Kathmandu l 3-9 Dec, 2007 l # 43 l Price Rs. 25

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Nepal army is believed to have lodged a protest‘informally’ with the United States for having givenvisa to Prabhakar, Deputy leader of the Commu-nist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) parliamen-tary party. The protest was lodged on grounds thatPrabhakar who is Deputy Commander of thePeople’s Liberation Army (PLA) had led the Maoistattack on army in Pili at a construction site, killingmany unarmed army personnel, two years ago.

The US Embassy in Kathmandu is however,believed to have explained to the army as wellas the diplomats, NGOs and politicians ‘unoffi-cially’ that visa was granted to three Maoistparliamentarians including Prabhakar on therequest of the government of Nepal to facilitatethem to participate in the UN general assemblymeeting, but it in no way indicated any shift onUS policy towards the Maoists.

Embassy officials are also believed to haveexplained to the army that they gave the visa toPrabhakar as the government failed to lodge anyobjection to his traveling to the US. Shital Niwassent a list of 43 members from different parties, arecord in terms of the number and expendituremade from the government exchequer, for theparliamentarians’ visit to the US.

Nepal army apparently took this US gesturetowards the Maoists as a shift in the US policy

vis a vis Nepal army. Despite suspension oflethal arms and other equipments in the wake ofRoyal takeover in February 2005, the USgovernment had continued providing usualtraining and other logistical support to the army.

Are there any restrictions on the movement ofthese Maoist leaders outside New York, if thevisa was granted purely to facilitate theirparticipation in the United Nations at itsheadquarter? Diplomats quote US authorities ashaving stated that the US is not a police state togo that far, but they would certainly expectMaoist leaders not to carry on any undesiredpolitical activities in any part of the US.

Apart from Prabhakar, Maoist leader Suresh AleMagar has been granted the visa as part of thegovernment delegation on recommendation of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs. Ale Magar had beendenied visa a few months ago on the way back fromLatin America, citing the reason that the Maoist outfithad been placed on the US government’s terroristlist. Despite their having been granted visas, theMaoist parliamentarians would not be entertained byany US authorities at any other social occasions ormeetings, diplomats said.

The US embassy is also believed to have toldthe authorities that it is not going to take Maoistsoff its terrorist’s list unless they give proof of theirsincere commitment to peace and democracy,through their actions. ä

Visa to ‘terrorists’ on govt request

No shiftMonks performing Monlam prayer festival for world peace at Rabten Ling MonasteryMonks performing Monlam prayer festival for world peace at Rabten Ling MonasteryMonks performing Monlam prayer festival for world peace at Rabten Ling MonasteryMonks performing Monlam prayer festival for world peace at Rabten Ling MonasteryMonks performing Monlam prayer festival for world peace at Rabten Ling Monastery, Lumbini, Lumbini, Lumbini, Lumbini, Lumbini.....

2 3-9 Dec, 2007 News

On sale–Nepali embassiesä Kiran Bhandari

The government is consideringselling off at least four Nepaliembassies abroad on grounds ofhigh maintenance cost; but seniorofficials of the foreign ministry andsome former Nepali ambassadorssay that the move is directed moreby lust and greed for kick-backsduring the transaction.

On top of the list for sale is Nepaliembassy in London at KensingtonGarden Palace, a prime location; asPrime Minister GP Koirala has takeninterest in the matter personally.Koirala instructed the new ambas-sador, Murari Raj Sharma toformalise the deal.

"Please go ahead with the deal,"he told Ambassador Sharma infront of other ambassadors whohad called on the PM at hisBaluwatar residence about a monthago. Given the prime location andsize of the land and other assets,the property could fetch up to 55million pounds sterling, but officialswho know about the latestdevelopment say, the governmentcould even throw away the wholeproperty for less than 40 millionpounds.

The government’s intent to sellthe property has not been notifiedanywhere officially, which is thenormal practice in such deals.Among others, industrialist LakshmiKant Mittal is believed to haveshown interest in the property as hehas his property in the neighbor-hood.

"It will be a shame to sell thatproperty on any pretext…therecords and estimate of expensesfor maintenance are being inflatedto sell the property at a cheapprice," a former ambassador to

London told newsfront on conditionof anonymity.

A committee formed by thegovernment for the purpose isbelieved to have estimated thatmaintaining the embassy building inthe present shape would cost atleast 45 crore Rupees (nearly 45million pounds), but some seniorofficials are believed to havechallenged the estimate.

There are also preliminaryrounds of suggestions within theministry and Baluwatar about theneed to sell the embassy property inDelhi, Bonn and Belgium. A seniorofficial in the Foreign Ministry toldnewsfront that the only propertythat needs to be sold is theembassy in Bonn since it nowremains unused following thetransfer of the capital to Berlin.

The property in Belgium wasbought by Singha Pratap Shah, wayback in 70s for 10,000 US dollars."Yes, if both ambassadors’residences which are located inmore expensive areas and are in abad shape could be sold along withthe embassy, we could buy newproperty with that money," theofficial said. "But the governmentseems more interested in selling theembassy in London first, and Delhiafterwards, since it would fetchmore money, more commission, allat the cost of the state exchequer."

The embassy in London, a Royalproperty, was given to the govern-ment of Nepal in 1936 by the Britishgovernment, apparently as a tokenof appreciation of Nepal's militarysupport. A fresh lease of 99 yearswas signed in 1977. Delhi'sembassy that was establishedduring the 40s is located atBarakhamba road, in the heart ofthe capital.

Foundation inDr. Gurung’s memoryRecognising a hero's contribution

Friends and admirers of Dr.Chandra Prasad Gurung haveformed Chandra Gurung Conserva-tion Foundation (CGCF). TheFoundation was launched on theoccasion of his birth anniversary onDecember 1, first after his death inan air crash at Taplejung's Dhunsaarea, last year.

The occasion was marked by anature hike organised by thefoundation in which his friends,colleagues and fans, about 150 innumber, trekked to the ShivapuriNational park area, followed by aspiritual ceremony at the Lhun DropChoeling Gompa (Budhanilkanthamonastery).

Organisers said the aim of theevent was: to officially launch and

introduce CGCF in Nepal andpublicise the establishment of ChandraGurung Conservation Trust in theUnited States; to make public aware ofthe vision of the trust which will beworking in collaboration, in manyareas; and begin fund-raising to startthe work of the foundation.

"During his life-time Dr Gurung hadone vision, to conserve Nepal's mostvaluable treasure for her people, hernatural heritage. Intrinsic to his visionwas the belief that conservingbiodiversity and natural resources canonly be achieved through active

participation of the local people. DrGurung dedicated his whole life to hiscause. He also found time to mentorcountless individuals and guide them,"a press note issued by the CGCF said.

Dr Gurung, PhD in medicalanthropology from the University ofHawaii was the Country Representa-tive of the World Wild Life Fund(WWF), Nepal. He had also servedas Member Secretary of the KingMahendra Trust for Nature Conser-vation; and was one of the pioneersin designing Nepal's first communitybased integrated conservation anddevelopment project that took theshape of The Annapurna Conserva-tion Area Programme (ACAP).

He had been recognised andhonoured for his contribution tonature conservation, both at homeand abroad. A recipient of the AtiPrabal Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, he wasalso awarded the Knight First Class,Order of the Lion of Finland.

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33-9 Dec, 2007News

Troika to visit NepalA European troika delegation will visit Nepal to explore ways

of supporting the government in the peace process as well asin conduct of credible elections.

The delegation during its four day visit beginning December3 will offer its support to the government to put in place the keybuilding blocks of the peace process and credible elections atthe earliest opportunity.

The high-level delegation consists of officials from Portugal,the current EU Presidency, Slovenia, the forthcoming EUPresidency, the European Commission and the EuropeanCouncil. The troika will support Nepal's peace process andencourage the parties to work together for the people of Nepal,a statement issued by the EU here, said.

The troika will be focusing on issues like improvement ofpublic security, discussion on the future of Maoist combatants,an end to impunity and human rights abuse, progress ondevelopment and dialogue with marginalised groups, thestatement said.

On govt. orderYoung Communist League (YCL) may have forcibly captured

private, government and semi-government properties indifferent parts of the country; but it has legally 'captured' atleast two government offices in prime locations in Kathmandu.

The head office of the trolley bus in Min Bhavan(Baneshwar) and another huge building in Pachali (Teku) havebeen under the occupation of the YCL for months now. "We

are there legally with government’s permission," a YCL leadersaid. He said that the YCL had been approached by manypeople to set up its offices, “And so we approached thegovernment to give us a suitable site. We have got these twosites on order of a minister he said," but he did not identify theminister. Both buildings currently 'captured' by the YCL belongto the Ministry of Labour and Transport.

New ambassadorIndian ambassador, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee will soon be

replaced by Rakesh Sood. The new appointment was officiallyannounced in Delhi recently. Sood holds the rank of a JointSecretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. AmbassadorMukherjee who has been in Nepal almost for four years nowwill be succeeding Kamlesh Sharma as High Commissioner toLondon.

AgremoShailaja Acharya has been appointed Nepal's ambassador to

Delhi. Acharya, a senior Congress leader, will now be going toDelhi soon. The government of Nepal finally received theagremo from Delhi, more than two months after the proposalwas sent. But the fate of at least four more ambassadordesignates hangs in balance as the host countries have not yetresponded to the government of Nepal's proposal to appointthem.

Incidentally, all the ambassador designates belong to theMaoist party. More and more hardened attitude on the part ofthe Maoist party against election is making international

community more confused and suspicious about the formerrebels's commitment to peace and democracy.

Wanting in sincerityThe Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) has never

apologised for any crime the party committed during the yearsof conflict or in peace time. The closest the party leadership hascome to showing any sign of ‘regret’ is by expressing ‘sorrow’over the incident.

