Kathmandu l 12 Mar-18 Mar 2007 l # 7 l Price Rs. 25

ä NF Correspondent

Maoists may have to deposit more arms by thenext week to take the process of the formationof the interim Government to a credibledirection. Prime Minister G P Koirala is likely toraise the issue with Maoist Chief Prachanda inview of mounting concern and doubts at homeand abroad that the quantity registered by the

Maoists with the U N team led by Ian Martinwas far too less compared to what they

have.What the Prime Minister wants,

his key aides say, is that Maoistsshould deposit anywhere between800 to 1000 pieces of weaponsbesides explosives. “Maoistsshould not be averse to doingthat”, Prime Minister Koirala isbelieved to have assuredsome diplomats and visitingdignitaries when they calledon him recently.Registration of only 3000plus arms with the U Ndoes not account fornearly 781 pieces ofweapons which Maoistshad captured fromsecurity agencies duringthe decade of conflictand clashes.

Maoists aresupposedly also to be in

possession of Chineserevolvers and explosives

which they have notdisclosed. “Many killings outside

the incidents of direct clashes havebeen attributed to revolvers. Therecannot be an atmosphere of electionfree from fear and intimidation withoutthe revolvers being registered alongwith explosives”, Minister for PhysicalInfrastructure Planning andConstruction, Gopal Man Shrestha toldnewsfront.

Koirala’s assertion in Biratnagar onSaturday that Maoists must behave toqualify to be part of the InterimGovernment stemmed from hisconfidence and Maoists ‘positive’response about registering more arms,diplomatic sources said.

“There are reasons for Koirala to insistfor this. Prachanda’s recent statementthat palace was plotting to kill someAmerican officials has embarrassed thePrime Minister to the hilt”, a top securityofficial told newsfront, adding, ‘disarming’every group with arms will be the logical

Tougher on armsfirst step before the Government, and Maoistsfall in that category.

Koirala’s return from Biratnagar is likely to seehimself in command of the security agencies .“You should not be surprised if Nepal Army ismobilized in case there is deterioration ofsituation in Terai”, PMO sources said. “Yes,Koirala nearly gave that indication to us when hecomplained about the virtual absence of theGovernment when we met him in Biratnagar”, alocal businessman told newsfront. Koirala alsotold them that he would fire Home Minister K PSitaula in minutes if the Madheshi JanadhikarForum (MJF) leader Upendra Yadav convincedhim that ‘he is in control of the situation andcould stop the movement at will. “I will removehim if Yadav suspends the movement for aweek”, the businessman quoted Koirala.

But MJF is apparently suspecting a foulplay—that the Home Minister is trying to causea split among the Terai forces by engineering anew axis of Maoists, a part of the Congressparty and Nepal Sadhbhavana Party—AnandiDevi in support of the bill moved in parliamentto give more power and representation to theTerai. “This would trigger a dangerous revoltas 47 members belonging to different majorpolitical parties sort of rebelled by defying thewhip in parliament during the voting on the bill”,a MJF leader said.. “If Maoists are brought tothe interim Government without addressing theTerai problem, Government will go ruthlesslyagainst us and that will have far more seriousimpact not only on the law and order situation,but on the integrity of the country”, MJFwarned. ä

Maoists should deposit anywhere between 800 to 1000 pieces of weapons besides explosives

'Interim Government :US vs Norway' on page 2

American Assistant UnderSecretary of State forManagement, Henrietta HFore in Kathmandu

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International Conference on Inter-Country Adoption that beganSunday in Kathmandu takes placeamidst controversies arising fromirregularities and allegedcorruption in adoption of theNepali children by foreignnationals.

The conference takes place inthe wake of France suspending‘adoption’ effective from January2007 in Nepal although thegeneral trend in the past five yearshas noticeably increased.

The conference organizedjointly by the Government of Nepaland the Child NGO Federation,

are intended to encouragetransparency and uniformity in thechild adoption business. UNICEFhopes the conference will lead tothe ratification of The HagueConvention on Inter-Countryadoption and the adoption ofnational laws and mechanisms toregulate in-country and inter-country adoption. Ms. GillianMellsop, UNICEF'sRepresentative in Nepal said thatadoption should always be the lastresort for the child since everychild has the right to know and tobe cared for by his or her ownparents, whenever possible.

Adoptionawareness

Vicki Educational andDevelopment Foundation(VEDEFON) plans to set-upeducational institutions, mainlyschools, in different parts of thecountry while continuing with itscurrent level of involvement in thecapital.

This was announced by theHead of the Foundation, VickiSubirana, during a ScienceExhibition in Nepal KatalubithaSchool, at Manamaiju,Kathmandu. The school which isbeing supported by the foundationfor more than 15 years impartsfree education to children from

socially and economicallybackward families.

Vicki Subirana, Spanish by birthhas prescribed and practiced analternative model of education inthe capital. She said, “...theGovernment will be extending allhelp in spread of this pattern ofeducation which we want tofollow.”

VEDEFON has supportedhostel facilities, skill developmentand micro-finance programmesfor women belonging to backwardgroups apart from supportingschools and informal educationschemes.

Serving theunderprivileged

Another milestonefor Surya NepalSurya Nepal has been conferred with the SA8000-2001 Social Accountability Certification fromDet Norske Veritas (DNV) for this year, based onthe audit carried out by DNV in December 2006.

SA 8000-2001 Social Accountability Certificationis considered as one of the respected standards inSocial Accountability. This is the first time a company in Nepal has beenawarded this certification.

"For Surya Nepal, it is another milestone and a testimony to itsadherence to universal human rights compliance at the workplace, asalso its commitment to social responsibility towards the community inwhich it operates," the company said in a statement.

Surya Nepal has also invested in Corporate Social Responsibilityinitiatives under the banner of Surya Nepal Prakriti for environmentprotection, Surya Nepal Asha for community empowerment, SuryaNepal Suswasthya for community health, and Surya Nepal Khelparyatanfor promoting sports and tourism.

Norway proposesUS disposesä NF Correspondent

The United States clearlydisapproved proposed inclusion of theMaoists in the Interim Governmentwithout confirmed reform in theconduct of the Maoists. The messagewas conveyed in unequivocal termsby the Assistant Under Secretary ofState for Management, Henrietta HFore, when she called on PrimeMinister G P Koirala on Saturday. Sheadded “they do not deservemembership of the coalitionGovernment” if they failed to act likemainstream political party.

The categorical assertion by theUS comes in sharp contrast toNorway’s development minister, EricSolheim, who expressed happinessover the prospect of formation of theinterim Government with Maoistsjoining as part of it. Solheim was inthe capital just before Fore’s visit.Solheim, key broker in the Sri Lankanpeace process, had shown Norway’sinterest to help the process here, ifNepalis wanted it. He had also metthe prime Minister and Maoist ChiefPrachanda during his stay.

Yet another high-profiled visit thatmany thought would have bearing onNepal’s current politics by the UKDevelopment Minister, GarethThomas, scheduled from March 11was however cancelled citing, “urgentparliamentary business” at home.

What Fore said at the end of her twoday visit seems to have put everythingunder shadow. The two trends—continuing failure of Maoists torenounce violence, extortion andintimidation and growing unrest amongdifferent ethnic groups in the country—ifnot resolved, threaten Nepal’sdemocratic process, she told journalistsbefore her return, with AmbassadorJames Moriarty by her side.

She recounted what appeared likea prophetic statement by AssistantSecretary Richard Boucher during hisvisit here last year in reference toMaoist activities-- “… you don’t walkinto Parliament with a gun in yourpocket.” “Sadly – and incredibly – theMaoists recently proved thatstatement wrong”, Fore added, in thecontext of much debated incident of aMaoist parliamentarian walking insidethe House with a gun.

GOOF-UPAnti-American is an acronym foranti-imperialism for Communistsin general and Maoists in Nepalin particular. But teasing themdoes not seem to pay always ifone goes by the predicamentPrachanda faces now.

Like many in the past, hedropped a propaganda missilelast week that palace is hatchinga plot to kill some U SGovernment officials inKathmandu, to put the blame onMaoists. U S AmbassadorMoriarty lost no time to reactand challenged him to revealthe information that he had.

Prachanda, clearly indefensive, said it was strangethat instead of ‘thanking me’; theU S was reacting otherwise.Later, he added, he wascollecting information to justifywhat he said earlier.

Run for a causeThe Nepal Investment Bank Limited is organising the first‘NIBL Annual Marathon 2007’. According to NIBL ChiefExecutive Officer, Prithvi Pandey, the one day eventscheduled on March 17 aims at contributing towardsheritage conservation of Patan Durbar.

