Democratic Empowerment

Inspirational or a reason to be concerned?

2007-02-28T01:53:00.000-08:00

At 14, girls usually are more worried about their looks and their teen fantasies, but not Bindu Thang from Sukaura village, ward no. 4. She is not only attending grade 4 at her local school, she has also been taking care of her 4 younger siblings and the family hotel at night since a year and a half. Since her step mother has gone to Kuwait for employment for two years, Bindu has been taking care of the home front. Her dad, who actually sends people abroad, too is constantly away in relation to his work, so most of the responsibilities of the home has been on Bindu. Since the trend has been for local women to seek employment abroad, more and more female children have had to bear more responsibilities. It is Bindu's discipline and talent that she is performing well in school despite all the chores upon her.
Now, is this a inspirational story that a young kid can manage her life and home so well or a sad situation that this is becoming a kind of norm even in remote villages throughout Nepal?

A tribute to the Martyrs

2007-02-23T16:39:00.000-08:00

A trip back home

2007-02-23T16:37:00.000-08:00

Demolition of King Mahendra's statue in Hetauda

2007-02-22T10:01:00.000-08:00

Pitiful and outrageous act of Maoists

2007-01-25T12:46:00.000-08:00

In the beginning when Maoist took up arms, the regime then decided that they could be crushed so did not negotaite and treated them like a joke. Tides has turned now and the Maoists are poised to share power with the seven parties. What do they do when they come to power? They have adapted the same pitiful and disgusting attitude that the previous regime took. Here is the news from THT today.

Maoist Cadres Thrash MJF Activists in Bhairahawa
THT Online

Bhairahawa, January 26
Maoist cadres disrupted a protest programme organised by the Madheshi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF), Rupandehi, in Bhairahawa on Thursday. They beat up MJF cadres Chandrika Yadav and Mahendra Yadav, took them around the city and chased other MJF cadres. Chadrika and Mahendra sustained critical injuries on their heads. "The Maoists exhibited their real character by beating us," Chandrika Yadav said. "Though we had called MJF cadres not to organise programmes that upset communal harmony and peace, they went ahead with such a programme. That is why the programme was disrupted," a district member of the CPN (Maoist), Ghanashyam Yadav, said.

It seems that the Maoists think that they are the only group who have the right to dissent and take up arms. And they seem to believe that Nepal can function without the Terai's participation as an integral part of Nepal. Here is my message to these misguided people:

Dissent cannot stopped by violence. It did not work against you, and it will not work againt others if you err like your predecessor.

The plight of Nepal due to its corrupt leaders

2007-01-22T15:40:00.000-08:00

I was reading the cover story on GPK in "Nepal" magazine yesterday. In discussing various aspects of his life, two points were made that shows why the likes of GPK is the reason Nepal as a nation rots in the depth of misery. First point, he took totally undemocratic decision trying to promote his daughter Sailaja into Congress leadership. That meant family over the interest of the party. Second point, he is promoting "constitutional monarchy" as a possible measure to counter what he perceives as a growing strength of leftist parties, and waning credibility of Nepali Congress. This validates his prioritizing party interest over national interest. The reason for Nepal's pathetic situation is formost a manifestation and combined effect of incompetent leaders not placing national priority at the foremost thought in their deliberation and action. Shame on you corrupt leaders!

Political parties not necessarily for all people

2007-01-18T15:26:00.000-08:00

We have setn it happen before during the 12 years of "democracy." The political parties are first and foremost for themselves, not for the Nepali people. That is why we get to see constant deterioration and cynicism in Nepali society. These two snipplets of news from THT illustrate this point. The first one is from the noted civil society leader Mr Daman Nath Dhungana:

Addressing mediapersons in Birendranagar on Thursday, Damannath Dhungana said, "Though the political parties allotted 48 seats for civil society in the Legislative Parliament, the parties did not induct them in the interim House," Dhungana said, adding, "There is no representation of civil society in the Legislative Parliament.""Do Bam Dev Gautam, Jhalanath Khanal, Bimendra Nidhi and Sujata Koirala represent the civil society?" Dhungana questioned.Dhungana said, "No change has been observed in the functioning of political parties, which are tasked with building the nation.""The civil society would present itself as the ninth party to solve the nation's problems if the eight parties failed," Dhungana said.He accused the Maoists of giving the berths meant for the civil society to the leaders of their parties.

The second bit of news is a response from indigenous people, the real "Hill" people on the promulgation of the interim constitution and to be formed interim legislature.

Indigenous leaders on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over the representation of indigenous nationalities in Legislative Parliament.Speaking at a programme, Tek Bahadur Sunuwar, vice president of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, said the issues of indigenous nationalities raised by the NEFIN had been sidelined by taking some handpicked individuals into the legislature. "The interim constitution is completely silent about the issues of regional and ethnic autonomy, which NEFIN has been advocating for years," he said.

He said the interim constitution was also silent on the federalism issue. He said an agitation to protest the interim statute would be announced on Friday.

Dr Om Gurung, former general secretary of the NEFIN, said the interim legislature was formed without taking into account the rights of the indigenous people.

Academician Bairagi Kaila said Jana Andolan II had given hope to the indigenous people but the political parties had belied those hopes. "We had sought proportional ethnic representation and autonomy, but there is no mention of it in the interim constitution," he said.

The struggle for autonomous fedralism should continur for equality of opportunity for all Nepalese. Leader of the CPN-Maoist Parliamentary Party Krishna Bahadur Mahara was reported as saying, "Nobody can stop us from making a New Nepal. We will use the interim legislature for our purpose. Those who stand for the status-quo will be defeated," he said, adding that the restructuring will do justice to all the ethnic, religious and regional groups, women and the Terai residents."

Apparently he must assume that Maoists are the only ones capable of bearing arms and that the struggle was only against the monarchy. Now that the first feudal lord has been defeated, the political parties probably feel they have a free reign on power. Unfortunately, even minor dissatisfaction in the nation can lead to major disruption in a small nation like Nepal. The grievances can take violent form easily. With the arms of the Maoist and the NA locked up, a thrid party can easily take to arms for their cause. Maoist success has laid a good foundation for such a possibility.

Who are the "Hill" people?

2007-01-17T10:17:00.000-08:00

In the current movement of the Terai people, it's important to note who the Hill peoples are since the Terai separatist movement has created a difference between the "Hill" and "Terai" population. It is easy to forget thatthe real "Hill" people are the indegenous people. The so called "Hill" people are actually the descendents of the "Terai" people from the Muslim invasion of the 10th century. Those people in power-mostly the upper echelon in Hindu caste system-are not "Hill" people at all. Now, if we only consider Nepal's history from the time of unification, then the present conflect makes sense, but history did not start with the unification. Therefore, it is better to seek reconciliation and power-sharing through a federal system than what the movement is aiming for, a separate nation of 20 Terai districts.

The smothering fire in the South

2007-01-16T17:59:00.000-08:00

While the political parties, leaders and power centers in Kathmandu are celebrating their promulgation of interim statute, the smothering fire in the South threatens to rip apart Nepal's nascent republic dream. The leaders and the so called "rebels" of yore are more interested in allocating for themselves the post of Speaker and Deputy PM, while the Terai region threatens to separate from the "Hill" centric approach to divvying up power.

Bandh cripples life in Terai
Himalayan News Service
Biratnagar, January 16

Normal life in the districts of Terai region was affected today due to the daylong general strike called by Madhesi Janaadhikar Forum (MJF) putting forth a number of demands, including marking election constituencies on the basis of population density. The Forum had called for Madhesh Bandh stating that the interim constitution did not guarantee the basic rights of Madhesi people.

