#27 26 January - 1 February 2001 20 pages Rs 20

INFOTECH 10-11 SPECIAL

UNDER MY HAT 20 EXCLUSIVE

RAJENDRA DAHAL IN POKHARA ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ H O he much-awaited 2 t Convention in Pokhara is now finally over, and a ceasefire is in force between It’s official. the warring factions. How long it will last is Parched anyone’s guess, but this in-fighting had paralysed governance for almost one year CEASEFIRE! may get 170 and there is hope that the ruling party will million litres now turn its attention to the country’s “You will see everything will start happening within ten days.” more water urgent crises. – Girija Prasad every day by Prime Minister 2006. But emerged victorious by being re-elected party opposition leaders from the UML and other whether chairman, while his rival, , leftist parties admitted they were keenly some of that who had launched a sustained attack on watching the outcome of the Pokhara will actually flow out of your taps is

Koirala to quit at least one of his two posts, MIN BAJRACHARYA convention to formulate future strategies. another matter. It will depend a lot conceded defeat but firmly ensconced himself With the ruling party preoccupied with no- on where you live, and if the leaks in as No 2 in the leadership hierarchy. The anti- trust votes and politically tinged riots on the our distribution network are fixed Koirala faction has also doubled the number of streets, there was a sense that the country before that. and the Asian votes in the total tally from 18 percent at the was drifting rudderless on a stormy ocean. Development Bank formalised a 1996 convention to 35 percent in Pokhara. Pokhara also saw the presence of an $120 million loan for the Melamchi It is obvious that the future stability of the unprecedented number of pressure groups, project on Wednesday to bring the Nepali Congress (and perhaps the country) big business, lobbyists, and media who snowmelt into the valley. ADB will now depend on how magnanimous considered it important enough to invest the President Tadao Chino was in town Koirala is in victory and how much he will time and energy to see how the ruling party to witness the signing of the project accommodate the ambitions of the rebel would resolve its internal conflict and find a agreement. Finance Minister faction. If he doesn’t, the infighting in the way out. thanked Chino for ruling party will continue and the nation will The other aspect of the Convention that the money and had tea with him on slip further into the morass of drift and was overshadowed by the leadership tussle the Ministry lawns. The total cost of disorder. But if he does, it will provide Koirala was its first-ever Policy Paper into which the the project is $441 million and with a real opportunity to deliver on the party had put in a lot of work over two years includes bilateral donors from promises he made when he became prime to reflect feedback from the grassroots. The Nordic countries and Japan, and minister 11 months ago: to ensure law and Paper reiterated strongly the party’s loans from the World Bank. order, curb corruption and improve commitment to socialism, reflecting the governance. After all, his party has a majority viewpoint of the party cadre at the local level in parliament, there are the first signs of party who felt that the liberal market economy had New Zone Bosses unity, and the morale of cadre has been sidelined the concerns of the poor. restored somewhat after Pokhara. “Liberalism and socialism should not be seen King Birendra gave his OK for an Koirala told us: “You will see everything as contradictory, but a reflection of the armed police force to battle the will start happening within ten days.” This is a party’s ideals of understanding and Maoist insurgency last week. The hint that a ministerial reshuffle is on the cards, reconciliation,” says the Paper, and goes on Home Ministry says it hopes to iron and the cunning politician that he is, Koirala to quote BP Koirala from a speech he made out administrative and technical will surely try to defuse the threat from rivals at the Socialist International Convention in procedures for the paramilitary force by offering them lucrative and responsible Australia in 1981: “Democratic socialism is by next week. “The armed police posts in a new ministerial line-up next week, the wave of the future for the Third World.” would have better weapons than and oblige them to deliver. But this may not The Policy Paper uses even stronger regular police, but not as good as be as easy as it sounds. It was in fact the words to analyse the way Nepal has been those that the army uses,” Home haggling over really plum ministries like Home indiscriminate in going for foreign aid Secretary Shreekant Regmi told us. and Finance between the Congress factions in projects. “Foreign aid will not be donor- The ordinance now needs the October that triggered off the latest driven. It will be a reflection of the need, approval of parliament. confrontration. This time, though, Koirala can appropriateness, and priorities of Nepal and The king has also approved pick from the rival camp without having to Nepalis. And it will be on our terms, we will amendments to the Local deal with Deuba, or his mentor, Krishna not accept unnecessary conditionalities.” The Administration Act, which would Prasad Bhattarai. Nepali Congress had accepted numerous allow the government to set up Eclipsed by the epic headline-grabbing donor conditions for projects like the Arun regional administrators in all of battle within the Nepali Congress was the III project, the hydropower scheme that Nepal’s five development regions. “Young” Turks -in-Waiting: and Sher Bahadur Deuba party’s own first-ever election to its Central never materialised. The party is now seeing The Regional Administrator’s Working Committee (CWC). The tiered Bimalendra Nidhi, son of Mahendra Narayan campaign on behalf of her daddy Prakash the backlash of some of those conditionalities offices will be located in Dhankuta, elections from grassroots to the regional level Nidhi) were elected. Interestingly, Deputy Koirala, was “repulsed” by the cut-throat from within its own ranks. Hetauda, Pokhara, Surkhet and climaxed in Pokhara with the vote for 18 posts Prime Minister Ram Chandra Poudel got the rivalries within the party. But even she was Koirala has stated he will step down Dipayal and is a response to the in this powerful committee. Another 18 most votes although he hardly did any impressed with the process: “This was a truly within three years. The leadership then will security threat posed by the Maoist members will be nominated by the party lobbying. This perhaps indicates the strength democratic party convention. People with devolve on a new generation of leaders who insurgency. The regional chiefs will president ostensibly to ensure an ethnic, of the middle-roaders and the seeming desire different opinions found space, and there was a will hopefully work out their future internal also try to ensure better co- regional, gender and political mix. Among the within the party for unity and compromise. rejection of the autocratic way of doing things. differences (and ordination between different security 18 elected members, six were anti-Koirala, If there was one winner in Pokhara, it It is a very good sign. With the infighting there will be Editorial p2 agencies—the Royal Nepal Army, nine pro and the rest non-committed. Three was the party: it has now got the mechanism behind us, the party can now focus on looking many) through the paramilitary and the Nepal Get on with it scions of veteran Congress leaders (Prakash in place to ensure a leadership filter through a after the country.” the process Police. Koirala, son of BP Koirala, Prakash Man democratic process. Bollywood actress For a week the entire country’s attention initiated in Pokhara without bringing the See also p. 3 Singh, son of Ganesh Man Singh and , who was in Pokhara to was focussed on Pokhara. Even the main whole country to a standstill. t 2EDITORIAL 26 JANUARY -1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES

GET ON WITH IT Just as well that tourism is in a deep slump. Pokhara needed to keep its hotel rooms full, and it reaped a bonanza from the Congress extravaganza. If foreign visitors don’t come, it seems domestic political tourism will spring to the rescue. Despite an alcohol ban (can’t trust our rulers with the booze) which hit bar sales, hotels and restaurants did brisk business. Drivers of Pokhara’s vintage Datsun taxis were happy not just for the business, but also for an opportunity to editorialise on the antics of our politicians using choice epithets (which we can’t repeat here). The country’s movers and shakers were all there in their big cars: politicians with bulging suitcases, their businessmen pals carrying the cheque books. The only thing we can say is that some of that cash probably trickled down to Pokharites. (Although some hoteliers on the lakefront are afraid bills for fooding and lodging of politicos may never be settled—which isn’t a surprise given the complete lack of scruples that OS characterises Nepali politics today.) The one redeeming feature about the Pokhara Convention was the sight of delegates casting votes for party leadership. Only when political STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL parties practise democracy within will we begin to have true democracy in our country’s governance. And hopefully the mechanisms put in place at the present convention will mean that intra-party feuding of the kind that paralysed the nation in the run up to Pokhara will not happen again. Let In the jungle raj them fight their internal battles internally, don’t hold the country to ransom. The obsessive infighting stole precious government energy away from pressing problems: delivery of development services, resolving the Maoist insurgency, financial sector reforms, the looming threat of Despite its poverty and squalour, has the lowest suicide rate in debilitating strikes in the hotel, transport and education sectors. Across . It seems those who expect nothing are never disappointed. all government offices, there was one refrain: “After the Convention.” Let’s face it: for the past four months we’ve had no government, which is why PATNA - Even a confirmed atheist will stagnant, and the purchasing power of the crashed. They were afraid that they would the fires of street protests burnt out of control for two days. The ruling become a believer after travelling on the general public is too low to create further not be able to repay their loans if the selling party blames extreme political elements and enemies of democracy for road from Bhittamore on the Nepal-India demand. After all, there is chronic shortage price didn’t recoup even the cost of fanning the flames, but it must bear the responsibility for bungling and border to Patna. The road is so bad, drivers of power in India’s “garland states” of production. A similar situation didn’t arise allowing its internal power struggle to take priority over everything else. say that they simply cannot drive on it if Andhra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, in Bihar because bank loans are considered Our politicians never tire of saying that they want to turn Nepal into a they are sober. So they get drunk even Maharashtra and Gujarat but relatively income! Most Bihari farmers never take a Singapore. Dream on. It would be unrealistic to before they get behind the steering wheel. stable conditions in Bihar, Orissa and West loan with the intention of repaying it. If the think that it would even turn anytime soon into a That makes things even more difficult when Bengal. Calcutta, once notorious for bank comes calling, they simply close the Thailand, which ranks 63 in Transparency the bus has to give way to huge trucks unscheduled power-cuts, has ample traffic on the main highway and force International’s political corruption rankings. passing by at breakneck speed on a single- electricity simply because most industries political leaders to waive the loans. So Absence of corruption in the political culture lane road where drivers have stopped have fled the state. maybe we should think twice about selling makes Singapore the cleanest in Asia, and it avoiding pot-holes because there are just It is the same in Patna. When this place power to Bihar—they may never pay us ranks sixth internationally. Singapore’s too many of them. That is why you see was doing a little better, power shortages back. Trade Minister George Yeo explained why his many rusty carcasses of buses and trucks were so acute that local entrepreneurs built At the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of country was ahead: “Policies are formulated to that didn’t make it. There is a curious term kerosene-lanterns with an improvised top to Bihar Working Journalists’ Association, benefit Singapore as a whole and not particular the Indian media uses to describe it: trucks accommodate a mosquito repellent tablet. both the “puppet” Chief Minister Rabri interest groups which finance political parties.” there “meet with a mishap” and “turn These days, stand-by diesel generators are Devi and her husband and puppeteer Chief The politico-business nexus that was present turtle” while driving at “breakneck speed”. still there, but blackouts are less frequent. Minister Laloo Yadav graced the in Pokhara would do well to make a mental After such an adventurous journey Perhaps prompted by this, a new battery- inauguration ceremony. Rabri inaugurated note of that. through the badlands of northern Bihar, powered bicycle has entered the market, the meet and went away, but Laloo stayed The ruling party should now get down to the Patna is a bit of a disappointment. The city that can run 30 km on a single charge. throughout the session. It is clear who holds job of ruling. There is a lot of catching up and wears a hopeless, desolate look. Everybody Maybe because Biharis often travel on the real power over here—speakers spread patching up to do. The rebel faction got enough has a sense of foreboding about the fate of roads like the one I travelled on, they have fragrant grease on Laloo but didn’t even votes to show that they are a force to be reckoned the state after its mineral-rich southern half firm faith in the Supreme Being. This state, have a passing reference for his wife the with. Party chairman and prime minister, Girija became a separate state on 1 January. The despite its poverty and squalour, has the Chief Minister. Prasad Koirala, must, for the sake of his party and the new state of Jharkhand takes away about lowest rate of suicide in India. According to Another major worry in Patna today country, be inclusive and unite the party (even if it means sharing the three-fourth of the revenue of the parent Professor KK Verma of the AN Sinha (and one that can have repercussions in spoils) so that he can have one more go at tackling the really serious state, and nearly all industrial units and Institute of Social Studies, only those Nepal) is that around five million Bihari challenges that this country faces. most electricity generating plants of the people are prompted to commit suicide labourers will be rendered jobless as soon as erstwhile Bihar were in the south. Nepal who have high aspirations. Those who the Delhi government complies with court WINTER IN POKHARA borders this rump of Bihar, and there is an expect nothing are never disappointed, so orders to shut polluting industries in the opportunity for Nepal to get a better deal they continue to thrive in any environment. Indian capital. Prof Verma is as complacent Winter, as a venerable columnist pointed out in these pages last week, for the surplus electricity we provide to Professor Verma compared Biharis with as only a sociologist could be: “They all will does strange things to people’s minds. Where else does the urge to India through the power exchange system. A cotton and sugarcane farmers in Andhra go away to Bombay or Ahmedabad, you see. huddle together with 5,000 people you don’t like very much and talk about delay in arriving at revised rates may prompt Pradesh who committed suicide by the What will they do here?” politics come from? And overcoats. There’s this new trend to bundle up in the power-hungry Bihar to go for more hundreds when prices of their cash-crop I asked Bihari journalists if there was a large penguin-like cloaks from some Scandinavian junket on democracy. thermal power stations and pollute the way out of the present morass for Bihar. This clearly causes over-heating and as a result synapses start misfiring whole region even further. Considering that pessimism is the hallmark wildly. You begin to think you can change the world, or at least solve all its But wait a minute, does Bihar need any of their profession, I was surprised to see problems in ten days, tops. The air seems balmy (it is) and you have a more power at the moment? Probably not. that some of them were quite optimistic. spring in your step (trampling over fleshy fellow-humans does make for This, despite the fact that very little They felt that if New Delhi supported Bihar smooth sailing). God’s still in Machhapuchhre, and all’s right with the electricity is presently being generated by in improving infrastructure and agriculture, world. Pokhara in winter does something to you: the lalupates brilliantly outdated thermal power plants that need there is no reason why it can’t regain its red against an azure sky, the blue-throated Himalayan barbets rushing in not just overhaul, but total replacement. A past glory. When journalists of a state a flash of green wings, Griffon vultures trying to keep up with the soaring Patna industrialist offers an interesting which seems to be in an even worse shape paragliders, the migrating Siberian ducks making a stopover by the lake. explanation for this: power outages are a than us can be so full of hope, why should And amidst it all, the Great Nepali Congress Circus in full swing. sign of good times because they show that we in Nepal despair? Bihar is like the land electricity use is on the increase as demand in a popular marketing anecdote—for a outstrips supply and shortages occur. This determined salesman, nobody has shoes, could, the reasoning goes, spur invest- whereas for the more complacent, nobody Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd ment in electricity generation and wears shoes. Talking of shoes, there is no Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Pulchowk, Lalitpur distribution. reason why we should not be able to sell Mailing address: GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal Phones: (01) 543333-7 Fax: (01) 521013 Contrast that with a situation some to Bihar given the condition of the Editor: Kunda Dixit where there is roads there. t Desk editors: Deepak Thapa, Samuel Thomas, Anagha Neelakantan enough Editorial: [email protected] electricity and Marketing, circulation and subscriptions: [email protected] www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press (01) 521393 there is no use for it because industry is VIEWPOINT 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 3 COMMENT Red, Green and Blue by Dr KANAK BAHADUR KC

