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| paramendra | Posted
on 02-Aug-02 09:22 AM
http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/nepal.html http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/sadbhavana.html http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/eth.html http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/congress.html http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/bnks.html |
| Biswo | Posted
on 02-Aug-02 05:58 PM
It was a rewarding experience to read Paramendraji's views. A vision for Nepal is worth reading and thinking about. ---- I would like to make some records straight, however. I think if we start from wrong assumption, we will end up with wrong solution. Nepal, a country of all of us, needs harmony, and proven solutions should be applied to increase and maintain this. First of all, Sadvabana Party , despite its national status, is an opaque organization and , frankly, I know more about Masal than Sadvabana, blame me for this partially but Sadvabana should be blamed equally too. For example, their insistence on speaking Hindi. Other leaders speak Hindi etc when they go to Terai because they think that is how they can better express their views. But Sadvabana leaders want to speak in HINDI in KATHMANDU where people speak Newari or Nepali. It just doesn't make sense. It is like, we dont' care about others, we are going to address to our own people only and that's , my friend, a narrow mindedness. Another thing is Sadvabana failed to impress me with its intraparty squabbling. Its MPs were one of the most notorious ones in parliament. Wasn't the guy who was basically a trigger happy one the MP from Sadvabana? Why should we believe Sadvabana is gonna do better for Teraibasi? I don't think even Teraibasi are impressed either. I am going to support any Teraibasi party if it is genuinely concerned with the welfare of Teraibasi. We are all Nepali. I listen news about faeces feeding of old women in the name of Boksi, and I hear abuse of women re dowry. We urgently need mechanism to reach out to those folks, uplift their condition. But I reject the notion that nation's wealth is limited to bahuns/newars only. Maarwari community is pretty well off. If there was any design to treat Teraibasis as subjugated second class people, then it would not be that way, I guess. Now, the latest I heard from Sadvabana is they were gonna stage some strike about gerrymandering. But what Sadvabana (and paramendraji) fail to understand is Terai is getting 90+ seats not because there is a grand design to disenfranchise Teraibasi, but there is a well placed policy to change the representative. I would like to refresth the rule here for those who are interested. Each time the general election is scheduled, a comittee is formed, which will look at the population of each district. A national population is divided by 205, and those district which have less population are given one seat. This year, 8 districts qualified for that. The rest of population is divided by the rest of available seats (197 in this case). I do think that we were expecting Moran's one seat to go down, and Kailali's seat to go up, but I think they changed one seat of Udaipur or something like in east, and added up to one.(I am sorry I forgot the district's name). It was minor mistake, I think, but may I be I read the census wrongly. So, where is wrong with this system? Do we want Dolpa etc to be pratinidhi bihin? and add one seat to Saptari in whim? I think it is important that educated people like Paramendraji be lenient to the majority he wants to rule in future. I was also appaled by his use of derogatory terms to people who were settled in Terai later. My parents moved to Terai in search of opportunity, and they didn't go there to grab lands, and kill aborigines. Survival in mountain was very difficult , and they flocked en masse to Terai looking for better opportunity. They were poor, uneducated and powerless people. They did what they were supposed to do. They struggled for survival, searched good opportunity.This is a normal human nature, and I assume that is why Paramendraji is in US too. This kind of accuastion behooves to someone else, not Paramendraji or others who are going to lead the nation in future. Social harmony is the most important thing. We are already going through mass murder in Nepal now, and we should not try to repeat it in future. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 03-Aug-02 10:55 PM
Responses to Biswo http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/sadbhavana2.html 
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| Biswo | Posted
on 04-Aug-02 01:09 AM
Paramendra, I still fail to grasp your reasoning for 103 seats to "Terai'. Please tell me how would you divide 205 seats then? Please show me the holes in our present constituency determination system that I wrote in my reply. Our problem in Rolpa/Dolpa is actually more severe than Terai's. They can't be made representativeless. Yes, Terai is poor,and there is no way Terai needs more attention. But, Pahaad is in longer negligence. If you compare Terai with Pahad, Terai is just way better. I think there is definitely a medi bias against Sadvabana. I think part of the reason is Sadvabana itself too, because Sadvabana needs to woo the media. It is Sadvabana who needs media, not the other way around. Paramendra, I wish the problem of Nepal is that simple, a problem of conquered vs conquestadors. It is not. It is more byzantine than that. No Pahadiya has any agenda against Teraibasi, and no Teraibasi is organizationally against Pahadiya. The fact is , our country is poor, for whatever reason, and in a country, where until 2046, nation's export business was in the hands of 28 families, there is simply not enough pie for everyone. We all feel suppressed, being a Pahadiya , I do too. In Sajha, since you are a new visitor, so you will find gradually that we here are basically hurling invectives against Nepal's rulers, and this site is popular because visitors basically agree with what is written in this Kurakani. Maoist acitivity was also a result of a group of disgruntled people. (Some say it was a revolt of Magar etc, No, definitely not, it was a revolt of ideologically maddened blind group of disgruntled people). The solution lies elsewhere, rather than in carving up Nepal in federation of statecraft or in enshring a language aloft in constitution. By the way, I can click to the hyperlinks, and I like your trademark signature (of posting your pics) :-) |
| paramendra | Posted
on 04-Aug-02 11:18 AM
Biswo: (1) Thanks for taking the time. (2) 103 seats for the Terai. Democracy is about one person, one vote, it is not about saying, okay, I think the Terai is better off, and so they should have lesser representation politically. The MPs are national figures. My suggestion is as follows: look at the country as one unit, divide it into equal populations-size constituencies, and have elections. Forget the district boundaries when carving out constituencies. And, don't have gerrymandering. (3) Media bias. The Sadbhavana can do a better job, true. But the media bias is much stronger. The media is dominated by those same groups that dominate the politics. (4) Poverty is the number one, number two, number three issue in Nepal. I have always maintained that. And it is pointless to argue as to which group in poorer, the Teraiwasi villagers, or the Humla folks, although the poverty in the remote mountain districts is the greatest of anyplace else, true. Most Nepalese are poor, period, Terai, Pahad or Himal. I agree with you on this. (5) "......The solution lies elsewhere, rather than in carving up Nepal in federation of statecraft or in enshring a language aloft in constitution....." I am less cynical. I think the system can be made better, and be made to deliver. If the right people go in with the right attitudes, with broad participatory appeal. (6) About posting my picture with my postings, thanks for having a different view, but most people who have commented don't seem to like the idea. They say I am being an exhibitionist. No, I am not. I am just trying to use the web as a medium for a conversation, and am trying to make it as "real" as possible. My real name, with a face. You have the option to visit my personal website and get to know me better, if you want to. A chiya pasal environment. I wish more people did what I am doing, that way we will get to know the participants better, and we would miss less our geographical distances. (One guy actually wrote a poem about my "narcissistic" tendencies!) 
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| paramendra | Posted
on 04-Aug-02 11:38 AM
A Vision For Nepal Paramendra Bhagat June 3, 2002 I have bounced around these ideas during my years politicking in Nepal, 1993-1996, and later on at online forums like TND and the SEBS website before. This is a summary that I would like to present and modify after future discussions. There is a school of thought that says, stop preaching, instead go "back" and do "something." That is a primitive way to look at the situation. The world of ideas is a necessary precondition to a world of action. I believe it helps to hold discussions, bounce around ideas. And the online world makes that possible. Let's make use of it. In order of importance: (1) Lead the Nepalese economy towards rapid economic growth. Participate in global trade talks so as to shape just free trade. One where there is "free trade" for sectors of the economy where the rich nations have an edge, but those sectors where the poor nations might have an edge is protected is unfair. Shape globalization where human capital is the center piece of action. And not an after-thought to capital and technology. Move towards a South Asian economic union as the best way out of Nepal's land-lockedness but in a way that preserves and enlivens the country's diverse cultural heritage. Emphasize the country's hydro-electric potential, and environmentally and culturally sustainable tourism. For a possible shift from an economy dominated by agriculture to one where the service sector is the largest. To work towards a macro economic climate that unleashes enterprise. (2) Reach out to those living below the poverty line with the fruits of the economic growth thus attained, engineer lavish investments in human capital. Secondary education and primary health care for all. To be paid for by revenues generated by the enhanced economic activities of the private sector. Implementing the concept of life-long learning. Widespread adult-literacy programs. Lunch-at-school programs. (3) Rid the governmental structure of corruption. Put in place clear anti-corruption laws that ensure a transparent government. An independent, strong body that enforces the anti-corruption laws. Laws to make campaign contributions to political parties transparent and limited. An independent, strong body to conduct fair elections and to enforce the campaign finance laws. For all legal purposes, define the royal family only to mean the monarch's immediate family. (4) Wage political and legal struggles for women's rights. Abolish the following blatantly sexist laws and put in place those that are not: Immediately after descending from the womb, a son shares equal rights with the father to the property owned by the family. To be able to do the same the daughter has to meditate upto the age of 35, unmarried! Even after that, should she decide to get married, her property thus acquired automatically goes to her brothers. If the brothers choose to partition the family property before their sister reaches that dangerous age of 35, she gets no share. A married woman cannot claim for partition until she is 35 and has been part of the marriage for a minimum of 15 years. But first prove you are not being provided with food and lodging! Even if you somehow manage to acquire property after the hurdles race fundamentally hostile to you, you have no right to manage it. A male head of the family may, at any time he wishes to and without consulting the wife, unwed daughter above the dangerous age of 35 if there is, or daughter-in-law, dispose the entire movable and upto half of the immovable property. A woman or unmarried daughter, on the other hand, needs the permission - the holy permission - of her son or father, before she may dispose more than half of her immovable property acquired through partition. When the male head of the family dies, the grandson is favored over the daughter for the inheritance of family property. Let your dear father alone, you may not inherit your dear mother's earnings either, if she happens to have any, that is. The father or your brothers are most probably still alive! The daughter or daughter-in-law may not inherit the tenancy rights of her father's or father-in-law's land. What happens when there is no male in the family to inherit the tenancy rights? The legal system of this country has no answer. Men may adopt children on whim. Women also may adopt children, but not if the husband is alive or there or there is a son from a co-wife. The woman is covered from head to foot under the law on adultery. If it is proven the woman had slept with another man or if she even confesses to that effect in court, as many women are forced to do, the marriage legally terminates. Men? They are made up of some very different protein. Under certain conditions - if the first wife is barren, has an incurable communicable disease, or otherwise has physical "defects" - he can even have a second wife : permanent adultery under the same roof! If the first husband is sterile, impotent, disabled or suffering from an incurable disease, the woman cannot get a second husband for herself. If she is foolish enough to dare to do that, she gets imprisoned. The husband can choose to prosecute both the wife and the lover. Both can be punished. If the husband dies before or after conviction, the charges are dropped off the lover. He is released. He is a man. The wife does not get this favor done to her. She happens to be a woman. Should a male Nepalese get himself a wife from another country, she is readily awarded with Nepal's citizenship. If a female Nepalese marries a male foreigner, he dare not ask for a citizenship card. A married woman may not go for foreign travel without the written consent of her guardian. A married man, on the other hand, does not need such permission from his "guardian" or wife. A Nepalese man's child is a citizen of Nepal, but a Nepalese woman's child fathered by a male from another country, has to live in Nepal for 15 years before he or she can claim to be a citizen of Nepal. 
