#248 20 - 26 May 2005 16 pages Rs 30

Taking off DOMESTIC AVIATION p8-9 Abandoned

Weekly Internet Poll # 248 Q. How do you evaluate the first 100 days of the royal government?

Jaya Bista and her three Total votes:810 daughters in Serabada, Weekly Internet Poll # 249. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Kalikot, will be affected by Q... Will the new seven party alliance help thethe aidaid suspension.suspension. in resolving the political deadlock? KUNDA DIXT NARESH NEWAR suspension of Rural Community suspended projects after physical However, Kalikot-based Infrastructure Works (RCIW) after attacks in the past. But what if community groups have sent he suspension of one of the Maoists beat up a female staff of the threats are a result of local word out that Acharya was country’s most effective the project’s local partner in rivalry? targeted for reasons other than T donor supported poverty Kalikot. “We are also not happy with her work with the GTZ-funded alleviation projects in remote Debkala Acharya was badly the suspension at all but we can’t food for work program in her western Nepal has sparked debate injured in the attack at Sukatiya put our staff at risk, we don’t district. A local Maoist about where the line is drawn VDC but reports from Kalikot have any other way,” Ulf commissar in Kalikot, while not between staff safety and headquarters of Manma say the Wernicke of GTZ in Kathmandu denying that the beating took public need. reason was more personal enmity told us, “We expect commitment place, is said to want GTZ to On 15 May, the German aid than her work with the project. from (the Maoists) and the justify the suspension of its agency GTZ, British DfID and the Donor agencies have always suspension will remain until we program. Dutch group SNV jointly said safety of their staff is a have assurances of full security Continued p4 announced the indefinite priority and have often for our staff.” ISSN 1814-2613 2 EDITORIAL 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Abha Eli Phoboo, Aarti Basnyat The people of Kalikot Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Advertising: Sunaina Shah [email protected] Subscription: Anil Karki, [email protected] shouldn’t be punished for Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal something carried out by a Tel: 01-5543333-6, Fax: 01-5521013 [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 01-5547018 Sa, Karnali handful of outlaws espite tremendous efforts are waiting for the Surkhet- people of Kalikot have been UNITED WE STAND being made by the people of Jumla road, which is going to saddened by the negative D the Karnali to overcome make access easier. The publicity generated by the The declaration by seven political parties on 8 May to work together to find a common approach to restore peace and democracy in the hardships and centuries of classrooms in the district’s pullout. We are against violence, kingdom is the first speck of light we have seen in this long dark neglect, the rest of Nepal still sees schools are full, through hard intimidation, beatings by any tunnel of our feckless party politics. us as ‘backward’. If Kathmandu work families still manage to group against unarmed innocent Not since the national government after the People’s Move- keeps giving up on the Karnali, feed themselves even though development workers. There was ment in 1990 has there been such unity of purpose to address the this could become a self-fulfilling mobility for trade is limited. more to this incident than meets nation’s problems. Ironically, it comes near the third anniversary prophecy. Recently, technicians from the eye and we feel that the donor this Sunday of the dissolution of parliament—the event on 22 May the Nepal Electricity Authority agency’s notice in the media was 2002 that triggered the split in the Nepali Congress and put the GUEST COLUMN and members of the Karnali unfair and unnecessarily country on the path to democratic reversal. Min Bahadur Shahi Integrated Rural Development jeopardised the delivery of The declaration by the Group of Seven (six erstwhile and Research Centre (KIRDARC) services to the people of Kalikot parliamentary parties plus the five members of the United Left In the past nine years, the travelled from Manma to at a time when they need it most. Front) is significant because it isn’t just another vague diatribe against ‘regression’ but presents a consensus agreement on a development of Humla, Mugu, Sannigad to inspect the small One can’t punish all the roadmap for peace and democracy and a workplan for action. Kalikot and Dolpa districts of hydropower plant which has people of Kalikot for some- Which comes first, democracy or peace, maybe a matter of debate Karnali have been hard hit by the been inactive for six years now. thing perpetrated by a handful but the document lays out reinstatement of parliament as a least- insurgency. There is great The good news is that they were of outlaws. And before public cost option and a common minimum objective. uncertainty, and traditional out- not stopped by armed groups statements are hurriedly Responding to the public’s lukewarm support for their past migration has increased deepening and Kalikot may soon have published, due attention must agitation against the king, the declaration also evaluates the the hopelessness and fatalism of electricity again. be paid to others who work parties’ mistakes and offers corrections. (However, we’d still have the people. Although compared to In a way, the situation has and live in the area and how liked to see the NC owning up and apologising for the involvement other regions, the residents of this never been better to galvanise they may be affected. of its hooligans in mosque-burning on 1 September, 2004.) remote northwestern corner of local people for development Development work in But by far the most significant aspect of the G-7 is that it seeks Nepal face a much harder struggle work in Kalikot and the rest of conflict zones must be based to turn the country’s stalemated tri-polar power struggle into one in which constitutional forces (the king ceremonially presiding over for daily survival, Karnali’s Karnali. Armed groups know firmly on the community’s parties in parliament) can together seek a solution with the Maoists. citizens are a proud and they can’t stop activities that trust. All agencies working in The 8 May declaration leaves the door open for the rebels by dignified lot. genuinely benefit the people. such areas must cooperate and stating its willingness to discuss a constituent assembly if they Kalikot is the youngest This is why the announcement coordinate their activities so abandon violence. Prachanda’s prompt and positive response to district in the Karnali and also the of suspension of activities by this trust is not eroded. this must be seen as an encouraging sign. most affected by the insurgency. GTZ, after two members of its We meet challenges every Given past fractiousness, sustaining this unity will need vision Bifurcated by the mighty Karnali partner NGO were beaten by the day, but these challenges also and statesmanship. The parties are their own worst enemies and River, its location and relative Maoists in Sukatiya near Manma provide us opportunities to need to save themselves from self-destructive greed. Once more, isolation has made it a coveted last week, is such a shock. take our work forward. And in the agitation is turning into burning tyres and uprooting sidewalk strategic area for both sides in the Directly affected will be the these sensitive times, it is railings. This time, instead of destroying public property why can’t conflict. Kalikot has no road and GTZ-supported Rural specially important that all pro-democracy demos symbolically plant new trees where they have been chopped down for instance? no airport and its 100,000 people Community Infrastructure decisions be based on facts As proof that they mean business, the NC should use the 22 have been bypassed by most Works (RCIW) project which had and not on secondary sources. May anniversary to begin reunification talks. If the egos of Sher development agencies. been providing valuable local In this situation, we must Bahadur Deuba and Girija Prasad Koirala are obstacles, then the Despite this, the people of support. not run away from the prob- party should look for alternative leadership. Kalikot have reason to hope. They We in the Karnali and the lem, but be even more firm in For years now, we have in this space called for the parties to resolving it. All it needs is give up pettiness and think determination, integrity, of the country. They seem commitment to uplift the to be finally doing so. people of Kalikot and Karnali. The ball is now in His And we would urge all Majesty’s court to concerned to review their acknowledge this gesture and meet decision and immediately the parties half-way. resume help to Kalikot. z The alternative may push the parties and the rebels Min Bahadur Shahi is the closer. If we remain chairman of the Karnali Integrated Rural Development and divided any longer, we Research Centre (KIRDARC) will all fall. Fear of freedom or freedom from fear? The third anniversary of the dissolution of parliament is a time to reflect on restoring it t took three months under house-arrest Prasad Koirala, at least he has been unjustifiable in the name of protecting precedence of fulfilment of human desires to finally bring Madhab Nepal to his consistent in his main demand – the ‘national interest’, a vague expression were possible. The royal takeover is I senses. He realised that the fundamental restoration of parliament as a point of that can’t conceal its intrinsic militarism. defended by fanning fears of a Maoist question of governance in Nepal remains departure for progressive changes in the In the days to come, countering such takeover. Reason invariably collapses unresolved to this day and he wants the polity. Now, seven mainstream parties pretensions from the self-appointed under grief and outrage at the barbarity of future of monarchy to be a topic of representing 95 percent of parliamentary guardians of the national interest will be violence. The fight against terror is used to national debate. This should dispel doubts strength have supported this demand. The the main challenge to institutionalise justify curtailment of civil liberties, about the UML’s democratic credentials. Europeans, Indians and the Americans democratic nationalism. dismantling of democracy and to excuse Sher Bahadur Deuba will have ample welcomed this new-found unity among Anywhere in the world a change of vigilante justice. It is a theatre of the time as he sits in the cooler to reflect upon the parties and have finally realised the government outside the provision of the absurd. the folly of supporting the needless political constitution of the day is called a ‘coup’. It is impossible to put a timeframe for STATE OF THE STATE self- experiments of the last three years. These On Sunday we will be celebrating the this process to unravel but a democratic CK Lal inflicted developments augur well for the third anniversary of 22 May 2002—the and progressive Nepal is sure to emerge wounds restoration of Nepali democracy. day Deuba dismantled parliament and from this churning. We can’t predict the that led to his own descent into political However, the head-in-the-sand attitude announced elections he knew could never future but we must prepare for it. Now irrelevance. Ambitious schemers on of Kathmandu’s ruling elite about be held. This was a creeping coup, that the parties have their act together, the Deuba’s coat-tails started bringing him February First persists. It is this carefully calibrated to foreclose the palace, too, must stop prevaricating and down the day he stepped into Singha unwavering faith in dogmatism that possibility of public outcry. The charade spell out its stance on constitutional Darbar as a palace pawn to checkmate allows the regime to eject passengers from continues today. On the specious pretext monarchy. The importance of the democracy. He was persuaded that a aircraft, stop leaders from meeting of ensuring freedom from fear, fear of restoration of parliament was important chronically squabbling parliament was a political detainees, arrest activists freed on freedom is being instilled in the minds before, now it has become urgent as well. hindrance to fight the Maoist menace. He court orders, flex administrative and of the vulnerable middleclass. We are It is pointless tinkering any more with ignored the advice of those who told him financial muscle to muzzle the media in being told repeatedly and in shrill tones royal cabinets, it’s time to restore due to show patience and restraint. excesses that transcend the Panchayat. We to crave peace before development and process under the constitution through a Whatever you may say about Girija see the same tendency to justify the then only democracy, as if such a neat reactivated lower house. z 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 3

