#277 16 - 22 December 2005 16 pages Rs 30

NARESH NEWAR in NAGARKOT Weekly Internet Poll # 277 Q... What do you think of the new council of he festival was in full swing ministers appointed by the king? on Wednesday night at the Total votes:4,867 T Kali Debi temple on the eve of the full moon. Up to 300 people were offering prayers, others were COLD BLOOD dancing to blaring pop music. It was ten at night and Soni Sita Gurung was selling fruits in her Weekly Internet Poll # 278. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com small shop. Sujan Shrestha, Q... Is it right for the main political parties receptionist of Club Himalaya to boycott municipal and general elections? resort, was there with his friends. Tsiring Lama was watching the people from a terrace. Suddenly, members of the feared Pipalbot gang and Sgt Basudeb Thapa from Nagarkot got into a fight. They had a history of enmity and both were drunk. The ruffians from Pipalbot village were notorious for bullying villagers. They started beating up Sgt Thapa, who took out a knife and slashed one of them before driving off. When Soni Gurung saw Sgt Thapa return, he had a gun but she didn’t think much of it. By this time, the Pipalbot gang had fled. But Sgt Thapa walked up to the temple’s wall and started firing Sita Nagarkoti, waits to claim her husband's body outside the morgue in Bhaktapur on Thursday. with his INSAS assault rifle. The Kali Debi temple in Nagarkot and a cap with a bullet hole. Soni saw Sujan Shrestha get a bullet in his stomach. Others also fell, killed or wounded, and there was a blind stampede. When the shooting stopped, Basudeb was dead. Some eyewitnesses said he shot himself, while some think he was shot by another soldier. Of the 12 dead, three were women, one of them hit in the head as she knelt to pray. At least 19 were injured, KIRAN PANDAY three of them women and five Twelve hours after the for them. At Bhaktapur Cancer former chief justice, announcing children. incident, when we reached the Hospital where the 12 bodies were a Rs150,000 compensation to Sita Nagarkoti, was sitting at temple the flagstones were still lined up, the mood was angry. next of kin. Members of the UN’s home when she heard the gunfire. caked with dried blood, bullet Villagers shouted slogans calling Office of the High Commissioner She ran to the temple where her holes riddled the prayer flags, the soldiers ‘terrorists”. Some for Human Rights and the NHRC husband Ram Lal Nagarkoti had there was a red cap with a bullet were carrying party flags and the were also at the site Thursday to gone to pour mustard oil on the hole lying on a sack soaked with slogans were getting politicised. investigate. lamps. When she found him he blood. The army, for once, swiftly Contrary to first reports, what was already dead with three bullet Villagers who had been went into damage control mode. happened at the Kali Temple on wounds. The Nagarkotis have a victims of the ruffians wanted them The Home Ministry to set up a Thursday night was a gang fight 12-year-old daughter. caught, and the army was hunting civilian investigation led by a gone tragically wrong. z 2 EDITORIAL 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Desk Editor: Marty Logan Design: Kiran Maharjan Web: Bhushan Shilpakar Vicepresident Corporate Affairs: Sneh Sayami Advertising: Sambhu Guragain [email protected] Subscription: Pushparaj Sharma [email protected] Sanchaya Kosh Building, Block A-4th Floor, Lalitpur [email protected], GPO Box 7251, Kathmandu Tel: 5543333-6, Fax: 5521013 Rebuilding democracy www.nepalitimes.com Printed at Jagadamba Press, Hatiban: 5547018 There is need for an international guarantee MONKEY WRENCH forest user group in Rolpa this is the feat that disgruntled made in the build up to the If anyone needed a reminder of the hair-trigger situation the country is recently withdrew the few politicians have been trying to popular uprising in 1990. in two weeks before the Maoist ceasefire ends, the Nagarkot carnage Athousand rupees it had in a repeat without success. These politicians now confess is it. This is what happens when a country slides towards Libang bank and bought To add to their woe, one or having “made mistakes” but, militarisation and the state’s security apparatus ends up alienating the polythene pipes. It wasn’t more of their constituents addicted as they have been to very people it was set up to protect. immediately necessary, so why occasionally allowed minting money, they stop short Wednesday night’s heinous slaughter of innocents may have been an isolated act by a soldier running amok. But it is yet another blot on did they buy pipes? Just a few themselves to be lured away by of proving to the people how the RNA’s dismal human rights record. This time the army reacted days earlier a neighbouring forest ministerial berths. It was they wont be corrupt again. And swiftly with a statement providing full details and promising an group had lost all its Rs 40,000 indeed this obsession with with the same tainted faces investigation. It needs to make sure there is no coverup this time and savings to Maoist extortion. money and power during the around, people refuse to converge that the families of the dead and wounded are properly and promptly Converting cash to pipe was a dozen years of their on Ratna Park and have withheld compensated. Otherwise the public’s worst fears, that something is hedge against plunder. incumbency that devastated the support despite the parties seriously rotten in the army’s discipline and morale, will be confirmed. country and birthed the Maoist referring to themselves as All we can hope for now is that nothing will derail the movement towards peace that began with the party-rebel pact. The Pink Palace GUEST COLUMN rebellion. The silent majority “representative political parties” has two choices: to build on the agreement or to wreck it. Bihari K Shrestha felt relieved when King in the 12-point pact. To turn the Maoist MoU with the parties into a tripartite agreement Gyannedra stepped in on 1 With no help coming from and steer the country back to peace, stability and development would February. the Nepali people, the politicians be the right path. But the royal regime appears to take the agreement Such episodes are far from Indeed, the compulsion for went a-begging in India only to as a direct threat. Going by his track record over the past three years, uncommon. So much for the the politicians to make money play right into the hands of the the king thinks he can ride this out and even seems to be working on a ‘popular support’ the Maoists are was hardwired into the kind of Maoists. But judging by their parallel deal with the Maoists. For a brief moment last week we were almost tempted to be supposed to have even in their ‘democracy’ we adopted. Given utterances lately, they seem to be optimistic after seeing the new faces in the reshuffled cabinet. In proclaimed heartland. Despite the widespread illiteracy and having second thoughts and Singha Darbar’s vast corridors of mediocrity, Kesar Bahadur Bista, the recent Maoist-seven party poverty votes were bought in itseemed they just wanted to use Kamal Thapa and Narayan Singh Pun stand out as doers. You may deal, therefore, the rebels have yet winner-takes-all elections. This Maoist bogey to scare the king not agree with them but they are not the shrill sycophants we are used to win the hearts and minds of forced most politicians to to seeing. And because Pun was the architect of the 2002 peace the people. resort to corruption, despite process with the Maoists, there was speculation the royal regime was One logic of the 1990 People’s the sacrifices many of them finally responding, albeit indirectly, to the initiative taken by the parties and the Maoists towards peace. Movement was that once Ratna But the pronouncements that the new ministers have made in their Park is filled with agitating first week in office indicate their terms of reference are solely to Kathmanduites regime change conduct municipal elections. What a waste of talent to have these follows. For the last three years, guys as just window-dressing for a showcase poll and put them in charge of a demoralised bureaucracy already micro-managed by royal cronies.

With time running out on the one-month ceasefire extension and after the Nagarkot incident, the palace needs to respond positively to the party-rebel agreement and tighten the bolts on a tripartite peace process. A monkey wrench can be used to put a spanner in the works but it is really meant to be a tool to fix things.

