789 1 - 7 January 2016 16 Pages Rs 50

#789 1 - 7 January 2016 16 pages Rs 50

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

APRIL MAY JUNE

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER DIWAKAR CHETTRI DIWAKAR BEGONE 2015 aving survived a year like the one that just ended, 2016 has to turn out Hbetter for Nepal. The country was punished first by God, then by our own incompetent leaders, and now by India. We are glad to bid goodbye to 12 YEAR ON YEAR SICK OF THE COLD painful months, and would like to think that Nepal woes have bottomed out. EDITORIAL PAGE 2 Special report from Rasuwa, Gorkha There is now nowhere to go but up. and Sindhupalchok on earthquake Still, the attrition is taking its toll on 28 million Nepalis and the two AUTHORITY TO survivors. million homeless earthquake survivors whose misery is multiplied manyfold. RECONSTRUCT This humanitarian disaster is now becoming a crime against humanity. BY OM ASTHA RAI PAGE 13 PAGE 7, 14-15 2 EDITORIAL 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 YEAR ON YEAR 2015 could have been worse, here’s hoping 2016 is kinder to Nepal

aving survived a year like diversification, and a strategic the one that just ended, shift away from dependence H2016 has to turn out on Indian petroleum. We better for Nepal. The country hear assurances from the was punished first by God, government, but we don’t then by our own incompetent yet see a strategic national leaders, and now by India. We commitment to those goals. are glad to bid goodbye to 12 Meanwhile, the attrition painful months, and would like is taking its toll on 28 million to think that Nepal's woes have Nepalis and the two million bottomed out. There is now homeless earthquake survivors nowhere to go but up. whose misery is multiplied Despite everything that manyfold. Dialysis patients went wrong, however, and as have to cut visits because incongruous as it may sound kidney centres are running during this period of national out of fuel, hospitals are out of crisis and hardship, it must be said: things could have been structures, and the shaking lasted less than a minute, saved essential drugs, children in tents are dying of cold. This worse. countless lives. Telephones and electricity were working humanitarian disaster is now becoming a crime against It starts with the Turkish Airbus that veered off the right away, the highways were not cut off and Kathmandu humanity. Yet, the world couldn’t be bothered. runway at Kathmandu Airport on 3 March. If the nose wheel airport was not damaged. The earthquake was a warning to Lately, there have been signs that the Oli-led coalition hadn’t collapsed and brought the plane to halt in the soggy get our act together before the real Big Ones, which are yet in Kathmandu and the establishment in New Delhi have grass, it could have been a major catastrophe. As it turned to come. realised that this isn’t helping anyone, and are looking for out, Nepal got away with having its international airport The earthquake forced guilty politicians to push for an exit. However, the population in the plains has now closed for four days leaving nearly 100,000 people stranded regime change, but for that it was first necessary to rush been so radicalised by the Madhesi Front and brutal state during the peak tourist season. through a new constitution. That was the last element of the crackdowns that the leaders are no longer in total control Seven weeks later, we were struck by a 7.8 magnitude peace process, and although it had flaws it was passed by of the streets. earthquake, and powerful aftershocks that rocked central a democratically elected assembly. In their hurry, the Big 3 Our hope for 2016 is that in the upcoming weeks the Nepal for months. Nearly 9,000 people were killed, three parties forgot that the Tarai isn’t just a vote bank, but is also two amendments to the constitution will get the nod million people affected, more than 700,000 buildings were populated by Madhesis, Tharus and others. Tarai leaders from parliament, and the proposal to defer provincial destroyed and Kathmandu’s historic towns damaged. who had lost the 2013 elections after being throughly delineation for three months will be agreed upon. That Yet, as we wrote in this space in May, we got off discredited for their greed and incompetence latched on to will set the stage for confidence rebuilding efforts both relatively lightly. The doomsday scenario of a mega-quake this lapse (and fanned the flames) to launch an agitation, between New Delhi and Kathmandu as well as between in Kathmandu had predicted at least 100,000 fatalities, with which India backed with a blockade of the border. hills and plains within Nepal. unimaginable damage to buildings and infrastructure. The India’s siege of Nepal has now lasted nearly five months. The egotistical politicians in India and Nepal have fact that the main quake measured less than 8 magnitude There could have been a silver lining in all this, and the recklessly held hostage Nepal’s 28 million long-suffering and struck during the daytime on Saturday, the shock waves hardships could have perhaps even be justified, if the people. They must end this suffering, and owe us at least were of a low frequency which saved most ferro-cement blockade had spurred efforts towards self-reliance and trade this much.

YOUR SAY www.nepalitimes.com

THIS WEEK LIVING DANGEROUSLY at the grassroots level to be meaningful. refugees on Nepal and steadfastly The writer has once again failed to In its absence, both local and national refusing to help solve the problem comprehend the problem in its proper politics and debate will continue to for the last 25 years and hosting depth and perspective, and has remain conﬁ ned to ﬁ ghts between the Nepali Maoists who went on to instead hastened, rather naively and different feudal lords and their followers kill 18,000 fellow Nepalis from the probably fashionably too, to blaming the for the right to rule over the people, control and command centre in the government and Kathmandu for the ills instead of being about people’s welfare. Indian capital are few examples from that are not (‘Years of living dangerously’, Dev Batsya the past. Anurag Acharya, #788). BS Bihari Shrestha I didn’t agree with all you wrote. However, you wrote passionately from Besides a strong penchant for Anurag is one of the very few the heart, thought lucidly with your head tea, the British Raj really seem to columnists with an honest and unbiased and left indelible impressions of your have taught our Indian neighbors view of the prevailing situation, his travels with your hands. how to dominate and enslave a assessment of the happenings in the Namah weaker nation. Tarai and elsewhere will be thoroughly Hurray missed. DECIDING TO DE-ESCALATE Ambarish Palit Nepalis should ask their corrupt

GOPEN RAI politicians to stop blaming India and Weekly Internet Poll #789  When blaming just Singha Durbar get their act together (‘Deciding to de- Q. Should the Madhesi Morcha accept an all party Most reached on Facebook and Kathmandu for all the country’s escalate’, Kanak Mani Dixit, #788). What committee to redraw federal boundaries? The wreckage of 2015 by Siran Liang woes, one forgets that most of the For Nepal the past four months under the border blockade has been an economic you have seen is simple “Arm Twisting”, Total votes: 201 earthquake, leaving most businesses and industries in ruins, consumers and investors reeling. ministers including many Madhesis not "Blockade". If it would have been (13,532 people reached) running the country for the last 25 years blockade Nepal would have been are not from Kathmandu. The politics destroyed by now. they bring into Singha Durbar is just a Frederick S Pardee Most shared on Facebook Most visited online page Homeless in winter by Om Astha Rai Deciding to de-escalate by refl ection of the same politics they have (89 shares) Kanak Mani Dixit (1,164 views) been doing locally. It is easy to point We should not forget that this is Weekly Internet Poll #790 fi ngers at a perceived enemy like Singha not an isolated case of Indian atrocity To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Most popular on Twitter Most commented Darbar/Kathmandu, but change and the against landlocked Nepal. Two earlier Touchy-feely bilateral relationship by Ass Deciding to de-escalate by Q. Are you hopeful for 2016? (43 retweets, 51 favourites) Kanak Mani Dixit (18 comments) fi ght against discrimination has to start blockades, dumping of the Bhutanese

Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Producer: Ayesha Shakya | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Nepali Times on Facebook [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Follow @nepalitimes on Instagram Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 OPINION 3

in internal politics. Some civil society voices have become so servile and compromised that few dare to raise a voice against The endless transition the Indian siege. People inside India oppose the blockade but ight months after an here in Nepal our own say India earthquake and four months A strong, stable and democratic Nepal left alone to solve its own issues is not responsible. Any criticism Einto an Indian blockade, is the best guarantor of India's national interest of Indian intervention is labelled as a new year dawns, Nepal is ultranationalism. It is fascinating in crisis. The state, as usual, is that while there is seething anger nowhere to be seen. goal? What does democratic against the Indian blockade Agitating Madhesi cadre process mean when after years of amongst common Nepalis, some blockade border points with war and political turmoil, Nepal of our prominent thinkers have India’s support, using violence finally gets a constitution through disappeared from public sphere to escalate protests and incite popular vote but is told to throw just so that they do not have to confrontation. Instead of the document into the bin instead discuss the blockade or accept exercising restraint, the police of improving on flaws because it that there is one. go on a shooting spree, killing doesn’t satisfy few groups? When enemies within innocents. The truth is that even if are helping to weaken and the government is able to fulfil delegitimise the state, there all the demands of Province 2 force decide our political fate, the right direction. But every cannot be a positive outcome for activists including demarcation or do we want to evolve through time Nepal makes progress in Nepal. Eventually, a deal will that stands at odds with claims continuous practice of democracy, institutionalising democratic be reached, the blockade will be THIS IS IT of other ethnic groups, there will accommodating grievances institutions and achieving a lifted and the Madhes crisis will Rubeena Mahato be no respite because we would through inclusive policies and semblance of stability, new be resolved to an extent. But as have given legitimacy to political accountable politics? The second problems are created. long as India’s foreign policy in blackmail and violence. option is not possible in this Each time Nepal has tried the region is dictated by its desire Ordinary Nepalis and For years we were told endless and unstable transition. to assert its independent status, to maintain hegemonic control, earthquake victims have been left that Nepal can only achieve Corrupt and incompetent India has responded with tough neighbours like Nepal will remain to fend for themselves as political development and democracy if leaders, weak institutions, measures including blockades. trapped in endless transition. forces battle it out. The blockade we get a new constitution through structural discrimination over India has been a destablising force India should know that a has pushed millions of Nepalis to a Constituent Assembly. A civil decades of authoritarian rule, for Nepal, fomenting domestic strong, stable and democratic destitution, and the economy has war was fought to achieve this economic inequality are key conflict to maintain its control. Nepal left alone to solve its been irreparably hurt. We might goal, but after the conflict ended internal factors driving conflict From Maoists in the past to the own issues is the best guarantor be heading towards imminent we were told federalism was the and instability in Nepal. But it has Madhesi Front now, this has of Indian interests. Coercive state failure if things continue at answer. to be said that being landlocked been India’s tried and tested diplomacy, inherited from the this pace. The last decade was spent with an overbearing neighbour method to dominate internal days of the Raj, no longer works, And yet, we can’t really trying to figure federalism out. has been the bane of Nepal’s politics. Constant upheavals and will alienate allies and expect anything different from And now we are being told existence, and from which has also left Nepal unable to diminish its influence. a country where the intellectual we need a new framework for much of our current problems focus on economic development The only way Nepal can move leadership defends the rights of defining Nepali nationalism. of state-building and democratic and institution building. More forward is by rejecting violent political groups to wield terror, Whenever Nepal has tried to settle consolidation arise. significantly, there is little politics of all kinds, balancing violence and even a blockade these issues through a democratic Constitution making is fraught incentive for democratic politics state-building with democratic against their own people. What process, political forces who lost with challenges and Nepal’s in Nepal because India's approval deepening and redefining the else can one expect in a country have trampled on them. success in finally drafting one matters more than popular terms of our relations with India, where people are expendable Ultimately we have to make a was an indication that we had endorsement, and ostensibly, And this is where our efforts for the sake of pursuing some decision: do we want to continue passed a vital test of democratic dissatisfied political forces turn should be invested in the coming abstract, untenable political the impasse by letting brute transition and were headed on to India for gaining leverage years. 4 REVIEW 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 Reams of Dreams In each of the ten stories that make up City of Dreams, the author has tried to pull off something quite different

here are at least two ways to go about telling a story. More straightforward, Tthough not necessarily easier, is to RABI THAPA document societies and situations that amuse, frustrate, illuminate. Writing in Nepal, in English, one is tempted to do so simply because it hasn’t been done to space, encompassing formative periods of the satisfaction of the writer, as much as a doubt, learning and inspiration. They can national and international readership. The be uneven, both in stylistic approach and risk is an anthropologizing or exoticizing quality. And so it is with City of Dreams. bent that may overshadow the “meaning” The third story brought me back down to of the text. earth with a jolt, brusquely dispelling the The alternative is to go straight for mystery of the first two. Despite the fluent the jugular through the mechanism of a writing, the clever observations of human central conceit, a fictitious assumption. relations, “Dashain” seemed half-baked, The advantage is the reader can be more even mundane. Perhaps it simply struggled City of Dreams easily convinced, if s/he agrees to suspend to live up to the opening stories. by Pranaya SJB Rana disbelief, that there is more to the tale than There are other stories in City Rupa Publications, 2015 the tail that you see. The risk, if the writer of Dreams that, despite their lurid places too much trust in the reader or has content – a girl who works in a massage not, in fact, bothered to justify the conceit, parlour, another who suffers abuse in a misery they have caused. City folk bounce is confusion. Kathmandu home – appear to be going off each other in a day’s trajectory, a Why should a book review begin in through the motions of documenting voyeuristic narrator allowing us sneak such didactic fashion? You may only tragedy, performing the rites of social peeks into their lives as we pass them. want to know if City of Dreams is good, realism simply because they are worthy, These tableaus not only hint at Rana’s or bad. But in freely indulging himself in downtrodden subjects. I couldn’t help imaginative power, they also demonstrate both social realism and fable, Pranaya SJB but think that gender balance aside, the that he is a bold writer, willing to push Rana (pic) has rather forced this reviewer autobiographical author – the pained, against the boundaries of what we might to approach his debut collection of short meditative yet ultimately losing, sinking have come to expect of South Asian stories crab-like, each pincer holding up a SASTOBOOKS.COM male protagonist – worked best. writers. In each of the ten stories that make quite different species of fictive āhārā. But it would also be oversimplifying up City of Dreams, the author has tried to In truth, I dove straight in. The a man who can’t stop taking photos. I to say realism, bad; fabulism, good. “The pull off something quite different. That eponymous opener, about a man who likes was convinced Rana had grown tired of Presence of God” is fantastical, but its he succeeds to the extent he has done is to walk the streets of Kathmandu, and the documenting – perhaps he felt enough central device seems inspired more by a tribute to the city we live in as much as next, about a man who stumbles across an had been made of the preoccupations of B-horror than any substantive philosophy. Rana’s prose skills – even in a losing cause, intermittent muse on the streets of New Kathmandu’s middle class – particularly On the other hand, the gentle disintegration the writing is always careful, sometimes York, sucked me into a phantasmagoric given the visceral realism of earlier stories of “Our Ruins” as much as the violent scintillating, and promises much in what landscape strongly reminiscent of Calvino of his. The prose was accomplished, the denouement of “The Child” are as real as remains a sparsely populated field. and Borges, both declared inspirations possibilities rich; I felt a rare excitement. can be, yet work beautifully. of Rana. The stories charmed me, just But herein lies the paradox of one’s There are experiments too, in which This review was originally published as the author’s winning entry to this first anthology. These are often cobbled Rana plays around with points of view. on www.lalitmag.com on 22 December year’s Writing Nepal had, which told of together from stories written over time and Dead men speak, finally sorry for the 2015.

