#254 1 - 7 July 2005 16 pages Rs 30 p8-9 Spillover Even if Nepali Maoists were not involved in last week’s Naxalite offensive in Bihar, the tactics used were familiar ThaiSingMa AJIT TIWARI in JANAKPUR

here are signs that the feared ‘spillover’ of the Nepali The best Thai, Singaporean Maoist insurgency across the open border into northern and Malaysian food in town T India is beginning. The spate of coordinated assaults on three police stations in Bihar in the past week have been so sudden and serious Weekly Internet Poll # 254 that Indian officials who were caught offguard suspect Q. Should there be a foreign arms embargo involvement of Nepali Maoists. Indeed, the tactics of on Nepal? overwhelming police stations and destroying government buildings with human wave attacks were eerily similar to the method rebels have used here. Immediately after the attacks, Bihar police blamed Nepali Maoists and said there were “Nepali-looking people with Total votes:556 Mongoloid features” among the dead attackers. Maoist Weekly Internet Poll # 255. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara immediately denied his Q... How do you evaluate the security party’s involvement but there are fears of unprecedented situation since 1 February? coordination between Nepali Maoists and the Maoist Communist Cell (MCC) in India. Three Indian security personnel and 18 Naxalites died in the attack on the town of Madhuban on 23 June in which six government buildings and a police station were destroyed. Three days later, the town of Bairgania 75 km south of the Nepal border was attacked. That very night on 26 June, the rebels moved to the town of Piparahi. Nine Naxalites, one more soldier and a civilian were killed in the two attacks. On Monday, reports reached here saying there was a daylong firefight at Pachpokhariya 10 km south of the border. Seven Naxalites were captured. “There were definitely Nepali Maoists involved,” maintains Bihar Police Chief Ashish Ranjan Singh whose initial statements were carried widely by the Indian and Nepali media. Independent analysts doubt Nepalis were involved and say Indian police are just trying to coverup their inability to prevent the attacks. They say it is more likely that the MCC has seen how effective the tactics have been in Nepal and have borrowed them in launching what looks like a monsoon offensive when security response is slower in Bihar due to floods. Nepali and Indian Maoists could also be using each other’s territories to escape hot pursuit by security forces. Last week's attacks took place in north Bihar where Naxalite activity has not been as pronounced, and follows a big landmine attack in northern Uttar Pradesh in November in which 15 policemen were killed. India’s paramilitary Sasastra Seema Bal (SSB) has now sealed the border immediately to the north of its base in Chekana and asked for reinforcements. An official at the AJIT TIWARI Jayanagar base of the SSB told us there are plans to restrict TENSE BORDER: Indian SSB on patrol along the Indo-Nepal frontier in

ISSN 1814-2613 travel all along the Bihar border. z Rautahat. Motorcyclist and bus passengers from Nepal being checked. 2 EDITORIAL 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Abha Eli Phoboo, Aarti Basnyat Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Pushparaj Sharma, [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 Let’s talk about caste When will ‘others’ qualify to be ‘one of us’? DOES PUBLIC OPINION MATTER? ven as we painstakingly monarchists’ caste base is. It also overwhelmingly composed wrest back the right to lists the king’s closest friends of Bahun men. Doesn’t look like it, given the way it has been disregarded by every E debate openly, caste remains and advisers. These include: And herein lies a lingering political force in the country. They all claim to stand for the people a strangely under-articulated Prabhu Shamsher Jung Bahadur weakness in today’s democratic but have consistently dashed all hope. topic in political discourse Rana, a childhood friend who movement. Be they political The Maoists say they are fighting a ‘people’s’ war although today. accompanied the king to parties, community or business many who supported the revolution don’t want to have anything to do with it anymore. The king says he took over to save the people Many enlightened Nepalis Indonesia and China. His organisations, NGOs or INGOs, from conflict but all we have seen in the past three years is a abhor the caste system, though nephew Prabhakar Shamsher or even families, the vast systematic plan to dismantle what remained of democratic few have broken caste taboos in Jung Bahadur Rana heads the majority of democratic institutions and surviving civil liberties. The political parties haven’t their personal lives. Still, Soaltee Group and is also close institutions remain markedly faced their electorates in six years, their mandates have expired activists have long organised to the king. Another trusted segregated—not by intention, and there is little public enthusiasm toward their call for restoration ‘joint feasts’ to allow people from friend is Birendra Shah, better maybe but by omission. There of parliament. ‘high’ and ‘low’ castes to defy known by his nickname ‘Lava are apparently no ‘others’ who All three forces think that lack of support for the other two Raja.’ He was in Pokhara with qualify to be ‘one of us.’ Or it is translates into support for themselves. The Maoists pose as the then-Prince Gyanendra during not worth the effort to reach out people’s genuine liberators, promising to wipe the slate clean of a GUEST COLUMN the 2001 royal massacre. Sharad beyond our comfortable circles. feudal monarchy and malfunctioning democracy. The king thinks the Manjushree Thapa Chandra Shah is Lava Raja’s There is of course a lack of public support for the parties means the people back his autocratic experiment. And the political parties take it for granted nephew. He heads the difference in the ethics of that most Nepalis are against February First. segregation. The Dalits’ rights Information Technology absolute monarchists and What we have seen year after year in nationwide polls since movement is gaining pace despite Commission but his informal democrats: the democrats’ ideals 2000 is a vast and overwhelming yearning for an end to violence. If elite resistance. Thousands of powers are extensive. Another oblige them to be inclusive. the three forces want to genuinely address the people’s most Nepalis across the country have adviser, DB Rana, used to work And they do sincerely intend to important concern they should be making urgent moves to restart even discarded their surnames to in the Soaltee Group. Mahendra be so but first, they just need to the peace process instead of clawing at each other. shrug off their caste identities. Kumar Singh, married to King restore democracy. Eighty percent of Nepalis surveyed have always rejected (Hence the proliferation of Tribhuban’s daughter from out Yet, which comes first– communist totalitarianism and royal authoritarianism. Extremists of Nepalis with such surnames as of wedlock, sustained a bullet democratic values or democratic the left and right will overlook this at their own peril. But the ‘Sorrowful’ or ‘Inspiration’). wound at the 2001 royal polity? This is a question that mainstream political parties haven’t stood up convincingly for the In the 1990 to 2002 period, massacre. Ravi Shamsher Jung many Nepalis—particularly middle ground either. Their leaders still don’t seem to have realised how low they the political parties had all been Bahadur Rana and Queen non-Chettri-Bahuns—are now have sunk in the public’s eye. Chanting ‘democracy’ alone will not captured by Bahun men—who Komal’s brother Suraj Shamsher asking. Absolute monarchists win people back to the cause. Our political leadership was always unfortunately blocked reforms on Jung Bahadur Rana are also would say that democratic much better at struggling for democracy than making it work, they women’s, Dalits’ and Janajatis’ advisers to the king. Similarly values must come first and now have to prove that this time it will be different. rights. Studies were showing close is Shanta Kumar Malla, actual democracy can follow. The underground comrades for their part should read the writing Panchayat-era caste profiles to be former army chief, oversaw a Democrats would say the on the wall: the people may still vote you to power if you give up comparatively more diverse. Even five-person military inquisition opposite. violence. But they won’t if you wait any longer. now, the political parties remain into the 2001 royal massacre. But the ground realities of We may have forgotten it in this long detour on the road to the bastions of Bahun men. Among other advisers are Sachit Nepal are better reflected in the democracy but the only true reflection of the people’s will is when Then came the king’s October Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana, view of Anil Bhattarai of Nepal we allow them to choose their representatives and make them truly 2002 takeover. Dramatically, the Bharat Keshar Simha and South Asia Centre: “You cannot sovereign. Chettri caste that had Kesharjung Rayamajhi. That’s 11 bring democracy first, then monopolised power before Chettri men, all but one a reduce poverty, then have 1990 returned. The heads Thakuri. awareness-building campaigns, of all the cabinets It is sometimes tempting to then bring about social change. under King reduce the struggle between It all happens simultaneously. Gyanendra’s rule have absolute monarchists and Look at what is happening. That been Chettris: Chand democrats to a struggle between is our reality.” (a Thakuri sub-caste), Chettris and Bahuns. This So, democrats: while Thapa, Deuba and would be a facile conclusion, of overthrowing Nepal’s political Shah (also Thakuri). course. Yet the non-political anachronisms, let’s also A recent cover story sectors that embody the present overthrow our own lingering in Nepal magazine further democratic movement—the contradictions, shall we? Let’s reveals how narrow the absolute media, the legal profession—are start by talking about caste. In an unstable state By making reform impossible, they’re making revolution inevitable ny legitimacy-challenged regime, parties were proscribed and their leaders front are so stark that even a routine royal Prisoners of conscience delegitimise whether benign or malignant, is imprisoned by King Mahendra. And then, visit to Qatar is being labelled as a regimes and draw international attention Aoppressive. It doesn’t take long for there is Donald Camp, who tells the king monumental achievement. But nowhere to this state of unreason. even a benevolent dictatorship to when he meets him that going back to pre- is the record as abysmal as in the arena of The press is still supressed and the degenerate into tyranny. Insecure and 1990 is out of the question as far the fundamental freedoms. Five months after bar is debarred from taking up paranoid, illegitimate governments international community is concerned. February First, political prisoners constitutional issues in the courts. Both inevitably go about centralising authority, If these statements by people perceived continue to languish in prison. have been forced to take their agitation to thereby undermining their legitimacy to be close to Narayanhiti are anything to Sher Bahadur Deuba and Prakash the streets. February First loyalists further. go by, even tougher restrictions on political Man Singh are victims of political interpret acquiescence of a repressed STATE OF THE STATE By activity appear to be in the cards. vendetta and a selective witch-hunt. people as evidence of their consent for CK Lal using Hallucinators who yearn for a return to They are being unlawfully prosecuted by royal rule and the possibility of a coercion, absolute monarchy forget that it had an extra-constitutional watchdog. rapprochement between constitutional repression, violence, rewards or already brought the country to the brink of Unfortunately, Deuba and Singh lack the forces has never been more distant. punishment and manufacture of consent disaster in 1990. If it were not for the moral fortitude to question the RCCC’s Instead, a showdown between the forces through propaganda, an authoritarian order safety valve that democracy accorded, the decisions. After all, they themselves of autocracy and democracy is imminent. may be relatively stable in the short-term. state would have crumbled under the functioned as loyal nominees until the US Ambassador James Moriarty But it ends up undermining itself from combined weight of people’s frustrations king dismissed them. predicted the outcome of intensification within. with the system, an Indian economic But people who never acquiesced to of confrontation in his address to the There are signs of things to come and blockade and international apathy towards the post-October 2002 royal order and East West Centre last week: millions of recent pronouncements by loyal royals are the plight of Nepalis. But, it seems, no one were imprisoned for their beliefs can be Nepalis are refugees in India, and anarchy ominous. Former Brig Gen Bharat Keshar ever learns anything from history. By considered prisoners of conscience. inside the country. But such a doomsday Simha, an honorary ADC to the king, making reform impossible, the courtiers are Ramchandra Poudel was released on scenario is probably scare mongering argued recently that since the monarch was bent upon making revolution inevitable. Tuesday but Narhari Acharya and tactics to make donors fall in line with a Bishnu incarnate he was above the The royal regime’s dismal performance Krishna Pahadi are still in detention. the royal regime. The result of political constitution. Yet another retired general inspires even less confidence. Maoist Unlike Deuba and Singh, Acharya and upheavals is unpredictable. Royal and member of the Raj Parishad, Sachit violence has escalated, the economy is in a Pahadi aren’t where they are for what rollback is the safest course to save the Shamsher, warned that politicians tailspin weighed down by stagnation and they did or didn’t do. They are in prison country from unintended consequences deserved to be treated as in the 1960s when inflation. Failures on the foreign policy because they stand for certain values. of catastrophic confrontation. 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 3

