Finance secretary Rameshwor Khanal has allegedly resigned due to differences with Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari. This is how it was reported:
According to his colleague at the ministry, Khanal on Monday informed that he would be going for trekking and left office on foot. “He also said that he won’t be returning,” the employee added.
tisdag 29 mars 2011
söndag 2 januari 2011
tisdag 28 december 2010
Normal vs not normal children
It struck me as I read the papers here this morning that the concept of political correctness is fluid. Reading how disabilities are descibed made me shoke down my coffee as I started laughing but crinching inwardly. Attitudes change slowly and the thought that a family has flawed children is a sad one.
Family with three disabled struggles
TEK NARAYAN BHATTARAI
SYANGJA, Dec 29: A house here in Waling Municipality-5 resembles a care center for the disabled as three of the four children in the family have multiple disabilities.
Basanta, the eldest son of Padam and Babita Pandey, suffers from mental problems, is lame and cannot speak.
The other son Bhesh Raj, 11, has problems similar to his 22-year-old brother while younger daughter Sita, who is 4, also has mental problems, is blind and cannot speak or get up from bed.
The three can´t even go to the toilet and they discharge bodily waste at their beds.
Luckily for the unfortunate couple, their other daughter Subhadra, 13, is a normal child and her mental abilities tend toward brilliance. She is the brightest student in grade eight at Sagarmatha Secondary School and always secures over 85 percent in her exams despite having to spend most of her time taking care of her siblings.
Both the male children lost their mental abilities at the age of five.
“Both were lame and could not speak but their mental balance was fine at first,” says Padam. “But they lost the mental balance when they were five and couldn´t complete first grade in school,” he adds. Youngest sibling Sita was born underweight due to malnutrition and doctors said she would not live, according to the father. “We took her to hospitals in Pokhara and to Kanti Children´s Hospital in Kathmandu and spent a lot on her treatment but to no avail. The doctors said she was incurable,” he says.
The Pandey couple and daughter Subhadra have to take care of the three disabled siblings round the clock. “We have to pay attention round the clock and at least one of us has to be always at home,” says mother Babita. “We have searched for care and rehabilitation centers but none of them agreed to take them in without money. We have kept them at home as we are unable to pay the huge amounts the care centers demand,” she adds.
Subhadra says she faces difficulty with her studies as her siblings tear her books and notebooks and she has to study at night when they are asleep. Padam says the family doesn´t even have time to work in the fields. “I don´t know how long we can survive without doing any work to earn money,” he wonders.
Family with three disabled struggles
TEK NARAYAN BHATTARAI
SYANGJA, Dec 29: A house here in Waling Municipality-5 resembles a care center for the disabled as three of the four children in the family have multiple disabilities.
Basanta, the eldest son of Padam and Babita Pandey, suffers from mental problems, is lame and cannot speak.
The other son Bhesh Raj, 11, has problems similar to his 22-year-old brother while younger daughter Sita, who is 4, also has mental problems, is blind and cannot speak or get up from bed.
The three can´t even go to the toilet and they discharge bodily waste at their beds.
Luckily for the unfortunate couple, their other daughter Subhadra, 13, is a normal child and her mental abilities tend toward brilliance. She is the brightest student in grade eight at Sagarmatha Secondary School and always secures over 85 percent in her exams despite having to spend most of her time taking care of her siblings.
Both the male children lost their mental abilities at the age of five.
“Both were lame and could not speak but their mental balance was fine at first,” says Padam. “But they lost the mental balance when they were five and couldn´t complete first grade in school,” he adds. Youngest sibling Sita was born underweight due to malnutrition and doctors said she would not live, according to the father. “We took her to hospitals in Pokhara and to Kanti Children´s Hospital in Kathmandu and spent a lot on her treatment but to no avail. The doctors said she was incurable,” he says.
The Pandey couple and daughter Subhadra have to take care of the three disabled siblings round the clock. “We have to pay attention round the clock and at least one of us has to be always at home,” says mother Babita. “We have searched for care and rehabilitation centers but none of them agreed to take them in without money. We have kept them at home as we are unable to pay the huge amounts the care centers demand,” she adds.
Subhadra says she faces difficulty with her studies as her siblings tear her books and notebooks and she has to study at night when they are asleep. Padam says the family doesn´t even have time to work in the fields. “I don´t know how long we can survive without doing any work to earn money,” he wonders.
onsdag 8 december 2010
Vacation in Kathmandu
I don't care about the load shedding today. I don't care that it is so dark in the room right now that I have to fall back onto my high school skills as a typist becasue I can't see the letters on the computer. Bit like I said, I dn't care about that because I am enjoying the exercise options and arts here. Funny how that works, I just decided that I would get what I asked for and(seriously)I found in one day. A an contemporary art school/exhibition hall/awazing little library with book donated from the TATE gallery - that is completely underused. B Two inivitations to art openings, painintg and sculpure. C A fitness club who let you use the facilities in their old rustic castle of sorts "the international club" for the splendid price of £2 per visit. Sauna and squash are extra but still. D The possibility to use the completely luxerious Jasmin spa/fitness club who boasts jacuzzi and swimmin pool on the roof on top of a modern gym.
And, as if that was not enough. The poetry slam event arranged tqo nighta ago as a joint effort between the American Embassy and Nepali partners was brilliant, Nepali moon shine and all being passed around the audience when the poets perforemd their stuff.
I have also just been accepted to a creative writing work shop with a writer,professor and mounteneer. IN what order he likes to identify himself I don't know but I do know that I DO NOT CARE if you take my electricity today!
And, as if that was not enough. The poetry slam event arranged tqo nighta ago as a joint effort between the American Embassy and Nepali partners was brilliant, Nepali moon shine and all being passed around the audience when the poets perforemd their stuff.
