#485 15 - 21 January 2010 16 pages Rs 30 Haiti calling f the pictures of Haiti’s wrecked presidential palace I remind us how futile human endeavours are in the face of nature’s brute force, it won’t be the first time. The earthquake of 1934 caused similar damage to the Kathmandu Valley, and the relatively low number of casualties (by today’s standards) shouldn’t deceive us into thinking our capital will get off with anywhere near the level of punishment. As we remember the victims of the Haitian quake in the run-up to Earthquake Safety Day on Jan 16, we’d do well to assess our own risk and consider how we can prepare for the inevitable. Full story p6 BEFORE AND AFTER: Patan’s Darbar Square bounced back from the 1934 earthquake, but what of the rest of the Kathmandu Valley? Yes, you CAN CAN Info-tech is here again and you’d do well to brave the chill if you want to indulge in some hi-tech hijinks this winter. p7-8 KIRAN PANDAY 2| 15 - 21 JANUARY 2010 #485 political instability, which means even moderate political Valley fell after a military siege he was way ahead of his TRUE NATIONALISM leaders have been forced into radical time in merging his kingdom into Kathmandu rather than posturing to keep their flocks together. Some donor-funded the other way around. Prithvi Narayan was much more In the space of one week, some political pressure NGOs have now gone from being development of a federal democrat than today’s sloganeers on the groups closed down the country in support of ethnic organisations to political pressure groups with incendiary streets. federalism, others did the same to protest federalism. ethnic, racist and separatist agendas. Their views are now Prithvi Narayan’s gaudily painted statue in Another political party shut down the nation to protest so extreme and rhetoric so radical that their political Kathmandu may look like a caricature, but it reminds us federalism. The Maoists fanned out to border hothead mentors look moderate in comparison. what true nationalism is. True nationalism doesn’t hotspots to shake angry fists at India, while in Things are made worse by a rigid, exclusionary state consist in going to Susta, Kalapani and Khurdalautan to Kathmandu activists rallied at the statue of King Prithvi burdened by politicians who seek to compensate for deliver xenophobic and paranoid tirades but in being Narayan Shah. slipping support by raising slogans of ethnic autonomy more self-reliant, having more self-respect, and One of the offshoots of the 2006 Andolan and without really meaning it. And beneath it all is the volatile cultivating a sense of unity and nationhood. If we want to Nepal’s transition from monarchy to republic is the substrate of a crumbling economy, the lack of jobs and reduce Indian influence in Nepal, it is more important to ongoing debate about the symbols of our nationhood. In opportunities, and over-centralised decision-making by reduce our trade gap through prudent use of our natural this great churning, accepted beliefs are being unaccountable politicians. resources, and make India dependent on Nepal rather challenged, traditional values questioned. There is a Nepal’s neo-republicans love to vilify Prithvi Narayan than the other way around. True nationalism is genuine and understandable desire on the part of many Shah, but that king showed more foresight, vision and celebrating our diversity, not using it to divide us. groups that have historically been marginalised wisdom than any of the leaders of this supposedly ‘new’ by Kathmandu from decision-making to have their Nepal. Prithvi Narayan didn’t conquer Nepal militarily; grievances addressed. for the most part he coopted principalities and allowed The tragedy is that it is all coming at a time of them self-governance and autonomy. Even when the people measures like waiving farmer loans, creating employment schemes, and increasing budgets Reaching out for VDCs. Political communication is all about repeating themes innumerable who have arrived to inspect times in different public settings PLAIN SPEAKING ‘Indian expansionism’ first hand, to create mass awareness. and driven deep to the village. Crucially though, it was one Prashant Jha Some residents complain that more step in strengthening the they have land certificates, but organisation, energising the party the land itself has been ‘taken cadre, and sending the message Susta: A rough road track with away’ by India. Others point out that the leadership remained fields on one side and a river on that they are surrounded by Bihar committed and united. the other; Bhojpuri-speaking and UP on three sides, and have Being embedded with the villagers, many of them Muslims; to go to market in India even for Maoists illuminated the working a single decrepit police post; the basic purchases – where they are culture and commitment