Kathmandu l 24-30 Spet, 2007 l # 35 l Price Rs. 25

ä nf correspondent

The countdown for election to the Constitu-ent Assembly elections has stopped mid-waywith much more complicated political develop-ments overshadowing it. That election may notbe held in November is not a mere speculationnow, but something waiting to be formalised bythe election commission anytime. It mayhowever have much serious political falloutincluding the exit of GP Koirala as the primeminister.

Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M)has already begun collecting signatures to havethe house session summoned to move a no-trust motion against Koirala. Maoist sourcessay although they do not have the requisite twothird majority to remove the prime minister,they believe that Koirala will have lost all moralground to stick to the chair once Maoistsformally declare that they would not participatein the November election.

CountdownIndia, the architect and facilitator of the 12-

point agreement, has already warned Koiralathat he would lose his legitimacy as primeminister if November polls are not held. To addto that worry, Baburam Bhattarai, Maoists keyideologue, has stated that the election inNovember will be nothing more than a farce andthat Maoists would not be a part of it.

The election commission has taken theemerging situation into account. CommissionerGorakh Bahadur Gurung said that elections maynot be possible under the existing law and ordersituation. The commission, in the wakecommunal flare up in Kapilvastu and other partsof the country, as well as continued assaults bythe Maoists on commission staff and rivalpolitical party activists, has asked the govern-ment, to improve the situation on a priority basis.

There are speculations that the Maoists willformally declare their boycott of the Novemberpolls once the Nepali Congress endorses a

republican manifesto and goes for a parliamen-tary resolution in favour of republicanism. "Sucha resolution will have no legal validity," saidDinanath Sharma, a senior Maoist leader,indicating that the Maoist stance towards Koiralagovernment in the days to come would be moreof an opposition and non-cooperation. "We arenot obliged to save GP Koirala any more. Weare only committed to the peace process," aMaoist leader told newsfront.

The fear in the Congress is palpable. Koiralashared his fear that he might be on his way outlast week with some of the senior leaders of theCongress party. But party leaders believe thatKoirala's shaky position is the outcome of hispolitics of too much of compromise andsurrender to the Maoists. Khum BahadurKhadka, a central committee member, warnedKoirala that, “once the Congress party goesrepublic, we will be burying ourselves in thegrave dug by the Maoists and Koirala will betheir first target." ä

Countdown begins for GP Koirala's days as PM

KP Bhattarai's lettermissile: Two Congress must

unite to save country anddemocracy and together discard

republicanism.

news

front

2 24-30 Sept., 2007 News

Congress goes republicGP Koirala sacrifices inner party democracy for republic Maoists who quit the

government recently ina move that appearsdirected at stalling theNovember 22 pollshave come underfocused attack of theinternational community, with clearwarning that they may only standto lose out from the move.

The US which has still got theCommunist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) on its terroristlist came down with a harshcriticism calling it a move to 'trash'the election, and revive thedecade-long civil war.

"Trying to trash this election istrying to trash the whole process.Declaring yourselves an opponentto the democratic voting process,we can't abide by that. So I hopethey won't go that far," RichardBoucher, top US State Depart-ment said in Washington onThursday.

Boucher said the US govern-ment would continue to treat theMaoists as extremist outcasts untilthe movement becomes a normalpolitical party. So far the Maoistshave not threatened to renouncethe ceasefire that ended theirdecade-long insurgency, and theirsoldiers remain confined to UN-monitored camps.

Boucher added, "They need to

ä nf correspondent

GP Koirala seemed all set to gorepublic as he bulldozed objections,dissents and advice against blindlyfollowing the Maoist agenda on theirterms. On Sunday, Koirala appealedto more than 600 Congress del-egates to discard its history and gofor republic for the sake of eight partyunity, although many including formerPrime Minister K P Bhattarai askedhim not to tread the republic path.

Koirala presented his agenda asthe last wish of his political life sayinghe is not going to contest election tothe constituent assembly; and thatthere was no other way than goingrepublic if elections are to be held inNovember.

Koirala refused to receive the callfrom KP Bhattarai who later shot hima letter on Saturday against goingrepublic. “The republican slogan andits endorsement would be totallyagainst the policy and tradition of theCongress," Bhattarai said. But Koiralamade no reference to the letter thathe had received. Instead, he pleadedbefore central committee members ofthe Congress, led by party GeneralSecretary KB Gurung, not to recorddissent and press for voting when theresolution for a republic Congress ismoved.

At least 13 central committeemembers told Koirala that not onlywas he dumping a history of wisdomand glory that Nepali Congressrepresented, but he also was beingdictated by Maoists as well asexternal forces. "It will ultimately leadto Nepal's disintegration," dissentingcentral committee members warned.

Koirala deleted references of BP’srecnciliation policy, and Bhattarai’srecent reiteration in Generalsecretary k b Gurung’s resoution.

Bhattarai endorsed those viewsseparately through the letter: "I am

deeply worried over newsreports which quoted youas saying that country'ssovereignty is underthreat. This coming froma prime minister sends adangerous message thatthe country's sovereigntyand independencecannot be protected onlyby a democratic system."

"As a prime minister, Ithink it is your responsibil-ity to apprise the nationabout such a threat. It willbe a gross lapse on ourpart not to formulateways to face thischallenge together.National reconciliation

envisages bringing democratic andnationalist forces together andunification of the two Nepali Congresswill be the first right step in thatdirection."

"The threat you see to thesovereignty of the nation cannot bemitigated without democratic forcescoming together. Po-republic sloganand its endorsement are against theCongress policy and tradition. I firmlybelieve that Congress should avoidgoing that way," said the 84 year oldBhattarai, the only surviving foundermember of the Congress. ä

give up the gun. Theyneed to give up extortion.They need to give up themilitant youth groups thathave sort of extended theirpower and tried tointimidate people in the

countryside."CP Gajurel, head of the Maoist

party's international affairsdismissed Boucher as a mere'echo' of what the imperialisticpowers have been doing all alongever since the 12-point agreementwas signed.

But it was not the US alonewhich is critical and apprehensiveof the Maoist move.

Maoists’ insistence thatmonarchy be abolished right now ifelections are to be held inNovember, have not found favourfrom any country so far.

European Union ambassadorsissued a statement, endorsingsentiments expressed by thevisiting UK Minister Sahid Mallik,which said not having elections ontime with full support of all partieswill be a 'betrayal' of the people'saspirations and damage thecredibility of the peace process intheir eyes and in the eyes of theinternational community. Indianofficial viewpoint appears nodifferent from what the US and EUhave stood by. ä

Risk earning wrath

Sahid Mallik

324-30 Sept., 2007News

India's stick and carrotIndia seems to be dangling carrots as well as sticks in front of the

Maoists. Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon is believed to haveinvited Maoist leaders to visit India at their convenience and this was atempting carrot for the Maoists. The casual offer was made when hehad a meeting with Prachanda and Baburam Bhattarai during his recentvisit to the capital.

But Menon did not hesitate to display the stick as well. He made itclear that India would have to go with the rest of the world if the Maoistspulled out of the peace process, obstructed or boycotted polls andabandoned the 8-party unity - an umbrella concept that India mooted tobring Nepal's seven pro-democracy parties and the Maoists together.

India is said to be cautiously observing the Maoists’ moves in the wakeof their withdrawal from the government.

Election courtAlthough election in November looks still very uncertain, the govern-

ment has set up an election court consisting of three judges of theSupreme Court to summarily address the election related disputes.

The court is headed by Justice Anup Sharma with Balram K C andTap Bahadur Magar. All election related disputes will be dealt by thebench. One of the last businesses transacted in the House related to theadoption of the bill enabling government to form the election court.

PM and courtesyG P Koirala is criticised by many for different reasons. But lack of

courtesy is not one of them. But the experience of his childhood friendand the only surviving member of the Nepali Congress, KP Bhattaraiwas different this time.

Koirala refused to come on the line when Bhattarai made a call toBaluwatar to inform him that he is going to send him a letter on country'scrucial political situation. The answer from the switch-board was, "I tried, andnobody picks up the phone." Koirala also did not bother to call back theoctogenarian Gandhian leader who is known as Kishunji. Bhattarai sharedthis with some of those from Congress party who had called on him.

Fuel for electionAs a follow-up to the recent visit by India's Foreign Secretary Shiv

Shankar Menon, Nepal's petrol pumps which had dried up over a periodof time will have a normal supply at least for some weeks to come.

To keep his promise, Indian Oil Corporation resumed supply, at aslightly enhanced level, to meet the fuel starvation that has adverselyaffected the normal life, movement and activities in Nepal. On Friday,IOV dispatched 2,800 KL petrol which was 500 KL more than normalsupply even though the Nepal Oil Corporation has not cleared the duesrunning over 6 billion rupees.

An Indian embassy source said that as a good-will gesture, and tofacilitate normal activities, fuel supply will continue at least till theNovember elections are over.

World free from hungerIt was a lobbying for a cause. Malvika Subba, youth spokesperson for

hunger free campaign, impressed upon Nepal's permanent representativeto the United Nations, Madhu Raman Acharya, to voice Nepal's supportfor the hunger free world campaign. Subba, a former Miss Nepal is theAction Aid (Nepal) ambassador in the campaign. She demanded thatNepal endorse the resolution on the right to food at the meeting of the UNmember states slated to begin on 25th September at New York.

Social activists, youth spokespersons and civil society leaders fromdifferent countries are participating in various campaign actions in andaround UN General Assembly to put pressure on the member stateparticipants in order to influence a resolution for poor and excludedpeople who are suffering from hunger and malnutrition. 840 millionpeople (17% of the global population) are hungry in this world of plenty,and this number is increasing.

Blood donation in BluebirdBesides striving towards providing best services in their regular

course of business, Bluebird has now undertaken activities for humani-tarian services. To celebrate the 1st anniversary of Bluebird mall and45th anniversary of Red Cross, Bluebird organised a blood donationprogram on 17th September 2007. In total 112 participants donatedblood out of which approximately 71 were males & 41 females.