I have also just been accepted to a creative writing work shop with a writer,professor and mounteneer. IN what order he likes to identify himself I don't know but I do know that I DO NOT CARE if you take my electricity today!
fredag 12 november 2010
Thoughts from the field
I feel a little removed from the more hard core political scene. Coming here after Palestine was restful at first. Now I do miss not being in Sheeijk Jarra *discreetly add a link here with an interesting short movie* interviews with both settlers and palestian families http://www.vjmovement/truth/834. Battleground zero indeed. Missed picking olives in Hebron this year but I don't miss the close enconters with the Israeli settlers.
Still, I also wanted to do some slow grassroot human rights work and here I am. Born ambivalent maybe? Or born with a mind that wants it all? Which I am still convinced that I can have, just not at the same time. :D
Absolutely beautiful morning here i Bardiya. November is the month to visit apparently. The fog that will envelope us for a couple of months is still just visible in the morning.
Oh, I am here:
http://www.un.org.np/maps/district-maps/mid-western/Bardiya.pdf
Still, I also wanted to do some slow grassroot human rights work and here I am. Born ambivalent maybe? Or born with a mind that wants it all? Which I am still convinced that I can have, just not at the same time. :D
Absolutely beautiful morning here i Bardiya. November is the month to visit apparently. The fog that will envelope us for a couple of months is still just visible in the morning.
Oh, I am here:
http://www.un.org.np/maps/district-maps/mid-western/Bardiya.pdf
torsdag 11 november 2010
After the water lilies are gone
Bardiya district is greying. Drying. The monsoon, late as it was with fewer days of rain than needed is long gone. The field officers from colder countries can breath a little easier and are now enjoying the cool evenings and nights.
Meetings on the roof are a nice change, with or without green parrotts flying by.
And we did spent the better part of our working day on the roof today, before me and J went out to SanosShree to do an introdution meeting with a political party representative. We were well received, partly I am sure because we are white and represent an INGO but probably also because going into the so-called remote areas(in our case the Midwest of Nepal) we are hardly in majority in the NGO world. Showing face and all that. It was a very visibly open meeting, plastic chairs were pulled up outside a shop and many local people showed up to listen and have a cup of chia. And this is very good for us. We do come here on invitation from the local human rights defenders, and sometimes it is just plain slow persistant work that change any human rights violations. People knowing about us helps, it is as simple as that.
Other highlights of my day included "getting Junior in shape" activities. Junior is the neighborhood dog that somehow nesteled himself into my heart. But we take it slow, building up the relationship. Washing his ears(todays project)does not come under his favorite actitities. Generally we do do things that he likes, which is basically chasing anything fun, like buffalo, goats(the smaller are more fun), other dogs, a horse if it is not too scary, hens or the odd scared human without a stone in his hand. Cats would be great but there are very few of them so we have to make do with what there is.
And yes, the water lilies are now gone. The wetland that we use to pass on the mornings are now drying up and will shortly be planted on. And the cycle continues.
Meetings on the roof are a nice change, with or without green parrotts flying by.
And we did spent the better part of our working day on the roof today, before me and J went out to SanosShree to do an introdution meeting with a political party representative. We were well received, partly I am sure because we are white and represent an INGO but probably also because going into the so-called remote areas(in our case the Midwest of Nepal) we are hardly in majority in the NGO world. Showing face and all that. It was a very visibly open meeting, plastic chairs were pulled up outside a shop and many local people showed up to listen and have a cup of chia. And this is very good for us. We do come here on invitation from the local human rights defenders, and sometimes it is just plain slow persistant work that change any human rights violations. People knowing about us helps, it is as simple as that.
Other highlights of my day included "getting Junior in shape" activities. Junior is the neighborhood dog that somehow nesteled himself into my heart. But we take it slow, building up the relationship. Washing his ears(todays project)does not come under his favorite actitities. Generally we do do things that he likes, which is basically chasing anything fun, like buffalo, goats(the smaller are more fun), other dogs, a horse if it is not too scary, hens or the odd scared human without a stone in his hand. Cats would be great but there are very few of them so we have to make do with what there is.
And yes, the water lilies are now gone. The wetland that we use to pass on the mornings are now drying up and will shortly be planted on. And the cycle continues.
onsdag 10 november 2010
Communication is the key
The verb for want and need is the same in Nepali. There are ways around it but generally this creates confusion, especially for me as a bideshi(foreigner). Do you need to go see your sister and Do you want want to go see you sister might mean different things where I come from but I am beginning to see that there are situations here when the same two headed verb can be used. I find it interesting that the question are you married should be answered with "not yet" in order not be impolite and that do you want/need to get married is not really a very interesting question here. As almost everybody gets married and stay married for life.
These things were contemplated by me, J and S when we sat in the sun outside the DAFUO(Dalit Women Upliftment Center) office early this morning, eager to have a first language exchange with the Dalit women. We were joined by a guy/third gender s/he from the Blue Diamond Society. I am not intentionally trying to either make fun of an identity nor be funny but I honestly don't know what is a proper term for the members of BDS. Being referred to as her or didi(sister)often seem to be insulting. Probably because defining yourself in this manner means exactely what it says, nor man nor female. Or both. Or queer. Or whatever. Either way we were handed some information about BDS, including a small leaflet with very nice colour photos of what a STD can look like. Up close. Surely very....effective for its purposes but maybe not the best way to learn Nepali.
In the end the DAFUO women did not turn up but we had a nice cup up tea, and we did opened our books but decided after a while that the office probably needed us more and walked back through town. Found out later that the president had tried to get a hold of us but not suceeded. And we were told in a stern Nepali phone voice that her phone was switched off. Which may or may not be true. What is true is that mobile coverage is a constant struggle here, I am so use to it by now that I don't even think twice about having to call a person 15 times before I actually get through. I am also use to all kinds of interference on the line, hearing other people talking and receiving interesting messages such as "result unknown" when I send a sms. A part of me always wonder where these messages end up. The internet comes and goes, last week my computer told me it would take 21 days to down load a season of True Blood. :)
tisdag 9 november 2010
03:24 year 2068 in a country far away
Now I have two followers, a 100 % improvement in just on day :)
Slow day in our town. Year 2068 drags on. The Nepali calender is different, have to find out why this is. Different times of year also means different recommended auspicious activities. Getting married during the monsoon is for example not recommended but there are two other times during the year when the astrologer have decided are good, and a number of marriages taking place during this time. Sometimes they start during the night. Or at 03:24 if the stars indicated that this would give you a good start of your marriage.
