#433 9 - 15 January 2009 16 pages Rs 30

Weekly Internet Poll # 434. To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com

Q. Did the Maoists miscalculate byreplacing Pashupati priests?

Weekly Internet Poll # 433

Q. Is the rift within the Maoists for realor a ploy?

Total votes: 2,121

t wasn’t supposed to be like this. When the Maoists cameto power through elections, most Nepalis expectedimprovements in their lives. And by now we should have

been nearly half-way into the constitution-writing process.But, especially in the past month, as the government

lurches from one crisis to the next, there is a deep sense ofgloom—most visible in the business community.

Having survived extortion and violence in the past decade,business leaders say things have never been this bad. Crippledby union militancy and power cuts, most are on the verge ofclosing shop. Hotels in Pokhara lakeside have been shut byMaoists from Wednesday. Biratnagar has been closed this weekby agitating jute industry workers.

Although Maoists lead the government, their unions aredemanding a 30 per cent rise in daily wages, have shut downJogbani border customs and all highways in Morang.

“We thought that after the elections, things wouldstabilise, but they have got worse,” says industrialist RajendraKhetan, “we are planning to migrate to look for opportunitiesabroad.” Some 100 Nepali industrialists have already movedacross the border, and Rudrapur in India’s Haryana state hasbecome a Nepali industrial estate.

“We want the government to introduce an exit policy so wecan shut down our factories and move to India,” says onedejected investor.

Nepali Times asked Finance MinisterBaburam Bhattarai if he was aware of thismood of doom. His answer: “Thesituation isn’t hopeless, these thingshappen in a transition. Once theminimum wage issue is resolved thecabinet will ban all strikes andshutdowns.”

Multinationals also say theinvestment climate has deteriorated since the Maoistgovernment came to power. “This has become a land oflawlessness with the YCL, the militants and criminalextortion,” says one multinational manager, “the Maoists can’tcontrol it. We are all close to giving up on Nepal.”

Hoteliers in Pokhara say they are willing to comply withgovernment regulations but are being forced by Maoist unionsfor an across the board Rs 1,300 pay increase.

Says Gobinda Pahadi of the Regional Hotel Associationin Pokhara: “Most hoteliers are so fed up they just want

to quit.”

Mood

YEAR OF THE OX: A view of the inner sanctum of Pashupati on Wednesday asPrime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal partially retracted his removal of priests.

of

KIRAN PANDAY

doom

Full interview p4-5

IDEWAN RAI

2 9 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433EDITORIAL

Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd, Editor: Kunda DixitCEO: Ashutosh Tiwari Design: Kiran MaharjanMarketing Manager: Sambhu Guragain Asst Manager: Subhash KumarSubscriptions: 5542535/5542525

Hatiban, Godavari Road, LalitpurGPO Box 7251, Kathmandu 5250333/845Fax: 5251013Printed at Jagadamba Press 5250017-19

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LLLLL E T T E R SE T T E R SE T T E R SE T T E R SE T T E R S

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UNACCEPTABLE CRIMEThe interview of the prime ministersound good and what he is saying isquite praiseworthy (‘Unacceptablecrime’, # 432). If we have faith in hiswords, there is no need to worry aboutdelays in writing the constitution, or benervous about the peace process.However, he seems committed to thecountry only in his words. The activitiesof his cadres gives us a differentimpression of the reality. There’s anobvious gap between what he says andwhat the Maoist cadres are doing. Onlywhen he is able to control his cadre canthe Nepali people hope for a peacefulsociety. He has called the attack on thepress “unacceptable,” but the hardlinersin his parties are challenging him everyday—they are openly takingresponsibility of the attack andthreatening to do it again.

Samir Bhattarai , email

I picked up Nepali Times #431hoping there would be a very strongeditorial that would decry the attack onHimalmedia only to find an emptyeditorial supposedly in protest of the

he government has got itswork cut out: draft a newconstitution, re-structure

the country along federal linesand deliver on development.And it has less than two years todo it. These tasks are hugechallenges not just because ofdomestic politics butcomplicated geopolitics as well.

The notion of self-determination within an ethnicfederal framework has now takenroot in the psyche of Nepaliactivists, and a cosmeticterritorial federalism will notmeet the aspirations of Nepal’sidentity politics. The demandshave also gone beyond the abilityof the mainstream politicalparties to fix and the agenda isbeing set by pressure groupsoutside the elected assembly.

We already see evidence ofthese fissiparous tendencies inthe demand for one Madhes, theagitation for autonomy in eastern

Nepal and the stirrings amongother nationalities. These groupsare now openly threatening areturn to armed struggle if theirdemands for self-determinationare not met. The precursors offuture ethnic conflict are beinglaid, the question is–how are wegoing to respond to this andprevent the country from beingconsumed by potentially virulentethno-separatist wars?

Nepal’s ethnic mosaic and thegeographic spread of variousgroups means that they do notform a sizeable majority in anyregion, even in areas where theyare dominant. A federal structurealong ethnic lines would spelldisaster as ethnic exclusivitybecomes a political slogan.Experts have argued that eventerritorial federalism would leadto a violent disintegration of theNepali nation. Issues that shouldbe discussed with cool heads bysociologists and demographershave entered the volatile politicaldiscourse. An issue as sensitive asthis can’t be resolved withpolitical rabble-rousing onthe streets.

The demand of Nepali societyis for the transformation of thesocio-economic system under realdecentralisation of political andeconomic power so that themarginalised are recognised,represented and given control overtheir own destiny. This should beachieved with minimuminstability, and maximumsensitivity. Mixing identitypolitics with this is playingwith fire.

Geopolitically, there isconsiderable disquiet among ourneighbours about the wholeconcept of federalism. China isworried about how a federal Nepalwith the provision of ethnic self-determination will impactTibetan nationalism. There is alsoconcern that self-determination is

a western-supported and fundedagenda. The Chinese havehistorically felt more comfortabledealing with a powerful centre incountries on its periphery.

A federal Nepal is not inIndia’s long-term security interesteither. Ethnic federalism with aright to self-determination couldhave crossborder repercussions onthe Gorkhaland movement,India’s northeast and the Taraiethnicities across the border inBihar and Uttar Pradesh. India isalso wary of how the Maoistvictory in Nepal will play itselfout among its own Naxalites, andtheir demand in some states forindigenous and aboriginal rights.

The Europeans and Americansseem to view federalismfavourably and feel decentraliseddecision-making could favourdevelopment. But there areserious doubts even among themabout sustainability and viabilityof the federal structures.

Some of the demands ofethno-federalists in Nepal arebeing supported by Westerngovernments and INGOs. Evenwhen some of these groupspublicly espoused violence, theirfunding continues.

The question that must beasked is why the Maoists haveallowed themselves to becometools of ‘Western imperialists’ byfavouring ethnic federalism. Afterall, Marx always favoured realsocio-economic transformationthrough decentralisation. Thetruth, perhaps, is that NepaliMaoists are not Marxists at all.They are extremists and there isan unholy alliance between theextreme left and the extremeright.

Pushkar Gautam is a leftistthinker and former Maoist areacommander for Okhaldhunga. Hewrote regular opinion pieces forNepali Times between 2001-2004.

Federalism could be disastrous for NepalLet’s rethink this

Why does your newspaperkeep referencing Nepali events tomedieval Europe (‘Promised land’, #332)? When the parties curtailed theKing’s rights, it was called the Nepali‘Magna Carta’. Loadshedding inKathmandu is going back to the ‘Darkages’. Is our country replicating themarch of European kingdoms 500years later in a linear, teleologicalfashion?

Gaurav Kunjan, email

HELLBOYI admire your movie critic A AngeloD’Silva’s views and his excellentrecommendations. However, he, likemany other critics seems to forget thatmovies are meant to entertain and beenjoyed. Not everything is meant toserve some grand artistic design.Hellboy II may not have suitedD’Silva’s tastes but it accomplishedthe purpose it was made for—toentertain, like its comic-bookbeginnings. My advice to the critic: tryto enjoy the movies you watch and goeasy on your vocabulary.

Shreyash K Piya, Dhapasi Heights

GUEST COLUMNPuskar Gautam

CRISIS PRONE GOVERNMENTThe Maoists in government are showing themselves to be crisis-prone. Why would they want to destabilise their own government bybringing these crises on themselves?

It is misleading to think of the Maoists as being split betweenmoderates and hardliners. They are split between hardliners andeven more hardliners. Prime Minister Dahal has no time foranything else but to deal with the crisis of the week: the judiciaryrow, army recruitment, Pashupati, attacks on media, the wholesaleshutting down of industry. What’s next week’s crisis?

