#509 2 - 8 July 2010 16+4 pages Rs 30

So what is going on with thecommunity forests of Nepal? It’snot looking good, but it’s not allbad. p12-13

The east is the best. The east ofNepal, that is. p16-17

FREEWHEELING

He’s been to 150 countries. He’s cycled over 220,000 kilometres. What’snext? Pushkar Shah went around the world and then climbed onto theroof. Nepali Times brings you snapshots of the Everest Peace Expedition2010 to the top of the world.p7

BILASH RAI

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #509

Publisher: Kunda Dixit | Editor: Rabi Thapa Design: Kiran Maharjan | Marketing: Sambhu Guragain, Subhash Kumar, Arjun Karki advertising@himalmedia.com | Subscription: Santosh Aryal santosha@himalmedia.com

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2|

Q. Was Madhav Kumar Nepal right to resign?

Weekly Internet Poll # 509

Q. Did you enjoy Manisha Koirala’s wedding?

Total votes: 2,089

Weekly Internet Poll # 510. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com

ON THE WEBwww.nepalitimes.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

On the blogsRigor mortis

REAL PROGRESSI really want to thank Nepali Times andRubeena Mahato for this issue(Pragatinagar’s progress, #508) and forshowing us that there are also positivethings happening in Nepal and thatNepalese people are capable ofimproving their lives by themselves.Now, all we need to do is replicatePragatinagar in other VDCs and DDCsall over Nepal.

KiranL

I am from this village, this is great. Ididn’t even know that my village is sucha great place to live in. Thanks forposting this article.

Jitendra Gautam, Pragatinagar-4

NATIONAL TO LOCALA very good effort by the author to raisean important issue (The lure of the

national, #508). Federalism,decentralisation or whatever you call it,should start from the region itself. As longas the psyche of the people in thehinterlands remains centre-oriented, therecan be no federalism or even decentralisedgovernance.

anish

WHO’S FAILED?It’s the reality (The failed people,#508). But I can’t agree we are the failedpeople, although we have selected a bunchof failed leaders. We know what’s goingon, what’s right and what’s wrong, we raiseour voice, we write nice articles but aredivided finally while taking a firm stance inthe name of caste, ethnicity, religion andparty. The intellectual power inside usshould be used to lead the country ratherthan letting it be banderko hatma nariwal.bibek

DEVELOPMENT SETWhile INGOs generallyhave better governance (Who’s bad, #508),higher transparency and offer better careeropportunities for employees, they alsosuffer from problems such as high costs ofoperation, inefficiency, too much paperworkand lack of innovation and creativity owingto their airtight logframes. The privatesector is more cost effective, efficient andinnovative compared to the developmentsector. Both can learn from each other.

GB Banjara

NEPAL’S NEPALOf all the characters in Nepal’s political firmament,Madhav Kumar Nepal was the last person anyoneexpected to be a wily manipulator.

When he was installed as prime minister exactly ayear ago, it was his very indecisiveness and lack ofleadership qualities that made him the perfectcompromise candidate. The country needed adealmaker to bring the three main parties together, andno one seriously saw him as a political threat.

In the past year, Madhav Nepal’s biggestcontribution was to keep the totalitarian ambitions ofthe Maoists at bay. It is only now becoming clear howclose we came on the night of 4 May 2009 to acomplete Maoist takeover. Now, Nepal has shown thathe also knows when it is time to go, unlike many of hispeers.

Kunda Dixit revisits old haunts inEurope

nepalitimes.com/blogs

n that fateful day of May28, 2010, as the midnighthour approached, some

members of the CA did manage torise above party politics. Amidstswirling rumours of a possiblestate of emergency being declared,women members of the housecrossed party lines and cametogether for a two-hour chantasking for the ConstituentAssembly to be extended. Theiryoung male colleagues,uninvolved in the power plays oftheir seniors outside the house,sat and watched silently. Finallythe ‘big three’ political partiesarrived at a three-point program.

Political gamesmanship andformulas for a ‘consensus’government, code for who willreally be prime minister, are themajor concerns of influentialpoliticians in Nepal. Thedrafting of the constitutiondoesn’t quite seem to consumethem as much as one might hope.Constitution-making itself isprecariously positioned atpresent, in terms of disagreementover constitutional choices.

Choices that shape the politicaland legal fabric of a nation, suchas the form of government,whether presidential orparliamentary, and even the basisof the federal state, are inquestion. Other significant areaswhere convergence is neededinclude the appointment ofjudges and the nature andnumber of fundamental rights.

The Constituent Assembly’sthematic subject committeereports – which came to theirconclusions on the basis of amajority vote, usually reflected

the CPN (Maoist) position. Forinstance, the committee report onthe Determination of the Formsof Governance of the Stateprovided that all power beconcentrated in the president.The president is to be the head ofstate, government and themilitary; and will be elected by

popular election for a five-yearterm. This version of a strongpresidential system is often atodds with the needs of fledgingmulti-ethnic democracies. Aparliamentary system, with thespace that it provides for thevoices and narratives of allethnicities and for regionaldiversity manifest through amulti-party system, might bewiser. Alternatively, convergencecould be arrived at via apopularly elected prime ministerin a parliamentary styledemocracy.

The method of appointmentof judges is also a cause forconcern. The Judicial Committeereport provides that the head ofstate on the ‘recommendation’ ofthe Federal Legislative SpecialJudicial Committee (comprisingthe vice-chairman of the federallegislature, the law minister, and

nine members from thelegislature) shall appoint thechief justice and other judges ofthe Supreme Court. Similarly,structures are in place at theother levels of the court system.Judges of the Supreme Court areto have a term of four years anda retirement age of 65. Further,the powers of the FederalJudicial Committee,astonishingly, includeinterpretation of theconstitution. All of thisdisrupts the separation ofpowers between the executive,legislature and the judiciary.This in tandem with a strongpresident structurally locatesall power in the executive.

Finally, the Committee forFundamental Rights andDirective Principles hasprovided for around 30enforceable and justiciablefundamental rights. Theseinclude the fundamental rightsto food, housing, employmentand social security. In principleall nations must prioritise suchguarantees. However, to createfundamental rights that thestate cannot implement due tofinancial considerations,implies that drafters

Romancing power, courting a constitutioninadvertently compromised theabsolute mandate of such acategory of rights. It ispreferable to have a few genericfundamental rights, for instancethe right to life. Within it, onecan progressively createjurisprudence that includes, forexample, a right to food that thestate can afford to implement.

Amidst the game of musicalchairs for the prime minister’sseat being played by all themajor and now even someminor political parties, theobstinate terms of engagementof India, and the coyappearances of deposedmonarch Gyanendra Shah, thebusiness of making aconstitution and therefore anew nation languishes. Nepal’spolitical elites need to recognisethe historical terms of referenceof the Constituent Assembly.They need to set aside theirpersonal quests for power, andinstead focus on coming to ashared understanding of theidea of their country, and craftits character through aconstitution.

The writer practices law at theSupreme Court of India.

To be sure, Nepal wasn’t successful in forging aconsensus government. He couldn’t rein in hisspectacularly corrupt cabinet colleagues. And his mostglaring failure was to completely ignore the economy anddevelopment.

But by surprising even his close aides with theannouncement of his resignation, Nepal seized the moment,wrested the initiative and took the moral high ground aheadof the UML central committee meeting. In his resignationspeech, he explained that the only reason for his delay wasthat he wanted to spare the country the uncertainty ofsuccession. He wanted to be seen as a facilitator and notas the obstacle that he was becoming.

Sure enough, the resignation has already intensified thebitter power struggle between rivals within all three partiesto be Nepal’s successor. The disagreement is not betweenthe parties but within them, among rival candidates forprime ministership. Till the president’s 7 July deadline,Nepal has converted himself from a lame duck to a

caretaker.The ideal scenario now would be for the two rival

leaders in each party (Dahal and Bhattarai in theMaoists, Deuba and Poudel in the NC and Oli andKhanal in the UML) to bury the hatchet and worktowards a consensus government.

Coming out of the autocratic shadow of GPKoirala, the NC is now re-emerging as a strongdemocratic alternative to the Maoists. But it is absurdto foist people like Sher Bahadur Deuba or some of thetired old discredited faces from the past as if they arethe only choices we have. It is time for the party tomake a clean break and go for people like, say, KulBahadur Gurung, who would be less objectionable tothe other parties, and let them prove themselves.