LLL ETTERS

BAMBOO CURTAIN lightened the burden of tyranny: research on and engage with, to the rules of the road or the country where most legislation is Thanks to Ashok R Shakya they have only shifted it to another health service issues in Nepal rules of the game? not enforced, this is no surprise. (‘Bamboo Curtain’, #152) for his shoulder.’ Hopefully, what Tanner have data that support our concern ‘Z Crossing’, Jawalakhel The wedding catering business, poignant photos from the Bhutani had written a hundred years ago is that the lack of regulation of meanwhile, has taken off adding refugee camps and his emotional not happening in Nepal. A private sector health services can WEDDING BLUES revenue to the government’s tribute to those of us who were revolution to overthrow the Rana lead to dangerously unintended Kapil Tamot’s experience of being depleting coffers. If this is the chased out of our homeland. He regime and usher democracy was consequences– it is thus among 1,500 guests at reason behind non-enforcement has called a spade a spade with needed. It did actually overthrow heartening to hear evidence of Kathmandu weddings is one of this particular law by the his sharp rebuke of the Druk the Rana regime but the people high-quality public health services shared by many (‘Pre-monsoon government, then the right regime which is ultimately only got to see a short glimpse of reducing public demand for high- weddings’, #253). There is a law approach would be to repeal the responsible for our tragedy. democracy and multiparty system risk private services. It is hoped in Nepal which prohibits inviting law. Two warnings to Kapil: the Ganesh Lama, Jhapa before King Mahendra made an that the NTP will make the results more than 51 people (excluding monsoon wedding season is not executive decision to ban parties of such research more widely close relatives) for wedding over yet and parties are being Shame on the royal regime and become the centre of power. available for discussion of its parties. The penalty for violation held in ‘war zones’ like the in Bhutan for doing this to its Thirty years later, after various broader implications, in addition to is a fine up to Rs 20,000 or Mahendra Police Club and the people. Since they are Buddhist ups and downs, democracy was its use to defend the DOTS imprisonment up to 15 days or Army Club where you need to go and believe in karma they must re-established. Once again program. There may be a need, both. The rationale is that people through barbed wire and sentries know that one day the misery elected governments were not however, for caution in interpreting don’t overspend and be indebted with assault rifles behind they have sowed will come back successful in improving the the Lalitpur research data. Lalitpur for the rest of their lives. So far no sandbags. to haunt them a thousandfold. political and economic situation. is not representative of most of one has ever been convicted. In a Anup Raj Upreti,email Ina Petersen, Copenhagen Ultimately, King Gyanendra Nepal, of course, and the degree assumed partial executive powers to which such findings can be given to him by the ‘democratic generalised should be considered. constitution’ in October 2002. Like I join ‘international TB experts’ King Mahendra, King Gyanendra in applauding the achievements of too took what he wrongfully the NTP. I would like to note, believed was rightfully his. The however, that different types of next revolution is bound to be for a experts have their own areas of republic considering how expertise and frame their constitutional kings have deceived judgements accordingly. Judging a us twice. TB control program by its ‘cure One could safely conclude that rate’ is an important all the revolutions aimed at epidemiological approach to establishing democracy have program evaluation. There are, failed. They have just shifted the however, other types of experts So, finally there’s burden of tyranny. Actually, if we who in addition look beyond ‘cure talk about integrating into our do want something to happen in rates’ when they raise questions society ethnic Nepalis who were this country, let’s start an internal about a program and seek to expelled from Bhutan more than revolution within parties and assess its strengths and a decade ago. Why this has overthrow the incompetent leaders weaknesses. I hope that the NTP, taken so long is something one that they have. Who knows, we DfID and the WHO, as leaders of can only speculate on. To quote may be third time lucky. the effort to control tuberculosis in an example, when famine hit Himal Ghimire, Sydney Nepal, will not be satisfied with Ethiopia in the early 80s, Israel basing their own evaluation of sent planes to rescue and bring Kanak Dixit’s eyewitness DOTS in Nepal solely on the back orthodox Jews who had report from Madi (‘Sorry.’, #251) verdict of those ‘experts’ that laud been living there for centuries. graphically shows the level of its epidemiological success. I Up until then, the Ethiopian Jews cowardice that is inherent among would also further hope that there had not even been aware of the Maoist ‘warriors’. Kindly send a was room for critical and public existence of the state of Israel, free copy of that issue to Girija debate of broader issues so that thinking they were the only Jews Prasad Koirala and Madhab the lessons–both positive and in the world. And yet, Israel did Kumar Nepal who are now flirting negative–can be understood, what it did even though the with the terrorists. debated and used to further people it brought back were Sri Ram Chaudhary, email strengthen an already successful different ethnically, culturally and program. socially. Now the ‘Ethiopian’ Thank you for printing Ian Harper, email Jews are very much a part of Rabindra Nakarmi’s article (‘The Israeli society, having been lion king’, #253). My wife, son and STREET SMART integrated into the social fabric I watched that movie together and Those of us who live or work in of the country. Why has this not all of us were very upset when and around Jawalakhel in happened with the so- Uncle Scar snatched power and particular cannot have failed to called ‘Bhutani’ refugees? After were very happy when the young notice that there have been some all, these are ethnic Nepalis who lion prince was able to return to improvements recently to the speak the same language, share his rightful throne. The parallels smoothness of our journeys. But the same culture and have between the movie and Nepal’s have we considered the following: names that sound no different reality are eerie. The only Are we tackling the root from ours. Why have they not difference– and our country’s great causes of the rough and potholed been granted Nepali citizenship? misfortune– is that we do not have pathways that we have become They are no more Bhutani than any figure such as the young lion used to? Have suitable you and I. In fact, they are more prince. foundations been laid? Has the Nepali than many Nepalis J Aryal, email budget been diverted from other themselves. Living in isolation more worthy causes? Is there any among Bhutanis must have made TB-3 effort being made to tackle the them more aware of who they I’d like to thank Shrestha, problems that occur whenever were and created a desire to Clapham and Gunneberg for several parties meet at a junction preserve their identity and responding to the issues raised in only to find that personal self- culture. Ironically, that is what my letter posing questions to TB interest overrides any semblance got them expelled from Bhutan in control activities (Letters, #252). of cooperation or personal the first place– not being able to The complex relationship between restraint and compromise for the adapt themselves to the culture the conflict, the growth of the greater good? Will we continue to and customs of the host country– private sector and their impact on be faced with that familiar that and their revolt against state provision of health services confusion of whether the signal to Bhutani authorities, which was is a pressing one and one it is the right means ‘please pass’ or ‘I foolishly inspired by the political hoped is being both acknowledged am about to turn’? Will we change taking place in Nepal at at policy level as well as being continue to see progress being the time. Integration can further researched. A start to achieved only by the large and be beneficial in more ways than addressing these issues would be powerful machines at the expense one, not least of which is: there’ll to gather the ‘anecdotal’ and other of the smaller, less visible and be more people to send abroad evidence on the conflict’s impact weaker vehicles? How about for non-skilled jobs that, although and begin to articulate what the children on the frontlines? There low paying, bring in dollars. questions to research and address have also been some Name witheld might be. Shrestha et al’s example improvements in traffic manage- of how a well run DOTS program ment elsewhere in the capital with TYRANNY AND TERROR in Lalitpur actually decreases the the introduction of central barriers. In context to your editorial ‘Trial numbers of those who attend the Does this smooth the flow of and terror’ (#252). In 1903, John private sector and consequently people or simply transfer Tanner wrote in The the availability of anti-tuberculous congestion to other problem Revolutionist’s Handbook: drugs from this sector, is very areas? Finally, despite the surface ‘Revolutions have never encouraging. Some of us who dressing, will we see any changes 4 NATION 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 The great green road Twenty years later, the Jiri highway survives the test of time and serves as a model for other mountain roads with boulders were used here for the first time. Many of these techniques have since been applied successfully on other roads in Nepal. Environment friendly construction has kept the highway relatively landslide free, and blockages during the monsoon are much rarer than in other highways in Nepal. The engineers settled for a three-metre one lane highway with wide hairpins, good drainage and a system of maintenance by lengthworkers from local communities. “It’s amazing, the road is still PRAGYA SHRESTHA in JIRI landslides and erosion with Jiri became the roadhead for in good shape after 20 years even LONG AND WINDING ROAD: innovations that they hoped the Everest trek and its economy though the resealing which King Birendra inaugurating the would serve as a model for other was transformed by tourism. should have been done every five highway in Jiri in 1985 (above) and hen the Lamosangu-Jiri mountain highways in Nepal. Dolakha was no more a food years was not done,” says a hairpin bend above Lamosangu. road was commissioned Now, 20 years later, the deficit area, the road opened up Devendra Dhar Pradhananga, the W in 1985, it marked a impact of the Lamosangu-Jiri markets for the region’s produce highway’s project manager. He relatively long to build since it turning point in the life of this Highway appears to have been which included cheese, herbs, believes regular and planned was purposely made labour- sleepy town in the middle of positive. The road opened up potatoes and vegetables. The maintenance is not a technical intensive to provide local nowhere. Dolakha, Charikot and the remote Khimti hydropower project issue, not even financial, but an employment, and it cost Rs 250 This was the first highway Ramechhap districts and the wouldn’t have been feasible institutional, political and million for the entire 110 km designed not to be just a highway integrated rural development without the road, and other administrative problem. The stretch in1985 prices, which was but one that took socio-economic effort that followed construction potential generation sites are now entire road is now being relatively cheap. costs and benefits to rural Nepal tried to ensure that the local viable because of feeder roads. resurfaced and the work is “The most important lesson of into account. It aimed to economy took advantage of access. Jiri’s dairies went through a boom expected to be finished by end the Jiri road is the change from ad maximise benefits for the local The Swiss invested heavily in since the road brought July. hoc road maintenance to the population by providing access community forestry, soil Kathmandu Valley within reach. Road engineer CK Lal, agrees concept of planned road while reducing the impact on the management, trail bridge Bitumen emulsion was used the Jiri road is a model for maintenance carried out locally by villages of being suddenly opened building, district roads and rural as a binder for black-topping highway engineering in the lengthworkers,” says Jorg Frieden up to the outside world. health activities. Agricultural which reduced the reliance on mountains but says it was too of Swiss Development Technically, the highway was extension allowed farmers to grow firewood to melt the asphalt. Bio- expensive. “The main problem Cooperation in Nepal, “the other a marvel of engineering. The value-added crops and the road engineering techniques were with replicating it is that it important innovations were the Swiss who helped build it became a backbone to take the applied for the first time to wasn’t cheap to build and isn’t use of bio-engineering and brought their experience from the produce to market and increase stabilise slopes along the cheap to maintain,” he says. environmental friendly road Alps and aimed to reduce family income. alignment. Gabion baskets filled The Swiss say the road took construction techniques.” z “We are very sorry to see the country divided”