he aim of every revolution is to There is no military solution to this t re-establish a new order with the force of arms. To this end, the crisis. Pursuing that option will guerrillas have to ultimately take on destroy the country, and may the establishment’s praetorian wings: the police and the army. The ultimately cost us our sovereignty. aftermath of a revolution is the implementation of a new ideology, Or, even, how wise is it to involve the The only difference is that in the and the time it takes to implement army? Deployment of the military army, it all gets hushed up. that ideology depends on the cannot be done on the sly, it can only Aside from these structural MIN BAJRACHARYA effectiveness of the revolutionary be ordered after the National Security problems, the army also needs a leadership. No political system is Council has decided that it is the best higher budget, lighter weapons, and perfect, its ideology and working order course and the decision approved by better morale if it is to take on the have to be modified according to the the King. Maoists. The issue of chain of demands of the people and the state History is replete with instances command also has to be cleared up. of the country. Otherwise, breakaway where armies have been mauled by Who is giving the orders? The present interference under one pretext or groups soon launch a revolution insurgents: the defeat of the Americans deployment in 16 districts may be another. within a revolution: it all depends on in Vietnam, the Russians in useful to familiarise the soldiers with It is clear from this scenario that the state’s capacity to accommodate Afghanistan and the Indians in Sri local terrain, to gather information there can be no military solution to or eliminate dissatisfied groups. Lanka. There are a few exceptions and to win the hearts and minds of this widening crisis. The roots of the The lessons from insurgencies in where armies have been successful: the the local people with road-building, Maoist insurgency lie in the failure of Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Malaya peninsula was one where the medical care and other services. But it successive rulers to deliver basic health India are that revolutions find fertile British used superior firepower, jungle is a messy situation, and it could turn care, education, rampant graft and ground in poor countries with corruption, the widening gap between unstable and corrupt governments. As rich and poor, the politicisation of the the euphoria of democracy wears off civil service, inflation, shortages, in Nepal, and the majority of people unemployment, lack of security and find no tangible improvement in their the public perception that no one is in lives after 11 years, some are willing to charge. The Maoist leaders have stake all for change. The response of capitalised on this public frustration successive governments in Kathmandu with a populist rallying cry. They have has been to reject this notion of taken the short-cut to political democratic decay because it means recognition and governance by MIN BAJRACHARYA admitting failure. So they have always deliberately choosing a path of looked at the “Maoist activities” as armed insurrection. With so much an irritating problem. But as the going for them, it is doubtful insurgency grows, and the influence whether the Maoists are even of the Maoists spreads, it has also DHRUBA ALE interested in a compromise. The brief become a vote-capturing slogan for police force has been severely tested this heavy rifle from the army to the terrain, and a strong army either way when the bullets start prospect of peace talks have now all some, while others see it as an by such interference. Their public police. SLRs weigh 15 pounds and are administration to crush the flying. but faded. At the level of rhetoric, opportunity to fight factions within relations has been poor, and morale is not at all suitable to be lugged around communists. But our Army may If it is to be deployed the army their demands range from scrapping their own parties. Five years and low in the ranks, not least because a in mountain warfare. Even the army have to fight a protracted war brass may demand some things the constitutional monarchy, nearly 2,000 deaths later, and after Maoist area posting means you are may find this weapon to be a problem against motivated and battle- more than a big budget. It would declaring Nepal a people’s republic untold economic and social cost to either very unlucky, or without the if it has to engage in a future guerrilla hardened Maoists in difficult want total army control of the and curbing “Indian expansionism”. Nepalis, it is time to analyse the proper connections. war with the Maoists. Besides, at the terrain. The consequences could be districts involved, acceptance of But if a compromise is in the cards, government’s response and why it Even when they had to take on rate that the Enfield 303s are being disastrous. The Royal Nepal Army collateral damage by the they could settle for a change in the has failed. the beginnings of the Maoists captured by the Maoists at present, it has not really seen action since its government, and army action constitution, and punishment for That the police force has been insurgency five years ago, the police is only a question of time before the blitzkrieg to wipe out Khampas in against civilians who don’t corrupt leaders. unable to control the insurgency is an was woefully unprepared. Police Maoists are likely to have more of the west Nepal in 1973, and to crush a cooperate. Added up, this could However, if the apathy of our accepted fact. A movement that officers from lower ranks who joined SLRs than the paramilitary. Besides, a poorly armed revolt in have an ominous meaning for rulers to the plight of Nepalis, their started in four remote districts of up just so that they could earn a salary 25,000-strong paramilitary force will Okhaldhunga a few years before Nepalis. It will be like declaring an misery and daily struggle for survival central-west Nepal now has a to support their families are the ones be spread too thin on the ground and that, when about 20 rebels were emergency in those districts. continues, and lawlessness prevails the presence in just about every part of who have mostly been slaughtered in will not be effective in covering a killed. An army can only be the last Civilians will be caught in the Maoists are sure to become a force to the country. It is important to Maoist attacks. With their complete district, let alone the whole country. resort, if it fails to win a decisive crossfire, there could be a backlash be reckoned with. There is no doubt understand that the police is under ignorance of guerrilla warfare tactics, As the army saying goes: “Mountains victory in a guerrilla war a against the military and the that the business-as-usual approach the direct control of the home antiquated bolt-action weaponry, lack eat soldiers.” The logical conclusion is negotiated solution has to be found. insurgents will use it cleverly to hit can only lead to ruin. There is no ministry and the prime minister. But of prompt helicopter support, meagre that under the present scenario, the The RNA at the moment is not back. The country will be sucked military solution to this crisis. there are frequent changes in salaries and compensation to families police force cannot effectively fight battle-tested, morale in the junior into a vicious cycle of ever- Pursuing that option will destroy the government, and overt political and consequent morale problem the this insurgency. ranks is not that high either because of intensifying violence. And if it looks country, and may ultimately cost us interference in police appointments police have failed to do much about The next option for the state is to low pay, the hardship of barrack life, like the insurgents have the upper our sovereignty. t and its running, not only because of its the Maoist threat. deploy the army. Some units have irregular promotions and infrequent hand, there could be massive security role but also because the The plans to set up separate units been used for patrolling duties in 16 home leave. The mismanagement, desertions from both the police and (Dr Kanak Bahadur KC used to be police looks after lucrative sectors like of a paramilitary police force armed district headquarters after the Dunai inefficiencies, waste and corruption the army. As the country plunges with the Royal Nepal Army and the airport, customs and narcotics with semi-automatic self-loading rifles attack in August. But we must ask problems that plague the civil service into civil war, there is the ever- is now running a private medical control. The professionalism of the (SLR) will simply shift the burden of ourselves, how prepared is the army? have parallels in the military as well. present danger of external practice.)

LETTERS P SAINATH India, and the backlash was what we galling to see our so-called to cheer about and maybe even Thank you for publishing P saw in December. The street leaders unable, time and again, throw our hats off in celebration Sainath’s excellent article violence in Kathmandu was just the over decades). The crooks from UP establishmentarians, the to rise above their petty interests of. “Rationalism and nationalism” latest episode in this ugly saga. and Bihar are not saints. The revolutionaries, and the escapists. and put the interests of the nation I was sadly disappointed, (#26) which is one of the most Indian Press conveniently leave But I think the best part of it was first. As a result, we have had to then, to note that the four or five cogent and well-argued pieces I Lal B Rai this out. Maybe you can do a piece his advice to us to stop reading witness the terrible tragedy that issues have been positively have read in a long time in these Kathmandu on this to give this a more articles like his and start doing occurred recently. Even now, there apocalyptic: Close to the edge, intolerant balanced coverage. something about the state of the is no introspection or analysis, point of no return, hepatitis times. And I was country. and life goes on merrily for these scares, bankrupt banks, maobadis, there I saw reading Nepali S Shrestha jokers. Please continue to voice earthquakes, fire-unpreparedness, the reason Times and by email J Thapa our concern about everyday life edifice complexes... Thank you for all the watching Star Kathmandu and continue to devote less space for making me feel like a intolerance News. And as ANIL SHAH to politics, which we get ad pustulous Job. and bigotry usual the I am not someone who writes letters nauseum in other journals. I am not Nepali, but I have no amidst us: Indian channel to editors, but I was prompted to do LESS POLITICS, PLEASE K Joshi doubt my friends in Nepal feel the twisting had a piece on so after reading Anil Shah’s bold I am a recent reader of your Kathmandu even worse. What next, NT, the of facts, smuggling from and forthright piece on the current impressive colourful weekly. black death? That said, it’s still scapegoating Nepal to India state of the country “Think Nepali Times’ lack of APOCALYPTIC good to read you. Keep the paper and via the “open nationally, act individually” (#26). sensationalism fills a gap in sane I smiled when I read your editorial flying, but please, keep your shirts deliberate manipulation of media border”. While this is true, it is only He raises an important point about journalism. The silent majority (#25) claiming that it is now time (and hats) on. that has sown communal discord half true. Smuggling cuts both the different reaction from various unable to voice their thoughts to look on the bright side of throughout the region. Nepal has ways. There is plenty of smuggling sectors of society: the and frustrations in any forum things, see the silver lining etc. Masha Shlyakhova been a convenient scapegoat for from India to Nepal (as has been traditionalists, the need a fair platform. It is most Here we go, I thought, something by email 4NATION 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES the Panchayat administration to gag apology from the actor and the press. Member of the National announcing a ban on his films till Human Rights Commission Kapil such time as the “apology” was FM as the bogeyman Shrestha said that the decision was made. This is not the first time “authoritative nostalgia.” “The Gupta has made noises about government is conducting a reining the independent media. In HEMLATA RAI

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ systematic attack on the press. This August 2000, Gupta attempted to he history of radio broadcast- move is part of an attempt to bring changes to a regulation ting in Nepal is closely linked muzzle civil society as a whole,” governing print media, but was with the struggle for human rights activist Krishna forced to withdraw after the democracy. The present state- Pahadi said. parliamentary committee rejected owned Radio Nepal started life as Although the 2 January MOIC the proposal. The proposed Democracy Nepal Radio when it decision—conveyed to the amendment, which would have was established in November country’s 11 FM stations in a back- private newspapers renew their 1950 with the sole aim of dated letter on 16 January—came registration annually, came in for attaining democracy. Its as a sudden move, a ranking official sharp criticism from almost broadcasts were a powerful at the Ministry said, on condition everyone. symbol of the freedom of the of anonymity, that the government The controversial FM news ban press and the right to free had been “feeling pinched” by the was possible because the minister expression in the fight for coverage these stations were giving found a loophole in the democracy against the century- to various national issues and that broadcasting licence given to old Rana oligarchy. Minister of Information and stations. The licence disallows History took a U-turn last Communication Jaya Prakash “news” broadcasts, and FM stations week when the Ministry of Prasad Gupta had been had been circumventing the clause Information and Communication contemplating the crackdown for by calling their information (MOIC), headed by a journalist- some time. It is learnt that Gupta broadcasts anything but news. And turned-politician who had once himself took the initiative to push until last week, the authorities struck a blow for a free press, the ban through in the wake of the hadn’t done anything about it. issued a directive banning CORNER COMMUNICATION 26-27 December riots, during Some argue that the legality of the independent news and current which some FM stations were said clause against news is itself affairs programmes on FM radio, The government ban on news on FM radio is seeing a to have heightened tensions by questionable as it contradicts the because, as a Ministry official put backlash led by a parliamentary committee. broadcasting jingoistic reports Broadcast Act and the Broadcast it, it thought it was contributing about the comments allegedly made Regulation, which demand that to “undermining nationalism”. the MOIC representative is not programmes, while others defied the government’s concern is only by an Indian actor about Nepal. news be produced “fairly and The MOIC edict now allows allowed. Other clauses mandate that ban and continued their regular news about making the media more Most analysts see Gupta’s impartially”, but does not FM stations only to broadcast broadcast material produced by items this week. The government has accountable. Besides, nowhere in righteous indignation as an attempt specifically ban news. The 2 information obtained through individual FM stations be submitted so far not taken any action against the world does FM radio to gloss over his own faux pas of ‘official’ sources and transmit to the Ministry for permission seven those who’ve ignored its directive broadcast news collected through having publicly material obtained from state days before the planned broadcast. It and officials are tight-lipped about their own sources,” says Sri Ram demanded an broadcasters. The directive also goes without saying that the Ministry the whole affair. But there are signs Poudel, Secretary of the MOIC, limits the number of members on reserves the right to stop it from going that officialdom will attempt to use parroting the official explana- FM station boards to three at on air. government media to discourage FM tion.

most, one of whom should be After receiving the MOIC stations from running news Independent media MANOHAR RAI from the Ministry. Board circular, some of the FM stations programmes. analysts, unsurprisingly, do meetings without the presence of terminated their current affairs “This is not censorship. The not buy the government’s argument. The international Licence holders (kind) Area Frequency (MHz) Transmitter (watt) media community is also critical of the move. The Paris- Radio Nepal (state) Kathmandu Valley 100 1000 based Repporters Sans Frontiers Radio Sagarmatha (public) Kathmandu Valley 102.4 100 (Reporters Without Borders— Kantipur FM (commercial) Kathmandu Valley 96.1 500 RSF) was the first international Image Channel (commercial) Kathmandu Valley 97.9 500 institution to appeal the govern- Kathmandu Metropolitan City (public) Kathmandu Valley 106.7 100 ment to “go back” on its decision HBC(commercial) Kathamndu Valley 94 500 to “limit press freedom by Hits FM (commercial) Kathmandu Valley 91.2 500 depriving the Nepali population of Lumbini (cooperative) Rupendehi District 96.8 200 independent news”. Madanpokhara VDC (public) Palpa District 106.9 100 In an interaction programme Creative Eyes (commercial) Hetauda 92.9 250 last week in Kathmandu that Koshi FM (commercial) 94.3 500 included mediapersons, human Birat FM (commercial) 96.8 200 rights activists and legal Pokhara Multipurpose (cooperative) Pokhara Valley Not decided 100 practitioners, the government Annapurana FM (commercial) Pokhara Valley Not decided 500 came under fire for a move reminiscent of mechanisms used by HERE AND THERE White man's burdenby DANIEL LAK

t was Kipling who said it best, as ever. “Ship me somewheres east of I’ve been to some gatherings lately where the talk among foreigners was pretty i Suez, where the best is like the worst, where there ain’t no ten discouraging. You’d think that these people were actually affected by the things they commandments and a man can raise a thirst. On the road to

Mandalay, where the flying fishes play....etc etc.” Nobody ever were complaining about—bandhs, shortages, the WAY THEY DRIVE!!! ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ understood expatriate life better than the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ author of those words. He may be out of pilloried by misguided types as racist or imperial- you please. And no, I’m not Colonel Blufton-Tufton-Smythe blathering on fashion today for all sorts of imagined sins, but ist. But that’s ignorance about setting an example for the natives. It’s just common sense. You’re a Kipling was a writer’s writer. And his insights talking. Kipling knew his subject matter, and it guest here, don’t steal the silverware or spit in the ashtrays. still stand. was the Brit abroad that he wrote about best, the Yet that urge to spurn the commandments, or whatever you call the This all came about as I was driving sort who came to the tropics because “there ain’t restrictions from back home, is powerful. I sometimes succumb myself, but between Patan and Kamaladi on one of my no ten commandments and a man could raise a only when driving. So I know I’m being ever-so-slightly hypocritical by frequent forays across Kathmandu. I was sitting thirst”. attacking the bike rider. He was just the catalyst. I’m reading a book now at the traffic light on the Kathmandu side of the Road to Mandalay is about a British soldier that makes me sick, not the book itself but the protagonists. It’s about Bagmati Bridge, minding my own business, bemoaning his lot back in Blighty after a long tour expat life in the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, specifically a crop of humming a little tune. No, not the Road to “where the dawn comes up like thunder outa foreign ne’er-do-wells who spend their days teaching English and their Mandalay, that came later. All at once a bicycle Chin-er ‘cross the bay”. I know what he’s on nights in brothels, enjoying two dollar sessions with prostitutes. Their hurtled by on the left side, crossed in front and about. I spent two separate but equally dreary cynicism and utter disregard for Cambodia and its people is palpable, thanks darted through the intersection against the red years in between foreign postings, learning that to the author’s own disgust for his fellow foreigners in Phnom Penh. We’ve light. “So what else is new,” I hear you snort, “once you’ve ‘eard the east a-callin’, you won’t got a long way to go in Nepal before the sizeable expat community here getting ready to turn the page. But wait. ever ‘eed ought else”. But more to the point are starts to inspire that sort of revulsion; it probably never will. But I’ve been Onboard the bike was one of my sort, a the absence of those ten commandments, or at to some gatherings lately where the talk among foreigners was pretty foreigner of decidedly pale complexion, and not least that perception by some of those who seek discouraging. You’d think that these people were actually affected by the a tourist either. That started me thinking about postings in poorer, warmer, more interesting lands. things they were complaining about—bandhs, shortages, the WAY THEY why we folk leave comfortable lives of real or The man on the bike, and he knows who he is, is here DRIVE!!! Let’s be honest. Except for the driving, we haven’t got that much prospective affluence back home and head for because of that and he’s not alone. Not that he’s a to complain about. In fact, I’m going to stop right now. It seems to raise a these hills. The cynic of me immediately thought of Kipling. His great sinner by ignoring the red light, but he’s breaking the cardinal rule— thirst, and then I get tempted to disobey those Ten Commandments. Okay writings about India, and what used to be called Burma, are often my cardinal rule—of expat behaviour. Do as you would do at home, not as then, perhaps just a small one—one for the road. t NATION 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 5 January directive lists subjects related to community development Chintan convalescing

as areas the radios could focus their ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ broadcasts on, but leaves out Well-known human rights activist and lawyer Gopal Siwakoti “Chintan”, attacked by un- politics and civil rights. “It is an known assailants on the night of 17 January, says the police has made no attempt to nab undemocratic and illegal move,” assailants even a week after the incident. “This silence is alarming,” says Chintan, now says Sindhu Nath Pyakurel, newly recovering after emergency treatment. “They’ve not even come to get a first-hand account elected president of the Nepal Bar from me, even though I filed a formal complaint with the Anamnagar police office on 18 Association. January.” Some independent media The National Human Rights Commission too is appalled by the neglect. “We’re analysts interpret the decision as a concerned about the inaction,” says Kapil Shrestha, member of the NHRC. “We’ll follow this new phase in government control of incident to its logical conclusion.” the media, which they say started in In what appears to be a well-planned attack, a woman called Chintan at home on the far western Nepal, where taking in day he was attacked asking him to step out on the street to collect a packet she was or distributing pro-Maoist COMMUNICATION CORNER delivering for his son. He did accordingly and was on his way back after waiting 15 minutes newspapers or even those with news for the caller to show up when he was attacked. He escaped with a broken knee and nose on the Maoist movement is not and a wound on the head. Two passers-by, who are reported to have seen three people allowed by police decree. Gupta has fleeing the scene of crime, helped him get home after the attack. been critical about the coverage Doctors at Kathmandu Model Hospital reported the incident to the police as soon as the private media have given the Maoist injured Chintan was taken there but the police did not come to the hospital to draw up a first insurgency and has repeatedly information report (FIR). Instead they are reported to have told doctors to continue with the suggested some kind of media Valley. “But if the government really limited access to print media and treatment and that the FIR could be filed the next day. “I’ve no idea who may have attacked control, saying that widespread means what it says, that will disturb are largely neglected by the state- me,” says Siwakoti. “I may have made many enemies by looking into cases as I do from coverage incites insurgency. the whole democratisation process. run Radio Nepal, whose role as a Arun-III to the Lauda lease,” he adds. The government decision is Rural communities with access to public service national Besides being among the handful of activists responsible for the World Bank withdrawal likely to draw criticism in the FM stations rely on them for broadcasting apparatus was from the controversial Arun-III project in 1995, Chintan is one of the few human rights upcoming parliamentary session information.” altered in 1991. Following a activists who has consistently raised a voice against police excesses in the course of too. The parliament’s Development Nepal became the first country government provision dictating suppressing the Maoist movement. For his pains, he was arrested by the police two years Committee summoned government in to allow community that the broadcaster earn its ago and kept in custody for 11 days. officials on 23 January to explain radio stations in 1997 when Radio running costs from advertising, the rationale behind the decision. Sagarmatha went on air in its focus changed from a public More work disruption