The Kharipati National Convention of his party decided topursue the ‘people’s republic’ and Dahal got a handy message tothreaten his coalition partners with: look, you better support mebecause these guys are even more hardcore.

After every crisis when people with grievances go to Baluwatarto complain, they come out exclaiming, “What a swell guy our PMis, we had completely misjudged him, the problem is the party, notthe chairman.” It is now time to judge the prime minister by hisactions, not by his words. Also, we need to force him to takeresponsibility for the actions of his cadre, whether they aresanctioned or not.

For a while, it appeared that Dahal finally got his comeuppancewith the Pashupati row. But he managed to sail through even thatone. The Indian priest is headed home, the Maoists have managedto appear ‘nationalist’ and personally reclaimed the moral highground by promising to abide by the decisions of Supreme Court.

The responsibility of a head of government, however, goesmuch beyond plotting and implementing survival strategies. Theprime minister needs to extricate himself out of the self-defeatinggame of fooling all of the people all the time and concentrateinstead on winning the confidence of his coalition partners andNepali Congress stalwarts.

At the end of his term, Dahal will not be judged by hisMachiavellian tactics but by whether or not a truly inclusiveconstitution is written in the stipulated timeframe.

heinous act committed by the Maoist-leaning organisation. I find this a very lazystrategy taken by the media houses to fightback–similar to closure of schools byteachers and closure of hospitals bydoctors in the name of ‘protest’. Were thereempty editorials when the innocent werebeing killed, property confiscated andpeople extorted?

Sunil Sharma, Teku

The urbanmiddle-class hasonly now begun tosee the true coloursof the Maoists. What13,000 deaths and adecade of destructionwas unable to impart,a few antics by theYCL has made itcrystal clear: the onlyobjective of theMaoist party is tokeep a hold on thestate power.Everything else,development of the country and equal ruleof law for its citizens, is secondary. During

the war years the urban middle classviewed the Maoists as a mere nuisance.Those who are criticising the attack onpress today have, in the past, sympathisedwith the violence and have argued that thewar, the murder and disappearance ofthousands of Nepalis was necessary tochange Nepal. They even vouched for theMaoists in front of the internationalcommunity so that Maoists were taken as

revolutionaries, not theterrorists that they were.

If the Maoists want toremain in power, they shouldn’talienate the middle class. Asformer king Gyanendra foundout two years ago, the buckstops with the people ofKathmandu.

Alaska Subedi, email

While deeply sorry at thebeatings Himalmedia folksreceived from Maoist goons, Ibelieve Himal Khabarpatrikaand Nepali Times will nowbecome even more popular for

having stood up for press freedom.Ramesh Khatry, email

KIRAN PANDAY

39 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433

STATE OF THE STATEC K Lal

OP-ED

Disregarding Chief of ArmyStaff Katuwal’s appeal notto drag the military into

political controversy, the NC andUML have all jumped gleefullyinto the fray.

UNMIN’s Ian Martin hasdeclared that any recruitment byparties to the ComprehensivePeace Accord (CPA) violates theletter and spirit of the Agreementon Monitoring and Managementof Arms and Armies that his teamis committed to ensure. This is asclear an espousal of the Maoistcause as is prudentially possiblefor the UN.

Whether the position ofUNMIN constitutes a breach ofprotocol or merely violatesaccepted norms of diplomaticdecency is for Foreign MinisterUpendra Yadav to decide. But thestatement clearly ignores thereality that the chief of the PLAcurrently heads the governmentand a former guerrilla commanderis the defence minister.

Prime Minister Pushpa KamalDahal is responsible for thecommitments made by bothsignatories of the CPA. UNMIN’sstand in the changedcircumstances has merely givenMaoists a convenient stick to beatother political parties.

The moment the NC and UMLsprang to support of the armychief, Defense Minister RamBahadur Thapa upped the ante bydeclaring that “appropriateaction” will be taken against theerring general for transgressinghis limits of authority.

The row over recruitment is ared herring. The core of

controversy lies in differingperceptions about what Maoistscall “army integration” and whatother political parties and thearmy brass understand asaccommodation of some PLAcombatants into security agenciesof the government. If it werenot so, the government shouldhave been happy that animportant instrument of the statewas taking timely steps to acquireits sanctioned strength andmaintain battle readiness.

Unlike the organic character ofMaoist combatants in camps, orits YCL guerrillas who can bemobilised with looted weaponsat a moment’s notice, the statearmy functions like a machine. Ithas a clear command andcontrol structure, specificnumerical strength and ancillaryservices supported by troops thatseemingly do little else thanmarch in parades in Tundikhel.

Defense Minister Thapa mustknow that the most effective wayof stultifying an organised armyis to deny it replenishment ofmen, machine and material. Youdownsize the YCL and it can stillbe a guerrilla force.

But try reducing the army’stroop strength without properplanning and you make itdysfunctional. The moresophisticated a machine, thehigher the dependency on itssmallest components.

The Maoists do have a pointwhen they say the Nepal Army istoo bloated and we can’t afford it.Madhesis are correct in claimingthat the army is racial incomposition, parochial inoutlook and is discriminatory.The intelligentsia has the right todisbelieve anything that an armygeneral says in light of what hedid in the guise of Ajai P Nath

during royal rule. Citizens haveevery reason to question whetherwe need such a large army.

In the days ahead, thestrength of the army will have tobe reduced according to anational security plan. Itscomposition will have to bemade more inclusive and diverseto foster national unity. The army

It is Nepal’s armyThe army is not ‘above’ politics, it is ‘below’ politics

leadership will have to learn thatit doesn’t behoove the chief ofarmed forces to issue publicstatements, receive petitions fromprosecuted groups and claimopenly that the organisation heheads is somehow ‘above’politics. It will have to learn thatthe army in any democraticdispensation is very much

‘below’ politics.Until the Nepal Army

becomes truly national, clearlyresponsible and whollyaccountable to civilian control,we have to make dowith whatever we have. TheMaoists better not mess with thearmy because that is theinstitution of last resort.

KIRAN PANDAY

4 9 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433NATION

PLAIN SPEAKINGPrashant Jha

he president of the TraditionalReligion and Culture ProtectionCommittee lives up a narrow alley

opposite the western gate ofPashupatinath. Shiva Sharan Rajbhandaridoes not seem to be a particularly hurt orangry man. The temple bhandari is clearlyenjoying being in the limelight, isenthused by the support of “Hindus acrossthe world” and thrilled at pushing theMaoists on the defensive.

Meeting him with an Indian televisionnews crew is revealing, for it shows thesymbiotic relationship between thejingoistic Delhi based channels which haveblown up the issue and the localprotestors.

Rajbhandari was all charm with theIndian reporters. He offered tea, took downnumbers (“Can I call you if somethinghappens here again?”), spoke in Hindi andthen English for the network’s differentchannels, posed on the terrace, and guidedthem to the next protest. “Tyres will burn,it will look good on tv,” he winked.

The reporters played along, focusing onresponses that said the Maoist interventionwas a “threat to Hinduism” and askingconstantly if it was an anti-India move.

Some distance away, the Gaushala roadwas blocked. Middle aged and young menin tight jeans and caps, the same ones yousee during every road block, werenegotiating with the police about what toburn. Starting with about 50 people, they

Two steps forward one step backT The Maoists underestimated

the media-induced politicalpressure from India

Nepali Times: Revenue collection this quarter is35 per cent up from last year. Is this becauseyou started from a low base, or did you reallyhave to crack the whip?Baburam Bhattarai: We gave ourselves an annualrevenue target of Rs 141 billion and divided it to monthlytargets, which we have met. We issued strict instructionsto check leakage, we replaced the old team with a new oneto eliminate the entrenched bureaucratic malpractices.There was a lot of legalised corruption, we stopped that.We also announced an incentive that led to a 200 per centincrease for customs officials in salary based onperformance indicators. We took that to all revenuedepartments. It worked well. The Revenue InvestigativeDepartment has rounded up people, even big shots. I haveinstructed them not to listen to anyone, in fact they haveinstructions to be even stricter on those who use ourparty sources. They are not our people, they areopportunists. They seek political patronage.

But what about the big fish, the wilfuldefaulters?I am reviewing the situation of small and mediumentrepreneurs affected by the conflict. If they aregenuinely affected and have difficulty repaying loans, weare setting a taskforce to look at their problems. But wewon’t let wilful defaulters go.