This event was followed by distribution of certificates by the chiefguest Dr. Manita Rajkarnikar, Director of Central Blood Bank. BluebirdMall is Nepal's first only genuine brand concept shopping mall with over50 brands and outlets all under one roof.

Newsbrief More than 60 feared deadä Deepak Gyawali inKapilvastu

As mayhem ruled and ademoralised local administration thatlacked Kathmandu's firm directivefailed to act promptly, Kapilvastu'scommunal frenzy seems to havetaken a toll of at least 60 human lives,besides devastation of property inbillions.

The chain of events triggered bythe assassination of Mohit Khan, aprominent political and social figure inthe area on September 16 outside hisresidence in Chandrauta village, haveleft many still missing. "We do not yetknow how many people are missing,but any conservative estimate showsmore than 50 people have lost theirlives," a senior official in the homeministry in Kathmandu told newsfront.Mutilated parts of human bodies havebeen recovered in addition to 32bodies accounted for.

The area continued to be undertension which was evident from thefact that criminals took away sacks ofrice from a rice mill at Chandrauta,close to the armed police force camp,where Home Minister K P Sitaula wason Saturday. Sitaula faced the angry

crowd and got away only afterpromising that he will take actionagainst the district chief of the policeas well as the civil administration, butthe anger against the 8-partygovernment in Kathmandu amongthe local people is palpable.

The government is silent on theidentities of those who killed MohitKhan. Although he had been targettwice by the Maoists for havingheaded the anti-Maoist vigilantegroup during the royal regime,Maoists this time have disowned theirhand in the murder. "Soon after he

was killed, about 300 people fromIndian side came to Nepal andattacked the residents of KrishnaNagar area,” said the official.

With no administrative resistance,the crowds went on rampage, killingand uprooting the people in andaround Chandrauta. Police sourcesconfirmed that so far only 29 deathshave been confirmed, but the numberof missing is far more. "As we willventure into some villages now, wewill be able to give the exact numberin about a week's time," Shashi HajurSilwal, Police Superintendent said. ä

Govt failed to cancel the event as Swami Ramdev refused to budge

Mass Yoga class

The six-day Yoga (Yog) classconducted by Swami Ramdev beganon Sunday, one day behindschedule, in Tundikhel after theinternationally acclaimed Yogamaster refused to budge an inch inthe face of government warning thathe faced a security risk.

"I cannot let down thousands ofpeople who have already arrivedhere for Yoga class," he told Koirala,adding, "I fear nobody." Thegovernment, especially the homeministry, ultimately relented andrefrained from canceling the Yogatraining camp for which more than30,000 people had queued up in thecapital. As a result, classes beganonly on Sunday. On Saturdaymorning, many people got to know

about the cancellation only after theyreached the venue.

The government decision to cancelthe camp altogether followedsuggestions from the home ministerthat his presence in Nepal would helpthe fanatic Hindus and the king. Theprime minister seems to have promptlyendorsed the suggestion, only to takeit back in the face of stiff protests fromthousands who had assembled in thecapital and the defiance by the Swami."I cannot let my disciples down,” hetold Koirala on Saturday morning.

The Swami who is in Nepal for thefirst time also got into a series ofnegotiations on Saturday afternoonand finally succeeded in securingsupport of all major political partiesincluding the Maoists in successful

conduct of the classes, possiblymaking him feel Nepal's ultra-leftwere much more positively inclinedtowards ancient Yoga and Ayurvedascience compared to Indian Marxists.Brinda Karat, a CPI-M politburomember had falsely accused theSwami of using human and animalingredients in his medicines bringingthe swami into a controversy.

Maoist leaders KB Mahara andPrabhakar Sharma were amongthose who attended the inauguralsession in Tundikhel in the morning.The Swami in company of hiscolleague, Acharya Balkrishna, hasalso brought a strong contingent ofAyurveda doctors (Baidya) from thePatanjali Yogpeeth based inHaridwar. ä

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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

17-23 Sept, 200717-23 Sept, 200717-23 Sept, 200717-23 Sept, 200717-23 Sept, 20074 Editorial

LettersEthnicityEthnicityEthnicityEthnicityEthnicity, no weapon, no weapon, no weapon, no weapon, no weapon

R D Limbu’s ‘Grave ethnicissues’ makes an interestingreading. It not only goes into thegenesis of the problem in a widercontext, it also puts forwardeffective and constructive ways toapproach them.

Ethnicity should not be used bypoliticians and those demandingtheir share in power structure asa weapon to destruct anddisintegrate the society. It shouldbe used for building an egalitariansociety where everyone,irrespective of caste, creed,ethnicity, region, faith and religion,should feel equally that theybelong to this country.

Limbu has also rightly warnedthe rulers of the day that denial ofsuch an opportunity would pushthe country into a dangeroussituation.

Nakul BistaNakul BistaNakul BistaNakul BistaNakul BistaSanepa, Lalitpur

Nepal for NepalisNepal for NepalisNepal for NepalisNepal for NepalisNepal for NepalisI read with interest the piece, ‘Captured state.’ The

interesting fact about Maoists is that they have not yet learnedthe democratic system of governing.

United Nations is just a guardian of the system that is inplace and it is unlikely to place the system in order that isin mess. After all, Nepal is for Nepalis to rule and manage.The gang of eight must learn to make it an inclusivesociety especially so at the beginning of the new millen-nium.

Chandra Sing Gurung,Chandra Sing Gurung,Chandra Sing Gurung,Chandra Sing Gurung,Chandra Sing Gurung,RSIS, Nanyang University, Singapore

Endangered NepalEndangered NepalEndangered NepalEndangered NepalEndangered NepalKP Bhattarai’s appeal for

reconciliation has no doubt beendumped by many in the country asa regressive view-point notacceptable by 21st century Nepal.But many countries have invitedperil by ignoring cultural, historicaland assimilatory aspects of theirpolitics.

Return of BP Koirala andGaneshman Singh from India inDecember 1976 with the call fornational reconciliation which meantcoming together of pro-democracyforces and the king, purely withinthe constitution framework, is noless relevant today.

Their return came in thebackground of Sikkim’s merger inIndia. The two pro-democracyleaders were quick to realise thatSikkim’s transition to democracyhad come at the cost of their

nation, nationhood, nationalism and independence. It was aconclusion they drew from this that a constitutional monarchyand pro-democracy forces together alone would be able tosave the country.

Obviously, King Gyanendra did not act in the manner thatrepresented the spirit of the two leaders. But G P Koiralatoday is moving towards a dangerous direction. He is keen toretain absolute power which he has acquired. He is worsethan an absolute king at this stage.

It is time Koirala, all political party leaders including Maoistsrealise that any attempt to capture power by any section atthe cost of national reconciliation will be disastrous for thecountry’s future, independence, nationalism, democracy andits very existence.

Suman BasnetSuman BasnetSuman BasnetSuman BasnetSuman BasnetPulchowk, Lalitpur

Maoists’ exitMaoists quitting the GP Koirala led government did not happen

all of a sudden. There is a method to everything that Maoists havebeen doing. They have always been seeking an easy way to win.Like everyone’s politics here, honesty, fairness and scruples do notseem to matter much for them as well. As a result, people nolonger see them different from the existing political parties. AndMaoists knew it well.

Therefore, it appears safe to assume that Maoists’ withdrawalfrom the government is their first move towards running awayfrom the election, which will take away the legitimacy of thepresent government as well as of the entire political process. Intheir calculation, Koirala and the rest in the coalition governmenthave to accept their dictates if they want to be seen andrecognised as legitimately ruling this country by the world outside.

The threat seems to be working out. Koirala and other coalitionpartners have moved a step closer towards pledging that constituentassembly will declare Nepal a republic. Koirala, as his past andpresent have shown, will go to any length to save his chair. AndMaoists are exploiting that weakness to the hilt to extract what suitsthem. That is why; he chose not to sincerely implement theprovisions of the comprehensive peace accord like: forming acommission for the disappeared, rehabilitating those displaced bythe conflict, forming Truth and Reconciliation Commission andmaking sincere efforts to hold election in November.

Now there are clear indications that election in November is notat all possible, and Koirala might try to buy Maoists’ return to thegovernment to legitimise further postponement of the election.Maoists’ withdrawal from the government is also an outcome ofthe intense differences among its top leaders with an emergingaxis looking for replacement of Prachanda as the leader. At thesame time, they have also initiated to oust Koirala as the primeminister.

These developments might lead to a situation where the futureof the ongoing peace process looks bleak. Visible lack of will on thepart of the government to implement the provisions of the CPAonly reflects lack of seriousness. Koirala’s leadership has not onlyfailed, he has also proved to be utterly insensitive to the loss oflives and to the flare-up of communal situation in parts of thecountry.

While Koirala’s leadership should not be seen as somethingwithout an alternative, Maoists need to review their withdrawalfrom the government. Quitting government, disrupting election willlead to disruption of the peace process. That will be the end oftheir journey towards a credible nationalist democratic party. Arepublic Nepal as a gift from Koirala will have no lasting politicalmeaning in their favour. It can only invite people’s wrath and dislikefor them. ä

Happiness is when, what you think, what you say and whatHappiness is when, what you think, what you say and whatHappiness is when, what you think, what you say and whatHappiness is when, what you think, what you say and whatHappiness is when, what you think, what you say and whatyou do, are in harmonyyou do, are in harmonyyou do, are in harmonyyou do, are in harmonyyou do, are in harmony.....

- Mahatma Gandhi

Point to Ponder

Cosmic unityCosmic unityCosmic unityCosmic unityCosmic unityLao Tzu is known for his writing of the Tao-

Te Ching (Tao-meaning the way of all life, Te-meaning the right use of life by men, andChing-meaning text or classic). Lao Tzu wasnot his real name, it meant old master.

He attracted many followers, but refused toset his ideas down in writing. He believed thatwritten words might solidify into formal dogma.He wanted his philosophy to remain a naturalway to live life with goodness, serenity andrespect. He believed a person’s conductshould be governed by instinct and con-science.