LLL ETTERS

CRAZY is unlikely that Tiwari’s the disagreement payoffs (ie: what magazine 15 months ago. With Bearded One famously said: “As Although Ashutosh Tiwari’s recommendations will be useful. each party gets if negotiations hindsight, after my irritation far as I know, I am not a Marxist!” attempt in his Strictly Business (They may even be counter- break down)–tells us that because subsided, I realised that the His egalitarian Marxian critique column to apply game theory to productive.) the parties do not receive much in content of the quote was indeed still has points of usefulness for the political gridlock between the Second, Tiwari accuses the a stalemate or breakdown of talks, ‘eternal’, although the context in the Greens and the Blues in King, the Maoists and the parties of ‘never pose[ing] a they do not have many bargaining which it was stated needs converting the globalised world political parties (‘Crazy as a credible threat to the palace and chips to work with. Given these elaboration. It is not just the into a kinder, gentler place: no strategy’, #276) is an admirable the Maoists’ but it is not clear that shortcomings, it is my conjecture Maoists but the entire Marxist society, however, has come to step in beginning a more they were ever in a position to do that a more sound game theoretic fraternity that is an epitome of much good with Red Marxist rigorous discussion of the so. He suggests replacing ‘old analysis that seeks to maximise regression, since they base their thinking. political crisis in Nepal, his politicians with stridently party payoffs would construe well- agenda on an analysis of Dipak Gyawali, Patan analysis is inadequate on two republican ones’, but does not defined mechanisms for unbridled capitalism of the mid counts. First, he recommends offer a mechanism by which to do cooperation between the parties 19th Century. Since then, SILENT MAJORITY that the parties play irrational this. Since intra-party games and the Maoists, or unity between capitalism has transformed itself, Narayan B Thapa’s Guest strategies to make future threats determine which individuals the parties and the palace. I am as well as the world, so Column ‘Let the people decide’ credible but he fails to recognise emerge as the leaders, what is inclined to believe that unity fundamentally that today’s battles (#276) shows he is one of those that the political parties together required first is a more in-depth between the parties and the palace for social justice need newer who continue to pretend as if do not form a single collective analysis of leadership evolution would yield better payoffs for the social science insights. Marx’s nothing has happened. With all institution that is opaque in the within parties. Further, it is country and for the palace, as egalitarian critique was used by his pseudo-reasoning about way the Maoists and palace are. unlikely that ‘call[ing] the palace’s opposed to the development of the Lenin, Stalin and others in the people’s power to decide the fate Their agenda is developed in a bluff’ and ‘tak[ing] part in parties-Maoist alliance that we are pantheon right down to Pol Pot, to discursive manner (as the open internationally supervised witnessing now. justify an extremely hierarchic publication of Tiwari’s own elections’, is even a feasible Avidit Acharya, email order of politburo dictatorship. article suggests). So their strategy. I am not convinced that Indeed, South Asian Marxists strategy to play some irrational foreign countries or organizations RED, GREEN, BLUE following the Leninist path remind strategies for the sake of making would be willing and able to Out of the country for a couple of one of neo-Brahmins using the other threats credible would be supervise elections in Nepal (and weeks, I was surprised to be on Hirsute One as a new Manu common knowledge both to the recognise their outcomes) without your ‘quote of the week’ (From the Smriti to foist another despotic Maoists and the monarch, whose the palace’s consent. Nepali Press, #276) and so were order. In this globalised world, the responses would take that Tiwari is right, however, that my friends who wanted to know vanguards on the fight for social knowledge into account, for the parties to actually succeed where I had said that the Maoists equity are no longer the Reds but resulting in suboptimal outcomes they need to be more creative. The were 150 years behind in their the Greens, and very often quite for the political parties. application of a well-known result thinking. A very nice apology by pleasantly, the Blues from Therefore, without a more robust in bargaining theory–that the your reporter cleared the matter: it ‘sustainable development’ mechanism for making threats it bargaining outcome depends on was an interview in Nepal businesses. Thank God, the 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 3 into submission. But the Maoists are laughing out aloud because they got the parties to agree to just about Clichés in the corridor of power everything they wanted: ‘abolition of autocratic There is a self-defined category of Nepalis which prides itself for being in the know monarchy’, ‘forming an all-party government’, and ‘holding y completely ignoring the elections to a constituent 12-point understanding assembly’. Bingo. Bbetween the Maoists and Given that it was mostly NC seven-party alliance the regime cadres who were slaughtered by probably thought it would just go the Maoists during the last ten away. They don’t like to listen to years it is anybody’s guess what what they don’t want to hear. price they will again have to pay It fell upon that loose canon, should their leaders backtrack on Satchit Shumsher to shoot down the deal. It has been an act of the prospect of mainstreaming sheer foolhardiness for the NC to the Maoists. “We didn’t start the have embarked on such mindless war so why should we declare a adventurism, especially when Girija Koirala has never been STATE OF THE STATE known to love communists and CK Lal had even reneged on an agreement two years ago refusing ceasefire,” has been the official to endorse fellow alliance leader line. One thing you can say for Madhab Nepal to become prime the general, he doesn’t flinch minister. from using clichés. In a recent seminar in Curiously, though, newly Katmandu a participant appointed royal ministers such DEEPENDRA BAJRACHARYA lamented “we are so far from God as Narayan Singh Pun and Kamal and so close to India”. While Thapa are making conciliatory with enemies of the friends of that the chief executive is Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran’s India continues to torment noises. The rumour mills have enemies. contemplating appointment of a visit this week seems to confirm Nepal with problems such as started churning out reports of Manipulative rulers know prime minister. And the buzz is that the palace has succeeded in Bhutani refugees, border dams, back channel overtures to the how to play upon the hopes and that a negotiating committee, checkmating the Indians at their Maoist safe havens, etc it now rebels via a team led by Vice- fears of their opponents by “probably” under Vice-chairman own game. The official Indian seems poised to further tighten chairman Kirti Nidhi Bista. pouncing on them with an Bista has already been formed to statement consciously avoids the noose particularly after King When the exercise of power is as element of surprise. Successful talk to the insurgents. using the ‘D’ word. Democracy is Gyanendra’s recent successful centralised and murky as it is in players do the next best thing to The strategy seems to sideline nowhere mentioned amidst the bid to have its regional rival, Nepal today, there is suspicion, performing to the script, they the party-rebel agreement with a usual homilies to peace and China, inducted as observer in mutual acrimony and self-doubt play by impulse, pretend to have parallel deal for which the king good-neighbourly relations. The the SAARC. between the players. Fear and a plan and let their opponents will get kudos. The palace statement grandly declares ‘the Nepal has now arrived at the insecurity haunts even the most keep guessing. believes that if it has India’s nod restoration of peace and stability same position as Cambodia determined. So far, King Gyanendra has the plan will work. After that, and economic recovery in Nepal during the Vietnam War when Every move in politics has to played his hand exceptionally parliamentary elections can be is not only in the interest of King Narodom Sihanouk had be made by assuming all possible well. But like in all games of preponed, municipal polls Nepal but also in India’s demanded international countermoves by every other chance, past success is no postponed thereby placating the interest’. guarantee for his country’s player in the game of power. guarantee of future triumphs. international community and What about democracy, Mr sovereignty, neutrality and There is a danger that when the Aware of the risk, the palace is exerting pressure on the political Saran? territorial integrity. The power-wielder becomes so perhaps planning yet another parties to reconsider their boycott. To his everlasting credit, Lord Americans refused. Nepal now obsessed with manipulating move to confuse its supporters, The palace-military Snow recognised the value and must seek just such a guarantee others, he will lose sight of why confound its critics, and keep all establishment has adroitly played utility of convenient clichés. In at least from its immediate he is doing the manipulation in others guessing. its China Card to rattle paranoid explaining why he had used his neighbours India and China so the first place. Theoretically, it’s In knowledgeable circles (this sections of the Delhi Darbar and own familiar phrase as the title that we can reinvent a largely almost impossible to devise a is a self-defined category of divide Indian policy on Nepal. for his novel Corridors of Power, corruption-free democracy faultless scheme that takes care of Nepalis whose members pride (General Pyar’s Pakistan visit was he is supposed to have said: “If a that can live in peace with all the shifting permutations of themselves for being in the know) just to rub it in a little more.) The man hasn’t the right to his own itself. alliances and counter-alliances there is a rumour going around statement issued at the end of clichés, who has?”

