Status: R X-Status: X-Keywords: Received: from mp.cs.niu.edu (mp.cs.niu.edu [131.156.1.2]) by library.wustl.edu (8.9.3+Sun/8.9.1) with ESMTP id SAA21570; Tue, 7 Mar 2000 18:26:55 -0600 (CST) Received: (from daemon@localhost) by mp.cs.niu.edu (8.10.0.Gamma0/8.10.0.Gamma0) id e27NEbx02074 for nepal-dist; Tue, 7 Mar 2000 17:14:37 -0600 (CST) Received: (from a10rjs1@localhost) by mp.cs.niu.edu (8.10.0.Gamma0/8.10.0.Gamma0) id e27NEaJ02070 for nepal-list; Tue, 7 Mar 2000 17:14:36 -0600 (CST) Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 17:14:36 -0600 (CST) Message-Id: <200003072314.e27NEaJ02070@mp.cs.niu.edu> Reply-to: The Nepal Digest <NEPAL@cs.niu.edu> From: The Editor <NEPAL-REQUEST@cs.niu.edu> Sender: "Rajpal J.P. Singh" <A10RJS1@cs.niu.edu> Subject: The Nepal Digest - Mar 7, 2000 (16 Falgun 2056 BkSm) To: <NEPAL@cs.niu.edu> Content-Type: text Content-Length: 86055
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The Nepal Digest Tue Mar 6, 2000: Falgun 16 2056BS: Year9 Volume95 Issue443
Today's Topics (partial list):
Domestic Violence is no laughing matter: why did Suji have to die?
Interview with Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal
ANMF's Fourth Annual Convention, June 9-10, 2000, CDC, Atlanta
Question about selling a vehicle in Nepal
Pharkera Painchha Ke?
Chautari Discussion Schedule
Tibetan Buddhists in Nepal
Bill Gates Meets Nepali Prime Minister
News from Canada
AFVs News
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* TND (The Nepal Digest) Editorial Board *
* -------------------------------------- *
* *
* The Nepal Digest: General Information nepal-request@cs.niu.edu *
* Coordinator: Rajpal JP Singh a10rjs1@mp.cs.niu.edu *
* Editor: Pramod K. Mishra pkm@acpub.duke.edu *
* Chapter Coordinators - Australia Chapter (TND Foundation) *
* Dr. Krishna B. Hamal HamalK@dist.gov.au *
* Chapter Coordinators - Canada Chapter (TND Foundation) *
* Anil Shrestha SHRESTHA@CROP.UOGUELPH.CA *
* *
* TND Archives: http://library.wustl.edu/~listmgr/tnd/ *
* TND Foundation: http://www.nepal.org tnd@nepal.org *
* WebSlinger: Umesh Giri ugiri@uswest.com *
* *
* +++++ Food For Thought +++++ *
* *
* "Heros are the ones who give a bit of themselves to the community" *
* "Democracy perishes among the silent crowd" -Sirdar_Khalifa *
* *
******************************************************************************
******************************************************************
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 2000 15:28:38 -0500
Subject: Domestic Violence is no laughing matter: why did Suji have to die?
From: AikoAnne Joshi <aiko7@juno.com>
Some of us are not in the US or we're not in a position to actually go
see this art exhibit, but I wanted to share this w/ TND members in light
of the question asked as to why Suji had to die at the hands of her
husband. Those near or in the St. Louis area, hope u go to check this
out.
Whether we are a part of the Nepali community in Minnesota, or Nepali
community somewhere else in the US or Europe or Asia, we cannot keep
silent about the facts of domestic violence. I hope that with Suji's
untimely death, we all will be more moved to speak out and continue to
speak out against the abuse of wives, girlfirends, sisters, daughters, at
the hands of men, whether strangers, friends, or family members. Those
of us within immigrant communities are especially vulnerable because many
do not speak English or have no jobs, or do not know the law or have no
support from family or friends.
Those who would try to silence us should think about the consequences of
such silence. Too many women -- myself included -- have been told to
keep quiet about something that, to many, falls within the private sphere
of the home. Speaking about our abuse makes people feel uncomfortable,
or else we are blamed for what happened to us ("what did you do to make
him beat you?"). Perhaps, this will move some women who might be
suffering in silence, to seek help from the many human rights and women's
groups available, such as SAKHI, SAHELI, RAKSHA, to name a few.
Aiko
*** ART EXHIBIT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN***
Put The Shoe On The Other Foot And Walk A Mile In It
A police officer unable to handle the breakup of his relationship,
chases his girlfriend down a freeway, runs her car off the road,
fatally shoots her, then himself.
A woman drinking with four male acquaintances loses consciousness.
Instead of seeking medical help for their companion, they videotape
themselves taking turns sexually assaulting her, while she remains
unconscious.
A thirteen-year-old boy is upset at being spurned by a twelve-year-old
classmate. He enlists the help of a younger boy, and, dressed in army
fatigues, pulls the school's fire alarm, shooting their female
classmates and a female teacher as they evacuate the building.
A 47 year old woman dies of second and third degree burns over 80% of
her body after her estranged husband violates a restraining order,
douses her with gasoline and lights her on fire. She dies on her front
lawn searching and screaming for someone to save her 18 year old son.
Day after day we absorb the headlines-- "Man Shoots Estranged Wife and
Children;" "Seven Year Old Girl Kidnapped On Way To School;" "Rapist
Terrorizes Neighborhood Women."
After 30 years of a feminist movement, countless books, lectures,
dialogues and educational attempts, little has changed where assaults
on women and girls are concerned. It is estimated that one in four
women will be sexually assaulted in some way in her lifetime. Still
more are beaten, psychologically abused or cut off from resources,
friends and family who could aid their escape.
To an extent, police, emergency rooms and the legal system have been
educated and sensitized to the devastating effects of rape, abuse and
other forms of violence against women and girls. The fact remains
that, overwhelmingly, the victims are women, the assailants men.
Whether in school, at work, at home, and even among those she should
be able to trust, a woman or girl is not safe in our society. It
should be noted that the motivation behind these crimes is, virtually,
no different than the motive behind hate crimes perpetrated against
gay men, lesbians and transgender people--- acquiesce to your assigned
gender role, don't be caught alone, perpetually watch your back.
There is little current incentive for more than superficial changes.
Even "good," "decent," "nice," men benefit from this climate of
violence against women by capitalizing on and manipulating to their
advantage the threat of violence by other males. Women are left,
subliminally, if not consciously, with the sense of comfort in a
male's protection, acceptance and alliance for safety and social
survival.
A male, then, by default, achieves undeserved distinction in social
relationships, not by exceptional contributions, traits or acts, but
by merely refraining from extreme or overt violence and/or antisocial
behavior. And if he slips, he will routinely be excused or forgiven.
His smallest act of kindness, amiability, devotion, adult
responsibility, generosity, calm or sensibility is amplified; viewed
ecstatically and disproportionately as special, precious, weighty,
meaningful and proof positive of his superior value and
trustworthiness. In essence, males are wildly lauded for acts, habits,
accomplishments and traits strongly expected of and taken stunningly,
completely, for granted, in any average female.
In addition to the daily reality of hate crimes against women and
girls reported in media, depicting graphic violence against women is
still a tried and true staple of television, film and music. In
contrast, violence against males is largely stylized, void of
humiliation. Males have been comparatively protected from endless
images and representations of themselves as innocent, helpless victim
and prey. And yet, confronted with the reality and statistics of their
status, males bridle and rush to push a claim of themselves every bit
as equal victims, also routinely raped, harassed, oppressed,
mutilated, predated upon.
Art and media aimed at raising consciousness about these issues
continually makes the error of using yet more images of women and
girls humiliated, frightened, tormented, tortured, abused, compromised
and murdered to make it's point. As if we didn't know!
Put The Shoe On The Other Foot and Walk A Mile In It, by Oakland
artist Jai J. Noire, powerfully reverses this trend.
This multimedia exhibit takes images so accepted and ubiquitous in our
culture that they are rarely questioned or examined and presents these
same images with the genders completely and unapologetically reversed.
While some images are satirical and playful, others are harshly
graphic. All are ultimately honest. Issues ranging from age bias
hypocrisy to gang rape are addressed, using still photo images and
short film vignettes. Mirrored panels imprinted with news stories are
designed to force the viewer to confront the reality that, whether
victim or victimizers, the people in
these endless stories are not essentially different from us.