There is deep gloom in the business sector due tomilitant labour, power shortages and security.What can you say to reassure them?We take these problems seriously. But the situation is nothopeless. And I don’t think it is getting worse. Whenthere aren’t expected improvements, people naturally getworried. Regarding minimum wages for labour, we haverequested entrepreneurs to implement it and after that wedon’t allow workers to close down industries. The cabinet

Finance Minister BaburamBhattarai spoke to NepaliTimes on Tuesday aboutthe doom and gloom in theeconomy, the worseninginvestment climate and thelack of development, buthe said he was a“revolutionary optimist”.

will take a decision to ban strike actions soon. We willstrictly enforce the law against closing down highways andagainst striking in essential services such as industry,heath and electricity companies.

But investors are really demoralised.If we allow this instability to escalate it will worsen theinvestment atmosphere for sure. To encourage and increaseinvestment, we have proposed an Investment Board underthe chairmanship of the prime minister on which thecabinet will decide soon. Once that is up and running therewill be a single window policy for foreign directinvestment for mega projects and the overall investmentclimate will improve.

And the power crisis?We have prepared a 35-point strategy which envisagesending or minimising load shedding within this fiscalyear. For this there was no alternative but diesel to helpmeet the current 300MW shortfall. Therefore, we call on theprivate sector to set up diesel and thermal plants, solar andbio-diesel plants. Then, we have waived taxes on medium-term hydro projects to be completed in 2-3 years.

Doesn’t all this make your long term goal of10,000MW seems like an imposible dream?The long term projects should also start simultaneously.Once the Investment Board is formed, we will launch thebig projects immediately.

How can that happen with this instability?We must have a minimum common understanding withall the political parties on three things. First, the geo-strategic location of our country means we are a buffer

"I am not frustrated,

began chanting slogans asking forPrachanda to “be hanged” as soon as theysaw tv cameras. The crowd swelled to about400 as speeches began.

So what has this drama been all about?Here is what the bhandaris said: this is apolitical intervention in temple affairs,there was no need for the Maoists to breakwith tradition in the appointment ofpriests, the allegations of corruption arefalse, the status quo should be restored.

The Maoists and temple administratorscountered: the Indian priests had resignedvoluntarily, what was wrong in gettingqualified Nepali priests when the core

issue was having a transparent financialsystem. They said Rs 30-35,000 was nowbeing deposited daily while no one hadany clue where the money went earlier.

Privately, pro-Maoist templeauthorities said their mistake was inopening two fronts at the same time:appointing new priests and tackling thefinances. They said the row had beenplayed up by those who were scared oflosing the chance to skim off the money.

The unstated Maoist ambition was tocontrol the institution and get the moneythemselves, operating on the logic that thepalace and NC did it in the past and now itwas their turn. They were also sending amessage to other temples and guthis acrossthe country: if we can take over thePashupati, you better fall in line. And theywere playing the nationalism card.

The script went wrong for themdomestically because Pashupati justbecame the latest in a series of actions thatcreated a fear that the Maoists are out tocapture and control all institutions. Localprotests assumed a political colour thatthey may not have got sometime back.

The Maoists anticipated the Indianreaction, in fact it suited them because itgave them a chance to tell the cadre howthey were the only ones resisting Indianhegemony. But what they perhaps did notexpect was that the media-induced

political pressure would get so intensefrom Delhi.

The BJP’s reaction is natural becausethis is their constituency. It comes at atime when they have encouraged theformation of the Nepal Janata Party, headedby a former TMDP leader. Hindu rightleaders in Kathmandu say that after years,they hit on an issue on which there wasbroad support and this could be a turningpoint in reviving their politics.

Mulayam Singh Yadav’s visit was acoincidence. But Mulayam advisingPrachanda to respect “Hindu sentiments” isironic because he has often facedaccusations of not having done so in hisown UP. He fired at Hindu karsevaks inAyodhya in 1989-90, which fuelled theRam Janmabhoomi movement. Yadav reliesheavily on the Muslim vote and is oftencalled ‘Maulana Mulayam’ by BJP leaders.

As negative reaction poured in acrossthe Indian political spectrum (from thesecular lobby to Hindutvabadis) theMaoists realised that they were alienatingtoo many people at the same time. So theytook recourse to their two-step forward,one-step back strategy and retracted thedecision.

And so yet another week goes by inNepal with all the attention focused onwhat is a non-issue even as the slidedownhill continues.

KIRAN PANDAY

59 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433BUSINESS

STRICTLY BUSINESSAshutosh Tiwari

uppose, on one fineSunday, young peopleaffiliated with your

political party storm into amedia house, beat up managersand journalists and smashwindows and furniture. Theincident makes national andinternational news. What doyou do?

First, you deny that theincident happened at all, andthat even if it did happen, yourcadres were not involved.Pressed with evidence, you thensay that it was actually themedia staff who hired goons tobeat up your staff when they hadgone for a meeting. Later, youchange the story to say that ex-royalists who had infiltratedyour ranks were the ones whocarried out the attacks, therebygiving your party a bad name.

A day later, you make light ofthe attack, saying that only lightbeating had taken place, and thatno murder had been committed.But as pressures mount, youfinally send two named accusedto surrender to the police. For afew days, they are kept in policecustody, where they are servedfood from five-star restaurantsand entertained by visits fromministers. Once the accused are

Spinning out of controlreleased on bail, whichamounts to a slap on the wrist,you make sure that they meltinto the shadows. Thanks toyour art of spin you carry on asif nothing has happened, whileyour henchmen gloss overdetails to paint the wholeepisode as oppression by feudalcapitalists.

Take another example. Youforce temple priests to submitresignations. You replace themwith two local priests of yourliking. You don’t care aboutlocal sentiments nor abouthundreds of years of history.

You justify it in the name ofnationalism, even thoughpatriotism is the refuge ofscoundrels. Guarded by goons,you force open the temple gatesso the new priests could offerprayers to Shiva.

Still, when a group ofdisgruntled junior priests stagea press conference to air theirgrievances, you send your goonsagain to beat them up in broaddaylight in front of the media.Your hooligans also deliberatelybeat up some reporters anddamage their equipment. Thenyou tell the same journalists oncamera that your youngcommunists were there to

protect the temple fromviolence. The Supreme Courtissues an edict to you to nottouch the temple. But you carryon as if these man-made laws donot apply to your decisions, andthat these protests will run outof steam soon. After a few daysof intense protests from thepublic and negative mediacoverage in India, you meeklywithdraw your decisions.

These two incidents showthat in today’s 24/7 media, youcan’t go on covering one lie withanother lie. True, you may shoutthe loudest by using half-truths

to your advantage. Sooner orlater, you will be found out, andvoters and well-wishers willstop trusting you. When you areseen as untrustworthy, youdon’t function as a governmentfor long.

Sure, you can harass those inopposition by issuing deaththreats, but that is not whypeople elected you to power.They voted for you to get onwith the business of draftingthe constitution so that 28million Nepalis can understandwhat the agreed-uponguidelines of the game are fortheir success, prosperity andhappiness in Nepal.

NEW PRODUCTS

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and no one should be..."

state. Instead of playing China and India against eachother, we must take advantage of their proximity and be avibrant bridge between the two fastest-growing economies.If Chinese delegates come to Nepal, India should not getagitated and when Indian delegates come to Nepal, Chinashould also not be disturbed.

Second is the question of democracy. We have aconsensus on fundamental democratic principles likemultiparty competition, human rights, rule of law and soon. However, within this we have to decide on our own

model of a democratic system. In my opinion, we need aconsensual model within a competitive multiparty systemwith elections and all-party government. This alone willgive us stability. A majority government and minorityopposition invites instability, which is what is happeningnow when what we need is a political consensus.

Third common understanding should be on economicdevelopment. We want growth with justice. Big investorsin power, infrastructure, tourism will stimulate growthwhile the small cooperative model will uplift farmers andsmall and medium entrepreneurs. These two approacheswill bring growth with equity and alleviate poverty. If weachieve this, I believe Nepal then can make qualitativechange within 10 years. If this does not happen, I see thedanger of ethnic conflict that will threaten our sovereignty.

Aren’t you frustrated that five months after takingoffice things are moving so slowly?People had high expectations from us. It took us some timeto learn as we had no administrative experience. But wehave a budget, and the delays in its implementation arestructural. We will start seeing results in development anddelivery from next month.

But you haven’t been able to spend ondevelopment.This is true. Spending is low because the budget wasdelayed and the procedural formalities delayed it further.But it is also because of the absence of local bodies. Now,we have an understanding with UML that the local bodieswould be set up within this month. Once that happens,development activities will pick up once they get theirRs 3 million grants.

Another reason for the delay was because the NCdecided to stay in the opposition. And within thegovernment we have to satisfy all our coalition partners.This delayed the decision-making process. Yes, there have

been hold-ups but I am not frustrated and no oneshould be.

