gyanendra and opportunity of mentioning the trade and Princess Komal and he has also attended transit problems of Nepal and and talks given by Professor Haimendorf, he hoped the Society would help to solve Prince Peter of Greece, Sir George Bishop this dispute. and John Sanday at the Alpine Club. Lady Bishop was presented with a set We are delighted and honoured that of cut glass sherry glasses by Mrs. Mayura His Royal Highness is to be the new Brown. The glasses were inscribed with President and we look forward to the Society'S crossed flag motif. welcoming him at the Annual General Sir George is now busy planning a trek Meeting to be held, by kind permission in October through the Tamur Valley to of His Excellency Major-General Bharat Kangchenjunga; this walk, there and back, Keshar Simha, at the Royal Nepalese should take about 28 days. On his return Embassy on 23rd November. we look forward to seeing him and Lady The Society is twenty-nine years old Bishop at many of the Society's functions.

Everest - The View from the North - Summit (left), West Ridge (right) 6 7 11 Monthly at the Club tile lease in return for substantial funding III The Pestalozzi Children's Village. each year to extend the school so that the On Thursday 20th October Mr. Goorge for new headquarters. Sedlescombe. children will be able to stay and be edu­ Band, President of the Alpine gave "We were pretty unprofitable for Mr. Paul Broomhall, a former Chair­ cated up to 16 years butfrrst, now that the an illustrated talk on "Kangchenjunga­ " explains the Alpinists' President man of the Society has for many years school is running. I am waiting for the First Ascent". George Band, the youngest member of invited the Nepalese House Mothers as District School Inspector's visit so that I Colonel M.G. AlIen's illustrated talk the 1953 Everest expeditiorrn .• 'They made his guests to the Annual Nepali Supper. can obtain my licence," she added. on "Butterflies, Moths and other Insects us a good offer". Three years ago Miss Lakshmi Thapa At the moment Miss Thapa will have of Nepal", took place on Thursday 19th Band however, tilat the deal was one of his guests; she spoke enthusi­ to travel daily the 15 miles from her January. leaves the club homeless for several years astically about her work at the village home to the school. This can take up to Mr. Peter Knowies's illustrated talk until the operrning of an underground club­ and her every day experiences of English 2 1/2 hours by public transport but even­ on "The First Kayak Descent of the house in the Royal Geographical Soci­ life. After six and a half years in England tually she hopes to live at the school. And Kamali - Western Nepal's Largest and ety's garden in Kensington Gore. "We're she returned home to Balkot Village in if funds permit, she will one day have Longest River" took place on the 8th looking for a temporary home," he says. the Bhaktapur District of Nepal to be­ boarding facilities to help children in March. "It's nerve-racking, but mountaineering come Head of her new school for chil­ other villages. At short notice, on Wednesday 26th is a nerve-racking business". dren aged 4-6. Before she left she talked The Chairman Colonel Evans and Mrs. April, Mr. William Crawley and col­ So your Committee is now looking for about her five year plan to the Editor of Evans took the opportunity of visiting leagues from the BBC Eastern Service an alternative venue. the Pestalozzi News Sheet. She first this school during their recent visit to gave their talk about broadcasting to the explained the desperate need for a school Nepal. Nepalese and their South Asian neigh­ III The Earthquake fund-raising Project in this very poor village of about 2,000 bours entitled' 'Bush House and Nepal". In his appeal letter the Chairman, Colo­ families. "In the past children had to III The Nepal-Britain Society The Committee would like to thank: nel IM Evans wrote the following: "Prior travel on foot to the nearest school, a In July, Mr. Dhruba N. Shrestha, Senior all those who so kindly gave these much to the AGM in November, I was asked by route that took them across a stream Vice-President of the Nepal-Britain appreciated talks. your Committee to write to all members which in the rainy season, flooded. Every Society was a guest of the Foreign and saying that it was proposed to devote our year several children were washed away Commonwealth Office. During his visit 11 Alpine Club fund-raising in 1989 to some specific and drowned," she said. Whilst back Mr. Shrestha was entertained to lunch by Sadly the Society will be holding its last project in the area devastated by the home in 1985 and with the help of the the Chairman, Colonel Evans. Mr. Brian meeting at this venue in October. Peter­ earthquake in Eastern Nepal. By the time villagers, she bought a piece of land and Smith the Honorary Treasurer and Mr. borough in "The Daily Telegraph" of of the AGM we had been advised by drafted plans for the school. Two years Alan Durston, a Committee Member, 19th August explained the reasons for Kathmandu and the Embassy in London later, enough money had been raised to were also present. the move. "The World's oldest moun­ that any help we could give would be lay the foundation and by the Summer of Mr. K Thapa, President of the Youth taineering club is preparing to hike across more appreciated for the relief of general 1988, she was able, during a two month Activities Co-ordination Committee also London in search ofa new home. To the distress rather than for one project out of holiday, to see the completion of the first visited London and was entertained to dismay of art dealers who use it for so many that needed help. It was decided four classrooms. The furniture, curtains dinner by Mr. Anthony Wieler. exhibitions, the Alpine Club is leaving at the AGM to proceed accordingly." and basic equipment were installed by its trophy- filled Mayfair home long before Subsequently this appeal raised a mag­ the end of January last in readiness for III Departure - Mr B.P. Arjwal its lease expires and years before the nificent figure of £5,300 and a cheque for February 15th, the day the school wel­ Mr. B.P. Arjwal, Attache at the Royal completion of a new subterranean club­ this amount was handed to HE The Nep­ comed its first 45 children. Nepalese Embassy and his family will be house in Kensington. alese Ambassador by Sir George Bishop "My brother, who isretired,and some departing for Kathmandu in October. After 30 years in South Audley Street, at the party held at Kew in May. of my friends, have cared for the project Special thanks go to Mr. Arjwal for the the club has accepted an offer from its The Committee would like to thank while the villagers themselves have built help he has given to the Society during landlords, Western Heritable, to surrender all those who so generously donated money it," Lakshmi explained. "I am hoping his stay in London. for this very worthwhile cause.

