#698 14 - 20 March 2014 20 pages Rs 50

TOH EE MING political score-keeping and the CART BEFORE THE HORSE immediate goals of sticking to the power than anything else. EDITORIAL CLEAR THE CLUTTER For a nation writing its PAGE 2 constitution, we don’t display our months after the technical expertise needed gridlocks have once more the level of enthusiasm or MISSING THE POINT elections, the committee in the CA to write a proper spread disillusionment and ambition to discuss larger issues BY RUBEENA MAHATO Fset up to draft rules of democratic constitution. hopelessness among the that will determine the socio- PAGE 4 the House is deadlocked and Because the parties are in the voters who showed up in political and economic direction its term has been extended habit of buying and selling CA large numbers last November of the country. If we need long- BELLY-GAZING twice. The next hurdle is the membership, this is expected to to elect this body. As always, term resolutions of problems nomination of the remaining delay things further. the leadership of this country plaguing us, we have to start BY SUNIR PANDEY 26 members to complement These prolonged is more concerned with here and now. PAGE 16 2 EDITORIAL 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 CART BEFORE THE HORSE t has become the hallmark of political horse- CA debates. As expected the parties were divided trading in Nepal that the protagonists put the according to perceived advantage certain rules would Icart before the horse. It happens over and over give them. The disagreement over the formation of again, just after the people have taken tremendous caucuses of women, Dalit or Janajati members is risks to reassert their trust in the democratic slightly less whimsical. Here, the NC and UML were polity in 1990, 2006, 2008 or 2013 the honourable on the same side and it was the UCPN (Maoist), members of the elected House proceed to fritter it Madhesi, and smaller parties who were for caucuses: all away. not for any grand ideological reason, but because cross- It is happening again. At a time when they party alliances would weaken the two main parties. should be working overtime to finish writing the The NC and UML were also in favour of parties being constitution in eight months time, ruling party’s allowed to issue whips to CA members to vote along CA members are taking to the streets to free cronies party lines. The UCPN (M), quite hypocritically, in the guise of ‘students’ who were caught red- said no whips because its members vote en masse handed with weapons in a taxi at 3am on the streets anyway. It has now been agreed that there will be of Kathmandu. provisions for neither caucuses nor whips in the When they should be debating state structure, House. type of government, election rules, justice for Needless to say, these prolonged and chronic wartime atrocities, and citizenship they waste three gridlocks have once more spread disillusionment weeks in haggling over who should take credit for and hopelessness among the voters who showed up promulgating the new constitution. Write the damn in large numbers last November to elect this body. thing first! There was much hope that Sushil Koirala was Because the last Constituent Assembly ran When they should be busy a behind-the-scenes consensus builder. He is aground largely as procedural issues weren’t sorted out supposed to be clean and has no hidden agenda besides beforehand, this time the parties in their wisdom decided drafting a constitution, honourable the protection of democracy. But three weeks after being that they should first agree on the rules. Oh boy, did they members wasted three weeks sworn in and one foreign junket later, the man is being underestimate their ability to find compromises. haggling over who should take defied by dissidents within his own party and openly Four months after elections, the committee set up credit for promulgating it disparaged by the UML and the opposition. to draft rules of the House was deadlocked and needed After the rules committee delay, the next hurdle is the to have its term extended twice. The most egregious nomination of the remaining 26 members to complement disagreement was between the NC and UML over who ‘upstairs’ for a political resolution and announced on the technical expertise needed in the CA to write a should formally authenticate the new constitution with Wednesday to allow the chair to certify the constitution, proper democratic constitution. Because the parties are the NC insisting that it is President Ram Baran Yadav’s job, while the president will make a public announcement in in the habit of buying and selling CA membership, this is while the UML wanted its very own House Chair Subhas this regard. expected to delay things further. Nembang to do it. It is hard to believe that this was such The stalemate in the rules drafting committee also It’s time the prime minister showed statesmanship, an intractable problem that it needed weeks and weeks to concerned whether or not cross-party caucuses can hitched the horse to the front of the cart, and started resolve. The committee finally decided to send the matter be formed and if party whips should take effect during cracking the whip.

DIWAKAR CHETTRI

ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com

NOT JUST HALF THE SKY individual level. First empower your the service sector are far better than and what more she is an Arab, which is perpetrators behind bars for crimes sisters and daughters and give them what is available in Nepal. Secondly, so inspiring. they committed during the war would The Nepali state has devised several the opportunity to excel. Never make there is a two way fl ow of women Oumaïma Gannouni not help anybody, not even Krishna’s methods to discriminate against them feel that their achievements and across the border for marriage and parents. The couple has infl icted women (Not just half the sky’, dreams are any less important than the demographic implications of Why use the term ‘lady’ enough pain on themselves. They Editorial, #697). Although acquiring those of your sons or brothers. If they providing equal rights in Nepal would excellencies? I didn’t realise that should break their fast and live the citizenship has always been a long grow up in a family where they realise be minimal. The concept of having to excellencies denoted the male gender remainder of their lives in peace. battle for children without fathers, women are only different but not inferior be interviewed by the CDO who has by default. Ram getting hold of birth certifi cates is to men, they’ll change the world in ways the sole right to decide whether to give Namah also becoming increasingly diffi cult we men can’t. citizenship is absurd, and perhaps How ironic; fi rst the writer says, for children who cannot submit their Ajit Jung Gurung emerges from the vestiges of a feudal CABIN 16-17 ‘In the end, it is the Nepali people father’s details. And it doesn’t end past, which allowed elites within the For the love of Pashupatinath, someone who should be up to the fi ght for there. Starting this year, children who MACHO NATIONALISM bureaucracy can use their personal please convince Nanda Prasad and justice’ and goads the 601 CA do not have birth registration may Mallika Aryal’s piece is a well argued power to control access to state Ganga Maya Adhikari to end their fast members into action. Then the very not be allowed to sit in district level case for issuing citizenship cards to resources. (‘From Cabin 16-17’, Kanak Mani Dixit, next paragraph he begs Western examinations in grade eight as well children who are born to a Nepali MS #697). I know they are sacrifi cing their embassies and aid agencies to arm as for their SLC. How much do we mother and foreign father (‘Macho own health so that their son’s murderers twist our leaders to begin the Truth mothers and our children have to pay nationalism’, #697). However, the  When the whole world is debating are punished, but if they pass away and Reconciliation mechanism. This for our fi ght for justice? arbitrary number of 4.3 million without dual-citizenship, Nepal is lagging so their pleas to know the truth will also die was a war we started, that we ended Deepti Gurung citizenship card is not sourced to any far behind that we still don’t believe alongside them. We need to keep the on our own, so justice too needs to data. It used to be the political slogan women are worthy of passing on their couple alive. come from within. It will take a long Let the next Nepali prime minister before the citizenship act was passed citizenship to their children. Mote time, but it needs to be Nepali-made. be a woman. All the men who came in 2006. Through that act, around 2.5 Sweta Renu Shrestha before Sushil Koirala were either million people received citizenship Very well-written article, I feel sad very corrupt, gutless or both, which cards, some of them not Nepali as well LADY EXCELLENCIES that Krishna Adhikari’s elderly mother is why Nepal is in such a sorry state. (which is another issue that I do not One of the reasons why these seven and father have had to take such a We should ask the Koiralas, Nepals, intend to argue here). And the estimate women have been appointed to head drastic step in their search for justice. Khanals, Dahals, and Bhattarais how is still 4.3 million people and counting. foreign missions in Nepal could be that What happened to the ‘right to live’? Weekly Internet Poll #698 they would feel if their children were Bijaya this country is not considered to be Sunaina Sharaf sold and forced into prostitution. For a very desirable location (‘Their lady Q. Which of the following will happen first?   20 years, in the name of democracy, Having worked in both Bihar and excellencies’, Ayesha Shakya, #697). Now that you have highlighted the Total votes: 581 Nepal has been raped by these evil the Tarai for years, I know that the The way to improve gender parity plight of the Adhikari couple, you should men in power. It’s time for them to fear of Indian men marrying Nepali within Nepal is for the civil service to not stop Mr Dixit. Please continue to go away. I wish all the women in the women for citizenship is completely set a minimum standard and employ write until justice is delivered. CA great success and I hope Onsari absurd and dates from a different era. 50 per cent men and 50 per cent Aakash Pandey Gharti Magar is elected the next PM. There is very little reason for Indian women? Narayana Prasad men to seek Nepali citizenship. Bihar’s Girish Kharel True justice for the murdered economy is growing rapidly, as are teenager Krishna and his family can The process of emancipating land prices, while job opportunities in  UNICEF’s country representative only be achieved by forgiving those Weekly Internet Poll # 699. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com women should begin from the Indian urban centres for the poor and in Hanaa Singer is a very classy woman who committed the crime. Putting Q. Will Nepal progress to the next round of the ICC T20 World Cup?

Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Editor: Trishna Rana | Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Editor: Bhrikuti Rai | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal santosha@himalmedia.com Nepali Times on Facebook Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 3 4 NATION 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698

patronage based system. The way our political parties have avoided going to local elections exposes their lack Missing the point of democratic values. When it is possible to circumvent the democratic process and When it is possible to circumvent the democratic still enjoy political power and process and still enjoy political power why would privilege, why would anyone want to be accountable? What anyone want to be accountable? is the incentive to deliver development, growth, and ur leaders wasted three good governance when those in months just to form a power can suck the country dry Ogovernment and spend without consequences? Why most of that time bargaining would politicians be bothered for the home ministry. They to perform if political office and were stuck for three weeks government formation depend over a superfluous debate on more on the appeasement of our who should promulgate the neighbour than voters? The irony constitution. is we are so used to the idea of We see a familiar pattern India micro-managing our affairs emerging. As always, the that it is not an issue anymore. leadership of this country There is absolutely no debate is more concerned with about what our foreign policy political score-keeping and the should be in the changed times. immediate goals of sticking to We are so engrossed in the power than anything else. humdrum of day-to-day politics and in the daily struggle to meet our basic needs these questions don’t occur to us anymore. For THIS IS IT a nation writing its constitution, Rubeena Mahato we don’t display the level of enthusiasm or ambition to Never mind that we are at a discuss larger issues that will critical point of nation-building determine the socio-political that requires a great deal of and economic direction of the commitment, long-term vision, country. If we need long-term and self-effacement on part TOH EE MING resolutions of problems plaguing of key political stakeholders. democracy to automatically and economic systems are institutions. us, this is where we have to start. Perhaps all that is too much usher in development and good acceptable. Some political Not having these debates in The only good thing about to expect from a political governance, forgetting that parties still see liberal the public sphere has let our living in challenging times is community whose survival democracy is not an irreversible democracy as a bourgeoisie political leadership get away perhaps everyone can play a role has always depended more on process and is prone to conspiracy and consider state- with many crimes. Political in making great changes. This appealing to the interests of rollbacks and failures if not capture as their ultimate goal. reporting and analysis in generation may feel burdened external forces than any popular nurtured and strengthened from There are forces that promise Nepal has not moved beyond with the legacy of problems endorsement from the inside. within. Of course the war did to deliver development and speculating over who is building it has inherited, but we also While the political parties are not help, but we might have stability in return for giving alliance with whom and who stand at a unique position to busy at their games, a vibrant avoided a lot of problems if up democratic freedoms. returned with what piece of contribute in the process of debate is raging in the national some questions were settled in Are we okay with the use of enlightened wisdom from the nation-building, define the basis media about why ‘development’ the crucial first few years after violence to attain political North or South. Newsrooms in of statehood, and while doing so has largely failed in Nepal and 1990. goals however grandiose or Nepal have a joke that one can avoid the mistakes that others what should be a workable A major source of benevolent they may be? publish the same piece of news have committed. In the closed model for us. instability is that even now Consolidated and functional from 10 years ago by changing political space of the moment, This discussion may be we are not reconciled with democracies have often a few names and people would there is not a lot we can do, but several decades too late, but some fundamental questions resolved these questions hardly notice. This is a state we can start by asking the right it is a good sign nonetheless. about how the country should and are only concerned that has effectively co-opted questions and picking the right A lot of us simply expected be run and what political with strengthening existing democracy into a clientelistic, fights. 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 BUSINESS 5

BIGGEST ASSET: Former chief BIZ BRIEFS economist at the International monetary Fund and professor of fi nance at the University of Chicago, Awarded Raghuram Rajan (right) was appointed Nepal Business Forum was awarded the global Howard Award for as the governor of the Reserve Bank of Outstanding Achievement in Public Private Dialogue India in September 2013. (PPD) at the 7th International Symposium on Public- Private Dialogue, held from 3-6 March, in Frankfurt, Germany. The award was presented to the Nepal delegation by Marita Brommelmeier, director of economic development and The appointment of Raghuram employment division, GIZ. Rajan as the governor of the Reserve Bank of India was a brilliant move. He exudes Free Hit cultural confidence. This was Him Electronics, authorised distributor of Samsung in the man who bravely stood Nepal, recently launched a scheme, ‘Free Hit’. As per up to all the heavyweight the scheme, customers will receive a scratch card on American economic gurus and purchase of selected Samsung series and win prizes according to the runs collected on the card. PTI told them that a major global crisis was about to unfold. Thirdly, India’s business barons need to drop their Soaring high Etihad Airways announced record fi nancial Yes Indians can ambivalence towards results for 2013, with net profi t up 48 per cent globalisation. This hesitancy to $62 million. “We have hit every fi nancial is understandable. On the target for each of the last seven years, KISHORE MAHBUBANI understood the meaning of one hand, they realise that bringing sustainable profi tability to a business this comprehensive global data they are globally competitive. which has grown from just $300 million in on the economic competitive Many Indian firms have revenues in 2005 to more than $6 billion t will come as a big shock abilities of Indians. If they succeeded globally, including today,” said James Hogan, President and to many Indians to learn did, India would become the Tata, Wipro, and Infosys. CEO of Etihad Airways. Ithat they are the world’s top champion of more rapid On the other hand, they are number one in the most globalisation. Instead, even reluctant to push the Indian important global competition though the evidence shows government to say ‘yes’ in Expanding on Qatar Airways Cargo will begin freighter in the world: the competition that Indians could benefit from WTO negotiations because services to Hyderabad (India) and London in economic performance. In globalisation’s acceleration, the they don’t want to give up Stansted (UK) and re-start services to Zaragoza (Spain). “Our goal is to be the United States, their per government continues to put their privileged access to the a world-class air cargo service provider and in order to achieve that goal, capita income now ranks as the its foot on the brakes whenever fast growing Indian consumer we need to constantly increase frequencies and expand our number of highest of any ethnic group: in globalisation is discussed. To market. They see no reason destinations,” said Qatar Airways Chief Offi cer Cargo Ulrich Ogiermann. 2010, Indians earned $37,931 reverse this disastrous pattern why they should share this annually, compared to a of self-destructive behaviour, huge market with others. national average of $26,708. Indian society should In adopting this ambivalent Band branders If India’s population of 1.2 immediately embrace three attitude, India’s business Kutumba has been appointed the brand ambassador for Incentive Group of billion could achieve only new attitudes. barons are sacrificing both Companies (IGC). “The band will be half of the per capita income Firstly, it should completely their own and India’s long- representing IGC’s of Indian immigrants in the change its mindset about the term interests in return for corporate identity United States, the country’s competitiveness of the Indian some short-term profits. and represent all the GDP today would be $24.65 economy. Instead of seeing The big question remains: companies under trillion instead of a relatively it as a weak and defenseless can Indian companies become it,” reads the press trifling $1.85 trillion, less than economy about to be ravaged as culturally confident release. Italy’s. India’s performance in by global competition if as Indians in America in the US arena is not exceptional trade and other barriers are competing on a globally level though. Wherever they go, they reduced, it should work on playing field? If so, they would have done well. the assumption that Indians in become the new champions However, the gap India, like Indians outside, will of globalisation that our world between India’s potential thrive when faced with open desperately needs. and its actual performance global competition. www.yaleglobal.yale.edu is huge, perhaps the biggest Secondly, India should of any country in the world. make greater use of one of its nepalitimes.com Sadly, few Indian leaders or richest natural resources: the Longer version policymakers seem to have successful Indian diaspora. 6 INTERVIEW 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 Seeking a revival

BIKRAM RAI

One of the first ministers to be inducted instance inflation is under control and out a positive message to investors that network, and electricity, agriculture in into Sushil Koirala’s cabinet, Ram tax revenues are satisfactory. However, all stakeholders are serious about growth. Nepal will undergo a major revolution. Sharan Mahat has emphasised the need investment in the manufacturing sector Just last month, Kathmandu hosted two Tourism is equally important for the to get the country’s economy on track by remains dismal. Manufacturing makes high-profile conferences: one on Business economy, but we need an international exploring potential in manufacturing, up only six per cent of the national GDP, Ethics for a Prosperous Nepal and the airport at Nijgadh and link it with the hydropower, agriculture, and tourism. down from 10 per cent. The development other a hydropower summit, which fast track. Many finance related bills are Nepali Times caught up with the of hydropower projects and transmission was attended by high level government still stuck in parliament. We just cannot finance minister to talk about the new lines has been painfully slow and we are and private sector officials from various complain about the lack of investment government’s top economic agenda. still living in darkness. countries, representatives of Asian when laws are not being formulated. Development Bank, and prospective Nepali Times: How does it feel returning What are your top priorities? investors. If we can maintain political Where do local elections stand on the as finance minster after six years? My first priority is to pass ordinances stability in the country, deliver on our priority list? Ram Sharan Mahat: This is my fifth in the parliament related to finance. commitments in time, and trim down on Local elections are a national stint at the Finance Ministry and I feel The reforms that happened in the 1990s bureaucratic red tape, large investments agenda and all political parties are like I am back home. I am well aware of need to be updated. The administration will soon start to pour in. committed to it. Polls are imperative to the challenges and responsibility that lie needs to be more efficient and achieve guarantee financial transparency and ahead. Nepal’s rulers have neglected the the targets it has set out for itself so that How much importance is the government accountability at the local level. economy for far too long and as a result, people there is good governance in the putting on hydropower? the economy is tottering precariously. country. Our priority is to complete all the How will Nepal progress from a least We need to inject new life into it. Despite projects and programs that lay stagnant. developing to a developing country these shortcomings, we are performing How will the new government ensure And it is not just hydro, agriculture also when the economic growth has stalled well on several financial indicators development and good governance? has immense potential. If the villages at below 4 per cent in the last decade? largely because of foreign remittance. For The newly elected government is sending are well connected with roads, irrigation The reason Nepal’s financial system is floundering in uncertainty is because we failed to focus on our economy. If we are willing to shift our focus, then economic expansion is possible in Nepal. Politically driven policies that don’t yield returns need to be discarded from the budget.

