Maoist negotiation team arrives in capital
Bhattarai, Badal to hold first press conference today

By Prateek Pradhan

KATHMANDU, March 28 : Dr Baburam Bhattarai, the chief coordinator of Maoist negotiation team has arrived here today along with Ram Bahadur Thapa, alias Badal, the commander-in-chief of the Maoist Liberation Army.

Krishna Bahadur Mahara, a member of the team who became public immediately after the announcement of cease-fire between the government and Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) about two months ago, escorted the leaders into the capital from Butwal.

"Yes they are in the capital now. I accompanied them from Butwal, and they will be public tomorrow through a press conference," Mahara told the reporters.

Mahara had left for Butwal yesterday to receive the Maoist leaders along with three human rights activists Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Birendra Keshari Pokharel, and Sindhu Nath Pyakurel.

Matrika Yadav, a member of the five-man negotiation team, flew from Simara and arrived directly at senior advocate Pyakurel’s residence in Kalikasthan, where Dr Bhattarai and Badal were waiting for him. The fifth member of the negotiation team Dev Gurung is expected to arrive in the capital late night today.

According to our sources, immediately after reaching the capital, Dr Bhattarai called up government’s negotiator Minister Narayan Singh Pun and asked him to begin the peace talks immediately.

The Maoist team, commenced their journey in two vehicles today from Hotel Sindur, Butwal at seven in the morning and entered Thankot checking point at 1:40 in the afternoon.

The vehicles were inspected at several checkpoints, which Mahara described to the press as a violation of the 22-point code of conduct. However, after they arrived in Chitwan the security personnel did not disturb them much.

"They showed respect after Chitwan, maybe they recognized us," said Pyakurel. At Thankot checkpoint an army officer even shook hands with the Maoists leaders, and allowed them in.

However, Dr Bhattarai expressed his dislike over the harassment on the road. He raised the issue with Minister Pun during their telephonic conversation, revealed our sources.

Dr Bhattarai, comrade Badal and three human rights activists were seated in one car and Mahara was in the other car with four of their cadres. The Maoists’ convoy did not stop anywhere except near Mugling where the entourage were served traditional Nepali lunch of rice, dal and curry.

The convoy’s first stop was Pyakurel’s residence at Kalikasthan, where they discussed about the press conference, through which they intend to come in the public. "They were wondering if foreign media would be represented properly in the press conference," said Pyakurel.

During the seven hour voyage and the around two-hour long discussion, advocate Pyakurel did not feel any kind of excitement or apprehension in Dr Bhattarai and his team.

"I found them very responsible toward the country and the people. They are not going to compromise the country’s sovereignty and would push for the round-table conference and the interim government," Pyakurel said.

The press members gathered in Pyakurel’s residence to get a glimpse of the Maoist leaders were disappointed as Bhattarai and Badal duo managed to evade the media. The enthusiastic press got to click only the pictures of Matrika Yadav.

Dr Bhattarai has become a little thinner and has more gray strands in his beard. Comrade Badal looked pretty much in good health, according to those who accompanied the Maoist leaders.

During the entire journey, the convoy did not discuss much about politics. Dr Bhattarai inquired the human rights activists about their families and told them that his wife Hisila Yami, an architect engineer and a senior Maoist leader, was in Kalikot and working in a development plan for the district.

‘Goodwill talks’ to be held on April 1

Post Report

POKHARA, March 28 : The government-designated coordinator for the peace talks and the Minister for Physical Planning and Works, Narayan Singh Pun today said that the first round of ‘good will’ talks with the Maoists will be held on the April 1 in the capital.

He informed that the first round of formal peace talks would take place in Pokhara following the ‘good will’ talks.

He said that the date for the ‘good will’ talks was finalised after a talk with Babu Ram Bhattarai, the coordinator of the Maoist negotiating team.

Speaking at an inaugural function of the National conference of Mijar Society Nepal here in Pokhara on Friday Pun said, "The Maoist negotiating team including Bhattarai has reached in Kathmandu. We agreed to hold talks on the stipulated date after a telephone conversation."

Minister Pun also informed that he has already submitted the government’s agenda for talks to Bhattarai. "Bhattarai also commended the agenda," Pun said.

The major issues in the government-agenda, according to Pun, are the problems of dalits, women and the minority communities.

"Can the Maoist demands for a constituent assembly, interim government and the round table meeting resolve all the problems facing the nation, if the problems of minority class, unemployment and women are left out," Pun asked.

He said that another group might come up with arms if these issues are ignored. "Narayan Singh Pun himself would have to pick up arms at such situation," Pun said.