of the nation, he reiterates the latest cabinet reshuffle is a sure CLASSROOMS defunct rhetoric that ‘monarchy is ‘lose-lose’ game (and will continue As a mother and former the symbol of national unity’. to be so until constitutional teacher, I am acutely aware of His recourse to the ‘silent monarchy and parliamentary the severe discipline problems majority’ theory is full of democracy are restored). Besides, in many American schools contradiction, even if one assumes every royal-appointed cabinet is cited in Shradha Ghale’s that he has the knack of hearing an exercise in futility as they are Nepali Pan column (‘In their the silence. If the silent majority, not accountable to the people. classroom’, #275). We used to whoever they are, by definition What is common to the new have firm discipline way back don’t speak, how does he know inductees is that they all share the when I was in school where that the so-called silent majority same enthusiasm for opportunism teachers were respected and ‘would like the king to have an and possess little personal cutting up was not tolerated. No important inspirational role in the integrity themselves. They are not more. That said, I see Nepal future of the nation’? His shadowy only the last group of people who schools teaching conformity, vindication of this ‘inspirational will resolve Nepal’s crisis but their drawing within the lines, no role’ is based on the defunct very induction exacerbates the going outside of the status quo. rhetoric of national unity. How can crisis. In this new pack, there are Societies that want to thrive the monarchy be the symbol of no aces. Rather, the entire team and change and prosper need national unity when the king has may be aptly referred to as a imagination, vision, big dreams become the symbol of unity of only bunch of jokers. and people willing to be crazy the few royal cronies, ex-convicts, S Shrestha, email enough to make those dreams panchyati outcasts, vigilantes and reality. Hindu fundamentalists? The fact The latest news about Maggie Namjou, email is, people like Thapa chose to misappropriation of poor NEA reiterate a myth that has lost its vehicles goes to show how relevance and, for that matter, the blatantly unaccountable the CORRECTIONS power of its rhetoric. authorities now consider The article ‘Tusker trophy’ Aniruddha Thapa, email themselves. Do they think they are (#276) erroneously stated that employees of the royal palace or all the elephants used in the Your editorial (‘Reshuffling the what? The month long extension of tournament came from the pack’, #276) and cover story ‘All the ceasefire is going to expire Royal Chitwan National Park. the king’s men’ in the same issue and the indication so far is In fact, eight of the 16 were leads me to wonder when this government’s response will not be from Tiger Tops Jungle farce will end. In a game of cards, positive. Peace is still a far cry. Lodge. all players attempt to win but the I Pradhan, email 4 ECONOMY 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 its recommendations weren’t included in a draft that was finalised at a retreat in Godavari Resort last month. Some private sector producers are said to be in Electrocuting the NEA favour of splitting NEA into three The government is readying a controversial electricity ordinance components saying it will make the body more efficient. But at a time when the RAJENDRA DAHAL unprecedented losses and aimed at making it easier for government is finding it difficult to launching new projects. favourites to invest in Nepal’s get international tenders for he government is working on Work on the new ordinance power sector through the Kathmandu Valley’s water supply a new Electricity Ordinance was expedited after the backdoor. management it is doubtful if there T that will splinter the Nepal controversial appointment of Senior NEA executives have will be any takers for private Electricity Authority (NEA) Harish Chandra Shah as the new been kept in the dark about the sector involvement in a the price of electricity by almost into at least three outfits to director of NEA two months ago. new ordinance and speculation fragmented electricity utility. NEA 400 percent to make NEA manage generation, transmission Critics said Shah has no has grown that the royal regime is insiders point out that private profitable. Between 1998-2002 and distribution. background in the power sector eyeing NEA’s Rs 60 billion in sector competition in the energy NEA was making a profit of up to But even NEA insiders are and questioned the timing of his assets and handing over sector has rarely worked in Rs 1.23 billion a year. But in the puzzled about why this has appointment. generation, transmission and countries like Nepal where big years since 2002 NEA has become the government’s priority It is now looking more and distribution to selected partners. capital outlays, huge amassed losses of up to Rs 5.39 at a time when attention should more probable that Shah’s The private sector was asked infrastructure and long billion. have gone to tackling a looming appointment and discussions on for suggestions on the electricity construction periods are required. Even after 2002, successive power shortage, addressing the new ordinance are linked and ordinance but one source told us NEA was set up in 1986 under water resource ministers pressure from the World Bank and appointed by the king have tried to other donors. manage prices with differential The uncertainty over the future tariffs and other demand-side of the NEA comes at a time when interventions but these have been the it is preoccupied with a 40 MW turned down because of feared shortfall this winter. There is backlash from the urban middle already an unofficial load- class. shedding in tarai industries. Last There is now a real danger year peak demand reached 557 that NEA will end up in the same MW in December and this year it rut as the Nepal Oil Corporation will exceed 594 MW. The big which is facing colossal losses question is where the extra power and an inability to pay Indian is going to come from when not a suppliers because of the lack of single MW has been added. political will to raise prices. Except for the 70 MW Middle Power sector analysts say Marsyangdi which is to come there is no reason why the country onstream in 2007, there isn’t a should face a dark winter. There single big power project that has are dozens of power projects been launched since King where feasibility studies, design Gyanendra took over three years and infrastructure are already ago. There hasn’t yet been any complete. There is no shortage of concern about what project to domestic and foreign investors. undertake after Middle An IPO for the Chilime Project Marsyangdi even though load- this year expected to raise Rs 240 shedding reminiscent of the last million ended up raising Rs 1.1 days of the Panchayat are billion just from NEA employees. imminent. If only the government could In fact, it is looking show more interest, donors, increasingly like the post-1990 international development banks democracy period literally handed and overseas Nepalis could step power to the people. Successive in with extra capital. But instead of elected governments in that period trying to build on this promise, liberalised power generation, analysts say the government is allowed joint-venture and private trying to fix what ain’t broke with sector investment and increased the electricity ordinance. z BUSINESS 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 5

Inflation warning

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Inflation has tripled in the first quarter of 2005-6 and could rise further in the Whose Trade Organisation? near future, Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Bijay Nath Bhattarai told journalists this week. The rate now stands at 7.8 percent up from 2.5 percent during the same period last year. The officials urged the government to pay special The WTO lesson for Nepal is: open up and take advantage attention to maintaining fiscal balance by narrowing the mismatch between available resources and expenditures. NRB Senior Economic Adviser Keshab he voices in Hong Kong Nepal needs to think outside Acharya said inflation has risen due to the hike in petroleum prices and the against the WTO will be the box. Farm subsidies will increase of the VAT to 13 percent from 10 percent. T rising now but they are like never make our products the minority parties that take to competitive given the high

Banking on education the streets when two-thirds of the transportation costs here and the ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ parliament has approved current state of our agriculture. Nabil Bank will support education of all children in classes 8, 9 and 10 of the legislation. Lubhu-based Mary Ward School. The school provides education to less- We need to take advantage of the privileged children and has close ties with St Mary’s School. With the This week’s meeting is another food surplus in our southern agreement, Nabil now has partnerships in three areas: education, health and round of deliberations and the neighbour. If Indian rice is citrus fruits for multinational sport. It also collaborates with Tilganga Eye Hospital and Nabil Three Star rules of negotiations suggest that cheaper, then why do we grow companies or developing football club. might will always be right. This rice? With India’s economy floriculture to meet the region’s is also true at the WTO. The growing just an open border away, growing demand.

Eco-guiding we will never run short of food Reducing import duties does ○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ECONOMIC SENSE grain. We just need to ensure that not kill local industries if they The program Guide Training for Ecotourism will be held in Kathmandu from 16- the distribution system is are efficient and professionally 22 December. Organised with the Asian Development Bank, the South Asia Artha Beed level training aims to establish a resource pool of skilled guides and guide efficient. managed. Look at Thailand and trainers. Participants will come from Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh This can happen if the India—lowering duties there has while training will be conducted by Nepali and international experts. The BIRC countries (Brazil, India, government gets out of the made local manufacturing more program opens on 16 December at Hotel Park Village. Russia and China) will provide distribution business. The competitive. Arbitrage as business some resistance but getting their property owned by the Nepal is about being competitive and NEW PRODUCTS way on issues like farm Food Corporation is worth more not about how much one can subsidies is a futile fight. as real estate than as storage for make from duties. Our focus AUTO JAVA: Aqua Java has unveiled its Instasip vending machine that offers not only hot coffee but For Nepal two issues are grain or at times to incarcerate should be on the export of labour cardamom tea, tomato soup, hot chocolate, café clearly emerging. First, as an LDC political activists. Let private and integrating into larger labour lattes, iced tea and cold coffee. A pioneer in the coffee (ie, a poor country that does not business determine distribution markets. The integration of east bar business in India, Instasip is brought to Nepal by have the leverage by itself to alter and prices. People living in a few European countries into the EU Binny Sharma of Sakchi Holdings and Saket Agrawal, the status quo) it must see what it isolated pockets in far-flung hills has provided them with labour CEO of Instastep’s parent company Aqua Java. can get from the world travel will need to be taken care of by a markets like never before. Here we PETROL SIPPER: The new LML motorcycle has been launched by Nepal regime. Second, we must realise social security program and not surely have a dealer Shreeansh Trading that protectionism is a dying via a government food grain competitive The future of Concern. The four-stroke ‘ism’ and the sooner we embrace distribution system. Eventually advantage. our farmers p12 CRD100 was designed and the rules of the new game, the they will migrate to areas where Our protected businesses and styled in Italy and reaches maximum fuel efficiency better off we will be. Although food grain prices are better and plethora of morality-policing of 101 km per litre thanks our entrepreneurs and leaders opportunities are plenty—it has NGOs will always want the WTO to its advanced would like to see protectionism happened in the past and it will out but since we are now a microprocessor- continue, the world’s economic happen again in the future. We member, the best way forward is controlled digital heavyweights won’t let it can then use available land to to take the most we can from it. ignition. happen. Protectionism is a right embark on some large-scale high Might as well ride the tiger reserved only for them. value activities such as growing otherwise it’ll eat you up. z “No alternative to democracy, like it or not” Nepali Times: DED has been giving special importance to and many other countries are really waiting for our municipal elections due next year. Why? personnel. We have had a big impact in Nepal for the Jurgen Wilhelm: At the local level, there’s a precondition last 35 years and we would love to continue. But when that we must have elected counterparts to be accountable. the conditions change tremendously, we have to think With elected people in the government, there will be about our consequences. confidence among the people that the policy will be in good hands because they can trust their elected personnel. Are you concerned that the role of local government Then DED can come in and try to improve the qualification bodies is diminishing? of the administrative staff and infrastructure. But there is so Democracy has its basis in the grassroots. When in a far no elected personnel and only bureaucrats posted in democracy, the municipalities and local bodies are not villages by the government. This is why I am keen on the working both efficiently and effectively, this is lack of announcement of local elections. not only democracy but also a lack of acceptance of the entire system by the population. People will lose Is DED withdrawing its support in the local governance efficiency in economy, agriculture and so forth. Who can sector? govern the country from only the capital? You must have Yes because as long as there is no real counterpart, we people at the local level who are elected and not will withdraw up to 10 persons in different areas. But if there is nominated. And it’s not because westerners want it but a positive outcome of hopefully fair and internationally because it has been our experience after 50 years of NARESH NEWAR acknowledged local elections next year, we will be ready and international cooperation that whenever there is no willing to improve our engagement in a very short period of basic democratic structure existing, the country will fail. As one of Germany’s key development time. DED’s funding is likely to be slashed from $ 5 million This is why the communist and socialist countries agencies, the German Development Service every two years to $ 1 million. failed. Privatisation, democratisation, open economy, (DED) contributes over $ 5 million every participation, a fair open press and opposition are a two years to Nepal but has decided to How has the new code of conduct for NGOs affected your necessities for the fruitful future development of every local partners? country in the world. There is no alternative to slash its aid due to the conflict. DED It has so far not affected our cooperation but we will look democracy whether you like it or not. Director Jurgen Wilhelm spoke to us on into this very carefully once the government really brings the importance of democracy and local this through and implements it, in a serious way. German Your advice to the policy makers? taxpayers are expecting that they are sending their personnel The international community is concerned about the governance with special emphasis on to make a positive impact in this country. But if there is no situation in Nepal and we strongly ask the government, municipal elections scheduled for chance for DED staff to work for development in this country, we the king and all the parties involved to try to find a way February 2006. will withdraw our people. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam out of the current unsatisfactory situation in the country. 6 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277

