#98 14 - 20 June 2002 16 pages Rs 20 A home of one’s own 8-9

sions about local realities and fighting strategy, Comrade Bijaya descends into EXCLUSIVE service to learn how their war is going elsewhere. They appear to have the runromanticism and rhetoric when asked Mao power of this territory, but seem distanced about the larger goals of the Nepali from the insurgency in other parts of Maoists. “Our fight is for the Political power may come out of the country. Still, Comrade Bijaya is oppressed all over the world. We are the barrel of a gun, but hydropower confident sitting in his mountain no longr fighting the Nepali must still come out of a turbine. eyrie. He knows his guerrillas can government. It is the imperialists we Even in Maoland. The tiny 25-EYEWITNESS are engaged with.” kilowatt hydropower unit at Khola easily melt away into the folds and Gaon, Seti Gaad in Rukum wasA first-hand account from the Maobadi epicentre.valleys of eastern Rolpa. “Our network How can Maoism succeed here built by local Maoists last year lets us know when there is movement when it has failed everywhere else? of the security forces. The govern- “We learn from the mistakes made ment’s informants, on the other hand, elsewhere. The primary mistake in the are local anti-socials hiding in the past was the inability to get the middle class to ride along. We will rectify that.” Comrade Bijaya also says that sadarmukam[district headquarters].” under a Maoist dispensation there will Bijaya will talk about his fighters’ be room for all the political parties that after they blew up the 150 kW motivation levels and the atrocities of exist today, and that the high Bijeswori hydro at Chaurjhari. The the state, but won’t acknowledge command is preparing a political Rs 150,000 plant supplies power to SRIBHAKTA KHANAL SRIBHAKTA questions about the forced conscription 15 households. Security forces document to incorporate this new personnel visited the plant twice of very young people that is so strategy to take other forces with them. but did not blow it up as the obviously a reality here. He also The Maoist plan, he told us, is to Maoists would have done because challenges strategies of the PLA that proceed simultaneously on the military they thought it was “creative work.” many in the national press take as and political front. givens. “We do not use human up in the hierarchy, he agrees to be shields—the Janamukti Sena is interviewed. We speak to him by perfectly capable of fighting on its candle-light. own. And why should we cut heads? I Thirty-something Comrade Bijayawould not like to be identified while women, most of about high-school introduces himself as a member of the alive, but once dead, it doesn’t matter.” Kanak Mani Dixitp4 Showdown THAPA DEEPAK age, some playing volleyball. Sud- Rolpa District Committee of the CPN In sharp contrast to his discus- East Rolpa, 10 June 2002: A company of the People’s Liberation Army prepares to march out. A people’s war Fifty years after it was set up, the denly, you notice a weapon, and then (Maoist). A disciple of Baburam Nepali Congress is closer today to another, and another. There is no Bhattarai, he started his political KANAK MANI DIXITin EAST ROLPA a formal split than it has ever ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○ turning back, and as you enter the career, like his mentor, with the All- been. But it speaks for the hidden n this trail up Sulichaur circle all eyes are on you, surprised India Nepali Students’ Federation. He resilience of this fractious party towards Thawang in eastern and suspicious. Boys in their early teaches political theory to the cadre, that people still haven’t given up Rolpa, no one meets your eye. teens walk around with 303s on their and speaks with an ideological fervour on a last-minute patch-up. ThisO time, however, the bad blood runsNo one poses the jovial queries you shoulders. Some lug SLRs, or sit by that must be what makes young men too deep. And unity, even if it ishear on paths all over Nepal. They their weapons and backpacks. It’s and women rush to battle in the name forged, may not last beyond thedon’t want to know who you are, snack time, and these young fightersof the Prachanda Path. War widows day the tickets for the Novemberwhere you are going, where you are are determinedly spooning up some Comrade Bijaya starts off listing RITA THAPAin SURKHET ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ elections are announced. The rootcoming from. kind of energy-giving powdered of the crisis has always been the the Maoists’ successful battles against As in all conflict areas, Nepal’s insurgency has affected the most party’s inability to sort out its inter-This is the birthplace and formula mixed with cold water. the government—attacks on police vulnerable section of the population the worst. Women and children, generational power transfer. Theheartland of the Maobadi movement We’ve walked into a full company posts and the subsequent engagements widows, orphans, and internally displaced families are trying to Young Turks are imaptient, theand its “People’s War”. Seven months of the People’s Liberation Army at rest.with the army. “We learnt how to fight survive from day to day, the hardships of their ordinary lives now septuagenarian leaders are into the emergency and the deploy- A long and worrisome period of as we went along, and Holleri was a made extraordinary. unwilling to let go, and both have In faraway Kathmandu, there is big talk of big money. Millions of powerful cronies. A party split, ment of the army, and the residents of questioning follows. They seem turning point. Step-by-step we have however, would collectively hurtRolpa all are dulled by wariness. unconvinced by our answers and pass polished our skills and proved our dollars to fight the war, more millions in development assistance. sides: the good the bad and theTravelling in eastern Rolpa this week, us on to a platoon commander, a claim that we can take on the military. There is a lot of talk about governance and delivery. But here, on ugly. Ex-Lt Col Narayan Singh Punthe humanscape is reflected in two scowling man of perhaps 25—old for We started with household imple- Ground Zero, the widows and orphans, bereaved and now destitute, and close Deuba supporter hasextremes. One is 66-year-old Kumbhathis group—who interrogates us and ments and sticks, moved on to SBMLs need immediate relief. They cannot wait. Where are the NGOs, where are the donors, where is the government? already registered a party Singh Pun who spent 28 years says that we will have to walk with and 303s, and then to SLRs, LPMGs, (tentatively called the Nepal It does not take too long in Surkhet to realise that this once-vibrant Samanta Party). This could be working in India. “I could have settledthem further into the jungle, while GPMGs and 2 -inch mortars.” hub of the mid-west has turned Deuba’s Plan B, but Pun says thethere, but I came back here in 1993 they contact higher-ups to decide what (“SBML”, by the way, is the euphe- into a township at the edge of a independent party is his own idea.because this is the land of my birth. It to do with us. We cannot go, we say, mistic acronym the Maobadi have war zone. There has been a dusk- was so peaceful here, but now there is we have a deadline to meet in coined for single-barrel muzzle- to-dawn curfew everyday in Thethe suffering and only conflict and destruction. This is Kathmandu, but this is ignored, and itloaders.) The weapons and ammuni- town and on its outskirts. not the Rolpa I came back to die in.” increasingly begins to look like he will tion in this particular company Mysterious gunshots punctuatemisery of Surkhet’s The other is a short, stocky teenagetake us over the pass whether we like it indicates an inefficient array, but the the night, and the next morningwar-displaced no is militant, behind whose pleasant or not, in the rain and the fading light.Red Army’s relentless quest for one seems to know who shot whom. On the streets, there is the demeanour lies a hardened Maobadi It is fortuitous that Comrade armoury may slowly change that. sound of curfew violators beingheartbreaking. chased and beaten up. The pall of “According to Mao’s dictates, we fear is pervasive. The warm and generous people with their happy fighter. He has seen fighting in all the Bijaya arrives just as we are about to greetings are a thing of the past. People don’t make eye-contact recent theatres—Dang, Satbaria, Lisne,give in. He is smiling and communi- first built weapons and are now at the snatching stage. We aren’t anymore, they avert their gaze. Gam and the most recent debacle in cative and evidently the political The town is full of boys and girls who fled the conflict in the hills. Weekly Internet Poll # 38 Khara. He has seen comrades fall to thecommissar of the place. “You under- buying them yet, but when we need In a lodge in Surkhet is 15-year-old Shyam*. His father had left home, Q. Should the Nepali Congress split and bullet, and has obviously himself stand why we have to be suspicious of to, we will.” get it over with? and the boy stayed with his mother. But his mother told him to run killed, many times over. Why do you you. The security forces are active, we Isolated in these mountains, the away for fear that the Maoists would recruit him. There are similar fight, we ask him. “For the people and have just lost six of our workers, and fighters tune into Radio Nepal’s news boys in almost every hotel and teashop in Surkhet. Many have come the country.” What if you die? “I will you come here unannounced, without recently, brought by worried parents who were being forced to send be remembered in history.” permission.” Finally, convinced of our one offspring to join the rebels. Among the guests in the hotels are We are walking high up near the journalistic credentials, and having other transient young men, on their way to India or further afield—to apparently consulted a leader further try to find work and also to get away from the Maoists, or avoid being flanks of Jaljala mountain in eastern picked up by the security forces. Rolpa, a massif that is part of Maoist lore. The terrain is steep on all sides, but you chance upon a clearing. There Total votes: 1567 are young men and some young