Isn’t your own party also working at crosspurposes? Your militant unions are sabotagingyour own plans to be investor-friendly.Yes, we are worried about that. But you have to understandthat this is a transition. We have been throughrevolutionary phase and the cadres at the grassroot levelswere not educated. We didn’t have time to politicallymould them. But there is no duality in our party line.There should not be any doubt about that. There is onepolicy. It is our commitment, not a tactical ploy. We wantto assure the international community about that.

Is there any change in your priority for foreignaid?We have received a commitment of Rs 39 billion forcoming year, most of it as grant. We are preparing for theconference of Nepal Development Forum to be held inMarch in Kathmandu. A team of experts that includes thehead of National Planning Commission is working out ouraid policy and development parameters. We now want tomove away from the term ‘aid’. Aid should not increasedependency, it should create an environment fordevelopment, investment and trade. And our developmentpartners support us in this, they want Nepal to have ourown national priorities and not impose it from outside.There has to be a sense of ownership.

Outside, we see nothing but gloom. Here insideSingha Darbar you seem to be optimistic.I am optimistic. I call it a revolutionary optimism. Weshould not forget the fact that this change has come after1,000 years. We have been through an epochal change, notjust a change in government. Things will take time tosettle down.

CHONG ZI LIANG

The Maoists can’t go on coveringone lie with another lie

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Television emergencyThe newly-set up union of television stations, TelevisionBroadcasters Nepal, have declared a “tv emergency” and vowed tolstop all transmissions between midnight and 5AM because of thepower crisis. The organisation includes Kantipur TV, ImageChannel, Avenues, ABC, Sagarmatha and has state-owned NTV asobserver. “The power situation is having a huge impact onbroadcasting,” says Bhaskar Rajkarnikar of Avenues TV.Advertisers are pulling out because 40 per cent of the normal primetime viewership can’t tune in because of power cuts. Communityradio stations have also declared a crisis because of their inabilityto transmit due to crippling power cuts.

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One stopSamsung Electronics has opened an ITPlaza in Putalisadak showcasing arange of products including LCDmonitors, projectors, printers, digitalphoto frames, etc. The Plaza is a jointventure between Neoteric Nepal and Shri Siddhi Computer Traders.

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Intel in NepalIntel has donated 50 PCs to Nepal to be used ingovernment-run schools across the country. The PCshave been equipped with basic software, internet andeducational resources. Intel will also train teachers to

use them in classrooms.

PICKUP: Paramdu Motors has launched theApe Truck, a small four-wheel carrier truck,made by the Italian company Piaggo. Thetruck has a 500cc diesel engine, a five-speed gearbox and mileageof 22km per litre.

ALL-IN-ONE: The MFC-6490CW colour inkjet hasbeen launched in Nepal. A printer, copier, scannerand fax machine it has 6000 x 1200 dpi resolution,3.3" colour LCD display and comes with a twoyearwarranty.

SURYA: Surya Nepal has introduced a limited rockband edition pack of Surya 24 carat cigarettes. Thepack comes in red and blue and contains quotes by70’s rock artists.

6 9 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433FROM THE NEPALI PRESS

31 December-12 January, Himal Khabarpatrika

Interview with Nira Thapa, caption of the Under-18 Asian CricketChampionship (ACC) that won a women’s international tournament inChiang Mai last month.

Himal: How do you feel after winning the tournament?Nira Thapa: This was a big success for the Nepali women’s cricketteam. For the first time we were able to make our country proud.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Nepali cricketteam?There is unity and understanding amongst the players. Our bowlingand fielding is good but our batting requires more practice.

The Nepali Cricket team does well in the under 18s, but notso well when they are competing at senior level. Why?Our players become nervous and lose their confidence. Also, there isn’tan environment for making a career out of cricket, so once you get to asenior position you don’t get the support and don’t play as well. Theplayers need training. Training should start at least 4-5 months beforean international game.

What sort of training support does the Nepali female cricketteam get?You might as well say none. The tradition of just being happy when wewin and starting training just a couple of months before thetournament still hasn’t gone away. We may have won a big tournamentbut we only had around 15 days of training. What’s more the otherteams were weak in this tournament - but they won’t always be weak.

Nepal, 4 January

Twelve-point agreement, 25 November2005The Maoists commit to creating a conduciveenvironment for the locals and other democraticparty leaders, who were displaced during theconflict, to return home, live safely in theircommunities, to have their seized propertyreturned and to be allowed to participate inpolitical activities without fear.

Ceasefire code of conduct, 26 May 2006To return seized property, party workers andleaders that has been confiscated to its rightfulowners. To solve problems arising during thatprocess via agreement and discussions between theparties involved.

Agreement on 8 November 2006To expedite the process of returning seizedproperty. To make the environment safe for the wardisplaced to return home within one month bycreating district committees with members fromboth parties.

Comprehensive Peace Agreement, 21November 2006l Both sides agree to return confiscated andpadlocked government, public, private buildingsand land and other property.l Both parties agree not to override law and seizemore private property.

Commitment signed on 30 March 2007The Maoists commit to return private and publicland, buildings, industries, offices, and vehiclesthat were confiscated during ‘people’s war’ to itsrightful owners. The administration will takenecessary actions against those who create obstacles

in the process. The committee that is formed atthis meeting pledges to monitor the return ofproperty and present its report within the next15 days.

23-point agreement 23 December 2007Confiscated private and public property to bereturned to their owners within one month. Abody to be set up in districts, under theleadership of the chief district officer, to overseethe implementation.

Agreement signed on 25 June 2008CPN (Maoist) to end all semi-military activities ofYCL and direct that all property (private, public,government buildings and land) be returnedwithin 15 days. The YCL to remain withinthe law.

NC demand to Prime Minister PushpaKamal Dahal, 9 November 2008Although the issue of return of property has beenmentioned in the 12-point agreement andsubsequent agreements after that, they have notbeen implemented. Compensation and reliefpackages must be arranged from the time when theproperty was confiscated. The agreement signedon 25 June 2008 relating to the activities of YCLmust be implemented immediately. The progressof all the agreements must be made public by theHome Ministry via the legislative assembly assoon as possible.

Two days after the above demand letter waspresented, the prime minister spoke to the CA andsaid that the agreements will be implemented bymid- December. He said that if the confiscatedproperty is not returned by then, government willprovide compensation. At a meeting with NCleaders on 1 January, Dahal said he needed at leastthree months to fulfil those demands.

Promises not kept

Nepalichampions

RSS

79 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433CONSTITUTION 2010

he timing couldn’t havebeen better for therelease of the updated

new edition of the 1990sacademic classic Nationalismand Ethnicity in Nepal.

The Constituent Assemblyhas started deliberating on thestructure of the new Nepali stateand the role of ethnicity andfederalism in it. Unfortunately,the agenda is being set bypolitical sloganeering and not asound analysis of the groundreality of this incredibly diversecountry.

The re-release of the bookby Gellner, Pfaff-Czarnecka andWhelpton is therefore awelcome development. One onlywishes it also had a Nepalitranslation.

The original volume waswritten at a time when ethnicvoices were muted and identitypolitics hadn’t yet made a mark.But post-1990 and especiallyafter 2006, the demand for spaceand voice by the traditionallymarginalised has reached acrescendo. The 2008 election tothe Constituent Assembly was

contested along a mixed electoralsystem that included proportionalrepresentation rolls. The resulthas been the most diverseelected legislature in Nepalihistory.

The original volume was titledEthnicity and Nationalism in theWorld’s Only Hindu State, butwas changed because Nepalturned secular in 2006. The newedition has a new chapter: NewNepal, New Ethnicities: ChangesSince the Mid-1990s. The authorsrightly point out that despite thenew voices and new activism theleadership of the political partiesremain exclusive, this in turnmeans that their affiliated ethnic-based organisations are moreradical than them. Ethnic andregional movements for autonomytherefore cross party lines andappear to be out of the control oftheir mother parties.

The chapter listsorganisations like the KiratYakthung Chumlung, NepalThami Society, MagarAssociation of Nepal and the

provinces/states. The problem isalready fueling conflict in the Taraiwhere Madhesi parties demandthe creation of a single Madhesprovince from Kakarvitta toKanchanpur, but this is rejected bymany Tharus. The authors urgecaution over the proposal forethnic states and indicate that itcould face considerabledifficulties.

They also suggest that ethnicautonomy might perhaps be betterserved by devolution to smallblocks of villages or, as suggestedby political scientist MahendraLawoti, by a system of ‘non-territorial’ or ‘cultural’ autonomy.But the titular group of Adibasi-Janajatis would enjoy a ‘rightof primacy’ (agradhikar). Activistshave raised the voice of ‘self-determination’, but this can neverextend to a right to secession.While the Maoist want ‘self-determination’, NEFIN wants‘internal autonomy’ becausegranting full right of self-determination would leadto disintegration. Even though the

s the political parties andacademics start suggesting modelsof federalism, Alok Bohara has put

forward his own cooperative federalstructure (‘The boundaries of federalism’,#431). He argues that the Maoists’ ethnic-based federalism and the One Madhesdemand would invite unnecessarycomplications.