8 9 Lee, King Mahendra UK Trust for Nature 11 Footnote tree hardy in this country to do so); in A note about Cambridge Cottage China it is also valued for its bark, which ""I"""'" "'''''' a Conservation, 103 Mount Street, London, Parliamentary Conference was held at WIY SHE. Garden from the Souvenir Guide of the is believed to have medicinal properties. W estmmster and attended delegations Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. This charm­ A number of magnolias may be seen from over 120 countties. was III Yeti Association in U.K. ing walled garden is also known as the including several specimens of the evergreen Magnolia grandiflora, native repres~ntf:d by six Members of Parliament, At the Annual General Meeting of the Duke's Garden, after the Duke·of Cam­ led by the HOI'I'ble Mohan MaUa, Association held in London in April Dr. bridge who lived in Cambridge Cottage. to the southern United States, which Speaker of the Rastriya and Dhital was voted Mr. When he died the Cottage and Garden produces deliciously scented large creamy Wee Clerks. 11'1 honour of their visit the Hmi Bibhar Karki - Vice-President and were presented to Kew by Edward VII. A white flowers in late Summer and early Committee organised a reception at the Mr. Uttarn Amataya- General Secretary. collection of the more ornamental herba­ autumn. House of Commons sponsored by Mr. ceous plants are grown here in the side Cambridge Cottage Neil Thorne MP, Chairman of the Anglo­ III Messages borders and island beds in the main lawn. For the last ten years of his long life, Nepalese Parliamentary Group. The A message of congratulation was sent In the far corner a large area of paving Cambridge Cottage was the home of reception was attended by Members of to His Majesty the Kmg of Nepal on his has been used to house a collection of Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, Queen Parliament, Mr. B. Khanal, Charge birthday on 28th December. bulbs and this is backed by it border of Victoria's uncle and Queen Mary's grand­ d'Affaires and Mrs. Khan al , Vice­ A message of congratulation was also plants demonstrating the different types father. In old age Adolphus, eccentric Presidents and the Committee of the sent to our Patron HRH Prince Gyanen­ of variegation. The bulbs also have an and by then very deaf, made things diffi­ Britain-Nepal Society. dra of Nepal on his birthday in J ul y . historicallmkin that the present Queen's cult for the curate of Kew Church, the Garden is on a site known in the late front pew of which the Duke occupied III King Mahendra UK Trust for Nature III Society Tie and Ladies Scarf nineteenth century as the Duke of Cam­ regularly on Sunday mornings. 'Let us Conservation. The price of the Britain-Nepal Society bridge's bulb garden. Some species of pray!' said the curate; 'By all means,' The first phase of the Annapurna tie is £5 including postage, and the ladies irises are also displayed here and around replied Adolphus, amiably and all too Conservation Area is now complete and scarf £6 including postage. The Secre­ the sheltered footings of the "cottage" audibly. When the sixth commandment, significant progress has been made to­ tary holds a large stock of these ties and are several different forms of the beauti­ 'Thou shalt do no murder' was read, the wards the Project's ultimate aim of halt­ scarves. ful winter flowering Iris unguicularis which Duke observed with evident self-satis­ ing and reversing the ecological decline comes form the Mediterranean region. faction, 'I don't. I leave that to my of one of the world's most beautiful and Finally 1 would like to mention that Iris enthusiasts will also wish to note brother Ernest'; and when, one very dry important mountain regions. The gener­ the Editor of this journal, Lieutenant the moisture-loving irises that are grown summer, the curate prayed for rain, the ous contributions to the Trust's appeal for Colonel RC.S. Gregory, has accepted in the Woodland and Rock Gardens, and voice of the familiar commentator rang £50,000 in 1986 have been applied to an the Chairman's invitation to become a the special raised beds made for Juno, out, 'Amen! - but you won't getit till the intensive and successful programme of Vice-President Colonel Gregory has over Oncocyclus and Regelia irises near the wind changes.' The curate, no longer training, reduction and practical improve­ a period of twenty years taken a very ac­ Jodrell Laboratory -which also hosts some able to bear the strain, eventually re­ ments. tive interest in the Society and has been rare bearded irises against its south face. signed. The Trustees of the King Mahendra Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Trees grown here include the Iron Tree, After the Duke's death in 1850, Cam­ UK Trust have now undertaken to raise a Treasurer, founder and Editor of the Journal Parrotia persica, native to Persia and the bridge Cottage continued to be occupied further £150,000 to extend the programme and Life Member of the Society. Caucasus. It is a member of the Witch by his widow and their family, and in over the next four years. The Overseas Hazel fami! y, and has dark crimson flow­ later life Queen Mary recalled the pen­ Development Admmis tration has agreed CeliaBrown ers which appear from mid-January to ance of compulsory visits made as a child to match £1 for £1 the funds the Trust is Honorary Secretary early March, and later in the year the tree to the formidable and ailing old Duchess, able to raise in voluntary contributions. 1 AlIen Mansions, produces good autumn colour. Eucom­ her 'stingy' teas of buns and rusks, and If you would like to support the Project, Allen Street mia ulmoides, an unusual tree from Central her insistence on her grandchildren sing­ please send your donation to Miss Jane London W8 6UY China, is inter~sting on account of the ing 'Les Trois Anges' and 'God Save the rubber produced in its leaves (the only Queen' to relieve her boredom.