strictly respect the principle of impartiality, be ready to We are satisfied by the positive reception given by the speak to all stakeholders, be accountable and transparent. Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) to this mandate. The The tentative enforcement of these principles has improved work of the international observers–if really accepted by the quality of our development activities and their both parties to the conflict and effectively implemented– acceptance by the rural population. will mean the end of impunity for the perpetrators of abuses as well as for their commanders and political masters. We How has the collaboration with government evolved since believe that accountability to the international law will 1 February? progressively improve a situation on the ground that has The direct collaboration, as well as the security situation, remained appalling. has not changed much. Strengths and weaknesses of the The Lamosangu-Jiri road built with Swiss assistance is government have remained basically the same. Programs seen as an example of well thought-out development aid. and projects have however been affected by the numerous Twenty years later, what are the lessons? changes of personnel that the new government has The road served as an example of how mountains roads conducted over the last months. The major problems have should be built. It was a model and the road helped MIN BAJRACHARYA arisen from the deterioration of the overall environment: improve the economic condition of the local population to censorship and restriction of media freedom have made some extent. The Khimti hydropower project and now, Jorg Frieden, the Nepal representative more difficult a serious assessment of risks and maybe Upper Tamakosi are possible because the road of Swiss Development Cooperation opportunities. The pressure exerted on human rights already exists. There may have been some negative (SDC) spoke to Nepali Times about the activists and democratic parties in the districts has made impact but to mitigate the problems, the Integrated Hill difficulty in the delivery of donor- more difficult the communication with all stakeholders and Development Project (IHDP) was implemented to the search for practical solution to projects’ implementation harmonise people for the road so that they could take assisted projects post-February First problems. The appointment of the monitoring commissions advantage of the new possibilities arising from it. Since the and development priorities. has weakened the local authorities further and has started road was built we have been involved mainly in community rolling back the decentralisation of state responsibilities forestry, soil management, trail bridge building, district How does SDC perceive the attacks on aid workers by crucial for peace and development in this country. We feel roads, rural health and so on. And the road has played a the Maoists? very sorry to see that (February First) has divided the major role in accessing and developing the entire area. Fortunately, across the country, physical attacks have country drastically and the government is trying to sort out remained an exception. Both parties to the conflict and the problem with military solutions, which is definitely not a How do you see a future commitment in road sector from especially the insurgents have, however, frequently good sign. SDC? threatened and put aid workers under pressure in order We have shifted our concerns from the expansion of the to obtain tactical or material advantage. These are The Swiss government sponsored the human rights strategic network to the construction and maintenance of against our Basic Operational Guidelines and they resolution in Geneva in May, are you satisfied with the rural roads. Through the District Road Support Program constitute a major challenge for the continuation of outcome? (DRSP) and with SDC’s know-how and budget, the development work in rural Nepal as SDC and all other We are pleased that the government renewed its construction of green roads in six districts east of agencies give the highest priority to the security of their commitment to fully respect its international obligations and Kathmandu has been sustained for five years. DRSP, with staffs, who are, in their vast majority, Nepali citizens. accepted, in a comprehensive memorandum of its know-how will now expand to 18 additional districts and However, we have come to the conclusion that the best understanding, the presence of the international monitors support the implementation of a large ADB financed rural way to ensure the security of development work is to reporting to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. infrastructure project. BUSINESS 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 5

Lukla suffers another mishap

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Six months after a Sita Air Dornier suffered an undercarriage failure while landing at Lukla airport, (pictured) a Gorkha Airlines Dornier skidded off the runway on Thursday morning. None of the eight Nepali passengers and three crew were hurt. Lukla’s famous inclined runway was tarmaced three years ago and has since seen a big jump in landings and takeoffs. There have been eight mishaps here in the past 10 years, although none of them resulted in fatalities. Pilots regard landing in Lukla as one of the most challenging in Nepal because of the terrain and weather.

The World Bank’s confidence

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ WASHINGTON—The World Bank approved a $3 million grant this week to help finance technical assistance needs of its reform agenda. The Economic Reform Technical Assistance Project NEPALNEWS.COM intends to strengthen home-grown reforms in the areas of public sector capacity, service delivery, social inclusion, governance and reducing unproductive public sector intervention in the economy, all of which will be critical to placing Nepal on a higher growth path. Graft busters “Key policymakers in Nepal are keenly aware that these improvements are central to promoting social equity and building lasting peace,” says World Bank Country Director for Nepal, Corruption control as an excuse for political witch-hunts Kenichi Ohashi. The project is structured to provide flexibility in the use of the funds, which can finance the hiring of skilled hat better topic to Surely, in a pluralistic rooms that are immediately professionals, consultants and training. discuss now than graft, democratic set up, graft is more effectuated. This makes analysing Wespecially as the former democratic too as the trickle the expenditure of the state or

Another ATM PM Sher Bahadur Deuba and his down effect reaches the village various governmental and non- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ team have just been acquitted of political levels. In the past governmental organisations that Standard Chartered Bank Nepal giving away cash to supporters at decade-and-a-half of plural proclaim to be helping conflict has installed another 24-hour Dasain. Does this mean they’ve democracy, we found more mitigation, management and Automated Teller Machine elimination rather difficult. With (ATM) at its branch in Lalitpur got a clean chit? grassroots level politicos in graft the media cautiously on tiptoe, which was inaugurated by CEO scandals than in earlier regimes Sujit Mundul on 28 June ECONOMIC SENSE when it was relegated to the journalists have to be careful (pictured). StanChart now has Artha Beed upper echelons. about what they report so the 10 ATM sites in the country This Beed has always been debate on graft cannot fully which also serve Visa, Governments the world over, harping about making political surface either. MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro especially democratic countries, donations legit in order to ensure There is a very thin dividing cardholders. have used graft charges to nail that there is little incentive for line in developing societies like opponents. Classic cases of people to risk getting involved in ours between legit activities and

