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Nepali Aawaz June 27.06 • Asad 13.63 Vol.1 Issue 16 nepaliaawaz.com

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MISSING: Pratistha Budhathoki We treat every case with extreme importance and in a case like this we don't rule out the fact that she might have left on her own, because she is an adult, but we don't rule out that something criminal might haveContinued happened on Page 17 » either. But we treat every as though something bad has happened and we cover all the grounds. — Detective. Sgt. “ Corey Pass, lead investigator on the case. ANA-NYC 2006 Special Talking Nepal Politics ANA Convention 2006

On 16 June, history was made in ANA Convention Nepal. "These were scenes that would have been unthinkable even a month is coming to ago: Pushpa Kamal Dahal flying into Kathmandu in a helicopter and riding New York / New the home minister’s flagged car into town for a meeting with the prime Jersey! minister in his official residence." See inside for details on directions, Nepali Aawaz spoke to three respected Fun things to do while schedule, and more. in New Jersey members and veterans of the Nepali 6 » media community. 4 » 8 » 18 »  Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006  Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063   Days in Nepali History In Quotes In July 2001, Nepal was a different communist insurgency in more than five years.(Source: Nepalnews.com) world altogether; a newly crowned King We treat every case with people under the direct command Gyanendra's birthday was declared a “ extreme importance and in a of the prevailing constitutional national holiday, the Maoists were on a 19 July, 2001 government.” violent spree and Prime Minister Girija Under pressure not only from case like this we don't rule out - Excerpt from a statement issued by the Nepali had resigned from this post to "protect opposition parties but from detractors the fact that she might have left Army a few days after the government failed to democracy." In the last last two months in his own party, Prime Minister on her own, because she is an this year, the King, after a popular refute the allegations made by CPN (Maoist) Girija Prasad Koirala announced his adult, but we don't rule out that Chairman Prachanda alleging that the NA has people's uprising, has lost all power, Girija resignation Thursday. only killed innocents and raped Nepali women Prasad Koirala is the PM of Nepal again, something criminal might have Prime Minister Koirala, in his happened either. But we treat in the military institution's history. and the Maoists and government have address to the nation over Radio Nepal made historical moves towards finding a and Nepal Television, said, "I decided every as though something bad peaceful solution to the 10-year-old armed has happened and we cover all the to resign to protect democracy, solve What Dhirendra said was ‘lets communist rebellion. national problems and maintain unity grounds.” “ (palace and Maoists) unite, deal within my own party." Koirala said that - Detective. Sgt. Corey Pass, lead 3 July, 2001 both extreme rightists and extreme investigator on the case. with the all the parliamentary According to monarchical tradition, leftists have unleashed an attack against parties and share power’. We King Gyanendra's birthday on Ashad democracy and the nation and added Pratistha is with us in South want this letter made public. 23 or July 7 has been declared a that it was the duty of all political “ Carolina.” Second, Dhirendra said that national holiday to be celebrated with parties that have faith in democracy to Gyanendra and he agreed but pomp and gaiety, a Home Ministry be united and collectively counter such - an anonymous call made by a male Nepali announcement said Tuesday. The ulterior motives. The Maoist violence that Birendra opposed it. What government decided to celebrate the is targeted against democracy, he said “ We just have to be patient and does this indicate? Whom did day every year as a national holiday, and condemned it. hopeful. Everything that can be they have an undisclosed working Prime Minister highly praised the the same announcement said. Saturday done is being done. ” agreement with? Gyanendra or July 7 this year is a normal weekend role of police and army in the fight - Swarupa Khadka, Pratistha's first cousin Birendra? ” holiday. Saturday is the new King's against violence and terrorism. "I put in New York. - Former CPN (Maoist) member 54th birthday. (Source: Nepalnews.com) forth a 14-point agenda for national Rabindra Shrestha, who was expelled from consensus, which reflect the feelings the party for criticizing the party leadership 4 July, 2001 and pains of all political parties that “ Radio Nepal, Nepal Television and trying to start a "new cultural revolution" Maoists have escalated attacks against went to power in the last 12 years," and Gorkhapatra Corp. have within the party, answering the questions targets nation-wide, killing, injuring he said. He said, "My responsibility at to come under parliamentary "What role did Prince Dhirendra have?" or abducting more than 60 policemen present is to protect the parliamentary during an interview on Jana Astha (21 June). Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of democracy and maintain unity in my oversight and shoudn't be handed [Excerpt as translated and published by Nepali a nation-wide strike next Thursday own party". like a coconut to future monkeys Times, #303] to protest what they call arbitrary in government. ” imposition of stiff rules to curb Diplomatic relations established - Kunda Dixit, editor and publisher of the “ Children as Zones of Peace’ freedoms. Three policemen were killed English weekly Nepali Times, in an interview means protection of children during the month of July with Nepali Aawaz. Full interview inside. and more than 50 others abducted Russian Federation (USSR): 20 July, from armed conflict and its long- in separate incidents in Banke and 1956; Japan: 28 July, 1956; Sri Lanka: term impacts. It means to avoid Rolpa districts in far west Nepal, police All the king's men, there 1 July, 1957; Egypt: 16 July, 1957; “ obstacles on normal development said. Rebels torched a vehicle ferrying were very few women in the Afghanistan: 1 July, 1961; Sudan: 11 of children. It also means to officials of a corporate body in the July, 1969; Belarus: 19 July, 1993; government like of today, city outskirts Wednesday morning prioritize children's protection Moldova: 20 July, 1993; South Africa: were damn against the free at gunpoint, police said. More than even in difficult situations and 28 July, 1994 media. They couldn't digest 1,700 persons have been killed in a all the concerned parties to look the opposition voices and idea. forward for various means to We performed as professional protect children and to provide journalists. Yes, we had some them opportunity to grow in activism but it was basically to peaceful environment. ” safeguard the right for freedom of July.2006 - Excerpt from a press-statement urging the Content press.” government to remove security forces from - Narayan Wagle, feditor of Nepal's largest schools, released by National Coalition for Diaspora + ANA-NYC Speical 4 Missing: Pratistha Budhathoki 17 daily Kantipur, in an interview with Nepali Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP). Aawaz. Full interview inside. Nation 8 k|r08sf] cfudgkl5 /fhgLltdf 18 Entertainment 11 gofF df]8 “ Nepal’s history is testimony to k'j{df a9b}5 l8hfOg/sf] ahf/ 13 Op-Ed 19 the fact that the NA has always remained committed to defend Gender Equality 15 Getting an OPT 20 Nepal’s sovereignty, territorial Society Features 16 Sports 22 integrity and dignity of the

New York Bureau Editor: Kashish Das Shrestha; Correspondents and/ or Regional Representatives; Bhaskar Rai (MN), Eta Shrestha (MN) Neeha Shrestha (NC), Piush (MN), Sahara Shrestha (NYC), Sakar Bhushal (TX), Santosh Basnet (CA), Shiva Bista (MD); Nepal Bureau Nepali Desk Editor: Dr. Pradeep Bhattarai; Senior Correspondent: Anushil Shrestha; Editorial Staff: Subel Bhandari (KTM); Photo Contributor: Anup Prakash (KTM), Bhushan Shilpakar (KTM); Marketing: Jaison Chalise (KTM), Krishna Raj Sharma Belbase (KTM); Distribution: Safal Media (Western Nepal), Birat Media (Eastern Nepal); New York Corporate OfficePublisher & Distributor: Moonlight Records Corporation; Executive Director: Chandra Prakash Sharma; External Relations & Marketing Manager: Gambu Sherpa; Contact Information Phone: 718.271.3066 / www.nepaliaawaz.com; General Information: [email protected]; Comments/Feedback: letters@ nepaliaawaz.com; Advertising: [email protected]; Event listing: [email protected]; Nepali Aawaz, 51-01 39AV CC42, Long Island City, NY 11104. Nepali Aawaz: An International fortnightly is published by Moonlight Records Corporation, NY, USA. Nepali Aawaz and Moonlight Records Corporation are both registered trademarks.  Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Diaspora

ANA NYC 2006 About the Association of Nepalis in the History of ANA Conventions

America (ANA) 1st, Corning, New York Over the years, ANA has come to be of Nepal. ANA was founded on July 1983: most known to Nepalis as founders 1983 in New York and Incorporated in 2nd, Lancaster, Pennsylvania of the ANA Convention, the largest Washington DC in 1983 as a non-profit 1984: and perhaps the most popular Nepali tax exempt organization. Since its gathering in the Nepali diaspora. inception ANA has grown steadily as an 1985: 3rd, Washington, D.C. Although branded as ANA, the international organization attracting conventions are, however, organized a diverse membership that includes 4th, Bowling Green, Ohio by local associations of Nepalis of resident Nepalis in the Americas and 1986: the hosting state, such as New York many other international scholars, Nepali Youth Council this year. While scientists, outdoor enthusiasts, and 1987: 5th, Toronto, Canada the ANA committee holds many philanthropists who share an interest decision making powers and oversees in the Nepali Culture. 6th, Long Island, New York the convention generally, the local "The purpose of the exclusively 1988: association is responsible for organizing educational and charitable Association 7th, Boston, Massachusetts and managing the convention in its of Nepalis in the Americas is to promote 1989: entirety. But ANA is not limited to the preservation of Nepali identity and convention. Here is a brief glance at the culture in the Americas, to foster 8th, Orlando, Florida organization's history as published on cordial relations among Nepalis and 1990: its official site Anaonline.org. Americans, and to demonstrate the 9th, Fairmont, West Virginia "ANA is an organization of effectiveness of the participation of 1991: the people of Nepali origin in the Nepali-Americans in the communities Americas and international friends they live in. 1992: 10th, Rochester, New York 1993: 11th, Claremont, California How to get to ANA-NYC 2006: 1994: 12th, Arlington, Virginia We'll admit, getting to this year's convention venue can be quite tricky! And if you're heading out from NY, keep in mind that it could take 1995: 13th, Denver, Colorado you anywhere from 1 hour to 1.5 hours to get to the venue by car. Carpooling or taking a taxi and sharing the cost between friends are the 1996: 14th, New York-New Jersey best options, since local buses or subways/trains don't go to the venue Sheraton hotel. Here are a list of suggestions on how to get to this 1997: 15th, Boston, Massachusetts year's convention venue. 16th, Greensboro, North Carolina From the airport: 1998: Take the Sheraton Hotel shuttle to the hotel 1999: 17th, Hartford, Connecticut From NYC (by public transportation) 2000: 18th, Atlanta, Georgia Take PATH train from WTC station or 33rd street station at 33rd and 6th Ave ($1.50) to Newark Penn Station. OR- take the NJ Transit (NE Corridor towards 19th, Valley Forge, Pennslyvania Trenton) to Newark Penn Station ( $3.75). From Newark Penn Station, catch the 2001: 40 Jersey Garden bus towards Elizabeth ( $1.25) to Sheraton Hotel. Alternatively, 20th, Chantily, Virginia you can take a cab from Newark Peen Station to the Hotel for $14 (sharing cab 2002: fare b a group is encouraged). 2003: 21st, Denver, Colorado From NYC (by car) 22nd, Phoenix, Arizona Lincoln Tunnel: Take Lincoln Tunnel to NJ-495 W. Merge into I-95. Stay on local 2004: I-95 (instead of express). Merge into I-78W. Take the Frontage Road. Sheraton Newark Hotel is at your right. 2005: 23rd, Dallas, Texas GW Bridge: Take I-95 and follow above direction (from Lincoln Tunnel) 2006: 24th, to be held in New Ark, New Jersey, but hosted Holland Tunnel: Take US-1&9 S. Take I-78 W exit and immediately (0.1miles) take by New York Nepali Youth Council. the Frontage Road exit. Turn left onto Frontage Road. Hotel is at your right. Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063  Diaspora

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441 FREE CONSULTATION!