Palace games for dead in the middle of the city. ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ His own student union and the Disanirdesh, 12 December campus declined to publicise the incident as did the UML, with Torture in the The palace has been using all which he is affiliated. Magar kinds of tricks to jeopardise the currently lies seriously wounded understanding between the in hospital. He was assaulted at time of ceasefire Maoists and the seven parties. about 6PM by a group of armed This is evident by the appearance men on six motorcycles who of former negotiators like Narayan stopped when they saw Magar was Singh Pun in the council of alone. They attacked him with the ministers. As a former go-between knives, nearly slicing off his arm. for the government and Maoists, Passers-by took him to hospital. “I Pun has kept in touch with was scared for the first time in my Maoist leaders. It is obvious that life. These were hoodlums he will be used to renew those working under government KIRAN PANDAY contacts in order to provoke the protection,” says Magar, adding it against dialoguing with the rebels, Maoists to axe their pact with the was the same group that tried to the government chose to bring in parties. Ever since the rebels and attack the UML office after the Narayan Singh Pun in response to parties united to attack the palace, Crown Prince stoning incident. He international pressure to the king has been looking for a cautions that more student union reciprocate the ceasefire. Pun has way to break this political members (many of whom are been always in favour of talks with Nepal, 18 December alliance. He found a solution by hardly known to the public) are at the Maoists. Madhukar Shumser appointing Pun, along with risk of such attacks in the near Rana was relieved of his duties as Their bodies are covered with bruises. Dhana Bahadur, 52, his son Kamal Thapa and Badri Prasad future. finance minister and other Jhak Bahadur, 15 (pictured) and nephew Netra, 12, all look like they Mandal, as ministers. With this ministers like Dan Bahadur Shahi, need immediate medical attention. “Look at what they did to my team, the palace is preparing to set Ram Narayan Singh and Khadga

family,” says Sukmaya Kumal of Maidikhola in Tanahu with tears in Fratricidal ○○○○○○○○

up a high-level government ○○○○○○○○○ Bahadur GC were also removed her eyes. Men who identified themselves as soldiers abducted the due to their involvement in the children while Dhana Bahadur was captured and tortured after he delegation to talk with the rebels. Jana Aastha, 14 December went looking for them. The story starts on 16 November when Powerful figures in the palace are fertiliser scam. The notorious Jagat Sukmaya sent her son and nephew to sell some bananas in Bhimad saying that the Maoists have It may seem strange that an army Gauchan was included in the market. On their way, people on motorbikes cornered the boys and already given up their demand for officer is in mourning when a cabinet on the day that the UN’s said, “We are with the army, you two have to go and bring back some a republican system and that the Maoist dies. But that is exactly Lakhdar Brahimi met the king and Maoists for us.” They were told to bring Maoist leaders like Ram only way to sustain the king’s what has happened to Gen Ananta requested him to restore Bahadur and Gore to the market. The boys were scared and did not powers is by breaking the rebel- Bahadur Thebe of the East democracy. Another important know what to do. “We told them we could not go and asked them to minister, Tanka Dhakal, has been leave us be but they threatened to kill us,” said Netra. Then the party agreement. They believe that Division Command. In a battle in captors started beating the boys. The next day they took them to will be quite simple if the the east earlier this year, troops transferred from the information Manpur, where they were asked to sign a letter addressed to their government can reach a level of under his command killed his ministry to local development. So parents. “They did not let me read the letter,” said Jhak Bahadur. understanding with the Maoists. nephew who had joined the far, the parties have remained After their abductors left, the boys finally met the Maoists. But when But the question is, what does the Maoists. The incident proves that indifferent to the king’s move but they told the rebels that the army was looking for them, the rebels in king have to offer to the Maoists, brothers killing brothers is some of the royal appointees are turn tied the boys up and started beating them. “They made us walk when key palace figures like common in a fratricidal war like saying that the king wants to for four days, now our feet are swollen. They kept on calling us spies appoint a prime minister so that and did not stop beating us,” said Netra. Satchit Shamsher, Tulsi Giri and this. After the unsuccessful attack Jhak Bahadur was in a terrible state after the beatings and the Kirtinidhi Bista have already on the army post Bandipur earlier the municipal elections will be forced march. He screamed, cried and passed out. His mother condemned the constituent this year, the army triumphantly held without fail in February. The Sukmaya panicked when the boys did not return. Two days later, she assembly demand. announced that it had killed 37 only question is how the king will received the letter they had signed. When the parents went looking Maoist rebels. The attack coincided manage to elude both an economic for the boys, they were also abducted and beaten by the Maoists, with three other raids on army crisis and criticism from the

who repeatedly asked them why the boys were spying on them. They More violence ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ bases in Sarlahi. Among those international community. He is were locked up in a small dark room for four days. “They kept telling not ready yet to increase the price us how our sons were already dead and now it was our turn to die,” Disanirdesh, 12 December killed was the 20-year-old son of Sukmaya said. When she would not stop crying, they let her meet Gen Thebe’s older brother, Samrat of petroleum products because it the children. “Afterwards, they threatened that they were going to kill With the controversy provoked by Thebe. Samrat had joined the will be unpopular. And there are us if we ever told anyone about being abducted,” she said. Sukmaya the stoning of Crown Prince Paras’ Maoists while he was in Grade already signs the government is said she could not tell us the whole story because she was scared motorcade in the melee after the Nine in Taplejung in 2003, and by becoming openly hostile to India the rebels would come and torture the family again. 3 December Baneswor rally, few the time he was killed, had risen by importing arms from China. The army told us they knew nothing about the reports. “If this people noted the brutal attack on to the rank of section commander. Although Delhi has not yet incident really took place, someone who wanted to tarnish the mentioned imposing an economic army’s reputation must have done it,” said an army official. The Ayan Bahadur Magar, a student Ten other Maoists from Thebe’s human rights group INSEC has promised to conduct a detailed union member from Amrit home district of Taplejung were blockade as it did 18 years ago, investigation and says its not sure if those who abducted the boys Science Campus. Magar nearly killed in battles earlier this year. there is growing pressure from were army personnel. But this much is sure: it was the Maoists who died after a bunch of ear-ringed Also in the Bandipur battle, south of the border that the king tortured the kids and their parents. hooligans attacked him with Maoist sub-platoon commander reinstate democracy. It is also swords and khukuris and left him Dibya Rai was killed while her apparent that the king feels that elder sister, Sita was injured and the street protests led by the captured. A picture of Dibya political parties have not been carrying an AK-47 was recently strong enough to force him to published in Nepali magazines. relinquish his executive powers. Even his isolation from the

King’s roadmap international community will not

○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○ budge him. Samaya, 9 December Mandarins

So, predictions that the king’s ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ costly trip abroad was a prelude to Nepal Samacharpatra, 9 December political changes were true after all. Immediately after meeting At a time when the government is with security officials, the king accused of playing the China card, named new ministers to the the private sector in Kathmandu cabinet, thus proving that he is has been playing the Chinese not yet ready to give up power. language card. The Chinese With the reshuffle, new entrees government has assigned 20 like Kamal Thapa and Keshar volunteers to teach Mandarin here. Bahadur Bista have been given key About 16 schools are reported to Colour of the Palace ministeries. The president of the have started teaching Chinese, and Pink: What you see new Democratic Nepal Party, Bista Beijing is financing the teachers Yellow: What you hear Robin Sayami in Himal Khabarpatrika, 16-30 December has been given the fourth most but the schools are asked to pay for important position in the cabinet, other costs. Students up to class

QUOTE OF THE WEEK even above that of Ramesh Nath eight are given the language

Pandey. The role of vice president training in popular schools that Enforcement of the ordinance will have a chilling effect on the media and lead “ of the Council of Ministers, Tulsi include Galaxy, Paragon, EPS, LRI, “ to greater self-censorship as journalists try to predict when authorities will try Giri, has been limited to the Saraswati Kunj and Kathmandu to silence a newspaper or broadcast or close down whole media operations. hydropower ministry while the International. According to other vice president, Kirti Nidhi government officials, there are - Nicholas Howen of the International Commission of Jurists in a report on Bista, has not been allocated any preparations underway to include the Nepali media released on Monday. department. Despite its stance the Chinese language in the SELECTED MATERIAL TRANSLATED EVERY WEEK FROM THE NEPALI PRESS FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 7 curriculum up to the SLC level. Discussions are already being held at the curriculum development centre and in order to get permission from the Education Ministry. The China Study Centre is already operating language training in several parts of the country, including Dharan, Pokhara, Kathmandu and Banepa.

