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The Nepal Digest Monday 3 April 95: Chaitra 20 2051 BkSm Volume 37 Issue 1
******************************************************************************
* TND Board of Staff *
* ------------------ *
* Editor/Co-ordinator: Rajpal J. Singh a10rjs1@mp.cs.niu.edu *
* SCN Liaison: Rajesh B. Shrestha rshresth@black.clarku.edu *
* Consultant Editor: Padam P. Sharma sharma@plains.nodak.edu *
* TND Archives: Sohan Panta k945184@atlas.kingston.ac.uk *
* Book Reviews Columns: Pratyoush R. Onta ponta@sas.upenn.edu *
* News Correspondent Rajendra P Shrestha rajendra@dartmouth.edu *
* *
* +++++ Food For Thought +++++ *
* *
* "If you don't stand up for something, you will fall for anything" -Dr. MLK *
* "Democracy perishes among the silent crowd" - Sirdar Khalifa *
* *
******************************************************************************
**********************************************************************
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 1995 12:10:03 -0500
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: agriculture/soil erosion
From: st910223@pip.cc.brandeis.edu
I am trying to find information on terraces, deforestation, and soil erosion in
Nepal. I am interested in how much work is involved in building the terraces
of the middle hills region. Do these terraces require maintenance? are new
ones still being built or have they all been there for many generations? Are
there different types of terraces for different crops (eg. wet paddy, dry
paddy, corn, wheat)? How effective are the terraces in prevent the loss of
soil? I am particularly interested in why, when new fields are now being
created in Northern Nepal by cutting down and burning the existing forest, no
new terraces are being built. This clearly results in soil erosion and massive
landslides.
I noticed this problem while treking in the Makulu region of Eastern
Nepal and I saw the slashing and burning and the eroded land first hand. I
assume this is going on in other parts of Nepal as well. I am trying to write
a research paper on this problem and am having a hard time finding much
literature dealing with the issue of terracing in Nepal.
Please write me if you have any info.
thanks
Eric Wiesen
(St910223@pip.cc.brandeis.edu)
******************************************************************
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 1995 16:54:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Pravignya Regmi <pregmi@emerald.tufts.edu>
To: Nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: HELP NEPAL SAVE ENVIRONMENT
ATTENTION !!!
IF WE DON'T THINK NOW IT WILL BE TOO LATE !!!
HELP NEPAL SAVE ENVIRONMENT.
Nepal has been confronting several significant environmental problems
since last couple of decades. The major environmental issues lie within
deforestation, over population, growing uncontrolled industrialization,
use of junk vehicals, import of third quality engine such as Vikram and
Sitara three wheelers (tempoos) to name but a few.
The environment in the Kathmandu valley is HORRIBLE, maninly
because of the exhaustion of diesel engines that include the tempoos,
Tatas and all the poorely maintained Sajha buses. The second reason of
the pollution is accumulation of toxic chemicals due to basin effect.
Virtually the exhausted fumes have no way to escape into nature from the
valley. This, in turn has resulted into settlement, and thereby
accumulation of high density toxic chemicals over the city. This layer
can be easily detected with naked eyes from any of the peaks that
surround the Kathmandu valley, such as Nagarkot, Phulchoki.
It is even terrible to think the longterm effects of such toxic
pollutions. Nobody can tell at this time that how many people will be
suffering and dyng from brain tumor, respiratory disorders and so on by the
next ten years. IT IS DREADFUL !!!!!!!!
I have decided to begin works to protect the environment in
Nepal. A non profit organization to protect environment and to promote
sustainable development will be established in Nepal in near future. I
will be updating the progress through the internet.
This is a little note to acknowledge about my future work and at
the same time, a request to all the Neplese students, professionals and
everyone through out the world who are interested in environmental protection
to brainstorm ideas to save the environement of the tiny BEAUTIFUL
Himalayan country. You can suggest me any thing that will help me to design
and make strategies to come over the environemtal problems of Nepal. Your
ideas will be recorded and highly respected. I am sure that your patriotism
will inspire you to think about it.
Any comments, suggestions, opinions or criticisms are most welcome.
Looking forwards to hear from you all. Please send me either an email
at pregmi@emerald.tufts.edu or a regular mail. Thanks and Namaste !!!
Finally, a book to look at - Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson. Please
read and visualise the opening couple of pages - A Fable for Tomorrow.
Sincerely
Prabigya Regmi
***************************************************************
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 1995 21:45 EST
From: ATULADHAR@vax.clarku.edu
Subject: Call for papers on Himalayan Ethnomanagement
Hi Amulya,
We met at the S Asian Conf last year. Thanks for sending news my way.