The latest expression of ‘sorrow’ came from party ChiefPrachanda over the abduction and torture of Dr GyanendraGiri, Chairman of the Biratnagar based Nobel Medical College,by Young Communist League activists recently.

Prachanda admitted that his YCL cadres were misled by‘someone’ into abducting Dr. Giri and his colleagues in a 'filmistyle', and assured cooperation with the government in initiatingaction against that person. He however gave no indication thatYCL activists involved in the crime would be handed over to thegovernment authorities. Sagar, the valley in charge of the YCL,has been asked to apologise for his cadres in the abduction case.

The CPN-M chief said what happened to an 'honourable'doctor was not right. The YCL is directly under charge ofPrachanda. After the doctor's abduction case, Prachanda hasalso promised that the YCL would be transformed into a goodorganisation indicating that they would no longer be used forlooting, abduction and other crimes. But there are still somebanners hung in different parts of the capital asking people "tolet us know about suspicious behaviour of the people or theiractivities.”

Newsbrief

ä nf correspondent

Prime Minister GP Koirala was all set to declare Nepal aRepublic country to save his chair, and ensure election to theconstituent assembly (CA) by mid April, but desisted from doingso in the face of defiance by a large number of parliamentariansbelonging to the Nepali Congress (NC).

"If you go beyond what the party's general assembly hasmandated you for, we are going to defy the party whip," the partyleaders warned Koirala last week. And the person who decisivelyconvinced PM Koirala of the disastrous consequences that apolitical surrender to the Maoists’ demands, was Sushil Koirala,the Working President of NC.

During several rounds of informal meetings that the seniorleaders and parliamentarians had with the PM last week at hisresidence for three consecutive days, they told him to stick to themandate of the party general assembly that favoured a finaldecision on the fate of monarchy, and oppose the ProportionalRepresentation (PR) system of election.

It was this crucial meeting that apparently forced Koirala to makehis mind public, totally rejecting the Maoists’ demands for a PRsystem. "This will lead to the disintegration of the country," he said inan interview he gave to Spotlight (weekly), with a categoricalassertion against Maoists’ pre-condition for CA polls in future.

Govinda Raj Joshi, one of the most vocal and persuasivemembers of the group told Koirala point blank that the way hewas surrendering to the Maoists will now have only two conse-quences. "Either you will end up handing over power to theMaoists or the army." The only way to avoid that, Joshi advised,was to reinforce law and order, exercise the authority of the state,and expand party's base among a large number of electorate andcitizens who were quite scared of the Maoists way of politics.

"There were of course some feeble voices that suggestedKoirala to be considerate towards Maoists’ demands, but theywere lost in the din," a senior member of the party's centralcommittee said. Vinay Dhoj Chand and Sunil Bhandari warnedKoirala that many parliamentarians will revolt against theleadership if the party was to conduct itself under dictates of theMaoists.

They also advised the PM to note that Maoists were not at allinterested in participating in the CA polls, “Even if you consider alltheir demands.” The declaration made by Mukti Pradhan, anadvocate and leader of the Maoist party almost confirmed thatfear. Speaking to BBC Nepali Service on Saturday night, theMaoist leader said that all parties existing at present will not beallowed to contest elections. "Only those accepting the ideologywe champion would be entitled to contest elections," he said.

PM yieldsThreat of mass defiance in Congress

The government of Nepal faces theprospect of facing punitive action fromdonors if it further defaults in itscommitment to holding elections to theConstituent Assembly (CA) on schedule.

An indication to this was given byDanish Ambassador, Finn Thilstedduring his interaction with the media inDhangadi last week. He made it clearthat although in the long run, Denmarkwill have to review issues like financialassistance to the government of Nepal ifthere was no elected government; it wasin favour of election to the CA takingplace by Mid-April. It would be difficult,he said, to continue with the aid projectsif election is not held and, a historicopportunity, which could be a milestonein Nepal's peace process is bungled.

Peter Eilschow Olesen, Deputy Headof the Mission of Danish Embassy, toldnewsfront, in Kathmandu that thegovernment of Denmark was definitelyconcerned about the frequent postpone-ment of elections to the CA. "Ourgovernment is answerable to ourparliament and the people; and themoney that we have given to Nepal forconducting election should be spent forthat purpose within the stipulated time,"he said, adding "It cannot be spent forother purposes."

The stand of the Danish embassyhere is being taken as an indicator that itis going to seek details of the financialassistance it gave to the governmentand the election commission for holdingelection on November 22. There arealso indications that the Danishgovernment might ask for its return, ifthe new deadline is missed. Thegovernment is contemplating to holdelection, postponed twice by thegovernment, by mid April.

How is our moneybeing spent?

UnhappyDanish

Editor & Publisher : Yubaraj GhimireExecutive Editor : Sushma AmatyaNews Coordinator : Manoj DahalDesign: Sunil Khadgi, Kishor Raj Panta & Ramkrishna RanaAddress : PO Box: 8830, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, NepalTel : 4443888, Fax : 4421147 (Edt.), 4411912 (Mkt.)Email: newsfront@bhrikuti.com, marketing@bhrikuti.com (Mkt.)Printed by: Express Color Press, Buddhanagar, Tel.: 4781810, Distribution: Kasthamandap, Tel.: 2010821

3-9 Dec, 20074 Editorial

LettersAnti- drug drive

I am a 21 year old college student. Iwas a drug addict and I greatlybenefited from the counseling I gotfrom some rehab centers. Not all ofthem were good. Most did not havethe required knowledge and skill to runsuch centers, but some of themdefinitely helped me.

I and some of my friends had foundthe regular column by Ragina Shah inyour paper very useful. Has thecolumn stopped? With drug usegrowing at an alarming rate in Nepal’surban as well as rural areas, anawareness campaign by the mediaabout dangers of drug use andcouncelling for the drug users will go along way in motivating youths in thecampaign. I think this is something thegrowing number of FM stations also should take up.

Nilesh ShresthaDilli Bazar, Kathmandu

Democrats or terrorists?Siddhartha Thapa’s articles at times created an impression

that he is biased against the Maoists and that he has a politicalagenda. But with political developments take place in thecountry, now it has become more evident that Maoists wantneither democracy nor peace, and it was wrong on the part ofthe government, especially the leaders of the coalition, not tohave detected the Maoists’ real motive. Their entry to parlia-ment and the government earlier was purely tactical to destroythe system from within and derive maximum political advantageout of the resultant confusion, chaos and erosion of institutions.

Thapa deserves congratulations for having detected thereal motives of the Maoists at an early stage. Having said this,Maoists remain a challenge to the country and the governingleaders since the peace process will not succeed if they arenot given due importance. They need to be motivated andencouraged in the peace process and clearly told that they

have no future if they do not come intothe fold of democracy. Otherwise, theywill simply remain terrorists.

Janak Gurung,Kalimati, Kathmandu

ShamefulNepali politicians have not changed.

The way the Maoist leaders have beenbehaving also shows that they are nodifferent from leaders like GP Koiralaand Madhav K. Nepal. As your editorialsuggests, the past one year, despitethe hope it contained has beenbungled. This is a shame for thecountry. A message will go around theworld that Nepalis are not capable ofmanaging their internal affairs withoutassistance from outside. And anyassistance does not come without

strings attached.It rightly suggests that the way to move forward is by

implementing some of the key provisions of the Comprehen-sive Peace Agreement (CPA). Maoists have been looting andcapturing more properties of the ordinary people as well asactivists and leaders of its rival political parties.

There are reports from Nawalparasi, Dang, Nepalgunj,Makwanpur and Hetaunda to substantiate these facts. Thegovernment, especially the Home Minister is directly aidingand abetting the Maoists to carry on their campaign in clearviolation of the peace agreement. We cannot ensure thatpeace is established if the rule of law is suppressed by thegovernment. This is something the Maoists and the govern-ment must understand.

Sudan SharmaAnam Nagar, Kathmandu

AccountabilityTo what extent should international community or any country getinvolved in Nepal’s domestic affairs? Nepal government, civilsociety and key political actors have taken stands, often contradic-tory, and their response are guided by their own narrow self-interests at any given point of time.

Theoretically speaking, international community or any country’sor their representatives’ behaviour and conduct should be inconformity with the norms and practices of diplomacy elsewhere.But sadly, in Nepal’s case, its external dependency, not only oneconomic matters but also on issues which are largely related todomestic policies, is on the increase. Nepali actors, both state andnon-state, have not even tried to come together around the policyand practices of self-reliance.

In fact, civil society and NGOs have quite often acted in amanner that exhibits their bias and politically compromising natureeven on human rights, principles of equality before law, fair trialand basic values of democracy. Despite their exemplary role in re-establishing democracy after the king’s takeover, they have of lateacted more like blind allies of certain political parties. This hasresulted in the loss of their credibility.

Successive governments have failed to regulate the funding toNGOs and civil society by the international community. The level ofcorruption and lack of transparency in their businesses, includingrecruitment in these bodies (of course, with some notableexceptions) is as rampant as it is in the government. Some of theNGOs, trusted recipients of reputed international donors, havealmost taken the shape of family owned enterprises. In someother cases, their affiliations to certain political parties are wellestablished.

With political awareness on the increase, people are as criticalof these practices in the NGO sector as they have been of thegovernment. Moreover, this is likely to bring the internationalcommunity, mainly the donors in added controversy in Nepal. Civilsociety and major NGOs in the capital as well as urban Nepal arepart of the social and political elites who have been the beneficiaryof culture of impunity; something that the international bodies havetime and again said should be ended.