Weekly Internet Poll # 39. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Q. Should King Gyanendra be more assertive to restore political stability? see p5 that brings equity and helps the poor, how can there be any lasting 22 EDITORIAL 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES peace? 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES 333 222 Without peace and hence, Nepali Times is published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor:Kunda Dixit Editor:Anagha Neelakantan STATE OF THE STATE by CK LAL without tourism, what will happen Design:Kiran Maharjan to existing teashops, lodges, [email protected], www.nepalitimes.com LETTERS Advertising:Sunaina Shah [email protected] trekking companies, and (for the Subscription:Anil Karki [email protected] WIDENING GYRE very rich) airlines? Every insurgentcoverage of Standard Charteredmood. in After CK Lal’s thought- Sales:Sudan Bista [email protected] the country think at this moment.attack in Solu-Khumbu makes theNepali Times (“We are here to provoking column, I go directly to Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur In response to CK Lal’s apocalyp- GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu, Nepal tic musings in “A year later” (#96) , The threat to democracyworld headlines as having stay,” #95), this gender angle wasyour column. These days, I am Tel: 01-543333-7, Fax: 01-521013 looms seriously after thehappened at the “foot of Everest”. curious to see if your hat will be Printed at Jagadamba Press: 01-521393 let me quote from WB Yeats’ missed out. Maoism in the monsoon How can all of us work to make brand new. Interestingly, it always “Second Coming”: irresponsible political After consistently admonishing Turning and turning in the Solu-Khumbu, a zone of peace is. What is the secret? leaders of the Nepali my dear ones in Namche and Solu The tarai’s passion for the monsoon overwhelms a fear of the insurgency.widening gyre with the hope that it will influence Khumbu to make duplicates of all ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Congress have pushed the the rest of Nepal? What is really The falcon cannot hear the official documents such as land Subindra Bogati, The falconer; country to the precipice. more important to our livelihoods ownership certificates (so that there Netherlands BARIYARPUR, BARA - The temple of Things fall apart; the centre A month ago, when comingfrom tourism than promoting a HE SHIP OF STATE resolution that can lead to lastingis proof even after district head- “Blubber” in last week’s T Gadhi Mai has made this place famous. cannot hold; here to Europe, a journalist of quarters’ records are destroyed, as Merely anarchy is loosened upon peace? here were few tourists, but a recent flight out of Kathmandu wasOnce full. every four years, more goats and good repute told me that King was the case for many whose Letters column was really the world ... Frances Klatzel, Kathmandu The back of the plane was packed with a hundred Nepali workersbuffaloes off are slaughtered here in a month- Gyanendra invited him for an records were sacrificed to the unnecessary. Some Dr Govinda to Malaysia—most had sold their land to afford the ticket and fees of Surely some revelation is at hand. audience and shared his vision, but Maoists’ “fire puja” at Salleri lastLuitel character seems to hate T long ritual sacrifice than anywhere else in Kanden Thebe, Yangrup, didn’t listen to what the journalist Kunda Dixit’s guts. I have also labourdalals euphemistically called “manpower agents”. The middle of the fall), and keep a set of copies in a the world. But for rest of the time, it is very Taplejung had to say. I don’t think King separate place, such as a safetyfound Under my Hat not up to par plane had a boisterous group of a dozen senior civil servants of Hismuch Majes- a village like any other in the central Gyanendra will act the way his deposit box at a Kathmandu bank,a few times, but it is usually light ty’s Government off for a two-week administration and managementtarai, training where life revolves around the vagaries father did four decades ago. imagine my dismay to find thatreading when you are in a good of senior executives. And right in front was the Nepali delegation headed for mood, and on the whole of nature. People in other parts of the world there are no more lockers avail- a follow-up to the World Food Summit in Rome. still look at him suspiciously due to able in at least two of my banks:enjoyable. There you had it: three classes of Nepali society (first, business andThe main concern of the villagers here last year’s royal carnage. Any bold, Bank of Kathmandu, and StandardWhether you were born in the LETTER FROM BANGKWANG but mistaken, step by him will harm economy) that in a sense reflected the state of the country today. Ifis there neither the intensity of the Maoist Chartered. Looks like we have toUS or UK, Iceland or Ireland, him a lot. Today’s world is com- had been any doubts about it, now there shouldn’t be: by every developmentinsurgency nor the possibility of mid-term Thank you for printing my letter return to the ancient system of Timbuktu or Zamboanga, male from Bangkwang Prison in pletely different from that of 40 indicator Nepal is the poorest country in one of the world’s poorest regions. secret stashes in nooks and asses are, I think, known as jack- elections, but the unpredictable tempera- Thailand (#91). It means a lot to years ago. We are at the bottom of the heap. Even compared with the economic crannies of private property. If oneasses and not jenny asses. All of ment of the upcoming monsoon. Resigned us Nepalis here. I believe that with is lucky enough to own any private disparities within South Asian countries, according to the UN, the gap Maoists have gone against the very us know Kunda’s gender, so is this to the hard reality of the rebels’ atrocities as help from people like you on the property. between rich and poor in Nepal is starker. But by far the most glaring nature of women. They have totally Washingtonian grammar or slang MIN BAJRACHARYA outside something in our situation ARTHA BEED indicator of development, or lack thereof, is hunger. And the most glaringwell as the establishment’s impotence in failed to recognise feminist or what? Keep on hating Kunda, will change for sure. All my Nepali most of us enjoy it. fact about hunger is that there are more hungry people in Nepal todaytackling than lawlessness, people seem to have principles and never wanted to give Artha Beed’s “Amrika-return” (#94) brothers here convey our heartfelt Name withheld on requestlooks at US-Nepal relations. The ten years ago. fallen back in the comfortable embrace of gratitude and appreciation forpeace a chance. CK Lal has unnecessarily United States, or any other country In 1992, there were 3.5 million Nepalis who were undernourished.an Today,endemic fatalism. your interest in our matters. We for that matter, will not step into S Rana, Kathmandu the number of chronically-hungry has gone up to five million. One in everyThe threat of a Maoist attack is like any now at least have hope that one dragged King Mahendra’s decisionareas where it does not see any five Nepalis (most of them women and children) doesn’t get enough food to day we will once more see our to marry the girl of his choice inbenefits, a direct or indirect, Lozang Sherpa, Solu KhumbuDr Amrit KC, Bishalnagar other manifestation of the wrath of god that But despite the risks associated with loved ones back home, and our political article (“Past imperfect, meet the minimum daily calorie requirement. These figures were calculated NEPALI TALEBAN economic or otherwise. US foreign Doesn’t Dr Govinda Luitel devastates the village every so often— motherland. It gives us a reason to future uncertain,” #96). If Mr Lalpolicy is is guided by self-interest. I two years ago and represent the situation before the Maoist insurgency the passion of the monsoon, life without it This letter is in response to Dr MORE PICTURES read US newspapers? Surely floods, fire, famine and communicable Kalidasa waxes eloquent about the clouds in live on, no matter what predica- republican, that is all right. In aam not saying that what is in the spiralled out of control after November. Today, large parts of the chronically is unimaginable. Rains feed the crop, floods Deepak Shimkhada (Letters, #96). I even Kunda Dixit cannot his celebrated classicMeghdoot without ment and circumstances we may democracy everyone has a rightUS’s to benefit could not be benefi-Thanks for displaying some of the food-deficit mid and far-western districts face a food crisis of catastrophicdiseases such as kala azar and cholera. completely agree that the Maoists’ outshine Dubya’s Bushisms. As to invigorate the rice-fields with silt, and the face here. have his view. But he has no rightcial to us. But we have to pausepictures to of the late King Birendra proportions. Those who survive such calamities tell the sparing a thought for the poor who live in destruction of institutions of the question of Dixit’s genius, the humid wind makes the bamboo sing. Puskar KC ìNimaî, Thailand to insult the memory of one of theconsider all the implications of and his family by Dr Khagendra the mortal fear of the impending storm in knowledge and wisdom makes them consensus of the Nepali literati is Much of the land lies fallow. Most able-bodied men have fled the storyfighting, to their grandchildren. Those who are greatest kings in Nepali history. suchMr a move before we pass anyBahadur Shrestha in your Internet Pigeons go into a huddle, but sparrows more than the Taleban. The Maoist that he is the only Nepali writer fit there is no one to plant the next season’s crop. Villagers have eitherfated eaten to, die. There’s no point worrying their makeshift shelters out in the paddy love the first drizzle as much as any human Lal should know that if King judgement on it. edition (www.nepalitimes.com). We student wing is anti-student whenMahendra had not taken the wish you could do that more oftento pick up crumbs under the table the seeds out of desperation, or have had their granaries looted by aboutMaoists. things that you can do nothing about.fields. In fact, more than nature, the There are long-term implica- being. The heady smell that hits your they force academic institutionsgovernment to in his own hands he for those of us far from home. of Bhairav Aryal, the greatest Food shipments have not arrived because roads and airports have beenThe monsoon, too, is an act of god. Butcelebrated poet succeeds in shut down frequently, and for long tions of the movement of foreign Nepali satirist. But I don’t see how Ashadasya nostrils when the rains begin in the tarai is [CK Lal] would not be a free citizen Sanjay, by email destroyed. The WFP and GTZ have stopped food for work projects after periods. I wonder whether the capital into the country. Are we this establishes that Dr Luitel is a their stores were plundered. Even those who have seeds are not plantingthe deities that control the downpours are Prathame Divase in portraying the preoccu- too intoxicating to describe. When the of an independent kingdom today. CHANCE TO DANCE farmers’ wing will destroy or loot The Koirala family is the real ready for it? With our frail jenny ass. this season for fear that the harvests will be looted. relatively more reasonable. Unlike Mahakal, pre-monsoon showers begin to clean the pations of the idle elite, Brahmins who crops, the business wing will lootenemy of the country and peopleeconomy and banking sector, not the lord of death, the monsoon is the Gadhi Mai temple premises, you wish you Why in your editorial, “A similar Nationally, Nepal’s food production has gone up in the past ten years due don’t have to hold a plough to make a path” (#95) do you compare Nepalbanks and ruin the economy, thelike Mr Lal should expose their to mention the pegged currency,HATS OFF munificence of Mahakali, the mother of the could believe that fiction about peacocks to Peru? The Shining Path didconstruction wing will destroy designs to control the country. we could be inviting a certain to generally favourable monsoons. But it has not kept pace with population living. For those who work with thekodalo Kanden Thebe universe. Come Ashad, and the farmers not even get a chance to shinebridges and buildings, the develop- disaster here with direct foreign Your column Under my Hat really growth. And uneven distribution means that nearly half the 75 districts in the rain. makes me laugh and refreshes my suffer chronic food shortages. worship her with traditional expressions of rather than the quill, there isn’t much there. I for one remain baffledment wing will blow up telephone investments in the form of Yangrup, Taplejung There can be hope in the bucolic towers and other infrastructure, and portfolio investment. Either we It’s not the best time to be representing Nepal at the FAO conferenceanimistic in belief. In the later Vedic tradi- romance in the cloudy sky on the first day about why both genuine pro- of Ashad. setting of Bariyarpur—seeing a girl-child democracy forces and those whothe public relations group will kill have to give up the pegged Rome. King Birendra addressed the World Food Summit five years ago,tions, and it is Indra, the king of gods, who civilians. currency or our own macro- LUMBINI without shoes braving the downpour to go purportedly espouse Maoism N Adhikary, Lamjung Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba led the Nepali delegation that joinedcommands other the rains. Since he is always If you have seen Shiva Bhanjyang cannot show their faces in front ofUnlike the so-called Maoist policies—which I doubt the validityMany Buddhists in Nepal have found Kanak Mani Dixit’s Lumbini’s to school. There can also be despair— of, since they seem to change nations to lay the firm commitment to halve hunger. This week in Rome,worried a about losing his kingdom, Indra tremble in a cloudburst, as I did in 1993, it the Nepali people. You may beintellectuals, I can’t see anything rebirth (#95) to be very biased and the writer ill-informed on the seeing her harass a pilgrim for alms the next every time we get a new govern- junior minister is representing Nepal. It is hard to show your face when you is impossible to look at a dark sky without a right: Deuba may be giving how those acts are justified. If theSYANGBOCHE real issues about the controversial construction of the Mayadevi allows the monsoon to remain at the beck day outside the temple complex. But that’s ment, or it may just be that we lack haven’t kept your promise to your own people. everyone a chance to dance. Maoists are fighting for the people, Temple. and call of his worldly devotees. grim sense of apprehension. The innocent I have always admired the commu-vision, and the will and courage to That is why at the back of the plane were Nepalis who had given up another story, the sad tale of school- Thanks also to Kunda Dixit for theyhis need to make a 180-degree It is inappropriate to say that “…Buddhist groups [are] fighting phrase "raining cats and dogs" acquires nity spirit of the Sherpa people act.in To give up the pegged The romance of the monsoon resides in children brainwashed into believing that excellent evaluation (“One yearturn. They are following their hope, and sold their land to do back-breaking work in a foreign land. At the Pharak and Khumbu. It greatly currency suddenly is definitely notfor control of the Lumbini Development Trust (LDT)”. The Bud- unsavoury connotations when you have later,” #96) of the one year rulepolitical of dogma like religious front of the plane were people who promised five years ago to set the imaginary right realms of litterateurs who deliverance lies in consuming this or that saddens me to see the rift in thea possiblity, given the terms of ourdhists of Nepal have been very tolerant and Buddhist organisa- witnessed piglets floating in the drain, King Gyanendra. The king fundamentalists. Marx said religion priorities so that there would be enough food and jobs so they needn’thave leave. never seen a peacock run for cover in packet of noodles and a particular brand of community that the issue of flightseconomic and political relation- tions have never tried to control the LDT. On the contrary, they certainly seems to be the onlyis the opiate of the masses, but the the blinding rain. (Poets in Sanskrit puppies fighting to survive a torrent, and to Syangboche is again creatingship in with India and it would seemkept quiet even when certain archaeologists treated the sacred bottled soft drink. The free market teaches person who has abided by Nepal’sMaoists here show us that their kittens shivering below a wildly swaying Ramyata Limbu’s “Air war over very unwise to be dictated by theMayadevi Temple as a guinea pig. The famous temple was pulled tradition can’t write about rains without us to gratify our desires instantly with the democratic constitution just likedogma is even more than this. Just Lukla” (#96). The communities macro-policies of other countries.down, brick by brick, from top to bottom, by the LDT on the pretext making their peacocks dance with joy.) tree. My recollections of floods are filled his elder brother late King as I would be a sinner if I asked least exertion, no matter the social cost of affected extend to the less prosper-Capital account liberalisation is of learning about the state of erosion caused by tree roots and to with nauseating images of bloated bodies of Birendra. Maybe now Nepalis willreligious fanatics to defy their the action. ous settlements in the southern not a feasible goal for now for obtain basic knowledge about the changes in the temple’s calves floating along with the remains of unite once again as a nation andbelief, I would be a “capitalist” and Like the monsoon, democracy too is a parts of Solu-Khumbu district whoseNepal. configuration through the ages. straw huts that have been washed away. march on the difficult highway “reactionary”of to the Maoists, inhabitants depend largely on mixed blessing. We tend to take its progress. because they can only see one way.portering from Lukla for income to ìSujanî, by email benefits for granted, but are haunted by the Jack Prasai, BotswanaI’m happy to have preserved mysupplement their subsistence excesses we witness as it works. There is no natural instincts and pity those agriculture. If people from lower who’ve lost the ability to judge whatSolu-Khumbu and from neighbour- enthusiasm for the mid-term elections in is right and what is wrong becauseing districts lose employment as a the districts of Bara and Parsa. During my they follow a political or religiousresult of an airport at Syangboche, earlier visits to Kalaiya or Birgunj, I could dogma. what will they do to subsist? The engage a perfect stranger at any economic effects on the livelihoods of people living below Khumbu ARMS AND THE WOMAN have another implication: peace. It To hear of women amongst the does not matter how many airports I am infuriated! There are lots Maoist ranks dying is common and up-market hotels are built—the tourists will not come in great of Nepali businessmen who have news these days, some of them are become multi-millionaires (in pan pasal hardcore gun-wielding fighters, numbers unless there is peace. If the politicians spend the develop-US$) and never paid a single and discuss with him the internecine some even area commanders. rupee in income tax. I have seen KANAK MANIDIXIT When I see or hear of women ment budget of the district on yet battles between the Krishna Prasad and another airport instead of on watersome of them on shopping sprees being used like this, my thoughts ìFnepalî, by email in Paris and London. At the same Girija Prasad factions of the Nepali go to Gandhi’s non-violent Quit systems, bridges, and basic development works in the poorertime I have regularly made large Congress. These days, you mention politics India movement, and Gandhi’s donations from my relatively at your own risk—even the shopkeeper can belief that his non-violent PAST IMPERFECT VDCs, couldn’t it exacerbate the Today the identity of the LDT as an autonomous, non- frustrations that can potentially meagre income to support the movement would be strengthened government and non-profit body, as visualised by His Late Majesty ask you to shut up. The democratic era in Nepal haslead disadvantaged people to spread of basic education in rural by the participation of women as King Mahendra, has been lost. All decisions are taken and At a wayside eatery along the East- seen twelve years and twelve primerebel either in this insurgency orareas a of Nepal, where your they were by nature non-violent directed by the ministry in Kathmandu. In-depth knowledge of ministers who tried to lead the future one? Without developmentgovernment does not think it West Highway, a question about whether and peace-loving. Women joinednation to the best of their capabili- necessary to grant badly-neededBuddhism and dedication to Buddhism are no more the prime the security forces can restore peace before Gandhi’s movement, campaignedties. But none were successful in teacher quotas. requisites for serving on the council. Strong political affiliations the elections elicits a laconic reply from the vigorously, and made it a success.solving the bonded labour issue, Walter Limberg, Germanyand political contacts have become the main criteria. In 1992 worldly-wise vendor, “They are safe inside To bring about change anderadicating a poverty, providing there were 21 LDT council members, with dedicated Buddhist proper education, leading the scholars in the decision-making body. Today there are 53 council their barracks.” Another query about the just society, women have cam- paigned successfully, peacefully,nation towards the path of develop- members with not a single dedicated Buddhist scholar in the chances of the Maoists participating in the and not only with Gandhi, suchment, as and last but not least, decision making body. All the Buddhists nominated so far to the I have to compliment Mr elections is met with a counter-question: in India’s Chipko movement. Thiseradicating corruption and the council are there due to their political affiliations, not because “Do they care?” After that, it is better to ecological movement was ongoing insurgency. Artha Beed on his columns. As they in any way represent the millions of Buddhists of Nepal. organised by women, and These few issues have been the someone not normally particularly Third, the architectural features of the design pose a disaster keep quiet. interested in the details of When we have to get down from the achieved its aim through non-common agenda of each politician to a country that boasts about the great architect Arniko. A violence. Closer home, the who led the nation. But nothing economics I have to commend massive large box now dwarfs the Asokan pillar, one of the oldest bus near Gajuri to let the security community forestry program haschanged. Who is to be blamed for you for carrying his articles. I likedated monuments in the subcontinent. The structure has been personnel check our luggage, I suddenly been extremely successful in ourall this—the political leaders, His his honest writing style combineddesigned as if the pillar does not exist, and is devoid of any country because forests are givenMajesty the King or the people to with a subtle yet healthy sense ofBuddhist architectural form or details. realise what has been bothering me all sarcastic humour. Here are two to the users, predominantly decide the type of governance they Fourth, the LDT went against its own decision in not abiding by through this trip. It is the deafening silence women, and not exploited for need? There is an end to every- story ideas for him: The of a sullen populace. There are more than commercial purpose but on a groundbreaking gender trend at the Master Plan [made by Japanese architect Kenzo Tenge] which thing, but not, it seems, for Nepal’s clearly restricted any kind of structure other than the archaeologi- one hundred passengers patiently awaiting sustainable basis. The programpolitical is instability. I request Standard Chartered Bank. Women successful because it is non- appear to outnumber men in staffcal site in the Sacred Garden. The Japanese technical expert their turn, but there is no jumping of politicians not to fight for their involved in the excavation was not consulted; the LDT did not violent, pro-nature, and cognisantpersonal interests, but team up as positions consistently, at least at queues, no ranting about the futility of of feminist principles—that women the Kantipath branch where eveneven wait for the final excavation report. Like many other critical one party and lead Nepal out of issues in Nepal, Lumbini’s development appears to have fallen these checks. Nobody carps about have always been life-giving andthis grievous situation. the manager is female. It is also corruption or curses the bureaucrats. No not life-threatening. interesting to note that their stockvictim to the country’s ongoing political uncertainty and break- on the Nepse is the highest down of governance. one wrings their hands about what the By using women in their valued, even while their interest Swoyambhu Tuladhar, Kathmandu country has come to due to Koirala’s greed violent, destructive sprees, the rates are among Kathmandu’s for power. Ordinarily loquacious Nepalis lowest. It seems professionalism seem to have suddenly gone extraordinarily pays where international market quiet. Call it paranoia, but I find the lull Pravesh Saria, via email rates do not. Despite your frightening. In his column “Past imperfect, future uncertain,” (#97) CK Lal wrote exactly the way the educated people living inside and outside from p1