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| paramendra | Posted
on 04-Aug-02 11:38 AM
(5) Participate in and lead the struggle waged by the madhesi and the janajati communities to attain equality and dignity. A federal form of government: Eastern Hills, Western Hills, Eastern Plains, Western Plains, Kathmandu Valley. A tri-lingual education policy, so that the first language of a child is one of their subjects at school all the way through 12 years of high school, Nepali as the second language, for those who have it as their first language, any other language spoken in Nepal as their second language, and English as the third language. Other than that, the private schools may teach other subjects in English if they might so with, and the public schools may do the same in Nepali. For higher education, each instition makes its own decision for the language of instruction. This will result in some local governments operating on a bi-lingual basis. For example, Kathmandu, Newari and Nepali. Janakpur, Maithili and Nepali. Birgunj, Bhojpuri and Nepali. Recognize Hindi to be the link language in the Terai. Grant citizenship certificates to all the 3.3 million legible - as recognized by the government itself - citizens. An en masse enlisting of the Teraiwasis in the Royal Nepalese Army and the State Police. All parliamentary constituencies demarcated based on equal population. Stop calling Nepal a "Hindu" nation in the constitution. (6) Engineer the Dalit community's entrance into the nation's mainstream with active Dalit political leadership. Scholarships in all educational institutions for those of the Dalit background. Job quotas in all government job sectors for those of the Dalit background. Strong laws against casteist harassments in all public and private places. Anti caste-discrimination laws. (7) The Maoist Insurgency: I think it is at best a protest movement that is getting killed poor people on both sides. And hence largely futile. Not constructive. Their grievances are just, but their methods heinous, and they offer no viable alternative. Communism belongs in the dustbins of history. The key thing here is that the violence has to stop. It would be great if they could come on to national stage through elections. The solution has to be two-pronged. (1) There has to be a decisive attack on state corruption. And an honest attack on poverty. (2) The Maoist violence has to be brought to an end. (8) Nepali Congress: Deuba's ouster reminds me of when Gajendra Narayan Singh ousted Hridayesh Tripathy from the Sadbhavana. I was there. Actually working with Tripathy. I supported Tripathy's moves. I believe people like Girija Koirala should be awarded some kind of a democracy medal and subsequently sidelined. Koirala is a warrior for democracy whose time is up. He has not much to offer to the country's economic growth. On the other hand, the Sadbhavana will reap direct benefits should the Congress split. So such a development, though not inevitable, might not be altogether bad! |
| paramendra | Posted
on 04-Aug-02 11:40 AM
Tackling Ethnic Issues In Nepal Paramendra Bhagat August 1, 2002 I suggest a three-pronged strategy: Admit that the problem exists, and that there is a continuum from the past that supports the current inequities. Nuru Lama's article in the Nepali times begins thus: "Ten years ago, I was at the Foreign Ministry to request a change on my passport. Restless and beaten by the heat, I waited in queue for the concerned officer to show up. “He should be here any minute,” said the guard. He finally appeared, a diminutive bahun with a gaunt, cross face. "A few minutes later, a man carrying a motorcycle helmet came through the door and went straight in. When I alerted helmet-man of the existence of a queue, the officer stared at me and barked, “Ta bhote, bhadta janne hunchas?” I have no appetite for racial insults, and ten years ago I was a feisty teenager. Even so, I quietly submitted to the officer’s authority since I needed to get my work done. " People who have stories like this one should come up with them, wether or not they have been at the receiving end. You need to show that you know some of how it feels to be a Teraiwasi or a Himali or a SeTaMaGuRaLi in Nepal. Ethnicist epithets against the Teraiwasis - "madisey," "dhoti" - are the staple of Kathmanduites. Admit. Admit if you have or are in a habit of uttering those epithets. Words matter. Attitudes matter. Those are what prejudices are made out of. Those utterances are the tip of the iceberg. The iceberg is the institutional bias against the same groups. I was disappointed with some of Nuru Lama's conclusions: "The Ranas and the chettris in the Royal Nepal Army, Newars and Marwaris in businesses, Sherpas in mountaineering, Gurungs in missionary armies are some other well-known cases." There is a naive appeal to the heart, as in let's all just get along, everything will be alright. Towards the end, he is almost defending the "bahuns." Defending from whom? From those who have been marginalized for centuries? I am a fervent believer in non-violent ways, but not a stickler for shava shanti. Let the debates rage. People need to talk and do so fearlessly. Observations have to be made. Ideas thrashed. That there are definite legal/legislative initiatives that have to be taken. We need a federal form of governance. We need to stop calling Nepal a Hindu nation, because Nepal is a state, not a nation, it is many nations, and not all Nepalese citizens are Hindus, thank god, me among them: I coverted to Buddhism because it has all the plus that Hinduism has, none of the minuses, plus some more pluses of its own, and I needed to make a definite statement against the Hindu caste system. We need parliamentary constituencies that are of equal population. One person, one vote. A greater institutional respect for the many languages. I prefer a tri-lingual policy. Please see those outlined in another article: A Vision For Nepal. Most important, the SeTaMaGuRaLi need to come en masse to align electorally with the Sadbhavana. Yeah, become Sadbhavana voters. People like Nuru, a Sherpa, and me, a Teraiwasi, need to see we are political allies. It is not possible for a Janajati to agitate against injustices against them and still buy into the anti-Terai prejudices of many hillsfolks. The much arduous task of social transformation. We SEBSers have an advantage here. We know each other personally. We are from varied backgrounds. That helps. That spirit has to be spread widely. That way tendencies to demonize unknown people(s) are thwarted. We need to socially continue to interact across the various ethnic backgrounds. |
| Gokul | Posted
on 04-Aug-02 08:35 PM
Paramendra, I am really amazed that at such a tender age, you have read, written, and thought so much. I am also impressed by your zeal and indomitable spirit. Keep the good work going. Regarding your posting in Sajha, I find them overwhelming (both in terms of size and subjects). Instead of posting everything at once, if you initiate a topic and then stimulate the discussion, I think more people will participate as that makes it more spontaneous. "I coverted to Buddhism because it has all the plus that Hinduism has, none of the minuses, plus some more pluses of its own, and I needed to make a definite statement against the Hindu caste system." Impressive. What you do is more important than what you have become and I hope you are guided by the positive energy and not by vengeance and negativity. May you be the Ambedkar of Nepal. |
| GeoGods | Posted
on 04-Aug-02 09:40 PM
Para wrote on BKNS: In the long run, I hope the school becomes truly national. As in half male, half female. Half from the mountains and hills, and half from the Terai. The Kathmandu valley has 5% of the nation's population, and so the school should have a student population not more than 5% Kathmandu. Possibly move on to have one from each district every year. Have admission tests taken in every district. Para, you wrote at the beginning like: talk should be such that it can be materialized and should not be theoretical. Here, you fail to realize the importance of "Have admission tests taken in every district. " How many students does BKNS admits everyyear? 100? 200? 500? 750? under its quota for poor but talent students ? Do you know how much resource you need to fulfil your dream of having tests taken in every disctrict? Who is going to bear the cost, to find a lucky student out of several thousand students from one district? I don't see any sense on your dreams, except cheap slogan. How many Budha graduates today serve Nepal? I consider them as lucky to get admitted into the school as if lottery winner, and nothing more. Lets not forget that because of Budha, country forgot the rest poor students? BNKS was a mistake to tell Nepali peoples that it has opened opportunities to poor but talent Nepali kids, it opened opportunities to only few lucky kids. Instead of making BNKS alone, our education system would have been designed to accomodate all kids. It is said that, recently, the selections / admissions in Budha is getting better and fair, but for me its just a school like an elite private school in Kathmandu. You are still dreaming to use national resource to find a lottery winner from each district. My suggestion to BNKS, if you guys are really proud of being a lottery winner about 20years back, than, you better propose a completely new education system handled and monitored by BNKS graduates. Let it finally goes to other public schools at large. In this sense, you can propose to have one BNKS school in each district at first, then, you make a pyramid type of schools from primary to middle to high and finally to college and university. Unfortunately, BNKS graduates like any other Private school graduates, are self centered, that they want to hear their schools name talked in TV, radio, newsmedia, to public's mind, but, they never think how to reach to common public. Therefore, I suggest you to introduce BNKS education model, and let schools buy your model, and license it to them, and you can use the cost of monitoring the use/application of your model in that school using the license fees, "well, someone has to pay the cost, right? so you cover it from licensing. Only thing you should avoid is making money (as it happens in Private schools in Kathmandu, or distributing bonus) out of the licensing cost". If your school is affiliated with Cambridge Univ. why don't you think of making BKNS a cambridge of Nepal to many public schools outside Kathmandu ....................... Let them buy or adopt your curriculum and become affliated with BNKS. GeoGods |
| Mitra 2 | Posted
on 05-Aug-02 08:45 AM
Paramendra ji, If your suggestion were followed, my home district Sankhuwa-sava would end up with 1 constitiency. Sankhuwa-sava is one of the biggest and remote Himalayan districts of Nepal. Govt recently started building motor roads in our district. It takes 7-10 days just to reach the district headquarter from many VDCs. This is just an example and I’m sure Dolpa is even worse. Since we are talking about sending representatives to the parliament, would it be practical for a MP to visit the whole district on foot (god knows it takes forever) and represent the burning issues of our villages? Since you fail to understand what Biswo said earlier, I thought you might be interested to know more (geographic location, lifestyle, and what not!) about hilly districts. Here are a couple of news articles about my home district, fyi. I'm sure, now you would give a second thought to your number 103. http://arunvalley.com/life.shtml http://arunvalley.com/info.shtml http://arunvalley.com/more_info.shtml Paramendra wrote: “103 seats for the Terai. Democracy is about one person, one vote, it is not about saying, okay, I think the Terai is better off, and so they should have lesser representation politically. The MPs are national figures. My suggestion is as follows: look at the country as one unit, divide it into equal populations-size constituencies, and have elections. Forget the district boundaries when carving out constituencies. And, don't have gerrymandering.” |