In fact, UNMIN with its large presence now has become anobject of criticism for its having practiced policy of ‘discrimination’brazenly. In the name of inclusive politics, it has rejected right awaysome deserving candidates against many vacancies just becausethey belong to certain castes. UNMIN adopting a policy of positivediscrimination is understandable as well as welcome, but itsdisqualifying people purely on caste basis may have the potentialof triggering fresh social unrest. These are some of the attitudesand realities that need to be addressed.

Accountability and transparency are basic features of democ-racy. We cannot have a meaningful and effective democracy andgovernment without these; but honest, transparent and account-able NGOs and civil society can enormously contribute to realisingthat kind of democracy which is the best guarantee to the Nepalipeople deciding their country’s fate. ä

If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwisethey’ll kill you. - Oscar Wilde

Point to Ponder

Kahlil Gibran was a poet, philosopher andartist. He was born in Lebanon, and isconsidered to be one of the greatest Arabicprophets. Kahlil’s most famous work is hisshort book, The Prophet. In 1895 Gibran andhis family moved to the US where he lived untilhis death in 1931

Kahlil’s poems:

A blade of grass Said a blade of grass to an autumn leaf,

“You make such a noise falling! You scatter allmy winter dreams.” Said the leaf indignant,“Low-born and low-dwelling! Songless,peevish thing! You live not in the upper air andyou cannot tell the sound of singing.”

Then the autumn leaf lay down upon theearth and slept. And when spring came she

waked again — and she was a blade of grass.And when it was autumn and her winter

sleep was upon her, and above her through allthe air the leaves were falling, she muttered toherself, “O these autumn leaves! They makesuch a noise! They scatter all my winterdreams.”

ReligionAnd an old priest said,

“Speak to us of Religion.” Andhe said: Have I spoken thisday of aught else? Is notreligion all deeds and allreflection. And that which isneither deed nor reflection,but a wonder and a surpriseever springing in the soul,even while the hands hew the

Spiritual Cornerwhose windows are from dawn to dawn.

Your daily life is your temple and yourreligion. Whenever you enter into it take withyou your all. Take the plough and the forgeand the mallet and the lute - the things youhave fashioned in necessity or for delight. Forin revery you cannot rise above yourachievements nor fall lower than your failures.And take with you all men.

For in adoration you cannot fly higher thantheir hopes nor humble yourself lower thantheir despair. And if you would know God benot therefore a solver of riddles. Rather lookabout you and you shall see Him playing withyour children. And look into space; you shallsee Him walking in the cloud, outstretchingHis arms in the lightning and descending inrain. You shall see Him smiling in flowers, thenrising and waving His hands in trees. ä

stone or tend the loom? Who can separatehis faith from his actions, or his belief fromhis occupations? Who can spread his hoursbefore him, saying, “This for God and thisfor myself; This for my soul, and this otherfor my body?”

All your hours are wings that beat throughspace from self to self. He who wears his

morality but as his best garmentwere better naked. The windand the sun will tear no holes inhis skin. And he who defines hisconduct by ethics imprisons hissong-bird in a cage. The freestsong comes not through barsand wires. And he to whomworshipping is a window, toopen but also to shut, has notyet visited the house of his soul

Readers, your reactions, criticisms, comments,suggestions are most welcome. Please address it to:

newsfront@bhrikuti.com

3-9 Dec, 20075Debating Development

The government has rightly recom-mended extension of UNMIN’s(United Nations Mission to Nepal)tenure, initially for a period of sixmonths, beyond its current term thatends on January 22; all in the hopethat peace process will move aheadin the desired direction.

Key political actors, mainly thePrime Minister and the Maoistleadership, have come in for sharpcriticism for their not havingimplemented crucial provisions of theComprehensive Peace Agreement(CPA). Moreover, frequent changeof the goal posts by the Maoistssetting newer pre-conditions forholding elections to the constituentassembly (CA) – such as thedemand for a proportional represen-tation (PR) system of election andabolition of the monarchy right away,and now reintegration of theirguerrillas in the Nepal army; hasthreatened the seven party unity,which is definite to have a bearing inthe peace process.

How much will an externalassistance including that from the UNbe of use in taking the peace processforward and holding elections on anew schedule, if the key internalactors’ intentions and ability, areunder increasing doubts both athome and abroad?

Yet, Nepal's key actors andUNMIN are one in their inferencethat the seven party unity is the pre-condition for success of the peaceprocess. But that alone will not beenough. To begin with, the signato-ries to the conflict have to beginimplementing key provisions of theCPA as a proof that they are seriousabout taking the peace process to itslogical end, as well as creating anatmosphere conducive to pollsto the CA.

They also need to convincepeople that they will behave inconformity with the code of conductsigned by both sides. It was alsohoped that UNMIN, which has beenassigned with the task of managingarms, armies of the state and theMaoists, and observing CA polls;would conduct itself as per the

and the peace processestablished norms and practice inareas of conflict, and therefore,would not require a separate codeof conduct. But with some aberra-tions in that, it is perhaps time thatUNMIN works out some regulatorymeasures for its staff and membersas well.

The presence of the NorwegianGeneral, Eric during anniversarycelebrations of the 7th battalion ofPeople's Liberation Army in Chitwanrecently as the chief guest is anissue that has not been taken verykindly by the authorities in thegovernment. Those knowing thenorms of diplomacy say it goesagainst the basic principle of UNMINpresence in Nepal since its role isnot to highlight militarisation, but towork towards demilitarisation anddecommissioning to enhance thepeace process.

That was the occasion whenMaoist combatants used their armsfor a ceremonial purpose, clearlyforbidden by the peace agreement.Gen Eric's controversial presencefollows Prime Minister GP Koirala'sdisapproval of UNMIN Chief IanMartin's meeting with some Teraileaders waging armed struggle. Gen.Eric's conduct has also beenquestioned by the government.

It is surprising to see how thegovernment was duped into airingsuch a programme on a govern-ment owned TV network evenwhen the portfolio of the Communi-cation Ministry remains vacant afterthe Maoist minister submitted hisresignation some months ago. Theevent with the General wearing theUN's blue beret was highlighted bythe media and the reaction it hasgenerated so far is not at all

positive. In fact, this is an issue thatUNMIN would require to explainsooner than later.

Since key political actors at homehad no expertise or visible ability totake the peace process forward, itwas definitely justified to get aneutral world body like UN as afacilitator. But once its neutrality orlack of it becomes an issue ofdebate or doubt, its role cannot beas effective as envisaged.

A neutral and yet an effectiveUNMIN can exert more moralpressure on the parties in theconflict if and when they err. In fact,that will be the challenge before theUNMIN during its extended newtenure.

The chances of elections takingplace in a free and fair atmosphere,even in the new deadline that is

UNMINlikely to be announced very soon,are still very remote. The restora-tion of law and order and totalimpunity, that Maoist groups,especially the Young CommunistLeague (YCL) enjoy, are issues thatneed to be urgently addressed aspre-condition for elections. And thegovernment and the Maoists alsomust begin implementing at leastsome of the provisions of the CPAto begin with.

They include formation of a high-powered commission to recommendthe mode and model of devolution ofpower and appropriate electoralmodel as there seems to be astalemate over the issue, besidesforming a body to investigate thewhereabouts of the disappearedfrom both sides, and another bodyto enforce return of propertyconfiscated by the Maoists duringthe period.

UNMIN can obviously exercise itsmoral strength on the two sides, asproper electoral atmosphere will notbe established without all thathappening. The demands for reviewof electoral model or that of theintegration of Maoist combatants inthe army will be much easier, if theparties in the conflict give proof oftheir good behaviour and seriousnessof purpose.

The way Maoists put forward thedemands for Republic Nepal and PRsystem as pre-condition for electionsto the CA which effectively stalled theelectoral process has been taken bysome, as their admitting lack of masssupport even before facing theelectorate.

Should the democratic orelectoral process be a casualty for along time to come in Nepal if theMaoists back out of it? It is equallyimportant for Maoists to ponder: dothey have a future as a politicalparty if they shun people andcontemplate taking up guns? Butthese political theories need to bediscouraged for once and all. Inother words, Maoists need to beencouraged to take the CPA andpeace process to its logicalconclusion. ä

UNMIN’s role in Nepal isnot to highlightmilitarisation, but to worktowards demilitarisation…ä Yubaraj Ghimire

Nepal's keyactors andUNMIN are onein their infer-ence that theseven partyunity is the pre-condition forsuccess of thepeace process.

UNMIN can obvi-ously exercise

its moralstrength on the

two sides, asproper electoralatmosphere will

not be estab-lished without all

that happening.

news

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3-9 Dec, 20076 Debating Development

ä Manish Gautam

Rita (name changed), 25, is a mother of afive year old child. Both the mother and thechild are infected with HIV. Rita was infectedby her husband, a migrant worker. Rita, whois now a widow, spent all she owned on thetreatment of her husband who died a yearago. Now she earns her living by sellingfruits. “If I reveal my HIV status, it will meanthe end of my livelihood. I will be ruined. AndI and my little kid will face severe stigma anddiscrimination.”

This is the representative story of HIVinfected Nepali women today; whose primeworry is their kids’ future. The former UNGeneral Secretary Kofi Annan once said thatthe saddest part of HIV infection is that itpasses down from parents to their children.

According to UNICEF, HIV infectionamong Nepali children is rising alarmingly.The HIV/AIDS Project Officer of UNICEF,Nepal - Sara Beysolow Nayanti disclosedthat approximately 4,000 children in Nepalare infected with HIV. UNICEF, FHI andNational Association of PLWHA in Nepal; toachieve universal access for children andtheir families to HIV prevention, treatment,care and support; launched UNCAANpartnership in 29 Nov, 2007.

Sadly, we do not know who these 4,000children are, where and how they live. It hasbeen said that in Nepal children account for

half of all the new HIV infections.With the estimated 70,000 people living with

HIV in Nepal, what will be its impact on children?This is a serious concern which has not yet beenaddressed.