Please keep up the good work. I've chatted w/ Barbara Brower & John Metz
about a conference panel.
I'd appreciate it if you could send this to your list of e-mail users.
Any questions, please send your ideas.
We came up with a panel called "indigenous work strategies" though we're a
little
chary of the "i" word. Another alternative was "Ethnomanagement
strategies" but we didn't know if anyone would catch the emphasis on
labor/work/management of people rather than resources, as in "resource
mgmt". Below please find my call for papers:
>
> Indigenous Work Strategies in the Himalayas: Call for Papers
> for the Annual South Asian Conference, Novemer 1995, Madison, WI
>
> Persons interested in participating on a panel, tentatively titled
> "Indigenous Work Strategies in the Himalayas" are asked to submit a short
> proposal to Jana Fortier or John Metz by April 25th. This panel seeks
> papers which are related to, but not limited to, the following topics:
> rotating credit associations, reciprocal work, cooperative work,
> work-related aspects of jajmani, work-related aspects of livestock
> management, patronage, labor intensive vs. capital intensive work
> strategies, migration, irrigation management, or rural cooperatives.
> Please send information or questions to
Dr. Jana Fortier,
Dept of Anthropology
1180 Observatory Dr.,
UW-Madison,
Madison, WI 53706
fortier@macc.wisc.edu
>
> or,
Dr. John Metz
Dept of History and Geography
Northern Kentucky University>
Highland Heights, KY 41099
606 572-5461
metz@nku.edu
**********************************************************
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 1995 22:11 EST
From: ATULADHAR@vax.clarku.edu
Subject: Re: copy just for you
Cc: Nepal@cs.niu.edu
dEAR eDITOR:
Here is one another rejoinder to the great BKS debate which the bks alumni
never tire of defending...
> ==========================
> Amulya J{
>
> I felt sorry for Ashutosh the way he was attacked about BKS.
> Basically all BKS alums are the product of cheating. For me it is
> just an another example of systematic and legal looting of the
> national property, nothing more. Let me tell you how they are
> selected, especially from the dsitrict. It was in Gorkha from where
> the richest man's son was nominated for BKS. How? His father bribed
> sufficient money to CDO and District education officer. My
> friends mama is a CDO and owns a big house in Dillibazar. His Maiju
> is also second class officer. But originally ther were from Bhojpur.
> Their son was selected from Bhojpur, you know, How? That boy,
> who was in studying in kathmandu, but had registered in a school in
> Bhojpur too. he went Bhojpur just before exams. My friend told me
> that 2 days before the exam, the boy's uncle (another CDO from
> Bhojpur) gave his nephew the questions. So it was done!
>
> Tanahue, where I am from, one of the BKS nominee was no one but our
> ex Mananiya's (Shree NAME DELETED) Suputra! The real poor and the
> backward family can not even afford to send their kids to primary
> schools. Most of them will start working from the age of 5/6. If you
> think the babby sitting as another job, then they start working from
> the age of 3/4. Son of a hali will always remain Hali or if he is
> lucky then people like our ex maninaya's will take him to kathmandu to
> work in their Pucca house!
**********************************************************
Date: Mon, 27 Mar 95 22:48:04 EST
From: ncohen@usaid.gov
Subject: Implications of the Indian Budget
Below is our analysis of the new Indian budget. Mukhia, x335, has a
"pretty" version. It is also in P:\econ\ind_bud.wp6 (word perfect 6.0a
document).
The Indian Budget Speech: Implications for Nepal
SUMMARY
This budget, unlike the previous ones of Indian Finance Minister Man Mohan
Singh, does not blaze new ground toward liberalization. Rather, it
continues liberalization, consolidates past gains and proposes some new
programs to help the poor, rural people and the urban middle-class. The
major advance for liberalization was a further decrease in import duties.
While Indian import duties are still above the levels in Nepal, there was
not any backsliding toward protectionism as some industrialists had
argued, and which was part of the December budget in Nepal. The emphasis
remains on opening the Indian economy to world competition and encouraging
export oriented producers.
The Minister noted that the goal of liberalization was the improvement in
the life of the ordinary citizen. The country needs economic growth to
alleviate poverty. Liberalization had sharply increased the economic
growth rate. The country needs an economic safety net for those harmed by
the policy changes.
There were new programs for the poor such as old age pensions and survivor
benefits when the prime income earner dies.
