Orchestrated move

No one should be unduly surprised by the Indian accusation that Nepal has allowed itself to be used for dumping cheap Chinese goods in the Indian market. The manner in which Indian industrialists are making a hue and cry indicates that their real fear is competition with Chinese products, if New Delhi goes ahead with the proposed trade ties with Beijing. The fact is that in 1999, India agreed with China to open a trade route through Sikkim state. This apart, the present Indian game plan appears to be aimed at derailing the planned alternative trade route between Nepal and China’s Tibetan autonomous region. This new route will, no doubt, provide China better access to the Nepali market and vice versa. It may not be out of place here to recall that there had been similar official and unofficial Indian opposition prior to the construction of the Kathmandu-Kodari road in the 1960s. It appears that reluctance to end Nepal’s total dependence on it has not changed despite the new context.

The facts, as given out by the government, are enough evidence to show that the allegations against Nepal and Nepalese businessmen and traders are totally unfounded. Imports from China have in fact nose dived after the introduction of L/C system in imports from China. Since the start of the current financial year 2000/2001, imports from China has totaled just 477 million rupees. This volume is easily consumed inside Nepal itself. Obviously, this country cannot re-export goods that were never imported in the first place. The allegation is, therefore, merely a figment of their over fertile imagination. What India needs to investigate is the inflow of Chinese goods from China itself to four of the Indian states that border China as well as exports from Myanmar. Yet, what is disturbing is that these allegations are coming at a time when markets everywhere are opening up and consumers, wherever they be, are benefitting.

There is an unfortunate tendency in some Indian media to deliberately twist matters in order to get the uppper hand. The open border is an issue that must be settled for it has been rightly blamed for everything from cross-border criminal activities to ISI and RAW activities, to trade and security problems. If the open border is so bad in every way, why keep it open? India surely must learn to shut its mouth about the open border, or shut the open border that no one wants open.

The current India media tirade against Nepal is basically aimed at the trade treaty under which goods from Nepal can be exported to India without attracting duties. This may not have been to the liking of Indian businessmen. Hence, an excuse was cooked up in order to curtail Nepalese export. Ever since Nepal opposed the nuclear weapons testing by India and Pakistan as a threat to the region, India has not been happy. Since then, India has begun to find excuses to curtail imports from Nepal. The first step was the closure of its market to Kodak Nepal and this move sealed the fate of all other similar direct foreign investment ventures. Thus, the orchestrated protests from Indian industrialists is nothing, but an indication of New Delhi’s mind. It remains to be seen how the present crop of Nepali Congress rulers will deal with the issue, but it must deal with it in a manner that not only does justice to Nepal’s genuine cause but also ensures that this country’s image is not tarnished in any way.

Indian egocentrism and US elections

By Madan Regmi

Thus, wrote Baber in his memoir: The country of Hindustan has few pleasures to recommend it. The people are not handsome. They have no idea of the charms of friendly society, or of frankly mixing together or of familiar intercourse. They have no genius, no comprehension of mind, no politeness of manner, no kindness or fellow feeling, no ingenuity or mechanical invention in planning or executing their handicraft works, no skill or knowledge in design or architecture; they have no good horses, no good flesh, no grapes or musk-melons, no good fruits, no ice or cold water, no good food, or bread in their bazaars, no baths or colleges, no candles, no torches, not a candlestick" (Glimpses of World History By Jawaharlal Nehru, Page 304)

This version of Babar tells how Hindustan was then. Babar was the first Mughal King whose dynasty ruled two third of South Asia for 181 years from 1526 to 1707. Jawaharlal Nehru describes this period as "years of its power and glory, when the fame of Great Mughal of India spread all over Asia and Europe".

After the fall of Mughal Empire, the British ruled till 1947. In this period of nearly 240 years, the British Imperialists delivered both good and bad to their vanquished subjects. If on the one side they exploited and suppressed them, on the other, they also taught them how to be modernized as Mughals taught them to prepare delicious cuisine. They glorified Hindustan by constructing monuments like Taj Mahal. The British built infrastructure such as roads, introduced electricity, irrigation and education system. Even to this day both the colonial master and its colony are benefiting collectively from each other. Within a span of 53 years, India has made some progress by itself. But in the absence of infrastructure built by Britain, India would have been far behind what it is today. However it is unnerving that India which is still one of the poorest countries, has been behaving as a nation superior to the rest of the world. This is nothing more than adopting Adolf Hitler’s declared desire to project Germans as the only superior race in the world.