He proposes Kosi, Bagmati, Gandakiand Karnali provinces with ethnic enclaveswithin them so that they establish a levelplaying field, economic growth, ethnictolerance and resource distribution.

But his proposal isn’t taken tooseriously politically because it seems toignore what federalism in this country isdesigned to do: address the long-standinggrievances and repression of individualgroups by a central feudal state apparatus.

Once the Maoists launched their armedstruggle in the name of ethnic autonomyand the right to self determination, ethnicand regional organisations joined themdirectly or indirectly. As the peace processbegan, Madhesi parties ceased to trust theMaoists and began their own struggle.Similarly, Limbuwan and Khambuwan inthe east, Tharuhat in west Tarai, Tamuwanin the west, and Tamsaling and NepalMandal in the centre are continuing thestruggle for autonomy.

It doesn’t make any sense to considerstate restructuring without consideringthese ethnic and regional aspirations. Thebasic principle of federalism is to dividethe state rule into two levels: theprovincial and the local. How autonomous

the states are is the critical factor and theconstitution should lay out provisions forself-governance at the grassroots.

Federalism is itself a cooperativebecause the local and provincialgovernments within and outside their areasof authority work both in partnership andseparately with the centre playing a unitarymonitoring role. It is the concept of sharedand self-rule.

The Maoists have proposed 11provinces and three autonomous sub-provinces, while MJF put forward theUnited Madhes demand before the election.The NC and UML sidestepped the issuealtogether, which led to their dismalperformance in the elections.

Bohara is trying to give the NC andUML a viable alternative proposal. It is truethat we have to find ways to address theMadhesi demand for united autonomy butwe must also accommodate the ethnic,linguistic and cultural differences thatexist there. Similarly, the Maoists’ federalstructure based on ethnicity, region andlanguage, which incorporates the needs ofindigenous communities, should beaddressed properly.

Bohara’s federal units mimic Nepal’sown topographical make-up. This, he says,is needed to make the units viable andhave a competitive advantage. He argues themountains, hills and Tarai complementeach other. For example, Bohara says, the

Shared rule, self-ruleYou can’t wish away ethnicity in Nepal

A creation of a Limbuwan province maydeprive Kochila of resources and thereforeproposes one state so that the resourcescould be shared.

His fears that Limbuwan may sell itselectricity to India instead of giving it toKochila are unfounded because bothprovinces would be answerable to thecentral government. The issues of economyand resource-sharing are at the heart of anydiscussion of federalism in Nepal.

Economic factors, however, have beendecisive in very few countries drawing up afederal structure. The centre can alwaysbalance out the provinces that may feelshortchanged with special packages or re-distribution of resources to reduceeconomic disparity.

Instead of discussing which provincehas the most or least resources, it isimportant to use them collectively forhuman welfare. Provincial or inter-provincial mechanisms must be developedto distribute resources according to need.

Bohara calls for Nepalis to rise aboveethnic interests to resolve the nation’scommon problems. But ethnicity is thereality of our society, it will have to beaddressed. True politics is not based onethnicity, religion or class but a system ofdemocratically elected governments.However, we can’t overlook the politics ofidentity anymore in this country.

The social make-up needs to bestudied, affirmative action is required totake the dividend of good governance to thegrassroots. The slogan of inclusion shouldnot remain just a slogan. Ethnic sloganswill fade away once the state develops aproper mechanism to deliver.

Balkrishna Mabuhang is professor at theCentral Department of Population ofTribhuban University.

‘No magic bullet’JTMM-Goit has openly espousedseparatism for the Madhes, mostother Tarai and Janajati groupshave not gone that far.

The main challenge beforethe Constituent Assembly will beto find a solution acceptable totwo-third majorities of its 601members and to do so within twoyears without passions spillingout into the streets. WithNepal’s immense ethic diversity,the demands anddissatisfactions have to bepolitically managed while theprocess of constitution-draftingis actually taking place. Theauthors write: “The study of thediversity and of ethnic relationselsewhere suggests that the CAis no ‘magic bullet’ that willresolve all the ethnic and othertensions.”

The book also includeschapters by Prayag Raj Sharma(on nation-building in a multi-ethnic state) and Harka Gurung(on state and society). Theauthors suggest the constitutionbuilders bear in mind that ethnicboundaries were oftenconsciously created, have beendeliberately maintained,developed, contested and havechanged over time.

REVIEW byDHRUBA SIMKHADA New edition of ethnicity book can help

in constitution-writing

Nationalism and Ethnicity in NepalEdited by David N Gellner, Joanna

Pfaff-Czarnecka and JohnWhelpton

663+ pagesRs 1,100

Vajra Publications, 2008

Nepal Tamang Ghedung with theirmissions and aims. A useful tableclassifies 59 official Janajatis asdefined by NEFIN and NFDIN.

We should be very careful inthe process of creating new

T

COMMENTBalkrishnaMabuhang

8 NATION

Don’t curse the darkness, shLet the sun shine inWith such lengthy power cuts inverters don’t get time to re-charge, so another option that many are starting to look into issolar power. Though the initial set-up is quite expensive,solar represents a clean renewable source of energy. Solar cangenerate enough power to fuel computers and tvs.

It’s hard to be optimistic when the power goes off from4-10AM and then again from 2-8PM. It’s hard to see thebright side of things when sitting in the cold, darkcontemplating the country’s future.

And, the worse is yet to come. They tell us theKulekhani reservoir is empty and the rivers are runningdry. From next week, brace yourselves for 16 hours ofpower cuts a day. NEA’s load-shedding schedules will just

list the hours that there will bepower: 10PM-4AM and2-4PM. Easy to remember.

Still, we at Nepali Times areoptimistic that Nepal will pullitself out of the darkness. There isno point cursing the darkness,let’s look at the bright side and tryto make the best of things. Wehave picked some gadgets thatwill make this winter morebearable.

Noteboooks with staminaEven the best laptops cannot cope with the eight hourpower cuts. But not all notebooks are created equal andsome have better endurance than others.Mac book (Lasts at least 5 hours)Evo store, Durbar MargStarts from Rs 99,000Acer Aspire Netbook (Lasts 4 hours)Mercantile Durbar MargApprox: Rs 45,000

Solar TukiEnergy International, JwagelTel No: 5011019These 5 Watt long-lasting solar lights with LED bulbs costaround Rs 5,500

InvertersUsing inverters is like using a pump to suck water outof the mains. It cannibalises energy when there ispower, and actually increases the load in the system.But when there are no other options, even this is OK.IMTC ranges from 50-5,000Watts and costs Rs 3,500-Rs45,000Tel No: 5531023Intel power, Prakash Gold and Usha Zenta at ElectronicTCL&Intel PABX ,100-200 volts, prices from Rs 3,000Tel No: 4431978

MobMany ohave deAvailabNokia 1Spice HHello S

ALL PICS : CHONG ZI LIANG

How much for these generators?...I need one to recharge my inverter

RAJESH KC/MY REPUBLICA.COM

SHRADHA BASNYAT

99 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433

how a light

Light is all you needThere are emergency lights and thereare emergency lights. We have evenseen emergency light systems thathave sirens, flashing amber lightsand even one with a CD player.Forget the gimmicks. The most cost-effective one we have seen is theRicona. Small, handy and cheap.Ricona220V-240V, 4-5 hours, Rs 800

Solar inverterEco-vision, BhatbhateniTel No: 4418203These solar inverters are available atEco-vision, Lotus Energy complexand range from 150VA-900VA andcost between Rs 17,900 and -Rs 77,000.

Solar PowerEnergy International, JwagelTel No: 5011019Ranges from 21 -130 Watts andcosts between Rs 24,000 and Rs90,000. 25 year life guarantee forsolar panels and 1 year guaranteefor the whole system

bile torchesof us use the mobile phone screens for light, but some ingenious dudesesigned a mobile phone that actually has a torch instead of a camera.ble at Nokia stores in Tamrakar Mobile Complex.1650, Rs 3,700HM 555, Rs 4,000

580, Rs 580

10 NATION 9 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433

n the teeming alleyways ofThamel’s bustling streets,Shona’s trekking supply

shop is an unprepossessing,indistinctive hole in the wallthat hardly lures you in. But askany experienced trekker ormountaineer where to go to rentor buy kit in the capital and theywill say Shona’s.