Or didi(chef and cleaning lady that likes to boss us around)is from the Tharu community, a large ethnic group here in the south of Nepal. She probably did not have much to say about the time of her marriage because when we asked her if she wanted children she only said that she had her first child at fifteen because her husband wanted it. Now, a grandmother before she has reached 40 I wonder about her younger 13 year old daugher and her future. How different from the young kids running around back home in Sweden.
måndag 8 november 2010
Calling Goddess Laxmi at 2 am
I have one follower.
It is hardy inspiring but I am guessing that more people read my blog as I am getting small proof of feed back. Maybe my blog is not as interesting as one of them fashion blogs. The ones that gets updated a couple of times a day when a famous person drinks another latte.
Anywho...Dasain, the long(8 days)hindu holiday worshipping(and fearing)the Godess of death, destruction but also creation has passed and three days ago we entered the Tihar holiday that I in my naivity thought would be a little bit quieter.
No such luck.
During Dasain the tradition(modern version)is to not only have music playing around the clock from the temples but also to loop a Hindi movie around the clock, full volume. Yes, the place of worship thus also serves as a semi-outdoorsy kind of movie hall where you can hang around with your friends. Let's just say that the sound got to me after 8 days in a row. There is a lot of crying and drama going on in Bollywood productions.
Tihar is a different animal altogether. Laxmi, the Godess of wealth is invited into peoples houses by different means and coaxing. She is lured by sweets and the inhabitants of the house paints a red mud path to the goodies(fruit, food, candy etc)outside and thereby inviting wealth to enter the house and stay.
Tihar also offers a chance to worship(in order):the crow, the cow, the dog and yesterday was "young brother day" or Tikka day(tikka is the word for the red blobby thing of rice, red paint and a blessing to be stuck in between your eye brows in a ceremonial way). During young brother day, older sisters give tikkas to their brothers and the brothers give the sisters presents, money or things.
This is all good. The not so good thing is the custum of kids roaming around at night, going from house to house, singing and often bringing a Boom Box to accompany them. VERY LOUD. Very loud at 2 pm indeed. And honestly guys, Laxmi probably hear you anyway, even if you are not making the rest of the neighbourhood deaf.
söndag 24 oktober 2010
torsdag 7 oktober 2010
For men: what not to wear
It is good to know that Nepali men are interested in fashion!
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REPUBLICA KATHMANDU, Oct 3: Though on a small scale, men’s fashion is surely going through an evolution. Additionally, stepping into the color zone also has provided guys with more choices. And every season brings a list of must-haves.
But no matter at what rate the evolution is taking place, dressing right is unattainable unless you don’t know where you are going wrong. Apart from ill-fitted clothes and too skinny or too baggy trousers, Republica lists down a few trends that you should avoid in coming days.
Belts with dramatic buckles
A belt being just a pant holder is a story of once upon a time. A nice leather belt adds character to a man’s wardrobe. However, lately, a lot of embellished belts have started appearing in the market. Bullets, guns, bull heads—these are only a few examples of how today’s belt buckles look like. Rather than contributing in enhancing your look, it just adds a funny element to your ensemble.
Shapeless coats
Be it trench coat or any other type, keep this winter apparel of yours trim and slim sleeved. Never let your clothes envelope your body, and that is what an ill-fitted coat does. The common misconception we have about overcoat or trench is that it should be big enough to hide our winter layering. Yes, it should to some extent, but one sweater space is enough. Even while we tailor it, we tend to make it two/three times bigger than our normal clothing. Let your coats cut close to the body and cropped at the waist. This will save you from looking like a villain from the 90s’ Bollywood movies.
Floral patterned shirt
As long as it was sported by just a few men, the trend was digestible. But this year, we saw a pool of men donning floral patterned shirts. Donned by politicians to almost everyone on the streets, such motifs were liked by the country’s film fraternity too. Not to miss was the overdose of such shirts in the latest Nepali movie Kohi Mero. Decked up in such shirts, the actors danced in front of floral parks. Thus, it’s high time we get over this trend.
Pointy and Square toed shoes
Not only do those abnormally pointed shoes look weird, they are also a big turn off. On top of it, if they are skin-embossed, it’s wise to dump them off. It’s not a written rule, as there is none in fashion, but shoes have to be proportionate with trousers’ hems, otherwise you will end up with clown feet. Don’t ruin the ensemble by opting too pointed or massive shoes. Slightly pointed pair of shoes is good enough. One of the common mismatches that guys often commit is wearing their denims with black leather dress shoes. Wearing a pair of suede desert boots or brogues is chicer. Pairing your jeans with square-toed shoes is also not recommended; those shoes are meant for school days.
Light-wash jeans
Light-wash jeans is a risky business; only a handful of men can pull it off. And even if you do the comparison, dark denims are a better option if you want to dress up your jeans with the help of a blazer or coat. Corduroy trousers and chinos can be a good alternative for light-wash jeans.
Teaming up white belt with white footwear
Nepali film industry’s current favorite, Aryan Sigdel has been spotted teaming up his white belt with white slip-in shoes in quite a few movies. And there is a bunch of partners in crime walking down the streets of Kathmandu sporting a similar look. Why this team should not be sported anymore? Firstly, the items never made a good pair, and, inspite of them getting popularity, it’s already time to retire those white belts. This piece of item is no more a cool possession, and especially if you are matching them with your white shoes. Unless it’s basic colors like brown or black or if you’re in your teens, matching your colorful belts with your shoes is acceptable.
måndag 4 oktober 2010
Govt foils voting for PM of Tibetan govt-in-exile
Opened todays Republica. Interesting news about the Tibetan community in Nepal trying to start an election process via the Tibetan government in exile. In other words, the Tibetan diaspora in Nepal is using the soverign state of Nepal to adress political issues in their occupied country(which China in claiming) through a government in exile which resides in yet another country, India.