Unconvinced by the official Kathmandu. It also adopted a liberal broadcaster to one that is more ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ explanation, the Committee has policy regarding private entertainment based. New Year’s was a strike and so was the day after. Now there is the threat of more directed the government to reverse broadcasters. The establishment of “The FM radios have helped disruption, the only consolation is that this time there’ll be chakka jams affecting the the MOIC decision. Raghuji Pant, FM revolutionised radio production empower the people, they have movement of vehicles and not full-scale bandhs. The chakka jams would begin 26 January, a former journalist and member of norms and the listening habits of the provided an alternative means of if the government fails to fulfil the 13-point demand put forth by the Federation of Nepalese the Committee, told us that the Nepali population. There are information and forum for public Transport Entrepreneurs (FNTE). Here’s a schedule of the FNTE’s protest programme: A Committee will “take action” presently six FM stations in the debates on a range of issues,” said protest rally on 26 January, another protest rally “with vehicles” on 2 February, an hour-long against government if the Kathmandu Valley and another five Vinaya Kasajoo, a promoter of chakka jam in Kathmandu Valley at 9 am on 7 February and another two-hour chakka-jam in government does not comply operational outside the Valley. Two community-based mass the Valley from 3-5 pm on 11 February. If the demands are still not met, Phase Four of the immediately. others, Pokhara Multipurpose Co- communication. “The protests will begin, FNTE says. This one would involve a day-long Valley-wide chakka jam “I suspect a gap between the operatives and Annapurna FM were undemocratic move of the on 16 February, a similar protest west of the Narayani River on 26 February and another government’s intention and the granted licences as recently as 9 government against the FM radios one east of the Narayani, in Chitwan on 5 March. The following are the FNTE’s demands: language it has used in the January this year. Meanwhile, over 25 shows that the government is l Take back the government’s decision to ban 20-year-old vehicles directive,” says a hopeful Gopal applications are pending with the scared of the efficacy of private l Guarantee purity of petroleum products based on international standards Guragain of Communication MOIC. radio in informing people in ways l Stop foreign vehicles from commercial operations in Nepal Corner, an independent producer of Locally managed radio stations crucial to uplift their decision- l Stop running ‘fake’ Sajha buses (hired from private operators and run as Sajha) current affairs radio magazines for offered an alternative medium to making abilities about national l Release impounded vehicles and drivers by taking their insurance policies as guarantee FM radio stations outside the rural communities, which have issues.” t l Stop punching holes in driver licences (there’s one for each major violation) l End irregularities in vehicle inspection l Stop import of new vehicles l Introduce competition in petroleum product imports l Stop sale of kerosene at the petrol pumps l Stop import of fake vehicle parts and lubricants l Provide industry-like facilities to transport entrepreneurs, and l Simplify double-triple taxation on motor vehicles

Makings of an epidemic ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal has begun to show signs of the being gripped by a major HIV/AIDS epidemic, says the National AIDS and STD Control Centre. Though the number of Nepal’s HIV/AIDS infected remains “low” (1,807) it could be much higher given the poor testing facilities. The recent numbers are based on tests of 182,180 blood samples. Among the HIV positive, the majority (1,063) of men were clients of sex workers, and of 536 positive among women, 384 were sex workers. The remaining 110 women were homemakers, who contacted the virus from their male partners. Besides, another 196 with the infection were intravenous drug users, infected by sharing needles. Another three got the virus through blood transfusion. Most of those with HIV/AIDS are in the 20-29 age group. Also among the HIV positives are 19 children, 11 boys and 8 girls, victims of transmission from their parents. The Centre warns that although only 142 people are known to have succumbed to HIV/AIDS so far in Nepal, there is every possibility that the problem could be worse since there is no way of knowing how far the infection has penetrated the hinterland.

EXCLUSIVE LEATHER BOUTIQUE

Designer made Suede and Nappa Leather Garments & Bags

With experience we understand that leather is a “Transformist” Par excellence, and our garments are the perfect example of how the creative talent of our workers transforms and coaxes leather in to a beautiful piece of art. We also provide custom tailoring. Visit Us For Quality, Durability & Total Satisfaction

(Behind Bluebird Supermarket) Hotel Radisson Road, Lazimpat. PO Box: 2492, Kathmandu, Nepal, Phone: 428497 6NATION 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES COMMENT To climb or not to climbby HARKA GURUNG ROICHIRO OHMORI hether Machhapuchhre w (6991m) should be opened for mountaineering expeditions or not has been debated. This beautiful mountain, that rises about 24 km due north of Pokhara and often depicted reflecting on the Phewa lake, has become a symbol of the stupen- dous scenery that Nepal has to offer. Poets, painters, and photographers find inspiration in this soaring pyramid. Nepalis and visitors alike are awe-struck by its nature-sculpted pinnacle of rock and ice that dominates the Annapurna range. What is most impressive is that the terrain rises from a sub-tropical Pokhara, with its banana and bougainvillea at 900 metres above sea level, to nearly 7,000 metres all within a horizontal distance that would take 30 minutes to drive if there were a highway. NOMURA TADAO Machhapuchhre from the southwest, with the distinct “fish-tail” that gives the twin peaks its name. A large part of the debate The peak from the northeast showing the fluted summit ridge and the were the views expressed by some high-ridge connecting the peak to Annapurna III.

Pokhara residents to a news Banning climbing only because the mountain is ROICHIRO OHMORI agency. Some said that climbing on Machhapuchhre should not be beautiful has no rationale. The prettiness or allowed because it is beautiful otherwise of the mountain cannot determine and also because it has religious significance. Others felt that whether it should be climbed or not.

further studies should be carried ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ out, and still others believed the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ opinion of people in nearby Swiss-Italian border is one of the Gauri Shankar, Annapurna, security or the lack of it. The villages should be taken before most beautiful peaks. It was first Baudha Himal, Ganesh Himal. reason given so far and one that deciding, whether or not to open climbed in 1865, but the rush to On the question of further has been internalised by a the mountain. climb it has not diminished and study, since Annapurna was generation of Nepalis, is that this Let’s take these questions one the village of Zermatt below it conquered 50 years ago, there have peak has great religious by one. Banning climbing only has become one of the most been voluminous studies on this significance for the Gurung who because the mountain is beautiful famous tourist resorts in mountain range. The Annapurna live below it. That has no rationale. The prettiness Switzerland. Given that Conservation Area Project has been Machhapuchhre is sacred to the or otherwise of the mountain Machhapuchhre is twice as high there for the last 14 years and it has Gurungs is nothing more than a cannot determine whether it as Matterhorn, its attraction for enough data on tourism and the myth, and it is easy to speculate should be climbed or not. If that tourism is enormous. environment of the area. that it had something to do with were the case, Ama Dablam The second argument The fourth argument calls for Col JOM Roberts, a British The imposing rocky overhang of the northwest face of Machhapuchhre taken would also qualify for a ban, and concerns the mountain’s religious seeking the opinion of inhabitants Gurkha officer who led both the from the air by Japanese photographer, Koichiro Ohmori. Pokhara so would Pumori and other significance. We can look at who live at the base of reconnaissance (1956) and valley below is under a blanket of fog. beautiful peaks. And how do you examples elsewhere. Machhu Machhapuchhre. The truth is expedition (1957) teams to the quantify something as subjective Picchu in Peru is today a very that of all the 151 peaks opened mountain. The climbing team had with foreign names. I visited the for the sacredness of Gurung as beautiful anyway? Isn’t Everest important tourist site because of in Nepal till now, the opinion of to retreat just 45 metres short of Modi area, meeting villagers to religious places, the logical step beautiful as well, and how about its religious significance. the villagers living at their base the summit due to heavy snowfall. collect required data. Last March, to protect them from desecration Annapurna II, or Dhaulagiri? Similarly, on 27 August every has never before been a Roberts writes in his preface to I was at Sandu hot springs of would be to begin at the It is the height and the beauty year, Mount Fuji is climbed by consideration. Why this sudden the account of the expedition, Machhapuchhre village Annapurna Sanctuary itself. of a mountain that attracts hordes of Japanese of all ages, interest in what the locals are Climbing the Fish’s Tail by development committee itself. Since Machhapuchhre mountaineers. Just look at the praying and enjoying the trek to likely to say? Rather, since Wilfred Noyce (London 1958): On neither occasion was I able to does not hold any religious statistics: of the 78 expeditions the top. In Nepal itself there are Macchapuchhre was open for “Everybody seemed to be learn of local names for any snow importance for the Gurung that went to the Khumbu region many other mountains that are climbing till 1965 and then climbing mountains in Nepal and peak. I, however, did discover community, there is no reason to in 1998, 10 attempted actually considered holy but closed, it becomes important to I flew at once to Kathmandu in a some cultural minutiae that may debar it from climbing. In fact, Sagarmatha (for height) while 31 which are open for climbing and examine why the peak became fever of anxiety lest some be of interest to readers: the mountain should be made tried Ama Dablam (for beauty). some of them even have the off-limits to climbers after that. trespasser had already had the * The people living around open and permission for first In the Alps, Matterhorn on the names of gods and goddesses: It had nothing to do with effrontery to ask permission to Machhapuchhre do not have a attempt should be granted to the attempt Machhapucchre.” He specific name for it, but call all the team that commits the largest continues: “So Machhapuchhre peaks ‘kling’, which means snow in donation to the International became for me the ideal the Gurung language. Since the Mountain Museum in Pokhara,

TADAO NOMURA TADAO mountain, a personal possession peak does not influence their lives through a bidding process. yet out of this world, directly, it does not hold any Machhapuchhre is a virgin peak, unattainable but mine by illogic importance for them. Therefore, and if it is opened there will be right, brooding over a country Machhapuchhre does not hold any many expeditions to climb it. In and a people which will shape the religious significance. 1998, 31 expeditions came to rest of my life.” * For the protection of their climb Ama Dabalam and they It would seem natural that sheep and goats, the mountain paid a royalty of $62,000. Roberts should wish that no one people perform puja at sites along Machhapuchhre will attract a lot should succeed on a mountain he the route to high pastures during more expeditions, generating had begun to believe was his own the seasonal migration in spring more revenue and creating and which he had failed to and autumn. They also revere the employment opportunities. The conquer. In the 1960s, Col nearby rockfaces as hyu-la (a peak is not the monopoly of Roberts happened to be Military local deity). individuals of Pokhara Bazar with Attache at the British Embassy in The only religious site along their sentimental ego. Kathmandu and it is not difficult the Modi is Tomon on the way to Machhapuchhre must be utilised to imagine that his sentimental in the Annapurna Sanctuary for the benefit of people living advice to the Foreign Ministry (Devthali). Thousands of trekkers around it. t (that handled expeditions) and scores of climbers trespass regarding Machhapuchhre’s the actual venerated site. Why is (Dr Harka Gurung is a noted sanctity influenced the fate of the it that a religious site, Devthali, geographer and a former tourism minister. He was associated with mountain. can be visited by foreigners, but a two international expeditions to In 1993, I was chairman of site without any religious Everest, an unsuccessful one in Machhapuchhre’s much-photographed protrait from the south from the Pokhara Valley.. the committee formed to suggest significance, Machhapuchhre, 1971 and a successful one in 1988.) suitable Nepali names for peaks cannot? If there is official concern NATION 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 7 Civil Disobedience in the west ASHUTOSH TIWARI This is the first time that free, poor, indigenous yet landless HEMLATA RAI

IN DHANGADHI ○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ people have issued a frontal challenge to the government.

ix months after successfully ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ s forcing the government to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ free them from the vicious supportive of the former kamaiyas’ only after each free family owns 10 the government would not really cycle of indentured servitude, ex- actions. katthas can concerned NGOs, bother about looking into the issue of kamaiyas (former Tharu bonded A total of almost 1,500 bighas INGOs, and other bilateral and the former bonded labourers most of agricultural labourers) in western was occupied, after which the multilateral agencies move in to whom were driven out of their Nepal have made history again. homeless former-kamaiyas parcelled assist the government in landlord’s estates last July. “We According to data available as of out 10 katthas (around six and half rehabilitating the ex-kamaiyas with decided to start occupying 24 January, from the early ropanis) of land under the programmes such as nutrition, government-owned land as an act of morning hours of Thursday, 18 supervision of their designated construction, health care, education, peaceful civil disobedience,” says Dilli January, 2001, about 3000 ex- leaders among all their families. So skill-development and income Bahadur Chaudhary, President of Kamaiya families in Kailali and far 19 open spaces have been taken generation. There would be no Backward Society Education (BASE) Kanchanpur districts started to over in Kailali and Kanchanpur. In purpose to continue to hold who is also a 1994 Reebok move peacefully from 51 different Balchowr of Baliya village rehabilitation programmes for ex- International Human Rights Award makeshift camps into various development committee in central kamaiyas while they were living as Winner. “The first phase of our undesignated chunks of Kailali, up to 500 families moved in internal refugees in cramped spaces in movement was about achieving government-owned land. from various camps—clearing their own ancestral land. unconditional freedom from debt While doing so, contrary to shrubs, dividing up the land, Explaining the reason for the bondage. That, we accomplished. All what appeared in some Kathmandu- building sheds and even assigning drastic move, Yagya Raj Chaudhary, we are doing now is making it easier centric ‘national’ newspapers, the names to newly emerging bastis. the BASE activist who helped spark for the government to come to a ex-kamaiyas were careful not to Arguably, this is the first time off the movement to free kamaiyas last decision. Either show the promised encroach upon forest land, not to in Nepal’s history that thousands of May, says, “No other pressure tactics land to the ex-kamaiyas or help them chop down trees and not to build free, poor, indigenous yet landless seemed to work. We sent a letter to settle permanently in these occupied their shelters on privately owned or people, possessing no skills other the Prime Minister to demand land. spaces.” otherwise contested properties. than agricultural, have issued a We lobbied our MPs. We sought “The government said that it This is borne out by the fact that frontal challenge to the help from the press. We organised sit- would give us land by Dasain,” adds even after five days no one had been government. Their challenge was ins in the offices of the local District Raj Deo Chaudhary, an ex- kamaiya arrested, and neither had the local that the government should either Development Committee and the who leads the Kamaiya Struggle administration issued any statement help them settle permanently in Chief District Officer. We even Committee. “That did not happen. opposing their actions. Except for these newly occupied areas or soon blocked traffic on the East-West Then we were told that we would get Kamaiyas at a makeshift camp in Kailali. incidents here and there of the few show them where land is available. highway for a day. Now that we are land by Maghi [mid-January]. That angry villagers who wanted to either Either way, the ex-kamaiyas breaking the law by occupying did not happen either. Now that we going to move to any other place. (Ashutosh Tiwari is affiliated with keep the open spaces open for government-owned land, maybe have moved to the open space near We have always done nothing but Kathmandu’s Martin Chautari and want the government to fulfill its is presently assisting activists grazing purposes or create something will happen.” Manehara river [not far from the town farming, and we are anxious to start own promise to speedily leading the kamaiya movement.) community forests, the public, on rehabilitate them. The reason Activists also argue that with of Dhangadi] and have measured our farming on our own land for our the whole, has been quite behind the drastic step was that enough national problems of its own, shares of 10 katthas each, we are not own families.” t

COMMENT by BRUNO PHILIP “Daju, Pristina kati tada hola?”

ou should learn as many You should learn as many languages They looked smart in their berets their submachine guns and So the moral of the story is y languages as you can. There and camouflage uniforms, khukuris tucked on their side as if that you should learn as many is no better ice-breaker than as you can. There is no better ice- thoroughly professional, and exuded they were cell phones. The languages as you can. There is no speaking to people in the middle breaker than speaking to people in good training. Many of them were Gurkhas took the hottest better ice-breaker than speaking of nowhere in their own mother being used in de-mining operations, assignments in the extreme east of to people in the middle of tongue. While teaching French in the middle of nowhere in their own and we heard some murmurs that East Timor with complete nowhere in their own mother Kathmandu in the early 1980s, I mother tongue. the Gurkhas were being used for nonchalance. I must say I had an tongue. t must say I did not pay much the really dangerous part of the edge on the competition because attention to teaching myself pretty obviously Nepali because another, making my attempts to operation. One Gurkha soldier and I could get details of the activity (Bruno Philip was South Asia Nepali. After all, I reasoned, there of their Mongoloid features. It speak either of them pretty his officer were killed while trying along the border from my daju- correspondent for Le Monde, and is now with the paper in Paris.) were going to be very few was a good opportunity to brush unintelligible to whoever I was to defuse a booby trap in Kosovo bhais. opportunities after I left Nepal to up on my rusty Nepali kura, and I trying to talk to. “Aap ke garnu during the peace operation. say “kasto chha tapailai”, and so I would suddenly spring their hunchha” would tumble out of So I decide the best way to concentrated instead on making mother tongue on them by saying my tongue before I could correct ambush a Gurkha soldier is to Nepalis truly Francophone. Don’t something like “malai euta myself. accost one from behind a tank, know how well I succeeded in kukhura ko tarkari, piro haleko”. While covering the Soviet and say “Daju, Pristina kati tada that, or if the French was any use They would first be shocked, then withdrawal from Afghanistan I hola?” And that is exactly what I for my Nepali students in their they would smile broadly, and had to go to Kabul and ran into a did. You should have seen the later lives. From Kathmandu, I give me exemplary service. Soon, I British spook who was a former look on his face: first shock, went on to become a journalist, found there were many Nepalis Gurkha officer. Speaking a disbelief, puzzlement, and then a criss-crossing the world’s just about everywhere in India, and common language other than broad grin and a whoop of hotspots, and only then did I it was only because they didn’t have English or French got me laughter. “Oho, tapain kaha bata realise how useful this language Mongoloid features that I had never admission into the one and only aunu bhayo?” Carrying on a from the Himalaya would be to noticed them. So in Bangalore, pub in Kabul at that time in the conversation with someone who me in some of the most unlikely there are dhaba owners, porters in British Embassy. Both of us found speaks Nepali with a French places. Garhwal, factory workers in the the fact that we were boozing accent on the road to Pristina Ten years later, I found myself industrial town of Okhla on Delhi’s away in Kabul and cracking jokes does not happen to everyone based in Delhi covering the South outskirts, and at one point even in Gorkhali highly surreal. every day. Asian region for a French Nepali soldiers in the Indian Army After being re-deployed to Later that year I found myself newspaper. Everywhere I turned fighting in Sri Lanka’s Jaffna Europe by my paper, I had to go covering the crisis in East Timor, in India, I would run into a peninsula. You can now run into a to Kosovo to cover the peace and there were fears of big Nepali. Some of them, like Nepali on oil rigs in Angola, a agreement in 1999 between massacres. Many thousands of security guards at embassies and manicurist in Minnesota, a guard NATO and the Serbs. The press people were unaccounted for, and waiters in restaurants would be on a floating casino in Macau, corps was allowed to cross the there was a need to guard the Nepalis in Kirghizstan training border just a few kilometres places through which the refugees farmers there to grow vegetables. inside Macedonia on the road to had fled to West Timor. The There have been no sightings yet Pristina. And there they were, Gurkhas were entrusted with on Antarctica. marching along the road behind the guarding the border to check the But the real problem in India British tanks, looking completely infiltration of West Timorese was that as my Hindi started exotic with their short stocky militia. With their jungle warfare becoming as good (bad?) as my frames, slit eyes and high training, the Gurkhas were doing East Timorese refugees greet Nepali, and the two languages cheekbones—the unmistakable a brilliant job and they looked Gurkha soldier. suddenly merged into one sight of a Gurkha soldier in action. very much at home here with 8NEPALI ECONOMY 26 JANUARY -1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES

BIZ NEWS ECONOMIC SENSE by ARTHA BEED

Vague prescription

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has decided what it believes should be done with the ailing Nepal Bank Limited (NBL) and Rastriya Banijya Bank (RBB) although the Can Nepal Do IT decision remains largely unclear. Some government officials we spoke to had no clue as to what the report said. A sub-committee report adopted by PAC last week says there have been procedural lapses in actions taken by the central bank, which Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) officials There may be millions of global players, but there’s always admitted to at hearings. The final word is that NRB’s efforts at bank reforms have so far been room for a hundred speciality players. illegal and that reforms should henceforth be carried out in accordance with the law. The report does not mention “handing over banks to foreigners”, the over-arching theme at he CAN Info-Tech 2001 is have a high multiplier factor, it is Mustang’s apple trade into a its hearings, nor does it instruct the government not to do that. The rather verbose, five-page t creating a lot of interest as important that existing players raise different realm. sub-committee report, says everything but how the government should proceed with its plan to usual. This is one of the few the entry barrier by corporatising Health, development and hand over management of the banks to professionals. trade events in Nepal that is a truly their operations. Further, there education in Nepal face particular One prescription says former officials and directors were responsible for the mess (no multi-audience platform—there’s have to be enough plans on the problems due to the terrain, size mention of politicians though)—which we all knew—and recommends action against something on offer for businesses, drawing board at any given time to and settlement patterns and IT wrongdoers who it does not name. Unlike previous decisions, when lapses were pinpointed consumers and the curious public. generate human resources and so could potentially find unique and specific suggestions made, this time it remains unclear. All those responsible for what IT is an area of business where ensure business growth. solutions to such issues. The happened should have been punished in accordance with the law, the report says. The report Nepali firms made breakthroughs There’s a common feeling that dissemination of information along goes on to add that both NRB and the Ministry of Finance are responsible for the mess—not a relatively early in the last decade, Nepali companies may simply not with resource-sharing would be of MIN BAJRACHARYA revelation though—and instructs them to be aware of the law and act responsibly. The PAC also and stayed ahead of other South found fault with NRB for not employing a clause (29 a) in the law that gives it authority to take- Asian countries (except, of course, over banks and dismiss their management. NRB says it took a consultative approach instead, India). This is also perhaps the only after slipping once by calling for proposals for managing the banks without seeking their sector where business dictates concurrence—especially in the case of NBL in which the government has a minority government policy and not vice shareholding. versa. PAC also says that no study was undertaken to assess the impact of the “serious” work The important question, before initiating it, despite admission by government officials at hearings that the banks could however, is whether we have been collapse if left as they were. PAC adds that it is unclear who would be responsible for the able to make the best of the consequences after new management teams were hired—NRB, MoF or the directors of the opportunities that we’ve been faced two banks? with. Do we still have a competitive edge compared to the other countries around us? Are we only

Power for power looking at the domestic market pie

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal and India have agreed to sell more electricity to each other. The Nepal-India power or can we take a chunk of the exchange committee that met in Kathmandu last week agreed to exchange 150 megawatts of global market? Are there fast- power, up from the existing pact to give each other up to 50MW. Presently, Nepal imports 50MW growing companies in this sector or of electricity and exports about 37MW. Nepal Electricity Authority is it just the number of companies says the new arrangement will enable it to use the surplus that is increasing rapidly? Where energy after some power projects now under construction begin are we and where do we want to be? supplying to the central grid. Nepal and India exchange power at The nature of our industrial IRs1.60 per unit. The power exchange would entail construction policy and problems with of 132KV transmission lines connecting Butwal and Anandnagar, transportation mean that it makes Birgunj and Motihari, and Dhalkebar and Sitamadi. Nepal has more sense to keep the hardware A stall at last year’s CAN Info-Tech. already put together finances needed for the new construction on sector focused on internal rather the Nepali side of the border. than global competitiveness and be able to compete with global tremendous advantage. The role of growth. The software and services players. What is really important IT in development experiments sectors are areas of the IT industry here is looking at the entire gamut could be very crucial.

Kerosene cheaper than can and should be setting their of IT businesses and finding the Tourism is another area that can

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) announced a major reduction in the price of kerosene last sights beyond Nepal’s horizons. right niche for Nepal and its really benefit from an IT revolution, week but shortages of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) continued despite assurances of The establishment of transcription capabilities. It’s just like replicating whether in terms of services increasing supply to ease the problem. On 14 October the government raised the prices of and call-centre businesses, for the carpet and pashmina niche in provided to tourists or to operators. petroleum products, raising kerosene rates by 100 percent—from Rs13 to Rs 26 and fixing instance, is an encouraging the crafts and apparel fields in the Mountain climbing would be safer another rate for rationed fuel. Later, the government gave in to widespread protests and reduced development. But again the issue is IT sector—there may be millions of and conservation efforts could be the price to Rs 22. Kerosene is now available at Rs 17 a litre, while one-rupee reductions have whether we have a competitive global players, but there’s always better understood, the spectrum of been made in both petrol and diesel prices. advantage and whether the volume room for a hundred speciality benefits is wide. of business coming our way is players. The issue is therefore to be able increasing. Nepal itself provides enough to understand our own core

Dry Port nears completion Nepali business is always internal business opportunities, like strengths and work them out vis-à-

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Nepal’s largest Inland Container Depot (ICD) or dry port, at Alahu near Birgunj, will be ready for plagued with oversupply, and the helicopter-service business vis the domestic and international operations mid-February—11 months behind schedule—when contractors are expected to trampled backed by a herd (Here come the Flying Trucks, markets. It is not only about having finally hand it over to the government. Two other dry ports at Bhairahawa and Biratnagar are mentality. Though there are a few #24). The lack of good the right laws but also about having already operational. big national players, there has been communication and transportation IT vision for this country. Since the Over 70 percent of Nepal’s trade takes place through Raxaul bordering Birgunj. The new no movement towards their systems in far-flung areas of the private sector is more pro-active in transformation into large country provides tremendous this area, this is definitely a space to dry port with a broad-gauge rail link with the Indian system is expected to heavily reduce t transport costs, both on raw material imports and export of finished products. A $23.58 million corporations. Most companies here opportunities for business. For watch. CAN you do it? are generally associated with an instance, getting apple producers in World Bank loan and another $5 million contribution of the government funded the ICD. The rail Readers can post their views and link was built with Indian aid. individual, and this means their Marpha and traders in Birgunj growth horizon shrinks. In order to networked together could move discuss issues at [email protected]

FEEDBACK by PREM PAUNJOO

productive within the country? Yet this efficiently, but if the service Employers’ blues, actually these workers have not claimed the charge is implemented workers will same percentage or facilities as in always be present and fake billing will Germany. not be possible. That is why hoteliers ince the write-up ‘Hotel blues The unions have been kind enough by not catering service that it can be done Hoteliers have mentioned food are pitting their collective strength s again’ (#26) is also related to because these are visited by high- and medical benefits given to workers. against the service charge.

our organisation, we have been making incriminating bills public. income groups. This is in keeping It is in the package of facilities Lastly, it came as a surprise that ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ obliged to publicise our views in order ○○○○○○○○○ with the norms of social justice. So provided by hotels themselves. The the arguments and counter-arguments to set right the illusion that has been ranging from USA to Europe and the an incentive that is in practice in hotel bosses need not worry about service charge is not part of the as prepared by hoteliers have been artificially created. It is our developing countries of Asia. You have hotels, restaurants and catering workers in small hotels. We take care package and employers or published in your paper exactly as responsibility to make you aware of tried to project that the service charge services across the world, although of them better, so they do not need managements will not be spending any they are distributed in public. We do the reality, whether they are taken exists only in Indonesia and Singapore. percentages may vary. We have cited the crocodile tears of big bosses. money by providing workers service not know whether there are people in positively or not. You have also called the union’s different rates and are flexible enough Hotel owners have drawn charge. It does not hamper business your organisation paid by the hoteliers The article mentioned was clearly andolan illegal. But the demand for in this regard. We claim the practice is comparisons with Germany—“if either, because our wage structure is or that your entire organisation is against the principles of impartial service charge is not a revolution. We international, but have never claimed Nepali workers should get similar one of the lowest in South Asia. prejudiced against hotel workers, but journalism and clearly takes the side assume that people can distinguish that the rate is uniform all over the perks as those in Germany, then Hotels certainly maintain different we think you completely blacked out of hotel employers and uses insulting between an andolan and a world—the maximum is in Italy (22 everything in Nepal should be as it is accounts to minimise what they pay in our arguments. t words against workers and unions in revolution—putting forth a small percent), the minimum in Kenya (5 in Germany”. Yes, if standard services value added tax (VAT) even through (Prem Paunjoo is a member of the an indirect manner (like “union financial demand for collective percent) and the normal rate 10 are equivalent to Germany, why can’t the use of fake bills. If someone wants Joint Action Committee of the bosses”). It is also absolutely wrong to bargaining is never a revolution. percent. The article certainly gives one workers claim service charge for to probe this aspect, they can visit our hotel employee unions.) write that unions have cited examples Anyone with general knowledge about the wrong impression. quality services? You might have heard office and we can present the fake bills. of Singapore and Indonesia with the industrial relations system should In small hotels and restaurants, the common refrain that Nepali We are still kind enough not to have (We published the industry reports regard to the service charge. Instead, know that it is normal trade union the service charge cannot be workers are considered most made such bills public. We know these made available to us in the interest of unions have published even service practice. implemented. It is only in tourist productive outside Nepal. Then why things better as workers in the hotels. public information, just as we are doing charge rates for a number of countries, A 10 percent service charge is only standard hotels, restaurants and are they always humiliated as less Government agencies cannot check with the union point of view. –Ed) INFOTECH 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 99

GAURAB RAJ UPADHAYA ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ the show. It is also starting an CAN Info-Tech 2001 is here. In the Internet-based distance learning last seven years, this has turned into programme in Nepal, offering 350 the biggest hi-tech event in Nepal. distance learning courses from the US. This year it has a new look and a new Says Tuladhar: “We are focusing on venue—the International Convention value-added services, and the move Centre in Naya Baneswor, instead of towards distance learning is one of our the crowded premises of Hotel Blue efforts to bridge the digital gap Star. No more parking problems now. between Nepalis and people in MIN BAJRACHARYA The event had humble developed countries.” The strategy is beginnings. The first CAN Info-Tech clear for Mercantile—don’t just fair was organised in January 1995. display hardware, also show what it The executive committee of the can be used for. Computer Association of Nepal The next largest exhibitor is the (CAN) had only recently been formed, World Distribution Group (WDG), and they decided to kick off with an which is unveiling non-Intel-based info-tech show. The response was Enterprise class servers like the SUN CAN Info-tech Ver 7.0 positive and an enthusiastic CAN Ultra Sparc and servers from Dell for decided to make the event an annual the first time in Nepal. The (Pentium IV required) affair. The first was more of an Enterprise-class servers are used exhibition than a business show. Over mostly by big organisations as The 7th CAN Info-Tech trade show this local counter-parts.”

the years, interest from exhibitors network servers for data storage. week focuses on value-added services. This year CAN has ○○○○○○○○○○○○○ increased to such an extent that last WDG’s Arun Shrestha says, “Our ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ also provided computer year exhibitors had to be turned away strategy at the exhibition is based on are out in large numbers. The Crorepati”, for sale. Another stall institutes an entire hall to exhibitors is 60, due to lack of space. complete information, Pentium 4 War, as we could call it, virtually recreates the set of the show. themselves at a special price. but with companies Computers and multimedia were communication and technology will give visitors the best prices on Webpage service providers are This effort on the part of CAN sometimes sharing stall the stars in 1995. The next year it was solutions, so we will try to present an equipment. At the entrance you will engaged in their own price war, and has definitely given visitors more to space, it’s hard to tell. As the IT the Internet. But by 1997, the focus integrated computing environment.” be greeted with unbeatable prices. As this is the place to go to get a good see. Domestic giant College of scenario in Nepal boomed in recent had shifted to trade, and price wars WDG will also have V-SATs (very you go on, you’ll find the usual array deal on web-hosting prices and service Software Engineering has the largest years, CAN Info-tech has been a were fought with gusto over the next small aperture satellites used by of standard-issue computing and charges. And finally, there are pager area amongst the training vendors place where ordinary people can get couple of years. In 1999, V-SAT and businesses in lieu of signing up with an related products, including computer companies also out offering their wares. promoting their foreign certification a feel of the technology to come. video conferencing were hot tickets. ISP), and hospital management books, software, and UPS back-ups Brands like LG, Samsung, Canon, plans. Most people went to the first event Price wars broke out again in 2000, software at the show. made in Nepal, Taiwan, China, India Epson, HP, Microsoft, Novell, CAN Info-Tech 2001 definitely in 1995 to see computers. This and the US. Creative, Acer, Xerox, and Fluke are all has a new look about it. Given the year, it looks like anybody with There’s even a company, Techno represented at the show, although CN huge demands from exhibitors, total even the remotest interest in IT Links, that has created CD-ROMs Upadhyay, co-ordinator of the show, exhibition space is more than1600 sq should go for a dekko. The Pentium with a Nepali version of the popular hastens to add: “Most multinational m. The show is spread over 80 stalls 4 may not attract you, but the show Indian gameshow, “Kaun Banega brands will be represented by their and four halls, and the number of is definitely worth a visit. t

CSE AD

“Do you realize we’ve been together through three versions of Windows?” but the larger companies had moved Another first for the show will be to value-added services. As the prices the availability of Wireless Access of everything related to computers Protocol (WAP) services, marketed went down, companies tried to woo by Worldlink Communications. customers by providing more bang for There’s a lot of buzz about WAP their buck. overseas, but they arrived in Nepal “Showing boxes is not interesting only a few months ago. WAP provides anymore,” says Pawan Tuladhar of Internet access to gadgets like mobile Mercantile Communication. The phones, palm tops, and personal Mercantile Group has the biggest digital assistants (PDA) as long as the presence at the exhibition. This year device is WAP-enabled. Yet another they are highlighting their fibre-optic company, Sigma Resources, is networking equipment. Mercantile exhibiting Gateway computers and Communication is also launching its networking equipment. business and teen portals, Service-oriented companies kegarne.com and yokeho.com , at apart, the usual computer-wallahs The conference The motto at all the CAN Info-Techs has been: “Nepal Information technology show and conference.” But conferences have been irregular at best. Instead, over the years, the show had begun to resemble more a business event than anything else. The organisers this year have tried giving it a new dimension—by organising a SAARC-level IT conference. Speakers include internationally distinguished people in the IT arena. Even local vendors are bringing in lecturers from parent brands to deliver talks on topics like e-security, application services, and distance education. The official conference is slated for 27-28 January, over the weekend, but the 250-seat hall booked up long before time. Private companies have also booked the halls for business and tech talks.A company executive was dumbfounded when told that all the seats had been taken. 10 INFOTECH The Internet26 JANUARYon - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALIt TIMESh A new study offers hard facts about IT in Nepal. Entr class are winners, the only real loser being HMG and squeeze every dollar of hard have an exchange, no lines are Nepal is at 0.27 per 100 currency from every place it can connected. As a form of innovative inhabitants). Many more people impose a tariff or tax, and get technology, then, one of the most who do not own computers do have beyond bureaucratic protectionism powerful features of the Internet is access to Internet technology, for inefficient pieces of government, that it requires relatively little new largely thanks to the 1,000 or so including the NTC” (page 26). infrastructure in order to function. For unlicensed communications kiosks Pretty racy stuff. a country like Nepal, where lines of (Public Call Centres, or PCCs) In the full report we learn that communication (postal system, roads, throughout Nepal. These previously two of the five membership etc) are limited and unreliable, the provided only phone and fax positions of the Nepal decentralised and low maintenance facilities, but have now added email Telecommunications Authority nature of the Internet may emerge to to their list of services. In Europe (NTA) remained vacant at the time be a distinct advantage. and the US, web access and private of going to press, and that as of The suitability of the World ownership of computers November 1999, the Nepal Wide Web as a new mode of Telecommunications Corporation communication for Nepal has been (NTC) employed some 4,661 shown by the speed at which people, “implying a labour writers, journalists and academics productivity level of 50 lines per have embraced electronic mail. On employee, around 40 percent of the more than one occasion I have met global average” (page 7). In fact, senior scholars in Nepal who were “indifference”, “limited” and surprised to find that some of their “NTC” are words that crop up colleagues in Europe had neither alongside one another more often Internet access nor email. There is, than is statistically plausible. however, a clear reason for what on