Qatar adds Alexandria South Korea, Japan and of course corrupt practices. Every country graft. The onus lies with the state ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ India show how showcase perhaps has its own anti- whose responsibility it is to Qatar Airways has added the Egyptian port city of Alexandria on its corruption trials are done live on corruption watchdog and our devise a mechanism where graft route map with a non-stop three-times-a-week from Qatar Airways’ tv. Autocracies, too, it seems use own CIAA has been found to have policies are equitable and not operational hub of Doha using Airbus A320s. This is the 64th corruption charges to sideline quite a few of its teeth missing. biased towards a certain section of destination on the airline’s rapidly growing global network. opponents succumbing to the With a larger high-level-outside- the society. The ruling elite temptation of launching the-pyramid body in place to always have more opportunities

Linking up political witch-hunts disguised even act as a watchdog on the for corruption than the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ opposition, that is why self World Link Communications has received an ISO 9001:2000 as corruption control. watchdog body, the current state certificate from the Norwegian company, Det Norske Veritas. It is In fact, it is easier because the of dealing with graft is still regulation must be strongly in the first Nepali communication services provider to get an ISO accused doesn’t have the usual unpredictable. While government place. Lee Kwan Yew has set certificate. recourse to rule of law when servants languish in reserve pools many examples and there are media functions under state anticipating some action, either lessons to be learnt from his NEW PRODUCT diktat. Pakistan has examples of positive or negative against them, experiences in dealing with graft in Singapore. But let’s not use the LIANA: Arun Intercontinental Traders, how a state’s relief fund might be no one is sure about the right authorised distributor for Suzuki acceptable if it intends to use it definition of graft. Singapore model of autocracy as Motor Corporation, has launched but is unacceptable if its In times of conflict, graft an excuse for corruption control. Liana, its new 1300 cc family car opponents do the same. becomes even more difficult to You can never replace rule of law priced at just over Rs 2.1 million. This is just drawing parallels understand as security with rule of Lee. z between countries where expenditure and actions different forms of regime exist. necessitate decisions in closed www.arthabeed.com 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 “Not until they give up violence” common slogan of ‘multiparty democratic them. Nepalis have fought in India’s republic’ with the parties. I explained that it struggle for freedom and Indian leaders was not possible right now. As long as the have expressed their solidarity in the Maoists continued their violent and chaotic democratic movement of Nepal. This has ways, parties could not respond to their been a cultural tradition between the two call for unity. countries. Baburam repeated what Prachanda had It is not the political parties but the said. He tried to assure me that there was supporters of monarchy and autocracy no rift between them and that their strength who often reach Delhi and try to appease had increased. He also added that his party the Indian authorities. The stories of their was willing to forge unity with the parties sycophancy are unbelieveable. There are and move ahead in a new way under many of them in New Delhi, people changed circumstances. I noticed a slight associated with institutions like the World UML STRONGMAN: difference in the way the Maoist leaders Hindu Federation lobbying for their Bam Deb Gautam assists party used to speak before and the way they interest. During our stay in India, we came workers in paddy planting in speak now. Earlier, they used to ask us to to know that the king himself sought Kathmandu on Wednesday. join their armed struggle and support their support from Indian leaders, whether it

SUNDAR SHRESTHA/NEPAL SAMACHARPATRA demand for the election of the constituent was during the meeting in Jakarta or assembly and republican system. Now, elsewhere. We also came to know that the UML Leader Bam Deb Gautam in The conversation I had with Prachanda they say that we (the parties) need to king has been sending messages to the Dishanirdesh, 26 June dwelt on issues ranging from the democratic include them in our struggle against Indian establishment through movement in Nepal to the end of the king’s autocracy. intermediaries repeatedly. Pro- I had long conversations on the telephone autocracy and from peaceful movement to It is wrong to say that the political monarchists have been meeting with Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai, the violence of the Maoists. Prachanda told leaders run to Delhi whenever a political extremists in India requesting them to separately, while I was in New Delhi. But I me that his party was willing to participate crisis arises in Nepal. We must not forget quell our movement. So it doesn’t behove did not contact them, they had somehow in the joint movement of the seven parties. that there are around eight million Nepalis them to say that the political parties’ located my hotel and called me there. He stressed that his party wanted to form a in India, the UML has a strong base among leaders are India-dependent.

State injustice innocent person a terrorist,” says minutes, they would feel my once in the morning and once in The Kirants demanded federal ○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○○ human rights activist Tulsiram neck to check if I was still the evening. My ears are bleeding rule, secular religion and special Jana Aastha, 15 June Rai. CDO Sudhir Kumar Shah did breathing. For half-an-hour, until even now, my memory is growing political rights for 18 districts everything to cover up the truth we reached an army barrack, they weak and my teeth, which were east of Ramechhap. The BHOJPUR—It was dangerous for when a team of human rights verbally abused me. In the ok before are all deformed. government did not comment on 17-year-old Bidya Chauhan to fall workers visited the site. Injustice barrack, I was made to sit on a Whenever I had to go to the toilet the demands. Prachanda and in love. Despite protests from her against innocent civilians cold cement floor and frisked. All I would get pushed against the Baburam had taken part in the parents, she eloped with a local suspected of being Maoists is I had was a press pass from the wall, abused and beaten up again ceremony that marked the man. Eventually, her parents increasing. Three youths in Boya Department of Information and a on my way back. Food was given formation of KNF some years ago sought help from the Maoists to VDC have been in jail after they few documents related to human once a day but it was with a after which it decided to support break up the couple. In return, were accused of being Maoists. rights. They tied me up, joined watery soup that I could hardly the Maoist people’s war. KNF they agreed to force their daughter Among them is a nine-year-old electrical wires to my ears and eat. They neither let me bathe nor leader Gopal Khambu is a to join the rebels. Against her own boy. started electrocuting me. An hour wash my face. I could hear politburo member of the Maoists will, Bidya became a full time later, I was bleeding from my screams from another room. One and he is also the chief of the Maoist worker. In June, she was 22 days in jail tongue and teeth because I was week later, Kulbindra Funyal eastern regional front of the

killed in an encounter with the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ biting them too hard. The barrack from Dolakha, Anantaram Maoists. Another leader, army, she was carrying a bag full Chandra Lal Giri in Jana Aastha, must have been Chhauni because Ghimire from Mahottari and I Bhaktaraj Kandangwa is a central- of plastic grenades, socket bombs 29 June from time to time I heard were transferred to Singha Darbar level adviser for the Maoists. and other ammunition. The next helicopters landing. But since my barrack at nine in the evening. Interestingly, only second day, Bidya was reported in the I am the chief correspondent of head was covered with a sack I Funyal and Ghimire had also echelon leaders have taken part news as a terrorist killed in Shram Saptahik. Plainclothes couldn’t see anything. Then they been charged with contacting the in the talks with the palace action. Villagers knew how she security personnel arrested me on took me to a toilet and pushed Maoists. At round 10PM, a major which if successful will be a had been forced to become a 31 December 2004 near the my head into a bucket of cold shouted, “Who is that journalist? setback for the Maoists. Maoist. This should teach the Samaya office while I was on my water. I couldn’t breathe and Bring him here.” security forces a lesson, not way to inform human rights thought I would drown. I was made to jump and run Pokhara’s turn

everyone becomes a Maoist out of activists and the media about the For a week I was tortured. The for a while, then the torturing ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ their own free will. They shot her arrest of Sitaram Parajuli, our minute I moved or stood up, I’d began again. They kicked and beat Himal Khabarpatrika, 1 July dead in cold blood, defenceless editor. They shoved me into a get punched and kicked. They me with a rubber pipe until I and while she was not attacking pickup, gagged me and made me would wake me up when I was fainted. I regained consciousness What do you do when tourist anyone. “What can be worse than lie on the floor while five or six asleep and start beating me. Some when they splashed water on me numbers fall? You start taxing the government declaring an people sat on my back. Every few days, I was electrocuted twice— and found myself in a sewer. I the few who still come. That is was made to stand up and a gun the mindset of the Pokhara sub- was pointed to my head. “What is metropolitan office which has your last wish?” they asked. “To decided to charge tourists $10 to report,” answered I. I was kept enter the fair city. While tourist this way in Singha Darbar barrack operators are struggling to lure for another 14 days. more international visitors into the resort town, the government Bargaining is all set to scare them away with

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ this new tax. The decision has Jana Aastha, 22 June provoked a huge outcry among travel agents already in deep The Maoist-affiliated Kirant depression because of the slump. National Front (KNF) has been The municipality has not made a holding secret face-to-face talks single contribution to promote with the representatives of the international tourism and is now government. The Maoists, trying to squeeze every cent out however, have not been officially of the few tourists who venture informed about the talks. “The here. In 1998, Pokhara saw Kirant National Front is an 100,000 tourists and that didn’t independent party, it is not a even include Indians. The sister organisation of the number has now plummeted to Maoists,” the leaders of the front 87,000 counting Indians. And I didn’t say I wouldn’t give you government ads, just get down on your said. Last month, the government even the visitors who come are knees and take them. held two phases of talks with the budget tourists who stay at the Samaya, 22 June KNF. The king’s representatives cheapest hotels, prefer bakery are said to have told KNF leaders food and ride bicycles. “How can QUOTE OF THE WEEK that it should support the king. the fee be justified when all In reply, the KNF reportedly Pokhara has to offer is polluted “We won’t brook any interference from our neighbours, why don’t they learn from China?” replied that it had supported the Fewa Lake, empty hotels and Maoists so certain demands were restaurants?” asks Ganesh Government Spokesperson Tanka Dhakal in Kantipur, 28 June. fulfilled, and they would support Bahadur Bhattarai of Pokhara whoever meets those demands. Tourist Council. FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 7

Maoist polls Nepal, 1 July

ROLPA—The Maoists are holding their local elections here and have brought in the media as ‘election observers’. Maoist elections are different in many ways but the paraphernalia is similar to the government’s elections. Instead of the swastika rubber stamp, the Maoist stamp has a red star. While the state deploys government officials as election officials, the Maoists use their own party members. The rebels had 14 signs for different candidates on the voting ballot. They had put their party symbol—hammer and sickle—as number one followed by a house, watch, oil lamp, glass, leaf, umbrella, fish, radio, madal, jug, pen and key. The process employed was government-style, complete with witness, representatives, stamping, signing and counting. The turnout at the Maoist elections was the same as the turnout of the government elections of 1997 in Rolpa. The Maoists had 11 election booths in Thabang instead of the nine that were put up by the state. In a show of inclusiveness, they made it compulsory to have 40 percent of candidates female and 20 percent dalits. Independent candidates have to submit to the party’s ideology, objective and declarations. The Maoist directive states that if the candidate does not get 10 percent of the total votes, his deposit will be revoked. Constitutionally, a candidate must be over 18 years but 16-21 is the age requirement among the Maoists. The name of the candidates were finalised and they went campaigning door-to-door. Black plastic drums served as ballot boxes, covered in white cloth with a hole in the middle. Pictured, above: vote counting in progress.

