Welcome pact

The news report that the much- awaited and long overdue tourism pact between Nepal and China is all set to be signed has undoubtedly generated immense enthusiasm and optimism in the tourism sector that is currently going through testing times. If Nepal makes it to the Approved Destination Status, this is likely to give a boost to the country’s fragile tourism industry. Chinese tourists will then account for a major share of the Nepali tourist market, and hopefully this will also offset the decline recorded in Indian tourist arrivals. Our immediate neighbour China is emerging slowly but surely as one of the major economic players in Asia and the world, and thanks to their newfound economic clout the Chinese have started travelling abroad more. With this vast and growing tourism market just next-door, there is indeed cause to rejoice.

Signing the pact alone is not enough. This naturally calls for integrated and comprehensive policies, and effective marketing strategies. Past experience including mistakes could help those in the tourism business decide what measures to adopt and what to reject so that the tourists will visit here more frequently, stay longer and spend more. Over the years, tourism, the country’s major foreign exchange earner, has suffered a lot due to a number of problems within and outside the country. To add to these woes, the hijacking of the Indian airliner nearly two years ago and malicious reports circulated by the Indian media damaged the reputation of Nepal as a tourist destination. In recent months, especially after the Royal tragedy in this country, the terrorist attacks on the US and retaliatory attacks on Afghanistan, the situation has worsened. Given such a bleak scenario, the tourism pact between Nepal and China has brought a glimmer of hope. But giving in to too much optimism without adopting any strategies
for capitalizing on this golden opportunity would be bad and premature. It is also important that the officials concerned read the fine print of the pact document and weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully, and settle any confusion then and there.

The pact may be a blessing on other fronts as well. Except for some incidents of extortion and sporadic Maoist violence, the country is now by and large peaceful. And it is to be hoped that the Maoist cease-fire will be sustained before and after the third round of Government-Maoist talks. No matter how audacious and violent their attacks, the Maoists have not thus far touched a single tourist. It seems to be Maoist policy not to harm the tourists, and they are apparently well aware of the importance of tourism to the country’s economy. But this is no cause for complacency. Frequent chakka jams and Nepal bandhs called by the Maoist and various irresponsible political parties have done more harm than good to this industry. Many a tourist left Nepal with a bitter experience, not to mention the dispute over Service Charge a few months ago. Obviously, there needs to be proper coordination among the various sectors involved. The pact should be taken as a good opportunity for exploring new avenues of tourism development, settling ongoing conflicts in this industry, and promoting significantly the livelihood of the vast number of people who depend directly or indirectly on this vital sector.

Minimalist jumbo government

By Dr Shreedhar Gautam

With the massive expansion of his cabinet, Sher Bahadur Deuba has proved once again that he is not a Prime Minister with a difference. The huge council of ministers has come as an experiment that mocks the feelings of the people who are tired of listening to meaningless news. The exercise has become so irrelevant and insignificant that people do not even care to know the names of the ministers and their respective portfolios. The event could be a thrilling one only to certain groups and individuals who are going to be benefited by virtue of their close relationship with the newly appointed ministers. It is a great irony that the parliamentary system, which is praised for its representative character, has become more and more unrepresentative and feudal. The government has become the private affair of the ruling party, particularly the leader of the majority party in parliament.

On the international front, the government has committed a blunder by blindly toeing the American line without pondering over its repercussions. Now we have no right to call ourselves an independent and non-aligned country. In the long run, this trend can jeopardise our national integrity. Our government does not have the courage to oppose all kinds of terrorism, including the terror unleashed by America on Afghanistan. We should oppose the terrorism of America as well as that of Osama bin Laden. But this is not going to happen, as we have neither the self-confidence nor the political sincerity. We are not free from a colonial slave mentality as we think that our survival depends on western support. Being a member of the UNO, our country could have asked for the UN’s intervention to deal with the perpetrators of the September 11 crimes rather than expressing willingness to offer use of our air space to US forces, thus undermining the sanctity of our sovereignty.