Quick Guide to Summer in New York If you're going to be in NY this summer, are outdoors during the summer, and then here's a way you can have great shops. fun for free, if you like music and don't mind waking up early for it, that is! Park yourself: New York is a fabulous city to spend Free Concerts: time at the park, and it boasts the Venue: Bryant Park, 42nd St. (F, D, 7 great Central Park in Manhattan Trains stop at the 42nd St. Bryant Park and the Prospect Park in Brooklyn. station.) Time: 7AM (Better if you get Both the parks are absolutely worth there by 6-6:30AM. Its first come, first spending time in. Just don't forget to serve). Artists: The Beach Boys (7 pack a blanket to spread on the floor July), Train (14 July), Pharell Williams and some snacks. Company, optional. with Kanye West (4 August), Carried For Prospect Park, the the F Train Underwood (11 August), Christina (Downtown/ Brooklyn bound) and get Aguilera (18 August), Lionel Richie (25 off at the Prospect Park stop. Both the August). About: Part of the summer parks also host lots of fre events during concert series by Good Morning the summer. America (ABC channel). Artists perform 2-4 songs, which is broadcast Free Movies: HBO Film Festival live on TV. Photo cameras are allowed. Every monday, hundreds of people come out to the center of New York Tea Lounge: city for an outdoor movie-picnic. The Miss hanging out at Himalayan Java? movies begin between 8 to 9 PM and Take the F Train (Downtown/ Brooklyn the park open at 5PM for people to bound) and get off at 7 Avenue in come in and find themselves a spot. Brooklyn. Just outside the Subway And the free festival screens American station, you'll find a place called Tea classics. Movies showing in July are: Lounge (10St. and 7 Ave, Park Slope, M*A*S*H (3 July), Bullitt (10 July), The Brooklyn). You can even have yourself Band Wagon (17 July), High Noon (24 Do you need to translate your Nepali documents into English? some Darjeeling tea in Brooklyn, NY! July), A Shot In The Dark (31 July). Full $15/ A4 page. In any case, 7 Ave, is full of other list at Bryantpark.org Call us now at 718. 271. 3066 great cafes and bars many of which  Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Diaspora

The Schedule Must Eat This year's ANA Convention will have a whole bunch of fun and interesting things to do, and if you want to save money on the tickets, then we urge you to Dosa and paan in Jersey plus, you get free soup (sambar). Its not register as soon as possible! Here is a quick checklist of the things happening at expensive at all, especially compared to this year's convention, and what its going to cost you. For more details, visit the City Queens. Other places offer everything official website Ananyc.org. We hear that the food might be quite from full Indian menus to desserts like expensive at the Sheraton during this the classic paan. Scenes from New Ark 30 June year's convention. So to help you out, Avenue can't help but remind you of here is a perfect option: head out to home, just like the food does too. Poetry Festival (Free!) New Ark Avenue Jersey City. This small and quiet Indian/ South Asian DJ Dance Night: $10 for Gents, $5 for ladies ($5 off for registrants). Featuring Must visit strip is only about 5-10 minutes by DJ Lethal, DJ P, DJ Rhino and DJ Gorkhali. car from the Sheraton Hotel. And IKEA, the Swedish furniture franchise unlike Jackson Heights in Queens, NY, that is popular amongst college students 1 July this place is smaller and not as much is quite close to the New Ark airport overwhelming. and Sheraton Hotel. And this outlet is Inauguration ceremony and sports tournaments (Free to watch!). so huge that you literally need a map to maze through it. Even if you don't want Grand DJ Night: $20 for all. ($5 off for the registrants) Featuring DJ P and DJ Our suggestion Sameer. to shop, its fun browsing through their If you do make it to New Ark Avenue endless isles and halls. And chances go on down to Dosa Hut and try their are you will find something you would 2 July Masala Dosa! It is quite a delight. And want to buy. Sports tournaments, forums and movie festival. Cultural Show: $30 for all. ($5 off for the registrants). Featuring local talents and Harish Mathema, The Angels, The Okely band, Raju Lama, Koshi band! 3 July Children camp, sports tournaments, movie festival. youth forum Banquet: $39 at ana nyc 2006 Concert: $35 for all. ($5 off for the registrants). Featuring Mukti & Revival and Nischal from Metal Cross. Also featuring Samsara and other local bands from New York! Mukti performing in Kathmandu last spring. Photo: Anup Prakash. SHAPING YOUR career + community + Learn of Opportunities in Nepal as well as in the North Americas

Come Discover the Issues! Come Talk to the Successful! Come Together, Initiate Change!

July 1st, 2nd, and 3rd at this year's ANA gathering. Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063  Diaspora

Nepali Baba in Nepali Mandir

Nepali Baba, born Tej Nath Sharma function welcoming Nepali Baba, for HIMALAYAN PHONE CARDS (Ghimire) in 1951AD, hails from in which over a 100 people came. While the village of Pokharathok in Palpa. the baba performed various pujas, he He is also regarded as one of the senior also took time to read peopel's 'chiina." most hindu babas. On 25 June, Nepali The main puja was a 'havan' to 'Bhagbati' Mandir, New York, hosted a religious and 'Ganesh.'

7317 Broadway, Jackson Heights, NY 11372 youth forum 718. 705. 4633/ 917.502.6892

Photo: Dr. Tara Niraula

Team Nepal in All Nation's Cup 2006 Every year Seattle hosts the All hosting a fundraiser for Team Nepal at Nation's Cup where locals form teams The Everest Kitchen restaurant from to represent their country in the soccer 6:30 to 9:30PM. The typical Nepali tournament, and this year Nepal will be style buffet is $12 per person and free taking part in it too. The tournament for those below the age of 8-years. will be held this summer from 14 - More details about the tournament 16 July. The Nepali will be headed by can be found at Allnationscup.org and team captain Bishal Gurung and the details about the fundraiser is available Nepal Seattle Society will be the team's at Nepalseattle.org. official sponsor. On 8 July, NSS will be Team Nepal, Seattle. Photo: Nepal Seattle Society.  Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Nation

Talking Nepal Kunda Dixit Kunda Dixit is the Editor and publisher of the widely read Eng- Maoist plank and also the demand lish weekly Nepali Times, published by one of Nepal's most of the people during Jana Andolan On 16 June, history was and veterans of the Nepali influential media houses Himalmedia P. Ltd. The paper's on- line version and digital archives can be found at its official II[April 06]. As I cited in the article made in Nepal. "These were media community — Kunda website Nepalitimes.com. there is every indication the election, when it is held perhaps Feb 2007, will scenes that would have been Dixit (Editor & Publisher of On your 16 June's edition of Nepali be a referendum on the monarchy. An Times (#302), you wrote "despite the unthinkable even a month ago: Nepali Times), Narayan Wagle interim all party, seven plus one, with momentous decisions, the road ahead Pushpa Kamal Dahal flying (Editor, Kantipur daily), and the Maoists included, will oversee this is fraught with dangers because of election. into Kathmandu in a helicopter Shiva Gaunle (Vice- President, entrenched positions and potential for derailment." What are the biggest and riding the home minister’s Federation of Nepali Journalists) There is an indication that members of dangers and possible reasons for the CPN (Maoist) will be included in flagged car into town for a — to discuss recent political derailment that you see, how can they the cabinet of the Interim government meeting with the prime minister developments, media-propaganda be avoided? and possibly be given a deputy prime in his official residence." reported and the fine line between ministership too, as part of forming the Nepali Times, an English weekly between journalism and activism. interim governemnt. And in the last 10 years, Nepal has never come so close in Nepal. Nepali Aawaz spoke to solving the Maoist issue. But what to three respected members happens to their history of violence and brutality? Is "forgive and forget" part of the negotiation cards being played or SOURCE: NepalNews.com people's rights acquired from the will the leadership/ politburo of a party people's movement of 1990 and the in an interim or an elected government Highlights of the eight-point recent historic people's movement. be investigated or tried? agreement signed by the top leaders 5. To take decisions on the The SPA was insisting on Friday of the ruling Seven Party Alliance basis of consensus on the issues of [16 June] that their joint statement (SPA) and the CPN (Maoist), after national importance that may have would include a Maoist renunciation of nearly seven-hour-long talks in far-reaching consequences. violence as a precondition to an interim Kathmandu on Friday, are given 6. To guarantee the fundamental government. The comrades appear to below: right of the Nepali people to take have convinced (arm-twisted?) the 1. To follow the 12-point part in the constitution making parties to drop that demand for now understanding between the SPA and process and in the elections for arguing that they'd never be able to sell the CPN (Maoist) and the 25-point the CA in an environment free of that to their rank and file. Past brutality code of conduct signed by the Nepal fear, intimidation and violence and by the Maoists as well as the human government and the CPN (Maoist) invite international observers to rights violations by the army and police with honesty and firmnesss. monitor the CA elections as per the will have to be addressed by a future 2. By expressing commitment The front-page of Nepali Times, #302. need. truth and reconciliation committee as towards democratic norms and The biggest danger is that the 7. To transform the ceasefire in South Africa and elsewhere. This is so values including competitive multi- Maoists may split vertically between a between the government of sensitive that there is a fear going into party system of governance, civil hardline and moderate factions. There Nepal and the CPN (Maoist) in a it now may derail the peace process. liberties, fundamental rights, press are fissures on the party and the rift permanent peace and to resolve freedom and rule of law, launch between Baburam and Prachanda have the problems through negotiated Many are wondering if the government activities in a peaceful manner. not been completely patched up yet. settlement by forward-looking is playing into the hands of the Maoists 3. To urge the United Nations Even more sinister is that the split may restructuring of the state so as to by giving too much. to help in the management of arms be based on ethnic or regional identity address the problems related to A majority of Nepalis want to give and armed personnel of both the politics. It is important to ensure that class, ethnicity, regionalism and peace a chance and even if they don't sides and to monitor it in order to the Maoists make a safe landing as gender and by placing the issue trust the Maoists completely, they conduct elections for the Constituent one party, otherwise we'll be back to of democracy, peace, progress, want to test them. The alternative is Assembly in a free and fair manner. square one. This is why the king must forward-looking movement to go back to war. The ones with most 4. To form an interim be dissuaded from using the 'Hindu and independence, dignity and misgivings are senior officials, the constitution, constitute an interim card' to perpetuat himself. Once you let sovereignty of the nation in the security apparatus, victims of Maoist government accordingly, to that genie out of the bottle it'll never center. atrocities, and (surprisingly) even some announce the date for elections of go back in again. 8. The government and Maoist members of the cabinet. the Constituent Assembly (CA), to negotiating teams have been dissolve the House of Representatives In the same article, "Soft Landing," you directed to accomplish all the above- When PM Koirala spoke on behalf of on the basis of consensus and after also write that an election campaign mentioned tasks immediately. a "ceremonial King" there was much making alternative arrangements, has more or less started. And the role for Signed by seniormost leaders of outcry and now there are pressures in and dissolve the "people's Monarchy is Nepal's future is one of its the SPA and Prachanda, chairman NC (D) and NC's central committee for governments" formed by the CPN key issues. But many Nepalis at home of the CPN (Maoist) after the first an explanation on the party's stand (Maoist) on the basis of 12-point and abroad are still confused about summit meeting between the on the issue from their party leaders. understanding between the SPA what an interim government is, what two sides at the Prime Minister's Isn't the King void of his political and and the CPN (Maoist), the spirit of the constituent assembly is and what official residence at Baluwatar in military powers, like King Gyanendra the preamble of the ceasefire code elections are being campaigned for. Kathmandu on Friday, June 16, is now, already ceremonial? Or is there of conduct and by guaranteeing the 'Constituent Assembly' is the 2006 another meaning to the term? mechanism to elect a council to draft At the moment we are in a gray a new constitution. This is the main Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063  Nation

zone, a legal limbo. Despite all the And that is the way the Nepali people outlet as a forum for public debate and even Italy that press freedom doesn't changes, Nepal is still a kingdom and probably want him, if at all. present all shades of opinion and let come with any warranty it has to be the king is still head of state. That is readers make their own judgement. It's protected by its maximum application. why ambassadors are still presenting In your Editorial, Radio Free Nepal a decision individual journalists have It is like a rubber band, you have to credentials at the palace. This will [#302], you question if "we crossed the to make on their own, I don't have a stretch it to make it work. be resolved by the new constitution. line between activism and journalistic prescription. The Maoists and the left parties will professionalism" and if "we" will confuse After 1990, in hindsight, we wonder You too worked at Rising Nepal and campaign to do away with the king "freedom with free-for-all journalism if media helped spread cynicism about you know its mechanisms. How was it altogether, Koirala and some of the that unnecessarily spread cynicism democracy by going overboard with different then, and in the last decade centre right parties want to keep a about politicians and tarnished its coverage of corruption, spreading and what should be different now in the ceremonial monarch. And India doesn't democracy itself [in the 1990s]. You cynisicm and fatalism and tarring not state media? seem to have abandoned its 'twin pillar sound wary and cautious. Is this just politicians, who obviously deserved That was what the Nepali Times doctrine' on Nepal, that is to keep phenomenon Nepal centric or have we it, but the concept of democracy itself. editorial last week was all about. But I constitutional king and multiparty seen this before elsewhere? We should be more careful this time, not doubt if anyone read it! No one reads democracy. It'll all boil down to what It's fine line between activism and treat politics obsessively as a perpetual editorials. The power of state media the people vote for next year. There journalism. We have to ask ourselves, quarrel and not lose sight of what it in Nepal has been tragically wasted are indications the people make a is our activism hurting our credibility is: a mechanim to improve the lives of not just during the Panchayat but by distinction between the peronsal of the with readers? When basic freedoms are Nepalis. This debate is not particular to successive democratic governments king, and they don't hide their distaste threatened, however, journalists also Nepal, and people have written books who turned it into a propaganda tool. for king Gyanendra and Crown Prince have to take a stand and rise up. Some about how far journalists can or should This has to change. Radio Nepal, Nepal Paras, and the institution of monarchy. want to wave placards on the streets, go and how when you cross the line Television and Gorkhapatra Corp. have But you're right, King Gyanendra is now that's fine, and others want to do sometimes freedom can undermine to come under parliamentary oversight just a tourist attraction and he has only hard-hitting journalism, that's also OK freedom itself. However, we have seen and shoudn't be handed like a coconut as much poltiical power as the Kumari. too. Still others will treat their media from Nepal, Thailand, Philippines and to future monkeys in government.