Royalists parties, his men are on their way ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ to jeopardise the monarchy by Deshantar, 27 June encouraging the king to be even more authoritarian. They are The royalists are doing everything now trying to coax the king to to tighten state control over the declare political parties anti- rights of citizens by putting the national. Sachit Shamsher is king above the constitution. especially active these days in Almost six months have elapsed advising the king to do this. The since the king assumed direct rule royalists are clearly not in the country, yet he has been interested in restoring unable to convince the democracy. The consequences international community about will be dangerous. Already, there his move. He has remained are signs of the government unsuccessful in his attempts to trying to undermine the justice reassure the world despite going system by lying to the court. The abroad himself to attend NHRC has serious legitimacy international forums. While problems. Some of its members intellectuals are advising the king have confessed that they support to work within constitutional the king’s move. What is the limits and hold talks with the king up to? 8 FOOD Truly yummy Asia Suddenly, Kathmandu can’t get enough of lip-smacking Thai, Singaporean and Malaysian cuisine

NARESH NEWAR and AARTI BASNYAT

uddy, damp, wet, rainy days Malaysians. “You would have to spend are here again and what better a whole lifetime tasting all the Malay way to celebrate the monsoon food,” says Josephine Lee from the than to track down southeast Singaporean and Malaysian restaurant, Asian food in the Valley. Sing-Ma, in Jawalakhel. MGastronomists have long debated why And there is a nuanced taste Thai, Vietnamese and Malay food is so difference: Malay food is rich in sauces popular around the world. Part of the and spices, Thai food is hot and spicy reason is their distinctive taste. Spicy, with abundant use of coriander and saucy and hot with a fiery mix of salty, lemon grass, Singaporean Chinese food sour, sweet and bitter. retains the noodles and styles of the Whenever you say ‘Asian’ food, many mother country. Whether it is satay, think of Indian and Chinese cuisine. But seafood curries, aromatic soups or nothing compares to the varieties offered Chinese food from the south seas they by the Singaporeans, Thai and especially are all in Kathmandu. PICS: NARESH NEWAR, MIN BAJRACHARYA, KIRAN PANDAY 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 9

Sing-Ma Krua Thai Perhaps the only Singaporean restaurant in the Krua Thai has been around for seven years now country, Sing-Ma offers authentic Singaporean and is known as one of the finer Thai cuisine with a mix of Malaysian. Among the most restaurants. Manager Nirajan Shrestha says the sought after dishes are chomp chomp noodles, test that it is genuine is the number of Thais who Yeo’s chicken rice, Hok’s Yok, Kampung Kitchen dine here. Chef Wichai, is from Phuket and has and for snacks the bestseller is the satay. worked for the past 13 years in Thai restaurants Singaporean cuisine in Kathmandu. is a total mixture of His Kang influences from the Kien Wan Malays, Indians, Koong green Indonesians, Chinese curry and Tom and Europeans who Yang Koong settled in the country and or Thai clear is also packed with a soup are very cuisine that is rich in popular. But herbs and spices. To pull he is in more Nepalis, the restaurant also gives a mix renowned for his Som Tam Thai or papaya of Nepali flavour by introducing rotis and salad. The restaurant is changing ownership and parathas served with mixed vegetables, plain is going to be called Krua Thai Nepal but they yogurt, salad made of cucumber and onions, assure that us the food won’t be any less Thai. curry, dal and rasam. 5520004 4414291

Royal Thai Royal Lotus Located at heart of the city in Darbar Marg, One year old, Royal Lotus in Kopundole imports just above Kasthamandap Departmental all its products directly from Thailand when the store, this restaurant offers hot and spicy shareholder and chef, Tana Korn Saythont, authentic Thai cuisine. Thai food is usually makes regular trips. “We had to make four trips considered the spiciest and oil free, making this year just to be well-stocked,” says Saythont it healthier, nutritious and almost medicinal. who has worked in five star hotels in Thailand. Paste is His Pat Po used instead Tak or spicy of oil in most seafood is the varieties and most popular all the spices with regular are natural guests and the and herbal. specialty of Among the the house is most popular are Tom Yam soup, Pla Nung Kao Tant Na Tant which is based on the chef’s Manac, Pad Thai, satay kai and papay nickname ‘Tant’: rice cakes which are deep fried salad. Thai cuisine can be broken into five with a special meat sauce on top and though not different categories: gaeng, yam, dip or on the menu the chef will happily create this sauce, pad or fry and ar-harn jarn or special dish for you and any other dishes that miscellaneous food. 2066152 may not be on the menu. 5521231

Ying Yang Jalan Jalan Ying Yang restaurant is in the heart of Thamel. A Ever since Jalan Jalan opened six months ago, Thai restaurant with a Chinese name that serves it has been known for it’s fine and varied Nepali and continental food, it is housed in a Malaysian cuisine. Proprietor Sailesh Bhatta restored Ranaesque building. It has a Swiss says, “Most of our customers come back again owner, Martin Kromer and Thai cook, Daeng. and again.” More dishes have been recently “We got the name from the Ying Yang in added with the Penang special, Panggan, Basantapur which is a during the hippie lunch set era which was a that is a very popular treat for restaurant,” says the taste Martin. Though buds. The tourism business Nasi has been down Ayam on since 2000, the the other locals keep the place busy. Daeng is not only hand is a simple dish in which the taste of willing to cook for you but also recommend chicken comes through without any distracting dishes according to your tastes. The phrase that spices. Jalan Jalan now also offers cuttlefish comes to ones mind as one samples the dishes dishes and is introducing a western menu is “ assault of the senses” as the spices of section for those who can’t handle spices. Thailand tingle your palate. 4267381,4425510 4410438 10 REVIEW Restoring the god of The shrine of Kal Bhairab at Kathmandu Darbar Square

ABHA ELI PHOBOO Legend has it that the granite heritage. The Kathmandu Valley Raju Roka of KVPT. is serving as a training ground figure was not built but Preservation Trust (KVPT) has The project has employed for apprenticeship. Once we rtists, poets and discovered near a water reservoir just finished restoring the 17th craftsmen from Patan to work on hand over the restored photographers have all outside Kathmandu during King century figure and has decided the designs and architecture. “We monuments, they will continue A marvelled at it: the golden Pratap Malla’s reign, which makes to let the colours be. are lucky to still have craftsmen to exist for as many centuries if monsoon light of the slanting it at least four centuries old. Ever On 1 July, KVPT will be who have the skills and can people don’t tamper with them.” afternoon sun at Hanuman Dhoka. since it was put up at its present celebrating the completion of the replicate them,” says Rana, “KVPT Most locals who live around It is a magical light that place, buffalo calves have been restoration with a traditional the square are happy with the bathes the ancient heart of sacrificed here to appease the Kshama Puja. “It is a puja where project and often stopped by to Kathmandu in a holy glow—an deity. And in the evening, we ask for forgiveness for the worship Kal Bhairab even while oasis of calm amidst the busy devotees come by to offer flowers sins we might have unknowingly the restoration was going on. streets, honking impatient and oil lamps. committed while working on the They believe the deity can heal vehicles and the blinding neons The Kal Bhairab has been restoration,” says Gautam Rana, of New Road. ‘modernised’ by a succession of director of KVPT. On the fringes of the square, patrons, someone constructed a The resident priest, Satyotara opposite the Hanuman Dhoka is marble awning above it and Bajracharya, 86, will perform the the two-storey figure of Kal another tried to make the god ritual and he reluctantly agrees Bhairab, god of destruction and even more fearsome by painting it that the restored façade is better justice. For centuries, the gaudy blue, red and yellow. At but is none too pleased about arresting god has looked down at first it must have looked having lost the marble awning passers-by with his terrifying gaze appalling but even the enamel that sheltered the god, priest and and ferocious dance. now seems to be a part of our devotees from the heat and rain. There were other elements of the Kal Bhairab that needed to be Trust in preservation restored, like the toran over the Over the last 13 years, Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust god’s head. Historians dug up (KVPT) has restored more than 25 significant monuments such as photographs from 1910 to see the Patan Darbar, Chobar Ganesh, Keshar Mahal’s Garden of how it looked and have brought Dreams, Baber Mahal Revisited and Yetkha Bahal. With the purpose it back. With support from the of safeguarding threatened architectural heritage sites in the Valley, it US Ambassador’s Fund for has initiated projects that rescue historical buildings that might Cultural Preservation, Nepal otherwise be lost to modernisation and increasing urban Investment Bank, the Soaltee encroachment. KVPT has also started repair and restoration Group and other donors, KVPT operations with training and research programs for its Nepali team. was able to finish the restoration The Trust is based in the United States, but its office in Patan has become a training centre and clearinghouse for information about in one year. historic preservation in Nepal. Most notably, it has rallied Nepali “It was a lot more work than businesses and individuals to contribute to preservation of our we thought. We had assumed ancient monuments. that the original stone would be www.kvptnepal.org reusable but it wasn’t and there [email protected] were many things that had to be (L-R) Arresting Kal Bhairab in 1910, 2003 and 2005. worked on from scratch,” says Into the heart of darkness hen Ashmina Ranjit organises a show, you can bet it’ll be quite a Ashmina Ranjit’s ode to the cow is a metaphor for the W show. Nothing is ever ordinary in Ashmina’s works. But when the lights absurdities of the times faded out at the performance of Tamas: The Darkness in Gurukul’s Sama Theatre, what show, “as much as the nonsensical the audience didn’t expect was for the editorials and news published in the darkness to stay. papers afterward. I was in New York on 1 Sounds of sobbing, screaming, crying February. The initial sense of shock gave and grating of chains filled the murky way to tears of anger and frustration when velvety darkness. The audience sat (some all connection with home was cut off. with goosebumps) waiting, wishing for Nothing has pained me as much as the pain something to happen, for the horrible noise I felt then.” to end, for the darkness to go away. But it Suffocating in America where she was just went on and on. on a Fulbright scholarship, Ashmina was After an eternity, the darkness gave way unable to concentrate. She needed to to the filmed figure of Ashmina chained to express her alienation and that was how many chains, sobbing, screaming, crying Tamas: The Darkness came about. “Freedom and dragging the chains as she moved like a of expression is so important,” she adds, “I caged animal pacing its enclosure. Her needed to take that pain and use it to free shadows played on the background as she myself from it. Using the essay on the cow stepped on stage, dressed in black, pacing seemed only too obvious because it is the back and forth, reading from papers. paradox within which our understanding