This complex obsession and jingoism of the Indian ruling elite is creating havoc and tension in South Asia since the day India was formed. From Nehru the product of Cambridge, Britain, to Bajpayee probably educated in Gwalior, the Mahabharata, a fiction full of fallacy and romanticism with no historical account, has inspired Indian rulers. The British who created India (Bharat) could not create a greater India. But the claim of Mahabharta surprisingly has shown its influence even on some modern Chinese writers. Some of their books on history and culture are unable to extricate themselves from the British historian’s way of looking at South Asian culture and history.

This fiction describes that three hundred thirty million (33 crores) soldiers were involved in the battlefield of Kuruchhetra, the area of which is less than five kilometers. This is funny. However the Indian ruling elite of even modern times claim that Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Burma, Pakistan, Srilanka, Sikkim and even Tibet were parts of India. They firmly believe that these nations were their part during the days of Mahabharata. So, accordingly the Indians have printed a map and circulated it throughout the country. They have also incorporated it in the curriculum of the schools of their various provinces.

In recent days, a new generation has emerged in India, who overtly claim that after fifty years India will control the entire world. They argue that after fifty years when Indian population will be largest in the world, one among every 5 person will be an Indian, and this highly skilled community spread out will control the world. (Source: Indian newspapers)

The Indian superiority complex with multiple obsessions is gaining momentum. In their recent write-ups related with the American Presidential poll, the egocentrism of Indians has climaxed. Though many countries have made snide remarks of the American electoral system itself, the rudest ones are by Indian writers, which is tantamount to hitting under the belly.

The semi official daily, The Times of India (November 11 editorial) and a host of similar newspapers have compared the Presidential election of America with the poll of the Indian State of Bihar. This is the poorest State of India where jungle rule prevails through the year and elections, if at all they can be called so, take a heavy toll of life. Rigging, booth capturing, vote buying etc. is a routine affair. India’s province of Andhra where lies Hyderabad, one of its silicon valley out of two, is also one of the poorest. In this State, not long back NT Rama Rao, father-in law of present Chief Minister Chandra Babu Naidu, scored a landslide victory by promising voters rice at two rupees per kilo for their support. In India’s richest province of Maharastra, no party whether Shiva Shena, BJP or Congress (I) or its fractured group can even contemplate coming to power without the blessings of the under world. However, evincing their pride, India’s Chief Election Commissioner M. S Gill asked the Americans to form a body like the Indian Federal Election Commission to conduct the Presidential poll. The Indians have put forth heaps of sermon, which the Americans never sought. These Indians do not seem to believe that Americans are capable of solving their electoral problems. So they do not hesitate to interfere in the internal affairs of the United States. This very well demonstrates that India is no less Big Brotherly and hegemonistic.

There are areas where America can be castigated, such as its attempt to play the role of international policeman is condemned by the world. The American design to interfere in the internal affairs of other counties on the pretext of ‘’human rights’’, their blind support to Israel and its bid to control the world economically through IMF and World Bank is hardly welcome. But it is alarming that India, where literacy rate is below forty percent, and unofficially sixty five percent of the people live blow poverty line and election in totality is a farce, should have no reason to think that its election system is better than that of America though American polity presently is in serious trouble and the result of the Presidential election is in a limbo. Even America’s fiercest enemy will not compare Bihar elections with the American Presidential election, as that would be totally irrational and incredible. Such comparisons only unravel the hidden feeling of Indians that they are superior to every other nationalities of the world.

Hot temper tantrums

By Tanchoma Limbu

We are inclined to look upon bad temper as a very harmless weakness.It’s not an a unsual characteristic among men. We speak of it as a mere infirmity of nature, falling under the category of temperament.

And yet right in the heart of this analysis of love, it finds a place, and the Bible repeatedly condemns it as one of the most destructive elements in human nature.

The peculiarity of all ill temper is that it is the vice of the virtuous. It is often the one blot in an otherwise noble character. You know, who are all but perfect, and women who would be entirely perfect, but for a fan easily ruffled, quick tempered or "touchy" disposition. The compatibility of all temper with high moral character is one of the strangest and saddest problems of ethics. The truth is: there are two great classes of sin-sins of the body, and sins of the disposition. The prodigal son may be taken as a type of the first, the elder brother of the second. Now society has no doubt whichever is worse. It’s brand falls without a challenge, upon the prodigal. But are we right? No answer seems to be appreciable. We have no balance to weigh one’s sins against another.

Faults in nature may be less venal, and to the eye of him who is in love, a sin against love may seem a hundred times more base.