How can the government curb criminal activities that currently plague the transportation and medical industry and well as the private sector? These problems are a result of the lack of rule of law and a weak government. The state needs to reassert its authority to ensure the success of liberal economic system. I am committed to making the tax department more efficient and punishing those who evade taxes.

What about reforms within public institutions that are a burden to the state? We are planning to invite the private sector in our efforts to manage the now defunct public institutions. We paid millions of rupees to the employees of the Janakpur Cigarette Factory after it was shut. We want to initiate steps to restart Nepal Metal Company, Magnesite, Butwal Threads, Nepal Medicine Limited among others. Instead of being run by the state, these institutions need to function on a public-private partnership model. The last two westerly fronts that swept through Nepal have now rid themselves of most of their moisture. Which means that in the KATHMANDU coming weeks we will get more clouds, but no rain. Expect partly cloudy skies with snow in the mountains of western Nepal. Kathmandu Valley will continue to be plagued by smoggy mornings and minimum temperatures will still stay in the double digits.

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 22° 23° 22° #698 14 - 20 March 2014 11° 12° 13°

or a long time, the full moon day in the month of Fagun has been celebrated as the victory of good over evil, the beginning of spring, and a celebration of life. FThe Hindu scriptures, the Puranas, say that AYO Holika, a legendary demoness, was burnt to death on this day. Although she had this nifty power of being resistant to fire, she was burnt to death when she leapt into a pyre with Prahlad, her (pious) nephew who HOLI! refused to accept his father Hiranyakasyapa The festival of as the most powerful creature on earth. Other legends have the young Krishna colours is back, but playing pranks on Radha and her friends in the forests of Vrindaban during this the lolas can wait season; clearly the inspiration of wannabe Krishnas today, who see sexual harassment as justified by religion. In Northern India, Holi fires are lit on the eve of the festival. In Nepal, the chir pole is put up in Basantapur Darbar Square a week before Holi to be burnt symbolically. However, Fagu Purnima isn’t just about ushering spring, it commemorates a good harvest and the colours and water symbolise rebirth and rejuvenation. Here is a look at similar spring celebrations around the world where families and communities come together to cherish new beginnings: SAM KANG LI

THINGYAN, BURMA hingyan or the water festival marks Tthe Burmese New Year and is usually celebrated over four days. Historically, the date for Thingyan was calculated AU NATUREL following the traditional Burmese f your idea of fun on Fagu calendar, but today it is based on the IPurnima is smearing everyone Gregorian calendar. Water cannons and in sight with colour and hitting hoses fill the streets of Rangoon, the them with those lethal little capital, during the festival. Thingyan water balloons, think again. celebration is similar to Songkran in Lab tests on two of the most Thailand, Pi Mao Lo in Laos, and Chaul common colours, abir (red and Chnam Thmey in Cambodia. yellow) reveal high percentages of toxic heavy metals like chromium, cadmium, lead, nickel, and even traces of mercury. Some of these can leave HOLLA MOHALLA, permanent harmful traces in the body if inhaled or ingested, PUNJAB (INDIA) others cause skin irritation and eye infections. Try out these DIY ne day after the Hindu tricks and keep your skin and NOWRUZ, IRAN Ofestival of Holi, another eyes happy and healthy. owruz, which means ‘new day’ in big spring celebration takes NPersian, marks the Iranian New Year. place across the northwestern Make a paste from these ingredients With its roots in Zoroastrianism, the state of Punjab: Holla Mohalla. and mix them with gramfl our (besan) for volume: festival is celebrated across Central Asia During this three-day Sikh  For yellow – marigold, and in parts of Syria, north-western China, festival, people showcase chrysanthemums, turmeric powder and Albania and marks the first day of their martial art skills in  For red - rose, hibiscus, tomato, spring. Celebrations include a traditional mock fights and the art of fire beetroot spring cleaning and the Wednesday Suri, breathing. The festival is also  For green – henna, spinach, dried leaves of Royal Poinciana the festival of fire in which participants a time when followers reaffirm (gulmohar) jump over bonfires to symbolise the their devotion to Khalsa Panth  For brown - boiled tea leaves triumph of light (the good) over darkness (the worldwide community of (the bad). Sikhs). 8

15 March, 1 to 5pm, Hyatt Regency, EVENTS Boudha DINING GETAWAYS Karmic Vibes, get great discounts Waterfront Resort, head to this eco- on drinks and products, with live jazz friendly resort to make your stay right music, pizza feast, and a kids' corner. in front of Phewa Lake. 15 March, 12 to 5pm, Moksh, Sedi Height, Pokhara, Jhamsikhel (61)466 303/304, 9801166311, [email protected] Haat bazar, a chance to buy from, sell to, and meet everyone in the Barahi Jungle Lodge, the fi rst eco- agro-industry. jungle lodge of Chitwan directly Runs till 15 March, 11am to 7pm, overlooks the Chitwan National Nepal Art Council Park, spa, boutique guest room, STARRY NIGHT BBQ , dine fi ne individual and two-in –one private Howzzat!, four days of insane STREET ART AT TINGS, catch with Ciney Gurung singing for you. villas, including a suite with a private THE RIGHT cricketing. Imagine Nation artist Sneha Shrestha Rs 1,499, every Friday, 7pm onwards, swimming pool. Andrauli, West 14 to 15 March, 21 to 22 March, as she gets featured as the Nepali Shambala Garden Cafe, Chitwan, www.barahijunglelodge.com NOTE solo artist. Riverside Springs Resort, Kurintar Hotel Shangri-La, (01)4412999 14 March, 6 to 8pm, Tings Tea or connoisseurs of all ages and Lounge, Lajimpat Open house, Docskool will hold Délices de France, taste a piece of Fpersuasion, Kathmandu Jazz the second Nepal Cine Symposium France in the heart of Kathmandu. Conservatory presents a free music 100 years, an exhibition highlighting later in 2014 and invite you to a Thamel education programme. heroines and milestones on the path series of discussions, presentations, to equality between women and men installations, and interaction with Falcha, give yourself away to the MASTERCLASSES & everyone of substance in the in Finland, the 20th century's world twin pleasures of lemon jeera chicken BALTHALI VILLAGE RESORT, a WORKSHOPS, James Miley and emerging Nepali fi lm industry. leader in women’s rights. and mutton handi kabab. Jhamsikhel, small, cosy retreat with a bird’s eye team from Williamette University, Runs till 17 March, Teku Runs till 15 March, Siddartha Art Lalitpur view of green terrace fi elds dotted USA, will tutor students on Gallery, Babarmahal with ochre painted houses. guitar, piano, bass, drums, wind Film Lab, learn fi lm history, Le Sherpa, past the dustbowl chaos Balthali, Kavre, 9851075818 instruments, and improvisation. Sustain KTM, a series storytelling, scriptwriting, on the road outside is culinary 24 to 28 March, 2014, 8am to 9pm of photographic cinematography, paradise. Panipokhari, Lajimpat narratives on how we editing, project handling MUSIC TEACHERS TRAINING, are coping with our and network with Club Amsterdam and Café Bar, Mike Nord, music educator at growing city. professionals. great food, exotic cocktails, live band, Williamette University, will show how Runs till 30 March, 11am 12 April to 15 May, BBQ, and more. Lakeside, Pokhara, teachers can give their best to young to 7pm, except Tuesdays, register at (01)4251335 (061)463427 students. Nepal Art Council, 25 to 28 March, 8am to 9pm Babarmahal CRAFTED IN NEPAL, Wunjala Moskva, treat your palette attend the 6th to Newari and Russian dishes in the FUSION BEAT, a concert where Dharma and Handicraft Buyer lush garden with ancient trees and east meets west. the academy, a Seller Meet 2014, and trickling streams. Naxal, (01)4415236 ATITHI RESORT, a perfect place to 28 March, Patan Darbar Square, symposium on meet the artists who stay, nearby pool, massage, sauna, free entrance. critical reasoning make them. 21 to 25 Hotel Shangri-La, delicious Nepali and delicious food of your choice. about faith, doctrine, March, talk program on cuisine with traditional cultural show. Shantipatan, Lakeside, Pokhara. Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, and practice within 22 March, 10am to 5pm, Rs 999, every Thursday, 7pm onwards, (061)466760 /400207, (01)5013554, [email protected], the Buddhist faith. Patan Museum, Patan (01)4412999 [email protected] www.katjazz.com.np 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 9 HOLI DAY The festival of colours and water balloons is upon you, celebrate it with friends at these events