I don't know how seriously the politicians are taking the threat, but it is significant. I received an email from the someone called Rohit Adhikari (out of the blue) that had links to madhest related issues. Let me show the links and how serious the issue is. The grievance are very relevant on determining how to move Nepal forward. Unless these leaders wake up, they are in for a rude shock again, and Nepali people will continue to suffer. It may be inevitable that this should happen because I have observed deep-seated hatred in the people of non-madhes areas against those in Terai. There is suspicion and assumption to lump them with Indians. The fact of the matter is that they are as Nepali as anyone else. The color, or the language, or the accent should not create rifts that are going to tear Nepal into million pieces. You can just check discussion related to this issue in sajha.com and you will see the ascerbic comments and name-calling people resort to instead of sane discussion.

The truth is that India is changing and its attitude has been molified as its stature in the world has increased, and it has shown a willinness to assist Nepal, unlike its condescending treatment before the April movement. Only with partnership with India and brotherly relationship can Nepal and India both move together in a progressive path. Unrest and distabilit in Nepal is not in the best interest of India, and its leaders understand it very well. So it is time to move ahead in the 21st new century based on new realization of mutual dependence and symbiotic existence.

I urge all Nepalese to check these links to gauge for themselves the gravity of the situation.

http://madhesh.com/blog/index.php
MADHESH.COM site receives very large number of hits everyday and has turned out to be extremely popular for holding discussions, checking news about Madhesh and and providing other relevant materials pertaining to Madhesh. Despite approx. 14 million population of Madhesh, there are virtually no media providing news and other information about Madhesh and letting people of Madhesh voice their opinions. And therefore people of Madhesh found MADHESH.COM as a breeze after centuries of asphyxiation under government's censorship, neglect, oppression, bias and propaganda. This also provided the chance to people outside the country to know realities about Nepal and Nepalese government and its cruel, inhumane and racist policy and oppression of Madheshi.

http://freemadhesh.atspace.com/
Top reasons to make The Republic of Madhesh
1. Our land has been and is being taken by these hill migrants. The conspiracy has been and is underway to expel native Madheshi from own land (in the name of land reforms, resettlement and other things). They have almost taken Chitwan and Jhapa from native Madhesi people, and they are targeting the rest. By making The Republic of Madhesh, we'll get back our lands.2. All high-ranking officers and CDOs are Pahadi, and they have been ruling us for 2 centuries. By making The Republic of Madhesh, we won't be slave of these Pahadis.3. Most of the jobs have been given to Pahadi, whereas Madheshi are jobless and unemployed. By making The Republic of Madhesh, we'll create a VERY VERY LARGE number of jobs, so that all Madheshi can be employed.4. They live in our land, they eat our food, yet they despise us and our children by calling Madheshi, Phohori, Marsiya, Dhoti and so on. By making The Republic of Madhesh, we don't have to be victim of their despise.5. By making The Republic of Madhesh, we people, our wifes and sister, won't have to live in the terror of these Pahari police and army.6. We will not have to earn for them and pay them, to make roads, bridges, canal and new cities in the mountains, and leave Madhesh without any development. We can utilize our money and make Madhesh far developed with our money.7. We won't have the identity crisis. We can claim to have our own country, The Republic of Madhesh, and we'll be simply know as its people. We won't have to try hard to fit in Pahadi stereotypes, convincing people "oh, I'm Nepali", and people replying "You don't look like Nepali, do you have citizenship? Did you come from India?".

http://madhesh.com/blog/pivot/entry.php?id=25
Not division, but return from Nepalese colonization
Aazaad on 10 January 2007 - 12:07
For centuries, the ruling classes in Nepal have been using their cleverly selected words to manipulate history, segregate Madheshi and other ethnics from mainstream, and to send wrong messages to the world. For example, they chose 'kamaiya' rather than using word 'slave'. They would defend themselves and evade world's attention, by saying those enslaved people are 'kamaiyas' not 'slaves'. The truth is if we look at the essence, not merely at the word's spelling or phonetics, 'kamaiyas' were in the worse form of slavery. They were not only robbed of their land, and forced to be slaves; but generations after generations they had to be slaves. Even owners could sell or exchange them. And with their clever tactics, the ruling classes were able to keep them as slaves even in the 21st century, while the world remained unaware of it.

Let good sense prevail.

The right way forward

2007-01-14T11:24:00.000-08:00

I took an opportunity to read the "Nepal" journal today. I read an interesting humor piece by Manoj Gajurel about the caste-based classification of Communists, which made a pertinent observation about their state of disfunctional affairs. The second piece was an opinion by Gagan Thapa, where he makes an excellent point, "A new house cannot be built on an old foundation."

In the present context, his historical analysis of Nepalese politics aptly shows the need for breaking away from the past and laying a new foundation, which this current change provides a golden opportunity for. But if it fails to meet the true aaspiration of Nepali people, then more changes might be necessary, which the Nepali people are capable and ready to embark on.

This is going to be a challenge as in the same magazine, there was news on how people in Khotang had the first opportunity to see a motor vehicle in their village, which is still not linked to any other place. So the way to move forward will remain full of challenges, but as Gagan Thapa argues, that foundation cannot be the same old same old. Bold visions and new generation of Nepale leaders are an integral prerequisite for Nepal's future for a democratic repulic.

Terai struggles: A threat overlooked as history repeats

2007-01-13T08:51:00.000-08:00

Back in 1996 when the Maoist first started their armed struggle, it was treated casually, even a nuisance that would go away. That lead to a decade of violence and a regime change. It will be another serious folly of the present so called democratic transitional authorities if they relagate the JTMM struglles for the Terai people. Just half-defeating autocratic power on the back of Nepalese people, who genuinely want a new direction for the country, is not going establish a democratic system. The attitude needs to change too and grievances have to addressed and accomodated.

I am from in between area, where the hill and the terai meet. I have traveled quite a bit in the hilly region and spent quite some time in my education, treks, travels in the hills. I was surprosed when I had an opportunity to stay in terai region for few months. I feel the terai grievances are legitimate. It could see that there were no real representation of the terai people in their own area where I lived (Malangawa). This was my first lperception of how the administrative system was set up--they were dominated by the people from the hills. Granted this was from the Panchayat era about 20 or so ago, but I do not perrceive much has changed.

The government does not seem to have clue on the gravity of the situation. It was asked the Maoists to bring them to table. That is fine, but that alone will not be enough if the central government does not take the matters seriously and listen and address their grievances. Hence this exerpt of news today makes me wonder and worry how far Nepalese politics has come if the division between Nepalese continues. Dismissal, neglect and disconcern does not bode well for the new democratic Nepal.

JTMM bandh cripples life in Terai
Himalayan News Service

Siraha, January 12:The first day of the three-day Terai bandh called by the Jay Krishna Goit-led Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) demanding an independent Terai state saw a near-total disruption of life in the region. The other demands of the JTMM include rule of the native people over Terai, use of revenue collected from Terai for development work only in Terai and appointing only native Terai people in the army, police and administration in the region.Factories, business houses, shops and academic institutions in all districts of the region shut down today. All shops except a few medical stores were closed. In Siraha, Siraha bazaar and Lahan bazaar were completed closed. Only a few rickshaws, cycles and motorcycles plied.

An exciting news on IT

2007-01-10T10:26:00.000-08:00

This news made me really happy. It shows that we are doing our best to keep up with the information technology, which is going to be absolutely essentially from not falling behind the rest of the world. In the same vein, the fibre optic network along the East West Highway also spells good for future of connecting Nepal to the world. Every district in Nepal should have access to the Internet and every city should have wireless connection. More power to the people can only mean better for the future of Nepal's democratic aspirations.