NEPAL WHEREVER YOU ARE.

in your lap or palm. www.nepalitimes.com 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 BUSINESS 5 BIZ BRIEFS City safari on rickshaw New look Chivas Regal has people, but also commodities unveiled a new such as vegetables and daily design for its 12 essentials to the market. Year Old bottle that The boom in the use of now features the brand signifi er more asking banks and fi nancial institutions city safari has pleased both its prominently on the glass bottle, in to raise minimum paid up capital operators and environmental addition to including signatures of requirement to Rs 8 billion by the new activists. Yatri Shekhar, an founders James and John Chivas. fi nancial year 2016/17, prompting Itahari-based journalist and many institutions to opt for merger. also a campaigner of KIC (Keep Itahari Clean) says electric Mahindra on top rickshaws are vital for green Indian automobile manufacturer Festive price rides. ‘’We planted more than a Mahindra & Mahindra’s XUV 500 has Gionee’s fl agship thousand tree saplings in Itahari ranked the highest in a customer phone for 2015, sub-metropolitan city spaces satisfaction Elife S7 is now and introduced intra-city and assessment available at a inter-city electric vehicles like ‘Automotive special New Year City Safari. This is a great start Performance, price of Rs 26,699. to campaign for a green city,” he Execution Touted as the ‘slimmest dual-SIM says. and Layout phone’ the Elife S7 was earlier priced Sonu Jayanti, a theatre artist (APEAL) Study’ conducted by JD at Rs 31,999. and another KIC campaigner, Power. The study is based on owner BIRAT ANUPAM says that it is now time for the evaluations. Vacuum power authorities to promote green rides CG Electronics, the hile overcrowded 1,000 a day ferrying passengers in in bigger cities like Biratnagar Becoming one authorised sole buses were a common his new vehicle. and Kathmandu as well. Bank of Kathmandu Chairman distributor of LG brand Wsight on the streets of “I am confident I can earn Electrical engineer Raj Kumar Hem Raj Subedi and Director for Nepal, has unveiled Gupta says that the mid-hill Itahari in the past, restrictions back my investment within six Prakash Shrestha last week signed its new range of vacuum on movement of big vehicles months,” he says. highway can be made a green a Memorandum of Understanding cleaners. Designed and engineered in imposed by Madhesi protesters Travelling in this new vehicle highway where only electric (MoU) with Lumbini Bank Director South Korea, these vacuum cleaners have increased the popularity is also relatively inexpensive. vehicles are allowed to travel. Subarna Lal Shrestha for a merger have extra large pot beretta of 21L of electric rickshaws among A short commute within the Battery exchange or charging dust capacity with dust indicator, and passengers in this Tarai town. city costs passengers Rs 20 centers can be housed at various of the two institutions. In July Nepal From farmers to students, while a longer-distance travel to points of the highway, and Rastra Bank had issued a directive 2200W motor. to even protest organisers, can neighbouring Dharan costs Rs Nepal can ask for carbon budget be seen riding on these three- 600. and other credits from the wheelers which can accommodate Locally known as ‘City Safari’ international community, he says. upto 8 passengers. the e-rickshaws have especially ‘’The government should Seeing the demand among become popular among students try to end load-shedding and commuters, local Bhola Paswan and youths who usually reserve promote electric vehicles for the (pic, above) recently closed down the vehicle to go on picnics and long term,” says Gupta. “The his fruit stall, and purchased an excursions. Indian blockade is a wake-up electric rickshaw for Rs 270,000. Electric rickshaws are now call.” On an average Paswan earns Rs being used to transport not just Birat Anupam in Itahari 6 OPINION 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 Collateral Damage 4 One gun leads to another The wholesale introduction of countless illegal firearms into a country where few existed is yet another tragic consequence of The Pointless War

o matter how you look at certainty is that one gun leads to flood of weapons onto the black it, Nepal is in a terrible another, and as Maoists raided market. The resulting surge in Nmess these days on every government armories and extorted gun crime got so bad the Birganj front. From the government’s money to buy more weapons the Forest Committee and local callous neglect of the earthquake situation went from bad to worse. school board allotted funds to victims, to a constitution so In 2003 the government acquire illegal firearms to protect flawed it blew up the Tarai, to responded by distributing guns themselves against all the other the never-ending blockade and to newly formed vigilante squads illegal guns out there. outrageous corruption, the break- called Village Defense Leagues. The few studies on the subject down of services has got to the The rationale was a sign of invariably admit nobody really point many are asking: "You call desperate times: people needed knows how many weapons are in this a country?" protection against marauding circulation and there’s no way of gangs of armed Maobaddies and finding out. According to a report their side-kick Khaobaddies. With issued in 2013 by the NGO ‘Small the state under constant attack, Arms Survey’ some 440,000 guns MOVING TARGET all pretence of arms control was are in private hands, of which Foreign Hand abandoned and many of these 55,000 are supposedly registered. weapons ended up in the hands But they hasten to state this is an of the very same people they were educated guess at best, adding meant to protect against. If you that most of the un-registered But let’s not forget, dear As the search for answers chaotic free-for-all since the war think that’s ridiculous, read on. weapons are likely in the hands of reader, the one lesson we’ve lurches from the obscure to the began. The 2006 Peace Agreement criminal gangs. learned the hard way over the obvious we inevitably come The conflict created included explicit clauses With every spasm of chaos our years: no matter how bad things to the matter of guns and their unprecedented demand, keeping on disarmament that were politicians inspire, including the get in Nepal they can always get astonishing proliferation. The gun-runners and the illicit firearm openly flaunted from day one. on-going lawlessness in the Tarai, worse. wholesale introduction of makers of Bihar and the Tarai The pathetic array of ‘arms’ government control over the If the nation’s many woes countless un-registered, illegal working overtime ever since. surrendered by Mao-kiddies, illicit arms trade weakens further. could be summed up in a few firearms into a country where Nepali Times carried a piece on newly recruited teens to fill All reports indicate pistols, snappy sound-bites the Hand few existed is yet another tragic this thriving trade way back in the UN cantonments, included both home-made and branded would retire happy. But it’s no consequence of The Pointless War 2001 issue #54 (Arms & the Men). broken pistols bought from imports, are readily available in simple thing for a nation and that looks like it’s here to stay. Business stayed brisk even after the scrap dealers in Bihar, pressure Kathmandu for a few thousand its leadership to deteriorate to Sticking with the obvious, war, as Maoists and their spin-offs cookers and pieces of plumbing rupees. If I’m ever driven to such abysmal levels and nothing Nepal was a much safer place needed weapons to conduct their for future pipe-bombs. These bits hunt one down I’ll let you know rots this bad overnight. Rather it before the war than it is now. flourishing extortion, kidnapping were solemnly paraded to the current prices in my final column. takes decades to weaken the state Not only were very few weapons and protection rackets. containers in a splendid display None of this would matter, of and its institutions through a around but the current culture of Once the state lost its monopoly of UN sponsored theatre of the course, if Nepal had turned into a thousand cuts to get where Nepal violence had yet to be introduced. on coercion, losing its exclusive absurd. Meanwhile, when nobody proletariat paradise as promised. is today. Most guns that did exist were privilege to bear arms was a was looking, the real weapons In the meantime, the police Hence the Collateral Damage registered with the authorities and foregone conclusion. and those trained to use them are left with the dirty work of series, a depressing attempt to the right to keep a private fire-arm What came first, the guns or the mysteriously vanished, only to catching heavily armed criminals figure out how we got in this was tightly regulated. The system coercion is like the chicken or egg resurface later as the YCL. while those responsible for the quagmire while posing that was actually quite effective, mystery, rendered irrelevant once The Peace Agreement brought scourge continue to enjoy the eternal question: All for what? especially when compared to the the cycle’s set in play. The only war to the nation’s cities and a many perks of power.