The gravest long-term impact of the HIV/AIDS crisis will fall on children in many ways.The vulnerability of children of AIDS affectedparents start well before the death of theirparents. Besides the tremendous emotionaltrauma they face when they suffer the deaths of

their parents, the loss impacts negatively onfamily structures and ends up requiring childrento become caretakers and breadwinners of thefamily.

On the eve of this year’s World AIDS Day,Rajiv Kafle, President of National Association ofPLWHA in Nepal (NAPN) said, “New infectionrates of HIV are rising alarmingly and deathsrelated to AIDS are increasing every year inNepal.” This means as the number of adultsdying of AIDS rises over the next decades,

increasing numbers of orphans will grow upwithout parental care and love, deprived oftheir basic rights to shelter, food, health andeducation.

HIV/AIDS is not a distant affliction in subSaharan African regions but a rising scourgein Nepal, which is creating enormous toll onpsycho-social, economic conditions of theafflicted families. There are many casesespecially in far west region of Nepal, wherechildren drop out from school either becausethey could not pay the school fees or becausethey now have to support their family.

And increasing numbers of elderly couplestake care of their grandchildren since they losttheir sons and daughter in-laws to AIDS. Therate at which the housewives of migratingpopulations are being infected with HIV virusis increasing alarmingly. Many new born HIVinfected die because it did not have access topediatric ARV. These are the real but untoldstories of HIV/AIDS in Nepal. What kind offuture does it warrant for the country?

AIDS results in discrimination, impoverish-ment, hunger and the chain of suffering passesdown from generation to generation. AIDSorphans, as the situation stands now, will notreceive love and support from their families andcommunities. HIV/AIDS is thus fast breaking thechain of family support, love, knowledge transferand skill sharing between generations in Nepal.This issue demands urgent attention and wellthought out actions. ä

There has always been a dearth ofpress coverage and articles on Dalitissues. Out of the few, manypublished opinion pieces on Dalitsmake one ponder over who might bethe actual culprit behind the currentplight of the so-called untouchables.Some highlight the importance ofending intra-Dalit hierarchy andsegregation first, as a precondition fordoing away with caste-baseddiscrimination. To validate theirarguments, the authors usually citeexamples of Dalits discriminatingagainst Dalits much the same way asnon-Dalits treat them.

Though it is undeniable that Dalitsare not a monolithic group and thereis intra-Dalit hierarchy, not all wouldaccept the mea culpa view. Indeedthey would be in a much betterposition to get organised and riseagainst the discriminatory practicesand traditions if they were notculturally and ritually divided. In anideal world it would be a perfect thingto do. And there are many Dalit rightsactivists who have been advocatingfor the same.

But the main question is – is intra-Dalit hierarchy the absolute causebehind the perpetuation of the evilpractice? Would Dalits be free fromdomination had there been nodivision within Dalits? Or are theintellectuals and writers simplyprojecting the issue in such a way thatDalits themselves can be blamed fortheir suffering? Could it be a part oftheir implicit attempts to eschewDalit’s freedom?

In reality, there is no community in

Nepal that does not have its internalhierarchy. Newars are an obviousexample. Different clans of Bahunsconsider themselves higher thanother Bahuns. So, it is simply not truethat only Dalits are divided along ahierarchical line. History also shows itwas not Dalits who created thedivisions amongst themselves.Clearly, this was a product of a divideand rule strategy adopted by the so-called high castes over centuries toensure that those at the bottom of thesocial strata never unite for theircommon cause.

Do we then blame all high castes? Ifwe hold this perception we would haveto point our fingers at every memberof the Bahun and Chhetri communi-ties, including the impoverished andundernourished ones living in remotestparts of Humla, Jumla and Kalikotdistricts. Is this a realistic view?

History is witness to the fact that

some hopes but it also proved to be ademocratic façade. The party rulerspromised a lot, made some changesto the constitution terminating castebased discriminations on paper, butdid nothing significant to discouragethe state-sponsored discriminatorypractices.

Even now there are many cases ofpolice refusing to register the caseson untouchability issues. Dalits arediscriminated even at homes of thegovernment ministers and senioradministrators. Dalits across thecountry continue to be victimised.Nobody is bothered about such aserious abuse of human rights andattack on civil liberty. In essence,there is not much change.

On the surface, we could blame allthose who discriminate against acertain segment of population on thebasis of their caste background. Butclearly the state is the main culprit. It

means all those who ruled or areruling are responsible for theinhumane practice. Even the Maoistparty that stayed in power brieflycannot escape the blame. Everybodyis cognisant of this reality.

This understanding makes it clearthat those so-called intellectuals whorecommend an end to the intra-community hierarchy within Dalits asa way of liberating them are simplynot telling the truth. They are simplytrying to evade the real issue andcovertly endorse the inhumanepractice. They are recommendingmedical cure for the limbs despiteknowing that the real illness is in thehead.

This is such a plain fact but evensome Dalit activists and leadersappear to be confused. No doubt, thereal culprit is the state. The realtarget should be the state. Of course,intra-Dalit hierarchy should bechallenged but it won’t make muchimpact unless the very nature of thestate is transferred. Simply alteringthe system of governance will notmean anything for the sufferingmasses, as evidenced by history.

The state should be forced to shedall the traditional caste-basedprinciples and practices. The rulersshould be made to stop discriminatingagainst Dalits inside their homes andcommunities. Nobody working for thegovernment should be allowed topractice untouchability. Only thenwould we begin to see some changesin the perceptions and practice of thegrassroots people.

(ud.pariyar@gmail.com)

the Hindu religion prescribed thecaste hierarchy and the state ofNepal applied it over the centuries.Those who did not follow the casterules would be heavily penalised andtortured. For instance, if any memberof Dalit community was found readingbooks during the Rana regime, hiseyes would be destroyed. If he heardany sacred mantras, molten leadwould be poured into his ears.

The Malla rulers started the strictimplementation of Manubad and theShahs, Ranas and Panchayati Rajasdid their level best to ensure thepractice continued. The rise ofmultiparty system in 1990 raised

Who is thereal culprit?

They are recommending medical cure for the limbsdespite knowing that the real illness is in the head.

Of the 70,000 people in Nepal living with HIV/AIDS, 4000 are children…

Chain of suffering

ä Uday Pariyar

news

front

3-9 Dec, 2007 7Interview

Jikusan, 61 years old, is aZen master who has beenpracticing for the past 20years. He shared his experi-ences and knowledge of Zenmeditation with SushmaAmatya recently.

What is Zen?Zen means meditation in

Japanese. Zazen meanssitting meditation and Satori,enlightenment.

What would one gain bymeditating?

You gain peace of mind andgo beyond suffering, no matterthe circumstances and theenvironment you are in.

How does one practice it?In Zen, posture is very

important. Select a place thatis clean, quiet, not too hot ortoo cold; sit facing a wall toreduce distractions for thesenses. Sit on a cushion thatallows your knees to press onthe floor. Cross your legs inlotus or half lotus position orthe easy cross legged positionwithout one leg pressing onthe other. Rest your hands incosmic mudra, the left fingeron the right and tips of thumbstouching each other, in astraight line. Let the lowerabdomen relax forward whichkeeps your back erect; pullshoulders back gently, allowingears to fall in line with shoulders.Stretch the top of the headtowards the ceiling, keeping chinslightly tucked in as if to create adouble chin. Breathe withabdomen, waist down.

Keep eyes half closed, openjust enough for the light to getin, looking about a meterahead. If you close your eyes, itis easy to get lost in the jungleof thoughts. Allowing light inhelps you stay in the here andnow, just as it is, without lettingthe thoughts of past or presentdistract you. Focus on theHara, the area in yourabdomen, four finger downfrom your navel, far from thehead where there are so manydistractions; and settle in theHara. Whatever arises, do notreject or grasp it. Look at it aswisps of clouds passing by onthe screen of your awareness.

Centering on Hara, watchyour breath coming in andgoing out and begin counting.Count one for every cycle ofbreath, coming in and goingout, till ten. Then, start all overagain from one. Thoughts willcontinue to arise anddisappear. Just look at it asillusions and they will startlosing their grip on you andbegin to disappear.

With practice, you can learn

Whatever arises, do not reject or grasp it. Look at it as wisps of clouds passing by onthe screen of your awareness.

Going beyondsuffering

to treat the production of mindas illusions without building onit and without rejecting it,staying in the present momentthat change from one instantto another. Slowly, you will findyour view of your life begins tochange and the quality of lifeimproves. After you finish themeditation, move your bodyslightly from side to side, fromback to front, relax for a whileand then get up; and use thepractice of staying in themoment and viewing things asthey are, in your daily life.

Did Shakyamuni Buddhateach Zen meditation?

Yes, he did. There ishistorical evidence that it hasbeen passed down through aline of lineage masters. TheBuddha sat for seven daysunder a tree, without sleep orfood and attained enlighten-ment on the eighth day. We tryand copy that in our monas-tery in Chile - like I used to inthe monastery in Japan wherelife was highly disciplined - bypracticing meditation for sevendays in a row on the first weekof every month. But of course,under a roof, on comfortableseats, with food and sleep. Butthe Buddha sat for a week, inthe same meditating posture,without moving.

How does one takemeditation into daily life?

Taking it into daily life ismore difficult as there aremore distractions out there.This is meditation in action.Letting go, as events comeand go, as you speak, as youact, centering in the moment,is how you do it. Everymoment is changing all thetime and once you learn to letgo and observe each changeas it happens, without trying torun away from it or withoutclinging to it, you are betterable to handle life as it comes.Things that used to make yousuffer a lot earlier will cease tohave any effect on you. Similarthings happen and yet youdon’t even notice it.