Laptops can now go online anywhere
BY RUPAK D SHARMA
KATHMANDU, Jan 10 - Laptop users can now browse the net without connecting their notebooks to the phone or broadband lines, as Nepal Telecom (NT) is commercially launching PCMCIA cards in the local market from Wednesday.
Desktop computer users, however, will have to wait for some more time to avail the service as NT is still in the process of acquiring similar cards for PCs.
"The wireless cards, which will cost Rs 8,888 per unit, will be introduced at CAN Info-Tech being held at BICC of New Baneshwor from tomorrow," Pratima Pradhan, deputy manager of Wireless Division of NT said.
Introduction of this kind of wireless internet service is expected to create a revolution in the IT sector, as laptop users can now go online, browse the Internet, and send and receive facsimile messages even from places that lack access to telephone lines.
"Using the cards, clients can download data at a speed of up to 163.4kbps and the cost of downloading data has been fixed at 25 paisa per 100KB," Pradhan said.
According to her, the service is currently available in pre-paid form and clients can recharge the accounts using pre-paid recharge cards available in various outlets of NT.
"The cards are available in denominations of Rs 200, Rs 500 and Rs 1,000, which will expire in 60 days, 180 days and 720 days, respectively," she said.
The state-owned telecom plans to introduce 300 units of such cards in the first phase, and the 'number of which will be increased on the basis of demand'.
Posted on: 2007-01-09 21:36:48 (Server Time)

About royal expenses

2007-01-06T11:48:00.000-08:00

This is just to note what the royals get. May come handy if I get to make my documentary for SFU.

Royalty’s salaries remain untouched
BY PREM KHANAL
KATHMANDU, Jan 5 - 2007
King Gyanendra and his family have so far, not drawn the annual perks and allowances earmarked in the budget, possibly to show their displeasure over the decision of the House to slap tax on the income of royal family members.
According to a high-level government source, the Royal Palace has not approached the Kaushitoshkhana Office, the office that transfers state allocations to the Royal Palace, to take the first tranche of Rs 23.7 million allocated solely for the Royal Family's salary and allowances.
This has surprised government officials as the Royal Palace used to collect its annual budget within 48 hours after the budget announcement. "It's really surprising that the palace has not drawn the money even after six months into the fiscal year," said an official at Kaushitoshkhana.
Palace Officials did not provide reasons for the royal family's "disinterest" in the money provided by the state.
The historic proclamation of the House of Representative on May 18 declared that private property and income of royal family members would be taxed as per law. Based on the present rate, the Royal Palace will have to pay around Rs 7.5 million as income tax, which is deducted while releasing the amount.
Similarly, the cabinet on July 31 had amended the law on Royal Household Expenditure, limiting state facilities and allowances to the king, queen, crown prince, crown princess, yubarani (in the case of the eldest daughter ascending the throne) and the queen mother.
As per the new law, though the yubarani will subsequently ascend the throne, her husband will, however, not be entitled to any facilities. The government had allocated Rs 210 million for the Royal Palace in its budget for the current fiscal year. In previous years, the government used to release the yearly amount through a single payment. However, the budget for the current year has put the Royal Palace allocation under normal release procedures, which means the amount is released in three equal installments.
The Royal Palace has, however, already collected the first tranche of the budget allocated for administrative expenses, security, repair and maintenance. Of the total Rs 177.4 million allocated for current fiscal year for administrative expenses and security, repair and maintenance, the Royal Palace has received Rs 79.8 million by the end of first five months of the current fiscal year.
Posted on: 2007-01-04 20:48:10 (Server Time)

Hometown in News

2006-12-25T06:21:00.000-08:00

And for once, my hometown Hetauda has been in the news in the political context of Nepal. As reported by Kantipuronline, the royal couple wanted to visit Hetauda for a month a la Panchayat era when the royals spent a month every year in the five developmenal region. The prime minister stopped their plan. Why would the king want to visit Hetauda? Probably for the same reason the PM declined, that it is the home of the notorious home minister Kamal Thapa, which possibly meant that the royals wanted to start some foundational moves in Hetauda. But the chances of success for such nefarious design is slim. Hetauda is also the home of mavaricks like Rup Chandra Bista with a strong Maoist presence, Kamal Thapa is a hated politician.

Royal visit called off to avoid possible danger: PM Koirala
Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, Dec 25 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said Monday that he cancelled King Gyanendra’s planned visit to Hetauda to avoid “a possible dangerous situation.”
Accompanied by Queen Komal, the king had planned to head for Hetauda in Makwanpur district on Sunday.
The royal couple was supposed to stay for a month at the Kantishwari palace in Hetauda town.
“The king had planned to leave for Hetauda. He (the king) had consulted with me on this regard and I thought it would be too risky, as Hetauda is the place of Kamal Thapa, so I advised him not to go,” said PM Koirala.
Hetauda is the hometown of former royal minister Kamal Thapa, who had been criticized for his “notorious” role in suppressing the April uprising, which claimed the lives of 21 and injured thousands of others.
The High-Level Probe Commission formed to investigate the state crackdown on the pro-democracy protesters has already recommended the present coalition government to take action against the king, his ministerial colleagues including then home minister Thapa, for their role in the brutal crackdown.
The palace in Hetauda had been given a facelift to receive the royal couple.
With already 50 officials in the city, supporters of the monarchy had intensified their activities at the Hetauda palace.
Students affiliated to the seven-party alliance had staged demonstrations protesting the royal visit and royalist activities in the area.

Noting the Interim Constitution-a moderate victory

2006-12-16T06:55:00.000-08:00

This is a notable achievement for Nepalese people if this can be kept on pace. Even as we try to embark on a the path to a democratic republic state, the challenges are by no means far from the surface. If the "incompetent" leaders continue on the same path as in the 12 years of democracy and the people fail to hold them accountable, nothing good will come out of this new dawn...

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE INTERIM CONSTITUTION- 2063
Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, Dec 16 - The seven-party alliance and the CPN-Maoist leaders on Saturday morning finalized the Interim Constitution following 17 hours of intensive discussion at the prime minister's residence at Baluwatar.
The main characteristics of Interim Constitution of Nepal-2063 are as follows:
*Drafted on the collective initiatives of eight political parties as per the spirit of democratic people's movement.
* The sovereignty and ruling power rest on people.
* Religious secularism
* Nepal is defined as an independent, indivisible, sovereign, inclusive and complete democratic state
* National animal cow as it is
* Women's rights and clauses of untouchability and caste discrimination mentioned in fundamental rights,
* Subjects including environment, health, education and culture , employment and social security, children, torture, labour mentioned in fundamental rights,
* Formation of unicameral legislation including 330 members
* Prime Minister to call and conclude parliament convention, and to present annual programmes and policy of the government,
* Executive power to Council of Ministers,
* Constituent Assembly comprising of 425 members including 409 from election based on mixed electoral system and 16 from nomination,
* The tenure of Constituent Assembly would be two years from its first meeting,
* A Constituent Assembly Court would look into the complaints lodged regarding the election of constituent assembly,
* National Human Rights Commission to be set up as constitutional body,
* Formation of interim local body at district, municipality and village level would be revived on the understanding of eight political parties
* At least 10, 000 voters' signature needed to form a new party for election,
* Council of Minister to appoint Chief of Army Staff,
* Formation of Security Council headed by Prime Minister including Defense Ministry, Home Ministry and other ministries as indicated by Prime Minister,
* The Special Committee of Council of Ministers would be responsible for supervision, accommodation and rehabilitation of Maoists Army,
* The Amendment of the Constitution would be made only by two third of the majority of parliamentarians,
* The Constitutional Council headed by Prime Minister that includes Chief justice, Speaker and three Ministers assigned by Prime Minister,
* The Council of Ministers resumed power to look into the punishment sentenced by any court, special court and military court,
* The Council of Minister to appoint Ambassadors and other Special Representatives,
* Prime Minister is to conferee upon title, honour, decoration on behalf of the state,
* Provision of Referendum on any issue that hold national importance,
* The Council of Ministers resumes power to remove difficulties that should be approved by parliament or constituent assembly within a month,
* Prime Minister to use all executive powers of head of the state,
* Fate of the monarchy to be decided by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly,
* The property of the Late King Birendra, Late Queen Aishwarya and their relatives would be put in the Trust under Nepal government and be utilized for the nation's betterment,
* The property that King Gyanendra received in the capacity of the head of the state to be nationalized,
* Fresh oath of office mandatory to justices of Supreme Court, Appellate Court, District Court as the commitment towards the Constitution and those who ignored would be terminated.
* The existing House of Representatives and National Assembly would automatically be dissolved with the promulgation of this constitution,
* The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-2047 BS would be nullified after the promulgation of this constitution.

