Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Headline

INDEPTH ANALYSIS:
King Gyanendra's silence is baffling!

Kathmandu : Hardly have a word been uttered by King Gyanendra after the April momentous change. He is silent and has been, hopefully, listening to all the political overtures that have gone against his status and prerogatives that he enjoyed until the beginning of this year.

Questions are being asked in the academic as well the diplomatic circles as to why the King is not speaking his mind?

Has he opted for this on his own? Or has he been told to do so by some influential political quarters?

All remain a mystery which could only be untangled if the King ventilates his inner feelings. But he appears to have vowed not to speak come what may.

Imaginably, he must have some inner pains to ventilate. Understandably, certain political changes that have gone not in his favor after the April change could have prompted him for the moment to rebuke through the channels that are still available for him but then yet he has so far acquired a different posture that is almost equivalent to a benevolent monarch who appears to have completely consoled himself that he would not go against what is being charted by the people for him in the days ahead.

But then yet his stoic silence has puzzled many including some in this paper as well.

A monarch who wished to be a constructive one until recently is voiceless. It appears that he is closely monitoring the ongoing political events who might ventilate his minds only after all the dissenting voices against him cease.

This could be possible. However, how can one guess what is in his minds?

Some say he has several cards under his sleeve still which time permitting he could use as a political card.

Others say even in that eventuality he would have no supporters to toe his line.

Interpretations galore.

Nevertheless, analysts at this paper have dared to ponder over the possible reasons and compulsions of King Gyanendra's present stillness at least in the fast changing politics of the country more so after the successful conclusion of the agreement arrived at in between the government and the Maoists.

The possible reasons could be as follows.

Firstly, it is probable that Prime Minister Koirala himself has assured the King that since he was already backing his case and hence there was no need for the King to champion his case.

Secondly, it thus becomes plausible to understand that Koirala himself has told the King not to speak for the moment.

Thirdly, the King himself could have concluded that in the charged political context his speech or airing of his mind would have no profound impact on the minds of the people and hence this decision.

Fourthly, the King could have analyzed himself that the more and more he is aloof from the country's political scene or keeps a comfortable distance with the ongoing political changes; a time will soon come that the people will themselves long for listening to his inner minds.

This logic is plausible in the sense that there is a theory in political science which states that the "people have a short memory" and the King could have in his mind that this theory would apply to him and his country men sooner than later.

Fifthly, Koirala's increasing neck-to-neck friendly relations with Comrade Prachanda is believed to have worked for the betterment of the institution of the monarchy.

Analysts though don't prefer to jump at deriving any solid conclusions because of the recently developed "intimacy" of the two diametrically opposing political ideologues, however, they wish to draw some clue that this growing closeness in between the two must have in some way or the other cooled down the irritation that comrade Prachanda have had for the King.

Some even say that by this time Koirala must have convinced Prachanda as to why he needs the continuation of the monarchy in the country and in response the latter too in an implied manner have begun to subscribe Koirala's concerns.

However, these were all unsubstantiated reports. Nevertheless, this presumption gets a new encouragement when one learnt the other day from none less than Krishna Bahadur Mahara who said point blank that if the CA decided in favor of the monarchy he and his party would be obliged to respect and honor the verdict of the people.

Add to this, on Monday, Sujata Koirala, a promising NC leader bluntly told a press gathering in Ithari, a small town in between Biratnagar and Dharan that her party, in her won words, " the NC favors ceremonial kingship".

This was not all from Ms. Koirala. She stunned many a brains in the country when she point blank said that "not only the PM but the entire Nepali congress wants this".

With Ms. Koirala's bold and determined revelation what comes to the fore that NC as a political paraphernalia will henceforth toe the ceremonial King line come what may.

This automatically means that the NC at times of the CA polls will seek votes explaining the need as to why the party as such needed the institution of the monarchy.

And finally, Prachanda's hidden love and respect for Koirala becomes crystal clear from the fact when he says forcefully that no else than Koirala and Koirala alone could be the best option for the post of Interim Prime Minister of the Interim Nepal. This explains the kind of "intimacy" that the two have developed recently for each other which is not only loaded with meaning but significant as well for obvious political reasons.

The King thus has reasons to smile even if his internal pleasures which he must have are now only a matter of guess works only.

 STRIP NEWS:
UML is the loser; party in an unprecedented crisis

Madhav Kumar Nepal

Kathmandu : Visibly the UML has politically been cornered by the major political parties such as the Nepali Congress under Koirala and the Maoists under Prachanda.