GUEST COLUMN Menaka Guruswamy

Musical chairs for the primeministership have obscured thewhole of the constitution-writingprocess and the bones ofcontention within it

O

CORRECTIONS The bridge over the Modi Khola is not the

longest suspension bridge in Nepal (Who needspolitics?, #508), it is the highest.

Pragatinagar has 2690 households, not 2960(Pragatinagar’s progress, #508)

EAST WEST

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #509 OP-ED|3

PLAIN SPEAKINGPrashant Jha

R esigning is the best thingMadhav Nepal has donesince he took office. He had

done little to deserve the positionin the first place; his ministerswere relics from the past, withlittle faith in the post-2006political framework; and thegovernment was the biggest insultto the electorate.

Madhav Nepal succeeded inkeeping the Maoists out of powertill 28 May, for there were otherplans lined up after that(including the dissolution of theCA), which were fortunatelyfoiled. Some may feel that theanti-Maoist coalition helped savedemocracy, but it has also doneenormous damage to thelegitimacy of the democraticsystem, and public perception ofthe political parties.

But there is no guarantee thatNepal’s exit will indeed break thepolitical stagnation. In the nextfew weeks, we will witness allkinds of permutations.

The ideal, though unlikely,scenario is a national unitygovernment. Till all parties have ashare in the formal stateapparatus, they will have littleincentive to cooperate. One couldargue that even an oppositionparty can collaborate with rulingparties on constitutional issues,or the peace process. But the pastyear has shown this does nothappen.

India, and its Nepali proxies,will not accept Pushpa KamalDahal as PM. Dahal will try toblock Baburam Bhattarai, even ifit means sitting in the oppositionagain. But the balance of power inthe party has shifted andBhattarai today is in a strongerposition than he was six monthsago. Let us assume, for a moment,that the Maoists agree to presenthim as an alternative candidate.Will the other parties, and India,accept a Maoist-led government?Or has his name been thrown inonly as a card, to stoke theexisting divisions withinthe party?

The fact that the Maoists holdon to their coercive apparatus willbe held against them by theothers. The Maoists will offer tobring the PLA under the SpecialCommittee in practice (thedecision was taken in principleages ago). Will that be enough forthe other parties? Today, PLAcommanders are with Bhattarai,but it is likely that Dahal will tryto block any movement onintegration if he thinks movingon the peace process will enableBhattarai to become PM. Theofficial party decision to move onthe peace process andconstitution-writingsimultaneously remains. ManyMaoists genuinely believe that ifthey give up their army, the otherparties will back out of writing a‘progressive’ constitution, and

want to keep the PLA until theyare entirely secure.

Dahal had told JhalanathKhanal that he would back himas PM if Khanal got Nepal toresign. But there will be dissentwithin the Maoists to joiningsuch a government as juniorpartner to the UML, for thecompetition over the left spacecontinues. Even if it happens,will the NC be ready to play

second fiddle in what will be anational unity government inname but a left-dominatedgovernment in practice?

The NC itself does not seem tobe in a position to lead a unitygovernment given the clearfissures between Sher BahadurDeuba and Ram Chandra Poudel,and the upcoming convention.Even if the NC decides on acandidate, will the Maoists join

such a government? SomeMadhesi leaders think it is theirchance to lead now, but Nepalalready has a Yadav president,and a Jha vice president. Will theconservative hill establishmenthand over real executive power toanother Madhesi? And is theresuch a figure from a smallerfringe party who can win thetrust of all sides?

Clearly, negotiating a unitygovernment will be a majorchallenge. But the alternatives areworse. The anti-Maoists will seekto continue with the same‘democratic’ coalition, and find acandidate from within the

Elusive unity

alliance to replace Madhav Nepal.The deadlock will continue.Certain factions of the UML andthe Maoists are fantasising abouta left unity government. Thisdoes not look achievable at themoment, and last year’s game wasall about getting the UML and theMaoists to keep fighting. If theydo get together, it will antagoniseIndia and the NC, and withoutthem, there can be no consensuson either the future of the PLA orthe constitution.

Whatever happens, Nepal willsoon have its fifth government ofthe last four years. The legacy ofthe 1990s continues.

Madhav Nepal’s exit is a positivemove, but grants little certaintyto the political process

GEMUNU AMARASINGHE

CHECKING OUT: PrimeMinister Madhav Kumar Nepalchecks his mail next door fromhis official chair in May.

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #5094|INTERNATIONAL

hortly before half-time in theWorld Cup eliminationmatch between England and

Germany on June 27, the Englishmidfielder Frank Lampard had ashot at goal that struck thecrossbar and bounced down ontothe ground, clearly over the goalline. The goalkeeper, ManuelNeuer, grabbed the ball and put itback into play. Neither the refereenor the linesman, both of whomwere still coming down the field,signalled a goal, and playcontinued.

After the match, Neuer gavethis account of his actions: “I triednot to react to the referee and justconcentrate on what washappening. I realised it was overthe line and I think the way Icarried on so quickly fooled thereferee into thinking it was notover.”

To put it bluntly: Neuercheated, and then boastedabout it.

By any normal ethicalstandards, what Neuer did waswrong. But does the fact thatNeuer was playing football meanthat the only ethical rule is: ‘Winat all costs’?

In soccer, that does seem tobe the prevailing ethic. The most

German goalkeeper Manuel Neuermissed a rare chance to dosomething noble in front of millions

famous of these incidents wasDiego Maradona’s goal inArgentina’s 1986 World Cupmatch against England, which helater described as having beenscored “a little with the headof Maradona and a little withthe hand of God.” Twenty yearslater, he admitted in a BBCinterview that he had intentionallyacted as if it were a goal, in orderto deceive the referee.

Something similar happenedlast November, in a gamebetween France and Ireland thatdecided which of the two nationswent to the World Cup. TheFrench striker Thierry Henryused his hand to control the balland pass to a teammate, whoscored the decisive goal. Askedabout the incident after thematch, Henry said: “I will behonest, it was a handball. But I’mnot the ref. I played it, the refallowed it. That’s a question youshould ask him.”

But is it? Why should the factthat you can get away withcheating mean that you are notculpable? Players should not beexempt from ethical criticism forwhat they do on the field, anymore than they are exempt fromethical criticism for cheating offthe field – for example, by takingperformance-enhancing drugs.

Sports today are highlycompetitive, with huge amountsof money at stake, but that doesnot mean it is impossible to behonest. In 1996, Liverpool striker

Robbie Fowler was awarded apenalty for being fouled by theArsenal goalkeeper. He told thereferee that he had not beenfouled, but the referee insisted thathe take the penalty kick. Fowlerdid so, but in a manner thatenabled the goalkeeper to save it.

Why are there so fewexamples of such behaviour fromprofessional footballers? Perhapsa culture of excessive

partisanship has trumped ethicalvalues. Fans don’t seem to mind ifmembers of their own team cheatsuccessfully; they only objectwhen the other side cheats. Thatis not an ethical attitude. (Though,to their credit, many Frenchfootball followers, from PresidentNicolas Sarkozy down, expressedtheir sympathy for Ireland afterHenry’s handball.)

Yes, we can deal with the

problem to some extent by usingmodern technology or videoreplays to review controversialrefereeing decisions. But, whilethat will reduce the opportunity forcheating, it won’t eliminate it, andit isn’t really the point. When whatyou do will be seen by millions,revisited on endless videoreplays, and dissected ontelevision sports programs, it isespecially important to do what isright.

How would football fans havereacted if Neuer had stopped playand told the referee that the ballwas a goal? Given the rarity ofsuch behaviour in football, theinitial reaction would no doubthave been surprise. SomeGerman fans might have beendisappointed. But the world as awhole – and every fair-mindedGerman fan too – would have hadto admit that he had done the rightthing.

Neuer missed a rareopportunity to do something noblein front of millions of people. Hecould have set a positive ethicalexample to people watching allover the world, including themany millions who are young andimpressionable. Who knows whatdifference that example mighthave made to the lives of many ofthose watching? Neuer couldhave been a hero, standing up forwhat is right. Instead, he is justanother footballer who is veryskillful at cheating.(Project Syndicate)

COMMENTPeter Singer

Is it ok to cheat in football?

S

HAND OF GOD? Putlike this, it doesn't

really look like it

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #509 NATION|5

THIS WEEK

Nepal resignsPrime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal steppeddown from office on Wednesday despite firmstatements that he was not going to resignbefore a political settlement was reached,including ex-combatant integration andformation of a national unity government. Butwith a continuing failure to resolve thepolitical impasse, and the Maoist threat todisrupt presentation of the budget inparliament, he had become an obstacle in theeyes of many.