Men do not traditionally have the vantage point from which to truly
understand what it is to be made to feel physically and emotionally
unsafe by the same gender from which one is pressured and taught to
seek our partners and mates, the status quo. It is hoped that Put The
Shoe On The Other Foot and Walk A Mile In It will be the reality check
that sparks a fresh dialogue and provides men and women alike with a
truly enlightening view of hate crimes against women (and by
extension, gender and sexual orientation minorities) by showing images
that are, compared against reality, incongruous and unknown.
All people should be free of violence. Women and other minorities have
yet to be allowed full liberty, value and input.
While it is hoped that Put The Shoe On The Other Foot and Walk A Mile
In It will be shown in various U.S. cities, it is slated to debut
March 11 and run through April 8, 2000 at the Midtown Arts Center in
the heart of the Midwest, St. Louis, Missouri- the same St. Louis that
just allowed the Klu Klux Klan to "Adopt-A-Highway."
The Midtown Arts Center is a not-for-profit arts incubator, which
supports four separate gallery spaces and a video room. Midtown also
offers affordable studio, office, rehearsal and performance spaces to
artists and arts organizations. The arts are a vital contributor to
the growth of the St. Louis community, yet the relatively conservative
community it serves often under funds our efforts.
At this time, we are desperately trying to raise the $6000 needed to
bring this important multi-media installation by this vital artist to
St. Louis. You can make a difference by supporting this important
exhibit. Donations are tax deductible, and should be sent Attn:
Mallarie N. Zimmer, Gallery Director Midtown Arts Center, 3207
Washington, St. Louis, MO 63103. Please specify that your donation be
reserved for the Jai J. Noire exhibition scheduled to open on March
11, 2000.
Thank You!
Mallarie N. Zimmer
Gallery Director
Midtown Contemporary Gallery
Midtown Arts Center
3207 Washington
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
314/531-ARTS (2787)
For more information about Jai J. Noire's exhibition please contact:
Mallarie N. Zimmer at 314/535-7370
E-mail: mallarie@intermission.org
E-mail: mallarie@intermission.org
Intermission Magazine
"Those who do not try to create the future they want, must _endure_the
future they get."
"There haven't been many folk songs written for Capitalism, but there
have been many composed for Social Justice"
(Amartya Sen)
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Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2000 22:42:53 -0500 (EST)
From: "Pramod K. Mishra" <pkm@duke.edu>
To: The Nepal digest Editor <nepal-request@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Interview with Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal
Madhav Kumar Nepal, General Secretary of the United
Marxist Leninist Party of Nepal (UML) and leader of the Opposition in the
Nepali Parliament, visited the Triangle area of North Carolina in the
evening of January 31, 2000, on his way to Washington, D.C., and Cuba.
When I asked for an interview, he readily agreed. Before our one-on-one
conversation, he met the local Nepali families at the house of Mr. Ishwar
Devkota, President of Nepal Center of North Carolina (NCNC), and had
a few hours' exchange of information and views. I found his speech
interesting, full of details, demonstrating a clear grasp of various
aspects of Nepal's public life and its international position. I had
read that he was more of an organizational man rather than a visionary or
an ideologue, so I was curious both about the man and his politics. His
few words to the local Nepalis, which he spoke seated in a sofa in his
colorful Nepali cap (which he never once took off all the while I saw him
from the 'plane on), tie and trousers, lasted a little over an hour.
Even though delivered in a conversational rhythm, they carried in their
baritone the urgency of a stump speech on the eve of a general election.
It seemed as though Mr. Nepal were on a campaign tour, trying to convince
his constituencies, the fence-sitters, and the doubters to give his party
a chance both inside the country and at the international level. During
the interview, I found, as you may also find, that he would break my at
times convoluted questions into segments and remember to address each
segment one at a time. At any rate, here's my conversation with Mr. Nepal
in translation.
Pramod K. Mishra: From various sources, including the internet, we
know that you have played an important role in Nepali politics since the
People's Movement of 1990. So, let me say first of all, that I am very
pleased to meet you, even though in transit. This interview will come
out, among other places, in The Nepal Digest, an electronic newsmagazine
that has for the past seven or eight years brought together Nepalis,
friends of Nepal, and Nepalists from all over the world on a common
platform for an exchange of news, information, and views.
Madhav Kumar Nepal: Thank you, too, for making this opportunity
available to me.
PKM: Would you tell us a little about the reason for this visit to
the United States?
MKN: I came at the invitation of The International Federation of World
Peace to attend their seminar in Washington, D.C. Among the
representatives from over 50 countries, two of us came from Nepal. The
seminar lasted for ten days, from the 20th of January to the 30th.
PKM: Who was the other person from Nepal who came with you?
MKN: Suresh Raj Sharma, the Vice Chancellor of Kathmandu
University.
PKM: I understand that the immediate objective of your visit
was the seminar, but did you have any other objectives of your own,
different from Professor Sharma's?
MKN: Yes, Sharmaji had his academic mission. He visited Western
Kentucky University and met with people there. He went back to Nepal
after completing some work of his university at Western Kentucky. Because
I am a politician, I had my own political mission attached to my visit. I
wanted to meet with expatriate Nepalis and visit Cuba.
PKM: Were there any important questions or issues that expatriate
Nepalis raised in their meetings with you that you think are of special
importance and so deserve further deliberation.
MKN: When I first visited the US in 1992, the primary concern
among expatriate Nepalis was different. They were more interested in the
question of creating favorable opportunities for them to invest capital in
Nepal. In this visit, however, I have encountered a few additional
questions and issues like that.
Besides the investment of expatriate community's knowledge,
expertise, experience, academic qualification, and capital in Nepal, the
issues of dual citizenship and tax treaty between the US and Nepal were
the two. But there were others. They asked me if the Nepali government
could help increase the number of lottery slots from the present 150 or so
to a thousand under which Nepalis could come to the West, particularly the
US, to work, for Nepalis do not get as many opportunities as people from
other parts of South Asia and elsewhere for reasons of Nepal's own history.
Questions about the formal recognition of expatriate Nepali
cultural organizations by the Nepali government in order to recognize the
legality of their contribution to Nepal and the various ways of bringing
about social reforms within Nepal were some of the other issues. A
question that seemed particularly important to me was, How can the Nepali
government encourage foreign companies or international projects
interested to work in Nepal, either as part of the foreign aid program or on
contract, to utilize the expertise and experience of the expatriate Nepali
community in the specific areas of those companies and projects?
PKM: Well, there's a song in Nepali that voices this
sentiment--"Farka hai farka Nepali, timilai dakcha Himal". And the 70s'
issue of brain-drain has now once again come back in the form of
brain-return. Recently, Kanak Mani Dixit, the editor of Himal-South Asia,
conducted a number of day-long symposiums in the US about the ways and
needs for the expatriate Nepalis to contribute to Nepal by returning. Do
you think those Nepalis who come to the West would contribute better by
returning to Nepal or by staying outside of Nepal?
MKN: First of all, I must tell you that it is of utmost importance
that Nepalis contribute their expertise, experience, their earnings and so
on to Nepal's development. In this regard, people here have asked me that
the Nepali government should allow expat Nepalis to find easy, open ways
to send money to Nepal, invest in various sectors, even open accounts with
the banks and keep their money there. But I haven't come to the
conclusion that if all Nepalis returned to Nepal, Nepal would
automatically benefit from it. Expat Nepalis mustn't forget Nepal, and it
is important that they keep Nepal's well-being in mind even while living
outside of Nepal.
During their stay abroad, Nepalis should use this opportunity to
sharpen their abilities, especially their academic qualifications, do what
is good and avoid that is bad. Wherever they live, they should maintain
their place, earn professional and social recognition by being successful.
In this way, every Nepali would be proud of their achievements. At some
point when Nepal needs their expertise, experience, and distinction for
its upliftment, there shouldn't be any dilemma about returning and
contributing to Nepal.
PKM: Let's talk about Cuba now, your other objective for this
visit. During the Cold War and even now, US-Cuba history has been one of
head-butting. Your visit to Cuba from the US, therefore, sounds a little
out of the way. Had you already made the plans in Nepal or after you
arrived here, you thought, "Why not kill two birds with one stone?"? And
what do you plan to see and do in Cuba?
MKN: First of all, Cuba is a socialist country. We don't have to
blindly agree with every policy, party or experience of another country.
