Will session be fruitful ?

The winter session of parliament has, expectedly, begun on a note of dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to protect citizens from violence especially caused by Maoist insurgency. However, the main point that deserves serious thought on the part of all political parties and parliamentarians is the directives given by His Majesty the King on three key issues.

Interestingly, His Majesty’s written directive to the House stressing the need to maintain transparency and accountability of political parties’ financial status is a point that none can afford to ignore. Actually, political parties have long been criticised for reckless acquisition and spending of funds, mainly during elections, and a suggestion to systematize them from the Head of State naturally calls for  prompt and positive response. Likewise, His Majesty’s suggestion that future elections be made more transparent, fair and “peaceful”, and also the suggestion to explore ways to resolve the prevailing Maoist crisis make much sense.

Speaker Taranath Rana Bhat has asserted that the House would be “fully aware and active” in abiding by the crown’s advices. Constituents of the Nepalese parliamentary system, including all political parties, must think seriously about correcting the ills in the system.

The focus of deliberations on the first day of the winter session was over the growing problem of law and order in Maoist affected districts. Hundreds of people have lost their lives so far. The fact that even policemen are being killed in attacks underscores the magnitude of the terror that has engulfed these districts. Unless the government can come up with measures to resolve the problem—not with repression alone—things will only get worse. Despite Prime Minister Bhattarai’s assertion that his government is determined to provide peace and security to the people, Maoists have not lessened their attacks. Only last month, rebels bombed a police station killing 15 and injuring 24 police personnel. And it is said the administration is backing out by shutting down police stations and withdrawing from several locations. This is indeed very sad. If only a dialogue could materialise, then there would surely be hope of a resolution. The problem of Bhutanese refugees would also need the attention of parliament. A way to effect the repatriation of Bhutanese refugee problem must also be sought.

In a sense,  the present House session seems to be giving ample time for opposition parties to censure the government on a number of issues, including corruption, whereas the ruling party seems to be preparing for a power shift in the government. The much talked about agreement between Prime Minister K P Bhattarai and NC president Girija Prasad Koirala seems to have had its impact on other parties too. In this situation, when transfer of power is the main concern in the ruling party and the opposition appears bent on going for street agitation, it is difficult to examine what could be achieved in this session.

Going by the fact that only three bills have been tabled despite an earlier notice to bring some 50 of them, it is doubtful that the present working session will be fruitful. However, the session, expected to last for about a month, could be deemed fruitful if it manages to ensure a better law and order situation and a better political trust among leaders. Just a change in the leadership of the government cannot bring about anything concrete for the general well-being of the people.

Enron between myth and reality

By Puran P Bista

Enron, the Texas based energy power company that has applied for “letter of intent” to conduct the preliminary survey of the 10,800-MW Karnali-Chisapani hydro-project, has become a “US-made mythical beast” in the eyes of those who do not believe in development. What they talk about is prosperity without light. This is why Enron has not been given the licence to conduct a survey.

A decade ago, Enron faced similar problems in India when Hindu fundamentalists belonging to Bal Thackaray’s Shiva Sena opposed the two billion plus dollar project at Dhabol in western Maharashtra.

The licence to construct the Dhabol project was awarded by the Maratha sugar baron Sharad Pawar. He was the state’s chief minister then. With the assembly elections of 1990, the Shiv Sena- BJP combine formed the government in Maharashtra state and halted the construction of Dhabol project. Later, the Enron chief of India operations, Rebecca Mark met Bal Thackaray to resume construction.

If Maharashtra, which generates 75 percent of Indian revenue has so many hitches awarding a project, how can anyone think the Nepalese have a better record of  awarding  projects like the Karnali-Chisapani to any multinational power company?

After the opening of the Indian economy, the so-called Hindi heartland - especially Bihar and Uttar Pradesh (UP) states - have lagged far behind other Indian states in terms of development and economic growth. South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are an example of this. Although Bihar is richer than other Indian states in mineral resources, South India has overtaken even Indian states like Punjab and Haryana in economic growth. The truth is there is acute shortage of energy in the Hindi heartland and New Delhi also has failed to meet the growing energy demand.

For this, I blame Kautilya’s Shastra, not his Arthashashtra. His Shastra states that ‘any neighbour becomes an enemy, hence he or she cannot be trusted because he or she is not a friend’. The decision taken by any Nepali or Indian political party so far on issues of national development has, no matter how important they are, met a vertical end.  Probably, this is the reason that has led us into darkness and inhuman conditions which none of us can see now without light.

Every third person, for instance, in the Gangetic plains, not only lives under acute poverty but is also an illiterate. Many educated persons in this region are Hindu fundamentalists. They quote verses from the Gita just to hide the reality with myth. With misplaced nationalism they also refer to the Shastra.