MARK TURIN IN LEIDEN ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ those who want to know the hard Computing at the Top of the The picture is not unremittingly the surface appears to be a ovember 2000 was an facts about telecommunications use World, in the November issue of bleak, however. According to the technological paradox. Whilst nimportant month for the in Nepal. Communications of the ACM, Vol authors, the brightest light in an European academics might have history of the Internet in The most interesting as well as 42, #11, in which they offer a otherwise dark tunnel is Nepal’s been content with a fax or a Nepal since it marked the the most predictable finding of all is distilled and punchy résumé of their ISP community, which is “driven by registered letter (knowing that both publication of the International that His Majesty’s Government findings. A section is enough to smart, young business people, many would arrive), in Nepal the Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) emerges badly—rather ironic given show their general level of educated abroad” (ACM, page 26). prohibitive cost of international report on the state of the country’s that the authors of the report were dissatisfaction with the powers that Moreover, a genuine “advantage of telephone calls (NTC currently IT sector. Entitled The Internet an ITU team specially invited to be in Nepal: “Perhaps the Nepal’s network being relatively gains around 60 percent of its from the Top of the World: Nepal Nepal by the National Planning government might best pursue an young is that it is all-digital with revenue from international Case Study, the 53-page report Commission. The same team also enabling strategy? It needs to get the majority having been installed operations) together with the makes for fascinating reading for published a shorter article, over the mindset of trying to in the last few years” (ITU, page 9). unreliability of the postal system The importance of the latter point left the field open for a fast, cheap should not be underestimated. The and reliable form of now obsolete and user-unfriendly communication. This niche has computers with which people in the been filled by email. Consequently, West have been battling for years Nepal’s relatively late involvement have made many older users wary of with the computer revolution In Nepal the first co adopting new operating systems. (Internet connections were first This is not the case in Nepal where established in Nepal in 1995) has people see is a Win the first computer many people set had two unexpected advantages. with a high-speed m

their eyes on is a Windows machine First, the more recent introduction ○○○○○○○○○ with a high-speed modem. of computers to Nepal accounts for ○○○○○○○○○○○ We should not forget that the the absence of obsolete hardware. increasingly go hand-in-hand (ever history of telecommunications in Second, in contrast to the wariness more people are buying home PCs, Nepal is relatively short. The first exhibited by some Western and cyber cafés are usually fixed line between Kathmandu and professionals, most Nepalis with frequented by people on the move), the Indian border was opened in access to computers have shown but this is not the case in Nepal. CAN AD 1914, and it was not until 40 years only enthusiasm for cheap and Students, publishers and individuals later that the capacity of the instant global communication as working in the trekking and Kathmandu telephone exchange had offered by the Internet. tourism industries may not be able reached 300 lines. In 1999, the Ownership of computers in to afford their own computers, but average waiting time to get a line in Nepal is still limited to the urban, they can afford to make use of Kathmandu was more than six years educated and well-off minority in them. Low expense and easy access, and although some of the districts the country (PC penetration in together with free web-based email heINFOTECH roof of the world26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES119 repreneurs and the urban middle least nine were operational and Overall, the report is a mine of Nepal had the lowest dial-up information about the state of those they purport to serve. Internet tariffs in all of South Asia. telecommunications in the Conventional communication Kingdom. There are a few services, such as Yahoo! and people to use them. It is quite likely technologies (telephone and entertaining and unexpected hotmail, are features of Internet that a number of the most widely television) are still state-controlled, revelations, but the real strength of communication that have used fonts will emerge as Internet but Internet Service Providers the study is that it offers some hard encouraged urban middle-class standards for Nepali text, such as (ISPs) have been largely left to their facts about the use of Information Nepalis to participate in previously Kantipur, Himali, Jaipur, Preeti own devices. One direct result of Technology in Nepal. inaccessible global networks. As the and Sagarmatha. this freedom has been fierce Entrepreneurs and the urban middle ITU report states: “PCCs are As a direct result of these competition between the different class emerge as the winner, the only helping to grow the next generation changes, the Internet rather than ISPs in Nepal to secure customers real loser being HMG and those of entrepreneurs” (page 10). the national archives in Kathmandu and provide technical support. they purport to serve: “some One of the most web-affected may now be the first port of call Moreover, the authors of the ITU Ministry Secretaries who were sectors in Nepal is the media. The when searching for specific report have singled out HealthNet contacted did not even know if People’s Movement and new information on current issues in for special praise for “actively their ministries had web sites”. Constitution of 1990, brought Nepal. Whilst some of the more pursuing network connectivity”, Oh dear. t established academic publications and Pradhan’s expansion plans are of Nepal do not yet have their own greeted with approval. The ITU report is freely dedicated websites (most notably Amusing and unexpected downloadable from the Internet at http://www.itu.int/ti/casestudies/ Kailash and Contributions to Nepalese paradoxes? Well, the success of .np nepal/nepal.htm Studies), these journals can be found as a Top-Level Domain (TLD) may in libraries all over the world. Many in part be down to the fact that .np (Mark Turin is working on a newer publications do have sites is related to ‘Nippon’, which would grammar of Thangmi, a Tibeto- where the contents of previous explain why according to the ITU Burman language spoken in Nepal, volumes as well as submission report, “there seem to be a and is the webmaster of the guidelines are available. The real relatively large number of Japanese Himalayan Languages Project at changes, however, have not been in hosts using .np”. Leiden University.) the field of specialist journals but rather in news media. Daily updates, keywords search facilities and good archiving mean that online information is taking on a paradoxical ‘semi-permanence’ previously not associated with newsprint. At present, most online newspapers and magazines in Nepal have issues dating back a few years available on line, and one would hope that these archives may soon be extended further to include electronic copies of older and unavailable issues. The digital revolution has also had a major impact on the lives of omputer many Nepalis living abroad. As the number of expatriate Nepalis grows, ndows machine so too does their social and modem. economic importance back home. Some choose to settle in their host

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ countries, but there are many who about by the actions of the eventually return to Nepal after Movement for the Restoration of years of study or work abroad. For Democracy, marked a genuine many expatriate Nepalis, Internet- watershed in the , based communication is a key especially for the print media. Over element in their contact with their the last decade, many newspapers, home country. Internet news sites, magazines and journals have been free web-based telephone services established or revived. Whilst (VOIP) to America (such as increased literacy and greater dialpad.com) and cheap email have political awareness have encouraged cut down the cost and increased the the growth of print media, the frequency of communication with traditional obstacles of printing cost friends and family in Nepal. Having and physical distribution have not made good use of the new yet been overcome. Partly in technologies during their time response to these challenges, abroad, it comes as no surprise to many newspapers have created learn that Western-educated, web sites in the past five years. English-speaking and computer- These home pages differ in quality literate Nepalis returning to Nepal and breadth, ranging from cursory have capitalised on the possibilities overviews of the publication, with of Internet entrepreneurship. The excerpts of a lead story and some ITU report states that “funds contact information, to well- transfer” is an area ripe for Internet archived, interactive sites with involvement: Nepali “expatriates identical content to the printed often send funds…and a physical copy. Opinion letters trustworthy mechanism for and other comments can now be electronic funds transfer should be submitted through the home provided” (page 32). If successfully pages of the publication or by implemented, facilities would cut email to the editors, leading to a out those middlemen whose chosen much higher rate of feedback on career is creaming a percentage off articles and features. the salaries of hard-working The Devanâgarî font expatriate Nepalis. compatibility problem is en route Success stories? There are a few, to being resolved by making the although limited to the private fonts used in online Nepali- sector of course. By January 2000, language HTML downloadable and there were eleven licensed Internet free, thereby encouraging more Service Providers (ISPs) of which at INFOTECH 25 JANUARY - 29 JANUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES

Stall No. Floor Name of Exhibitor A1 G Sky Infosys A2 G Ishan Infosys FLOOR B3 G Shrestha Amrit Traders B4 G Shrestha Amrit Traders PLAN OF B5 G Shrestha Amrit Traders C6 G Himalayan Shangrila CAN 2001 C7 G Touch Stone Sales and Service P L C8 G Touch Stone Sales and Service P L C9 G CNC Pvt Ltd C10 G Himalayan Dot Pvt Ltd C11 G Mips Pvt Ltd C12 G Geospatial C41 G Mars International C42 G Associated C43 G Jingle Inc C44 G Excatly Support & Training Center C45 G Seagate Computer Inst. C76 G City Computers C78 G Agni Paging C79 G NIDC C80 G Computer Care Pvt. Ltd C81 G DTI C82 G CSTC Pvt Ltd H83 G The Readers Concern C84 1st Self Electronics C85 1st Connection C88 G Daisytek Computers D13 G Nucleus Software E14 Hall Beltronix E86 G Computer Security Co. E87 G Pioneer Trade marketing F15 G Trade Wings F16 G Trade Wings F17 G Easy Page F18 G Mars Trading International F19 G Mars Trading International HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION, GREAT VALUE F20 G Lalit Trading Co G21 G D& D International G22 G The Waves Group/ GM Software F23 G Infocom Online Pvt Ltd F24 G Infocom Online Pvt Ltd F25 G Sati Computer Trade Concern Outstanding Nepali Pakistani students F26 G Sati Computer Trade Concern are choosing the University of Windsor. F27 G Sati Computer Trade Concern F28 G Mazda International Computech F29 G Arihant Multisystem F30 G Interactive Group F31 G Interactive Group F32 G IT Nepal Pvt Ltd F33 G Star Office Automation F34 G Star Office Automation F35 G CSE System and Office Automation F36 G CSE System and Office Automation F37 G Laser Manufacture Co Pvt Ltd Get informed. F38 G Arihant Multisystem Contact the University of Windsor H39 G Pacific Office Automation International Outreach Office O40 G Kagaj Kothi Tel: 1-416-461-1570 F46 G International Electronics Concern E-mail: [email protected] F47 G International Electronics Concern Web: www.uwindsor.ca F48 G ITNTI Applicants for Bachelor’s degrees only! F49 G Mercantile Communications Pvt Ltd F50 G Mercantile Communications Pvt Ltd F51 G Mercantile Communications Pvt Ltd F52 G Mercantile Communications Pvt Ltd F53 G ITNTI F54 G International Electronics Concern F55 G International Electronics Concern J56 1st Computer Advance System J57 1st Mercantile Communications Pvt Ltd J58 1st D & D International K59 3rd College of Software Engineering K60 3rd College of Software Engineering K61 3rd College of Software Engineering SHARP AD K62 3rd College of Software Engineering K63 3rd College of Software Engineering ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ K64 3rd SSI Kathmandu Center K65 3rd Visit Nepal Network K66 3rd SBS The e-media Library K67 3rd Techno Links Center K68 3rd Easy Links Pvt Ltd K69 3rd SSI Kathmandu Center K70 3rd Academy of Information Technology K71 3rd Lord Budhha Education Foundation K72 3rd Everest Education Foundation K73 3rd Sofware Group Pvt Ltd K74 3rd Softech Computer Inst. L1 1st PC World L2 1st L3 1st BOK L4 1st NIC L5 1st Business Age L6 1st Kantipur Publications L75 3rd Informatics Computer School

HALL Gauri G World Distribution Nepal Shankar G Mercantile Communication Pvt Ltd Koshi G Sigma Resources Gandaki G Worldlink Communications WORLD 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 13 ANALYSIS Branding by DEREK INGRAM

LONDON - In what now seems like the information Stone Age—the 1970s—a major concern was that the news global flow of news and information was one-way. The dominance of the Northern media, the argument went, Despite the growth of the Internet and satellite television, meant the South was forced to view western—mainly American—media forces continue to the economic and political state of the shape news coverage and analysis. world through western eyes. The

debate raged and fizzled out in the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ 1980s, a side-show of the Cold War. leading brand names from Coca-Cola November that new technologies were debates.” Fundamentally, nothing changed. to Marlboro are American. bringing in a “level playing field” Nearly 75 Technologically, everything did. So it is with the media. Associated favourable to developing countries. But percent of Media conglomerates now dominate Press sends 20 million words around he added: “The media in developing international the world as never before and the old the world per day against Reuters’ countries who could be the biggest outgoing arguments about information flow are three million and Agence France beneficiaries of the Internet revolution phone traffic is opening up again. Is the Internet Presse’s two million (both of which are not adapting themselves quickly generated in just 23 liberating thought or reinforcing the are anyway western-based). The enough to the demands of the Northern countries. “Less than three views of yesteryear? Is world’s top eight newspapers and technological revolution.” percent of the world’s population— globalisation simply another magazines and four of Thussu agrees that in recent years generally male, middle class and fluent term for westernisation— the six top the South has developed a contra-flow. in English—is part of the economic interests. words are becoming almost secondary. Americanisation? Such international business His thoroughly researched book cyberculture, despite the hype In this market-driven Yet in the end it is the words—the questions are addressed in a newspapers and details the growth of pan-Arabic associated with the Internet.” environment, these mega media message—that matter, not the means new book International magazines are American television, the rise of Phoenix’s Meanwhile, Rupert Murdoch’s empires are reducing complex by which they are delivered. There’s Communication: (the other two are Chinese Channels which reach 30 News Corporation claims that every international issues to soundbites and no indication that the quality of Continuity and Change British). Only one of the countries in the Asia-Pacific region, 24 hours it reaches nearly half a billion sightbites. Foreign coverage is cut reporting or writing is better than it by Daya Kishan top ten global TV networks and the international channels of state people. It adds: “Virtually every back. The ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka was 30 years ago; on the contrary it Thussu, a journalist is non-American—and it is Chinese television, CCTV. Brazil’s TV minute of the day, in every time zone barely gets mentioned but when the has declined. Electronic speed is who teaches mass British (the BBC). Globo has spread to Italy, France, on the planet, people are watching, West bombs Yugoslavia, coverage is diminishing story depth. communication at the University of Developing countries seem Russia and China. India’s Zee TV reading and interacting with our almost wall-to-wall. In his speech Thussu’s book ends on a sombre North London. to have little chance to compete or claims to be the world’s largest Asian products… from the moment they Akin Fatoyinbo said: “Today all note: “As corporations strengthen Thussu examines the awesome even begin to develop comparable television network, and is poised, says wake up until they fall asleep.” CNN, management… is the management of their control over the portals of global growth of western media empires that media empires. World Bank Thussu, to become a major player in already powerful when it expanded information... The primary power while a majority of the world’s has accompanied the technological communications specialist Akin international communication. hugely as part of Time Warner in commodity of the 21st century is population is excluded from the revolution. He sets this in the context Fatoyinbo is not so sure. Referring to But, he adds, examples of counter- 1996, is seen by 150 million information.” The World Bank’s benefits of the emerging electronic of the corporate colonisation of the the 1970s debates about a so-called flow of cultural products “in no way households in 212 countries. For 1989-9 World Development Report economy, the potential for social planet, where branding is the name of New World Information and show that the Western media many, says Thussu, it remains the said information was becoming as unrest is enormous.” t (Gemini) the game. Over 1.2 billion people use Communications Order (NWICO), domination has diminished... The voice of the US government and important as land and physical capital. Derek Ingram founded Gemini a Gillette product and 38 million eat he said to the Commonwealth Press information divide remains as corporate elite, despite claims to be This may be true, but we seem so News Service in 1967 to counter the at McDonald’s daily. The world’s ten Union conference in Barbados last pronounced ...as during the NWICO free from US geo-strategic and mesmerised by new technology that imbalance in international news.