Announcing his resignation in a televisedaddress, Nepal insisted that his governmentcontinued to have the support of a majority ofparliament, but had been unable to proceedwith government and parliamentary businessdue to continued obstruction from the UCPN(Maoist). He berated the largest party inparliament for non-cooperation and activedisruption throughout the 13-month period ofhis government’s tenure. Nepal then went onto list his government’s achievements, butexpressed bitterness at having been unable tobring the peace process to a conclusion,wholly because of Maoist opposition.

Nepal’s resignation is unlikely to lead toan easy solution as the struggle forsuccession will now intensify within all theparties, which have been unable to decide ona prime ministerial candidate. This willprolong the political impasse. Nepal has nowmade the transition from a lame duck primeminister to a caretaker prime minister.

Hindu leader assassinatedPolice arrested the local leader of the MaoistParty, Jalim Miya, in Parsa District onMonday in connection with the murder of thechairman of the Hindu Youth Association,Kashinath Tiwari. He was shot dead near hishome in Birganj and died in hospital onSaturday. The Hindu Youth Association shutdown Birganj following the killing, butrelented once the Home Ministry announcedthat Tiwari would be declared a martyr andhis family would be provided compensation.In addition to Miya, the police have arrestedfour people in connection with the murder.

Maoists boycott BostonThe Maoists withdrew their participation in aseminar in Boston, USA, on Agreement andState Rebuilding and asked three of itssenior leaders to return after another Maoistleader was denied a visa to attend the sameprogram. US Ambassador Scott DeLisi saidin a statement that the fourth proposedparticipant, CA member Agni Sapkota, “couldnot be approved for travel due to serious andspecific human rights allegations associatedwith his conduct during the insurgency.”Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal saidSapkota was not given clearance for traveldue to protests by Human Rights Watch,which has accused Sapkota of murder.“There is no case against him,” Dahal added.“These allegations are false.”

Cover ExclusiveChild Soldier in the Security Council

Sita Tamang’s real story

ReportageDepleted Mountains: No more yarsagumba

Forest Minister destroying forestsPolice-criminal nexus

Terrorism against VDC secretariesThe problem called Gyanendra

ColumnsBalbahadur Rai: From the hospital bed

Devendra Poudel: Ten steps to breaking the deadlockPurshottam Dahal: Small parties make a move

Sarala Gautam: Speak out, Namrata

Environment SpecialBiogas shows the way forward

InvestigationRape epidemic and impunity

HIMAL KHABARPATRIKA30 June-16 July

NHUCHHE MAN DANGOL

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #5096|BUSINESS

I n a globalised world it’s notjust the markets that areglobal, it’s also the means

of protest. There’s a certainhomogeneity in not only theubiquitous outlets of Starbucksand McDonald’s, but also theprotests in Spain, Greece,western China and now,Toronto. The black maskprotestors at the G20 Summitwho said they were coveringtheir faces to hide theiridentities perhaps took a leaffrom the book of the protestorsin Gaza. And baton-wieldingcops know just what to do whenfaced with protests in theircountries, at least in part bylearning from the experience ofothers. In this sense, there islittle difference betweenKathmandu, Dhaka and Toronto.

Protesting has becomefashionable and the wayresources are mobilised forprotests, one wonders if theyend up supporting the market.The money that goes into sloganprinted T-shirts, the expenses ofmobilising supporters

Freedomto market

(including travel), and thebiggest contribution ofprotestors – to increase the TRPratings of mostly privatelyowned media. Whose interestsare such protests supporting?

Left-wing shenanigansalways take advantage of suchprotests, be it at Davos orToronto. But the time has cometo consider whether thesemovements have outlived theirutility. The reality is, to think

that socialism is going to re-enter the global economic sphereas a viable model, is just wastingtime. Market-led models havehad more lasting impacts oneconomic growth, leading moreand more countries, includingformer bastions of socialism, toadopt the same. But the

challenge is now more to redefinethe role of the state, sovereignty,political boundaries and marketregulations. The focus is more toensure global monopolies are notcreated and that there is a levelplaying field for all players in themarket.

This also means reconsideringthe laws relating to the freedom totravel. A Nepali company shouldbe able to compete with anAmerican company for a contractin South Africa, but the Nepalicompany should not be asked towait for three weeks to get a visa.In that time, the US company cantake the next flight, do its pitch,and seal the contract! It’s moreimportant to create meaningfulpressure in these summits foraccess to markets than go on abouthow markets are irrelevant. If thegaps between high-incomeeconomies and low-incomeeconomies are to be narrowed,then the shackles on movementneed to be loosened. Imagine ifthe citizens of Singapore or theUAE were governed by the samevisa regulations as Nepalis.Would they manage economicgrowth of that magnitude?

It’s also worth perusingGurcharan Das’s ‘Dharma ofCapitalism’. If individuals andnations, especially high-incomeones, are not going to change theway they look at spending, thendisparities will never cease. Thespending on pets in the US isnearly half the GDP of the entireAfrican continent and theturnover of Louis Vuitton MoetHennessy, a high-end brandstable, is equal to the GDP ofNepal. The economic crisis wascreated by greed. Some see greedas the driver of capitalism but weneed to continue to takeadvantage of the benefits of themarket economy whiledistinguishing between profitand profiteering. The next worldorder will surely depend on howwe can make markets work for all,or many will continue to see theG8 and the G20 as simply theGreedy Eight and the GreedyTwenty.www.arthabeed.com

We need toacknowledge

the benefits ofthe marketeconomy

whileensuring it

works for all

ECONOMIC SENSEArtha Beed

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Cheap dealsNcell is introducing a bundled offer ofhandsets along with SIM cards. Subscribers can purchase ablack and white ZTE mobile set designed to work with NcellSIM cards with Rs 99 of talk time at the price of Rs 999 only,plus tax. The colour sets are available at Rs 1199 plus tax.This offer will be in effect from this week onwards in all ofNepal except Bagmati zone.

Ncell is also introducing 981 indexes for its subscribersalong with the older 980 index. With the new 981 numbers, itwill not be necessary to add 0 before dialing another number.

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Luxury rideLaxmi Intercontinental, anofficial partner of Hyundaifor Nepal, introduced theall new Sonata. Themodel delivers a powerfulperformance through its

2.0 Liter Theta II and multi-power injection petrol engine,generating a maximum output of 165 ps and maximum torque of20.2 kgf-m. Sonata is available in 2 variants, GL and GLS, atRs 4,495,000 and Rs 5,095,000.

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New storeA new Samsonite and AmericanTourister showroom has been opened inPokhara. The 800 square foot store willput on display all the latest products from both the brandsincluding soft and hard luggage, business and computer bags,casual bags, and other travel accessories. The brands havefive showrooms in Kathmandu.

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Canada dreamsEverest immigration and Legal Services is organising anationwide convention on migration to Canada. Milan Karki,first Migration Advisor from Nepal, will be travelling through themajor cities to give counselling on the legal provisions andprocedures for migrating to Canada. The session will bebroadcasted live from Nepal Televison. The convention willstart on 3 July in Kathmandu and fan across Biratnagar,Chitwan, Butwal and Dhangadi to conclude on 24 July inPokhara.

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All exchangedSipridi Trading’s 18-day MegaExchange Camp concluded itstour from Butwal, Pokhara, Narayanghat, Birganj, Dharan,Biratnagar and Birtamod to Kathmandu this week. A total of 104vehicles were sold during the camp.

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Saving optionSiddhartha Development Bank’s Siddhartha Retirement Fundhas introduced a new scheme, the ‘Public Provident Fund’, for

people with taxableincome. The fund allowsits holders to regularlydeposit a portion of theirincome, the yearly total of

which should equal one-third of their yearly earnings or Rs300,000, whichever is less.

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Sexy, smart and toughOn the heels of thesuccess of Cruze,Chevrolet launched a newsporty hatchback, Beat,from the 300 series. Withthe tagline ‘sexy, smartand tough’ the new mini-car is available in 3variants: Base PS, LS andthe fully loaded LT. VijayMotors will be its sole distributor in Nepal.

LIFE TIMES 72 - 8 JULY 2010 #509

ycling around the world for 11 years wasn’t quite enough forPushkar Shah. The icing on the cake was Mt. Everest, whichhe duly scaled with the members of the Everest PeaceExpedition after cycling to Base Camp, reaching the summiton the morning of 17 May.