PERFORMANCE UNDER LIBERALIZATION
Some recent studies in India purport to show that economic liberalization
has increased poverty and further skewed income distribution. The Minister
noted:
o economic growth was under 1% before liberalization, it is now
over 5%;
o industrial growth was only 0.5% before liberalization; it is
now over 9%, with capital goods manufacturing increasing last
year by 24%;
o rapid increases in foreign investment;
o foodgrain production had been falling before liberalization, it
is now at record levels;
o new job creation had been around 3million before liberalization,
it is now over 6million per year;
o the external debt was increasing by $8billion a year before
liberalization, it is now falling;
o foreign exchange reserves had been under $1billion before
liberalization, they are now over $20billion;
o inflation had been 17% when liberalization began, it fell to 7%
but recently has increased to 11%;
o the real wages of agricultural laborers had declined in 1991/92,
but are now back above those levels; and
o the crude death and the infant mortality rates have fallen.
Where there is data, the same conclusions hold for Nepal.
TAXATION
The Indian Minister of Finance emphasized the tax changes as the major new
element in this budget. The reductions in import duties are important to
signal a continuation of the opening of the Indian economy and also to
constrain inflation. While there was pressure on him to revert to
protectionism, that did not occur.
At the same time the Minister did not lower company or income taxes (they
did raise the level of income below which income tax is not due). This was
meant to show that economic liberaliza tion was not just for the rich.
The maximum tariff is now 50% (compared to Nepal's 110%). However, this
does not mean that the cost of importing many, if any, items is cheaper
for India than Nepal. Further, for almost all the items where duties were
specifically lowered, Nepal's duties are still lower than India's. India's
excise duties reach 300%, compared to Nepal's maximum of 150% (on
alcohol), thus making costs in India generally higher than in Nepal.
That said, the difference between the two countries' tariffs is lessening,
and the trend is clear: India will proceed to reducing its raw material
import duties. It is hard to say for sure what Nepal's duties are because
they are not based on costs, but rather on the Customs "Blue Book" that
lists what the Nepali Government estimates are the prices of major
imports. As quality varies these can be above or below the actual cost of
the items.
The continuing effort in India is to make the tax system simpler and more
transparent. They are also trying to expand the tax net (as in Nepal) and
improve compliance (not yet done in Nepal). The Indian Government had
tried to emphasize direct taxes. They learned that increased rates reduced
collections. The reductions in customs rates in both countries has
decreased smuggling and thus increased collections.
One other interesting tax change is the granting of a five-year tax
holiday for enterprises that build-own-operate (BOO, but also BOT and
BOOT) infrastructure like bridges, expressways, ports, mass transit
systems, and electricity generation. The Minister proposes a large
deduction for financial institutions that finance these.
SPENDING & SUBSIDIES
The budget deficit this past year was greater than expected: 6.7% of GDP
compared to a target of 5.5%. While there is talk of increased spending in
the budget, the figures show the increase is only in nominal terms.
Corrected for inflation spending is constant. The thrust of the
initiatives appears to be an effort to reemphasize that economic
liberalization must not harm the poor or disadvantaged. Some of the new
initiatives include: expansion of the school lunch program, old age
pensions and maternity benefits for the poor, increased spending on
primary education, with minimal increases in tertiary education. The
increase in defense spending is less than current inflation.
Potentially the most disturbing element in the budget is the 32% increase
in subsidies for fertilizers and essential foods. The increase over the
revised estimates for 1994/95 are slight, but there is a large increase
over the budgeted levels. Government will not allow an increase in the
price of urea in spite of higher world prices. Prices of other fertilizers
will remain at market levels. This subsidy for only one type of fertilizer
biases the farmer toward urea. There does not appear to be a reason
government should encourage farmers to use urea over all other
fertilizers. There may be pressure on Nepal to increase its subsidy for
urea, however, the lack of money will result in higher prices in Nepal
than in India and thus an increase in illegal imports of Indian subsidized
urea. Lower taxes in Nepal on other fertilizers will continue the illegal
exports of these.
The Indian Government will also increase the amount spent on subsidizing
essential foods for the poor. They are trying to keep the farmgate price
above the free market price. This policy is likely to lead to squeezing
distribution costs and discouraging transporters and wholesalers.
BANKING
As in Nepal, India often approaches problems by establishing a specialized
bank or fund. The new budget establishes new banks or funds to spread
technology, modernize industry, develop the north-east, develop rural
infrastructure, promote khadi and village industries, expand cooperatives
and regional rural banks. This can be praised as an improvement over past
ap proaches that involved direct government intervention in the areas.
Generally such programs do not achieve their ends. The costs of operating
each of these banks is too high to be sustainable without on-going
subsidies. The vested interests that become established because of a
formal institution do not allow the institution to see the "sun-set" even
when it is shown it is not achieving its purposes. The loans end up being
forgiven because it is politically expedient and the target beneficiaries
of the loans seldom receive their loans as politically influential or
party people receive preference.
The financial sector reforms of the state banking system, and the further
opening of the banking sector to private competition are not discussed.