That Prime Minister Koirala cut the wings of the UML party and brought the party to the size what it should have been became clear when Koirala brought at par the Jungle force with one of the major parliamentary force while allocating the number of seats that those two political parties will now have in the interim legislature.

Koirala not only rebuked the UML request to elevate its numerical strength even by a single personality but also sent disturbing signals to the aggrieved party that in his eyes comrade Prachanda's party was much dependable than those led by namesake communists.

The already frustrated UML party as such is getting further jerks in the districts and villages wherein the UML cadres and local leaders are enmasse swelling the strength of the Maoists by deserting their mother party.

The internal jerks inside the party are many which are of their own making.

The party as of today is divided into several groups led by different political personalities such as Mr. Nepal , Mr. J.N.Khanal, Mr. Bamdev Gautam, K.P.Woli to name a few.

The recent tussle in between and among the UML leaders is on count of who should be sent to the interim cabinet. This automatically meant that the UML crisis is concerning whose "yes-man" should be sent to the cabinet in order to keep the party in its grip.

While on the one hand Madhav Nepal would wish his near and dear one, Amrit Kumar Bohra to get inducted in the next cabinet, on the other, the group led by incumbent foreign minister Woli would like to provide him with continuity. The other group backed perhaps by Madhav Nepal would want Jhal Nath Khanal to replace Woli.

Perhaps sensing this threat of being replaced looming large over his head, Woli cut short his India trip last weekend and rushed back to Kathmandu to save his chair which allows him both free trips abroad and dollars.

The UML's agony does not end here.

The UML has been subjected to tremendous pressure from the rival Maoists quarters as well.

The Maoists would want and love the entry into the interim cabinet of Bam Dev Gautam whom they see as their man in the UML.

To recall, Mr. Bam Dev Gautam, more so after his return from New Delhi 's long sojourn early this year, has become more republican than the declared republicans. It is some thing very close to more catholic than Pope.

It is this reason that the Maoists have in their own manner seducing UML leaders at different levels to secure votes in favor of their man in the party. The Maoists hope that Gautam's inclusion in the cabinet would surely add to the strength of their voice in order to secure and ensure a republican Nepal after the conclusion of the CA polls.

The UML as a party is definitely not full of fools. Several intelligent brains too were there. The party has already sensed this foul play and hence what has internally been decided that the party will not send Gautam to the interim cabinet. If done so would be a suicidal move.

The UML got yet another political jerk of the highest order when the other day Ms. Sujata Koirala squarely blamed the UML party GS, Madhav Kumar Nepal, to have been, in her own words, " working overtime to hinder the implementation of the agreement between the seven party alliance and the Maoists".

If Ms. Koirala's contention were taken at its face value then what becomes visibly clear is that the UML's Madhav Nepal is considered to be a "bad boy" by the entire congress machinery which also speaks abundantly of the sour relations that currently exists in between the two political parties.

Madhav Nepal 's inner pains are understandable. He prepared suitable clothes for himself at different intervals of times in the recent years with a hope that he would be picked up as the country's next prime minister.

Neither the King in the past took note of his inner feelings nor it seems now that he would be provided this post in a silver plate.

Comrade Prachanda's insistence on giving his desired post once again to Koirala in the would be arrangement has forced Madhav Nepal almost in a position wherein he will soon begin pulling his hair whatever is left if he is denied this post.

Prachanda has given ample signal to all and sundry that prior to November 22, 2005 in New Delhi itself, it had been decided by all the parties in alliance that the interim prime ministership would be awarded to Koirala.

Madhav Nepal and some other frustrated aspirants of the Prime Ministerial post have converged to challenge this Prachanda's claim which they boldly say that it had not been decided in advance as voiced by Prachanda and Mahara.

Some analysts predict that the manner Koirala in collaboration with Prachanda has cornered or say sidelined the UML as a party, the party might retaliate in a befitting manner.

In what manner such a possible retaliation comes to the surface will have to be watched.

Others say that the UML will toe the famous dictum, "enemy's enemy is my friend".

Should this mean that the UML which is by all means a weakened force will clandestinely join hands with yet another similar undermined force, the institution of the monarchy, and devise schemes to thwart the designs of the congress-Maoists combine?

If this happens so fortunately or even unfortunately, then once again the King has reasons to beam. For sure, the institution of the monarchy will thus immensely benefit from such inner and intra party wrangling.