Teacher shortage ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Annapurna Post, 9 December

The good news is that enrolment at the Sagarmatha Primary School in Nepalganj more than doubled this year after a government campaign. The bad news is that the number of teachers declined and now only two remain to instruct 750 students. The District Education Office removed the teachers despite the enrolment of a large number of children from Rajhena’s displaced peoples’ camp and requests from school administrators. The DEO is now depending on NGOs to provide teachers.

Maoist remix ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Ghatana ra Bichar, 14 December

The Maoists, who were preparing to increase the size of their armed force before the 12-point agreement with the parties, have decided to dissolve their regional peoples’ governments. This will be announced in a week. The central committee meeting held two months ago in Rolpa dissolved the United Revolutionary Peoples Council under Baburam Bhattari and formed a General Convention Organising Committee. Politburo members who were made working coordinators during Baburam’s estrangement have been appointed secretaries, while the regional and communal government chief’s were appointed members of the committee. The same organising committee is said to be disbanding the Peoples Liberation Army, five communal governments of the Magarant, Tamang, Madhesh, Tamuwan and Kirant as well as the peoples governments of Bheri-Karnali, and Seti-Mahakali. Changes have already been made in the central leadership of the Maoist affiliated student union and preparations are also being made to reorganise teachers, trade unions and women’s organisations. According to sources former commanders of the dissolved eastern, western and mid-division commands Netrabikram Chand (Anant), Nanda Kishore Pun (Pasang) and Janardan Sharma (Prabhakar) have been given equal status posts in an army academy. 8 NATION

KILLING PEOPLE IS WRONG Muktinath Adhikari’s body lie was tortured and killed by Ma An army honour guard salute February 2002 after the battle Students from Krishna Secon 2004 by Maoists after three d and Kumle Praja of Jogimara their husbands were killed by who were killed in the trench Maoist leaders Prakash Dah Yami, Ram Bahadur Thapa an Duwadi of Thanti in Lamjung li while her brother-in-law holds The son of a civilian killed by Kailash Gupta who sells cor mother died in a Maoist landm Debi Sunuwar, the mother of daughter was dead eight mo Sindhupalchok by the army in NARENDRA SHRESTHA Picturing Can anyone look at these pictures and con

LUCIA DE VRIES

ar is hard to capture. The heart of children dying of diarrhoeal dehydration, anemic wa war is a schizophrenic place where women without iron tablets, untreated broken reg W extremes of love and hate, heaven bones, infecting wounds, women dying at say and hell, touch and ignite each other. childbirth. Few photographers can capture this. But More images of destroyed buildings. pic when they do the image is never forgotten and Government offices in Charikot, schools in the sometimes even change the course of history. Gurkha, police posts and airports all over the Ka A little Vietnamese girl, naked, fleeing a country. I imagine a country bombed back into wi napalm attack, the soldier in the Spanish history, decades of development undone. law civil war caught at the moment of his death, Lots of pictures of dead bodies. A pile of him Saddam’s teetering statue or prisoners being policemen bodies in Bhakunde Besi. The first layer the tortured at Abu Gharib, these images lie of corpses is vertical. The faces seem identical: a pa buried in our minds and hearts and have wave of thick black hair, well-defined eyebrows, An become part of humanity’s common long noses. The second layer consists of policemen the consciousness. with feet pointing at the camera, almost touching rea When Nepal’s conflict began in 1996, it the face of a fellow-policeman below. A policeman de was one without images. There were daily wearing blood stained gloves pulls the legs of a reports of increasing body counts but no body towards him. Around the pile are remains of is o photos. We did not know what a baltin bomb what look like a basket, spades and rocks. Two an looked like. Today, with digital photography, policemen sit on a low wall, one of them has is S Nepali photojournalists have amassed a lot of crossed his legs in a comfortable position. de visuals. My own collection is bulging with Pictures of ‘Maoist’ dead in Khara, scattered photos cut out of newspapers. across the terrain. Lovely faces, perfectly shaped lef A picture of Baburam Bhattarai, Hisila feet, strong legs—these boys could have been tilt Yami, Ram Bahadur Thapa and Pushpa Kamal lovers, surgeons, sportsmen, mountaineers. sis Dahal beaming as they watch something ‘in an Then there is one particular picture I can’t look ha undisclosed location’. I look carefully at their at for long. The one of Lamjung teacher Muktinath, bro faces: they look so content and united. So Adhikari, crucified against a tree. I know exactly up well fed. I draw my conclusions but it doesn’t what the Maoists did to this man but don’t want fro tell me much about what war feels like out to remember. It’s enough to watch, for a minute, res there. the image of a dead man on his knees, handcuffed ma A destroyed health post in Banke. ‘The from the back, shirt spilling out of his trousers. his locals are now deprived of basic medical It’s enough to watch his face, the eyes closed in treatment,’ reads the caption. I imagine intense sorrow, mouth slightly open as if still de

MUNA SHARMA

SURESH SAIJU SAGAR S 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 9

G: (Clockwise from top, left) lies crumpled near his village in Lamjung after he Maoists in 2002. tes fallen comrades at Pashupati’s cremation site in tle for Mangalsen. ondary School in Lalitpur on being released in July days of forced-marches and indoctrination. Syani ra in Dhading who became widows at age 15 when by the army in Kalikot in 2002. Bodies of policemen ches of Satbaria after a Maoist raid in April 2002. ahal (Prachanda’s son) Baburam Bhattarai, Hisila and Prachanda at an undisclosed location. Parbati g lies in a pool of blood after being killed in a crossfire lds her infant son. by Maoists in Bhaktapur comforts his sisters. orn on the roadside in Nepalganj is only six, his dmine blast in which his sister Tara was injured. of 15-year-old Maina Sunuwar after learning that her onths after being disappeared from her village in in Feburary 2004. NARENDRA SHRESTHA

Sona ust before noon on 9 May 2004 a crowded J Kathmandu-bound bus from Jiri stopped at Mainapokhari. Suddenly, a fierce firefight broke out between soldiers and the Maoists in the slopes above. The bus was caught in the crossfire and was riddled with bullets. It was all over in 15 minutes, war combatants on both sides suffered casualties. Six passengers in the bus were also killed. In Kathmandu, the media flashed this famous picture of Krishna Maya holding her 20-day-old ntinue the killing? grand-daughter, Sona, in her lap outside Chhauni Hospital where the little girl’s mother, Nani Maya, was being treated after being critically MOHAN MAINALI wounded. She survived, but her anting to speak: “Don’t do things you might later father, Shobendra gret.” Four years later, I can almost hear Muktinath Kafle, died on the y: “Don’t hurt, don’t destroy, don’t take life.” bus. Tucked away at the bottom of my folder are Gopal Chitrakar’s ctures of mourning relatives. I can almost touch photograph shocked e war here. An army personel is killed in Rolpa. In the nation. No reader athmandu relatives cry after hearing the news. The who saw this image ife is lying on the floor, a man (her brother-in- in Kathmandu Post w?) holds her face with both hands. The man and Kantipur last mself is visibly distressed, crying and speaking at year could have e same time. A woman (his sister?) presses the remained dry eyed. Among them was alm of her hand against his face, in comfort. singer and composer nother man wipes tears from his cheeks and holds Amrit Gurung of the e first man by his shoulder. There are many hands band, Nepathya. “For aching out in grief and chaos: a tableau vivant me, that tiny girl epicting the human ability to create and destroy. symbolised the A picture that really brings the war home to me Nepali nation itself, one that hits me like a nail, splits open my head orphaned, terrorised nd fills me with revulsion, sadness, compassion. It but with a future ahead of her,” Amrit says, recalling Suresh Sainju’s picture of three children after the how he travelled to Mainapokhari a week after the eath of their father, a policeman. incident. The eldest son sits in the middle, sisters on his The asphalt still had blood stains, the air was still heavy with death and loss. Amrit talked to ft and right cling to him. The sister on the left villagers and eye witnesses. On the drive back, he ts her head back a little, her mouth is open. The composed a haunting song in the folk Nepali gaine- ster on the right embraces the brother with her left inspired rock ballad. The number is the lead song in and and cries into his shoulder. But it is the the Nepathya album Ghatana which was launched other’s face that touches me the most. His eyes without fanfare on Thursday. The band will soon be pon his sisters trying to take it all in his face going to Mainapokhari to perform at the spot where ozen with thoughts that can’t be spoken. The the incident occurred. sponsibility on those young shoulders, the only Nepathya will perform Ghatana at the Maiti Ghar ale in the family. Rituals, cremations, documents, Shanti Mandala at 5PM on Friday 15 December. s sisters’ education, money. Everyone wishing to attend is requested to bring a Can anyone look at this photo and continue the candle. estruction? z