However, the budget does talk about beginning a regulatory authority for
private and public insurance companies and the establishment of a central
depository system to speed stock market equity transactions. Such a system
in the Nepal Stock Exchange is long overdue.
PRIVATIZATION
The Indian Government talks about the continuation and expansion of its
privatization program, and increasing the money so raised. However, thus
far no real privatizations have occurred. They have been selling up to 30%
of the equity of state enterprises, but "true privatization -- effective
control of enterprises transferred to private managers -- has not
occurred. With the recent decisions in Nepal to proceed with the previous
model of complete privatization, Nepal remains far ahead of India.
NOT MENTIONED
We had hoped that the Indian Government would move ahead on further
liberalization of foreign exchange beyond the trade account already done,
opening up the insurance sector to international competition, development
of an "exit" policy allowing businesses to close down, reform of the trade
union laws and regulations, and on foreign investment. These were not
mentioned. The lack of substantial progress on privatization or financial
sector reform is also unfortunate. The corporate sector was disappointed
as they were expecting positive measures like waiving taxes on dividends,
reducing the capital gains tax, and removing the corporate tax's
surcharge.
*************************************************
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 00:43:18 -0500 (EST)
From: KARKIA@VAX.CS.HSCSYR.EDU
Subject: Anybody around ?
To: Nepal@cs.niu.edu
Dear Editors'
The Nepal Digest
I would appreciate if you could kindly publish following message in the
next issue of TND.
Dear friends,
I am a medical trainee in the University Health Science
Center in Syracuse, New York. I am planning to go to Los Angeles, California
for few days around the second week of April this year. Since this is totally
a new place for me, I was wondering if there are any Nepali around that area
who might be willing to share their experiences as to what is the best and
cost effective way of living/moving in that area. I would be delighted to
stay as a paying guest if some one can accomodate me there. I will stay
there for about 5 days. Plese kindly respond if you are thinking to be a
host. My e-mail address is <karkia@vax.cs.hscsyr.edu>.
Thanking for your friendship and looking forward to hear from you soon, I
Remain.
Sincerely,
Arjun Karki (3/28/95)
*******************************************************
Date: 28 Mar 1995 11:34:56 U
From: "Arun Shrestha" <Arun_Shrestha@grg.unh.edu>
Subject: Looking for some informatio
To: "TND " <NEPAL@cs.niu.edu>
Looking for some information.
Dear editor please post the following:
A friend of mine is planning to study peat bog in Nepal Himalaya to reconstruct
CO2 level in the atmosphere in the past. I belive I saw peat bog in Sipton-La
in Makalu region and told it to her. She needs more concrete information
before going there for field investigation. If anyone has any information in
this regard such as: confirmation of existance of peat bog in Makalu or any
other place in Nepal, please write me in my e-mail address. Your help will be
highly appreciated.
Arun B. Shrestha
arun_shrestha@grg.unh.edu
*************************************************************
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 12:12:58 -0500
From: rshresth@black.clarku.edu (RaJesh B. Shrestha)
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Hillary Embarks On South Asia Tour
Source: Voice Of America, March 22, 1995
Islamabad: President Clinton's wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton, arrives
late Saturday in Pakistan for a two-and-one-half day visit to get
acquainted with the country and to learn what is being done to
promote women's rights.
The visit to Pakistan is part of South Asian tour that also includes
India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Diplomatic sources say
Mrs. Clinton is attempting to get acquainted with the region.
The first lady said in an interview on U-S television that she is
interested in what is being done positively in Pakistan to promote
education for women and to deal with violence against women.
Mrs. Clinton spends a full day in Islamabad Sunday. Prime Minister
Benazir Bhutto will host a luncheon for the U-S first lady during which
she will meet Pakistani women who are active in the arts, law, and other
fields. A visit to a mosque also is planned.
On Monday, Mrs. Clinton goes to an Islamabad school for girls and
talks with students. Later, she goes to Lahore, Pakistan's
cultural capital. There, she is to visit a U-S assisted business
school and to meet with senior government officials. At some
point in her stay, Mrs. Clinton also may visit a Pakistani village to
get a view of rural life.
Observers say that beneath the tour are some grim facts about the
plight of women in Pakistan.
Human rights activists say women generally receive inadequate health
care and education, and life is particularly harsh in rural areas where
women do heavy manual labor.
Human rights activists also say women have a secondary status
under Islamic law in matters of inheritance, sexual assault, and
the value of court testimony. But Islamic experts say Islam puts
women in an honored position, protecting them from social ills.
Prime Minister Bhutto says she has put forward a variety of
programs from health care to education to improve women's lives.
But human rights activists say these measures have had little
real impact.