On the terraces he ongoing Climage+Change 20 March, screening of Erin Texhibition brings exciting Brockovich, a 2000 biographical ROCK, RIDE, RUN programmes this week: fi lm by Steven Soderbergh, on the real-life Brockovich who fought oin professional and amateur mini zip-line, rappelling, mud run, 14 March, Haat bazar talks, experts, against the energy corporation Joutdoor athletes from Nepal and an auto expo. entrepreneurs, and students will Pacifi c Gas and Electric Company. and around the world to hit the Plenty of music, food, and present on farming practices. 3 to 5pm 5.30 to 7pm mountains. Run, climb, or bike booze to keep you busy as well as through trails, rocks and downhill gear and cycle stalls to tease your 15 March, children will learn from Climate+Change slopes. restraint. artist Sunita Maharjan on how to Runs till 11 April, closed on If that isn’t enough, you can take Tomatina, celebrate Holi with create fi sh from recycled material and Tuesdays, Nepal Art Council, part in dyno competitions, slack- Himalayan outdoor festival 21 March, install them in aquariums and rivers Babarmahal tomatoes instead of water balloons, lines, ice-axe pull-ups, fl ying fox, Hattiban Resort, Pharping rain dance, food festival, live music, created by Sheelasha Rajbhandari and 9849519933, matka breaking, and plenty more Hit Man Gurung. 12 to 2pm [email protected] stuff . 16 March, 10am, Swimming Pool Complex, Satdobato, 9843008833, brigadier general Lalita Joshi talk on 9851146713, 9841186840 WOMEN MONTH challenges to women in the state's artin Chautari brings you security apparatus. 3pm M&S Holi party, soccer splash, Mwomen-themed discussions colorful foams, and two separate throughout March: 20 MARCH, Laxmi Ghalan, Durgha music stages. Thapa, and Manjila Chaudhari talk 16 March, Imperial Court, Sanepa 18 MARCH, former police SP on sexual minorities in the ongoing Rang, party with DJ Orawan and MC Parbati Thapa and former army social change. 3pm Essence on Holi. Rs 500, 16 March, 6pm onwards, 23 MARCH, Seika Sato, PhD, talks Embassy Restaurant about challenges faced by women outside their home in gender Electric Holi, DJ Kranti, DJ Vibe, and exclusionary places in Kathmandu. DJ Sabir will be spinning the craziest 3pm tunes for you on Holi. Rs 500, 16 March, 10am, Electric Martin Chautari, Thapthali, Pagoda, Thamel (01)4238050, [email protected] 10

NEW DISH No pampering service but the best momos ew Dish (ND) has the most basic décor. It serves no Ntea or coffee, and lingering long after one's meal is frowned upon. Also, there are only 14 tables and there is always a rush. It's not the most conducive environment to have a heart-to-heart but you don’t go to ND for long conversations. You go there to eat, eat good food quickly and leave. With just about twenty items, your choice is limited: soup, momos, fried rice, noodles, a few well- loved Nepali snacks and not much else. But momos are what ND is famous for and what great momos they are.

Best dish Pork Momo Meal for one Rs 350 In New Road, enter the road leading to Khichapokhari and look out for a little Shiva Linga. In front of it is a little dark entrance, the shops surrounding it sell musical instruments and cheap lingerie. Enter, walk up BARG the flight of stairs and you are there.

KOREAN KITCHEN PICNIC Japanese style lunchboxes with Korean flavour Among the Korean options in Thamel, BIT Korean Kitchen Picnic is the cheapest From steaming plates of m but least Korean. No tabletop grills for kalbi cooking action in either one of its bento boxes, you don’t ne oddly separated dining areas; no spicy, pickled napa cabbage (a standard kimchi) eat your way around th so essential to Korean cuisine. Instead this decade-old establishment once run Here are Nepali Ti by Korean expats, offers an extensive catalog of traditional Korean intermixed places und with mock bentos (Japanese lunch sets). Offerings include a bento box of CAFÉ HESSED rather than exceptional, which probably suits cupcakes barbecue pork or beef, pork cutlet, fried Stop your calorie count once you enter and doughnuts just fine. Along with the sugar-filled fish or chicken, or hamburger steak. Each For those accustomed to our chiya pasal ko goodies, the café also whips up intriguing drinks from set comes with an assortment of freshly doughnuts, Hessed is a revelation. Take your pick green tea lattes to more safe choices. Hessed is ideal for cooked sides. from rows upon rows of doughnuts glazed with coffee dates, or simply to bring your laptop and work dark and white chocolate (with multi-coloured without the distraction of restobar tastes in music. Best dish Pork BBQ sprinkes), doughnuts armed with choco-chips, Meal for one Rs 500 strawberry jam-filled doughnuts, and more. Best dish Blueberry filled doughnuts Off a tangent on the northern side of Prices are reasonable too, at Rs 60-70 per piece, Meal for one 300 Tridevi Marg opposite the taxi train, compared to other ‘fancy’ coffeeshops about town. Towards the near end of Jhamel’s Restaurant Lane, closed every 25th of the month. Most of what’s at Hessed is consistently good on the right before New Orleans, 5530993

LE TRIO RESTAURANT AND BAR The experience of eating momos JAPANESE NOODLE K in a Parisian café With love from Japan Le Trio is one of the inexpensive Japanese Noodle Kitchen may not places to eat in an otherwise of places: at the Dhobighat stretch expensive street. The vintage-esque cacophony, dust and debris. But it posters that line the walls, silver neighbourhood not known for hig gilt-edged clock, and rustic wooden offers a fresh, fast, uncomplicated tables all give the impression an affordable price. The focus, as that you’ve stepped out of noisy whether in ‘dry’, curried dishes, or Kathmandu into a 1960s Parisian bowls of broth. All noodles come w café but the menu is very much of condiments (powdered and pick local in its taste. The restaurant spice things up a little. is known for serving the best jhol THE VILLAGE CAFÉ momos and boy, are they good. Home-cooked Newari goodness Best dish Chicken Curry noodles Drenched in a large, piping hot YAK RESTAURANT With its home-made quality food and Dusty and grimy tables Meal for one 400 bowl of achaar (tomato sauce), the affordable prices, The Village Cafe is offering the best Chinese Coming from Jawalakhel, turn righ thinly skinned momos remind us an ideal place for lunch and dinner. At Rs 20 a pop for a bowl of rice and Rs and you’ll find Japanese Noodle K once again why this simple dish is Started by Sabah Nepal, (SAARC 10 for a tingmo, a visit to Yak may feel Grill and Kwality Food Café. a national staple. Administration Business Association of like travelling back in time. This tiny hole Home Based Workers), the cafe employs in the wall serves the best Chinese food Best dish: Jhol Momo around 30 women. The women use to be had this side of the border at the Meal for one Rs 400 their indigenous culinary knowledge most reasonable prices. A good old plate Towards the near end of to whip up tasty Newari dishes seven of mala tofu costs Rs 130, the chicken Jhamsikhel's Restaurant Lane, days a week. Besides Newari favourites with fungus Rs 240, fried white find Rs opposite to New Orleans and next ala Bara, Choyela, you have to try their 170 and chicken fried rice Rs 120. No to Singma Food Court. famous Cheese balls (only Rs 90). The chop suey drowning in tomato ketchup dining area is located in the open, with or chili-this-and-that which make up most large umbrellas to provide shade. The menus at so-called ‘Chinese’ restaurants. best part about eating here: you’ll leave Go in only if you are ready to overlook with a content tummy and happy heart the dirt and grime for the pleasure knowing that your meal (in a small way) of digging into bowls of gastronomic is helping disadvantaged women. delights.

Best dish Khuwa Yamari (Rs 35) Best dish Spicy pork Meal for one Rs 400 Meal for one Rs 400 From the Ashok Stupa alongside Walk clockwise around the Bouddhanath Pulchok Road, follow the road north Stupa until you see an alley beside a past the Ncell telecom building and huge gumba. Walk through the alley pass look out for the Village Café’s sign on the street-side shops until you see Yak the left. Restaurant on your right. 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 11

THAKKHOLA THAKALI CUISINE Fill your belly with the best Thakali in area Situated at the end of the cluster of up-market restaurants in Jhamsikhel, Thakkhola Thakali Cuisine (TTC) has carved a niche among scores of other eateries offering Chinese, Indian, and continental varieties. TTC skips the MSG-enhanced fare dished out by many and specialises in Nepali food of the Thakali kind. Both squat-down and table-chair seating options are available. Start with Alu Anda Timmur (eggs and potato fried in Szechwan pepper), sukuti fry with timmur ko chop (deep fried, dried mutton served with Szechwan pepper powder), and then move on to the choice dish: the rice set. Don’t forget to try a glass of chhyang, the fresh rice brew here is thicker than usual, a scent of cardamom and there a hint of cinnamon.

Best dish Dhido set Meal for one Rs 400 Turn right from the fire brigade bus stop in Pulchok and head towards GAIN Dhobighat. Turn left at the second four-way crossroad and TTC is on the other side of the road.