The total prize money for the event is Rs. 488,500,the highest prize for a marathon run in the country sofar. It is open for participation for all those who “Runfor Fun”. It covers a maximum of 21-KM stretch, buthas different distances for different categories ofparticipants. All categories begin from NIBL head officeat Durbar Marg.

According to the NIBL sources, Professional, Amateur

Category and Foreigners/Expatriates categories areeligible for participation for the 21-km stretch while LadiesCategory and Financial Institutions Category (Male) will beparticipating for the 10 km stretch. . School Children boysand girls will be participating in the 3 km stretch run. TheHandicapped Category will be participating in the 1 kmroute.

NIBL took the initiative to support Kathmandu ValleyPreservation Trust (KVPT) to raise funds for therestoration and conservation of Patan Durbar. This projectwas selected amongst various others in the WorldMonuments Watch List and UNESCO World HeritageCentre. ä

She said the United States valuedits relationship with Nepal andsupported a peaceful, prosperous,and democratic future for Nepal. “As Itold the Prime Minister earlier today,we stand ready to help”. ä

News

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Maoist Chief Prachanda receiving petition from a villager in DangSh

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ä NF Correspondent

The Government is all set to expeditethe process of third country resettle-ment for the Bhutani refugees living inNepal for the past 15 years. PrimeMinister G P Koirala assured thevisiting U S Assistant Under Secretaryof State for Management, HenriettaH Fore, that the process of thirdcountry settlement should beginimmediately.

The U S has offered to absorb abulk of 60,000 refugees with E U,Scandinavian countries, Switzerlandand Australia taking a sizeable part ofthe remaining 46,000. The greensignal given by the Prime Minister hasnot however found favourableresponse from Shitwal Niwas. “This isa total reversal of all that Nepal stoodfor during the past 15 years. This is anegation of the bilateral ministeriallevel exercise,” a foreign ministryofficial told newsfront.

“Yes, this is indeed a reversal ofour stand,” Dr. Bhekh BahadurThapa, who represented Nepalseveral time in the bilateral discus-sions, told newsfront. The critiques ofthe latest stand of the Government

policy has one common point—thatnot only does it condone Indianapproach of giving its territory forexodus of Bhutanis, but it gives aclean chit to the King of Bhutan forhaving pursued the politics of ‘ethniccleansing’.

The Bhutanese refugees, owingallegiance to their leader TeknathRisal, are opposed to the latestdecision saying it takes away theirrights as a citizen of the country theybelonged to. But the Association ofHuman Rights Activists Bhutan(AHURA) is more critical of theGovernment of Nepal while itsupports the third country resettle-ment. AHURA leader Ratan Gajmerewent to the extent of demanding thatthe Government of Nepal should calloff the bilateral process “as it hasgrossly failed to engage its Bhutanesecounterpart to resolve the refugeeproblem and seek internationalintervention in finding a comprehen-sive solution to the refugee problem.”

Dr. Suresh Chalise, Foreign AffairsAdvisor to Prime Minister Koirala saidNepal Government has consistentlyadvocated for the right of Bhutanirefugees to go back to their country

Bhutan Refugee debate

with their ‘heads high’ and the currentdecision to allow the refugee for athird county settlement did not dilutethat approach. Soon after PrimeMinister Koirala lent the Governmentsupport to the third country resettle-

ment, U S Ambassador James FMoriarty said, "We will, however,continue to push the Bhutanesegovernment for the repatriation.”

Bhutan and Nepal have had 15rounds of talks at the ministerial level

in the past, with Bhutan agreeing totake four categories of Bhutaneseback. “But Bhutan does not need tohonour its commitment with the latestmove of the international community,”a former minister said. ä

Downsizingthe RoyaltyNepal Police is generally slow to respond in containing

crimes or nabbing criminals. But it’s much faster, thanmany think, when it comes to acting out politicalvendetta or appeasing its political masters.

Rajendra Bahadur Singh, an Additional InspectorGeneral of the Police, a victim of Home Minister K PSitaula’s repeated vengeance with the tacit backing ofPrime Minister Koirala, has now moved the SupremeCourt, challenging Government decision to retire him.He is the only police officer denied the two-yearextension on completion of 30 years in the service,which has been granted to every officer during the past11 years.

His miseries have only increased after he challengedthe Government in the court. A posse of police forcevisited his home in Budanilkantha around ten p m withoral instructions from the headquarters that he shouldreturn the official vehicle and three security guards rightthere and then. The normal practice allows a retiredofficial to retain such facilities for a month. “I do notwant to say anything at this stage as I have moved thecourt for justice”, Singh told newsfront.

Singh, Head of the Operation Department andnumber two in seniority in the force until early May, wassuspended from the service at Sitaula’s behest. A letterfrom the Government simply stated that sinceRayamajhi Commission has been appointed to probeexcess use of force by the Government to suppress the

Midnight knockJana-Andolan, Singh’s presence might help intampering with the evidence. But Situala’s first cousin,Basudev Oli who headed the Operation Department ofthe Armed Police Force was not only promoted as theChief but will also be deciding what kind of actionsshould be initiated against his subordinates ‘foundguilty’ by the Commission which has already submittedits report to the Government.

Eye witnesses said the police force which went toSingh’s house also pasted a notice of the HomeMinistry regarding his retirement on the compoundwall. “All that was in a bad taste. It was purely an act ofrevenge by the Home Minister who for some verypersonal reasons always hated Singh and humiliatedhim”, a joint secretary in the Home Ministry toldnewsfront.

The incident created ripples in the canteen of theparliament house building, if not inside. Arjun BahadurSingh, a former Minister, asked Sitaula if that was thelevel a minister should be stooping to. A red facedSitaula said, “I have no idea about the incident ofSingh’s security and official car withdrawn in thatmanner”. Sitaula took out his cell phone, feigned dialingthe number of Home Secretary Umesh Mainali tocorrect the ‘injustice’. But the situation remains as it is.

ä NF Correspondent

The process to assess andcompile details of the privateproperty owned by the king andhis family members has begun.The cabinet committee headed byGopal Man Shrestha sent a noticeto Chief Principal Secretary of theRoyal palace, Pashupati BhaktaMaharjan, on Wednesday tofurnish details of the Royalproperty at the earliest.

The cabinet committee is tofinish its task of submitting detailsof the Royal property within amonth. Subsequent to theparliamentary declaration in May,all income of the Royal propertyhas been brought to the tax net.Besides, the Government hasalready declared to nationalise theproperty which was transferred in

the name of the present king andhis family members after thedeath of King Birendra along withhis entire family in June 2001.

A Senior Government officialtold newsfront that the Govern-ment was also going to downsizethe security and bureaucratic set-up in the palace within the nextcouple of weeks. The strength ofthe army will be cut-down toaround 400 from existing 3,000while most other officials servingin the royal palace secretariatwould either be retired orabsorbed into the Governmentservice. “That will effectively endthe Royal palace service existingas a separate and superiorcadre”, the official added.

ä NF Correspondent

Police Headquarter

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King Gyanendra atPashupatinath

Bhutanese refugees in Pathri camp

Editor & Publisher : Yubaraj GhimireAssociate Editor : Sushma AmatyaDesign: Sunil Khadgi, Kishor Raj Panta & Ramkrishna RanaAddress : PO Box: 8830, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, NepalTel : 4443888, Fax : 4421147 (Edt.), 4411912 (Mkt.), Email: newsfront@bhrikuti.comPrinted by: Express Color, Buddhanagar, Tel.: 4783007, Distribution: Kasthamandap, Tel.: 2010821

12 Mar-18 Mar, 20074 Editorial

Letters

Kiss The EarthWalk and touch peace every moment.Walk and touch happiness every moment.Each step brings a fresh breeze.Each step makes a flower bloom.Kiss the Earth with your feet.Bring the Earth your love and happiness.The Earth will be safewhen we feel safe in ourselves.You Are MeYou are me and I am you.It is obvious that we are inter-are.

You cultivate the flower inyourself so that I will be beautiful.I transform the garbage in myself sothat you do not have to suffer.I support you you support me.I am here to bring you peaceyou are here to bring me joy.

To MeditateTo meditate does not mean to fight with aproblem.To meditate means to observe.

Spiritual Corner

Work for peaceI would like to congratulate Abin for the cartoon in the last

issue. It aptly depicts the ongoing stalemate in the Nepalesepolitical arena. The theme of the last issue was timely,however, the Newsfront team should be cautious on some ofthese aspects.