In picture: Tibetan Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche (Center) leads a religious procession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama's portrait as part of the ceremonial opening of a six-day Tibetan National General Meeting in the Tibetan settlement of Bylakuppe in the South Indian state of Karnataka, India, Thursday, August 26, 2010.
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KATHMANDU, Oct 4: Nepali authorities on Sunday foiled the primary polls organized by Tibetan refugees in various locations in Kathmandu Valley to nominate candidates for the post of prime minister and members of Tibetan government-in-exile.
Officials at the Home Ministry said police personnel were mobilized to foil the voting to nominate the successor of Samdhong Rimpoche and 44 other members of the Tibetan government-in-exile at Swaymbhu, Boudhha and Jawalakhel areas as ´it violated Nepal´s foreign policy and existing laws of the host country´.
Hundreds of Tibetan refugees living in Kathmandu Valley had gathered at Swaymbhu, Boudhha and Jawalakhel to take part in the voting that began at 9 am. While the voting in Swayambhu and Boudhha was halted after police seized the ballot boxes, the refugee leaders had agreed not to conduct voting in Jawalakhel following police intervention.
However, no arrests were made in connection with the incident.
According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Ramesh Kharel, chief of Metropolitan Police Range Office, Kathmandu, police seized 10 ballot boxes from Boudhha and eight others from Swaymbhu to foil the voting. The refugees had dispersed themselves after the seizure of the ballot boxes.
The Tibetan refugees gathered at Jawalakhel likewise halted their voting program after police personnel reached the venue, said Bikram Thapa, chief of Metropolitan Police Range Office, Lalitpur. “The refugees gathered dispersed on their own after police team reached there,” he said.
A text message received by this scribe from a Tibetan refugee leader in Kathmandu said that Tibetans were barred from going inside the election spot to cast their votes and ballot boxes were seized. “It is totally against human rights as we believe all people should be allowed to vote,” read the text message.
The Home Ministry in a statement Sunday evening said the voting act of Tibetan refugees to organize ´so-called election violating Nepal´s foreign policy and existing laws of the host country´ has drawn serious attention of the ministry.
The statement said Nepal always respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighboring countries and that it is committed not to allow any activities that are detrimental to their interests on its soil. “The ministry has already instructed local administrations to take action as per the laws of the land against those engaged in such activities,” added the statement.
According to the Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration, altogether 79,449 people registered to vote for the prime minister and members of the Tibetan government in exile. This includes some 20,000 Tibetan refugees living in various parts of Nepal.
The police crackdown on Tibetans comes amidst mounting pressure from China to curb ´anti-China activities´ perpetrated by Tibetan refugees living in Nepal. China has grown particularly sensitive over Tibetans´ activities especially after they launched anti-China demonstrations in Kathmandu in March, 2008 to mark 50th anniversary of their failed uprisings against Chinese rulers in 1959.
According to the Election Commission of the Central Tibetan Administration, there are over one dozen candidates including Harvard University Professor Lobsang Sangay, Tibetan diplomat Tenzin Tethong Namgyal, former President of Tibetan Youth Congress Tsetan Norbu, Speaker Pempa Tsering and Deputy- Speaker Dolma Gyari in the race for prime minister.
The Election Commission originally planned to compile the results of the preliminary rounds held on Sunday in a month from Tibetan settlements all over India, Bhutan, and Nepal and from North America. The 2011 general elections will decide the third directly elected Tibetan PM and members of the 15th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile.
The general election, according to Tibetan refugee leaders, attaches greater significance as it will elect new leadership that will have crucial responsibility to lead Tibetan movement, since aging Dalai Lama, 75, has already signaled his retirement anytime soon.
onsdag 29 september 2010
Nepali morning habits comtemplated
Junior, the neighbour dog that has been adopted by the team is now probably the only dog in our little town sporting a pink leather collar. Dog here are of course never on a leash but I must admit he looked kind of snazzy this morning, coming with me and J on our morning walk. Morning for us that is, being out by 7 am. Morning nepali style is more like getting up when the sun gets up, around halv 5 or 5. This is also the time when people gather to play football. And the army and police also do their morning run through town then. At 5?!
The other morning at 0715 we received a phone call from two members from a partner organization, asking if they could come over for a tea and a chat. We were all sleeping then and there was no use explaining our decadent western habits either. In the end they came over at 0830 when we all dragged ourselves out of bed, maybe(probably)wondering why we still looked so tired.
Our neighbors have a young boy from the Madeshi community working for them(which is very common and hard to get use to. Children working than is, but that is life here). Part of his job is to collect flowers, usually this time of year big red ones,for the morning puja(ritual)and this is how I usually wake up. Hearing him in the garden at sunrise. So different from back home.
The other morning at 0715 we received a phone call from two members from a partner organization, asking if they could come over for a tea and a chat. We were all sleeping then and there was no use explaining our decadent western habits either. In the end they came over at 0830 when we all dragged ourselves out of bed, maybe(probably)wondering why we still looked so tired.
Our neighbors have a young boy from the Madeshi community working for them(which is very common and hard to get use to. Children working than is, but that is life here). Part of his job is to collect flowers, usually this time of year big red ones,for the morning puja(ritual)and this is how I usually wake up. Hearing him in the garden at sunrise. So different from back home.
söndag 26 september 2010
Teej celebration with the DAFUO women
Teej is the fasting festival of women in Nepal. It falls in the month of August or early September. Married women observe Teej fast to honor Lord Shiva and for long and healthy life of their husband. Unmarried girls also observe fast on this day for a good husband. Teej celebrations lasts for three pious days. Traditional dances and songs form an important feature of Teej celebrations. Red color is considered auspicious for women observing Teej fast and so most of them dress up in red or bridal clothes.
måndag 13 september 2010
Conflict widow - a life in mourning
The concept of conflict widows was not a new one for me. In a theorethical sense I knew that in Nepal, being in a vagueishly defined post conflict socio-economic state, many (I would even say most)single women associated with the death of their husbands suffer social exclusion, violence from their husbands’ families and limited options for income generation.