LLL ETTERS

FLOP-FLIP between them. Either he is blissfully be a ‘constructive’ ruler, without elaborat- Internet edition and enjoyed it very much. Both Prashant Jha and Swapan oblivious to the silencers imposed on ing on what this means. He has ended up Would he also care to write a similar Dasgupta hit it squarely on the head in Nepalis or he feels them justified, in surrounding himself with sychophants and piece on the other Ranas, by marriage or your last issue (NT, #247), heralding which case he should talk only of himself yes-men who are going about issuing otherwise, currently on top of the Pecking perhaps not just realpolitik vis-à-vis and not on behalf of the ‘silent’ masses. orders that are contradictory to his royal Order. We’ll then know how to read the Nepal but also realmedia. The so- The worst arguments in support of the proclamation. How else can the flagrant near empty sign of your paper’s liberty called Indian flip-flop is really the other royal coup (and the only argument) is human rights abuses so soon after the gauge, a silent monument to these way around: its ill-informed over- that it was carried out on behalf of the signing of the Geneva MoU be justified? deranged and twisted times. reaction in the immediate aftermath of 1 Nepali people. If indeed that is the case, The palace’s strategy is to postpone the Name withheld on request February was the real diplomatic flop, then the king should immediately prove it crisis and buy time to pursue an while Manmohan Singh embracing by taking the proposition to the people. undemocratic path so the monarch can be NO FUN ground truth in Nepal was a flip back to Otherwise him and his followers like Mr active and the psychophants can enjoy For all of us who have already read Dan reality. He is undoubtedly India’s Shrestha should stop reading other power again. It is painful to see so much Brown’s book Da Vinci Code, Jiggy pragmatic response to China’s Deng. people’s mind and focus on their own. contradiction between what the royal Gaton’s review (‘The religious X-files, But the South Block’s original flop Name withheld on request government says and what it does. The #247) does give us additional information. reaction is understandable: it was king has said he wants to strengthen But for those who haven’t yet read the naturally reluctant to write off its The concern raised by Former democracy but all his actions so far show book, the reviewer spoils the fun by political investments endowed in Speaker Daman Nath Dhungana in your only a drift towards authoritarianism. disclosing secrets from the book like the various party bosses. After all they did translation of his interview in Deshantar Ram Milan Sah, Sarlahi part about the Last Supper. It was this deliver, whether it was Mahakali or the (‘How dare we let it happen, #247) shows suspense that kept me going when I read Bhutani refugee imbroglio. his concern for democracy in Nepal. He COLONIAL HAUNTS the book and the reviewer shouldn’t have What is difficult to comprehend, is right about the harassment people are Just read Pravin Rana’s piece (‘Colonial stolen the thunder. however, are the Euro-Americans facing. Democracy is granted and hunts’, #247) on Rana nostalgia in your A Vani, email standing in phalanx behind South democracy is taken back from the hands Block. Why would these self-styled of the people as if it was the ‘tathastu paragons of liberal democracy and ashirbad’ of Lord Shiva. The king has no good governance so unequivocally right to do this to his people, but who has TREE SLAUGHTER support the resumption of power by the right to decide on our behalf? In the Your front page photo (‘Grand Trunk Road’, #247) could break anyone’s heart. At a kleptocrats of yore without forcing them past too, when we had to fight for time when the environment of Kathmandu Valley is worsening the authorities should to submit to a popular vote? Could it be democracy, we were united, we shared have been planting more trees instead of felling them. I am writing to you to seek that they too have benefited? Look at our interest and goal. We did get some answers. While people are being cut down outside the capital, in Kathmandu the Enron-like Dhabol deals of Bhote democracy no matter how many times it we are witnessing terrorism against trees—the brave and innocent beings that had Kosi/Khimti where Nepali consumers was taken back. But the people chosen been protecting the Valley for ages. The sight of the corpses of these trees on your have to pay double the electricity rates to be representatives of the citizens were front page was heart-rending. Whoever is responsible for this deed with misplaced while Euro-American investors and distracted by vested interests, abusing logic and values must be prosecuted. contractors are walking away with the the trust bestowed on them. Why can’t Jaya Dev Baidya, Thapathali windfall. Look at the Kali Gandaki scam leaders work and dedicate themselves to where Rs 12 billion was doled out in a the betterment of citizens and for the Before all our species leave the valley Rs 7 billion civil contract, with the nation? The history of politics is stained Hauled away in heavy trucks, it’s time major beneficiary being not Nepali with corruption, injustice, bias and To praise improvement of the city electricity consumers but Euro- personal interests. Now that the king has And confess to a past of crime: American contractors. Look at Middle admitted he wants democracy but only Marsyangdi where the story is when the people understand its value, Forgive our jaunty limbs and shiny leaves, repeating itself. Look at the oversight- when leaders can commit themselves for That cluttered views and clogged the sewer. free partnership of western aid the good of the nation, what makes Who but foolish cows could grieve agencies and their INGOs with party- Dhungana think the people will still The loss of shade and scent of verdure? organised NGOs in Nepal. The zillion- support political leaders like him who dollar question is: would Nepali squandered democracy after they had We kept aloft, with too much poise: cognoscenti be wrong in explaining this won it? How can these leaders ask, ‘Did As cars and buses slammed our trunks anomaly with the hypothesis that Euro- the king consult with any of the political (Grinding gears with fumes and noise) Americans too have benefited from the forces before making his February First We only emanated love, like monks. kleptocracy of the 1990s? move?’ The people have eyes to see and Name withheld on request the right to cast their vote. Freedom and So hear, to our misdeeds give coverage! democracy exist only when leaders We trees don’t often strive for mention in the press Kiran Panday’s picture of Girija understand and execute their duties We have no love of paper used for printing Prasad Koirala and Madhab Kumar properly. Things will then fall into place. knowledge Nepal on your online edition (#246) Reena Sen, email (In fact, we would prefer if printed news were less). says it all. The distrustful body language of the two leaders, their Recently there has been an Now one can stroll the boulevards with ease, reluctant postures, the utter outpouring of support for February First Gone is fear of bumping into dirty trees. hopelessness of their demeanours. And in your letters column. Most seem to be We deserve our end and are not displeased in the background, the sardonic grins of from readers in Kathmandu or outside With afterlives as toothpicks for the Nepalese. party cadres who probably hope to Nepal who are ignorant of the security Eucalyptus, Jacaranda, Pine, Pulchok benefit from the unity in terms of future situation in the hinterland. They were employment. That picture spoke a pampered during the Panchayat and Mister! I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees. thousand words. must be hoping that the good old days I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues. Bijay Gurung, Ibaraki, Japan are back again. Why else would they be Way back in the days when the grass was still green so blind to what is happening in the and the pond was still wet This letter is in response to the country? They are following the king in and the clouds were still clean, letter to the editor by Sanchit Shrestha blaming the political parties and their one morning, I came to this glorious place. (#247). Your newspaper should be wary leaders and put all the blame for Maoist And I first saw the trees! of publishing anything that purports to activities on them. It was actually the But that was a long time ago, today understand the sentiment of the Nepali palace that damaged the atmosphere at the far end of town people better than the rest of us. He not during both past ceasefires and where the Grickle-grass grows only says that Dixit, along with the negotiations that the parties tried to and the wind smells slow-and-sour when it blows ‘iniquitous’ parties, have failed to win negotiate with the Maoists with issues and no birds ever sing excepting old crows... Nepali hearts and minds but takes the like the Doramaba massacre and the five is the Street of the Lifted Lorax. After Dr Seuss, email silence on our fellow citizens’ part as km limit on army movement. The king KIRAN PANDAY the conclusive proof of love lost has time and again expressed his wish to 4 NATION 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 Shock in Kalikot

Kalikot and the under-construction Surkhet-Jumla Highway.

KUNDA DIXIT from p1 RCIW, who has just returned from office in Simikot bombed and a monitoring mission to Kalikot. staff threatened but says it is the The fear now is that aside RCIW provides cash and food duty of aid agencies not to be from depriving villagers of food, for infrastructure projects, and deterred. “The important thing is the withdrawal may also have local communities are involved to continue to deliver assistance put other aid groups in the in digging a mountain road despite physical threats,” Limbu district in the bad books of the linking Dailekh to the Karnali says. rebels. Other Kathmandu-based Highway. Gautam says that nearly Shanta Lal Mulmi of the aid agencies told us privately 10 km of the total 18 km of road National Federation of NGOs had they were miffed at GTZ’s abrupt trail is completed and the staff members beaten up recently decision. remaining would have been when they refused to register The three other RCIW donors finished this year. The work is with the Maoists in in Kathmandu, however, say the now halted. Sindhupalchok and Dadeldhura. Maoists are in serious violation Other development groups say “As people involved in of the Basic Operating Guidelines pulling out like this sends the development in conflict areas we signed by 10 aid organisations wrong message to the people and have to overcome these that allows termination of to the Maoists. Says Gauri challenges,” Mulmi says. programs if aid workers are Pradhan of the National Human Other development agencies not safe. Rights Alliance, “We understand didn’t object so much to GTZ The news from Kalikot was this is to pressure the Maoists but deciding to pull out but that the exaggerated in transmission and such direct action is not necessary decision was taken unilaterally. German media reported wrongly and they should have discussed They fear the message to the this week that two aid workers it first with other NGOs.” Maoists is that all they have to do were killed in western Nepal. Pradhan’s child rights group has is rough up staff to stop projects The government is also been under pressure from rebels they don’t like. Says Action Aid displeased with the suspension. in Salyan, Rolpa and Rukum to Nepal’s Country Director Shibesh “We were not consulted and we hand over a share of project funds Chandra Regmi: “The donor don’t agree with the decision,” as donation but they haven’t action looks right if we think says Basanta Raj Gautam, the withdrawn. about the safety of staff but it Ministry of Local Development’s Hari Prasad Limbu of the doesn’t seem fair from the poor national program coordinator for Nepal Trust in Humla had his people’s point of view.” BUSINESS 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 5 Don’t roll back Reversing interest rate liberalisation may be fatal wo weeks back, a statement from the Nepal Rastra Bank governor went largely unnoticed. He argued that banks are making a lot of T money so the interest rate should perhaps be regulated. While he may have had good reasons to say this, we really need to examine what that means to the world outside in the 21st century. A decade ago, the Rastra Bank made a landmark decision not to peg interest rates but to leave it to the market. That unleashed a plethora of banks competing with different sets of rates but it also gave the consumer the option of choosing a bank with an interest rate that seemed most agreeable. Big and low ECONOMIC SENSE risk corporate houses got low rates Artha Beed and businesses borrowing from moneylenders at high interest rates