10 11 NEPALESE ART at the Victoria & Albert Museum by Mayura Brown

It was interesting to hear that the V. & A. was to open a gallery devoted to The First Restaurant to Introduce Himalayan art which would include some Nepalese pieces from their collection. It Nepalese Food to London was launched with a Reception on June 26th, generously sponsored by the S.E. Asia Trade and Advisory Group and the OPlEN DAILY 12 ito 3 & 6 ito 12 Britain and South East Asian Trade 93 Charlotte Street Association, and was attended by many LONDON WIP lLB distinguished guests including His Excellency the Nepalese Ambassador. Telephone: - 01 - 637 - 0050/4995 Apart from the Himalayan regions, the exhibits also include those from S.E. For reservations contact Ishwar Manandhar Asia. A study Seminar was held a week before the opening of the gallery. thus establishing the educational value of the exhibition. The gallery is not large but the variety of artefacts on show is stimulating. Nepal, our main concern, gives the public an Individually tailored travel to insight into the traditional creative work Nepal and throughout the of the Nepalese artists and craftsmen subcontinent. Brochures on all these from who served faithfully both Hinduism and Buddhism, religions that have lived Sitatara c.14th century Nepal David Sayers Travel Andrew Brock Travel Ud harmoniously together for decades in Painted and guilded copper inset with Escorted natural history 10 Barley Mow Passage Nepal. semi-precious stones, turquoise, tours. 1990 programme London W4 4PH An elegant A valokitesvara (14th imitation rubies and lapis lazuli includes 'Nepal the Easy Tel: 01-995 3642 (24hrs) century) stands among the exhibits from On the Nepal side of the gallery stands a Way' and Gorkha Himal . Through this statue came from Tara, (also 14th century), with the same Spring Trek. Shigatze, possibly from the Tashilhunpo graceful curve that distinguishes the style monastery, the workmanship is Nepalese. of this early period. E.V. Haven, who did West Himalayan Holidays A number of Newari craftsmen from the so much to interpret the iconography of Group and individual Nepal Valley plied their trade in Tibet this area to the West, gave a perfect trekking in the Kulu Valley, where their skills and artistry were much description of these two statues. "The lahool and Zanskar. in demand. These image-makers as well attenuated waist and generalisation of as traders resided in Lhasa for many the anatomy carried much further than years, as the connection between the two the Greeks ever attempted, producing an countries had existed from ancient times. extreme simplicity of form and contour,

12 13 ARBUTHNOT FUND MANAGERS

has well-designed and tested computer systems to provide discretionary fund management together with all the information you need to look after your Investment Portfolios

Arbuthnot Fund Managers Torana with Garuda attacking a Naga and Nagini Repousse copper with gilding and paint, set with turquoise, is part of Arbuthnot Latham rock crystal and semi-precious stones Bank, one of the City of Nepal 16th century London's oldest merchant banks, offering: are part of a deliberate intention of vehicle resembling the famous Jagger­ suggesting a type of abstract, spiritual nath Car of South India, the other is an @ in-house banking beauty, far removed from worldly passions embroidered textile depicting scenes from • competitive interest rates on current or desire" . the Ramayana. account balances After the 15th century the figures be­ Besides a 12th century Vishnu, a 17th came more ornate with elaborate decora­ century and the goddess Vasudhara, !Ill a team of 8 managers with over 120 tions. Another Tara on view, (which there are some small figures in the glass years of fund management experience took the Museum a whole year to clean cases. The large head of Bhairav (l7th e a record of above average performance and restore), is richly embellished and century), fierce and splendid, is extremely for a wide range of clients comes from this later period. Many of impressive and contrasts with the beauty the images are made of copper overlaid and delicate dignity of the Crown of Arbulhnot Latham BIlllk Limited with gilt, but there is a beaten copper Bhattacharya (1677) nearby. 131 Flnsbury Pavement, London EC2.A lAY head of Garuda above a Naga and Nagini It would require unlimited space to Arbuthnot Fund Managen Limited Is Il Member oC IMRO - an attractive arrangement, probably 16th describe all the items in detail. Let us century. hope that our members will make an Two unusual items come from effort to visit the V. and A. to admire the Further 1nJ'0rmallon on Arbuthnot Fund Managers can be obta.lned by Bhatgoan (Bhaktapur) and will be shown art of Nepal, a poor country financially calling Anthony Wleler or J ack.le Rose on 01 628 9876 alternately. One is a painting (1670) of a but rich in her artistic achievements.