Narayan Wagle Narayan Wagle is the editor of Nepal's most widely circulated right for freedom of press. answered. The government and the press, freedom of speech and freedom newspaper Kantipur Daily, published by Kantipur publica- tions. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed book Maoists seemed hurrying. They lacked of expression. We think that freedom Palpasa Cafe (2005). It was recently reported that some some serious homework. is the fubdamental right of every journalists, including those working for citizen. We have editorially welcomed Kantipur, actually accepted money from What happens to the party's hisotry the outcome of the April Uprising. We the Royal regime. Have any further of brutality once the Maoist joins the think our role is to give information to details emerged on that? interim—government or potentially the public, and our motto is to inform, No, no one from Kantipur holds an elected position? engage and debate. We don't support publications were alleged to accept This is politics. You have to accept any political party but we support money from government. We have been them as a political party. The political the system of democracy. Democratic following highest possible standard parties and the civil society urged system which guarantees freedom. ethics in our job. One reason of the them into mainstream politics, which One of your staff writers told us during an event in New York organized by Nepali Aawaz that most of the staff

Photo: Nepa-Laya. This is politics. You have to accept them support "republicansim." Do you worry this might sometimes clout their [the Maoists] as a political party. judgement? “ No, I don't worry. Yes my collegues have different points of views. Kantipur success of Kantipur is that its editorial resulted in the people's movement II. editoial floor is like a rainbow in terms Many journalists joked that during team has high moral. Yes, there were Once the Maoists engage in the political of ideas and perspectives. But the the Seven Party Alliance led protests two journalists in Kantipur Television, process they have to renounce violence. common voice here is for the free and in April, Kantirpur was the 8th whichis independent of Kanitpur They have to behave as a responsible, fair election. We think we have to test party! When does a journalist cross publications, who were alleged. They accountable force. the people's mandate and trust it. the line between professionalism and have already regined. That's all. activism? Kantipur daily is Nepal's largest daily Are you sure 'many journalists How do you see the most recent political paper, giving it the largest outreach Deviating from the topics, we also joked' ? It was Dr Tulsi Giri and his developments in Nepal between the in the country. How has the paper's heard that an English version of your colleagues in the royal cabinet who government and the Maoists? Editorial focus or style shifted since book Palpasa Cafe is in the works. Any were criticizing our paper as the 8th It is a historical breakthrough. It has 1 Feb. 2005 and again since April this updates on that? political party. All the king's men eased the complicated political process year? Thank you for reminding me my [there were very few women in the to resolve the crisis to some extent. The On the morning of King's takeover book. Yes, the translation is over. And government like of today] were damn mood of the general public is totally we were surrounded by military. We had Manjushree Thapa has already edited it. against the free media. They couldn't different now. It feels as though a lasting to face a direct army censorship. Later, Now I think within a couple of months, digest the opposition voices and peace is coming near. The country has they made us heavily self-censor. It took it will be out. We'll publish it in Nepal idea. We performed as professional reassued its capacity to unite the people some months for us to come out from first. Is there any American publisher journalists. Yes, we had some activism and belief in political dilogue. But there its dark shadows. We openly supported interested to publish Nepali fiction but it was basically to safeguard the are some pertinent questions to be the right's movement like freeom of work? (Laughter). 10 Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Nation

Shiva Gaunle

the press. However, lip-service is not organizations are also democratized. enough; the government must make The communications industry should be immediate changes in the policies and developed into a prestigious industry. laws in order to assure the citizens on I think it is important to realize that these counts. running a media organization is not the same as running a noodle factory. What sorts of changes are necessary in It is enough to look at the profit margin the state media? to run a successful noodle factory, but The state should not operate any a media organization has profound avenue of mass communication. There impact on public opinion, which is turn is no justification for a democratic affects the course of the nation. It is government to want to operate a media important to understand the gravity of house. State-owned media should be this undertaking. immediately taken into the reaches of the average citizen. The existing What did the Maoists fail to understand

Photo: Kashish Das Shrestha state-owned media can be changed about the media in the past decade and into co-operatives, or even privatized what new lessons should they learn? towards this end. My suggestion for Maoists think of pass media as mere the moment, however, is that the tools of propaganda, and of journalists same could be done by placing state- as wage-workers. That attitude must owned media under a parliamentary change. The Maoists’ ability to respect committee. the independent media, to listen, read and digest criticism is non-existent. A lawyer turned journalist, Shiva Gaunle, right, is the Vice made by the autocratic regime to What sorts of changes are necessary in Therefore, the first thing they need to President of Federation of Nepalese Journalists' central com- mittee and an expert on Nepali Constituion. attack the freedom of press should the private media sector? learn is to respect the differing opinion be annulled immediately. Journalists It is imperative that private media of others, and develop the habit of You played a major role in the journalists’ ousted from various institutions listening to criticism. struggle against oppression. How long should be reinstated. An intimidation- will journalists continue as activists? free environment should be created Or, can journalism and activism exist for the journalists to work in. As long- simultaneously? term policy, media policies written A journalist’s job is to engage in in 2049, and subsequent policies, journalism, not to exercise activism. should be updated and revised. These A journalist can do anything outside policies should enshrine the notion the profession for personal fulfillment, that organs of mass communication but his chief duty is to have integrity are integral to the democratic practice. towards, and remain active in his An environment that works with mass chosen profession. The context in media on issues of nation-building Nepal, however, is very different. There should be constructed. doesn’t exist an environment for a professional journalist to work freely, There have been reports about certain without hindrance. That forces the journalists receiving money from the average journalist into activism. This royal regime. How is FNJ handling this is the predicament of the professional issue? press in Nepal. Nepali journalists have Reports about a few journalists become activists solely with the aim of taking money from the regime have creating a favorable working condition. come to light. We have asked the That is also the only reason why I joined government to provide us with the the struggle against the oppressive pertinent official information. We will Financial strength: Integrity: Humanity: regime. I joined the struggle to gain civil wait for that information. But, the All this plus knowing that your future is protected by a Company that has rights and the freedom of expression, Federation of Nepali Journalists has helped Millions of families for generations. Isn’t your family’s future worth and as soon as these rights are achieved, decided to ask the [journalists] for finding out more? Don’t wait join the millions of New York Life policy I will return to professional journalism. clarification. owners and let us help you enjoy the peace of mind life Insurance can bring. To learn more about New York Life’s product, service and a free assessment I feel that the process towards attaining those fundamental rights has started. Most Nepali people understand that the of your financial status, call me. Available on weekends. Still, present circumstances are less journalists fought for “press freedom.” than convincing. Have we achieved “press freedom,” or, is there more work to be done to achieve “press freedom” in Nepal? Sonam (Tenzin) Lama, Agent What sorts of changes or reforms do you New York Life Insurance Company think the newly formed government, or The government has assured to not issue any policies, laws or directives Cell: (917)526 8270 governments formed in future, needs to Off: (516)327 2900 x5813 make regarding the media? infringing on the freedom of press. The Email: [email protected] Short-term and long-term policies state has been seen to be on the side are required. Ordinances and decrees of protecting the citizen’s freedom of Web: www.Newyorklife.com expression, and of the independence of Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063 11 Entertainment Od]h cjf8{df s0f{bfz / l/df cuf8L @& h]7df ;DkGg cf7f}+ 6'af]u{ Od]h cjf8{ ufos s0f{ bf;n] jif{ ;jf]{]Ts[i6 ufos ;lxt ;+uLtsf tLgj6f k|d'v ljwfsf] cjf8{ xft kf/] . /fhwfgLsf] cGt/fli6«o ;Dd]ng s]Gb|df cfof]lht ;df/f]xdf s0f{bf;n] e]l6P/ 5'l6\g' eGbf uLtaf6 ;jf]{]Ts[i6 ufos;+u} / kmsL{ cfpm zflGt ltdL af6 /fli6«o efjgfn] cf]tk|f]t uLtsf] cjf8{ xfl;n u/]sf lyP . pgs} cfwf cfsfz jif{ pTs[i6 PNad 3f]lift ePsf] lyof] . e]l6P/ 5'l6\g' uLtsf /rgfsf/ e'k]Gb| v8sfn] jif{s} pTs[i6 /rgfsf/sf] cjf8{ xft kf/] . ;df/f]xdf l/df u'?ª xf]8fn] s;sf] cfFvf nfUof] a/} uLtaf6 ;jf]{]Ts[i6 uflosf 3f]lift eO{g . ;ljg /fO{sf] d ;+;f/ lhTg] cfF6 ub}{5' jif{ ;jf]{]Ts[i6 uLt, k|sfz u'?ªn] laGtL 5 x} uLtaf6 ;jf]{]Ts[i6 ;+uLt, lbJo ;'Aafn] kZrtfk af6 gjufossf] cjf8{ kfP . To:t} ldª\df z]kf{n] 5d5d 5d5d ltdLn] af6 ;jf]{]Ts[i6 kk ufos, l;gL u'?ª ltd|f] dfofdf uLtaf6 ;jf]{]Ts[i6 kk uflosf 3f]lift eO{g\ . b :of8f]h AofG8sf] k|s[lt ;jf]{]Ts[i6 /s uLt, g]lK;8]hsf] dfof cf] dfof ;jf]{]Ts[i6 ;d"x ufog, v]d/fh u'?ªsf] cfn'tfdfn] jif{ ;jf]{]Ts[i6 nf]suLt , l;h{gf lj/xL yfkf / /fh' kl/of/sf] agsf] sfkmn jif{ ;jf]{]Ts[i6 bf]xf]/L uLt / rnlrq dfof a;]5sf] cfh dg p8]/ uLtaf6 dx]z v8sfn] ;jf]{]Ts[i6 rnlrq uLtsf] cjf8{ lht]sf 5g . ;fGtgf /]s8{;sf] PNad k|lxlg/sf] s;sf] cfFvf nfUof] a/} uLtsf] Do'lhs lel8of]nfO{ ;jf]{]Ts[i6 Do'lhs lel8of] / lgb]{zs cfnf]s g]Djfªn] ;jf]{]Ts[i6 Do'lhs lel8of] lgb]{zssf] cjf8{ kfP . To;}u/L Do'lhs lel8of] 5fFofsf/ wL/ hh+u zfx laGtL 5 x} , ;Dkfbs k|sfz t'nfw/ an]sf] cfuf], :k]zn Okm]S6 l;df]; ;'g'jf/ /ft af6 pTs[i6 3f]lift eP . ;fwf/ 0f, ljz]if, Do'lhs lel8of] / /fli6«o efiff ;d"x u/L rf/ ;d"xdf cjf8{ k|bfg ul/Psf] lyof] . h;dWo] /fli6«o efiff tkm{ g]kfn efiffdf 5 ugfaf6 ;fg'afa' dxh{g, tfdfª efiffdf P xf]O{ gfgf, xf]O{ gfgfaf6 rGb|s'df/ bf]ª / OGb| nfdf / d}ynL efiffdf hLguL hx/af6 u'?b]j sfdt pTs[i6 3f]lift ePsf Top (left) Karna Das, (right) Rima Gurung. Bottom (right) Bhaktaraj (left) Shadows. Photo: Anup Prakash. lyP . ;jf rf/ 306f nfdf] sfo{qmddf !(&$ P8L, 8LP ^(, Sofr @@, ;'ud kf]v/]n, clgn zfxL / pgsf] ;d"x, ldª\df z]kf{, /fhLj nf]xgL, l;gL u'?ª, lbJo ;'Aaf, /fds[i0f 9sfn, s0f{bf; nufotn] uLt ;+uLt k|:t't u/]sf lyP . ;df/f]xdf Od]h Rofgnsf cWoIf cf/s] dfgGw/n] cjf8{ ljt/0f sfo{qmd cf7f}+ r/0fdf ;DkGg ug{ kfPsf] atfpb} Od]h Rofgnn] clw/fHosf ;fy} ljZjsf && /fi6«sf bz{s dfem k'uL/ x]sf] hfgsf/L lbP . 12 Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Entertainment g]kfno4f/f bf];|f] k':tssf] 3f]if0ff u'?s'ndf ;l/tfsf] tfn