could switch to bank rates that were high but half of what they paid Speeding up

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ moneylenders. Individual consumers could choose a bank that Speed Remit Pvt Ltd has entered into an agreement with Nabil Bank for domestic distribution of money provided better interest rates. for customers across Nepal. NabilSpeedremit will facilitate domestic and international remittance, with Some businesses argue that the interest rate spread of banks is high an immediate network of more than 50 branches all over Nepal. The major locations of such branches and the central bank needs to flex its muscles to control it. Perhaps include Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Siraha, Saptari, Sindhuli, Janakpur, Bara, Parsa, Dang and Surkhet. these businesses either belong to the high-risk category thereby paying

the highest interest rates or are jealous of the people who have opened New schedule

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ banks, made money and been quite successful. The Beed has observed ○○○○○○○○○ that some businesses are paying interest rates that are three times the Druk Air will begin its new summer flight schedule effective until 29 October on rate paid by some prime corporate houses. It is a true market-determined the Delhi and Paro routes from Kathmandu. situation and if banks are making profits by risking money to high-risk

customers, the central bank should not have any problem in this regard. Masti campaign ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

It would be better for the government and the central bank to work ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ harder at regulating the functioning of the banking business than to try Asian Thai Foods has started Rumpum Biking Masti scheme under which every second and disrupt day a consumer will be given an Anna Lifan bike. Rumpum packets also have coupons fundamentals. For worth Rs 1 to Rs 5,000. instance, should a set of promoters be involved Safe safe

in more than one ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bumil Safe has launched Dia Safe in Nepal. The safes are available in a wide range of financial institution? models and colours at their showroom, Home Furnishers in Tripureswor. Why not start a credit rating system for banks NEW PRODUCT so customers know when the deposit MILKY DREAM: Golchha Organisation’s Hulas Biscuit and Confectionery’s has introduced scheme of one bank is Dream Cream Milky in the market. It is specially packaged to appeal to children. different from that of another? Why not make public the actual changes that have taken place in foreign managed banks and how the millions poured into these banks have actually benefited Nepali consumers? How can we encourage more foreign banks to participate in Nepal and provide strong balance sheets to fund larger projects here? Post-1990, the banking sector has done well. It has created many Nepali millionaires in terms of stockowners with a wealth of knowledge and experience in management and operations. If so many banks are doing well, it is because management skills of Nepali professionals have excelled. Nepal Rastra Bank should stop sending misleading signals like rolling back on interests if it still believes that foreign investment and technology transfer is the way to bring a surge in market-oriented economies. We have witnessed the impact of rollback. When the central bank clamped down on stock exchange trading with stringent regulations a decade ago, it did not realise that confidence does not bounce back, even 10 years later. That is something we surely do not want the banking industry to go through. www.arthabeed.com MEDIAWATCH Bhaikaji Ghimire, managing director of Samadrishti weekly has been in detention for at Nakkhu the past two-and-a-half years without charge. Bishnu Nishturi of the FNJ visited him in jail last week and saw torture scars on Ghimire. Maoists have abducted the reporter of Aankha weekly, Som Sharma, from Mangalbare in Ilam last week. Surkhet correspondent of Samaya, Deb Kumar Subedi, was sentenced this week to three months in detention for reporting a democracy demonstration. Mobile phones of columnist Gunaraj Luitel and Ujir Magar of Kantipur, editor and publisher Pushkar Lal Shrestha, and Mahendra Bista of Nepal Samacharpatra and scores of others are still out. Nepal Telecom notified some of them it was on order from “higher up”. The district administration has sent a letter (cc-ed to police) to Radio Sagarmatha and other Kathmandu stations warning them to comply with the order to only broadcast entertainment. Despite lifting of the emergency, restrictions on the print media enforced on 2 February for six months banning articles against the ‘letter and spirit’ of the royal proclamation and ‘supporting terrorism’ are still in force. Himal Khabarpatrika publisher Kanak Mani Dixit was summoned before the Lalitpur CDO office on Wednesday to explain why he wrote the article ‘The National Crisis: Conditions and Opportunities’. On Tuesday, Maoists blew up a transmission tower of Ntv in Palpa. No one was hurt but broadcasts of the state-owned station to central Nepal was disrupted. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248

State blockade of Rangkot: “The Maoists have against us. Their politics are ○○○○○

○○○○○○○○○○○ made Rolpa unfit to live in and aimed at protecting themselves Samaya, 19 May the security forces have been from our actions. But we have no harassing us poor people.” concern with politics. We have ROLPA—Many villages have been no political vendetta. Flip-flop unable to get medical supplies Corruption charges because security forces have ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Captain’s telly

Kanak Mani Dixit from New Delhi in Himal Khabarpatrika, 15-30 May blocked them to prevent supplies RCCC Chairman Bhakta Bhahadur ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ from reaching the Maoists. Rolpa Koirala in Nispakshya, 17 May Jana Astha, 11 May has been a refuge for injured The Indian decision to stop and then resume military aid to Nepal and rebels and a training ground for We had instructed the police to It wasn’t as easy as RNAC the factors behind this ‘flip-flop’ will be important for geopolitical Maoists. To control the growing arrest Sher Bahadur Deuba on 22 Captain Sishir Sharma had analysts and Nepal’s decision-makers to examine. This ability to activity of the rebels in that area, April. They brought Deuba to us imagined trying to sneak his 42- bring about an Indian turnaround was a major diplomatic victory for security forces have barred only five days later. We had to inch plasma tv through airport Naryanhiti and the resumption of Indian military assistance to Nepal transport of medicine and food arrest him because he refused to customs by posing as the king’s was determined by the interplay of four Indian power centres: SOUTH BLOCK: The bureaucrats in the Ministry of External supplies to rural areas for the past answer our questions. We will pilot. His crate imprinted with Affairs have traditionally determined Indian policy towards Nepal and three months. But local people arrest anyone who does not king-size letters ‘Royal Palace’ at since the 1 February move it has stuck to its ‘Twin Pillar’ policy of say the blockade has affected their cooperate on interrogation. We first caused quite a stir at TIA supporting constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. lives. In Kot, 63-year-old Bir have charged him of a crime, he among airport and security Indian policy is now the responsibility of Foreign Secretary Shyam Maya has been unable have her has the opportunity to defend personnel. They thought it Saran, former ambassador in Kathmandu and well versed in Nepal wound healed for the last two himself. In fact, it is a chance to belonged to the palace after the affairs. Saran and his Nepal-desk colleague Ranjit Rae were in months after she fell off a tree get a clean chit. But if someone royal visit to Boao and needed to Bhutan when news of the Jakarta meeting came and it is learnt that and broke her arm. She has been says he or she will not give any be rushed off to Naryanhiti. they, as well as the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, were taken aback visiting the local health post only explanation, that is a different When they found out it with the news to resume military aid. It was a sign that Naryanhiti had to find that they have no issue altogether. That is his belonged to the pilot who was been successful in pulling the Indian prime minister closer to its medicines. She cannot afford to fundamental right and no one can misusing the name of the palace, position. travel to another district for do anything about it. If Deuba orders for his arrest came. But he treatment and now has been keeps quiet it may be an was released on the using local medicinal herbs but admission of guilt and if he does recommendation of a government her pain is still severe. In Tribeni, not produce bail, he will have to department. When asked why he Ram Bahadur Pun has been face legal prosecution. It is clear had indulged in such an act, the suffering from stomach ailment that under such circumstances, he pilot replied that he had the for several months. “I have been will have to go to jail. Former privilege since he was flying the in pain for a long time,” he says. Ministers Purna Bahadur Khadka, airplane carrying the king from The posts have even run out of Mohammad Mohsin and Yuba Raj Singapore. Sharma, who has also Jivan Jal. “Many villagers have no Gyawali were summoned and served as the director of RNAC, choice but to travel all the way to they offered their explanations escaped scot-free with no charges Nepalganj and Dang,” says and produced the bail. If Deuba despite such a brazen attempt at pharmacist Yam Bahadur Basnet. had done the same, he would also smuggling. He was even allowed Food supplies have been have been freed by now. It is only to take his plasma television INDIAN ARMY: Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee has restricted and the people of this the corrupt people who are afraid home after seven days upon been muted in his reaction to the royal move. Indian defence ministers district have not seen rice for of us, corrupt politicians of paying a custom duty of Rs traditionally have tended to hold views close to that of the security many months. Says Bir Bahadur political parties have ganged up 127,000. forces, especially the army. Besides his senior cabinet colleague, Manmohan Singh must also have been influenced by the need expressed by the Indian Army officer to support a ‘brother army’. The Indian Army has always been sensitive about the Gorkha troops in its ranks, and its officers would be worried about retired soldiers not being able to collect pensions in the hills of Nepal. The present Commander-in-Chief JJ Singh is said to feel that cutting military aid would hurt the feeling of the Nepali side as well as affect the morale of serving Gorkha troops and pensioners. According to sources, Singh and Saran actually sparred at a high-level cabinet security meeting over this issue. The fact is that Indian hardware may enhance the fighting capability of the army by a bit but it will not bolster its dignity and sense of self-worth at the current juncture. More than support the Royal Nepali Army, the Indian decision to resume arms supplies has bolstered the king’s political position. POLICE/INTELLIGENCE: The suspicion with which Indian police and intelligence involved in fighting armed rebels in Bihar, Jharkhand, Telgangana and other regions regard the Nepali Maoists is understandable. Although various central and state police and intelligence bodies compete for influence, their common concerns are represented at the Prime Minister’s Office in New Delhi by the former head of the Intelligence Bureau, MK Narayanan. More than a political resolution in Nepal he would be keen to see the Maoists of Nepal brought to the ground and journalists in New Delhi say his position has been to argue in favour of the resumption of military aid. INDIAN ROYALTY: A key source of Naryanhiti’s influence in the Delhi Darbar has been through India’s former rajas and princelings, and some New Delhi analysts say this category has had a major role in the reversal of policy on military aid. Indian Foreign Minister K Chicken roast: Democracy Natwar Singh comes from Rajasthan’s Jat royalty and is said to be Book on fire: Law naturally sympathetic towards the Nepali royal family. Nepal’s Rajdhani, 18 May Princess Himani is also a descendant of the royal clan of Sikar, also in Rajasthan. QUOTE OF THE WEEK It is clear that the change in Indian policy in Jakarta last month was the result of clash and accommodation between these four forces. This is not an authoritarian regime. We work within the limits of the law and But there may have been other factors. Indian Hindutva organisations acts of the country. have been close to the Nepali monarchy, and several conservative columnists and commentators also affected Indian policy-making. Bhakta Bahadur Koirala, chairman of the RCCC in Nispakshya, 17 May This time, the palace won. But the Jakarta about-turn has left such a bitter taste among policy-makers in New Delhi that it may actually have an opposite effect in the long-term. Jakarta indicated how much the Nepali state has become dependent upon New Delhi’s goodwill. The royal regime has derived diplomatic dividend from this change in Indian policy but the future course will be determined by whether or not it sticks to the king’s commitment made in Jakarta to a democracy roadmap, whether political prisoners are released, whether the press will be free. There is also a school of thought in New Delhi that India should abandon its ‘Twin Pillar’ doctrine for a ‘One Pillar’ policy solely focussing on the parliamentary system of representative government. Said one senior policy-maker: “If we are asked to choose between the king and the Nepali people we will choose the people.” Instead of wasting time debating what an outside power does or does not do as the days go by vis-a-vis Nepal policy, it will be more important for political figures and analysts to start creating facts on the ground.

SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 7 Who killed Pokhrel? Singhal, Bharat Keshari Simha

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and Pokhrel deteriorated. Even if Samaya, 19 May it was the Maoists’ Dalit Mukti Morcha killed Pokhrel, the World Who killed Pandit Narayan Hindu Federation and Singhal Prasad Pokhrel and why? As with will benefit the most. Could it be any other murder of a powerful that the Maoists’ Dalit wing is Rebel rebels person conspiracy theories manipulated by other powers? Himal Khabarpatrika,15-30 May Baburam’s blames Prachanda for: abound. Though the Maoist This incident has many political affiliated Dalit Mukti Morcha of implications. Pokhrel was a There are signs that the 1 Glorifying Prachanda path by Kapilbastu has taken progressive pandit, he was against Prachanda-Baburam rift is making it like Mao Zedong thought responsibility for the incident, Hindu fundamentalism and affecting the lower rank and file 2 Not allowing freedom within the the silence of the upper echelons untouchable practices. Often in the rebel movement. Senior party of the rebel party casts reason for accused of trying to destroy sources in the Maoist eastern 3 Blaming him for the arrests of doubt. Some months ago, the Hindu society, it is not difficult command confirm former Maoist Maoists in India Maoists of this region had to measure their scorn for him. student leader Debendra 4 Developing a personality cult captured Chet Bahadur Kunwar of The power wielded by the Parajuli and Maoist women’s 5 Showing ‘Rayamajhi’ traits by association Secretary Kalpana displaying affinity to a feudal king the royal palace and freed him a World Hindu Federation and Dhamala are being tortured 6 Sidelining everyone else few days later. This shows that World Hindu Council and its under Maoist detention at an 7 Saying one thing, doing another the Maoist policy in this area sister organisation in Nepal– undisclosed location in eastern 8 Indulging in groupism creating does not include the killing of Hindu Social Workers’ Nepal. The reason seems to be factions ‘high profile’ people. Association –is connected to the a difference of opinion with 9 Putting himself on the same Two years ago, two members present regime while Pandit political commissar and central pedestal as Marx, Engels and of the Maoist revolutionary wing Pokhrel’s power came from his committee member Ram Mao were arrested at Pandit Pokhrel’s popularity among devotees and Bahadur Thapa (Badal). The two residence. Sources say that his ‘Puran revolution’. Before youth leaders seem to have Prachanda blames Baburam for: though the revolutionary group news about his death was become victims of the latest suspected the Pandit of broadcast, a directive was issued trend within the Maoist fold to 1 Demolishing the strategic sideline supporters of Baburam offensive plan informing the police, they did to state-run tv and radio stations Bhattarai. Officially, they have 2 Severing links to the party and not blame him. But this does not in Nepal telling them not to call been charged with divulging the people’s war mean that the Pandit did not him ‘Bachan Siromani’. If the party secrets and on suspicion 3 Taking revenge against top have political enemies. He had leaders of the Maoist party do not of being involved in the arrest of leadership close connections with the World clarify their role in Pandit senior party leaders in India last 4 Suspicious role in the arrest of Hindu Council andWorld Hindu Pokhrel’s murder, it will only year. Parajuli and Dhamala had party leaders in India Federation. Hindu hardliners had benefit the Indian extremist been critical of Badal for the 5 Looking down on the People’s for some years been trying to make Hindu association and their military setbacks that the Liberation Army Nepal their centre. After the associates in Nepal. Pandit Maoists have faced in the east 6 His actions have helped Federation’s Achhyut Regmi Pokhrel’s religious and altruistic in the past year, according to the imperialism, expansionism and began favouring Ashok Singhal campaign for the people had source. Another politbureau the royal army member in charge of external 7 Lobbying against the central openly, he began to make things become the greatest obstacle to relations, Dina Nath Sharma has leadership difficult for Pokhrel who had their domination campaign. (A also been forced to resign from 8 Questions about integrity and grown popular. But the Council’s Maoist mouthpiece, Jana Bidroha his post for his suspected role in commitment to party ideals ‘denominational agenda’ and the said this week that the leadership the arrest of 11 senior leaders in 9 Promoting anarchy by raising arguments raised by Pokhrel had started an inquiry into the Patna last year. objections at the wrong time meant that relations between murder.) 8 DOMESTIC AVIATION The wonderful women and their flying machines At the rate they are flying, Nepali women pilots may soon outnumber the men

ABHA ELI PHOBOO private carriers and the number is mind to go learn to fly. My stressful. “It’s like any other increasing to keep pace with the parents were very supportive.” work, our lives are the same as hen Sony Rana got growth in the domestic airline Then there are those who other women professionals,” says her pilot’s license in industry. Women have found always dreamed of flying and Shobha Bannerjee, an Indian W1988, she became the that they don’t need to be from a very young age knew for pilot who lives in Nepal and first Nepali woman to sit in the stereotyped as stewardesses certain that a pilot was what they flies Dornier 228s for Sita Air cockpit. Now, she has become the anymore– they can be pilots, wanted to be. “My uncle was a even though pilots are in great first Nepali woman to be certified aeronautical engineers, air traffic pilot and he used to take me to demand in India and salaries to fly jets after she got her Boeing controllers or work in managerial the airport and the tower. I sat in have gone up. 757 rating recently. positions in airlines. the cockpit as a little girl and I Prashansa Shrestha used to “It has always been “I got into piloting quite by remember the first thing I liked fly helicopters and has now exhilarating and no, I have never accident really,” says Hira Thapa, about it was the smell of the fuel! switched to Cosmic Air, flying Women power (Clockwise from top felt awkward,” says Rana who has the most recent addition to the Deep down I knew that I would twin-engine SAAB 340 left): Bhawana Pant of Buddha Air, now been flying with Royal female pilot sorority flying for fly one day,” says Yashodhara turboprops to Pokhara. Despite Prashansa Shrestha of Cosmic Nepal Airlines for nearly 20 years. the national carrier. “I was just Thapa of Buddha Air. turbulence and afternoon storms Air, Yashodhara Thapa of Buddha There are eight women pilots flipping through the papers when For Bhawana Pant who also over the mountains during this Air and Jeena Lingden of Yeti Air. flying for Royal Nepal and other I saw this ad and made up my flies Beech 1900s for Buddha Air, time of year, Prashansa says her father who is a captain in pilots are trained to handle all Royal Nepal Airlines was the situations. “Because of my source of encouragement and helicopter experience I find fixed inspiration. “I liked the wing planes much easier to fly, uniforms,” she laughs, “and I was although choppers were more completely fascinated by the fun,” says she. notion of taking a plane up. Sarina Gurung is now the Flying in Nepal is a challenge only female helicopter pilot in because of the topography.” Pant Nepal and takes Simrik’s Mi-17s flew the Cessna Grandcaravan to to remote airports. (See also: remote airports in western Nepal ‘Walking on air’, # 205). When for Necon. “Flying to Simikot and Sarina lands in the middle of Jumla then was different,” she nowhere, villagers flock to her recalls, “and I remember people aircraft to catch a glimpse of the crowding around when “keti driverni”. Says Sarina: “I they heard a woman was flying love flying choppers, they are the plane.” adventurous and I’ve always Indeed, some women pilots loved adventure.” have found that air hours flown in the Nepal Himalaya are worth a premium and that makes it easy for them to get better paying jobs elsewhere. A few have defected to foreign airlines but most say they wouldn’t give up flying in Nepal for the world. “Every day is an experience and we get to travel all across the country,” says Jeena Lingden, “people think it’s a risky job. But it all depends on how professional you are and how seriously you take flying.” Lingden and Sabina Shrestha of Yeti airlines regularly fly Twin Otters in and out of Phaplu, Lukla and Jufal, three of the most difficult airports in Nepal. “I’ve always wanted to fly in Nepal,” says Sabina, “it is the most beautiful and challenging place on earth to fly in. But you do have to make compromises between your home and career.” All women pilots we interviewed for this article said they got full support from their parents. And this is important since family pressure can be 9 Low fares lure domestic travellers The introduction of jets on domestic air routes for the first time has taken the aviation sector by storm