Each small step leads youtowards the goal. You developthe attitude of letting go, whileremaining in the present andwhile doing it, you will still haveyour memories and will haveyour plans but that will notinterfere with your present.Instead you will be able tohandle your memories andplans in a better way by beinghere and now.

When you are angry,observe it and just let it go;since anger never helpedanybody. It’s amazing how withpractice you can watch

yourself improve step by step.Sitting in Zazen for 40 minutesdaily without moving the body,with discipline, graduallymakes you realise that thebody drops and the mentalproductions also loses itsstrength. Once the mind andbody drops, you realise thatthe real self is pure bliss, it hasalways been there and willalways be. But even practicingfor five minutes daily can havepositive effects on you.

How important is it to havea teacher to guide you?

You can start practicing onyour own but sooner or lateryou will need to contact ateacher to guide you. Thereare many things that couldarise, such as very nice feelingsor the opposite and a teachercan tell you how to handle it,among other things. Howevergrand an experience might bethat arises out of meditation, itis important to let it go withoutwanting to experience it again.

Being with an authenticteacher, even if you do notcommunicate with him, is anexperience that cannot bearticulated, as I’ve experienced.

How has meditationchanged you?

It changed my life in such anextraordinary way. I was inhabit of identifying with mymind; and used to be happy,sad, bored or exuberant. Thenwith practice I learned thatanywhere I am, whatever ishappening, it’s fine, it’s perfect.

I used to be a photographer,lived for many years in London,traveled a lot. Everything wasgoing well, as I wanted it to butI realised that I wasn’t gettingany satisfaction. Then I startedreading books about thewisdom of the east. Readingwasn’t enough. I begansearching in India and thencame to Kathmandu to learnHatha yoga. During that time, Iheard that somebody wasgiving talks on Zen nearby.

That very day, I went and Iheard Sridhar Rana Gurutalking. It was like dawning oflight in the darkness of mysoul. And I started my practiceof Zen. After a few years, Iwent to Japan on an assign-ment to cover a Zen monas-tery for a few days. The dayschanged into weeks andmonths and years. I could notleave. I stayed there for tenyears. Life changed so muchfor me, I was smiling for onewhole year, and then I gotused to it. Life was so perfect.

Then I realised I had to dosomething for others too whoare suffering and share theknowledge with them. In mycountry, Chile, there isnowhere you can get any suchteaching. I went there andbegan teaching and manypeople came. Now we willsoon be having a monastery,in a quiet place on top of a hill,which should be ready in April.In the meantime, I’m using thetime to travel around in placesof pilgrimage. I’m so happy tobe able to meet Sridhar Guruagain whom I consider to bemy primordial teacher.

How can everything beperfect with so muchsuffering around you?

The illusion that you areseparate from others causes thissuffering. As long as we believethat we are separate from othersand hold on to our sense of Iness, as long as there is thatdivision, suffering will be there.The moment you see that all areone, you see perfect harmonyand things are just as they aremeant to be. Then you begin tounderstand all the chaos,destruction you see taking placearound you. Destruction goeshand in hand with creation.

Why is it so difficult tolive in the present?

Because of bad habits,basically due to ignorance. Aswe speak, the moment isalready gone, replaced byanother. Keeping yourselfcentered in the here and now isthe key to be free of suffering.It is so simple. Perhapsbecause it is so simple, peopledo not understand it.

How does one becomecompassionate?

Compassion begins to flownaturally the moment yourealise that we all are a bigbody of light that encompasseseverything in the world.

Can supreme enlighten-ment be achievedthrough Zen?

I suppose so (laughing).

Enlightenment is an overused,ambiguous word.

Do you consider yourselfenlightened?

If somebody says he/she isenlightened, most probably,the person is not. So I will sayno (laughing heartily).

Why do you like Nepal somuch?

So many wise people havelived in the country and thisgives a very nice feeling to thisplace.

Why do some people seethe nature of mind quicklyand others do not?

I’ll never know why in somepeople it just clicks and in some,even after years of practicing itstill does not. It has nothing todo with age, gender, studies,intellect or whatsoever.Sometimes people, in whomyou think change is impossible,change overnight. We used togo into prisons to teach andhave seen amazing changes insome prisoners. They reportedthat they never felt so free intheir lives, while in reality theyare in a prison! I recall a ladyprisoner saying she is thankfulthat she was put in prison forshe said otherwise; she wouldnever have encountered thisteaching. However, whether itclicks or not, it is important justto keep on practicing.

Why is Zen not so muchheard of?

Though Zen has been veryopen to everybody, it has beencontained within small circles,perhaps because it is quite strict.And there are obstacles thatarises that many people cannotface – like physical aches andpains that arise initially. We allget attacked by demons orseduced by dancers – just asthe Buddha was whilemeditating, but it’s just the mind.If you persevere, one day youwill see mind face to face andwill realise that your mind hasbeen keeping you a prisoner;and then it will fall off. It willcease to have any effect on you.

How can householders/busy people practice Zen?

The same way. Set aside alittle time for practice everydayand continue with meditation inaction the rest of the time. Keepfocusing in the centre, whateverarises, just observe it. Initially, youmay not be able to observewhatever arises. Even if youreact, once it passes, go back tothe centre and start again. Everyeffort counts. It is not wasted.

(www.elzendo.cl)(elzendo@gmail.com)

3-9 Dec, 20078 Opinion

As if the misplaced actions of thepolitical leaders of the parties inparliament and government werenot enough, the private sector whichis supposed to rescue the countrythrough ingenuity and farsighted-ness in troubled times seems to besimply following the mindset of ourpresent leaders. This behavior isreflected in almost all sectors andindustry categories. If this were tocontinue any further, Nepal wouldhave no space left for itself to springback to life at the right time. Simplyput, the Nepali private sector seemsto be going against the standardnorms set for doing business intoday’s world under globalisationand against the terms of Nepal’smembership in the World TradeOrganisation (WTO).

Instead of preparing itself duringthe grace period obtained by Nepalas a member of least developedcountries while becoming a memberof WTO, almost more than half ofthe time is lost by the Nepali privatesector in trying to secure protection

from foreign companies and obtainingconcession from the government. It isreally a pity to find the Nepali privatesector wanting in productivity as well asefficiency. Blaming the open border forall ills of the manufacturing companieshas remained a standard excuse.

Government of Nepal, by its inactionand lack of initiative, shares equal blamefor this plight of Nepali private sectorwhen full competition in internationalmarkets sets in within three years time.Competitive and comparative advantagein goods and services, however small,must be carefully explored by the Nepaliprivate sector with full support from thegovernment. Nepal cannot survive as ahealthy nation on the strength of a fewhandicrafts that never seem to

innovate, and tourism sector lackingnecessary infrastructure to attracttourists.

A peculiar trend seems to betaking place in Nepal that is bound todestroy whatever little Nepal hasprogressed in following the path ofindustrialisation. Every sector hascome up with umbrella organisations,often named as ‘federation of ...,’which appear to be serving theinterest of a special group/s ratherthan the profession. So far, the worstpart even in the so-called unions (alsofederations) is lack of understandingof collective bargaining concept andits process.

Moreover, from two distinct groups,each aligned to Nepali congress andNepal Communist Party-UnitedMarxist Leninist, another significantand perhaps most effective groupaligned to Maoists has been added inevery sphere. Be it education, trade,manufacturing, transport or service,these groups are ever active to extractthe benefit from the government aswell as private sector. The very

presence of these groups not onlymakes doing business in Nepalexpensive but also unworkable attimes when there is a clear conflict ofinterest.

The current strike mounted by theassociation of petroleum dealers, andnow supported by petroleumtransporters, defies all logic. Why arethe petroleum dealers against thequality bylaws and sellers’ regulationsof 2007? Why should they beconcerned with direct supply toindustries by the Nepal oil corpora-tion? The government, it appears, istrying to meet its obligations to theindustries for smooth supply ofnecessary raw materials used in theproduction process.

Is there no responsibility of theprivate sector to the local individualconsumers? At a time of increasingawareness of corporate socialresponsibility, the Nepali privatesector does not even seem tounderstand the basic of doingbusiness: their first responsibility is toserve the people of the locality where

their businesses are established. TheNepali public has a right knowwhether the bylaws and regulationscreate serious bottlenecks, asasserted by the dealers, or checkadulteration of fuel, as claimed by thegovernment agency, since theconsumer is impacted either way.

The current situation is responsiblefor lack of interest of the foreigninvestors in Nepal when they can findattractive investment opportunities oneither side of Nepal in South Asia. Ithas also added to the existing owesof the citizens who, in spite of payingexorbitant prices for basic commodi-ties, are always at the mercy ofimporters and distributors. Nepalneeds to make extra effort to makeup for its several shortcomings suchas lack of state of the art in communi-cation, superb infrastructure in plantlocations and distribution centers,among others. Not to mention ofNepal’s geo-physical handicap as aland-locked country.

Exemption on taxes and othergovernment duties alone is notenough to attract and sustain foreigndirect investment. Nepali privatesector can help the government byidentifying some select industries thatcan either find a ready market in thetwo booming economies or competewith ease in the international markets.Public-private partnership seems tobe the only recourse for a country likeNepal that is yet to develop theprivate sector into a strong, healthyand capable force to take on theemerging business challenges. ä

ä Roop Joshi

It is traditional for us Nepalis togather at the local “chiya pasal”(tea shop) and share views. It isin this spirit of conviviality that thispiece is written. The CAelections have been postponedyet again, journalists are beingdug up from unmarked graves,doctors are being thrashed,business houses are beingsolicited for ‘voluntary donations’,echoes of Mao’s Red Guardsring out daily and Jimmy Carterhas come and gone once againpresuming to cure Nepal’s ills.