We want every country to develop freely, provide distinguished
administration to its people, win the people's love and trust, and lead
them to prosperity. These are the fundamental issues. Beyond this, we do
not have to say much about the internal affairs of another country. But I
have wanted to visit the sovereign socialist country of Cuba for sometime
now, and I had been invited more than once. This time also, they extended
the invitation, and I found this opportunity suitable, and so I'm going.
PKM: Is this your first visit to Cuba?
MKN: Yes, this is my first visit.
PKM: Are you planning to see any particular things while you are
there?
MKN: I want to see how its society has turned out during the socialist
regime. I have heard many good things about Cuba's health and education
systems. I want to see if what I have heard is true. I also want to see
how it is surviving despite strangling sanctions against it. I have been
to four of the five socialist countries existing today--North Korea,
China, Vietnam, and Laos. Only Cuba I haven't seen. If I get a chance,
I'll meet a few of the leaders as well.
PKM: Did you get to meet anyone other than expatriate Nepalis in
the US?
MKN: Yes, besides meeting all kinds of Nepalis, I did meet a few
others. I met a few officers from the White House and an Assistant
Secretary of State from the State Department.
PKM: What was the Assistant Secretary's name?
MKN: Name . . . . I'm afraid I don't remember off hand, but it's
in my notes. But I also met a former US ambassador to Nepal, a few US
intellectuals, representatives of institutions that want to invest
goodwill and money in Nepal.
PKM: So you, too, want investment of foreign capital in Nepal?
MKN: Yes, we want foreigners to invest capital in Nepal without
harming Nepal's and Nepali people's interests. With the understanding
that both parties benefit from the venture, we are in favor of foreign
investment.
PKM: Intellectuals as well as people in the business sectors
believe that some fundamental shifts and transformations have occurred
in the geopolitics of the world after the Cold War. In this context,
some say that the world has reached the "end of history," the history of
struggle between the forces of capitalism and socialism. The only
triumphant ideology that has been left as a result is capitalism or
neo-liberalism.
On the other hand, others say that the capitalist world-system that
began in the 16th century has hit an unprecedented crisis; that the end
of its supremacy has begun with the onset of globalization; and that we
are at the beginning of the rise of a new world-system. One of the
reasons this is so is because the phenomenon of globalization has made
the East/South mix with the West/North in ways that had never happened
before. Still others suggest that in this Information Age and rise of
the Network Society, those who, either in the South or the North, fall
outside this Network Society would be the total losers. In other words,
the gap between the rich and the poor would increase in ways that has never
happened so far. How do you see Nepal in light of these assessments of
the current global trends?
MKN: It is true that capitalism has so far been successful in
resolving the contradictions it has faced from time to time. But even
as it has resolved some, it has found itself gripped by other crises,
contradictions, and problems. We can't say for sure even now that we have
reached the final verdict in the struggle between socialism and
capitalism. For the time being, it looks as though capitalism has won,
but the crisis that has engulfed the people of Eastern Europe speaks
volumes about this triumph. Russia has a colossal number of unemployed;
poverty has exponentially risen; prostitution has infested society;
standard of living has drastically plummeted. So capitalism has further
complicated the problems these societies faced before. The problems of
food, clothing, housing, employment, health and education have worsened.
We, therefore, see that capitalism has failed to achieve any success in
Eastern Europe.
On the other hand, China is a socialist country. And in our
present context, we can no longer think in the form of either orthodox
capitalism or communism. We have to see Marxism in a progressive, dynamic
form. Capitalism, too, has survived by adapting itself to the changing
circumstances. Laissez faire policy has failed. Right here in the US,
the education system is free and mandatory up to highschool. Is this the
desire of capitalism? I don't think so. This is an aspect of socialism.
In education, health care, and social security, President Bill Clinton
still speaks about the government's responsibility. Are these features of
capitalism? Original capitalism does not permit any of these. Capitalism
has learned quite a few things from socialism in order to survive. During
the 1930s financial crisis, the US adopted a number of features of
socialism, accepted the crucial role of the state in the welfare of its
people. It appeared then that the state could not get away from its
responsibility toward the people.
But the irony is that this very capitalism tells the Third World to get
rid of the role and responsibility of the state. This stance is
historically incompatible. It is true that the state cannot take
responsibility for its people from birth to death, but the state must
make available and protect the opportunities for advancement, lay down
the infrastructures, protect and safeguard people's interests. The state
cannot get away from these responsibilities. This is what socialism
teaches.
It is also true that in socialism, the project of nationalization
reached its extreme, which needs to be reformed--individual liberties need
to be protected and guaranteed. So socialism as we have seen it needs to be
reformed, but the fundamental principle of socialism is the supremacy of
people's sovereignty. No state can survive by curtailing, limiting, and
abrogating people's rights. Those political systems that people don't
want can't survive. Socialism promotes, and it should promote, this role
of the people.
In a nutshell, Marxism is a science that aims at ending
the tradition of exploitation and discrimination. It's goal is to uplift
everyone's personality and bring society to prosperity. In this sense,
the goal of our campaign is to take human society from the realm of
necessity to the realm of freedom. During this campaign, the new needs
arise, and to fulfil these emergent needs, new analysis and investigation
need to be carried out. Once old needs are met, further new needs arise,
and new investigation is needed in order to understand those needs;
accordingly, new ways of producing the means to fulfil those needs have to
be found. This is an ongoing process in human history and civilization.
That is why, we are against curtailing or limiting human personality, are
against abrogating the rights of the people. No system can survive
without winning the trust and love of the people. And in order to win the
love and trust of the people, it is fundamental that their rights are
respected and safeguarded. That's why, we have placed high premium on the
tradition of electoral politics--and it is in this context that we have
adopted people's multiparty democracy since the Fifth Party Congress of
1993.
Now, regarding your question about Nepal's place in the age of
Information Technology and globalization, so far big and powerful
nation-states are trying to use globalization for their own selfish ends;
and that's why, the nation-states in the South have been opposing this new
kind of neo-colonialism. So far, the use of words like liberalization,
openness, etc., seem to have been used to find new markets for First-World
goods in the Third World. But at the same time when others interfere in
their home markets by putting out goods, we know that they have adopted
policies of protectionism. France, New Zealand, and Australia have
offered special protection to their farmers; Japan and the US have
protected their automobile industries. In his State of the Union address,
President Bill Clinton talked about the need to protect and promote the
interests of the American farmers and American industries. So we see that
everyone tries to promote their national interests.
What we want is that Nepali industries can compete in the
international markets. The state can't bear all responsibilities, nor
should people depend on the state for everything. But Nepal's economic
and industrial infrastructure is weak. We need to change this state of
affairs. We want to promote competition within the nation, in the region
and at the international level. We want to explore and develop areas of
comparative advantage for Nepal. This imperative can't be blocked by
shutting doors and windows anymore. We need to think seriously how
Nepal can face this emerging global challenge.
PKM: Let me now take you to Nepal's position in the geopolitics of
South Asia. In Nepal, we find two kinds of parties in their relation to
India. On the one hand, there are those political parties that adopt the
rhetoric and public strategy of proclaiming themselves India's friends in
order, it seems, to win a certain section of Nepalis on their side for
electoral ends; on the other hand, another set of political parties,
despite their own ideological differences, flaunt their anti-Indian
public stance in order, it seems, to win the votes of another section of
the Nepali people. What is your personal and party position in this
matter of making India an unquestionable friend or an avowed enemy in
order to pander to domestic constituencies and run domestic politics?
MKN: Nepal and India are next-door neighbors--nobody can do anything
about this geopolitical fact. Therefore, there is no alternative but to
coexist together. Furthermore, this is also a fact that no country can
survive by irritating and making its neighbor an enemy. Nor does one
want to survive by compromising one's sovereignty, accepting another's
domination, and subjecting oneself to humiliation.
We are Nepalis; we are proud of this fact; and we are clear in our
position that Nepal's interests must be protected by all means.
Neighborly relationship loses all its meaning if Nepal's interests are
compromised, its friendship is not based on independence and equality, and
if there is interference in its internal affairs. What I'm trying to say
is that we have to get away from both these extremes. There is no need to
consider or make India an enemy. Both India and Nepal are independent
countries. It is important for everybody to understand that we are proud
of Nepal's history--it has never been anybody's colony.