The Maoists are welcome in the Interim Government andthat is a positive step towards the ongoing peace process. Butpracticing democracy should be based on themesof peaceand principles of co-existence. A Maoist with a gun in theParliament and using threatening language in the Housedoes not show it. On one hand they are showing enthusiasmto enter the Government, on the other hand they are notdoing enough to make people feel secure. Their terrorizingthe lay people doesn't establish their commitment towards thepeace process. Rather, it costs them a lot in their supportpool.

Our efforts now should be to help Maoists see theirmistakes and get them domesticated. But, overemphasizingon their wrongdoings might be viewed as an effort to makethem unpopular in people's eyes. The Newsfront shouldrefrain from that if by any chance it intends to do that. But if itsintentions are to help Maoists develop the culture of politicalendurance, then, you are welcome. Keep writing.

Dr Khagendra DahalKathmandu

Practical paperI find newsfront to be very practical and balanced in giving

space for the features generally ignored by other Nepalimedia. I highly appreciate this approach. The feature on theEvent page on issue 5 -11 Mar, 2007 really resonates theheartbeats of almost all Buddhist communities.

Narayan RijalKathmandu

Important eventThank you very much for publishing one of the highly

important event of the rituals and explanations on one of thevery high level guru, late HE Chobge Trinchen Rinpoche innewsfront. We really appreciate your balanced approachgenerally missed by other publications in Kathmandu. Such

endeavours in the future will certainly upgrade the status ofyour already esteemed publication among the spiritualpractitioners and commoners alike.

Harsh BhandariKathmandu

Good workI was very much impressed by your article 'The Journey

Continues' in your last issue. I have to commend you onpublishing the news about the cremation ceremony of H.E.Chobge Trichen Rinpoche. You've published a very wellwritten article on a subject and about a minority that isgenerally sidelined.

Binaya RanaKathmandu

Appreciable interviewThe interview with Maoist leader Prachanda by the duo

journalists, Shyam Tekwani and Ang Peng Hwa is quiteinteresting in the sense it has explored a different angle thansome of his other interviews published, broadcast and telecastfocusing only on political developments of the country.

This is one of the inspiring interviews that I have gonethrough which focused on technological and infrastructuraldevelopment strategy of Maoists in ‘New Nepal’. But therepetition time and again by the Maoist leaders of thestructure of New Nepal and election of Constituent Assemblyis unbelievable.

Due to their continued intimidation, riots and terror, theMaoists are hindering the peace process. It would be betterfor them to stop violence instead of just big talks.

Unless and until they are deeply concerned about politicalresolution of problems of all dissatisfied voices, real changesand restructured new Nepal is not possible. I expect somenew ideas that may help political leaders to correctthemselves.

Binod PathakKathmandu

Respectpeople’srights

Formation of the interim Government with Maoists as arespectable partner will be the best guarantee for the peaceprocess to move towards the desired direction. Prachanda’sassurance that they will soon return the property that the Maoistsseized forcibly, to the rightful owners is no doubt a positivestatement. But it sounds too good to be true. Given repeated non-compliance of such assurances in the past, it will now be believedonly when accompanied by verifiable action.

Unfortunately, Prachanda and the Maoists, like any existingpolitical parties in the country are fast losing their credibilitythrough repeated violations of the code of conduct and by usingarms to terrorise political rivals and ordinary citizens of this country.The way Maoists confiscated private property was illegal as therewas no due process of law or legality applied. It was all done atthe gun-point without the victims even getting a chance to respondin the Maoist run Kangaroo court which purely runs on the dictatesof the political and guerrilla leadership of the organisation.

In fact, returning the property should have been the first step, orthe first evidence that Maoists would now begin to honour the ruleof law. No party should enjoy the luxury of having private securityapparatus, private army and privately set-up parameters of lawand yet seek to join the Government on its own terms.

Any Government should be free to make laws which will haveeffect on distribution, relocation and ownership of property andresources after invoking a national debate and fully involving ademocratically elected parliament.

The first thing that the Maoists need to do at the moment isqualify itself to be part of the interim Government. To do that, ithas to shun violence, truthfully deposit arms to the United Nationsand return the property it has confiscated. That will pave the wayfor Maoists seeking mandate from the people in a free and fairmanner during the election to the Constituent Assembly.

It also needs to desist from realizing tax when a huge sum ofmoney contributed by the taxpayers and donors is being spent onthe Maoist guerrillas. Prachanda’s claim that this would stop themoment they are part of the interim Government only exposes hisattitude of taking the people for a ride. If Maoists are not willing tohonour the code of conduct all these months, will they becomehonest just by joining the interim Government? One sidedimpunity and liberty to break the public pledge will not onlydiscredit the Maoists but the entire peace process will run the riskof being held in hostage. On the other hand, it is also anopportunity for the Maoists to dispel growing doubts over theirintentions by simply returning the property to the rightful ownersand begin acting within legal and moral parameters of politics aswell as peace process.

- slowly, evenly, withoutrushing toward the future;Live the actual moment.Only this moment is life.

Be A BudBe a bud sitting quietly onthe hedge.Be a smile, one part of wondrous existence.Stand here. There is no need to depart.

Poems by Thich Nhat Hahn

Letters to the Editor should be addressed to:newsfront@bhrikuti.com

Your smile proves it.It proves that you are being gentle with yourself,that the sun of awareness is shining in you,that you have control of your situation.You are yourself,and you have acquired some peace.

Drink Your TeaDrink your tea slowly and reverently,as if it is the axison which the world earth revolves

512 Mar-18 Mar, 2007Debating Development

Although the election to the CA is central to thepeace process and impending state restructuring,there is much confusion as to what exactly the CAentails and how it is going to make Nepal a betterdemocracy and a stable state. Even more disturb-ingly while much debate on the nature, structureand function of the CA remain far from elabora-tive and discursive; the election of the CA itself hasbecome a major impediment to the peace pro-cess as illustrated by the serious objections raisedby Janajatis (ethnics) and Madhesis (regional iden-tity). Both groups want aproportional representa-tion (PR) system in the election to the ConstituentAssembly election which is seen as the best alter-native to the perceived failure of first past the postmode of winner takes all electioneering in the past.

The social inclusion of various ethnic and disad-vantaged groups in the national political main-stream strongly advocated by the Maoists as oneof their agenda to launch the 'people'swar' against the Nepali state is tied tothe PR in the polity. This politicalagenda of Maoists has graduated intothe national agenda of state transfor-mation where there appears to bethe conventional wisdom on PR asthe best mode of election to the Constituent As-sembly.

However there again remains much confu-sion, disinformation and general ignorance onthe nature, structure and essence of election-eering and its consequential impact on the con-stitutional engineering. In this scenario, the re-cent violent protests in Terai surrounding the callfor amendment to the interim Interim Constitu-tion of Nepal (ICoN) 2007 appears not only tragicbut also clearly avoidable, had there been a vig-orous discourse on the electioneering and con-stitutional engineering.

Unfortunately, however, the Constituent Assem-bly is being preempted by ad-hoc political bar-gaining that is appearing to reduce it to the Con-stitutional Convention. The directly elected assem-bly of people, on whom the sovereignty is vested,alone has democratic legitimacy to define andstructure a polity. As such, the role of ConstituentAssembly is much more expansive and intense

than the comparatively less democratic Constitu-tional Convention, which is basically a political ar-rangement.

Current interim legislature, installed without elec-tion is product of political bargaining between thepower sharing coalition members alone. In its ex-pansive role it may have been called a Constitu-tional Convention. However, even that imminentrole was denied in the absence of a wider debateamong the legislative members before the pro-mulgation of ICoN 2007.

The intensity of political bargaining and readyamendments of ICoN 2007, as is being done onthe pressure of dangerously ethno-populist agen-das opens it to even more political manipulation,ultimately undoing the very purpose of the consti-tution itself which is to constitute a framework ofgovernance. The de-constitution and un-governability goes in tandem, as is being witnessedin the present scenario.

This double helix of downward spiral if not abet-ted leads to anarchy, which is what the currentscenario is giving hints of, with almost incessantshutdown and general strikes. The logical courseof action then is to gear towards holding CA elec-tion and let the most legitimate and democraticapparatus of state building decide its own polity.

It is worth noting that the electioneering pro-cess alone does not make a polity more represen-tative of its constituents. More importantly, the elec-tioneering, being the product of deliberate design,churns out the result, however it is intended to be.

Hence, PR system of election may very well berelatively more representative than the direct elec-tion, but it is very pre-requisite that the merits anddemerits of PR be transparently made availableto people.

On the positive note, the PR system, makespossible the representation of minority vote countand provides an excellent design for both inter-party and intra-party democratic competition.However, on a very adversarial role for inclusiveand egalitarian democracy; it not only perpetu-ates the social schisms, but also deepens it espe-cially if the voting is based on identity. On purelydemocratic perspective of popular choice, it alsonegates the possibility of the election of a moremoderate and inclusive candidate with appeal tothe broad based constituents.