The Comprehensive PeaceAccord (CPA) has beenovertaken by events, thecoalition government is partici-pating in a power-crazed orgy ofaccusations and counter-accusations, the king and theprime minister compete to servethe living goddess, temples havebeen attacked by hooligans, welive in a limbo between a republicand a monarchy in a ‘democracy’governed by the unelected,UNMIN is seeking extension tofurther prolong its impotence -no dearth of topics to talk about

as we sit comfortably and sip our tea. We - meaning the educated

supposedly aware elite - are appar-ently unable to make any difference.We complain, criticise and curse. Thetea or coffee seems to go down betteras we righteously proclaim half-bakedsolutions to the country’s woes. Weresort to our proverbial complacencyand take umbrage in the belief thatwhatever will be, will be – it is, after all,written in the stars.

Let us remember that ‘we’ areamong the Nepali people for whomdemocracy is meant. It is our right, ifwe are citizens of a democracy, todemand accountability from our politicalleaders. They must follow ouraspirations and dreams, not theirs. It isheartening to see recent efforts byprofessional groups towards this end.The sufferings of the doctors at theNobel Medical College in Biratnagarand the sit-ins at Singha Durbar by a

rainbow coalition of professionalsbear testimony to the fact that wehave had enough.

Doctors, lawyers, journalists,teachers, businessmen, human rightsadvocates, youth, women have joinedhands to proclaim “enough isenough”. We must be allowed to geton with productive lives – lives withoutfear. All of us have been aware overthe past months how steeply law andorder is deteriorating. The HomeMinistry pays lip service to improvingthis situation and the police haveproved ineffective. The army’s handsare tied by their confinement to thebarracks. So who is going to improvethe law and order situation? Maybewe have to resort to mercenaries orexternal security forces. The latterhas an ominous ring to it, doesn’t it?

The fact of the matter is that withoutlaw and order there is no democracy.Let us not fool ourselves about this. As

long as this climate of fear persists, thefuture of Nepali democracy is non-existent. It is time we, the commonNepali citizens, speak out againstmindless terrorism with meaningfulactions. We have seen how guns canachieve political power, how bandhscan debilitate society. Should we letthese tactics be the monopoly of thefew? Let us remember that we allhave the democratic right to protestthis invasion of our personal security –and we, the real People are themajority.

We expect that the professionalorganisations will now unite in astrong but non-violent campaign withclear objectives to right the wrongsthat have been done to this country inrecent times. The euphoria of “JanaAndolan II” has long given way todisappointment, disgust and evendepression. The current threat bydoctors to hit the streets is a stellar

Riding against the tideThe current strike mounted by the association of petroleum dealers, and now supported bypetroleum transporters, defies all logic.

ä Binod P.Bista

example of what civil society hasbeen driven to, due to, in thiscase, the shocking apathy of theHome Ministry and the policeregarding finding and punishingthe perpetrators who kidnappedand tortured doctors from theNobel Medical College.

The Nepali population must notbe allowed to be held hostage toselfish political interests. If theauthorities are incapable ofperforming their duties, thenmatters have to be taken into ourown hands. It is also heartening tosee the increasing number ofstories in the daily press highlightingthe present dismal state of affairs.As the guardian of free speech, thisrole of the media cannot beunderestimated. The martyrdom ofBirendra Sah cannot be forgotten.

We the people have been takenfor granted and fooled long enough.Our leaders must start becomingaccountable to us immediately. Sothe next time any of us are in a teashop chatting with friends orstrangers, let us exchange views oncurrent affairs but with an eye to acton the tyranny of the few. We are,after all, supposed to be living in ademocracy. ä

Tea chat and actIt is time we, the common Nepali citizens, speak out against mindlessterrorism with meaningful actions.

3-9 Dec, 20079From the region

President Musharraf has abruptlyresigned as army chief, but what arethe likely consequences now?

JUST when everything seemed tobe collapsing in on him, Pakistan’sPervez Musharraf pulled out somekey compromises from his militaryand presidential hats.

He resigned his army chief position,announced emergency rule will end onDec 16, and said elections would beheld in January as planned. Suddenly,his critics in Benazir Bhutto’s People’sProgressive Party (PPP) and inWashington quietened down.

Originally Musharraf had wanted torenew his presidency first, then stepdown from the military if at all, and allin his own time. But now he has donewhat his PPP and US detractors hadwanted: quit the army first, thenrenew the presidency, and lift theemergency before the Januaryelections without postponement.

This may seem like gratitude to hisgenerous (US$10bil and counting)patron for a role in an avowed “waron terrorism.” But the larger reason

is that Washington had begun tohedge its bets by secretly beginningto deal with some Musharrafopponents, should he remain anintransigent lost cause.

Now Musharraf has placated theUnited States and the PPP, while alsodividing the domestic opposition. Thisleaves him enough space toconcentrate on outflanking his chiefunconditional rival, former premierNawaz Sharif, and the PakistanMuslim League (N), since smalleropposition parties, the general public,NGOs and the legal communityremain unorganised.

Benazir’s rhetoric is still critical ofMusharraf, but since he is now lessunacceptable to the West she canreturn to the prospect of a possiblealliance between the PPP and hisPakistan Muslim League (Q). She isusually a reliable barometer ofPakistan politics, and the weathervane part is sensitive to where thewind is blowing.

But then some things had alreadybeen put in motion, like the

Commonwealth’s suspension ofPakistan’s membership the weekbefore. This was what the Common-wealth felt it had to do, but thesymbolic gesture did not makeMusharraf feel he had to do anythingin particular.

The historical fraternity had longbeen strong on pious pronounce-ments and little else, at whose Gameslast year the Pakistani team had fared

poorly anyway. There was, of course,the embarrassment of suspension,but what are such passing sentimentsto seasoned practitioners of realpolitiklike Musharraf? Even Britain’s positionon Pakistan within the Common-wealth seemed negotiable. London’sforeign policy being only a shadow ofWashington’s, it could never havereconciled itself with a firm “no” tocontinued Musharraf rule.

Thus much of the vocal anti-Musharraf rhetoric is muted over thetechnicalities of office as he alwayssaw those grievances to be. And theWest continues with its Musharrafpolicy in place of a Pakistan policy, asSenator Joe Biden put it succinctly.

Musharraf’s style of “holding downthe patient” to administer treatmentrequired democracy and democratsto hold their breath, and not only fromthe stink. As storm clouds of instabilitygather and spread in the North-WestFrontier Province, Punjab andBaluchistan, this style also revealscertain propensities.

After eight years in office as both

army chief and president, Musharrafhas strengthened the military’s cloutin Pakistan politics, yet withoutdenting Taliban influence. He claimsto have strengthened the essence ofdemocracy in the country, so he musthave done the opposite fromexpediency rather than inclination.

By holding on to the army post untilthe eve of being sworn in for a newpresidential term, he has confirmedthe continued importance of militarydominance in government. To havedone so even after heavy domesticand international pressure under-scores the primacy of the principle.

Then by promoting ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) chief GenAshfaq Kayani to the post of Chief ofArmy Staff, Musharraf furthershowed a comfortable collusionbetween government and militaryintelligence. This could help thegovernment fight the Taliban better,but given their mutual familiarity itcould also help the Taliban eludecapture better.

(BUNN NAGARA in Malaysia Star)

The UN Security Council isconsidering imposing a third roundof sanctions on Iran over itsnuclear programme and mayreach an agreement within weeks.

While the closed-door talks onSaturday produced no firmdecision, an unnamed official wasreported as saying a compromisetext on a new resolution wouldsoon be circulated.

“There are elements that allowus to think we will have aresolution in the short term,” hesaid, adding he was “relativelyoptimistic” about having aresolution in the next few weeks.US officials declined to commentafter the talks. Nicholas Burns, theUS undersecretary of state andAmerica’s chief participant in thenegotiations, left France immedi-ately afterwards.

Talks were also held up asSergei Kislyak, the Russian deputyforeign minister who wasscheduled to attend, was stuck inCanada because of snow and acolleague attended in his place.Saturday’s talks came a day afterJavier Solana, the EU foreignpolicy chief, met Saeed Jalili, Iran’snuclear negotiator.

Solana said the meeting inLondon had been “a disaster”.The US, Britain, China, France,Russia and Germany agreed inSeptember to delay sanctionsagainst Iran until the end ofNovember, pending reports on aninvestigation by the UN nuclearwatchdog and a EU mediationeffort.

They had decided that if thereports by the International AtomicEnergy Agency (IAEA) and Solanadid not show “a positive outcome”,they would agree on moresanctions against Iran and put it toa vote in the security council.

The IAEA report found Iran wasco-operating, but not proactively,making it likely that Britain, theUnited States and France willresume their push for sanctions. Inprevious meetings, Russia andChina, which have strong tradeties with Iran, have agreed only tothe mildest of measures. Tehranhad promised to bring “new ideas”to the table for the London talksbut Cristina Gallach, Solana’sspokeswoman, said: “There wasnot enough new in order not to bedisappointed.”

However, Jalili said on Saturdaythat Iran was not to blame for thedisappointment expressed bySolana.

“The fact is that we defendedthe Iranian nation’s rights andstressed fulfiling our duties andthat the Iranian nation will notaccept anything that goes beyondthe nuclear Non-ProliferationTreaty,” he said.

“If some people have becomedisappointed because they cannotdeprive Iran of its natural rightsthen this is another matter,” hetold reporters after arriving back inTehran.

(Aljazeera.net)

Musharraf sliences critics

No agreement yeton Iran sanctions

Jalili said he defended Iran’s rightsto nuclear technology at talks withthe EU

Since Gloria Macapagal Arroyobecame president of the Philippinesseven years ago, she has crushedthree major coup plots to overthrowher. In between the foiled coup bids,the 60-year-old economist has alsodefeated three impeachmentcomplaints over allegations ofcorruption and electoral fraud, andfaced down a violent riot by loyalsupporters of her disgraced prede-cessor.