Democratic Nepal tolerates this kind of infraction?

2006-12-14T05:51:00.000-08:00

I read this news today with great alarm. This does not sound consistent with the new democratic Nepal. The royals continue to exert undue privileges at the public's cost. I had read that their power has all been stripped? That is hard to believe when something as public and "in your face" display is taking place in the capital. It is time for people to rise against the politicians who tolerate and shelter this kind of privilege.

Royal carcade snarls traffic
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Dec 14 - Traffic movement in the Ring Road area was largely paralyzed after security personnel blocked vehicles citing security concerns of the royal couple who were attending a wedding ceremony at Chhauni Wednesday evening.
Military police had arranged 'A' grade security escort for Queen Mother Ratna, King Gyanendra and Queen Komal to the wedding ceremony of the grand daughter of one Dharma Rajya Laxmi Devi Chand at Chhauni this evening. The escorting began from Narayanhiti Royal Palace at about 7:30 and continued through Lazimpat, Maharajgunj, Dhapasi, Swoyambhu and finally to Chhauni.
Vehicular traffic along the road section was brought to a complete halt much before the royal escorting started from the palace. Traffic police had barred large vehicles from entering the Kalanki-Maharajgunj area since afternoon. Ordinary public were inconvenienced as thousands of vehicles were left stranded for over an hour along the road.
Even as the reinstated parliament scrapped almost all the powers of the king, the ordinary public in Kathmandu is yet to get relief from the troubles caused due to every royal visit.
Posted on: 2006-12-13 21

What a woderful day it is!

2006-12-08T04:26:00.000-08:00

The times are changing. 238 years of injustice is meeting the 21st century. It bodes well for Nepal that no one is above the law and no one can treat the territory and people of Nepal like their personal property. While this is a great leap for Nepal, there are other injustice in the world that are much larger in scope. The day of reconing would be at hand if Bush and his gang could be tried for crime against humanity.

King, crown prince made to pay tax
BY BISHNU BUDHATHOKI
KATHMANDU, Dec 8

Probably for the first time in the history of Nepal since the founding of the Shah dynasty 238 years ago the King and Crown Prince have been made to pay tax.
The Customs Office at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) on Wednesday charged Rs 53,739 as duty and tax on 50 pieces of torch light that came recently from the US in the name of King Gyanendra.
The office also charged Rs 77,193 in customs duty, demurrage charge, tax and fine earlier when royal palace officials reached TIA to acquire a 'Hunting Trophy' that came from Vienna, Austria, for Crown Prince Paras, an official said, preferring anonymity.
"We released the torch lights and the Hunting Trophy after slapping Rs 130,702 in customs duty and other charges," the official said.
The 19 kg parcel containing 50 pieces of black rechargeable torch light had arrived at the airport Customs Office from the US in the name of "the King of Nepal" through courier service recently. The Hunting Trophy had arrived on September 10.
Following restoration of democracy in the country in April, the reinstated House of Representatives had made a historic proclamation on May 18 declaring that all royal property as well as the income of the king and royal family members would be taxed.
The customs official said, "This is the first time in the history of the country that tax and other charges have been slapped on goods imported for the king and royal family members."
If there is continued support from political parties, civil society, civil administration and the government, no one will be able to evade taxes and customs duty in future, he added.
On Wednesday, officials from the palace reached the Customs Office and produced letters from the Department of Commerce (DoC) and invoices amounting to 2,245 Euros (Rs 214,105) for the Hunting Trophy and US$ 2,233 (Rs 159,972) for the torchlights.
The office charged Rs 77,193 tax on the Hunting Trophy including 15 percent customs duty, 2 percent insurance charge, 1.5 percent local tax, Rs 1,607 demurrage charge. On the total sum 13 percent VAT was charged before releasing the trophy, the source said.
When asked about the purpose of the letters from the DoC, the official said the Customs Office needs the letters in order to release goods that do not have Letter of Credit and self-declaration form. "We cannot release such goods without taking consent from the DoC," he added.
Meanwhile, the 56 kg Hunting Trophy packed in a wooden box, which arrived by Gulf Air cargo had remained unclaimed at the Customs Office for the last 88 days. According to the official, the trophy is a round, gold-plated item.
A few days after the trophy arrived, some officials from the palace had reached the Customs Office to collect the parcel. They said that they were sent by Sagar Prasad Timilsina, chief of the Private Secretariat at the Royal Palace. They, however, returned empty-handed after the Customs Office asked for an invoice to charge necessary customs duty.
According to the Financial Act, if the concerned person fails to collect goods from Customs Office within seven days of arrival, s/he can claim it within three months by clearing all customs duty and demurrage charge.
Crown Prince Paras and Crown Princess Himani had visited Vienna on March 19 and gifted a pair of rhinos to the Austrian government.

This PM is a joker

2006-12-03T14:34:00.000-08:00

During the 12 years of multi-party democracy this guy had the opportunity to lead the country by rising above the family and party oriented politics and elevate himself to national interest. He is one of the main reasons for the poor state of Nepal. He has finally stood against the monarchy, not because of his conviction, but because he now sees that Nepali people are not going to take it any more. He definitely saw the poll result how there is not much support for monarchy. He is merely blowing with the wind. We do not need this kind of leader who continues to dupe people.

NC won't shoulder king, says PM Koirala
Kantipur Report
KATHMANDU, Dec 3 - Prime Minister and President of the Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala said Sunday that the NC would not shoulder the king to protect the existence of the monarchy in the country.
PM Koirala made the remarks during a meeting with the members of his party's sister organizations at his residence at Baluwatar this morning.
"In a meeting today, PM Koirala asked all our party organizations to deliver a message to the people that the Nepali Congress doesn’t need to shoulder the king," said Binod Kayastha, president of the NC's youth wing -- Nepal Tarun Dal (NTD).
Kayastha added that his party workers would convey Koirala's message to all the districts during their "District Campaign" programme to be organized in the near future.
The prime minister also directed NTD to prepare for the imminent constitutional assembly elections.
Koirala directed all party cadres to initiate campaigns on the issues of interim legislature, interim government, peace and constitutional assembly in all 75 districts.
The PM during the meeting with his party workers opined that with the official end of the 11-year-long insurgency, the young generation needs to be involved in launching such campaigns across the country.
Koirala's statement came when his party has been facing allegations from other members of the ruling alliance that the NC attempted to give a ceremonial role to the king at a time when republican sentiment is rising among the Nepali people.
Earlier on Saturday, CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal, hinting at the NC, said that the need of unity among republican forces was becoming more relevant as some forces had started becoming active to protect the king either in a constitutional or a ceremonial form.
In a landmark agreement reached on November 8, the seven-party alliance and the Maoists agreed to decide the future of monarchy through the first sitting of the constituent assembly.
Posted on: 2006-12-03 08:52:30 (Server Time)

A healthy sign for democracy

2006-12-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

It seems that the Nepalese people are finally throwing away the mental shackles of monarchy and have started to believe in their own power. In the 21st century, there is no way to move forward than to empower each individual. Sure is a good sign that Nepal is coming out of mideaval mentality.