NOYOZ Taste from the east This tiny little joint in Bhatbhateni serves TES momos, aludum, meat and more meat, and they all taste like your mother’s momos to Japanese-style home-cooked dishes. Originally from eed to spend a fortune to Dharan, Barsha Limbu, the proprietor and chef, learned cooking from her mother, he world in Kathmandu. grandmother, and her many aunts and she tries to emulate their style in her imes' top picks for own kitchen by serving up nutritious, hearty, and wholesome meals with a CRAZY BURGER der Rs 500 special astern touch. Sargemba (Rs 150), Juicy, meaty, filling burgers the Limbu version of blood sausage is HONACHA Crazy Burger is one of those places that Aila and choyela go hand in hand offers pretty decent fare at affordable If you’ve ever set on a quest to find the best Newari prices. We satisfied our burger cravings food in town, you’ll have surely heard of Honacha. with the fish burger ( Rs185). Though This Newari bhatti situated right behind the majestic sliced a little too thinly, the fried fish edifice of Krishna Mandir in the heart of Patan Durbar fillet packs a punch. Enveloping the fish Square has been serving the hungry and the thirsty is chewy and warm bread. Altogether, the for decades. The menu has remained the same and so burger feels like a healthy choice, and the has the setting. A full meal with cold drinks for four portion is just enough to fill your tummy. sets your wallet back by a mere Rs 500. If you want Its other burgers sound equally promising, to breathe in the multiple flavours of the common like its chicken tikka, big ham, and spicy men and women of the country, there is no better chicken burger. If you’re in the mood place than Honacha. But if you are one of the delicate for something adventurous, you can opt ones, take home some baras, switch on your favourite for the ostrich grilled burger (330 Rs). truly delicious so is their Dharane style Besides fast-food, Crazy Food is also well- channel, and enjoy them with apéritifs in the comfort pork momos (Rs 95). In a relatively short of your home. known for its western dishes like pastas, time, Noyoz has become extremely milkshakes and pizzas. popular among nomadic writers, artists, Best dish Keema Bara and musicians from east Nepal and it Meal for one Rs 200 Best dish: Fish Burger has taken on the air of an ‘intellectual Meal for one: Rs 200 Honacha is located rigth behind Krishna Mandir at adda’. They congregate here to talk about Patan Darbar Square. From Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel, ITCHEN all things Nepal while eating bona fide walk straight, when you reach a curve look purveli meals, just like back home. on your right. be located in the most ideal h of Ring Road, all chaos and Best dish Aludum with roti (Rs 100) t’s a welcome surprise in a Meal for one Rs 300 gh-quality, low-cost food. JNK Noyoz is smack opposite the Chinese d Japanese dining experience at Embassy’s gate in Bhatbhateni. the name suggests is, on noodles, r by adding substance to steaming with a side of kimchi and a range kled chili, soy sauce, and others) to SANDWICH POINT Skip small, opt for extra-large at this sandwich bar Often the last-stop for hungry party-goers, Sandwich Point in Thamel is as busy ht onto Ring Road at Nakhu Dobato during the day as it is post-midnight. The itchen wedged between On the CHIKUSA CAFÉ tiny sandwich bar offers a wide range of A lot goes down at the back of the café sandwiches including chicken bbq, tuna, The former Japanese café, established in 1998, ham and cheese, smoked salami, and even specialises in ‘real coffee’, breakfast items and pressed ALMAYA FRIED HOUSE THE CHIPS FACTORY sandwiches—all made to order behind a narrow, 18 minutes of wait equals to half an hour Fresh, fried, homemade chips diner-like bar straight out of an Edward of deep fried pleasure Serving over 15 different flavours, Hopper painting. Bottles of American maple Move over KFC, Almaya Fried House is here ranging from the conventional syrup and extra-large ‘Super Dad’ mugs to claim its rightful place as the choice (tomato, chilli, cheese) to the exotic that line the shelves yield a homespun fried chicken joint in Kathmandu. At (pineapple, banana, and mango) this charm. Every plate, prepared in plain sight, Almaya’s fried chickens are served in kilos. no-name chips shop at Pimbahal, is just plain good. No green eggs and ham, A kg (Rs 760) is enough to feed a hungry Patan is a well-kept local secret. the ham and eggs (as you like it) are a savory side group of three and served piping hot with The chips made at the owner’s that compliments any of the sweet, back-menu treats, a delectable tangy sauce. Besides this house are fresh and crunchy to the including crepes, waffles and real flapjack pancakes chocolate in three different sizes. A wallet southern comfort, this hidden gem also bite. The friendly owner even lets topped with sliced bananas and syrup. The only friendly price and consistent taste has offers more exotic Newari offerings like you mix the different flavours at no drawback is that substitutes can’t be made for items loyals fighting for space everyday of the fried tongue, liver, and lungs. So dig into extra cost. Rs 100 gets you a bag of in the fixed breakfast sets (Chikusa and English), and week so beware. SP recently branched into oily goodness. chips that is enough to be shared by sides like baked beans and sausages can’t be ordered Lalitpur with the opening of an outlet in four people. Next time you throw a separately. Jhamsikhel. Best dish Fried Spicy Chicken party, you know where to get a bag or 1kg Chicken Spicy Rs 700 four. Best dish Banana pancakes Best dish: Chicken BBQ sandwich From the Gwarko Bus Stop at Ring Road, Meal for one 400 Meal for one: Rs 135 head north-west for about 300m. Almaya Best chips Tomato flavour Chips Jog south from the Moroccan Consulate in Thamel and From Himalayan Java, walk to the second Fried House is located after the second One bag starts from Rs 20 look for “Real Coffee!” under the Lhasa Guesthouse. intersection of Thamel, and turn left. junction. 12

he epically strange and film, which seems – once it oddly beautiful Tilda has ended – more of a wish TSwinton and the chiseled, ONLY fulfillment on the part of Byronically good looking Tom Jarmusch (albeit a sublimely Hiddleston are perfectly cast in Jim gorgeous one) than a proper Jarmusch’s latest indie concoction LOVERS film as convention would Only Lovers Left Alive. The love have it. That being said, story portrays the relationship most of Jarmusch’s films are between Adam (Hiddleston) and LEFT similarly meandering in their Eve (Swinton), two millennia old whimsy, sometimes almost vampires who drift world wearily incomprehensible in terms of through their existence with ALIVE dialogue and always filled with languid elegance, anchored only by the most eclectic and marvelous their fortuitous connection (call it music. In that particular way love if you will) with each other. this brilliantly atmospheric film is no different – taking us out of our rather banal ordinary lives and into the richness MUST SEE of a cinematic world where HAPPENINGS Sophia Pande Christopher (Kit) Marlowe (played by the wonderful John This addition to the now Hurt) is a vampire too, living ubiquitous canon of vampire lore in Tangier, writing prose that is an entirely different animal surpasses Shakespeare and from Twilight or any of the other stroking Tilda Swinton’s blonde teen romance nonsense though. mane as he talks to her about If anything, Jarmusch, a deeply arcane philosophy. erudite, highly experimental There is a story of sorts filmmaker is more interested in the in Only Lovers Left Alive – but premise of love evolving over eons the real reason to watch this and battling the ennui of living film is to immerse oneself in a forever – hence the handy trick world alive with romance and of having his two protagonists the subterfuge of a potential possibility, where beautiful be blood drinking beings with art project to hide his recurring age old beings drift about attractively pointy teeth. suicidal thoughts. dancing to rock music, with NIMESH RAI Hiddleston’s tortured Adam Luckily, Eve reaches out to their sunglasses on as they UNDER CONTROL: Fire fighters try to douse the fire that erupted in a squatter lives in a romantically desolate and him just in time from her abode reminisce about Tesla, Einstein settlement at Sinamangal on Sunday. beaten up Detroit, surrounded by in Tangier. Realising that all is not and Schubert. Does this sound cassettes of his music, his antique well with her immortal beloved, insufferably arty to you? It isn’t, guitars, and a reliable source of she flies through the night to mainly because of the brilliant pure O negative from the local be with him in his desolation, casting and Jarmusch’s unerring corrupt doctor. Disgusted by cheering him up with her ethereal sensibility. humanity (whom he rather meanly beauty and her graceful acceptance calls ‘zombies’) Hiddleston asks of what they are. his local fixer Ian (the always Watching these two lovers nepalitimes.com endearing Anton Yelchin) to find together is one of the great Watch trailer him a wooden bullet – using pleasures of this very particular

NEPAL ARMY GOOD LUCK: Chief of Army General Gaurav Shamsher Rana bids farewell to the peacekeeping force leaving for Lebanon and Syria on Tuesday at Panchkhal, Kavre.

GAGANSHILA KHADKA ROCKSTARS: Artists take part in Women In Concert to celebrate International Women’s Day at Lainchaur on Saturday.