So the focus ought to be on the objective ofstate transformation: what kind of Nepal is to be

re-structured into? Is it the objec-tive of the political forces to even-tually coalesce and congeal a col-lective state identity? Or, is it toperpetuate the exclusionary poli-tics of identity? The last questionhas acquired much purchase in

the political discourse recently, albeit in inversion.The agenda of social inclusion is unfortunatelybeing pushed through the politics of identity, whichis inherently exclusive in character. While positivediscrimination is an aspect of mainstreaming iden-tities; on its adversarial role, it makes the politics ofidentity more assertive and inclined towards radi-calism.

In this scenario, the pre-determination of a Fed-eral State based on identity alone without muchpopular deliberation shows ample political oppor-tunism and a complete lack of political pragmatismrequired for state building. Succumbing to the tran-sitional populist politics of identity most of whichare almost always of political origin and not a settledone is rendering CA, if and when it is elected, amere Constitutional convention of present coali-tion forces. Not an assembly of Sovereign con-stituents, as is aspired.

(Mishra is a young social scientist. He can bereached at: a.mishra@warwick.ac.uk)

no harbinger of peacePopulist politics

Unfortunately, theConstituent

Assembly is beingpreempted by ad-hocpolitical bargainingthat is appearingto reduce it to the

ConstitutionalConvention.

ä Anuj Mishra

The focus ought to be on the objective ofstate transformation: what kind of Nepal isto be re-structured into?

Political parties' represantatives with Election Commission officials

Chief Election CommissionerBhojraj Pokhrel

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Kathm6 12 Mar-18 Mar, 2007

lar areas of the capital only. Armed criminalsbroke in a house at Tahachal around 4 A Mlast month, took what they wanted to and leftwith a warning they'd come back after a fewdays to collect a certain amount of money.Another family in Naya Baneswor wasshocked to find their house ripped apart andeverything of value taken away when theycame back from a trip. This incident occurredaround three months ago. The incidents were

reported to the police but the culprits are stillat large.

The sharp rise in the crime rate contradictsthe claims of the Police Chief and the HomeMinister that the crime rate is on decline in thecapital.

“Is it a political crime? That’s what we try toanalyse as soon as we get any information,” aPolice DIG told newsfront, adding, “if it's

Crime H'the most unsafe capital in th

suspected that Maoists are remotely involved init, we keep our hands off”. He narrated a seriesof instances in which the Home Minister directlyinstructed the Police Chief, that nothing 'thatwould hamper the peace process should bedone', even if that meant turning a blind eye tothe crimes; and the message was relayed downthe police ranks.

“It is only but natural for criminals feel a bitsafe during the transition phase and the crime

trend here is not unusual,” said Dhak BahadurKarki, Superintendent of Police, Kathmandu. Butthis certainly comes as no assurance to thevictims of the crimes.

“In any civilised country ruled by democracy,children's safety and right to education shouldget the top most priority. If the Government isnot able to save children from being traumatisedand bullied right in front of the school, no one

will feel safe,” said Deep Prakash Pande,Secretary of the Swastha Sikshya Abhiyan, avoluntary organization.

Given the increasing sense of insecurity inthe capital, U N and some diplomatic missionsare even believed to have unofficially discussedhow safe it is to have their family membersliving in the country. “We have not yet decidedanything about it, but safety of our familymembers is certainly uppermost in our mindand we may have to take appropriate decisionsif the crime rate continues at this speed,” a UNofficial said.

Physical attack and extortion are two verycommon modus operandi in cases whereMaoists and mafia groups are involved. “Wecannot possibly check crimes unless Maoistsstop these activities since that will make surethat those continuing to commit crimes are withno political links,” said the DIG who wished toremain unidentified.

Doctors, school operators, business personsand retired bureaucrats seem to be the targetsof both groups, according to the informationavailable from the crime investigation depart-ment.

Information available suggests there hasbeen a sharp rise in such cases especiallyduring the past four months. And there are stillmany more cases which have gone unreported,

The sharp risein the crime ratecontradicts theclaims of thePolice Chief andthe Home Minis-ter that thecrime rate is ondecline in thecapital

ä Special Correspondent

On Friday, a group of 20 Maoists warned theprincipal of St.Xavier’s school in Jawalakhel thatif he did not close the school for the day, hewould have to pay a heavy price. Since takingthe risk involved the security of hundreds ofstudents, the school had no option but to shutdown and the traumatised children, witness tothe strength of muscles, had no option but to gohome.

Though Maoists at the moment could beconsidered a breed above the law, they arenot the only contributors to capital’s crimegraph. There are others too. Evidencesuggests the police are either demoralized orindifferent to crimes leaving the field open tothe criminals.

Recently, a police at Bouddha expressed hishelplessness to a television journalist and said allhis belongings were looted by a group ofcriminals. He advised, “please tackle thesituation carefully." Armed intruders attempted aday light robbery at the residence of KulshekharSharma, former Chief Secretary, at BaneshwarHeights on Wednesday. They fled the sceneafter someone raised alarm in the neighbor-hood. At least one of the three intruders carrieda pistol.

Such incidents are not confined to particu-

Physical attack and extortion are two very commonmodus operandi in cases where Maoists and mafiagroups are involved. “We cannot possibly checkcrimes unless Maoists stop these activities since thatwill make sure that those continuing to commit crimesare with no political links,” says a senior police officer

Autolifting on the risein capital

Pix

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712 Mar-18 Mar, 2007mandu

ä Rajen Wasti

The most worrying concern of all Nepalistoday is that the State is failing in itsresponsibility of protecting the lives andproperties of its citizens. Nepal Police hasbeen paralyzed and in a way made aplayground of political parties under thecaptaincy of the Home Minister himself. Thelow morale of the police force hit by the tenyear long conflict has not been looked intoby the Government and there has not beenany effort to address the concerns of NepalPolice.

In the name of promoting peace process,national law enforcement has become anabsolute casualty, but this has hardlybothered the Home Minister. On thecontrary he doesn’t want any action takenagainst the Maoists who committed crimesin the past. His explanation is that, doing socould derail the peace process. Thus, nopolice is allowed to arrest Maoists if theycommit crimes like freely attacking others,looting, killing and displaying weapons inpublic. In this manner, the law enforcementmechanism has not only been demoralizedfurther but been rendered totally useless.

The incumbent Home Minister hasfocused his attention not on strengtheninglaw and order situation but on humiliatingand de-motivating the law enforcementapparatus in the name of promoting peaceprocess. In the whole history of NepalPolice, this Minister takes the cake forundermining the institution and destabilisingit to this degree. He has violated theestablished procedures and broken up thesystem of career development andproportional placement of police officers. Hepromoted junior officers who were close tohis party again with utter disregard to theestablished organizational norms andpractice.

The security officers who found weaponson frisking the body-guards of Maoistsmembers of parliament were taken actionagainst and were immediately removed fromtheir duty by the command of the HomeMinister. This is just one of the manyexamples of how the Minister has beenexploiting his position. When one of themembers of the parliament from the Maoistsparty was found carrying a gun in the House,law enforcement failed to take any action.Home minister again interfered and heldback the police from taking any action.

When Maoist cadres marched with arms inUdayapur in uniform, the law enforcementsimply reported to their upper echelon andwas compelled to stand by and watch. Whenthey badly tortured and beat up Microbusworkers in their office in Kupandol, Lalitpurthere again was no action from the State.The Home Minister then simply declared,"peace process might derail if you take actionagainst the Maoists for violating the rule oflaw."

This makes you wonder, peace at whatcost and whether it is peace at all. Peopletoday are living under the shadow intimida-tion and terror of the Maoists. Police officersare humiliated by the Maoists cadres indistricts and villages. Maoists force them toleave their posts in villages if their presencedoesn’t help them in anyway. These are justsome instances of how law enforcement isan absolute failure today.

The Inspector General, also under theMinister's thumb is unable to raise any issueswith the Home Minister. Sycophancy,breaking rules, manipulation of power is justone of the few ways how the Minister and hiscohorts are functioning today. Due to thechaos reigning, thousands of trained lawenforcement officers are left without adirection and minus genuine leadership atthe centre.

And this has led to further deterioration oflaw and order situation in the country. Crimerates have gone up by leaps and bounds.Gun running is a very common phenomenonin Kathmandu now. House breaking andlooting is rampant. A top ex general’s housewas looted at gun point in Kathmandurecently. This just goes to show how helplessordinary citizens must be and how insecurethey must be feeling in such an environment.