| paramendra | Posted
on 06-Aug-02 10:59 AM
Gokul, thank you for your kind words and suggestions. I have by now posted articles in full, as opposed to offering only links. As for Ambedkar, with all due respect, there can only be one of him. And I think a big part of his image is that he is a "Dalit" which I am not. But I would support any Ambedkar-wanna-be in all ways I can. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 06-Aug-02 11:09 AM
GeoGods, you make pertinent points. (1) I agree with you that it might not be practical to hold admissions tests in every district. An important practical point. (2) "How many Budha graduates today serve Nepal?" If your reference is to those who graduated from BNKS, came to the West for their higher education, and never went "back," I will have to let each such person answer for themselves, and I will have to extend the net to all Nepalis, BNKS background or not. On the other hand, there are many BNKS graduates who have been making steady headway in various aspects of Nepali life. It will be a while before you will hear of more prominent achievements. But then you have introduced a major topic, the so-called "brain drain." And I would like to see many people comment on that. I am no expert on the topic, nor have I discussed it with many. I do think, though, that "serving Nepal" has to be more than "going back." The politics and the bureaucracy suffocates those who are talented and hardworking, but who would rather steer clear of both. On the other hand, maybe, the country needs help to clean up that same politics stuff. There are many whose familial circumstances tell them to make way in this land of opportunity. As in, coming to America is just another step in career advancement. "..... its just a school like an elite private school in Kathmandu......" I can see why you would say that, and I agree with you to a large extent, but not all the way. ".....why don't you think of making BKNS a cambridge of Nepal to many public schools outside Kathmandu ....." Your words are visionary, and I hope they bear fruit. Let's keep talking. And I hope more people participate to finutune the details. |
| GeoGods | Posted
on 06-Aug-02 07:05 PM
Para, Thanks for your admissions and inputs. I know there are some BNKS OBs back to Nepal and working there. I am quite positive that BNKS OBs can contribute to Nepal much better than any Private schools in Nepal, and the very first reason is that more than half of total BNKS OBs come from rural areas who witnessed the poverty in Nepal's rural areas, whose relatives (including parents) live under extremely difficult economic situations. Well, peoples who graduated from elite Private schools in Kathmandu like St. Xaviers, Lab School, ... are like Lukhnow ka Nabab, who does not know the life of peoples in Nepali villages. If BNKS OBs work unitedly they can bring positive changes in education sectors, through the idea of introducing BNKS education model. You can start such model in phases and use BNKS OBs in monitoring the quality of schools, via internships to college level students in summer vacation. If you remember NDS Program that existed until 2036, had positive impact on schools that hosted NDS volunteers and on the other hand the NDS volunteers also learned several things which never knew, one of them is the poverty in rural areas. One typical case: in a farewell party to NDS participants, one female NDS participant said that she even did not how to put on light in the kerosine lantern. The Pradhan Pancha helped her on first night to put on light, and left her residence. Unfortunately, she also did not know how to put off the light when she wanted to go to bed, and for whole night until kerosine was finished continued and as you might know finally the glass of lantern got dark because of smoke. Next day, the Pradhan Pancha was laughing at her, while teaching her how to press the lever and Foooooooooooooooooooooooo.. If BNKS can initiate BNKS model education system, and open room for internship "like former NDS" to serve their affiliated schools, it will have two way impact. GeoGods. |
| Desh Bhakta | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 11:07 AM
My vision for Nepal ( Part 1) Universal healthcare Free Education 32 hours work week limited unemployment benefit 4 weeks mandatory paid vacation 2 weeks sick leave Retirement at age 60 Retirement pension for people 60 and above and much more goodies in life Time frame :15 years from implementation Cost: 50 Billion US$ Part 2: When I figure out the way to get $50 Billion There is hope out there for all. Desh Bhakta |
| paramendra | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 06:40 PM
Mitra 2: Thanks for taking the time to write what you have written. This now feels like dialogue. You have challenged a political stance I have held for a while, and have made me think. I appreciate that. And to let you know, I also went to http://arunvalley.com to read what was posted there. I don't have the fonts to read the other stuff you have suggested. But I did follow the links from the main page. Incidentally, my first dorm at the school in Kathmandu I attended was called Makalu! You have listened to what I have said. That is obvious. And then you have come up with counter arguments. That is wonderful. The important thing to me here is that you are not dismissing me outright, but are engaging in meaningful dialogue. A big, Himalayan district with no roads, almost. If we were to go back and forth like this, I am sure we will be able to come up with creative solutions to the issue. We might abandon the unfair arrangement, and come up with something that is not exactly what I suggested, nor what you wish to preserve, but a third, creative option which both of us can live with. Compromises can be worked out. Between the central and the local governments, arrangements can be made that are more equitable than what might be in place now. Let's keep talking. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 06:44 PM
GeoGods: I hope the BNKS graduates prove true, and don't end up disappointing you! And I see the limitations of the other private schools in Kathmandu, in that most of them are be-all, end-all in Kathmandu, but that does not have to be inhibitive. The program you refer to sounds like some kind of domestic "Peace Corps," a Nepali "Ameri Corps" of sorts, and I think that would be a wonderful idea, especially to counterbalance the criticism you make of the private schools in Kathmandu. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 06:45 PM
Desh Bhakta, an interesting take of the situation! |
| GeoGods | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 07:06 PM
When you are kid, you know very well that there is someone to fulfil your demands, thats why you keep on demanding whatever makes interesting to you. Kids want it, parents pay for it. But, when the same kids grows and become parent of next generation kids, and cycle repeats, s/he replies "Paisa rukh bata falcha ra? J bhanyo tyahi puryana sakchu ta ni maile?". The new parent forgets the way he used to demand things with his parents aout 2-3 decades back? No, s/he does not forget but realizes that how hard life his/her parents had to fulfil those demands s/he made at that time? In this thread too, I feel kids are demanding whatever they like, and they demands prove that they are really kids. Because they don't know how much resource your parents have? Well, its unfortunate that their parent is now not only poor, but, a poor guy who spends his daily wage in Jaad bhatti. Nepali Govt. earns some daily wages, but, all funnelled as if like a Jadyaha or Juwade parents. My suggestion to you is to learn not to be Jadyaha or Juhade like your national leaders are behaving now. Worst part of life is that its easy to say, but, its very difficult to do what you preach, because when you become adult and if you taste of 3J (Juwa, Jaad, and Janana), then, you will not less than your parents. Here, we are talking about politics and in politics "your parents " refers to current leaders in politics. Conclusion: the key player in every demand you make is degree of resource you own. Arabians have oil, they don't have to work, but, UAE or SA peoples don't have to work, but, poor villagers in Nepal, work very hard, but, they don't have enough food to satisfy their daily bottomline chalorie needs. So, brothers and sisters, look what is the level of your resource before you make demands, otherwise, you will become a bad kid who throws things here and there when his good parents who lack resources to fulfil demands eventhough they wanted. In Nepal, the mad kids in present day are ANNFSU students who get mad when their parents fail to fulfill, and one Akhile student in my campus smashed window of Dean's room, when Dean told that he does not budget to send us (450students) to India from Institute's money? Now, I wonder what that guy might be doing, who is now Subba level ko Jagire when his kids demand Yo kindeu u kindeu ... He might be smashing his kids' face, and bursting words "Tero bauko tetro talab chhara? mero masu katera hune bhe, la katera lagera bech ra ani kinera liyera aija ta tyo keho .... ?". Be wise and think of the resources you own before you dream. GeoGods |
| paramendra | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 07:13 PM
Nepali Politics: Supreme Court Sides With Deuba Now that the parliament can not be resurrected, and elections will be held, what's next? Will or will not Deuba get the tree (symbol) and the flag? |
| GeoGods | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 08:00 PM
Desh Bhakta wants: 1. Universal healthcare -------> Me too. Dream inside dream. -------> My suggestion, provide good / safe drinking water. 50% health problem is solved. I read a book on public resource management, to acheive 90% you may need only 10% of total cost of achieving 100% target. 2. Free Education ----> it should be there. Primary need. Not the ghokante education of this time. But, practical education. Free Education should until 10th grade and when you offer free education, there should be no FAIL/PASS. You attend school, you go to higher grades when next academic year starts. Make kids think positive, by erasing the word "FAIL" from free education sector till 16years. I call it primary education. -----> Secondary education: concentrate state money on providing secondary education towards semi-technicians. Should attract poor or lower middle class peoples and also, not very talented students here, who can spend whole working age in the profession they learned under this education. In the past, we had forestry, engineering, medicine targetted to produce technicians, but, everything failed, it was because all those who went to such schools were just using it as platform, and were in fact very talented and ambitious students. Once they completed their trainings, and joined work, after a couple of years, they moved to higher studies either in the same field or in other fields like commerce or MBA ... and finally, the investment on them was unproductive. The reason it failed was: it hired SLC passed students in First divisions. It would have been more concentrated in SLC failed students (but, SLC Test pass), so that they don't think of switching their profession, and government spending would have positive impact. Future plan should concentrate on such education, so that very few negligible technicians think of changing profession. Our education today is good for white collar kalam chalaune peoples. No one who passed SLC want to wear blue collar clothes. 3. 