Future of around 1,500 non-registered Bhutanese remains in limbo

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DAMAK, March 28 : Around 1,500 Bhutanese are yet to be registered as bona-fide refugees and they are now worried that they would be deprived of going back to their homeland, after the Druk regime expressed its willingness to accept them.

In the recently concluded 13th Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) meeting held in Thimphu, the Bhutanese capital, it was agreed in principle to take back its bona-fide Lhotsampas (Bhutanese of Nepalese origin living in southern Bhutan) as per their willingness.

Currently, Nepal and Bhutan governments are screening the report of over 12,000 refugees of Khudunabari camp, where the Joint Verification Team had completed its refugee verification. The unregistered refugees have demanded that the Nepal government begin the process of their registration immediately.

However, the Kakarbhitta-based Screening Post, which was established shortly after thousands of Bhutanese refugees began flowing in to Nepal during the early 1990s, stopped the registration process two years ago.

Most of the unregistered refugees, according to refugee leaders, are those people whose documents were either confiscated by the Bhutanese officials before they were forced to flee their homes or those who were released from Bhutanese prisons without any official documents proving their Bhutanese identification.

A recent study carried out by Bhutanese Refugee Representative Repatriation Committee (BRRRC) four months ago, revealed that a total of 1,486 Bhutanese have been left unregistered. BRRRC officials said that these unregistered refugees were deprived of basic facilities, which the registered refugees are entitled to.

"Therefore, they have mingled among the Nepali and Indian population for survival," informed BRRRC Chairman S B Subba. He claimed that there are still around 5,000 Bhutanese, who have been left unregistered.

Thirty-three-year-old Narmaya Magar, who fled her home in Bhutan three years ago, said she has been repeatedly asking the Screening Post to have her family registered as refugees. "But the officials refused to entertain my requests," she lamented.

She said her family came to Nepal following the ‘disappearance’ of her husband, a Royal Bhutan Army personnel, just before his family was forced to flee home during 1990. She said her family would be left alone once all the refugees returned to their homeland.

When asked about the future status of the unregistered families like the Magars, Dinesh Pokharel, officer at the Refugee Co-ordination Unit, said they would register them as refugees only after consulting with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission on Refugees). But he did not say anything when they would begin the registration process.

Expel corrupt TU officials, demand Nepali teachers

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KATHMANDU, March 28 : The protest programme of the Tribhuvan University (TU) Nepali teachers entered its second round today. The teachers are demanding immediate resignation of officials, including Chuda Raj Upreti, chairman of TU Service Commission and formation of a probe committee to investigate the alleged scandals in the just concluded promotion test of teachers.

Talking to reporters at a press meet here, Dr Khagendra Prasad Luitel, secretary of the protest committee said TU teachers throughout the country have shown solidarity to protest what he said a "shameful" and blatant act of "corruption" by TU Service Commission.

The recently concluded promotion test for Nepali teachers was mired in controversy after the TU professors suspected what they term as ‘foul play’ by the TU Service Commission in promoting the teachers. The result, which used to be normally declared on the same day of interview, had taken all most seven months. TU also is being blamed for selecting 90 per cent of junior professors, while sidelining ‘veteran’ and ‘long-time teachers’.

Teachers suspect that the Commission had taken bribes while promoting professors and sidelining the qualified and experienced ones. "One of the teachers promoted includes a PhD in Hindi," said Dr Luitel. "How can a Hindi teacher qualify himself to teach in Nepali?"

Asked if he had any concrete evidence that TU officials had taken bribes in promoting their ‘near and dear ones’, he said, "it is for the court to decide." TU protest committee has already filed a case at TU, which is likely to be taken up by the Supreme Court. "We remained tight-lipped so far though there were numerous instances of irregularities in TU. This time, we won’t let this pass off like that," said Victor Pradhan, co-ordinator of the newly formed TU Nepali Teachers’ Protest Committee.

TU teachers have warned Upreti and all other officials of TU Service Commission to resign immediately from their positions and said that a probe committee is being formed to investigate the alleged wrong doings.

Measles outbreak claims three lives in Doti

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DIPAYAL, Doti, March 28 : At least three children, aged below five, died and more than 250 others were reported affected by the outbreak of measles in Girchauka Village Development Committee (VDC).

According to villagers, who arrived at the district headquarters to inform about the outbreak of the disease, almost all the children in Girchauka, were affected by the disease over the last one month period. No health workers have reached the affected areas,
located at about 10 hours walking distance from Dipayal.