ALL PICS: KIRAN PANDAY osmic Air’s Fokker 100s With Cosmic ready to bring in its and their unbeatable fourth Fokker 100, there is going C prices have transformed to be a parking problem here. air travel on trunk routes from “We’ve been expanding like crazy Kathmandu to Biratnagar, and I don’t know where we are Bhairawa and Nepalganj. going park our planes anymore,” More established domestic admits Cosmic’s Lawrence Liew. airlines like Buddha and Yeti “Competition is getting really have had to think fast to respond. stiff, it’s become like a fish Fares have come tumbling down, market,” says RP Bhandari of frequency of flights have gone up, Gorkha Airlines, “and fares are service has improved somewhat being slashed at a time of high and airlines are focussing on their fuel prices and low tourist unique selling points. Buddha volume. It’s great for consumers and Yeti have forged an alliance but not so good for airlines.” and are now offering early Gorkha has therefore decided to morning or late night slots to diversify to remote airports like counter competition from Cosmic. Tumlingtar and Rumjatar where They are hush-hush about it there is less competition. but some airlines are also But officials are finding it planning point-to-point flights difficult to prod other carriers within Nepal that don’t touch flying trunk or tourist routes to Kathmandu. Biratnagar-Nepalganj, also fly to remote strips. “Few Pokhara-Bhairawa and even airlines really fly to unprofitable Bhadrapur-Mahendranagar are remote areas,” says Mery seen as viable options because Patrabansh, manager of Flight of the hassles of highway travel Schedule and Permission Section these days. at CAAN. At the moment, passengers We asked Buddha Air if they have to fly through Kathmandu are hurting from the competition. and often spend the night here if “The drop in occupancy is they want to travel from, say, expected in the off season,” said Biratnagar to Pokhara. Rupesh Joshi of Buddha Air, “but Prem Nath Thakur at the Civil we are concentrating on providing Aviation Authority of Nepal high quality services at reasonable (CAAN) says permission for such fares.” At Yeti Airlines, the fall in routes would be readily given. tourism has prompted focus on “We are waiting for the airlines to Nepali passengers. Says Bijay come up with proposals, it would Shrestha of Yeti, “We really want inject new business and ease the to encourage Nepali travellers to cut-throat competition on the fly and it’s working—many are Kathmandu routes,” he adds. now hooked on the comfort and This would also ease the speed of flying.” z traffic congestion in Kathmandu. Abha Eli Phoboo

JET LAGGED: Passengers from Kathmandu disembark at Nepalganj airport this week (top) and a Buddha Air Beechcraft readies for takeoff as a Fokker 100 lands. 10 REVIEW 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 Don Quixote, dissident t is now four centuries since the birth of Four hundred years later, let’s pay homage to Cervantes In the socio-political arena, Augustus a masterpiece whose author and hero and the quixotic world he warned us about the Fool faces the Clown of Power. I both seem younger than we do. The Cervantes’ political parody can be read in simplest explanation for this may be many 20th century east European stories. found in Flaubert’s words about Don Its incomparable vitality and language, Quixote: “I found my origins in this book, for example, find their way into the work which I knew by heart before I learned how of the Soviet writer Andrei Platonov. A to read.” Indeed, at the core of Don Quixote communist who considered himself an is something essential that we knew even honest proletarian writer but called by before we read it but which became part of Stalin, the Red Clown of Power, ‘svoloc’ our (scoundrel) and ‘balagancik’ (buffoon), COMMENT nature Platonov lived a lifelong ordeal. Norman Manea only His carnivalesque odyssey of after totalitarianism displays a world of we completed its mesmerising journey. misery, boredom and obedience in its This is the unmistakable stamp of dark journey to an unreachable paradise. greatness in a writer. The communist Knight, the new Hunting after his own ghost–an ‘caballero de la triste figura’, a kind of obvious sign of inner unhappiness– enlightened idiot, blinded by his loyalty Hidalgo searched for a place where dreams, to the unreal and by his harsh political reality, sainthood, love and justice coexist. correctness, considers Lenin a new In their burlesque approach to humanity, Moses. He rides the Rosinante of the Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are the Proletarian Force, falls in love with the most enduring and endearing clownish dead Rosa Luxemburg in her role as couple in world literature. Comrade Dulcinea and has intercourse It is no surprise, then, that for the last with a locomotive. 400 years Don Quixote and Panza have bred In today’s free-market carnival, many relatives and successors, including nothing seems visible unless it is countless buffoonish boss-and-servant scandalous and nothing is scandalous couples. Even the history of circus is enough to be memorable. So we pay focused on such a pairing: the vain, homage to Cervantes at a time when we dignified White Clown and Augustus the routinely co-habit with a very different Fool, the humble loser who is kicked in outrageousness: religious fanaticism and the pants by his stiff, pompous partner. terrorism, political manipulation, the For an east European like myself, it is cacophony of perverted simplification, not easy to ignore the history of the circus– the belligerent marriage between a new or history itself. The solemn Communist messianism and an aggrandising quixotic Manifesto announced the spectre of the disguised a farce that affected not only a like a Knight of the Sorrowful blindness. So long as we celebrate Great Utopia haunting Europe but failed to single life, as in Cervantes’ story, and Countenance, and Augustus the Fool Cervantes, however, perhaps all is not warn us of the bloody tyranny. The affected not only the misleading army of appears ill-equipped for everyday life. lost. Project Syndicate gullible Sancho Panza was meant to adopt buffoons believed to be missionaries. Like Don Quixote–and Cervantes himself– Norman Manea is a Romanian novelist. His the revolution’s deceptive dogma as This dream destroyed generations of the artist dreams of other rules and memoir, The Return of entitlement to wage a brutal war against victims. rewards than his fellow men, who are the Hooligan, is being published all. The dream of improving the world In the world circus, the poet looks content to digest their everyday lives. across Europe. Etching a world Seema Shah etches questions of spiritual consciousness in her new exhibition

eema Sharma Shah, a graphic life and its spiritual consciousness. artist, has taken printmaking She draws attention to universal S in Nepal to greater heights. mysteries and the incomprehensive Her works at the solo exhibition power of various Hindu mythical gods Mystical Song at Park Gallery, and goddesses. Surrealism and Lajimpat, showcases the full dreamlike imagery, in some of her art dimension of her artistic ability pieces, defies fixed interpretation and through etchings. reflects the inexplicable spiritual Seema’s earlier prints dealt with realm of the subconscious. nature where she presented the The crude vocabulary of line and pantheistic view. She explored simplified shapes of her Nature primitive mysteries, hidden truths series assumes a sophisticated and primal fears using a crude dimension. She moves from two- formal vocabulary of line and flat dimensional abstraction to nearly simplified shapes in which the three-dimensional abstraction, rhythm of composition, form and revealing the poetic quality of her colour is created through two- creative process. The pervasive dimensional abstraction. This mood of solitude of her series on created harmony and unified the women gives way to spiritual serenity artwork. and mystical joy and the muted She has moved into a new colours of her earlier works are domain of creative experience as replaced by brighter shades. she explores the female psyche This exhibition of hers marks a from various perspectives. What culmination in her artistic career does it mean to be a woman? What where she has overcome challenges is her relationship with the society? posed by the medium. She etches To her family? To her self? Here questions that haunt the viewer. The again, she relies on the two- thematic concern is reflected by the dimensional qualities of line and effortless dynamics of creative colour as a means of suggesting tension. Shailendra Kumar Singh mood and meaning while retaining a semblance of reality, her primary emphasis being on form. Mystical Song, an exhibhition of etchings by This solo exhibition of Seema’s Seema Sharma Shah at Park Gallery, works is a vision of the mystery of Lajimpat, until 20 May. 4419353 NATION 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 11

Doctors watch as Santosh Thapa, who has been under DOTS for seven months, takes his medicine at Bir Hospital. Lest we forget And still the political parties wonder why the people don’t come out in their support t a time when there is a lot of talk about the restoration of democracy and handing back leadership to the seven party A alliance, let us remind ourselves what they were up to when they were in power. How can we forget:

1. We had 15 governments in 15 years. 2. Genuine statesmen were relegated to the sidelines as party bosses clawed their way to the top. 3. For these honchos, self-aggrandisement came first, the interest of the party second and national interest last. 4. Parliament was used as an arena to push personal interests not to fulfil electoral promises. 5. As soon as they came to power, party bosses started distributing posts and jobs as rewards of loyalty and not on merit. 6. They interfered with the NEPALI PAN administrative structure and politicised it so much that it Bijen Jonchhe became a haven for the corrupt MIN BAJRACHARYA and mediocre. 7. They paid lip service to democracy and abandoned nationalism. 8. ‘Democracy’ became an end in itself, not linked to development. 9. Education was cynically abused through their student wings to further party interests. 10. Governance was characterised by lack of transparency and accountability. 11. State secrets were compromised– interest groups knew about TB or not TB cabinet decisions even before the state media announced them. 12. Nepotism, favouritism and corruption governed appointment of officials to key posts. Nepal’s world acclaimed anti-TB treatment 13. National assets were sold off at throwaway prices in the name of privatisation. program is relatively unscathed by the conflict 14. And how can we forget the foreign trips for medical treatment financed by the state and used for political horse-trading? NARESH NEWAR 15. Parties colluded to use parliament sessions to sanction huge benefits to themselves paid by taxpayers. very year, on World know where to go for treatment,” patients have enough medicines 16. Misleading citizens was developed into an art form. After having Tuberculosis Day, attention says 18-year-old Sabita Nakarmi. and because communities have secretly signed the Tanakpur Treaty, it was ratified through parliament by calling it an ‘agreement’. E of Nepal’s biggest killer Fifteen years after her grandfather learnt to value the NTP’s service, 17. Inconsistent utterances by the so-called democratic leaders disease peaks. On 24 March died, Sabita was also infected patients continue to show up for have lent little credibility to party manifestos. seminars are held, ministers give with the same disease but eight- treatment despite hardships. 18. Parliament was abrogated time and again, with boycotts, speeches and the next morning’s month of DOTS cured her Many health professionals walkouts and unruliness being the rule. papers are full of reports. completely. “I’m lucky to be alive, involved in helping TB patients 19. Despite talk of decentralisation, politics became even more But, as is usual with this sort I only wish that such treatment agree that even those families capital centric, distancing elected leaders even further from the of flash flood coverage, the had been available for my displaced due to the conflict people. 20. Movement on social reform was so slow as to be imperceptible. interest soon dies down and the grandfather,” says Nakarmi. continue DOTS as the treatment 21. The proportion of higher castes in the civil service actually grew. disease slips off the radar screens. Even with the conflict is available anywhere in the 22. Frequent government change brought wild swings in policy and Half of all Nepalis are infected situation, the DOTS strategy has country and the drugs are free. lack of continuity discouraging investors and partners. with the TB bacillus and of these faced minimum difficulty. It is An improved program, DOTS- 23. Although corruption was democratised, top leaders were up to nearly 100,000 have active TB. available in more than 2,500 Plus, is being added this month their necks in scandals: Dhamija, Lauda, Chase Air, China There are 40,000 new cases every treatment centres and sub-centres to treat patients with multi drug Southwest, Melamchi, Bakra Irrigation, teacher appointments. year and up to 7,000 people die throughout the kingdom. “TB is resistant-TB, one of the leading 24. Charge sheeted colleagues were given protection from the CIAA by political leaders in power. annually from the disease. And the disease of the poor, there causes of death among patients. 25. When corruption became an issue it was turned into political 15 percent of all TB cases are in should never be any obstacle in its Others who die of TB have vendetta and a witch hunt. children, the infections spread treatment,” says Nem Mitra multiple complications like 26. Democratic parties lacked internal democracy and sycophancy rapidly because of malnutrition. Shrestha of German Nepal AIDS, leukaemia, cancer, lung thrived. Dissenters were cast out into the wilderness. Still, a lot more Nepalis Tuberculosis Project (GENETUP), and heart diseases. “TB program 27. Leaders even announced mid-term elections at the hint of would be dying from TB every which runs one of the most works when it is well thought opposition within the party, in the hope of garnering absolute day if it had not been for the effective DOTS centres in the out and designed and treatment majority. 28. Misusing state machinery to influence election results became national tuberculosis program country. centres and diagnostic services the order of the day. managed by the state-run National The treatment is available in are placed close to patients,” says 29. The police was politicised for electoral gain and political Tuberculosis Centre (NTC) with rural areas but there are serious Keshab Bhakta Shrestha, director vengeance. technical and financial assistance concerns about whether TB of NTP. 30. The use of criminal gangs for political activities elevated from a consortium of patients can reach these health Experts have found that the common thugs to the status of political figures. international health agencies. centres for the antibiotics. For the best way to improve the efficacy 31. Protests and bandas were the order of the day and were Indeed, Nepal’s efforts with TB first two months, patients have to of DOTS is by raising awareness conducted with scant regard to inconvenience to the general public, the national economy and development. control is regarded as a model for take their medicines daily in front and educating patients. Nepal’s 32. The culture of political protests deteriorated into paralysing the other developing countries. of trained heath workers. The success in this has attracted a education system, punishing the people to get back at political Treatment success rates in Nepal medication will not be effective if large number of aid agencies opponents in government. have more than doubled from they miss even a single day. especially since the government 33. Leaders who wantonly violated human rights, press freedom and 40 percent in 1994 to over 88 Constant Maoist road blockades categorised the TB program as a civil liberties with impunity while in power talked of ‘grand design’, percent now. have interrupted the treatment for high development priority. Over ‘regression’ when out of it. “Today, we are able to save the many TB patients. 14 key agencies from Germany, 34. While in power they called the Maoists ‘terrorists’ and tried to subdue them with force, but the moment they were out of power the lives of 80,000 people, that’s the “Access to DOTS like all UK, Japan, Netherlands, Norway same leaders didn’t hesitate to travel to India to meet senior Maoists. number of people with active health care is a fundamental right and France have been actively 35. When crackdowns were carried out, they were brutal and TB,” says Christian Gunnberg of for all citizens, the provision of participating in the national counterproductive, eg: Operation Kilo Sierra 2. the UN’s World Health services and people’s access to program. 36. Political leaders are now trying to return to power on the back of Organisation (WHO), one of the them should be protected, Explains DfID’s Clapham: foreign powers and donors rather than popular support. One has government’s main partners in respected and promoted by all “Nepal’s TB program has adopted even gone to New Delhi to ask donors to stop aid to Nepal. the TB program. concerned in this conflict,” says a commendable public health 37. If that doesn’t work, they want to spark off a street unrest. 38. If that doesn’t work they are willing to come to power through the The anti-TB drive in Nepal Susan Clapham of the British aid approach, it has decentralised grace of His Majesty. has been heading in the right group, DfID. But Clapham adds care provision right down to sub- 39. Every action of King Gyanendra’s is being labelled direction especially with the that the conflict has not really health posts. In addition to the unconstitutional even though their demand of revival of parliament is Directly Observed Treatment impacted the TB program. DfID fact that frontline health workers even more unconstitutional. Short (DOTS) course. Introduced supports the national TB program provide care, so do trained 40. After all this, the parties can only come up with a ragtag in 1996, DOTS is now been by providing $7 million worth of community volunteers.” agreement promising peace and good governance in vague implemented in all districts and anti-TB drugs through WHO This ‘de-medicalisation’ is generalities. And still they wonder why there is no popular support for their anti-king agitation. 75 percent of the population has annually. said to be a key learning point access to treatment. Despite transportation not just for TB but for other Bijen Jonchhe describes himself as an “I lost my grandfather when challenges, NTP has sufficient diseases in other developing ever optimistic entrepreneur. he was 50 because he did not drugs stored in all centres so countries. 12 INTERNATIONAL 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 attend a conference organised by Uttar Pradesh to Lucknow. The the Regional Centre for Strategic vehicle is the regular hire of the Studies? Does Nepal have Gorakhpur correspondent for the Denial of departure roads? Yes. Does it have an open Dainik Jagaran (whose total border with India? Yes. What is circulation from 25 editions If you can’t fly, take the road the nearest airport in India with across northern India is over two regular air connections to Delhi? million, with readership of 17.5 Lucknow. million, let that sink in). It is Off-loaded at 2.30 PM, I was clear that the Sumo is used to on the road by 5PM, Lucknow- having its way in these Delhi-Colombo ticket in hand. backwaters of erstwhile Avadh, The ‘list’ obviously had not and we make good time over the made it to Nagdhunga at the Rapti River on whose upper Kathmandu Valley rim. A reaches lies the cradle of the massive thunderstorm slows Maobadi rebellion of Nepal. progress but no tigers and There used to be a time when leopards were in evidence to Nepalis feared travelling through make it a high adventure. A these badlands of northern traffic jam of more than a India. With Nepal converted into hundred trucks and buses a playground of Maoists, meant we can’t make it into the bandits, highway robbers, gun- town of Narayanghat before toting soldiers in plain clothes curfew. But a ‘member of the and state-supported vigilantes, it security forces’ in an extra jolly is the taxi drivers south of the mood waves us through, and at border who now quake at the 10PM we enter the busiest thought of entering the kingdom, hat do you do when the liberty currently being carried There are not a few market hub of Nepal and find it by day or night. immigration exit stamp out in the Nepali kingdom. politicians who, still waiting for looking like a ghost town. Bypassing Gorakhpur, we W is rescinded before you Jurists, lawyers, activists, a shower of goodwill from on After waiting out the curfew take a short-cut through Basti, get to board the plane and your politicians and framers of high, will not even announce in Uncle’s Lodge across the Ayodhya, Faizabad and arrive at Jet Airways ticket is returned to constitution are refused entry that their boarding cards have Narayani River at Gaidakot, we the outskirts of Lucknow this you with a note ‘Off-loaded by into aircraft to fly to been snatched. They tiptoe are on the road again at 4AM. side of the Gomti River. It is Nepal security’? international or domestic home, hoping that their show of Arriving at Butwal in the central getting awfully close to the destinations. There is no charge trust, patience and obeisance tarai in two hours flat, it is time boarding time of Air Sahara’s last SOUTHASIA BEAT sheet, no prior notice, just a will register where it needs to to head down to cross over into flight to New Delhi and we are mysterious list (an original one, register, and they will get ‘the India at Sunauli. Nepal not still on the other side of Kanak Mani Dixit apparently updated twice since call’. That is how it is beginning being in an efficient state of Lucknow’s urban sprawl. Over the royal takeover of 1 February) to work, for ministerships, repression, one is allowed to the Gomti Bridge, past the Collect one’s baggage, get the that is held close by someone in ambassadorships, corruption cross the border as a free citizen. stadium, downtown Hazratganj airport tax reimbursed and go the maws of the terminal commissionerships, and perhaps It helps that the Nepal-India and the railway station, we do home to skulk and complain building and is referred to even (in the days head) National ‘simana’ is the ideal Southasian make it in time. about the unfairness of life in on walkie-talkie by hapless Human Rights frontier, ie it is open. No, I didn’t get offloaded in autocratic regimes? immigration officials Commissionership. At Sunauli, a Tata Sumo Lucknow, nor in New Delhi later It is bizarre, this particular and superintendents So how does one get to jeep is willing to take me that evening for the flight to evolution of restricting personal of police. Colombo from Kathmandu to through the backroads of eastern Colombo. z SPORTS 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 13 108 holes Il Sun Park sets a golfing record Il Sun Park arrived in Kathmandu with her Korean diplomat husband HD Kim in February 2002. She is an avid golfer and well known in the Kathmandu golfing circuit for playing 36 holes (two full rounds) a day. A couple of weeks ago, she approached me and explained her intention of attempting to play 100 holes or more in a day. She planned to do this on a Monday when the golf course is less crowded. She asked if I could inform all players to let her play through on the day of her attempt so as not to slow her down during her challenge to reach her target. I was intrigued by her idea. To be honest I thought then that playing so much golf in a day was TEE BREAK impossible. If you asked me to attempt it, even dangling a very Deepak Acharya lucrative prize as an incentive, I doubt I would be able to make it! Setting a goal is one issue but actually accomplishing is quite another. Upendra’s dream To get an idea of what she was aiming for, six rounds of golf (108 holes) means walking about 50 km. Well, actually it ends up being more since it’s not possible to hit every ball straight. On top of that is Three cheers for the star of Three Stars the energy needed to swing the club the whole day long. The semi-final of the AFC depending on a player’s ability. The day of reckoning finally arrived—9 May 2005 at the Gokarna President’s Cup last week was Three Star and Manang Forest Golf Resort. A contingent of Korean lady golfers was present Upendra Man Singh’s last game Marsyangdi really invest in their to encourage and boost Park to reach her goal. as a national football player. The clubs and they have some of the She started her game at 5.30 AM in the rain and in what looked 32-year-old captain and best players. Every year you get to like would be a miserable day. Her prayers for better weather were goalkeeper of this year’s Nepal soon answered and by 10AM, the sun was shining and it was a either renew your contract (if you glorious day for golfing. league champion, Three Star are good enough) or join another Club, has now hung his boots club. and plans to be Nepal’s first goalkeeping coach. He spoke to What about corporate Nepali Times about being a sponsorships? professional sportsman in Nepal. That’s picking up too. Adidas sponsored us with Rs 500,000 Nepali Times: The semi-final and Mayos gave Rs 250,000. Three was a disappointment. Star Club is from Lalitpur and Upendra Man Singh: We were many individuals helped us unlucky. We did our best but it financially. We had tremendous wasn’t good enough. After the support and it helped us play game was over, we watched our better. video. We had our weaknesses KIRAN PANDAY and if had been able to address the Kyrgyz team do victory laps. What does it take to make it them, we might have won but Around 20,000 people had come as a professional football then it was a game, you either to cheer and support us, many player in Nepal? win or you lose. We did win the more were watching us on tv. A lot of discipline, hard work fair play award though. Also, the They would have had been and sincere training. I got it easy crowd really cheered us on and I ecstatic if we had won. We did really and my family supported think we played better than all we could but still felt like we me through it all. Directly after expected. had let everybody down. The SLC, I made it to the U-16 team club could really have used the and then straight to the national What were those money because they invested a team. I was studying civil Park then played relentlessly,for 12 hours and 25 minutes with an weaknesses you noticed in lot in the players. engineering but had to drop out. half an hour lunch break. I believe she had a few blisters on her feet the video? Soon I was playing for clubs in but she kept right on at it. By 6.55 PM in the evening, it was too dark We need to improve in the But don’t you think club Bangkok, Bangladesh and India. to continue. When she finished she commented, “I was still energetic striking zone. In the whole football in Nepal has come It was quite something because I and could have played more holes if the course had floodlights.” I just tournament we made only three of age? had never dreamed of being a shook my head in amazement. goals and that’s not so great. We Yes, it is now possible to make a professional football player. All Il Sun Park, 51, had accomplished her remarkable endeavour. missed really good chances. Also living as a professional football it takes is a lot of determination She had played 108 holes or six rounds of golf in a single day. This is a few of the players weren’t player. Clubs pay around Rs and the courage to follow your definitely a record in Nepal for playing the most number of holes. 5,000 to Rs 12,000 a month, Later, Park and I talked about the golfing scenario here and she feeling that well– Suren had a dream. said, “I have been to so many countries with my husband on his knee injury and some were diplomatic postings but I can assure you, Nepal is heaven for golf in suffering from food poisoning the world. The weather and climate here is just beyond compare.” and ankle problems. But really, “Golf can only grow in Nepal. With facilities like Gokarna Forest we played better than expected. Golf Resort, this game has a very high potential here,” she added, “I personally think this resort’s course is the best course I have ever What did you think of the come across and I’m so pleased to be able to take in a round every penalty shootout on day.” She thanked the club’s staff, its members, the ladies who Saturday? encouraged her and expressed her gratitude to her beloved husband The game closed on a draw and for all his support. we knew that our future hung on I wonder if this feat qualifies for the Guiness Book of World Records but it definitely qualifies for the Nepali record. z those penalty shots. The first time I missed Kyrgyzstan’s Deepak Acharya is a golf instructor and Golf Director at penalty shot, the ball had Gokarna Forest Golf Resort & Spa, Kathmandu. slightly grazed my finger and [email protected] slipped away. My heart sank and I had this dreadful feeling that we were down on our luck. Then the second time, I didn’t know what would happen but I managed to save it, making things equal. But then I missed the third again and we knew we had lost. After that we had no hope. It was one of the saddest moments of my life.