32 hours work week -----> What is the purpose of 32 hours work week. Are you clear in this dream. Well, it is possible in government sector in Nepal, because there is over employment. But, in private sector? Do you think it is possible? In Asia (in China), peoples are paid for 7 hours job, but, the workers are working from 7am to 7pm, and in documents they work 7 hours only. In competitive market, do you think the companies in production industry will have such a big margin of profit to allow your employees to have leave after 32 hours of work? Impossible. Be practical. In Nepal, these days, how many percentage of peoples those who work in private sector really hae guarantee of job for 1 complete year? (documented job: 9 to 5 pm). Even in engineering or medicine, the engineers or doctors don't have full paid jobs, can be fired at anytime, in fact working as if hourly paid salarymen. Thats why we have as many consulting companies and clinics as we have engineers or doctors. Its seasonal. We need to introduce laws to procted at least employees' basic right. 4. limited unemployment benefit. ----> UML introduce 100 rupees per month to 75years old peoples to get cheap vote in a country where average life is only 58years, below the official retirement age? Why they had 100 rupees? Its just vote, and they knew they did not have enough resource, so, they made us to laugh at them. 5. ===> 4 weeks mandatory paid vacation & 2 weeks sick leave ------> It comes again total profit margin vs working hours. In private sector, its impossible. Go and see Japan, it is said that they have many holidays. How many take it? Japan is 2nd economy in the world after USA. Total working hours vs total paid vacation outside weekends and public holidays. ----> if you can educate people and teach what is their responsibility. then, people will take sick leave when they are really sick. One Directory General (now) in Ministry of Finance, went to Bir Hospital without any health trouble (when he was section officer) , slept there for a week to get Birami Bhatta. Why did he do so? Because our education lacked lesson on Ethics. 6. Retirement at age 60 & Retirement pension for people 60 and above ----> Do you know what does retirement means? Can you offer real retirement to all peoples at the age of 60? Who is going to bear the cost of pension you propose? The peoples between 22 (univ graduate) to 60 age have to bear the total cost of pension plus the cost of parenting kids. Its huge cost. Of course its a good dream, but, real retirement is probably just a dream except to those who had high provident funds and high salaries. My father at the of 70 works all round the year as if he is in 20s to make his daily life comfortable (from 6am to 7pm). I wish your proposal implements as early as possible and relief him and let him feel that its time to really retire from regualr job. 6. and much more goodies in life ====> Lets dream. Dreaming is essential, peoples say if you don't dream you don't deserve. Only thing is we have to sort out our dreams, otherwise, we will turn out to be like Som Sarma who kicked his Pitho ko ghyampo and spread the saving and making satu useless. Our dream should be on how to generate resource, and then, make its optimum utlization. We are segregated into Bahun, Chhetri, Damai kami, gurung magar, taraibashi, pahad bashi, himal bashi ..... all because of lack of resources, especially, the cashable natural resource. GeoGods |
| GeoGods | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 10:50 PM
Para wrot: If we were to go back and forth like this, I am sure we will be able to come up with creative solutions to the issue. We might abandon the unfair arrangement, and come up with something that is not exactly what I suggested, nor what you wish to preserve, but a third, creative option which both of us can live with. Compromises can be worked out. Between the central and the local governments, arrangements can be made that are more equitable than what might be in place now. --- Here you speak what an educated guy supposed to be heading for a good leadership. Trying to create a new Nepal to house for everyone and if you continue with such vision, I am sure you will not leader of Tarai Bashi alone but of Nepalis irrespective of their origin, bhasa and cultures, and that is probably the biggest challenge for someone who wish to win election from Kathmandu Valley or more precisely from Chitwan. In Kathmandu too, sometime, slogans that consist of cultural segregation during election works very well, but, in Chitwan no one will win election by using profanity against any religion, caste, race, except political ideology. If someone wants to test to what degree he belongs to conglomerate Nepalis (not segregated), Chitwan is best place to go. I guess Chitwan has 100% education, both male and female: read and write english and devnagariki characeters. GeoGods |
| Biswo | Posted
on 07-Aug-02 11:53 PM
GeoGods, Thanks for your good words regarding Chitwan. I am from Chitwan, so I am kinda flattered by your comments. But I don't think Chitwan has 100% literary rate. My municipality (Ratna Nagar) had that 100% literacy drive some years ago, in which they taught even the old ladies who missed school in their childhood to read and write in Nepali. But I am sure far-flunged villages still have problems. But I am pretty sure Chitwane never voted , doesn't vote for religion, caste or anything except for extreme minorities.Elected officials (MP or Raa Pa Sa) include Bahuns, Newars, Janajati, women and native tharus.A liberal minded , tolerant person can always win the heart of local people. Re question of Paramendraji about new political scenario, I don't think there was ever any doubt about the decision from SC. (Yea, it is easy to say so after the verdict came out!) This decision may stem the flow of rats from Deuba's gang to Girija's party. May even attract some. I guess Election Comission is not gonna give Tree to anyone, there by leaving onus to Supreme Court again. (Oh, Given the omnipotence of SC,I so much wish I had enrolled in Law Campus, near Balmiki Campus after SLC.) UML as expectedly may win with shoestring majority. Deuba is likely to wrestle some votes, and seats, from mainstream NC. Sadvabana and RPP may get a few votes from NC again.I don't think Sadvabana is gonna gain any seat. I have talked to a lot of Madhesi friends, and they strongly resent both the venal Sadvabana leadership and their appeasement by establishment (government). A Tharu is not likely to join Sadvabana because nothing from Sadvabana slogans attracts it.RPP has , thanks to Surya Bahadur and Gyanendra's historical enmity, slowly realised that Panchayat is irreversibly over, and is likely to gain some more votes at this election from nostalgic voters who once turned to Congress in 2046 Chaitra. Small lefties will try to negotiate hardly with UML for some seats. They are like Tarkari Khariddar of Kaalimaati, they know they will never get good bargain, but they will do it hardly anyway. UML is gonna give a few seats to them 'generously'. Once the election is over, those small lefties who win with the help of UML will go vehemently against UML for the next four years. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Aug-02 08:41 AM
GeoGods' comments on Desh Bhakta's posting I found highly informative. In the message one finds a reflection of the "reality" in Nepal, and all that we might want, especially those of us who have seen better alternatives out in the West, as in why not Social Security, why not unemployment benefits? Not all is bad news. Within the framework of current budgets, policy alternatives can be suggested. And policy work is better when there are open debates, and competing thoughts come into play to look at proposals from various angles. And as the economy expands, the ability to propose more ambitious policies comes forth. I also liked his use of specific examples. Some from his personal life. Like the mention of his father. I was wondering if GeoGods lives in the US or in Nepal. And, thanks for your other kind words. I hope I some day deserve them. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Aug-02 08:53 AM
Biswo. I am glad this thread is gradually transforming into (1) general policy discussions, and (2) contemporary Nepali politics, especially when events are at a heightened stake. The "information" on Chitwan is interesting. I know people who still would like to move the capital to Chitwan. I am particularly interested in the example of the adult literacy program. That will have to incorporated into a broader philosophy of life-long education. About recent news, I guess Deuba got a first slam. And I just have no way to tell either way about the party flag and symbol. Maybe what you are suggesting will happen, as in neither will get them, and will have to come up with their own alternatives. What might those be, one wonders. So you think the UML will come to power on a slim majority. "I don't think Sadvabana is gonna gain any seat." You mean zero. You possibly think it will lose its national party status! I don't think you are even attempting to make an objective asessment. It is more like you wish that would happen. Plus, I think you are underestimating the vertical split in the Congress and its implications. What if the scenario is as follows: UML - 95, Congress (D) - 30, Congress (G) - 40, RPP - 25, Sadbhavana - 15. I am not sure that is what will come forth, but I am just trying to imagine the parliamentary arithmetic after that happens. In such a scenario, the UML might feel best partnering with the Sadbhavana, and what after that! How would you spread the numbers? |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Aug-02 09:10 AM
Bahuns and the Nepali state (revisited) It is unfair to blame everything on bahuns, or blame every bahun of wrong doing. by Nuru Lama Sherpa http://www.nepalnews.com.np/ntimes/issue104/comment.htm (26 July - 1 August) Tackling Ethnic Issues In Nepal Paramendra Bhagat August 1, 2002 http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/eth.html 
|
| Biswo | Posted
on 08-Aug-02 12:12 PM
Paramendra, I didn't mean 0 to Sadvabana.I meant 'increase' in its current number of seats when I said 'gain'. I don't wish "Sadvabana" to lose its national status. It requires a radical decrease in its votebank to lose that status, I think. I am not sure how many percentage of total vote it got in last election,I think it was around 5%, and to lose national status, its vote should be reduced by about 40%, which I don't think is likely.I am not against Sadvabana or any party. I just oppose some of the things that I don' t like about it. Your prediction may be correct. Since no official survey of voters is yet out, all we got to do is to guess. Will Himal-RPGMarg do the survey again? |
| bideshi | Posted
on 08-Aug-02 12:24 PM
Geogod,Paramendra How can u say that ST. Xavier's product are like lakhnau ka nawab!Com'n don't blame st. xavier's or such schools without knowing in detail or just just by knowing few people.I am really sad to know how u huys think u r the only true desh bhakta and know the fact about nepal an d nepali.U guys think u r the only people who r intelluctual.God bless people like u! |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Aug-02 12:46 PM
I would like to invite the Sajha audience to the SEBS website where there has been a raging debate on the topic of ethnics. http://www.sebsonline.org/forum/forum_view.asp?F=1&T=22221 http://www.sebsonline.org/forum/forum_view.asp?F=1&T=22504 |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Aug-02 05:14 PM