SUPUT

SHRESTHA RNA 10 REVIEW 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 Let’s start seeing children

n event of huge significance getting health care or the food happened for some of South they need to develop. Children Don’t let South Asia’s children be excluded and invisible, says UNICEF A Asia’s most disadvantaged who are ‘invisible’ are neglected children in August. They came and made much more vulnerable 19 year old adolescents home. In Lahore they were met by to abuse. worldwide. Those under 15 are their parents, some of whom were This is not normal and it five times more likely to die in tears. They had been tricked to should not be ignored. It would than women in their 20’s and become camel jockeys in the Gulf. be difficult to imagine much of a their children are less likely to future for nations that deny the survive. COMMENT value and potential of up to half Keeping large numbers of Cecilia Lotse the population. South Asia children excluded and invisible regrettably has some 24 million has a high cost. It costs them children who are not registered at their rights, and it costs states as In May the UAE changed its birth, which makes it the region they lose out on the benefit of law so that only those aged 18 or with the highest number of having engaged citizens who are over could act as jockeys. This, we unregistered births in the world. economically thriving. hope, will mean an end to the This marginalisation plays into It need not be like this. practice of agents preying on South Asia’s immense child South Asia’s governments children from families who are labour and trafficking problem, devoted three major points in desperate for them to have a better which often keeps children the SAARC declaration in life but who are not informed of locked in poverty through debt November to the immediate the terrible dangers they face. In a bondage and exclusion from needs of women and children, process that is still continuing the education. It is estimated that 43 and applauded the resolve Punjab government and UNICEF million children are not enrolled demonstrated by the ratification are working to reunite families and at schools in South Asia and up of Conventions relating to make life better for the returnees, to 60 percent of those are girls. Trafficking and the promotion of some of whom are still very young. What happens to girls in South child welfare. This intervention Asia who are denied ca Children need to be included demonstrates what can be done opportunities? Too often they are in statistics. Let us ‘see’ them in when we all–states, families, robbed of their childhood, with government analysis and humanitarian workers and the dramatic consequences. planning. But in addition let us media–come together to turn A household survey really see the impoverished, the around unacceptable practices and conducted by UNICEF in 49 street child and the tiny conditions. This week UNICEF is developing countries this year domestic worker. And when we publishing a report that is suggested that 48 percent of see them, let us look them in the concentrating on children who are females in South Asia aged 15-24 eye and let them know that they ‘excluded’ and ‘invisible’. Too had married before they were 18. are not invisible to us. many children are simply not Pregnancy related deaths are the Cecilia Lotse is the regional director for being counted. Too many are not leading cause of mortality for 15- South Asia of the UN Children’s’ Fund. Every child counts epali children start suffering before they are born because of the exclusion and neglect of their mothers. They are born underweight because their N mothers are anemic. Most children don’t have birth registrtion. Many mothers can’t take proper care of their babies because of overwork. Then, if they are girls, they suffer through their childhoods working harder and eating less than their brothers. Then they are married, often in childhood and ill-treated by husbands’ families. And still we wonder why the male-female ratio in Nepal is so skewed. Why Nepal is still one of the few places in the world where men on average live longer than women, where the number of women who can read or write is half that of men, and our maternal mortality rate is the highest in Asia. At the rate we are going, Nepal is unlikely to meet most of the Millennium Development Goals to eradicate extreme hunger, achieve universal primary education, have equal enrolment of girls and halve child mortality by 2015. Nepal has made progress—especially in the 15 years since the restoration of democracy. In 1990 out of 1,000 babies born alive, 145 never lived till their fifth birthday. Today, that number has been halved. But there are still many children who are left out. They are excluded because they are poor, because they are not from the dominant ethnic groups, because they live in remote areas, because the state either doesn’t care or is too inefficient. In Nepal the conflict has worsened child neglect. Many Nepali children are also invisible because their births are never registered. They don’t appear on national statistics and if they are street children, refugee children, internally displaced children, trafficked children or child workers they are exposed to further exploitation and discrimination. UNICEF’s Excluded and Invisible report has special relevance to Nepal because so many of our children are left out and not seen. Boys and girls in hazardous jobs who don’t go to school or are exploited as domestics, children who are sold or trafficked. Children displaced by war, children who run away from home to live on city streets. They don’t go to school, they don’t have health care many are separated from parents and are exploited in conditions of near-slavery. For the state, they just don’t exist. UNICEF reminds governments of their responsibility to protect children. The report has a list of action points: mandatory birth registration, increasing allocation for social welfare, implementation of legislation on child rights, prosecution of those committing crimes against children, educating children themselves on their rights. The report is international but on exclusion UNICEF’s antidotes for Nepal are long-term and tied up with the solution of other crises as well. Including children will also mean an inclusive democracy when they grow up, it will ensure sustainable peace, decentralisation of political and economic power to the grassroots to make service delivery more effective for tomorrow’s children as well. Kunda Dixit

The State of the World’s Children 2006 Excluded and Invisible UNICEF, New York 2005 ISBN: 10: 92-806-3916-1 www.unicef.org X-MAS SPECIAL 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 11 Last minute shopping Happy Elephant Colouring Set Rs 498 Fun presents of questionable Bluebird Department Store, Tripureshwor utilitarian value for the Glass Dolphins holiday season Rs 235-345 Grihini Department Store, Baluwatar Nepali Dhaka Ties s the dew gathers in the morning and the chill Rs 225 each seeps into your bones reminding you that Kippo Craft, Kupondol A another year is about to end, you quicken your pace to keep warm and hit the shops earlier. But no matter how early you try to begin, the fact remains that you always have frantic last minute Christmas shopping—be it due to innate procrastination or because that friend who you thought wouldn’t be in town for the holiday has suddenly arrived. Whatever the reasons, gifts have to be bought. And for those of you who don’t celebrate Christmas, let’s not forget your sister’s sister-in-law’s aunt’s nephew’s niece who is getting married in this auspicious month said to guarantee matrimonial harmony. This week Nepali Times has complied a collection of fun last- minute gifts of questionable utility to make life easier Notebooks Tasmanian Devil Guru Rinpoche Thanka Mirror- Rs 250, Inflatable Chair Rs 700 for you and the recipient. z large size- Rs 350 and Rs 890 Lucky Thanka Shop, Thamel Aarti Basnyat Tea Set keychain notepad- Rs 100 Bluebird Department Rs 525 Koob Store, Thamel Store, Tripureswor Namaste Department Store, Pulchok

Crystal Wine Glass Rs 250 each Craft Dough Disney Clock Bluebird Department Store, Traditional Hut Teapot Rs 990 Rs 725 Rs 95 Rs 195 Tripureswor Bluebird Department Store, Bluebird Department Store, Kipoo Craft,Kupondol Kipoo Craft, Kupondol Tripureswor Tripureswor

Bottle Opener Trio Timer Socks Sequined Ashtrays Caller ID Rs 205 Rs 200 Rs 375 for four pairs Rs 275 each Rs 185 Grihini Department Store, Bhatbhateni Department Store, Bhatbhateni Department Store, Koob Store, Thamel Namaste Department Store, Pulchok Baluwatar Bhatbhateni Bhatbhateni 12 WTO 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 COLLEGE WOMEN : CELEBRATE YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS! Farmers’ fate 10+2, BACHELORS & MASTERS Nepal’s WTO delegation in Hong Kong is focussing on agriculture, access