Then reality hit. Not only I think, because after eight months in Nepal have I started to get a deeper sense of how women without men are looked upon.On a deeper level, I have also started hearing what the Nepali activist women tell us when we meet them in the field. How they are not respected, often also seen as "out of hand", not seen as real women. This is in large part due to the conservative trend of the still heavily patriarchal societies in Nepal, which see a distinct ‘place’ for women as homemakers and child-raisers. Stepping out from this ‘norm’ can be dangerous for women, especially when they are seen to be ‘interfering’ and championing the cause for other women, e.g. in domestic violence cases
Being looked upon with suspicion is thus common. Or as fair game. Being accused of being a boxsi is no joke either. We come across cases where accusations of witchcraft result in women being killed.
What really hits hard is that even wanting to be independent is just not really on here. And being a widow as result from the conflict makes it extra complicated. The social constructs that limits a Nepali widow have been, and are still hard for me to wrap my head around. I see them sometimes. And they are easy to identify. Any age, completely dressed in white they are suppose to live the rest if their life in compliance with whoever(family members or associates) that take pity on them. They are not allowed to get remarried and they are expected to stay dressed in white for the rest of their days. Somehow it seems that it is their fault that their husband died.
But in our village a woman, let's call her Deepa has against the odds kept the business after her husband passed away. It is hard to describe how unusual this is. She runs her little restaurant/tea /bar out of her home. Guests come in, have a chia(tea), some grilled meat or a standard dhalbhat (rice, lentils, vegetables) or have a couple of beers or more than a few cups of rakhsi(strong and nice local home made liquour). They use the bed as a chair, cigarett butts end up on the floor and I often wondered how the young teenage daughter is fairing in all this. If she has learnt to stand up for herself. I don't know if her mother was(or is)associated with a Maoist party. Or an armed group. Or if her husband was. I dont't know what the talk of the town is but from talking to our partners and supporters I know that she is an abnormality. And in my heart I feel sad. Why is it that a women in Nepal still are likely to be punished for her husbands political activities, is seen as a fallen women because she has no man looking after her? And I wonder about the future of her daughter. Will she not be able to marry? Or will she be forced to marry somebody, anybody that will have her? Despite the fact that her father is dead.
onsdag 1 september 2010
Celebrating Krishna Janmashtami
...and Hindu God Krishnas birthday! The Pahadi temple has now palyed the same catchy tunes for two days.
tisdag 6 juli 2010
Want to form a political party?
"There are some restrictions on registering a party in Nepal; these include a rule that there must be no discrimination about party membership on the basis of religion, caste, tribe, language or sex. This means that there cannot be awomen-only party or a party for Dalits only."
This means that marginalized groups can not start their own political party, as this is seen as discriminatory.
This means that marginalized groups can not start their own political party, as this is seen as discriminatory.
måndag 5 juli 2010
The making of a constitution
Trying to put the importance of the present political situation of having an interim constitution into context. In time of writing Nepal is still in a bit of a limbo, having extended the deadline for the constitution writing until May 27 2011. If no constitution is produced before then, the country has been without a constitution for 5 years.
In 1990 Nepal adopted its fifth – and first fully democratic – constitution. Although
there were many good features about that constitution, it failed to satisfy the demandsof many Nepali people. There was also a sense that the 1990 Constitution had limitedinvolvement of the people in its making, and that it came formally into being not asan act of the people’s sovereignty but as a gift of the King. Among the shortcomingsof the Constitution in the eyes of many were the insistence that Nepal is a Hindukingdom; the inclusion of many important economic and social rights as “directiveprinciples” only, which means they were not able to be used as the basis for legalclaims; inadequate provisions for civilian control of the army; excessive power givento the King; and provisions that were not clear enough about the King’s powers, thus making it possible for those powers to be abused.
To the faults of the constitution itself, and insufficient royal commitment to democracy, must be added grave failures of leadership, failure of political parties to make any serious effort to be representative of the nation as a whole, excessive domination of many sectors of national life by a minority of the community, and excessive concentration of powers in the hands of the Kathmandu authorities. All these were compounded by the ten-year Maoist insurgency. Matters were brought to a head by the King’s seizure of all power in 2005.
The actions of the King finally led to a people’s movement, jana andolan, in April
2006, and the King ultimately recalled the parliament originally elected in 1999. By
then the Maoists had begun negotiations with the major political parties, in which
the Maoists' main demands were republicanism and the convening of a Constituent
Assembly to draft a new constitution. But the hundred of thousands who came out
on the streets were demanding more than a restoration of democracy; they demanded
greater inclusion of the various sectors of society marginalized in the past, including Dalits, Janajatis (ethnic groups), Madhesis (from the terai) and women
After a 10-year armed struggle, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) won the largest number of assembly seats and in 2007 led the formation of the Coalition Government of Nepal. Its victory ended the 238-year-old Shaha dynasty of the world's last Hindu kingdom.Nepal proclaimed its commitment to democracy, secularism and inclusive development. That same year, lawmakers promulgated an interim constitution and interim parliament. Each made a far-reaching commitment to eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and ensured one-third representation of women in every state mechanism.
It is questonable if "The fall of the monarchy and consequent ushering in of a representative democratic process has intensified people's efforts to build a more inclusive state" as Jael Silliman put it but that there are efforts per se to construct a constitution that represents your people, ethnic groups, sexual orientation, gender is not in doubt. Over 5000 submissions have been sent to to the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee from various civil society groups.