OPINION MARTIN KETTLE Everything But Arms ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ BRUSSELS - The European Commission (EC) last week A President without precedent revised its groundbreaking Everything But Arms (EBA) proposal, which seeks to eliminate tariffs on almost all non- military goods entering the EU from the world’s poorest ore than four years ago, Clinton shaped and marked the countries—by postponing transition periods on three sensitive Bill Clinton had a products: sugar, rice and bananas. m actions of others, even while having Last September’s original proposal would grant duty-free, remarkable conversation with his rogue adviser little to show for it himself. quota-free access for over 900 categories of goods to 48 Dick Morris. Their subject, as countries defined by the UN as the poorest. The proposal met recorded in Morris’s book, Behind over the next four years in order to deficit into years of surplus. Only strong resistance from the international sugar industry and European farmers, forcing the EC to revise it. The Commission the Oval Office, was one of achieve second tier rank. Morris the international terrorist agenda now has an informal proposal to phase out tariffs on bananas Clinton’s favourites—where he will suggested three big things and four remains largely where it was four by 2006 and on sugar and rice by 2008. Under consideration is rank in the history books when he medium things. years ago. the possibility of introducing a “temporary quota” for sugar and leaves office. The big things were to make On the medium level agenda, rice based on, among others, the highest level of exports in Morris took the initiative in welfare reform work, to implement the progress has been less obvious. recent years. the discussion. Eighteen of the balanced federal budget and to The battle against big tobacco Opposition to the original EBA initiative from the EU farm Clinton’s predecessors deserved to smash international terrorism. The waxed and then waned, leaving lobby was such that some EU officials jokingly refer to an be ranked in the top three medium things were to begin to Clinton unable to convert major “everything but farms” initiative. Within the EU, major sugar categories, Morris suggested. The eliminate cigarette smoking, to interim victories into a conclusive producers are in France, Germany and the UK. Rice is first rank of presidents was reserved establish national standards in ending. US education standards produced by Italian interests and bananas by multinationals for those who did great things in school education, to make further have risen in many respects, as of the peak of approval he reached based in Spain. An EU study released last month said the EBA’s impact would be greater than originally expected and great times: Washington, Jefferson, progress towards universal health several recent official and unofficial in the month that the Starr Report could cost the sugar industry over a billion euros ($900 million). Lincoln, Wilson and Franklin care insurance, and to use the power reports have indicated, but the was published). After eight years, A report by Oxfam, however, says the initiative is quite modest Roosevelt. The second was for of the presidency more emphatically overall picture still remains patchy. his ratings exceed those of Reagan, and that, “claims that EBA will result in a substantial increase those who did great things but in on “non-economic lifestyle issues.” Health insurance reform remains a a point that many Republicans in imports are not supported by data.” Oxfam’s David Bryer less compelling eras: Jackson, Polk, “Good list,” Clinton said, for the major area of failure, a challenge cannot even bring themselves to says, “Some developing countries that already benefit from Reagan (in Morris’s view but not second time in the conversation. that the Bush administration will think about. preferential access to the EU market have legitimate concerns. Clinton’s), Theodore Roosevelt “I’ve got it down. I’ll think about it have to address even though it does What is more, as he himself But these can and should be addressed through positive and Truman. In the third tier, a lot. ” not greatly want to. And Clinton’s observed in a recent Rolling Stone measures, rather than an EU retreat from the EBA proposal.” reserved to presidents who did Four years on from that ability to use the presidential bully interview, there is little doubt that The EBA goes further than any previous EU concession to some great things but whose claim conversation, perhaps the most pulpit has of course been massively Clinton would have stood for a LDCs (least developed countries) and is a “confidence-building” to higher rank is contestable for unexpected thing about it is how compromised by events since 1996. third term, had the law allowed it, measure designed to entice poor countries into accepting a new round of global trade talks. “Obviously, the idea is to bring these some important reason, Morris realistic it still seems, in spite of all Most people would instinctively and equally little doubt that he countries into the world trading system. They now account for placed Madison, the two Johnsons, that has happened in between. say that Clinton’s second term has would have easily been re-elected. only 0.4 percent of world trade and 1 percent of total EU imports,” Arthur, Cleveland, Kennedy, Nixon Clinton has, in fact, carried out consisted of four years blighted by In his final year as president, an EU trade official said. EBA builds on a promise by the “Quad and Bush. much—though far from all—of the Monica Lewinsky affair. Its Bill Clinton achieved remarkably Group”— the EU, the US, Canada and Japan—made in May 2000— “Good list,” Clinton Morris’s agenda, and has notched up shadow has lain heavy across the little to live in the memory or to that it was ready to dismantle duties and quotas on 99 percent of responded. “Where do I fit in?” some other positive achievements administration for the final year and bequeath to the history books. imports from the LDCs. LDCs sharply criticised this, saying it didn’t “Right now, to be honest, I too. Welfare reform has been far less a half that Clinton has remained in And yet Clinton remains in some go far enough in granting them market access, as the one percent think you are borderline third tier. painful in the years of plenty than office. No president since Nixon strange but important way the of total imports still been subject to trade barriers would include It’s too early to rank you yet, but most of its opponents claimed in leaves office so synonymous with a absolutely defining figure of “sensitive” products such as sugar and bananas in the case of the you are right on the cusp of making 1996, although the truest test will major scandal. modern America. He has shaped EU, and textiles in the case of the US and Canada. Oxfam’s report says that under EBA prices received by LDCs third tier,” Morris responded. come in times of hardship. The And yet Clinton also left office and marked the actions of others, would be subject to negotiation: “EBA allows LDCs to export “I think that’s about right,” federal budget has been conclusively with precedent-defying job ratings. friend and foe, intimate and unlimited quantities of sugar to the EU, but at lower prices, Clinton agreed. balanced, again on the back of taxes Even in his last days in office, 65 stranger, even while having little probably much lower, than apply to quota-restricted preferences The president then asked on prosperity and full employment, per cent of Americans approve of to show for it himself when he of the Sugar Protocol.” t (IPS) Morris what he would need to do which have turned the years of the job he is doing (only just short left the stage. t (Guardian) 14 ASIA 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES Estrada, friend to a fault JOHANNA SON IN MANILA ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Erap had to go, but some will miss his charisma. n the less than three years he

i was Philippine president, And he may have to re-think his friendships.

Joseph Estrada was always the ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

generous buddy, loyal to and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ comfortable with powerful The impeachment was camp—backed by former friends of all sorts, yet quite at spurred by claims in October by presidents Corazon Aquino and home with poor people. provincial governor Luis Singson, Fidel Ramos—rejected it, His popular touch, which a former buddy and drinking pal, hundreds of thousands of people included eating with his hands in that Estrada had received $8.5 massed at the EDSA shrine, put Manila’s slums, was no pretence. million in payoffs from illegal up on the site of the 1986 revolt. As a youngster he preferred to hang gambling and $2.7 million from The last few weeks have around with the poorer guys in the tobacco taxes. Among the most taken their toll on Estrada, who Estrada and his wife leaving the neighbourhood, and he dropped out damaging testimonies was that of has lost weight and kept almost presidential palace last Saturday of school, unlike his nine siblings who a bank vice-president who said exclusively within the finished university. she was “shocked” to see Estrada presidential palace grounds. different matter. They ate into Estrada’s personal approach sign documents for a trust Friday night might have been the support that Estrada had was a plus in his political career, account worth $10 million using Estrada’s lowest point, as gained after he was elected—from which started in 1969 when he another name. Later, a former politicians from his and Arroyo’s intellectuals and progressive ran for mayor of San Juan town Estrada official recalled that side tried to work out his exit activists. in Metro Manila and then took Estrada told him he had made a and the transition process. At But Estrada’s ways may speak him to the Senate and in 1992, windfall from the rise in stock one point, Arroyo supporters more about the ways of the vice-presidency. This prices of a company he had asked said, he spoke of going on leave Philippine politics. Some wags say populist style is a key difference a government agency to help. from the presidency, or being Estrada just didn’t hide money between him and Ferdinand Estrada’s lawyers and assured of a pardon from Arroyo. well. Now Arroyo’s camp talks of Marcos, the other president supporters in the Senate, which Early Saturday morning talks bringing him to court or seizing booted out of office in a popular was sitting as an impeachment stalled as a congressman said his assets. Others say that unlike uprising. It may be why he has court, moved to block the Estrada was intoxicated and Marcos, Estrada didn’t have his not had to go straight into exile opening of documents “you can’t talk to him sensibly.” opponents killed. Estrada must after being replaced by his vice- prosecutors said would show bank His drinking habits had already have learned a lesson by now— president, Gloria Macapagal Street protests in Manila late accounts worth $66 million funded been a joke among Filipinos for that some people he thought were Arroyo last Saturday. last year. from illegal activity. The pro- some time, along with talk of his friends were not. His As he left the presidential Estrada camp won in an 11-10 long gambling sessions and associates who figured in the trial, palace, the soldiers whose give to those who ask for help, or to after he took office in May 1998. vote to reject the opening of the mansions for his mistresses. including the man who he said commands had withdrawn their a pilot who flies him around. These accusations ranged from documents, unaware that this Estrada fired a new chief of staff was the real owner of the money support for him nevertheless Estrada’s feel for the masses—his Estrada helping friend and tycoon would ignite street protests. The 11 last March, after he said that Estrada was suspected to hold in reached out to say their goodbyes. nickname Erap comes from the Lucio Tan evade a government tax senators won the vote, but helped often, he was “the only person the bank, have left the country. Some reporters who had covered Filipino word “pare” or pal— inquiry to making his friend Mark Estrada lose the presidency. sober in the room at four in the Senator Tatad, who moved for the the presidential beat were tearful, translated into the biggest election Jimenez, a fugitive wanted in the By Friday, military leaders had morning.” Recently, officials said 11-10 Senate vote, turned around recalling how he was one of the few win in the country—40 percent of United States, presidential adviser withdrawn their support for Estrada was trying to change. and said Estrada should quit. presidents who would ask how they the vote in the 1998 election. for Latin America. In mid-2000, Estrada and the majority of the During the trial, prosecutors Still, he remains a likeable were doing. “The military and the But Estrada’s personal Securities and Exchange Cabinet had resigned. Estrada led the discussion to funds from fellow to many. Orlando Presidential Security Guard like approach was also his nemesis. Commission chief Perfecto Yasay called the prosecution witnesses secret accounts he used to build Mercado, Estrada’s defence chief him because they can drink with His choice of friends and his said Estrada asked him to block a “liars”, and said his conscience mansions for his mistresses. who quit Friday, said: “Erap is him,” said one military officer last standing by them—protecting probe of gambling magnate Dante was clear. In his last hours as Estrada’s philandering ways were not a bad person. He is a good week. This former actor was also them from government probes, Tan, accused of share-price president, he offered a snap not a liability in Philippine friend.” t (IPS) generous, quick to whip out 1,000 helping them get business deals— manipulation. Estrada denied election, just as Marcos had done politics. But the corruption peso bills ($20) from his pocket to began to grate on Filipinos soon these charges. in February 1986. After Arroyo’s claims during the trial were a Still weathering Desert Storm

DILIP HIRO IN BAGHDAD ○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ Ten years later, a new George Bush is in office, Saddam s Bill Clinton left office, Hussein still rules Iraq, and Iraqis are still suffering. he might have pondered

a ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ the thought that but for the Gulf War between the United in January 1991. The US and nuclear—remains unresolved during Desert Storm, addresses the States-led Coalition and Iraq in Britain continue to maintain a despite a further Anglo-American question in his book Storm 1991, he may not have occupied the 24-hour air surveillance in the blitz against Iraq for four days in Command. “We did not have a White House as US President. The northern and southern zones of December 1998. As United Nations [UN] mandate to invade Iraq or popularity of his predecessor, Iraq, controlling airspace over 60 Secretary-General Kofi Annan said take the country over, and if we had George Bush, shot up in the percent of the country’s territory in September 1998: “I personally tried to do that, our Arab allies aftermath of the war, which began in the name of protecting Kurdish believe…that disarming Iraq fully is would certainly not have taken a in August 1990 when the US and Shia minorities. never going to be possible. At the favourable view,” he wrote. “Even deployed its forces under Operation As for the regime of Iraqi end of the day, the Security Council our limited incursion into Iraqi Desert Shield to counter Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein, must decide whether Iraq is territory had made some of them invasion and occupation of Kuwait. besides the continuing disarmed to the extent that it is not uneasy...No Arab troops entered It ended with the 42-day-long humiliation of enduring the a threat to its neighbours, that it Iraqi territory.” operation Desert Storm. Anglo-American violation of its has no weapons of mass Sir Peter had no doubt that In the subsequent race for the airspace, its most prized natural destruction, and that it has no Western troops would have reached presidency, Democrat heavyweights resource—oil—is under a de capacity to make weapons of mass Baghdad in another day and a half. decided not to seek party facto economic mandate of the destruction.” “But in pressing on to the Iraqi nomination, thus handing an United Nations. Though Iraq has Although three of the five capital we would have moved opening to the eager governor of been pumping and exporting oil permanent Security Council outside the remit of the United Arkansas. Today, Desert Storm has without any UN-imposed limit members take the view that Iraqi Nations authority, within which we no more bearing on US domestic for the past year, the earnings are disarmament has gone as far it had worked so far,” he continued. politics, but its devastating impact deposited into a UN account and could possibly go, they have been “...The Americans, British and on the daily lives of 22 million Baghdad receives half of that sum. unable to convince the US, where French would have been presented would then have found ourselves General Colin Powell, then Iraqis is still palpable. The UN allocates the rest to a the anti-Iraq lobby working closely as foreign invaders of Iraq and…the with the task of trying to run a chairman of the US Chiefs of On the 10th anniversary of compensation fund for those who with Israel remains powerful. whole Desert Storm would have country shattered by war, which Staff. Now that Powell has taken the last century’s last major suffered Iraqi aggression in The fact that Saddam is still been seen purely as an operation to at the best of times is deeply split charge of the state department in conventional war— involving Kuwait and for administering the in power has led many Western further Western interests in the into factions. “Either we would Washington, he will have his 1.36 million troops, 7,400 tanks UN’s oil-for-food scheme, commentators and politicians to Middle East.” have to set up a puppet opportunity to tackle Saddam and 2,400 warplanes, and costing inspections and monitoring. suggest that the Coalition forces “Saddam Hussein...would government or withdraw and Iraq for the next four more than $82 billion—Iraqis Ten years on, the vexatious should have marched to Baghdad, have slipped away into the desert ignominiously without a proper years. t (Gemini) continue to suffer. They survive issue of disarming Iraq of its overthrown the Iraqi dictator and and organised a guerrilla regime in power, leaving the way on a ration of basic necessities, facilities and capabilities for established a democratic order. movement, or flown to some open for Saddam to return.” Dilip Hiro is author of Desert given almost free by the producing non-conventional General Sir Peter De La Billiere, friendly state such as Libya and It is noteworthy that Sir Peter Shield To Desert Storm: The Second Gulf War. government—a system installed weapons—biological, chemical and who commanded the British forces set up a government-in-exile. We was also reflecting the view of FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 15 Petition against Gopal Pahadi, Chakra Bastola, independent manner, without any Shanker Pandey, Dil Bahadur pressure from any side. Private FM

We don’t want a Peru here deputy secretary Gharti, Ram Chandra Poudel, and stations have fulfilled this demand for ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Chhalphal , 14 January Govind Raj Joshi. Where is the unbiased information. Many more Chhalphal, 21 January place for other people then?” people in the capital tune in to FM (Excerpts from an interview with Madhav Nepal, General Secretary, Communist Party of Nepal– stations compared to those who listen

Unified Marxist-Leninist) A petition has been filed against Clairvoyant Baba to Radio Nepal. The government ○○○○○○○○○○○ Prabhakar Adhikary, deputy secretary ○○○○○ should understand why there are so The ruling party holds that Maoists lack political character and therefore at a time at the Ministry of Information and Jana Aastha, 17 January few followers of Radio Nepal, and for dialogue, numerous reasons are given to hinder talks. Communication (MOIC), by his Because of the political character of the Maoists, the ruling party has an opportunity why people always tune into to say this. This does not however mean that there aren’t any honest people among office colleagues. The case has been For the past few days an Aghori Sagarmatha FM, Classic FM, KATH the Maoists. There are people in that organisation who are for building of an ideal society, for establishing a filed at the Commission for the Baba in Galchhi has been predicting FM, and the like. The only reason is republic and people’s government, for providing direction to the country, for providing equality and justice for Investigation of Abuse of Authority the future of many people in this because they provide more quality all, for an end to foreign intervention in our country’s affairs, and for upliftment of the poor. (CIAA). Adhikary’s colleagues accuse country. It has been reported that information and entertainment than him of abusing his authority to amass Could you clarify some of the issues and wrongs in the Maoist line of thinking? people from all strata of society have their government counterpart. News First of all let us discuss the new society that the Maoists want to create. Are other parties going to enjoy the illegal wealth and of turning his office come to meet him and have him of current events is aired immediately, same amount of space and freedom in that society? Is everyone, and every political party going to be treated into a centre of illegal activities. predict their future. He has predicted giving listeners immediate access to equally? Is everyone going to enjoy the same fundamental rights? Are political parties going to be allowed to Adhikary is chief of the frequency that Koirala will be in power for the information. This is a trait the state- present their line of thought and action to the masses? Can they counter the wrong thinking and actions of division. next four years and that no one will be owned Radio Nepal should learn to Maoists? Can they go to the people? Can they meet the masses? Are the Maoists ready to accept criticism? Earlier Adhikary was posted at the able to dislodge him. The Baba, after adapt itself to the changing times. We say all these should be allowed. These are the rights of every individual. The Maoists have to make all airport under the Civil Aviation studying the hand of the King’s chief Some people have also assumed these points clear, spell out their answers to these questions. They should not be bent upon destroying anyone ministry and at that time he was in military secretary, said that this person that the government decision has who does not toe their line. We have protested against the negative actions of the Maoists. We have criticised league with many gold smugglers. His would get only one more promotion been influenced by the Hrithik them to help them understand what is wrong with their actions and thought. The Congress is another issue. colleagues have collected proof of his Roshan scandal as well as Bharatiya While we provide constructive criticism, the Congress tries to capitalise on those very issues and gain political in his life. too went illegal activities while he was working over to have him predict her future Janata Party leader KR Malkani’s mileage. The Congress is not keen on seeing problems solved, and therefore sees nothing good with the Maoist there and have handed this over to the revolution. We have been telling the Maoists to rectify their actions and enter the political arena in a proper and it is rumoured that the Baba comment. The government has way. We are prepared to help them in whatever way is feasible. We think that this is the only way the nation can CIAA. asked her to file nomination for the accused private FM stations of fuelling benefit. Congress CWC. The Baba asked the violence. KR Malkani’s comment Loveless Congress Nona Koirala not to file her on Nepal was aired by Sagarmatha

Will the Maoists rectify their mistakes and take corrective action? ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ FM in its seven o’clock news If the Maoists desire the creation of a new society, want communist movements to benefit, provide new direction Suryodaya, 18 January nomination. to the nation and society, want to rid society of all exploiters, want people to lead better lives and want a better The crowds at Galchhi are just programme “Haal Chaal”. country, they have to give up arms. They have to move according to the wishes of the people and the country. growing bigger and it seems there is If the FM stations claim that the At present, they seem to be more of a terrorist organisation. This has helped the Congress in committing more It has been learnt that women leaders an endless line of people waiting government has not been able to talk crimes against people. of the Nepali Congress, especially their turn. Officers from the police to the Maoists or provide security for The villagers are caught between the police and the Maoists. How can they be freed from this situation? and army are almost always present the people, that is also true. In saying The country cannot accept the terrorist behaviour of either the Congress or the Maoists. Both of them will have there to meet the Baba and it has so they are certainly not supporting to rectify their mistakes. Both have a very narrow vision and line of thought and action. The Maoists smash the been heard that soldiers from the the insurgency but only asking the hands of villagers who wipe out Maoist slogans from the walls of their houses. If the slogans are not wiped out, nearby barracks go once a fortnight government to solve the crisis. It is police move in and torture these villagers. Therefore, villagers are caught between the frying pan and the fire. to clean the Baba’s ashram. Sources foolish to cover up one’s weakness The Maoists who call themselves communists are acting like the police. The people’s army cannot behave in say that the Baba is the same one instead of facing reality. the same way as the police. who had recently been chased away Whoever was tuned into Radio The Maoists have brought to the fore the problems of the country. How do you view this? from Pashupatinagar in east Nepal. Sagarmatha on the evening of 16 It is true that the actions of the Maoists have highlighted many problems of the country that had remained January must have thought the same hidden till now. Now that the country has taken notice of those problems, if we could use this opportunity for the Govt should learn because two of the regular benefit of the nation it would be very good. The country needs drastic changes, not minor face-saving changes. from private programmes “Haal Chaal”and The Maoists are attacking and destroying all their opponents. How is the UML going to counter that? “Aajako Kura”were not aired. People

