#803 8 - 14 April 2016 16 pages Rs 50 Full coverage page 13 nepalitimes.com PEACE REBUILDING BUILDING OURSELVES Watch video online 2 EDITORIAL 8 - 14 APRIL 2016 #803 COPING AND HOPING It is a glaring indictment of the state, that it gives citizens no reason to expect much from their elected representatives. 016 is a year of war anniversaries. It is apparatchik as CEO, whom no one listens the bicentennial of the Sugauli Treaty, to because he is too junior. In the absence it has been a century since some of 2 of elected village and district councils, the worst slaughter in the Belgian trenches there is little grassroots accountability during World War I in which 20,000 Nepalis for relief distribution. were killed, this year is the 20th anniversary It is a sobering thought that many of of the start of the Maoist conflict and this the relatives of the victims of the decade- month marks the 10th year after it ended. long war – the murdered, maimed The war has been over for as long as it or missing – have still not received lasted. adequate compensation. The movers and Also, on 25 April we will mark the first shakers in the districts, the ones with anniversary of the earthquake. In this issue political connections or those who know of Nepali Times we take a look at how war- how to work the system have pocketed torn families, communities and indeed the state’s reparations, even if they were an entire nation that were finally finding only tangentially affected. closure after a decade, were pitilessly Because it is the same state structure, shaken up by an earthquake. There are tragic the same politicised bureaucracy with stories from Sindhupalchok and Kavre of the same lack of accountability that is families, which were already torn apart by responsible, we see the same lethargy the war having to suffer the devastation of and delays in relief delivery. In fact, it the earthquake ten years later. The field would be astounding — given the state reports represent a microcosm of what the of governance in this country and the 10 million people living in 14 districts hit by lack of a sense of urgency from the PMO war and earthquake endured collectively. OM ASTHA RAI downwards — if we suddenly had state The agitation and violent protests that followed the yet this stark reality did not register on your radars. mechanisms that were speedy, efficient and functioned promulgation of the new constitution by parliament in Members of the international community now bemoaning with integrity. July last year paralysed governance and relief delivery to the government’s slowness in reconstruction: your silence It is cynically said that disasters are a godsend for earthquake survivors. Then there was the five-month Indian during the blockade spoke volumes. politicians because they provide an opportunity to prove blockade that stopped supplies of petroleum and other To be sure, the Koirala and Oli governments showed their worth, to show the people they care, and to demonstrate essential imports. The country ground to a halt, and 2.5 unconscionable incompetence in dealing with relief their ability to govern and manage. For the whole of the million inhabitants in the mountains of Central Nepal spent delivery and reconstruction. The two parties politicised past year, there seems to be no such appreciation here, or their first winter in flimsy tents. the establishment of the Reconstruction Authority and any indication that politicians are pouncing on this chance. To the international press that the appointment of its CEO, even as millions waited for Another opportunity squandered. spent a week here last April and emergency relief and reconstruction We can detect a glimmer of hope when we interview has started parachuting in again for grants. There was merely one reason individuals, families and communities that have coped obligatory anniversary stories, we have for this: one political party wanted with the double disasters of war and earthquake, and learnt this to say: Where were you when this to thwart the other from getting all to stand up on their own. It is a testament to the Nepali country was blockaded for five months? the credit for bringing support to spirit that we continue to persevere in the face of such Nepal’s economy was devastated and survivors. The Oli government, in immense human made adversities. the wellbeing of its people damaged particular, used the blockade and But what a glaring indictment of the state, that it gives beyond repair much more seriously by PEACE REBUILDING the Tarai agitation as an excuse for citizens no reason to expect anything