Many political promises have been made, but what does a consitution really do? Let's look at what it doesn't. Using the consitution of the United States of America as an example.
What the Constitution Does Not Do
The Constitution does not give you rights. The founders considered your rights to be "God-given" or "natural rights" — you are born with all your rights. The constitution does, however, protect your rights by:
* Limiting the powers of government by granting to it only those specific powers that are listed in the Constitution; (This has not proven to be effective of late.)
* Enumerating certain, specific rights which you retain. These are listed in the Bill of Rights.
The rights deemed most important by the founders are specifically listed in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights also says that, even though a particular right is not listed in the Bill of Rights, you still retain that right. Any powers not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government are retained by the states and the people (you).
So, without the Constitution, the states and the people have all the rights and there is no federal government. With the Constitution, the states and the people keep any rights not specifically delegated to the federal government by the Constitution.
A quick look at the actual phrasing of the interim constitution of Nepal as it stands today. The Legislature Parliament used to be called just “Parliament”. It
is the body that makes law. The Constitution says who are the members – it is unusual
because it says that the existing members (elected in 1999) remain members, and that
the parties were to choose some extra members, from civil society and the grassroots.
Also the Maoist party members were not to be elected but chosen by the party. It says
that business of the house must be conducted on the basis of “political consensus” –
but also says that in case a decision has to be made this must usually be by a simple
majority of the members who vote.
It also says that once the Constituent Assembly comes into existence it will do the work of parliament and the current parliament will cease to exist. The Constituent Assembly has the task of making a new constitution for Nepal. It says members will be elected – some from constituencies with one member each and some in party lists. The parties must be “inclusive” in choosing candidates for the constituencies, and ensure proportionate representation of women, Dalits, indigenous tribes, people from backward regions, Madhesi and other groups in their lists for the second election. And overall at least one-third candidates must be women.
A few words on the National Human Rights Commission. The Commission has existed for some time but this is the first time it has been mentioned in the Constitution.
There must be a chairman (who must be a retired Chief Justice or Supreme Court
Judges) and 4 other members. The other members must have experience in human
rights work or social work. Members must come from a wide range of backgrounds –
including women. They are appointed by the Prime Minister – on the
recommendation of the Constitutional Council. The work of the Human Rights
Commission is to investigate accusations of human rights violations, to make
recommendations to authorities to take action, including punishment of people who
have violated human rights, to suggest taking action in court for human rights
violations, and to publicise human rights – working with civil society. It is also
supposed to study the laws of Nepal to see whether they meet human rights standards.
They are to give advice to the country on becoming a party to human rights treaties.
And they are to monitor how the government complies with human rights treaties
and make proposal for improving the country’s human rights performance. The
Commission is given some special powers to do its work. It can call people to give it
information. It can enter premises to find evidence. It can order compensation to
people who have suffered because of human rights violations. It is supposed not to
inquire into anything that is dealt with the Army Act – which deals with the
administration and disciple of the Army. But on the other hand, this does not apply
if there is a violation of human rights (or humanitarian law).
In 1990 Nepal adopted its fifth – and first fully democratic – constitution. Although
there were many good features about that constitution, it failed to satisfy the demandsof many Nepali people. There was also a sense that the 1990 Constitution had limitedinvolvement of the people in its making, and that it came formally into being not asan act of the people’s sovereignty but as a gift of the King. Among the shortcomingsof the Constitution in the eyes of many were the insistence that Nepal is a Hindukingdom; the inclusion of many important economic and social rights as “directiveprinciples” only, which means they were not able to be used as the basis for legalclaims; inadequate provisions for civilian control of the army; excessive power givento the King; and provisions that were not clear enough about the King’s powers, thus making it possible for those powers to be abused.
To the faults of the constitution itself, and insufficient royal commitment to democracy, must be added grave failures of leadership, failure of political parties to make any serious effort to be representative of the nation as a whole, excessive domination of many sectors of national life by a minority of the community, and excessive concentration of powers in the hands of the Kathmandu authorities. All these were compounded by the ten-year Maoist insurgency. Matters were brought to a head by the King’s seizure of all power in 2005.
The actions of the King finally led to a people’s movement, jana andolan, in April
2006, and the King ultimately recalled the parliament originally elected in 1999. By
then the Maoists had begun negotiations with the major political parties, in which
the Maoists' main demands were republicanism and the convening of a Constituent
Assembly to draft a new constitution. But the hundred of thousands who came out
on the streets were demanding more than a restoration of democracy; they demanded
greater inclusion of the various sectors of society marginalized in the past, including Dalits, Janajatis (ethnic groups), Madhesis (from the terai) and women
After a 10-year armed struggle, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) won the largest number of assembly seats and in 2007 led the formation of the Coalition Government of Nepal. Its victory ended the 238-year-old Shaha dynasty of the world's last Hindu kingdom.Nepal proclaimed its commitment to democracy, secularism and inclusive development. That same year, lawmakers promulgated an interim constitution and interim parliament. Each made a far-reaching commitment to eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and ensured one-third representation of women in every state mechanism.
It is questonable if "The fall of the monarchy and consequent ushering in of a representative democratic process has intensified people's efforts to build a more inclusive state" as Jael Silliman put it but that there are efforts per se to construct a constitution that represents your people, ethnic groups, sexual orientation, gender is not in doubt. Over 5000 submissions have been sent to to the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee from various civil society groups.
Many political promises have been made, but what does a consitution really do? Let's look at what it doesn't. Using the consitution of the United States of America as an example.
What the Constitution Does Not Do
The Constitution does not give you rights. The founders considered your rights to be "God-given" or "natural rights" — you are born with all your rights. The constitution does, however, protect your rights by:
* Limiting the powers of government by granting to it only those specific powers that are listed in the Constitution; (This has not proven to be effective of late.)
* Enumerating certain, specific rights which you retain. These are listed in the Bill of Rights.