RSS ACTION: A Nepali film crew shoots at Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve in Kanchanpur on Wednesday. 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 13

on the Indian border to scare the Gandhi government and illegally (the US government had voted against this) supplied weapons to the Pakistani military. When the tragic A forgotten genocide slaughter of Hindu Bengalis took place in East Pakistan, it was clearly with the help of n his new book, The Blood Telegram: military rulers at that time. But the president America’s devastating firepower. Nixon, Kissinger, and a Forgotten and his right hand man obviously chose to As a result of this genocide (a tragedy IGenocide, Gary J. Bass, recounts an ignore these warnings. In fact the tapes make apparently bloodier than Bosnia), about 10 incident where former secretary of state it clear that they stood staunchly behind million refugees poured into the Indian state Henry Kissinger is correcting US President Pakistani President General Yahya Khan and of West Bengal. The Indian government was Richard Nixon as he repeatedly refers to the his men. at its wits end trying to control the unfolding then East Pakistani leader Sheikh Mujibur Nixon was genuinely fond of Khan calamity. Much to India’s credit, it did not Rahman as Mujo, not Mujib. Many Nepalis and harboured a deep seated antipathy close its borders to the Bengali Hindus who may find this anecdote hilarious if not for the towards Indian Prime Minister, Indira were fleeing their own country from the deadly atrocities that were being committed Gandhi, who was behind Bangladesh’s marauding Pakistani soldiers. Finally with in present-day Bangladesh with tacit approval struggle for independence. This, however, the intervention of the Indian army and the of two of the most powerful men. was only part of the reason for America’s Bangladeshi liberation fighters (at times the While the Watergate revelations have support. International geopolitics also latter group sought their own cruel justice caught the global public’s imagination for REVIEW played a decisive role. against the Pakistani soldiers), Dhaka fell in decades, Nixon and Kissinger’s support of Kissinger and Nixon were secretly the winter of 1971 and a new country was West Pakistan’s military dictatorship in East trying to establish a historic meeting of US born. Pakistan and subsequent brutalities are not and China, which would bolster Nixon’s What comes across very strongly time as well-known. Bass effectively mines the approval rating. The go-between man who and again in The Blood Telegram is that heretofore unexploited portions of the Oval would help arrange this meeting was none Nixon and Kissinger were driven to do what Office tapes that Nixon secretly recorded other than General Khan. Anything else that they did not just by Cold War realpolitik, but The Blood Telegram: Nixon, in 1971, to divulge the dirty secrets of Kissinger, and a Forgotten Genocide came in the way (like East Pakistan’s seething a bitter personal dislike for Indira Gandhi Bangladesh’s liberation war. By Gary J Bass discontent after the army quashed the and India. And not unsurprisingly both men Nixon and Kissinger were told in no Knopf 2013 results of the historic 1970 elections) had to gloss over this important ‘game- changing’ uncertain terms by their diplomats (chiefly Price $30 (hardcover) be shoved aside for a greater cause. tragedy in South Asia in the several books Archer Blood in Dhaka, hence the title Blood 528 pages Amazingly, Nixon and Kissinger also that they would go on to pen. Telegram) of a potential genocide by Pakistani secretly encouraged China to amass troops Buddha Basnyat

(Rs210) a good old paneer curry. We ended our meal with the double ka meetha (Rs 160) - a sticky sweet bread pudding with what tasted like gajar ka halwa. After the meal that we’d had, the dessert was more than we were expecting. Or maybe we had just decided to be extremely forgiving by this point. When new restaurants, offering a specific cuisine not available at every other place in Kathmandu, open up, my initial reaction is glee, only to be let down on sampling their fares. And that is the problem with Hyderabad House. It’s a crying shame, for Kathmandu needs a really good Indian restaurant that is not ensconced in HYDERABAD a five star hotel. Ruby Tuesday

How to get there: Hyderabad HOUSE House is opposite Bhatbhateni Supermarket in Tangal, in the had been waiting with bated Though the entrance is promise a legacy of delicious meat much better being dry and just same building as Anmol Sweets. breath for Indian restaurant unobtrusive, the owners have marinated in exotic spices and generally lackluster. Ichain, Hyderabad House, to tried to imbue the restaurant slow cooked over a hot tandoor. The description on the menu open right next doors in Tangal. with some old-world charm by And that in a nutshell is the sold us on the gosht dumphukh An ardent lover of biryani, just the hanging pictures of the Nizams of problem with romanticism; for biryani (Rs 686), is described as signboard announcing ‘opening faded sepia prints of Hyderabad, reality always pales in comparison. a traditional biryani with choice soon’ had been tantalising me for in its days of yore, on the walls The chicken 65 (Rs 373) that tender pieces of mutton with months. Adding to my anticipation of the staircase leading to the the waiter assured us was their basmati rice and a ‘potpourri of was the fact that this restaurant main dining area. But the décor specialty starter was nothing traditional Hyderabadi spices’. chain has been around since is mostly nondescript and comes more than chicken chili with curry What was served to us was cold 1975 and has franchises around right out the cookie- cutter mould leaves a strange amalgamation of and oily and not particularly tasty. the world, and now finally was of most Indian restaurants, along two divergent cuisines that didn’t The accompanying raita and the opening an outlet in Kathmandu. I with the de rigueur maroon really gel well. While the meat on mirchi ka salan were tastier than walked in with high expectations, upholstered chairs. its own without the dousing of what for this restaurant is its only to have the old adage proved The menu is impressive to masala would have been passable, signature dish. true - expect in haste only to say the least with offerings of the combination just makes for a The saving grace of our meal repent in leisure (or words to that goshts and luqmis and haleems; strange combination. The mutton was the roomali roti (Rs 51 per effect). melt-in-the-mouth delicacies that sheek kebab (Rs 592) didn’t fare piece) and the talahua paneer, 14 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698

GIZMO by YANTRICK Killer climbs Drop by drop he impending summer brings with it the constant need to keep hydrated and to help you beat the heat in style, Indian water Tpurifier giants Kent has introduced four new water purifiers. Maintaining its reputation of providing safe drinking water solutions at affordable prices, Kent sets a new bar with its gravity-based ‘Gold’ range: Plus, Optima, Cool, and Crystal. The four water purifiers all function with the state-of-the-art UF (Ultra Filtration) technology at their core. UF technology is known to destroy close to 100 per cent of harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria and cysts from tap water, apart from other impurities like dust, sand, chlorine, etc without the need of any chemicals. Each Kent water purifier is equipped with a UF membrane, which in combination with fine nylon filters, effectively remove dust and sand particles as well as organic impurities and dissolved gases in water, ultimately magine you are a mountain range in the world. For example, are not trained medics, resulting in odour-free, great tasting water. A UF membrane is capable guide on an Everest expedition the probability of suffering from perhaps an exception needs of filtering up to 4,000 litres of water before it needs replacing. Iand are attacked by a client HACE at Mount Rainier (4,392m) to be made because finding a The new models are neither with an ice axe at 7,000m. If this in Washington State, USA is doctor at 7,000m to administer electricity-dependant, nor do they were a dream you would wake much lower than in the 8,000m dexamethasone is extremely use chemicals such as chlorine, up in cold sweat. Yet in almost Himalayan peaks. unlikely. Besides, the risk-benefit bromine or iodine for purification, every season, an encounter of this Now that climbing season analysis tilts clearly in favour thereby making water extremely nature is not uncommon in the is almost here, it is relevant to of giving the drug: the medicine safe, healthy, and convenient for high Himalayas. discuss ways in which guides works within hours, has very consumption. The quality and purity can help climbers at these very little side-effects, and usually of water produced by the gravity- high altitudes. Nepali guides are one dose is enough. Having a based purifiers are guaranteed to well-trained in many aspects of properly trained guide could, be clean and safe, as certified by mountain climbing, but knowledge therefore, mean the difference the Gold Seal awarded by the Water DHANVANTARI about life-saving drugs is between life and death for the Quality Association (WQA), USA, one Buddha Basnyat, MD unfortunately amiss. climber. of the most recognised certifications Acetazolamide (Diamox) is a But administering in the drinking water treatment As mountaineers ascend familiar drug which prevents and dexamethasone orally to a industry. tall peaks, altitude sickness treats acute mountain sickness, the patient who is trying to kill you Of the four water purifiers, Gold especially in its life-threatening harbinger of the more dangerous with an axe due to temporary Plus (Rs 4,790) is a tabletop purifier forms like high altitude cerebral forms (HACE and HAPE) of altitude derangement caused by high that can hold up to 20 litres (10 litres edema (HACE) and high altitude sickness. But another lesser-known altitude hypoxia, might not of purified water). Gold Optima (Rs pulmonary edema (HACE) can drug, dexamethasone, can be far be possible. It will need to be 3,390) is another tabletop purifier affect climbers. Excessive brain more useful in life-threatening injected into the muscle or vein. with a capacity of 10 litres (five litres of purified water), suitable for swelling at altitude or HACE situations. The hardest part for the guide small families. Gold Cool (Rs 6,690), with a capacity of 17 litres (nine may lead to psychosis, violent Dexamethasone very effectively will, therefore, be to administer litres of purified water), features a thermally-insulated designed, behaviour, and eventual death decreases swelling of the brain and the injection to the sick climber. which keeps water chilled for more than eight hours, ideal for when due to cold exposure or accidental treats symptoms like psychosis, Life-threatening illnesses at the mercury crosses 30 degrees. falls. which can potentially help the high altitude are best prevented. Kent’s Crystal water purifier can be placed directly on top of water The Himalayan range, which climber cooperate in his own But in reality, our mountain dispensers, an ideal replacement for those cumbersome 20 litre jars. includes 14 peaks above 8,000m, rescue. Unlike drugs like penicillin, guides will be faced with these The crystal can hold up to 13 litres of purified water. All four purifiers is unique in that it begins where this corticosteroid (different problems and will need the skills are constructed of non-breakable food-grade plastic which ensures the European Alps reach the from the kind that the infamous and knowledge to deal with them. higher durability and long life. highest point (about 4,000m). Tour de France cyclist Lance Hence proper, conscientious Yantick’s Verdict: Reasonably priced, non-electric, chemical free, Clearly, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) Armstrong consistently took to training in administering this and easy to install, Kent’s range of gravity-based water purifiers are stress that climbers feel in the win), does not cause a deadly drug will help guides save the perfectly suited to the Nepali market for those long summer load- Himalayas is much greater and anaphylactic (allergic) reaction; in lives of intrepid climbers and go shedding hours when your AC-powered purifier is just an expensive therefore much more medically fact dexamethasone is used in the a long way in projecting Nepal as paper-weight. significant than in the Alps or treatment of anaphylaxis. a safe and attractive destination perhaps even any other mountain Although mountain guides for mountain climbing. 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 REGION 15

