Maintain harmony

The call for Nepal Bandh by a grouping of nine left parties could not have come at a worse time. The capital and the country has just passed through a difficult time and there are enough elements on both sides of the Nepal-India border ever ready to fish in troubled waters. But what is distressing is that they may be succeeding in fuelling the fire by misguiding the simple-minded people. The burst of anger that was expressed in the capital last week has been misinterpreted as indicating that it was directed against one particular community only. Nothing could be further from the truth. The rioters in the capital were indiscriminate and made no distinction between various communities and ethnic groups that live harmoniously in the Kingdom. It would be more tragic and a great disservice to the nation, if the incidents are taken in any other way, than youths giving vent to their pent- up frustration. Nepal has always been known to everyone as a place were various communities have been living for ages in close affinity and harmony. This must not be allowed to be disturbed by unhealthy elements. Nepal is a country that is home to countless ethnic groups with vastly different life styles and food habits and social customs, mores and norms. Because of this multi-ethnic and cultural heritage, there is always the possibility that unscrupulous elements out to make political capital of the situation will exploit the situation to their own advantage. One might pause and think as to who reaps most benefits by prolonging the adverse situation which has returned to normal in the capital since late Thursday.

The people of Nepal are a peace loving lot. No matter where they live - whether in the high mountains, hills or the plains of the Terai - whether they are called "pahadiyas" or "madisiyas", they have known no hostility towards each others. They know that they are all Nepalese and work together for the development of their country, Nepal. Yet there are elements in political parties and outside who try to show that there are fissures where there is none and who try to break up the harmonious and happy relations amongst the people in the hope of creating vote banks. Such designs are most deplorable and we must ensure that no one succeeds in breaking the solidarity of the Nepali people whether they are "pahadiyas" or "madisiyas". Our prime national duty at this time is to make sure that we maintain peace and harmony in our country.

Inflation vs povertyz

By Jal Singh

World Bank report: In its report, released in September, the World Bank has drawn up some action points for eradicating poverty. These include, promotion of material opportunity by providing the poor with jobs, credit, roads, electricity, market for their produce, schools, water, sanitation, health services, encouraging effective private investment, expanding into international markets and building assets for the poor.

But the bank has not given adequate attention to the imperative need to check inflation effectively. This problem has engaged the Nepalese government’s attention ever since the restoration of democracy. Every Finance Minister, while presenting the Budget, has expressed concern at the rising prices of essential commodities and assured the nation to keep them under check. But everytime they fail to keep their promise. From time to time, eminent economists have warned the government of the harmful consequences of allowing high rates of inflation prevail.

Inflation vs robbery: Comparing Inflation to robbery, one eminent writer has said," Both deprive the victims of some possessions with difference that robber is visible. Inflation is invisible. The robber’s act is sporadic while inflation operates continuously. The robber’s victims may be one or a few at a time. But the victim of inflation is the whole nation. The robber may be dragged to a court of law. But inflation is legal."

It is also relevant to recall the following observations from the book, ‘An Inflation Primer’. Inflation is confiscation without compensation. The victims are deprived of their purchasing power. This is robbery in a national scale, a surreptitious levy on liquid income and wealth, raised in a haphazard fashion, with no regard to ability to pay, no respect for the rule of law, for equity and justice. It penalizes the saver and the honest producer while the lucky operators and political manipulators reap undeserved rewards."

The possibility that the domestic rate of inflation has once again heightened with an escalating inflation rate in India, which touched 7.23 percent for the week ending November 4. Since Nepal’s rate of inflation is highly influenced by the India's, any upsurge in inflation rate in India can be taken as a bad sign for the Nepalese Consumer Index. Delhi based experts have blamed the rise in prices of petroleum products, announced some time ago, as the chief cause forr such rise in inflation . Some others opine that sliding Indian currency against the greenback, pushing up the import bill and project costs, is another influential factor.