Ethnic Issues (II) Paramendra Bhagat August 8, 2002 http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/eth2.html Bahuns and the Nepali state by Nuru from Nepal Times (II) Topic started by Paramendra Bhagat on 8/8/2002 1:51:59 PM EST Since the original topic has been closed. For having over 100 messages. Well, I discovered Sajha.com on Friday, and have been there since. http://www.sajha.com/sajha/html/OpenThread.cfm?forum=2&ThreadID=6170 As for the comments here: nepali: "How many janajatis speak Hindi?" For the Janajati in the Hills, the link language is Nepali. And that is just fine. Thanks maximus fan for your stand against bigotry. fatichar: "What is the concept of a 'link language'? No where in the world have I seen this..." Several countries have multiple official languages, and they have that to make all citizens feel included. Switzerland has three national languages. And the Swiss seem to be doing just fine, don't you think? Now, are you throwing a lot with the Sadbhavana in Sarlahi this Mangsir, where it already is a force to be reckoned with, with the likes of Rajendra Mahato and Rameshwar Ray Yadav, both of which I had a chance to work with. Canada has French and English. "What about all the negative stereotypes we Terai people have about the hill people?" There is some of that. But it is not as wide or deep, and because the Teraiwasis are not in power, they can not institutionalize those prejudices to put the hillsfolks at a collective disadvantage. As Gajendra Narayan Singh said in 1990: "Pahadi raja ne pahadiyo ko prajatantra diya. Hame kya diya?" So you are a Madhesi yourself. That makes your stance interesting. I accuse you of internalized prejudice against the Teraiwasis. "In order to demand equality in any nation, I think all nations expect some commitment to that nation to some extent." That is what the Hindu supremacists in India demand of the minority Muslims. Sicko. Replies to the above topic: fatichar: "...Kalapani ... Treaties of 1950, Kosi, Gandaki, Tanakpur .... Regulation of the open border between Nepal and India ... What should Nepal's relation with India be...." Is it not interesting that all those "unequal" treaties you say Nepal has signed with India in the past were signed by the Kathmandu elites, not by the Madhesis who you basically accuse of being more with India than with Nepal, basically accusing of not being "patriotic" and hence not deserving of the full rights of citizenship in Nepal. The open border. I don't think it is India that is for the open border. It is Nepal. When India closed the border in the late 1980s - Rajiv Gandhi got pissed at King Birendra - you know what happened: you got multi-party democracy. The question is less what the relation ought to be, more what it is. Nepal is a land-locked country, practically engulfed by India on all sides, with massive people-to-people non-political contact. Why do you fantasize about curbing that? Nuru Lama: "...Such incidences are not as common as one would expect because mostly the authorities go unchallenged..." The Shahas, Ranas, and the Bahun-Chhetris are all the same. They have taken turns to power and denied the same to other groups. The solution is not anything anti-Bahun, but something that smacks of equality, equal opportunity regardless of background. I appreciate your supposed level-headed approach, but you end up saying not much. What you are saying is, there is a problem, but we don't need to do anything about it, other than what is already being done, as in hopefully more kids are going to school. "...From what i have known and seen, the bahuns are internally fractionalized (witness: struggles within and between parties, the maoists..) ..." There always have been raging debates in the US Congress, so that disproves the existence of racism!? "...I agree there are wide ethnic inequalities and pervasive ethnic stereotyping but not an agenda-based, conspiratorial, codified system to undermine the minorities...." In a country where the economy is largely informal, don't you think informal/social prejudices sting as bad? "....In fact, when confronted this way, the bahuns would develop a sharper sense of ethnic unity and given their hold of the state machinery, they would use it to suppress ethnic demands...." Don't complain too hard, or they will make things worse! Now come on. To sum it up, economic growth and educational expansion would be great and would help, but ethnic issues have to be addressed in their own right. Stop suggestions of trickle-down reductions in ethnicism. "...one day he may propose Patna as our capital city..." Well, considering Kathmandu currently does not act like it is the capital city of all Nepalis ... Language talk by others: The Ranas used to have Urdu plays in their courts. During the Malla era, Maithili came close to becoming the national language at one point. Yossarian: "..the people of the Terai want their long witheld access to realpolitik in Nepal. if 50% of a population is treated like second class citizenary, there are serious political issues to be resolved. and PLEASE!!! don't tell me the teraibasis aren't treated like that..." Thanks. "...Now, to get to you: why can't you accept a language as A TOOL FOR COMMUNICATION?? No! Maithili would not suffice to the needs of the people who speak Bhojpuri and Avadhi and Rajbanshi, but Hindi would. AND HINDI DOESNOT MEAN "INDIAN LANGUAGE." etymologically, it simply means 'language of the land east of the Sindhu river.' the ancient persians had no alphabet or character for the particular 'Sa' sound in Sindhu [although they had 6 different kinds of Sha], so they pronounced it Hindu [i believe there is a similar trait in some western dialects of Nepali too]. all land east of Sindhu became Hindustan for them. and the Hindus called their language Hindi. THERE WAS NO FREAKING INDIA THEN!!! .... so, if a particular language can cater to the needs of 50% of the modern Nepali population [and also the population with the largest growth rate], why does you bigot attitude have to oppose it? does India make your patriotic identity so insecure? i have been speaking in support of Hindi, a language, and You have been opposing India!! that is so ridiculous! plese take your insecurities elsewhere...." Thanks for making an attempt to help people understand Hindi and India are not one and the same thing. VisitingPoster: "...Go talk to a Kurd, go talk to a Bhutanese Nepali exile, go talk to a Palestinian refugee, and you will find out how cheaply you are using these words..." Someone understand the issue better abroad than at home. Change: "...If what you've been saying is true, then why 50% of Nepal's population can't start change? ...Why the heck they don't vote for the ones that represent their voices? ... It is incredible that even in these adverse social system all races have fared so well upto this point..." Your comment is positive. I believe in change as you suggest. Through their right to vote, the Teraiwasis now have the option for vote for the party that will truly represent them. Well, the Nepalis kept the Nepali Congress in the wilderness for 50 years before finally they got "enlightened" enough to usher in democracy. Similarly the civil rights struggle in the Terai will come around. Change will happen, I am hoping peacefully and through electoral politics. Define "fared so well!" Yossarian: "... it is considered a patriiotic virtue in Nepal to hate India...." Indophobia. Fear India. But you can't do jackshit about India. So hate the Teraiwasis who "look" like Indians to your bigoted eyes. That's what. Thanks Yossarian for speaking up. I appreciate that. You are an example that my voice is not against a Bahun or a Pahadiya but against injustice, as is yours. visitingImposter: "....all of you who think a "madhesi" or a "bhote" is unfairly victimized, are intelectuals of your caste who see opportunities at every racial epithet..... why do you forget about 85% of Nepalese that live under the poverty line and complain about how much it hurt your ego when someone called you a madhesi or a bhote..." On the other hand, we lucky few from disadvantaged backgrounds are people who have some idea why most people from our backgrounds have not been as "lucky" as us. And, if putting up with ethnicist/casteist insults would feed the hungry, I would invite showers of them, but the truth is it is that prejudice that is part of a larger belief system that makes sure little gets done in the way of poverty alleviation. And I am sick of people using the poverty in Dolpa to justify their bigotry. Yossarian: "...there are serious isues involved with the bahun-Chhetri dominated state and the society being prejudiced against dalits in every possible way..." Way to go. VisitingPoster: "...True sympathizers of Teraibasi know that Teraibasi don't care about Hindi. They care about their day to day business, their women suffering, they suffering from Indian dacoits, and they care about immunization...." I have friends from the Terai, and they move on when insulted in the streets, they put up with it, and economic growth is all we need! Give me a break. "....I dont' give a damn about Hindu or Hindi or whatever your baggage is. I care about my country and my people...." Define "my country," and define "my people." Obviously you don't include the Madhesis. "....the day Teraibasi vote overwhelming for "Hindi" language, come to me, and I will be the first one to support that...." That is all you need to do. That is it. Yossarian: "...i have been told by many teraibasis in my conversations with them that Hindi would greatly benefit them in many ways..." conclusor: "...7. Whatever Bhagat says are not right..." Not a particular point(s), but "whatever!" VisitingPoster's personal attack of Yossarian is despicable. VisitingPoster: "...I have more Teraibasi friends that probably a lot of you guys..." Who is this idiot! Suggestion to Yossarain: "...The coalition of native language speakers (I do not know what it is called) came up with a proposal of three language policy for Nepal during thier first national conference a few years ago..." Which three? Yossarian: "...Parmendra dai asks somewhere in this thread-- why not a Bharatbarsha? or, --why be stuck on a conflict between anIndian and a Nepali idetity?..." That was meant as a rhetocial statement. Although I do believe an ultimate South Asian economic union is the only real cure to Nepal's land-lockedness. Prawin, if you are a recent BNKS graduate applying to US colleges, I urge you to do so. You have the intellect, the guts to make it. You make a lot of sense. Good luck with your higher education. Feel free to e-mail me. Your command of not only the language but the way you handle arguments -- great. "...ultimately, all cultural, gender-based and racial identity must be deconstructed, but before that, each must be thoroughly understood. and i firmly believe that the existing 'identity' is something that the so called 'Janjati' will forever resent. a new identity as a state is necessary..." A comment of much depth. Shows you think deep and wide. VisitingPoster: "I spoke Nepali from my childhood, and I don't think I was conqueror." Well, do you love your language, Nepali? Do you think the non-Nepali speakers do as well? |
| paramendra | Posted
on 10-Aug-02 09:01 AM
Bideshi, I have at no point suggested that the products of St. Xavier's are no good, and are out of touch. What I did say was most of those who attend the school tend to be from Kathmandu valley. And that is a limited background to have on the national map. That's all. I mean, I think it has been a good school for the longest time. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 10-Aug-02 09:07 AM
Well, Biswo, the question that tickles my mind is what next. Spotlight: Politics Is For Politicians BY KESHAB POUDEL http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishweekly/spotlight/2002/aug/aug09/coverstory.htm Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, the great "conciliator" has been working since the Supreme Court verdict to reunite the Nepali Congress. Will that materialize? If not, which way go the "tree" and the "char-tarey" flag? Many say the Election Commission will follow what happened with the Indira Congress in India. Meaning, neither will get the two coveted treasures. And will have to come up with new ones on their own. Which are the 4 or 5 districts where it will be particularly hard for the government to hold elections? People's Review: Court verdict as expected Koirala's political future in crisis http://www.yomari.com/p-review/2002/08/08082002/court.html |