THE HELP: Members of the Jat community thank Congress President Sonia Gandhi for heeding to their demands and including them in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) list.

assembly elections in December to the alienation of Jats and o political party, even the Muzaffarnagar communal in the world’s largest riots pushed the Jats towards Ndemocracy, seems the BJP. More significantly, immune from the temptation to the Congress’ suggestion to the take cynical decisions to woo NCBC to ‘tender advice’ on the voters. India’s Congress-led ‘reports and material available’ government decided recently was the government’s method of to include the powerful PTI mounting pressure on the NCBC peasant caste of Jats in the to fall in line. Unfortunately for category of Other Backward the Congress, the NCBC not only Classes (OBC) which is a list refused an OBC status for Jats, it of socially and educationally REVERSING RESERVATION issued a dire warning that if Jats disadvantaged groups and are included they will corner all entitled for reservation in jobs Nepal must learn from India’s experience with the jobs and opportunities going to and education. the excluded groups. politics of identity and steer away from its pitfalls But this is precisely what the UPA government did last declare themselves indigenous them to behave otherwise? long period to be included in week, illustrating vividly how LOOK OUT peoples, the decision threatens India’s parliamentary elections the Central OBC list, it can be India’s reservation policy has Ajaz Ashraf India’s affirmative action are just a month away and argued that the UPA chose to become skewed. The very idea efforts. It mocks the National nobody would want to anger the override the advice of NCBC behind forming the NCBC was to Commission for Backward powerful Jats concentrated in now only because of the political conduct periodic social surveys In Punjab state, Hindu and Classes (NCBC) which is contiguous pockets. Jats make implications of the anti-Muslim to weed out from the reservation Sikh Jats are a prosperous and responsible for including those up a quarter of the population Muzafarnagar riots. pool those castes which had powerful social group and not excluded from the central of the northern Indian state of The NCBC had earlier been scientifically determined exactly disadvantaged. The reservation pool. The NCBC Haryana and drive its politics. wanted to conduct a social to have overcome backwardness. Congress-led UPA had not has persistently advised the India’s mainstream media survey to determine whether This was thought necessary in included Jats in Central list, government against including has largely preferred to ignore the Jats are indeed socially and order to ensure the benefits of but then the Akali Dal-BJP Jats in the Central OBC list, but the story, demonstrating the bias educationally backward to be affirmative action accrue to the government in Punjab decided the lame-duck UPA government of predominantly upper caste included in the Central OBC list. most backward classes. But India to include them paving the way did it anyway. journalists, as their interests are But the UPA cabinet decided: is going into reverse: including for their eventual inclusion as What is also worrying is the not affected by the decision to ‘NCBC be requested to reconsider castes which are socially a disadvantaged group at the silence of other political parties extend reservation to Jats. Their its earlier decision of conducting advanced. As Nepal charts out Centre. at this brazen subversion of the children compete for jobs in the a survey and tender its advice of for itself a democratic future, As in Nepal, where the reservation policy. There hasn’t general pool, the Jats can only inclusion of Jats in the Central it may as well look closely at second Constituent Assembly been a squeak from the BJP, eat into the share of the more list of OBCs based on the reports India’s experience with the will have to grapple with the Left, the regional parties, underprivileged classes. and material available.’ politics of identity and steer the backlash of ‘higher’ caste even the Aam Aadmi Party. But Though the Jats have been The Congress seems to have away from its pitfalls. Brahmins and Chhetris to how could you have expected agitating for an inordinately attributed its defeat in local [email protected] 16 NATION 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698

APPLY ONCE: Gita Parajuli (centre) and Ganeshmaya Ranjitkar (left), female community health volunteers from Ugratara, Kavre, demonstrate how to BELLY-GAZING apply the chlorhexidine ointment on a newborn’s umbilical cord. government worked closely with Saving Lives at Birth partners (USAID, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Grand Challenges Canada, and the World Bank) and a local pharmaceutical company Lomus to develop such an the ointment. Lomus An ointment now produces up to 10,000 tubes applied on of Navi Malam a day at its Gothatar factory. The tube is available for Rs 18 newborns’ navels as part of the government’s National Safe Motherhood Program. could prevent “We didn’t want our ‘intervention’ one out of four to seem out of place, so we stuck to a formula that locals were most neonatal deaths comfortable with,” says Shanda L Steimer, director of USAID’s Office of Health and Family Planning. absence of skilled Since it was first introduced in birth attendants. 2011, ‘Navi Malam’ has been adopted BABY STEPS Four out of in 41 out of Nepal’s 75 districts, Neo-natal mortality rates 10 newborns thanks to the role played by Nepal’s (per 1,000 live births) will have their Female Community Health Volunteers. cords treated in Established in 1988, the 52,000 PAKISTAN 42 the customary strong force has been instrumental in AFGHANISTAN 36 manner – hacked convincing new mothers and especially off with a hasiya their families, that the ointment really NEPAL 33 and a mixture shields their baby from infections. of turmeric, ash, “First you take off the cap, wash INDIA 30 and mustard oil your hands, apply the entire contents, BANGLADESH 24 applied on the wrap the baby with a shawl, and remainder. leave the cord to dry for around seven BHUTAN 21 Lack of minutes,” instructs Gita Parajuli, an healthcare FCHV since seven years, to a group of IRAQ 19 services and new mothers at Ugratara, Kavre. CHINA 9 superstitions When Parajuli had her first baby surrounding at 18, the ointment wasn’t available MALDIVES 6 child-rearing and her husband’s family did what mean that Nepal everyone else did – massage the baby SRI LANKA 6 has one of the with mustard oil. Now, except for some JAPAN 1 worst neo-natal who still want to take care of their mortality rates in children in the old-fashioned way, SUNIR PANDEY SOURCE: WHO (2013) Asia (see chart). most expecting parents ask volunteers SUNIR PANDEY in KAVRE apply it on the stump. Forty per cent of deaths occur because of for the ointment themselves. Navi Malam is a colourless, odourless infections. Last month, USAID awarded the gel that contains the disinfectant In 2005, a study conducted by the Nepali government with the pioneers n a warm morning in March, chlorhexidine. When applied correctly to Nepal Nutritional Innovation Program prize for its exceptional support the maternity ward Dhulikhel a new-born baby’s umbilical cord stump, Sarlahi found that cleansing the umbilical and leadership in the chlorhexidine OHospital is abuzz with activity as it binds to the skin and closes the open cord stump with a chlorihexidine cord care program. Inspired by our doctors and nurses move from one room wound on the infant’s belly and repels solution would reduce neo-natal deaths success, 11 other countries like Nigeria to another helping with deliveries and water and other traditional ointment. by 23 per cent. Similarly, a pilot study and Kenya are looking to promote checking up on the newborns and their “The easiest way to prevent infections undertaken between November 2008 chlorhexidine as a effective method of mothers. The hospital delivers around is by keeping the naval area dry and and May 2009 in Banke by the Ministry reducing neo-natal mortality. eight babies everyday and resident doctor untouched until the stump falls off,” of Health and Population, supported Anjana Dangol is in charge of all cases. explains Dangol. “But since most of our by USAID and JSI Research and Study nepalitimes.com Just hours ago she delivered a boy to patients return home a day after delivery, Institute, found that families preferred Sangita Shrestha, 18, of Sindhupalchok. we give them the cream.” using gel on their newborn whose texture Saving lives Born to live, #606 One of the first things she did after cutting Almost 750,000 babies are born every was consistent with the mustard-turmeric Sixty minutes, #606 off his umbilical cord was to get a nurse year in Nepal and up to two thirds of paste. Narrowing the gap, #423 to squeeze out a tube of Navi Malam and all deliveries take place at home in the Over the next two years, the 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 NATION 17