The rights deemed most important by the founders are specifically listed in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights also says that, even though a particular right is not listed in the Bill of Rights, you still retain that right. Any powers not specifically delegated by the Constitution to the federal government are retained by the states and the people (you).
So, without the Constitution, the states and the people have all the rights and there is no federal government. With the Constitution, the states and the people keep any rights not specifically delegated to the federal government by the Constitution.
A quick look at the actual phrasing of the interim constitution of Nepal as it stands today. The Legislature Parliament used to be called just “Parliament”. It
is the body that makes law. The Constitution says who are the members – it is unusual
because it says that the existing members (elected in 1999) remain members, and that
the parties were to choose some extra members, from civil society and the grassroots.
Also the Maoist party members were not to be elected but chosen by the party. It says
that business of the house must be conducted on the basis of “political consensus” –
but also says that in case a decision has to be made this must usually be by a simple
majority of the members who vote.
It also says that once the Constituent Assembly comes into existence it will do the work of parliament and the current parliament will cease to exist. The Constituent Assembly has the task of making a new constitution for Nepal. It says members will be elected – some from constituencies with one member each and some in party lists. The parties must be “inclusive” in choosing candidates for the constituencies, and ensure proportionate representation of women, Dalits, indigenous tribes, people from backward regions, Madhesi and other groups in their lists for the second election. And overall at least one-third candidates must be women.
A few words on the National Human Rights Commission. The Commission has existed for some time but this is the first time it has been mentioned in the Constitution.
There must be a chairman (who must be a retired Chief Justice or Supreme Court
Judges) and 4 other members. The other members must have experience in human
rights work or social work. Members must come from a wide range of backgrounds –
including women. They are appointed by the Prime Minister – on the
recommendation of the Constitutional Council. The work of the Human Rights
Commission is to investigate accusations of human rights violations, to make
recommendations to authorities to take action, including punishment of people who
have violated human rights, to suggest taking action in court for human rights
violations, and to publicise human rights – working with civil society. It is also
supposed to study the laws of Nepal to see whether they meet human rights standards.
They are to give advice to the country on becoming a party to human rights treaties.
And they are to monitor how the government complies with human rights treaties
and make proposal for improving the country’s human rights performance. The
Commission is given some special powers to do its work. It can call people to give it
information. It can enter premises to find evidence. It can order compensation to
people who have suffered because of human rights violations. It is supposed not to
inquire into anything that is dealt with the Army Act – which deals with the
administration and disciple of the Army. But on the other hand, this does not apply
if there is a violation of human rights (or humanitarian law).
Six new mothers, a murderer and a resigned PM
Some people are campaigning for constitutional monarchy and the revival of the 1990 constitution of Nepal. Here's a statement issued by a group of people who believe that the 1990 constitution had the provision of constitutional monarchy and should be reactivated should the constituent assembly fail to bring out a constitution on time that is acceptable to all Nepali people.
New dead line for the constitution writing, another year of suspence. Not a big surprise that the political parties(or whomever we should hold responsible)did not meet the dead line of the interim constitution writing on May 28. The rumour though is that four days after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal tendered his resignation(which was last week), the outgoing prime minister´s move came after a secret agreement with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on the basic principles of the new constitution and the peace process. What this might entail is yet to be seen. UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal is a named candidate as a future PM. As is Maoist Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai. And Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the chairman of the largest party in the Constituent Assembly. Or anybody else really. Which is what seems to be the only consensus around here. In Nepali politics, anything can happen type of thing.
Still trying to wrap my head around that I am in a develping country and that things are done differently here. Nepal has for instance, not yet managed to buy the passport reading machines that are required these days according to international security standards. The hand written passports can still be found but today it seems that the bidding is at least back on track.
KATHMANDU, July 5: An initial evaluation by the committee formed to judge bids for a multi-million dollar machine-readable passport (MRP) project of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has found three out of four bidders meeting all criteria set in bidding documents.
Altogether four international bidders -- De La Rue, Oberthur Technologies, PERUM PERURI and 3M Technologies -- are in the race for the project. But the evaluation committee headed by Chief of Protocol Mukti Nath Bhatta has found 3M Technologies not meeting the set criteria.
Not sure if hand written passports would go down well if used to travel overseas. Somebody need to make a decision so international travels can happen smoothly for the local population over here.
Some good news: ANFA awarded Rs 50,000 and a 21-inch Samsung color television set to each member of the Nepali women´s football team. A tv? Sure, why not? This news was followed by the this snippet of news though:
Coca-Cola, the official sponsor of the World Cup, has also been providing support to the All Nepal Football Association, says Saumindra Bhattacharya, managing director of BNL. “Football is a core passion in Nepal. It is progressing in multiple dimensions,” he said, and added, “This year we have also sponsored football for girls in Nepal.”
Ah, this is where the tv comes in! Progress.
And finally, I don't know what to make of this piece of journalistic work, but this is what from todays Republica newspaper:
CHITWAN, July 3: Two hundred and eighty-one Maoist combatants, including six new mothers and murderer of businessman Ram Hari Shrestha Govinda Prasad Batala, from Shaktikhor cantonments have passed this year´s SLC exams.
Six new mothers and a murderer? Eh........
New dead line for the constitution writing, another year of suspence. Not a big surprise that the political parties(or whomever we should hold responsible)did not meet the dead line of the interim constitution writing on May 28. The rumour though is that four days after Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal tendered his resignation(which was last week), the outgoing prime minister´s move came after a secret agreement with Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal on the basic principles of the new constitution and the peace process. What this might entail is yet to be seen. UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal is a named candidate as a future PM. As is Maoist Vice Chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai. And Pushpa Kamal Dahal, the chairman of the largest party in the Constituent Assembly. Or anybody else really. Which is what seems to be the only consensus around here. In Nepali politics, anything can happen type of thing.