He believed that human life is constantlyinfluenced by outside forces. He believed

simplicity to be the key totruth and freedom. Heencouraged his followers toobserve, seek to under-stand the laws of nature; todevelop intuition and buildup personal power; to usethat power to lead life withlove and without force.

People say that he was acontemporary of Confuciusand served as curator of thedynastic archives untilretiring to the mythical K’un-lun Mountains. Hetransmitted his teachings to a border guardwho compiled the Lao-Tzu. also titled Tao-teChing.

Spiritual CornerBeing and non-being create eachBeing and non-being create eachBeing and non-being create eachBeing and non-being create eachBeing and non-being create eachotherotherotherotherother.....DifDifDifDifDifficult and easy support each otherficult and easy support each otherficult and easy support each otherficult and easy support each otherficult and easy support each other.....Long and short define each otherLong and short define each otherLong and short define each otherLong and short define each otherLong and short define each other.....High and low depend on each otherHigh and low depend on each otherHigh and low depend on each otherHigh and low depend on each otherHigh and low depend on each other.....Before and after follow each otherBefore and after follow each otherBefore and after follow each otherBefore and after follow each otherBefore and after follow each other.....Therefore the masterTherefore the masterTherefore the masterTherefore the masterTherefore the masteracts without doing anythingacts without doing anythingacts without doing anythingacts without doing anythingacts without doing anythingand teaches without saying anything.and teaches without saying anything.and teaches without saying anything.and teaches without saying anything.and teaches without saying anything.Things arise and she lets them come;Things arise and she lets them come;Things arise and she lets them come;Things arise and she lets them come;Things arise and she lets them come;things disappear and she lets themthings disappear and she lets themthings disappear and she lets themthings disappear and she lets themthings disappear and she lets themgo.go .go .go .go .She has but doesn't possess,She has but doesn't possess,She has but doesn't possess,She has but doesn't possess,She has but doesn't possess,acts but doesn't expect.acts but doesn't expect.acts but doesn't expect.acts but doesn't expect.acts but doesn't expect.When her work is done, she forgets it.When her work is done, she forgets it.When her work is done, she forgets it.When her work is done, she forgets it.When her work is done, she forgets it.That is why it lasts foreverThat is why it lasts foreverThat is why it lasts foreverThat is why it lasts foreverThat is why it lasts forever.....

Translated by Stephen Mitchell (1988)

His work was dated back to 4thto 2nd century B.C. Its parablesand verse advocate passive andintuitive behavior in naturalharmony with the Tao. This is acosmic unity underlying allphenomena. This is a stage ofcreative possibility symbolised bythe child or an uncarved block.

TTTTTao Tao Tao Tao Tao Te Ching Ve Ching Ve Ching Ve Ching Ve Ching Verse 2erse 2erse 2erse 2erse 2When people see someWhen people see someWhen people see someWhen people see someWhen people see somethings as beautiful,things as beautiful,things as beautiful,things as beautiful,things as beautiful,

other things become uglyother things become uglyother things become uglyother things become uglyother things become ugly.....When people see some things asWhen people see some things asWhen people see some things asWhen people see some things asWhen people see some things asgood,good,good,good,good,other things become bad.other things become bad.other things become bad.other things become bad.other things become bad.

24-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 2007 5Debating Development

Having an irresponsible governmentat times is better than not having anygovernment at all. That is what onecan gather from the tragic saga ofriots and mayhem at Butwal,Kapilvastu and the vast stretch of landin the west. Mohit Khan, a prominentcitizen known for his good as well asbad qualities was felled with bulletsoutside his residence a week ago.For many, he had been a fighter andsavior. Those who felt the loss of apatron were naturally aggrieved.

But the events and protests thatfollowed Mohit Khan's murder haveraised serious questions as it had allthe signs of a crime with a largerdesign. There are many questionsthat need to be answered. MohitKhan was a Muslim by faith. Whywere the mosques made the firsttarget by those who came out onstreets to protest against his murder?The events took a communal andethnic turn with fire of revenge andanimosity raging far and wide.Butwal, Kapilvastu, Nepalgunj, Dangand Pyuthan all felt the shocks of the

communal tremor.

Khan had been targeted twice inthe past by the Maoists, but he wasnot lucky the third time. But there wasno word from the government as towho was his assailant. Instead, HomeMinister KP Sitaula whose inefficiencyand incompetence is well known wasquick to share his 'conspiracy theory'with Prime Minister G P Koirala andother cabinet colleagues saying it wasthe outcome of a conspiracy hatchedby the palace.

From the failure on the part of theintelligence department to police andarmed police force, it is a total failureof the home ministry. It failed to sensethat such a tension was in the offing.It failed to respond quickly whentensions erupted in the form of acommunal and ethnic divide.Thoroughly demoralised andpoliticised police certainly cannot act,and all thanks to Sitaula.

More than 32 bodies have alreadybeen recovered, and hundreds arestill missing. Vulnerable populace hasstarted demanding that Nepal armybe deployed to protect them since thepolice and the APF have failed to doit. Sitaula's criminal insensitivity makeshim nothing more or less than atraitor. He has all along refused toown responsibility for any drift in thelaw and order situation as the homeminister of the country.

G P Koirala's apathy towards the

is Nepal

overall law and order situation, hisroutine rhetoric that election will beheld at any cost in November, andSitaula's palace conspiracy theorywithout a credible probe all look likeparts of a grand design in which keypolitical actors are moving towardsinstitutionalising governance sansaccountability.

But the cost of Butwal flare up isyet to be assessed. It has comemonths after Nepal has beendeclared a 'secular state' where eachand every ethnic, religious as well asminority groups should have felt muchmore secured, and much closer tothe state protection than during thetime when it was a Hindu state.

Identifying Khan’s killer and anassurance of prompt action couldhave saved the situation from takingthe turn it took. But the aftermath ofthe murder and government's allround failure have triggered acommunal and ethnic divide, leavingdeep scars.

It is also a lesson for this govern-ment and key political actors, mainlythe eight parties to realise that mereinsertion of 'secularism' in theconstitution does not make the countryand the society less vulnerable tocriminals and religious fundamentalists.If people had been given a chance toown the process of Nepal's transitionfrom a Hindu to a secular state, theywould have realised how crucial a rolethey would need to play to protect the

people of other faiths as well, in timesof communal flare up.

That happens when people ownsecularism entwined with humanitar-ian values. We can still draw thelesson now at a time when there is somuch hurry to declare Nepal arepublic state. Any attempt by thepolitical parties to leave the peopleand the future constituent assemblywith a fait accompli on the issue ofrepublic versus ceremonial monarchywill make 'republicanism' as vulner-able as 'secularism' that the recentcarnage demonstrated.

Moreover, declaring Nepal arepublic now will leave enough scopeto doubt that it was basically thehome minister trying to createcircumstances and use those excusesto impose his and Maoists’ agenda ofrepublicanism. He should not beallowed to take the political mileagefrom what looks like his deliberatefailure in Butwal.

If there is one person who shouldtake all the moral and administrativeresponsibility for the loss of lives andproperty in the country now, it is onlySitaula. GP Koirala will only beendorsing Sitaula's incompetence,lapses, crime and conspiracy by notmaking him accountable, and lettingthe country burn. Nepalis will not beable to accept this as a model ofgovernance in ‘new’ Nepal. If Koiraladoes not realise this, that will be thebeginning of the fall of Koirala. ä

burning?

WHYFrom the failure on thepart of the intelligencedepartment to policeand armed police force,it is a total failure of thehome ministry.

It is also a lesson for this government andkey political actors, mainly the eight partiesto realise that mere insertion of 'secular-ism' in the constitution does not make thecountry and the society less vulnerable tocriminals and religious fundamentalists.

äääää Y Y Y Y Yubaraj Ghimireubaraj Ghimireubaraj Ghimireubaraj Ghimireubaraj Ghimire

äääää Patrick Leahy Patrick Leahy Patrick Leahy Patrick Leahy Patrick Leahy

24-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 20076 Debating Development

There are times in virtually everycountry’s history when years of underdevelopment and conflict give rise toopportunities to change course. Suchtimes are rare, and such opportuni-ties are too often missed.

I think of our Civil War, whichcaused so much loss of life anddevastation. It preserved the Unionand it led to the emancipation ofsome three million African slaves.Nothing can diminish those achieve-ments or the sacrifice of those whogave their lives. But instead ofproviding the former slaves with theequal rights to which they wereentitled, until passage of the CivilRights Act a century later AfricanAmericans suffered from raciallydiscriminatory laws that kept them inan inferior status. The countryremained bitterly divided because ofit.

Nepal today faces its own historicchoice.

For more than a decade, Nepalhas been plagued by an internalarmed conflict in which savagebrutality was inflicted on impoverishedcivilians by Maoist insurgents and theRoyal Nepal Army. Over 13,000people died, mostly noncombatants,and virtually no one has been heldaccountable for those crimes.

For more than two centuries,Nepal has been a monarchy whosekings, with rare exception, denied therights and ignored the needs of theirpeople who remain among theworld’s poorest. In February 2005,King Gyanendra, a narcissistic,arrogant autocrat, seized absolutepower, jailed his opponents andmuzzled the press, only to relent inApril 2006 in the face of mountinginternational pressure and theprotests of thousands of courageousNepali citizens.

Nepal’s previous experiment withmulti-party democracy during the1990s had been disappointing. Theleaders of the country’s politicalparties distinguished themselves byamassing personal fortunes anddoing little for the people.

But since the restoration of civiliangovernment in April last year therehas been impressive progress. AComprehensive Peace Agreementwas signed, Maoist combatants havegone into cantonments, the army hasbeen confined to barracks, and theMaoists, until today, were part of theinterim government. The King hasbeen stripped of all political power,although the ultimate fate of themonarchy has yet to be decided.

The word “Royal” has beeneliminated from government

institutions, including the army.Elections for a Constituent Assemblyto be held in June were postponed,but they have been rescheduled forNovember 22. The Assembly is todraft a new constitution.

Also during this period, Nepal’sethnic minorities, women and othergroups who have long beenpersecuted and denied a voice havedemanded equal rights and repre-sentation. This poses both chal-lenges and opportunities for thegovernment.