travel to district headquarters in working for nine months in the has finally been recognised,” Dhankuta or Dharan in the Tarai for state-run Vitamin A program in says an elated Ban. “Now that basic services like blood tests, HIV western Nepal, Ban was selected people know about us, we will tests, and DOTS treatment. for a six-month senior assistant have to put in more effort to live Ban also started a safe health worker training in 2004, up to their expectations.” motherhood emergency fund in after which he returned to Sunir Pandey 2009 so that expectant mothers Maunabudhuk. nepalitimes.com could take out interest-free loans to “I am grateful that the hard cover their medical bills. The fund, work that the team has put into Nick Simons Institute, #658, now worth Rs 80,000, can provide the health post over the years Nepal’s nightingale, #597, loans upto Rs 10,000 for three months. Call it chance or a twist of fate, but a career in public health was the last thing on Megharaj’s mind SUNIR PANDEY after completing his SLC in 1985 even though he had trained and worked as a health assistant. The eldest of four siblings, Ban studied Inspector Ban economics in high school and wanted to join the civil service. hen Megharaj Ban first old, who is now a public health He had even passed his Lok Sewa joined Maunabudhuk inspector at MHP, was presented exams, but at the last minute his WHealth Post (MHP) in the Nick Simons Award for his post was given to someone else. So Dhankuta in 1987, there were outstanding contribution to Ban chose public health. no road networks connecting improving health services in But his two decade long journey this small village to district his village and his unwavering has not been without its challenges. headquarters and health workers commitment towards his During the height of the insurgency, were faced with a chronic people. For the past six years Ban had to flee Dhankuta and seek shortage of medicines. His own the Kathmandu-based NSI has refuge in Kathmandu. Most of his villagers were skeptical about honoured healthcare workers in friends migrated abroad, but he how far he could improve the rural Nepal who have overcome felt he wasn’t cut out for it. After well-being of the community. financial obstacles and lack of Twenty-five years on, Ban resources to help communities. has single-handedly reformed In November 2012, Ban the VDC’s health-scape. From helped establish, entirely with convincing locals to adopt local resources and knowhow, a preventive care measures to new birthing centre at MHP with upgrading facilities at MHP in four rooms where mothers and spite of a lack of funding, the their babies receive 24-hour care. health-worker has become so Next on Ban’s to-do list was popular that every time he gets a health laboratory. Again with posted outside Maunabudhuk, no financial support from the villagers request the district government, he helped build a administration office to send him well-equipped laboratory, which back. also employs a local lab assistant. On Monday, the 49-year- Now, patients no longer have 18 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698

prosecution. So far the NC has exposes the criminalisation of not made any public comments student unions in Nepal. Leaders Put Ranjit Karna behind bars on the arrests or on Karna’s of different student organisations statements. But the mother have time and again been caught WILD ONES: Members of the NC- party needs to uphold the rule breaking the law and being affi liated Nepal Student Union disrupted of law and stop its students involved in illicit networks. To traffi c in the capital and hurled bricks from hindering investigations. protect the country’s educational at the police on Monday after fi ve Otherwise, its legitimacy to rule sector and to nurture a new cadre were arrested in the morning for will be under scrutiny and NC generation of qualified and carrying guns with expired licences. leaders and politicians will lose respectable leaders, it is important their credibility. to bring the unions under the father. But the permit to possess Monday’s arrest once again purview of parent parties. a gun is strictly personal, which means ownership does not RSS extend to other members in the Ameet Dhakal, 10 March, been renewed. However, Ranjit family. So why was Shambu Setopati.com claims the security check was Ram carrying his father’s pistol premeditated and prejudiced and and moreover, with an expired Ranjit Karna, CA member and that his cadre should be released licence? president of the NC-affiliated after they pay a fine for the guns. Instead of immediately Nepal Student Union (NSU), He blames Kharel for taking the suspending the five men from has overstepped his jurisdiction law into his own hands and is NSU, president Karna put undue by demanding that SSP Ramesh insisting that the SSP be tried pressure on the police and Kharel, who arrested five NSU in court. But perhaps Karna is incited other students to come members on Monday for carrying unaware that it is not just guns, out on the streets to protest. This guns with expired licences, be it’s a crime to even drive with an is not the first time that NSU has prosecuted. More than a personal expired licence. bought the city to a standstill opinion, Ranjit’s statement was The case leads to some and disrupted daily life. Over the an explicit threat to authorities intriguing questions. Why were past month, Congress students at a time when his own party is NSU members travelling around have frequently wreaked havoc heading the government. with guns at 3am in the morning infront of Shanker Dev Campus. During a regular traffic check when rest of the city was fast If Karna continues to instigate on early Monday morning, the asleep? Where were they going students and if his men cause Banner: “Consti tuti on in a year” police caught Shubha Ram to or coming back from? Did they further suffering to common Basnet, president of the Free have any intentions to cause Nepalis, then the CA member Batsayan in Kanti pur, 10 March Student Union at Shanker Dev harm? should be held responsible for Campus, along with four others The incident also raises such disorderly behaviour and QUOTE OF THE WEEK

at Sitapaila with three guns. The the issue of firearm licences. must be arrested. No one, not

police discovered that the licence The pistol under question was even a parliamentarian has the of one of the pistols had not registered under Shambu Ram’s right to interfere in a criminal What will the public think when“ our own “ student wing is clashing with the police while we are in power?

UML CA member Surendra Pandey, Naya Patrika, 11 February 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 OPINION 19 Thou shalt not lie The media can’t just function as a business, it has to relentlessly pursue the truth so our freedoms are protected

ast month, police caught a man who they said was the key link to solving the mystery of the Janakpur bomb in 2012 that Lkilled five and wounded a dozen other Mithila activists at Ramananda Chok. Mukesh Chaudhary had provided local journalists with copies of his telephone conversation with the alleged mastermind four months after the bomb. But the mainstream media largely ignored the news. In May last year, a television news channel telecasted a report playing the tape and an interview of Chaudhary taken in an unknown location. However, the report itself lacked credibility due to clear BY THE WAY tampering with the tape in the first Anurag Acharya few seconds where Chaudhary addresses the second speaker as ‘minister’. After the incident, there was widespread speculation that the blast was intended to intimidate the Mithila movement activists. Even Mukesh claims that to be the real reason behind the explosion in his ‘exclusive’ interview. But the original conversation in the tape reveals that the target was only one man sitting among the protesters at Ramananda Chok that day. What remains unanswered is: who was the target and who felt threatened by him? After investigating the incident for over a year, we have compelling evidence that behind the political pretext of the Mithila movement, Janakpur is reeling under a turf war between a political strongman and a local businessman, both with criminal backgrounds.

But it is not just Janakpur, the entire Tarai belt of Nepal has become a hotbed for corruption and crime. From illegal sand mining and logging, drug peddling, human trafficking, and smuggling of small arms, most Tarai districts sharing the border with India are de-facto being run by powerful mafia with political protection. There is a dangerous nexus of bureaucrats, politicians, and organised criminals who seize all development contracts and plunder local resources. These are the same resources they use in the long run to elevate themselves to power. It is a shame that those supposed to be behind bars are sitting in the parliament writing the constitution of this country. Driving through the much touted Postal Highway of Dhanusha, Mahottari, and Sarlahi, filled with crater size pot-holes, it is not difficult to see that the Rs 2.5 billion spent by the Indian government to build eight border roads along three districts have been pocketed by the contractors and their political bosses. “It’s looting in broad daylight. I drove on the roads they constructed a week ago and there is a big pothole,” a local bus driver told me as we drove along the Janakpur-Jaleshwor road. Neglected by Kathmandu and betrayed by those claiming to be their true leaders, it is the poorest of the poor who are bearing the brunt of underdevelopment and mis-governance in the Madhes. Reports published by the Centre for Investigative Journalism in the last two years reveal that politically sheltered school committees in several Tarai districts are pocketing grant money by inflating the number of students. Illegal sand mining companies are operating along the East- West highway causing irreparable damage to Chure hills. There is an organised group of timber smugglers who have bought over the entire local administration in far-western Tarai districts, plundering the community forests for the last three decades. All this is happening while our mainstream media is busy covering who gets to pose with the copy of the constitution infront of national and international media, but would not dare publish a story that exposes how profit mongering business houses are gambling with public health, putting millions of lives at risk. 20 BACK SIDE 14 - 20 MARCH 2014 #698 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

PAST PRESENT FUTURE Visit Nepal, Read Slogans DIWAKAR CHETTRI

But today, foreigners have Nepal also has the The world’s horniest Nepal by the gonads. world’s fastest clock. people live in Nepal.

Yeah and Nepal is ruled by Only 8 of them have bathrooms. And it has been hairy octogenarian men. downhill ever since.

hen it comes to attracting more visitors to Nepal we haven’t even started to scratch the tip of the proverbial iceberg. It is plain that Wwe in Nepal have fallen behind the rest of the world in exploiting the vast tourism potential of this great nation of ours. Let’s face it, folks at the Ministry of Tourism and Fatalism, the Nepal Tourism Bored, and the Department of Immitation need to get their balls rolling if we are to hit the target of a million visitors by the end of this year. And for this there is no other way but to gird up their proverbial loins.  Which is why we commend the initiative taken by Thiruvananthapuram International Airport’s public-private partnership initiative to get a liquor maker to come up with welcome signs at the arrival concourse to give visitors a quick summary of why Nepal is great. We don’t know who came up with these great That is true and we just blurbs, but quite a lot of vodka must have been consumed in made asses of ourselves. thinking them up. The Ass

CDO Regd No 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No 09/069/70