To think that one communist party will fight against another is the thought of reactionaries. We do not want to media were asked to listen to the ○○○○○○○○○○○ fight with anyone or any particular party. We are prepared to fight any party politically, in the political arena, ○○○○○ programme but the station apologised but if some party wants to destroy us physically then we will have to rethink our line of action. We will be forced minister Kamala Pant, are keen to Nepal Samacharpatra, 21 January for not being able to do their job to act accordingly if anyone acts against us, and we will react to it in an appropriate manner. table a motion at the forthcoming NC saying that the government had In 1991, Congress workers in Gulmi were attacking our party workers. We asked our followers to retaliate, convention regarding love and inter- banned the broadcast of news and which they did. We were forced to take that decision. If a situation arises where the UML is forced to form an caste marriages between members of Five years after the entry of FM radio in the country, the Ministry of news-related programmes, and so army and fight the Maoists, it will only benefit the reactionary parties. They will be very happy. We want a the NC. Speaking at a function, aired music during the time. Everyone political solution to the Maoists problem. We want the Maoists and the Congress to come to the negotiating Minister Pant stated that the UML Information and Communication has banned the broadcast of news and should have the right to express their table and find a political solution. We want to fight against the evils of this society and nation and not fight any and other communist parties views in a democratic country, but other political parties. The attacks on our followers are raising problems for us, and we are really bewildered by encouraged inter-caste marriages news-related programmes on private these attacks. If this does not stop then we will have no option but to retaliate. Then this country will be another FM stations. If news is to be broadcast moves like these only block the path between members of the party and to the development of democracy. Peru. In Peru, communist parties are forced to raise their own armies, are forced to fight back. We do not want those parties took the initiative in the station has to name the govern- the same situation in this country. We believe that the present crisis cannot be solved with guns. ment source that provided the news. Instead of banning news and getting members of their party married related programmes from radio What is the reason for UML’s opposition to the Armed Police Force? if the members so desired. Inter-caste The only reason for the govern- stations the government would have If the Maoists are prepared to sit down and find a political solution to the problem, then the formation of an marriages were normal in the ment action can be that private FM done better to direct private FM armed police force is not a step in the right direction. Arms will not solve the problem. The police will acquire communist parties. stations were broadcasting baseless more arms and the Maoists will do the same. Where will all this end? Only arms dealers will benefit. Nepalis will stations to only broadcast true and The NC, in contrast, only news. Among all the private FM real news and to take responsibility fight and kill themselves. Nepalis will be the losers and this will lead to the start of a civil war. The only solution stations there is only one that does can be through dialogue; a political solution must be found. The formation of the Armed Police Force is the abuses its female members—male for anything they air. Because the work of some insidious elements in the Congress. We do not want the start of a civil war in this country. That is members fall in love with female not quote newspapers as their main government does not trust private FM why we oppose the formation of the APF. colleagues, use them and then move source of information. Even this stations they need to be constantly ahead. NC men do not have a very particular FM station has its own monitored. Now private stations can positive opinion about their female newspaper, and airs the news given by only broadcast news given out by the colleagues and this leads to its reporters. In many cases the news QUOTE OF THE WEEK government media. Why did this discrimination against NC female sent in by the reporter may not have situation arise? Why did the same I wanted to make him the ex-president but he has turned out to be ex-traordinary members. It is in this regard that been verified. It may be pre-planned ministers and government officials —Former prime minister, , on Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala’s minister Pant is going to table a or even false and the government has whose speeches were aired through re-election as party president in Ghatana Ra Bichar, 24 January. motion soon. every right to prevent such news from FM stations create a hurdle for them? being broadcast. The government’s If FM stations cannot broadcast self- Koirala coterie decision has supported the claim that collected news and information why ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ news published in the papers is false. Jana Aastha , 17 January were they allowed in the first place? The government is right in trying to The government could have prevent false rumours. But it is not liberalised policies regarding the On 16 January, Sher Bahadur Deuba always the FM stations that are at broadcast of news and information. attended the wedding reception of fault. What’s more, the private This government decision Inspector Deep Sumsher, son of IGP media gives more specific opposes the fundamental democratic Pradeep Sumsher JBR. He was and detailed right to information and media as laid overheard saying: “For the new news than the out in the Constitution of the Congress leadership I have taken into government 2047, Section 3 account and supported the candida- media. and should therefore be immedi- ture on the basis of caste, region, sex, The govern- ately done away with. The plains-based and hill-based, , ment knows of the government should instead Chettri, Newar, Rai, and Limbu. Let’s biased news that Radio follow the example of the see what Koirala will do? In his list, Nepal or Nepal Television capital and focus on there are already nine Koiralas— broadcasts. Biased news will spreading FM stations Girija, Nona, Sushil, Prakash, Bipin, never satisfy anybody. People throughout the Kingdom so Ashok, Sujata, Lila and Narayan. demand information on that all Nepalis have access There are three Acharyas—Sailaja, different aspects of religion, to news and information and Mahesh and Nar Hari. For the economy, culture, entertain- learn to love the culture remaining nine he will nominate ment, arts, etc, the and tradition of Nepal. Girija Babu! Don’t you see you can’t? You’d better opt out. people close to him—Sukhraj Sharma, dissemination of which Baldev Majghaya, Laxman Ghimire, must be done in an Himalaya Times, 21 Janury 2001

THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE PRESS 16 CITY 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES ABOUT TOWN CLASSIFIED

MOVIES Himalayan Buddhist Meditation Centre, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Naya Lito baby food and Nitti Gritti v Nepali and Hindi film tickets bookings online at www.nepalshop.com Kamaladi. Reiki II 31 Jan—1 Feb. Video Porridge.Available in all major department v Russian Film Festival Jointly organised by the Kathmandu Film Archives and the Russian Cultural screenings, meditation, residential retreats, stores. Centre. Brothers Karamazov (based on Dostoyevski’s novel): 26 January Friday, 5:30pm art workshops, yoga, dance, Reiki Soft toys, doll and flower-making. Tickets at Mandala Book Point in Jamal, GAA Hall in Thamel, Martin Chautari in Thapathali, and all Momo treatment. More info at 221875. Six-month course Rs 4,000. Ring Shama at King branches. Rs 100 and Rs 50 per show. For more information ring Martin Chautari at 246065 or email: www.dharmatours.com/hbmc [email protected] 521196. v House for rent Le Dernier Metro (The Last Ten) French with English sub-titles at Moliere Auditorium, Alliance Francaise, For sale Bhaisepati. Three ropanies. Three-storey Thapathali. 28 January Sunday. 2pm. Free. 242 832. Kinetic Marvel scooter ’98. Ring 270924 after v Free movie of your choice on big screen at The Conference Room, Gazabko Cocktail Café, Marcopolo building with dining, kitchen, three 6 pm Hotel. 27 January. 2pm. 416432. bedrooms, pool, servants quarters, guard room. Ring Prakash 981024199. Wanted SLIDE SHOW mountain bike. 10-speed, not too fancy, in The most intricately carved statues in v Glimpses of Nepal and White Water Challenges Slide show good condition. Email Kathmandu. Handmade Nepal, #211, on Nepal’s lifestyle, culture, and the jungles of the tarai. Also the [email protected] challenges of white water rafting & kayaking in Nepal. 6pm at Sanchaya Kosh Building, Trievi Marg, Ultimate Descents, Northfield Cafe, Thamel. Admission and Thamel. 253361. www.handamde- Starting this week Nepali Times offers a drinks free. 419295, 426329. nepal.com Classified section. For info about v Challenges and opportunities in re-building and re- insertions, ring NT Marketing at 543333-36. vitalising Kathmandu Slide lecture by Anil Chitrakar. Evening raises funds for a new project of the Kathmandu 2020 campaign: Training teachers to teach better about Kathmandu. Baber NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL Mahal Revisited. 27 January, Saturday. 5.30 pm. Rs 500 per head, includes refreshments at the K2 Bar and a status report booklet about Kathmandu. Reservations at 251647 or [email protected]. MUSIC v Unplugged concert and art show Voice of the Youth is a joint initiative of Godavari Alumni Association (GAA) and Academy for Audio-Visual Arts and Sciences (AA-VAS). The launch programme is an unplugged

concert and art show. Artists, including Dev Rana, George Subba, Tilak Malla, Om Bikram Bista, Yogeshwor DSES- 24-01-2001 1100 GMT Amatya, Bobin Pradhan, Sital Pun, Lasmit Rai, The Mystic and others, will work all day at the venue. Verge Leisure Inn. 26 January, Friday, 4 pm. Rs 555 per head, includes drinks and dinner. Available at the venue or ring 265718. v Fever at the Jazz Bar. Piano (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday), piano and violin (Tuesday), live jazz (Thursday and Saturday) and live Irish music (Friday). Contemporary and traditional jazz with international cuisine with drinks from a bottomless cellar, gourmet food and espresso, cognac and cigars. 435741-43 www.hotelshangrila.com v Jazz by Cadenza at Upstairs, Lazimpat. Every Saturday 7:30pm—10pm. DANCE v Odissi Dance by the renowned Odissi dancer Madhavi Mudgal and her group to mark India’s Republic No big surprises in store in the coming week. The satellite weather imagery shows isolated cloud patches Day. Sponsored by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). The Royal Nepal Academy, 25-26 moving toward the western Himalaya from West and Central Asia. The westerly jet stream has begun shifting January. More details at the Indian Embassy. 413174, 410900 south of the Himalaya, blowing in some of the clouds. A few stray patches from the Tibetan plateau even v Traditional Dances every evening at Dwarika’s Hotel courtyard. Enjoy drinks from a choice of two bars. brought a sprinkling of snow in the higher altitudes this week—still nowhere near the average precipitation for Entrance free. Reservations recommended for diners. 479488. January. Winter drought conditions prevail in the Himalayan foothills. Sporadic drizzle and flurries are v Dance Party @ Simply Shutters Bistro under the “Nepal-India bhai bhai” title to promote better Nepal- indicated for western Nepal, but nothing major. The daytime temperature has already begun to rise and will India relations. Baber Mahal Revisited. 26 January 9pm. Rs 500 per person, includes five drink coupons. continue to go up by one degree per week on average. Look out for continued haze blowing in from the Ganges plains topping off at 11,000 ft, and morning fog in Kathmandu, which will dissipate earlier than EATING OUT usual. v Chinese Food Festival A month-long festival offers a wide variety of authentic Chinese cuisine prepared with Chinese ingredients by special chefs. KATHMANDU Hotel Shangri La. For reservation and information 435741-43 or Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue www.hotelshangrila.com v Authentic Nepali sekuwa (barbecue) Regular Friday night sekuwa in a lamp-lit courtyard. Starting 2 February at Dwarika’s Hotel. Select your own 22-01 23-02 22-03 21-04 24-02 appetisers, momos, salads and choice of meats as well as delicious desserts. Package includes one free drink and lucky draw. Reservations recommended. 479488. v Weekend Brunch Mixed cuisine with a salad bar & desserts at The Fun Café, Radisson Hotel. 10:30am- QUICKWORD 17 by CROSS EYES 2:30pm. 27 January, Saturday. Rs 550 per person. 411818 v Lavish brunch with free swimming at the Shambala Garden, Shangri-La Hotel. 12pm-3pm Rs 750 with 25% discount for members. 435741 v Chulo Batta. Local Nepali cuisine—buffet lunch with live Nepali music at the Sunrise Cafe, Yak & Yeti 100 Hotel. Rs 700 + Tax. Noon. Reservations recommended, 248999 WIN A HOUR INFOCOM EXHIBITION MILLENNIUMWORTH CD v Made in Nepal 2001 Seven artists from four different countries display their work on Nepali Lokta paper RS 3600/- using natural pigments and dyes. The travelling artists came together in Kathmandu to be influenced by Nepal’s light, its people and culture, and to gather and share inspirations. They will start working at their temporary studio at the Nepal Art Council, Baber Mahal until 7 February. Visitors invited to observe the works The most convenient and economic way to surf the internet and the process. Organised by Siddhartha Art Gallery. 25-30 January. 11am-6pm. SPORTS Terms and conditions v Royal Stag Maitree Football Match Nepali film stars vs. the trekking stars of the Trekking Agents 1 The contest is open to everyone, except Association of Nepal (TAAN). The friendly match will feature film actors Jal Shah, Bhuwan KC, Gauri Malla, employees of Himalmedia Pvt Ltd and Infocom Melina Manandhar, Madan Krishna Shrestha, Vijaya Lama and others. Proceedings will be donated to the Pvt Ltd. 2 In case of more than one correct entry, the Nepal Federation of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Organised by Om Films and TAAN. Dashrath Stadium. Across 2. Old sesame winner will be decided by lucky draw. 1:30 pm. Tickets 500, 200 and 50. Available at the gates of the venue. 1. Celestial mutts, perhaps (4) accompaniment (4) 3 Entries have to reach Himalmedia, by 5 5. Shield of Zeus, 3. Ouch, a saucer slipped (4) pm, Tuesday. FESTIVAL Americanised (4) 4. Home of the Tibesti 4 The winner will be announced in the v 9. Pago Pago’s counterpart (4) massif (6) coming issue. Shree Panchami. 29 January, is celebrated as the birthday of Saraswati. Saraswati temples, like the one 5 The prize has to be collected from behind Swoyambhunath, are packed with young and old praying to the goddess of speech, letters, arts and 10. Inuit home (5) 5. First step into Freud’s 11. Net (4) being (3) Himalmedia within a week of the sciences. Parents take their kids to temples and teach them their first alphabet. The day also marks the announcement. Please come with an ID. 12. Brazilian raccoon (5) 6. French candied sweets, say beginning of spring. The King visits the Hanuman Dhoka Palace at Basantapur Durbar Square. 13. What a puparium does to a cherries (5) housefly (6) 7. Ninth letters of the Greek For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] 15. Only half-energised (3) alphabet (5) QUICKWORD ANSWER 16 16. Smooth contraception (7) 8. Baby does its diaper again (5) 18. Pure alcohol (7) 10. Pre-fridge kitchen (6) 21. Some overused sound of 14. Texture, nice on men, though Subscribe to Himal Khabarpatrika, get Nepali Times Free ! * admiration (3) in meat (6) 22. Time takes its toll (5) 17. Spitting Andean “horses” (6) 26. Come back with new 18. Grecian urn nets owner vigour (5) money (5) Newsstand price - Rs 25 28. Response to a catty 19. Fat twins’ chirpy sound (5) 1 Year subscription - Rs 530 remark (4) 20. Eighth king with six wives (5) 2 Year subscription - Rs 1000 29. Jittery but brash (5) 23. Little Latin currency, partly (4) 30. Opposing, at the beginning (4) 24. A duffel, or something 31. Puzzle the eye, partly (4) handier? (4) * With a one-year subscription get 2 month free of any 32. Stop the trunk (4) 25. A fence-sitter’s aquatic Down activity (4) The only correct entry was sent in one Himalmedia publication (Wave, Nepali Times, Himal 1. Deer’s fair play (4) 27. First woman’s dusk (3) by Terence D’Costa South Asian) With a two-year subscription get 3 month free of a To send in your entries, please fill in the details below and fax to 977-1-521013, or email to Himalmedia publication of your choice. [email protected]. Entries can be dropped off at Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur. Name...... Costomer Care Call # 543337 (0700-1700 hrs) Ph...... email...... CULTURE 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 17 SAVING FAITH The water gardens of Balaju by DESMOND DOIG

hen I first came upon the The new pools are stagnant, their fountains refuse w gardens some thirty years ago, they snuggled naturally to play. The flowerbeds try valiantly to battle the into the mountainside they were built press of people.

upon. Clear water tanks fed from ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ mountain springs were full of carp, ○○○○○○○○○○○○ some so large they must have been amusing story that dismisses an at Balaju. Here the kings of Nepal may there for years. They glided about in artist’s creativity too glibly. worship without fear, for it is generally the most subtle of greys, greens, blues I can remember lawns as natural believed that were the king to die as a and silver, rising in splashing as forest clearings, and a pilgrim’s rest result of looking upon the excitement to be fed by visitors. At the house hidden behind willow trees. Buddhanilkantha image, great and time of the bathing festival in April, Also, a small sacred tank, untouched, terrifying would be the misfortunes when the area is crowded with vividly in which a large stone image of Vishnu that would befall the kingdom. dressed pilgrims, the fish gormandise. reclines on a bed of snakes. It is a Today this garden carved from the But they alone do not make Balaju. fairly faithful replica of the great forests that cover the sacred mountain The gardens, built by a Malla king Lichhavi image at Buddhanilkantha, of Nagarjun, have been landscaped who apparently craved peace and north of the gardens, but lacks the with an elaborate use of concrete. solitude, are famous for their twenty- serenity and perfect proportions of the There are flowerbeds and pools shaped two carved stone fountains, that stand original. It is said that a Malla king like fish and clubs and diamonds and in a line below the tanks, emptying had water channelled from the sacred spades and hearts. Usually the new themselves into a long, shallow pool at Buddhanilkantha to the palace pools are stagnant and their fountains bathing pool. The central fountain is in Kathmandu. On the very night that refuse to play. The flowerbeds try enormous and bathers battle the force the water splashed into a palace pool, valiantly to battle the press of people. of its gushing water. All are carved to the monarch had a dream in which At one corner of the gardens is a resemble water monsters with curled Vishnu of the blue throat appeared to modern swimming pool, which is a trunks, staring eyes, ferocious teeth him. The god warned that not only source of great pleasure to locals and and tongues aflame. It is explained the king but his descendants would visitors. I am being romantic and that the sculptor responsible for these die if ever they went to see the outdated, I know, but I love the handsome water spouts had never reclining image at Buddhatiilkantha. natural levels of the old gardens, the seen the crocodiles he So the king had a replica of the image forests all about and the trees full of endeavoured to portray; an made and installed with due ceremony birdsong. It hardly matters. Balaju is essentially a place of pilgrimage, and pilgrims and Saturday bathers have Tibetan people. As a result, it is a spot their ablutions firmly in mind. Beauty of deep significance to Tibetan is secondary. Buddhists who have erected a stupa The whole of the Balaju area is on the summit of the mountain. Close unsound mind before disappearing sacred. The mountain Nagarjun that by also is the sacred hill of Mhaipi into Tibet. rises in great folds about it is from which clay was taken to build None of these considerations idly through the clear water. And associated with the Buddha. It seems the temple of Machhendranath in prevented Balaju from becoming a though some of the fountains threaten that when he visited Nepal and Patan. It is known to be the abode modern industrial area, where almost to run dry, there will always be intended to journey into Tibet the of powerful witches and spirits who everything is manufactured from silk pilgrims and weekend bathers to forces of evil in that country were so had to be subdued by tantric priests and watches to Coca-Cola. The town use them. strong the Buddha was advised not to before the earth could be removed. spreads alarmingly below Nagarun but If only the modern fountain go. Instead, he climbed the Nagarjun And just across a shallow river from stops short at the forest wall. The would play. t hill from where, facing the great barrier Balaju is the hill top retreat of Guru trees and the still comforting peace of (Excerpted with permission from of mountains that separate Nepal from Nanak, the great saint of Sikhism, gardens will surely remain. There are In the Kingdom of the Gods, Some of the fountains try to pump water today. MIN BAJRACHARYA Tibet, he delivered a sermon to the who cured a Nepalese monarch of still fat carp in the water tanks, sailing HarperCollins, 1999.)