Nar Bahadur Khatiwada a villager said, three children aged below five, recently died of measles at ward No. 5 of the VDC. "Many more are on the brink if medical teams are not immediately sent to the affected areas," he said.

Khatiwada, who is also a primary school teacher, said that half the children in the village could not attend the annual examinations due to the outbreak. Officials at the Regional Health Directorate said they were aware of the situation and would send health workers there soon.

Their Majesties pay homage

KATHMANDU, March 28 (RSS) - Their Majesties the King and Queen paid homage to Lord Shreekrishna at Dwarikadham in Gujarat of India today.

Their Majesties on the occasion graced the installation of the Dhwaja or flag, vowed by Their Majesties, on the Gajur or Pinnacle of the Dwarka temple. On the occasion Their Majesties offered milk to the Gomati river flowing on the bank of Dwarka Dham and sprinkled holy water.

Earlier in the morning, Their Majesties the King and Queen were accorded a warm send off at the Goa airport by governor of Goa Kedarnath Sahani and his spouse.

Upon arrival at Jamnagar airport, Their Majesties were heartily welcomed by high ranking officials of Jamnagar.

Their Majesties the King and Queen left here this afternoon for Bhubaneswor, the capital of Orrissa.

Their Majesties were welcomed at the Bhubaneswor airport by governor of the state of Orrissa M. Rajendram and his spouse and the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

US museum plays host to Nepali pauva art

By Bikash Sangraula

KATHMANDU, March 28 : Deepak Kumar Joshi is a proud man. Quite justifiably, as he is the first artist in Nepal to have created a pauva that has managed to find its way into a museum in the United States. On his return to Nepal, after a successful demonstration to the enthusiasts in the Ackland Art Museum of the University of North Carolina, Joshi is more than convinced that this ancient art form has a high aesthetic value, and can be marketed to the West.

In August 2000, Joshi found himself lucky to be commissioned by the museum to create a new pauva, also called thangka in Tibetan, for the museum. "That is how long it takes to create one pauva, if done adhering strictly to the Buddhist principles," says Joshi, with an air of accomplishment.

The Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi Pauva created by Joshi is now a valuable asset for the museum’s permanent collection. Upon being exhibited in the museum, the pauva attracted most of the visitors there. Since the curators there could not satisfy the queries of the enthusiasts, the museum decided to invite Joshi in person for the purpose.

From February 19 through February 23, Joshi was in residence at the museum demonstrating his intricate art-making techniques and to discuss the powerful symbolism of his painting. He also gave gallery talks on February 23 and 26, that were rich with enquiries and appreciation from the perceptive art lovers there.

This particular pauva is a mandala dedicated to the deities Chakrasamvara and Vajravarahi. Their entwined images appear in the centre, symbolising the union of male and female cosmic energy and the dissolution of the opposites, says Joshi. The deities represent the enlightened mind where wisdom and compassion merge, to replace self-centred ego. The artist has used bright stone colours in it.

Prem Man Chitrakar, president of the Traditional Pauva Artists’ Association regards this as a major breakthrough for Nepali pauva art. "This is a great honour for us, specially because we were finding it extremely difficult to protect this ancient art form from disappearing into obscurity."

Chitrakar, one of those who guided Joshi in mastering the art form, explains pauva as an intensely intricate work that requires extreme concentration and precision. It adheres to the tantric Buddhist philosophy. Such paintings are used as aids in meditation and rituals.

Barbara Matilsky, curator of the museum, is reported to have said that Joshi’s work has come as a blessing for the museum, owing to its uniqueness and the attraction that it holds for the art lovers there, according to Joshi. "This is another opportunity for people to see a remarkable artist at work," Barbara is reported to have said of the demonstration by Joshi at the museum.

"Not only the curator, but the visitors also showered special interest on the work. They were full of praise and admiration," says Joshi adding that the trip has motivated him further to dedicate his skills to enrich pauva art.

Pauva, as an art form, existed in Nepal much before it became famous and thangka in Tibet, opines Joshi. "In Tibet, thangka art became famous only during the 12the century BS. But the annals of history point out that the same form of art existed in Nepal during the sixth century BS."

According to Joshi, the art form entered Tibet during the times of Bhrikuti, who got married to the Tibetan Prince Shrong Tsen Gumpo. "Many artists were taken from Nepal to Tibet for spreading the art there." However, Joshi points out as unfortunate that currently the term thangka has become better known than the term pauva, which is what it was called originally.

However, the artist is confident that pauva has a better appeal and artistic value as it adheres strictly to classical Buddhist tradition, rather than giving way to commercialisation as is the case with thangka.