Still trying to wrap my head around that I am in a develping country and that things are done differently here. Nepal has for instance, not yet managed to buy the passport reading machines that are required these days according to international security standards. The hand written passports can still be found but today it seems that the bidding is at least back on track.
KATHMANDU, July 5: An initial evaluation by the committee formed to judge bids for a multi-million dollar machine-readable passport (MRP) project of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has found three out of four bidders meeting all criteria set in bidding documents.
Altogether four international bidders -- De La Rue, Oberthur Technologies, PERUM PERURI and 3M Technologies -- are in the race for the project. But the evaluation committee headed by Chief of Protocol Mukti Nath Bhatta has found 3M Technologies not meeting the set criteria.
Not sure if hand written passports would go down well if used to travel overseas. Somebody need to make a decision so international travels can happen smoothly for the local population over here.
Some good news: ANFA awarded Rs 50,000 and a 21-inch Samsung color television set to each member of the Nepali women´s football team. A tv? Sure, why not? This news was followed by the this snippet of news though:
Coca-Cola, the official sponsor of the World Cup, has also been providing support to the All Nepal Football Association, says Saumindra Bhattacharya, managing director of BNL. “Football is a core passion in Nepal. It is progressing in multiple dimensions,” he said, and added, “This year we have also sponsored football for girls in Nepal.”
Ah, this is where the tv comes in! Progress.
And finally, I don't know what to make of this piece of journalistic work, but this is what from todays Republica newspaper:
CHITWAN, July 3: Two hundred and eighty-one Maoist combatants, including six new mothers and murderer of businessman Ram Hari Shrestha Govinda Prasad Batala, from Shaktikhor cantonments have passed this year´s SLC exams.
Six new mothers and a murderer? Eh........
söndag 23 maj 2010
Discipline dilemma-to beat or not to beat children
Having a well needed weekend off, I am leafing though VOW(Voice of Women)a Nepali magazine and I read:
Discipline is an uncomfortable element that exist between parents and children. When your children through a tantrum, when they don't listen to you, you might as well want to give them a slap or two because the belief that 'beating children for behaving badly is normal' is entrenched in our culture. News that students have been severely beaten for the violation of rules at school continues to make headlines.
The article then proceeds by offering some effective disciplinary actions(not beating)and give reasons for not beating such as the child will learn violence is an accepted way to solve problems..
I don't know how to react to this. On one hand I think it is positive that this is being talked about in a feature article but the major part of me just feel sad that in(I imagine)"modern" magazine for women this is not a subject from the past. At lest they are discussing it.
*I continue leafing through the magazine*
I am amazed at the number of ads marketing a whitening product. Whitening as in making your skin whiter. And not only to make you face "five shades whiter" but also your tan line from your t-shirt or you legs or whatever part of your body that has been exposed to the sun. There are even product to whiten your armpits(as in your deodorant)! AND there is a feature story about a competition sponsored by the company Fair and Lovely and the winner do indeed long fair and lovely. Maybe I react so much to this because I am of a pale/pink constitution myself. A fair skinned Sweden ends up in a country filled with amazingly beautiful women who i can not for my life understand why they would like to change it but maybe it is equally strange to understand the tanning industry back home.
The articles on Urticaria(hives),Why Men Want Taken Women, Breast Power exercises, self defense against somebody trying to choke you from behind, Love and Sex in the time of pornography could have been found in any magazine back home but then I come across a question from an anonymous women. She needs marital advice as she has had three daughters and her husband is very angry at her for not producing a son. She has just given birth and he is blaming her. She feels very weak and don't think her body can take another birth. They live(very commonly)with his family and she writes that her in laws are supportive of her. The answer comes: look after yourself and your little one and please note that the inability to produce a son lies mostly in the male chromosomes. He wont probably listen to that though. We are happy you have a supportive family, best of luck.
So, I am again learning that just when I think I understand a bit of this culture I realize there is so much to learn. And maybe also accepting that there are things I actually do not like. At all.
Discipline is an uncomfortable element that exist between parents and children. When your children through a tantrum, when they don't listen to you, you might as well want to give them a slap or two because the belief that 'beating children for behaving badly is normal' is entrenched in our culture. News that students have been severely beaten for the violation of rules at school continues to make headlines.
The article then proceeds by offering some effective disciplinary actions(not beating)and give reasons for not beating such as the child will learn violence is an accepted way to solve problems..
I don't know how to react to this. On one hand I think it is positive that this is being talked about in a feature article but the major part of me just feel sad that in(I imagine)"modern" magazine for women this is not a subject from the past. At lest they are discussing it.
*I continue leafing through the magazine*
I am amazed at the number of ads marketing a whitening product. Whitening as in making your skin whiter. And not only to make you face "five shades whiter" but also your tan line from your t-shirt or you legs or whatever part of your body that has been exposed to the sun. There are even product to whiten your armpits(as in your deodorant)! AND there is a feature story about a competition sponsored by the company Fair and Lovely and the winner do indeed long fair and lovely. Maybe I react so much to this because I am of a pale/pink constitution myself. A fair skinned Sweden ends up in a country filled with amazingly beautiful women who i can not for my life understand why they would like to change it but maybe it is equally strange to understand the tanning industry back home.
The articles on Urticaria(hives),Why Men Want Taken Women, Breast Power exercises, self defense against somebody trying to choke you from behind, Love and Sex in the time of pornography could have been found in any magazine back home but then I come across a question from an anonymous women. She needs marital advice as she has had three daughters and her husband is very angry at her for not producing a son. She has just given birth and he is blaming her. She feels very weak and don't think her body can take another birth. They live(very commonly)with his family and she writes that her in laws are supportive of her. The answer comes: look after yourself and your little one and please note that the inability to produce a son lies mostly in the male chromosomes. He wont probably listen to that though. We are happy you have a supportive family, best of luck.
So, I am again learning that just when I think I understand a bit of this culture I realize there is so much to learn. And maybe also accepting that there are things I actually do not like. At all.
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