City Office Printing Plant Bakhundol, Lalitpur Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: 977-01-5529210/11 Tel: 977-01-5250017/18 [email protected] URL: www.jagadambapress.com The cold wave that swept Nepal for the past month is giving way to slightly elevated, and more normal, daily temperature range. This will not last. The warmer air is due to a change in wind direction caused by an approaching westerly system that is expected to bring KKATHMANDUATHMANDU partial cloud cover over Central Nepal and Kathmandu from Friday. The higher reaches will see the ﬁ rst snow ﬂ urries of the season by Saturday, ending a two-month drought. The mid-Valley may also see some precipitation. This clouds will bring down the maximum temperature, but the heat trapping property of the clouds will raise minimum temperatures. The clouds will be fast-moving, and will induce thicker morning mist in Kathmandu, the mid-hill valleys as well as the Tarai. FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY 19° 19° 17° #789 1 - 7 January 2016 4° 5° 6°

HELPING TOGETHER: IRW officer Bilal Agmad Zargar (left) and LWF officer Chenyen Nekor (right), together with a volunteer hand over Healing construction materials to Nirmala BK in Kalikasthan of Rasuwa.

better shelter." However, there were others together like Dhan Bahadur BK, 60, who worried about rebuilding his Religious organisations show home in the same location. “No place is safe in our village. Unless solidarity with earthquake survivors the government provides us with land in a safer area we will continue to feel vulnerable.” LUCIA DE VRIES In the first phase of the IN RASUWA collaboration between LWF Nepal and IRW, with the help of local partner Manikor Society, LUCIA DE VRIES construction materials were Muslim relief agency joining hands solidarity and social harmony in a divided however have to manage the construction of provided to over 2,000 families. with a Christian organisation to world,” says LWF Nepal Country Director her new shelter and toilet by herself as her In a world marked by religious A help Buddhist earthquake survivors Prabin Manadhar. husband is away working in Malaysia. strife the unique interfaith partnership in a largely Hindu country may sound The group recently distributed Like BK, many of those who walked stands as an inspiring example. implausible but that is exactly what construction materials to build shelter and several hours to reach Kalikasthan, where Says IRW’s Regional Humanitarian happened in Rasuwa earlier this month. toilets to the people of Yarsa, a remote the supplies were being distributed, Manager Umair Hasan: “Community In August, the Lutheran World village of Rasuwa. The construction were mothers with young children. Their integration and religious tolerance Federation (LWF) and Islamic Relief materials were a welcome gift husbands are migrant workers does not make for good headlines. But Worldwide (IRW) signed an agreement to for many in this Dalit village in Qatar and Malaysia. through this partnership we want to cooperate in humanitarian relief efforts, who have been braving the Forty-year old Subha BK send a strong message to the world. It’s a first collaboration of its kind in Nepal. winter in animal sheds and who walks with the help of an a message of religious harmony and Since then the two organisations have under tarpaulin shelter. artificial leg said: “Life became humanitarianism.” supported quake survivors in five VDCs of “I feel so relieved today”, difficult after I became disabled Rasuwa district. said Sita BK, 42, “having a and my wife left me. But I am “Faith based organisations working toilet of our own will make a supported by my friends. With nepalitimes.com together to reach out to the most big difference.” REBUILDING their help and thanks to these  See more pictures vulnerable show the way forward towards The mother of three will OURSELVES materials I can build myself a 8 EVENTSDINING MUSIC GETAWAY

Renewable energy expo, Leadership workshop, Recalling 90s grunge, An exhibition of renewable energy Learn the ABCs of leadership with Abdus All Stars, Sound Chains Pilots and Newaz Atithi technologies organised by Alternative Miya, founder of Open Space Nepal. will conjure up the awesome 90s grunge Energy Promotion Centre. 7 to 11 January, 3 to 5pm, 20 February, 1pm, Purple Haze Rock Bar, 1-3 January, Bhrikuti Mandap, registration: offi [email protected], Thamel Resort Exhibition Road 9801115094 CAN Info-tech, & Spa Don’t miss the year’s most exciting info- tech and entertainment conference. 28 January to 2 February, 5pm onwards, BhrikutiMandap, Pradarshani Marg Mezze by Roadhouse, Spot a superstar at one of Kathmandu’s SparkX Nepal, most popular restaurant. Join a group of 15 entrepreneurs and Mercantile Plaza, Darbar Marg, (01)4223087 take advantage of the support and connections to build your business. 9 to 17 April, registration: sparkinternational.org/sparkx- North Face Kathmandu Ultra, nepal Begin this year with a little huff -and-puff : Guitar Fest 2016, challenging running events from 12km to Farmers’ market, A guitar competition for all music lovers. 80km in the Shivapuri National Park. Local producers gather to sell organic Auditions from Jan 18 to 28, 2 January, registration: North Face store vegetables, dairy products, artisanal Sushila Arts Academy, 9849040554 (Sherpa Adventure Outlet), TrideviMarg, bread and pastries and home-made (01)4445101 goodies. 8am to 1pm, Le Sherpa, Lajimpat, Underside, every Saturday, (01)4006587, 9802028777 Irish Pub, Head-bang in this winter tour of the Street dance festival, Underside Don’t miss Kathmandu’s most hip and Get primed up for hip hop in one of Creative Rendezvous, January 2, 2pm onwards, Club 25 hours, happening pub. Nepal’s biggest international street dance Workshop on 3D artwork using papier Tangal ucked away in a quiet neighbourhood festivals; winners will take away cash mâché, clay and cloth with Rajesh Ananda Bhawan, Lajimpat, (01)4416027 just about fi ve minutes of walk away prizes. Yadav. Tfrom the lakeside, Atithi Resort & Spa 2 January, 10am to 3pm, GAA Hall, Thamel Rs 3,600, sattya.org/creative-rendezvous in Pokhara provides a complete relaxation package. The hotel off ers modern facilities and is well-known for its spa and yoga experience. Especially for those coming back from a long exhaustive trekking trip and seeking for some leisure in the hotel, Atithi will defi nitely be a good choice. Get a good night’s sleep away from the lakeside bustle, and greet the new day Red Carpet, from the sun-bathed balcony facing Mt. Look down at the busy and Macchapuchhre, get a soothing massage happening Darbar Marg while to ease the sore muscles and exhaustion, dining at a lavish, cozy place that then a drink or a doze under the warm serves mouthwatering cuisines. afternoon sun in the garden...there’s so Sherpa Mall, Darbar Marg, much more you can enjoy, on your own, (01)4257705 or with family and friends. Atithi would not let gourmets down Donate a blanket with its talented staff at the restaurant. The breakfast buff et is generous, ne of Nepal’s most popular Gorkha, Dhading, Sindhupalchok Le Trio, off ering a wide range of both Nepali Amazing jholmomo and others online shopping sites, Sasto Deal, and villages on the outskirts of and western-style foods. Whether you o from this cozy eatery. has launched its ‘Donate a blanket’ Kathmandu. are seeking healthy oatmeal with hot Restaurant lane, Jhamsikhel, campaign. Donors can pay for the blankets milk, or an appetising curry with (01)5521674 Each blanket costs Rs 500. So through Sanima Bank, Nepal Tribute to roti, the warm and fresh foods on the breakfast far, Sasto Deal has received pledges Investment Bank or Esewa and can Embassy, of over 700 blankets from donors in also submit the payment at Sastodeal Bon Jovi, spread is bound to satiate your appetite. Nepal and from around the world and Offi ce in Tripureshwar. International Away from the hustle bustle of the streets, From food, accommodation to any has distributed over 200. donors can make their payments enjoy the variety of multi-cuisines foods Miracles will perform the ultimate entertainment options, Atithi proves itself The blankets collected will go through Paypal. at a place ideal for business meets and tribute to Bon Jovi. a place where you fi nd yourself slowing to the victims of the earthquake in sastodeal.com/page/donate-a-blanket casual rendezvous. 23 January, 3pm, Purple Haze Rock Bar, down your pace of life. Panipokhari, (01)4424040 Thamel Siran Liang and Xiaotong Xu 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 9