After his epic cycling journey of 221,400 km, what betterway to crown his achievement than hoisting the flags of the 150 countrieshe travelled through to the roof of the world? For Shah, 42, it’s not simplyabout Nepal but global peace. That’s a message visitors to Nepal will behappy to embrace in the run up to Nepal Tourism Year 2011.

Around the worldand up on the roof

C

SHERRY CHEONG

LAST LEG: Pushkar Shahand his team slog up thesummit ridge to Everest

8|LIFE TIMES

Last week, theAustralian Embassycelebrated thelaunch of the book‘Celebrating 50 yearsof Australianmountaineeringfeats andfriendships inNepal’. It’s ampleproof the even theRed Continent hasplenty ofconnoisseurs whenit comes toscrambling up the highestmountains in the world. Lastyear, over 15,000 Australiansvisited Nepal.

The book charts the stories ofnine extraordinary Australianswho came to Nepal for themountains, but returned for thepeople. Kicking off with aninterview with Alfred Gregory,

The hugely popular TV series Mero Jindagi MeroBiswas (My life My belief) has come out as abook, published by Antenna Foundation. Thebook contains the reflections of individualswho rose above personal hindrances andcontributed to Nepali society.

Here, you will find Bhagwandas Manandhar,who at 85 continues to dirty his hands cleaningthe Bagmati, and Pushpa Basnet, who embracesthe children of jail inmates as her own. Andthen there’s Tripta Thapa Magar, who launcheda lifelong battle against disability, crawling onall fours to get her polio-ridden body to school,finally going on to become a teacher and a leaderof the disabled community in Sunsari.

Be inspired as you follow the tumultouslives of men and women who defied disability,discrimination and social resistance to holdonto their hopes and dreams. Not for sale butavailable at your nearest libraries.

Tavern Tales, launch ofSamrat Upadhyay’s latestbook Buddha’s Orphans,followed by a reading by theauthor. Saturday 3 July,4pm, Nepal Bharat Library,NAC Building, New Road

Omkarnations, solo painitingexhibition by GauravShrestha that expresses theomkar symbol in its variousforms. Till Tuesday 13 July,101m to 6pm except onSundays and holidays,4241942

Himalayan Readers’ Bookclub, for the writer in you toshowcase your work at the Short Story or Poetry Recitationprogramme and for the critic in you get ready for someserious reviews. Saturday 3 July, 3.15pm to 4.30pm, BritishCouncil, Lazimpat

Music in the Sky, historian Dr Rajesh Gautam uses apaintbrush to capture the flowing rhythm of sky and clouds.Till Tuesday 6 July, Nepal Art Council, Babar Mahal

Docskool, screening ofItalian movie La TerraTremma directed byLuschino Visconti. Friday2 July, Docskool,Gaurighat, 4477104

Info Trade Fair, for all thegadget and technologyfreaks and what’s more,the event will beinaugurated by a robotdeveloped by IOEstudents! Till Monday 5

July, Exhibition Hall, Bhrikuti Mandap

Career Fair, organised by SAPE, leading educational fairorganiser in South East Asia. From Friday 9 July to 11 July,Exhibition Hall, Bhrikuti Mandap

Weekly Farmers’ Market, a marketlike no other with organic andgourmet food, healthy breakfasts,fresh coffee and lots ofsocialising. Saturday 3 July, 9amto 12pm, 1905, 4215068

Blizzards for Oz

official photographer on the 1953Everest expedition, the bookexplores how these mountaineerscame to terms with the beauty ofNepal’s nature and culture, andhow they sought to do what theycould for the country they made asecond home, often through theAustralian Himalayan

Foundation. AsintervieweeBrigitte Muir says,“The more I go toNepal, the more Ilove it. It has away of growing inyour heart, doesn’tit? For me it’s thepeople. There’s anexuberance of life Ifind veryaddictive. Themountains, themany cultures, the

creativity of artists in all fields,from film-making to painting,music and writing. That’s whatdoes it for me.”

The book alsocommemorates the 50th

anniversary of diplomaticrelations between Australia andNepal. It was written andedited by Miriam Fisher.

The bookof hope

EVENTS

GETAWAYS

The Great Escape, retreat from the hustle and bustle of thecity to The Dwarikas’ Himalayan Shangri-La Village Resort inDhulikhel. Just 45 minutes from Kathmandu. The Dwarikas’Himalayan Shangri-La Village Resort, Dhulikhel, 4479488,

Simsime Pani, beat the summer heat with a cool summerpackage from Fulbari Resort in Pokhara. Refreshingdiscounts and unparalleled services await you at yourdestination. Fulbari Resort, Casino, Golf and Spa, Pokhara.Contact 4462248 for prices and reservations

Relax Package, stay at the Hyatt for Rs 6200 plus taxes forone night’s accommodation for two including breakfast at theCafe. Hyatt Regency, Boudha, contact 4491234

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #509|9

Chopstix, savoury Asian food cooked in true Chinesefashion, sure to charm and impress. Begin your feastwith the Dragon Chicken, it’s one-of-a-kind. Kumaripati,5551118.

Lazy Gringo, fail-safe Mexican restaurant. The lemonadewith refills is what won us over, but the food is mightyfine. Bring your own booze though. Jawalakhel, Opendaily 11am- 9pm except Mondays, 2110517

Casa de Cass, out-of-Kathmandu dining in cosysurrounds with attentive service, what more could youask for? A martini, of course. Hariharbhawan, 5010100 Lhakpa Chulo, a relative newcomer to Jhamel, butamong the best for food – try the tender steaks and Thai-style salads. Jhamsikhel, open for lunch and dinnerdaily except Wednesdays

Momotarou, nestled inconspicuously amongst the streetshops of Thamel, this restaurant serves Japanese foodthat is top value for money. Extravagant taste yethumble in presentation. Thamel, Bhagawatisthan (nearBhagawati Temple), 4417670.

Hankook Sarang, serves up the incredible tastes ofKorea, including superlative steamed rice to anchormeals fit for kings. Thamel, near Roadhouse Café.

Vesper Café, has quaint outdoor patio good for leisurelyweekend brunch. Serves good salads, and steak-wrapsbut at a hefty price. Jhamel, open daily 11am-10pm

Attic, newly transformed lounge/bar ideal for Fridaynight drinking before hitting the dance spots. Popularamong local celebrities. Uttar Dhoka, Lazimpat,984161476

The Oriental Tearoom at Pipalbot has rather complicatedopening hours but a mouth-watering spring menu. Trysake-cured salmon for lunch and twice-cookedcaramelised pork belly for dinner. Wednesday toMonday for lunch, and Thursday to Saturday for dinner,Babar Mahal Revisited, 4267657, bookings preferred

Everest Steak House, an old-school joint for everythingsteak. A sanctuary for meat. Thamel, near Chhetrapatichowk, 4260471

Summit Hotel, posh Western-style dining area withcandlelight and a romantic night view of the city. Get realbusy with the succulent ribs basket, and add a finishingtouch with a hot Dutch apple pie. Jhamsikhel, 5521810

Jazoo, a quiet place ideal for beer and relaxingconversation. Bring a friend and enjoy their specialbarbeque set for a mix of everything, Jawalakhel (nearthe zoo), 5538321

Hadock, big compound with ample parking space, theirWestern and Thakali dishes are done to perfection.Jhamel, 10am-10am, 5546431

DINING

Boudha Stupa Restaurant and Café, enjoy wood-fired pizzaand free wi-fi with a beautiful view of Boudha stupa. Everyday from 9am to pm, Boudha, 2130681

Roadhouse Cafe, serves pizzas cooked to perfection inwood-fired ovens. Everyday in Jhamel, 5521755

Buddha Bar, going since the days of the hippies, offers awarm and cozy space for intimate conversations over alarge selection of drinks. Happy hour 4-7pm, Thamel,9851053235

Mike’s Breakfast, huge breakfasts and a never-endingsupply of coffee amidst a lush garden setting characterisethis café, popular among tourists and locals alike. Naxal,4424303

Irish Pub, not only does it feel like one, but it’s Irish all theway down to the original recipes from the owner’s wife. Gogreen with their fish and chips. Ananda Bhawan, Lazimpat,4416027

Comfort Zone, expansive restobar that needs to be full tocome into its own. A decent range of cocktails andbarbequed meats should keep you glued to the massivescreen at one end. Comfort Zone (rooftop of Bank ofKathmandu), Thamel.