*******************************************************
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 14:25:00 -0500
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Quiet Revolution, tv series Nepal episode
From: fkroger@coho.halcyon.com (Frank F Kroger)
The Quiet Revolution is a 6 part tv series about methods of development
that work. Nepal is featured in one of the episodes.
The show will be broadcast on many PBS stations in the US, on the Discover
Channel in Canada and in Asia on the BBC World Service.
For information about dates and times see
http://www.halcyon.com/fkroger/pbs.html or email me. I would appreciate
from anyone finding show times which or not on the list.
DANWAR, NEPAL
THEME: THE POWER OF WOMEN'S GROUPS
With nothing to feed her children but scarce amounts of corn meal,
Madhesini Kanchi saw no relief to the drudgery of poverty. Then she
joined a local women's group sponsored by Baudha-Bahunipati program,
supported by World Neighbors and the Family Planning Association of
Nepal. Through her involvement with this group, she has gained the
confidence to resist her husband's abuse, and is learning how to breed
pigs in order to increase her income. She is also being trained as a
health worker as way of serving the community.
*************************************************************
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 17:54 EST
From: ATULADHAR@vax.clarku.edu
Subject: Analysis of Nepali politics by Kumud Shreshta
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
This encouraged me to write some lines about Nepalese politics and have
a fun time. I hope these are almost in line with your thinking. If you think
this will be good material for Nepal digest, add some lines, edit and send in
the name of Amulya and friend.
NC, UML and Elections
There were many patriotic leders in the NC, who had struggled for decades. So
Nepali, peple welcomed NC to run govt. in BS.2048 election. There were intra NC
Conflict. Majority leader thought that they could win (by the help of activist,
money and power) without the help of minority group and election was declared.
No one can deny the two positive outcome of 2051 election a.It ended the
tradition of rulling party visctory. Now, perties have to leaaarn that they will
win election only by winning heart of the people.
b. In Nepal beurocrates and others inclluding industrialists used to be "power
Pujari" and they always helped lot to rulling govt. by all possible means, to
take undue advantage in future. Now, because rulling party winning tradition is
broken, beurocrates will not act as before.
In future election there are following +ve and -ve aspects for NC.
1. Its activists will try hard and will not remain lazy as usual.
2. There wil not be any suppport from govt.mechanism. In last election it was
used to some extent. It is said that NC supporters of govt. employees were
deputed in crucial election centres where a compitition is neck to neck,more
forces are deputed in the area where opposition is very strong and likely to put
some fraud ballet paper, there was some problem even in counting. Election
results of Rasuwa and Dolakha districts was hot issues in papers.
3.Big disadvantage for NC is proof of its disefficiency in last govt. There were
corruption even in high tires. In India, people say that every thing will be
changed after departure of Rao. This is not the case in Nepal. Worst part for NC
is: People have seen, how its prominent second generation leaders like RSS is
featured into the shape without hand and legs. It seems they neither have hands
to work or legs to keek coroption.
Likewise UML has following +ve and -ve points.
1. Burocrates will remain impartial (adv. as compared to last election).
2.Activists may get lazy thinking govt. should do or give facilities for work.
3. Big factor which will govern popularity or unpopularity of UML will be their
working style. They have shown political shrewedness by breaking NC RPP
decision to share chairmanship post for 6 parliamentary committies and electing
H. Tripathi and S.S. Bhandari in two parliamentary committees. UML govt. has
tried to be more popular by launching program to give Rs 300,000 to each VDC
activity and Rs 200,000 to solve crucial problem in the parliamentary constituen
cy under the juridiction of MP. More over, UML has pilot program to honour
senior citizens as other tool to combat with election.
Nevertheless, public opinion is always uncertain, so let us who will win
next race. The End.
Well, I have some fun writing you my views. What do you think about it? I am
going to class and I will write you after. OK.
************************************************************
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 18:40 EST
From: ATULADHAR@vax.clarku.edu
Subject: UML: ustai moola...
>
> Dear friends,
> Following is the message I have obtained from a friend at AIT.
> Though not a good news I have sent you for the information
> without comments.
> >
> >
> > Dear friends,
> >
> > Today, I am giving you some news from Nepal, based on recent newspapers
> > from Nepal and some other sources:
> >
> > 1. Pampha Bhusal has taken over the postion of chairperson of the UPF
> > (Bhattarai group). It is not clear whether it involves some friction
> > within their organization, but officially, BR Bhattarai has resigned so
> > as to concentrate more on "theoretical refinement of the party's
> > political platform, cadre training and research...".
> >
> > The same UPF has also announced to launch a movement against the UML
> > government on the basis of their 38-point-program from Chaitra 15.