war widows and quickly realised that officials haven’t even begun 444 NATION 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES NATION to think about it. We raised 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES 555 Subadhra’s case, and the CDO’s reply was that her husband should have stayed indoors International Newspapers during the curfew. To him the possibility that the Tharu village may not have a radio set, or that The world has been a ‘global village’ for on-demand print the people may not have the time and the distribution of international newspapers. You can to listen to radio, or that, even if order your favorite newspaper from a collection of 100 dailies they heard the announcement, War widows of theythe might not have understood westincluding IHT, The Times, The Washington Post, WSJ, USA what was being said, was Today, Le Monde, Sueddeuthsche Zeitung, La Stampa, A people’s war Locals are doing the little they can with the little they have.inconsequential. Mainichi Shimbun, El Pais, Basler Zeitung, Berlingske At every turn we meet people denied the choice of being neutral. It’s obvious that Surkhet is Tidende, Aftenposten etc… We hand-deliver fresh copies only the tip of the iceberg. After every morning. For a detailed list and price, please call us all, this is at the edge of Maoland. In the interior, there must be many,today: many more in misery. It is time to channel support to local groups Bazaar International, Phone: 255125 Fax: 229 437 such as the People Help Organi- E-mail: [email protected] sation, a non-profit run run entirely by women and capable of providing targeted relief quickly. Unfortunately, local groups are not articulate enough to talk to donor bureaucrats in Kathmandu directly, so how will they get the resources they need? The PHO says it lobbied for cash from the UN’s Peace Fund, but was refused. showing in the performance of the The state has not thought out younger girl in school. The family is considering sending only the girla strategicto response to the school because the boy has toproblem yet, and we cannot RITA THAPA RITA help out with the work at home.afford to allow donors to tie their The once-bustling centre of Surkhet now looks like this. The local SOS Children’s Villagehands and wait for things to that was recently attacked by improve. Because under the Then there are the war widowsanswers in our queries. Her 17-year-Maoists has been approached surface of supposed law and Chinchu and other villages in old son has taken charge of hisfor help. order is a volcano that is about to erupt, and that social upheaval Surkhet valley. They are refugeesslain father’s business now, and isThere is a big exodus of young with nowhere to go, strangers tryingin to do the best he can to take might be more difficult to manage DEEPAK THAPA men aged 13-28 from the mid- their own land. The traditional care of his family. than the violence we are seeing western districts. They travel in stigma of widowhood in Nepal has now. The donors have withdrawn There used to be a pharmacygroups of ten or less, helpless- been compounded by the trauma of their staff. Fine. But what stops in the bazar until a few monthsness and despair writ large on conflict. Many are trying to raise them from working with local ago, when the security forcestheir faces. Many are unsure NGOs still active in the field?

KANAK MANI DIXIT children without any means of came and took away its owner,where a they want to go, or what support. Left: For this woman and her child, and so many others like them in east Rolpa, there is UML supporter. No reasons werethey will do. They just want to get Maoists blew up the police postgiven. Nine days later, his familyout, away from the violence and(Rita Thapa founded the simply nowhere to run. Above: Signs welcoming visitors to Rolpa soon give way to at Chinchu a year ago, and thediscovered his body in a shallowthe killings. Most do not have womenís support group, Maoist memorial gates commemorating the bravery of their dead, and raising the Lal village has since been a battle-grave and cremated him. His citizenship certificates. They Tewa.) Salam slogan. ground for the Maoists and widow, Kanchi, is young and crowd around the DDC office

KANAK MANI DIXIT MANI KANAK security officials. Locals told usuneducated, and has two children. in Surkhet all day for the * All names of have been about the difficulties that people in that they continue to get threatsShe hasn’t been told who killedrecommendations her they need tochanged to protect the identity KANAK MANI DIXITin EAST ROLPA ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○ We are here to see for ourselves Rolpa and Rukum are facing due to the from Maoists, as well as visits husbandby or why. Chinchu has getlost their papers. of interviewees. alking in Rolpa is a journey what living in eastern Rolpa is like theserestrictions on the transport of food- security forces. For social its only pharmacy. Both Sita and Amidst all this need, the INGOs activists working with gender Kanchi are relatively well-off, and through a map of death— days, and so we are bypassing the districtstuff, about how the houses of suspected and development agencies which empowerment, skills training andwill probably get by. Nuwagaon, Holleri, Lisne, headquarters of Libang, where civil Maoist supporters are razed by soldiers had made the town their base for W social mobilisation, threats and But most others have it muchmid- and far-western operations Gam. The last action in these parts was servants and refugees from the villages who come out in occasional details. Not intimidation have become routine, worse, and need support. have left, citing security concerns. fearfully await the day the battle- one of these people dares criticise the but they have not stopped their in Gam on 7 May, and the villagers from Subadhra’s 21-year-old Tharu But the local community groups are Maoists. They point to the destruction work. They are doing what little Pobang, a day’s walk from the Sulichaur hardened youngsters of the so-called husband was recently killed bystill the here, and they are doing they can with what little they have. roadhead, watched the firefight rage Janamukti Sena (People’s Liberation of the Lutheran World Service develop- security forces while returningwhatever they can with their through the night, tracers and bombs Army) choose to attack. The Maoist ment outpost near the village that used Sita’s husband was killed byhome from the forest at 7.30 PM.limited resources. lighting up the ridge across the valley. fighters are to serve the whole area, but will not say Maoists three months ago for beingShe has two infants, and the At the CDO office, we tried to a Nepali Congress supporter. Infamily a has no land. But though it is easy to forget, these ‘jangal ko bagaal’ here— who did it. raise the issue of state support for those who have entered the forest—and Finally, one middle-aged man tells us familiar story repeated across At Salma Village Development are also places with a longer history. Up- Nepal, he was dragged out of bed Committee, Laxmi is raising two valley, Thawang is the village where, deeptheir writ runs over this harsh geography.in a whisper: “There are no at night, taken to the centre of children, aged 13 and 11. Her “The peasantry here in Rolpa are all in a town, and executed. The 36-year- in the Panchayat years, the locals defied husband was an electrician and old widow now has to raise two faraway Kathmandu. The most immedi- chep, between the Maoists, who have devis and was killed by the security forces. children. Sita is still too shocked to Development progress Both children are bright students, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ate reason that sparked the Maoist the run of the land, and the security deutas here any more.Puja-aja is a thing speak, and it is her daughter who movement, so the story goes, was in forces, who swoop down without of the past. And there is no cultural life but the emotional trauma is already The UN’s Progress Report 2002 of Millenium Development Goals Gam, where in 1995 a rivalry between notice,” a teacher from Palpa told us. other than the Maobadis’ mass meet- (MDG) confirms what we already know. Nepal is unlikely to achieve the Samyukta Jana Morcha on the one One of the few people who spoke freely ings. They say that in today’s scientific the 2015 goals of reducing poverty to 21 percent, providing universal side and the Nepali Congress and the basic and primary education, reducing hunger by half, reducing with us, he talked at length about how era there is no space for superstition.” maternal mortality, and halving and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Rastriya Prajantra Party on the other what was once one of the most peaceful On the ridge over the village there is a However, Nepal is doing considerably well at improving drinking came to a head when the two groups corners of the country is now a series of temple without a roof. The idols of water supply and reducing child mortality. Vice Chairman of the fought during a fair. The resulting killing terraces. Shiva and Parbati are gone, as is the bell National Planning Commission Narayan Khadka said that the govern- harassment of SJM activists by the Everyone in Pobang is Magar, that used to hang outside. The fair that ment would accord the highest priority to implementing the recommen- political bosses of the day soon snow- dations, which are in line with the poverty reduction strategy paper. barring eight houses of Dalits. It takes would take place here every Shukla We’ve heard that before. balled into ‘revolution’. time, but eventually some villagers sit Paksha, the first quarter moon of the with us and talk about their problems, month of Bhadra, has not taken place for a few years. Likewise, there is no Baraha Puja in Mangsir, no Siddha Puja during Buddha Purnima in Jeth, no puja Female condoms to Mahadev during the full moon of ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Asar. Nepali women might soon use condoms especially designed for Today those who go are fleeing Maoist people from Jelbang are said to have died Political activity, too, has gone the women, says the Centre for Development and Population Activities conscription. in the fighting so far. (CEDPA). The centre has been conducting studies on the acceptabil- way of religion. Any political activist of Warles Rokaya came back to start a The entrance to Jelbang is festooned ity of female condoms in Nepal as part of its efforts to reduce the risk consequence from the ward to the of commercial sex workers contracting HIV or STDs from partners village level is away in Libang or in the shop after a three-year stint as an with once-red Maoist banners (“To who refuse to wear condoms. Free condoms and information townships along the roadheads, waiting electrician in Malaysia. Because of the revolt is the people’s right”), now materials have been distributed to women from four VDCs of Lalitpur for the day the Maobadi are vanquished, economic blockade at Sulichaur his bleached with age. In Jelbang, like in district—Bungamati, Chapagaon, Siddhipur and Tikathali. It’s important shelves are today empty of provisions andPobang, those who do speak to us refer to take into consideration Nepal’s social context and awareness or busy creating alternative lives for levels before introducing such contraceptives, officials at the centre themselves, knowing that such a day may the instant noodle packets that are to the difficulties of the emergency and increasingly the staple of the Nepali hills.the hopeful days of autumn 2001, the tell us. If the studies indicate that the product is likely to be accepted, not be near in these mid-western hills. the condoms will be marketed at subsidised rates. But even then, the Referring to the three three-month four months of ceasefire when the Even without the Maobadi, life is expense—the condoms cost Rs 100 -150 rupees apiece—suggests instalments of the state of emergency, hevillagers hung on every word that came of that it may not catch on as fast as social workers would like. “Social tough here, especially in comparison says, “The first emergency was difficult, the negotiations. “Those were days of marketing of condoms for males hasn’t been a big success. Where with the obvious wealth of the Madi the second was worse, and now in the calm, even the Maobadi leaders told us does that leave condoms for women,” asks a public health worker. valley of southern Rolpa. Worse even third emergency, our suffering is com- that peace would come with the than poverty is the lack of basic services.plete.” There isn’t food to buy, even if The school-houses are dark, with mud barta. you have the money. But worst of all theBut talks evaporated, and the situation floors; the health assistant stands in for hardships, perhaps, is the inability to the ‘doctor’. School teachers, who have became even more terrifying, and it has express yourself. At every turn, the become worse over the course of the always been the vanguard of the politicalpeople of Pobang—and all the people we Better health three emergencies,” says one elder, ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ parties, are subdued under the Maoist meet on our trek—are denied the choice threat, and do not dare express an referring to the renewals. The Save the Environment Foundation recently conducted research of being neutral, and so they remain On the way down valley, a life-size on hospital waste management in Nepal and prepared a case study opinion. These docile men, mostly silent. Bahuns from the middle hills, and the dummy hangs from a tree, representing report for the Ministry of Health to help them manage the dangerous But if Pobang is depressing, it is even toxic waste hospitals produce. As a follow-up, on World Environment odd health assistant are the only the “Deuba sarkar”. Beneath the swing- more sobering to arrive in Jelbang, in the Day, 5 June, the SEF and the Clare Gilchrist Foundation donated to representatives of the state. ing figure, complete with tattered Bir Hospital 15 Needle Syringe Terminator machines that incinerate next valley over to the west. It is a Chinese canvas shoes, women scurry syringes in two seconds without toxic by-products. For as long as people here can village surrounded on three sides by the down towards Sulichaur, not looking up In another effort, some 300 people in Machche village south-west remember, the Magar men from these tall hills just south of the Jaljala moun- hills went to India to earn a living. at the strangers who have walked to their of Kathmandu received treatment and free medication at a one-day tain that provide the mythical backdrop village to try and understand what camp organised by The Friends of Kanti Iswori Shishu Vidyalaya to the Maoist ‘revolution’. Fifty-one the Maoist war has done to their (FKISV) and the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu. tattered lives. NEPALI TIMES 666 NATION 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES 17 - 23 MAY 2002 131313 SOMEWHERE IN NEPAL by PUSKAR BHUSAL Divided we stand Studying in the USA