The local law enforcement managers arenot held accountable for failing to bring tobook the perpetrators of crime. In the name ofpromoting peace process, law enforcementhas been forced to compromise itself to sucha pitiful state. It is a mockery of law and orderin the country going by the numbers ofextortions and looting taking place regularly inthe valley and elsewhere. The public who wellknow how useless the law and order systemof the country has become, do not evenbother to report such crimes, out of fear ofreprisal from the perpetrators of crimes. Thisincreasing anarchy in the country spells outloud and clear, the failure of the Governmentwhich just cannot escape the responsibility ofprotecting its citizens. Talks of constitutionalassembly polls in such a situation appear sucha farce, a pipe dream. ä

(Wasti is a security analyst)

Mocking lawand order

Havene SAARC region'

partly because of threats from the criminalgroups and partly because people no longerhave faith in the police. Others view this situationas a political tool in the hands of the HomeMinister. “We feel handicapped at times becauseof lack of physical infrastructure and professionaltraining,” said S P Karki.

Many insiders openly state that absence ofinspiring leadership, too much political interfer-ence and resulting demoralisation makes reformin the police institution almost impossible.Political interference in the recent days,especially regarding promotion, transfer andunjust denial of opportunities to many deservingcandidates seem to be the root causes behindthe apathetic condition in the police force. As aresult, Kathmandu moves fast forward toclaiming the title of, 'the most unsafe capital inthe SAARC region'. ä

People today are living under the shadowintimidation and terror of the Maoists

Police feels handicapped at timesbecause of lack of physical infrastruc-

ture and professional training

12 Mar-18 Mar, 20078 Profile

ä NF Correspondent

Not being able to walk and beingconfined to a wheelchair did not deterAmrit Ratna Shakya, 41, fromstanding on his own feet and provethat a physically challenged personcan be an independent person whocan contribute to the society. At theage of three when polio affected himand he lost use of both his legs, hebegan to experience ridicule anddiscrimination from family membersand others alike. “I was merelytolerated and never encouraged bypeople around me. To spend on mewas considered a waste of moneyand time,” said Amrit. With unflaggingspirit, he persevered to completeclass ten and did one year course in

stitching. Armed with two sewingmachines, he began polishing his skilland then decided to teach. “I stillrecall how excited I was when I firstowned an electric machine that Icould operate with ease,” he saidrecalling his days of struggle.

Today, 15 years down the line, heowns 20 sewing machines and has200 students coming in at differentshifts throughout the day, from sevenin the morning to eight at night. TheA.R. Fashion Design & SewingInstitute that he heads in ShreeDurbar Tole, Lalitpur, today has arecord of having taught around50,000 students till date wherestudents learn cutting, drafting, andstitching clothes and to create otherdecorative items. Amrit updates

himself constantly on current fashiontrends through the Internet and isquick to adapt his curriculumaccordingly.

Supported by a loving wife, he is afather of a teenage son. Brimming withconfidence, he has no qualmsadmitting how inferiority complex usedto plague him and how miserable heused to feel when friends and othersalike used to mock him and takeadvantage of his disability. Reviewinghis life that has been full of adversity,he remarked that when he washelpless he was someone to beashamed of but today he is the onewho takes care of his joint family. “Nowthe elders in my family do not worryabout me but they worry about theable ones. And my friends marvel at

what I've managed to achieve. Somepeople find it difficult to believe that aperson in wheelchair can do what I'vebeen doing", he said this without atrace of arrogance.

Amrit is also the chairman of SaririkApang Sanstha (Institute forphysically challenged) that fights forthe rights of the physically challengedand strives to create awarenessabout it in the society. “Havingsuffered a lot myself, I wish to dosomething for those who aresuffering similarly. It pains me to seethe discrimination that I faced as achild still exists today. Parents ofphysically disabled children areashamed of them and tuck themaway in invisible institutions. Theysend their able children to good

schools but try and find cheapestones for the disabled ones. This is notfair and I wish to change this attitudethat is so common in this society.”

Amrit strongly advocates believing inyourself no matter how difficult thecircumstances might be and not givingup until you achieve what you set outto do. “I’ve realized it is much better tostruggle and do it on your own thanhope or wait for outside support,” saidthe self made man sitting tall anddignified in his chair. Sky being the limitwhen one is willing to work that hard,he aspires to open a fashion institute infuture. Having learned to accepthimself as he is, he is a happy persontoday and free from the opinion ofcensorious society he was a part ofbefore he found himself. ä

Post-RevolutionaryRolpa

ä Keith D. Leslie

Rural Nepal has an amazing quality of notchanging even as the world transformsaround it.

I am back from a short trip to Liwang,where the Maoists had their capital duringthe conflict. The eight hour ride on dirt roadsthrough Dang and Pyuthan districts withviews of winter wheat along the Rapti Riverwere breath-taking. Snow fell as we crossedthe forested 1800 m. pass above Liwang. Nepal Army outposts surrounded by barbedwire sat sullenly on steep hillocks whilepolicemen at a newly established check-pointwarmly welcomed us to Rolpa.

As we entered town, a familiar crimsonhammer & sickle flag fluttered above the localbasketball court. Inspirational images ofchildren in peaceful marches were paintedon walls below which Magar womencrouched patiently on the damp groundselling their Dokos of oranges.

For all of the past promises, LiwangBazaar appeared no different from what it

had been for before this People's War. Rough,isolated poverty in a setting of remote beauty,the town appeared quite benign, quiet actually,more like a mountain bus stop than the center ofa resurgent communist showplace.

The ironies pre-dominate. For all of therhetoric of Maoist commitments, the health,sanitation & education facilities appearedunchanged. For all of the past governments'antipathy to the Maoists, their offices remainedopen in Liwang throughout the war. Thereappears to have been a mutual agreement thatthe army would not strike the Maoist strongholdwhile the Maoists would not attack theGovernment offices in Liwang.

Little there was on the surface to imply thatthe politics of Nepal has revolved around therevolutionary fervor of this distant district for thepast decade.

Yet, these appearances were also deceiving,as so much appears to be these days in Nepal. Although there were no high-profile signs of theMaoist presence in Liwang, their influence in thedistrict appears to be quite pervasive after tenyears of armed struggle.

Behind the softer national image beingcultivated in Kathmandu, the local civil societyand political leaders we met were united in theircommon concern that although the structure ofthe Maoist local governance had begun to be

dismantled, their party people were still in thevillages carrying on through intimidation as theyhad often before.

They had been told by one local Maoist partycadre that "the war is not over, we're juststopping for awhile". They said that some of thePLA soldiers who had been in the district beforeare still there -- just without their uniforms orvisible weapons.

The Comprehensive Peace Accord, we weretold, had not yet been internalised by the Maoistcadre, nor been widely understood by most ofthe people living out in these remote villages. Intruth, there had been little public disseminationof this key national peace document by thegovernment, the political parties, the humanrights activists or the international developmentcommunity. It had been signed in Kathmanduand mostly left on the table there.

These local Rolpalis explained to us that ofthe 51 Village Development Committees in thedistrict, the police are only permitted in 7-8. Inthe rest, the Maoist say, the villagers don't wantthem to return. Of course, if it's the peoplethemselves or the Maoist cadre, no one canlegitimately say. All they said is that in thepresent circumstances, although the localpolitical situation is slowly getting bettercompared to the conflict years, there are not yetthe necessary conditions for a 'free and fair'

election. Nor do they think that thisenvironment can be created before the June2007 deadline that has been set.

They shrugged their collective shouldersand said, "Would our distant national partyleaders listen to us?" One person said that "ifthe Maoists don't publicly agree to postponethe planned elections, then a return toconflict was a very real possibility." Clearly,the Seven Party Alliance couldn't make thiscrucial decision alone.

Not a very encouraging election scenarioin the hinterlands. In some ways, ratherconcerning, especially since none of themajor parties or leaders has yetacknowledged that a bad election in Junewould be worse than a postponed election. But there are only three months before thistryst with destiny for the Nepali people toelect their representatives. Not much time inany country. Particularly, not much time in acountry like Nepal with a cultural and physicallandscape that slows down, as much as itsanctifies, the natural world around us.

Clearly, there are a few uncertaintiesahead, not just out in the isolated Maoisthamlet of Liwang, Rolpa, but for the long-awaited and often promised new Nepal.

(Keith D. Leslie is the Sr. Human Rights Advisorbased at the National Human Rights Commission.)