HIGH FLYER: Prativa Bogati, 24, (left) soaring with a passenger above Pokhara recently. She is one of four licensed Nepali female commmercial paragliding pilots.

specifically for her to pilot their paraglider,” he says. There is a shortage of commercial paraglider pilots, and Timilsina says women fliers like Bogati have proven that women can be as professional as the male pilots. Yogesh Bhattarai of the Nepal Airsports Association says there’s no gender bias in the paragliding industry and the association WOMEN is now trying to increase the involvement of women in the field by sponsoring the training for young women. FLYING For her part, Bogati believes if one is hardworking and professional, gender should not matter, and predicts there will HIGH be more young women like her training to be pilots. In fact, women pilots have themselves commercial paragliding pilots. domain. still not enough. So, the couple become a tourist attraction. This XIAOTONG XU Since it was introduced as “Although my husband was took a bank loan. week three Chinese tourists IN POKHARA an adventure sport 19 years supportive, my family wasn’t too But years of struggle seemed insisted on being photographed ago, paragliding has become the pleased with my choice, they worth it when she flew her first with Bogati. mainstay of Pokhara’s tourist thought I was crazy for trying to passenger as a tandem pilot. Her As she unfurls her parachute hen 24-year-old Prativa attraction. The field used to be make a career out of jumping off son was one of her first clients. for another jump off Sarangkot Bogati (pic) was a dominated by men, and still is mountains,” Bogati laughs. “He is happy and proud to say his this week, Bogati says: “If men Wyoung girl her gaze with more than 100 male pilots Bogati worked as a mom is a paragliding pilot,” says can do it, so can we.” would constantly be up at the in the business. But women are receptionist at a paragliding Bogati. www.facebook.com/FLY-NEPAL- sky, watching paragliders above making inroads. company while simultaneously Bharat Timilsina, the owner of Paragliding the lake. She dreamt that one Bogati got her license three undergoing her flight training FlyNepal Paragliding Company, day she’d like to fly like them. years ago, and believes women which lasted two years and cost is proud to have Bogati among Her dream has been fulfilled, are discouraged both by the high Rs 1.7 million. Her husband, who his crew and says she is one of nepalitimes.com today Bogati is one of four cost of training and lack of family ran a café in Pokhara, financed his most popular pilots. “There Nepali women who are licensed support for them to enter a male her classes but the money was are many customers who ask  Watch video of Paragliding in Pokhara 10 Star Wars: The Force Awakens HAPPENINGS

ow do you leave you with just a reboot what paean to Abrams. The His arguably Force Awakens has the most beloved taken its life from the cinematic franchise imagination of the in the world? These gifted writer/director, days it seems all you but it also boasts have to do is call in a number of new J.J. Abrams, the man talents that spin it out responsible for the of the realm of being excellent Star Trek just a continuation of (2009) origins film, its the Luke Skywalker, sequel Star Trek Into Princess Leia, and Darkness (2013), and Han Solo’s stories before that a number (all these roles are RSS of smash TV hits such reprised by the CALL OF DUTY: Prime Minister KP Oli launches the East-West Highway cleanup as Fringe, Lost, and Alias, some adapting the best elements into original cast that really need not campaign on Thursday at Damak in Jhapa. of the most talked about, wildly tight, action packed, humour filled be named individually) bringing inventive sci-fi shows in the past scripts that are tailored as homages in new, fascinating character arcs 15 years. to the films that inspired him that introduce a fresh line of Jedis, through his childhood. some of whom have already gone This is a very good thing for over to the dark side. all of us who grew up loving Much has already been made of MUST SEE the original Star Wars films, the new ensemble cast members, because while there’s plenty hyperbolising their potential to Sophia Pande for the Millennial generation in become the new stars of their terms of cool spaceships (there is generation. While time will indeed another Death Star), and operatic tell, after all Carrie Fisher and Mark Abrams helms this seventh intergalactic warfare, there is also Hamill are immortalised by the installment (the plan is to make more than enough for those who original Star Wars films but never another trilogy) of the Star Wars have an incurable nostalgia for achieved much subsequently, the films with great skill, co-writing light sabers, cute beeping robots, fresh faces, in particular that of and directing with an ease and exaggerated, intricate hairdos, black Daisy Ridley who plays the gamine, BEYOND THE BLOCKADE: (left to right) FNCCI Vice President Shekhar Golchha, former secretary of Ministry of Commerce and Supplies, Purushottam Ojha, Jay confidence that stems from being masked villains with altered voices, naturally gifted pilot Rey (there’s a Nishant, Oﬃ ciating President of NICCI, Shashi Kant Agrawal, Indian ambassador Ranjit and, of course, some very furry a lifelong fan of the original core hint for you right there), leaves you Rae, former ﬁ nance minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari, and vice president of CNI, Anuj material. The 49-year-old film aliens that communicate largely by at the end of a breath-taking film Agarwal at a program on bilateral trade on Tuesday. savant (he writes, composes wailing and roaring. really wanting more. musical scores for his material, That is probably the most I and produces) is adept at sifting can say without entering into the nepalitimes.com through and separating the key now dangerous territory known  Trailer ingredients of old favourites, as “spoiling” – but I cannot really

GOPEN RAI LET'S PRAY: President Bidya Bhandari with Home Minister Shakti Basnet and other guests at Pasupatinath after oﬀ ering special prayers for the country's welfare on Tuesday.

NEPAL ARMY DPR WELL DONE: Chief of Army Staﬀ Rajendra Chhetri hands over the best player award to Anjali Waiba of Nepal Army at the third COAS International Women’s Football Tournament held at Bhadrakali on Sunday.