y most accounts, Nepal’s democ- The best course might be for Kangresis to amicably dissolve the party. racy is facing its gravest threat projecting him as their future leader. since we had those two drafts of (The descent from speaker to deputy Bthe post-Panchayat constitution prime minister must have been difficult competing for our attention in 1990. In for our thinker from Tanahun. But it the intervening years, shadowy forces of looks like that was as bad as it could get Associate, Bachelor’s and Graduate degrees subversion have been closing in on the for him.) mainstream from the right and left. The There is a clear danger sign, though. people have sprained their necks looking The moderates’ unity endeavour revolves over their shoulders but are no closer to around ownership of the four-star flag pinpointing the plotters. Politicians who and the tree. That focus contains the say they recognise some of the faces seeds of future conflicts. The best course don’t want to name names. The country might be for Kangresis to amicably is left correlating cryptic circumstances dissolve the party. The organisation has to sniff the modus operandi of the installed democracy in the country twice purported agents of regression. and a lot of people are grateful for that. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba But it’s time to look ahead. The dissolu- and his band of Young Turks insist they tion accord should specifically bar the were compelled to dissolve the House of signatories from using the name, flag or Representatives in order to defend the election symbol of the defunct body in spirit of parliamentary democracy. That whether we like it or not, Kangresis haveany way. Members of successor parties kind of talk is Greek to Nepali Congress came under the convenient rubric of anti-an exclusive grip on the mantle of Nepaliwould be free to argue over who has the president Girija Prasad Koirala and his democracy, at least, on the version the right mixture of democracy and socialism hardy loyalists in the ruling party. They national elements. But they did put a great premium on A lot of people are put off by Kangresis’world venerates today. The sad part is to cure Nepal’s ills. But no one gets to want the Supreme Court to resurrect thepopular perceptions of their rule. Under that this complacency has fuelled much make use of the Koirala lineage or legacy. house, and are pleading their case in the their version of the fairness doctrine, insistence that they’re the only democrats Instead of looking for that fistful of soil alive in the country. Let the record speak of the party’s internal conflicts. people’s name. It would have been nice swift and ruthless justice was the cardinal For the first week after the party- to recall our duty to the nation, we can to describe this glorification of the for itself. The left officially extols the tenet of statecraft. If it also became a government collision, it looked like the reach out for a future where family ties people from all sides as the saving grace fool-proof way of extracting complete dictatorship of the proletariat. The are just one of several tools of political of the squabble. But Nepalis have been Rastriya Prajatantra Party will rival Kangresi camps hated each other so obedience from the commonality, part of much that they could no longer considermobility. It might be difficult for some to the object of official exaltation ever sincethe reason was Nepalis’ profound sense ofprobably have to wait another generation contemplate a career in public service our modern state enshrined the plump- before it can biologically cast off all of itspeaceful coexistence. But, then, middle- fealty. True, Panchayat ideologues went of-the-roaders gained ground. For long, with the Nepali Congress safely con- ness of the people as the emblem of the against basic human psychology in partyless baggage. The Nepal Sadbhavana signed to the history books. But the palace’s power. Demonise the Ranas all Party exudes exclusivity in almost every Ram Chandra Poudel sounded like a outlawing organised political behaviour. voice in the wilderness. Today he seems country can expect to turn a new page. In you want for usurping power and But political ideology was the only shape and form, except name. As for the the midst of more than one certifiably undermining the nation’s faith in itself. parties outside parliament, well, let’s letto have enough followers in the party restriction. You could still organise into that both camps feel comfortable in democratic party, our freedoms might clusters of women, youth, elderly, the people send them inside the chamber become a little more secure. workers, farmers and ex-servicemen and before passing judgement. The point is, howl against everyone who you thought Over 14,000 students from all 50 States and more than 90 countries Timilsina came all the way from his village in Rautahat to register Campuses located in: Providence, Rhode Island; North Miami, Florida; Nepalis are wakingat Tilganga up asto a donor. the “After death, the body rots away. At steady increase in donors and least I’ll have gained some dharma Charleston, South Carolina and Denver, Colorado (Program offerings vary among campuses) importancegrowing awareness about of eye donatingby giving the gift their of sight to donation, there’s still a long way someone who needs it.” corneas,to go. In 1994, but the year not it was fastTwyana enough. is cautiously optimis- Scholarship opportunities for applicants with proven academic excellence* In sighthim to the Nepal Eye Bank at established, the Nepal Eye Bank, tic about this trend. “The Tilganga Eye Centre, a commu- which was set up with the help of concept of eye donation and eye nity-based non-profit that works the International Federation of banks is still very new, and people * up to $ 4,000 per academic year for undergraduate degrees to restore sight to the corneal RAMYATA LIMBU Eye and Tissue Banks in Balti- are scared to donate their body ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ blind. Kamal had to wait a year more, USA, and the Indiana amal Karki, a 17 year-old parts even after death,” he before a cornea was found for Lions Eye Bank, registered just explains. People are often native of Janakpur, has a him and he was operated upon one local donor. “The number of Undergraduate Programs Include: lot to be grateful for. He dissuaded by misplaced religious K two months ago. donors has grown since, and beliefs—Hindus often believe can’t thank the unknown good Kamal is one of nearly 2,000 today we receive more than that by donating their eyes, they samaritan who helped restore his Nepalis who have regained their 400 corneas a year, locally,” will be reborn blind. The centre International Business Information Science vision by donating his or her vision through corneal grafts. says Twyana. has three grief counsellors or corneas before death, but last That is not even one percent of “It’s not enough for people to motivators to actually discuss Sunday at a gathering of donor the 240,000 blind Nepalis. It is just fill in a donation form. An with relatives who bring their Culinary Arts Hospitality Management relatives, medical personnel, and difficult to say how many of these environment needs to be created dead to Pashupati the possibility social workers, Kamal paid would be helped by cornea where families, relatives, individu-of donating the corneas of the Management Internet Commerce tribute to the memory of a host oftransplants, but it is significant als, understand the need, and are deceased. Since an excision centre individuals who have made similarthat damage to the cornea is the receptive to the idea,” says Sarita was built by the Pashupati ghat arrangements. Sporting dark second most common reason for Mishra, a music teacher at Padmathree years ago, there are always Culinary Nutrition Hotel Management glasses—protection against the blindness in Nepal, after cata- Kanya Campus. It’s been 15 yearstechnicians on stand-by there to strong morning light—Kamal, ract. In an agrarian society like since Mishra donated her eyes to remove corneas in privacy and who underwent a corneal graft to Nepal, where most people work the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh with respect. Marketing Web Site Development his right eye two months ago, outdoors in the fields harvesting through a social workers’ group. MICHAEL AMENDOLIA/NEWTORK thanked god for his good fortune. “It is important to explain to crops, looking after livestock, “Initially I was a bit nervous. I people exactly what happens. Food Marketing Travel-Tourism Management “I’ve been given a new lease of collecting fuel and fodder, wasn’t sure what exactly it life,” he beamed. “I can resume Donating your corneas is just agricultural trauma to the entailed. I thought the entire eye that—the whole eyeball is not my education.” cornea, ocular diseases, and the was removed. And maybe while The young resident of taken out, your face is not MBA Programs with concentration in: lack of immediate medical one was still alive. After orienta- disfigured,” says Krishna Thapa, Katakuti VDC, Janakpur, treatment can easily lead to tion, I found the courage to who cremates people at Financial Management, International Trade, Marketing, Organizational Leadership and Hospitality Administration Dolakha district, lost all vision incorneal opacity, leaving the donate my eyes. It’s a bit like Pashupati. Thapa has volunteered one eye after an insect bit him person blind. “When this donating blood. After you die, his services as a motivator and while he was out collecting fodderhappens, the only solution is you don’t need your eyes. Why takes on the difficult task of speaking with grieving families. Eye Centre and the Lions Club of in the forest. “The bite developedcorneal transplantation,” says deprive someone else of sight.” “It’s hard, but people are becom- Pashupatinath have also opened into a cyst. Within a year, I lost Shankha Twyana, Nepal Eye More and more Nepalis appear to ing more aware. Today, maybe an eye donation and information Johnson & Wales University, International Admissions Office the ability to see with my right Bank manager. be thinking like Mishra. Sixty- some twenty of every hundred centre that runs awareness eye.” Kamal says he dropped out Kamal has been lucky, but eight year-old Purushottam Das families at Pashupati donate the programs and helps in collection 8 Abbott Park Place, Providence, RI 02903 USA of class seven at 15 when it many have to wait much longer, eyes of their dead.” of more corneas. became near impossible for him sometimes all their lives, for the Since 1998, when the import A cornea transplant costs Rs to read. Desperate to regain his gift of sight. The demand far of corneas from the International 10,000 on average, and since its Phone: +1-401-598-4927 Fax: +1-401-598-4901 vision, Kamal found his way to outweighs supply, and despite a Federation of Eye and Tissue inception in 1994, the Lions Club the Nepal Netra Jyoti Sangh in Banks was stopped, the centre hasof Kathmandu Rajdhani has been Email: [email protected] the capital, where he’d heard been trying to encourage people paying Rs 1,000 towards each there were doctors who could here to donate. Apart from cornea transplant. It has also restore his vision. They directed harvesting corneas at Tilganga, distributed 10,000 pledge cards procuring them, storing and to people to make it convenient distributing them, the Tilganga for them to donate their eyes. Visit: http://www.jwu.edu earnings, and families where husband and wife both work. The apartments and houses in the lower and middle ends of the market are 888 LIFESTYLE 14 - 20 JUNE 2002NEPALI TIMES being snapped up fast and with 14 - 20 JUNE 2002NEPALI TIMES 999 increased demand and competition builders are becoming more Offers Location Product type UnitsUnitcost (in million rupees) efficient, and promoters are promising shorter construction Kathmandu Residency Bagdole ApartmentsSold 123 periods and other add-ons. “In two Mount View Residency-IHarisiddhi Apartments/Duplexes 70 1.8-2.5 months we’ve sold almost half of all flats and apartments we have on Mount View Residency-IIHattiban Apartments 140 1.3-1.7 offer,” says V Rajgopalan, The Comfort Housing Sitapaila Standalone houses 60 3.0-4.0 president of Sunrise Homes. They Sunrise Homes Balkumari Apartments/ Duplexeslarge 102 unfulfilled 1.6-3.7 demand. are already planning to move into Rajgopalan told us that a govern- the second phase of building Civil Homes Bhainsepati Standalone housesment 59 study 2.0-2.8 conducted some years independent homes. Subha Avas Naya Naikap Duplexes 75ago0.7-1.1 had estimated the need for Then there are people who over 200,000 more houses in AA homehomeInstead ofof ofbuilding their firstone’sone’s homes slowly, brick-by-brick, more andownown Oriental Colony Kuleshwor Apartments 500+0.7-1.5 AA homehome ofof one’sone’s ownown Kathmandu Valley. Even half that more people are turning to community housing and financing. want to invest; they have cash in hand, but no safe place to put it Shangrila Villa Gangabu Apartments/Duplexesnumber 36 would 1.2-2.8 be enough to keep interiors, and the security that into, because of the political businesses going for another 10-15 comes with living in something akin Grace Apartments Naxal like thatApartments can kill the market even56 3.8-5.2 uncertainty, massive slump in years, given that the annual supply to a gated community. Sunrise says before it matures.”

MIN BAJRACHARYA of new houses every year is only a industry due to the conflict, and the But many Nepalis seem to be it will also be having an independ- fledgling stock market that has also industry to come into force, and few hundred, even with the new ent sewage treatment plant within that he is trying to build a commu- been hit. What’s more, apartments cite the poor track record Nepal taking the risk, looking beyond projects. Industry insiders we the complex while Ansal says that it nity by offering clients all the are transferable by law and will be has of drafting and implementing “building one dream house” for spoke with said that, all things amenities they would want for is now planning to “Nepalise” or more so once the cabinet approves laws to cover new, rapidly growing their families. Says Ghimere, many remaining more or less constant, “Newarise” most of its future quality living. Instead of soliciting regulations needed to activate the industries. Some buyers also say first-time homeowners have begun the industry is looking at designs. “The customers are very bookings and advance payments legislation. A law governing group that although they have invested, to believe that when they buy a flat,continued growth for at least a from prospective owners, he choosy and are not looking only for housing was passed some years ago, they’d be a lot more comfortable if they are keeping their options decade. Some firms, such as a roof over their heads,” says R decided to go ahead and start but the government has yet to they knew their promoters could beopen—if things work out, they Sunrise, are already conducting Babbar, CEO of Ansal Chaudhary building the 60 individual units. He approve the specific regulations forced to comply with building could always sell their flat, which is market and feasibility surveys to says 70 percent of the houses have Developers. “They are looking for which, we are told, have already norms and if pricing could be likely to be worth more in five yearsexpand to other urban centres an edge in housing, in terms of already been sold. The Comfort been drafted. regulated. The industry is also than what they pay for it now, and such as Biratnagar, Birganj effective design and access to public build their own stand-alone home. community will start moving in by There are some nay-sayers who untested on its ability to deliver, and Pokhara. Dasain 2003. “Our project has services and infrastructures.” another reason for the general The industry, for its part, is say that they are waiting for taken into account the Nepali A quick survey of the clients of nervousness. “The regulations legislation governing the housing looking at further deepening of the desire to have an independent most housing projects reveals that remain to come into force and market, as more and more builders home that can accommodate at people who book apartments are because buyers make advance and developers join the race. For least three generations—grand- typically professionals and white- payments there is always an the moment, though, few are parents, parents and children,” collar workers with stable future incentive for the sellers to cheat, bothered by the increased competi- Rajbhandari told us. especially when enforcement is tion because of what effectively All the projects offer assured lax,” one developer admitted. remains a seller’s market, due to water supply, open spaces, uniform “But that has not happened so far exteriors and space-optimising and we hope it won’t—something