87 percent Nepalis favour democratic republic: Survey
Kantipur Reprot
KATHMANDU, Dec 2 - 87 percent of the people in Nepal favour a democratic republic system of governance, while 13 percent support monarchy, according to a privately carried out survey released today.
The Informal Sector Service Centre (Insec), a prominent human rights watchdog, in its recent survey conducted in 56 districts, published Saturday said that the survey was based on views collected from more than 17,000 people.
The report said 5 percent of the people favour a constitutional monarchy, while 8 percent said that the king should be given a ceremonial role.
Talking to Kantipur Television, Hrishikesh Pandey, head of the survey group, said that interactions were held at nearly 1022 places to collect the views.
"We found that 87 percent of the public voice support for a democratic republican setup, while 13 percent of the people said that a powerless king should be kept," said Pandey.
The non-governmental rights body also said that it would soon make public the survey conducted after April's pro-democracy movement.
Posted on: 2006-12-02 08:50:28 (Server Time)

Holding all politicians accountable

2006-11-24T21:35:00.000-08:00

After taking care of the royalty for mismanaging and corrupting Nepalese society from above for centuries, it is not time to take care of the political leaders who have been accomplish and done the same thing in their own ways. To restore true democracy in Nepal, and establish a fair and just society, these leaders should be put under close scrutiny and meted what they deserve. The news below is a wake up call for greater vigilance...

PM, Prachanda among leaders misusing govt, private vehicles
By Balram Baniya and Bikash Thapa

KATHMANDU, Nov 25 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and CPN-M Chairman Prachanda are among top politicians using government and private vehicles they are not authorized to use to. Top leaders of other political parties and other highly-placed government officials, too, have been making unauthorized use of government vehicles.

Sources have disclosed that top officials of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) and other government departments running multiple projects, expecting favour in return from the leaders, encourage them to misuse government and project vehicles.

According to sources, soon after Koirala became the prime minister after the success of the April Movement, NEA officials gave him a luxurious Prado with registration number 1602.
It’s not only the NEA vehicle, the PM has also taken a vehicle from the Melamchi Drinking Water Project. The number plate of the Melamchi vehicle has been switched to make it look a private vehicle with registration number Ba 4 Cha 6661. The home ministry has reportedly given permission for the switching of the registration number.

Two government vehicles are already available to Koirala in the capacity of the prime minister, besides a tax-exempt Pajero which he got in 2053 BS as an MP. The prime minister has also taken another vehicle from the Melamchi project.

The concerned sides have no idea if the prime minister’s family members or leaders/cadres of his party, the Nepali Congress, are currently using these vehicles, which have been taken “for the use of the prime minister.”

It has also been revealed that the prime minister also has a vehicle “gifted” to him by former chairman of the Nepal Cottage and Small Industries Development Bank, Sitaram Prasain, who is wanted by police.

It is noteworthy here that Prasain, whom the Nepal Rastra Bank, the country’s central bank, has accused of embezzling millions of public money, was not arrested though he attended Korean Air’s inaugural flight function at the Tribhuvan International Airport on November 13.
Likewise, Chairman of Rastriya Janshakti Party Surya Bahadur Thapa, too, has been using a Landcruiser belonging to the Melamchi project for the last three years. He has illegally changed the vehicle’s number plate from government (Ba 1 Jha 6607) to private (Ba 4 Cha 8875).
Minister for Physical Planning and Works and NC-D vice-chairman Gopalman Shrestha, too, has taken two new vehicles (Ba 1 Jha 5766 and 6604) from the Melamchi project. He has already been provided with a government vehicle in the capacity of a minister.

It’s not only leaders and ministers who have been misusing Melamchi vehicles. The Singh Durbar Ward Police Office has not returned a pick-up vehicle belonging to the project despite being reminded to do so many times.

NC-D President and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, too, has taken a Pajero from the NEA (registration no. Ba 1 Jha 8414), soon after the establishment of Loktantra. He has changed the vehicle’s number plate so as to make it look like a private vehicle. Deuba currently doesn’t hold any government position. But his party’s central member Gyanendra Bahadur Karki, who is the Minister of State for Water Resources, has provided him with the NEA vehicle. The NEA bears all expenses of the vehicle, including fuel, repair and maintenance. Deuba also has a Pajero which he received in the capacity of an MP.

State Minister Karki has also taken an NEA vehicle (a Prado with registration no 4449) for his own use though he has already got a vehicle from the ministry.

Secretary at the Ministry of Water Resources, Tika Dutta Niraula, too, has been misusing an NEA vehicle (registration number 1512) meant for the Mid-Marshyangdi Hydel Project. He, too, gets a vehicle from the ministry.

UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal has been using a vehicle gifted to the Manmohan Smriti Pratisthan by owner of Shri Distillary Mathura Prasad Maskey for the past five years. Nepal is the patron of the Pratisthan. Maskey is wanted by the Internal Revenue Department “for evading taxes worth a billion rupees.”

Maoist leaders Prachanda and Dr Baburam Bhattarai have been using a vehicle forcefully seized from a businessman named Raju Shrestha. Both Prachanda and Bhattarai use the vehicle by switching the registration number plate. The Maoists has looted the vehicle from Shrestha after thrashing and torturing him sometime ago.

The Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, the constitutional body responsible for checking such misuse, is itself misusing an NEA vehicle by switching the number plate.
Nepal Police is yet to return two NEA vehicles (registration no. 1238 and 1265) which it took during the direct royal rule. The NEA has no idea as to who is using 19 of its total 779 vehicles.
Deputy Prime Minister KP Oli, Finance Minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat, Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Hridayesh Tripathi have been using government vehicles though all of them have a Pajero each which they got in the capacity of an MP.

Former minister and NC leader Ram Chandra Paudel’s driver gets his salary from the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Office. Paudel’s driver is a KMC employee. Though Paudel, as the coordinator of the Peace Committee, uses another government vehicle, his driver is still the same.

Nobel Prize for GPK?

2006-11-24T07:48:00.000-08:00

I have been hearing this since the first news of peace accord. That seems little fortuitious to me. If the "Prize" were to be awarded it cannot be only for GPK. Let's look at some history from Nobel sitg:

1973: The prize was divided equally between: Kissinger, Henry A., USA, 1923-.Former Secretary of State; and
Le Duc Tho, North Vietnam, 1910-1990. (Declined the prize.) Jointly negotiated the Vietnam peace accord in 1973.

1978: The prize was divided equally between:Al-Sadat, Mohammad Anwar, Egypt, 1918-1981. President of Egypt; and
Begin, Menachem, Israel, 1913-1992. Prime Minister. Jointly negotiated peace between Egypt and Israel.

1993: The prize was divided equally between: Mandela, Nelson, South Africa, 1918-. Leader of the ANC. and
de Klerk, Frederik Willem, South Africa, 1936-. President of the Republic of South Africa.

1994: The prize was divided equally between: Arafat, Yasser, Palestine, 1929-2004. Chairman of the PLO; and
Peres, Shimon, Israel, 1923-. Foreign minister of Israel; and

Rabin, Yitzhak, Israel, 1922-1995. Prime minister of Israel. Awarded for their efforts to create peace in the Middle East.