Lhasa Bar, enjoy a beer or a splash of cocktail at thisspringboard for excellent young musicians starting out onthe Thamel circuit. Thamel, 985101043

Bronco Billy, a new restaurant in town offering Tex-Mex andIndian dishes. They make their own corn tortillas, whichgets a big thumbs-up. But really, we can’t wait to try theirMargaritas. Pulchowk opposite Namaste Supermarket

Ghangri Café, a quiet place with comfortable sofas and alovely courtyard, perfect for those sunny afternoons.Although famous for their open sui mai, they offer a fewother great dishes as well. Pulchowk (near the Suzukishowroom), 11am-10pm except Tuesdays.

Saturday @ Hyatt, take a refreshing dip in the pool, soakaway your weekday sorrows and sample the deliciousbarbeque in the open air. Every Saturday from 12.30pm to4pm, Hyatt Regency, Boudha, 4491234

The Factory, a trendy restobar for a refreshing stopover inthe chaos that is Thamel. Great food and drinks, with zestymusic. Don’t miss out on their cheesecake, it’s a must.Mandala Street, Thamel

New Orleans, offers a wide variety of western dishes thatare scrumptious yet healthy. We got hooked on therosemary chicken and hamburgers. Jhamel, 5522708.

Aalishan, a newcomer to the Jhamel scene, serves a mix ofboth Indian and Chinese cuisines. The posh interior can bea bit intimidating, but don’t let that put you off the food.Jawalakhel (near the roundabout)

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #50910|HAPPENINGS

MIN RATNA BAJRACHARYA

WEEKEND WEATHERby NGAMINDRA DAHAL

KATHMANDU

FRI SAT S U N

29-20 30-21 29-20

We had expected this year’s monsoon to reach usa month ago. Every time the monsoon front beginsa fresh journey towards the Himalaya, the cloudshave been prematurely diffused along the way.There were a couple of heavy showers along thefoothills and the mountain stations last month,but they were far short of normal. The Valleyreceived only 50% of its normal monthly quota.The satellite picture once more indicates freshclouds over the Ganga River plains moving towardseastern and central Nepal. They are likely to bringa couple of fresh showers to the foothills and Taraifrom Friday afternoon. Most of the central andeastern midhills will also get weekend rain, butnot enough to irrigate the water-hungry paddyfields. Be prepared for a bad case of drought thisyear.

BIRD’S EYE VIEW: The view from the Biratnagar airport control tower ofBuddha Air’s new ATR-72 aircraft as it flew in from Kathmandu onWednesday on a proving flight. The airline will soon have four ATRs andwill be starting international flights to Bhutan and India this autumn.

KUNDA DIXIT

RAIN DANCE: The Rato Macchendranath festival comes to a close onBhoto Jatra at Jawalakhel, Sunday.

HIT THE ROAD: Diwakar Golchha, Sanduk Ruit and Satish Sharmaadmire the book ‘Celebrating 50 years of Australian mountaineeringfeats and friendships in Nepal’ at the Australian Embassy, last Friday.

PRATIK KARKI

e all know the kawadi, thecollectors of glass, paper

and metal who pass through ourneighbourhoods every day. Butthey have received little recognitionfor their trouble in helping ourcities sort out their rubbish over theyears. They are the original recyclers,true conservationists, though theyhave not been recognised as such.

This changed recently thanks toYatra, a youth organisation workingin the field of the environment,when a group of 25 kawadi workingin the Kathmandu Valley were

honoured as ‘Conservation Heroes’.A group of youth, doctors andjournalists accompanied them in acycle rally to the water body ofNagdaha, where they were invitedto benefit from an eye and dentalcamp. The participants were givenfirst aid tool boxes and first aidtraining to counter the risks theyrun in the course of their work.

Anand Mishra and RijanaShrestha, coordinators of theprogram, underlined theimportance of recognising the workof the kawadi, who themselves are

largely unaware of their role inreducing urban waste. Respectingthem for their work, said thecoordinators, will set an examplefor future endeavours in the fieldof the environment.

Prabhu Prasad Rauniyar, 48,recounted how he had beenworking as a kawadi for the last 22years, earning between Rs 50 andRs 400 a day. Accustomed to beingteased by the neighbourhood kids,Rauniyar rejoiced at the fact that forthe first time, his work was beingappreciated.

Cycling recyclersW

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #509 NATION|11

KALAMRabi Thapa

t Manjushree Thapa’s booklaunch in the plushsurrounds of Ramalaya

last month, the drink of choicefor the literati in attendance wasaila in clay bowls, supplementedwith hearty fare from Newa deCafé served up in leaf plates.Such retro chic is also inevidence in the organic storesthat have cropped up across thecity, where one can purchase notjust Nepali coffee and tea but alsomillet and buckwheat flour, andan assortment of rustic lookingfoodstuffs not commonlyassociated with the Kathmandupalate.

Tukche Thakali Kitchen, witha move into more spaciousquarters in Lazimpat, remainspopular with Nepalis as is Tamain Gairidhara, with its plates oftaas. Bhattis from Mangal Bajar’sHonacha to Kirtipur’s NewaLahana draw not just localsswilling western-style whiskies,but western-stylees sipping localchyaang. Folk music in certainforms and presentations (à laKutumba) has found an urbanaudience, and trekking! – is nowone of the most cherished

getaways for the nation’s(youthful) elite.

These days, it’s not justJohnny Walker and pizza andPink Floyd and holidays inBangkok that rock the worlds ofthe haves in Nepal. As far aseating and drinking and leisureare concerned, there’s a certaintrend towards the rustic, theauthentic, the Nepali, albeit oftenin more packaged forms, and notto the exclusion of all the otherattractions at one’s disposal.

The irony is that all thesethings are not just ‘local’ and‘authentic’, they remain thepreserve, for the most part, ofmore traditional, poorer Nepalis.

What has always been Nepaliculture – including walking upand down hills – is now beingembraced in myriad forms by lesstraditional, richer Nepalis. Thelatter classes of Nepal (andKathmandu Valley in particular)appear to be looking inwards,rather than always aspiring tothe western.

But do these trends represent

a change in values towards arespect for and interest in allthings Nepali (including Nepalisthemselves), a return to tradition,or are they merely a local ‘avatar’of stuffwhitepeoplelike.com? Isthis an extension of theglobalised hybrid of middle class,liberally inclined, educatedpeople who use laptops, eatorganic, go travelling, listen to‘world’ music, and expressconcern about the environment(without doing very muchabout it)?

This in itself is a culture,unique in its global,interconnected reach. Negativelyperceived, it represents an

upmarket, highbrow version ofthe homogenised McDonald’s,Levi’s and Hollywood culture,drawing as it does on the sameAmerican and occasionallyEuropean sources. Positivelyperceived, the particularity oflocal cultures and the places thatwe grew up in will define thenature of this hybrid culture.Nepal’s post-Rana generation of

haves were rooted in Nepaliculture, yet perhaps sought moreconsciously to emulate theWestern Other while rejectingsuch rusticities as chyaang andkachela; their children do notdeny their Nepali roots, buthaving tasted what the West hasto offer, good and bad, is willingto embrace these roots. After all,with the confidence to negotiatethrough cultures beyond one’sborders comes the anxiety ofhaving lost something original inthe process.

It’s easy to poke fun if you areso inclined to do so, and there isthe risk that for some the renewedinterest in Nepali cultures iswholly superficial and based onlyon products, not values. A bottleof Scotch, a mug of tongba, a walkthrough the Himalaya, a strollthrough Manhattan, it’s simplyanother aisle in the global

Chhi-chhi to chichi

supermarket of culturalproducts. And what does itmean to appreciate the festiveaspects of one’s culture if one nolonger subscribes to the religiousvalues that inspire and, somemight say, still underpin them?

Even on this level, we mustbe able to appreciate thestrengthening of connections. Ifnot for the America-returnee,then for those who make a livingthrough their production ofauthentic Nepali cultures. Afterall, it can’t be a bad thing ifNepal takes some pointers fromMexico, where locals andtourists can choose from a dozenbrands of tequila in a trendy bar,walk the wobbly length ofOaxaca’s mezcal festival, andwatch the humble cactus turnedinto multi-million dollarnational drinks at roadsidedistilleries.

AWWW.EVERESTUNCENSORED.ORG

Are westernised Nepalisembracing their roots or simplysampling the global supermarketof cultural products?