looking at developing Grace as a ‘posh’ neighbourhood, complete with amenities available in the best group housing against the tradi- residential areas of the world. tional—even emotional—Nepali Ace says it isn’t just selling a MIN BAJRACHARYA MIN dream of building a house. Instinc- ‘community living’ experience, it BINOD BHATTARAI tively, most Nepalis want an even chooses your community for ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ designed ‘colonies’—and getting financing from any private bank to independent house the moment you. “We are being very selective,” or Sushil Pyakurel it was says Ghimere. The price and the simply the most practical purchase a home is almost as easy asthey move out of their family getting a car loan. home, usually because they have amenities offered by Grace apart- thing to do. He was among ments—such as a swimming pool, the first hundred or so The boom could not have come seen their parents build their FFF home brick-by-brick. gym and sauna—guarantee a kind of Nepalis who booked apartments at at a better time for Nepal’s ailing But many young professionals self-selection right at the start. But Kathmandu Residency, the first economy. The growth in housing the promoters are even choosier— major organised housing project and construction means more don’t have either the time or the expertise to shop for land and then they have decided not to advertise that was launched two years ago. people are putting their money in the complex, but sell it to acquaint- The human rights activist, now a the sector, more people are getting supervise the construction of the building. And too often, even ances and personal contacts member of the National Human work, and industry is producing and through word-of-mouth. One needs Rights Commission will be moving selling more construction material. though they might have more disposable income than their to have either good connections into his apartment later this year, By one estimate, investment in with the parent finance company, after developer Ansal Chaudhary organised housing in and around parents ever did, their discretionary spending is proportionately high. or the right references to even apply hands over the keys during Dasain. Kathmandu Valley already adds up to buy a flat here. Ace says half of “It was just right for me,” to over Rs 2 billion rupees. The This is where the specialists come in, taking care of the logistics of the 26 apartments on the southern Pyakurel told us. He saw the Ansal Group in its housing venture complex have already been booked. with the Chaudhary Group here, is building houses, and offering them Kathmandu Residency, developed loans banking on their projected “It will take time for people to by the Chaudhary Group and Ansalsinto its third project and even realise they are looking for quality newcomer Sunrise Homes is alreadyfuture incomes. By all accounts, of India, as safe housing, with young and upwardly mobile living—not just a place to stay,” guaranteed access to public utilities planning to expand even as it still says Ghimere, who is optimistic solicits bookings for apartments at Kathmandu residents—as well as such as reliable drinking water, people moving to the capital fearingabout his venture. “We plan to use sewage disposal and other basic its first venture in Balkumari. Ansal the northern complex as an and Sunrise are presently selling an escalation of the conflict in the facilities, all things that can be a districts can’t get enough of it. apartment hotel.” headache for an independent apartments and plan to move into Still another up-market option stand-alone homes. The market Ajay Ghimere, CEO of Ace homeowner. “The other advan- is the standalone homes offered by tage was that we did not have to now offers apartments to suit Finance, is a developer who is almost any pocket, starting at Rs aiming to cater to the upper-end The Comfort Housing at Sitapaila. put up the entire money up-front, Om Rajbhandari, CEO, told us and were assured of financing,” 700,000 at the low end and going of the market. His Grace apart- Pyakurel told us. up to Rs 5.2 million. ments at Naxal are priced There are now more than 10 The range of group housing and between Rs 3.8-5.2 million. He told us that his company was companies that offer a variety of financing options now available is community-style housing options—also mind-boggling, especially to apartments, duplexes, and stand- first-time homebuyers who have to Construction activity in full swing at Sitapaila, where Comfort Housing alone homes in thoughtfully weigh their decision to opt for, say, is building independent homes (top), Grace interiors (above), and a model of the Grace apartments coming up at Naxal (below). Facing page: a ready-to-view building put up by Sunrise Homes at Balkumari. 101010 WORLD 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES ASIA 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES 111111 OPINION by SHASHI THAROOR COMMENT by JASJIT SINGH Seeds of trouble The politics of humanitarian aid combat aircraft. But India is likely to ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ limit the use of air power to strikes NEW DELHI - Food security activists who campaigned for years to get UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations lacks nearly two-thirds of the Are human against terrorist training camps and India’s farmer-friendly Plant Varieties Protection (PVP) Act passed last money it needs for humanitarian relief efforts in countries including selected infrastructure in Pakistani- year are now faced with the government’s attempt to reverse the gains Are human Angola, Burundi, Guinea, North Korea, and Sudan. “This year, there War in slow motionachieved by that law. They say the government is taking a step constantly evolves, responding to is concern over a major shortfall in the amount of money being given budget increase 2 percent, to 9 percent ofoccupied Kashmir. Pakistan would backward by acceding to the international Union for Protection of Plant rights universal?Coercion is the test,internal andnot external culture stimuli. Granted, or to meet overall humanitarian needs,” says Mark Bowden of the UN GDP. India will seek to keep the war likely respond by engaging Indian Varieties (UPOV), which critics say promotes the interest of seed child marriage, female circumcision Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). They conventional, and so will pose its threat fighters in aerial dogfights or by transnational corporations (TNCs) in the developed world. Among the rights universal? have pegged this year’s level of need at $3.6 billion. So far, says attacking Indian air bases. Should air critics is the organisation Gene Campaign, which works for the protec- and the like aren’t reprehensible in to Pakistan at well below the nuclear religion or development. Bowden, only $1.4 billion has been received. The situation marks a tion of genetic resources and farmers’ interests. economic○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ development remain many societies; but○○○○○○○○○ let us ask the threshold as Islamabad defines it. combat take place, India’s Navy, with continued decline over the past five years, says Bowden, and more a superior force of 27 major surface Gene Campaign is known for its proposal to set up the Convention unfinished. Suspending or limiting victims of these practices how they feel. of the relief that is provided is channelled through bilateral agencies But such military planning requires warships (including three guided of Farmers and Breeders as an alternative to UPOV. Devinder Sharma human rights sacrifices the few to Where coercion exists, rights are and NGOs. “This is creating major problems in emergency situations pinpoint judgements on both sides. missile cruisers) and 16 submarines of the Research Foundation for Science Technology and Environment benefit the many. Others object to violated, and these violations must be in countries such as Angola,” says Nicolas de Torrente, executive India would seek to keep the war and the Forum for Food Security and Biotechnology, another Indian (against Pakistan’s seven warships specific rights that they say reflect condemned, whatever the traditional director of Medecins Sans Frontieres, MSF. The African nation is confined to Jammu and Kashmir. India’s NGO, says TNCs are driven by the need to recoup the billions they experiencing “terrible famine” but the UN response has been “very, and nine submarines) would seek to western cultural bias, the most justification. As for religion, every main forces, especially its armoured spend on developing plant varieties. Thus, he says, they need the very slow.” This is partly because “humanitarian needs are being dominate the north Arabian Sea, monopoly rights offered by UPOV, which works by denying farmers the troublesome being women’s rights. religion embodies certain verities forces, even now at the height of subordinated to political calculations,” de Torrente says, noting that, cutting off Pakistan from trade and control they have traditionally enjoyed over their own, often superior How can women’s rights be universal applicable to all mankind—justice, mobilisation, remain deployed in a in contrast to Angola’s case, the international donor community has resupply. and biodiverse seed varieties. Sharma says that this has led to a loss of when, in some societies, marriage is truth, mercy, compassion—and men moved very fast in responding to appeals made on behalf of strategically defensive posture across the seed varieties and to unsustainable farming practices and to farmers in seen not as a contract between two often allow god to be blamed for their Afghanistan. “If you do their political bidding,” says one UN official, region outside Kashmir. India’s offensive In the face of India’s vast countries like India supporting inappropriate and sometimes dangerous individuals but as an alliance between own sins. As UN Secretary-General “the donors are more than willing to meet your needs.” operations are likely to be conducted in advantages in conventional forces and research, such as the “terminator seed”. lineages, and women’s behaviour is Kofi Annan put it, the problem is not UN operations in Angola have received 24 percent of the funds small doses, with infantry attacks by small flexible strategy, there is a grave risk central to a society’s perception of with the faith, but with the faithful. they sought and those in Sudan, about 18 percent, officials here units layered between artillery barrages. Pakistan will escalate its response, familial honor? Meanwhile, some When one hears of the unsuitabil- say. In Guinea, they blame a lack of funds for a failure to put a dent Pakistan would likely respond in even to the point of using nuclear religious leaders argue that there is a weapons. India’s nuclear doctrine, (IPS) ity or ethnocentrism of human rights, in epidemics of cholera and measles. Lack of medicine and food is kind, and a continuing battle of attrition built-in conflict between the universal- hampering UN capacity to deal with famine in North Korea. poorly understood abroad, is not to what rights can someone in a would ensue without territorial advances, ity of human rights and the particular- use nuclear weapons first. Pakistan developing country do without? The something akin to the Israeli-Egyptian ity of religious perspectives. does not subscribe to “no-first-use”. Cleaning up ODA right to life? Freedom from torture? battles between 1971-73. (It should be ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Still, it will likely resort to nuclear How do we respond to these The right not to be enslaved, remembered, however, that those battles TOKYO - This year’s White Paper on Japanese overseas development weapons only if its survival, or objections? Concepts of justice and physically assaulted, arbitrarily led to the Yom Kippur War of 1973, a assistance calls for active participation of grassroots organisations and (IPS) extremely vital interests, are at stake. law, legitimacy and dignity, protection arrested, imprisoned or executed? struggle that at one moment almost the private sector in the implementation of aid and grant programs. The Foreign Ministry document aims to address a recent spate of from oppressive rule and participation Objections to human rights standards India does not want a classic victory over nearly lured the US and USSR into the India will try not to push STEPHANIE WELSH/WORLD PRESS PHOTO 1996 PHOTO PRESS WELSH/WORLD STEPHANIE in community affairs are found in are all too frequently voiced by scandals that have eroded public support for overseas assistance most serious nuclear confrontation since Pakistan into such a corner; its war is against the lingering domestic recession. Budgetary constraints have every society; and the challenge facing authoritarian rulers and power elites to More for NATO Pakistan, but both sides might push each against terrorism, and not Pakistan. An East African woman recovering from forced genital mutilation. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ the Cuban Missile Crisis.) India believes forced the government cut spending on ODA, Japan’s main diplomatic human rights advocates is to identify rationalise the violations that keep SOFIA,- A meeting of the parliament of the North Atlantic Treaty other to annihilation yet. static warfare and a battle of attrition Should Pakistan strike first, most of tool, by 10 percent in the current year from the previous year to around he question is often asked is no universal culture, so there are no the common denominators. These them in power. Third World Organisation has recommended that seven more countries be asked would substantially interfere with India’s nuclear arsenal would survive $468 billion dollars, the lowest level since fiscal 1987. whether “human rights” is an universal human rights. Some objections reflect a false opposition communitarianism can be the slogan to deliver, in terms of Indian Asahi, a leading Japanese daily, said that the new moves are a to join NATO later this year. The parliamentary assembly of NATO ut through all the rhetoric and thus apply force in small doses spread terrorist infiltration across the Line of essentially western concept that philosophers object that the concept of between the primacy of the individual of a deracinated tyrant trained, as Pol which ended in the Bulgarian capital Sofia Tuesday indicated that doctrine, “assured retaliation” leading T posturing of war, terrorism, over time with a cumulative impact Control that separates Indian Kashmir “welcome sign” and prove that the foreign ministry is not trying to simply ignores the different cultural, human rights is founded on an and that of society. Authoritarians oftenPot was, at the Sorbonne. The Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to “unacceptable levels of punish- use NGOs as tools to conduct its own aid programmes, but encouraging and nuclear holocaust, and one possibly extending beyond the next from that controlled by Pakistan. economic and political realities of the individualistic view of man as an cite culture as a defense against human authentic voices of the South know are likely to receive invitations to join NATO at its next meeting in C ment.” The war in slow motion runs relations on an equal footing. Toshihiko Kuroiwa, from the Institute of year—a war in slow motion. Real escalation would come with the South. Can the values of a consumer autonomous being whose greatest needrights, and then crush culture when it how to cry out in pain, and they must Prague in November. The assembly passed a declaration that these thing is clear. India, badly shaken by the risk of causing total annihilation. Developing Economies, says Japanese ODA should shift from its use of combat aircraft. With a 750 to emphasis on building infrastructure that requires huge amounts of cash society be applied to societies with is to be left alone, free from interfer- suits them anyway. Besides, which be heeded. seven countries had carried out successful reforms and contributed last December’s suicide attack on its India enjoys a substantial towards NATO operations in the Balkans. The Assembly stopped 350 numerical advantage in combat in the form of yen loans, to social and technology assistance. nothing to consume? At the risk of ence by the state, while non-western country can claim to be following its parliament (which came within quantitative and qualitative superiority short of recommending that any country should definitely be aircraft, India’s Air Force is far superior. sounding frivolous: when you stop a societies often espouse a “traditional culture”? You can’t follow seconds of wiping out the entire over Pakistan in conventional forces, admitted. Indications arose that the case of Bulgaria and Romania is India has a decisive edge with 390 high man in traditional dress from beating communitarian ethic where society is the model of a “modern” nation-state political leadership of the world’s which is why Pakistan acquired particularly strong. The three applicant countries not named were performance modern (1980-90s (IPS) his wife, are you upholding her more than the sum of its individual cutting across tribal boundaries and Albania, Croatia and Macedonia. largest democracy) is not bluffing. It isnuclear weapons, seeking the security acquisitions) all-weather combat aircraft human rights or violating his? Serious members, and duties are more conventions, and then argue that tribal prepared to go to war to put a stop to of nuclear stalemate. India’s “war (40 Sukhoi-30, 50 Mirage-2000 multi- objections exist to the concept of important than rights. traditions should be used to judge the the terrorist incursions that have aim”—if war ever comes—is to raise Restoring rights role combat aircraft, 70 air superiority ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ universal human rights, which its There is the usual North/South state’s human rights conduct. (IPS) ravaged Kashmir for 18 years. the costs to Pakistan of its policy of MiG-29, and 110 Jaguars and 120 defenders need to honestly acknowl- Culture isn’t sacrosanct anyway. It Yet India’s “war policy” is flexible encouraging cross-border terrorism. UNITED NATIONS - Afghanistan has decided to set up its first inde- argument, with “human rights” cast as MiG-27 strike aircraft) compared to pendent National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to probe past and edge, if only to refute. and does not demand a classical At present levels of deployment along a cover for western intervention in the (Project Syndicate) Pakistan’s 30-odd F-16 multi-role present abuses in the war-ravaged country. UN spokesperson David Less aid to the poorest victory over Pakistan. It wants to end the 2,900-km long border, Pakistan’s (Project Syndicate) The first objection argues that all developing world. Some say develop- ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ Singh told reporters here last week that the Afghan Interim Administra- ing countries cannot afford human cross-border terrorism by changing annual military bill will jump from tion decided to create the commission in Kabul in conjunction with the rights and values are defined and (Shashi Tharoor is an Under BRUSSELS - European Union aid to low income countries was rights, since nation-building and Pakistan’s long-held belief that it 35 percent to 42 percent of GDP, a (Air Commodore Jasjit Singh United Nations and a group of some 50 Afghan human rights activists. limited by cultural perceptions; there Secretary General of the United almost halved over the past decade, an independent report claims. The report by BOND, a network of more than 240 British non- could “bleed India with a thousand hideous amount in a decaying is Director, Centre for The Commission will be financed entirely by donors and is to be Nations.) governmental organisations claims that EU aid to low income cuts” at low cost to itself. India will economy. India will see its military established this week and begin its work for an initial period of two years Strategic and International beginning in July. countries decreased from 70 per cent of its total development Studies, New Delhi.) assistance in 1990 to just 39 per cent in 2000. The findings in the Rights activists say that the first order of business is dealing with COMMENT by JOSEPH E STIGLITZ report Tackling Poverty: a proposal for European Union aid reform ongoing human rights problems, specifically attacks on ethnic groups in were immediately challenged by Poul Neilson, the EU northern Afghanistan. Afghanistan has had a long history of human Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian aid. Aid to the rights violations by successive governments over the last two decades, the worst under the Taleban against women and girls whose access to poorest had not decreased, he said. “Our development policy is education, health care facilities and employment was severely re- global and many of the states we give aid to are among the poorest VVVAAACANCYCANCYCANCY stricted. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson said Back to Keynes in the world,” he said. The BOND report claims that the stated aim of EASY TIMESthe commission is important for families of those who have suffered EU development policy, to eventually eradicate poverty, is “increas- Business Development Officer rights violations. Asked if present leaders would also be subject to he market economy has always been subject to fluctuations, to booms andfought against. Keynes struggled against the notion embodied in the IMF ingly dwarfed by other agendas, such as trade, agriculture, foreign It’s never been easier to subscribe to prosecution if found guilty of abuses, Singh said there is no provision in busts. Capitalist economies are not self-adjusting: market forces might “theory” that if only countries would cut their deficits, “confidence” would be and security policies.” The report claims that in 2000 the EU Private Sector Promotion (PSP) Project is a Nepalese-German technical cooperation project imple- Nepali Times. the Bonn agreement to provide immunity from future prosecution. allocated only 4 percent of its aid to basic education and just 2 Just dial this number and leave eventually restore an economy of full employment, as Keynes said, but inrestored, investment would return, and economic performance recovers, and the mented by German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). The Project aims to enhance the competitiveness of T percent to basic health. The new campaign will propose that 35 your address. the long run we are all dead. Keynes proposed clear prescriptions for hard government’s budget targets are more than met. percent of EU aid go to social services such as health and educa- Nepal’s private sector. One way the Project aims to do that is by providing business advice and strategic economic times: expansionary monetary and fiscal policy. He thought fiscal policyI know of no country where this scenario has played out successfully, for tion. financial assistance to selected firms and companies to help commercialize their services. (IPS) particularly important in situations where monetary policy was likely to be there are two key problems with it. Confidence is important, but it is only one PSP is looking to expand its operations by hiring a Business Development Officer to carry out the ineffective. factor. For example, even if telecom investors become utterly confident in the US following core tasks: In advanced economies, Keynesian economics is the bread and butter of economy, they won’t invest in more fibre optics, given today’s huge excess (IPS) economic forecasting and policymaking, capacity. Core Tasks ensuring that expansions are longer and Deficits, for their part, aren’t the only, Selling the Project’s offer of business advice and financial assistance to private sector downturns shallower and shorter. Certainly, or even the most important, factor deter- No right to food businesses. theory and practice have been refined—the mining investor confidence. A country in ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○ Working with businesses to translate their ideas into deliverable and profitable new services. theory of asymmetric information provides recession or depression does not inspire ROME - The only document that delegates signed at the second much of the micro-foundations for modern confidence. Contractionary policies World Food Summit in Rome had a delayed and laborious birth and, PSP is seeking applicants for this position with the following profile macroeconomics. But some of the simplest, exacerbate recession, and investors wait and at times, risked stillbirth. The Declaration finally adopted satisfies no A motivated, resourceful professional with a strong business and/or service orientation. one, but was accepted by all governments as compromise. The oldest, most important precepts are as valid see. As they wait, they won’t like what they Able to come up with and apply structured reasoning to help solve business problems. today as ever—for example, temporary developing world pressed for a more forceful document; the US Able to deliver tangible results with minimum supervision. see. After all, the first effect of expenditure delegation said the document had gone too far. Agreement on the income tax cuts are unlikely to be effective, cutbacks is a further decline in income, and Declaration—which is bereft of any new targets or commitments— Open and quick to learn new concepts and ideas. while temporary investment tax credits can be profitability of investment. Then, tax was finally saved by Irish mediator Aidan O’Driscoll telling delegates Able to work on small teams in a flexible organizational environment with a flat hierarchy. extremely powerful. revenues decline, and if the country has any to “take it or leave it”. Governments could not agree a title to begin Excellent English comprehension and expression. When the IMF forced large expenditure kind of social safety net, expenditures with. The US opposed the title International Alliance Against Hunger Of added advantage would be: cuts in East Asia, output in those countries increase. The hoped-for improvement in the on the grounds that it would risk creating new structures or demand At least three years’ of work experience in sales, marketing or advertising sectors. fell, just as Keynesian theory would have fiscal position does not materialise. At this new funding. Developing countries who backed this title managed to prevail. Later, delegates almost gave up trying to reach agreement 543333 predicted. In early 1998, when I was chief point, the IMF castigates the country for over the “right to food”. Developing countries rallied together to PSP offers, for this post starting 15 July 2002 and based in Kathmandu, a competitive salary and other economist of the World Bank, I debated the failing to fulfil its commitments. But the insert a clause “reaffirming the right of everyone to have access to facilities commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the applicant according to GTZ regula- US Treasury and the IMF concerning Russia. IMF should be castigated for pushing an safe and nutritious food.” tions. They said stimulating the Russian economy outdated economic theory. This represents no movement from the declaration at the first Interested applicants should send their CV, two references and a passport size photograph to the follow- would incite inflation. This was a remarkable Between 1999 and 2001, Argentina’s summit in Rome six years ago that spoke of “the right of everyone to admission: through their transition policies, central government had done an impressive have access to safe and nutritious food, consistent with the right to ing address by 28 June 2002. Telephone enquiries will not be entertained. Only short listed candidates will they had managed in a few years to decrease job of cutting back expenditures, net of adequate food and the fundamental right of everyone to be free be contacted for interview. the productive capacity of the world’s interest, by 10 percent. What would have from hunger.” The Food and Vacancy – Business Development Officer number two superpower by more than 40 Agriculture Organisation (FAO) IMF economists need to return to whathappened if its provincial governors had Private Sector Promotion Project – GTZ percent, a devastating outcome greater than that of any war! The loss went well which is hosting the summit says works. Like Keynes,miraculously for beeninstance. converted to the IMF’s niggardly “logic”? I believe the this agreement does not require the P.O. Box 1457 beyond the cutback in military expenditures, overwhelming the civilian industrialdownturn would have come earlier and more precipitously. Today’s unemploy- and agricultural sectors. In August 1998, with the ruble’s devaluation, we tested State to feed its people, but only Neer Bhawan, Sanepa, Lalitpur ment rates of 20 percent or more (with another 10-15 percent of hidden that “the State must respect and the alternative, Keynsian hypotheses. Production soared relatively quickly, unemployment) would have been seen even before last December. Riots and protect the right of individuals to showing that policies emphasising excessive austerity had caused unnecessary political protests would have broken out earlier, too. feed themselves.” The US govern- idleness of human and physical resources, and unnecessary suffering. Economics is a difficult subject, because we cannot conduct controlled ment feared that a firm and formal “right to food” could expose The IMF was slow to learn the lesson. While it belatedly recognised its fiscalexperiments. But we do have a wealth of experience from which to draw infer- policy mistake in East Asia, it repeated it in Argentina, forcing expenditure cuts governments to a legal challenge ences, and it all points in one direction: Keynes’ teachings are still very much from their hungry. that deepened recession and boosted unemployment to the point where thingsalive. finally fell apart. But even now the IMF insists on further cutbacks as a condition for assistance. It continues to insist on an alternative economic “theory” (though the term may suggest a higher level of analysis than is merited), one that Keynes (Project Syndicate)