On the national front, the government is bogged down in the name of having a dialogue with the Maoists. The government as well as the Maoists have no consistent and principled stand over the question of dialogue. Neither party is taking the people into confidence regarding the intention and sincerity of their talks. Very recently an Indian minister dubbed the Maoist Party a terrorist group. But our government has not clarified yet whether it agrees with the Indian assessment or takes it as an interference in the internal matters of an independent country.

In the name of globalization and liberalization of the economy, the government is ignoring vital responsibilities. Of course, globalization has its own merits and demerits, but the government first of all must build institutions needed to support the market. It should enforce contracts and the rule of law; provide basic education, health and infrastructure, and mitigate poverty. Even the US, which is widely seen as a good example of minimalist government, shows considerable government activism. In the wake of the September 11 tragic event, government activity in the US is hitting new heights. In the aftermath of the WTC assault, the US Congress has appropriated $40 billion for disaster relief, $15 billion for assistance to airlines, and $20 billion for assuming insurance liabilities. Apart from these measures, the US government has promised much relief, including tax breaks. These steps are not an aberration in a normally free market.

Unlike our parliamentarians, in the USA legislators are alert to the needs of their regions, and try every bit to promote the business interests of their people. Though America decries agricultural protection in other countries, the recently passed Farm Bill in the US has provided for the biggest subsidies in American history. Are our legislators ready to learn anything from US examples? They should learn that in western countries government and legislators are not sitting idle in the name of minimalist government. On the other hand, we have Jumbo Cabinet, only to placate various interest groups in the ruling party and to lengthen corrupt rule with the sole motive of looting the country and making it a beggar in the eyes of western powers. Despite our strong reservations over American foreign policy and their imperialistic designs, we should not feel any hesitation to learn good things from their system of governance. The American example shows that even in free markets, the government has a major role in mitigating the impact of unexpected events. The American economy can sustain all sudden shocks like that of September 11 because the government does not let industries and private enterprises go into mass liquidation in the name of scrapping a whole lot of unnecessary and stupid controls.

Our country’s biggest problem is a moribund government that does not function when it is needed most. Our government is minimalist not because it wants to scrap unnecessary controls, but because it does not have any vision at all. Ministers are appointed not on the basis of quality but on the strength of their sycophancy and lobbying power within the ruling party. People have no faith and feeling that this government can provide justice and protection against crime. It has utterly failed in providing health and education. It has done nothing for providing infrastructure and enforcing environmental standards. It has allowed the opening of an unlimited number of institutions of higher education and private hospitals in the name of making access to health and education easy. But once they are officially registered, the government does not care whether they are functioning in accordance with the national objective or not. The concept of multi-university has been taken very lightly. Now we have universities only in name without the minimum physical infrastructure and other pressing requirements. The government feels no responsibility to make them viable once they are given official permission and recognition.

Our country needs a government of visionary persons who can dream and draw a map for the future to make this nation strong and the people confident. It is a pity that even after 12 years of multiparty democracy, our governance is in limbo. People have never felt that they have a government to take care of their concerns and problems. How long will these deceptions last ? This is a question troubling every rational citizen.

Stale tale of sales discount

By Beena Kharel

Come Dashain, and all shopkeepers and businessmen (especially urbanites) repeat the same old tale: "The number of customers has declined and business gone down dramatically this year." For them every bygone year was more fruitful, and every "current" year a flop. They have been saying this since ages and narrate their cup of woes to anyone and everyone lending his or her ears. And most probably the same thing year after year. They even offer supposedly impressive discount rates. Are such deceptive discounts for shoring up their sagging business? Obviously. Next year too, after the profits are cleared away, they’ll repeat the same old tale.

Ever since I was a tiddler, I have been hearing this business tale and so have my elders. And this tale of "woes" seems to be infectious. On the eve of Dashahara just gone by, the owners of most departmental stores got together and hammered out a "massive" discount campaign. The announcement was there on the window loud and clear. All of a sudden they jacked up the discount rate. A hefty "50%" was enough to goad people into the shops and stores. Once inside, there was no question of bargaining: just choose, pay and pick up. Thank God, those at the counter were saved from talking to the forever haggling customers. Sign language seemed to be in fashion. The harassed owners just pointed to the discount board and silently pressed them to burn their pockets all too quick.