The international community,including the United States, hassupported the peace process directlyand through our financial contribu-tions to the United Nations which hasperformed key monitoring functions.Recently, the U.S. provided $3 millionto purchase the ballots for theelections.

Much has transpired since April2006, when I last spoke in thischamber about political developmentsin Nepal. Today, just 65 days beforeNepal’s elections, I would like toaddress my brief remarks to thepeople of Nepal and to Nepal’spolitical parties, including the Maoists.

On November 22, the people ofNepal will be presented with one oftwo options. They will either have anhistoric opportunity to create alegitimate, representative governmentwhich can only be achieved through apopular vote, or they will be deniedthat opportunity.

If the elections are held, Nepal willcontinue on a path that can bring itsgovernmental institutions and itssociety into the modern age, andbegin to finally address the povertyand injustices that gave rise to theconflict. If they are denied, the Nepalipeople will likely see their countrybecome more fragmented andungovernable, and more vulnerableto external influences over which theyhave little control.

Recent developments have beenboth encouraging and troubling.Perhaps that is to be expected in acountry of multiple ethnic groupsspeaking some 93 languages that isstruggling to transform itself.

The bombings in Kathmandu threeweeks ago, other violent actsperpetrated by newly formed armedgroups in the Terai and members ofthe Maoist young wing, the YoungCommunist League, and the Maoistsdecision to withdraw from thegovernment, illustrate the fragility ofthe process.

Moreover, the leaders of theCongress parties and the Maoists

have done little to prepare for theelections. At times, party membershave seemed more interested infurthering their own personalambitions and in derailing theelectoral process altogether. Theleading party of the left, the UML, hasdone more to prepare. But all partieswill need to promptly step up theirelection activities if voters are to havethe informed choice they deserve.

On the positive side, the ElectionCommission deserves credit for avoter registration process that hasreached Nepal’s remotest villages.There is no doubt that the people areeager to go to the polls, just as theywere determined to put an end to theKing’s abuse of power.

Over the past three years, I haveobserved the fortitude of the Nepalipeople’s desire for peace, for justice,and for a meaningful voice ingovernment. Their desire is sharedand admired by the American people.

To the Maoists I would say that itwas you who called for a ConstituentAssembly. Saying you are committedto the democratic process at thesame time that you withdraw from thegovernment, make new demandsthat contradict previous commitments,support disruptive economic strikes,and threaten to return to confronta-tion, is not the way to earn thepeople’s trust and support that arenecessary to become an effectiveforce for change. Nor is it the way toearn the trust of the United States.

I have campaigned for electiveoffice five times over more than 30years, and I know something aboutearning the people’s trust andsupport. It does not come fromdogmatic speeches or lofty partyplatforms or manifestos. It does notcome from saying one thing andthen doing the opposite. It certainlydoes not come through the use ofviolence, threats and extortion. Itcomes by showing that you deservethe people’s trust and support.There is no better way to begin thatprocess than to seize this opportu-nity and show the people that youcan make the government work forthem.

History is replete with examples ofarmed groups that achieved popularlegitimacy through the democraticprocess. If the Maoists win seatsthrough free and fair elections,uphold the commitments they havemade in the Comprehensive PeaceAgreement and other agreements,and devote themselves to working forchange peacefully, I am confident theUnited States will treat them asrightful members of the electedConstituent Assembly or of thegovernment. We may disagree with

their positions on some issues, butnot about their right to serve ingovernment and to advocate forthose positions.

I know the Maoists are looking tothe United States to lift our restric-tions on their party and its leaders,and to remove them from our list ofterrorist organizations. In order forthat to happen, the Maoists need totake unequivocal, positive steps. Thecases of the murdered Nepali securityguards need to be satisfactorilyresolved. The party’s resumption ofland seizures and the reopening ofso-called “people’s courts,” are stepsin the wrong direction.

To the other political parties ingovernment I would say that it istime to make good on your commit-ments. Not only the Maoists, buttraditionally marginalized groups aswell, are increasingly skeptical thatthe government is serious aboutdelivering on its key commitments tothe peace process, whetherdownsizing and reforming the army,supporting land reform, or creatingjobs and opportunities for minoritygroups that have long beendisadvantaged and ignored. Thosegroups should pursue their griev-ances through a vigorous electioncampaign, not through obstruction ofthe democratic process, the failureof the parties to govern and matchrhetoric with action threatens theelections, as does the Maoists’ saberrattling.

The leaders of Nepal’s politicalparties know that the power ofholding office comes with responsibili-ties, and the spotlight is on them.Lasting legitimacy comes not onlythrough the ballot box but in the day-to-day ability to honor commitmentsand improve the lives of all citizens.This is their chance to put the Nepalipeople and their country first, byshowing that they believe in effective,accountable government. If they donot, the United States, and I suspectmany other countries, will no longerafford them the legitimacy they willneed for our continued support.

Nepal’s path to the future may bedecided in the waning months of thisyear. Although a small countrywedged between two emerginggiants, Nepal is unique in more ways,more beautiful ways, than most othercountries its size. Today, the UnitedStates – Congress and the Executive– are united in our desire to helpNepal become a democracy whosegovernment is representative ofNepal’s remarkably diverse popula-tion, and where the fundamentalrights of all people are respected.

(Sen Leahy's speech in the senaton September 18, 2007.)

NEPAL’S FUTUREThe leaders of Nepal’s political parties know that thepower of holding office comes with responsibilities, andthe spotlight is on them.

Nepal’sprevious

experimentwith multi-

partydemocracyduring the

1990s had beendisappointing.The leaders of

the country’spolitical

parties distin-guished them-

selves byamassingpersonal

fortunes anddoing little for

the people.

24-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 2007 7Interview

IIIIIsabella Tsabella Tsabella Tsabella Tsabella Treereereereeree, 43, an author andfreelance travel journalist is writing abook on Kumari, the living childgoddess in Kathmandu. After asudden realisation that this year wasthe 250th year of the foundation of thefamous Kumari Chen (house), shedecided it would be a good occasionfor her to give back something to theKumari. Amidst a day long celebrationrecently, the glittering bronze Patahthat she offered was hung down fromthe Kumari Chen. She shared thisexperience with Sushma Amatya.

How did this exciting eventHow did this exciting eventHow did this exciting eventHow did this exciting eventHow did this exciting eventcome about?come about?come about?come about?come about?

I wish to say destiny had it that myoffering was to be accepted. If theKumari did not want it, it would not havehappened. I have been researchingKumari tradition for the last five yearsand I have been thinking for a long timethat writers and journalists come to aplace, do a lot of research and theytake their material and go away withoutreally giving anything back. For a longtime I had been wondering as to how togive back that would mean somethingand be lasting.

A wonderful man, Kashi Nath Tamotwho teaches Newar studies has beenhelping me with research for a fewyears; and he established that thebuilding had been founded in 1757.Suddenly I realised that now in 2007, itwould be the 250th year and might bethe right occasion to contributesomething to the Kumari house.

I thought if the authorities con-nected to the Kumari house wereinterested in marking this event, Icould dedicate a bronze Patah that Ihad noticed on Akash Bhairav temple.It was fantastic when they said yes. Icannot take any credit for everythingthat they have been doing. There hasbeen tremendous collaborative workand I just had the idea to cast theseed onto the water and wonderfulthings started happening.

A committee was formed withabout 40 members – local communityworkers, social workers, businessmenwho all contributed acknowledgingthe tradition of Kumari tradition. Aworking committee with eight peopledid all the planning of the celebration.

The unveiling of the Patah wasdone on 15 Sep with a big Pooja,officiated by Manjushree Bajracharya,the Bajracharya priest and the PanchaBuddha. There was a separateceremony with over 300 little Kumariscarrying Poojas. The Patah was thenput on the roof and let down andYomaris were thrown on the roof.

Hundreds of people were fed with thePrasad. It was a great event.

How did you get interested inHow did you get interested inHow did you get interested inHow did you get interested inHow did you get interested inKumari?Kumari?Kumari?Kumari?Kumari?

I came here when I was 18 withfriends; and we ended up staying atFreak Street and one of the thingswe did see was an extraordinary childjust across the square. Nobody reallyseemed to know much about her, theguide books did not say much but shewas definitely intriguing. About 14years later, a friend of mine camehere to live and invited me and myhusband for a trek. I asked her if theliving goddess still existed. We thenwent to see her, from the courtyard.My friend’s Nepali teacher said I couldinterview an ex Kumari and Iinterviewed Rasmila who was thenonly about 15. I wrote an article aboutit but I knew that I did not really knowanything about the tradition. Slowlythe idea began to interest me. Thereis not much that is written aboutKumari and there are a lot of mythsthat still persist even after thepublication of Rasmila Shakya’sautobiography.

What are the myths?What are the myths?What are the myths?What are the myths?What are the myths?The myths say ex Kumaris cannot

marry because their husbands die ahorrible death or they end upbecoming prostitutes. It is all rubbishbut it is very difficult to dispel thepopular myths that are perpetuatedso often by papers in Nepal as well asby foreign women’s magazines.

I interviewed four or five Kumaris,most of them are married. Some, whoare not, are seen as failures but whyshould they be seen as such? Whatmatters is how happy they are. I thinkit is a traumatic period when they leavethe house after attaining puberty andthere may not be much preparation forthat. I think now the people concernedare beginning to appreciate that thereshould be a careful transition frombeing a god to an ordinary human.

It is not an easy transition andtakes a year or two for the ex-Kumaris to adjust but the strong pointis that they have a close knit familywho treat them with love and respect.Almost every Kumari I spoke to said itwas an extraordinary experience anda great honour to be of service.Kumaris these days receive educationinside the Kumari house so that theycan keep up with their peers later.

What is the most fascinatingWhat is the most fascinatingWhat is the most fascinatingWhat is the most fascinatingWhat is the most fascinatingthing about this tradition?thing about this tradition?thing about this tradition?thing about this tradition?thing about this tradition?