of the winter fog; and a border where harassed. They cite clashes that whole-timers that sustains the you can cross into another have occurred over the last four party. A large group of Maoist- country without even realising it decades. ADITYA ADHIKARI affiliated students from TU came – to anyone who has travelled in When asked about their to Susta, cheerfully chanting the Nepali Tarai, this would demands, most residents present The tribulations of Nepalis on the slogans. YCL from adjacent sound like just another of the the following list. Give us districts were present in full force. hamlets that mark our southern citizenship, for more than 60 border have more to do with the Regional state committees were plains. But Susta stands out, for per cent of villagers are not Nepali state than with India activated. Party members and in the Nepali nationalist legally Nepali. Construct a bridge sympathisers provided shelter and narrative, it is seen a ‘wound’, so we can cross to the Nepali food. Mass meetings were and an ‘attack’ on territorial mainland more easily. Give us tendency of politicians to that is why mass presence at a organised, where martyrs were integrity. full VDC status so we don’t have opportunistically whip up Maoist rally in Nawalparasi’s honoured, local leaders got a To get to Susta, you have to to travel to Triveni for every passions, these are at the root. Beltari – held right next to an platform, and the Maoist position cross the Narayani River. It takes small thing. Build a health India can only be blamed for its India-constructed campus on the national political situation a ramshackle boat more than half post. And demarcate the border pettiness, and lack of diplomatic building – was not as strong was explained. Other contingents an hour – after getting stuck in with India. magnanimity. Instead of allowing as expected. replicated the pattern in different the middle – to travel across Notice a pattern? All these such issues to fester, India would But the entire campaign parts of the country. little more than 20 metres. Like demands have more to do with earn significant goodwill if it served a purpose. The Maoists Whether the Maoist ‘national in other cases of what’s termed the utter failure of the Nepali were willing to make certain were addressing not just border awareness’ campaign is ‘border encroachment’, the river state rather than grand Indian concessions. residents, but a larger national appropriate or will succeed is lies at the heart of the issue. Its hegemonic designs. The lack of Residents in the deep south constituency, many of whom debatable. But there is little doubt shifting course has led to the penetration of the state in its seem to understand this. It is an regard India with suspicion. They that it has strengthened the party fluidity of the boundary. own territory; its diplomatic emotive issue, but the Madhes is were also reinforcing their message machinery further on the ground, On the other side, three laziness and ineffectualness; its not prosperous or strong enough about a ‘remote-controlled’ and helped the Maoists reach tractors are loaded up with administrative failure to provide to whip up nationalism geared government in contrast to their out directly to multiple Nepali Maoists and onlookers basic infrastructure; and the against the Indian state. Perhaps own government, which took pro- constituencies. ON THE WEB www.nepalitimes.com IN MEMORIAM to you and the fellow WWII veterans of less, considering ever-growing Ramji, your article is a missile for Dear Mr. Jenkins, it is indeed the UK. investment and the increasing number of victims’ struggle for justice. It is very wonderful to see you paying tribute to D. Rai channels. difficult in Nepal to end impunity and our grandfathers, fathers, uncles, and Sandman provide truth and justice to disappeared brothers who lost their lives in WWI & TV BOOM families and thousands of conflict victims, WWII (Unsung heroes, #484). One of I beg to differ with Mr Lal in that his insight MISSING AGENDA when activists like you are not and every my uncles who was only 18 years old into the Nepali media (Lohani’s legacy, This article is powerful and has good party is trying to break the spirit of died in WWII and our family doesn’t #484) seems to be heavily influenced by analysis (Missing justice, #484). justice. The dollar organisations and so- even know where he died. As our comparisons to the Indian media. I believe International community and support- called NGOs are not interested in victims, parents and grandparents were Nepali television channels are quite crude, based INGOs must reach the victims’ but peace projects for the sake of money neither educated nor had the benefit of but that’s because they are unseasoned, families and family associations directly, and fame in the market.