That the discount was generous and genuine, at least the more sensible consumers would hardly believe. Such sales strategies only intensify skepticism among the discerning, and loudly bespeak how they were cheating us throughout the year. Since profit maiximisation is the chief goal of every business-minded person, one cannot help guessing at the profit after deducting a 50% discount. Surely, it would not leave them excess profits as in the pre- discount period. But who cares? The show will go on so long as customers are willing to pay and merchants ready to "give". In times of excitement and rush, money sense gets deluded. But with the hindsight of wisdom, that is, only after the purse gets empty, we curse our naiveté. In sheer repentance, we pledge to be wiser next time, a pledge often to be broken within a fortnight on the eve of Tihar.

Traders are well-versed in psychology (mostly women’s), and supposedly make just the right moves to fish out more from their purses. And women help them make excess profits by betraying their tastes too much, with their ooohs and aahs upon spotting a beautiful array of attire or accessories on display. The salesperson will step in just at the crucial moment and coax them to try them on and on. The problem starts then and there. Charming and talkative salespersons plus a full-size mirror will do wonders. In self-admiration mixed with natural shyness while trying new outfits, she is unconsciously drawn to the mirror, and tries the colours. Then Mr Eloquence quips with his oft-repeated phrases to praise the lady with the yet-to-be bought attire. Amidst all this, the women forget to talk down the price. Belatedly, when they attempt to bargain, the salesperson postpones the exercise saying: "I’ll see to it (discount) later." Exhibiting his munificence, the salesman finally gives a 10% discount to make both happy. The customer is happy because of the so-called discount, and the shopkeeper because he has sold the stuff at a price over and above the normal rate. Come next Dashain, and the same ol’ tale and exercise will unfold!

Aviation attacks : Eye-for-an-eye ?

By Dr Gopal Krishna Siwakoti

"Through violence you may murder a murderer but you cannot murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar but you can not establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can not murder hate. Darkness can not put out darkness. Only light can do that."

The above quotation is the guiding principle of Martin Luther King Jr, the leader of American civil rights movement who always pursued a non-violent policy even under exceptionally difficult circumstances. He was the pioneer of the conviction "the reason one should not follow the old eye-for -an-eye philosophy is that it ends leaving everybody blind."

The unprecedented air attack has challenged the very essence of human civilization. Who is not aggrieved by the tragedies that continue to unfold in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania ? The gravity and pain of the violence are ungraspable since it has struck entire humanity in every corner of the globe. It is not time for all of us to draw our loved ones close ? And, is it not time for us to draw close to our hearts those not immediately in our circles and to keep those who have died close in our hearts and prayers ?

We need also think of the families and friends who either know their loved ones died or who wait in anguished limbo. The world community must wish strength and endurance to those police, firefighters, rescue workers, medical personnel and public officials working to save lives!

And, this is also the time to ask each of us to draw close to those who will be made scapegoats for these horrific acts. Obviously, these acts were not carried out by any ethnic group, race of people or religion. Each of them individually and collectively, must be forthright in resisting any scapegoating or attempts to retaliate with violence. The peace-loving people of the world are calling upon the United States of America and its allies not to respond with violence, thus probably escalating a spiral of even deadlier violence.

Everyone is grief stricken. This has been deeply reflected in the strong solidarity expressed by the world community. The harrowing massacre reminds us that no amount of armaments can protect anyone from such deadly attacks. It is time to understand the unity of all people and to build the security of each nation and people based on that understanding. The voice echoes, "instead of hundreds of billions for weapons of destruction which the wealthier nations manufacture for themselves and sell around the world, why should they not allocate hundreds of billions of dollars for feeding the world’s hungry, housing the homeless, healing the sick and helping heal the wounds of war and hatred around the world?" The only real security for the super power is to become a real friend of all the world’s people.