With one scandal after anotherhounding her administration, Arroyohas become so unpopular that couprumours circulate in the countryalmost every month and punditsspeculate on when the next attemptto oust her would be.

While the government may havequashed the latest challenge toArroyo’s presidency in just sevenhours, the threats are expected topersist until her term ends in 2010.

Analysts warn that pervasiveproblems of poverty and corruption, apolitical leadership perceived to beweak, dishonest and illegitimate, anddisgruntlement within the military aresetting off the rebellions against thegovernment.

“The elements that allow formilitary adventurisms and coupsd’etat are going to be with us fromnow until 2010,” said Prospero DeVera, a professor at the University ofthe Philippines’ National College ofPublic Administration.

“I don’t see any dramatic changethat would make military adventurismor coup attempts simply fade awaybetween now and 2010,” he added.

The latest plot came amidallegations that Arroyo, her husbandand a key political ally were involvedin a multimillion-dollar bribery to fast-track the implementation of a 329-million-dollar telecommunicationscontract awarded to a Chinese firmdespite irregularities in the deal.

The president has also beenaccused of bribing lawmakers andlocal officials to ensure their supportagainst a new impeachmentcomplaint, which her allies in theHouse of Representatives blockedafter one week of deliberations.

In 2003, junior officers launched afailed mutiny against Arroyo amidaccusations she was condoningrampant corruption in the military andalleged state terrorism perpetrated bytop armed forces officials.

Three years later, she facedanother coup attempt triggered byallegations she connived with a seniorelections official to rig the 2004presidential vote. The accusationsstemmed from publicized recordingsof telephone conversations betweenher and the official.

On November 29, detainedSenator Antonio Trillanes and a smallgroup of renegade soldiers took overthe Peninsula Hotel in Manila’sfinancial district of Makati to demandfor Arroyo’s removal and the creationof a new government.

Trillanes and the other soldierswere already on trial for leading ortaking part in two previous attemptsto oust Arroyo.

In a statement, the group warnedthat “a crisis of extreme proportions”was confronting the Philippines, with“the economy, the rule of law and themoral order” lying in ruins.

“Political, judicial and economicpower have been perverted to inflictand justify high crimes against theFilipino people,” they said. “More andmore among our people no longereat, while the idle rich and the corruptlive like kings.”

“Minority rule has replaced majorityrule,” they added.

Trillanes’ group called on the publicand the military to gather at thePeninsula Hotel in support of theiraction, apparently hoping to recreate

the mass uprisings that led to theremoval of two past presidents.

But the people did not come andgovernment troops, instead ofsympathizing with them, stormed thehotel to end the siege, firing teargasand warning shots and ramming anarmoured personnel carrier into thelobby.

While authorities were still huntingdown other suspects in the plot,Arroyo was so confident the threathad been put down that sheembarked on an eight-day trip toEurope two days later. But De Veracautioned the government againstletting its guard down.

He said nobody could be sure thatTrillanes and his group had nobacking in the military, whose supportis critical to ensure the success of amass uprising in the country.

“It is possible that it’s a waitinggame for the different forces withinthe military and the civilian bureau-cracy,” he said. “They could bewaiting for signals ... for the people tocome in. They are maybe waiting foranother opportunity to do it.”

The Philippines has endured morethan a dozen coup plots since theouster of late dictator FerdinandMarcos in 1986, and most of theleaders of these bids have beenhailed as heroes in the country.

With a nationwide survey showingthat 59 per cent of Filipinos thinkArroyo should step down amid thecorruption scandals and 25 per centeven supporting any means possibleto achieve this, De Vera said thePeninsula siege could be just aportent of things to come.

“It bears watching,” he said.“Maybe they are just testing how thegovernment responds to it, andmaybe there is something more instore for the coming months or yearsto come.”

(Earthtimes)

No break for coup-weary Philippines

3-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 200710 Perspective

Then we have the wavelengthsfrom 3.9 hertz to 0.1 hertz which iscalled the delta waves which is thewavelength of deep sleep, luciddreaming, and in this wavelengththere is increased immune function.The HGH (Human GrowthHormone) is released when themind is in this state. This is probablythe reason whyyogis whopractice goinginto Samadhi likeRaja yogis andShamatha yogisof Buddhism,seem to retaintheir health andyouth for alonger periodthan normal.

Although Ihave beensaying that bothdeep sleep andSamadhiproduce deltawaves andlikewise Zen masters madeingressions into theta waves; andthat deep hypnosis and dreamstates also produce theta waves; itshould be understood that these

states are not exactly the same.Meditation at theta or alpha waves isnot the same as either hypnosis attheta or alpha or hypnagogic anddream states at alpha and thetawaves.

It must be understood that researchhas distinguished these states; but howthey are differentiated is too technical

to go into an articlelike this. Electro-graphical differenceexists between thetheta waves etc. insleep and therhythmical theta trainin Zen meditationand the catalyptictheta waves of asubject in deephypnosis. Likewisedifferences exist inthe alpha waves inthe hypnagogicstage just beforefalling asleep and thealpha waves seen inthe beginning of Zen

meditation etc.One interesting experiment done by

both the Japanese and Indianresearchers on their subjects seemsworth mentioning here to see the key

difference between Buddhistmindfulness meditation and Rajayoga Samadhi type of Hindumeditation. The average human mindtends to block out any persistent

sound like for example the rhythmicclicking of an object, after some time.

This is called habituation and is agood example of how the mind canblock out what it doesn't want. If an

average person were to sit in a placeand a clicking sound was to be madecontinuously he would hear theclicking sound and that would beregistered in the EEG; but after sometime the clicking sound would stopbeing registered. The person wouldstop hearing the sound that ismeasured by the EEG which stopsregistering the sound.

It was found in Zen Masters inSamadhi that their mind remainedopen to all sounds and there was nohabituation. No matter how long theclicking continued monotonously, thesound kept on registering in the mindof the Zen master as shown by theEEG. This means the Zen master'smind is always open and does notclose automatically based onconditioned reactions or Sanskaras.

On the other hand, the Raja yogi'smind blocked out the clicking soundright from the beginning when inSamadhi. These two EEG findingspoint to the fact that what is calledSamadhi in Vipassyana typemeditation based on mindfulness arequite different from Samadhis basedon Shamatha type meditation likeRaja yoga, Kundalini yogas etc. Thisis what I have been distinguishing inthis article. (To be continued)

(Sridhar Rinpoche is a VajrayanaMaster)

Waves in mindThis is called habituation and is a good example of how the mind can

block out what it doesn't want.äääää Mahayogi Acharya Sridhar Rana Rinpoche Mahayogi Acharya Sridhar Rana Rinpoche Mahayogi Acharya Sridhar Rana Rinpoche Mahayogi Acharya Sridhar Rana Rinpoche Mahayogi Acharya Sridhar Rana Rinpoche

Marshland Flowers

Zen masters madeingressions intotheta waves; and

that deep hypnosisand dream states

also produce thetawaves; it should

be understood thatthese states arenot exactly the

same.

3-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 2007 11Art & society

Poems from the fiberof my bones.

LittleAnnapurnas

äääää Y Y Y Y Yuyutsu RD Sharmauyutsu RD Sharmauyutsu RD Sharmauyutsu RD Sharmauyutsu RD Sharma

Your face, wears airs of a blossomElegance of a dandelionmajesty of a sunflowerdrowse of a blue mimosa

your eyes have stolen firesfrom the Himalayan lightningyour body has kissed moistenedlips of clear creaks

(Annapurna Poems)

Walking in the Pokhara Bazaar or saunteringby the lakeside appears an epilogue to thecountless journeys I have made in theAnnapurnas sanctuary. Unfortunately, or maybefortunately, I’ve forgotten my digital camera backin Kathmandu. As if to mock me, the massiveranges of snow-laden Annapurnas emerge in aspotlessly clean air and continue to gaze at meall day long. A colossal mass of a cosmic figurelooms over the valley.

Almost envious of the Pokhara people, I walkin a reverie. The still moment of the ever-wavering mountain ranges staring at me for aninstant stretches into a glorious day. The faceof the mountain breaking into irresolutetapestry of sunlight and rain, shadow andshape. The clouds making and breaking theface of the giant goddess, whose glaciers feedour world, replenishes the granary stores ofthe subcontinent.

Yet there were times when I was afraid to gointo the sanctuary, first about two decades agobecause I feared the rigorous mountain life andlater more recently because it had become thestronghold of the Maoist insurgency.

Unfortunately, the moment I decided to give thefinal touches to my Annapurna Poems in 2004, thethings were not as bright. Gandruk village hadturned into a ghost town, and the Gorepani and therest of the region quaked ominously from theoperations of the insurgent and the military. I didmeet some of the insurgents. They appearedordinary looking people, bent to charm anynewcomer in the region with their party songs andexhort additional entry fee from the tourists holdingthe permits.

The local people seemed strangely quiet andonly sheepishly complained of the food andaccommodation that they had to dole out theinsurgents. Even today, the cadres continue toseek donations from the people in theAnnapurna region. The hoteliers and lodgeowner seem more vocal and critical of thecadres’ attempt to exhort money, food, andaccommodation.

Threading through the forest leading to thespacious Buddhist stupa that keeps counting themyriad moods of the blue-eyed Fewa below, Ilook out at the almost supernatural stretch of thesnow, vegetation and water.

Where would I find a world as beautiful asthis? Where else in the world would I make mylittle poems from the fiber of my bones andbreathe my helpless words? I walk the courtyardof the hilltop stupa where a plump tourist lieslazily on a soft carpet of grass. In each fold ofthe Annanpura range, I recognise the place, thepeople struggling for bare survival in eachcrevice. My head bows in reverence to the spiritof snow that gave me enough food to eat, to fillmy mind and a mission to survive for the rest ofmy life.