“Gai ko char ota khutta hunchha,” she KIRAN PANDAY of the east and west is strung, finely began. The audience teetered on the edge of balanced.” bursting into laughter. “…duita sing, duita never a part of Mahendra Mala, where did had been thoughtful, muted. To say “You Her conviction grew stronger as ankha ra euta puchhar.” The ode to the cow that come from? “Cows are simple and calm are a cow” in Nepal is a compliment that differences in viewpoints raged when she is a national ditty and like the national animals. Cows do not usually means you are reliable, dependable, talked to Nepalis in America or Americans anthem, all Nepali school students are attack…Because of their importance, Nepal unquestioning, docile, simple and useful. who knew Nepal. By the end of April, she required to memorise it by heart as an recognises cows…The law sentences a cow- To say “You are a cow” in English is an had staged the play at New School example of good essay writing. That is as killer for life…In this way, cows are treated insult. To box the whole situation and University and Bard University. Bringing it far as the Nepali school system goes with as Nepali subjects. They are simple, docile Nepali society into one hackneyed essay home achieved her next objective—to let creative writing. and useful. Simple, docile and useful. might seem too simplistic but it is darkness merge with itself. She plans to But Ashmina is just warming up. Cows…subjects… Cows…subjects… Hey powerful, easy to relate to and as absurd as perform it once again in a public space. z “Some cows are tall and some cows are aunsibaro gai tiharo bhailo.” the times we live in. Abha Eli Phoboo short… some cows have big eyes and some The bewildered audience filed out. “Nothing after February First made any have small ones.” Wait a minute, that was Even the applause after the performance sense to me,” Ashimina told us after the [email protected] 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 11 destruction gets back its old look

aches in their joints if they apply temples,” says Rana, “they are oil to the exact joint on the Kal more than just a part of history, Bhairab figure. The ungainly they are still alive.” police station opposite the shrine KVPT used to concentrate was apparently located there most of its restoration work in because criminals would more Patan till 1999 and is now willingly confess to their crimes moving some its activities to if they swore by Kal Bhairab. Kathmandu. It is working on “That is the beauty of our restoring all the other temples in the Darbar Square.

Awakening with Ani Choying

KIRAN PANDAY n classical languages, every word has a melody Moments of Bliss. The compositions in Smile have of its own. Pronounced correctly, each word of a the same team as Moments of Bliss—lyrics by I Sanskrit stanza stimulates a different point of Durga Lal Shrestha and music by Nhyoo human emotion. Sloks have to be repeated in a Bajracharya. True to his self, poet Durga Lal has prescribed manner to reawaken the soul. This isn’t stuck to his choice of purer words rather than pick just new age mumbo jumbo, listen in solitude to the up colloquial terms common to popular Nepali chants of Buddhist monks, Hindu priests or even songs. Ani has succeeded in giving depth to words the Gregorian brothers. The vibrations of a chanted of Sanskrit and Persian origin by her cultured mantra are designed to resonate with one’s soul, diction. and transport the listener into a trance-like state. Bajracharya makes his own musical strength If visiting a monastery or a temple is an shine by limiting the use of percussion. With wind indulgence that you can’t fit into your busy and string musical instruments, primarily flute and schedule, do yourself a favour–go get an Ani guitar, as her accompaniment, Ani lets words waft Choying CD. This singing nun has the power to across the ether and envelop you like a balm. make an atheist believe in god. Nothing explains Smile has 10 songs, the last one a new the moving melody of Ani’s songs more than her rendition of Phool ko ankha ma. Each song is own admission that singing is a form of prayer. capable of soothing frayed nerves but Muskan A day after Ani released her new album Smile makes your worries dissolve completely. Moments at an exclusive gathering at Soaltee Crowne Plaza, of Bliss and Smile assist in reflection, she sang at a charity concert in Pragya Bhaban on contemplation or pure relaxation. These songs 25 June to an enthusiastic audience. The concert aren’t for people who need decibels as they run. was labelled ‘Smile with Ani Choying’ and the Ani’s voice and each of her words need to be performance lived up to its promise. savoured so they soothe. Ani’s hymns and chants are not as well known CK Lal to the Nepali audience as her hit Phool ko ankha ma phoolai sansara from her first popular album Moments of Bliss Rs 250, Smile Rs 250 at music stores. 12 INTERNATIONAL 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254

Jaffna 1998 Kathmandu 2002 MIN BAJRACHARYA LTTE, JVP and the Maoists Sagacity is what Nepalis also need today from their rulers he rise, fall and conversion discontent, propose a class war. and the king as ‘supreme of the Janatha Vimukthi The LTTE has total command of commander-in-chief’ call the T Peramuna (JVP) Sri Lanka’s the area that it would like to shots. The complete capture of Marxist radicals of the 1970s and liberate and are a kind of external state power by the palace on 1 1980s turned Buddhist- enemy that a national army is February was carried out with the nationalist parliamentarians has groomed to battle. help of the military, which was parallels with Nepal’s Maoists. In Nepal, the Maoists have already deployed throughout to the run of the countryside battle the Maoists. because they are filling a vacuum Today, as a matter of course, SOUTHASIA BEAT evacuated by the government. military officers have become de Kanak Mani Dixit But they do not control any part facto administrators, with the of the country in the sense that civilian and police The JVP, too, was into a class they can prevent the state administration deferring to them. war but unlike the Maobadi, security apparatus from entering. This, unlike in Sri Lanka, takes preferred not to fight in the bush. All 75 district headquarters the country in the direction of They had some active support remain under government army-ruled Pakistan, a trend among the Lankan urban elite but control and the Maoists at best which worries those who had Nepal’s rebels are mostly a rural are able to attack during the night hoped to see the RNA evolve into phenomenon having more in and torch some buildings and a professional fighting force. common with the insurgencies in create some mayhem before they The full economic cost of the Bihar, Jharkhand and Andhra. evacuate. Sri Lankan civil war, including The state’s response to the JVP The LTTE wants just a part of military expenditure, damage of was to crush it with the same Sri Lanka, but the Maoists, in physical assets, tourism and brutality shown by the rebels theory, want the whole of Nepal. commercial losses, and themselves, killing five of their Even though the Maoists have expenditure on displaced senior-most leaders including seen rapid spread in the rural persons, is estimated at $4.7 Rohana Wijeweera. The hinterland, the fact is that the billion. The total including the nationalism and anti-Indianism Maoists do not have the ability cost of foregone economic of the JVP is akin to the to combat the Royal Nepali Army possibilities comes to $14 billion. chauvinism of Nepal’s Maoists, in conventional warfare, which No comparative count is available which ironically take after the should give pause to those for Nepal’s nearly ten years of nationalism created by King Kathmandu-based ambassadors insurgency, and when we finally Mahendra to buttress his who panic at the prospect of a have the tabulated figure it will autocratic Panchayat system. Maoist takeover of Kathmandu no doubt be horrendous. And no However, the separatist Tamil Valley and the state. This is view kind of methodology could war in Sri Lanka is quite different of Maobadi takeover is one the tabulate the cumulative pain of from our insurgency. The only Kathmandu regime would like to the rural populace over the years. pointers Nepal may take is from propagate, and the Maoists Even in the worst days of the the ceasefire and rapprochement would welcome such an Lankan civil war, the democratic that is underway there. (See also, exaggerated view of their state held ground. Today, Editorial, ‘From warfare to capabilities. Executive President Chandrika welfare’, #253) Even in the worst days of the Kumaratunga, opposition leader In Sri Lanka, the Liberation civil war in Sri Lanka, the army Ranil Wickremasinghe, and even Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) led was very much under the control Prabhakaran of the LTTE, are an identity-led war, which makes of the parliamentary system, displaying forbearance and their battle that much more whether the prime minister or sagacity. Which is why the heartfelt, longlasting and angry. lately the executive president. In ceasefire holds even though the This is why you had suicide Nepal, while the 1990 peace process is stuck. Sagacity is bombers in Sri Lanka but not (yet) Constitution places the army what the Nepali people also need in Nepal. The Maoists, though within civilian control the from those who would rule over they have tried to exploit ethnic reality is that the royal palace them. z Big 5 Visit www.nepalitimes.com/ /archive.htm and vote for your favourite Nepali Times article from the last five years. Articles that get the most votes will be featured in our fifth anniversary special issue on 29 July. SPORTS 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 13 Hit and turn Power play and leverage can drill many holes

So often we know our mistakes yet just can’t seem to correct them. Ever wondered why? It’s great fun hitting hundreds of balls on the practice range. How much it helps your golf is something else all together. It all depends on if you are practicing the right swing. If you’ve been faithfully following this column, by now you would have appreciated and accepted the importance of shoulder and hip turn in generating the power needed to hit further. Once you ingrain the swing’s rhythm and the muscle’s memory of motion, it is very difficult to change incorrect movements and the feel of the swing plane. The only way to remedy TEE BREAK this is to use drills that break down bad old habits and re-teach KIRAN PANDAY Deepak Acharya the muscles. It is at these times that it can be more useful to practice free hand without actually hitting a ball.The following drills can help produce good results.