> > The program among other, includes burning Tanakpur and 1950 agrrement
> > with India, Masal Julus and Kathmandu Upatyaka Band (on Baishakh 15).
> >
> > At the mean time, it is learnt from the paper that the Unity Center
> > (Prachanda Group) has changed its name to CPN(Maoist). I did not see any
> > official announcement on this, but there have been statements in the
> > paper with this name. It seems I missed some developments in between.
> >
> > 2. Recently, (I think last saturday), three prominent persons from Nepal
> > campaigining against Arun III project had come to AIT and there was a get
> > together organized with the Nepalese community. They were very
> > informative and they had strong points to support their point that Arun
> > III is against the interest of Nepalses people. Unfortunately, now it is
> > learnt that the UML government has agreed to go for Arun III under any
> > conditions. It is also reported that water resources minister Hari
> > Pahdey, after his visit to the World Bank headquartes failed in getting
> > any understanding from the part of the WB, was expressing his opinion
> > against Arun III, but the governmene took the decision overriding him.
> >
> > 3. The TU has been closed for a week following clashes between the Akhil
> > and Nebisangh. Several students have been injured.
> >
> > 4. It seems the UML government is doing no less than panchas or NC in
> > demonstrating their personal interests over the national interests in
> > every front. There have been a series of appointments involving the
> > relatives (sali, Bhai, Jwain etc) of the ministers and others. Followings
> > are just few examples given by Jana Astha ( a paper run mainly by Kamal
> > Koirala, who himself is a UML MP, but disappointment with the government
> > performance) of march 22:
> >
> > - Mira Dhwaju (wife of Ishwar Pokhrel) has been appointed as the deputy
> > director of Samaj Kalyan Parishad. She was also given some award on the
> > Shiksha Divas.
> >
> > - Balmukkunda Neupane, brother of Devi Prashad Ojha appointed as the
> > coordinator of Bishesh Shiksha Pariyojana of the Ministry of Education.
> >
> > - Bamdev Gautam and Keshav Lal Shrestha have sent their sons to china for
> > higher studies, and Salim Miya ansari, the muslim minister has sent his
> > son to Pakistan.
> >
> > - Sita Khadka, the wife of CP Mainali is appointed as a member of the
> > Sanchalak Samiti of Nepal Oil Nigam.
> >
> > - Balram Baskota, who made a high jump to UML very recently, has become
> > the chairman of the Birganj Sugar Factory
> >
> > The same paper also reports that the members of the team of the Prime
> > Minister on their trip to Kopenhagen and European countries did many
> > non sense. Rather than trying to participate in the conference in the
> > best interest of the country, they devoted more efforts for sightseeing,
> > shopping, and personal recreation.
> >
> > Besides this, Urmila Aryal (wife of YB Thapa) has also got some GM or
> > something like that, I don't remember exactly now.
> >
> >
> > 5. Just two days ago, the new GM of RNAC, Kalyan Dev Bhattarai has
> > cancelled the contract with Dhamija.
> >
> > 6. The governmetn has decided to give the so-called "Kripa Bhatta"
> > amounting to Rs two lakh to Tulsilal Amatya (who is also the ambassador
> > to china) reportedly to honour for his suffering during the anti
> > Panchayat struggle.
> >
> > So much for now. I hope you found the news useful.
> >
> >
> >
>
>
Ganesh R Pandey, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
tel: (514) 8429057 (h), (514) 398 6871 (o)
*********************************************************************
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 20:20:49 -0500
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: buying guns to beg for food: Nepal ko gati
From: atuladhar@gramps.clarku.edu
Foods and Guns: Twin Scarcities y in Nepal
============================================
In hardly a matter of twe weeks we read two news items about twin hungers in
nepal:
1. The hunger for anti-aircraft guns for the Royal nepal Army
generals so they can have as much ghus as their civilian
brothers generated from ARun III and NGO development dollars, and
2. The hunger for rice, some 300,000 tons, which Nepal is begging from
Japan.
Are these connected?
Donors that give money for the government of Nepal for development are
subsidizing the army and their mission to suppress internal riots and buttress
royalty by saving the royals from spending money for building bridges in
Kathmandu or feeding the hungry in kalikot.
I would be interested in hearing from all who support anti-aircraft guns for
Nepal and buying that while we beg for food from other countries.