It is also a fact that Nepal is a small land-locked country surrounded
by India and China. Nepalis are sensitive and protective of their
country's sovereignty because Nepal had to face external aggression at
various points in its history. Big countries should understand this
psychological makeup of the Nepalis. Similarly, we have to understand
the feelings of other countries; if we do, we can keep a balance in our
mutual relationship. But because we are small, we don't need to feel
inferiority nor do we need to be servile to anybody. There's no need
either to be dominated or consider anyone our master or ourselves
anyone's agent. We have to get away from these binary positions--either
subjugation or enmity. We need to pursue mutual interests; international
standards and pursuit of mutual benefits should guide our dealings with
each other.
If countries in the South look after their interests, land-locked
countries look after their interests, developed countries look after their
interests, it is natural that Nepal, too, should look after its interests.
And it has been the international standard that big countries take into
account the needs of the smaller countries; prosperous countries sacrifice
a little for the poor countries. That's why, I'm not saying that there
must be equality in everything in the relationship between India and
Nepal. A small land-locked country like Nepal deserves a little more
favorable treatment. Others need to be a little more sensitive to Nepal's
interests.
PKM: I have another question about Indo-Nepal relationship.
There's a widespread feeling among the people of the Tarai that behind
this shrill anti-India sloganeering, there's another subtext, psychology,
and attitude--this anti-India sloganeering indeed hides and perpetuates
animosity against the people of the Tarai. For example, there are some
derogatory terms used against the Indians, such as "dhoti" or "madise."
But the same derogatory words are used against the people of the Tarai.
This habit of looking down upon the people of the Tarai seems to have
become a sensitive spot in Indo-Nepal relations. In this context, there
seems a widespread feeling in the Tarai that the Nepali Communist Party is
the party of the Paharis--people of the hills. How do you view all this?
MKN: This attitude might have prevailed at some point in the past,
but now we have found that people of the Tarai greatly trust and love the
communist party of Nepal. The main point is that the communist party is
the party that safeguards the interests of the workers, farmers,
intellectuals, patriots, and democrats. It is a party that protects and
works for those who have been the victims of injustice and tyranny. It is
on the side of those who have been discriminated and treated as unequal.
Therefore, if anybody has misunderstanding about the Communist Party, they
should clear up this misunderstanding.
Secondly, if you look at the political movement of 2008 B.S., the
declaration of 2011 and 2014 B.S., people's base of the Communist Party
has been in the Tarai. Saptari, Mahottari, Siraha, Bara, Siraha,
Dhanusha, Rautahat, or any other Tarai district--if you look at the
history of political movement, these areas have been on the forefront. In
the election of 2015 B.S., out of the four parliamentary seats that the
Communist Party won, two were from Rautahat. And who were the victorious
candidates? Shekh Farman and Hardayal Mahato--two people from the Tarai.
As for the abuse the Taraiwasis or others face in Kathmandu, we must combat
and uproot these attitudes and tendencies. Such attitudes existed towards
outsiders and other castes as well in the past; and these are wrong. But
if anyone holds these undesirable attitude towards Taraiwasis in the hills
and Paharwasid in the Tarai, these are Nepal's internal matters; we have
to sit down and sort out these issues and reform and rectify them. This
issue can't be associated with India. India is a separate country.
Therefore, India does not have to think about it because Nepal is a
country of Nepali citizens, and those who are not citizens of Nepal, they
don't have to worry about Nepali citizens.
PKM: There's another question that somewhat relates to the one I
asked. It is widely believed that the ethnic inequality that existed
before 1990 at various levels in Nepal's public life still persists. For
example, inadequate representation from the various nationalities of the
hills and the people from the Tarai, particularly the lower castes and
tribes, still continues in the Royal Nepal Army--particularly among its
commissioned rank--the civil service, and the leadership of political
parties. It is said that these all were dominated by the Bahun-Chetri
groups before as they are now; nothing has changed. Regional and ethnic
inequality still persists as before. What do you have to say about it?
MKN: First of all, there shouldn't be any policy-related
discrimination against these various ethnic groups. Second, in
implementation and practical dealings also, there shouldn't be any
discrimination; if any discrimination exists, these should be
rectified. And we have raised our voice about many of these issues. We
cannot deny that we have problems of imbalance in relation to the people
of the Tarai, lower castes, dalits, various nationalities, and people of
western region of Nepal. We still need balance in representation. But
even in the developed countries, the aborigines of those countries
haven't reached the topmost positions; in many countries, women haven't
reached the top despite their being half of the population. They are
still on the path to justice and equality, and we have to think along
the same line. We shouldn't take it otherwise.
PKM: But in the West, particularly in the United States, in the
areas of education, private sector and government, under the program of
Affirmative Action, the representation of African Americans has been
increased. This attitude of inclusivity has also applied
increasingly to people who come from other countries as immigrants under
the belief that ethnic diversity at workplace enhances and enriches the
work environment and productivity.
MKN: What is the ratio of representation of women and African
Americans among the senators and members of the House of Representatives
here? If you ask how many among these groups-- women and African
Americans--have been able to be presidents, vice presidents, or
governors, we find that this problem persists even here. Other
countries, including those in Europe, may have this problem as well, for
all I know. But I'm not saying that just because other countries have
such problems, we, too, should have them. We have to constantly keep in
mind that we need to work on these problems in Nepal and create
opportunities for increased participation from unrepresented
groups that have been discriminated in the past based on gender, ethnicity,
caste, and region. Mindful of this inequality, we have increased the
representation of women, unrepresented regions and ethnicities and
dalits; we are further devising ways to achieve adequate representation
at various levels of our party
organization. At any rate, we need to constantly work on it and do more.
PKM: Let me ask you about your party now. Left parties splintered,
and as a result the country and its democratic exercise were adversely
affected, but two groups were affected the most--the party workers at the
grassroots level and the intellectuals. Both the intellectuals and the
party workers found themselves in a quandary, to say the least. If the
party cadres had been in the party both because they believed in the
principles and had some connection with particular leaders ("I know
so-and-so leader and therefore I belong to this party"), intellectuals
were in it because they believed in the efficacy of leftist ideas and
were more concerned about the shift in global geopolitics rather than who
is jockeying for power over whom. But because of the factionalism and
splintering brought about by the personal ambitions of and petty
differences among leaders like you, they have found it difficult to
individualize and personalize their loyalties. The party workers were
forced to decide their allegiance under extraordinarily difficult and
painful circumstances. What do you have to say about this?
MKN: People in particular had high hopes not from any particular
individuals but the UML. They still believe that no other party than
the UML is capable of building Nepal's future, and the UML must get the
ultimate opportunity to do so. If the UML, too, failed to do anything
about it, then nothing but disaster would await us--this is what they
believe.
They have great expectations from the UML, its leaders and its
workers. People have been disappointed by the failure of the UML to win
a majority because of the split. Those who broke away realize now that
they made a mistake; the Congress won but have achieved nothing. The
Congress has ruled for 8 years but has not been able to demonstrate any
capability. In the nine-month minority rule, the UML had done quite a
few things. So the UML should be given a full term--this is what the
people believe. That is why, they demand that the harm done by the
split in the UML has to be compensated, and everyone who broke away has
to be brought together in the fold in order to strengthen the party once
again. Accordingly, we have made an appeal for everyone to return. A
few former MP's, committee members, office bearers of district committees
have already rejoined; some from the higher layer have also shown
readiness to do the same. We have to move ahead with the healing
process. With a broad heart, we have to bring everyone back to the fold
and fulfil people's expectations; we must face the emerging challenges
and exploit the possibilities of development. If Nepal sinks, we all
will sink; if the country goes to the rocks, we all will go to the
rocks. To prevent all this, we've got to be serious and broad-minded.
We have to direct the country with a clear vision and firm determination
and clean image. Without bias or political prejudice, the UML has to
take initiative and bring together people of integrity, ability, and
experience in order to lead the country to prosperity. In order to
protect the interests of the country, boost the feeling of patriotism,
safeguard everyone's human rights, respect the law and the constitution,
and successfully face the challenges ahead, we have to rise above
pettiness and focus on the fulfillment of people's basic needs, such as
food, health, education, safety, employment, etc.
PKM: Let me ask you a few questions about your personal background.
Where did you grow up and went to school?
MKN: I grew up in Rautahat district in a place called Gaur. I
couldn't continue schooling there after a while due to poor health.