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #50912|NATION

Village forests go RUBEENA MAHATOin NAWALPARASI

olitical fluidity and abreakdown in the rule oflaw has led to rampant

logging nationwide and isthreatening to undermine Nepal’sinternationally recognisedcommunity forestry program.

Trees are being felled bylogging groups that enjoy politicalpatronage and protection fromdistrict forest officers (DFOs).Community forestry user groups,on the other hand, have beencolluding with timber poachersand corrupt local officials toharvest trees.

Illegal logging is now sorampant and blatant that PrimeMinister Madhav Kumar Nepalsummoned the Minister ofForests and Soil Conservation,Deepak Bohara, and asked forclarification. The ministry thenrecalled DFOs from two districts,but no one has been charged.“Elections for membership ofcommunity forestry user groupsare now more hotly contestedthan VDC elections ever were,”says Raju Ranjan of theDeusathala Community ForestryUser Group in Nawalparasi.

corruption in the appointment ofDFOs by his ministry.

History has shown thatNepal’s forests have alwayssuffered during periods ofpolitical transition. The currentweak state and the breakdown inthe rule of law have allowed anationwide network of timbermafias to flourish. Since timberharvesting is allowed insidecommunity forests, they havebecome a vulnerable target.

In community forests acrossNawalparasi, community forestry

user groups pay up to Rs 60,000to government rangers to getamendments to their by-lawsapproved. There is alsocorruption in getting fellingpermits from forestry officials.“We have no option but tocomply with the demands of therange post office, or they will notgive us permits,” says KrishnaPrasad Aryal, who heads theDeusathala Community ForestryUser Group.

Richer user groups, however,have found ways to bribe officialsto fell more timber than theirpermits allow them. NawalparasiDFO Shahirat Prasad Thakur isamong 16 officials who are beinginvestigated by the CIAA for graft.

The biggest challenge facingcommunity forestry at themoment is internal governance,says Popular Gentle of Care Nepal.

In many VDCs, the earningsfrom tree feeling can run intohundreds of thousands of rupeesa year. The money is supposed tobe used for local development,but locals say very little of itactually benefits the poorest inthe villages.

The Community ForestryGuidelines of 2009 requirevillages to set aside 35 per cent ofrevenue for the poor, marginalisedand Dalits, and also require halfthe members of user groups to bewomen. Very few of thecommunity forests inNawalparasi, or even in the rest ofthe country, have fulfilled thisquota. Community mobiliserBhumisara Phal says it is nearlyimpossible to get the powerfulpeople in the village to agree tothe provisions. “The few womenand Dalits who are elected to usergroups have no role but to work

for the influential members,”she says.

Surbit Sthapit of HImalayanCommunity Development Forumsays that there is policy levelcorruption in the communityforests. "The user groups set theprice of the timber at as low as Rs10 in their operational plans whenthey are being sold in the marketfor Rs 800 to Rs 1200. Legally, theyare not at fault but this is a kind ofhidden corruption."

The newly-elected head of theFederation of Community ForestryUsers in Nepal (FECOFUN), ApsaraChapagain, is aware of theproblems her member communitiesface, but blames the government fortrying to smear the communityforestry movement.

“It may be true that user groupshave been infiltrated byunscrupulous persons, but by andlarge community forestry is asuccessful model,” she says. “Thegovernment has a vested interest inproving that it is not.”

SEE SAW: Workers saw timberharvested from the SundariCommunity Forest in Nawalparasi,mid-June. More and morecommunity forest user groups arefelling valuable trees.

Nepal’s community forestrymovement is threatened bycorruption and greed

Nearly 30 years after the statebegan to hand over Nepal’s foreststo local communities forprotection and management, theprogram appears to be a victim ofits own success. The adult treesthat the villagers nurtured havebecome so valuable thatunscrupulous village elders havebeen tempted by the timber mafiato plunder woodlands.

The destruction is mostvisible in the Tarai, but evenforests in the midhills that haveroad connections are being

denuded. In Dadeldhuracontractors, with the help ofdistrict forest officials and users,are trying to get large tracts ofnational forests handed over tothe communities so they can sellthe trees. “When the regulatorsand protectors of forests are hand-in-glove in destroying the forests,who can stop them?” asks ReshamBahadur Dangi, joint secretary atthe Ministry of Forests. He is ahelpless witness to the rife

P

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #509 NATION |13

through midlife crisis

here are still some communityforests that have resisted

logging. Sitaram CommunityForest in Nawalparasi, which iscompletely run by women, is anexample. With years of nurturing,they have turned a barren riverbank into a dense forest. But theyare content with felling old tressand collecting fallen branches,even if their yearly income is farless than the neighbouring usergroups that harvest timber.

“Thegovernmenthas been tryingto underminethe communityforestrymovementbecause itwants tocontrol timberresources.”

ommunity forestry has never been assuccessful in the Tarai as in the hills of

Nepal because of commercial logging and thepressure on land.

“In the hills, forests are needed forsubsistence but the Tarai has more of anindustrial demand," says Resham BahadurDangi, joint secretary at the Ministry ofForests.

Forest ownership is also not as welldefined in the Tarai as in the hills. The highprices for Tarai hardwoods meant that the

Still going strong“We planted these trees with

our own hands. We will not fellthem for money,” says Sita Thapa,head of a user group that reliesmore on non-timber produce likefodder grass and amriso (broomgrass) farming for income.

In Shree Kumarwarti AdarshaBuffer Zone Community Forest atPithauli, growing forest cover hasprovided safe habitat for thewildlife of Chitwan NationalPark. Despite frequent attacks

from the animals, the users arecommitted to conserving theforest. “We are building electricfences to ward off animals atnight. But the forests will not bedestroyed,” says Indra Bhusal,head of the user committee.

A formerly barren riverbank inNawalparasi has become a junglethrough the care of the SitaramCommunity Forest User Group.

T

Hotspotsstate was reluctant to transfer ownership offorests to local communities. The government’salternative for the Tarai is the concept of‘collaborative forests’, which involvestraditional users and greater state control.

But community forestry advocates are nothappy with this model. “This will create riftsbetween traditional users and recent migrantsin the Tarai,” says FECOFUN’s Mohammad KarKhan.Not just Tarai, even hill districts likeKaski and Ilam have fallen prey to timbertrade.

C

Total forest cover: 25.4 per cent

Annual deforestation rate (2000-2005): 1.4 per cent

Between 2000-2005, Nepal lost about 2,640 sq km of forest

(Source: FAO, 2005)

- Apsara Chapagain,FECOFUN Chairperson

ALL PICS: RUBEENA MAHATO

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #50914|FROM THE NEPALI PRESS

Keshav Kami in Nagarik, 30 June

Sir,I am a Dalit by caste and an ironsmith by profession. If thestate wanted we Dalits could have lived in this society withdignity. But already oppressed by the state and society, I havebeen subjected to yet another indignity.

The army confiscated my property and I became homeless.And I think, Mr. Army Chief, it was done with your support.I am saying this because the Army Chief is not a person butan institution who represents the entire Nepal Army.

My illiterate father was misled into signing up for a loanof Rs 44,000, for a sum of five hundred rupees by your ArmyJawan Chinikaji Maharjan. No matter how much we paid, wecould never pay off the loan. So my father Najarman Kamiwas mercilessly beaten by Chinikaji everyday.

Years later, our landowners gave us our share of land andwe got a piece of land, the only land in this world that wecould claim as our own. But our days of misery had notended.

Chinikaji registered an application with the Shahi NepaliJangi Adda to issue a stay order against my land and the thenBrigadier General of the department wrote a letter to the landreform office in Dillibajar for the order to be carried out.

Mr. Army Chief, can the Jangi Adda issue such an orderon private property? How could an honourable militaryinstitution carry out an unlawful act to protect the interestsof its Jawans?

In 1995, Chinikaji and his two sons serving in the army,Shyam and Rakesh, abducted me and my father and took usto Gorkha. They threatened to kill us and label us Maoists ifwe spoke out, and forced us to transfer my four annas of landto Chinikaji’s name.

The next year, I was forcefully evicted from my home.Then my house was transferred into Chinikaji’s name. MrArmy Chief, this is how your personnel got hold of my houseand rendered me homeless.

Chinikaji’s family is now even more powerful because hisyoungest son Bipin Maharjan has become a second lieutenant.They remind me of when the women were killed in BardiyaNational Park and the Defense Minister’s statementsfollowing the incident.