NEPALITERATURE by OUR MISTAKEN PAST, OUR MISTAKEN PRESENT:

When Kathmandu erupted in riots end- THE HISTORY OF MY COUNTRY SEEMS WRONG TO ME and letting both arms sag December, I got a request to write about like the boughs of a willow tree Bhupi Sherchan’s Yo Hallai Hallako Desh When I take a few days’ lodgings I feel like performing Ho—‘This is a Country of Hearsay and Rumour.’ The request and witness a sacrifice of my own blood came from none other than Nepali Times columnist Artha these junctions drowned in hunger Beed: that all wildly hard-headed business minds would keep these alleys like wilted blossoms— When I take a few days’ lodgings an active interest in arts and literature. Indeed, for many dark the history of my country seems wrong to me and witness days, parts of Nepal resembled the land described in these junctions drowned in hunger Sherchan’s poem: These deities who excavate dirt these alleys like wilted blossoms— the history of my country seems wrong to me where the daggers of security in the middle of the road, are carried by plastered hands these people who understand Amar Singh reached Kangada I hear where baskets and baskets but act dumb, Tenzing climbed Sagarmatha I hear dokos and kharpans this earthquake-stricken shrine Buddha sowed seeds of peace in the earth I hear trucks and trucks and Arniko’s craftsmanship won the world’s heart I hear of decorative souls these crooked temple tops, I always hear and only hear I hear are adorned on verandas and pathways these lords who stand as statues but I don’t believe where those who buy and sell souls at the intersections like shares in the stock exchange When I see all these always here When I take a few days’ lodgings become our leaders always like this always the same— and witness my history of windstorms these junctions drowned in hunger This poem was widely quoted in papers at that time, and seems wrong to me these alleys like wilted blossoms— many agreed with Sherchan in saying: the history of my country seems wrong to me if one were to dig up the foundation of each house here Seeing innumerable Sitas only hearsay and rumours would be heaped up there forever at the roads and crossings My true history— that’s why this is a country of hearsay and rumour in the alleys this is a country standing on hearsay and rumour in the markets Sherchan’s astonishing, emotive and uncompromisingly critical this is a country founded on hearsay and rumour through the world poems can be read in the original in his classic collection this is a country of hearsay and rumour stripped naked like a eucalyptus tree, Ghumne Mechmaathi Andho Manchhe (The Blind Man on a and seeing innumerable Bhimsen Thapas Revolving Chair). Scattered translations have also been done by In another less-quoted poem, Sherchan deepens this who stand unmoving still calm quiet, , Michael Hutt, Wayne Amtzis, Kunda Dixit theme further, and I’ve translated it in its entirety below: stopping my soul’s song and others. 18 SPORTS A 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES last victory lap Michael Johnson, one of the greatest wdn ad athletes of our time, is calling it quits. LONDON — Michael Johnson formally embarked on the longest victory lap of his career last week with the ruthless business sense that has characterised his career. The only man to win both 200 and 400 metres Olympic titles confirmed he would retire at the end of the season and said he had no plans to compete in the Edmonton world championships. Instead, the 33-year-old American said that he would make a farewell tour of the athletics circuit before moving on to the next stage of his life. Yet, as always, there was no misty-eyed romanticism as Johnson looked back on matchless achievements and forward to a lucrative future in television and the lecture circuit. Johnson, who retained the Olympic 400 meters title in Sydney last year, agreed that the Goodwill Games in Brisbane this year would be a fitting place to finish his final year in the sport he has graced for a decade. But, keenly aware of his commercial value, he made no promises. “It would be great for me to end my career at the Goodwill Games at the end of the year,” he said. “But, as with everything, it will depend on my negotiations with the promoters.” Johnson said he could have waved goodbye after Sydney after bringing the curtain down on an unmatched career during which he won five Olympic gold and nine world titles. Confirming his complete dominance over the half and one- lap sprints, Johnson was never beaten in a major final. “But it’s important for me to go back and see all the fans who have supported me over the years and say goodbye,” he said in his deep Texan drawl. During his first European tour in 1990, Johnson realised for the first time he could become a millionaire in a sport he had first entered through a pure love of speed. He devoted himself through rigorous preparation, the power of positive thought and a keenly analytical mind to becoming the perfect running machine, with his distinctive rapid strides compensating for legs comparatively short for his long upper body. The result was a unique 200-400 double at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and a world record of 19.32 seconds in the shorter event. Johnson identified the Atlanta Games, staged in sultry heat against the backdrop of raw southern rock ‘n’ roll as the highlight of his career. “I was the first man to compete the 400 and 200 meters double,” he said. “This was probably the biggest challenge in my entire career, I am very proud of it.” Further notable feats were to follow, including running the anchor leg in the world record-breaking 4x400 meters relay team at the 1998 Goodwill Games and setting a world record over 400 meters at the Seville world championships the following year. Still after Atlanta, the challenges inevitably dwindled and the one match-up, which could have elevated the Sydney Games track program from good to great, was never destined to take place. Neither Johnson, the defending Olympic champion, nor his compatriot Maurice Greene, current world champion, finished the 200 meters final at the US trials and the great duel finished before it had begun. Johnson expressed no regrets about not now having the chance to vanquish the world 100 meters record holder. “I think that Michael racing against Maurice this year is dead,” he said. Greene, along with nine-time Olympic champion Carl Lewis, did not get a mention on Johnson’s all-time favourite opponents. In their place, he chose Namibian Frankie Fredericks, the 1993 world 200 champion and the only man, Johnson said, to have defeated him over 200 or 400 when he was completely fit. Fredericks beat Johnson over 200 in Oslo before the Atlanta Games but, like the rest of the field, was demolished in the Olympic final. Now, with athletic ambition sated and no further goals on the track, it is time to say goodbye. There will be no special times and no further targets for Johnson. “No, I’m tired,” he said. “Now I want to go out and enjoy it.” t (cnn) 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES 19 OFF THE BEATEN TREK by SALIL SUBEDI

A devotional marathon ALL PHOTOS: MIN BAJRACHARYA

Clockwise from left: Sprinkling holy water on a devotee ready to begin his roll; the power of devotion becomes apparent as another goes about it; Bhimsen Mandir, where a major puja will take place at the end of the month; puja at Bajrayogini , where devotees pray before the first pilgrimage; and Rabi Nath Shrestha, manager of the event.

book. There are Newari, Nepali, in Sankhu. They also undertake a The Swasthani Brata is one month of fasting, prayer Maithali and Hindi versions of the barefoot piligrimages to four sacred and penance. Not to mention the walking and rolling. Swasthani. Last year, an English sites in the Valley—Pashupatinath,

version was also published. the Sekh Narayan Temple in ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ The bratalu at Sankhu Pharping, Panauti and the Changu f you’re interested in extreme Shali river in Sankhu to re-enact an This very-Nepali festival undertake the fast to cleanse their Narayan Temple nearby. They idisplays of faith, go to Sankhu ancient custom. This year, there are revolves around the Swasthani, a souls and pray for good spouses and follow the ka-jee, who carries the next Wednesday. It may not 329 people (18 men, 311 women) text with stories from the Puranic happy families. There’s no temple idol of Madhav Narayan—the chief match fire-walking, body-piercing undertaking the penance—most are tradition. The book has creation specifically for them—the river is deity of the Bratalu—and live on a great hikes anytime of year. The and self-flagellation, but it is still from Bhaktapur (108) and Sankhu myths, stories about Parvati’s their god, and they also pray at diet of rice, red radish, chaku (hard first takes in Pashupati and Sekh hard penance—a group of men (81), and the rest from the mid-hills devotion to Shiva, and about the other temples like the Bhairab boiled molasses), ghee, sugarcane, Narayan and it began on 23 wrapped in white and rolling on the and the tarai. The festival began on marriage of a girl-child, Goma temple, Shiva temple, and Bhimsen fruit and peas, milk and palungo January. The first night out is cold ground all over Sankhu, the full moon night of 9 January Brahmani, to Shiva disguised as an temple. Each day begins with a dip saag (spinach) grown at Patan. always at Pashupati, after an early- followed by women chanting this year and ends on 8 February, ageing man. The Swasthani has in the river. Shirkers are dragged “This is a very old tradition. Only morning dip in the Shali river and a prayers. the next full moon, with a big been criticised by Hindu reformists and pushed into the water. Then palungo grown around Chyasal in hike to the hilltop temple of the These are the bratalu—fasting yagya—the devotional pyre, all- for glorifying child marriage and there is a collective puja by the Patan is allowed,” says 62-year-old power-goddess Bajrayogini. The devotees who attend the month- night puja, and the chanting of sanctioning discrimination against riverbank. And, once a day, the men Ravi Nath Shrestha, chairman of next day, a dip in the Bagmati at long festival on the banks of the Vedic verses. women, but this time of year circumambulate the shrine at the Swasthani Brata Sewa Committee, Pashupati Aryaghat, and they’re at households across the country— Shree Ram Jhopadi at Sankhu which manages the bratalu puja. Sano Gaucharan for lunch. The HAPPENINGS Thakali, Gurung, Newar, Chhetri Bazaar, rolling on the floor. The walk is restricted to march then continues to Narayan and Bahun—have readings from the The devotees don’t only remain devotees, but their route makes for Hiti outside the Royal Palace, though Bhotahiti, Ason, Jana Bahal, Makkhan Tole, Hanuman Dhoka and Basantapur, onward to Thapathali. It passes over the Bagmati bridge at Kupondole and heads towards Pharping’s Sekh Narayan Temple via Jawalakhel, Nakhu, Bagmati Korikhana and Hattiban. They reach their destination for the night halt. After puja at the Sekh Narayan temple the bratalu go through Pharping Town and head back, taking SEVEN COMMANDEMENTS: Nepali Congress leadership gets down to brasstacks a slightly different route through at the beginning of their party convention in Pokhara on 19 January underneath a Bungamati, Lagankhel and Mangal banner proclaiming “seven social sins”. Bazar. They stop at Sankhamul for a meal. After that it’s a long hard trail as the road winds through Baneswor, Pashupati, Baudha and finally to Sankhu. The second pligrimage this year starts on 27 January. It takes the bratalu to Panauti for the night, before moving the next day through Kharpati, Bageswori, Pasuram Chhap, Nala and on to Banepa. The third and final one is held on 4 February and this is the relatively short one to Changu ROTARIANS, ALL: Participants at a Youth Leadership Award organised by the Narayan. The grand finale takes Rotary Club of Kathmandu Midtown’ 12-16 January at Budanilkantha School. place on 8 February. The night sky of Sankhu is lit up with flames from the grand yagya, and the bratalu, together with friends and family, sing devotional chants and pray as they end their vows and get ready to return home. t

Getting to Sankhu: The ancient Newari town is 12 km northeast of Kathmandu. Microbus services are available from Jorpati. Sankhu once lay on the trade route to Tibet that went via Kuti, before its importance diminished after a new route was established to Tibet through CATCHING UP WITH THE TIMES: Bollywood star and neice of Prime Kalimpong. The day to be in Minister Girija Koirala was in Pokhara last week to campaign for her father’s Sankhu is 31 January, the day the candidacy in the Congress working committee. bratalu roll on the ground. 20 26 JANUARY - 1 FEBRUARY 2001 NEPALI TIMES this mid-term review to the complex dynamics of NEPALI SOCIETY Under My Hat underdevelopment. We are taking a holistic approach, a strategic macro-economic perspective in attaining end- by Kunda Dixit degree refinement, a multi-sectoral institutionalisation of all PAC Man trilateral and bilateral monitoring and evaluation adame Chair, Their Excellencies, Their mechanisms in the process of re-intermediarisation of oliticians have learnt the m Highnesses, His and Her Eminences, sequenced interventions for sustained resource mobilisation p hard way not to under- Honourable Donors, Honorary Self-Appointed within the framework of economic globalisation and estimate this soft-spoken Guardians of this Country’s Morals, Ordinary Fellows, national-level programme strategies so that a selective chairman of the Public Accounts Distinguished Ladies, and the Distracted Gentleman at the allocation of these resources can be fine-tuned for optimum Committee (PAC). Subash back. Yes, I mean you, near the window wearing the red utilisation and disbursement to all and sundry. To this end, Chandra Nemwang, Nepal’s muffler. At the outset let me thank the organisers of this Six- the requirement of a supportive environment from all foremost anti-corruption crusader, Day Interaction Programme on the Sustainable stake-holders cannot be overemphasised and understressed. feels his job is to raise hell. And he is giving everyone who has Development of Grassroot Constituencies Through Self-correcting mechanisms for proper TORs to meet the something to hide a hard time, Empowerment of Local Multi-Stakeholders Through a governance goals of appropriate CCCP, self-fulfilling from the Prime Minister down. Paradigm Shift in Their Agenda-Setting Role in the Context STCRDP/RSP, and participatory LSGDA are going to be Nemwang is a member of the Central Committee of the Unified A multi-steakholder approach Marxist-Leninist party, but he seems to take his PAC job much more seriously. This is his third

of Economic vital ingredients in creating an enabling environment in the stint in parliament, his first eight MIN BAJRACHARYA Globalisation Phase II of the DSRSL Framework and empowering the years were spent in the Upper organised by His grassroots through the construction of earthquake-resistant House. Since May 1999 he’s been Majesty’s capacity buildings. We must look at mis-directed priorities representing his Ilam constituency in the Lower House. Government in by military society and civil society for effective political The 47-year-old Nemwang’s corporation with advocacy. In this day and age no one trademark gentility belies no- Subhash Chandra Newwang, the soft- FEDUP, UNDO, can say he, she or it is nonsense investigative instincts USURP, DEFEAT and not a proactive honed over 22 years as an attorney spoken MP from Ilam, strikes terror in the FINITO. So, now that Nepal participant in action research and an exchange of specialising in constitutional law and hearts of corrupt government officials Television has finally arrived, we can get on with the job of experiences to bring about a win-win situation for all criminal jurisprudence. It’s the same declaring open this seminar-workshop without further ado beneficiaries and target groups. This is why we have to potent combination of humility, accuse us of trying to run a parallel PAC is already fully accessible to and beating around the bush. doubly redouble our efforts to rectify all wrongs so that we politeness, wit and intensity that has executive. That probably means we the press. Journalists are not just As you all must be knowing Nepal is a landlocked address the structural policy-polity dichotomies that disarmed the most reluctant of are doing our jobs right.” Nemwang present at PAC hearings but there’s Himalayan kingdom that is entering a new millennium. It is hobble our efforts to empower our energy sector so that the witnesses in courtrooms, that is now and his PAC of about two dozen a good chance of finding one in important for all Nepalis not be disoriented by the thickets initiatives will ultimately trickle down to the light-bulb at at work at hearings of PAC. MPs has latched onto almost every Nemwang’s chambers as well, either Nemwang laughs off his reputation of jargon in the farrago of twisted facts, and be clear about the end of the tunnel. It is imperative that at the present shady government decision and chatting with MPs, making phone for politeness: “Last week some ripped it apart—in most cases calls or sipping tea—courtesy PAC. our short-, mid-, and long-term goals. The fact is that we time, as soon as I give you the signal, we observe a one-hour officials we were questioning were rightfully. “This is called transparency,” quips now need a steering committee that prioritises a bottoms- silence to re-read all our past speeches so that we can self- even more polite than me!”, he says, At PAC hearings it is MPs who Nemwang. up approach to internalise the totality of the changing evaluate how much of it has been hot air. “Ready? On your referring to the hearings on bank do most of the grilling. Nemwang “I knew corruption was a major paradigms. And we are not just paying lip service today in mark. Get set. Go!” t reforms. listens quietly, and when he does problem facing Nepal before I joined Nemwang’s PAC has taken on speak it is always to have the last the PAC, now I have seen for myself ministries considered untouch- word. Not only has he chaired what a deep mess we are in,” he says. able. It killed a plan by the Royal almost all committee meetings of PAC meets throughout the year, with mayos Nepal Army to buy a British jet, the PAC, but he’s has also a hearing almost every week. That and has looked into the shady managed to get the polarised means Nemwang has little time for dealings of the Nepal Police, not parliament to vote unanimously on his constituents in faraway Ilam. But to mention the jet-leasing deal of all PAC decisions. A donor-funded he is not worried: “My voters told me Royal Nepal Airlines where he had project aims to make parliament to rock the boat, and that’s what I am the prime minister on the stand. more accessible to the media. doing.” And what a boat-rocker he’s Says Nemwang: “Sometimes they They needn’t bother: Nemwang’s turned out to be. t CAN AD FOR P11

ambassador vodka