I find the whole notion of Shakti

and female energy of goddess beingworshipped very interesting. Aswesterners we are very muchdominated by patriarchal religion andit has completely subdued the ancientmother goddess cult. It is wonderfulto find some place where women andfemale children are worshipped; andomnipotent energy is consideredfemale. As a foreigner I cannot meether. I can only have her Darshanfrom the courtyard. Yes, it ischallenging to write when you cannotmeet her or visit her palace.

To kneel to a young girl’s feet is sofascinating; it is a reminder of divinity inall of us. Kumari is worshipped on somany different levels. She is differentgoddess to different people. It isunderstood at very simple or highlyesoteric levels. It depends on who youare as to what you see in her.

What is special aboutWhat is special aboutWhat is special aboutWhat is special aboutWhat is special aboutKathmandu Kumari?Kathmandu Kumari?Kathmandu Kumari?Kathmandu Kumari?Kathmandu Kumari?

Kathmandu Kumari became thestate Kumari and became importanton a national level. That is why she iscelebrated more. And the purity, thecondition in which she is kept is stillstrictly maintained. Tradition usuallygets weaker but here it is maintained.I think the Kumari is an extraordinaryexperience. When I see tourists justwalk past the building, I want to tellthem: look, open your eyes and see!

I come back once or twice a yearfor about two or three weeks at atime to follow up on my research. Mytwo children who are coming here forthe first time will be experiencing theIndra Jatra this year! I am absolutelythrilled. The most exciting thing aboutthe celebration coming up is thepassion being generated by the localcommunity. The whole building will bedecorated by puffed rice – Lawa, andthere will be feasts and other eventsfollowing it.

KUMARICelebrating

Was it difficult for yourWas it difficult for yourWas it difficult for yourWas it difficult for yourWas it difficult for youroffering to be accepted?offering to be accepted?offering to be accepted?offering to be accepted?offering to be accepted?

I am very well aware that there arecontroversies about a foreigner beinginvolved. If you do something for theright reason, hopefully it will beaccepted. There was a debate whetherI should be allowed to offer the Patahor not. One of the committee members,Badri Lal Shrestha, surveyed 240experts on Kumari tradition and religionand the consensus was that it would befine for my offering to be accepted. ThePatah looks full of life, and shows thatsomething is happening there.

Do you consider yourself anDo you consider yourself anDo you consider yourself anDo you consider yourself anDo you consider yourself anexpert on Kumari now?expert on Kumari now?expert on Kumari now?expert on Kumari now?expert on Kumari now?

Not at all. I know that I havetouched only the tip of the iceberg. Iwill never fully understand it. Iunderstand it enough to say it is anextraordinary thing and if I can getjust a little bit of that magic across, itwill be great. It is a huge sophisticatedsubject and I am completely awed;and I do not want to know anysecrets that I am not supposed toknow. It is enough that they are there.

Do you see the traditionDo you see the traditionDo you see the traditionDo you see the traditionDo you see the traditiondisappearing?disappearing?disappearing?disappearing?disappearing?

No. The strength and knowledge ofthe tradition is very much there.Recently, there was a court casebrought against Kumari and thegovernment very wisely consulted manyscholars and Newar specialists aboutwhat Kumari means and sought theirrecommendations. And the sugges-tions were to protect the tradition byway of education and preparationwhen she comes out. Finally, I wishto add that all the enthusiasm andenergy for the 250th year commemo-ration and the forthcoming festivalhas really come from caretaker familyand the committee. All the credit goesto them. ä

Kumari is a reminder of divinity in all of us.

KathmanduKumari became

the stateKumari

and becameimportant on anational level.

That is why sheis celebrated

more. And thepurity, the

condition inwhich she is

kept isstill strictlymaintained.

Isabella Tree

Isabella Tree ja;slfjas;dfjl;jflas;dfj al;sdjf

24-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 20078 Opinion

The Indian Foreign Secretary's visit toKathmandu was significant; however, it is toopremature to conclude whether it hasyielded the desired outcome. India beingNepal's largest stakeholder in Nepal'sdemocratic transition and peace processmust naturally be worried about theprevailing uncertainty. But despite India'sworries and her suggestions to the con-cerned actors on the Nepali side, India'ssuggestions remain largely ignored.

India may pressurise the Nepali side, but itis the Nepali leadership who has to ultimatelydo the work of building a democratic polityon the ground. Just as Menon left Nepal, theMaoists withdrew from the government andthat has cast serious questions regarding theviability of the peace process.

This time India was categorical in stating

the need for free and fair elections as aprerequisite for legitimate polls. The interna-tional community largely follows the Indianlead, therefore; the lack or the failure toconduct credible elections from the Nepaliside will invariably pose fundamentalquestions to the external players – shouldthey accept the verdict of hollow elections?Consenting on fraudulent and hollow electionswill inevitably raise questions regarding India'sand the international community's belieftowards democratic principles.

The tremor caused by the revelation that

India would support the democratic processagainst the Maoists is an important develop-ment. The rigidness of the Maoists and their

empty commitments towards the peace processhas certainly irked everyone. However, it ispertinent now to evaluate what the Maoistsactually aim to achieve and how?

The Maoist plenum had tactically aimed to

send a message to the international communitythat Maoists are in favor of CA elections andthat the regressive forces, Congress and Teraiagitation were to blame should the elections bepostponed. Then the Maoists came to aconclusion that the major political parties hadlost their popularity in the Terai, and Prachandathought it was appropriate to raise the demandfor proportional representation in the CAelections as the main issue in order to appease

India and the Terai population and minimise therole of other parties.

Maoists have realised within the party rankand file that; in Terai, the party cannot evendefend itself, while, in the hilly regions, it is not ina position of strength. And in actuality, the resultsof the forthcoming CA elections will challengetheir very survival as a political party.

On the issue of the proclamation of republic,

the chairman is said to have explained that thiswas not possible due to domestic circumstancesand the international environment. And the partystressed on creating a favorable environment toget this proposal adopted. The party came tothe conclusion that it must come up with newideas aimed at ending monarchy.

In order to achieve their desired objective, the

Maoists have planned to use disturbances as anexcuse to foment agitation. They have decidedto galvanise and activate human right activists,media, NGO/INGOs, physically challenged

people, the oppressed and exploited classes,martyr's families and sister organisations tocreate disturbances so that security forces willhave no option but to seek Maoist assistance.

Another component of their strategy is toform a broad left alliance. According to theMaoists, although UML is the main obstacle tothe formation of a left alliance, efforts willcontinue at forging a left unity will continueeven if it entails splitting the UML. TheMaoists have also decided to politically thedamage the possible unification of the twoNC's and to eliminate parties especially theCongress from the Terai region.

But the greater design of the Maoist

plenum is their intent to exert influence overthe security forces, civil service and foreignaffairs to ensure facilitation of their attemptedtakeover in near future. For this tomaterialise, the Maoists have agreed that thesecurity, administrative and judicial systemmust be further weakened.

Indian warning and Girija's tough stand

against the Maoists has come at the last hour.Perhaps, if the government and internationalcommunity were not so busy appeasing theMaoists and had taken a strong stand onfundamental issues, this situation would neverhave arisen. But now the peace process is atstake. The Maoists have a reached a point ofno-return and the government and theinternational community are responsible forpaving way for their further radicalisation. Andeven if the Maoists agree to join the govern-ment, it will not be in the same spirit. ä

Continuousseg of electionThe results of the forthcoming CA elections will challengeMaoists’ very survival as a political party.

Everything that happens in Teraitoday is seen through the communallens. The serial bomb blast inKathmandu, which took innocentlives, was seen as the handiwork ofMadhesi people just because somelittle known Terai groups claimedresponsibility. None really appliedtheir minds to figure out whetherthese outfits are actually capable ofcarrying out such well planneddestructive acts.

In Kapilavastu, when the chairmanof Madhesi Loktantrik Morcha, MohitKhan was killed by unknownassailants, the crime was seen ascommitted by Pahadis for the simplereason that those attackers report-edly looked like Pahadi boys inappearance. Although criminals haveno nationality, caste, religion orlanguage, criminal activities are alsobeginning to be seen from acommunal angle.

This is a new mindset whichdeveloped after the Madhesismovement of 2007. Both Pahadis andMadhesis living in Terai suffer fromwrongly conceived notions. TheMadhesis feel that that although theyhave all along contributed towardsthe collective success of the Aprilmovement, they are drawn into asituation where they cannot ask fortheir democratic rights without facingthe danger of receiving bullets fromgovernment forces.

On the other hand, both old as wellas young generations of Pahadis

have suddenly lost the sense ofbelonging in Terai. They feel that theyare indeed treated like outsiders. Thisthinking is based on the utterances ofsome vested interests armedinsurgents, as well as some politicianswho want to cash in by playing thecommunal card.

There are three main reasons forthis situation. First of all, the innercurrent of the Jana Andalan II wasnot properly understood by thegovernment. The people’s movementof April 2006 underscored the needfor recognising the importance ofending Kathmandu based rulingconcept.

When the interim constitution wasdrafted, the issue of federalism wasnot adequately addressed. Thisresulted in the Madhesi movement.Secondly, the assurances given by thePrime Minister in his address to thenation in response to Madhesidemands was not implemented. Whenthe interim government was formed,proportional representation wasconveniently ignored. Hence instead ofsolving the problem, the move furtherisolated the Madhesi people.

Thirdly, the presence and the abilityto assert by the state machinery wasfound wanting and continue to be soin Terai districts. The activities ofsome vested interest elements werenot properly controlled. Such lethargyor apathy on the part of the statemachinery indirectly legitimisedviolence, and some criminals

exploited the situation to theiradvantage.

Regrettably, the administration,instead of admitting its failure to reachout to the people tried to cover up itsshortcomings by wrongly projecting thatthe Madhesis as a community is notprepared to be administered by Pahadiofficers. When the actual reasons ofpeople’s resentments were corruptionand insensitivity, the state machinerygave it a communal connotation.