What singles out the 15-year-old business is not only that it isrun by a woman, the charismaticShona Lama, but that she is fromthe mountains–Taplejung and isan experienced and passionatetrekker herself.

“I love trekking and I knowwhat you need and what youdon’t need. I have seen how oftenpeople make mistakes and howthey suffer,” Shona told us afterNepali Times selected her shop asCompany of the Month forJanuary 2009. “Unless you trekyourself you can’t give outadvice.”

In fact it was while trekkingin 1981 that Shona gave birth toher second daughter in Jomsom.Shona started hiring out andselling equipment because herfirst husband was a climber. Inthose days, she says, it was

On the right trackBusiness is about luck and passion forShona’s trekking supply in Thamel

KATY ELLIOTT

f you decide to trek in the GauriShankar area, the spectacularpanoramic view of the mountains

will not be the only thing that will catchyour eye. Your guides and porters aremost likely to be women.

Here at Simi village in Dolakha,women are being trained to be guidesunder a unique eco-tourism project thataims to reduce poverty by boostinggrassroots tourism.

common for climbers’ wives torun such businesses in Thamel,but many have since launchedhotels or emigrated to the US. Sheis now a rarity.

What is also rare, andsomewhat disarming, is herreluctance to sell her customersanything that is surplus to theirneeds. Why go for the pricierthermals when the cheaper oneswill keep you just as warm? Why

buy two fleeces when you reallyonly need one for 14 days in theEverest region? Meanwhile, sheenthusiastically dispensesmountain advice for free.

In a market which is highlycompetitive and in which wordof mouth is everything, it’s abrilliant sales tactic for acompany that has never done anyadvertising. Talking and laughingwith clients who hail from all

corners of the world anddispensing advice andencouragement regarding theirimpending adventure keepsher going.

“We deal with every nation inthe world. Meeting famousclimbers, writers andphotographers is nice. Every dayis different. When people go andcome back and give you twobottles of beer because they were

happy with their equipment, itfeels nice,” says Shona.

When it comes to trekking shelikes to be alone, carrying her ownequipment rather than takingporters, which may explain whyshe urges hikers not to purchasetoo much and keep their packs aslight as possible.

Renting out mountainequipment such as plastic boots,crampons and sleeping bags tothose scaling all the trekking peaksof Nepal accounts for most of thebusiness. Shona works seven daysa week and sells, or rents out, 120sleeping bags and 90 trekkingjackets each month of the season.

She claims that businessremains steady though the shopcan weather the slower periodsbecause she and her husband livea pretty humble life. “We havelunch for Rs 30 and dinner forRs 50,” she says. Her children aregrown up and have independentmeans, so she doesn’t have toworry too much about the ongoingbusiness.

Nevertheless, these areworrying times for the dozens inthe trekking equipment industry.Tourism is bound to be severelydented by the global economiccrisis. And those that can stillafford to come to Nepal will bedeterred if the country returns topolitical instability.

But putting aside such macroissues, which make starting out inthe trade a pretty dauntingprospect, Shona concludes:“Business is about luck asmuch as it’s about business.And it's about interest andpassion too.”

BHAWANI KARKI in DOLAKHA

Women show the wayfamily incomes are rising, children aregoing to school and people can affordsolar lights.

Simi hit the headlines last year whenthree young women from the village,Pujan Acharya, Nimadoma Sherpa andPembadiki Sherpa, all climbedChomolungma. They were neighbourswho worked as trekking guides andbecame interested in mountaineering.

This seems to have inspired Simiwomen to look beyond Dolakha. Tseringherself has taken tourists to Khumbu andthe Annapurnas. “We’ve been trekkingsince we were kids,” she says, “so it’s notsuch hard work.” And Tsering says theyalso enjoy the freedom and adventurethat comes with being guides. Some Simiwomen have set up trekking shopsin Kathmandu.

Simi and the Rolwaling Valley saw asignificant increase in trekkers lastautumn. Tourists are coming not just toDolakha, but to traverse the Tashi Labtsapass to Khumbu.

Maili Tamang earned Rs 60,000 lastyear and is hoping to earn even more thisspring. “More work means more money,”

says Maili, smiling, “I walk four to sevenhours a day carrying up to 50kg of bags,tents and food.” That is nearly Maili’sown weight, but she doesn’t find itdifficult as she has her husband tohelp her.

Tourism in Dolakha is beingpromoted under the Rolwaling Eco-Tourism Development Project supportedby the Austrian group, Eco Himal. Theproject has built lodges, trained locals inrunning restaurants and hotels andpromoted an environmentally-friendlytourism that benefits locals.

Money generated is invested in localschools, drinking water and health.

Eco Himal has built over 10community lodges in Bigu, Chilangkha,Laduk, Orang, Lamabagar, Karthali andGhorthali and has handed them over tothe locals. More than 5,000 families havebenefited. Chief of Eco Himal,Rameshwor Kadhka, says: “There is greatpotential in Dolakha, and this model canbe replicated elsewhere in Nepal.”

See also:‘Dolakha’s hidden charm’, #420

Simi’s women break traditionalbarriers and become trekking guides

I

KIRAN PANDAY

“The main occupation of the peoplein Simi is trekking and it has increasedfamily income,” says TseringdipiSherpa. “In other places, the men go outto work and the women stay home, buthere women work as guides and themen farm.”

The majestic twin peaks of the 7,181-metre-high Gauri Shankar dominates thesky above Simi. The land is rugged andvillagers depend on the rains to growpotato and millet. Northern Dolakha hasalways been poor, but with trekking

ISURYA CHANDRA BASNYAT

119 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433NATION

t was midday when my flight landed at Tribhuban InternationalAirport exactly one year ago. After a 45 minute wait for myluggage, I skipped through the customs into the bright

sunshine but felt no warmth. It was winter in Nepal. My first winter.I had come to be a photojournalist intern. Like all lucky

Singaporeans who take our utilities for granted, I discovered awhole new lifestyle of ice-cold showers and total darkness.Naturally (and immediately) I fell in love with the country.

Despite being armed with a first-world education, myimpression of Nepal then neverextended beyond the text-bookknowledge of the Himalaya andthe Maoists. As aphotojournalist, nothing excitesme more than bloodthirsty

jungle-romping guerillas. This excitement was heightened by thefact that Singapore has a political scene as quiet as Bagmati aftermidnight.

But the Maoists were neither bloodthirsty nor jungle-romping.They didn’t even look like guerrillas. The first PLA fighter I met didan unthinkable thing: he fed me a half-boiled egg. Granted I waspart of a self-administered media entourage following a Baburamrally around Gorkha and we had stopped for a mid-morning teabreak. But how can you not love someone who peels an egg foryou?

In months to come, I would become fast friends with manyMaoists who had inmore ways thanone treated mewith extremegenerosity. Thankyou Raja-dai foroffering me a seaton an incrediblycrowded Rolpa-bound bus. Andthank you Mohan-jifor serving me thelargest portion ofbuff in the smallhotel at Tila. Nothank you, Jitendrafor offering to giveme a PLA haircut.

And I thoughtto myself: “Withenemies likethese, who needsfriends?” When myMao-buddiescaptured the mostvotes on 10 April, Iwas hopeful forNepal becausethey seemed todisplay a strongconviction towards positive change for fellow-Nepalis.

But six months later, instead of a strong conviction, my Mao-buddies are behaving like strong convicts. They gave a few of myformer newsroom colleagues a thrashing right where I used toshare stories of Maoist samaritans. Have my Mao-buddies becomeMao-baddies?

Dear Mao-baddies, let me give you some pointers: “To stop thepress from writing bad reviews, give them nothing to write about.”

By resorting to violence, you have just single-handedly(pardon the irony here because it was actually many fists and anoccasional kick) done the opposite. Media CEOs thank you forgifting them something to play and replay over the next fivemonths. Editors thank you for a one-day break from coming up witha publishable editorial. Hurray, no editorial to write and yet amessage to sell.

It really wasn’t the cold showers and dark nights that made meadore Nepal more than the modern city state I came from. It wasthe gentleness of the people and how they find a working solutionto manage every adversity thrown at them: petrol shortages, powerfailures included. But I don’t see the same tolerance from theperpetrators of violence.

If investigative articles or biting editorials don’t work forNepal’s leaders, then maybe a journalist’s flying leather shoewill.

Sam Kang Li interned at Nepali Times in 2008 as a photographerand visited many parts of Nepal during this period, during which heintroduced himself as Shyam Bahadur Tamang.

A Singaporean’soptimism for this newrepublic may soon wither

Don’t letme down

COMMENTSam Kang Li

I

ot so long ago, it wouldhave been rare to find awoman bank employee at

any level, let alone management.But the Pokhara branch ofShangri-La Bank is bucking thetrend because it is run entirely bywomen—from the clerks to themanager. Only the security guardsare men.