Joshi started painting at the age of thirteen. His deep knowledge of yoga and tantric Buddhism makes him quite the person to make Nepali pauva famous in the West. "I believe that having at least one pauva at home drives away evil desires as it constantly reminds us of the lessons taught by Buddha," he says.

WB praises reform process

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KATHMANDU, March 28 : Meiko Nishimizu, Vice President of South Asian Region of the World Bank (WB) completed a four-day visit to Nepal that was aimed at conducting regular policy dialogue with the top officials of the government.

Talking to The Kathmandu Post, before leaving Nepal, she praised the ongoing reform measures in Nepal in spite of the political uncertainty. "Despite the instability, some right-mined people played a crucial role in accelerating the reform process and Nepal has already started feeling its positive impact," she said.

She also said that the current pace of reforms is far convincing than it was a year ago and stressed that the government should pay due attention for expanding good-governance and reducing poverty. She, however, pointed that a result-oriented civil service reforms is a must to achieve good-governance and poverty reduction.

Beside the two major areas, Nishimizu said that the WB would focus on bringing the marginalised people, dalit communities and women into the mainstream of the development. She also informed that the WB has accepted the request of the government to help it in coordinating those donors that want to assist Nepal in its efforts of reconstruction of the damaged infrastructures and other development activities.

She also praised the Immediate Action Plan and Medium Term Expenditure Framework and the Tenth Plan, terming them as very strategic and focused programmes with believable concrete actions.

Bogged down by water woes ? Switch to rainwater harvesting

By Suvecha Pant

KATHMANDU, March 28 : The dry season has begun and once again the Kathmandu Valley faces the problem of water scarcity. People queuing up with empty buckets in front of virtually dry taps has become a familiar sight.

But for a small pie of Kathmanduites, an age-old technique of water management has proven to be of some relief. An increasing number of Kathmanduites have now found rainwater collection a solution to the problem.

Rainwater harvesting - while not a new concept - is gaining popularity among the Kathmandu dwellers these days. The system involves collecting the water that falls on the roof of a house during rainstorms, and collecting it by an aluminium, PVC, wood, or plastic drain or collector to a storage tank.

Storage tanks may be built below or above ground. The tanks should be fully enclosed to prevent evaporation. The first flush of the new rain is allowed to run off as waste.

Dr. Roshan Shrestha is one of the rainwater collectors in Kathmandu who has recently used this technique in his house. "Rainwater is generally wasted but we make use of the same, even for drinking," said Shrestha.

Dr Shrestha is also the President of Environment and Population (ENPHO) and NGO Forum for Water and Sanitation. He installed this system in his house two months ago. "We use around 250 litres of water a day and this is provided by the water collected from the rain and tap."

The cost of installing rainwater harvesting system depends upon the size of the storage tank. A 13,000 litre underground tank costs about Rs. 15,000- 20,000 including labour and material costs and a 500 litre tank costs about Rs. 3,400. Filtering process and pipes are very cheap.

Janardan Dhungana, a resident of Kirtipur has been using this technique for the past 12 years. He claims that he now saves Rs 3,000 per month by using rainwater. Though Dhungana lives in a dry area where government tap provides an hour of water a week, he has sufficient water supply for his daily needs.

"We boil the rainwater for drinking," said Dhungana. Following Dhungana, more than 10 people in the locality have opted for rainwater harvesting. The water is more than enough during the rainy season and can be stored for up to 3 months.

According to Dhungana, the stored water goes for 9 months. "We have to still buy a few tankers of water a year during the dry season," he says.

In the past four years rainwater harvesting has increased. At present, six percent of Kathmandu and Lalitpur households are using rainwater harvesting.

"Recently a majority of households have opted for this system" Kishore Jha, an Engineer and urban planner, recently studied the water utilisation in the valley "Rainwater harvesting is gaining popularity amongst the Kathmandu dwellers."

"It is a cost effective way of meeting water demands," Jha says. "Use of rainwater also recharges the shallow groundwater levels."

At present 52 percent of water demand in Kathmandu, is met by Nepal Water Supply Corporation. Of the rest 48 percent, 31 percent is met by shallow tubewell, 13 percent by stone spouts (dhunge dhara) and community wells, and four percent by private tanker.

"Rainwater is naturally soft (unlike underground water), contains almost no dissolved minerals or salts, is free of chemical treatment, and relatively reliable source of water for households," added Jha. "If collection and storage are designed carefully, it is possible for a family to live for a year in areas with rainfall as little as 100mm per year."