14 15 ------

BUSH HOUSE AND NEPAL: Broadcasting to South Asia

On 26 April William Crawley, Head people listen to because they want 10, not of the Eastern Service in the BBC World because they have to. We accept an Service, and Heather Bond, Producer, obligation to broadcast, in the broadest talked to the Society about the BBC's sense, in the national interest. The Nepali Service, which marks its 20th foundation of this is our ability and anniversary this year. commiunent 10 reporting things as they / The BBC World Service broadcasts in are and not dressed up to look palatable thirty-seven languages formore than 750 or to carry some persuasive but inac:cw-are I hours a week. For listenas who are at message; we are not in the propaganda home with the English language broad­ business. casts in English are an imponant part of lIle daily Link between Britain and Nepal, and for all the countries of the Indian subcontinent And as Hindi is widely understood and spoken in many parts of Nepal, the BBC Hindi service, (broad­ casting principally to India with 4 lraIlS­ missions of a lOW of 2 hours a day). reaches a good audience there. BUl the BBC Nepali language service is special Bush House,l~ home of the BBC World Service to the CQllnlry and to the people of Nep­ alese origin living in India, Sikkim and omy) we broadcast in all the IUllional either for listeners or broadcasters, but it Bhutan. It is the smallest of the BBC's languages of the Indian sub-continent - was a swt. So on June 7th 1969 staffed foreign language services with a pro­ not of course all the major languages. by a dentist, an accountancy student and gramme of20 minutes going outS days a The close contacts that Britain has had Heather Bond we went on the air for the week. with Nepal over nearly 200 years - the fmt time. The programme included a The decision on which languages we aid, co-operation and trade that exist message from the Nepalese Ambassa­ broadcast in and for how many hours is today, the established place of the Glrldlas dor, Sirdar Ishwary Raj Misraand a ten­ made by the British Government - spe­ in the British anny, were all key factors minute Review of the Week's News, cifically the Foreign and Commonwealth William Crawley, Assistant Head of in the decision 10 swt a Nepali language wriIlen by Evan Charlton. Programme Office. The decisions are made in close t~ BBC Eastern Service 1 service, and 10 its being continued and prospects lOOk an upward turn with the consultation with the BBC, which is fully extended over the years. arrival of Yadav Kharel in early 1970. responsible editorially and operationally By Asian standards the Nepali lan­ I It was in 1969, at a time when the He was in London toattend a fLim course for implementing what is known as the guage is not one of the most widely Foreign Office had agreed to increase but this seemed to leave him plenty of FCO Prescription. spoken. Butitis the national language of BBC broadcasts in Hindi, Urdu and Per­ time for our fledgling service and he The BBC's fundamental objective is Nepa]. and with the exception ofSinhala. sian, that the decision was taken to intro­ swung into immediate action. Yadav to broadcast a service of news and the national language of Sri Lanka (in duce one half-hour weekly transmission was a 'fixer' parexcellence. His greatest infonnation which is fast, accwate and which BBC U'ansmissions were discon­ in Nepali. The only available slot was on coup was perhaps to interview His Maj· impartial, axl to make programmes which tinued 13 years ago for reasons of teon- Saturday mornings - not an ideal time esry King Mahendrain 1970andthis was