GOPEN RAI LET’S DANCE: Kirati women celebrate the Sakela Ubhauli festival with a traditional dance at Tundikhel on Saturday. 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 11 12 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 POLITICS OF LIES Birendra KM in www.ratopati.com

Four months after the Madhesi people began protests against Nepal’s new constitution, the unrest continues with no end in sight. Among the factors that have prolonged the government- BHANU BHATTARAI Madhesi Front face-off are the lies spread by both sides. They fuel hatred against each other and deepen the polarisation. While the agitating Pay per patient Batsayan in Kantipur, 27 December parties are spreading lies to provoke Madhesi people, the ruling parties are

Pramod Acharya/ Centre for Investigative promised a cut from the patient’s final bill. doing the same to belittle the Front QUOTE OF THE WEEK Journalism in Himal Khabarpatrika, Another well-reputed hospital, Norvic, and weaken the Madhes movement. “ 27 December-2 January was also found to be involved in this The biggest lie spread by the malpractice. The hospital’s deputy general What is the use of a gun given to police if they cannot Front is that the new constitution has use it to save public property? manager Hanuman Golchha said he’d pay stripped Madhesi people of all their “ A year ago the Center for Investigative upto Rs 6,000 per patient (see conversation rights. Pinki Paswan, a post-graduate Home Minister Shakti Basnet in www.onlinekhabar.com Journalism had carried out an investigation below). student in Dhanusha district, says: on 31 December, responding to an allegation that police which exposed the trend of ambulance Most negotiations, an ambulance “The constitution has given no rights used ‘excessive force’ to quell Madhesi protests. drivers being paid commission to bring driver informed, are done over the phone. to us.” She cannot point out exactly patients to Kathmandu hospitals. New Some wary officials, however, ask to meet which rights the Madhesi people have investigations reveal the malpractice is still in person. not got in the constitution. rampant in the city, with most big name Doctors were also found to have hospitals involved. provided confidential information of Ambulance drivers bringing patients patients to hospital officials before their Indian patients suffer to Kathmandu first phone hospital officials, negotiation with ambulance drivers. and negotiate a price. If the patient is Other hospitals that are guilty of this Deepak Gyawali in to difficulties faced in crossing suffering from a critical ailment, and is likely practice include International Friendship Himal Khabarpatrika, the border. to be admitted for a longer time, drivers Children’s Hospital, Shivajyoti Hospital, 20-26 December According to hospital receive higher commission. Alka Hospital, Ganeshman Singh Hospital, manager Amod Kumar Singh, Posing as an ambulance driver, this Janamaitri Hospital and Hams Hospital. the number of Indian patients reporter spoke to officials of 10 different In the past, some hospitals were known Every year thousands of Indians visiting the hospital has gone hospitals over phone to make a similar deal. to present motorcycles as ‘bumper gifts’ to from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and down by 60 per cent. “Of course, we will pay you. That’s just ambulance drivers who brought them many Madhya Pradesh visit the Shree Fifty-year-old Karan Yadav how the times are,” said Sandip, an official patients. The ruling parties say the Madhes Rana Ambika Eye Hospital in who came from Uttar Pradesh at Blue Cross Hospital. Meanwhile the Ministry of Health, agitation is just a struggle of political Bhairahawa for eye surgery. says many of his neighbours are Shankar Lama of Kalanki-based City Nepal Medical Council and the local survival of some discredited Madhesi The hospital known for its low afraid to come to Nepal. “They Center Hospital agreed to pay Rs 15,000 administration continue to turn a blind eye leaders, and India is using it as a cost and high quality of service say there is turmoil and it will be while Basanta Khadka of Vayodha Hospital to this misconduct in the medical sector. proxy war to bring the Nepal state in ophthalmological care treats very difficult for us to get here,” to its knees. Anju Silwal, a student close to 15,000 Indian patients he said. in Kathmandu, says: “India is using each year. The hospital treats over Madhesi protesters to swallow our That number is however 194,000 patients each year, out southern plains and then the whole down by half post the blockade of 33,000 surgeries performed country.” with many patients choosing to in a year, 15,000 are on Indian Paswan and Silwal are postpone their surgery dates due nationals. representative voices of two different communities, and their understanding of the Madhes movement has been shaped by the propaganda of both A recorded phone conversation between the reporter and Hanuman Golchha, sides. deputy general manager at Norvic Hospital. To say that the new constitution has given no rights to Madhesi Reporter: Hello people is to mislead them. The new Hanuman Golchha: Hello constitution is regressive on some Reporter: Is this Hanuman sir? issues, but this is not reason enough Golchha: Yes, speaking. to dismiss the product of years of Reporter: Sir, it’s me. I had earlier called at the reception. political struggle and negotiations. Golchha: Who is calling? And it is equally misleading to say that Reporter: I had called to say I am bringing a patient from Chitwan. the Tarai unrest is not an outburst of Golchha: Oh, okay. Madhesi anger. Reporter: When I told the person I am bringing the patient to Norvic, and if there’s anything It is true that Madhesi protesters SETOPATI I can get in return, the person asked me to talk to you. have resorted to senseless violence in Golcha: So tell me what you want. some places. But if peaceful protests Why is Mahato in ICU? Reporter: Please arrange the expense for me. are ignored, they are bound to turn Golchha: How much do you need, I’ll let others know. violent. Nepal has witnessed several www.setopati.com, 30 December Reporter: Hmm, the patient will most likely be put in ICU and be admitted for long. political movements in its recent Golchha: Okay, come here and we can discuss. history, and stone-throwing was Madhesi leader Rajendra Mahato was injured in a clash as he tried to block the Reporter: How much will you give, sir? always considered ‘peaceful’. Police Nepal-India border check-point in Biratnagar on Saturday. He then walked to the Golchha: First come. used limited force to quell protests Indian side, but was taken back to Golden Hospital in Biratnagar by an ambulance. Reporter: Previously too I was promised something else and given another. in the past. But this time in the Tarai He sustained a minor injury to his head, and doctors wanted to discharge him after Golchha: I have never paid anyone till today. police have been treating Madhesi bandaging his wound. Reporter: It was Ankit sir who paid me last time. protesters with excess brutality. The However, Mahato asked doctors to conduct a CT Scan and photos of him Golchha: How much did he promise, and how much did u get? longer the unrest continues, the more doing the tests spread on social networking sites, prompting Madhesi protesters to Reporter: I was paid only Rs 4,000. violent will be the protests. The state vandalise and torch public property in Janakpur. Golchha: So how much do you want? is reluctant about readjusting future Mahato insisted on being admitted into the ICU, and when doctors prepared to Reporter: I had earlier also asked for Rs 8,000. federal boundaries, fearing that shift him to the observation ward he demanded a discharge paper and went to BP Golchha: No, 8,000 is not possible. I can give you upto Rs 6,000. tinkering with the proposed states will Koirala Institute of Health Science (BPKIHS), Dharan where he got himself admitted Reporter: Can you please increase a little? lead to violence elsewhere. The Front, into intensive care. Orthopedic specialist Yagya Raj Kharel, one of the three doctors Golchha: You keep bringing and we can continue negotiating. for its part, needs to justify the deaths involved in Mahato’s treatment at the BPKIHS, said: “His minor wounds have already Reporter: Is it okay to meet you when I get there? of so many Madhesi people by getting healed.” Golchha: Once the patient is admitted I will be immediately notified, and then I’ll inform the the government to agree on revising After a few days in the ICU, Mahato has now been shifted to the general ward. counter to pay you. state boundaries. The BPKIHS’s press officer Sujendra Tamang said: “He is all right, there is nothing to Reporter: Okay, then. The only way out of this crisis worry about.” is for both sides to compromise, However, Mahato’s Sadbhavana Party is still claiming that he is in a critical nepalitimes.com and that can happen only through condition and is undergoing treatment in the ICU. The party even performed prayers negotiations. in Rajbiraj for Mahato’s speedy recovery.  Listen to all audio tapes 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 NATION 13 Authority to reconstruct The Reconstruction Authority finally has a chief, but now there is no money for helicopters