Then I completed I.Com. from Birganj. For a while, I went to Tri-Chandra
college in Kathmandu and then transferred to Patan campus. Then I moved to
Biratnagar and went to Mahendra Morang College. While at school, I worked
for a bank and the government--and got involved in politics. I began to
participate in progressive politics in 1966, and joined Pushpa Lal's
Communist Party in 1969. After Biratnagar, I became associated with the
Jhapali movement; and as a committee member, I organized the workers. At
this time, a consensus was reached between the revolutionaries of Jhapa
and Morang. In 1974, we published an appeal; in 032 B.S., we established
the Coordination Center. I was among its founding members. When in 1978,
we formed Nepal Communist Party (ML), I was among its founders and
politburo members. After Morang, I moved to Dhanusha. I worked there for
about four years. I was arrested and imprisoned in Jaleshwar for two
years (1975-77). After release, I moved to Kathmandu. From 1980 on, I
worked for the Kathmandu branch of the Party. I also looked after the
Mechi zone. I have held the responsibility of various organizations
within the party, including foreign affairs. It was during this time that
ML and Man Mohan's Nepal Communist Party merged. Madan Bhandari and I
were on one side and Man Mohan Adhikari and Sahana Pradhan were on the
other side on the merger committee. After 1990, I was on the drafting
committee of the present constitution.
PKM: At what age did you feel drawn to politics and political issues?
Were there any particular influences that led you to this association?
MKN: It must have been when I was thirteen or fourteen. In Gaur, I
came to know a few progressive individuals, including members of Pushpa
Lal's party. Then there were books by progressive writers. I read the
Hindi writer Yaspal, the polyglot Rahul Sankrityayan.
PKM: Which book by Sankrityayan?
MKN: "Don't run, Change the World" (Bhago Nahi, Duniya Ko Badlo),
"From the Bholga to the Ganges" (Bholga se Gangatak) and a few others. I
also read Gorky, particularly his novel "Mother." All this led me to be a
member of the communist party at 17.
PKM: Did you do any regular job before the People's Movement of 1990?
I am asking because in Nepal, people who do honest politics because they
have ideas, moral commitment and dedication very often become financially
destitute. How did you manage to do politics in Nepal?
MKN: First of all, in 1974, I left everything, renounced my family
and dedicated myself to the cause of Progressive Politics as a cadre.
Because I was single, freed from family obligations, it wasn't hard for
me to survive. Sometimes I would receive pocket expenses from home, from
my father who, after the stints of a school teacher and headmaster,
eventually became the Campus Chief.
PKM: Which Campus?
MKN: Rautahat Campus. Later my two brothers became engineers.
They, too, sent me money now and then. Still later, I married someone who
was already employed. This marriage took care of my household expenses
thereafter. So I didn't face any hardship of this kind.
PKM: You didn't do any regular job (Jagir) for living after 1974,
is that correct?
MKN: No, I didn't.
PKM: Finally, what are your expectations from expatriate Nepalis?
MKN: Expatriate Nepalis should always love the country of their
origin and its culture, including its language and identity. They should
be ready to contribute to Nepal's welfare and development. If Nepal
advances, their prestige would also receive a boost. The more Nepal
fares better, the more recognition they will get abroad. There are many
such examples. With the rise of China, for example, people of Chinese
descent have found recognition the world over. Nepal's international
standing is crucial for Nepalis' standing in the eyes of the world.
That's why, it's important to love Nepal and help maintain its distinct
identity.
Unity and frequent communication among scattered Nepalis are
important matters in this respect. They should keep alive their
language and culture. They should also look for suitable opportunities
to contribute expertise, capital, technological know-how for the
upliftment of Nepal. From time to time, they should visit Nepal, and
even return to live there. In order to make all this possible, they should
focus on the enhancement of their academic qualifications and abilities,
consolidate their position wherever they live. They should strive to set
examples and achieve distinction in their particular fields. I wish that
everywhere Nepalis prosper and contribute to their societies as well as
to Nepal. These are my good wishes.
PKM: It has been a pleasure talking to you. Thank you very
much.
***************************************************************
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 16:05:20 CST
To: The Nepal digest Editor <nepal-request@cs.niu.edu>
From: Janak Koirala MD <jkoirala@siumed.edu>
Subject: ANMF's Fourth Annual Convention, June 9-10, 2000, CDC, Atlanta
America Nepal Medical Foundation
Columbia University Station * P. O. Box 250793 * New York * NY 10025
Phone: 217- 782 0190 e-mail: jkoirala@siumed.edu
March 1, 2000
Dear Friends,
The America Nepal Medical Foundation (ANMF) will hold its Fourth Annual
convention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
the Emory School of Public Health in Atlanta, Georgia, on 9th-10th
June, 2000. This year's conference theme will be- "Public Health in 3rd
millennium: Perspectives for Nepal". Several excellent panels of
speakers and experts will share their insights on Nepal's current health
status and highlight their vision for the future. This year's meeting is
special, because it will be held at the CDC and we will have
opportunities to hear, meet and have direct discussions with the guest
speakers from CDC. We are also planning to have a social hour with the
participants from CDC.
We hope you will be able to join us in Atlanta.
The conference venue and dates will be:
Venue: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) and the
Emory School of Public Health
Clifton Road , Atlanta, GA
Date/Time: starts 12noon,Friday 9th June, 2000
ends 3pm, Saturday 10th June, 2000
The preliminary schedule and a registration form for the conference are
available on the ANMF's website:
/www.anmf.net/
This convention will also allow us a unique opportunity to share
and learn about the important health issues that Nepal is currently
facing and how can ANMF make a difference on it. We would like to bring
your attention to some of the highlights of our activities over the past
year-
* This past November, ANMF provided its second Continuing Medical
Education (CME) program to Nepal in collaboration with the American
College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the Society of Internal Medicine
of Nepal (SIMON). For year 2000, ANMF is planning to hold two CME
programs in Kathmandu- one on Neurology and second on Radiology.
* The ANMF continues to provide other sorely needed resources, such
as medical books and journals, to the Tribhuvan University's medical
school library in Nepal. This remains an important ANMF's ongoing
effort. We have also started sending electronic versions of the medical
literature which are more economical to ship. We plan to increase the
use of electronic versions in the future.
*ANMF developed its new website: /www.anmf.net/
*ANMF also served as a liason between various North American
institutions and individuals and Nepalese medical institutions.
These achievements, though a beginning, are a source of pride and
satisfaction to the entire ANMF family, especially since our
organization is only at its toddler stage. This success is due to the
shared vision, good will, and collective efforts of the members and
friends of ANMF in North America and Nepal.
Should you have any questions concerning your trip to Atlanta, please
contact any of the following individuals:
Robert Gerzoff, Conference Coordinator, e-mail: rcg8@cdc.gov
Janak Koirala, MD,MPH, General Secretary, e-mail:
jkoirala@siumed.edu
Gaury Adhikary, MD, President, e-mail: adhikary@umich.edu
We look forward to seeing you in Atlanta.
Sincerely,
Gaury Adhikary, M.D.
President, ANMF
**********************************************************************
From: "Montys" <agnelo@goa1.dot.net.in>
To: <tnd@nepal.org>
Subject: Question about selling a vehicle in Nepal
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 15:47:41 +0530
Dear TND
my name is Thomas Frommel, I am from Germany and would like to sell my =
car (VW Bus Camper 1976) in Katmandu. Can you give me any information on =
this (price, legal, carnet stamps...)
thank you very much=20
thomas=20
vw-traveler@gmx.net
*****************************************************************
From: "Rajeshlah" <rajeshlal@mail.ru>
To: <tnd@nepal.org>
Subject: want to have some info .
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 23:29:49 +0300
Dear Editor,
Well we really liked your site, we found out there =
different organization , I would like to get the information , so that I =
would forward to you the nepalese students union in Russia, which had so =
far organized lots of functions in different feasts & festivals of =
Nepal, which helped us to introduce the himalayan kingdom,our culture in =
the third country.
If you people are interested in all these , here I am =
,can help you lot in that.
Looking forward to hear from you very soon.
Your sincerly,
Rajesh.
*****************************************************************
From: "Risal, Ananta Gopal (Ananta)** CTR **" <arisal@lucent.com>
To: "'tnd@nepal.org'" <tnd@nepal.org>
Subject: Pharkera Painchha Ke?
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000 14:09:02 -0500
Pharkera Painchha Je?
Yasto Karma Garoun Bishudhha Tanale Samsharma Gunjeeyosh
Sraddha, Bhakti Sajaun Akhanda Manale, Sadbhabana Urliyous !
Birsuon Chhaina Bayaana Yo Phagatama, Samjhera Painchha Ke ?