The Bhadrakali Chowk branchof the privately-run Shangri-laBank is the first all-women’s bankin Pokhara. Kathmandu has oneall-female bank too, a branch ofthe Development Credit Bank.

Currently, there are fivepermanent staff at Shangri-La’sPokhara branch. Branch managerSujata Hamal says: “I think we’veproved that women can workharder than men.”

Sujata, like several others

here, comes from a remote villagein Myagdi, where she studied at alocal school. Now, she juggles herjob and her studies at PrithbiNarayan Campus where she willsoon graduate. She adds,“Women are capable. It’s justabout giving them responsibilityand representation.”

This branch of Shangri-LaBank has only been open for amonth and a half, but employeeshave already collected Rs 40million in savings. One of thereasons the bank is doing wellseems to be because theemployees are women. When themarketing staff go to nearbycommunities to bring in possibleclients, people are delighted tosee smartly dressed women.Some locals even promise tocome by, even if it’s just to look.

With most men awayoverseas, money matters arehandled more and more by

women. Having a bank withfemale staff makes women headsof household more comfortablecoming to a bank for deposits,withdrawals and otherinvestment queries.

“We’ve realised that there’s adifference when the employee isfemale,” says Hamal, “More femalecustomers come to us.”

Hamal has asked the headoffice to arrange for a specialscheme for women customers andthe board has agreed to introducelow interest loans. The branchalso seeks to help neighbouringcommunities in Pokhara byassisting local women to createaccounts and start saving andinvesting their money.

RAMESH POUDELin POKHARA

Banking on womenHEADING UP: With more womenheads of households in Nepal, abranch of Pokhara's Shangri-LaBank is cashing in with an allfemale staff.N

KIRAN PANDAY

RAMESH POUDEL

12 9 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433INTERNATIONAL

have been a frequent airtraveller since I was a fewmonths shy of my sixth

birthday, when my parentspacked me off to boarding schooltwo plane rides away from home.

Those days of being willinglyhanded from air hostess to airhostess as an unaccompaniedminor made me blasé about therigours of air travel. Going abroadto study as a teenager, and joiningthe United Nations at 22,

confirmed my ease with theworld of the frequent flyer. I sawthe average airport terminal as afamiliar haven, like a friend’ssitting room.

But 9/11 changed all that. Theassorted divestments, theenthusiastic frisking, thesuspicious prying open of yourbag, that bleeping wand pushedinto awkward spots, have allcombined to make flying less funthan ever. Passengers at airportsnow look so chronically morosethat a passing vulture flyingoverhead would sense a businessopportunity.

The episode of the shoebomber Richard Reid hassuddenly meant more feet being

bared at airports than at theaverage Hindu temple. Mysolution has been to replace mycustomary lace-up Oxfords with apair of slip-on loafers when I fly.Generals are always fighting thelast war, and security screeners arethe same. I’m just grateful it was ashoe bomber they were reacting to.What on earth would they do if

the next Richard Reid tried toignite his underwear?

Then, came the terrorists whoplanned to explode liquidchemicals on board. Since theplot didn’t work the first timeand no one has tried it since, theonly beneficiaries of this are therecyclers, who receive a truck-loadof discarded water and shampoo

bottles from airports every day,and the concessionaires on theother side of security, who chargeexorbitant prices to quench thethirst of parched passengerssuddenly deprived of theirdrinks.

Indians such as myselfwhose features might pass forMiddle Eastern have learnt toput up with the misadventuresof flying. “There was a timeduring the 1970s oil boom,” afellow Indian told me, “that Irather enjoyed being mistaken foran Arab. People assumed I wasricher than I was and treated mewith respect. Now, after 9/11, I’manxious to demonstrate that I’mIndian. If I were a woman,I’d wear a sari all the time, justto show I’m not that kindof brown.”

In all fairness, you don’thave to be brown to be selectedfor extra-special attention,though it helps. In their desire toprove the randomness of theirbiases, I’ve also seen securitypeople pick passengers in inverserelation to the likelihood of theirbeing a terrorist—-elderly womenmaking their way throughsecurity using a walker, say, or acertain white-haired senator fromMassachusetts. (It is normallynot difficult to tell the differencebetween Ted Kennedy and aterrorist fanatic bent on massmurder but I guess they wantedto prove their even-handedness,or their bloodymindedness.)

A mother carrying breast milkin a bottle for her baby was

WORLDLY WISEShashi Tharoor

‘Jokes or inappropriateremarks regarding securitycould lead to your arrest’

Air farceI

ordered to drink it to prove itwasn’t a lethal toxin. A friendtells me about his handicappedyoung son who flies with anoxygen tank. How do we know it’snot a deadly poison gas, theywanted to know.

But every time you thinkyou’ve got the formula downsome new complication crops up.It’s bad enough that you have totake out your laptop, empty yourpockets, slip off your shoes,loosen your belt and shed yourjacket to facilitate the inspections:they’ll still ask you to spreadyour arms and legs. Worse, youhave to smile through the wholeordeal. Because if you dare tocomplain, they really comedown on you.

A witticism in an airportsecurity line is like a Swiss tap:turn it on, and you instantly findyourself in hot water. ‘Jokes orinappropriate remarks regardingsecurity could lead to your arrest,’signs humourlessly warn you atstrategic points. And until theyactually close Guantánamo, I’mtaking no chances . . . I havewatched in mounting incredulityas one of my own books, which Iwas carrying as a gift, was takenaway to be inserted into a specialdevice after it had already passedsecurity to make sure, no doubt,that my words wouldn’t explodemid-flight.

I feel sorry for the next six-year-old who needs to fly alone.The innocence with which I firstembraced air travel is simplyinconceivable today.

139 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433REVIEW

rom 1996’s acerbic Trainspotting to the soulful horror of2002’s 28 Days Later, Danny Boyle’s best films are bold,stylised works filled with rare wit and energy. After 2007’s

Sunshine, a somewhat frustrating experiment with science fiction,few would have predicted that Boyle would expand his repertoireeven further. Slumdog Millionaire is his most ambitious project yet,with the most challenging of subjects: India. Set in Bombay, thefilm’s very premise demands a knowledge and sensitivity thatrecent cinematic forays into India have lacked, and whichBoyle delivers.

Based on a novel by former Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup, thefilm is composed as a series of non-linear flashbacks filmeddocumentary-style. When accused of cheating while competing towin 20 million rupees on India’s Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,Jamal Malik, an eighteen-year-old orphan "slumdog" from Bombay,reflects on his tumultuous childhood.

Extensive editing and repetition of imagery colours Boyle’sBombay with an eerie familiarity and a singular aesthetic. Buoyedby the avant-Bollywood musical stylings of AR Rahman, the filmmoves at an exhilarating pace, following Jamal from his fecalencounter with Amitabh Bachhan to the death of his motherduring Hindu-Muslim riots to his work as a 'chai wala' in atelemarketing centre.

For a film so colossal in scope, Slumdog’s charms lie not inthe straightforward and seemingly sentimental plotline (as thecheesy trailers would have you believe) but in its understateddirection and attention to detail. This is exemplified by the wayBoyle directs newcomer Freida Pinto as Latika, Jamal’s childhoodfriend and lost love. In spite of the enormous importance of Latika’scharacter in the story, the role entails little actual screen time andrelies more on the actor’s natural presence and the nuancedediting of images interspersed throughout the film. The actingrarely falls short of the excellent cinematography: the child actorswho play Jamal and his brother Salim are impeccably directed,largely overshadowing their older counterparts, while veterans AnilKapoor and Irrfan Khan are sharp, comical contrasts to theinnocent exuberance of the rest of the cast.

Just as importantly, the film seldom falls into the pitfall ofcatering solely to a foreign audience. There are awkward momentsin which Patel’s British inflection can be heard and his character’sEnglish sometimes comes off as implausibly refined; however,for the most part, the screenplay is consistently well researchedand authentic.

While movies produced in Bombay delve increasingly into thefantasy worlds of the Indian elite, Slumdog Millionaire portrays thegenuine, grotesque Bombay: both a realistic portrait ofcontemporary India and an all-encompassing one. In spite of itsfairytale plot, the film touches on contemporary Indian phenomenasuch as media mass hysteria, ‘India Shining’, beggar syndicates,child prostitution, police corruption and communal religiousviolence. Few feature films of recent times have dared or eventried to depict any of these realities. The film ends, fittingly, with arousing, tasteful, Bollywood-inspired dance sequence set ona platform of VT station, where last month’s terrorist attackstook place.

Slumdog is both an aesthetic triumph and a crowd-pleasingsuccess. Boyle has proven that even the simplest of storylines, iftold intelligently with heart and style, can be uplifting.