So is there not a bias or misunderstanding of peace process in thinking GPK is the one deserving, but not Prachanda?

More positive developemnt after peace accord

2006-11-24T07:43:00.000-08:00

Acharya correctly identifies the moin problem that remains in sustaining peace in Nepal. The royals will never rest in peace for the good of all Nepalese if they were to be kept in ceremonial role. They do not deserve it with the record of this particular family. Stronest actions should be taken for their misdeed.

No peace as long as there is monarchy: Acharya
Kantipur Report

KATHMANDU, Nov 24 - Nepali Congress central member, Narahari Acharya on Friday said that there would be no peace in the country as long as the monarchy continues in Nepal.
Acharya made the comments today during a meeting with media persons at Dhankuta.

"The Congress should launch a village campaign for a republic setup instead of a village campaign for peace," he opined.

The NC had decided to launch a "village campaign for peace' immediately after the historic signing of the November 21 accord.

Alluding to the same decision, Acharya said, "Now the party must call a special convention as soon as possible to opt for a republican setup."

The NC leader added that since there would be no peace in the country as long as monarchy continues, the NC needs to launch a republic campaign instead of a peace campaign.

Acharya, who had reached Dhankuta as a part of the NC's nationwide campaign to rally support for the establishment of a democratic republic setup, also urged the Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to democratise the party ranks.

During the meeting, Acharya said that despite the emergence of democracy in the country, the mentality of the masses remained unchanged.

In another context, the NC leader stated that the congress unification would go ahead after the formation of the interim government.

2006-11-14T21:07:00.000-08:00

Finally, something good is happening in Nepal. It is setting an example for other authoritarian society on how to defeat the autocrats. This piece of news about finding the king guilty is unprecedented. One can take heart that tyranny cannot last forever.

Source (Hindustan Times)
Commission finds King Gyanendra guilty of suppression: reportIndo-Asian News ServiceKathmandu, November 15, 200609:59 IST

A high-level commission set up in early May to investigate excesses by King Gyanendra's government in trying to put down a 19-day pro-democracy movement which found King Gyanendra "guilty of suppression and killing of people", newspaper reports said on Wednesday.
Headed by former judge of the Nepalese Supreme Court Krishna Jung Rayamajhi, the panel was set up soon after a pro-democracy movement forced King Gyanendra to hand over power in late April to a seven-party coalition.

King Gyanendra did not reply to a set of questions sent to him by the panel in the course of its investigations of those responsible for allegedly using "excessive force" to put down the movement spearheaded by the seven-party alliance and the Maoists.
The daily Himalayan Times cited sources in the Rayamajhi panel as saying that the commission found that King Gyanendra was responsible for suppression and the deaths of people during the pro-democracy movement.

The commission decided to urge the government and Parliament to take necessary steps against the king, as no law permits action against him.

The commission, which spent 184 days to complete its investigation, is scheduled to submit its report on Friday to Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

"We have decided to recommend the Parliament to take necessary steps against the king, as we found him guilty," a highly placed commission source reportedly told the newspaper.

He added that they have said that though the king did not respond to the commission's questionnaire, it does not mean he did no wrong.

This is the first time in Nepal's history that a commission, seen by some as a panel set up by the victors to punish the vanquished, has found a king guilty.

"Since he was the chairman of the council of ministers, we found him responsible for all the decisions taken by the cabinet," the source added.

The commission specifically recommended that the government take strong action against members of the king's cabinet and the chiefs of the security agencies who ordered use of "excessive force" to suppress the movement.

The panel had questioned 294 people over human-rights violations and alleged misuse of the national treasury.

It has accused some security personnel of ordering the shooting of demonstrators and decided to recommend prosecution of them on charges of murder.

"Around 150 people were found guilty of killing and suppressing the people," Himalayan Times quoted the panel source as saying.

The commission held the then vice-chairmen of the council of ministers, Tulsi Giri and Kirtinidhi Bista, Home Minister Kamal Thapa and other ministers guilty of violating human rights.
The commission is set to ask the government and Parliament to promulgate a law so that the alleged perpetrators can be prosecuted on charges of abusing human rights, as Nepal has no specific law to prosecute anyone on charge of human rights abuse.

The commission named certain officials and recommended dismissals, demotions and departmental actions against them.

Many ministers and regional administrators were also found guilty of misusing the state treasury.

The commission decided to recommend that they be prosecuted under the 2002 Anti-Corruption Act, the newspaper reported.

The panel report, which appeared to have been leaked to the local press, was carried on Wednesday in all major Nepalese newspapers.

About two dozen people were killed and thousands reportedly injured in the April pro-democracy movement launched by the seven-party alliance, with the active support and participation of the Maoists.

Indegenous people have it right!

2005-09-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

Absolute democracy stressed
PR
KATHMANDU, Aug 31 - Leaders of indigenous communities said on Wednesday, that rights of indigenous people will not be secured unless absolute democracy is established in the country.
Speaking at an interaction here on Wednesday, indigenous community specialist, Parshu Ram Tamang said, "Only absolute democracy can guarantee the rights of indigenous people. So we must work for democracy first."
Dr Chaitanya Subba said, "Indigenous people have been marginalized by rulers since the very beginning of unification of the country, so there should be provisions of reservation for indigenous people to correct the age-old social discrimination."
Minister for Agriculture and Cooperatives, Badri Prasad Mandal, said the problems of indigenous people would be solved only if indigenous people secure majority in parliament and made necessary laws.

Democracy cannot be a gift

2005-09-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

I read this news this morning on how INdian leaders are urging the king to reinstate democracy. That is kind of ironicl, don't you think? If democracy is to be had, it has to come from the desire of the Nepali people. They should fight for it and get rid of all obstacles that has prevented its taking proper root. Democracy cannot be a gift from anyone. Let it is a result of people's desire, if they so choose. Let is not be anything else.

Indian leaders urge King to reinstate democracy
KOL Report
KATHMANDU, Sept 1 - Indian leaders Wednesday called on King Gyanendra to restore parliamentary democracy and hand over powers to democratically elected representatives of the people.
Speaking at a program in the capital yesterday Ramesh Dixit of Indian National Congress urged both the King and Maoist leader Prachand to renounce violence and accept the people’s desire for peace and democracy.
“The monarchy cannot be sustained by suppressing press freedom and people’s voice,” he added.

With a grain of salt

2005-08-30T09:20:00.000-07:00

When it comes to Nepalui Congress, it is not easy to take them at their face value. They are at heart a royalist party. THere used to be a time when they used to believe that democracy was synonymous with Nepali Congress. Incompetent leaders like Girija is at its helm. There is an obvious intellectual vacuum in that party. MY feeling is that despite its omission of constitutional monarchy, it will be the first one to dish it and strt licking the feet of royalties. Nevertheless, it is a good sign that they are showing some political spine.