| reply | Posted
on 10-Aug-02 09:19 AM
>>Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, the great "conciliator" has been working since the Supreme Court verdict to reunite the Nepali Congress. Will that materialize? Possibility not great >>Which are the 4 or 5 districts where it will be particularly hard for the government to hold elections? rukum, rolpa, jajarkot, kalikot ('ka' group) >>If not, which way go the "tree" and the "char-tarey" flag? Election Commission should decide in such a way that other things like political character, their acitvities, their decisions etc. should be more important than election symbol. 'Char Tare' flag can be given to both nepali congress factions like for communist parties |
| paramendra | Posted
on 10-Aug-02 06:21 PM
reply ID: 29571990: I think your observation of the situation is pretty realistic. Bhattarai's efforts might just be wishful thinking. And the two Congresses will fight it out. Which of the two do you think will emerge stronger? Those four or five "Maoist" districts --- what will happen there? Do you think elections will be held there as well regardless? And the votes counted even if the voter turnout is really low? How would you divide the seats? UML - 95 Congress (Deuba) - 40 Congress (Girija) - 30 RPP - 25 Sadbhavana - 15 If you had to put a figure next to the five names, what would those be? |
| reply29571990 | Posted
on 10-Aug-02 11:34 PM
>reply >ID: 29571990: > >I think your observation of the situation is >pretty realistic. Bhattarai's efforts might >just be wishful thinking. And the two >Congresses will fight it out. Which of the >two do you think will emerge stronger? It will be more clear after Election Commission's decision. >Those four or five "Maoist" districts --- what >will happen there? Do you think elections >will be held there as well regardless? And >the votes counted even if the voter turnout >is really low? Election will be held as well regardless, but voter percetage may be very low in these districts as in previous election held in rolpa, at that time voter percentage there was just around 30%(?) >How would you divide the seats? >UML - 95 >Congress (Deuba) - 40 >Congress (Girija) - 30 >RPP - 25 >Sadbhavana - 15 > >If you had to put a figure next to the five >names, what would those be? I have no clear idea about their seats yet. Let's wait sometime at least for Election Comission's decision for congress's 'ghar jhagada' |
| Lalupate*Joban | Posted
on 11-Aug-02 01:02 AM
My take is: UML: 105 Congress (Girija faction): 40 (assuming Deuba faction does not get the tree symbol; the Election Comission may prove me wrong on this one.) Congress (Deuba faction): 25 (this conjecture is predicated upon the same assumption as above.) RPP: 19 Nepal Sadbhavana Party: 9 Samyukta Jana Morcha-Rashtriya Jana Morcha combine: 7 Others: washout [assuming the Maoists will not participate in the election]. The election results are going to be one hell of a spectator sport; the election itself is going to be one hell of a mess. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 11-Aug-02 02:43 PM
Lalupate*Joban ID: 21760946: It is interesting you think Congress (Girija) will get almost twice as many seats as Congress (Deuba). Why do you think that might be the case? Will they not have to lift the state of emergency for mass meetings to be held? Right to assembly has currently been suspended. Local elections. Is April too far away a date? |
| paramendra | Posted
on 11-Aug-02 04:15 PM
Monarchy In Nepal Paramendra Bhagat August 11, 2002 http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/monarchy.html There are various reasons why the monarchy exists, and a few why it no longer ought to: (1) It has historically been the most powerful institution in the country. (2) To many it is one symbol of stability in the country. (3) There are many Nepalis who actually do believe the King is a Vishnu Avatar! I mean, I don't. But many do. It is hard to challenge a power that is considered divine. ;-) (4) An office - like that of the President in India - to safeguard the constitution. (5) Many Hindu fanatics inside the country and out are all gungho about the idea the Shaha is the only Hindu king in the world. (6) The Shahas are Pahadiyas. That helps perpetuate the image that Nepal is primarily a country of the Pahadiyas. (7) The Shahas are the center piece of the Kathmandu elite. The Shahas, the Ranas, and the well-connected Bahun, Chhetris. And some Newars, and Marwadis. (8) The army is still called the Royal Nepalese Army. There is some loyalty issue there. Strictly speaking (4) is the only relevant political reason. And for that having a President would be at least 100 times cheaper, and a Madhesi, a woman, a SeTaMaGuRaLi could become President, which, I think, would be great.. But I don't think such a possibility can be broached now: that would be like giving in to the Maoists. On the other hand, later, if and when there is peace and prosperity, the question might not even arise. Though, I feel, even in such a scenario, the royal family ought to be limited to the King and his immediate family. The rest ought to be, in legal parlance, commoners. |
| Lalupate*Joban | Posted
on 12-Aug-02 12:07 AM
>It is interesting you think Congress (Girija) > will get almost twice as many seats as >Congress (Deuba). Why do you think that >might be the case? For the simple reason that most of the traditional Congress voters in Nepal's villages think that Koirala faction represents the mainstream Congress. And rightly so. After all, most of the bigwigs of the erstwhile Nepali Congress are in the Koirala camp. The roughly 25 seats allotted for the Deuba faction are likely to be the products of Khadka-Gachchedar's time-tested skills in "sattaa durupayog" more than anything else. >Will they not have to lift the state of >emergency for mass meetings to be held? >Right to assembly has currently been >suspended. Of course, the state of emergency will have to be lifted. And it will be, unless something sinister is cooking up in Narayanhiti - that nest of fulsome conspiracies... >Local elections. Is April too far away a >date? Probably. Probably not. Watch out for the portents during the national elections. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 12-Aug-02 01:23 PM
The royal family ought to be limited to the King and his immediate family. In terms of legal definition. What do you think? |
| paramendra | Posted
on 12-Aug-02 01:34 PM
The Maoist leaders, the Congress party flag and election symbol, and Girija-------- I was skimming through the news. And wanted to bring up some topics of interest. Interpol issues alert for arrest of Prachanda, Dr. Bhattarai http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2002/august/arc450.htm#5 One wonders why the government did not come up with this earlier? Will this bear fruit? Does the Indian authority know where these characters are? EC begin hearing into NC feud http://www.kantipuronline.com/kol_news.html Much is at stake here. The faction that will bag the two symbols will probably edge ahead of the other in the polls. A legitimacy issue. The importance of having hte party's history behind one's faction. Or will neither faction get them? Like happened with Indira Congress in India, and the faction it broke away from? What do you think? |
| paramendra | Posted
on 12-Aug-02 01:55 PM
paramendra Posted on 08-12-02 1:48 PM Monarchy In Nepal I have read all messages on this thread, and I am impressed by how little superstition the participants harbor. Most seem to be taking one hard look at the royal palace and seem to not like what they see. Stability, divinity, unity? Hollow emblems. If the mood on this board were to spread in the country at-large, how do you think the change could be made? Will there be a parliamentary party/leader who will put it on its/his/her plank, and implement the change through a two-thirds vote in the Pratinidhi Sabha? Or will this possible change require a rewriting of the constitution itself? If so, how would one go about that? Do you think this mood will spread? Now? Ever? How long before it does? Will the change be peaceful? As in, heated debates, yes, a momentous election, yes, a tough vote in the parliament, yes, but no violence in the streets? http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/monarchy.html |
| paramendra | Posted
on 15-Aug-02 11:41 AM
Global South, Global Trade: What Do You Think? I feel this is a great topic for the Nepalis living out in the West. Those who can not, will not "go back," but would like to contribute. There is much work that has to be done on behalf of the poor countries. I look forward to your feedback. The Failure of the Global South in the Recent Global Trade Talks by Paramendra Bhagat April 28, 2000. http://www.geocities.com/bhagat266/a/globalsouthglobaltrade.html In the recent global trade talks, the Global South has failed to: (1) counter the bullying tactics of corporate interests exercised either directly or through their respective governments, (2) counter the overt and covert protectionism as practiced by the rich countries and push for "free trade" in agriculture and textiles and have the rich countries stop subsidizing their farmers and sheltered industries where the poor countries might have comparative advantages, (3) forge alliances with the non-corporate interests in the west to place emphasis on investments in human capital - as in investments in lifelong education and health care for all - as a necessary accompaniment to free trade in both the rich and the poor countries without letting the same groups get away with their unrealistic assumptions about the conditions in the South, (4) own up to the elitism in the poor countries whereby the select few prosper at the expense of the vast majority, and define labor rights, abolition of child labor, and environmental protection as goals to be strived for out of self-interest rather than as pandering to the west, and (5) forge alliances within itself to recognize shared interests and better articulate and bargain for the same during the ongoing trade talks. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 15-Aug-02 04:32 PM
Koirala to contest polls even without "tree" KOL Report KATHMANDU, Aug 15 – Former PM Girija Prasad Koirala on Thursday has said that the faction of the Nepali Congress party he heads would face the elections even without the traditional tree symbol and the four star flag of the Nepali Congress. However, Koirala has also said that the very reason would also be a reason to revolt and reach out to the people. Is this to say Koirala is going to not get the two coveted symbols? |
| paramendra | Posted
on 15-Aug-02 04:38 PM
The Nepal Digest. I participated from May 1998 - August 1999. http://library.wustl.edu/~listmgr/tnd/0261.html to http://library.wustl.edu/~listmgr/tnd/0313.html Not long after, TND ceased publication. But the archive still exists at http://library.wustl.edu/~listmgr/tnd/ I am compiling my postings here: http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/tnd/ Most of the discussions were around the Terai issue. I hope to present a tidier version soon. Possibly at this address: http://www.geocities.com/paramendra/2002/tnd.html (not there yet) Hope the page will contribute to discussions at Sajha. |
| Desh_Bhakta_Bhattarai | Posted
on 16-Aug-02 08:40 PM