The fact is that neither India nor Nepal have yet gotten over Kautilya’s hangover. We look suspiciously at each other because, we who talk of 85,000 MW energy at home, have never been able to directly voice our concern over the downstream benefits with India. The Mahakali treaty is an example of our inability to negotiate. Otherwise, our political leaders could, at least, have made India settle the issue of benefits before signing the treaty. It is sad to say that we have started raising our voice on downstream benefits only after Enron applied for the survey licence. Our voice has  become a cliche now. The reason why it is a cliche is what we see is neither new nor relevant. All prime ministers and ministers for water resources of earlier governments have gone through the same exercise again and again.

A white-collar Indian hawk watching Nepali activities in South block knows how many rivers (or what percentage of water) feed the people living in the Gangetic plains. But  Benaras bred pundits preaching Kautilya’s Shastra in Kathmandu are not aware of any activity. There will be a furore in India if waters of Nepali rivers are to be diverted within the country for irrigation or storage purposes. Thus, most Indians see Enron as no better than a US made mythical beast that has come to eat the ancestors’ property. New Delhi is likely to warn even Kathmandu not to divert waters, if we reach an agreement with Enron, instead of talking on downstream benefits.

Today for India, water has become more important than energy since energy, it believes, is within its reach while water is not. Two Indian Dravid states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have been fighting for water of Kaveri river for the last two decades. The last parliamentary elections in both the states saw the intensity of water dispute. Tamil Nadu chief minister, Karunanidhi, returned to power ensuring his farmers the Kaveri water. New Delhi fears possible centre-state clashes whenever the former refuses to release water to the latter during dry season. Therefore, a comprehensive settlement of Kaveri water has remained beyond BJP’s reach.

Myth has it that we need to settle downstream benefits before issuing the survey licence to Enron while the reality stands that India is, in no way, ready to talk on it. Under such circumstances, how can the government issue the survey licence to Enron? Can Enron allocate 10 percent of the total project budget for development elsewhere such as education, health care, transportation and industry? If Enron wants to construct Karnali-Chisapani, then it should be willing to sign a contract that addresses our needs directly.

The key point to realise before the survey licence is not downstream benefits but two very different objectives : Enron wants to make profit and Nepal wants development.

But the worry is: if Enron withdraws its application, foreign investments may not enter the energy sector in future. Because, every one is aware of the damage the environmentalists have done to projects in Narmada and Tehri dam in India. This was one of the reasons the World Bank withdrew its loan for Arun-III.

Just can’t figure it out

By Nitu Kedia

Basically there are two types of students in this world, those who can do maths, and those who cannot. Maths is a very doing subject. It doesn’t matter if you love it, hate it, adore it or abhor it, the bottom line is whether you can do it. The ones who can do it form a rather elite circle, the charmed few that can twist numbers round their little cylindrical fingers. Then, there are the whisky-washy types, the ones who can do it. They find respite from daydreaming and collecting picture postcards of the Indian cricket team. Usually, of course, they choose not to do it until they can hear exams creaking around the school and corridors, and from then on they too join the elitist category.

The worst-off are people like me - the non-doers. The duffers. The fools. The plain and prosaic idiots. We people cannot do maths. We simply cannot. It is way beyond our physical, mental and spiritual capacities. It is a horrible kind of progressive disease, this maths-o-phobia. Things seem fine when we’re kids. We can do the 2+3=5, 5*5=25 and 25/5=5 calculations with consummate ease. Trouble starts brewing when the 5 turns to 5000, the divisions turns into fractions and percentages, when pure and simple calculation turns into a complicated exercise routine. Would you believe it, it actually takes some of us 10 years in school to realize that five zeros after a 1 make one lakh, not one million (or do they?) As for multiplying, adding, dividing and generally playing all these zeros with each other, it leads to another big zero- usually on our report cards. And as if this wasn’t enough, some creep discovers x, y and z and the whole mysterious rigmarole called algebra. C’mon, if we don’t understand actual figures, how do you expect us to figure out the quantities of abstract terms?

After algebra comes geometry and one weird long book on logarithms. Then, when we’ve finally inched our way into 10+(by floundering and falling most of the time) we meet the grand old daddy of them all- calculus. By this time, most of us non-doers start hatching tentative plans on either butchering the maths teacher or retiring to study human psychology in the Himalayas. The sensible ones, of course, drop the subject, when they reach college. “Freedom at last” they yell inwardly. Alas, they do not comprehend that freedom is merely a wicked illusion. The dreaded maths-o-phobia sticks on with you for life, like an incurable epidemic. Years after college, when the nightmare has faded ... one beautiful summer day, you meet your to-be in-laws for the first time. You’re shy, yet eager to please. Apparently, they adore you. And then, your pa-in-law squeaks, “My sonny boy says, you were a first-class student in school?” Your agnipariksha, do you lie or tell the truth? Because it is a matter of your happy marital life, you choose the latter, and confess to your ugly secret: you failed in maths in your board exams ... twice! And you wave a tearful goodbye to matrimony. Maths has done it again, ruined your life!