Inflation: Nepalese and Indian perspectives: Inflation rates in India have been continuously running high since Indian government was pressurised by bloating international prices of petroleum products by an average of 18.6 percent about two months ago.

Though the inflation rate during the first two months of the current fiscal year, as determined by Nepal Rastra Bank, is lower than one per cent, the historic low inflation rate of 3.4 percent that Nepal has enjoyed, might not continue in the current year.

Success stories to tell: The most successful poverty alleviation program initiated by the government of Nepal are: the Small Farmers Development Programme (SFDP) and the Production Credit for Rural Women. The first programme has some promising components such as group liability and savings and intensive technical support. The latter programme organises groups of village women for developmental activities and small-scale business undertakings for which they receive subsidized commercial bank financing. It also serves as general development programme for women which uses credit as an entry point to introduce such activities as literacy, earth and family planning, and small public works. While these programmes are having some impact on income of the poor, they currently reach only 5% of the population living below the poverty line. Expansion is constrained by the shortage of dedicated field staff and group organisers. Although other poverty alleviation programmes such as subsidy and transfer programmes and the integrated rural development projects benefit substantially larger funding, they have met with less than remarkable success in poverty alleviation with the exception of a few food distribution programmes covering remote areas.

It is centered on three fundamental propositions, The first is that sustained and sustainable rural development starts with, rather than ends with , poverty alleviation. The second is that poverty is essentially a production problem and that poverty alleviation is an investment. The third is that the poor themselves are the primary force that can produce change. Development is not something that happens in spite of the poor; because their immense productive potential has not been unleashed

Women: Most vulnerable group: Women are among the poorest, most vulnerable of the rural poor because as rural economic conditions worsen, more and more men are compelled to leave the countryside in search of employment. Moreover, women who have always been important food producers and income earners, are assuming an increasing responsibility for family and community welfare.

"The poverty question has become inseparable from the gender question". This is the contention of The State of World Rural Poverty, and rural women are a key element in the new development paradigm. In the past, their role in the family, and in the local and national economy, has been seen as a limited one-that of child bearer and "keeper of the home". Their exclusive arena, so as the traditional stereotyped want, was in food processing, home economics, nutrition and health. Their vital contribution to food production and family income have generally gone unrecognized in national economic assessments and by development planners.

Inflation vs poverty: It is therefore clear that poverty cannot be effectively eradicated unless the Government makes serious efforts to curb inflation. Though the successive Finance Ministers have tried their best to keep the fiscal deficit at the reasonable limit, they failed to do so. But these effort and measures by themselves will not help tackle inflation unless
His Majesty’s Government makes
available to the common people an abundant of essential commodities at affordable prices.

Apart from maximizing the production in the field and the factory, the government should also take drastic steps to improve the public distribution system.

Then and now

By Babu Lal Bhandari

Whenever any two elderly people meet anywhere, there is never but one topic of conversation, soaring prices or price-hike. The topic almost invariably crops up in every chit-chat. It’s not without reason,though. Even today we happen to see people who,in their own lifetime, had the privilege of buying ghee at 2 annas a kilo and a sackful of rice at just Rs 1/- each of which now certainly requires a big wad of banknote.

But I’ve a different opinion with respect to change. Prices have gone exorbitant, indeed, but I see greater changes taking place elsewhere in our values, thought process, righteousness, sense of justice and such things.

In your school days you might have read, just as I did - "Honesty is the best policy." It’s just the opposite now, and more so in the case of our leaders. I’m afraid, you’re an utter simpleton or the most crooked if you say the old adage is still true. It has been something, which used to exist but now doesn’t. Truly speaking, honesty seems either disappeared from vocabulary or has surely changed its meaning coming now.

Following in the footsteps of our politicians, dishonesty is doing miracles in administration, trade, commerce, politics, education and where not ! Don’t you see, people are constantly switched from one chair to another unless they bribe their in? Now whether honesty ever existed, I have my doubts.