(writer@yuyutsu.de)

äääää Pramesh Pradhan Pramesh Pradhan Pramesh Pradhan Pramesh Pradhan Pramesh Pradhan

Kathmandu Durbar square, aworld heritage site, is rich intemples, monuments,courtyards and gigantic images; all creating aspectacular exhibition of medieval artistry. Therich artistic flavour of 18th century can beexperienced walking down the square thathas more than 50 significant monuments lyingwithin 300 metres.

Archeological evidence dates back the siteto as early as the 3rd century BC. Imagesolder than a millennium prove the complex tobe an important one. Kathmandu (Koligram,the older name) is believed to have developedinto a town in the 9th century. The history ofKathmandu Durbar Square is incompletewithout mentioning the contributions by KingPratap Malla. He was an intellectual and adynamic king as well as a pious devotee of artand music. He called himself a Kavindra, kingof poets and boasted that he was learned in15 different languages. A passionate builder,he enlarged palace areas, built numerousmonuments and temples, ponds, fountainsand introduced new systems in the city.

Contributions to enhance the beautificationof the complex were carried out by hissuccessors during the Malla dynasty. The ShahKings were more interested in warfare than inart but continued to patronise Newar artisansand give continuity to culture and traditions.

The Kumari house in the square is theresidence of the living goddess Kumari, who isregarded as the spiritual and tantric manifes-tation of Goddess Taleju Bhawani. It isfundamentally a Buddhist shrine withwonderful woodcarvings. Kumari tradition wasstarted by King Jaya Prakash Malla afterbuilding the house in 1757. Legends say theking initiated the tradition as an apology for hisbad behaviour towards Taleju Bhawani whoused to play dice with the king.

The nine storied palace known as NautalleDurbar made by King Prithvi Narayan in late 18th

century is a superlative display of wood carving.Vishnu’s of Trailokya Mohan Narayan temple infront of Kumari house is known better as DasAvatar temple. Ten incarnations of Vishnu areexhibited at the temple during Dashain festival.The front face of the square is a neo-classicalbuilding dating back to early 20th century. TheBritish emblem on balcony illustrates the British

influence on the Rana dynasty.Kasthamandap, one of the oldest wooden

pavilions on earth, was made in the 10thcentury by King Gunakama Deva. The nameKathmandu is derived from this pavilion. Knownalso as Maru Sattal, it is a Gorakhnath shrinedating back to 19th century. Kabindrapurtemple of Shiva in the form of Nataraj orNasodya, the god of dance is in front. MaruGanesh, north of Kasthamandap, is perhapsthe most visited temple in Kathmandu.

The 24 metre tall, three roofed pagodatemple of Shiva, Maju Dega was built in late17th century. A small white Shikhara styledtemple of Kama Deva can be seen in front ofthis temple. Shiva Parvati or Uma Maheswortemple is a late addition to the square.Constructed in 1792, it used to be the dancingand cultural platform. Basically a Nava Durgatemple, it is famous more as Shiva Parvatitemple. Nearby is the Taleju Bell ofKathmandu, the biggest in the valley.

Another site is Hanuman Dhoka, theentrance of which is guarded by a Hanumanstatue after which the entire complex in named.Hanuman is the son of air and is worshippedfor endurance and power. Hanuman, abachelor, is supposed to have closed his eyesto avoid seeing the erotic carvings of Jagannathtemple. On the top of the entrance gate,images of Krishna with his girl-friends and KingPratap Malla’s family are seen.

The courtyard inside the palace is calledNasal Chowk, the dancing courtyard. Imageof dancing Shiva, is seen in northeasterncorner. The courtyard is used for religious and

special occasions. Marvelous carved imagesof Narasingha, Mahavishnu, royal chamberand museums make the courtyard a grandplace to visit. The temple of Panch MukhiHanuman temple dedicated to monkey godHanuman, a faithful assistant to Rama; is aspectacular display of five roofed Nepali stylepagoda temple in shape of an umbrella.

Gigantic Sweta Bhairav and Kala Bhairavimages, pillar of Pratap Malla, temples ofJagannath. Mahendreswor, Degutalle, Indrapurtemple dedicated to Indra, Vishnu temple,Kankeswor temple are the attractions of thesquare. The ceremonial drum in front of KalaBhairav goes back to early 19th century. ChyasinDega of Vamsagopala Krishna is an octagonalterracotta temple made in mid 17th century, adistinct imitation of Krishna temple of Patan.

Stone inscriptions dedicated to goddessKalika, built in 1664 by Pratap Malla is said tobe written in 15 different languages includingEnglish and French. It reads, ‘when the text isfully read, milk starts flowing from the tapTushahity in the centre’ and ‘who can read itare intelligent and not thieves.’

The tallest temple in Kathmandu is TalejuTemple, built in 1564, dedicated to TalejuBhawani, the royal goddess. For Buddhists, sheis the Tara. Two huge lions, confiscated fromBhaktapur, guard the attractive Singha Dhoka.This 37 metre high, three roofed temple isopened to public once a year during Dashain.12 shrines cluster around this temple.

Hundreds of revered shrines sincecenturies have established the city as the cityof temples. Although the original size hasdecreased, Kathmandu Durbar Square stilldisplays spectacular ancient surrounding thatis spread across more than five acres. It is agreat treasure that testifies Nepal to be one ofthe best in the world in terms of culture,tradition, engineering and architecture – atleast at the end of 18th century.

A wonderful place still to stroll around in, itis increasingly at risk due to public gatheringsfor political or entertainment reasons takingplace frequently. Although the metropolitanauthority in Kathmandu collects money fromtourists for its maintenance, the evening openair market, food vendors and bars around thesite is turning it into a very unruly, crowdedand dirty place. Urgent steps need to be takento preserve this magnificent site.

(Writer’s email: nte@mail.com.np)

HERITAGE SITE

Save the magical siteRevered shrines since centuries have established the city as the city of temples.

Brick factory workers covered in dust. Bungamati, Lalitpur, Nepal. äääää By Sushma Amatya By Sushma Amatya By Sushma Amatya By Sushma Amatya By Sushma Amatya

SPECTRUM OF LIFE

3-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 20073-9 Dec, 200712 Event

The 16th Monlam Prayer Festival for worldpeace is being held at Lumbini, starting fromNov 29 andconcluding on Dec08, 07. This traditionwas started 16 yearsago in Lumbini by HisEminence ChogyeTrichen Rinpoche.According to the lateRinpoche, Lumbinibeing the birth placeof Lord SakyamuniBuddha is the mostsuitable place forsuch an importantprayer. Monlam is anaspiration prayer forworld peace and forliberation of allbeings from thesamsaric cycle.

Present for theoccasion are HisHoliness, SakyaTrizin Rinpoche, the 41st patriarch of theSakya tradition of Buddha dharma; H.E.Abikretn Rinpoche, H.E. Asanga Rinpoche,H.E.

Tharche Khen Rinpoche, H.E. ShabdrungRinpoche, H.E. Chogye ShabdrungRinpoche, H.E. Dejung Rinpoche, many high

lamas, Tulkus and Khenpos. Thousands ofLamas chant together the Monlam, which is

being held in theGompa. Thousandsof devotees anddelegates from allmonasteries and theInternational SakyaCentre are presentfor the prayers.

Time Table forPuja: 6:30-8:00 -Tara Puja foraccomplishment of allactivities; 9:00-9:30 -sixteen Arhat Pujafor the expounding ofBuddha Dharma fora long time; 9:30-9:50 - Sakya lineageprayer; 9:50 - 10:10- Manjushri Puja forknowledge andwisdom; 5:00 -dedication of merit.

On Dec 09, the final day, a prayer forworld peace will be held in public at theAsoka Pillar, in the sacred garden. This alsomarks the commemoration of the 317th dayof Chogye Trichen Rinpoche’s passing intonirvana. Peace chants will be done by AniChoying Drolma. ä

Monlam prayerfor world peace

The fifth edition of Kathmandu InternationalMountain Film Festival is being held inKathmandu from 7 -11 December 2007showcasing 52 films from 20 countries and avariety of other events focusing on mountainsand films. KIMFF 2007 will be held in RastriyaSabha Griha and the Nepal Tourism Board,Kathmandu. There are 22 films vying for theKIMFF Trophy.

Alpine documentation, experimental shorts,anthropological narratives, feature films on awide array of issues will be presented. Thisedition is being organised with a specific focuson reviving hope and generating momentum fora post-conflict, democratic Nepal. As a festivaldedicated to mountains, it will focus on thedevastating repercussions of global warming,on the environment and ecologies of the world.

An international jury chaired by Danishdirector Per Fly will select the top three films.While the best film will get a trophy and a cash

award, the second and third best films willreceive citations and cash awards. The three-member jury will also select the best film fromNepali Panorama – a selection of seven films byNepali filmmakers. KIMFF ’07 will also present ashowcase of Danish Films which will later traveloutside Kathmandu.

KIMFF ’07 will feature a photo competition onpeace-building and reconciliation in Nepal. Mr.Fly will conduct a filmmaking workshop forNepali filmmakers; in ‘Know Your Himal’quizmaster Kunda Dixit will test audiences ontheir knowledge of the Nepali Himalaya. ANepali edition of French scholar Sylvan Levi's'Nepal History' will be released during thefestival. There will be lectures/slideshows on'Glacial Melt in the Himalaya' and on Nepal'swildlife. The festival will also feature a climbingdemonstration by professional Nepali climbersand an exhibition of climbing gears, making it anaction packed event. ä

Visualfiesta…Reviving hopeand generatingmomentum…

The burly dreams of Afghani men– a film from Denmark.

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