Conquering

fateHaving learned to accept himself as he is, Amrit Ratna

Shakya, 41, is a happy person today

Bhas

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A villagein Rolpa Bh

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912 Mar-18 Mar, 2007From the region

Look who’spraising Hu

ä TRACIE ROZHON

Seattle: Not since the Victorian age of starched sheets andstarchy manners, builders and architects say, have there beenso many orders for separate bedrooms. Or separate sleepingnooks. Or his-and-her wings. In interviews, couples andsociologists say that often it has nothing to do with sex. Morelikely, it has to do with snoring. Or with children crying. Or withgetting up and heading for the gym at 5:30 in the morning. Orwith sending e-mail until well after midnight.

In a survey in February by the National Association of HomeBuilders, builders and architects predicted that more than 60 percent of custom houses would have dual master bedrooms by

2015, according to GopalAhluwalia, staff vicepresident of research atthe builders association.Some builders say morethan a quarter of theirnew projects already do.

According to theNational Sleep Foundationin Washington, 75 percent of adults frequentlyeither wake up in the nightor snore—and many ofthem have taken toseparate beds just forthose reasons.

The move to separatesleeping spaces is yetanother manifestation ofchanging marital patterns.

“Couples today are writing their own script, rewriting how tohave a marriage,” said Pamela J Smock, a University ofMichigan sociologist. “The growing need for separate bedroomsalso represents the speed-up of family life— women’s roles havechanged—and the need for extra space eases the strain on therelationship. ”

Nevertheless, Professor Smock said husbands were lesswilling to change familiar patterns. “Men are supposed to beone, dominant, and two, sexual,” she said. “Their wives might bethrilled to have their own bedroom, and see it as a romanticthing—going back to their romance, going back to dating, tointimacy, but the husband might not see it that way.

No matter what the reasons, architects and builders say theyknow enough not to call them “master” bedrooms anymore.

“Women are buying more homes, and women are sensitive tothat terminology of the ‘master suite,’ and they’re opting for theterm ‘owners’ suite,’ “said Barbara Slavkin, an interior designerin St Louis.

St Louis couple the Peppers agree: separate bedrooms haveadded spice to their relationship. “It’s more exciting,” Mrs Peppersaid, “when you can say: ‘Your room or mine?’

(New York Times)

Sleepwell,separately!Separate sleeping spaces is anothermanifestation of changing marital patterns

ä Suresh Khatta

MCLEODGANJ:The Dalai Lama onSunday sought to bridge a verydifficult emotional gap forTibetans when he praised ChinesePresident Hu Jintao in hisstatement on the anniversary ofUprising Day, sending a clearsignal that he is willing to lookahead without letting the pastcome in the way.

“President Hu Jintao’scontinued call for a harmonioussociety is laudable. The basis forthe realization of such a society isto foster trust among the people,which can take place when there isfreedom of expression, truth,justice and equality. Therefore, it isimportant that officials at all levelsnot only take heed, but alsoimplement these principles,” saidthe Spiritual Leader of theTibetans in his statement issuedon the occasion of the 48thanniversary of the Tibetanpeople’s uprising.

The Dalai Lama has been moreopen to talks on regionalautonomy and engaging theChinese leadership towards apeaceful solution. But in praising

Hu, he has sent out a verysignificant message. Hu is regardedby Tibetans as the most ruthlessadministrator of the TibetAutonomous Region. As PartySecretary in the region between1988 and 1992, he is said to havecome down very hard on Tibetanprotests.

Tibetans in-exile claim that near400 peaceful Tibetan protestors werekilled by Chinese forces in a span ofthree days in the early part of histenure. He quelled the rebellion andthat is said to have earned himrecognition among the CommunistParty ranks. Deng Xiaoping thenidentified him to be groomed asJiang Zemin’s successor.

In this backdrop, the Dalai Lamahas travelled a fair distancethrough this statement. It may berecalled that Tibetans came out itlarge numbers to protest Hu’s visitlast year to India.

Expressing concern over the“vilification campaign” launched bythe Chinese regime against hispeople, the Dalai Lama said not allthe recent changes in China werenegative.

“In 2006 we witnessed bothpositive and negative changes in

the People’s Republic of China. Onthe one hand, the hardline positionwas intensified with a campaign ofvilification against us, and moredisquietingly, there was heightenedpolitical restriction and repressionin Tibet. But on the other hand, inChina itself, we saw someimprovement with regard to thefreedom of expression,” he said.

He said there was growing beliefin religion in general, and TibetanBuddhism in particular, and thatthere were many who wanted him tomake a pilgrimage to China andpreach there.

Maintaining that the Tibet issuecould be resolved through dialogue,the Dalai Lama said the Tibetansand their government-in-exile hadadopted a “middle path approach”which would address the immediateand long-term interests of bothTibetans and Chinese.

“In the five rounds of talks with theChinese that have taken place since2002, both sides were able to expressin clear terms the suspicions, doubtsand real difficulties,” he said. “Theserounds have helped create a channelof communication between the twosides.”

(The Indian Express)

According to theNational SleepFoundation inWashington, 75per cent of adultsfrequently eitherwake up in thenight or snore—and many of themhave taken toseparate beds justfor those reasons.

10 12 Mar-18 Mar, 2007 Perspectives

Nepali Diaspora

ä Neeraj Pradhan

If you take the "N/R" trains on the NYCsubway out to Queens far enough, you'll popout from under the East River and get agreat view of the Midtown skyline. If you stayon further, these trains will eventually leadyou to two true gems of New York, JacksonHeights and Astoria.

Queens, one of the five boroughs thatmake up the city of New York, is verydifferent from what most people come topicture the city of New York as. There aren'tmany glass skyscrapers, opulent galleries orexotic museums there, nor are there manyparticular landmarks that strike thenewcomer visually. In fact, many of thebuildings are of a drab earthy color. Brickand concrete make up most of thestructures, and more often than not, grimy

old flyers and posters line street sides andlampposts.

This begs the question: Why on earth wouldpeople want to visit there or for that matter livethere? Yes, the architecture in Queens is not thegreatest in the city, but what this section of thetown lacks with its pedestrian and banal skyline,it makes up with its diversity and culture. Indeed,the array of variety that this segment of the cityprovides is what makes the Queens experienceso unique, even by New York's standards.

When you step off of the subway in Astoria orJackson Heights, you feel as though you're in adifferent country. Whether you hear immigrantsspeaking in Arabic or Punjabi, see signs in Hindi,or hear Jamaican music, you are immediatelyforced to reckon with the maxim that there is nounique New Yorker or American cultural identity.

The textures of different sounds thatpermeate through Queens might seem as

though they'd be dissonant. Surely a mélange ofsuch drastically different backgrounds would bedifficult to assimilate and harmonise?

Wrong. You see people of radically differentstock, together. Whether it be a Korean grocerystore sharing a stoop with the Pakistani one, orthe Vietnamese barber shop balancing atopother mom-and-pop stores by the subway. Yousee people from different countries in a newcountry doing what they do, doing it the bestthey can.

I can attest to the authenticity of the Queensexperience. I've eaten Indian food in Indiabefore, and the food in Delhi can't compare withsome of the restaurants in Jackson Heights.Granted, I haven't traveled around Indiaextensively. However, when in Jackson Heights,the food, stores and the company give thestreets of the locals all the legitimacy and culturalidentity that any of the main thoroughfares in

Delhi would have.I didn't discover the grandeur of these

enclaves until I'd lived in New York for awhile. The tour books guides might mentionthat Queens is worth checking out, but whohas the time or the patience for Queenswhen there are much more pressing, urgentthings to see like the Plaza, Broadway or theGuggenheim? The charm that Queens has tooffer is not immediate. It doesn't flash in frontof you, jump up and down or sing you amusical number. It's only something that youcan appreciate after having gone a few times.

All this tucked away, out of sight for mostvisitors and newcomers to the city notacquainted with the corners of Queens.There isn't much glamour in there, butthere's a whole lot more than meets the eye.

(Neeraj is a student and currently lives insouthern California.)

Queens Magic

Nepal is at the crossroads of changein need of new vision, newinstitutional arrangement andcommitment. Changes in the conduct,action and behaviour of politicalparties, judiciary, security andbureaucracy are preconditions formaterialising the much anticipatedchanges in Nepal. In this context,understanding the role of securitysector reform (SSR) is vital to meetthe new challenges.

Security sector is one of thefundamental pillars of any state and ithas particular importance in the postconflict situation. SSR is a commonconcept globally used in the post-conflict literatures. It is a process ofreforming the organizations havinglegitimate authority to use or orderthe use of force such as police, army,paramilitary, local security units,intelligence and other legally definedarrangements. Changing roles,responsibilities and actions of securityactors consistent with democraticnorms, values and principles of goodgovernance are some of the basicelements of SSR, which Nepaldesperately needs at present.