Photo: Anushil Shrestha

tjnf jfbs ;l/tf ld> @^ h]7df u'?s'ndf gfz/b uf}tdsf ;fy} xdf]{lgoddf lgd{n Photo: Nepa-Laya. cfk\mgf l;h{gf tfn ;l/tf lnP/ k|:t't eO{g\ . e6\6/fO{ / O{km]S6df &$ jifL{o /fd]Zj/ g]kfn klxnf] ;kmn k|sfzg ÆkNk;f Sofkm]æ kZ- 5f}+, clen]vsf] lx;fan] of] Ps dxTjk"0f{ k': gf/L efjgf / r]tgfnfO{ ;+uLtsf dfWodaf6 k|:t't ePsf lyP . ;f] cj;/df ;fg} b]lv rft, klJns];g g]kfnon] cfˆgf] bf];|f] k':ts ts x'g] s'/fdf dnfO{ ljZjf; 5 .Æ k|:t't ul/Psf] k|:t'ltdf r]nL ;fFuLlts ;d'xn] tanf ahfpb} x's]{sL ;l/tfsf cf7 l;h{gf k|sfzg ug]{ of]hgf ;fj{hlgs u/]sf] 5 . s'Gb lblIft cGt/f{li6o VoftLk|fKt g]kfnL ;l/tfnfO{ ;fy lbPsf lyP . ;d]l6Psf] tfn jfBdf dlxnfx?sf] klxnf] cTolws ;+Vofdf laqmL x'g ;kmn kqsf/ x'g\ . lxdfnldl8ofdf ;Dkfbs tyf ;l/tf;+u} l;tf/df cd[txL/fof]uL / ;L8L cNad tfn ;l/tfsf] ladf]rg ul/Psf] ePsf] kqsf/ gf/fo0f jfUn]sf] cfVofg eGbf k|sfzs /x]sf, >L lblIftn] ljleGg cGt/ kBxL/f :yflkt, ufogdf ;+uLtf ld> k'8f;}gL lyof] . of] k[ys x'g] g]kfnon] hgfPsf] 5 lsgls of] f{li6«o kqklqsfsf nflu n]Vb} cfPsf 5g\ . / dfntL cfrfo{, tanfdf afnsnfsf/ cG- Ps t:jL/ k|wfg k':ts x'g]5 . o; t:jL/ æ8]6nfOg\ cy{\Æ, æhg{lnhd Ph Okm b Knfg]6 x¿sf] k':tssf kl/sNkgfsf/ kqsf/ tyf Dof68{Æ lblIft4f/f lnlvt k':ts x'g\ . ;Dkfbs s'Gb lblIft eG5g\–æof] g]kfnsf] Ps k|fKt ;a} t:jL/x¿af6 5gf}6 ug]{ bzs nfdf] åGåsf] ;lrq j0f{g x'g]5 .Æ sfo{ lgZroklg r'gf}ltk"0f{ x'g] ljrf/ JoSt tl:j/df g]r/ k':tsdf ;dfj]z x'g] t:jL/x¿sf nflu ub}{ lblIft eG5g\,æoBlk lg0f{os 6f]nLdf /x]sf g]kfnon] ;fj{hlgs ;"rgfsf dfWodaf6 cGo b'O{ cGt/f{li6«o ;b:ox¿sf] ;xof]udf kmf]6f]u|fkm/x¿nfO{ cfXjfg ul/;s]sf] 5 . k|ltlglwd"ns tyf pRr :t/sf] 5gf}6 x'g] ;dfj]z x'gsf nflu ;a} kmf]6f]u|fkm/x¿n] s'/fdf d ljZj:t 5' .Æ g]kfnsf] åGå emNsfpg] !) tl:j/x¿sf] cfufdL c;f]h dlxgfdf x'g] pQm k':tssf] ;+sng k7fpg ;Sg]5g\ . ljdf]rgsf cj;/df g]kfnon] 5gf}6df k/]sf g]kfnosf 6f]nL g]tf ls/0f s[i0f >]i7 eG5g\, t:jL/x¿sf] k|bz{gL klg ug]{5 . æxfn;Dd æxfd|f] of] cfXjfg åGåsf] tl:j/x¿ ;+sng k|fKt k|ltlqmofaf6 xfdL pT;flxt ePsf 5f}+Æ u/]sf ;a}sf nflu xf], tkfO{F Joj;flos eGb} g]kfno 6f]nL g]tf ls/0f eG5g\, æb'u{d kmf]6f]u|fkm/ jf Joj;flos kmf]6f]kqsf/ g} If]qsf kmf]6f]u|fkm/x¿n] klg cfˆgf t:jL/x¿ x'g'k5{ eGg] 5}g .Æ æo; k':tssf lglDt k7fO/x]sf 5g\ .Æ s'Gb bfO;+u sfd ug{ kfPsf]df xfdL xlif{t

PartyNepal.com ljutsf jif{x? em} jfON8 nfO{km sGhe]{;g x?sf ! ;o #) tl:j/ dWo] !) pTs[i6 g]kfn -8ANo';LPg_sf]] cfof]hgf tyf kmf]6f] 5gf}6 ul/Psf] lyof] . h;df cf]dk|sfz sG;g{sf] ;xof]udf o;kfnL @@–@^ h]7df ofbj, lbg]z lzNksf/ / /fh]Gb|b]j clwsf/ g]kfn cf6{ sfpG;Lndf g]r/ y|f]u n]G;–@ Lsf tl:j/ k|yd, bf];|f] / t];|f] 5gf}6df k/]sf gfds jftfj/0fLo tl:j/ k|b{zgL ul/of] . lyP . pTs[i6 tl:j/x?sf] kf]i6sf8{ ;d]t o'y OGefO{/f]d]06 k|f]u|fdsf] ;lqmotf / k|sfzg ul/Psf] sfo{qmd ;+of]hs ;+hLjgL x]sf] k|b{zgLdf /flvPsf %* kmf]6f] u|fkm/ of]~hgn] atfOg . Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063 13 Society cg'zLn >]i7 k'j{df a9b}5 l8hfOg/sf] ahf/ lkmlnlkG;df ;ft dlxgf ;Dd 8]«; l8hfO{gsf] Anushil Shrestha sf];{ u/]/ w/fgdf :Kn]08/ a'l6s vf]n]sL ;g\ @))) sf] ld; xªsª ;'Gb/L x]df of] Jofj;fo cfkm"nfO{ kmfk]sf] atfpl5g k|ltof]uLtfdf efu lng] ePkl5 dldtf u'?Ën] . elG5g– æw/fgdf ljb]zdf nfdf] ;do ;Dd cfkm\gf] nfuL w/fgdf csif{s klx/gsf] a;]/ kms]{sf dflg; ePsfn] klg pgLx?nfO{ dfu ul/g . w/fgsf km]zg l8hfO{g/ pQd km]zg l8hfO{lgËsf] 1fg 5 .Æ lkmlnlkG; kl5 ag]kfnLn] dldtfsf] nflu 8]«; l8hfO{g u/L sf7df08f}df 5 dlxgf yk 8«]; l8hfOlgË k7fO{lbP . k|ltof]uLtfdf ld; xªsªsf] pkfwL l;s]sL x]df–e"tk"j{ lj|l6z ;}lgs kl/jf/sL dldtfn] lht]kl5 plg;+u} w/fgsf l8hfO{h/ 5f]/L x'g . km]zg l8hfO{gLªdf g} cfkm\ ag]kfnL klg v'zL eP . gf] sl/c/ ag]sf] atfpg] x]df ;fg} b]lvsf] w/fgsL dldtf kl5 ld; xªsª @))! ?rLsf sf/0fn] cfkm" o; tkm{ cfslif{s ePsf] ePsL w/fgs} k'hf lnDa'nfO{ klg w/fg af6} atfpl5g . pgsf] a'l6ssf] zfvf kf]v/fdf l8hfOg/ ul/Psf klx/gx? k7fO{Psf] lyof] . klg /x]sf] 5 . ;f] k|ltof]lutfdf km:6 /g/ck x'g] a'6jnsL km]zgjn zx/sf] ?kdf kl/lrt w/fgdf k'l0f{df yfkf / kfrf}+ :yfgdf k'Ug] kf]v/fsL a'l6sx? gx'b} klg oxfsf] km]zgsf] rrf{ l/gf z]/rgn] klg w/fgsf l8hfO{g/ pQdn] x'GYof] . ljb]zaf6} ePklg lemsfP/ gof– gof Photo: Anushil Shrestha g} tof/ kf/]sf klx/g nufP/ k|lt:k3f{ l8hfO{gsf] klx/gx? w/fg]x?n] nufpy] . w/ u/]sf lyP . k'hfnfO{ pgs} alxgL df]8n fgdf km]zg l8hfOgx?/ a'l6s v'Ng yfn] ljhofn] tof/L klx/g w/fgaf6 k7fPsL kl5 ljb]zdf /xg] ;d]t w/fgaf6} klx/g lyOg eg] k"l0f{df / l/gfn] xªsªaf6} kmf]g lemsfpg] u/]sf] 5g . ptD; lqmo;g / u/]/ ag]kfnLnfO{ c8{/ u/]sf lyP . plg :Kn]08/ a'l6s kl5 8]9jif{ cl3dfq v'n]sf] eG5g – Æk"l0f{df cfkm} klg d af6} lgoldt l8hfO{g;{ a'l6sn] klg /fd|} ahf/ kfPsf] 8]«; dufpl5g kmf]g / kf;{naf6 sf/f]af/ 5 . x'G5 e]6 eg] ePsf] 5}g . Æ km]zg l8hfO{lgË k|ltsf] a9bf] cfsif{0fnfO{ ;'Gb/L k|ltof]lutfdf efu lng] xªsªsf Wofgdf /fv]/ w/fgdf v'n]sf] kf]ln6]lSgs O{l:6Ro"6df ^ dlxgf l8hfO{lgË l;s]/ aLgf ;'Gb/Lx? dfq x}}g Toxfsf w]/} dlxnf, k'?ifx?n] Above: Sangarsha Band performing in Doha, Qatar. w/fgdf /x]sf] a'l6sx?df tof/ ePsf klx/ ah|frfo{, ;'lgtf /fO{ / OGb|snf yfkfn] Left: Pop star Prakash Paudel also perfoms at the same event l8hfO{g;{ a'l6s vf]n]sf lyP . ;'lgtf gx? nufp5g . w/fgsf pQD; lqmozg, Photos: Anushil Shrestha :Kn]08/ a'l6s / l8hfO{g;{ a'l6sx?dfsf / OGb|snf 3/ kl/jf/sf sf/0f w/fgaf6 clwsf]z u|fxs ljb]zdf a:g] / ljb]z sf7df08f} lt/ nfu]kl5 clxn] aLgf ah|frfo{n] cfjt hfjt ul//xg] w/fg]x? g} /x]sf 5g\ PSn} a'l6s rnfO/x]sL l5g . . ag]kfnL eG5g– æxªsª kl5 a]nfot, 5f]6f] ;dodf g} cfkmgf] a'l6sn] u|fxs l;+ufk'/ / a|'gfO{df a9L si6d/x? 5g\ .Æ kfPsf] atfpg] aLgfsf a'af slj/dfg ( jif{ cl3 w/fgdf lsNof]k]6«f a'l6s ah|rfo{n] w/fg !% Zofd rf}sdf 6]n;{ vf]n]sf ptd ag]kfnLn] 8]9 jif{ b]vL ;+~rfng ub}{ cfPsf 5g . ;fg} b]vLsf] lSnof]k]6|fnfO{ gfd kl/j{tg u/L w/fg #, 3/sf jftfj/0fn]] cfkm" klg l8hfO{gLË tkm{ k'/fgf] ahf/df pQD; lqmozg rnfO{/x]sf] cfslif{t ePsf] atfpl5g\ . elG5g\ æa'afn] 5g . z'?jftdf km];g l8hfO{gLË ;DawL 6]n;{ rnfP klg ;dosf] dfu cg';f/ d ef/tsf] lbNnLdf l;s]/ ag]kfnLn] af7df08f} a'l6s lt/ nfu] Æa'l6s vf]n]kl5 cfTdlge{/ afuahf/sf] Ps]6L a'l6sdf Ps jif{ sfd aGg ;s]sf] atfpb} plg ylK5g æ u¥of] eg] u/] . To;kl5 cfkm}n] lk+|osf ufd]{06 vf]n]/ rfx]sf] s'/f k'Ubf] /x]5 eGg] dxz'; u/]sL tof/L kf]zfsx? ljb]z lgof{tsf] sfddf klg 5' .Æ w/fg (, uf}td kydf /x]sf] pgsf] plg nfu] . kl5 ufd]{06af6 3f6f ePkl5 l8hfO{g;{ a'l6sdf pgnfO{ pgs} sfsf df]xg sf7df08f}n] /~hgf xn cuf8L o'6f]lkof ah|rfo{n] ;3fO{ /x]sf 5g . ;'lk|of dfemLn] a'l6s vf]n]/ ! jif{ rnfP . To;kl5 cfkm\g} vf]n]sf] ;gk\mnfj/ a'l6sn] klg 5f]6f] ;dodf 7fpFdf s]xL xf]nf eg]/ sf7df08f}+ 5f8]sf g} /fd|f] Aofkf/ ug{ yfn]sf] 5 . df]8n ptdn] w/fgdf k"jf{~rns} klxnf] a'l6s vf]n] ;'lk|ofn] a9\bf] æqm]hÆ b]v/} l8hfO{g l;s]/ . clxn] pgsf] pQD; lqmo;gsf] Jofkf/ ;ft a'l6s vf]n]ls x'g\ . kf]ln6]lSgs O{l:6Ro"6n] ;d'Gb| kf/L k'u]sf] 5 . l8hfO{g/ ag]kfnLn] b 8]9 jif{ cl3 w/fgdf l8hfO{g/ k|ltof]lutf sdf08f] gfds g]kfnL rnlrqsf nfuL klg ;d]t cfof]hgf u/]sf] lyof] . l8hfO{g u/]sf lyP . w/fgsL ;l/tf hf]zLn] eg] ef/tsf] pQds} h:tf] ljb]zL ahf/ kfPsL l5g bLlNndf # jif{ km]zg l8hfO{lgË sf]ifdf cls{ l8hfOg/ x]df /fO{n] . pgsf] w/fg l8Knf]df ;s]/ lbNnL s} a'l6sx?df # jif{ (, sn]h /f]8df /x]sf] :Kn]08/ a'l6sdf sfd u/L kms]{/ sf7df08f}, s'k08f]ndf zf/ tof/ ePsf klx/gx?sf] dfu klg w/fg f~h l8hfO{g;{ xfp; vf]n]sL l5g . lbNnLdf eGbf a9L l;ufk'/, xªsª, a]nfotlt/} 5 . ;+u}k9]sf] ;fyL c~h' dfgGw/ ;+u ldn]/ b'a} hgfsf] gfdaf6} s'k08f]ndf vf]n]sf] zf/f~h Fashion show and designer contest in Dharan. Photo: Anushil Shrestha. 14 Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Society