Now, some of you must be sitting around, shrugging your shoulders, wondering what the hullabaloo is all about. C’mon, admit, you’re one of those doers, aren’t you? It isn’t fair, but you have been blessed (figuratively, of course) so enjoy it while it lasts. One day in the near future when you fall in love for the first time, or when you get your first salary, when you’re gasping with awe at the first sight of the Niagara Falls or when you become a grand parent for the first time, you’ll realize that life isn’t so calculating after all. That day, my dear calculators, you will regret that you were born a genius.

By the way, just in case you became one of those bespectacled CA’s, will you handle my accounts, please? (please, please, please...)

International politics of 21st century

By Ramesh P Khanal

International relations have seen  tremendous changes over the last century. The world did not only witness the scourge of two vicious World Wars, it had to bear the brunt of intermittent Cold War between so-called super powers of the world. To establish a peaceful and humane society, every country has been advocating for a just order based on rules, norms and values. As the world was divided between two blocs, it was rather immaterial to conceive the idea of a unified world based on  peace, harmony and justice.

As such, conflicts used to crop up one after another. Nation states work  in consonance with their national interests and always look for  ways to ensure national interests with actions in international affairs. No state is prepared to sacrifice its national interest merely in the name of peace and harmony. Nation states are determined to uphold peace and justice as long as their national interests are not imperilled. In the meantime, no nation can remain aloof from the happenings in international relations whether in international organizations or any other fora.

Recognition in the international fora such as United Nations or other organizations is crucial for  nations to further their interests. International organizations, as we understand today, are a medium for airing issues and concepts for the enhancement of national interests. Consequently, it would be pertinent to state that national interests are guiding forces in foreign policy formulations. Regional conflicts, ethnic wars, border problems, trade, issue of technology transfer, arms race and competition for markets were some major areas of contention during the last century. In the early part of the century, powerful nations vied to increase their spheres of influence for easy access for their goods and services. They could exploit consumers as also the  rich resources.

Cultural clashes have been major causes of conflict in international politics. Economic and trade issues figure prominently in dealing with   relations between nations. Cultural preoccupation, religious and ethnic alliance are  interwoven with the so-called patriotism and chauvinism that are  major stumbling blocks for creating a harmonious international environment. Nations chart out policies in accordance with their preoccupation. The last century witnessed nations clashing on the pretext of religion, ethnicity, and stubborn despotism. The world witnessed the emergence of ‘world police’ in the form of the United States which has become the most powerful nation.

Fragility of the former Soviet Union proved that economics holds the reign of the regime and no nation has ever dare to compromise economics with politics. No matter what the lofty ideals of the socialist governments in the USSR were, no matter how the communist leaders bellowed that they were working for the benefit of the larger community, reality called for a drastic economic and political overhaul which could not materialize then, and consequently disintegrated the former Soviet Union.

Economic development, technological advancement and the miracle of information superhighway brought a new concept of world village, which is interlinked and interdependent. As such, globalization and liberalization became buzz words of the century. Poor and underdeveloped masses, though, could not get guarantee of   basic livelihood. The world experienced massive economic growth on the one hand and on the other, the ever-widening gap between the rich and poor could not be bridged. Tendency towards exorbitant spending on mass killing armaments and development of newer   ways of offence and defence cannot be termed as positive development of the day. The gloomy picture thus created by the advanced countries and their selfish policies are glaring example of the course nations fulfilling their vested interests take. International economic scenario did not leave room for optimism among developing countries that are engulfed in war, conflict or natural calamities and severely curtailed of their room for manoeuvring.

Globalization of world economy brought nations together on the one hand and on the other, challenges in the form of cut-throat competition in seeking markets for their products. This heralded  perennial conflicts that otherwise would have been avoided or lessened. The emergence of world as a ‘global village’ through  unprecedented development in communication especially in the areas of telecommunications and information technology is worth mentioning. The course of international affairs has been greatly influenced by the ensuing revolution of information technology. Nations that lag behind in accepting this revolution will have to be left out in the cold and their say in international politics will be minimal or virtually non-existence. Though the diplomatic undercurrents will be difficult to discern, it is easy to speculate the course of action a nation might undertake in certain fronts.

The issues and challenges in world affairs of the 21st century are trade, environment, technology superiority, nuclear weapons and outer space, welfare of mankind, establishment of world with peace, justice and harmony. The efforts of  least developed and developing nations to erase the concept of ‘North-South’ divide, segregation and discrimination based on sex, race and religion must prominently figure in international politics. Another most important aspect would be the promotion and protection of basic human rights, which will become a cornerstone of international relations. Woes of small and underdeveloped nations and their upliftment will also be major highlights of the century.