Lagaoun, Dwar Chha Hai Sapha, Sahajako, Pharkera Painchha Ke? ||1||
Khojaoun Gyan Chha Purna Yo Jagatama, Prakrit Aashtha Badhos
Dhyanai Eshswarko Garaoun Sapharama, Biunjhera Yadai Rahos |
Patto Chhaina, Nakhoj Ke Kasarama ? Khoje Namilne Chha Ke ?
Sancho Khoj Bhaye, Abashya Miligo, Pharkera Painchha Ke? ||2||
Arthai Chhaina Nalag He Bishadama, Nistha Rahos Ishama
Sewa Bhaba Badhos Bishistha Janama, Namai Chalos Deshma |
Biujhoun, Aaj Uthoun, Samana Sabale, Echhya Na Ho Pugchha Ke ?
Banki Ta Saba Khel Hun Pabanako, Pharkera Painchha Ke? ||3||
Bitda Chhan Sabaka Atita Sapana, Parkhera Po Milchha Ke?
Chinta, Dhonga Narakha, Rakha Bipana, Samjhera Painchha Ke?
Milda Chhan Pala Yojana Samayaka, Tadhera Jane Chha Ke?
Aatma-Chintan, Roshna Sapharma, Pharkera Painchha Ke? ||4||
Sukhha Pyar Nahun, Abashya Rahane Mushkanka Garjana
Premi Pustha Banun, Katha Amaraka, Shoujannyaka Sirjana |
Bhuldai Bhog Bilashma Kati Bason ? Samsarako Saar ke ?
Badoun Pyar, Daya Sabai Rhidayaka, Pharkera Painchha Ke? ||5||
Dhunga Chhan Ajha Khonchaka Waripari, Sougat Yo Mildachha
Aasthaka Ghara-Mandirai Sajanaka, Mushkanale Khuldachha |
Echhya Ke Chha ? Pasyou, Lutyou ? Shikharma ? Be-Desh Bhandar Re !
Lobhi Chhou, Jana He ? Najaau Gharama, Pharkera Painchha Ke? ||6||
Khokra Chhan Bana Jungalai, Saba Gaye, Aago Pashyo Bhirama
Gurkhali Saba Bhag Hai, Jhitimiti - Samhal Hai Sathama |
Pharkanchhou ? Aba Chhaina Hai Saphar Yo, Tadha Bhayou ? Sodhchha Koi ?
Samanti Sarakarle Saba Lutyo, Pharkera Painna Kyei ? ||7||
Yasto Socha Gari, Sapha Hridayako, Sam-Yojana Sirjanu
Bhoka Chhan Duniya, Garib Bichara, Shikchhya Naya Bhardinu |
Dasii Banna Pugyo, Uthoun Nidara Bhai, Parkhera Painchha Ke?
Painnan Sukha Ti Bidesha Gharama, Pharkera Painchha Je ! ||8||
Ananta G Risal
NJ, USA
*********************************************************************
From: "Bal K Sharma" <bsharma@uhc.com>
To: tnd@nepal.org
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2000 12:01:49 -0600
Subject: A High School In Gorkha Nepal Seeking Volunteers for "teachers
training"
Dear TND Readers:
The Old Capital High School located in District headquarter of Gorkha, Nepal is
a private English medium school. The school has about 400 teachers and 24
teachers. This school is presently seeking volunteers (individual or a team of
members) who can go there (Gorkha, Nepal) short-term and train local teachers
on "effective class-room teaching". The training areas could be more broader and
the interested persons can contact the school authority directly at
maskey@nrose.wlink.com.np. The shcool is not able to pay salary in US dollars
but will provide descent lodging, meals and other facilities such as guidance
and language interpretation for volunteers while in Nepal. More information on
this subject is available to interested parties upon request. Thank you for
your attention.- Dr. Bal Krishna Sharma
******************************************************************
From: Kattrouble@aol.com
Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2000 15:37:16 EST
Subject: Info on organization
To: tnd@nepal.org
My name is Leigh Gardner and I was wondering if you had any information on
an organization called Cultural Destination Nepal. According to their
website, they run volunteer oriented cultural immersion trips to Nepal. I am
interested in signing up for one of their programs but I would like some
third-party information on this organization before I do. Thank you for your
help.
Sincerely,
Leigh Gardner
Czarina22@yahoo.com
**********************************************************
From: "Everest Radio Times" <info@everestradiotimes.co.uk>
To: <tnd@nepal.org>
Subject: Link Request
Date: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 22:09:30 -0000
Dear Sir/Madam,
We have started broadcasting of Everest Radio Times, Nepali Language =
Radio Station in the UK, probably first Nepali Language Radio Station =
out side Nepal, by Nepali community for Nepali community.=20
Our service is running as test broadcasting every Sunday from 9AM to =
10AM at 558AM on the air of London and we are being very successful and =
planning to go ahead. Our News also is available on the web that can be =
accessible from around the world by everyone free of charge.=20
Here, I would like to request with you - Could you please help us =
linking our web page to your http://www.nepal.org/ web site? It would be =
so great help if you could do please.=20
Please remember our Radio Station and all its belonging are in child =
stage and need your warm comments and suggestion to grow it up =
successfully.=20
Thank you very much.
Our Web site's address is:=20
http://www.everestradiotimes.co.uk/=20
Regards,=20
Bharat Thapa=20
Technical Consultant=20
(Web design/Internet Advertise)
Everest Radio Times, London, UK
*****************************************************************************
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2000 11:23:04 +0500
To: (Recipient list suppressed)
From: Martin Chautari <chautari@mos.com.np>
Subject: Chautari Discussion Schedule
This week (8 February 2000, 25 Magh 2056) at Martin Chautari:
PUBLIC RADIO AND SOCIAL MOVEMENT
Pratyoush Onta, Convenor, Martin Chautari
Discussions take place at <bold>Martin Chautari</bold><bigger> (Phone/fax
246065) every Tuesday at 5:30pm in Thapathali (call if you need
directions). Participation is open to all. Email:chautari@mos.com.np;
Unless otherwise noted, presentations are in Nepali.
15 February 2000/ 3 Falgun 2056
Janabadi Educational System
Nanda Kumar Thapa, Nepal National Teachers' Organisation and Rajendra
Rai, ANNFSU.
22 February 2000/ 10 Falgun 2056
Sexual Abuse of Children : Problems and Solutions
Gauri Pradhan , CIWIN<bold>
29 February 2000/ 17 Falgun 2056
What Municipal Ward Committees are doing?
Mahendra Bilash Joshi, 17 Ward President, and Pabitra Bajracharya, 23
Ward President
**************************************************************
From: "tiki sharma" <lumbini@hotmail.com>
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Info
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 2000 04:48:19 PST
Dear Nepal Digest:
We will be grateful if some one could provide the e-mail, phone and contact
address for Dr. Luna Bhatta who was in Syracuse University Medical School a
few years ago.
Many thanks.
Raj Shrestha
****************************************************************
From: Angel.C.Gooch@usdoj.gov
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2000 9:20:00 -0500
Subject: Tibetan Buddhists in Nepal
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Is there anyone at this address who is knowledgeable on the current
situation of
Tibetan Buddhists (particularly the Helambu Sherpa / Yolmo) in Nepal? I am
researching this topic, and will be happy to send more information and flesh
out
my questions a bit if this is an appropriate address to send my queries to...
I
found this address on the internet and I'm not sure if it is still good.
Also,
may I ask which school I am contacting?
Thanks!
Angel Gooch
***********************************************************************
From: "ALISON_PENNY_SHORE" <APS98A@Stu.ChiHE.ac.uk>
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2000 18:25:32 -0000
We are doing a study on "The Himalayan Dilema".
Would there be anything to help us??
Please could you point us in the right direction.
Thank you
Ali
***********************************************************
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 09:29:37 -0800 (PST)
From: Stephen Bezruchka <sabez@u.washington.edu>
To: Undisclosed recipients: ;
Subject: Bill Gates Meets Nepali Prime Minister
PRIME MINISTER OF NEPAL KP BHATTARAI MEETS BILL GATES
Prime Minister of Nepal KP Bhattarai met Bill Gates while the former was=20
visiting the States in September 1999. The following are excerpts from=20
Bhattarai-Gates talk. Author: anonymous:-)
Gates: Have you installed Windows 98 at home?
Bhattarai: Oh yes, otherwise you never know when the Maoists jump through=
=20
your window and into your bed with the khukuris!