16 17 followed by an interview with the then agreed to increase the Nepali service We are broadcasting to people at large, recorded, and to make others. Crown Prince Birendra. Meanwhile. a further to three thirty minute programmes some influential. some quite ordinary Fourthly, within the BBC, the Nepali series of trainee broadcasters were ruriv- a week. This meant we could add the people. Wearenotsettingouttopromote service contributes to an interest in and from Radio Nepal and. as part of their occasional drama to our output We had British policies or to sell British prod­ undertaking of Nepal. You cannot broad­ BBC course were attached to the Nepali recruited Khagendra Nepali, the present ucts, though indirectly there can be an cast regularly to another country without Service so we had rather more personnel Chairman of Yeti, who not writes influence here in creating an understand­ sensitivity and understanding ofattitudes to with than many new services. but and acts i.n them as ing and awareness of Britain as a whole. and opinions in that country. You have were added to the basic wen. This also included But open information is an important to have an awareness of the different irn element of the relationship between perceptions of Nepal to its neighbouring terviews with - interviews with Lord countries and the people who live in countries. The feedback from listeners to made of musicians and Chris Boooington and Colonel them. In the long term it is almost the the Nepali service has an educational Yadav introduced J[shwar IvIanandhar into and of course, Sherpa only basis for a real understanding and value, which helps the journalistic and the BBC and coached him ilnto dra and Heather Bond together recorded dialogue. professional requirement to understand and a Listeners' Letters pro­ Nepali poets and broadcast their work Secondly, the Nepali s~rvice has and explain events in a country that gramme. He's been there ever since to­ from London. The biggest step for the encouraged personal and professional links geographically is quite a long way away. gether with Sabitha and Binoe!. In the Nepali Service came earlier this year with the development of broadcasting in Lastly, it is an indication of the fIrst six months the Service received 97 when the transmission time was expanded Nepal itself. A significant number of importance attached to a language and a letters from Nepal- almost all complain­ to 20 minutes five days a week. For the broadcasters and broadcasting engineers country - especially a small country - in ing that the transmission time was too flrst time in its twenty years existence, in Nepal have been trained by the BBC. incorporating it as part of a major world short. It wasn't until 1974 that we ad­ the Nepali Service could take a proper Radio Nepal broadcasters have gained broadcasting network, such as the BBC vanced to 3 x 15 '00" programmes a week, daily bulletin from the Bush House professional experience with the BBC is. It promotes knowledge of the country, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. newsroom. Nepali Service, benefiting both the BBC disseminates information about it and Programming was easier because we only and themselves and carrying skills and a underlines its cultural and political had to look back over two or three days of broader outlook on international broad­ distinctiveness, highlighting it on the news instead of seven. But there was an casting with them on their return to Nepal. linguistic and political map. added problem because we now clashed Thirdly, BBC English by Radio and It would be foolish to pretend that with the BBC's well-established Hindi Television have been of value to Nepal broadcasting is without risks. The scope Service which was very popular in Kath­ both through transmission on the BBC for misunderstanding may be as large as mandu. By then we had a second string World Service in English and the the scope for enlightenment But the BBC's to our bow because our broadcasts were availability of BBC English by Radio professionalism and standards forged over being taken BFBS Hong Kong. and Television series to the Nepalese many years are the best guard against Heather Bond was seconded to British broadcasting media. The contribution of that. News is often hard to get and Forces Broadcasting as a trainer. The the BBC Nepali Service in this field is expensive. News values as they may be station used to compile news bulletins relati vel y recen t and has been interrupted understood in the western media may not Messrs. Mani Rana and Khagendra by the schedule changes last year when always reflect real values. There is plenty from the latest edition of the South China Nepali at action stations Morning Post, and she immediately saw we moved to 5 days a week. However of room for discussion; the BBC is open­ the opportunity of sharpening their accu­ Any enterprise of this nature has to there is no doubt that bi-lingual English minded to criticism and prepared to correct racy and effectiveness through a link justify the money that is spent on it, and by Radio series are of great value in mistakes. But the overwhelming response with the BBC Nepali service. This has re­ some of the benefIts are these:- promoting the learning of English and from our listeners is a positive one and in mained a feature of our broadcasting in Firstly, the Nepali service provides di­ we are hoping to get further time on the Nepal I believe there is a strong Nepali ever since. rect contact potentially with a larger air to enable us to broadcast a bi-lingual appreciation of our commitment to Ten years later, the Foreign OffIce audience in Nepal than any other Media. Nepali-English series that we have already continuing it

18 19 INSECTS OF NEPAL Talk to the Britain-Nepal Society b:v Colonel M.G. Allen. FRES, FRGS Temburong Valley, with particular refer­ ence to insect diversity and their role in the rain foresteco-system. Colonel AlIen is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and of the Royal Entomological Society. He served as Defence Attache with the British Embassy Kathmandu from July 1982 to February 1985. Whilst i ealt in Nepal he continued his study of insects and made major collections on behalf of expertise at your service the National History Museum, including sponsoring two collecting expeditions. Colonel AlIen explained the importance ICI Public Health offers a range of products of insects as man's greatest competitors and expertise for the control of the world's major for the world's biological resources, since nuisance and vector pests including mosquities insects comprise over 90% of all living which spread malaria. creatures. Whilst many species compete with man, many more are essential to The major products are 'Actellic' (pirimiphos­ man's survi val on this planet as pollen­ methyl) - a broad spectrum organophosphorus ators of the trees and plants. insecticide and 'Icon' (Iambdacyhalothrin) - a Nepal was a fascinating place to study highly active broad spectrum synthetic pyrethroid. insects, not only because of its altitude range from 300ft in the Southern Terai to For further information about ICl's Public Health the Northern Himalayan peaks of 20,000 products please contact Moon Moth (Actias Maenas) feet plus, but because the marked the transission zone between two ICI Public Health Colonel Michael Allen gave a talk on major zoo-geographical regions; the Fernhurst, Haslemere 19 January at the Alpine Club. The talk Paleoarctic and the Oriental. Colonel AlIen Surrey, GU27 3JE was illustrated by slides and insects in had carried out a North-South collecting Un~ed Kingdom display cases from Colonel Allen's trancept with Panch Pokhari at 14,500 ft Tel: 04284061 collection. as the northern point (almost exclusively Fax: 0428 55439 Colonel AlIen's interest in Fntomology paleoarctic), the Kathmandu Valley and Telex: 828270 ICI PPF G stemmed from his childhood in the forests its surrounding hills as the centre, and of North-East Assam and this interest has Chitwan Royal National Park as the continued ever since. Whilst command­ southern point (almost exclusively ori­ Before using pesticides always read and ing the 10th PMO Gurkha Rifles in Brunei ental). understand the product label. 1989 to 1980 he organised three expedit- Colonel AlIen spoke of the immense . ions jointly with the British Museum diversity of insects, which included many (Natural History) and the Brunei Museum endemic or very rare Himalayan species, to study the flora and fauna of the that were to be found in the 5,000 ft to