Fundamental principles of SSR arecivilian control and parliamentaryoversight of security organisations,

right sizing, modernisation of securityforces, respecting rule of law andfacilitating transition to peace. The aimof SSR is to strengthen the democraticstates and institutions based on rule oflaw. It is a concept of reforming theshortcomings and weaknesses of theexisting security sector with new visionand neutrality that demands honestcommitments and impartiality fromboth civilian government and securityprofessionals.

Appropriate trainings - both militaryand human rights, capacity buildingand technical competence,mainstreaming security issues intodevelopment policy and programmes,delicate balance betweenconfidentiality and transparency,strong co-ordination and operationalmechanisms, relationship betweenmilitary and civilian, building publicawareness, strengtheningconstitutional and legal frameworks,periodic review of performance ofsecurity sector and strengthening ofindependent oversight mechanisms(e.g., public complaint bodies likehuman rights commission, auditorgeneral, legislative and judicial bodies,etc.) are some of the importantelements of SSR that Nepal needs topromote.

SSR is not only related to securityaspects but also with social, political,economic, international anddevelopment issues. It therefore has toaddress policy, legislative, internationalrelations; structural and oversightissues set within standard democraticprinciples and values. The classicalsecurity approach mainly focuses onlegal monopoly to use the securityinstruments and security force forsafeguarding people and nationalsecurity specifically to defend againstexternal threats. This conventionalstate-centric approach of securityoperation is narrow and ignoresmodern notion of security that relateswith holistic framework of humanrights, livelihood security,environmental security, energysecurity; in other words, broaderhuman security with peoples’ rights fordignified life. Hence, democraticgovernance is a central element ofSSR, which is so far seriously lackingin Nepal.

The clause 4.7 of the section four ofthe Comprehensive Peace Accord hasmentioned the democratization ofNepal army and the Article 144 (3 and4) of the Interim Constitution hasstated similar provisions. This meansthat the new political context has

envisioned restructuring of the existingarmy structures. However, neither theComprehensive Peace Accord nor theInterim Constitution is able to visualizethe comprehensive need of SSRwhich includes holistic approach, i.e.,developing national security policy (bycomplementing international relations,defence policy, economic policy andestablishing a supreme and powerfulnational security council), reformingstate’s intelligence, restructuring army,civilian police, armed police force andother security apparatus. Isolatedefforts on restructuring of onecomponent of security sector alonecannot produce expected results andtherefore the need to opt for holisticapproach.

Often the need of SSR arises fromtransition from war to peace,fundamental political changes in acountry and unanticipated securityrelated crisis. In any of these situations,important interrelated elements areeconomic, political, security context,international relation policy and nationaldefence policy of a country. Whileproceeding for the SSR, Nepal needsto perform step by step actions: firstly,including analysing security sector(prioritising core needs and challenges,identifying weaknesses and constraints

of security sector, and exploringopportunities and potentials). Secondstep is the formulation of new policy andinstitutional and legislative frameworkbased on the identified opportunitiesand potentials. And the third is toinclude translation of new policy,institutional arrangement and legislativeframework into action.

To meet the expectations of staterestructuring of Nepalese peoplerequires fundamental reforms ofsecurity sector based on redefiningexisting security policy interwovenwith the defence, international andeconomic policy and human rightsstandards; social justice and goodgovernance framework andrecognition of Nepalese people as theultimate source of power. Hence, thenew security policy of Nepal shouldnot be limited to conventional securityparadigm practiced by this countryand should cover the new paradigmthat includes national defence,international relation, territorialsecurity, human security,environmental security, livelihoodsecurity and energy security. Thismeans that SSR has also toincorporate good governanceframework, economic anddevelopment policy of the state. ä

Need ofSecurity Sector

Reform

ä Dr. Bishnu Raj Upreti

The new security policy of Nepalshould not be limited toconventional security paradigmpracticed by this country and shouldcover the new paradigm

The food in Delhi can't compare with some of the Indian restaurants in Jackson Heights

Bhas

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Horse ride show by Army Personnel during Ghode Jatra

1112 Mar-18 Mar, 2007Art & Society

ä Sushma Amatya

Insight

Not beyondredemption

A Nepali lady was not taken abackwhen a man she was introduced toat a party, after she introducedherself as a Sherpa, said, "Howmany kilos of weight can you liftwhen trekking?" Her reply was acool, "As much as you weigh," thatgot the man to shut up. This andother similar remarks towardsNepalis reek of preconceivednotions and disparaging attitude.

Most Nepalis, including myselfhave been irked by unwantedcomments while visiting countriesabroad; unthinking remarks bypeople who are so quick to jump toconclusions, to judge immediately.The lady, proud of her lineage justdidn't fancy her surname Sherpato be treated as a synonym forporters. She and many otherNepalis living abroad would likethemselves to be identified by thecontribution they are making to thesociety they are living in, by theirexpertise, capability and not merepresumptions that all Nepalis areonly security guards or porters,with due respect to the profession.

It's tiresome to have to endurethe popular unarticulated miscon-ception that every Nepali facereflects a begging bowl. This mayreflect a part but not the whole ofthe picture. Nepal used to beknown for its honest, trust –worthy,peace loving and hard workingpeople. Though poor, it thenappeared add a halo to the saintlynon-materialistic image.

About 15 years ago Nepaliscould get their visas on arrival atthe airport in Germany. Today it'sone of the most difficult places forNepalis to get into. Though Chinawelcomes Nepali tourists to itsmainland, they need transit visas tostep outside Hongkong airport.Other kinds of visas are usuallydenied to Nepalis. A Nepalibusinessman recently said he'dnever again try for a visa for HKG,having been refused seven times.Nepali domestic workers areviewed skeptically in India todaywhen once they used to be anexample of integrity.

Have we ever stopped towonder how we succeeded increating such an image in theinternational arena? Do we knowhow many illegal Nepali immigrantslive across the globe? How manyof the 'intelligent', 'educated'section of those who go on junkets,educational tours, sports events,representing their country do notcome back and get 'lost' in the hostcountry? How does that reflect onother Nepalis who respect theiridentity?

After 1996 when conflict camehere to stay, there were waves ofpolitical asylum seekers who weregranted refuge but not all of themwere genuine political victims.Earlier, the Gulf countries inacknowledgment of Nepali

workers' honesty and hard workwere quite liberal in granting visasbut it began to be used by otherSouth Asian nationals who bypurchasing Nepali citizenshipbegan to exploit this means ofgaining access to the countries.Soon, the liberal attitude had to bechanged to the disadvantage ofgenuine Nepali workers.

Buying a Nepali citizenshipappears to be easier than buying alottery especially these days whenthe process of giving out citizen-ship appears to be steeped incorruption. Handing out citizenshipat a price highly endangersnational security and for this veryreason 300 lawyers petitionedagainst the flawed populist systemwhen citizenships are beingdistributed generously, andcertainly not only to the Nepalis.

Due to this lack of policy andsensitivity on the Government'spart, a large section of thepopulation is getting increasinglyinsecure. Citing lack of security,several retired and some servingarmy personnel have relocatedabroad along with their families.Due to corruption again, there arelarge scale irregularities in DVlottery system and many peoplelured by fake 'agents' findthemselves minus large sums ofmoney and the lottery.

Rampant corruption in thecountry, apathetic law and orderare equally responsible for theincrease in the legal and illegal'flights' of Nepalis. Increasingshamelessness among the'educated' and 'elites' not havingany qualms about stretching outhands to hold large begging bowlsand then misusing it has furtherdistorted the already ugly image.

Unless and until the notion ofnation and nationhood developsamong the Nepalis and eachNepali understands andinternalises that he/she isresponsible for the image of thecountry, the image of Nepalis willcontinue to receive more battering.To redeem the image calls for selfrespect and having courage to sayno to corruption.

Till the time when all Nepalisrealise the importance of uphold-ing the pride of Nepal, otherworthy Nepalis who are makinglarge scale, outstanding contribu-tions to Nepal and to their hostcountries, toiling day and night invarious areas of work, will continueto remain eclipsed by theirnegative counterparts that faroutweighs the positive. We needliving martyrs in this country whohave learned the importance ofsacrificing the demons inside one'sown self first, to resurrect ourcollective identity. This is somethingonly we can do. No need to beg toimprove, no need for outside helpto change for the better. ä

Is it okay to smoke Ganja (Marijuana) occasion-ally, like on Holi festivals or the Shivaratri day?

Manish Sijapati,Dhumbarahi

The answer is no. It is not advisable to smoke Ganja

occasionally or regularly because there are 400chemicals in Ganja smoke. 60 of these have beenproven to cause cancer. Ganja also contains a toxinthat damages the nerves in the brain and the body.