Gates(Confused): Then what is the system you operate on?
Bhattarai: Operation? I had a hernia operation last month. And we have=20
multi-party system, and we like to rule by a single party. People in genera=
l=20
call it multi-party Panchayat system, we politicians call it multi-party=20
democratic system.
Gates: I hope the Internet is being used a lot in Nepal.
Bhattarai: Oh Yes! But in Nepal, we use Exter-net, not Internet. Due to lac=
k=20
of garbage dumping sites, mosquitoes are increasing. So many people sleep=
=20
under the net, I mean they use external-nets.
Gates: By the year 2000 Nepal should import computer chips.
Bhattarai: We are already exporting potato chips and "Uncle Chips," so we d=
o=20
not need that.
Gates: Do you use a laptop?
Bhattarai: Of course yes. At many of Nepali Congress addresses many women=
=20
have had a wonderful opportunity to sit on the top of my lap.
Gates: What is more popular in your country - Apple or PC?
Bhattarai: Of course apple. Apples are grown in Humla and Jumla, but we hav=
e=20
no transportation access there. I am thinking of asking Bill Clinton to=20
donate some helicopters to transport the sweet apples to Kathmandu. Apples=
=20
are not like expensive like in your country, an apple costs one cent only i=
n=20
Nepal
Gates: What is the size of your RAM and ROM.
Bhattarai: Rum? No, I prefer scotch whisky. Size? Big bottle is okay for me=
=2E=20
That is why I contested the Parliamentary elections for easy money to buy=
=20
whisky. Without whisky no sleep, that is my life.
Gates: What kind of CPU do you have?
Bhattarai: No, we do not have any CPU, but CPN. We have a lot of=20
CPNs(Communist Party of Nepal) - with different suffixes like: Maoist,=20
Khaoist, Marxist and Leninist, oho so many - I don't remember all of them!=
=20
All of them are hassle-makers and headaches for the Nepali Congress party.=
=20
And we also have GPK (Girija Prasad Koirala), that is solely hassle-maker t=
o=20
me.
Gates: Are there virus problem in your country?
Bhattarai: Of course yes. The HIV viruses are becoming very dangerous. I am=
=20
myself vulnerable of the HIV viruses. I am neither married nor can I stay a=
s=20
a virgin man - I am very frank speaking man =96 I have told this to the=20
public.
Gates: What is the size of your Hard Disk?
Bhattarai: What? The size of my hard diks (this is how Bhattarai=20
pronounced)! Hare Ram, yo American-le ke ke sodhna sakeko hola (he murmured=
=20
in Nepali)!!!
Gates: I have no energy left, let us go out and have a bite.
Bhattarai: Bite? I do not bite. I believe in non-violence. Only my policeme=
n=20
in Nepal believe on bite, hit and shoot. You know, how brave they are to=20
kill the Maoists! Amnesty International-folks told me that policemen in=20
Nepal believe on bite, hit and shoot. You know, how brave they are to kill=
=20
the Maoists! Amnesty International- folks told me that Nepal is on the top=
=20
of their list in human and hu-woman hunting records. But I read Geeta and I=
=20
like women and whisky and believe in non-violence.
(System crashed as usual PC does and Gates disappeared).
"Windows 98 is restarting. Please wait............."
*******************************************************************
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 09:07:06 -0500
Subject: Academy Award nomination for Nepali film
From: AikoAnne Joshi <aiko7@juno.com>
I overheard today that a Nepali film has been one of the nominations
under best language category. The film name is "The Caravan". If anyone
has any more detailed information about the film and nomination, I would
appreciate it! Thank you.
I would also like to publicly thank all those who responded to my queries
re job possibilities in Nepal and living accomodations in Wash., D.C.
area.
From: AikoAnne Joshi <aiko7@juno.com>
A friend of mine used to work for the YMCA. She and some of her
co-workers came up with an idea for International Women's Day last year.
They got some posters from a local women's center depicting a woman who
had been badly beaten by her husband. It was a gruesome photo poster;
the woman's face battered and broken; eyes puffed up; cheekbones broken
and swollen; lips ballooned to twice its size. . . .
My friend and her co-workers put the posters up in the men's restrooms.
They provided pens so that comments could be written on the posters. They
wanted to see what sorts of reactions these posters would elicit. What
they discovered was interesting but also horrifying and disturbing. Men
had written comments like: "The bitch got what she deserved." "She
should have gotten more of the same!" "She should have been killed."
"This should teach her!"
While these posters were specifically put in men's rooms, I know that
there are many women out there as well who would have thought the same,
though perhaps not quite in those harsh terms. How many of us, men and
women, have asked ourselves when we heard of a woman being raped or
beaten, "What did SHE do?" of, "What was SHE wearing?" That's the
first thing my mother asked me when I was finally able to discuss my own
experience as a battered woman: "What did YOU do to make him so mad?"
And so, an emotionally, psychologically scarred woman will then come to
believe that she must have been so bad as to deserve such punishment, and
her sense of guilt at her inability to please her man -- whether husband,
boyfriend, father, uncle -- will so consume her she becomes nothing but a
timid, submissive shadow.
Aiko
****************************************************************
From: SeiraT@aol.com
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2000 12:00:39 EST
Subject: writers need for the Kathmandu Post Review of Books
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
HI there - just another reminder that if you would like to write a book
review for the Kathmandu Post Review of Books, please contact me. We're
constantly looking for new writers. Seira
*******************************************************************
From: "Prakash Bhandari" <PRAKASH@HBL.COM.NP>
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 09:27:22 +0545, NST
Subject: Fwd:A beautiful stroy for your family
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with
long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did
not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know
you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have
something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked. "No", she
said. "He's out." "Then we cannot come in", they
replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told
him what had happened. "Go tell them I am home and
invite them in!" The woman went out and invited the
men in. "We do not go into a House together," they
replied. "Why is that?" she wanted to know.
One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he
said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing
to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then
he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband
which one of us you want in your home."
The woman went in and told her husband what was said.
Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said.
"Since that is the case, let us invite
Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite
Success?" Their daughter-in-law was listening from the
other corner of the house. She jumped
in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to
invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the
husband to his wife. "Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one
of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The
other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the
lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited
Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together: "If you had invited
Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed
out, but since you invited Love, Wherever He
goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is
also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"
OUR WISH FOR YOU... Where there is pain, we wish you
peace and mercy.
Where there is self-doubting, we wish you a renewed
confidence in your ability to work through them.
Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, we wish you
understanding, patience, and renewed strength.
Where there is fear, we wish you love, and courage.
**************************************************************
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 17:46:44 +0700
From: jamorn <jamorn2000@hotmail.com>
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Re: The Nepal Digest - Oct 18, 1994 (15 Kartik 2051 BkSm)
hello
my name is Preeda. I am from Thailand and I really want kno to about
Nepal. I have heard about Nepal and I really want to know about Morang
town, everthing about Morang , people and cultural and local career,
I am glad to hear from you very soon.
thank you in advance.
Pleas send e-mail to me at grandpreeda@asia.com
*******************************************************************
From: "Anil Shrestha" <shrestha@plant.uoguelph.ca>
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 09:15:40 EST
Subject: News from Canada
Recently I read a newsclip in the sports section of a leading
Canadian daily. The news was that a boxer, Keysor Limbu won the
silver medal in the 54 kgs category of the Canadian National Amateur
boxing championship/selection for the Olympic Games in Sydney,
Australia. To me this name sounded like it was a Nepali origin
surname. Maybe some friends from Calgary can fill me on this because
his hometown is Calgary, Alberta. I feel proud of his achievement and
I am sure there are some of you who would feel the same. Can Gopal
Dangol ji of Alberta help me in checking this out so that we can give
proper acknowledgment to Keysor for his outstanding achievement!
********************************************************************
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 2000 10:03:55 -0700
From: Rick Young <kc7nzf@cyberhighway.net>
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Re: The Nepal Digest - Feb 17, 1995 (5 Falgun 2051 BkSm)
I am doing a report at school on the culture and lifestyle of the Myan
Indians. I was hoping to find more details than I have. If you have
anything to help me, please email me.
Thank you,
Lacey, 12 yrs old
****************************************************************
From: "flip" <phorner@toccoafalls.edu>
To: <nepal@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Re: The Nepal Digest - September 18, 1995 (5 Ashwin 2052 BkSm)
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 2000 20:02:21 -0500
Hello. My name is Jedediah Hecock. I am doing an ethnological study on =
teh Newar of Nepal. I was wondering if you had any information you could =
send me on these people. If so please send it via e- mail to =
jbh19@hotmail.com
Anything you could send me would be very much appreciated. Thankyou.