BOX NEWS:
Bids afoot to reunify the RPP

Kathmandu : It is not only the UML party as such has been utterly discarded by some political paraphernalia in the recent days but there are several other parties of the former Panchas-now scattered in various political camps- who too conclude that they were being deliberately marginalized.

For example, the RPP under Pasupati Rana's leadership, has become the second target of the men handling the country's political affairs who have point blank told the RPP stalwarts that the interim legislature would be formed without their participation.

This means that the seven party alliances would treat the RPP as a party close to the Royal institution which, they presume, to have remained instrumental in providing proper shield to the said regime in the not so distant past.

However, this is not true. Albeit a splinter of the RPP which was later headed by Kamal Thapa encouraged the King to go ahead with his schemes.

Nevertheless, the frustrated RPP stalwarts too were considering ways and means to thwart the designs of those who wish to minimize their would be role in the country's politics by clandestinely converging together in order to constitute a broader front of the RPP men now divided in different splinter groups so that a front that matches to the strength of those minimizing their role that is their due.

In the process, reports have it that Kamal Thapa willingly resigned from his RPP splinter in order to facilitate the two divided RPP to become one. Who will head the new RPP combine is yet to be decided. But then yet Mr. Rabindra Nath Sharma has now replaced Kamal Thapa. To recall, Mr. Sharma is considered to be pretty close to the South Block establishment. This has some meaning underneath.

Yet another report says that Nepal's top-most conspiratorial political brain that remains unmatched yet, Surya Bahadur Thapa- who is also the head of a party called the Rastriya Janashakti Party, is thinking to bring the party led by Keshar Bahadur Bista to get unified with his party.

To recall, Mr. Bista is a political animal having several years of experience in politics and also considered to be a close associate of Mr. Thapa.

Interestingly, Mr. Sharma's heading the party previously headed by Kamal Thapa and Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa coming closer to Mr. Bista apparently possesses some political connotations. To recall, S.B.Thapa had recently been in Nepal 's political Mecca-New Delhi.

Yet another report says that when the RPP will become a single entity then there are chances that those liberals rejected and neglected by the UML and the congress could join the party of the neo-liberals. Naturally when this happens would bring the liberals from the congress and the RPP together which would allow both of the two to seek votes in favor of the preservation of the institution of the monarchy.

No wonder an equally frustrated UML if joins the camps of the liberal to take revenge from those who have minimized their political status to what was their due.

All put together, politics is taking a new turn which surely will divide the nation into two equal halves as has been freshly suggested by Comrade Prachanda in his latest interview granted to his own party's mouth piece-JANADESH weekly dated November 14.

By early December, let’s hope and presume that the country's politics will take a new course.

By and large, if the RPP reunifies itself, it might become the third or even fourth largest party in the country after the CA polls.

MISCELLANEOUS:
Shangri-la relaunched

 Kathmandu : A small group of some enthusiasts from the business sector have dared to re-launch a magazine-Shangri-la-the former in-flight magazine of the Nepal 's flag carrier.

The magazine as such had not been in existence for some years due to internal problems.

However, since peace is about to dawn in the nation, the re-launching of Shangri-La magazine is not only opportune but a timely event that would surely erase the already tarnished image of this once peaceful land due to the conflict which lasted for over than a decade.

To recall, some countries in the immediate neighborhood tried deliberately project as an unsafe destination in order to divert the tourists to their countries.

Rajendra Bahadur Shreshtha-an eminent journalist himself-is the Managing Director of the said magazine.

The in-flight magazine through the publication of various relevant articles wants first to regain Nepal 's lost image over the years. Secondly, the magazine would wish to print articles that speak abundantly of the world renowned cultural heritage and the traditions of this Shangri-La country.

The second issue of this in-flight magazine will appear early next year, said Mr. Shrestha at a press conference held in Kathmandu on Sunday evening.

SINGLE COLUMN NEWS:
Peace process must be led by Nepalese people says Danish minister

Kathmandu: Mrs. Ulla Tørnæs, the Danish Development minister has said that the peace agreement between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists is a decisive and important step towards lasting peace in Nepal.

A press note issued by the Kathmandu based Danish embassy dated November 9in Kathmandu sates that the minister said among others, "A central point in the negotiations has been the issue of arms management. The parties have agreed upon a plan and the United Nations will monitor the implementation of the plan. Denmark has offered to support the UN mission in Nepal ".

Denmark , the press note further says, has been actively supporting the peace process in Nepal and will continue to be so.

Denmark has earmarked DKK 50 million on the Finance Bill for 2007 and likewise in 2008, in total DKK 100 million, equivalent to NPR 1.2 billion for support to various activities within the peace process, it is learnt.