(Joseph Stiglitz is professor of economics at Columbia University, and was (IPS) formerly Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank.) forms, and got back about 4,000 completed forms. The commission 121212 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS THIS PAGE CONTAINS MATERIAL SELECTED FROM THE NEPALI PRESS says that it has begun to compile14 a - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES HISTORY AND CULTURE 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES 131313 list of individuals who have not Blame Deuba criticise the prime inisterm either submitted details of their property, Shailaja Acharya, Arjun Narsingh ART REVIEW by SOPHIAPANDE ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ politically or legally. but has not said when it will make KC, Narhari Acharya, Bimalendra Bimarsha,7 June the names public. Nidhi, Prakashman Singh, KB Back at Sundarijal >12 Royal interviews Gurung, and Interim Finance In the red Minister Devendraraj Pandey. Excerpts of an interview with ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Bimarsha, 7 June Congress lawyer Mukunda Windows on Nepal Narahari Acharya, member of the Dristi, 11 June I have started taking vitamins and minerals capsules sent by Regmi, former attorney generals Nepali Congress doctor. He wants my stool sent for examination before he will pre- His Majesty’s interview [last week] Sarwogyaratna Tuladhar and The Commission for the Investiga- scribe medicine for my dysentery. He has sent a disposal envelope for was well planned and thought-out. Motikaji Sthapit, and government Nepal, Indiathe purpose. and Tomorrow I will send my Chinastool. A new show at the Park Gallery The interview was organised to Who is responsible for the tion of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) attorney Balram KC have also portray His Majesty’s views one year The list cements its reputation for present state of affairs in the is gearing up to take action against ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ disobeyed the commission’s order. after his ascension to the throne. the wives, children, and relatives of Sources told us that because an Congress? Jana Aastha, 12 June Ninety percent of those in the showcasing innovative art in Nepal. I hold Prime Minister Sher Bahadurhigh-ranking government officials interview with the Rastriya legal service have already ○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ and ministers who have misused Samachar Samiti (RSS) would Deuba responsible, looking at the Seventy-five of the 250 leaders whosubmitted their forms, but reach all newspapers, it was first their privileges of red [special issue present state of affairs. But many have held the post of either the National Planning Commission asked to submit the questions. Thepast incidents have also contributedofficial] passports. The CIAA he Park Gallery, run by photographer Navin Joshi and his chairman and general manager of prime minister or minister since member Rameshananda Vaidya the RSS, Purushottam Dahal, hadto bringing the situation to this decided to act after investigating has still not done so. rd family, lies in an old house off Pulchowk. Joshi took over the appeals regarding the misuse of red 1990 have still not submitted 23 January put forward the questions. After pass. If the party president had been completed property valuation Commission sources say CPN- Trunning of the gallery after the death of his father in 1988 and, that, though, it was decided that anable to control the prime minister passports and has directed the forms that the judicial commission UML general secretary Madhav Sundarijal like his father, uses his gallery to promote local artists and their interview on television would be in time, we might have been able toForeign Ministry and concerned more effective and would also be to investigate assets handed out Nepal and member Bamdev We are informed that in view of the inadequacy of food allowanceartwork. avoid this accident. departments to provide a list of red of Rs 12/- it has been decided to raise it to Rs 14/-. Sent stool for useful in portraying His Majesty’s earlier this year. Among these, Gautam have already given in their The current exhibition, Three Men’s Perspectives, is an amalgam So the party is also responsi- passports distributed to date, along pathological exam. My mood is a little better today. I did some personality and voice, and so it surprisingly, are comrades who property valuations. of three distinctly different perspectives on Nepal. Joshi’s photographs was decided to grant interviews toble? with details. exercise, asan pranayam and bathed. I take scrub bath everyday never tire of talking about equality capture tiny everyday actions, scenes, and objects that we take for both state-run media [print and There are two parties in any fight. The Commission has decided at 10:30 for about an hour when I rub mustard oil over my body— television]. and good morals. when there is sun. I don’t know if long stay in the sun is good,granted. for The images are presented in variations of black and white, Many fights are avoidable, if one that only government officials, and Prior to this, because His Majesty had granted audiences only to Information from reliable me. I smoked a cigar after breakfast. I am smoking for the firstbecause time he believes that this eliminates the distracting colours in party can remain controlled and usenot their kin, are entitled to use after having given it up for four months. I have been advisedscenes by thatmy cause our eyes to dismiss them as mundane. After all, journalists from the private sector press, and there had been its common sense. sources says the lit of defaulters Bombay doctor that I should avoid smoking in view of chronic comments about that. It was for that reason that Durga Nath Sharma, red passports and even they may Dream come true everything is worthy of being photographed. Drying chillies and includes former ministers such as ○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○ bronchitis, which is producing, emphysema. The doctor had general manager of NTV had to submit his questions for the But with whom does greater only use them for official visits. former Minister for Education recommended deep breathing to tone up my lungs. I am resuminghanging garlic, beaten wheat and the television interview beforehand. After both parties had submittedblame lie—the prime ministerThe passports have to be returned Editorial in Rajdhani , 10 June mani around a Buddhist temple written questions, some similar questions in both were retained,or andthe party president [Girija Deviprasad Ojha, former Minister smoking, but still do it sparingly. I feel the need of smoking some- to the concerned department upon times, like in the morning immediately after bed tea and in thethat our hands run over but our eyes ignore—all these have been some different questions were also included. For example, onePrasad set Koirala]? completion of the official trips. In of Local Development and A well-known leader once said that kept the query on SAARC and the other on Bhutan. The general Transport Chandra Prakash afternoon after tea. In prison smoking helps. It helps whencaptured there is and the importance of daily routines born of old traditions managers were also permitted to ask a few follow-up questions.It wasThe the disciplinary committee’s a letter to the Ministry of Foreign every citizen is entitled to a house mental strain or tension. It may be bad for your body all right,have but been it lovingly rendered into detailed, evocative records. decision to expel the prime minister Mainali, former Agriculture does good to your soul. At my age I have to take care of my soul interview was recorded on 3 June. The previous day, NTV technicians Affairs and concerned departments, and a milch cow. Fulfilling that Nick Dawson, a British man who has lived in Nepal since 1997, were taken to Mangal Sadan to arrange the technical aspects—from the party. The Central the CIAA has warned that the Minister Trilochan Dhakal, former was defined as socialism. This more than my body. In jail condition it is the mind that suffers more chairs, tables, lighting in a way “that would be good.” The televisionWorking Committee retains the directives have to be implemented Minister of Industry Hemraj Rai, vision has almost come true in that the body—hence what keeps the mind soothing and tranquil,has a very different aesthetic. His work is abstract, quirky and visceral. interview was recorded at 4PM, and lasted for about an hour. Dahal even if it may have a bad effect on your body, should be adopted. authority to cancel that decision or within three months, otherwise former Minister for Tourism His photographs are alive with colours and textures. One feels like was called in for his audience after that. His Majesty’s secretaries had Yamlal Kandel, and former In order to give up smoking on my doctor’s advice I have rotatedone could reach in and touch the veined leaves, and the bright, fleshy amend it even now. But Prime stern action will be taken. taking Zarda, which I am now taking in bigger quantity since I am in advised [Dahal and Sharma] on when the interviews should be Assistant Minister for Information pink and orange petals of his flowers, and that one’s fingers might be published or broadcast, and how. Dahal and Sharma both sentMinister their Deuba, by dissolving According to reports, among prison. If I resume smoking, it may be in addition to my new final manuscript and tape to the palace for the final approval, and and Communication Yagyaraj bruised by the rough, grainy surfaces that dominate his photographs. parliament, has done something those that have misused their addiction of chewing Zarda. I take a small piece of betel nut what came back to them was put out for public consumption. thatThe even he cannot reverse or Neupane. Even Hariprasad Pandey, occasionally, and a few pills of Jartan. If drinks were provided,The photographs range from the very abstract to the very detailed. A prime minister had also been informed that His Majesty was granting official passports are the spouses of correct, so I find him more at fault. former Minister of State for Water they would go splendidly well with detention. As it is I can’tphotograph even titled Deep Blue is an unidentifiable, fantastically blue interviews to NTV and RSS. Both interviews were non-controversial. ministers. The Commission has smoke cigars as the price of good ones are prohibitive—Rs 3/- What options did the prime Resources in the CPN-UML mosaic which sucks you in no matter where you are in the gallery. His Majesty’s views were relevant and serious. The questions warned that if this trend does not government has not filled in the per cigar. When I asked him what it was, he grinned and said that it is the ranged from issues relating to the time when His Majesty was ministerbriefly have after the party stop in the specified three months, The atmosphere is so cold and the wind is so dry that I ordered him to withdraw the forms yet, even though he was swimming pool at the Hyatt. Another photograph called Light Switch on the throne in 1950 to the recent dissolution of the parliament. it will take action against the sometimes get bleeding from my left nostril. The room heater may The interviews also included questions on nationalism, monarchy,government proposal to recently in the news for owning up is a classic image of Nepali workmanship: a crooked light switch that members of the present council of to corruption. Other comrades in also be responsible for the dryness of the air in the room. cannotI, help but bring a smile to your face. Dawson talks about Nepal democracy, good governance, terrorism, SAARC, Bhutan, andextend the emergency? however, shut off the heater before I go to bed [at] about 9PM and economic development, among others. There were no unnecessary ministers and their better halves. the CPN-UML government who put it on again morning at about 4:30. being a mixture of the traditional and the modern, and his perspective or controversial answers. His Majesty’s voice, personality and He could have spoken his mind in Even now, the youngest wife of parliament and retracted the have not filled in their property comes through in his idiosyncratic, whimsical images of crooked light presentation were also effective. It was evident that His Majesty Minister of State for Foreign valuation forms include former switches and turmeric sellers coated in the yellow powder that is their wanted to answer each of the questions briefly and with the useproposal—that of would not have Affairs Arjun Jung Bahadur Singh symbols. Those journalists who have met the king in the past and minister without portfolio in the livelihood, smoking imported, white cigarettes. diminished his prestige. Even after and a host of other ministers’ wives those who have studied the published material attributed to Histhe party’s decision if the prime Home Ministry Bhim Bahadur Majesty had expected him to be clearer and more open. Instead of have travelled using red passports The winter and his incarceration drag minister was convinced that an Kadayat, former Minister of State open discussions between His Majesty and the interviewers, there was to Japan and South Korea to watch for Labour Govindanath Uprety, on during BP’s third week in plenty of formality. As a result, it is being assumed that manyextension of the emergency was Mirge village in Dolakha district. the World Cup, and for shopping former Minister of Tourism Salim questions that are on the people’s minds might have been essential, he could have taken the trips abroad. Here every household has a latrine detention. He is in a somewhat better excluded, as the formality hinted at the greater influence of proposal to the parliamentary Miya Ansari, former Minister of and the villagers are engaged in a overly traditional officials… frame of mind now, thinking more th party meeting after the party’s State for Health Bharat Bahadur campaign to build biogas plants. about keeping body and soul together25 January decision was made. If the parlia- Pradhan, and former Minister of We don’t know what the situation Sundarijal: mentary party had approved, he Law and Parliamentary Affairs in the village was 40 years ago with good food and tobacco. BP feels could have informed the party and Sitanandan Raya. when the politician promised all that the king’s take on foreign (From 23rd taken his proposal forward in Three ministers in the present villagers a home and a cow. But relations is unacceptably anti-Indian of February) parliament. If he had done that, government of Sher Bahadur today no one in the village is The King has pet propositions—that pertain to foreign relations. it would’ve been difficult to Unfilled forms Deuba are also on the list, because, while Nepal is always and ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ homeless, and we know this including Minister of State for 1. Nepal to be accepted as a Zone of Peace. Dristi, 11 June because they are talking about unquestionably important to India, for2. Nepal has inherent right as a land-locked state of access to the sea Housing and Development Keshav building not homes, but a latrine China it is simply a bargaining chip. though India. Thapa and Assistant Minister for in every home. We understand The judicial commission probing Water Resources Birendra that every home in Mirge also has Every fortnight Nepali Times brings you corruption has warned that it will Both of these propositions are in themselves unquestionable, but Kanaudiya. Likewise Lokendra cows, because without cows to make public the names of govern- extracts from BP’s unpublished the manner in which they are presented is unpropitious because Bahadur Chand, who was a produce dung, there would have ment officials and political diaries, handwritten in English. the impression is that these proposals are moves weighted by Rastriya Prajatantra Party prime been no talk of biogas. BP foreign elements to create a relationship of perpetual tension appointees who have yet to submit minister, Prakash Chandra Koirala’s dream of some 40 or 45 between Nepal and India. Moreover they have an anti-India bias. In QUOTE OF THE WEEK forms detailing their property Lohani, Rabindranath Sharma, years ago has come true, if only in such a context, to expect that India would accept these proposi-BeatingThe third wheat artist in a modern in the show machine, is Kishor Navin Kayastha, Joshi. a 23-year-old holdings. Following warnings by tions would be foolish. The only consequence of these moves Kamal Thapa and Padma Sundar this village. In other words, Mirge photographer from Bhaktapur who was exposed to the world of the commission, some bureaucrats, would be a long standing embittered relationship between India and We don’t have any economic policy now. Lawoti have not turned in their has achieved socialism. photography at the age of nine at his grandfather’s studio. This man’s parliamentarians and concerned nd Nepal—So on our part we should accept the nationalistic motive of forms either. Does that give one a sense of 22 January 1977 these propositions—accept them in theory and as an idealphotographs to be radiate a tender romanticism. His images are dreamy and —Himalaya Sumshere Rana, Chairman of Himalayan Bank, in Nepal Samacharpatra, 7 Juneindividuals have turned in the When the forms were handed achieved. But the task to achieve it should be handed overpermeated to us— with a sense of expectation, as if something were just about forms. Others, however, have how long it can take for the Sundarijal out, the judicial commission asked or such elements as the body politic of Nepal that are strictlyto happen. Temples just barely visible through thick mist, a girl challenged the commission’s dreams we dream today to come We had, perhaps the coldest night of the season. The whole respondents to return them in 15 nationalised, but at the same time are not regarded as anti-India,looking out onto an open vista, and stick figures that are childhood authority and say they will not true? We can easily assume that compound is covered with heavy frost. The sun appearedwith at whom India can deal with confidence and trust. These days. There are currently about 40 about 10AM, GM putsKotara a of water for birds in the open. In endeavours at art stare out at one from the wall, each image the submit the forms to a judicial the people of the village might elements should also be acceptable to China as being not wholly Nepali Congress leaders and former portrayal of a possibility. Kayastha talks of the many different proc- probe commission that does not now be dreaming of roads, the morning a thin crust of ice is formed. Today a thick crustsold wasout to India. The crux of the matter is in which the King has to ministers who have not done so, formed. But there has been no snow at all yet on the hilltops.understand, that Nepal is of vital interest for India is not a negoti-esses that he works with in the darkroom in order to achieve the have the legal right to conduct the telephones, hospitals, drinking including Laxman Ghimire, Today being Saturday there was no newspaper suppliedable to commodity—whereas with China it is only a stick to beatresults India he has already pictured in his mind’s eye. As he talks it investigation. water and schools. The younger us, and there is no expectation of anything happening. Surpris-with. If there is a restoration of friendly relationship betweenbecomes India apparent that all of his work is laden with meaning. He What action will the commis- generation may even be dreaming and China, Nepal will certainly be of no interest to China. Moreo- of computers and colour televi- ingly however, Chinese food, fruits, cheese came from GM’s points to a photograph of a girl with her hair swinging backwards, sion take against such individuals? house. Perhaps his daughters had come to the gate withver, apart from predominant interest for security and otheraway reasons from her head, and dissolving into storm clouds. He says that the sions. At least 40 years ago we had that India has in Nepal, the historical linkage between the two Sources at the commission told us Mangalaji with these articles. They have bought two cigars for a leader who had a vision of giving countries has left a built-in Indian influence, greater that anyphotograph other is a representation of every Nepali girl’s dreams. A Nepali that some names are powerful me. A tin of tobacco has also been bought for me but it has been girl has a dreamy quality, he says, she has hidden hopes and desires, “one home and a cow” to every sent to army HQ along with an alarm watch which GM hadpowers, sent which we can’t wish away. In this situation we have to individuals within the council of be very cautious when formulating out policy with India. Unfortu-and when she gets married, all of these hopes dissolve and are swept family. Today we don’t even have for security. I don’t know what they will scrutinise. In their ministers, including Chiranjivi nately caution has been thrown to the winds by the makers of someone who will dare say overcautiousness, lest we get clandestine message from away like clouds in the wind. Kayastha uses his technical skill and Wagle, Khum Bahadur Khadka, foreign policy in recent years. This is a task for which we are something like “the Internet in outside, they would like to see if the tin of tobacco and the innovation to flesh out his insights. The result is a wonderful collec- and National Planning Commis- timepiece contain anything objectionable. When I have goteminently cigars suited. This should be impressed upon the King. tionThe of vivid, glowing photographs. every home”—even if it just for qualification an aspirant party should be that— it must be sion member Dr Prakash Sharan all right, then this non-delivery of tobacco is not meant that the sake of saying something. It is quite an experience to walk into one space and be Mahat. Some former Chief Justices smoking wouldn’t be allowed inside the detention camp. Mangalaji Whatever the motivation, whether 1. which commands the confidence of the people, confronted with three such different perspectives on Nepal and Nepali Nayan Bahadur Khatri and has also bought a thick sweater type, but ganji since it is too big BP’s slogan or whether the desire and hence can govern with their consent. life. Each photographer has his own style and within minutes one can Bishwanath Upadhyaya, and senior for GM I have taken it for my use. GM thinks that the cotton came from the villagers themselves, sweater is meant for me, otherwise Mangalaji wouldn’t have2. nationalist in its overall approach and recog- match the photograph with the artist. Navin Joshi talks about his advocate Mukunda Regmi were Mirge has set an example by brought a sweater to suit my size. Anyway, it is a very warmnised as just inside and outside the country. efforts to expose the public to various different styles and viewpoints. also among some prominent building toilets and biogas plants. thing and comfortable. In the evening we had a good Chinese3. its home policy must be slightly to the left of He has done an admirable job in this exhibition. The odd and names that had not complied dinner—Chowmein, fried prawn, sweet and sour pork. There We need similar campaigns in the centre wonderful thing about the three such distinctive collections is that with the rules. was some curd also, but we have kept it for tomorrow’s lunch. other parts of Nepal. Maybe that they all have one underlying common theme: that every little aspect of Everyday the pile of laundry increases. I can’t do the 4.wash- must be acceptable to India Will the commission dare would happen if Mirge village 5. must not be anti China life is worthy of being photographed, and that there is beauty and make public the names of such were Kathmandu and Singha ing because the water is unbearably cold and soap doesn’t6. Our party qualifies for the task, because it meets mystery in the simplest things. individuals and initiate action wash off soon. We have a very small kettle meant for boiling Darbar, the VDC office… water for tea. Hence hot water is not available in sufficientall the above requirements. against them? The commission, set quantity. My clothes become dirty soon, because I rub mustard oil up on 18 March this year is to everyday allver o my body. complete its work in six months. Ram, Ram Ram (Good Lord) So far, it has distributed 35,000