The armed insurgents, whomultiplied themselves into 22 groupswith an attitude of revenge, are oneof the elements that took advantageof this sorry state of affairs. For them,the state of lawlessness in Teraibecame a fertile ground, while thestate machinery continues to watchfrom a distance.

In serious incidents like the onewhich took place in Janakpur where22 people died due to consumption oflocally brewed Rakshi and alsocommunal flare up following the killingof Mohit Khan in Kapilavastu, theabsence of the state machinery wasglaringly visible as evident from thenumber of people killed.

Adding to this are the lethargicpolitical leaders, including those whoclaim to champion the cause ofMadhesis, namely: Mahant Thakur,Matrika Yadav, Upendra Yadav,Raghubir Mahaseth, RajendroMahato and Hridesh Tripathi whoalso failed to reach out to the people.All of them prefer to politik in

Social dialogue neededKathmandu even when the likes ofKapilavastu riot take place.

In a situation as hopeless as this,where nothing much could beexpected from the state andpoliticians, the only remedy would be:to bridge this gap is through a civilsociety social dialogue which shoulddeliberate and find an honorablemechanism to merge Madhesis intomainstream Nepal; prevent furtherpolarisation on communal lines;decide whether or not internationalbodies like UN should be seekingsolutions to Madhesi problem; andthe kind of cooperation to be soughtfrom neighboring Indian states forbetterment of Terai people.

The social dialogue should becarried out between Madhesi andPahadi living in Terai, as well asbetween various sub-communities ofMadhesis .at micro levels. This shouldbe followed by dialogue between thestate and Madhesi people, andbetween Terai people and people ofneighboring Indian state.

In the absence of committed statemachinery to correctly inform andenlighten people, rumours abound andit is dividing people on communal lines.Unless such social dialogues are keptin motion urgently, the very achieve-ment of the Jana Andalan II may go awaste. Instead, we may continue tosee more of those incidents which tookplace in Nepalgunj, Lahan, Gaur andKapilavastu.

(Chandrakishore Jha is Teraibased journalist & an analyst)

Politicians want to cash in by playing the communal card.

äääää Chandrakishore Jha Chandrakishore Jha Chandrakishore Jha Chandrakishore Jha Chandrakishore Jha

First of all, theinner current of

the Jana AndalanII was notproperly

understood bythe government.

The people’smovement of

April 2006underscored the

need forrecognising theimportance of

endingKathmandubased ruling

concept.

äääää Siddhartha Thapa Siddhartha Thapa Siddhartha Thapa Siddhartha Thapa Siddhartha Thapa

24-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 200724-30 Sept, 2007 7Interview

About 10,000 people, led by thousands ofBuddhist monks, marched Sunday in Myanmar'smain city of Yangon in an escalating show ofdissent against the military government,witnesses said.

Nearly 5,000 monks joined by 150 nuns werefollowed by about 5,000 supporters as theymarched from the golden Shwedagon Pagoda,Myanmar's most important landmark, thewitnesses said. "We are marching for thepeople," chanted the monks. "We want thepeople to join us." The protest began withabout 5,000 people, but quickly doubled in sizeas they marched into downtown Yangon, in thesixth consecutive day of protest in nation'scommercial hub.

The march was by far the biggest protest inYangon since anti-government demonstrationsbroke out five weeks ago following a massivehike in fuel prices that left many unable to affordeven a bus ride to work.

The demonstrations have snowballed into themost serious challenge to the ruling junta innearly two decades.

TTTTTearful encounterearful encounterearful encounterearful encounterearful encounter On Saturday, the army allowed about 2,000

monks and civilians to pass a roadblock andgather by Aung San Suu Kyi's lakeside home onUniversity Avenue. She greeted them from thehouse where she has been detained for 12 ofthe past 18 years. Witnesses said Aung SanSuu Kyi was in tears as she greeted thecinnamon-robed monks.

The 62-year-old Nobel Peace prize winnerhas become an internationally recognisedfigurehead of Myanmar's pro-democracymovement. They were chanting for around fiveminutes before she and two other women

stepped out of a side door of her home, onewitness said.

Unable to hold back her tears, Aung San SuuKyi waved to the monks and their supporters asthey paused outside the gates to chant prayersfor peace. The monks spent about 15 minuteschanting the same Buddhist prayer they hadrecited through much of their earlier march inYangon, the witnesses said.

"May we be completely free from all danger,may we be completely free from all grief, maywe be completely free from poverty, may wehave peace in heart and mind," they intoned.

Chanting supportersChanting supportersChanting supportersChanting supportersChanting supportersSome of their supporters broke into tears as

they joined in with their own refrain, chanting in

turn: "Long life and health for Aung San Suu Kyi,may she have freedom soon."

The military often posts armed guards toblock traffic on University Avenue to preventtraffic from passing by, but witnesses said themonks had persuaded the 20 armed guards toraise the blockade. "They told the guards thatthey just wanted to go to pray for Aung San SuuKyi, because we are Buddhists," one witnesssaid. The guards did not interrupt the monksduring their prayers, but closed the roadblockafter they left.

The gates to her compound stayed shutthroughout, but one witness said that at onepoint, Aung San Suu Kyi was only five feet awayfrom the monks. Monks are rumoured to beplanning another march at midday, while oneunderground group has called for nationwideprayer vigils to begin.

Media blackoutMedia blackoutMedia blackoutMedia blackoutMedia blackoutFor their part, Myanmar's military rulers have

refused to tell citizens about the protests,choosing instead to fill its state-run newspaperwith reports of floods and traffic. There were noreports on Sunday of the monks' protests. Thestate-run New Light of Myanmar prominentlyfeatured a story about General Than Shwe, thegovernment head, sending greetings to SaudiArabia on its national day.

Inside, there were stories on floods, paddyplantings and efforts to prevent river erosion.The newspaper derided the National League forDemocracy led by Aung San Suu Kyi as"incompetent and seeking political gain". TheNLD won elections in 1990 by a landslide, butthe Myanmarese military never recognised theresult.

(Inquirer.net)

Suu Kyi meets protesting monks

Aung San Suu Kyi was intears as she greeted thecinnamon-robed monks.

Laden wantsPakistan Torevolt againstPresident

The leader of al Qaeda Osama binLaden has put out a call to the people ofPakistan to revolt against PresidentPervez Musharraf.

Osama bin Laden released a brandnew recording on Thursday stating thatthe siege of a militant mosque strongholdearlier in the year makes him an infidel.

Bin Laden stated that the storming ofthe Red Mosque showed “Musharraf’sinsistence on continuing his loyalty,submissiveness and aid to Americaagainst the Muslims … and makesarmed rebellion against him andremoving him obligatory.”

He concluded stating “So when thecapability is there, it is obligatory to rebelagainst the apostate ruler as is the casenow.” The title of the message was “Cometo Jihad.” This call comes after al Qaedaput out an 80-minute documentary statinghow they defeated the United States inAfghanistan and are doing the same inIraq. The video promised more bloodshedin those countries, Darfur, and elsewhere.

(Daily Times)

The moderate veteran politician YasuoFukuda easily won election as president ofJapan's struggling ruling party on Sunday,assuring his selection as the new primeminister in a parliamentary vote later thisweek. Fukuda won 330 votes to formerForeign Minister Taro Aso's 197 votes, theparty announced.

Fukuda, 71, the son of a prime ministerfrom the 1970s, has vowed to keep hiscountry in the fight against terrorism,improve relations with Asia and addressinequalities in the world's second-largesteconomy. Fukuda vowed on Sunday torebuild the popularity of the LiberalDemocratic Party, which has suffered ayear of scandals and policy missteps byoutgoing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whohas been hospitalized since announcing onSept. 12 that he would resign.

"It is natural that we are facing publiccriticism," Fukuda said in a joint appear-ance with his rival, Aso, on nationalbroadcaster NHK. "We must make effortspatiently to regain public trust." Fukudaalso pushed his key policies: To furtherengage North Korea diplomatically, pushfor extension of Japan's naval mission insupport of U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan,and give aid to rural regions left behind bythe economic recovery.

"We need to show our intention tocontinue the mission as a message to theinternational society," Fukuda said of theAfghan mission, which the opposition hasvowed to defeat in parliament. "If this dragson too long we might send a wrongmessage to the world as if we were notcommitted to making that contribution."

Fukuda, who served as chief Cabinet

secretary from 2000 to 2004, has the support ofthe major factions of the LDP. His dominanceover Aso, a hawk who served as Abe's foreignminister until August, was so clear by Sundaythat morning papers had already given him thetitle of LDP president, and he was asked onNHK if he would choose Aso as his foreignminister. Fukuda would inherit a political

environment and LDP left in serious disarray.Abe, 53, came into office a year ago with high

support ratings and an unquestioned rulingcoalition dominance in parliament.

But he quickly frittered away those advan-tages as his Cabinet overflowed with moneyscandals and he pressed ahead with anationalist agenda while people demandedmore attention to bread-and-butter issues suchas pensions.

The LDP suffered a serious blow in electionsin July for the upper house of parliament inwhich the resurgent opposition seized control ofthe chamber, heightening calls for snap electionsfor the lower house as well.

Abe apologized to the party in a messageread after Fukuda's selection.

"I apologize to Aso and all LDP lawmak-ers, party members and the Japanese publicfor causing a political vacuum," said thenote. Fukuda has arrived as an antidote toAbe. A sober, brainy party elder, Fukuda —son of a prime minister from the 1970s —

has vowed to concentrate on down-to-earthissues such as economic equality andgrowth, while seeking warmer ties with therest of Asia.

It was unclear, however, how long Fukudawould be able to stave off calls for lowerhouse elections. He has termed such calls"understandable." Media reports said theLDP wanted to pass the Afghan measureand the national budget early next yearbefore dissolving the lower house. "Whenthe public and lawmakers strongly voice aneed to dissolve the parliament, I think itwouldn't be good to resist that call," Fukudasaid on NHK. ä

Fukuda Wins Poll, Likely Next PM

24-30 Sept, 200710 Art & society

Marshland FlowersScience itself never claims what it cannotmeasure at the moment as superstitious.