The government has billion will not delivering earthquake relief OM ASTHA RAI earmarked Rs 91 billion for be enough, and to remote villages is needed reconstruction in this year’s it will be a huge more than ever, the World Food budget, and some donors like challenge to Programme (WFP) has run out of ight months after a 7.8 China, Germany, the World Bank meet the cost of money for its helicopter flights. magnitude earthquake and the ADB have already signed reconstruction.” The UN Humanitarian Air Edevastated central Nepal separate agreements of their The donor Service (UNHAS) coordinated and six months after donors pledged money with the Ministry pledge is also by the WFP carried out 4,784 pledged $4.1 billion to support of Finance. conditional sorties in the last eight months, reconstruction, a cabinet meeting “We now have more on the money transporting 876 tons of food and last week finally appointed than enough money to begin being spent 1,763 tons of supplies to remote the CEO of the National reconstruction,” says Baikuntha efficiently and mountain villages. But the UNHAS Reconstruction Authority. Aryal, Chief of the Budget and without leakage. terminated its service on 31 He is Sushil Gyewali, a civil Program Division at the MoF. “We Yokoyama December meaning that the lifeline engineer with a degree in urban are ready to disburse money as Development Bank (ADB). “We of the ADB warns: “It will be for most earthquake shelters in planning and was heading the and when the Authority requires have already lost several months, difficult for us to provide the remote areas will be cut. Town Development Fund, and he it.” and we need to work faster and remaining 50 -70 per cent if the This week the European Union is a man in a hurry. Donors who had pledged harder to make up for it.” reconstruction project funded announced Rs 340 million for “My first priority will be money for Nepal’s reconstruction However, the road ahead by us is not completed by 2017. the WFP to deliver shelter and to reassure families that help at a Kathmandu conference is not smooth. If the past is Implementation is therefore emergency reliefs to mountain is coming, and to take up in June 2015 are now racing any guide, Gyewali will face critical.” communities, but this money is winterization of shelters on a to sign agreements with the formidable political interference. But even before that, not for helicopter charters. war-footing,” Gyewali told Nepali MoF. “We are grateful that the Pokharel was the NC candidate Gyewali’s priority is to save If the delivery of winter Times on Tuesday. reconstruction authority now has for the post and lost his job earthquake survivors from dying supplies to the two million people The Authority has its task its CEO,” said Kenichi Yokoyama, because Oli did not support him. of hypothermia and infections in temporary shelters is Gyewali’s cut out: it needs to catch up with the Country Director of the Nepal Pokharel has another word of during this unusually bitter first priority, then his first big lost time and ensure effective Resident Mission of the Asian warning for Gyewali: “The $4.1 winter. However, just when huddle will be transportation. disbursement of reconstruction grants and credit subsidies through local communities to ensure accountability. Gyewali will work with three committees for consultation, policy formulation and monitoring implementation. He says the authority will emphasise job creation and skills building during reconstruction, and to extend this by example to other parts of the country not affected by the quake.

REBUILDING OURSELVES

He says he will move simultaneously on four fronts: urban renewal and heritage restoration, rural housing and community services, rebuilding schools and health posts, and rehabilitating livelihoods. Gyewali’s appointment came as a surprise because he was not a frontrunner for this coveted post and the appointment had been delayed by rivalry between the UML and the NC. Known as the urban planner who improved Butwal, his appointment is said to have been personally pushed by Prime Minister KP Oli. Govinda Raj Pokharel, former head of the National Planning Commission and appointed CEO earlier, was actually Gyewali’s teacher at Pulchok Engineering Campus. He remembers Gyewali as a bright student and adds: “The new CEO understands our political culture well, and he has hands-on knowledge about working closely with local government bodies.” Another huge advantage for Gyewali is that the government has already managed enough money to kick-start reconstruction work on the ground – something Pokharel couldn’t do because he was CEO of an Authority that had ceased to exist. 14 NATION 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 SHIVERING IN SHELTERS Few here remember a winter as difficult as this one

From Thursday, the UN’s SEULKI LEE World Food Programme (WFP) IN GORKHA which had handled helicopter charters, stopped emergency flights because it ran out of money ife has always been hard in (see page 13). Relief agencies that villages among the narrow were coordinating assistance for Lvalleys and towering, jagged health and education clusters snow peaks of northern Gorkha, have also stopped work as of but few here can remember a 31 December. winter as difficult as this. Much of the emergency First it was the earthquake supply for winter like sleeping on 25 April, then there was the bags, smokeless cooking stoves problem of transportation caused and tarps which were to have by the Indian blockade and the been distributed by now, have fuel crisis. been stuck at the Indian border With its epicentre just 20km for months. The backlog will be northwest of the district capital, even more difficult and expensive northern Gorkha bore the brunt of to deliver to Upper Gorkha. A the earthquake as the MI-17 helicopter of mountains were torn WFP could carry up to apart. Huge landslides four tons of cargo at a wiped trails off the time, but the smaller map. The gashes are Écureuil AS350 will still visible on the take four days to steep slopes above the transport the same Budi Gandaki gorge. REBUILDING payload even with an Not a single house OURSELVES external sling. was left standing “We have delivered on the ridge-top settlement of only half the winterisation Sipchet here in the Tsum Valley, packages in Gorkha, the other half a finger of Nepal that juts out is proving to be a challenge,” says into the Tibetan plateau behind Sudip Joshi of People in Need, a Ganesh Himal. With the trails cut, Czech charity. survivors among the 37 families The Oli government were left to fend for themselves announced it was distributing Rs Larkya Pass theth roof is becoming a problem. PICKING UP THE PIECES with only occasional helicopter 10,000 per family to buy winter Nubri Valley Tsum Valley Even when they are available, (clockwise from above): A family at Lho flights — the only contact with clothes. Relief workers see this Manaslu Lho theth price of essentials have shot Monastery, which was damaged in the Ghap Sipchet the outside world. as a publicity stunt, since most Himalchuli up,u and income from trekking was earthquake, waits for a helicopter to be “Everyone here has been people in remote areas have to Phillim reducedre to a trickle as tourism evacuated to Kathmandu on Sunday. sleeping in tents for last eight walk several days to Soti Khola collapsed.c Schools are now closed months,” says Gopal Lama, 49. and catch a bus to Gorkha to buy MANANG Barpak forfo the winter, and the few health An Écureuil helicopter carries a load of blankets “There are no toilets, no drinking a jacket. postsp in the region don’t have in a sling payload from Gorkha to Uiya. water.” In Gorkha, Budi Gandaki River staffst or sufficient medicines. After a while, even the there are more Gorkha HelicoptersH ferrying in supplies A helicopter lands in Lho to take women and helicopter flights became less than 2,000 usedu to take sick patients to children down from the cold to warmer Gorkha. frequent as operators ran out of households in hospitalsh in Gorkha, but now even aviation fuel due to the Indian camps living theth flights are uncertain. A model seismic-resistant house under blockade. Winter clothes and inside huts construction in Ghap. supplies did not arrive on time, made of corrugated Kalika and villagers in Tsum and the sheets. Without insulation KATHMANDU nepalitimes.com Sipchet village in Tsum Valley was completely destroyed in the earthquake, and most of its 37 neighbouring Nubri Valley were it is now bitterly cold and  Watch video of relief distribution left to fend for themselves. condensation falling from under families have been living in temporary shelters. Sick Families who survived the earthquake are now fighting the winter chill DAMBAR K SHRESTHA IN SINDHUPALCHOK

n a freezing morning last week, 65-year-old Sanman OMajhi woke up before dawn and left his tin hut to collect firewood. His tattered clothes did not protect him from the biting cold, he was found lying unconscious on a frost-covered field nearby. Majhi’s oldest son, Purna, was woken up and rushed to the spot to find some villagers trying

