Resolve TIA strike

The Civil Aviation Authority must put an end to the prolonged suspension of the 27 striking employees of Tribhuvan International Airport. It must either prove they are guilty and dismiss them or reinstate them on the ground that the investigation of the High Level Commission into the December 24 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC 814 was inconclusive.

Altogether 60 people, including high ranking Civil Aviation and police officers had been suspended immediately after the hijack took place. Except for the 27 who are not ‘high ranking’ officers, all have been reinstated. Why? Why should they not also be reinstated when the lack of evidence has become so evident. There must be a decision based on the Commission’s report which, though rather vague in that it did not hold anyone responsible, did nevertheless recommend departmental action and other forms of punishment including suspension. Did that not wrap up the investigation then, as we were given to believe when the report came out? It is difficult to understand the rationale behind the continued suspension of these employees unless they are still under investigation. But it is not difficult to understand that these employees cannot be put in a limbo perpetually because that will be an injustice on them. In these circumstances, the ongoing sit-in at TIA is a natural response of employees who are concerned about their fate. Although demonstrations and other protest programmes are not allowed in front of TIA, the more relevant issue at hand is the future of these people who may just be scapegoats in the making.

Government intervention has now become necessary. Either there should be proof of culpability that will allow prosecution of implicated employees or all 27 of them must be reinstated on grounds of insufficient evidence. The time to decide has now come. The political fallout of the hijack may now have been resolved to the satisfaction of both Nepal and India. It is also heartening to note that security arrangements at TIA are being beefed up, but it is equally saddening to note that TIA employees who could very well be innocent—at least the principle of law says that one is innocent until proven otherwise—are having to suffer. If investigations are to continue, let them. But then, what about the suspension orders which, by its indefinite nature, is costing many of these people their livelihood? The Civil Aviation Authority as well as the government must think about this seriously. For even as the guilty must be punished, the innocent must not be victimized.

Water problem in Kathmandu Valley

By Narayan Prasad Manandhar

Because of slackness in the supply of drinking water in Kathmandu Valley, valley residents have suffered for a long time. There is no water in the taps, even if it is there, it is not sufficient and it is also not certain when it will come. The Melamchi project is expected to solve this problem. In recent times, due to interaction between His Majesty’s Government of Nepal and donor agencies, donor agencies have shown positive attitude about investing the Melamchi Project. It is informed that if this project starts in time, Melamchi will come in 6 years. The estimated cost of the project is 28 billion rupees (US $ 400 million). HMG's plans to relieve the people of Kathmandu valley during this six year period is not yet known.

To manage, sufficient drinking water supply in Kathmandu Valley in the short and long term, to reduce the pollution of the rivers, even to improve the environment of Kathmandu Valley the following measures should be applied:

As Kathmandu Valley lies in the active monsoon region, the present and past data show that there is sufficient rainfall in Kathmandu Valley during the rainy season. Because of lack of storing facilities, more than 90 percent rain water flows to the bay of Bengal. If we could store rain water by making hundreds of reservoirs in the areas of Kirtipur , Godawari, Changu Narayan, Gokarna, Sundarijal, Budhanilkantha, Tokha, Balaju of Kathmandu Valley and link these reservoirs to the drinking water distribution system of the valley to fulfil the demand of water in winter and summer seasons, this will highly contribute to improve water supply in the valley.

Rainwater can be preserved by constructing mini dams in the rivers of the valley on these places- Balaju, Tokha, Gokarna, Manohara, Bagmati, Shankhamul and Tekudovan. These river dams can store trillions of litres of rainwater, which will facilitate irrigation of millions of acres of lands in the bank of these rivers. Due to the availability of waters in rivers, the use of drinking water from the field will be reduced. Because of the waters in the river, even the agricultural products will increase in Kathmandu Valley.

If water can be preserved in such a way, there will be sufficient water in the river and even fishes and other aquatic animals can survive. These aquatic animals consume human waste and clean river water naturally. Because of the abundant water in the rivers, the temperature will also cool down. The environment of the Kathmandu Valley will positively change. With this, Kathmandu Valley can change into a beautiful city.

Because of the availability of water in rivers throughout the year, the pressure on underground water reserve will be less. The seepage of river water in the underground will help to increase the underground water level. This process will save Kathmandu Valley from crumbling. At present, it is estimated that 30 percent of the total amount of water taken out from the underground reservoirs is replaced by seepage of rain water. This wide gap, between the use and replacement of underground water reserve can lead to further crumbling of the valley.

Due to rise in the level of underground water, there will be perennial flow of water in the roar pump. It will certainly help to ease dependence on tap water. Moreover, it will also contribute in the perennial flow of water in the natural taps (Dhunge Dhara) of Kathmandu Valley.