*************************************************************************
Date: Wed, 29 Mar 1995 21:25:41 -0500 (EST)
From: Nirmal Ghimirez <NGH42799Q236@DAFFY.MILLERSV.EDU>
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Dowry
HI! I am just trying to give a general outline of dowry and the fear that it
may catch up with our society too. All the informations and data I got of were
only of India. If anyone knows or has experiencr or has seen this dowry stuffin
Nepal please let me know. If anyone knows how it started and why,it started,I
would appreciate that.Thanks.Nirmal
**********************************************************
Date: 30 Mar 95 15:01:20 EST
From: Rajendra.P.Shrestha@Dartmouth.EDU (Rajendra P. Shrestha)
Subject: News3/27-30
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
March 27
Government to Probe RNAC deal
Xinhua report
the nepali government has formed a commission to probe into big
loss accounting to some 2,500 million rupees (50 million us dollars)
endured by the royal nepal airlines corporation (rnac) within 22
months, local press reported today. the loss was caused by rnac
general sales agent in europe, the first airlines representation in
europe (fare) limited, london, according to a release issued by rnac
general manager kalyan dev bhattarai on sunday. the rnac has decided
to terminate its agreement with fare and canceled fare owner dinesh
dhamija from the post of rnac regional director for europe effective
from sunday. the decision was taken by rnac board of directors
sunday, three days after the government formed the commission to probe
into irregularities in the deal. "the poor performance of fare
substantially affected the revenue earning of rnac and pushed it to
the verge of liquidation," said bhattarai when explaining the reason
for the decision. the rnac signed the agreement with fare on march
31, 1993. the governmental three-member commission will start its
work from monday and is expected to present its report within 45 days.
March 28
Nepal to Prevent Meeting of Kashmiri Separatists
AFP report
The Nepalese government has taken measures to prevent a proposed
meeting of Kashmiri separatists in Kathmandu, a highly placed foreign
ministry source said Tuesday.
According to reports in Kathmandu, militant leaders from both the
Pakistan-controlled and Indian-controlled parts of Kashmir are to
attend a two-day meeting organized by British human rights activists
on April 10 and 11.
"We are trying to prevent the Kashmiris from holding their meeting
in Kathmandu and we have also already notified the hoteliers not to
permit them to hold such meetings," a foreign ministry official told
AFP.
"We do not allow anybody to use Nepalese soil against any of our
friendly neighbours," the source said.
An Indian embassy source said Pakistani and Kashmiri militants had
been crossing over to India via Nepal and alleged that they had been
creating disturbances in India.
The Nepalese press has reported that Pakistan's Inter-Services
Intelligence was becoming active in Nepal.
Observers here say the planned meeting of Kashmiri militants would
spoil the atmosphere for the official visit of Prime Minister Man
Mohan Adhikari to India next month.
Adhikari's visit is important as it will give the communist prime
minister an opportunity to review a 1950 Indo- Nepal Peace and
Friendship Treaty, Observers said. The treaty is seen as giving
political leverage to India over Nepal.
March 29
UPF to protest Hillary Clinton's Visit
AFP report
Nepal's extreme left United People's Front Party (UPF) will greet
US First Lady Hillary Clinton with a black flag demonstration when she
arrives on a three-day visit, a party source said Wednesday.
Speaking two days ahead of Clinton's scheduled arrival here, the
UPF said it would protest her visit and demonstrate against what it
called US interference in Peru and the detention of the leader of the
country's Maoist Shining Path guerrilla movement.
"We demand that the US stop its repressive action against the
Peruvian revolutionary people and release (the Shining Path leader)
without delay," a UPF member said.
The UPF's plans met with opposition from Nepal's minority communist
government, with Nepal Communist League President Shambhuram Shrestha
saying: "Hillary Clinton's visit to Kathmandu is a part of the
diplomatic interaction between the US and Nepal. The UPF should not
do such things."
Clinton is scheduled to arrive in the Himalayan kingdom on Friday
from India as part of a 12-day tour of South Asia.
During her stay in this Himalayan kingdom, she is to have tea with
Prime Minister Manmohan Adhikari and then have an audience with King
Birendra and Queen Aishwarya at the royal palace, a palace source
said.
March 30
Japan Provides Grant Assistance
Xinhua report
japan has agreed to provide nepal with a grant of 1.39 billion yen
(about 15.59 million us dollars) for food and road protection
equipment in the 1994-95 fiscal year. two separate exchange of notes
to this effect were signed wednesday during nepali deputy prime
minister and minister for foreign affairs madhav kumar nepal's visit
to japan, local press reported today.
*******************************************************************
Date: 30 Mar 95 15:24:39 -0400
From: "David Red" <DAVID.RED@DOS.US-STATE.GOV>
Subject: Can you teach?
To: <nepal@cs.niu.edu>
I am sending this message to get some help from those who are in the
Washington, DC area. A few times a year we here at the Foreign Service
Institute need someone who can fill in for our Nepali teacher. We need a
native speaker for the position. I want to make it very clear that this is
not a permanent, ongoing position. It is really more like a substitute
teacher position. We anticipate the need for such a substitute this year in
August and in October. If you have the necessary permits to work, and think
you might be free during those times, then please contact me for further
information.