If you still remain moralistic and behave yourself as one , you are sure to end up making yourself a laughing stock. Ultimately every friend and relative will fail you just as many luminaries who were formerly cross with Koirala have started deserting Deuba and making their ‘U’ turn back to their old camp. Who doesn’t know, fortune will again smile on them, making their morrow even happier than before and they will soon become what we call ‘Malamal’ here.

Again, there is a popular proverb, which runs - ‘An early bird catches the worm’. If you still believe it and go to your public village well or a tap for your early morning bath or for jogging elsewhere at the unheard hour at 4 or 5 AM around your countryside, I insist that you should recite the name of your chosen deity as it may cost you your life. I’m telling it to you on a need-to-know-basis because forewarned is forearmed.

You must know, the only thing early birds now get is bullet wound rather than worms. Actually, you may run into young men clad in Khaki, who is to know, police or Maoists? And what it is to them who you are. I think, they won’t probably have to cut orders to liberate you into afterlife. Everything will happen in seconds and you will have no second chance for you polite preambles.

One more thing, traditionally many parents wanted their children to study hard and become teachers, considering it as a good career as there were not many options open. Now the times have changed and education and talent don’t count any more.

Only loafers, unruly and wayward children who fail their SLC at least five times show some promising future as they can, in all probability, become succssful sportsmen of today, i.e. the politicians of tomorrow. Why bother their pretty heads bidding them repeatedly to do the silly acts of reading, reading and only reading day in and day out?

Then again, haven’t you heard, the Maoists have classed or numbered teachers and headmasters as first-class reactionaries, renegades and their class enemy and have tainted their faces black for no faults of theirs? Poor little creatures!

With all this going on, what father will expect his sons to be teachers? Much less headmasters. One shouldn’t wish even ones enemies such fate.

A ray of hope in Kashmir

By Kuldip Nayar

It was their triumphant hour. For years, they had struggled to get recognition. New Delhi’s invitation gave them that attention. So has Islamabad’s realisation that they, not the tripartite conference, came first. The All Party Hurriyat Conference could not have asked for more.

True, their leaders and workers have borne untold sufferings. There is probably no Kashmiri family which has remained unscathed. If ever a cause has forced the rulers to reckon with the realities, Kashmir is the one. Still, the Hurriyat leaders have not risen to the occasion. They have been found wanting in their hour of glory.

It is not the scuffle outside the Hurriyat meeting place which forbodes ill. The ageold crack between the pro-Pakistan elements and the pro-Azadi forces was bound to appear, sooner or later. The slogan-mongering and the stone-throwing episodes were a natural fallout. The statement issued after the meeting indicates the pressure. The Hurriyat leadership had to speak in general terms: "The conglomerate will join any meaningful political process for a permanent legislation of the Kashmir dispute."

Even if the differences have been spanned only temporarily, it suits New Delhi. A divided Hurriyat would have been still more a difficult proposition than the Hurriyat that has now emerged. The tragic point, however, is that it is not going about in a manner it should have.

By its acts of omission and commission, the Hurriyat confirms that it is interested only in the Valley. No doubt, their leaders’ contact, not to speak of the hold, in Jammu and Ladakh is nominal. But they are not even making an effort to associate their representatives or those who count in the two regions.

By this time, the Hurriyat should have sought them and tried to assuage their fears. I recall when I broached the subject of Kashmiri pandits’ return to the Valley with the present Hurriyat chairman, Abdul Ghani Bhat, at Srinagar a few years ago, his reply was that their future would be decided when the Kashmir question was settled. It was unfair on his part because the pandits are the warp and woof of Kashmir.

Still he, and even Syed Ali Shah Gillani, stuck to those views, not realising that they were unwittingly giving support to the communal divide. They may have changed by now but they have never made their position clear.