***********************************************************************
To: List Member <NEPAL@cs.niu.edu>
From: "Alternative Fuel Vehicles Nepal" <AFVsNepal-owner@listbot.com>
Subject: AFVs News
Alternative Fuel Vehicles Nepal
1. Nepal to begin LPG Manufacturing
Martin Chautari
2 March 2000
One more tempo manufacturer is coming up with its product --
'three-wheeler' aka tempo for the dwellers of Kathmandu Valley. No, not an
Electric Vehicle manufacturer this time, but an LPG-run tempo- 'Shristi'
manufacturer. Yes, SHRISTI is the name of the gas-tempo manufactured
locally by Surya Auto Mechanical Works Pvt. Ltd. at Boudha. The company
has produced a prototype and other tempos are in the pipe line and will be
brought in the road once the test ride completes. Our vehicle is giving
satisfactory results avers Basanta Raj Nakarmi, MD, of the company. 'We
rode the vehicle from Thankot to Nagarkot and at various places without a
hitch, and we are running it in different routes soon where other tempos
are plying,' said Nakarmi.
This Nepal-made LPG-run-three-wheeler has its constituent parts brought
from different parts of the world! The chassis is from Scooters India i.e.
the same as that of SAFA, the engine is from Mitsubishi -China, the gas
kits from Lovato-Italy and the body made in Nepal. The engine in use is
the four-stroke petrol engine. The new tempo will come without a petrol
tank. HMG did not allow the new vehicle to have petrol tank. However, old
Tuk-Tuks have their petrol tank intact.
Even after the banning of diesel tempos from the Kathmandu Valley the
demands for the LPG run tempos have not increased, whereas the demand for
Electric Vehicles i.e. SAFAs increased considerably. This indifference
towards the gas tempos is mainly due to the odour that it leaves behind.
When Chautari asked Mr. Nakarmi why he wanted to produce the tempos when
there is no demand for it, Mr. Nakarmi opined that the unpleasant odour is
due to the leakage of gas from the tempo. 'The older tempos are using
substandard kits and valves and that is why the odour. We are using Lovato
gas kits which will not leak the gas', says Nakarmi.
Shristi costs 450 thousands in the market which is 30-35 thousands less
than the imported Tuk-Tuks.
'Though the LPG run vehicles are considered less polluting, the LPG- run
three-wheelers here are emitting more than the set standard of CO,' said
Rajendra B. Adhikari, president of Centre for Renewable Energy. However,
they do not emit the shoot particles as the other vehicles -petrol, diesel
do. 'The LPG run tempos imported in Nepal are substandard one hence they
might exceed the limit,' said a source.
It is noteworthy here that the all the LPG run tempos currently use
gas-cylinders as fuel supply that are meant for household purpose and not
for vehicles. HMG initially granted permission to use these cylinders for
few months. However, the deadlines has been extended from time to time.
The last deadline is to expire within a month but no special cylinder and
gas-filling stations have been established till the date. Surya Auto has
submitted an application to put such gas filling stations but due to
snail-pace of government mechanisms it cannot take place within the time
frame. The file is now in Nepal Oil Company (NOC). "Only the NOC board can
decide over the application as this is the first case of its kind and will
take some time to reach a conclusion," said an official of NOC. 'Once
government gives permission to establish the station it will take merely
two- three months to establish such station,' said Nakarmi of Surya Auto.
2. New Safa Routes
Martin Chautari
2 March 2000
With the flow of more Electric Vehicles in the market, new routes are
being opened up for tempos to operate within the city. Two such new routes
are opened recently. One route is from RNAC to Bafal and the other is from
RNAC to Sinamangal via Battisputali, Tara Cinema Hall. The route to Bafal
was earlier served by the diesel tempos, but after the ban on diesel
operated tempos the route was remained unserved by any vehicles. After the
demand from the local residents of Bafal, the SAFA tempos extended their
service to this area. The Sinamangal route was not served earlier by
petrol or diesel tempos.
3. Polluting politics
By Anil Agrawal, director, Centre for Science and Environment
DISINFORMATION and bad politics seem to go hand in hand. Now that the
Delhi government is showing that it is determined to fight growing air
pollution, a desperate effort seems to be on to try and confuse the issue
in the hope that action against polluters can be delayed, if not derailed.
The Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) has suddenly woken up to say
that the government's move to ban the registration of all commercial
vehicles, except those running on compressed natural gas (CNG), will
promote global warming. TERI scientists seem to have suddenly pulled this
out of their hat, much like a magician conjuring up a rabbit.
Of course, CNG being a gas with a high methane content is known to have
greenhouse gas potential. This is well-known and well-considered in public
policy. This is not to say that diesel, for which TERI obviously seems to
be lobbying, does not lead to global warming. In fact, there is increasing
evidence to show that diesel contributes in an equal measure to global
warming. It was a preferred fuel because of the alleged high efficiency of
diesel engines but the price differential and the lower costs of running
diesel cars has led to increasing usage and negates any advantage.
But the issue that TERI scientists seemed to have missed completely is
that diesel engines emit high quantities of particulate matter which are
extremely small and highly carcinogenic. Particulate pollution is the most
serious pollutant in Delhi. Pollution due to PM 10 particles - particles
with a diameter less than 10 microns - reached an astonishing 820
microgrammes per cubic metre on some days in the city's ambient air. This
is eight times higher than the national standard and possibly way above
anything recorded in any other city in the world. Mexico City, which is
widely considered as the most polluted in the world, has a smog alert
system. The authorities inform citizens about the state of the air on a
daily basis. If Delhi's particulate pollution levels are considered and
Mexico City rules imposed, the city would have a pollution emergency every
second day. In fact Delhi would have to close down for six months in the
year to make the air good enough to breathe.
Therefore an action plan to control particulate pollution becomes vital.
Curbs on diesel use become a must. Because of this, the Supreme Court in
1998 had ordered that all buses over eight years old should move to CNG
from April 1, 2000 and all buses should be running on CNG by March 2001.
The court is also hearing a case recommending a ban on private diesel cars
in Delhi, as the spiraling growth of these cheaper-to-run-vehicles of the
rich, has the potential to negate any clean up efforts by the public
transport sector.
The Delhi government long criticised for delaying the implementation of
these orders has finally decided to take a hard line. But no sooner does
it clear the proposal to register only buses, taxis and autorickshaws that
run on CNG from April 1, 2000, it is hit on the head. The timing is
amazing, simply because the decision to move public and commercial
transport to CNG had been taken almost two years ago. The Gas authority of
India Limited has been busy setting up the infrastructure to provide the
city with CNG and everyone else, from the Supreme Court downwards, has
been pushing for the timely implementation of this crucial order.
The question now being asked is whether Delhi, which is suffering from
severe local air pollution, should first take steps to deal with global
pollution. This is absurd. It is important to note that India does not
have commitments under the climate change convention to take action to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is not to say that it should have
the right to pollute with impunity. Only that the convention clearly lays
down that those who have endangered the world's climate should be the
first to take action to reduce their emissions. We have seen precious
little of this till date. The Kyoto Protocol, signed in late 1997, lays
down commitments for the industrialised North to cut emissions but now the
richest and most polluting nations are trying to buy their way out of the
problem. They want to trade in cheap emission reductions from our part of
the world instead of taking action to cut emissions at home.
Secondly, there is the issue of priorities. In the grossly
climate-unfriendly country like the US, states like New York and
California were faced with the choice of restricting diesel, that had less
global warming potential, against rising concerns over local air
pollution. They clearly stated that local health concerns had to take
precedence over global concerns. As a result both these states have
programmes to induct more and more CNG buses. Why then should Delhi
citizens be treated differently?
TERI's conjuring act is a part of the automobile lobby's sustained efforts
to block the introduction of CNG in Delhi. It is, therefore, not
surprising that only a few months ago the director of TERI was quoted in
newspaper reports as arguing that burning of leaves by the poor and not
automobiles, was the cause of air pollution in Delhi. Given that a TATA
company - TELCO - is leading the diesel brigade, should we call this
connivance, or term it a coincidence?
(Taken from CSE news bulletin, India)
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Tue Sep 19 2000 - 11:57:58 CDT