"It is important that the peace process is fully supported by the international community but is led by the Nepalese and that the ownership by the people of Nepal is crucial to secure that peace takes root and lasts", the statement stresses.

"I had the opportunity to visit Nepal in September 2006 and I am very happy for the recent political development. It is my hope that the peace accord will lead to lasting peace and stability, which have been the endeavors of the Nepalese people for many years", the minister concludes.

Bombay Techfest to be held early next year

Kathmandu: The internationally acclaimed Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India’s premier technical institute and considered also one of the best in the world presents the tenth edition of the largest student organized science and

technology fest across Asia , Techfest 2007.

Techfest was started with the aim of bringing students, academia and industry on a common platform and over the past 9 years through competitions, workshops, lectures and exhibitions has successfully achieved the same. In

its short history, Techfest has a number of firsts to its credit including the first Indian college festival to go international, back in 2004. Since then Techfest have witnessed teams from all across the globe including USA , Iran , Singapore , Sri Lanka , Pakistan and Nepal , all of whom have been winners and not just mere participants.

Techfest 2007 will be held from 26th to 28th January, 2007 at IIT Bombay, India. The tenth edition promises to be a blast as it promotes 3 international level competitions with prize money of over 2000 US$. What’s more, Techfest 2007 will also provide return airfare to select international teams who pass the video eliminations. This year’s

international challenges are as follows Micromouse - Presenting a world renowned problem statement wherein participants have to design an autonomous machine “the mouse” that can travel to the centre of the maze in the shortest possible time and grab “the cheese” i.e. prize money worth 750 US$!!! Over the years the machines have just become faster and the records keep tumbling. The world record beckons…

S.N.A.P. - Design a computer controlled navigator which uses only an overhead camera to follow a single track and reach the destination. The navigator is expected to use image processing and implement vision based navigation. Prize money at stake is 750 US $. Full Throttle: Afterburn – This one is surely for all the speed fanatics out there!! Techfest

2007 presents a one of a kind car racing competition wherein it’s required to design an IC engine powered, remote controlled (RC) car that can run on a dirt track full of bumps and sharp turns. With prize money of USD 1000, the competition is just getting tougher and better and the race is on…

The above competitions truly epitomize the grandeur of Techfest and are sure to give an adrenaline rush, not just to participants but also viewers. The last date for registration and submission of videos for elimination and hence consideration of travel reimbursement is November 20th, 2006 . For more details regarding the competition statement, registrations and any other information please visit the website http://www.techfest.org/international .

ENBREF:

Nepali Maoists betrayed the revolution: Indian counterparts

Kathmandu: The Communist Party of India (Maoist) in an article in its organ, The People’s March, blasted the Nepali Maoists saying that, by forging an agreement with the government they have betrayed the revolution, reports the Times of India from Delhi. Whereas, responding to a query, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai coined the currently signed agreement as a compromise document, reports the daily. “There’s no question of arms surrender because we haven’t been defeated by anybody,” Bhattarai added.

Trans-Asian Railway Network: Nepal signs accord

Kathmandu: In the ongoing Asian Transport Minister's Conference in Busan, South Korea, Nepal signed the letter of agreement for building the trans-Asian Railway Network linking the continents of Asia and Europe during the ongoing.

The conference is organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and the Government of South Korea.

$21.2 million for Nepal: IMF

Kathmandu: The International Monetary Fund has approved a $21.2 million disbursement for Nepal after reviewing Nepal's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper which provides a sound basis for achieving higher growth, the IMF Deputy Managing Director, Takatoshi Kato said.

Madhya Marsyandi ydro Power cost to double

Kathmandu: A local vernacular daily this week reported that the construction cost of the second largest Madhya Marsyandi hydropower power project will be double than estimated after a 3-year delay of work accomplishment. The daily quoting NEA officials reports that the construction work will finish by 2007 and additional 13 billion Nepali rupees (185 million U.S. dollars) will be spent in addition to the estimated project cost of 13.65 billion Nepali rupees (195 million dollars).

Army to recruit 4,000 posts

Kathmandu: The Nepali Army is to recruit over 4,000 vacant posts in technical and non-technical departments. The Nepal Army was officially directed by the Ministry of Defense to fill the posts, news reports.

The new reports citing a highly placed sources also claim that the NA is to soon publish an advertisement for the recruitment of soldiers, non-combatants like followers and officers and clerical staffs in technical field.