DAMBAR K SHRESTHA unsuccessfully to revive his 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 NATION 15

ALLPICS: SEULKI LEE of the cold midwife at the Thokarpa Health Post says two newborns have died here this month probably due to cold. She says: "After winter set in, the inflow of patients has gone up and we don't have enough medicines." In Kalika village of Sindhupalchok, where the earthquake killed more people Looking forward to spring and destroyed more houses than anywhere else, nearly 700 he Manaslu Trail was becoming a popular alternative to the Annapurna Circuit and the father. mother is sick but I cannot help families have been living in TEverest Base Camp trek. But after the earthquake destroyed the trails, the flow of trekkers is “He was not dead, and we her,” Purna says. shelters for eight months. When drown to a trickle. Only the brave and really adventurous have been coming through. rushed him to Dhulikhel Hospital After their house was they wake up, their mattresses It has been difficult even for villagers, who have to walk down the valley to buy essential but he died on the way,” Purna destroyed by the earthquake eight and clothes are soaked supplies. “We had to crawl up and down the slopes like four-footed animals,” says 50-year- recalls. months ago, the Majhi family has with condensation from the old Dawa Dorje from Namrung, “it was very difficult for us, especially the elders.” While Purna is mourning his been living inside a temporary corrugated roof. The villages Lho, Namrung and Ghap which were on the trekking route to Larkya Pass father’s death, his ailing mother, shelter built from wooden poles, With the National have hardly seen any trekkers since April. Trails in the Nubri and Tsum Valleys are also badly 55-year-old Sani Majhi, (pic, left planks and tin sheets that they Reconstruction Authority damaged. One trekker who went through in October left the following warning in a lodge with the citizenship card of her salvaged from the rubble. “Life delayed, the government guestbook: ‘Some trekkers lost their way because of the landslides and dangerous trails.’ husband) is suffering from cough was hard in the shelter,” he says. promised Rs 10,000 for each Fortunately, some of the damaged trails are being repaired under a ‘Food for Work’ and a chest infection. “It’s so “The cold has made it much homeless family to buy warm program supported by WFP both for relief distribution and to revive trekking like the trail from cold here, and it is cold inside harder.” clothes. But this grant has not Ghap to Namrung (above). The Manaslu Conservation Area Project says most of the Manaslu the shelter even with a fire, my Rewati Thapa (pic, above), a been distributed in Kalika. Trail is now fine, except below Philim. And if that is repaired over the next few months, the Larkya Traverse will be open in the spring season. 16 BACK SIDE 1 - 7 JANUARY 2016 #789 www.nepalitimes.com www.nepalitimes.com

Happy New Earful

trange things start smuggling fuel across the border) 2. I will take up smoking as a happening to a nation have a choice: is it really such hobby in the new year as part Swhen a largish southward a good idea to embark on a of a personal effort to draw neighbour insists on squeezing new year at this point in time? my life to a premature end. its nuts, and won’t let go. I mean, do we actually want to 3. Since it causes ulcer, I will Survival instincts take over and go through another 365 days stop drinking tea. And take the squeezee comes up with of this? If your answer is in the up Jack Daniels instead. ingenious ways to get back at the affirmative, and you have made 4. I will try to read a book in squeezer in order to survive. We up your mind to plunge headfirst 2016. gird up our loins with renewed into 2016 then go ahead, take 5. Cross my heart, I’ll desist vigour to safeguard our national the bull by the horns of its from making utterances that manhood. And in the absence dilemma in a china shop, and may be construed to be anti- of LPG cylinders, diesel and let me compliment you on your Indian within earshot of electricity, we set fire to the courage, give your gonads a fond the CIAA. I will only utter rafters to heat our homes. squeeze, and wish you godspeed. them after debugging my It’s that time of the year again May your remaining days apartment. when each of us individually in 2016 be filled with joy, 6. I will spend less time (and in semi-underground prosperity, happiness, and a full aimlessly stalking random criminal gangs engaged in cylinder of liquid petroleum at people on Facebook this keeping this nation afloat by not less than 32 psi. May you year, and spend more quality have to wait less than 48 hours time excavating lint from my for 5 litres of petrol. May load belly button. shedding in your neighbourhood 7. I will not work harder than follow the schedule and, if it I have to, I will not do today does, not exceed 12 hours a day. what I can do tomorrow. May your flush tank always be 8. We will hold our head half-full of water, and not half- high in the international empty. May there be oxygen in community and tell a certain the Intensive Care Unit when imaginary country to the they wheel you in. May your South whose capital is made transformer not explode when up of two words that begin they switch on the electric with ’N’ and ‘D’ that they crematorium. needn’t bother officially On a more cheerful note, lifting the unofficial let me say that I know from blockade because we’re all past experience that new year raking it in. resolutions, once made, are 9. In the new year we shall difficult to keep. However hard refrain from our national we try, by January the fifth, pastime of picking our noses we are back to being grumpy in public, and if perchance, couch potatoes with a poor our fingers involuntarily start sense of personal hygiene, and exploring hitherto uncharted harbouring an unexplicable urge sections of our nasal orifice to keep warm by committing we shall wash our hands arson on the effigy of KPOji and with soap. (Only soap, since NaMoji. water is going to be even We need new year more scarce this year.) resolutions that are realistic, 10. I will try to convince the Oli can stand up to peer review, Gobarment to allow me to and which we can actually take be an adviser to the newly- to the implementation phase. formed Ministry of Livestock In view of the above, therefore, in the spirit of inclusion, I have drawn up my personal since donkeys are under- list of new year resolutions represented in a Cabinet which are not copyright and dominated by Brahmin bulls. may be reproduced, stored And as long as I am at it, I in, introduced into a retrieval will also lobby to bifurcate system, plagiarised, and the Ministry of Agriculture transmitted in any form (digital, further into the Ministry of analog, Bluetooth or as an Horticulture, Ministry of interstellar radio message from Aquaculture, the Ministry of the Arecibo Observatory aimed Monoculture and Ministry of in the general direction of Counterculture. the globular star cluster M13) 11. I will endeavour to make provided these suggestions are a complete not attributed to the author or Ass of myself publisher in a court of law: every week throughout 1. I will try my best to be 2016. grouchy and cantankerous throughout the coming year. After all, what is there to be cheerful about? The Ass

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