Drill 1 (turn) Slam dunk at GAA a) Assume your set-up position, feet shoulder-width apart as for a hat Nepali basketball started on 25 June has 16 have one player from an nine iron and your spine tilted, as you would address the ball. Rest a club horizontally against the upper part of your chest, parallel to your players lack in the height participating teams—up from 12 international school while RIBS W department, they more last year. The league matches and Kathmandudes have quite a shoulders. From here, rotate your shoulders 90 degrees away from your target. than make up for on the agility continue till 2 July with few. Says Niraj Singh Himalayan b) As you turn, your weight will shift to your right leg. You should feel front. quarterfinals scheduled 4-5 July, Whitehouse skipper, who has no some pulling in your left hip as you do this. Your weight should That is the impression semi-finals on 7 July and the players from international remain on the inside of your right foot. If you feel your weight on the spectators get watching the finals on 9 July.As the league schools, “Having players from outside of that foot, it means you have swayed instead of turned. prelims of the 2 nd Fr Watrin matches progressed, Everest international schools can be both c) Now begin to turn towards the target leading with your hips and Basketball Championship at the Southsiders from Pool A, RIBS and an advantage and a legs. Your shoulders will follow in the same rotational manner. Godavari Alumni Association KAB4 from Pool B, Himalayan disadvantage—you get to learn d) Always finish with your weight on your left leg with your belt (GAA). Basketball is gaining Whitehouse and Galaxian from new techniques and their buckle and the centre of your chest facing the target. You must use popularity in schools and many Pool C and Kathmandudes and standards are high but they your upper and lower torso to generate speed and power! Another great power of the players at the GAA indoor Ideal Model from Pool D emerged dominate the game and other source is using the court appear to have honed their as frontrunners with the highest players barely get to play.” angles you create ball-passing skills, displaying scoring team in the tournament so Lincolnite, Rishi Robertson, between your body and well-placed lay-ups and long- far being RIBS – 122 points. Teams highest scorer so far with 43 your golf club, distance dunks. with players from schools like points says, “We had better otherwise known as As the prelims of the Lincoln were doing a lot better coaches in school and were leverage. You must Championship draws to an end, than the others. In fact, it seems regular with our practice. This is make a good extension the excitement is mounting. The that a lot of the teams preferred why our fundamentals are better as you turn by ‘pushing’ current champions Gyan Club having players from international developed, other players the club back with your were unable to compete this year schools, not just for their added normally start playing basketball left side. Many people because most of the team are height advantage (which isn’t as recreation and never really make the mistake of picking the club up, in national level players now always the case, it must be said) work on their technique.” this there is no extension. By making a good extension you will be training in India. Himalayan but because they seemed to be more The heat is on and as the end able to generate power as you swing through the ball and see greater Whitehouse, runners-up last dedicated and experienced players. of the league draws near, the distances with each club. year, are therefore having a field Says head of GAA’s Student players seem pretty confident of day. This tournament is named Organising Committee, Ankit themselves. Says Singh of Drill 2 (leverage) after American Jesuit Fr Eugene Rimal, “There is a lot of Whitehouse, “Reaching the finals a) Assume your set-up position. Begin by ‘pushing’ the club back Watrin who died last year, he was dependency on players of depends on other teams as well with your left side as opposed to pulling it back with your right. Make an avid sportsperson and worked international origin or schools and but we definitely have a place in a quarter swing with your arms fully extended. The shaft should be with GAA for 30 years. they also seem to have a lot more the semifinals.” z parallel to the ground and the toe of the club-head pointing straight up The tournament, which teamwork.” Everest Southsiders Aarti Basnyat to the sky. b) Continue your backswing by extending your left arm as you hinge your wrists. Do not lock your left elbow or you will not be able to swing through the ball. Your right arm will fold naturally so the right elbow points to the ground. c) Now that you are ‘wound up’, pull down as if you are pulling a chain from the sky. Release at the ball and keep swinging your arms out to the target, finishing with arms over your left shoulder, your belt buckle and the centre of your chest facing the target. Practice ‘the turn’ and ‘using leverage’ separately, then put them together. Remember you don’t have to hit balls to practice these moves. Practicing in front of a mirror always helps. TG Shrestha has one of the most powerful amateur golf swings in Nepal, often hitting his drives over 300 yards. He used this to his advantage last weekend winning himself the magnificent Gokarna Open trophy and a Star Cruise Holiday for two to Singapore. Finally, not forgetting last Friday’s promise, TG Shrestha chose an interesting mix of golf balls to compliment his strengths—Titliest Pro V 1x on short holes, Srixon on par fours and Pinnacle on par fives. z

Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. [email protected] 14 CITY 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254

ABOUT TOWN John and Jane Smith (Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie) are an ordinary FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS suburban couple with an ordinary, lifeless suburban marriage. ™ Paintings in my eyes by Sagar Manandhar at Buddha Gallery, Thamel, But each is hiding something the other would kill to know— until 7 July. 4441689 Mr and Mrs Smith are actually highly paid, incredibly efficient ™ Light and Life Photos by Kishor Kayastha, until 9 July at Lajimpat Gallery Café. 4428549 assassins—and they work for competing organisations. Mr and ™ Raku Pottery by Gopal Kalapremi for sale at Lajimpat Gallery Shop, Rs Mrs Smith both discover a new source of excitement in their 2,000-Rs 3,000. 4428549 marriage when they are hired to assassinate each other—and ™ Mysterious and Inexplicable Phenomena of Lightballs Photos by that’s when the real fun starts. The result is a total action spectacle Hirokazu Kobayashi at Siddhartha Art Gallery, until 8 July. 4218048 as Mr and Mrs Smith put their formidable skills to work and their ™ Quien Sabe Paintings by Max Miller at The Art Shop, Darbar Marg, until marriage to the ultimate test. 15 July. 4267063 Call 4442220 for show timings www.jainepal.com Quest Entertainment Quest Entertainment Quest Entertainment EVENTS Quest Entertainment Quest Entertainment ™ Dear Liar ASMAN’s Supper theatre starring Naseeruddin Shah and Ratna Pathak Shah, 1-2 July at Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 9851023958 ™ Yoga and Didgeridoo Healing Weekend 1-3 July at Wild Earth, Tangal KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY Darbar. 4436040 or [email protected] Air quality in Kathmandu Valley improved significantly last week, thanks to the ™ Two-day Dharma Talk by Ivy ver Eer 2-3 July, 10AM-4PM at HBMC, refreshing rains and Lord Machendranath. Even along the busy streets of Putali Thamel. 4414843 Sadak and Patan Hospital, the concentration of PM10 particles that are small ™ 7 July King Gyanendra’s birthday. enough to enter the human body, were within national standards on Tuesday and ™ Photography Workshop Wednesday. Even in Thamel the PM10 level was well within the national standard Seven days with Nepal’s six out of seven days. Pray for more rains to come pouring down so we can finally experts, 21 July at The breathe easy. Bakery Cafe, Sundhara, 7AM- 19-26 June 2005 in micrograms per cubic meter. 9AM. 4289818, , Source: www.mope.gov.np www.photoconcern.com ™ Call for entries Film South Hazardous >425 Asia ’05, submission deadline Harmful 351 to 425 31 July. ™ Intercultural Exchange Unhealthy 121 to 350 Program Every Wednesday O k 61 to 120 at Goethe Zentrum, Go od < 60 Thapathali, 4.15 PM. 4250871 ™ Tai Chi Demonstration and Putalisadak Patan H Thamel Kirtipur Bhaktapur Matsyagaun group meditation at Swayambhu. 4256618 ™ 1905 Sundays Garage sale, pet practices and more. 4215068 NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED ™ Fun in the Sun at Club Sundhara, Hotel Shangri-la. 4412999 ™ Art workshop for kids at Buddha Gallery. 4441689 With the initial big bang of the ™ Rugby Practice Saturdays. 4435939, [email protected] monsoon, there is a certain slagging ™ Sanibar Mela Saturdays at Bakery Café, Dharara, 2PM and Chuchepati, off. Rice farmers are still waiting for the saturation downpours they need Boudha, 3PM. for the paddy terraces to be ready for planting. But they don’t have long MUSIC to wait. The monsoon is getting its ™ JCS Trio Saturdays, 8PM at 1905, Kantipath, free entrance. second wind, as it were, this ™ Live The Duo at the Jazz Bar, Hotel Shangrila, Lajimpat. weekend with a huge low pressure ™ The Good Time Blues Band at Rum Doodle, Thamel, 7PM. 4701208 circulation over Orissa and West ™ Ladies Nights Wednesdays at Jatra, Thamel, with live acoustic music, Bengal (seen in this satellite picture one free drink. 4256622 taken on Thursday morning) that will ™ Fusion Time Mondays at Jalan Jalan Restaurant, Lajimpat, 7PM. 4410438 drench the Nepali mid hills as well. ™ Live Music Everyday at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 With the support from this ™ Jukebox experience Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at Rox Bar. monsoonal trough Nepal will be 4491234 overcast into next week with most ™ Jazz at Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lajimpat, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 7.45 PM. of the rain falling at night. FOOD ™ Great Dining Experiences with exclusive menus at Hotel Yak and Yeti. KATHMANDU VALLEY 4248999 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ™ Mango Masti Tempting tropical treats at Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 4273999 ™ Daily Delite Lunch at Shambala Garden Café, Hotel Shangri-La, Lajimpat, Rs 399 on weekdays, Rs 499 on weekends. 4412999 ™ Crosskitchen European and Indian cuisine at Lajimpat. 9851083806 29-206 28-20 6 27-196 27-186 29-21 ™ Boire and Manger at Vineyard, Baber Mahal Revisited. cgzf;g' / gltstfljxLg} JolQm ™ Bawarchi The Restro Bar for Nawabi cuisine at Lajimpat. 4436673 / ;dfh cGttfuTjf] ktg eP/ ™ BBQ Lunch at Le Meridien, Gokarna Forest Golf Resort. 4445550 hfG5g \ . To;}n] /fli6«o ™ Barbeque lunch Saturdays at Club Himalaya, Nagarkot. 6680080 ™ Special Combo Burmese and Thai Menu at 1905, Kantipath. hLjgsf x/s] cfofdx¿df ™ Momo Revolution Saturdays at the Tea House Inn, Nagarkot. 6680048 pbfx/0fLo cgzf;g' / gltstf} ™ Arniko Special Lunch Everyday at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 sfod ugk5'{ { . / To;sf ] ;?cft' ™ Krishnarpan Nepali specialty restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 cfkmaf6}+ u/f }+ . ™ Barbecue Dinner Every Friday at the Summit Hotel. 5521810 ™ Exotic Seafood at Rox Restaurant, Hyatt Regency. 4491234 ™ Delicacies Pastas and snacks at Roadhouse Café, Jawalakhel. 5521755 >L % sf ] ;/sf/ ™ Earth Watch Restaurant at Park Village, dine with nature. 4375280 ;"rgf tyf ;~rf/ dGqfno ™ Café Bahal Newari cuisine at Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel. 4700632 ™ The Beer Garden at Vaijayantha, Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 ;"rgf ljefu ™ The Tharu Kitchen at Jungle Base Camp. [email protected]