NC removes constitutional monarchy from its statute
KOL Report
KATHMANDU, Aug 29 - The Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting of Nepali Congress Monday decided to omit constitutional monarchy from its party statute.
Excluding Shailaja Acharya, all other party leaders approved the decision to remove the concept of constitutional monarchy from the party’s statute today. Acharya has written a note of dissent on the decision.
“We have removed constitutional monarchy from the party’s objectives,” Ram Sharan Mahat told Kantipur Online. “The relevance of monarchy will be kept open from now.”
Mahat said that the party is not bound to constitutional monarchy now.
“Constitutional monarchy was a sort of compromise between the King and the political forces in the country,” Mahat said, “Since the King has violated the norms we are not bound by the monarchy anymore.”
The CWC meeting decided to delete "constitutional monarchy" from Clause 2 of the party statute that earlier stated the party's main objective as establishment of a just and dynamic society within a framework of constitutional monarchy, multiparty system and parliamentary form of government. The amended clause also talks about restructuring the state and implementing inclusive democracy to create a just society.
The party has also amended its statute which earlier mentioned constitutional monarchy as its pride. Now the statute mentions constitutional monarchy as a past glory.
Ram Chandra Poudel, who tabled the amendment proposal in the party's meeting as the head of the Policy and Program Department, said the term was simply removed from the party statute since the King himself embarked on an unconstitutional path and continued to reject the idea of staying within constitutional bounds.
The CWC meeting started discussing the issue from Sunday.
The party’s 11th general convention that begins tomorrow is expected to pass the decision. (dds)

Tightening of authoritarian grip: Need for demolishing monarchy

2005-08-30T09:15:00.000-07:00

UN body raps Nepal govt
KOL Report
KATHMANDU, Aug 30 - A top UN body has sharply criticized the Nepal government for intimidating families of disappeared persons, in a statement issued yesterday. "We regret that families of disappeared persons or human rights defenders are harassed, hampered from locating their loved ones, and even accused by the authorities of trying to destabilize the country," said the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), on the eve of International Day of the Disappeared. "In particular, this is the case in Nepal."
WGEID also urged Nepali authorities to protect human rights defenders from persecution for their work and to fully implement the recommendations issued following the Working Group's visit to Nepal in December 2004.
"Enforced disappearance is a continuing offence and investigations should continue for as long as the fate and the whereabouts of victims of enforced disappearance remain unknown."
National and international human rights bodies say that Nepal has one of the highest records of disappearances in the world.
Sharing the concerns of WGEID, Ian Martin, representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal, said in a separate statement, "We have had many reports that civil society organizations, as well as journalists, continue to receive threats and are under pressure from both sides of the conflict."
"Some steps have been taken toward establishing a list of detainees in army barracks, but it is still unclear how the government will provide accurate, up-to-date lists of all those held in any place of detention," he said. Martin added that the problem of disappearances continues to be a serious concern and that OHCHR-Nepal is regularly receiving complaints of disappearances by both Maoists and security forces.

Nepal needs new hopes: one is emerging

2005-08-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

I am not in favor of political parties or monarchy. All I care about it Nepal. Most of the time, there are no good news that relates to Nepal. It seems like it is perpetually trapped in a twilight zone. However, sometimes a glimmer of hope comes through. I read the news about UML stance for democratic republic. That to me is a big and bold move that is essential at this juncture. Nepal is the poorest coountry in Asia. With no natural resource or internal source of wealth creation, whatever come in aid has been lining the pockets of the powerful--there are no people who are more powerful than the royal family. Obviously, they are the biggest obstacles for Nepal to make a clean break from the authoritarian and autocratic rule that demeans its citizens and constricts their aspirations. It is not the time for Nepal to keep the past alive. It has to root out the evil of entrenched familial privileges and spread the opportunities, free the chains of inequality and break the monopoly of privileges. UML has done the right thing. Here is the news from the Kantipuronline from August 29,2005:

UML for democratic republic

By Ghanshyam Ojha
KATHMANDU, Aug 26 - The 9th Central Committee meeting of CPN-UML, on Thursday, decided to carry forward the current movement in favour of a democratic republic.
The Central Committee meeting, at the conclusion of its discussion on party General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal's political paper, also decided its slogan for the movement: "Let's end autocratic monarchy and restore complete democracy through constituent assembly."
Issuing a press release Thursday, the UML said, "Since the King's October 4, 2002 and February 1, 2005 moves have violated the tripartite agreement of 1990, the UML has decided to take the current movement toward democratic republic."
UML politburo member Keshav Badal said the Standing Committee (politburo) had earlier discussed ceremonial monarchy as the party's political line. "However, the Central Committee members with overwhelming majority, decided in favour of democratic republic."
"Now we will take this decision to other political parties and civil society," Badal said, adding, "In the present time, no party can go against the wishes of the people."
Three of 68 Central Committee members wrote a note of dissent against the decision.
Politburo members Bishnu Poudel and Mukunda Neupane and Central Committee member Krishna Gopal Shrestha wrote the note of dissent. However, the disagreement is not against the party's decision to go for a democratic republic. "Our opposition is not against republic, but we are concerned that the decision for democratic republic would put into shadow our party's political line of people's multiparty republic," said Poudel.
Meanwhile, the party also ruled out the demand for the party's early convention and decided to focus on the current movement against regression. "The issues raised in the 9th Central Committee meeting will be continued in the 8th General Convention in future," the statement said. The Central Committee also decided to form a task force to formulate the party's official stance on issues such as state restructuring, intra-party democratization and review of the party's past performance.
The meeting has also called on Maoists to immediately give up violence and initiate negotiations with mainstream political parties to coordinate against the King's regression.
Party Standing Committee member, Jhala Nath Khanal, presented his evaluation report of the party's performance in the past. The deliberations on Khanal's paper will continue on Friday.

Some progress in Republicanism

2005-08-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

It was reported yesterday that UML has decided to opt for republicanism. That is a positive sign. Let's just imagine what would happen if we do not get rid of the monarchy right now when it is at its most punitive phase? We will be doomed for centuries. The royals are corrupt to the core, and want desperately to hang on. They have fooled us all until now by their behind the scene machiavelian tactics. Nepal can ill afford not to take this opportunity to establish a sytem based on equality of all citizens, open society, and political freedom based on inidividual freedom and guaranteed civil librerties.

The king in Nepal is much the same as the dictator in Pakistan. Both derive their power from the army. And as long as there is a king, royals will have tight control over the army to perpetuate their luxurious living.

Nelal needs to move ahead with the time. With the two neighbors progressing by leaps and bounds, Nepal can definitely perform better economically, without the greedy manipulations of royals having their hand in every pie. Weath distribution should be achieved so that the disparity between the rich and the poor can be bridged. Nepal has future, but not with the royals intact.

Demolition of democracy!

2005-08-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

In only a fitting symbolic gesture, the "democracy wall" was demolished by the Kathmandu Municipality. Imagine this happening if the democratic goverment was still intact. Further, FM radio stations are silenced. Nepalese are supposed to be entertained not informed. Any reasonable person can understand the king's hollow lip service to "restoration of democracy." Rights to information falls among the first rights of democratic citizen. The royals do not want the citizens to be informed--or question royal authority. Like Meyrowitz said secrecy and manipulation of information lies behind those in power. With informed citizens able to run democratic government, there will be no need for maintaining the "white elephant" of royals at the cost of $5.0 million every year. The unofficial cost is not even disclosed. Even the political partrities and their incompetent leaders have been supressign democracy, while they boast of their democratic ideals. The only democracy Nepal needs it at the community level with local participation. Viva federalism!

Need for an open society

2005-08-15T13:11:00.000-07:00

When we plan for democracy, one of the fundamental goals should be to make provision for an open-society. It is only in an open society that diverse ideas can find co-existence, which is essential for democratic diffusion. It is apparent that Nepal's quest for a democratic futgure relies in its ability to foster an open society. That fundamental pre-requisite was not met by the 1991 constitution. There was a provision for secrecy regarding the royal affairs. Not only that the royals were beyond reproach for any of their action. So it is evident from historical facts that the royals have been an obstruction for an open-society and equality under law. The only way to move toward and establish a democratic Nepal is to get rid of the institutions that are regressive and if allowed to remain within out society, will be reactionaty in the future--spreading discord, dissatisfaction and striking back again. The best solution is to abolish monarchy and empower power through constitution and all means possible.