How did you cope with the defeat? Well, I felt really depressed. I just sat there for a while and watched 14 CITY 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248

ABOUT TOWN Nazar portrays Divya Varman (Meera) as a successful FESTIVAL AND EXHIBITIONS singer and dancer who leads a monotonous life until ™ Buddha Jayanti on 23 May. she meets with an unfortunate accident. She is ™ Aloha Nepal Works by Wicki Van De Veer at Lajimpat Gallery Café, until suddenly haunted by strange visions of unnerving 25 May. Proceeds go to SETU Nepal. 4428549 murders that make her believe she is going over the ™ Artist Choice Ceramics by Carole Irwin at Indigo Gallery, from 28 May. edge. As the story unfolds she meets Special ™ Bottle of Stories Raku pottery by Gopal Kalapremi at Gallery Nine, Investigating Officer Rohan Sethi (Ashmit Patel), who Lajimpat, until 30 May. 4428694 is on a case of serial killings that are doing the rounds AL CINEMAAL CINEMA CINEMA AL CINEMAAL AL CINEMAAL ™ Our Lives are Linked Photos, posters and documentaries on biodiversity AL CINEMA in Mumbai’s beer bars. Sethi employs Divya’s and humanity at Alliance Française, 10AM-4PM, until 3 June. 4241163 constant visions and flashbacks to solve his case ™ Symphony of Forms by Aditi but this leads to frightening consequences. Chakraborty at The Art Shop, Darbar Marg, until 5 June. 4372675 Call 4442220 for show timings ™ Samay Chakra by Ragini Upadhya- www.jainepal.com JAI NEPJAI NEP NEP JAI NEPJAI JAI NEPJAI Grela, until 8 June at Siddhartha Art JAI NEP Gallery. 4218048 KATHMANDU AIR QUALITY EVENTS ™ World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Kathmandu’s air quality fluctuated with the rains last week. While the on 20 May, 4PM at UNESCO, Jawalakhel. 5554769 air was fairly clean in the beginning of the week, towards the end it had ™ Journalism—Roles and Challenges Presentation at Kathmandu deteriorated significantly. Overall, the concentration of particles less University School of Management, Manbhawan on 21 May, 11AM. than 10 microns in diameter along roadsides were more than twice the ™ On the Road with the Red God Documentary by Kesang Tseten on 22 national standards while in residential areas it hovered around 120 May at NTB, Bhrikuti Mandap, 5.30 PM. ™ Collateral on 24 May at Lajimpat Gallery Café, 7PM, Rs 50. 4428549 microgram per cubic metre. The average PM10 concentration in the ™ Rock ‘n Roll Night at Baber Mahal Revisited on 28 May, 7PM, Rs 750. Valley had risen by 20 percent. Things should ease with the rains. ™ Intercultural Exchange Program Every Wednesday at Goethe Zentrum, Thapathali, 4.15 PM. 4250871 8-14 May 2005 in micrograms per cubic meter. ™ Tai Chi Free classes at Baber Mahal Revisited. 4256618 Hazardous >425 Source: www.mope.gov.np ™ 1905 Sundays Garage sale, pet practices and more. 4215068 Harmful 351 to 425 ™ Fun in the Sun at Club Sundhara, Hotel Shangri-la. 4412999 Unhealthy 121 to 350 ™ Art workshop for kids at Buddha Gallery. 4441689 ™ Rugby Practice Every Saturday. 4435939, [email protected] O k 61 to 120 ™ Sanibaar Mela Saturdays at the Dharahara Bakery Café, 12AM-5PM. Go od < 60