Spacetime, 9 June “Three Men’s Perspectives” is running through 22 June at the Park Gallery, Pulchowk, 10AM-5PM, except Saturdays. Email [email protected]. 522307 141414 CITY 14 - 20 JUNE 2002NEPALI TIMES SPORT 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES 151515 SUCKER FOR SOCCER ABOUT TOWN YAK YETI YAK by MIKU by BILL BREWSTER EXHIBITION Three Men’s Perspective A three-man exhibition of photographic art 9-27 June, 10AM-5PM, Kick ball to football except Saturdays, Park Gallery, Pulchowk. 522307 Life and natureExhibition of paintings by Sharada Chitrakar. 16-21 June, Nepal Art Council, The real stars Babar Mahal. The best thing FOOTBALLFOOTBALLFOOTBALL about a World Cup Bookie’s Bar Watch World Cup games, win free buffets and other prizes with isloincloth the and fans. a strange pair of shoes every match. Free entrance, Hotel Yak & Yeti everyday. 248999 made of walnut shells that clacked Word Cup Football Show All the World Cup matches on the Summit big feverishly○○○○○○ when○○○○○○○○○○ he danced. And screen. Free Entry. 521810 everyone, everywhere, was banging Uncork the good times at the Fusion Bar, Dwarika’s Hotel. 43” TV for World on drums, blowing whistles Cup matches, introductory offer of 30 percent discount on food and beverages. hile my first trip to Japan COURTESY: PAWAN ACHARYA and chanting. 479488 has at times felt a little But I still didn’t have a ticket, Games, questionnaires, prizes and cocktails such as Bend it like Beckham, Zizu’s Kick, BOOKWORM Wdisorienting, the festival and was feeling a little pessimistic a Blanco’s Left Foot, Piero’s Punch, and World Cup special meals. The Fun Café, Corner Bar, Splash atmosphere of the World Cup is half-hour before kick-off, when most Bar & Grill. The Radisson Hotel. High Exposure: An enduring passion for Everest and other unforgiving David places Breashears clearly here, and that familiar frenzy— of the crowd was already seated in the ANTOANETA BEZLOVAin BEIJING Catch of the match Every World Cup match, everyday, with food and drink at The Jazz Bar, Penguin Books India, New Delhi, 1999 ephemeral though it may be—has stadium. Then I saw a group of ○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Shangri-La Hotel. 412999 Rs 472 helped me feel at home. My favourite middle-aged Mexican guys hurrying Keen to watch their national team in its World Cup debut after 44 years David Breashears, legendary rock climber, mountaineer and high-altitude filmmaker, discusses the part of the World Cup is the fans, and of failing to qualify, some 25,000 Chinese football fans travelled to Best steaks and ESPN World Cup at games K-too! Beer & Steakhouse, Thamel. Buy two beers, towards the gate. They had an extra public’s fascination with climbing and tries to answer the basic question: why climb? He discusses his their enthusiasm and excitement don’t South Korea, where the Chinese team is playing. Hundreds of millions get a can free, daily specials. 433043. ticket and, no doubt because of my more, or 80 per cent of the population, are glued to television sets with early climbing experiences in Colorado, USA, and the Yosemite National Park, his lifelong passion for change, regardless of when or where WHO IS THIS MAN? Nepalis watching the Cameroon-Saudi Arabia match were recent experiences haggling in Nepali all the vigour of true fanatics. the Himalaya, and the filming of the IMAX film on Everest during the 1996 disaster. the games are being played. bazars, I got an unbelievable seat for EVENTSEVENTSEVENTS startled to see a man in a dhaka topi and a large Nepali flag in the audience. Shireesh As Chinese history textbooks point out, “it was the Middle Kingdom My first day in Tokyo I wanted to half-price: 16 rows up from the field, Football meets bowling The ten pins: your opponents, the strikes: goals. Starts 19 June, 6PM on, Bhatta (above) had the cap and a little flag. A Japanese Nepal-lover, Koji Kanayama, was and not England where the greatest game on earth was invented and semi-final and final on 20 and 23 June, 6PM on. Rs 1,000 per head includes entry to tournament, True Summit: What Really Happened on the Legendary Ascent of Annapurna try my ticket-scalping luck in responsible for the large sun-and-moon TVbeer viewers and half-watchedacross the world Brazil saw. destroy right behind the Mexico bench. I sat played some two millennia ago.” The game of “kick ball” was played as drinks and official World Cup jersey/trophy. Bowling Boulevard Indoor Stadium,Kantipath. David Roberts suburban Ibaraki for the Italy-Croatia China while comparing notes of past with the men from whom I’d bought early as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE to 220CE). Chinese athletes kicked [email protected] Touchstone, New York, 2002 match. But I overslept after all the during the match, he stood up on his soccer travels, and when we parted, we the ticket, and they even lit a victory the ball in a rectangular court surrounded by an enclosing wall. At that travelling, and missed the special cigar after Mexico came back from a time, the ball was solid, made of pig’s bladder and stuffed with animal Sinners in heaven MTV VJs Nikhil Chinnapa and Nafisa Joseph, DJ from Djinns in Delhi, buffet, Rs 1,000 stool and tried to lead the crowd in pledged to meet again next week for fur. By the 7 trains to the stadium. So I headed to a goal down to pull out a 2-1 win. bottomless bar. 7Pm onwards, 14 June, The Atrium, Hotel Yak & Yeti. Tickets Rs 1,299 singlesIn June and 1950, Rs a team of mountaineers led by Maurice Herzog was the first to conquer an 8,000 m chants of “Ee-Tal-Ya! Ee-Tal-Ya!” in another night on the stools. 1,999 couples at Bhatbhateni, Bluebird, Hotel Yak & Yeti. pub in the entertainment district of hopes of spurring his heroes on to The next day I took a train to On the train home, I chatted with th century, the ball became air-filled and kicking it around peak. Herzog’s Roppongi instead, and plopped myself Second Bagmati River FestivalFriends of the Bagmati environmental group open to all, next Annapurna has long been regarded as a climbing classic, but here Roberts presents a victory. It wasn’t Italy’s best day and Miyagi in northern Japan for Mexico- a yellow-jerseyed Ecuadorian named became popular with Chinese women too. All over the centuries, imperial down on a stool for some football. meeting Wednesday 26 June, 3PM, Dwarika’s Hotel. [email protected] of the fascinating tale using newly-available documents and a rare interview with Herzog. He as the game slipped away Tetsu grew Ecuador. In the stations, and on the Ruby who lives in New York City andcourt literati would be commissioned to write eulogies to the most lays bare Herzog’s self-serving determination and bestows long-delayed credit to the most accom- Next to me was a burly Japanese guy visibly agitated. Italy took a 1-0 lead trains you could feel the anticipation. works in a sweater factory. Not the exciting contests of “kick ball”. Namaste Banepa education project needs ideas and input. Email [email protected] for details. proudly wearing the Italian national plished and unsung heroes. early in the second half, but lost the Hanging around the stadium before a greatest job in the world, but he could Preserved Eastern Han Dynasty frescoes depict women’s football team jersey. “My name is Tetsu,” he initiative as Croatia pressed forward. save enough money to fly across the matches, while some temple murals and silk scrolls give a glimpse of MUSICMUSICMUSIC World Cup game is a big rush— said. That means philosophy.” Since I Tetsu had already chain-smoked half a world with a friend to see his home male “kick ball” contests. Bidding to host the Olympic Games in 2008 last Dance down memory Wednesdaylane and Friday nights with Teesta. The Rox Bar at the Hyatt The New Leaders: Transforming the Art of Leadership into the Science of everybody’s in a good mood and studied philosophy, I figured he’d be pack of Lucky Strikes when Croatia gotwearing their national team jerseys, country in its first-ever World Cup. year, Beijing organised an exhibition displaying China’s long history of Regency Kathmandu. 491234 Results Daniel Goleman, Richard Boyatzis, Annie McKee sporting genius. Along with clay models of Chinese ancient footballers, a good companion. the inevitable tying goal. Croatia and a few people always take the Even after his team lost, he was still Live music by Catch 22, Friday nights at the 40,000 ½ ft Bar, Rum Doodle Restaurant, Thamel. Little, Brown, London, 2002 Tetsu recently graduated from an the China Sports Museum showed unearthed evidence that even sports scored again—time for another drink. celebration a little further. On Sunday,amused that, here in Japan, everyone such as golf and baseball had their prototypes in the Middle Kingdom. 414336 Rs 632 As the crowd cheered for a Croatia agricultural university, but his major a few Ecuadorian fans were wearing on the train was cracking jokes in Winning the bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games has boosted Goleman’sEmotional Intelligence changed our concept of ‘being smart’, proving that how we handle field of study seems to have been upset, Tetsu sat disconsolate, shaking Spanish. Plus, he sees another hats shaped like fruit baskets. One awareness of China’s ancient sports culture and also dangerously raised DRINKDRINKDRINK ourselves and our relationships matters more than IQ or technical skill in educational success. Now the football. And his favourite team in the his head and smoking faster than ever. Mexican fellow was marching around Ecuador match this week, and it the stakes for Chinese athletes. Expectations have been running so high Metre of Malts Single malt exhibition and tasting. Twelve single malts for Rs 999. Evenings, Piano authors explore the consequences of EI for leaders and organisations. world—even more than his home But five minutes after the whistle was in an elaborate headdress, a suede doesn’t really matter that it will almost that China’s national team was forced to release an open letter asking for Lounge, Hotel Yak & Yeti. 248999 country’s—is Italy. Several times blown on a 2-1 Croatia victory, his certainly be their last. That kind of forgiveness from the public if the country suffered a defeat at the World Mountain Madness Cocktails, happy hour everyday 4PM-8 PM, two for the price of one at Rs 250. dark mood cleared. We got another dedication and joy is what makes Cup. “We are a new team in the World Cup and a weak one,” the letter Courtesy: Mandala Book Point, Kantipath, 227711, [email protected] said. “Our lack of experience and ability have determined that we won’t Kilroy’s of Kathmandu, Thamel. 250440 World Cup fans so much fun to be around. be able to go far.” Posted on the Chinese Football Association’s website, CLASSIFIED the letter was called “defeatist” by many fans who believe the government FOODFOODFOOD is trying intentionally to dampen hopes at home. “The Communist Party ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Potatoes potential Potatoes at The Fun Café for dinner until 20 Wanted: Flat in Lalitpur at Rs 3,500 per month Nagarkot special at Naked Bed Chef and is falling into its own trap,” said one foreign observer in Beijing. “They try to exploit sports to nurture nationalism but on the other hand they don’t approximately. Contact [email protected]. breakfast, three-course gourmet dinner. Rs 800 June, the Radisson Hotel. 411818 want football euphoria to run out of control.” Malaysian food Rojak, popiah goreng, kodak jaggong and more. All per person. For reservations ring 441494, 680006 through June, Shambhala Garden, Shangri La-Hotel. 412999 Foot - Reflexology: stressed or tired? UPLIFT YOUR Syakar Company Ltd Monsoon Madness Barbecue every weekend from 6:30 PM SPIRITS FROM YOUR TOES UP. Email: House for rent Ground floor: living room, kitchen, Jyoti Bhawan, Kantipath Kathmandu [email protected] or ring 425931 onwards at Rs 250. Kilroy’s of Kathmandu, Thamel. 250440 dining room, one bathroom. First floor: master (IPS) bedroom with attached bath, one bedroom, Wood fired pizzasat the new Roadhouse Café. Completely bathroom, pantry. Second floor: one bedroom For sale Kawasaki Caliber Chroma. Just 4000 km. redesigned with separate bar seating and coffee bar. The with attached bath, store, lobby. Third floor: Roadhouse Café, Thamel. Excellent mileage perfect condition. Contact terrace and laundry room. Location: Galfutar. Tel: 535920 or [email protected] Weekend Brunch Rs 350 per head, special package available with 412094. bowling. Oriental and continental lunch or dinner by the pond. 1905 Boardwalk, Kantipath. 225272 Vegetarian Specialties and clay-oven pizzas at Stupa View Restaurant & Terrace, Boudha.Flowerlovers don’t miss our special FUCHSIA exhibition!!!More than 60 new and very beautiful Stupa iewV and Restauranterrace & T at 480262 varieties of FUCHSIA, recently imported from Baudhanath Stupa. Well-appointed restaurant Authentic Thai food Everyday at Yin Yang Restaurant. 425510 Europe, are on sale now, for the first time ever in and terraces with views of stupa and Himalayas. Paddy Foley’s Irish APub wide range of drinks and food. Live music on Wednesday, ThursdayNepal. Only at THE BISHALNAGAR NURSERY, tel.International vegetarian specialties, pizza from and Sunday nights. 416096. 431797, five min from Bhatbhateni Supermarket, clay oven, ice cream, soft guitar tunes on Fridays, two min from Bishalnagar Chowk (turn right and Saturdays, Sundays from 5PM on. Special events BBQ and momo evenings 5PM onwards at Nanglo Café and Pub, Darbar Marg. 222636 downhill). on full moon. Open daily 11AM-8.30PM. 480262. Special Thai cuisineat Ban Thai Restaurant, Darbar Marg. 243271