If we could construct big underground reservoirs in public places like Tundikhel, Chhauni, Naxal etc, it will certainly contribute to the regular flow of waters in Sundhara near Dharahara and other natural taps. Due to the construction of underground reservoir in Tundikhel, the water level of Rani Pokhari will rise. The water of the underground reservoirs can be used even as an alternative source of water in times of need.

The government should give financial support to farmers of the valley to construct ponds in 5 percent of their land to collect water in the rainy season that can be used for the remaining 95 percent of the land in times of scarcity especially in the winter and summer. This will certainly help reduce the tendency to use drinking water in the field. This will also increase agricultural productivity in the valley. The government should extend these programmes throughout the country to solve the problems of water in winter and summer for irrigation or even for drinking purposes. This will certainly boost agricultural products in the country. If we can make ponds throughout the country, it will help to control flood and soil erosion in the rainy season. The construction of small ponds throughout the country will positively contribute to the environment while big dams adversely affect the environment.

It is estimated that the cost for developing these proposed infrastructure in Kathmandu Valley will be less than 10 percent of the cost for the presently proposed Melamchi drinking water project. If these suggestions could be implemented it will not only solve the drinking water problem in Kathmandu Valley, but even reduce pollution in rivers. The environment of Kathmandu valley will certainly improve.

Let’s save this earth for the future generation!
The ailing Bagmati

By Geetanjali Lama

Itook a walk along river Bagmati and Pashupati temple to feel no spiritual upliftment. I returned disgusted, saddened and asked myself if this was the tragic end to one of our countries most venerated historical sites.

It is said, lord Shiva danced along the banks of the bagmati perhaps he drank in the serenity of the low-lying hills around the pristine river and decided this would be his abode. Bards sang its glory, poets devoted odes, literature and history propped it on pedestals. Well, much troubled water has flowed along since.

How ironic! The coming MTV generations, disco going, computerized, techno savvy culture will laugh it off as a myth, mythical because they will never look at a glorious river but at the skeletal remains of a river that was once supposedly holy.

I ambled along the sidewalks, the little road that led to the temple was littered with garbage, I am sure it had been dunked down by our "very" civic conscious inhabitants of the friendly neighbourhood. Jostling each other, dogs of all sizes sauntered around with tourists, the former uncannily outnumbered them.

A hoard of hawkers assaulted an amused group of tourists, "a flourishing commercial street" it certainly was, as a group of Indians haggled over the price of a trinket. Shopkeepers closely monitored my advance and one offered to watch my slippers for "Rs 10 only" on condition that I bought the little platter of offerings. I gave in, realizing that I could take a few tips on successful salesmanship strategies. The temple area thronged with a procession of monkeys stealthily eyeing my hands. I suddenly felt threatened I would be mobbed by a legion of monkeys. The once stately, Nandi the bull, currently plastered with withered offerings, grease stains and fingerprints of devotees imprinted for posterity sat there at the entrance... not a very godly sight! Irritating houseflies and pests this time in the form of little urchins ran after me, "didi, do you have a coin to spare?"

I finally, went down to the river side, how true this was an ailing river. The putrid smell of burning flesh was overwhelming, clothes freshly shorn off a corpse, lazily floated across the ankle deep river, an old woman and an urchin fought for the trailing sari and with a long stick they dragged it across to the bank while tourists flashed cameras from the other side of the bank...

"Welcome!" I murmured, "to Bagmati our holy river of sewage, grime and human waste flowing down its trails." Hymns rang out of the temple courts, Ohm Namo Shivaya devotees’ chanted, while I sat there on the river banks convinced by now that If the putrid smell of burning flesh, eager hawkers, wily pujaris, monkeys, houseflies, slimy steps and filth were my only ticket to the gateways of heaven I’d prefer to be damned.

Were allegations enough for Furey’s decision ?

The Kathmandu Post and Mercantile Communications, as part of their weekly polls, conducted a survey on "Do you think the allegations in media against US ambassador designate Furey was enough for him to retract the nomination?" on the Net last week. Of the total 532 respondents, 57.9 percent voted "yes", 30.1 voted "no" and 12.00 said" they did not know."

We regret the inconvenience, if any, that may be caused on account of the non-mention of original names due to certain reasons.

Yes. When you are in controversy it is wise to withdraw from such a position. But it would have been good if he had explained, why he returned the boy?

- Raju

Though his action in the past carries some weight, I will not give full weight to his withdrawal just on that basis. If Bill Clinton’s adultery was not enough to take him out, how can we justify Furey's withdrawal from such a responsible position. Well, I still appreciate the opponent’s issue, because it’s the way society has to change and we will be asked to learn from those who went before us. In Nepal, almost all proverbs are made of racial differences, so, in such a country and at a time when Furey was trying to adopt a Nepali kid, the world was still under the trauma of racial differences.