It is still not too late for the Hurriyat to reach out to people in Jammu and Ladakh. They may want regional autonomy, their aspiration, which the Hurriyat fighting for the Kashmiri identity, can appreciate. Talking to Jammu and Leh directly will be far better for them than going through New Delhi. Even within the Valley, the Hurriyat should talk to others, like Shabir Shah, Mehabooba Mufti and the National Conference, because they represent different points of view, ranging from near independnece to autonomy. Their support, however limited, may help the Hurriyat present a consensus which New Delhi cannot take lightly.

At present, the central government is obliged to hold talks with various elements in the Valley, Jammu and Ladakh. The Hurriyat, no doubt, represents the dominant opinion in the Valley. But there are others who cannot be ignored. Before making up its mind, New Delhi will have to hold talks with the non-Hurriyat elements, particularly the National Conference, when it is part of the ruling National Democratic Alliance at the Centre.

Presuming the Hurriyat insists on representing the Valley solely, what about Jammu and Ladakh? The Indian people, whatever be their views on the RSS proposal, will not agree to trifurcate the state on religious grounds because it will spell ruin to the secular polity, already shaky. Some leaders within the Hurriyat, like Yasin Malik, are wholly opposed to the idea of splitting the state into Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh. At present, it is not even clear who are the real leaders of the three regions.

Perhaps, fresh elections in the state may become inevitable. The Farooq Abdullah’s government is only a 12 per cent government. The Hurriyat’s boycott had made the state polls a mockery. Even the Jammu and Ladakh did not go the National Conference way. The Hurriyat may insist on the UN supervision if the idea of fresh election is mooted. But it should realise that no sovereign country can agree to such a suggestion. Were the Hurriyat to ask the election to be supervised by the Indian human rights activists, New Delhi would find it hard to say no.

The Hurriyat has to do some home work. It has succeeded -- thanks to many in India, Pakistan and elsewhere who have articulated the Kashmir problem so much in the world -- that the government had no choice except to concede to the talks without any pre-condition. The same
Home Minister LK Advani, who refused to have any truck with the Hurriyat leaders only a year ago, is now keen to hold a dialogue.

Still the Hurriyat will have prepare the ground and start devising a formula which may find acceptance in New Delhi and Islamabad. The Hurriyat leaders’ travel to Pakistan presents no difficulties. They would help establish their credentials and cause far better if they were to force militants in the Valley and elsewhere to stop firing guns. A complete ceasefire, to begin with for six months, would create the necessary climate.

The association of Pakistan is only a matter of time. The situation will automatically lead to it. The Hurriyat took some time to realise this. Islamabad appears to have played a positive role from behind the scenes. The immediate point which Pakistan and the Hurriyat have to attend to is to silence every gun, in the Valley and across the border. In fact, the Hurriyat has to build an atmosphere where any individual or group violating peace would be denounced by all.

This does not look so difficult at present as it did some months ago, particularly after the Kargil operation. In fact, the problem is not that of ceasefire, not even of talks. The real issue is what should be done to sustain the talks. Maybe, one way could be to go slow on Kashmir. Both India and Pakistan, after breaking the ice through official level talks, will be well advised to take up the nuclear safeguards and free trade. The progress on these subjects may be quicker and may generate understanding which will stand a solution on Kashmir in good stead.

It has to be admitted that Track Two, people to people contact, has brought about the thaw, not Track One, between the governments. Now is the time for some persons from Track Two, both from India and Pakistan, to meet and hammer out some alternatives on Kashmir and other matters. If they, likeminded and liberal as they are, cannot agree among themselves, the officials with their mindset will never be able to do so.

Really speaking, the governments in the two countries are prisoners of their own actions. Even the non-officials working behind the scenes are acting on their brief. New Delhi and Islamabad have to tear away from the web they have woven around them that they cannot sell to their people anything beyond a particular stand. The two should show determiantion and stamina because peoples of both countries are sick of hostility and hiatus.

What is important is to find a common denomination to reach a settlement. The Hurriyat leaders are in a better position to do so. But if they too continue to indulge in rhetoric, or live in the world of their own, as most of them do, they will waste the opportunity which their blood and sacrifice, and many of those like them, has brought about.