20 21 lVllJlst::IUIi. in honour of the Ambassador, have up the process of Joihl1 Densol1 CMG. deforestation ~ more timber is cut down '0 cl::lI1ch.~d,e, Colonel Allen exp.-essed to use as fuel in of kerosene, his concern at the impactol1l Nepal's rich around the major population ami often unique faooa and flom result­ centres s!]ch as Kathmandu and Pokhara. ing from deforestation. HMGN recog­ This degradation of the environment win nised the need to conserve amI. in due course damage India too through wild habitats as National Parks and this siltation of the rivers and canal systems should receive strong international sup- and flooding. For those who might be interested, At the conclusion the President Sir both Colonel Alien and Colonel Baily George Bishop thanked Colonel AlIen feature in an exhibition "Butterflies and for a most entertaining and interesting Bayonets - the Soldier as Collector", at talk, and wished him every success when the National Army Museum, next to the he returns to Nepal later this year as Royal Chelsea Hospital. This interesting Defence Attache and Commander, Brit­ exhibition which portrays the role of the ish Gurkhas Nepal. military as collectors in every conceiv­ Afternote able fIeld over the past two centuries, is The restrictions imposed on Nepal by well worth a visit. It will be open until Colonel Alien at work on his hobby India and the consequent fuel shortages January 1991.

9,000 ft range of forested hills around Calcutta It was described as a new spe­ Kathmandu, and in particular the forests cies Hepialiscus nepalensis and subse­ of Godaveri and Phulchok Peak. These quently deposited in the Naturalllistory rich habitats, like many others in Nepal, Museum collection in London, but was were threatened by the impact of defor­ not taken again. Colonel Allen redis­ Over centuries estation. covered this species alive and well in the He commented that he was fonowing rim of the Kathmandu Valley, including of innovation in a long line of British Naturalists and the first known female specimens. The Entomologists who had served with the insect only flies during the fIrst two weeks as brokers and dealers British Embassy in Kathmandu. This link of the pre-monsoon rains in late May­ had started with the First Resident, E. early June, and then only at dusk for to the world Gardner (1816 to 1842), continued with some 15 minutes. Colonel AlIen took a B.H. Hodgson, FRS (1829 to 1842), and considerable number of insects, particu­ Lt. Col. F.M. Bailey (1935 to 1938), who larly moths, beetles and parasitic wasps had produced the fIrst full checklist of which proved to be new species. One Nepal's butterflies, including a number moth of a rare genus which was previ­ of new species. ously known from only two species, the ED&F Man Limited Amongst the insects taken in Nepal by fIrst to be found in Europe and the second Group Headquarters Colonel AlIen was a Swift Moth. This in the Far EastofRussia was taken within Sugar Quay, Lower Thames Street, London EC;m G[)U was fIrst taken by Gardner in 1820 and the grounds of the Embassy. It was de­ Telephone 01-6268788, Telex 885431 sent to an entomological friend, Genernl scribed as Cephimallota densoni by Dr. with offices in over 30 countries Hardwick of the East India Company in G.S. Robinson of the Natural History

22 23 THE NEP ALl SUPPER by Mayura Brown

One of the most popular events in the earthquake rehabilitation fund Sir Society's calender is the Nepali Supper George on behalf of the Society in May.) in February which always attracts a large Next to receive a special welcome was gathering. The charming and friendly H.E. the High Commissioner for New atmosphere of New Zealand House where Zealand, Mr. Bryce Harland, Sir George it is held ensures a truly enjoyable eve­ expressed the Society'S gratitude for the ning. privilege of holding their Suppers at New After an excellent Nepali meal, our Zealand House, and we were all de­ President, Sir George Bishop, spoke of lighted to have the High Commissioner the year's interesting and successful pro­ and his lady at our dinner. gramme. He thanked the Chairman, Finally Sir George welcomed our Guest Colonel Evans, the Honorary Secretary, of Honour, Group-Captain Leonard Mrs. Celia Brown and all members of the Cheshire, V.C., DFC, DSO, OM, His is a Committee for their hard work and dedi­ household name, the older generation cation. remembering his remarkable wartime He reminded us of the brief visit to exploits, while people today are familiar London in December of our Patron, H.R.R with the Cheshire-Ryder Mission for the Prince Gyanendra, who is also Chairman Relief of Suffering and the numerous of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature "Homes" that exist in several countries. Covservation. The Prince has given his The Cheshire Home at Jorpati in Kath­ strong support to Sir Arthur Nonnan for mandu houses 32 disabled people whose his untiring work on behalf of the An­ ages range from 15 to 30 years. This napurna Project which had made good venture has been so successful that Group­ progress. It impressed the (then) Minis­ Captain Cheshire hopes to open another ter for Overs~as Development, Mr. Chris Home in Nepal which will be a welcome Patten, when he visited Nepal last year. addition to the excellent work that is Sir George warmly welcomed the Nep­ being done already. We heard how the alese Ambassador, Lt. General Bharat K. idea for these Homes came about. At the S imha and Madame Simha, very popular end of World War 2 Group-Captain, and staunch friends of the Society from Cheshire met an ex-serviceman, seriously their previous stay in London, (1964-67), ill, with no home and nobody to care for when he was Military Attache at the him. Though Leonard Cheshire himself Embassy. Not long after his arrival in was ill, he took the dying man into his London there was an earthquake in East own home and nursed him. It was a very Nepal in the Dharan area. He set up a moving story told with gentle humility. relief appeal immediately. This was fol­ There must be countless people who owe lowed by a personal appeal by Colonel much to this selfless, kindly person. He Evans. (The Ambassador was presented has done a great deal to alleviate suffer­ with a cheque for £5300 towards the ing and continues to give dignity and a