a'l6sn] OG6]l/o/ 8]sf]/]zg klg ug]{ ub{5 . l8hfO{gsf] klx/g klg tof/ ug]{ u/]sf 5g\ . w/fgdf x's]{ a9]sL ;l/tf w/fgs} sltko gof l8hfO{gsf klx/gx? a'l6s af6} km]zgj]n jftfj/0fsf sf/0f km]zg l8hfO{lgË ;d]t ljqm|L x'g] u/]sf] 5 . w/fgsf a'l6sx?df Photo: Anushil Shrestha tkm{ cfslif{t ePsf] atfpl5g . /fhwfgLdff b'O{ bh{g dflg;n] sfd ;d]t kfO/x]sf 5g\ . $÷% j6f km]zg zf] ;d]t pgsf] zf/f~h oL a'l6sx?df ;f8Ldf æx]08 jsÆ ug]{ sfd a'l6sn] ul/;s]sf] 5 . pgsf] a'l6sn] ¥ofl8;g klg x'G5 . eg] c8{/ cg';f/ sk8fdf rf+bL nufotsf xf]6ndf km]zg zf] ug]{ u/]sf] 5 / ;'gsf tf/x? nufP/ cfsif{s ;d]t kfg]{ . @ jif{ cl3{sf] ld; g]kfn k|ltof]lutfdf ul/Psf] ag]kfnL atfp5g . ;l/tfn] l8hfOg u/]sf] klx/g nufP/ k|ef l8hfO{g/ x]df cfkm"n] klZrdL b]z / s8l/ofn] a]i6 8«];sf] pkfwL lht]sL lyOg Ol08og z}nLsf klx/gx? a9L tof/ ug{ . km]zg l8hfO{lgËnfO{ g} sl/c/ agfPsf] u/]sf] atfp5g\ . elG5g– æw/fgsf] ;f];fO{6L atfpg] ;l/tf o;df cfly{s ?kdf kmfO{bf g} ljb]z ;+u glhs ePsf]n] Toxfsf] /xg klg eO{/x]sf] atfpl5g . pgsf] a'l6ssf] ;xg oxfsf nfO{ ;fdfGo nfU5 .Æ klZrddf cd]l/sf / n08gdf lgoldt u|fxs /x]sf] klx/g / ;njf/ s'tf{ a9L ?rfpg] u/]sf] pgL atfpl5g . elG5g– æk|lt:kwf{ rsf]{ 5, pgL atfp5Lg t/ klg gofkg lbg ;lsof] eg] of] If]qdf w/fgdf /x]sf] a'l6sx?sf] w]/} u|fxs rf8} cuf8L a9g ;lsG5 .Æ pgsf] a'l6sn] lab]zdf eP klg w/fgsf nfx'/] tyf ;DkGg u|fxssf] nflu cfkmg} sDKo"6/ j]e ;fO{8 kl/jf/ klg u|fxs 5g . To;dfyL rf/,kfr ;d]t lgdf{0f u/]sf] 5 . w/fgdf 7"nf] :sf]k dlxgfsf] cGt/df km]zg zf],;'Gb/L k|ltof]lutf gb]v]sf] sf/0f cfkm" /fhwfgL tkm{ cfslif{t x'bf efu lng] df]8nx? Klg a'l6ssf lgoldt ePsf] atfpg] ;l/tf elG5g–æsf7df08f}+df u|fxs x'g] u/]sf 5g . ljjfxsf] l;hgdf km]zgsf] ahf/ 7"nf] 5 oxf ug{ ;lsof] eg] klg a]x'nf a]xnLsf nfuL w]/}n] a'l6sx/ aflx/sf] ahf/klg a9fpg ;lsG5 . Æ af6} klx/g tof/ ug]{n u/]sf] pQd ag]kfnL k'j{df w/fg cuf8L atfp5g . k"jf{~rns} km]zgdf cu|0fL zx/ w/ w]/} h;f] km]zg zf]x? / ;'Gb/L k|lof]lutf fgdf 8«]; l8hfO{g / a'l6sx? ;+~rfng a'l6sx?n]g} cfof]hgf ug]{ u/]sf] 5 . To;df x'g yfn]sf] nfdf] ;do ljt] klg w/fg pQd ag]kfnLsf] a'l6s xfn;Dd 8]9 bh{g To: cf;kf;df zx/x?df a'l6sx? v'Ng ;s]sf tf cfof]hgfdf ;+nUg e};s]sf]5 . ag]kfnLn] ^ 5}gg . lj/f6gu/ / O{6x/Ldf xfn ;fn} b]lv jif{ cl3 ;d/ km]zg zf] tyf df]8n s06]i6 dfq Ps Ps a6f dfq a'l6s v'n]sf] 5g\ u/] kl5 oxf km]zg / ;'Gb/L k|ltof]lutf . ag]kfnL wgs'6f lj/f6gu/, O{6x/L, bds, nuft/ x'b} cfPsf 5g\ . ;fgf s]6fs]6Lsf ljtf{dfj]8df klg cfkm\gf u|fxsx? /x]sf] nfuL ls8 lSjg k|ltof]lutf b]vL ld; k'jf{~rn atfp5g\ . k"jf{~rnsf] h'g;'s} zx/df x'g] ;Ddsf ;'Gb/L k|ltof]uLtfx?sf] cfof]hgf w/ km]zg zf]df w/fgsf] a'l6sdf tof/ ePsf fgdf x'g] u/]sf 5g . ld; sf]zL, klx/gx? k|b{zg x'g]u/]sf] 5g\ . ld; k'jf{~rn, ld; Eofn]06fO{g w/fg,ld; w/fgsf a'l6sx?df dlxnfx?sf s'tf{, l:j6x6{,d]3f df]8n , df]8n s06]i6,ls8 ;'?jfn n]x+]uf, ;f8L, Jnfph, ldgL :s6, ;6{, lSjg h:tf k|ltof]uLtf ;+u} o; If]qdf x'g] l6–;6{sf k'?ifsf ;'6, kfO{G6, ;6{, xfkm km]zg zf] sf nfuL w/fgsf a'l6sx? Klx/ kfO{G6 e]i6 ;fy} aRrf b]vL a[4 ;Ddsf / gx? k}blzt x/g] u/]sf 5g . w/fgdf / rf8jf8 / df};d cg';f/sf klx/gx? tof/ x]sf km]z l8hfO{g/ / a'l6ssf sf/0f oxf x'g] u/]sf 5g\ . km]zg df]8lnËsf] cfsif{0f klg a9]sf] 5 . w/fgsf a'l6sx?df # ;o b]vL c8{/ pQd ag]kfnL, x]df /fO{, jLgf ah|frfo{sf cg';f/ !% xhf/ ;Ddsf] klx/gx? tof/ l8hfO{gsf klx/gx? oxf km]zg zf]x?df x'g]u/]sf 5g . ag]kfnL eG5g– æPp6} klx/g k|b{zg x'g] u/]sf 5g\ . s]xL km]zg zf] x?df %) xhf/ ;Ddsf] klg x'g ;S5 .Æ km]zg eg] sf7df08f}sf a'l6s / l8hfO{g/x?sf] l8hfO{g/x?n] cfkm\g} lqmozg afx]s u|fxssf] ;xefuLtf ;d]t /xg] u/]sf] 5 . dfu cg';f/ lab]zL Sof6nu x]/]/ c?sf] Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063 15 Society

South Asian Women’s Campaign for Gender Equality

In February 2006, the UN Secretary the Coherence Panel, in Islamabad, General formed the UN System- to appraise the PM of South Asian wide Coherence Panel, for the UN women’s concerns and request him to Reform Process. The panel is made put forth these concerns and appeal up of fifteen members, of which only before the rest of the Coherence three are women. The panel will make Panel members. Ms. Rana and her suggestions on how the UN should be team observed that the very fact that structured in areas of development, Pakistan had made such conscious humanitarian assistance, and the efforts to empower women under his environment, at the national and leadership was enough to believe that global levels; tackle new challenges, he was the best, most articulate and and their implementation. Ever since group of men and women from all many of which were defined in the 2005 most appropriate leader to ensure then, UNIFEM has unfailingly and walks of life who have decided to unite UN World Summit; and discuss how that the UN Reform Process addresses holistically been working for gender in force and voice to support the ‘South the UN system can meet the various women’s concerns and should consider empowerment and equality. With Asian Solidarity for Gender Equality’ internationally agreed goals, and in creating a high-level lead nodal agency bricks of established assurance in their and are working on getting the message particular achieve the Millennium for women within the UN. potential, they have laid down the across to people in their personal and Development Goals (MDGs) with the Ms. Rana has also been appointed foundation for the uncompromising professional networks and collecting support of the member states. as the Regional Co-ordinator for the fight for gender empowerment and signatures through the same. They meet Leaders of the women’s movement South Asian Women’s Campaign for equality. The delegation stated that once or twice a month and correspond in South Asia have been extremely Gender Equality. The South Asian despite the fact that UNIFEM was on a regular weekly basis via email to concerned with the UN Reform and Women’s Campaign is a move to take never given an appropriate structure, monitor the progress of the signature have looked at this opportunity as a forward this agenda to all women position or resources, it has always campaign or bring out new ideas like window of hope for the development globally. It brings together the voices emerged as the lead agency for women radio info-messages and interviews and stability of women’s issues. The of civil society, non governmental and all her causes in the region. Against on how to make the campaign more women’s groups in South Asia, working organizations and individual men this backdrop the delegation urged the effective than it already is. Many well- together in networks on women’s and women from all across the region Prime Minister to recommend the UN established and long-serving NGO’s issues, have seen the need to appeal who believe the need for UN reforms Reforms Process to designate UNIFEM have shown their support to ‘Friends for a UN nodal agency for women to be informed first by country level as a fitting nodal agency for women of UNIFEM’ by writing official letters with vaster resources, a more apposite realities and demands. The networks within the UN Structure. They further to members of the Coherence Panel, position and authority in a restructured involved in this campaign have a long requested that the Coherence Panel to hold up the campaign and have UN, shoulder to shoulder with the history of having strived to work for confer with women’s organizations in repeatedly and tirelessly voiced, “the resources, privilege and position that the betterment of humanitarian and the countries they visit and asked him need for the mandate of UNIFEM to other critical issues receive. Whenever women’s issues on national and regional to facilitate a special gender hearing be strengthened so that it can be even there has been a reform, history has levels and who are women’s partners in Pakistan in May 2006 before the more active in its role of catalyzing and shown us that women’s voices and in development. It is the response of Coherence Panel so that the voices of mainstreaming gender equality and concerns are often set aside and easily their long overdue felt-needs that have the women from developing countries women’s rights”, in their networks and forgotten about. This time we are to initiated them to come together and be heard in agreeing on the new ‘Gender among their respective partners. make sure our voices are heard and campaign in a united voice for women’s Architecture’ of the UN System . We have definitely come a long presence is felt. issues and concerns to be amply Various women’s organizations from way over the last three decades. We In March 2006, during the addressed through the UN Reforms. all over South Asia, each representing have seen major accomplishments on ‘Commission on the Status of Women’ The Campaign aims to bring before and voicing the pleas of thousands setting the models and ethics on gender meeting, women’s groups in South the Coherence Panel for UN Reforms, of women, wrote to the co-chairs of equality by the United Nations. Asia released an Open Letter to the the UN Secretary General and the UN the Coherence Panel, in support of On the other hand, experiences of Secretary General and member states member State governments: the delegation’s appeal. The women’s developing countries draw attention to lamenting on the lack of gender The urgent need for sufficiently movement also initiated signature the fact that even today women’s rights balance on the panel and the absence addressing the issues of gender equality campaigns, manually - ‘South Asian issues fail to be adequately recognized of gender equality concerns in the and women’s empowerment as a cross- Solidarity for Gender Equality’- and and implemented in key areas. They initial mandate, both in terms of cutting issue on various themes. online - southasianwomenscampaign. continue to be marginalized and ignored gender mainstreaming and women’s The call for a stronger ‘Gender org – all over the region. Till date, in areas such as the access and control machineries of the UN system. Partly, Architecture’ in the UN System more than 9, 00,000 people, both over economic resources and markets, due to their criticism, the UN Secretary A nodal UN agency for women with men and women, have supported this livelihood opportunities, their birth General has expanded the order of a proven track record like UNIFEM campaign by adding their signatures to right to citizenship and inheritance, the Coherence Panel to include both which has operational know-how of the on going list. These people might involvement in governance and the “gender equality architecture” of the women’s issues and a perceptive of not realize the important roles they community, and personal security in UN and gender mainstreaming, and what women need, connecting women’s have played, just yet, but each of them the public and private zones. has made gender equality a cross- voices and concerns to macro policies bring us one step closer, to making Let us, men and women, all across cutting issue. and global processes. gender equality an ‘in-the-near-future’ the world, march forward, arm in arm, On the 22nd of April, 2006, a At this point, the role and reality and hopefully a permanent and continue to strive for the positive delegation of women activists who responsibility of UNIFEM was put fixture in the future, with each of their appreciation of gender, global gender have been dynamically involved in forth. UNIFEM came forward in signatures. empowerment and equality. Only the women’s movement in South 1976 from the call of the women’s In Nepal, a large group of like- then will the fruit of the hard work, Asia, led by Ms. Bandana Rana, an movement to the General Assembly minded individuals of the civil society over the last thirty years be eternally eminent media person in Nepal, met for creating an institution with have joined forces to form what has established and the progress achieved with the Pakistani Prime Minister H.E the mandate and resources to give amicably been baptized ‘Friends of so far, concentrated. Shaukat Aziz, one of the Co-chairs of visibility and voice to women’s rights UNIFEM’. ‘Friends of UNIFEM’ is a 16 Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Society