But, that time, the South Africa was suffering from White-Black skin differences, and Furey might have been influenced or lacked an ethical maturity. But, by now he must have become more mature and more responsible to hold the position, and what matters is how he could have change USA-Nepal relations for the better.

- G Pokhrel

I think it is an injustice on Furey to bring this issue in the media again. Furey has requested to cancel his nomination. It is the great thing for us that at least Furey accepted it. So it would be better not to give undue importance when the case has been settled like this.

- Naina

I think it is right and this is an exercise of democracy and people have to think about it. People of Nepal have a right to choose the person who can bring goodwill and can improve US-Nepal relations. I just want to say that Furey must have realised that he had to withdraw his nomination as ambassador designate to Nepal. But he may be appointed to other countries .

The US government has to pay attention to the fact that they can send anyone except Furey.

- Munna

The retraction of his nomination due to stories carried by The Kathmandu Post is a good example for our so called ‘leaders’ to learn from. Had our leaders any moral obligation to one’ country, non of them would be in power now. Congratulations to The Kathmandu Post for carrying the story. Let's have more of this kind of investigative journalism that give results.

- Sanjog Tuladhar

This is Furey’s greatness. Nepali politicians and diplomats have to learn the lesson that people has to stay morally clean.

- Jigyasu Rahi Pokhrel

Yes, it is enough because Americans are real democrats and they accept, realise the blame but if there was any Nepali they wouldn’t agree with the press news and continue to stick to their chairs like chewing gum. So we have to learn from Furey even though he was not good person for us.

- TB Khadka

I think the drama is "fist full of fury". But does not matter.

- Thomas

Furey is really upset because he could not come to Nepal, the country he once lived and almost never left. But, "pap dhuree bata karaucha" Sin cries from the roofs. He had to pay for his mistake

- Monika

Although Furey did not explain the reason for returning Nepali boy, he has taken full responsibility for his wrong doing. Subsequently, he has requested his nomination as Ambassador designate to Nepal be withdrawn . Reading his letter to editor of The Kathmandu Post, he seems to regret what happened. We all learn from our mistakes so did Mr Furey. Have we seen our Nepalese political leaders taking full responsibility when they made mistakes? Very rarely! Let us stop talking more on this issue.

- P Sherpa

I wouldn’t care whether Mike Tyson or Timothy Mc Veigh was appointed as the American ambassador to Nepal. What would make a difference to my life and 22 million Nepalis is the American policy towards Nepal in terms of foreign aid and assistance. Furey has failed to explain fully the main reason for returning the child. The news mentioning racism is highly speculative without concrete evidence. Well, this does work with the masses in Nepal, after all Nepali politicians are also well trained in manipulating sympathy and credit from illiterate masses. But anyone with little more understanding would seriously question this news, as by and large it still remains dubious; professionally the government has failed to give a valid account. On second thoughts, it is a diversion of attention to less important issues.

- Mr Jackile

If Furey's decision was based upon the mere allegations of a newspaper, it is not sufficient to withdraw his nomination. Facts should be established, who gave such information about Furey’s activities to the media, whether that information was genuine or merely a false allegation, that should be investigated. If Furey really returned the adopted child, then it should be established that under what conditions he returned the child, whether his decision was based on skin colour or other things. Furey withdrew his name, probably because he does not want to fight a long battle or does not want to drag this issue. But care should be taken about the future before alleging any thing.

- Mamangkhe

I think that the allegations made against him, if based on real facts, should not only be enough to make him retract his nomination but further investigation should be carried out. The media should concentrate on bringing the facts about the so called leading people of our country about their financial status.

- Deepesh

Furey was given every opportunity to state his case, if he had one. As Americans like to say, "what goes around, comes around". Furey must have been really stupid to think that his actions during his previous term in Nepal would be forgotten or ignored because it was nearly 20 years ago. Worse than that, is the admission by the US State Department that they supposedly investigated Furey’s past, talked with his bosses at the time, and then determined his nomination was OK for Nepal.

This was the greatest insult of all, and the greatest stupidity. Now, instead of putting more pressure on Mr Furey, who has been publicly exposed, Americans need to demand answers from their own government regarding why they let this happen. Did the US government have so little regard for an "insignificant" country like Nepal that it didn’t care? Also, were they totally ignorant of the implications. Were they prepared for the consequences? Where was the famous "CIA" intelligence in this process. We all know they keep a CIA agent posted in Nepal and always have. Why did he first not test the waters of public opinion before allowing State Department to proceed with the nomination? Maybe because he is only a ‘Baby CIA’?

- Harald