Barahchhetra Festival

RELIGION is a way of life--values that guide us through our life. It is a common feature of all civilised societies and a product of the need to govern us. All the religions submit to the existence of a divine power and preach that even though the paths may be different, the ultimate goal is the same. The names may be different but the basic principles that all religions preach are similar. All religions speak of non-violence, love, harmony and welfare of all living beings. Hinduism, one of the oldest religions stands for the same values of self-discipline. However, Hinduism has a unique feature--that of religious tolerance. It is the only religion that does not believe in converting by force, nor does it denigrate other religions. Perhaps this is the reason why the number of Hindus is not as many as of other religions.

At the inaugural function of the week-long Barahchhetra festival, the Prime Minister spoke of how crucial it is to combine the spiritual with the materialistic thoughts for the growth of human civilisation and peace. In fact through spiritualism only can success and lasting peace come to our lives. He also stressed the tolerant side of Hinduism and condemned the conversions that take place under coercion or enticement.

The Barahchhetra festival attracts a huge number of pligrims to the Koshi Tappu area from both Nepal and the neighbouring India. There are many other such places where pligrims flock several times a year. Sadly lacking in those places are basic facilities for the pilgrims. Therefore, building of infrastructure and development of such places of religious importance should be of prime importance. Efforts have to be made by the non-governmental organisations and the religious organisations as well as the government for developing the infrastructure. The Prime Minister during the opening of Barahchhetra festival expressed his commitment towards developing the infrastructure in the Durbasa Ghat and Koshi Tappu area. Infrastructure development in those sites of religious importance will definitely boost religious tourism and contribute to greater economic activity and prosperity in the area. It is not only the Hindus, but tourists, irrespective of their religion, will find the place and the festivities attractive if suitable infrastructure is in place.

Melamchi Loan

EFFORTS to secure loans from various bilateral and multilateral donors and lenders for the much-touted Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) are never-ending. For several years now, the Melamchi project has been advanced as the total solution to the Kathmandu Valley's drinking water problems. People's expectations have risen with all the promises made by politicians and officials that the Valley will have plentiful of water gushing around once the Melamchi project is completed. Billed at 340 million US dollars as the base cost, the project will initially divert 170 million litres of water through a nearly 27 kilometre long tunnel from Melamchi river in the north-east Sindhupalchowk district. The loan and interest will take the project cost to 430 million dollars. This is a huge sum for a project that will basically benefit the Kathmanduites only. Understandably, there have been some hard questions as to this disproportionate amount of development money going to a Kathamandu project at the cost perhaps of other national priorities. Be that as it may, a lot of government time and energy over the past years have gone into securing loans for this mega-project. It looks like the project may after all be a reality.

According to a report, government officials will be negotiating with the Asian Development Bank, the lead lender, very soon to finalise the loan deal. Various other preparations have been continuing over the months in efforts to meet the donors' conditionalities. The Nepal Water Supply Corporation Act has already been amended that allows the private sector to take charge of the management--one of the long-pursued demands of the donors. Preparations to present to the next session of the parliament two other Acts--Regulatory Act and Drinking Water Act--are continuing. With these positive developments, other donors like Japanese Bank of International Cooperation, Nordic Development fund, Swedish International Development Agency and Norwegian Aid Agency all have either pledged or stated their readiness to assist in the project. All this must be good news for the Kathmandu people. If the ADB loan comes through and the project commences next year, it should be completed by 2006 when the Valley people will see the end of the dry days. But if the past Melamchi negotiations are anything to go by, things are never certain about when the project could start. The outcome of the coming negotiations with ADB should indicate how close we are to see the start of the project.