Screening of War Photographer: Review hgcfGbf]ngsf] kmf]6f] k|b{zgLn] ?jfof] kf]v/]nLnfO{

Kunda Dixit mediates the discussion after the screening. Photo: Bhushan Shilpakar. Kff]v/fdf c;f/ klxnf] ;ftf ePsf] hgcfGbf]ngsf] kmf]6f] k|b{zgLdf hgcfGbf]ngsf klxnf] zlxb led;]g bxfnsf] t:jL/ x]b}{ bxfn kTgL ;aLtf . Friday, 16 June saw a gathering of camera, the film provides insight photo journalists, journalists and into a number of frontline situations a[Qlrq x]g]{ bz{sx? efjlaxf]n ePsf lyP . media enthusiasts for a screening of the juxtaposed with him talking about his Durga Humagain/ Pokhara k|b{zgLdf hgcfGbf]ngsf qmddf sf7df08f}df fears and his motivation. documentary "War Photographer" at ul/Psf] bdgsf t:jL/ x]bf{ bz{sx? cfqmf];Lt the Sundhara Bakery Cafe. Organized The post-screening discussion, by Samudaya.org and bn.com.np , the led by Kunda Dixit, Editor of Nepali kf]v/fdf hgcfGbf]ngnfO{ :d/0f u/fpb} ut x'Gy] . cj k"g{ nf]stGq k|KtLsf] lgDtL n8\g event was free and open to the public. Times, included photojournalists ;ftf hgcfGbf]ng efu @ sf] qmddf kmf]6f] gk/f]; To;}n] g]tfx?nfO{ hgtfn] xf];Lof/ Made by Swiss author, director Min Barjacharya and Bikas Rauniyar kqsf/x?n] lvr]sf kmf]6f] tyf ;Aob[Zosf] u/fpg' k5{ kmf]6f] k|bzgL cjnf]sg ub}{ u/]sf and producer Christian Frei, the sharing their reaction to Nachtwey's k|b{zgL ;DdkGg ePsf] 5 . /fi6o kmf]6f] laBfyL{ /+lht Gof}kfg]nf] eg] . documentary follows American passion, and their own experiences in kqsf/ ;d"x kf]v/f zfvfsf] cfof]hgfdf c;f/ lg/+s'z zfxL ;/sf/sf] la?4 photojournalist James Nachtwey the Nepali context. Other participants @ ut] b]vL tLg lbg ;Dd kf]v/fsf] lbk]Gb hgcfGbf]ngdf xf]dLPsf hgtfnfO{ nf]stGqnfO{ raised issues regarding ethics and to wars in Indonesia, Kosovo and zefxndf ;+rfnLt hgcfGbf]ngsf kmf]6f] tyf dha't agfpg ;r]t u/fpg] p2]Zon] responsibility in the business of making Palestine, giving us an exclusive a[t lrq k|b{zgLdf sl/j @% xhf/ bz{sn] look into the daily routine of a war media in Nepal and the need for sharing hgcfGbf]ngsf kmf]6f tyf a[Qlrq k|b{zgL photographer. Through special micro- and strong bonds within the media cjnf]sg u/]sf 5g\ . ul/Psf] /fli6o kmf]6f] kqsf/ ;d"x kf]v/f cameras attached to Nachtwey's photo- community. hgcfGbf]ngsf] kmf]6f] tyf a[Qlrq zfvfsf cWoIf 3gZofd kff}8]nn] atfpg' k|b{zgLsf sfo{qmdsf] pb\3f6g hgcfGbf]ng x'G5 . kmf]6f] k|b{zgLdf cfGbf]ngsf qmddf efu @ sf k|yd zxLb led;]g bxfnsL kTgL kf]v/fsf kmf]6f] kqsf/x?n] lvr]sf ! ;o %) International Meeting on Regional Wildlife ;aLtf bxfnn] ug'{ ePsf] lyof] . zxLb bxfn / sf7df08f}+ ,g]kfnu~h / la/u~hsf kmf]6f] kf]v/fsf] dx]Gbk'ndf r}q @^ ut] zfGtL k"0f{ kqsf/x?n] lvr]sf ! ;o %) ul/ s'n # trade Issues ?kdf lg:s]sf] h'n';df ;xefuL x'bf ;]gfn] ;o kmf]6fx? /fvLPsf lyP . a[Qlrqdf kf]v/ rnfPsf] uf]nLnfuL zxfbt k|fKt ug'{ ePsf] fdf ePsf] hgcfGbf]ngsf qmddf kqsf/x?n] 19 June. The recent wildlife seizures Mr. Prasanna Yonzon, CEO of WCN lyof] . ;f] cj;/df zlxb kTgL bxfnn] zfxL and arrests in Nepal, China and India spoke: ‘Nepal is at a vulnerable stage lvr]sf] ;Aob[Zoaf6 ;d]6LPsf] lyof] . border indicate that wildlife crime and adequate measures have to be lg/+s'ztfsf] cGTosf nflu hgtfn] km]/L csf] hgcfgbf]ngsf] kmf]6f] tyf a[Q lrq has become organized. To counter taken politically and with enforcement, cfGbf]ng ug'{ gk/f]; / km]/L sf]xL zxLb x'g k|b{zgLn] kf]v/fsf o"jf ,laBfyL b]vL a[b such wildlife crime organization, a wildlife crime can be brought down and gk/f]; eGg'eof] . a[bfsf] klg Wofg lvr]sf] lyof] . cfGbf]ngsf meeting was coordinated by Wildlife Nepal tag as a conduit for international kmf]6f] tyf a[Qlrq k|b{zgLdf kf]v/fdf qmddf k|x/LnfO{ vj/bf/L u/]sL kf]v/f & Conservation Nepal here in Kathmandu wildlife trade can be removed’. ;]gfn] uf]nL rnfPk5L zxfbt k|fKt ug'{ePsf df;jf/sL ^% aifL{o sdnfb]jL a/fn ;f]xL on 16 June 2006, Friday with concerned The meeting also deliberated zlxb bxfnsf] d[To' x'g' k"j{ h'n';df zxefuL b[Zo ;d]t k|b{zgLdf b]v] k5L hgcfGbf]ngsf] line agencies, Department of National of establishing a database center in ePsf] t:jL/ zxfbt k|fKtLk5L ;]gfn] df]6/df :d/0f ub}{ lgs} pT;fxLt x'g'ePsf] Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal Kathmandu to exchange information /fvL nu]sf] b[Zo x]bf{ bz{sx? efjlaxf]n Police, Wildlife Protection Society of on traders and seizures. Such strategies lyof] . hgcfGbf]ngsf qmddf hgtfdfyL uf]nL India, the foremost monitoring trade will support the ongoing effort of WCN ePsf lyP . a[Qlrqdf zlxb bxfnsf] 36\gf: aiff{pg]nfO{ nf]stfGqLs ;/sf/n] rf8} sf/ organization in India and Environment and the line agencies in controlling ynd} d[To' ePsf] b[Zo , /utsf] cfxfn / d[To' jfxL ug'{ k5{ pxFfsf] egfO{ lyof] . Investigation Agency, UK which was wildlife crime in urban and rural areas. k5L ;]gfn] df]6/df /fv]/ nu]sf] b[Zo b]Vbf crucial to portray tiger trade in China (Source: Wildlife Conservation Nepal) to international communities. Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063 17 Society

MISSING: Pratistha Budhathokiby Kashish Das Shrestha

26 June, Monday. The Nepali The Nepali community in Denver us. "We have to tell Nepalis abroad was a possibility. community in the US had hardly also immediately reported to the Nepali and in Nepal that the Rocky Mountain On 24 June, an anonymous phone recovered from the tragedies of several Consulate in Washington DC. The Association of Nepalis and the Nepali call from a male Nepali using a blocked Nepali students being involved in consulate then reported it to the State embassy is very concerned and doing number said,"Pratistha is with us in separate fatal accidents in spring this Department and contacted Pratistha's everything they can too. But there South Carolina." and hung up. However, year when late last week news broke family in Nepal. Her parents, father has been some negative and impatient later that evening another anonymous that the 20-year-old Nepali student Yam Bahadur Budhathoki and mother comments in the Nepali media and on call said "My brother had called you Pratistha Budhathoki went missing in Sarita Budhathoki, are currently trying Sajha too, I hope they understand that in the morning, I am sorry, it was a the quiet and peaceful small town of to obtain a visa in Kathmandu so that this is a kind of case that takes time to mistake," and hung up. "Pratistha didn't Estes Park, Colorado. Shocked local they can come to Estes Park sometime solve and that everyone concerned is have a boyfriend and wasn't dating residents and worried Nepalis fear this week. The Nepali community in doing everything possible." Swarupa anyone. She was working at Munchin the worst as hopes of finding her alive Denver is also trying to raise funds to has been in regular contact with the House and the Subway sandwich shop rapidly turns into just hopes of finding help Pratistha's parents buy the airline embassy, the RMAN, the police and so she was just working all the time," any trace or remains of her after a week tickets, usually averaging at $1300 even the American media. "I even Manish explained. of her disappearance. - $1400 per person for a roundtrip. spoke to the St. Clouds university's Vice The phone calls could have been Estes Park is a small town and The visa process alone, generally, costs President. People are doing everything a reckless crank-call by irresponsible tourist community about an hour and approximately $300- 400 per person. they can from their own way. But the Nepalis, as this case has already become a half drive from Denver, Colorado. Although the investigation has police also seemed a bit frustrated that a public news and an issue of discussion It's year-round population is about been going on for a week now, it has there might be too much involvement on open thread discussion forums 5,500 only although almost 3.5 million not been easy to determine whether from the Nepali community, which is such as the infamous forum on Sajha. visitors pass through the area every Pratisha left on her own or whether she good but might have adverse effect too com, where users can post anything year. And during the summer, almost went missing. "We treat every case with because the investigation is done in a and everything they want. And phone 200 Nepalis usually arrive to live and extreme importance and in a case like certain method and too many leads numbers for information and leads work in the area. Pratistha was one of this we don't rule out the fact that she that are not consistent can delay the have been obviously made public too. those many students who had arrived might have left on her own, because process. We also have to understand Today Nepalis in Denver were here on 14 May this year. It was where scheduled to have a meeting with the she had worked and lived during the town Mayor John Baudek to discuss a summer of 2005 also. This summer, Pratistha Budhathoki search and rescue operation in the near she was sharing an apartment with by mountains. "But its like finding a Smriti Pandey, and her work place Pratishta is the eldest of two children, her younger brother is studying needle in a haystack," Swarupa tells us. 'Munchin House,' an ice cream shop, in Grade 7 in Nepal. Her father, Yam Bahadur Budhthoki is in civil "Leave me a message, and I'll get was only two minutes walk away from service while her mother Sarita Budhtahoki works for an NGO in back to you," Pratistha's voice says their apartment in a place locals refer Nepal. Pratistha did her schooling in Kathmandu's Excelsior School on her cell phone, followed by the to as the "hub." When Smriti received automatic message "Sorry, that voice and completed her I.SC from St. Xavier's College. With a strong a phone call from Munchin House at mail box is full. Please call again later." 12PM on 18 June, a Sunday afternoon, foundation and a keen interest in science, she had first arrived in Friends and authorities have tried to call she didn't know what to say. Munchin the US to pursue Biology and Environmental Science at the Cornell her repeatedly on her cell phone only to House had called Smriti to ask why College in Iowa in Fall 2004. When she transferred to St. Clouds hear those two messages, possibly the Pratistha didn't come to work. But the University, Minnesota, however, she grew interested in business last thing that Pratistha's family will last thing she recalled was Pratistha ever hear her say. At this point, one can leaving their apartment in a rush to management and was pursuing a major in Finance. hope to find Pratistha alive, if not well. get to work at around 9:30 - 10AM But the chances of that have become that morning, telling her that she was severely poor. "I know that everyone getting late. No one has heard from or she is an adult, but we don't rule out that the police can't reveal everything hopes to find her alive and well and are seen Pratistha since. that something criminal might have they know immediately because its an very concerned, but everyday in the When Pratistha didn't come home happened either. But we treat every as on-going investigation" media we see news of people missing till the next morning, her friends began though something bad has happened So far, a few facts have been and that it takes months in some cases to worry. "She was reported missing to and we cover all the grounds," Detective. confirmed. At around 11AM on Sunday to find the person," Swarupa says. "We us on Monday," Detective. Sgt. Corey Sgt. Corey Pass, lead investigator on morning, about an hour after Pratistha just have to be patient and hopeful. Pass, lead investigator on the case the case, says. "There is a dedicated left for work, her credit card was Everything that can be done is being for Estes Park Police Department, phone line for the case and we are still used at a gas station in Estes Park. It done." says. "We then immediately began our following a variety of leads, but the is unclear why she would go to a gas Between December 2005 and March investigation." investigation is still on going. There is station and use her card after an hour, 2006, 9 Nepali students died in traffic The local media has been covering a lot being done on a community level when she was already late for work and related accidents, in all cases by no fault the case regularly too. "This is such a also." her work place was only two minutes of their own. As the number of Nepalis small town and the crime rate is really "The police is doing everything away. It has also not been confirmed if in the US and other countries increase low here, so everyone is quite shocked they can, and its osmething that has it was Pratistha herself that used the steadily, the chances of a Nepali being and worried that something like this become a national issue with potential credit card. Police investigation has caught or involved in similar or other has happened in Estes Park," Manish involvement of the F.B.I. But Nepalis also revealed that a phone call from her incidents also grows naturally. The only Kharel, who works in Denver and has are being a bit impatient, I heard some cell phone was made to "a Denver area" thing that one can do is be as careful as lived in Estes Park since 1997, told local newspapers in Nepal ever wrote on 20 June, on the third day that she possible, particularly in a country where us. The local residents and businesses that the case was not taken seriously was missing. When asked if there was traffic accidents, missing people's cases in Estes Park have collected $1800 as because it was a Nepali, which absolutely chance that a predator might have come and murder is rampant. a reward to anyone who will provide false," Swarupa Khadka, Pratistha's to town as a tourist and victimized information to help find Pratistha. first cousin based in New York, tells Pratishta, the detective agreed that it 18 Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Politics k|r08sf] cfudgkl5 /fhgLltdf gofF df]8 ca dfcf]jfbL ;lxtsf] ;/sf/