24 25 r purpose in life to the disabled. While our conclusion the Ambassador said how admiration for him is unbound, we must pleased he was to see not only ex-Am­ spare a kind thought for all his helpers bassadors to Nepal present who had con­ and especially for the General Secretary. tributed much to maintaining close friend­ BRITORION Mrs. Ann Sparkes. ship between the two countries, but also I have a particular interest in the Jorpati other friends of Nepal, among them the ALEXANDER HOUSE Home as I had the pleasure of presenting Chief of the General Staff General Sir ROAD Group-Captain.Cheshire with a cheque John Chapple and Mr. Neil Thome M.P., ALDERSHOT for £100 (donated by the De La Rue Chairman of the Anglo-Nepal Inter-Par­ HAMPSHIRE GUll Company through the kind offices of Sir liamentary Group. He also thanked the Arthur Norman), as early as the 18th Committee for organizing such a de­ Tel: 344454 April 1978 when the idea for a home in lightful evening. Fax: 23417 Nepal was first discussed. This time a All the floral decorations as usual were cheque for over £1000 was presented to very kindly supplied by Mr. Antony the Group-Captain. Wieler. Our thanks are due to the Com­ The Ambassador said he had visited manding Officer of the 6th Queen Eliza­ the Cheshire Home at Jorpati and was beth's Own Gurkha Rifles for the Gurkhas Export and Mail Order immensely impressed by the humanitar­ Orderlies and the Piper. ian work being done there for which he offered his grateful thanks to Group­ Captain Cheshire. After expressing his delight and that The Britain-Nepal Medical Trust of Madame Simha at being back in Lon­ don among so many friends, General The office address is:­ Simha spoke of his happiness at the genuine BNMT, 16 East Street, Tonbridge, affection shown by the members towards KentTN91HG Nepal, and the trust that existed between Tel: Tonbridge (0732) 360284 the two nations. Britain, of all the coun­ tries in the world, was best known in The secretary will be glad to send I Nepal even in the remotest areas because information or an annual report on of the Gurkhas who had fought shoulder request and also leaflets for distribution to shoulder with their British comrades, to others who may be interested. ~ \118TElRIl1 and many heroic tales have passed into the folklore of the Nepalese bards. The ~ TR.fl\'1Eu~ & TElURS P. bTI9. institution of Monarchy that exists in both countries also binds them strongly Contacting Address in the U .K: together. The~Gurkha Welfare Trusts Hari B. Karki. Though geographically far apart, with Archway North 45. The Oval. Guildford Park, different cultures and faiths, British and Old Admiralty Buildings Guildford, Surrey Nepalese friendhip is unique, and foun­ Spring Gardens dation stone of this friendship that has London SWIA 2BE Tel: (0483) 300816 & (0252) 28773 existed now for nearly 175 years. In Tel: 01-2184395

26 27 r BOOK REVIEWS Honey Hunters or Nepal Some Other Books of Interest Lieutenant Colonel T.M. Lowe by E. V~li and D. Summers. Thames & Hudson. £16.95 104 pages. Everest - Kangshun Face S. Venables in West Tibet and ter to itself and will enable you to under­ Large paperback Hoddes £14.95 BI:ndso Hugh Swift. stand something about the fauna of the This is not just another book about Hodder and Stoughton £9.95 Himalayas. Nepal and Gurkhas., It is a very large On The Big Hill M. Anderson Faber 360 pages Unlike so many books, this work has paperback and tells the story of the Honey £12.95 There is no of books which not a dear list of contents, but also Hunters not only in words, but also more will tell you """."",tli>i.. in a rust-rate index. If you intend to trek, dramatically in superb photographs. The Trekking - Great Walks of the World the not aU have been find a tenner from your main tribe from which the hunters come J. Cleare Unwin £14.95 but some have been a lot better are the Gurungs. Few officers of Gurkha than others. The of this book An 14 Regiments will have heard of the activi­ Kailas - Sacred Mountain of Tibet field and Reinhold Messmer ties of Manilal and his fellow hunters R. Johnson & K. Mohan Thames £18.00 Crowood Press £19.95 248 pages who set out to rob the hives of the giant Mounl.ai.ns are climbed men black bees in southern Nepal, so now The Trekking Peaks of Nepal The stories about !heir climb- they can read all about it. B.O'Connor Crowood £14.95 The script which precedes the photos '"'''''''''''C> to the selection of about their is infonnative and the photos themselves High Asia Jill Neate Unwin £25.00 for the trek. obsessions. Messmer is no in have been enlarged many times. The Each of the countries which this respect Everest, alone and without photographer used a Leica R4 for the The Kathmandu Valley the title of the book has the of oxygen, and Nanga Parbat purpose. As a publication, the book will J. Sanday Collins £8.95 Nepal, of course, i.s well-trodden ground; which he climbed with his brothers, who fill a gap in what most of us know about the other areas less so, but they are not died during the descent, are just two of Gurkhas and their ways. Not all Gurkhas Footloose in the HimaJaya skimped in any way. It doesn't matter Messmer's achievements. were soldiers. M. Harding Joseph £15.95 where in the three regions you decide to An exciting book, beautifully produced there is something in the book which and well illustrated "The Eight Thou­ you win find more than helpful. sanders" is the story of Messmer's climbs Apart from all the detail with which of the top fourteen mounl.ai.n peaks in the you should familiarise yourself before world. Of his conquests, Messmer says setting off to the Himalayas, you will there was no heroism, or conquest, merely ~d find three appendices which could be of the satisfaction of having realised a more than passing interest: they are the complex idea, a target I had set myself. If LlctRT "Glossary of Foreign Words" used in Messmer comes through as a man who is the text, an "Introduction to spoken obsessed with climbing high, then so be Nepali" and a "Tibetan Glossary". it. Like him, or hate him - you can't do TANDOORI &; CURRY RESTAURANT The book contains one appendix which both. Nepalese Dishes provides details of outfitters who can A previous book about Messmer, "High help you. One only is in this country, the Ambition" by Ronald Faux, has already 2SB King St-. others are in Kathmandu. If YOIl! are a been reviewed in the Journal. Ham mer-am ith woman, then there is some good advice An interesting four pages ill the Ap­ London WS OSP Tal: 01-748 :3 SBS for you entitled "Making the most of pendix are the bar charts which show in being a woman trekker". simple diagrams some facts about expe­ Himalayan Natural History has a chap- ditions on the Eight Thousanders Trail. 28 29 NOTES ON THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOC:IETY