is called in WTO-speak, was already written into the draft text of the agreement prior to this meeting. It’s been agreed that if imports exceed a certain threshold level, a nation belonging to the group of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) such as Nepal, will be allowed to raise tariffs or even ban imports or define quotas. LINE WOLF NIELSEN What has not yet been agreed is the in HONG KONG actual level of the threshold. Negotiations are a question of kilo of low quality rice give and take and in Hong Kong today sells for Rs 20 in they are about the right to be A Nepal. Given that most defensive and protective, and WHAT IT TAKES Nepali households eat rice at aggressive and expansionistic at • Leadership experience • Involvement on campus and in your community least once a day, one would the same time. Basically, boosting • Excellence in your field of study • Unique, inspiring goals think that a drop in the price of exports while still protecting rice should make people happy. domestic markets is also what the WHAT YOU WIN Wrong. other 149 WTO member states Rs. 10,000 cash prize Opportunity to meet with top women professionals • • If there is a sudden influx of want but it is the size of domestic National recognition in VOW’s April 2006 issue A gala luncheon awards ceremony • • rice priced at Rs 15 a kilo into agricultural support that is the real the Nepali market, the effect will hot potato here. To get an application for Sarbinda KC MBA, KUSOM be devastating, both in social and Currently it is accepted that VOW Top 10 College Women Competition 2005, Winner- 2004 economic terms. Securing the LDCs can support domestic collect it from the address below or download it from right to protect Nepal’s domestic agriculture by spending as much as www.vownepal.com. Last date for submitting rice market and farmers who the equivalent of 10 percent of completed application is December 30, 2005. depend on its production is the their GDP on subsidies. However, main goal of Nepal’s delegation Nepal’s current level of subsidies WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? at the sixth WTO Ministerial amounts to only 1-2 percent. All women in 10+2, Bachelors & Masters Meeting in Hong Kong. “On paper it could look as if “Since 77 percent of Nepalis Nepal should aim at getting Mail to: VOW Top 10 College Women Competition 2005 are farmers, a fall in the price of everyone else down to our level G.P.O. Box: 2294, New Baneshwor, Kathmandu crops will also mean a huge drop but if we look at the future Tel: 4780394, 4780450 in earnings for many families,” potential of the country, we might Email: [email protected] says Posh Raj Pandey, who heads want to give more and therefore it or drop it at ‘the boss’ office the Trade Related Capacity will be important for Nepal to next to Everest Hotel Building project supported by maintain some flexibility here and UNDP. “A lower price will only not agree on a low level of benefit the people not living off support,” says Navin Dahal of the the rice fields and those people Kathmandu-based South Asia tend to be better off and living in Watch on Trade, Economics & Kathmandu. We need to be able Environment (SAWTEE). to aggressively expand our Nepal is participating in the Official Host: Supported by: Official Newspaper: exports and still protect our WTO talks as a full member for the farmers.” first time, following its accession Such policy flexibility, or in 2003. However, it is not ‘special safeguard measures’ as it negotiating on its own but as one of the LDC group, which is seeking a drastic reduction in agriculture and export subsidies provided by the EU and US. Nepal’s main exports are textiles, leather goods, carpets, handicrafts and tea but volume will have to grow to push economic growth. “Expanding market access for the products that we already make is important,” says Gyan Chandra Acharya, Nepal’s ambassador to the WTO. Nepal and other LDCs need better market access for exports, including more countries agreeing to give products special tariff treatment or ‘differential treatment’, Acharya adds. The two previous WTO meetings in Seattle and Cancun collapsed and although this one is billed as critical for completing a new multilateral trade accord, Nepal’s delegation is acutely aware of the competing interests. Says Dahal: “In Doha it was decided that the LDCs should have better market access and long-term periods of transition... However, almost all these nice commitments are not mandatory and I find it hard to believe that the WTO members can agree on more binding measures.” z SPORTS 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 13 Kayaking continues to rope Back on in white-water home court thrill seekers Our columnist returns to celebrate and energise tennis in Nepal

here is no better feeling than returning home to be with family and friends. My five-year-old daughter Priya (pictured) is T making her first trip to Nepal. She had the biggest grin as she watched the Himalaya draw closer from the window of the plane as we approached Kathmandu. “Aren’t you excited to be back?” she asked. There are more cars, more buildings,more smog and more dust but my homeland remains beautiful and enchanting. I am thrilled to be back to show my roots to Priya but also to help celebrate tennis in Nepal. This country needs positive energy and tennis is no exception. My goal is to energise tennis lovers in Nepal and give them hope for a better tomorrow. It hasn’t taken me long to learn that very little has changed regarding the state of tennis in Nepal. Yes, there are some superficial developments such as an increased number of courts ROLLER COASTER: Kayak rodeo and some new tournaments. But on the Bhote Kosi brought the general feeling is of apathy kayakers from all over the world GAME POINT about developing the game. and kayaking trainer, Nim Magar Sujay Lama Tennis aficionados have lost trust (above). in the All Nepal Tennis KIRAN PANDAY Association. Lack of communication by ANLTA about its vision and plans seems to be at the core of the problem. A long-time patron of tennis summed it up to me: “We have got to stop relying on ANLTA and hold ourselves accountable for change”. Two shining examples that we can emulate are initiatives taken Nepal’s wet rodeo by my friends Manoj and Jyoti Rana as well as my father Hem Lama. The annual Jayakar Open in memory of the Ranas’ late son was a way for them to remember Jayakar as well as to give Nepali youth KIRAN PANDAY “We would like to promote last three competitions an opportunity to compete in a tournament. in SUKUTE BEACH The undersized tennis court that my father built at his house now this sport more here but until oncluding this year. Magar serves over 40 kids, including seven children from Bal Mandir the conflict is resolved, it will be started in 1992 and now trains orphanag. These heart-warming developments are models for ou could be sure that the impossible to do it properly,” kayakers in Japan earning up to success and serve as inspiration. Himalayan White Water Astle told us. But in spite of the $ 5,000 a month. Asked about the My tennis clinic on Saturday sponsored by this paper (see Y Challenge was going to be country’s problems, kayaking sport’s future in Nepal, he says, www.nepalitimes.com) and another one by Little Angels School on one wet, rollicking ride. And it seems to have caught on, with “Our rivers are the best kayaking Monday will give me an opportunity to reach out to the youth. There was, also a chance to highlight 600 river guides registered in rivers in the world, we should is no better way than to get young people excited and enthused Nepal’s wild waters and the still Nepal. encourage Nepalis to practice so about tennis. I will be giving tips about the technical, tactical and relatively unknown sport of Nim Magar is one of them they can win international mental aspects of tennis. I will also be talking about training and kayaking. andhas taken first place in the competitions.” z tournament preparation. “Nepal and the UK have the best rivers for kayaking though the Nile in Uganda is not far behind,” Kayak kids says Peak UK’s Peter Astle. Children show off their kayaking moves at the closing ceremony of Kayaks were originally the Himalayan Whitewater Challenge last month. The underprivileged developed by the Inuit and used kids were trained in kayaking and circus skills by the Himalayan to cross ice floes in the Canadian Whitewater Circus Project, an initiative that began in Arctic. ‘Kayak’ itself is an Inuit 2004 that wants to set up a word that means ‘man’s boat’. The club for children. Drawing, ‘eskimo roll’ is the move where dancing, English speaking Me and Priya kayakers purposely tip the kayak and other confidence- at Satdobato over till they’re under water and building activities were sports complex also part of the group’s on Thursday. then keep rolling until they are upright again in the cockpit. But three-week program. MIN BAJRACHARYA “These children can later The two most important areas are teamwork and love for the there is much more to kayaking become professionals,” said project member Sanjeev Ranabhat. The game of tennis. We must instil in our children the values of hard than the ‘eskimo role’ as Circus Project is organised by Far and Away Adventures from work, fair play and importance of making the people around us participants at a kayak rodeo on Sweden with the cooperation of KAVU, Equator Expeditions and better. the Bhote Kosi found out this several volunteers. I have also invited all our past champions and coaches to recently. participate in this celebration of tennis in Nepal. They will be recognised for their contributions to the development of the game. The role they play is critical and it is important for the younger generation to appreciate as well as embrace their knowledge and expertise. I hope to have as many dialogues as possible with the tennis community and the ANTLA in the next couple of days with the aim of developing the sport in Nepal. It is time we come together and get it done for the right reasons. We have an obligation to step up and make changes. As I walk the streets of Kathmandu, I feel Nepal’s vibrancy. Memories of childhood have flooded back. Yes, Priya, I love Nepal and am excited to be back. z 14 CITY 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277

ABOUT TOWN Roy is a professional conman. The only true thing true thing he has going is his love for Simmi, who is so honest EXHIBITIONS and sincere, that he can’t bring himself to tell her the reality of who he is. When the she finds the truth, she ™ 6th Annual Dolpo and Contemporary Art Exhibition at Lotus cannot forgive him. Then Dittu enters the picture. He is the Gallery. 10-11 and 17-18 December. 4253646 counterpoint to everything that Roy is. They have only one ™ Reflection of Bhaktapur City paintings by Ashu Ram Khaiju at thing in common—Aditya is a conman too, or least he thinks of himself as one. In Roy’s book, he’s an Park Gallery, Lajimpat, till 26 December. 4419353 embarrassment. Despite himself, or maybe to take his mind off Simmi, Roy agrees to teach Dittu the rules of the FESTIVALS AND EVENTS game. But then his world is spun upside down he is forced to face reality. For the man who wears so many masks, ™ Globalisation and the Securitisation of Migration: the Context of he is now left with no alternative but to take them all off Nepali Foreign Labour Migrants and Sustainable Livelihood with and finally reveal himself. Jagannath Adhikari, Social Science Baha lecture, 16 December Quest Entertainment Quest Entertainment Quest Entertainment at Yala Maya Kendra, 4PM. 5548142 Quest Entertainment Quest Entertainment Call 4442220 for show timings www.jainepal.com ™ Youth Discussion Palpasa Café with Narayan Wagle at Martin Chautari, 16 December, 3PM. 4256239 ™ Centennial Celebration mega party at 1905 Kantipath, 17 December, 6PM onwards. 4225272 ™ St. Xavier’s Annual Mela at St. Xaviers 17 December 10AM-5PM,live bands, food stalls, games and more. 5521150. ™ Teachings with Geshe Daddhak on Lama Tsongkhapa’s Lam-rim, 17 and 18 December at HBMC. 4414843 ™ Talk on HIV-AIDS with Dr Simkhada, research fellow at the Department of Public Health, Aberdeen Universtiy, United Kingdom, 18 December, 9.30 AM at the British Council. 4410798 ™ REIKI 1 with Elif Koksal every Wednesday and Friday at HBMC. ™ International Migrants Day 18 December. ™ Christmas and New Years party at GAA Hall door prizes, music and more, 23 December, 5PM.