Slumdogs andmillionaires

F

Mollywood goesinternational with epicthat is India in microcosm

REVIEW by MILAP DIXIT

14 9 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433CITY

KATHMANDU VALLEY

ABOUT TOWN

WEEKEND WEATHER by NGAMINDRA DAHAL

The power cuts have affected even the Mausam Beed’s ability tomake forecasts because satellite images can't be downloaded. Theabsence of westerlies means the dry spell will continue, which meansthe rivers will remain dry and cripple power generation. At this rate,brace yourselves for daily 16 hour power cuts. This satellite radarimage taken on Thursday morning shows a high pressure systemover the southwestern Tibetan Plateau that is blowing in cold, dry airfrom the northwest. This has brought Kathmandu Valley temperaturesplummeting to 1.2 degree celsius, the lowest of the season. Expectthe cold snap to continue with thick smog in Kathmandu in themornings that will delay all flights by up to three hours.

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Chandni Chowk to China, is a Bollywood Kung fu comedy that takesSidhu (Akshay Kumar), a vegetable cutter on a journey from the by-lanes of Chandni Chowk in Delhi, to Shanghai, the Great Wall andrural China. Sidhu longs to escape his dreary existence and looks forshortcuts- with astrologers, tarot readers and fake fakirs, despite hisfather figure Dada’s (Mithun Chakraborty) best efforts. His luckfinally starts to change when two strangers from China claim him asa reincarnation of a war hero in the past and take him to China. Alongthe way, he meets Sakhi (Deepika Padukone), who has embarked onher own journey to pay homage to the land of her birth and her deadfather and twin.

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For inclusion in the listing send information to editors(at)nepalitimes.com

'MANDU MANDALA by PRERANA PAKHRIN

EXHIBITIONSSPARSH : Touching Waste with Love, an architectural artexhibition by Raju Khadka at Siddhartha Art Gallery, BaberMahal Revisited till 13 January. 4218048

EVENTS

Zeitgist Part II, a movie show at 2PM, 11 January, Mind BodyLibrary, Stadium Gate, Tripureswor. 984189600

The Obama Ball, unofficial Kathmandu inaugural celebation,20 January, Shankar Hotel Ball room, Rs 800

Walk, eat and do good, a scholarship fundraiser walk fromBanepa, Rs 1500, 7 Feburary. 9841183921

MUSICTuesday Melody at Jazzabell Café, Happy hour 6-8PM.211407574 Twister playing live every Tuesday at Moksh, Pulchok.5526212Robin and the New Revolution playing live every Tuesday,7PM onwards at Bamboo Club restaurant, Thamel. 470157Some like it hot every Friday BBQ and live music by DineshRai and the Sound Minds, 7PM onwards, Rs 899 at Fusion,Dwarika’s Hotel. 4479488Happy cocktail hour, 5-7PM, Ladies night on Wednesday withlive unplugged music at Jatra Café & BarLive Sensation, live performance byYankey, every Saturday, 9PM, HyattRegency. 4491234.Dance and Cocktails at Cube Bar,Kamaladi. 4438017Fusion and Looza Band every Fridaynight, Bhumi Resto Lounge,Lazimpat. 4412193HyJazz at the HyJazz Club everyFriday from 8.30 PM onwards. HyattRegency. 4491234Rudra night fusion and classicalNepali music by Shyam Nepali andfriends, every Friday, 7PM at LeMeridien,Gokarna. 4451212Sufi music by Hemanta Rana, everyFriday at 7.30 PM at Dhaba Restaurant and Bar, Thapathali.Fusion and Classical Music by Anil Shahi every Wednesday,rock with Rashmi Singh every Friday, Sufi & Raga withHemant Rana every Saturday, 8PM onwards, Absolute Bar.5521408

DININGNhuchhe goes Thai at Nhuchhe’s Thai Kitchen.Baluwatar.4429903Organic Salad Bar and Steak at Jalan Jalan restaurant everyFriday from 6PM, Rs 650Fusion of Marcela Regan’s new menu and Mannie’s new bar atDhokaima Cafe. 5522113Plat Du Jour at Hotel Shangri-La, Kathmandu, Rs 600. 4412999Pizza & Pasta every Monday and Tuesday at Rox Restaurant.Hyatt Regency. 448936Pasta pesto passion at La Dolce Vita, Thamel. 4700612Steak special with free Irish coffee at K-too! Beer &Steakhouse, Thamel. 4700043Continental and cafe item with Live band every Friday atVintage Cafe and Pub, Woodland Complex, Darbar Marg.Unlimited wine offer for Rs 990 at La Maison wine and cigarlounge. 9841333628Home made pasta at Alfresco, Soaltee Crowne Plaza. 4273999Reality Bites, The Kaiser Café, Garden of Dreams, operatedby Dwarika’s Group of Hotels, 9AM-10PM. 4425341Strawberry Etagere at The Lounge from 4.30-6.30 PM. HyattRegency. 4491234Steak escape with Kathmandu’s premier steaks at the OliveBar and Bistro, Hotel Radisson. 4411818Cocktails, mocktails and liqueurs at the Asahi Lounge, openinghours 1-10PM, above Himalayan Java, Thamel.Retro Brunch Barbeque with live acoustic music by SoundChemistry, every Saturday, 12-3PM at Le Meridien-Kathmandu, Gokarna. 4451212Starry night barbecue at Hotel Shangri-la with live performanceby Ciney Gurung, Rs. 999, at the Shambala Garden, everyFriday 7PM onwards. 4412999Kebabs and curries at the Dhaba, Thapathali. 9841290619Illy Expression Coffee at Hotel Shangrila, Lazimpat andMandap Hotel, ThamelSocially Responsible coffee at Himalayan Java, Thamel

9 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #433 15HAPPENINGS

CELEBRITY FOR A CAUSE: Bollywood actress and SAARC goodwillambassador for HIV/AIDS Shabana Azmi, speaks at a press conferenceorganised to launch the SAARC regional strategy on HIV/AIDS at HotelYak & Yeti on Monday.

LOOK WHO'S IN TOWN: Mulayam Singh Yadav, President of theBharatiya Samajbadi Party, visits Patan Darbar Square after hisentourage was diverted by the protests at Pashupati on Sunday.

KIRAN PANDAY

OUT OF CHAINS: Members of the Tharu community from Dang andDeukhuri protest at Bhadrakali on Tuesday against the Kamlari traditionof sending girls away as bonded labourers .

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9 - 15 JANUARY 2009 #43316 BACKSIDE

Taking onthe Almighty

A fter placing their political appointees in the national airline,handing supporters ambassadorships, vice-chancellorhoods,padding the bureaucracy, and trying to get the army chief sacked,

the Maoists seem to have bitten off more than they can chew by taking onGod.

Being atheists, the comrades probably didn’t realise they weremeddling with the Lord of Animals. The Baddies have now collectivelyearned so much bad karma that they risk being reborn as tapeworms intheir next life. By sacking Indian priests we also exposed ourselves fortit-for-tat expulsions of Sister Nirmala and Nepali high priests ofRameswaram and Kasi Vishwanath. Operation Mul Bhatta seems tohave been purposely timed to embarrass the prime minister during aweek when everyone knew Mulayam would be in town at the invitation ofthe president to pay homage to Pashupati. And Govinda and Shabanawould also be around. Otherwise, why sack the priest now?

Five months after Comrade Pukada stated that the YCL had changed andwould henceforth be engaged in helping the people with developmentworks, the ex-gorillas this week hacked off both legs of a UML supporter.Looks like the leopard has changed its spots into stripes, and has nowbecome a tiger.

And we thought Terrifying said last week he was not going to any moreinaugurations, ribbon cuttings and lamp lightings. But there he was onThursday jumping off a cliff on a paraglider. All domestic flights werediverted because a VVIP was freefalling somewhere over Kot Danda.But we should give the man a break, as it were, because he has beenthrough one too many political cliff hangers lately.

At the rate PKD and GPK hit it off every time they meet, the Ass’ theoryis that the real danger of the Maoist-led govt being toppled comes notfrom the opposition kangresis or the UML comrades pulling the plug onthem but from their own restless commanders. At a gathering in NayaBajar this week to plan for the PLA Day parade in KTM on 13 Feb,division commanders are said to have used undiplomatic language toshake Awesome down.

The warlike warlords weren’t really so worried about theparty’s ideological purity, but about their own salaries andperks. Also, we now have a clue as to why Kali BahadurKham was never arrested for terminating Ramhari Shresthabecause the commander of the PLA 3rd Div was the onlyone who spoke up in support of the Supreme Commander atthat meeting.