GETAWAYS GETAWAYS Landrover Defender 110 1990, 146,000 kms. Duty ○○○○○○○○○○○○ K-Too! Beer and Steakhouse not the “longest”, Beat the Heat Large new swimming pool at Dwarika’s Hotel. Rs 500 per person, Rs 250 per child all not paid. Price negotiable. Contact 521105 “highest”, “first” or any other superlative. Just a day. Membership details on request. 479488 between 10AM-12 noon. relaxed, easy-going bar and restaurant with the Writing Retreat Full board package at Park Village Resort, Budhanilkantha. 375280 coldest beer and juiciest steaks this side of the moon. By the Kathmandu Guest House. 433043 The Great Godavari Getaway Special weekend packages including room with breakfast andHouse to let Sitapaila Heights, 5 min. from Ring dinner, 25 percent discount on health club facilities. Godavari Village Resort. 560675 Road, 15 min. from Lincoln School. Big compound. Taste the differenceCosy Nepali-style house on an organic farm in Gamcha, south of Thimi.Western Up to style five bedrooms, two bathrooms. The way to Mexico is too far. Botega Restaurant Servants’ quarters. Motorable road. Ring 356074, Rs 1,200 per person per night including meals. [email protected]. and Tequila Bar is near Thamel Chowk. 266433. 981030322 for Hari, Shanta, Sanju or John. Shivapuri Heights Cottage 30 minutes from Kathmandu, staff guides to monastery, peak and 15 percent off season discount reserve. Rs 1,850 per person with dinner and breakfast, Rs 925 per child 5-14 years, children under five free. [email protected] For insertions ring NT Marketing at 543333-36.

For inclusion in the listing send information to [email protected] on FM 102.4

NEPALI WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

DSES-12-06-2002 07:00 GMT Here’s how to tell when there’s a hard rain coming: Mon-Fri 0615-0645 BBC World Today just stand for a moment and take in the hot, still air. There will be plenty of opportunity to do just that whenSat 0615-0645 BBC Science in Action the monsoon hits us this week. The satellite picture shows the southeasterly monsoon ready to make its grand entrance, and masses of moisture laden cloudsSun 0615-0645 BBC Agenda are heading towards eastern Nepal. By mid-week there will be massive downpours throughout the Daily 2045-2115 BBCg] kfnL ;]jf]] kingdom, recharging all the springs and causing landslides and floods. Daily 2245-2300 BBCg] kfnL ;]jf]]

KATHMANDU VALLEY Radio Sagarmatha

Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue P.O. Box 6958, Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681 Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 E-mail: [email protected] www.radiosagarmatha.org 31-20 30-20 29-18 28-18 29-18 /]l8of ] ;u/dfyf 161616 14 - 20 JUNE 2002 NEPALI TIMES Under My Hat

by Kunda Dixit 2050 FIFA World Cup Kathmandu Lalitpur According to a timetable made available to mediapersons this week, the sidewalks in Tinkune, Singha Darbar, Maitighar and Putali Sadak are sched- uled for completion by 2010, the zebra crossings will be painted over by 2025, field trials and simulation exercises for traffic management are expected to be conducted in late 2032 and the traffic light synchronisation is expected to go into effect by 2049 in time for the formal handing over of the intersections to the City Fathers. Since we are a nation that can now afford to hire Japanese contractors to build our pavements, there is little reason to doubt that we can also host the World MIN BAJRACHARYA MIN Cup in 48 years time. Wanna bet? Heads I win, tails iven the rapid pace of renovation and beautifica-you lose. Bets once placed cannot be altered. Terms tion taking place in the nation’s capital these and Conditions apply. The decision of The Manage- Gdays, we can be fairly certain that Nepal can ment is final. make a successful bid to host the 2050 Football World Kathmandu and Patan have traditionally had a Cup. One of the most important criteria that FIFA healthy competition ever since the Malla period when attaches to cities applying to organise the games is the two kingdoms fought wars and butchered each whether or not the host metropolis is self-sufficient inother’s citizens. Today, this competition is manifested crazy hats. And as the world’s major supplier of lunaticin the way in which the Patan Municipality, not to be hats for the last three World Cups, Mayor Sthapit hasoutdone by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, has assured FIFA’s Site Selection Committee that there is made sure that not a single halogen street lamp installed no danger of Kathmandu running out of headgear in theduring the SAARC Summit is in working condition. And run-up to the 2050 games. once Kathmandu found out that Patan streets were So that just leaves us with the knotty question of dark, it has also decided to be one up on its friendly ensuring that the Tinkune Intersection Beautification rival by switching off all street lights between Babar Campaign will see completion by January 2050. The Mahal and Min Bhawan until further notice. Transportation Sub-Committee of the World Cup Patan’s illustrious mayor’s pet project is the gate Organising Main Committee (Unified Marxist- that has been under construction at Bagmati Bridge Leninists) is optimistic that this should be possible, since approximately the Bronze Age. The mayor has given the breakneck speed at which Obayashi-san andassured us that the gate will be complete by the time its subcontractors are rushing to make sure that the Patan co-hosts the 2050 World Cup. And, going by past intersections intersect interestingly in keeping with experience, we have no reason to doubt him. internationally-certified norms and procedures.

NEPALI SOCIETY

was articulate, confident and outgoing. “When I was selected to represent Nepal and other Asian youth I felt both proud and nervous,Positively it was a big responsibility,” Bibha recalls Bibha. “I was nervous that I t 17, Bibha Shah has might disappoint the others I wasyet, but I think small things already met the United representing.” But her nervousnessmake a big difference so if I can Nations Secretary-Generalevaporated as soon as she met change myself and my commu- A Kofi. “For a man of his stature, Inity, it will add up.” Bibha’s Kofi Annan and given him a piece of her mind. She was found him a very down-to-earth inspiration is her father, who chosen by MTV to represent theperson. He put all of us at ease,keeps telling her “if life is Asia-Pacific at a meeting with and he listened to us,” Bibha toldtough, you have to be tougher”. Kofi in New York last month, andus on her return to Kathmandu. Bibha plays volleyball as a she drew his attention to the Bibha, an idealistic 12 hobby and would like to make a plight of children worldwide and career in medicine. But for the the need for the United Nations immediate future, she already to make the world a better place has a pledge: she is going to for them. have a positive outlook on life, Bibha was among ten short- and everything she does. listed candidates selected from more than 1,000 Nepali appli- cants as part of a campaign by th UNICEF, MTV and Levi’s Speak grader Your Mind initiative to bring outfrom Sanepa, also has a few things an Asian Youth Charter. Bibha she would tell Prime Minister joined 12 other winners from Sher Bahadur Deuba if she got Asian countries to go to New Yorka chance to meet him. And for a summit on children where,that is? “I’d tell him to try to for the first time, children restore peace to Nepal and I’d addressed the United Nations tell all politicians to stop General Assembly to express playing politics with the future their concerns about their futures.of the students and the Bibha was chosen (along withcountry.” a Thai winner) to see the Bibha now feels even more Secretary General because sheconfident and determined to make a difference in Nepal. “My horizons have widened. I don’t have any specific plans KASHISH DASSHRESTHA

Bibha chatting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Ms Annan at the United Nations in New York last month.

CDO Regd No. 194/056/57 Lalitpur, Central Region Postal Regd. No. 04/058/59