MUSIC AND PERFORMANCES ™ Tara Baji Lai Lai , an improvisational play directed by Morten Crough, 2 -17 December, 4PM, Gurukul. 4466956 NEPALI WEATHER by MAUSAM BEED ™ Sanjhbatti lights and music for peace at Shanti Mandal, The two-month winter drought shows no sign of abating. This satellite picture taken Maitighar, live performance on Thursday morning shows a sustained by Nepathya,16 December, KATHMANDU high pressure system sitting over northern 5PM. India that is not just keeping things dry ™ Friday Night Jam session. but also deflecting any moisture-carrying live music, 16 December westerlies. This is the reason for the high 7.30 PM onwards, Moksh Live, Rs 150. variation in daytime temperatures in the ™ Project Experience music adventure at Patan Museum, Valley ranging from 2-22 degrees. We also notice a prominent cyclone over the 17 December, 7PM, Rs 550, tickets available at Moksh 5526212 southern Bay which is gathering strength, and East Meets West 4256411 . this could send a tentacle or two of cloud ™ My Neighbour Toroto, an animation movie by Hayao Miyasaki at our way unless the jet stream blows it Nepal Tourism Board, 18 December at 5PM. off. Wheat farmers need a shower or two ™ Christmas Eve Carol Service 24 December, 6.30 PM at The quickly and we have our fingers crossed British School. 5525176 for them. Also for the first snow of the season for Christmas at higher altitudes. ™ Christmas Day Service 25 December, 9.30 AM, The British School. 5525176 KATHMANDU VALLEY ™ Live Music every Friday 7PM at Rum Doodle 40,0001/2 ft. bar. ™ JCS Quintet at Moksh every Tuesday. 5526212 Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue ™ Jatra Friday nights, live music by Siron. 4256622 ™ Unplugged sessions with Strings, Jatra Saturday nights. ™ Live Music at Juneli Bar, Hotel de l’Annapurna. 4221711 21-3 20-2 20-2 20-2 20-2 ™ Live Jazz by the pond at 1905, Kantipath. 4225272

FOOD ™ Ciney and Par-e-jat every Friday from 7PM onwards at Dwarika’s. 4479448 ™ Barbeque at Le Meridien, Kathmandu, every Saturday. 4451212. ™ Kilroy’s Christmas Madness dinner with a free glass of Mulled wine 23 December- 3 January at Kilroys. 4250440 ™ Plat du Jour at the Shambala Garden, Shangri-La. 4412999 ™ Wonderful Wednesdays at Fusion, Dwarika’s, happy hour 5-9PM. 4479448 ™ The Sidewalk BBQ with Shades of Blue, Wednesdays, Shangri-La. 4412999 ™ Jazz Gourmet fine dining redefined at Hotel Shangri-La. 4412999 GETAWAYS km/L] ;rf?' ™ Come Meet Santa at Shangri-La Village, Pokhara, Rs 4,999 per person on twin Share. (061) 521995 ™ Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, holiday offers. 4361500 g]kfnL ™ Shivapuri Walk with Shivapuri Heights Cottage, 18 December. Meet at Hare Krishna Temple near Budhanilkantha at 11AM. Daily 2045-2115 on 102.4 [email protected] Radio Sagarmatha ™ Junglewalks, rafting, elephant rides all at Jungle Base Camp P.O. Box 6958, Lodge, Bardia. [email protected] Bakhundole, Lalitpur, Nepal Tel: ++977-1-545680, 545681, ™ Conferences at Godavari Village Resort. 5560675 Fax: ++ 977-1- 530227 ™ Celebrate Christmas with Bowling Boulevard party packages [email protected], lanes available for booking. 422572 www.radiosagarmatha.org HAPPENINGS 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 15

AJAYA JOSHI ALTOGETHER NOW: Leaders during an all party alliance pro- democracy mass meeting condemning the massacre in Nagarkot and blamed the army for it. KIRAN PANDAY

Nepalis for individual donations. It costs Rs 14,400 a year to sponsor a child at the school. By starting a vocational Chepangi schools training wing the school is trying to make sure Chepang children don’t uring his days as a student slash-and-burn farmers in Nepal have to go back to their nomadic in Allahabad University, but very few have passed even life in the jungles once they finish D Kishore Chandra Dhungana SLC. school. And as a fund-raising was impressed by Mahatma Dhungana’s Chitwan school venture the school is starting a Gandhi’s emphasis on helping the started with just 20 children five dairy farm. most disenfranchised people in years ago and today, 211 Explains Shakya: “When my society. Dhungana was so Chepang children study and live uncle started the school he did inspired he decided to sell a part there. “Every year, 60 parents what he thought was best for MIN BAJRACHARYA of his property and launch a come to us and ask us to admit Chitwan’s neediest community. But WISHES FULFILLED: Pilgrims throng to board the Manakamana Cable school for the indigenous their children,” says Bachu today we also have to think of long- Car at Kurintar to visit the temple and have their wishes fulfilled. The Chepang people of his native Shakya, a member of the term sustainability.” z number of passengers using the ropeway has doubled after the ceasefire. Chitwan. school’s board and Dhungana’s Mallika Aryal Sri Antyodaya Janajati niece. [email protected] Awasiya Vidyalaya in Chitwan Because of the huge demand, provides free education, the school is running out of space accommodation, food, school on the Dhungana family property Just down the road in Shaktikhor, supplies, clothing and medication in Chitwan, Money is also scarce Chitwan, Jang Bahadur Chepang has for Chepang children. The despite help from Friends of also been running a similar school at Chepang are semi-nomadic Needy Children, Room to Read, his own expense. Chepang's school, farmers and the most SOS and the Chitwan DDC. After Mahakali National Primary, has 66 children studying in it at present and is underprivileged even among her uncle died, Shakya says it also looking for volunteers and support. Nepal’s indigenous groups. There has been difficult keeping the are no more than 50,000 of these school going and is appealing to

BIPUL GAUTAM BIG DIFFERENCE: A charity show organised by students of Rato Bangala School last week raised Rs 150,740 which was handed over to Pakistani charge Ehsan Ullah Baath on Thursday. The money will be donated to the Edhi Foundation in Karachi for earthquake relief in Kashmir.

MIN BAJRACHARYA WINTER SHOWER: Riot police hosed down a rally by the Citizen's Movement for Peace on Saturday at Bhotahity.

GOPAL DAHAL ORANGE REVOLUTION: The extension of the Maoist ceasefire and a bumper harvest of oranges in eastern Nepal has brought down prices in this wholesale market in Dharan from where the fruit is trucked all over the country. 16 16 - 22 DECEMBER 2005 #277 www.nepalitimes.com

Kiss and make up any of you have stopped me in the “free and frank exchange of views” one can I don’t mind admitting that was street this week to ask questions be sure they came to blows and one of exactly what crossed my mind at first, M like: “Which way is the country them suffered a dislocated eyeball. making me quite worried about the headed?” or “Is the ceasefire going to be If, on the other hand, the official implication on our already-strained extended?” or “Have you seen King Kong spokesman describes a one-on-one bilateral relations of such public display of yet?” meeting as being held in “a cordial and political osculation in broad daylight. Being a veteran correspondent who friendly atmosphere” then it would be a After all, smooching is still strictly banned believes that with press freedom comes safe bet that the two leaders probably sat in Indian cinema and, because we copy responsibility, I am used to these face-to-face in stony silence for one hour everything, it is frowned upon on the questions and always make it a point to and forty-five minutes until one of them Nepali silver screen as well. (Fine Print: answer good naturedly: “How the bloody fell asleep in his chair out of sheer Kissing ass, however, is quite acceptable in RAVI MANANDHAR/NEPAL SAMACHARPATRA hell boredom. both cultures.) should We reporters have also become What a relief that this picture did not Asian Alfa Male by Femina magazine) UNDER MY HAT I specialists in the art of reading body put an irreparable dent on bilateral slobbered all over the daughter of the Kunda Dixit know?” language and gestures when VIPs meet. diplomatic relations similar to the furore Pakistani Ambassador in New Delhi during In fact, How firm was the handshake? Was there that followed the peck on the cheek that the launch of his (Kushie's) latest semi- we hacks are as clueless about what is any eye contact? Did one of them, Nelson Mandela once placed on Shabana autobiographical potboiler and nearly going on in this country as most of you, unbeknownst to the press corps, have the Azmi. What made the Nobel laureate pay triggered off an Indo-Pak nuclear exchange. our valued clients. The only difference is other by the gonads? That is why it is lip service to Shabana we won’t know until Thank heavens times are changing and that we keep it a closely guarded secret. instructive to study closely this we view a slow motion replay of that Bollywood has now started allowing Even so, after decades of experience photograph of Vice Chairman Bista incident, but it is clear that some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation in its deciphering press statements that don’t greeting visiting Indian Foreign Secretary foreigners think they can take liberties movies. It won’t be long before our say anything, we have become experts at Saran this week. I know what some of you with subcontinental womanhood. political leaders, too, no longer have to reading between the lines. For instance, if with dirty minds are thinking. You are And then there was the time Khuswant be shy about kissing and making up in two heads of state are said to have had a thinking: “Yuk, are they kissing or what?” Singh (twice voted Most Lecherous South public. z

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