Paramendra Ji, I have thoroughly read through this thread and carefully analyzed it. I have had an impressions of both delight and the impression to shrug. The major issue you are pointing out, is racism. You have pointed out that almost all the problems caused in Nepal is due to racial abuse. Well, I suppose that this is not the only cause of problems. Nepal, as we all know, is one of the poorest nations in the world. Our Per Capita Income is less than $1000. There is corruption everywhere. I even read in one article in a local newspaper of Nepal, that in Nepal, every singal government offices' workers are corrupt! From a peon serving tea at Home Ministry, to the Prime Minister itself, all are corrupt. So, corruption is one issue. Next issue giving problem in Nepal is the abuse of athority. It happens every time, I suppose, that whenever the government changes, everything changes. There is a popular saying among local bodies: "Source is force, Labour is Gober!"("Gober"=Cow Doung). If you have source, however eneducated you are, you could get a job at a government office. There is "Natabaad" and "Kripabaad" everywhere. Thus, it brings another huge problem infecting Nepal -- Lack of Oppurtunity. Finally we must not forget, the issue you pointed out, racism. When all this problems are moulded together, all other problems are mingled from them. The problems that are born from the problems I pointed above are -- poverty, overpopulation, illeteracy, unemployment etc. So, there is a cycle of problemes circulating our beloved Nepal, just like the water-cycle. So, I should say, that there is not just one problem roaming around the Hills and the Plains of Nepal, but there are many. Racism is just a part of all the problems. Nepal is not the only country to have racism. In fact, I should point out, that every single country has racism. Every single race has racism among themselves and even every single Familly has racism within itself (although it is not called racism, the issue is same, untill and unless all human biengs are genetically same!).  ~ Desh Bhakta Bhattarai (P.S. I am not "Desh Bhakta", the person who posted earlier in the thread!) |
| paramendra | Posted
on 17-Aug-02 11:11 AM
Desh_Bhakta_Bhattarai ji: I feel we basically agree. Or, at least, I agree with you. As long as gender and ethnic issues are still on the table, I am and have been willing to suggest poverty is the number one problem, followed by corruption, and abuse of authority. Please refer to my original posting, A Vision For Nepal. It is just that more participants have commented on the Terai issue than any other. And hence the impression you got. Thank you for your insight. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 17-Aug-02 11:49 AM
I was just skimming through the news online -------------------- NC for decentralised administration The Nepali Congress Koirala faction is preparing to announce its political manifesto with the major theme of a totally decentralised administrative system with regional governments. .... the concept of regional administrators with full powers politically and economically... http://www.yomari.com/p-review/2002/08/15082002/nc.html If the suggestion is for a federal form of governance, it is great news. And looks like the Congress (Koirala) is angling to forge an electoral alliance with the Sadbhavana. Smart move, if that is the case. Koirala is being realistic of the post-split scenario. Ideologically speaking, the Koirala Congress would rather team up with the Sadbhavana than any other party to form a government at the center. RPP prepares for election .....the party has said it will keep its options open on with which political party it will form an alliance.. http://www.yomari.com/p-review/2002/08/15082002/rpp.html The RPP also seems to think it will be a hung parliament. And hence the attempt at a pre-poll alliance. So as to maximize its chance to get into the government at the center. Sadbhawana's funding http://www.yomari.com/p-review/2002/08/15082002/ontherecord.html ... media coverag for the Sadbhavana is a rare event! http://www.yomari.com/p-review/2002/08/15082002/poll.html Polls will/won't take place ...An official from the Ministry for Information and Communication has revealed that 20 districts within the kingdom are completely isolated from outside communication. ..The 'Koirala' Nepali Congress is likely to experience a landslide defeat in the upcoming polls. A UML insider informed this scribe that the Party cannot win more than 35 seats even if the election takes place in November. ..... Elections? |
| paramendra | Posted
on 17-Aug-02 12:15 PM
Some more news commentary------------------------------------- http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2002/august/arc453.htm#8 CIAA raids 22 private premises ............the CIAA raided the house of two Assistant Secretaries, six Under Secretaries, three Section Officers, and eleven non gazetted officers.. http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2002/august/arc453.htm#4 ...the Commission for the Legal Investigation of Property (CLIP) has asked some former lawmakers and former ministers to contact its office to state why they have not submitted their property evaluation forms.... http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2002/august/arc453.htm#2 ....two sitting members of the Upper House and 13 ex-lawmakers of the lower House for failing to submit their property details..... Only 22,000 out of the 36,000 individuals have submitted the forms..... The ex-parliamentarians of the lower House who have not submitted their property details are Padma Sundar Lawati, Ram Chandra Yadav (Siraha), Khobari Raya, Ram Chandra Raya (Sarlahi), Chandra Prakash Mainali, Renu Kumari Yadav, Jyotendra Mohan Chaudhary, Brijesh Kumar Gupta, Gopalji Jung Shah, Hem Narayan Yadav, Gopal Rai, Gyanu K.C. and Narayan Singh Pun. The Upper House lawmakers who have not submitted their property details are Jeet Bahadur Puri and Bal Bahadur Rai. The Commission has said that even those who have submitted the forms have not answered important questions relating to their property sources. Such people have been summoned at the Commission and have been interrogated.............. Positive news? All this has got to be breaking news. Sudden political muscle? Nepali Congress BY KESHAB POUDEL http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishweekly/spotlight/2002/aug/aug16/national2.htm Property Probe Commission BY KESHAB POUDEL http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishweekly/spotlight/2002/aug/aug16/national1.htm ....For civil servants, Section 54 of the Civil Service Act 2054 has made a mandatory provision to disclose personal property to the concerned authority after taking the oath. Such officials also need to update the statement annually.....According to Clause 50 (1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 2002, each individual who holds public office should submit a statement of his property or that of family members to the authorities appointed by the government. Such officials need to renew the property statement at the end of every fiscal year. ....."The commission was set up to divert attention of the people from the non-functioning of the government to cover corruption and irregularities," says a political analyst. .... |
| paramendra | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 11:28 AM
The CIAA acted against the officials two days after King Gyanendra approved amendments in an act giving it sweeping powers to act against corrupt officials and politicians. The amendments were approved by the dissolved House of Representatives earlier this year. http://www.nepalnews.com.np/archive/2002/august/arc454.htm#3 |
| oys_chill | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 11:34 AM
to this thread: Jatti karaye ni tyai ho..........Easier said than done at the threshold of brain drain syndrome.. just one thing DESH BhAKTA BHATTarai BRO: wish nepal's per capita income was bout $1000..we'd be filthy rich then..the sad truth..it is still under $200........shocked??? oys |
| paramendra | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 11:52 AM
oys_chill: Actually, Nepal's per capita income IS over $1200, adjusted for purchasing power parity ... |
| ? | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 03:53 PM
Right, however the average income per person in Nepal roughly stands around $200 which is equal to Rs. 15600 (which can be estimated salary of a secretary of Ministry or even more). A person who earns $200 in Nepal has a purchasing power of $1200 in the US. The povery line threshold income in the US is around $12000 for the principal earner and an additional $3000 per dependents. For a family of four, that would equal to $24000 per annum. Also, the annual income of a secretary in Nepal wpuld $2400 with the purchasing power of $14400 in the US. So the highest ranking administrator would be living under poverty in the US with his salary earned in Nepal. My point??? Nepal is indeed poor. |
| shagadelic | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 04:48 PM
hey forgive my ignorance, but can you guys tell me what is this purchasing power thing about ? How does $200 become $1200 when you add up this purchasing power parity thing ? HOw ? |
| ? | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 04:57 PM
Purchasing parity just means how much purchasing power does $200 earned and spent in Nepal has in the US? For eg, for a sack of rice (100 kilos) would roughly cost me around Rs 2000 in Nepal (US$ 26) but in the US, the amount in US dollars(if it were to purchased in the US) would be higher. Another example, I pay a dollar to ride the bus for a whole day which is equivalent to Rs. 78 in Nepal. But I dont pay Rs 78 in Nepal to just ride a bus. Its more than enough. I'd be paying more like Rs. 2 which would have the purchasing power of $1 in the US. I am not a student of economics but I feel thats the way it works. |
| shagadelic | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 05:05 PM
hey? thanks for enlightening me ! btw, Rs. 2 for a bus ride is way gone haina ra ? ;) it must be more like Rs 5. Can anyone update on that ?:) |
| ? | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 05:08 PM
Its been a while (2 years) since I left the valley so I have no idea what the current fare rate is. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 09:47 PM
?: (interesting "username") "...the average income per person in Nepal roughly stands around $200 which is equal to Rs. 15600 (which can be estimated salary of a secretary of Ministry or even more). .." Nepal is poor. No doubt. But the per capita income is for the year, not for a month. So your comparison with someone's monthly salary is an error. But I am not about to dispute your primary claim: Nepal is damn poor. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 09:50 PM
shagadelic, ? has made it plenty clear, but I am going to jot down a few words to answer you anyway. A can of pepsi here is 50 cents. That is almost Rs. 40. Well, for Rs. 40, you can throw a masu-bhat party for your friends in Nepal. |
| ? | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 09:55 PM
That would make the country even poor, wouldn't it? $200 in Nepal is poor, $1200 in US is desperately poor. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 18-Aug-02 10:04 PM
True. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 21-Aug-02 06:53 PM
INDEPTH ANALYSIS Election Commission decision to define parties Kathmandu: The Maoists have resumed their selective execution of identified political workers. The latest, that of the elder son of Hem Bahadaur Malla in Dhanusha district, exemplifies selective targeting of potential grassroots competition. (The Telegraph 21/08) http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishweekly/telegraph/2002/aug/aug21/index.htm#1 CIAA must speed up anti-corruption drive, say commoners Kathmandu, Aug. 19: Nepali Acts so far had seen very little or no implementation. But the Anti-Corruption Act has come as an exception, for it has brought delight to the frustrated public from the very first day of its enforcement. (The Kathmandu Post 20/08) http://www.nepalnews.com.np/contents/englishdaily/ktmpost/2002/aug/aug21/index.htm#3 (1) The Congress "tree" and party flag. Much at stake for Deuba and Koirala. Which way do you think the decision will go? Koirala is against a prime ministerial form of government. On the other hand, he will go into the elections even without the "tree" and his colleagues are coming up with creative ideas like a federal form of government. So the "divorce" is actually good, perhaps. (2) The anti-corruption drive: I am particularly interested in this. This shows positive change is possible. Is the newly signed law a sign that the CIAA can go about its business regardless of which party is in power and who might be prime minister? Can this momentum be sustained? Does the CIAA needs more laws to be more effective? |