from their elected the Indian siege than by the earthquake, BUILDING OURSELVES its ineptitude. It installed a political representatives. YOUR SAY www.nepalitimes.com THIS WEEK MOON IN NEPAL and see what he has done to promote methods of disposing off e-waste The Unifi cation Movement sounds like yet peace and protect our values in different (‘Dangerous rubbish’, Lok Mani Rai, another anti-secular, anti-LGBT (possibly villages. We have to salute anyone who #802). anti-feminist) religious party that will is working for such a noble cause. As Namah seek to curtail human rights through the they say little knowledge is dangerous, policing of morality (‘Korean movement we need to see the full picture before IT’S A JUNGLE OUT THERE gains political foothold in Nepal’, Seulki evaluating anyone. In a country where the Hukums of Lee, #802). Jiba the likes of Chandra Shekhar, Shyam Flambe Sharan, etc are implemented with Ek Nath Dhakal of the Nepal Family zeal, it will not be a surprise if KP I never knew that Nepal had a Party was rewarded by the Maoists for Oli’s government is toppled as per signifi cant following of Sun Myung funding the insurgency by siphoning the hukum of Delhi (“It’s a jungle out Moon’s philosophy of Unifi cationism. I money from such religion peddlers. He there’, Om Astha Rai, #802). am confused about one thing though: is still profi ting from that. So much for K.K Sharma People can retain their Hindu faith and Moon’s peace, when they are the ones belief but also follow that of Moon’s who helped fund the killings. philosophy which seems to be a modifi ed Lumi Christian doctrine. Also, found this quote Weekly Internet Poll #803 GOPEN RAI interesting: “The unifi cation movement Ek Nath Dhakal is just an opportunist Q. Should the government permit wildlife resorts to be is to turn us into true Hindus, true who doesn’t care about this country or set up inside the Chitwan National Park? Most reached on Facebook Christians, true Buddhists or true Muslims its people, he only cares about getting Total votes: 101 A sparrow feeds on an off ering made to the statue of Garud at Kathmandu Durbar Square. (11,992 people reached) by fi nding the best path to make one’s paid by the radical Moonies. Followers of religion 100 per cent.” Well, what about Moon are religious radicals who pretend atheists? Will the moonies also turn to be do-gooders. This cult needs to be Most shared on Facebook Most visited online page atheists 100%? regulated. A sparrow feeds on an off ering made Korean movement gains political Poudyal Dimaag to the statue of Garud at Kathmandu foothold in Nepal by Seulki Lee Durbar Square. (1,812 views) E-WASTE Weekly Internet Poll #804 I am neither a member of Nepal To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com Family Party nor The Unifi cation A nation which struggles with solid Most popular on Twitter Most commented Escape velocity by Rubeena Mahato Escape velocity by Movement, but am a fan of Ek Nath human waste will hardly have the time or Q. Which do you think is more important? (41 retweets, 57 likes) Rubeena Mahato (14 comments) Dhakal and his work. Please go out energy to research novel and innovative Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Producer: Ayesha Shakya | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Nepali Times on Facebook [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Follow @nepalitimes on Instagram Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 8 - 14 APRIL 2016 #803 3 4 NATION 8 - 14 APRIL 2016 #803 KANAK MANI DIXIT IN DHAKA NEPAL WHER EVER YOU ARE. in your lap or palm. www.nepalitimes.com 8 - 14 APRIL 2016 #803 BUSINESS 5 Pokhara airport airborne BIZ BRIEFS After four wasted decades, Pokhara may finally be getting a much-needed international airport companies showed interest, but the need for an alternative airport. RABINDRA ADHIKARI the government was apathetic, A month later, the earthquake IN POKHARA and that was that. proved just how vulnerable Nepal Excellent Sales Win for Turkey In 2009, the elected Maoist was having only one international Laxmi InterContinental, the Turkish Airlines was awarded Airline government led by Pushpa airport to handle relief and authorised distributor of Hyundai of the Year at the 2016 Air Transport n Nepali New Year 2073 Kamal Dahal finally gave rescue. Kathmandu airport was vehicles for Nepal, was recently News Awards. Turkish fl ies to on Wednesday, Prime the go-ahead for the Pokhara so crowded, relief planes had awarded the 2015 Excellent Sales 284 destinations in 113 countries OMinister KP Oli will International Airport.