King should be measured by his own standard

2005-08-12T10:40:00.000-07:00

When the king dismissed Deuba two times, he cited the same reason. he found Deuba inept and incapable to deal with the Maoists. So he did not deserve to be in that leadreship. He took over assuring Nepalese "subject" that he would take care of the Maoists. Now, if he fails, what should be done? Obviously, the best option for us is to use his own criteria. He he fails, oust him--exile the royal family--everyone who is beneficiary of $5 million from the national treasury. That would only be fair to lay the foundation of new Nepal.

The root of inequality: enemy of democracy

2005-08-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

The monarchical grip in the administration and bureaucracy is getting tighter. New appointments for 43 districts were made today. Come to think of it, had this king been at the helm instead of his older brother, Nepal would never have had multiparty democratic (futile as ig might have been, it proved that political parties and leaders were equally not suited for the task of leadeship) experiment. There was reports how the palace was divided on the devision by Birendra to relinquish auotcratic control. The present king was against it. There is another reason apart from the obvious loss of power. The kind thinks Nepalese are utter fools. When the royal massacre occured and he ascendd, the first information he let out from the palace was the guns went off on their own and killed all those nine people.

Anyway, here is the basic situation. For democratic governance, equality of individuals has to be guaranteed. The biggest obstacle to estabhish is monarchy, who insisted to stay above law of the land. The monacrchy tried to stay above accountability. That will not be overcome. The political leaders, cowards that they are, agreed to the condition, with their own selfish motives. They wanted a run at the national coffers. Everybody knows what happened.

The cultural traits of Nepal favors hieraachy and inequality. That is unhealthy. Such roots of injustice should be uprooted. The only way to do it is to give a real good shock to the system. Culture is a dynamic thing. The unhealthy culture of ineqality which starts with monarchy should be totally abolished. Nepalese society should be introduced to modernity, under the UN auspicies. Enough with this futile call for constitutional monarchy.

UN governance

2005-07-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Everyone who will look at the history of Nepal will have to realize that neither the monarchy, not the political parties will help Nepal emerge out of poverty and lead to prosperity. The centralized rule has fostered massive corruption, and subdued regional and community efforts for development. The best way to move forward is to create federal system within five regional development centers with zonal independence included. Monarchy should be gotten rid of. It is a white elephant that can no longer be supported. Parties should be allowed to develop and hone their democratic governenace at the zonal and regional developmental level. UN should be allowed to take care of the central governance for at least 10 years, by which time, some kind of stability in democratic governance can be achieved by the parties at the sub-national level. National givernance can then be transferred to Nepalese political parties under the auspicies of a national democratic election. As it stands now, Nepalese culture does not support democarcy, the parties merely talk of democracy, and the monarchy is totally against democracy and it has been under the present leadership.

Constitutional monarchy is a bad idea for Nepal

2005-07-27T10:17:00.000-07:00

It seems like everyone seems to feel that there need to be an agreement between the political parties, monarchy and the Maoists to find a solution to Nepal's crisis. It is apparent, the international community wants to see restoration of constitutional monarchy. That is a total lack of innovation. What Nepal needs is a clean political slate where there is no more institutionlization of deep-rooted monarchy, which will wait for the right moment to strike again. Given the feable intelligence and integrity of political parties, there is going to be no positive putlook unless the entire political structure is changed and a radical step is taken. That step should be strong political powers to local communities and token limited power to the center--on foreign affairs and defense. That's all. Since corruption is so rampant at the highest level, they should be starved to death and eradication.....

Perplexed and excited by complexity

2005-03-21T16:17:00.000-08:00

This spring break gave me the opportunity I needed to finish reading the book on Complexity by Waldop. I had started reading it couple of years ago, but never got around to completing the last 10 percent. However, I started from the beginning and got more out of it as the things discussed are so fascinating--especially the emergent field of study about "emergent" properties on virtually every thing in life. As it turns out hard science and soft science share similar habavior at certain level as they are both a part of complex systems. But the powerful message I took from this book was the idea, not actually that new, that very simple rules can create complex systems. And slight difference in the initial phase can create enormous difference at the end. This means a little positive initiative regarding social policies taken today can make a vast difference a decade or two later. The book was an account of many scientists and researchers who thought original ideas and languished for decades and struggled to find acceptance in the mainstream. Of course, they eventually triumphed.

Their website states: The Santa Fe Institute is devoted to creating a new kind of scientific research community, one emphasizing multidisciplinary collaboration in pursuit of understanding the common themes that arise in natural, artificial, and social systems. This unique scientific enterprise attempts to uncover the mechanisms that underlie the deep simplicity present in our complex world.

I like that idea: Deep simplicity present in our complex world.

Research paper

2005-03-20T12:46:00.000-08:00

I have a research paper for Communication Literature class for this semester. I am looking into the use of myths and symbols that permeate Nepalese society. As an only official Hindu kingdom in the world, Nepalese are deeply wired into Hindu world view or hierarchy, inequality, and accpetance of unjust privilege enjoyed by every member of the extended royal family. As argued by some communication scholars, the backstage information is manupulated by the royalty to create an aura of mystery regarding them, thus perpetuating their power and hold over the illiterate mass. Where else in the world can someone still be above the law?

Nepal's cultural context and democracy

2005-03-15T11:39:00.000-08:00

We are all very aware about the situation in Nepal and the Feb 1 move by the king that reverted autocratic power back to the royalty and their loyalists. Mostly, we tend to blame the leaders and the Maoists for the political debacle. We find the cause for democratic disappointment in all kinds of things.

The question I ask is: Is Nepal actually ready for democracy?

Let me explain. We seem to assume that democracy is inherently good and that’s the path we should follow. So we adopted democracy in the 1990’s. But, have we considered and thought the implications through and through to see is democracy compatible with Nepalese cultural milieu?

Democracy does need some social conditions to flourish. If we have learned anything, initiation and consolidation of democracy are two separate things. It is easy to hold elections. But to have social attitudes and practices to sustain and consolidate a political system like democracy, which is the most complex form of government, it is essential that certain conditions be met. These conditions as shown by research have correlates in economic development, wealth distribution, education, and vibrancy of civic society for the most part.

What about culture?

The present culture of democracy was founded on values of modernism and renaissance. It assumes equality of individuals. Equality means empowering every individual in a society. However, in Nepal dominant Hindu cultures is utterly seeped in hierarchy where individuals are slotted in different holes—Casteism for an example. There is social recognition of hierarchy, instead of individual equality. Hierarchy between castes, gender, age, economic classes of master and servants continue to be dominant value. Young generations are not allowed to speak or challenge the traditional ideas. In the cultural context, the symbols, values and meanings in society are based mostly in religious texts and myths. Basically, Nepal is still a pre-modern society functioning under religious values.

Now, religious values are antithetical of modern values. So I see a contradiction between the cultural context of Nepal and assumptions underlying democratic system. Democracy failed in Nepal, for a large part, because the societal cultural values and beliefs are incompatible with expectations of democratic norms.

So to give democracy a chance, cultural context has to change rapidly. There has to be an extra effort to bring scientific and economic revolution. Modern values of science over religiosity; and meritocracy over ascription are two most important aspects that have to be assimilated.

Then we might have better luck to sustain democratic governance based in people power rather than legitimacy justified on account of divinity.

A humble hope for Nepal

2005-03-08T09:10:00.000-08:00

Nepal has become a failed state. The people of Nepal were failed by its leaders. But Nepal was failed by both its leaders and the people. In the context of the "information age" and "freedom," Nepal has no other option than to adopt and adapt modern values. The foundation for Nepal's future lies in its people. This site will address news, analysis and issues dedicated to empowering Nepalese people. By empowering citizenry, we can empower Nepal. That is a humble hope.