Mr. Army Chief, I am just a common man so nobody isbothered about my property that has been snatched. No onebenefits by drawing attention to my plight. That is why Icould not become the subject of the Dalit Commission, NGOsor political parties. But I do hope that all the human rightactivists, civil society and journalists will raise my issue astheir own.

I also hope, Mr. Army Chief, that you will do justice tome and prove that you are the commander of the entire nationand not just of your army and staff.

Keshav Kami, now homeless, Gongabu

Lekhnath Pande in Nagarik,24 June

Prime Minister Madhav KumarNepal has been holding meetingswith Asian ambassadors for hoursin the last few days.

The prime minister’s advisorfor foreign affairs, Rajan Bhattarai,said that the prime ministerexchanged updates on bilateralaffairs, the latest political

Editorial in Janadisha, 1 July

The Madhav Kumar Nepal-ledgovernment ultimately collapsed. Nepalwas forced to resign as he could not copewith continuous rejection from all sides.His government and allies seemed firmin leading the peace process intouncertainty. They had not stoppedindulging in anti-people decisions andactivities. But now the chapter of thispuppet government has ended. Peopleshould take this as a moral victory of theprogressive Maoists. There will now be areal fight between the status quoists andthe progressives.

Nepal’s exit is an outcome of therecent Maoist politburo decision. TheMaoists never recognised his government.They struggled on different fronts andestablished the outgoing government as agang of criminals and murders. This is anopportunity to bring the derailed peaceprocess back on track.

His resignation has almost ended theobstruction in the process of peace, a newconstitution, PLA integration and theissue of state restructuring. Should thegovernment be formed under Maoistleadership or puppet leadership?Nepal’s transformation to ademocratic republic, CAelections and the abolition ofthe monarchy was possibleunder Maoist leadership.And now, a national unitygovernment under Maoistleadership is the need of thehour to write a pro-publicconstitution and bring the peaceprocess to a conclusion.

Mr. Army Chief,please return

my land

ambassadors,” he said.Bhekh Bahadur Thapa, who was

an ambassador to India and the USfor 14 years, said that even in ademocracy the practice of pleasingforeigners, which started during theRana regime, has continued.

According to diplomaticprotocol, ambassadors should getthe approval of the ministry offoreign affairs before meeting withthe prime minister and otherministers.

PM’s indiscriminate meetings

Editorial in Kantipur, 1 July

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal resigned onemonth after the three parties signed a three-pointagreement. He was even asked to resign by his ownparty. His resignation can be considered a positivestep in freeing the state, which was being heldhostage.

Nepal blamed the Maoists for obstructingconsensus politics but also admitted that he couldnot resolve issues of national importance becauseof them. This is partially true. But he did not forgetto list the achievements of the government, andclaimed credit for extending the CA for a year. Infact, the extension of the CA was a compulsion ashis government was unable to move theconstitution writing and peace process forward. Inshort, his resignation signals the exit of an averagefailed government.

The Maoists never supported the governmentbut the government failed to take them intoconfidence, despite their being an integral part ofthe peace process. Nepal’s government could noteven obtain institutional support from his ownparty. Central committee members as well as CAmembers ran a signature campaign asking for hisresignation. Ultimately, it was the lack of politicalsupport that forced him to resign.

Exit of a failedgovernment

developments and his position tothe ambassadors.

Meanwhile, diplomats haveobjected to the uncontrolledmeetings of the prime minister withambassadors. Former ambassadorRajeswor Acharya said that theprime minister was making amockery of official protocol bygranting random visits. “Nowherein the world does the country'sleader give updates on the politicalsituation and his views to

RSS

KIRAN PANDAY

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #509 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS|15

Ram Chandra Bhatta inNagarik, 30 June

American Texana ResourcesCompany, licensed to explore oilin Nepal, is preparing to leave thecountry.

The company got a license in1998 but suspended work in oneand a half years, citing securityconcerns. It has not responded tothe government directive to

Interview in Naya Patrika, 28 June

One: The government will be formed by the Maoists but theywill have to immediately start army integration, dissolve YCL’sparamilitary structure and return confiscated properties. Wehave no qualms about who will lead from their side.

Two: If the Maoists think they cannot do this now, they willhave to join the government under the leadership of the NepaliCongress.

Three: If the Maoists do not want to join the governmentunder Nepali Congress, they will have to stay in the opposition.

Four: If none of these options are acceptable to them, they cansalute Madhav Nepal, continue with his government and helpestablish law and order.

Sabin Priyasan in Rajdhani, 29 june

Dang has been declared a donation-free district atthe initiative of local businessmen, politicalparties and stakeholders. The Dang chapter of theFederation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerceand Industry decided that no donations wouldbe given to criminal groups, political parties ortheir sister wings from now on. They also

No donations please

Return without returnsresume work. PetroleumExploration Project Manager at theDepartment of Mines, ShyamBahadur KC, said they wrote tothe company four times this yearbut in vain. “The company hasone year left for the project and itis now preparing to transferownership to Edinburgh-basedcompany Cairn and leave Nepal”,he said.

American Texana ResourcesCompany had acquired a licenseto explore petroleum in theNepalganj and Chitwan area 12years ago. As per the agreement,the exploration should have beencompleted within four years.

Texana was also supposed topay $100,000 annually for rentingland from the government, withan additional $10 per sq km taxduring exploration. The companypaid rent for two years only.

Cairn is also lobbying theNepal government for the landrented by Texana. “Seismicsurveys will be difficult if we donot get the Chitwan and Nepalganjblocks leased by Texana,” said anofficial at Cairn. “We asked themine department and industriesto lease us the land but they havebeen reluctant, and say givingseven blocks to one company willcreate a monopoly.”

Cairn has leased blocks inDhangadhi, Karnali, Lumbini,Birganj and Manlangawa forexploration, for which it pays$250,000 rent to the governmentannually. The company was setup in 2004. It also suspendedwork due to the deterioratingsecurity situation but resumedwork in 2009.

Shekhar Koirala’s options

decided to cooperate with the policein order to resist donation drives.

In earlier discussions, theindustrialists had complained ofnot being able to conduct businessowing to the donation terror. Theysaid they were being forced todonate up to Rs 2.5 million tocriminal gangs.

The industrialists alsodemanded that the administrationregulate mobile phone services asthey were being used to carry outcriminal activities. They said thepolice should be able to retrieve

information of users when needed and thatsatellite technology should be introduced in thedistrict to control criminal activities.

All main markets in the district havereceived letters demanding huge amounts asdonations. Businessman Bharatnath Yogireported that the Tiger group had decreed thatall the transport service providers should payRs 10,000 per vehicle and register with theirparty.

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A cup of prosperityMoti Ram Dahal returned to Ilam from Qatar, disappointed that hecould earn only Rs 10,000 a month, despite working long hours.Now, eight years after coming back home, he can hardly keepcount of his income. Dahal, along with his relatives, invested Rs600,000 and revived his tea plantation. The plantation nowproduces 4,000 kg of tea yearly, earning him profits of a millionrupees. His brand, Dahal Bandu Orthodox Tea, is a popular buy inthe market. Now the head of Pathibhari Orthodox Tea Industry,Dahal is planning to purchase a new machine worth Rs 4.9 million.He even stopped his brothers from migrating for work. “Why goelsewhere when our own farming here can reap such profits?”

ederalism throws up more questionsthan answers, but the eastern region’scurrent setup has tremendous

potential. Indeed, various developmentindexes show it is ahead of other regions.Despite the anxieties roused by communalsentiments, the east retains the integrity ofits social fabric, and not even the Madhesmovement seriously disrupted this.

Geographic diversity is the chief asset of

the region. The Tarai plains are fertile foragriculture, the hills are suitable for cashcrops, and the mountains for medicinal herbsand hydropower potential. The easternregion also has a store of copper, iron andstones. The region leads the way ininfrastructure and industry as well as onpolitical and educational fronts.

The liberalisation of the economy after1990 boosted commercial production ofagricultural and dairy products. Agro-basedproducts such as tea, cardamom, ginger, andmedicinal herbs, among others, have hit it

DAMBAR KRISHNA SHRESTHA

Prosperous eastIn the east,the mountains,hills and theTarai canprosper as anintegratedprovince

big in the international markets.Sixty years ago, there were a mere eight

industries in the east. Today there are over800 in operation. Cities in the eastern Taraisuch as Biratnagar are economic hubs, andwell-connected district headquarters arefollowing suit.