pkrf/sf] lglDt # c;f/sf] ck/fGx a}+ss Special correspondent k|:yfg u/]sf5g\ . *$ jifL{o sf]O/fnfnfO{ :jf; k|Zjf;;DaGwL ;d:of 5 . cf}ifwL pkrf/sf] lglDt ;ftlbg nfdf] @ c;f/df /fhwfgLdf g]skf dfcf]jfbLsf e|d0f sfo{s|d lgwf{/0f ul/Psf] 5 . sf]O{/fnf cWoIf k|r08 ;fj{hflgs dfq ePgg\ ;/sf/ pkrf/sfnfuL hfg] ePs}n] To;cl3 lzv/ / ;ft bn;+u dfcf]afbLljr lzv/ a}7s jftf{ ul/Psf] lyof] . ;DkGg eof] . k|r08sf] /fhwfgL cfudgn] zflGt jftf{ k|lqmofnfO{ ;xh agfPsf] 5 eg] /fhf clwsf/ ljxLg /xg] ljut !@ jif{b]lvsf] 4G4/t dfcf]jfbL rf8} cGtl/d ;+ljwfg d:of}bf ;ldltn] /fhf ;/sf/df ;d]t ;fd]n x'g] ePsf5g\ . ;lxtsf] cGtl/d ;+ljwfgsf] d:of}bf tof/ ug]{ lzv/ a}7sdf !% lbg leq cGt/Ld ePsf] 5 . t/ To;df /fhfsf] s'g} e"ldsf ;+ljwfg agfpg], Ps dlxgf leq cGtl/d /xg] 5}g\ . u0ftGqsf] dfu rsf]{ ?kdf pl7/ ;/sf/ agfpg], ;+ljwfg;efsf] ldlt 3f]if0ff, x]sf] a]nf g]skf dfcf]jfbLsf k|ltlglw ;d]t ;+;b / hg;/sf/ e+u ug]{, ;xdltaf6 e/ /x]sf] ;ldltn] g} tof/ u/]sf] d:of}bfdf /fhf kbf]{ cfGt/Ls Aofj:yf ug]{, ;+ljwfg;efsf /fVg] ePsf] 5 . nflu b'j} kIfsf] xltof/ Aoj:yfkgsg] dfcf]jfbL lgs6 dflgg] d:of}bf ;ld- nflu /fi6«;+3nfO{ cg'/f]w ug]{, k|lt:kwf{Tds ltsf ;b:o tyf g]kfn jf/ P;f]lzo;gsf ax'blno zf;g k|0ffnL, gfu/Ls :jtGqtf k"j{ cWoIf l;Gw'gfy Kofs'/]nn] $ c;f/df / k|]; :jtGqtf k|lt k|lta4 /xg] h:tf ePsf] 5nkmn kl5 ;+rf/sdL{x?;+u cGtl/ dxTjk'0f{ ;xdtL ePsf5g\ . a}7sdf ;ftbn jftf{df ;ft}bnsf zLif{g]tfx? g]skf Pdfn]sf x'g'x'GYof] . k|r08 xfn /x]sf] c5fd / d ;+ljwfgdf /fhf /fVg] ljifodf ljjfb / dfcf]afbLsf zLif{ g]tfx?sf] ;xefuLtf / dxf;lrj dfwjs'df/ g]kfn, k|hftflGqs 8f]6Lsf] b'u{d ufpFx?df dfcf]jfbLn] o;cl3 gx'g] atfPsflyP . æcGtl/d ;+ljwfg dfkm{t x]sf] lyof] . sf+u|];sf z]/ axfb'/ b]paf, hgdf]rf{ g]kfnsf clt ;'/lIft 9+un] ;}Go tflnd ;~rfng ub}{ u0ftGq 3f]if0ff ug{ ;Sg] clwsf/ xfdL- j}7skl5 kqsf/ ;dd]ngdf cfsif{ssf] cWoIf clds z]/rg ;a} ;xefuL lyP . cfPsf lyP . nfO{ 5}g\ .Æ Kofs'/]nn] eGg'eof], æcfGbf]ngsf] s]Gb| ag]sf k|r08n] :ki6 ?kdf cfk\mgf dfcf]jfbLn] o'4lj/fd cfrf/ ;+lxtfsf] otf, ;/sf/L jftf{6f]nL ;+of]hs u[xdGqL efjgf, $ h]7sf] k|ltlglw ;efsf] 3f]if0ff, ljrf/x? /fv]sf lyP . pgn] ca gofF dfu{ pn+3g ub}{ :s"n] ljBfyL{ ljzfn tfdfªsf] s[i0fk|;fb l;6f}nn] cGtl/d ;/sf/sf] lgdf{0f ;ftbn–dfcf]jfbL ljrsf] !@ a'Fb] / * a'Fb] agfP/ ;+o'Qm ?kdf cl3 a9\g] atfP . xTof u/]sf] lj/f]wdf l;Gw'kfNrf]ssf] 7"nf]kfv/ cl3 g} dfcf]jfbLsf] xltof/ Joj:yfkg ul/g] ;xdlt tyf @% a'Fb] o'4lj/fd cfrf/;+lxtf Ps jif{ leq} ;+ljwfg;efsf] r'gfj ug]{ / jf;Ln] b'O{ lbgb]lv c/lgsf] /fhdfu{ ca¿4 atfPsf 5g\ . ;ftbn–dfcf]jfbL ljrsf] * g} cGtl/d ;+ljwfg lgdf{0fsf] cfwf/ x'g]5g\ To; cl3 cGtl/f ;+ljwfg agfP/ cfkm'x? kfl//x]sf] a]nf ePsf] jftf{ kl5 To;sf] a'Fb] ;xdtLaf/] cfˆgf] / cGo bnx?df Jofks .Æ pxfFsf cg';f/, /fhfnfO{ clwsf/ ljlxg klg cGtl/d ;/sf/df ;fd]n x'g] pgn] ;fdgf k|r08n] ug'{ k/]sf] lyof] . kqsf/ c;Gt'li6 b]vfk/]kl5 pgn] ^ c;f/df kf]v/ agfP/ /flvg] 5 . h'g sfd pxfFx?n] ;+ljwfg atfP . cfk\mgf] dGtAodf k|r08n] eg] ;Dd]ngdf k|r08n] uNtL 9fs5f]ksf] gu/L fdf cfof]lht sfo{stf{ e]nfdf pQm hfgsf/L lgdf{0fsf] lglDt cfwf/ agfpg] 3f]if0ff, lg0f{o æhgtfsf] efjgf / cfsf+Iffsf] lgDtL ;dlk{t eg] æ5fgjLg u/L sf/jfxL x'G5 .Æ lbPsf x'g\ . jf ;xdltn] ul/;s]sf] 5 . eP/ cl3 a9\of} eg] @! cf}+ ztfAbLdf æxltof/ Joj:yfkg geO{ cGtl/d ;/ o;cl3 lj/f6gu/df k|wfgdGqL lul/ lazjdf gofF ;Gb]z hfg]5 .Æ !( lbg] hg ?fhwfgLaf6 k|r08 b'u{d sf/ aGb}g\ .Æ u[xdGqL l;6f}nfsf] egfO{ hfk|;fb sf]O/fnfn] ;]/f]df]lgon /fhf wf/0ff cfGbf]ng dfkm{t hgtfn] b'lgofsf a8]a8] ufpFlt/ lyof], æTo;sf]] lglDt 5nkmn z'? e};s]sf] ;fj{hlgs ubf{ lgs} cfnf]rgf v]Kg' k/]sf] ;fd|fHojfbL / zlQms]Gb|x?nfO{ cfZro{ rlst zflGt :yfkgfsf] lglDt ;ftbn;+u * 5 .Æ @ c;f/df ;ftbn–dfcf]jfbL lzif{ lyof] . æ/fhf /xg]–g/xg] eGg] t ;+ljwfg kf/]sf] pgn] atfP . dGtAo 6]lnlehgdf x]g{ a'Fb] ;xdlt u/L sf7df8f}df ;fj{hlgs ePsf jftf{n] to u/]sf] ;xdltdf To; ljifodf ;efdf s:tf] agfj6 cfpF5, To;n] lg0f{o ug]{ kfPsf hgtf k|r08sf ljrf/af6 k|efljt aGg dfcf]jfbL cWoIf k|r08 xf]lnsf]K6/af6 ;'b"/– :ki6 pNn]v lyPg . ;xdlt kl5 klg xltof/ xf] .Æ Kofs'/]nsf] wf/0ff 5 . k'u]sf5g\ / w]/} cfzfjfbL ;d]t ag]sf5g\ . dWoklZrdsf] ;LdfjtL{ ufpFdf k'uL;s]sf5g\ ;lxtsf dfcf]jfbLnfO{ cGtl/d ;/sf/df ;d]n @ c;f/df jftf{6f]nLn] nf]stflGqs k|wfgdGqL lul/hfk|;fb sf]O/fnf;+usf] . u[xdGqL s[i0fk|;fb l;6f}nn] k|r08nfO{ Po/ u/fpg gx'g] nufotsf ljifodf bnx?leq cfGbf]ngdf ;ls|o ;xeflu /xg' ePsf ;jf]{Rr lzv/ jftf{ kl5 g]skf dfcf]jfbLsf cWoIf 8fog]li6sf] x]lnsf]K6/df ;'v]{t x'Fb} c1ft ulDe/ c;xdlt pTkGg ePsf] xf] . cbfntsf k"j{ GofofwLz nId0fk|;fb cof{nsf] k|r08 / ;ftbnsf lzif{g]tfx?aLr k|wfgdGqL kxf8L If]qdf k'¥ofPsflyP . x]lnsf]K6/df g]tf nfdf] ;dob]lv c:j:y k|wfgdGqL tyf cWoIftfdf ^ ;b:oLo d:of}bf ;ldlt u7g lgjf; jfn'jf6f/d} bf]>f] jftf{ ePsf] lyof] . 8f=afa'/fd e§/fO{ / k|r08 kTgL ;Ltf klg g]kfnL sfFu|];sf ;efktL lul/hfk|;fb sf]O/fnf u/]sf] 5 . Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063 19 Op-Ed