ä Acharya Mahayogi Sridhar Rana Rinpoche

250th year Kumari festival

It is through various types ofSamatha practice that variousPratiharyas (miraculous powers) alsocalled Siddhi – Riddhis develop as amatter of course; or if they do noteasily develop, they can be developedby various specialised mentalexercises geared to awaken thesepotentials in the human mind.

In this era of modernism when thephysical science was considered theevaluating measuring rod for the validityof anything, Pratiharyas were suspect.And many Buddhists with modernisticleanings even thought that these wereinterpolated into the Buddhist scriptureby overly naïve simple village folks.Needless to say this was a result of theso called scientific education spawnedout by modernism. But the beauty ofscience is that it moves on and does notremain static.

From the 18th century to the mid20th century, science progressed inleaps and bounds to such anunimaginable extent that man thoughtscience alone was the answer to all itsquestions. So the milieu developed inwhich whatever was scientific wastrue/ real/valid/non-superstitious andwhatever was not scientific wasuntrue/invalid/superstitious. Theprogress of physics and other physicalsciences was so mind boggling, that itsdazzle blinded all those who were partof the era of modernism. But therewas a flaw in this thinking and not onlyBuddhist but also many Hindu Swamisand Yogis also failed to see it.

First of all only what can bemeasured can be studied by physicsand such other physical sciences. Nowthere are many things which cannotand will never be measured like love/compassion/beauty, the splendour ofthe Himalayas and so on. We cannotpossibly say that such things areunreal/untrue/superstitious. Secondlythe physical sciences are limited by thetype of instrument available.

That means even those thingswhich could be measurable like thechemical correlates in the brain to loveand feel compassion were out ofreach of the sciences in the 18th and19th century. Now are we to say that

these brain chemicalslike dopamine,serotonin etc were alluntrue/unreal/superstitious till the mid 20th century,and then they suddenly became real/true/scientific? Such type of thinking isabsurd to say the least.

Furthermore, science itself neverclaims what it cannot measure at themoment as superstitious. It is the halfbaked ultra-modernist types whoseknowledge of science is limited tovague ideas and the enjoyment ofconsumerist goods produced byscience that have these kinds of quaintnotions. As early as 1950 Einsteindeclared that science cannot and willnot answer all the questions andproblems of mankind. This is truebecause rational linear thinking, onwhich science is based, is only onemode of thinking and knowing availableto man. The world view made availablethrough science is only one possibleview amongst many other views. Andthis materialistic reductionist view ofscience is not only an artificial viewextracted out of reality but also it is notmore real than any other view.

Using the empirical reductionistpositivism (reducing all things toempirically measurable things etc)modus operandi itself, we can questionthis style of absurd thinking that onlywhat is empirically measurable is true/real/valid/non-superstitious. The milliondollar question is, "Is this hypothesisempirically measurable?" Since it is not,by its own logic falls apart.

The central point of WernerHeisenberg in his various books likePhysics and Beyond, Across theFrontiers etc is that physics can makeonly statements about strictly limitedrelations that are only valid within theframework of those limitations. He alsosays, "Science tries to give its conceptsan objective meaning. But religiouslanguage must avoid this very cleavageof the world into its objective and itssubjective sides: for who would dareclaim the objective side to be more realthan the subjective? (To be continued.)

(Sridhar Rinpoche is a VajrayanaMaster)

The tradition of Kumariworshipping is very ancient andits' history can be traced back tothe Vedic period. In Nepal mostprobably it came with theLichchavis in the beginning of theChristian era. Worshipping ofyoung maidens is a deep-rootedtradition among the valley peoplesince ages. Kumari is one amongthe eight mother goddessesworshipped and revered in thevalley since the beginning of thehistory.

The practice of worshippingGoddess Kumari has beencontinuing since then. The lastMalla King Jaya Prakash Malla inNS 877(AD1757) started thetradition of chariot festival and thisyear NS1127 (AD 2007), the250th anniversary of the chariotfestival is going to be held. Therecertainly is no harm in observingsome new trends in rituals orfestivals since it gives a new leaseto life, makes it more vibrant andcan be enjoyed by everybody.

In Nepal we have a tradition ofworshipping female power, andKumari is one such power. Mostprobably Nepal is the only countryin the world where a virgin girl isworshipped as a goddess. She isthe chief deity and protector ofthe valley people. It is believedthat the head of the state rulesthe country only as her trusteeand in accordance with themandate given to him only for oneyear and every year he has torenew it with her blessing. Shesymbolises our religious synchro-nism. Both the Hindus and theBuddhists worship her with equalveneration. To the Hindus she isthe incarnation of goddess Tulajaor Durga. To the Buddhists she isVajra Devi or the consort ofHeruka.

Recently this historical, culturaland religious institution of Kumariwas dragged into a controversy.Some women rights activists fileda case in the Supreme Courtagainst the continuation of Kumaritradition. The petitioners arguedthat when a child is selected as aKumari she loses her humanrights or fundamental rights like

freedom of movement andfreedom of speech; and that evenafter the child is removed fromKumari-hood she is deprived ofleading a normal and honorablelife.

The Supreme Court orderedthe Ministry of Culture to provideits' opinion on this issue and tostudy and submit a report fortimely improvement of thistradition within three months. TheMinistry of Culture formed acommittee to give necessaryrecommendations in this issue.Recently they received the reportfrom the said committee and thereport has been sent to the courtfor consideration.

The report has clearly statedthat the Kumari tradition has notviolated the human rights of thechild. Although she has somerestrictions in her rights, whichcan be considered as a veryminor loss compared to therespect she gets and her positionin the society. The report hasrecommended some economicbenefits and facilities for herbenefit. It has laid more emphasison the continuation of thistradition which has very close linksand relationships with Kathmanduvalley culture and religion. It alsogave more impetus for its'promotion, preservation andpublicity because it is a uniqueNepali tradition found nowhereelse.

Kumari today has an officialtutor at her temple residence andshe is given remuneration for herservice to the country after herretirement when she reaches theage of puberty or twelve years. Iam in touch with a few ex-Kumaris and I have found thatthey had absolutely no regretsabout their childhood spent asGoddess Kumari. Regarding theirmaintenance and allowances ifthe government increases it, that

is always appreciable. Here Iwould like to mention the reactionof ex-Kumari Rasmila Sakya to aquestion by a journalist, “Tobecome god is easier than tobecome a human."

The controversy raised by thevisit of Bal Kumari of Bhaktapur tothe United States of America isalso interesting. The mainKathmandu Kumari cannot evenleave the city. She can go out ofher temple house only about adozen times to attain variousfestivals and rituals in a year. Theforeign visit of Bal Kumari ofBhaktapur cannot be appreciatedbecause it has diminished thecuriosity, faith, value and sensitivityof Kumari as a whole of this veryinstitution of Kumari. The authoror a film producer could invite oneof the ex-Kumaris for launchinghis book or a film but not aKumari in office.

The program committee of theimpending festival announced thatthey will be decorating thechariots of Kumari and the houseartistically; Nepali traditional andfolk musical instruments will beplayed throughout the festival;and the ex- Kumaris will behonored. The whole week of thefestival will be observed bychanting religious songs andburning lamps around Kumarihouse. Commemorative coinsand postage stamps will bereleased on the occasion, and acultural program and traditionalfeast will be organised.

The Kumari tradition is one ofthe mysteries of our country.There is no harm in having somesuch mysteries. Our life, cultureand religion will become dry anduninteresting if we do not have orkeep some such mysteries. Wesee goddess Kumari in our girlchildren and treat them withrespect and love; and this value iswell worth emulating by thosewho look down on their girlchildren or treat the birth of a girlchild with despair. If all of uslearned to treat each and everygirl child like the Goddess Kumari,an equal, happy, balanced societywould emerge naturally. ä

In Nepal we have a tradition of worshipping female power, andKumari is one such power.

Dr. Shaphalya Amatya

24-30 Sept, 2007 11Art & society

When you suspect yourstudent is addicted, what doyou do?

ä Renuka Rai, Bansbari If you doubt that your student is

into drugs and if the student hasnot acknowledged the fact, youwill have to observe him/her for awhile. You will have to observeclosely his circle of friends,behaviour, appearance andrelationship with peers; and lookout for any abnormal signs.

If you see any, you need tobuild a good rapport with the

student so that he can trust and canconfide in you. A person can be intodrugs for various reasons - problemsin the family, problems with peers,boredom, physical pain, etc. Drugabuse is the negative handling of hisproblems.

You need to talk with him, help himbe aware of his problems, listen tohim and give him time to open up.You need to tell him basically he is agood person and just the fact that hecame to you is a positive factor, andshows he wants to change for thebetter. This will help him boost his selfesteem.

At the same time gettingprofessional help for his addictionis very essential. Drug users oftenthink that they are managing theirdrug habit well and it is not anaddiction. Such people may not beaware of the fact, taking drugsfrequently as a means to cope withtheir problem shows something iswrong. At the same time thereneeds to be support from theirfamily for them to remainmotivated and stay drug free.

(Send questions on drug/alcohol/smoking addiction to:

newsfront@bhrikuti.com)

Listen to him, give timeCounseling by drug therapist, Ragina Shah

First, they burned jungles,cornfields and hungry huts.

Burnt cots, almirahs and clothes,and stumps of the remaining trees--the same ash seekers

Then they made our children carrythe ashes on their mule backs.

Again they burnt the wholelandscape--wheat fields, barns, andmy beautiful wooden house.

Slowly as we watched they burntthe whole village.

Powerless, this moment we standshivering in the cold

alone bare and barren in thisdeserted village.

-Padam Gautam, Joint Pain

The political fires flare up. Dreamsof dead ones and future of anarchyremains subject of the nation reelingunder the shadow of its ownmisfortune. Would peace ever returnto this Shangri-la?

Disgruntled citizens, corruption inrife in political circles and the nationburns. The lines of young poetPadam Gautam that I translated fromthe Nepali above mirror the sad stateof the polity now.

I remember what American poet

Wesley McNair said to me once: Do notsay much. Do not write too much. Wepoets do not have much to say aboutour woes, even about the woes of ourworld. So save it and write a poem.