Agriculture expert Madan Rai (see box,left) says, “Scientific farming and itscommercialisation will help the regionprosper, and farmers here will own a car andhave their houses connected to roads withintwo decades.”

F

SOHAN SHRESTHA

Interview with Madan Rai,agriculture expert

Why do you think that theeastern region has been ableto progress more, compared toother development regions?The progress of the region canbe attributed to the combinationof apt weather, fertile lands,education and the commercialskills of the people.

What is the importance ofgeographical factors indevelopment?Most countries in the world areeither too hot or too cold. Nepal

however is blessed with snow-capped mountains, green hills andfertile plains. The herbs and produce of the mountains and thehills have found a huge market in the Tarai and vice versa. Let’shope that the proposed federal model will not disturb this balance.Otherwise the basis of the progress of the eastern region will belost. When dividing states, the model has to allow coordinationbetween the north and south.

Are you against ethnic states?My belief is that the basis of peace and progress should not bebroken when a particular ethnic group gets its political rights.Development will definitely speed up after the states areestablished, but no one will benefit if the geographic dependencyof economic development is destroyed.

What can be done to make the eastern region more developed?If everyone honestly performs their responsibilities, the wholecountry will develop. The teachers should produce ablemanpower, the civil servants should perform their duties well. Ourcountry is a storehouse of water and electricity. In 20 years I thinkit is possible to build roads to every house, even in the hills.

Diversity counts

Untapped energyThe Saptakoshi has the potential to generate over20,000MW of electricity. Tamor, Kaweli, Mai andother rivers of the east could also generateelectricity. At present, a few projects in Taplejung,Ilam and Panchthar are running and expected toproduce 93.5MW. Director of Panchthar PowerCompany Basanta Kumar Nembang says that in fouryears, the power produced by the Mechi couldeliminate loadshedding in the eastern region.

Cashing in on cropsIn 1969, 20-year-old Obindra Bahadur Yakkha of Sumbek, Ilam, had 6ropanis of land (about 3,000 square metres) and 6 siblings to feed. Lastyear, Yakkha earned Rs 54,000 from milk, Rs 265,000 from oranges,Rs 125,000 from amriso (used to make brooms), Rs 150,000 from garlicand Rs 50,000 from chilies. He now owns 80 ropanis of land (almost41,000 square metres) and a house in Ilam bajar worth Rs 1.4 million.Recently he was able to give away 35 ropanis of land (almost 18,000square metres) to each of his three brothers. Yakkha, who has beenfelicitated by the District Agricultural Office many times, says all this isthe result of his investment in cash crops.

PICS: DAMBAR KRISHNA SHRESTHA

2 - 8 JULY 2010 #509 NATION|17

If you take a trip to eastern Nepal, the sweetsmell of cardamom is sure to greet you.Cardamom, ginger and amriso (broom grass)are the cash crops helping farmers in easternNepal make money, and plenty of it. Mostlygrown in Taplejung and Sankhuwasabha, thesecrops are also the favourites of farmers inPanchthar, Ilam and Terathum. Many farmersin Bhojpur and Khotang are also profiting fromcardamom farming. Birendra Yongya ofPanchthar and Phurwa Sherpa (top) ofDhading both grow 4,000 kg of cardamom everyyear. Ram Bantawa of Lungrupa 4, Panchthar,says that cardamom farming has benefitted 180families of his area. Chedam Sharma ofSankhuwasabha, Dhading, says: “Cardamomis what buys food, salt and gold in our houses.”

Taplejung alone produces Rs 12 millionworth of cardamom. According to DineshMittal, Chairman of Nepal Cardamom TradersAssociation, 10,000 tons of cardamom worthRs 70 million are exported from the easternregion, travelling through India to Pakistanand the Gulf. This year the rate was Rs 50,000per 40 kg and prices have been risingevery year.

Chairman of the eastern region’s BroomTraders Association, Ram Chandra Chaudhary,says that almost 13 tons of amriso (bottom,left)worth 1.15 billion are exported every year.According to Raj Kumar Karki, Chairman ofthe Ginger Producers and Traders Association,95 per cent of the 13 tons of garlic(bottom,right) produced is exported to India.

Of cardamom,ginger and

amriso

PICS: DAMBAR K SHRESTHA

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2 - 8 JULY 2010 #50918|BACK SIDE

Nepalis are now split rightdown the middle. Notbetween Maobaddies and

Rajabaddies, not betweenkangresis and eh-maleys, noteven between the fans and foesof the donkey. No, this countryis deeply polarised betweenthose who support Brazil andthose who support Argentinain the World Cup.

For example, while Thimi isfor Argentina, neighbouringDadhikot is Brazil territory.Butwal is Buenos Aires andSurkhet is Sao Paolo. Cities,neighbourhoods, and evenfamilies, are now split betweenthe Seleção and the Albiceleste.

So, it was bound to happen.This week, Argie fans got into afight with the Brazilians inLokanthali over the size of theflags of their respectivecountries. Sports psychologistshave pondered long and hardabout why Nepalis seem to rootfor Brazil, and the onlyexplanation seems to be that thelocal KFC sources its drumsticksfrom a poultry farm inFortaleza. And we seem to havea special soft corner forArgentina because we need tomake it up to them for havinghelped the Brits keep theMalvinas.

Don’t cry for me Urgentina

And in conclusion, the Assbows its head in humble tributeto the superior genius of theanonymous master who madethis fabulous montage (above) ofbhoto jatra. No wonder the rainsare late.

Thanks also to Shitall Nibas forgiving us a nostalgic retrospectiveof the royal days with themassive traffic jam caused atrush hour by the presidentialcarcade at the bhoto jatra festivallast week. And just like in the goodold days of the monarchy,supporters of a Hindu Kingdom

have set up His Majesty KingGyanendra Birthday Celebration1,565-member Main Committee tomark kingji’s 64th happybudday for three glorious days.

Miffed that Comrade Ugly hadhis US visa revoked, Awe-Inspiring last week immediatelycalled up his five-memberdelegation at the Boston Tea Partyand ordered Chandra PrakashGajurel, Top Bahadur & Co backhome pronto from the Hotbedof World Imperialism. Butthe severely jetlagged ComMoonshine, Com Cannon Fodderand Com Pomp-fa were justgetting to enjoy the delights ofcapitalism and gently persuadedtheir travel agent to not try sohard to confirm their tickets back.So, the Baddie contingent endedup staying five extra days at theBoston Hyatt, boycotting theconference they went to attend,and enjoying a well-earned break.Apparently BRB was also invitedand was sorely tempted to go, butdeclined when he found out theNorth American Nepalis hadpitted him against Gen Cutwall,who by the way, seems to begetting an enthusiastic responsefrom audiences in the Land ofthe Brave.

Which brings us to the fauxpas that the Americans made bynot doing a background check onCom Ugly. They should’ve learntfrom the Ozzies who had alsogranted then withdrawn Sap-quota’s visa earlier this year. Thisshowed either a) a willingness tohave Ugly found out on arrival atLogan, or b) a lack of propervetting by the visa section of theembassy, which passed the buckon to Human Rights Watch andAdvocacy Forum.

The real reason the primeminister resigned was becausecartoonists had started callinghim Madhav Kumar India.But all signs are that theinfighting within the parties tofind a successor is going to heatup and MKN may remain inoffice for another year as‘take care’ PM. With PKD vs BRBin UCPNM, JNK vs KPO in UMLand RCP vs SBD in NC, the three-way power struggle promises tobe a long and bruising one andthe candidates will cancel eachother out. Masterstroke byMakunay kamred.

The country is so strapped forIndian currency that NOC

stopped paying IOC so there is afuel shortage again. This is goingto last until Nepal Oil Corruptiononce more raises prices and untilthat happens everyone betweenRaxaul, Amlekhganj and Thankotis going to hoard and make akilling. With this sort ofmentality it is no surprise thatNepal Ayal Nigum decided tosend a delegation to Russia wherescientists have perfected thetechnology of mixing 20% waterin diesel without any majorconsequences. Apparently theNepalis are going there not tolearn, but to show the Russianshow you can take it to 50% andmake a lump sum.

A couple of laks in 1,000 and 500denomination Indian roops wereconfiscated from the HomeMinister of Naga Land as hewas trying to make a swiftgetaway at the airport onWednesday. This means thetreasury has replenished our warchest with IC and there is enoughmoney toimportdiesel tolast us tillFridayafternoon.ass(at)nepalitimes.com

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