Ganja is the most easily available drug that can bebought anywhere and everywhere in our country.There exist much misconceptions regarding Ganja.Some think it's better than tobacco but the fact is that itis equally dangerous. In Hindu culture, Ganja is takenas Prasad from Lord Shiva and so some devotees ofthe deity and many youngsters think that smokingGanja is cool. But it is not. Ganja is a deadly drug.When you smoke Pot (Ganja), two things happen: one,there is an immediate burn up of vitamins and mineralsin the body and two, the nerves in the body go numb.This numbness is also used as a means to escape fromthe reality. Occasional use turns into an addictionwithout much effort since Pot smokers don't get as higheasily but they do end up feeling worse at the end of it,once the effect wears off. Once used to it, the bodyreacts by signaling pain, discomfort or uneasiness and

Ganja has toxins thatdamages the brain nervesRagina Shah's counseling on impact of drug and addiction

gradually, it turns into an addiction.

My son always says that he will quit his drug habiton his own and he does not need to go to a rehabcenter. What do you suggest?

Sapana Shrestha, Chabahil Only a very small percentage of drug addicts are able

to quit on their own. Addiction is an end result ofproblems in attitudes, personality rooted in fear,insecurity and low self esteem. Thus, we have to getprofessional help to treat addiction that makes our lifeunmanageable and spins it out of control. We have to beable to change our attitude, habits and behaviour first. We have to admit our powerlessness over the diseaseand work accordingly which helps us to accept ourselvesas we are.

Your son is probably in denial about the seriousness ofthe problem and not realizing the massive effects it hason all aspects of his life. He is not able to rationalize tohis full capacity and find effective solutions for hisproblem. The solution, I'd suggest is to seek professionalhelp for his disease, as soon as possible. ä

Queries related to addiction of any kind can beaddressed to: newsfront@bhrikuti.com or

newsfront@gmail.com. Outstanding issues will beshort listed and dealt with by Therapist Ragina Shah.

ä Sarad Pradhan

The news of demise of thepoet Mohan Koirala took medown the memory lane when Iinterviewed Mohan Koirala. Hewas 70 and though frail, hewas still energetic andoptimistic about poetry. "Iwrote long poetries likeSuryadan (The sun gift) andLek (The hilly region) to showpeople that poetry can bewritten in prose as well,because earlier some criticswere skeptical about theexistence of prose poetry." hesaid.

When the soft spoken poetcame into the limelight in latefifties, the stalwarts of theearlier period were stilldominating the literary sceneand the literary movement likeTesro Ayam, was about tomake its entry into Nepaleseliterature. Because of hisprolific and inspiring poeticcareer, he overshadowed some ofthem and established himself as aone of the leading poets of themodern Nepali poetry.

Oft compared with TS Elliot, thefact remains that he never imitatedElliot and he set his own new trend inNepali poetry which can be justifiablytermed modern, both in theme andstyle. "TS Elliot is a world poet, andhis style is different from others. I mayhave been influenced by himsometimes but I can't say that mywhole poetic career has beeninfluenced by him. Since my poetry

writing is about to complete fiftyyears, how can I say I have beeninfluenced by him all over theseyears. My poems like Suryadan andNadi Kinarka Majhi (Boatmen of theRiver bank) have Nepali themes andconception...," said he, refuting allallegations.

His book Nadi Kinarka Majhi wasawarded the prestigious MadanPuraskar in 1982; and he receivedSajha Puraskar twice for his books,Mohan Koirala ka kavitaharu and RituNimantrana.

"His (Koirala's) thematic range is

wide, from the nature of manand woman, life to death,darkness and light or in short,different facets of life to ananxiety for his age and society.In development as a poet, onecan discern his constantexperiments, his understand-ing of poetry primarily as theexploration of the possibilitiesof the language…….," wrotecritic and historian Dr KumarPradhan in his book A historyof Nepali Literature.

"Just writing poetry in themodern theme doesn't make apoem modern", said Koiraladuring the interview, "Thereshould be new philosophy andthinking about the subject."More than hundred poems ofMohan Koirala have beenpublished Mohan Koirala kakavitaharu, Sarangi BhokekoSamundra (Ocean carryinglute) Himalchuli Raktim(Reddish Himalayan), NadiKinarako Majhi, Ritu

Nemantrana, Paplar ko pat (leaf ofPaplar), etc.

Lastly, in his memory, a quote fromone of his poems:

A newspaper that relives daily,without registration

And bereft of an editor – that' meA Notice, and an ad, a

communiqué of the dayA bulletin printed anew,A story short-lived as a wrapper of

a bundle of bread,Some poster-blocks of an attractive

movieThat’s what I am. ä

Architect of ModernNepali Poetry

Mohan Koirala set his own newtrend in Nepali poetry whichcan be justifiably termedmodern, both in theme and style

12 Mar-18 Mar, 200712 Makers

Family life and the immigrant experience are the focus ofMira Nair's engaging film, The Namesake. The movie,which skips between Calcutta and New York, is based onthe bestselling novel by Jhumpa Lahiri.

In Calcutta, a marriage is arranged between Ashima(Bollywood star Tabu) and Ashoke (Irfan Khan), a youngengineer who has moved to America. Seen throughAshima's eyes, the couple's move to New York -- in winter -- is a cultural slap in the face, but she slowly adjusts to thisnew culture while simultaneously maintaining the old. It's abalancing act conveyed with gentle humour, but Ashima'sconfusion and isolation come through loud and clear.

Eventually, Ashima and Ashoke have a son and adaughter and make a move to a suburban neighbourhood.As time passes, the focus of the film turns to the son, GogolGanguli (Kal Penn), who is determined to be 100%American.

Gogol and his sister are typical teenagers and keen tododge their parents' old-world, old-fashioned influences.

Gogol (named after the Russian novelist) studies tobecome an architect and moves into adult life in Manhattanseemingly shed of all traces of his parents' culture.Certainly, he doesn't understand the significance of hisname or how his father came to give him a name he can'twait to change.

His girlfriend (Jacinda Barrett) is a sophisticated New

James Brownlaid to restJames Brown, the "Godfather of Soul" who died onChristmas Day, has been entombed at a private familyceremony presided over by the Rev. Al Sharpton, theminister's office said in a statement.

Brown, who died in Atlanta at the age of 73 onDecember 25, was laid to rest in a temporary placepending the completion of a public mausoleum in an as-yetundisclosed location, Sharpton's office said.

Local media reports said the singer's body was placed ina crypt at Beech Island, South Carolina, where one of hisdaughters lives.

Brown's children, close friends and other familymembers were with Sharpton and other clergy.

"The children used their own funds to pay for theirfather's entombment so that their father could be put torest without further delay," Sharpton, who was a friend of

Brown, said in the statement.Brown had left "a substantial estate and substantial

holdings which are currently being disputed in court," andBrown's children "wanted to see their father entombed in aresting place without delay, rather than await courtdecisions," he said. The body had been kept in a tempera-ture-controlled room at Brown's home in South Carolina inthe bronze and gold-plated coffin used for his funeral inAugusta, Georgia, on December 30, a funeral director toldReuters in January.

Brown's music, with its staccato horns and guitars andhis often explosive vocals, brought funk into the main-stream and has influenced pop and dance music since the1950s. Hip-hop artists revere him, often using his beats intheir own songs.

(Sydney Morning Herald)

A foot in two worldsYorker; she is also clueless about anything outside her ownculture. Her encounters with Gogol's family are as cringe-inducing as you'd expect, but Nair has a delicate touch in allthis, and the elements of cultural clash are subtle and oftenhumorous.

Family tragedy leads Gogol back to his roots andeventually to a South Asian woman, but that's not a solutioneither. The Namesake is about the experience of beingcaught between two cultures, never feeling fully at home ineither. It's also a film about family. Gogol and his sister areraised to maintain the connection with family in Calcuttawhile also growing up with an enviable collection of"aunties" and "uncles" in the extended family his parentscreate in America. The story shows how much is lost in onegeneration.

The Namesake is an understated picture that draws aviewer completely into the world it presents. As the parents,actors Tabu and Irfan Khan give the sort of superbperformances that carry the film over any weak spots, andKal Penn is so good as Gogol that it's hard to believe he'sbest known for Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle.

Nair presents India, Calcutta especially, with fantasticcolour and beauty and activity. America looks somewhatbleak in comparison. It seems safe to assume that's not amistake.

(Toronto Sun)

The Namesake is an understated picture that draws aviewer completely into the world it presents

Tabu and Irfan Khan in a scenefrom Namesake