Patron: H.R.H. PRINCE GYANENDRA OF NEPAL President: H.R.H TIlE DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, GCVO

come to Our aim is to promote and foster good Receptions and hospitality for visiting where the friendly staff will Welcome you, relations between the peoples of the United Nepalese; Kingdom and Nepal. The Society was An AGM in November and an annual and the Nepalese Surroundings founded in 1960, under the patronage of supper party in February or March. will ensure your Comfort. His late Majesty King Mahendra Bir We keep in touch with the Nepal­ Bikram Shah Deva of Nepal during his Britain Society in Kathmandu which the State Visit to London: Lord Hunt became late H.H. Field Marshal Sir Kaiser, a Life Please remember - the first President Member of the Society, founded shortly British and Nepalese subjects, and busi­ before his death. Gurkha's ness firms or corporate bodies resident in The Britain-Nepal Society has a at Down-Town area, Britain or Nepal are eligible for member­ growing membership and there is ship. tremendous enthusiasm for Nepal. Our Victoria Road, Members include serving and retired Meetings, which are usually attended by Aldershot, Hampshire. Gurkhas, mountaineers, members of the about one hundred people each, provide Diplomatic Service, schoolmasters, doc­ an excellent opportunity for members tors, nurses, businessmen and scholars. and their guests to get together. Our *** Ordinary members pay a subscription membership, not counting Honorary Telephone: Aldershot (0252) 28773/23191 of £7 per annum. Life members - a single Members and Corporate Members, is now payment of £100. The Journal is sent free well over five hundred. to all members. The new President of our Society (in "Aldershot is better* known as The "Yetis" - a Nepalese studying or succession to Sir George Bishop, CB, a Hunting Ground for Gourmets resident in Britain - are welcome at all OBE) is His Royal Highness The Duke at functions. They are eligible to join as full of Gloucester, GCVO. members in the usual way. They have a The Committee welcome new mem­ rather than the Home the British Army." flourishing organisation of their own and bers amongst people with at genuine inter­ Please visit once - then always! publish their own attractive journal. est in Nepal. The address of the Honorary The Society's programme includes: Secretary is: We Open 7 days a Week for Luncheons and Dinners. Monthly lectures at the Alpine Club Mrs. C. Brown We cater for large Parties, Functions and Banqueting. and elsewhere, meetings and films; 1 AlIen Mansions I wish you all a Sincere Season's Greetings. A Spring or Summer outing to a place Allen Street of interest; London W8 6UY

NEPALESE CUISINE

30 31 ------~"".-

THE BRITAIN-NEPAL SOCIETY

President: His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester. GCVO

Vice Presidents His Excellency the Nepalese Ambassador The Lord Hunt of Llanvair Waterdine, KG, CBE, DSO, DCL Major General lA.R. Robertson, CB, CBE, DSO, DL Mrs. T.T. Brown Mrs. Winifred Coulson. OBE Lieutenant Colonel C.G. Wylie Paul Broomhall. Esq. A.R.H. Kellas, Esq., CMG Brigadier A.B. Taggart, MC Lieutenant Colonel H.C.S. Gregory, OBE, KSG

Chairman: Colonel J.M. Evans, MC

Vice Chairman: Lieutenant Colonel J.S. Roberts

Honorary Secretary: Mrs. Celia Brown

Honorary Treasurer: B.W.E. Smith Esq.

Committee Members Badri Prasad Khanal. Esq. (First Secretary Royal Nepalese Embassy) J.L. Ackroyd, Esq. Mrs. H. Bond Mr. A.C. Durston Miss M. Gurung Major P. Jebb LP. Manandhar. Esq. (Co-opted) Mrs. J. Napier Mrs S.M. Rana Lieutenant Colonel C.N. Fraser (ex-officio)

Editor ofJournal: Lieutenant Colonel RC.S. Gregory, OBE, KSG

32 r