| sameer | Posted
on 26-Aug-02 12:45 AM
Yes, the NC has decided to go for a fed type system, although they prefer to call it a decentralized regional govt. Alok Bohara has written 4/5 articles on this proposal for the last several months (Nepal needs federal system....Kathmandu Post) and a recent one in Nepali Times (Devolution, not revolution, June ???). It is smart for the NC to adopt it. He recently has written and proposed a proportional representation system of election to give power to political minorities (two weeks ago in TKP, Making a Case for a Referendum). Perhaps Sadhvawana and RPP should push for it. |
| paramendra | Posted
on 26-Aug-02 09:58 AM
Sameer. Thanks for informing me. Many of the specifics you mention (news stuff), I did not know. I think this a highly positive development. Such an ambitiuos decentralization will come close to the 1990 movement in terms of political gravitas. That would be an act of salute to Nepal's great cultural diversity. Not to say, a boost to efforts toward economic growth. |
| Durga Sharma | Posted
on 26-Aug-02 11:54 AM
hey Madhesee chup. dnt be smart, here, sale dhotii durga |
| paramendra | Posted
on 26-Aug-02 07:38 PM
Durga Sharma: Your vile comment I am going to let it be a comment upon this online community. This is not the first personal negative comment I have received, and I do not expect it to be the last one, but this is the first one that has outright resorted to hate words. This is not an anonymous comment either. No comment at this website is anonymous, in the legal lingo. For personal comments like this one, I have several options: (1) Ignore. Act as if the comment was not made. (2) React. (1) would be naive. And goes against the very spirit of this thread. As for (2), I have decided I am going to let it be a statement upon this online community. Are there visitors to this site who agree with your hate words? As in, do you speak for a larger group of people who just happen to be silent? If that is not the case, and if there are people besides me who think your comment to be despicable, I would like to see them respond. I think this otherwise creative online community deserves that. |
| sameer | Posted
on 26-Aug-02 10:13 PM
Paramendar: Revolutionary changes for Nepal (new Vision?) Proportional representation system of election: http://www.kantipuronline.com/archive/kpost/2002-8-7/kp_editorial.htm#Making%20a%20case%20for%20a%20referendum Elected Regional Gov arguments (federalism type set-up; the NC Girija already adopted this suggestion): http://www.kantipuronline.com/archive/kpost/2002-6-4/kp_editorial.htm |
| paramendra | Posted
on 07-Sep-02 03:54 PM
Koirala's undemocratic alliance with "terrorists" .. Koirala has convinced the Maoist militia to join together with him to fight for a republic. ... Ministers slip away quietly abroad UML formally initiate election campaign Khadka-Deuba relations said to cool Deuba congress starts fund raising for polls Premier Deuba and Wagle should be charged with perjury Crown Prince Paras Girija Prasad Koirala Koirala's recent utterances might invite troubles! Globalization and its Discontents ... The institutions are dominated not just by the wealthiest countries but by commercial and financial interests in those countries... Globalization today is not working for many of the world's poor. It is not working for much of the environment. It is not working for the stability of the global economy. ..........The problem is not with globalization but how it has been managed...... |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Sep-02 04:39 PM
MAoIsT iNSurGenTSBBC: Maoists kill 48 police in Nepal Reuters: Maoist Rebels Kill 48 Policemen in Nepal Washington Post: Nepal's Throwback War .... WHILE CARNAGE in Israel and Kashmir and Colombia has dominated international attention in the past few months, a still-bloodier conflict has been taking place in Nepal ... |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Sep-02 04:41 PM
Beyond diatribes and onto solutions By NURU LAMA SHERPA Now that the Maoist situation has turned into a national crisis, it is high time that our political leaders rise above their personal petty politics and give a serious thought to the issue that has paralysed the entire nation today. Too much precious time has already been wasted playing the blame game. As Churchill warned with the coming of World War II, "if we quarrel about the past, we will lose the future." The fact of the matter is that the Maoists, in a relatively short period of time, have successfully exploited on the sufferings and discontent of the people to radicalise them and form a menacing force. Starting from the poverty-stricken areas of the rural west, they have spread their reach to all the 75 districts. They have strategically focused their attacks in remote areas where their chances of success are higher and where they can limit their casualties while creating national news, boosting cadres morale, spreading the myth of their invincibility and demoralizing government forces. Adhering to the classic Maoist modus operandi, the Nepalese Maoists are engaging in masterful indoctrination exercises through persuasion, community works and revolutionary rhetoric, complemented by acts of vicious terror against class-enemies and government sympathizers, winning themselves a continuous flow of new recruits. The use of terror can arouse extreme fear in anti-Maoist camps, and cultivate awe and submission amongst Maoist party cadres and sympathizers. In the next phase, going by the book, the Maoist will target senior government officials (not that this has not been attempted yet) and bring their revolution to the cities, with an eye on the capital. The government sorely lacks the security infrastructure and the financial resources to launch a massive nationwide crackdown. The police, trained to maintain order during normal times, are far from able to handle the gargantuan task. The army has been called in and a state of emergency has been mandated. The government security forces are currently concentrating their search and destroy operations in a few areas of the west and defending the district headquarters and Kathmandu valley. The Maoist, even when they lack the necessary arms and ammunitions, employ clever guerilla tactics of hit-and-run surprises and overwhelm the government forces by their sheer number. They have systematically dismantled the communication and road networks in many districts, significantly hampering the government's ability to mobilize forces quickly when and where needed. The Maoists know their terrain well and want to engage the army there. ...ctd |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Sep-02 04:42 PM
In this seemingly formidable situation, how should the government devise its plan of action to thwart the Maoist aggression. Many intellectuals have pointed to the root causes of poverty, social inequalities and bad governance, and argued that massive development efforts and concerted social and policy reforms as pre-requisites to solving the Maoist problem. While that is ultimately true, peace and normalcy are the true imperatives of the day. We need to get out of the peace versus development conundrum and concentrate on the immediate situation while planning the long-term solutions. We are in a state of war and actions need to be taken today. No matter what your opinion of American politics, the manner in which the Washington establishment came together swiftly in support of President Bush's war against terrorism post-September 11 is an example for the mutinous netajis of Singha Durbar. Let Deuba focus his time attending to the Maoist problem. Bringing in a coalition government or another party to power, given the present stock of Nepali leaders, is merely a cosmetic change that is not going to alter the fundamental system of the government that exists in our country. Changing the government in these dire moments will only provide more time for the Maoists to organize and charge ahead with new rounds of assaults. Lenin, in 1917, had taken advantage of the indecisiveness and power struggles of the conservatives and the social democrats in the Russian provisional government to wage the October Revolution and establish the Communist dictatorship, a regime even more tyrannical than that of the Czars. Let this be a lesson to us. Some have conjectured and even argued for the re-installation of the Panchayati system to bring things under control. Again, the stark reality is that Nepal is strapped of cash, men and machine to fight the Maoists. Royal leadership at this critical juncture would only fuel the Maoist rhetoric of a fight against class-enemies and exacerbate conditions as the Congress-Communist democratic alliance, Narayanhiti and the Maoists all engage in a bitter internecine war, turning Nepal into another Afghanistan. ...ctd |
| paramendra | Posted
on 08-Sep-02 04:55 PM
What has to be understood is that force alone will not quell this insurgency but rather only prolong it, with significant casualties on both the sides. This should be a war of strategy. Ad hoc measures to defend government interests and impulsive search and destroy missions will not win this war. Combined with the use of force, a proper strategy needs to be developed to infiltrate the Maoist network to understand and thus expect their next manoeuvre, wage pre-emptive attacks, demoralize the cadres and lure them to hand themselves over by providing immunity. The Maoists are fighting a war based on a deep conviction, on a will to fight. The army and the police, who also happen to mostly come from the same economic class, caste categories and villages as the Maoists, only fight out of necessity. Who are the government forces defending anyway? Obviously, the question arises. Why should they risk their life to defend corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and the well-to-dos? It would not be a surprise if the Maoist are or have already infiltrated the ˜sipahi" ranks to raise class-consciousness and to incite an internal revolt within the army and police forces, and to encourage defections. The government needs to urgently address issues of morale through examples of leadership and commitment. We need a strong propaganda machine to educate the Nepalese people, including the Maoist fighters, of the grievous exploitation and brutalities committed in the name of the people's liberation. Millions of people perished, others were tortured and their freedom curtailed in Mao's China, Stalin's Russia and Pol Pot's Vietnam. With strategic, informed and intelligent forethought and execution, even in the face of lack of resources, we can win this war and win it soon. Ultimately, we need to address the legitimate Maoist grievances but at the same time, show the Maoist cadres and sympathizers that the real enemies are the Maoist leaders, and not the people nor the democratic government. (Courtesy: The Kathmandu Post, Saturday March 16, 2002) (Lifted from the SEBS forum.) |
| Zzzzz... | Posted
on 09-Sep-02 11:34 AM
Possibility of Election Happening: 30% If election does take place with "Tree" for Deuba: NC Deuba: 65 seats NC Girija: 15 seats UML: 60 seats SJM: 6 seats RPP: 20 seats Sadhvawana: 3 seats (this movement is almost dead, Paramendraji seems to be out of touch from reality) Others: 5 seats Remaining: Election will never take place. |