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NEPALThe Mountain Kingdom

The Bishop’s School

La Jolla, CA

Frank Carr

January 2013

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USAID Rule of Law Project2005 – 2007

Kathmandu NGO

Improve the Rule of Law and Promote a Civil Society Facilitate the drafting of the Nepal Mediation Law Conduct training programs for mediators (Commercial Sector) Work with the Nepal Supreme Court and Patan Appellate Court to

establish a court-referred mediation program– 17,000 cases pending at the Supreme Court of Nepal– Drafted Court “Rules of Procedure for Mediation”– Trained judges and court staff

Establish Mediation Centers Promote the use of mediation in the business community, Bar

Association, and Chamber of Commerce

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NEPAL PRESENTATION AGENDA

BACKGROUND

Geography/Economics History/Politics Ethnic Groups/Religion

VISITING NEPAL

Tourism Dining in Kathmandu Travel Tips

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NEPAL

Part 1

Background

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Map of Nepal—South Asia

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Map of Nepal--Elevations

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ECONOMICS

Landlocked between two Asian powers - India and China (Tibet)– Historically a trade route between these two countries

Mountains cover 80% of Nepal – In Nepal, Himalayas are 500 miles long and 145 miles wide at widest– Greatest range of altitude on earth - from 100M to 8848M in about 125

miles.

Population– 30 million people - 85% live in rural areas– Literacy rate is 49%

Annual Income of $240/person makes Nepal one of the poorest countries in the world

Business is concentrated on agriculture, tourism, and water supply

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ETHNIC GROUPS

Peoples– Mosaic – over 60 ethnic groups– Tibeto-Burmese people in the Himalayas– Thakalis, Tamangs, Gurungs, Magars, Newari and Rais/Limbus– Tibetan refugees

Principals– Co-existence– Tolerance (change – women’s rights)

Language– Many Languages and Dialects– Nepali– English Spoken

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RELIGION

Hinduism – 81%– Hindu castes: Brahman to “Untouchables”

Buddhism – 13%– System of Philosophy and Code of Morality

Christianity – 1%– Visible in Schools

Islam – 4%– Border Area with India

Other – 1%

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Religion - Hinduism

Polytheistic Cycle of life, death and rebirth – Karma Omnipresent God

– Shiva – destroyer and reproducer– Vishnu - preserver– Brahma - creator

Ganesh – God of prosperity and wisdom (elephant head) Hanuman – trustworthy God (monkey) Vishnu Incarnations – Ten lives

– Budda - Teacher

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Religion - Buddhism

Gautama Budda– India 6th Century BC– Achieved enlightenment

Three Main Schools– Vajrayana (Nepal and Tibet)

Dharma – Teachings– Karma

Eye - symbol Stupa –bell-shaped religious structure

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Past Political History

700 BC Kirati Hindu Kingdom – Mongoloid People 300 BC Small Buddhist Kingdoms - India 300 AD Hindu Kingdom 1200 AD Golden Age of Mullas Kings

– Muslim Invasion 1769 Shah Kings - Unification 1767 - 1816 British East India Company

– Constant warfare 1846 Rana rule as Prime Ministers

– Constitutional Monarchy 1951 Shah Dynasty returns to power

– Rana PM ousted

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Current Political History

1990 - Popular uprising - Constitutional Monarchy established– King Birendra, Parliament and Courts– Constitution of 9 November 1990

Guarantees human rights Abolished caste system

– Numerous political parties arise– Various governments

1996 – “Maoist” Insurgency 2001 – Royal Massacre: Crown Prince kills royal family and himself 2005 – King Gyanendra: declares emergency/dissolves government 2006 – Popular Uprising/King deposed/Parliament restored Currently – Unsettled

– Maoist join government– Numerous governments– What to do with the former King

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NEPAL

Part 2

Visiting Nepal

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Tourism

Scheduled– Kathmandap “Temple of the Living Goddess” - balcony– Mount Everest Flight – weather– Swayambhunath – Buddhist Stupa “Monkey Temple”– Pashupatinah – Shiva Hindu Temple– Bodhnath –Stupa– Patan – Museum and Museum Cafe– Durbar Square – Shopping

Unscheduled– Tamel – Shopping for crafts– Pushapti Temle and Crematorium– Royal Museum – Former residence of King

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Dining in Kathmandu

Hotel – Breakfast and variety– Bottled water

Street Vendors– Avoid

Nepali Food and Culture Experience– Interesting

Cafes and Restaurants – Guide– Bottled water

Indian Restaurants– Numerous - Curry and rice

International – Interesting and affordable– Fire and Ice – Thamel District Entrance - Very good pizza - Foreigners– Rumdoodle – Thamel District Inside – Good meat and pasta – Trekkers hangout

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Travel Tips#1 Preparation

Read the Information Packet– Excellent Advice

Health– Food

Money– ATM – Password– Notice to credit card company

Shots and Medication– Cipro

Communications

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Travel Tips#2 Environment

Smog– If you have a breathing issue, be prepared

Roving Blackouts– Small flashlight at night

Cleanliness– Hand sanitizer

Bandt– General strike– Tires burning– Easy to avoid

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Travel Tips#3 Safety

Crime is very low– Secure your passport and money

Pickpockets at Patan– Street sellers – Be alert

Traffic– Cars, mini-buses, taxis, mopeds, bicycles, and animals

Monkeys– Extremely Aggressive and protected– Do not feed– Do not carry food when touring a site with monkeys – Take off watches and jewelry

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Travel Tips#4 Shopping

Hotel– Gift shops are priciest

Thamel– Small business shops– Crafts, jewelry, carpets, pashmina, tea, spices, and tee-shirts

Patan– Shops, street vendors, and individuals

Rules for Shopping– Never pay the original price– Negotiate– Walk– Negotiate – Enjoy the experience

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Travel Tips#5 Have Fun

Experience the Nepali culture

Taste the different foods

Enjoy the sights

Meet the wonderful people of Nepal

Namaste

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Current Political Situation

Constitutional Assembly– Appointed in 2008 to draft democratic constitution – failed

Parliament– Interim 2007: Former members (208), Maoists (83), Civil Society (48)– Dissolved today– Political parties 9 (2008) to 30+ (2013)

Nepal Supreme Court– Justices 26 (2008) to 6 (2013)– No parliament = no appointment process

Royal Family– Former King – Resides in Nepal/Crown Prince – Exile in Thailand

Mediation Law – Passed by Parliament Women’s Rights

– Interim Constitution of 2007 – equality a fundamental right– Gender Equality Act – repelled discriminatory laws– Domestic Violence Prohibition Act – protection from domestic violence

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QUESTIONS