GETAWAYS ™ Independence Day Weekend rates from 3-8 July at Hotel Yak and Yeti. 4248999 ™ Overnight Stay Breakfast and swimming for Rs 999 per person at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675, 5560775 ™ Malaysia Dream Holidays Special offers. 2012345, [email protected] ™ Star Cruises Available in Nepal. 2012345, [email protected] ™ Fun Free Stay one night get one Night at Shangri-la Village, Pokhara. 4435742 ™ Jungle Base Camp Lodge, Bardia, special package and prices. [email protected] ™ Shivapuri Heights Cottage Best time to be in Shivapuri. [email protected] 1 - 7 JULY 2005 #254 15 Carnivorous carnival t’s difficult to figure out why Nareko Sekuwa Ghar is such a Ipopular eatery in Biratnagar. The two-storey restaurant would fail just about every hygiene inspection, it has dozens of cubicles for private dining that give it a slightly uncouth look and the ambience is not what you may call haute cuisine. NEPALNEWS.COM Still, it is difficult to find a DO NOT DISTURB: US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian table because Nareko is a serious eating place with no frills, Affairs Donald Camp and US Ambassador James Moriarty, at a press and there is a carnivorous conference at the American Library in Kathmandu on Tuesday in which carnival here every evening. Camp said the US would “find unacceptable a return to pre-1990 Located just off Mahendra Chok Nepal”. on College Road Nareko’s clientele is all of Biratnagar’s movers and shakers– civil servants, businessmen, young KUNDA DIXIT men and women from Dharan more goat. Goat innards fried, round,” explains Shyam Bahadur enjoying a night out, a couple of grilled goat, goat braised, goat Gautam (pictured), whose father female Japanese volunteers and boiled, goat liver fried, coagu- Nare started the sekuwa shop 35 even a group of boisterous Indian lated goat blood, goat brains, goat years ago when he migrated here shopkeepers from across the tripe, goat momos. from Kabhre. border. Nareko is not for the faint- Shyam employs 15 people, and So, what is it that brings them hearted, yet we are surprised to the restaurant is open from 2-9PM. here? The news has spread hear that quite a few of the clients On an average day three goats are literally through word of mouth are vegetarian. Maybe the sight of martyred, four on weekends. No that Nareko serves the most so much meat got their goat. As a other animals are served. If you mouth-watering barbecues, major concession to leaf eaters, want to decisively turn vegetarian, sekuwas and goat roast east of management recently decided to Nareko is a place to start. But if Nijgad. They believe in keeping introduce a potato dish. you just want to be made into a things simple here: no rice, no “It’s hard work feeding 400 scapegoat, this is the place for MIN BAJRACHARYA tarkari, no desserts and other people every day but service is you. z HEALTHY DANCING: The Panchabuddha dance at Chaksibari during a distractions. Just goat, goat and quick and we have rapid turna- Kunda Dixit healing session on Tuesday. Novelist Diamond Shamsher Rana and KP Bhattarai witnessed the event.

KIRAN PANDAY BIG SKY: Dharara stands tall against a stunningly azure sky during a break in the monsoon on Tuesday afternoon.

KIRAN PANDAY CHECK UP: An Armed Police Force contingent escorting NC central committee member Narhari Acharya for treatment at HAMS on Monday.

KIRAN PANDAY SCRUMMING IN KATHMANDU: A friendly rugby match between City Gym family and the British Gurkhas at the American Club (Phohra Darbar) on Saturday. 16 Things arealotbetter:govt from the publish thefollowingbitsofinspirationalnews know andfeelhappy,wearedutyboundto Sell. So,intheinterestofpublic’srightto media ignoresthembecauseGoodNewsDoesn’t positive changesinceFebruaryFirst.Butthe the placeisabsolutelycrawlingwithsignsof under everynookandbehindcranny contrary allaroundthem.Alltheytodoislook even thoughthereisampleevidencetothe who onlyseethingstakingaturnfortheworse going tobedownhillalltheway. any betteranymore.Infact,fromhereon,itis a pinnacleofprogressthatthingsjustcan’tget and wecansaywithconfidencethateverythingis in everyway,thingsaregettingbetterand haven’t stoppedgettinganybetter.Everydayand taking adramaticturnforthebetter.Andthey outdo eachotherandsignanon-aggressionpact. that NepalandNorthKoreawouldnottryto out oftheblue,weweretoldhappynews Three ofthemimmediatelyrevertedintolarge were allturnedintospeedbreakersovernight. attitude ofthepost-Februaryorder,potholes governments after1990werefilledinthisweek. were totallyignoredbysuccessivedemocratic alike sincethereignofKingPratapMallaand had beenbedevilingmotoristsandpedestrians Five meteoriteimpactcratersinEkantakunathat Five potholespatchedinJawalakhel T UNDER MYHAT Still, wehavenaysayingnabobsinthemedia Ever since,thingsinNepalsuddenlystarted In adramaticillustrationofthecan-do when suddenlywithoutwarning,likeabolt that fatefulwintermorninginFebruary he firstofJulywillmarkfivemonthssince Kunda Dixit Uprising Nepal Uprising : reached such and wehave improved so vastly next year.” time, nowwecanthinkaboutotherthingsuntil thank godthemonsoongothereinnickof goes bywhenwearenotthinkingaboutit.But Obfuscation, “infactthereisn’tamomentthat spokesman fortheMinistryofHotAirand is givingitsomeseriousthought. ignored theseverewatercrisisinKathmanduand The governmentsaysitisnottruethathas Government thinkingaboutwatersupply spend everythingtheyhave.” because theoneswhocomewillbeforcedto this rate,itwon’tmatteriftherearefewertourists reason whywecan’tdoit,”saidanofficial,“at Extortion andTIADepartureFee. Baksheesh, ACAPTax,CompulsoryTrekking Excise, PrithbiHighwayOctroi,Customs Highway Toll,PhewaCleanupLevy,DavisFalls on-Arrival Fee,TouristTax,DomesticAirport fee toenterthecity. by announcingthatitwillchargeall12ofthema municipality hasdecidedtocashinontheboom hoodwinked intovisitingNepal,Pokhara arrivals thismonthafter12Japanesewere Encouraged byathree-foldincreaseintourist Tourists topayenterPokhara garbage. stone andturnpotholesintolandfillsitesfor track afteritdecidedtokilltwobirdswithone Patan area,butthemunicipalityisonright there areother3.2millionpotholesjustinthe in Patan. and thatstillleavesuswithtwofewerpotholes look atthebrightside:fiveminusthreeistwo cavities againwiththeonsetofmonsoon,buthey, “We’re thinkingaboutitallthetime,”said “Bhaktapur didit,Patanthereisno The newfeewillbeinadditiontotheVisa- The pessimistswill,ofcourse,pointoutthat CDO Regd No.194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd. No.04/058/59 1 -7JULY 2005 #254

www.nepalitimes.com