More than three weeks have passed since the horrible carnage. By now, it seems unnecessary to recount the facts of that unspeakable day. The world knows the details neither by dint of will nor by the rigours of memorization but through the molten visceral after-image burning through us in the way that one passenger plane, then another, and then still another burned through the skin of buildings and then ferociously through the flesh of the gullible within.

Both the electronic and print media around the world are constantly revealing and repeating the facts. A troupe of airliners, three headed for California, swung away from their appointed paths and slammed with almost impossible precision into New York City’s World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, buildings teeming with people. But the facts give way to deeper realities. As an American peace champion puts it "just as the 110 storey twin towers seemed inconceivably to lose their shapes and dissolve as they imploded before the horrified and disbelieving crowd in the street below (one news account reported that they strained their arms upward in unison as an autonomic, if futile, attempt to keep the skyscrapers from collapsing), so too do the facts seem to dematerialize. It is not that the grievous statistics about this catastrophe are not factual. Rather, they are like the ten thousand bits of debris that have blasted across the banks of the Potomac, the rugged wilderness of western Pennsylvania (where the fourth hijacked plane went down, presumably not having reached its target), and the concrete canyons of the Big Apple. The facts are everywhere and nowhere. They peel away to reveal the nightmare just below the surface, the landscape of endless loss and sorrow. The ashes of death are in our mouths. Nightmare before us is the unspeakable collision of two worlds, made suddenly and irretrievably concrete in the finality of this devastation."

Is the nightmare not just the beginning for the victims of this violence, for their families and friends ? The world community must clearly articulate its horror and condemnation of these premeditated acts of murder. We must find as negligible as they may be, ways, to offer solace to those most directly caught in the stunning brutality spreading out from this most recent ground zero of horrific violence. The nightmare, however, is not their’s alone. The United States of America, as a civilized nation, has added this experience of violence to the long tapestry of violence that stains its history. The great danger lies in how the direct victim (the country and people) and the world community interpret and react to this bad dream!

The culprit is almost detected although the most convincing explanation to prove the actual perpetrator is yet to be revealed. There is, nonetheless, vigorous efforts by the US and its allies to retaliate with violence with the shortest delay. As a nation, it is critically important everyone recognizes that, quite likely, this bad dream is not a new one. Quite likely it is a nightmare soaked in the blood of a retaliatory cycle of violence, and if the US responds either "proportionately" or "massively" there will not only be enormous-and likely indiscriminate-bloodshed, but it will also strengously heighten and accelerate the wheel of what has been named "redemptive violence." Unfortunately, the history of America as a nation painfully reveals that retributive violence is not "redemptive" at all. It does not "save" or make "secure". In fact, it will definitely increase the likelihood for new counterstrikes.

Clamber off the wheel of violence! It is the only noble legacy that humanity can offer to those who died in the attacks. We must move in a more profound way to recommit ourselves to the spiritual journey of creative nonviolence so that true justice can flourish and genuine peace can be every being’s lot. Tit-for-tat may lead to the complete erosion of the fabric of tolerance.

This means mourning the dead, condemning this horrific violence, but also once and for all acknowledging the gravity of violence on American soil and seeking a new avenue. In this most shocking moment, the American people have paradoxically been given a moment to desire and work for the wellbeing of all. Let the unimaginably horrific violence experienced in the east coast of the USA help the world community understand, in a way we perhaps have never understood before, what such "death from the skies" means, and help everyone to humbly acknowledge the violence we have perpetrated in this way in the past and continue to contemplate, under certain politically defined circumstances, in the future.

Most importantly, let us be transformed in the light of this horror to recognize, again, that we are all one. In this moment of unspeakable fire, may we once and for all commit ourselves including the war planners, in a deeply powerful way, to the path of operative non-violence for justice, affection, and well-being for the earth and for all its inhabitants. Let us take action so that hoping against hope, we can choose-as Martin Luther King, Jr implored-nonviolence, not non-existence.