My info is:
David L. Red, Language Training Supervisor
Foreign Service Institute
National Foreign Affairs Training Center
4000 Arlington Blvd.
Arlington, VA 22204
Voice: 703-302-7297
FAX: 703-302-7254
Email: david.red@dos.us-state.gov
Please pass this message along to anyone who you think might be
interested. Thanks.
David
******************************************************************
Date: Fri, 31 Mar 1995 01:01:27 -0500 (EST)
Forwarded By: The Editor <a10rjs1@mp.cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Top Ten List
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Top Ten Things
That Hilary Clinton Is Suppossed To Do In Nepal This Week
10. Alight the Air Force One (is it?) wearing rato-phariya and guniyo cholo
for a little touchy-feely (counter/cross)- cultural image.
09. Visit St. Mary's School to inquire whether Chelsea could get in
there now, under the catholic eyes of the nuns, at least until the
results of the Elections '96 come in.
08. Inaugurate a workshop for grameen mahila in Sano Thimi on "How to stay
home and bake cookies".
07. Swig copious amounts of Star Beer and Khukuri Rum at the Girls' Night
Out at the Nanglo Pub on Durbar Marg with Arzu, Shailaza, Shushma,
Bidya, Durga and other heavy-duty Nepali (political) females, and
the host Sandra, the ambassador.
06. Ask Man Mohan Adhikari to hire Ira Magaziner as Nepal's leading
health consultant, and allow him to experiment with his
grand national health care reforms in Nepal -- the country that needs
them the most!
05. Send an e-mail to Amulya Tuladhar encouraging him to keep on writing
about race, sex and gender, race sex and gender, and race, sex and
gender until the race is finished, sex gets boring and gender falls
back in love with grammar.
04. Persuade Arzu Rana Deuba to change her name to Arzu Rodham Deuba
03 Swap horror-stories about hairspray with Her Majesty the Queen.
02. Get a hair-cut and get a real job.
01. Go Whitewater (the one and only!) rafting on Dudh Koshi and have
an unadulterated blast.
Disclaimer: This Top Ten was written in a spirit of unadulterated fun.
(Please, US Embassy, don't deny me a visa someday on account of this!)
:-) :)
p.s. Did I tell you all that I really LIKE Hilary?
***********************************************************
Date: Tue, 28 Mar 1995 08:23:01 +0900
To: nepal-request@cs.mp.niu.edu, nepal-request@cs.niu.edu
From: GP <a41590a@nucc.cc.nagoya-u.ac.jp>
Subject: BKS
Dear Rajpal,
The following piece was sent to me by a TND reader, who does not
like to be public. Anyway, I know him personally very well. Hope you
you will post it on the forth-coming TND issue.
With regards.
GP
=======================================================================
>>Hi! GP!
>>I read your article on TND about BKS. I will also like to add
>something.
>>(I will be happy if you don't mention my name!)
>>
>>Thanks
>-XYZ (name kept confidential upon request.)
>>
>>I am writing this referring to Gyaneswor's article about BKS
>>
>>Thank you Gyaneswor for providing some first hand account of the
>>schools outsides Kathmandu. I was also wondering why the government
>>is spending so much for a single school? Few years back I had the
>>pleasure of reading one article in a local paper about BKS and one fine
>>school in Gorkha. As such Gorkha district is relatively ahead in
>>education having one education campus, more than 40 high schools and
>>several secondary and primary schools. But I was shocked to know that
>>entire Gorkha's education grant was slightly lower than that of one BKS.
>>
>Despite the lower budget, schools in Gorkha are doing equally well.
>>They are producing finest doctors, engineers, diplomats, administrators,
>>teachers, political leaders and many more.
>>
>Despite this why the government went to build a school like BKS?
>>Which is the model school, BKS which is sending hundreds of its
>>graduates to abroad or the Luintel, or Gaikhur of Gorkha which are
>>supplying the needy manpower for the country?
>>
>>Why the British government, which is not even interested to run Gorkha
>>High School Hongkong -which is supposed to provide schooling for the
>>children of soldiers in British Gorkha regiment- is funding for BKS in
>>Kathmandu?
>>
>>If the Britishers were sincere, then why don't they open another school
>>say Budhi Parbati or Shiva Sati School for girls? (If I remember
>>correctly than less than 5% of the women population in Nepal have the
>>opportunity to go to school).
>>
>>I guess only BKS grads must be knowing the answers.
>>
Mr. XYZ (name kept confidential upon request)
******************************************************************************
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