MUSIC Putalisadak Patan H Thamel Kirtipur Bhaktapur Matsyagaun ™ 1974 AD Live at Moks, Pulchok, 7PM onwards on 20 May. 5526212 ™ The Good Time Blues Band at Rum Doodle, 7PM. 4701208 NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED ™ Ladies Nights Wednesdays at Jatra, Thamel, with live acoustic music, one free drink. 4256622 Though the official date of monsoon ™ Fusion Mondays at Jalan Jalan Restaurant, Lajimpat, 7PM. 4410438 arrival is a month away the current ™ Live Music Everyday at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 weather patterns do not indicate it is on ™ Jukebox experience Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at Rox. 4491234 schedule. There are some stirrings of ™ Jazz at Upstairs Jazz Bar, Lajimpat, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 PM. activity in the bay and in the Arabian Sea off Kerala but the westerlies are FOOD still strong over the Tibetan plateau. ™ Al Fresco goes à la Bruni at Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 4273999 This satellite picture taken on Thursday ™ Bawarchi The Restro Bar for Nawabi cuisine at Lajimpat. 4436673 shows fresh westerly jet heading ™ Seven Sensations at the Pub, Hotel Yak and Yeti. 4248999 towards the plateau while the stream of ™ The Organic Café and Salad Bar at Thamel. 4215726 cloud from Bay of Bengal is struggling ™ BBQ Lunch at Le Meridien, Gokarna Forest Golf Resort. 4445550 against the westerlies towards the ™ Barbeque lunch Saturdays at Club Himalaya, Nagarkot. 6680080 northeastern Himalaya. There is ™ Special Combo Burmese and Thai Menu at 1905, Kantipath. possibility of more thunderstorms and ™ Sekuwa and Momo Revolution Saturdays at the Tea House Inn. hail like the one in Pokhara across the ™ Arniko Special Lunch at Hotel de l’Annapurna, Darbar Marg. 4221711 midhills. Expect warmer and stormy ™ Krishnarpan Nepali specialty restaurant at Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488 weekend afternoons. ™ Barbecue Dinner Every Friday at the Summit Hotel. 5521810 ™ Exotic Seafood at Rox Restaurant, Hyatt Regency. 4491234 KATHMANDU VALLEY ™ Delicacies Pastas and snacks at Roadhouse Café, Jawalakhel. 5521755 ™ Earth Watch Restaurant at Park Village, dine with nature. 4375280 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ™ Café Bahal Newari cuisine at Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel. 4700632 ™ The Beer Garden at Vaijayantha, Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 ™ The Tharu Kitchen at Jungle Base Camp. [email protected] 32-15 31-16 6 31-15 30-146 31-15 GETAWAYS ™ Malaysia Dream Holidays Special offers for June. 2012345, [email protected] ™ Star Cruises Available in Nepal from 1 June. 2012345, [email protected] ™ Fun Free Stay one night get one Night at Shangri-la Village, Pokhara. 4435742 ™ Wet Wild Summer Splash Special package with unlimited swimming hours at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 ™ Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge Voted one of Asia’s leading hotels, special offers. 4361500. ™ Chiso Chiso Hawama at Nagarkot, special packages. 6680080 ™ Jungle Base Camp Lodge, Bardia, special package and prices. [email protected] ™ Shivapuri Heights Cottage Best time to be in Shivapuri. [email protected] ™ Malaysia Dream Holidays 10 percent discount on packages purchased at NATTA Mart. [email protected], 2012345. 20 - 26 MAY 2005 #248 15 Prativa goes places rativa Panday used to be quite satisfied being a P doctor to Nepal. But she loved to trek and go places. Earlier this month, she was elected president of the International Society of Travel Medicine (ISTM) at its convention in Lisbon. Not only is KIRAN PANDAY she the first Nepali to hold this position but also the first Asian ROYAL CHECK: Crown Prince Paras and Crown Princess Himani and the first woman. visiting the Avia Club Ultralight stall at the NATTA Travel Mart at BICC Born into a big clan that on Friday. emphasised the need for education, Panday was already studying medicine in Delhi at age 15. She worked in Nepal for some time before going to the US KIRAN PANDAY for a postgraduate degree in the major trekking routes in Nepal The Centre is a member of ISTM, Internal Medicine. After practicing for work, pleasure or both. She which is the only and largest for 10 years as an attending even worked one season as a international organisation of travel physician at Boston’s Beth Israel Himalayan Rescue Association health with 1,800 members from 72 Hospital and as a clinical volunteer doctor at Pheriche and countries. instructor in medicine at Harvard the work varies from stomach Nepal is now known as one of University, Panday decided she bugs to acute mountain the best-studied destinations in the wanted to come home. “My sickness. world for travel medicine. Panday children were growing up and I CIWEC Travel Medicine has been a doctor for 30 years and didn’t want to grow old in a Centre helps tourists, expatriates she tells us that she enjoys her foreign country eating turkey and or even locals with almost any work immensely, which is the mashed potatoes,” she says. The medical problem and if they are reason behind her dedication. fact that there was a family not able to provide the required When asked for advice for other JOHN NARAYAN PARAJULI support system in Nepal helped. services, they provide referrals to aspiring professionals she says: DC RALLY: More than 500 people turned up at a pro-democracy rally Panday works with CIWEC other appropriate medical “Anything is possible if you try in front of the White House on Sunday. They chanted “No to absolute Clinic Travel Medicine Centre in facilities or even arrange hard and work towards your goal.” monarchy, no to obsolete Maoism”. Kathmandu. She has trekked all evacuation to another country. Aarti Basnyat

NEPALNEWS.COM IN MEMORY: Candles lit in memory of the 172 people who lost their lives in the ongoing conflict in the month of Baisakh on Sunday at Maitighar.

KIRAN PANDAY GRINDSTONE: People dancing at the Surya Lights Grind on Saturday at Hyatt Regency.

b]zdf zflGt / ;Aoj:yf' sfod xg' ;sdf] dfq ljsf;sf ] ult ltj | x'g >L % sf ] ;/sf/ KIRAN PANDAY ;S5 . o;y { ;dfhdf zflGt, ;Joj:yf' sfod /flv Pstf / /fli6o« lxtsf] ;"rgf tyf ;rf/+ dqfno+ UP TO THEIR OLD TRICKS: Members of the UML affiliated student efjgfn ] ljsf; sfodf{ ;xefuL x'g' ;a } gkfnLx¿sf] ] k|d'v stJo{ xf ] . ;"rgf ljefu union burning tyres and sidewalk bars at New Road on Sunday. 16 inconvenience. been: ‘Re-arrestingGodinKathmandu’.Weapologiseforthe being detainedagainsoonafterhisrelease.Thecorrecttitleshouldhave broadsheet size. his OfficialTitle.Sorryaboutthat,we’renowreturningtoour authority byhisfirstname,omittedhonorificsandfailedtocapitalise newspaper, anewsiteminyesterday’seditionreferredtothehigh-up caused tothered-facedDIGisregretted.–Ed. working againafterbeingunderrepairssincelastJune.Inconvenience head ortailofthesolar-poweredMaitighartrafficlightswhichare retired Japanesefreelancerssincethey’retheonlyoneswhocanmake control Kathmandu’skamikazedriversandhassubcontractedthejobto correct wasincomplete.TheValleyTrafficPolicehasgivenuptryingto not beingabletoproducehisdrivinglicense,whilefactually caught red-handedrunningaredlightatBaneshworintersectionand The strikeisnowdefinite.terrorregretted. the Maoistshavecalledanindefinitenationwidetransportationstrike. will bemorecarefulnexttime.–Ed. carrying outincahootswithloggingcontractors.Begyourpardon,we municipality’s treetranslocationandgraftcampaignwhichitis process ofbeingre-assembledandgluedtogetherasapartthe chopped down.Whatthepictureactuallyshowsaretreesin mistakenly saidthat80-year-oldtreesalongPulchokwerebeing The captionaccompanyingthefrontpagepictureinyesterday’spaper CORRECTIONS this week’spoliticallycorrectednewsitems. people didn’tgetthewrongidea.So,asanewspaperofrecordhereare in actualfactrightandthereforehadtobeimmediatelyrefutedsothat previous daythattheeditorsmistakenlythoughtwerewrongbut therefore isanimportantcluetoourvaluedcustomersaboutitemsthe edition ofthepaper.Thatlittleinsertburiedininsidepages conduct ofourprofessionalethicstoissueacorrectioninthenext inadvertently intoprintthenweareduty-boundbythecodeof believe everywordwesay.Youshouldonlyotherword. what wesay.Andyou,dearreaders,shouldbynowknowbetterthanto sit back,relaxinfrontofthetvwithacylinderPringlesandlet to tellthetruthandnothingbutsohelpusGod,wecanall school andjustmakeitallupaswegoalong.Whenisagainstthelaw conspiracy theoryforitsveracityandaccuracy,ifany. our backsnottohavedouble-checkeverypieceofgossipand T corrected news UNDER MYHAT Therewasatypoin lastweek’snewitemonpageoneaboutGod Duetospaceconstraintscausedbythedownsizingofour Anewsiteminyesterday’spaperaboutDIGGopalManShrestha Duetoareportingerror,newsiteminyesterday’seditionsaid If, perchance,abitofauthenticfactdoessomehowfinditself Suddenly, wecanforgeteverythingeverlearntinjournalism about tellingthetruth.Youcan’timaginewhatabigloaditisoff punishment isbackinvoguethatyoudon’thavetoworry he greatthingaboutpracticingjournalismatatimewhencorporal Kunda Dixit Politically items to ensurethatthereisnotruthin requested inthenationalinterest us scribesandjournoswhenweare chips fallwheretheymay. It’s notashardyouthinkfor CDO Regd No.194/056/57Lalitpur, CentralRegion PostalRegd. No.04/058/59 20 -26MAY 2005 #248

www.nepalitimes.com