Madhesis, Social Justice, And The DaMaJaMa Equation In Nepal

the Madhesi identity. Although few contention for the Madhesis. In the or death certificates. Paramendra Bhagat Madhesis speak Hindi as their first 1990s, the Terai had only 80 of the 205 So you have a situation in Nepal language, it is Hindi that links them seats, although it deserved 103, going where half the Madhesis get treated as all. A lot of Pahadis also understand by population. non citizens, the other half as second The April Revolution in Nepal was a Hindi, or they would not be watching But the biggest issue of all is that class citizens. major milestone, but all the problems Amitabh Bachchan on the big screen. of citizenship certificates. Of the 13 The Madhesis have the numbers, in social justice and poverty and even Hindi is destined to become the sixth million Madheis in Nepal, close to but not yet the political consciousness democracy itself still remain. The UN language down the line, on par with half have been denied citizenship that would earn them their equality in revolution has merely earned the English. And as India's economic power certificates. The government's official Nepal. The Dalits, the Janajati and the people the tools with which to address grows, Hindi might as well become a figure says four million, but it might women have umbrella organizations, those problems. major language of higher education be closer to six million. Without that the Madhesis do not have one yet. There The Madhesis are part of the and commerce. certicicate, you can not buy or sell is no well articulated common minimum DaMaJaMa equation, namely Dalit, Hindi has to be put on par with land, you can not apply for government program. There are Madhesis in all the Madhesi, Janajati, Mahila. Dalits are major political parties, but there is no the traditionally untouchables in the Madhesi Caucus in the parliament. Like Hindu caste system. The Janajati are the blacks in America more than half a neither Bahun, nor Chhetri, the two Hindi has to be put on par with century ago, the Madhesis in Nepal will ruling castes in Nepal. They have last simply have to march, and do so in large names like Sherpa, Tamang, Magar, “ numbers. Gurung, Rai, Limbu, Tharu, among Nepali in Nepal. Like Nepali is And the best way to cover much others. The Madhesis are the people ground might be to strive to forge in the southern plains who often bear the link language in the hills, a strong coalition with the other the brunt of the strong anti-India three marginalized groups, to form a sentiments among the ruling class Hindi is the link language in the DaMaJaMa coalition. There is a need in Nepal. They speak languages like for a second revolution in Nepal, a Maithili, Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Tharu, social justice revolution. Urdu, and their link language is Hindi. southern plains. Mahila is the Nepali word for women. Paramendra Bhagat is one of New York's most active members of the Nepali diaspora and a regular political blogger Together these groups are close to 90% Nepali in Nepal. Like Nepali is the link jobs, you can not apply to colleges and (Demrepubnepal.blogspot.com). He is also a member of of the country. Bahun Chhetri men are language in the hills, Hindi is the link universities. You can not even get birth ANTA. Nepali Aawaz requested Paramendra to write on the is- sue of Madhesis and minorities in Nepal. Above is an unedited an utter minority but hold most of the language in the southern plains. Op-ed by him. power. Federalism is another issue. The Some say the Madhesis are half the country has to be divided into so country. Others say maybe 40%. Still many states with their own regional others put the figure closer to 35%. But parliaments. Some want three states, then there is some overlap. There are some want five, some want eight. Some some people who are both Dalit and want the demarcation to be haphazard Madhesi, some who are both Janajati and geograhical, others want it drawn and Madhesi, like the Tharu. along ethnic lines. The political plight of the Madhesi Abolishing the monarchy is tied to in Nepal is curious and can be compared the question. The monarchy represents to that of the Tamils in Sri Lanka, the the ruling elites, the Bahun Chhetri. Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh, That has also been true of the army. the Muslims in India, and the ethnic If Costa Rica can do without an army, Nepalis in southern Bhutan. Madhesis perhaps Nepal should as well. Why not are close to half the country, and instead have more teachers and health contribute to 70% of the state revenue, care workers? but are less than 5% of the political There is bound to be some major power in terms of their share in the contention in the run up to the police, the army, the bureaucracy, constituent assembly elections that and political offices, and get only 20% will draw up a new constitution for of the state expenditures, most of it the country. One proposal is to have going to pay for the salaries of the one constituency for every 100,000 Pahadi bureaucrats who happen to be Nepali, and then reserve some of those stationed in the Terai, the sounthern seats for the DaMaJaMa. Elections plains. Pahadi is the term for the hill would still be direct in those seats, people. but only individuals from particular On June 17, 2006, many of the backgrounds may contest. It is such a Madhesis in New York City got together reserved seat that gave India Ram Vilas to discuss and organize around the Paswan, a Dalit who is a major national theme of Madhesi empowerment. figure today. There is a major issue with the Having seats of roughly equal Hindi language that is at the core of population has been another issue of 20 Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Law

An overview of Optional Practical Training (OPT) status with the I-538 and I-20 documents. It or fails to complete a full course of dire need to file a timely visa petition Ramesh K. Shrestha is advised that an application for an study in time and is ineligible for a for an H-1B visa to continue your EAD be submitted 120 days before program extension. Occurrence of any employment beyond the OPT duration. the employment and within 60 days one of these circumstances will trigger If the employer expresses its inability Ramesh Shrestha is an established after completion of studies. Students a violation of the F-1 status, as a result, or unwillingness to file a visa petition immigration lawyer based in New York are not required to have a job offer to the student will become subject to for an H-1B status, perhaps, it will be for more than a decade now. Nepali apply for OPT. Once the EAD is issued removal from the United States. a better idea to shop around before it Aawaz asked him to briefly discuss the by the USCIS, one can start his/her is too late to find an able and willing OPT status that many students are employment. What kind of work should I focus on employer. now either already using or will have to during my OPT if I want to apply for an eventually apply for. How long is it valid for? H-1B visa? What are other considerations while The life of OPT is 12 months. It cannot The one-year OPT period is applying for the OPT? What is Optional Practical Training be extended. Unused portion of extremely precious if one has a plan It must not be forgotten that (OPT)? practical training cannot be used at a to change his/her status to an H-1B timing is everything and time is of the OPT does not have to be a training later time unless reserved. OPT will be status. As OPT is designed to allow the essence. Since limited numbers of H-1B being taken towards the curriculum of terminated if the student transfers to students to obtain practical training visas are available in every fiscal year, it the program. OPT may be exercised in another school. OPT must be completed in the field they earned their academic has been a trend for few years that the one of four circumstances: within 14 months of graduation. training, it is highly recommended visas have been used up before the H-1B During the students annual Students will be eligible for a new 12 that the students get a job in their own visas actually became available for the vacation or at other times when school months of OPT if he/she has earned a academic field. OPT must be utilized particular fiscal year. Just to note, the is not in session, while school is in new level of degree. not only as an instrument to obtain H-1B visa cap (except Advanced Degree session as long as it does not exceed 20 basic training in the academic field, and U.S. Chile/Singapore Free Trade hours per week, after completion of all What should I do to maintain my but also as a means to interact with Agreements H-1B1) for the fiscal year course requirements (excluding thesis status? the prospective employer[s] who would 2007 was reached on May 26, 2006. or equivalent) for bachelor’s, master’s, OPT is valid for 12 moths plus 2 more be willing to petition him/her for an Students are advised to have a careful or doctoral degree program and after additional months as a grace period. H-1B visa. It will always be a good plan about how one should properly completion of the course of study. In other words, the validity of the idea to let the employer be aware of utilize the precious OPT. It is always Majority of foreign students F-1 status will cease in 14 months. your visa status and fully aware of the beneficial to have a strategic plan in chooses to exercise their OPT advance before students graduate. opportunity upon completion of their academic programs. OPT provides For more information: Ramesh K. Shrestha (Law Office of Ra- foreign students an opportunity to mesh K. Shrestha), 377 Broadway, Suite 801, New York, NY It is always beneficial to have a strategic 10013. Tel: (212) 625-3394, (212) 431-4460. Email:Rshres- assimilate themselves into the U.S. real [email protected] job market and explore the possibility plan in advance before students graduate. of their future job prospect. Many “ foreign students take OPT as a measure to test their ability in the field which However, a student will be authorized they obtained after spending a number to work only until the date the OPT of years at schools to accomplish their is valid. In order to maintain the academic goal. OPT allows students status, one must file appropriate to achieve necessary training and petition/application to change his/ confidence that could be instrumental her visa status to another visa status for their future job career either in the depending on the circumstances. An United States or in abroad. application for change of status must Even if it is widely called as OPT be submitted with the USCIS while the status, the visa status for the students visa is still valid. No additional day will remain as an F-1 status even while they be available after the expiration of the are on their OPT. 60-day grace period. If the students cannot apply for a change the status, it How can I apply for it? is advised that the students maintain Depending on the circumstance and the F-1 status by continuing the school. the eligibility as described above, an However, it is recommended that I-538 Application must be filled out the students take appropriate action and an I-20 ID should be endorsed by ahead of time depending on available the Designated Student Officer (DSO) opportunity and/or their individual of the school. The DSO must state circumstances. Once the F-1 status in the application that the proposed (OPT + 60-day grace period) is expired employment is directly related to the and no application/petition for change student’s major area of study and of status is pending on the day of the commensurate with the student’s expiration, the students will be deemed educational level. In addition, students out of status. It must be kept in mind must fill out an application for that students may lose their status if 1) employment authorization document employed without authorization, or 2) (EAD) (Form I-765) and submit not pursuing full course of study, or 3) to United States Citizenship and transfers schools without permission Immigration Services (USCIS) together Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063 21 

lg:z'Ns O{ldu|]zg k/fdz{ xfdL NYC ;/sf/sf] ;xof]udf g]kfnL af]Ng] sfg"gljB 4f/f O{ldu|]zg sfg"g ;DalGw lg:z'Ns k/fdz{ lbG5f}+ . ckf]O{G6d]G6sf nfuL s[kof KFCC sf] kmf]g: 718 321 2400 e-mail:[email protected]

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Onboard Tours & Travel

Lowest fares available to Kathmandu. We also offer package tours to other parts of Nepal as well as to Tibet. -

Call us toll free: 1-866-802-6439. Email: [email protected] Website: www.onboardtour.com 159 West 33 St. Suite #706, New York, NY 10001 22 Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Sports dLl8of 6LdnfO{ j]e km'6ansf] pkfwL lxdfn dLl8ofsf] tGg]/L k|sfzg j]e df;Ls4f/f !) c;f/df cfof]lht j]e lss ckm sk km'6an 6'gf{df]06 sf] pkfwL ;+rf/sdL{x?sf] 6Ldn] lht]sf] 5 . g]kfnL ;+uLt / df]8nLª\ If]qsf ;]nLa|L6L / ;+rf/sdL{x?aLr bz/y /ª\zfnfsf] d}bfgdf ;DkGg v]ndf dLl8of 6Ldn] &–$ sf] 7'nf] cGt/n] ljhoL ePsf] 5 . ljhoL 6Ldsf tkm{af6 sflGtk'/ 6LeLsf] of]k]z k|wfgn] Xof6«Ls u/]sf lyP . eg] sflGtk'/ 6LeLs} ;f]gfd nfdf, g]kfn PkmPdsf pQd yfkf, d]/f] :kf]6{; 86sdsf kf;fª nfdf / ;'j]n e08f/Ln] !÷! uf]n u/L & uf]n k'¥ofPsf lyP . ;]nLa|L6L 6Ldsf tkm{af6 eg] ufos of]u]Zj/ cdfTon] @, ab|L k+u]gL / cf]h >]i7n] !÷! uf]n u/]sf lyP . k|ltof]lutfsf ljh]tf dLl8of 6LdnfO{ lxdfn va/klqsfsf ;Dkfbs /fh]Gb| bfxfnn] 6«kmL k|bfg ug'{ ePsf] lyof] . ;Dkfbs bfxfnn] /+uzfnfsf] d}bfgdf /]k|mLnfO{ an x:tfGt/0f u/L v]nsf] ;'ef/De ug'{ePsf] lyof] . jN8{ sk km'6jn @))^ sf] 3df;fg eO/x]sf] a]nf cfof]lht j]e lss ckm sk km'6an 6'gf{df]06 df g]kfnsf rlr{t df]8n, ufos–ufoLsf tyf ;+uLtsdL{x? / 5fkf tyf laB't dfWoddf sfof{/t kqsf/ u/L % bh{g eGbf a9Lsf] ;xefuLtf /x]sf] lyof] . ;]nLa|]6L 6Lddf of]u]Zj/ cdfTo / Above: Team Celebrity. Below: Team Media. Bottom: The winners of the game, Team Media. Anup Prakash (WAVE magazine's phootographer and the dLl8of 6Ldsf] g]t[Tj kmf]6f] kqsf/ cg'kk|sfzn] u/]sflyP . dLl8of 6Ldaf6 tournament's co-ordinator) is given the trophy by Rajendra Dahal, Himal Khabarpatrika's Editor. Photo: Anushil Shrestha. d}bfgdf plqPsL k'j{ dL; g]kfn tyf sflGtk'/ PkmPdsL Pª\s/ dfNeLsf ;'Aaf / ;]nLa|]6L 6Ldaf6 plqPsL uflosf sf]dn cf]nLn] d}bfg 6Ls]/ v]n k|b{zg u/]sf lyP . df]8nx? / lk|06 dLl8ofsf] Ps 6Ld / ;+uLtsdL{ / On]S6«f]lgS; dLl8ofsf] csf]{ 6Ld aLr ePsf] d}qLk'0f{ km'6an v]n dfofb]jL cgfyno, ?kGb]lxsf] ;xof]ufy{ cfof]hgf ul/Psf] xf] . km'6ankl5 !) c;f/ ;fF‰ x'g] u|f08 kf6L{ df ;]lna|Ll6h / dLl8ofsdL{;+u} ;j{;fwf/0f ;xefuL ePsflyP . kf6L{df /dfpb} ljZjsk km'6ansf] k|ToIf k|;f/0f ;d]t x]g{ sfo{qmd /x]sf] lyof] .

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2463 BROADWAY BETWEEN 92 ST & 93 ST NEW YORK, NY. PHONE: 212 873 1138 Nepali Aawaz | 13 Asad.2063 23 Sports 24 Nepali Aawaz | June 27.2006 Sports