No form of vice, not worldliness, not greed for gold, not drunkenness itself, does more to unchristianise society than evil temper. Countless figures have had that thrusting up contempt. For embittering life, for breaking up communities, for destroying the most sacred relationships for devastating homes, for withering up men and women, for taking the bloom of childhood, in short, for sheer gratuitous misery producing power, this influence stands alone. Jealousy, anger, pride, cruelty, self-righteousness, touchiness, doggedness, sullenness-in varying proportions, these are the ingredients of all ill temper.

There is really no place in the heaven for a disposition like this. A man with such a mood could only make the heaven a miserable place for all the people who make it there.

Economics of solid waste management

By Dr Udaya Sharma

Solid waste is a big problem in Kathmandu and the Municipal Corporation is solely responsible for tackling the mounting garbage problem. Solid waste is hazardous to health and the dumping site has to be far from city area . Apart from its unpleasant smell , toxic waste is very poisonous and slowly but surely it affects public health. It is also a breeding ground for many insects and attracts birds which can be a great menace. Decision makers must take into account the implications of solid waste management alternatives for public health and environmental quality . Poor collection or disposal practices attract and promote breeding of insects, rodents and pathogens that can cause and transmit serious diseases. These diseases could be averted through immediate interventions. The Municipal Corporation has selected a site on the banks of the Bishnumati River but it is only a temporary site and not a permanent solution to this persistent problem. There is still enormous amount of work to be done to tackle the problem permanently. Currently, the site may offer relief for some time but the problem will emerge after some time again. So, it is imperative to seek a permanent solution. It has to act promptly to resolve the problem permanently.

The media recently focused on the serious consequences of garbage which was responsible for the bird menace at the airport and which had resulted in five bird strikes involving aircraft in six weeks. This is just a warning signal. Grave consequences are yet to be witnessed. This should be an eye opener to the municipal authorities and the government.

Solid waste is a growing problem but it can be resolved and at the same time generate income for the metropolis and create employment for unskilled, semi skilled and skilled workers as well as provide opportunities for the growth of ancillary industries.

Solid waste can be disposed off through controlled incineration or burial in sanitary landfills burned in the open or dumped. Solid waste has economic value which the metropolis have not fully utilized . The system for managing solid waste consist of three basic components : collection, processing, and disposal. The purpose of collection and disposal is to gather and remove solid waste from its point of generation to safeguard public health, limit congestion, and prevent unpleasant odor and unaesthetical sights. The purpose of processing is to transform the physical characteristics of solid waste by recycling, composting, burning, or compacting in order to reduce the threat it poses to human health and to the ecosystems, to improve its disposability and possibly capitalise on value from the waste. The purpose of disposal is to isolate and contain the residual waste that is left after processing.

If properly planned and implemented, solid waste can generate employment to a large number of unskilled laboir much of which is idle and otherwise used as political tool by political parties. Labour intensive waste management is more appropriate in the case of Kathmandu as it will utilize a large and growing number of unemployed people.

It may not be feasible to install capital intensive waste management techniques as Nepal lacks capital, technology, infrastructure and the environment that it needs. But there are some options.The landfill areas are inadequate and in the past municipal and government officials have tried many possible land fill sites around the valley but was opposed by local residents who prevented dumping. It has happened in Gokarna and everywhere. The government has to deal with the opposition it faces as well. It is very common for the opposition political parties to oppose the moves by the ruling party even if it is acceptable to local people.

Local people would not have problem providing the dumping site in return for some development work in their village. This can serve as incentive for them. There may be many landfill areas outside the valley. So, searching for landfill sites outside the valley should be the priority .

Population growth is a big problem. People continue to enter Kathmandu from various parts of the country in search of opportunities in the capital. The rise in population also means rise in opportunities and consequently income levels. The rise in income has its own problems as well such as it has led to growing per capita generation of waste.

There are several measures the government can take to resolve the solid waste problem. For one, it can raise money to take care of it once and for all rather than go for a temporary solution. First and foremost, people have to be educated in the various aspects of solid waste. These measures are very simple but difficult to implement as they are easily violated. In the initial stages, it has to be strongly monitored and heavy fines must be imposed. The general public has to learn to dispose waste at designated areas only and any non-adherence should be subject to penalty. The government can undertake one or more of the tasks of solid waste collection, transport, processing and disposal charging either a volumetric tariff (a curb-side charge per unit volume of waste handled ) or a benefit tax (a flat amount per household). A volumetric tariff gives households and firms incentive to reduce residual waste either by changing the way they produce and consume, by recycling, or by properly dumping or burning waste.