True to my friend's conviction inNepal, it is the young Nepali poetswho seem to have saved theirbreaths to articulate the agony of thisnation in most concentrated forms. Itis poetry here that seems to speak ofthe contemporary chaos moresuccinctly. Not the fiction that speaksof the song of the sadness of thepeople suffering in this endlessinferno with alarming depth.

The best that there is availabletoday in Nepali literature is in poetry.In spite of the big news that the worldpublishing scenarios seem to begiving, the best about the soul ofNepal can be found in poetry.

Even though most of our poetspublish their own works, they are

compelled to distribute it free of costas only a few buy the poetrycollections. Even though there is noproper poetry publisher to promote it;poetry in this tumultuous Himalayannation thrives. For poetry is the onlyway one has to overcome thesadness that the contemporarypolitical chaos imposes on theaverage Nepalis.

The fiction writers, especially storywriting , remains under the influenceof obscurantist theorists senselesslyparroting post modern,deconstructionist aesthetics evenwithout properly understanding it.The Nepali fiction has come underthe frivolous influence of universityteachers trying to shape theirnarratives in light of what was popularin American universities in eighties.

The actual fact of this nationwaking from the stupor of middleages into the chaos of moderncentury hardly bothers them. As theyintend to startle their students withtheir academic ingenuity, the real lifedrama of Nepali mountains appearsremote to them.

(The writer can be reached atwriter@yuyutsu.de)

Nepali gloomNepali fiction has come under the frivolous influence of universityteachers trying to shape their narratives

ä Yuyutsu RD SharmaPashupatinath, Nepal’s Hindushrine abounds with differenttemples, images and inscriptions.Pashupati is a cauldron of pilgrims,hymns, bodies being cremated,yogis and devotees. Shiva, one ofthe three supreme Gods inHinduism stands on the banks ofBagmati River in easternKathmandu. The revered tworoofed pagoda temple is repletewith sparkling roofs, silver doors,and captivating wood carvings.Shiva’s transport, a bull (Nandi) sitsright in front of the main temple.

A world heritage site, Pashupatiis believed to have been built atthe beginning of Licchavi period inthe 4th century. The temple wastotally destroyed during Moghulinvasion in the valley in 1349 AD.The temple standing today wasconstructed in late 17th century.Only Hindus and Buddhist areallowed inside the temple, aregulation made after the Musliminvasion, and is still practiced.

The tradition of offering wealthand land to the temple by kings ofdifferent dynasties made it therichest temple in Nepal. Pashupatiwas revered as the patron ofNepal when Nepal was a HinduKingdom, with a long history ofreligious harmony and tolerance.In the main sanctuary, replaced in14th century is a Chaturmukhlinga(four faced phallus) carved on ablackish stone. Early Aryansworshipped Shiva in the form ofRudra and later as Lingam.

Legend says Lord Shiva grewbored in Mt. Kailash with hisworldly assignments, armies ofghosts and spirits and hischarming wife Parvati. Heplanned to tour alone and theplace he chose was Pashupati.He enjoyed life incognito as adeer in Slesmantak forest.Because of the universalimbalance in Shiva’s absence, hewas located in this area andthereby named Pashupati,meaning the lord of animals.Shiva is believed to be able todestroy anything or every evilforce either with his trident or histhird eye. In his devotees, hedestroys their ignorance.Worshipping Pashupati isbelieved to release a devoteefrom cycles of rebirths.

With around 50 temples

around the main Pashupati temple,the whole complex looks like anopen religious museum. Ritualbathing in Bagmati, is consideredequivalent to having a bath in theGanges in India; although today,the quality of water is extremelypoor to say the least. A seniorcitizens’ home stands a stone’sthrow away from the temple.

The temple of Guheshworinearby is dedicated to Shiva's firstwife Satidevi. Other temples such asGorakhanath, Viswaroop,Bacchareswori, Ram temple,

Vishnu’s terracotta image, Brahmaimage and a 6th century image ofBuddha are within walking distance.

Shivaratri, the night of Shiva, isthe special day for Shiva worship-pers when thousands of devoteesqueue up to worship the deity.Religious functions, hymns andcultural programmes are held inthe complex round the clock. Teejis another special day whenwomen visit the temple; wearingonly red and they fast, pray, singand dance for good life andlongevity of their husbands.Ekadashis, Maghe sakranti,Chaturdashi, Kushe aunshi arespecial days when devotees throngto the temple.

Half naked Sadhus orrenunciates try and imitate thelegendary Shiva. They cover theirbodies in ashes with minimalclothing and are sometimes seensmoking marijuana and poseunbelievable postures and try toimpress their audience. On thebanks of Bagmati are raisedplatforms or Ghats for cremation.Cremation pyres are erected atfive levels symbolising the return ofthe five cosmic elements so as toliberate the dead of all what he/shehad received from the world.

Although a world heritage site,Pashupatinath lacks facilities fordevotees such as a clean river,safe drinking water and cleantoilets. A lot still needs to be doneto preserve this magical religioussite; especially in terms ofcleanliness and raising awarenessamong the visitors so that theytreat the site with respect andreverence. Only then can themagical place be preserved forfuture generations.

(The writer can be contacted at:nte@mail.com.np)

Shiva’sdwelling

ä Pramesh Pradhan

A lot moreneeds tobe done topreservethis magi-cal reli-gious site.

Mountain view from a village in Syangja, Nepal. - Sushma Amatya

INSIGHT

24-30 Sept, 200712 Meditation

The attractive arrays of fancyyoga products that we find thesedays in global markets indicate itsworldwide popularity, acrossculture and age. These productsare designed to cater to varioushuman needs ranging fromhealth, fitness and glamour tosport like golf. Yet one canwonders, how could an ancienttradition like yoga be compatiblewith the needs of our modernlife?

We hear from our elders thatyoga is a traditional science. Itsregular practice can help us toharmonise body and mind, thusguaranteeing a better physicaland mental well-being. Is it true?

With this in mind, let us reviewhow scientific is this ancientwisdom of yoga. Patanjalipresented integrated yoga morethan 2500 years ago as a way topromote and protect humanhealth. Although Patanjali haddescribed eight interactivepractices under integrated yoga,they can be organised into threemain categories, namely, physicalpostures, breathing exercises andmeditation.

Yogic physical postures:The yogic postures are of severaltypes. They are mainly designedto improve the musculoskeletaland several organs’ functions likeheart, lungs, liver and gas-trointestinal tracts includingreproductive organs. Studies onnormal individuals have indicatedthat a regular practice of yogicpostures leads to decrease in thepulse rate, blood pressure,respiration and body weight,including improvement ofpsychological intelligence andmemory quotient.

The biochemical examination ofthe blood of these individuals hasshown decrease in blood sugarand serum cholesterol, and a rise

in serum protein level. Furthermore,hormones secreted by thyroid,adrenal glands, including sex glandswere also found increased in thepractitioners of yogic postures.

Breathing exercise: This is animportant part of yoga, and a key toobtaining optimal wellbeing. Likepostures, many types of yogicbreathing exercises are described.Basically, these breathing exercisesare meant to optimally aerate everycells and molecules of our body withlife force-the oxygen, while takingall the toxins and tensions out fromour body system. Regular practiceof yogic breathing has shown asimilar positive biochemical resultsas that of yogic postures, exceptthat the fall in serum cholesterolwas much more marked than that in

the exercise.

Meditation: Meditation is a highlydeveloped form of mental training.This is to positively steer the variousfunctions of body and mind. Regularmeditation helps us to graduallydevelop control over the variousinvoluntary functions of body andbrain such as heart beating, fooddigestion, and oxygen absorptionfrom lungs including the variousemotions. Patanjali has describedeight steps of meditation to achievethe ultimate goal of superconciounessstate.

Vipassana, a popularly practicedmethod in Nepal, is one of the severalmethods described by the ShakyaMuni Buddha. Founded on experien-tial knowledge, Vipassana, like other

Buddhist meditation, allows us torecognise and control various positiveand negative emotions and thoughtsas they arise. This gradually helps usto take “action in awareness” ratherthan just reacting. There is no betterexample of applied form of, “action inawareness’ than that of Tiger Woods,the invincible world champion of golf.Once in an ABC- TV interview, TigerWoods while crediting his mother forpassing on him the meditation,confided, “I use my mind as my mainasset.”

To this effect, a recent groundbreaking collaborative scientificstudy between neuroscience andBuddhism has shown that deliber-ate mental training can bring aboutobservable changes in the humanbrain (2007, Sharaon Begley,Train

Your Mind, Change Your Brain).It testifies what the Shakya MuniBuddha has been teaching ussince the last 2500 years. Itshows that brain changes canbe generated by pure mentalactivity. That means mind-meditation can change brains,how people think can reallychange their brains.

These findings combined withthe recent discovery in neuro-science that adult brain retains theability to change its structures andfunctions (neuro plasticity) throwsa new light in our understandingof meditation and its role in themanagement of associated mentalhealth problems like, depression,obsessive compulsive disorder(OCD),and brain damage from astroke and others.

We find now that the tradi-tional science of yoga that wasfounded on thousands of yearsof experiential knowledge isscientifically valid. There arescientific explanations as to whyregular practice of yoga couldprevent not only the occurrenceof various physical and psycho-somatic disorders, it improvesability to cope stresses moreeffectively, promotes musculosk-eletal & neurological functionsdespite the aging. Thus, yogastands as one of the safest,easiest and least expensiveways of promoting and protect-ing one’s physical, mental andsocial wellbeing.

Developing an optimallyfunctioning body and brain doesnot usually require some high techfancy medical interventions andhospitals or expensive medicines.It can come from a smart life stylechoice we make early on. Yoga isone of such modern life choice.But it takes our personal effortsand commitment to co-opt it intoour daily life activities –as a markof a modern Nepali. ä

Can yoga be amodern life choice?

Yoga Master SwamiRamdev in Kathmandu.

ä Dr. Rita Thapa(Former WHO staff)

Bhas

hwor

Ojha