20th Session Of Parliament
High Expectation

By Prem N. Kakkar

NATIONAL consensus is a term that is often used and equally abused as well. For the well being of any nation the consensus of all the political forces in the country is essential and always proves to be effective in the implementation of the relevant plans and programmes. Needless to say, the same is for Nepal, a country that has embraced the multi-party for the past eleven years.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, when he assumed the mantle of the head of government last year, had emphasised on the need for national consensus. After all, not only the political parties represented in the parliament but those outside also have a vital role in seeing that the prosperity of the country materialises. It is not only words but action is direly needed at present.

The nineteenth session of the House which ran for 58 days saw nothing except for the walkouts by the main opposition party CPN (UML) with other parties also boycotting. That was one of the saddest experiences since the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal-1990 was promulgated. The stalemate in the House was to no one’s benefit. In fact the session, dubbed as the Bills Session, resulted in many important works left pending. The loss can be imagined by the very fact that some Bills that were meant for the betterment of the Nepalese people just gathered dust.

The national consensus that had to emerge was just in rhetoric. The ruling Nepali Congress party, CPN (UML), RPP and others had their own axes to grind while the people were left to fend for themselves. Rivalry among the parties is common but should not be at the expense of the country and the citizens.

This time around the 20th session of the House has started on a good note despite the fact that the main opposition party is still sticking to its one-point demand for Prime Minister Koirala to resign. Demands as such can be made but the point is that justification has to be given.

It is true that the country is passing through crucial times and there is every need for the government to chart a definite course without ifs and whys. Unless the government can act according to commitment nothing is possible. But the government alone does not occupy the whole stage the role of the opposition parties is also significant. What one assumes now is that more responsible behaviour is expected from the respected lawmakers. Without their participation and even criticism the House cannot function properly.

Herein, what has to be kept in mind is that criticism for criticism’s sake alone will not be enough. Though it is a reality that, generally speaking, political parties do not see eye to eye on most of the issues. This is the very reason that conducive atmosphere must be created so that consensus must emerge. The give-and-take strategy must be adopted but without impinging on the rights of the people. This is not an easy situation to tackle. Every caution is needed so that the plans and programmes put forth rebounds. Being pragmatic is most essential for those in the government as well as all the legislators. Petty interests cannot serve the overall welfare of the nation. A broad-minded approach must be forthcoming from the knowledgeable and experienced MPs.

The 14-point agenda that the Prime Minister proposed at the onset of the 20th session of the parliament is worth taking note of. The very fact that national consensus was sought makes it relevant for the present times. Without political stability peace is not easy to achieve and thereby prosperity. Economic prosperity is what the country needs urgently. Unlike elsewhere, here politics is bound up with every sector of the country. This merits attention if a way out has to be found.

Prime Minister has been clear in the statement of the 14-point agenda it talks of a minimum party level consensus among all the political parties and an all-party consensus and commitment for the Integrated Security and Development Programme. Keeping educational institutions and the civil servant out of politics is a commendable thought. But words alone do not mean much if the desired action does not materialise.

The main opposition party has noted the agenda and found it to be satisfactory but it has made reservations whether or not they will be implemented fairly. It is on the part of all the political parties to study the proposals carefully before coming out with their verdict. The resignation of Prime Minister Koirala alone is not going to do away with all the woes of the country. Constructive suggestions from all quarters are necessary if the problems and difficulties facing the country are to be overcome.

Now is the litmus test for both the ruling party as well as the opposition parties in the House. A certain amount of restraint must be present and responsibility must be borne by all. The people expect many things but not everything is possible at the waving of a wand. But what is possible is working in the right direction. The first and foremost among them is the government’s thrust as presented in its policies and programmes as presented last week. Next, what the budget speech has to offer. Going populist at such a time may not prove to be beneficial but a budget without specific drives too is not going to help.

In all, the focus of all is on the 20th session of the House and what it can deliver to the people and the country. Sincerity and commitment of everyone is necessary so that the ‘decade of national economic reconstruction’ could be the way it is visualised.

Men Matter In Reproductive Health

By Prativa Subedi

REPRODUCTIVE Health in an important aspect of women’s health Pregnancy, child bearing, family planning, and dealing with unsafe abortion and sexually transmitted disease are key aspects of reproductive health. One third of the illness among women aged 15-44 is related to pregnancy, child birth abortion and sexually transmitted disease and its mental depression. Reproductive health programme should respond to the reproductive health problems and men’s involvement is very important. In our country one of the most frequent and problems of women is dislocation and prolapsed of the uterus. Although illness specific to females are not limited to pregnancy and childbirth, health care services and information should not be limited to the time of child bearing and child rearing.

Most babies are born at home, either with the help of midwives of experiences members of the household. Average Nepali woman gives birth to 6 children. Women spend most of their time caring for others, whether it is children or other members of the family as mothers, mothers-in-law, daughters-in-law. In many villages women come and approach development workers and health assistants to say that they do not want many babies, Because of the lack of family planning facilities and social norm it is not that easy for women to decide on their own.

Family Planning and maternal health services started in Nepal during the third periodical plan (1965-1970). At that time information part was focussed and later maternal and child health was emphasised. The National Health Policy (1991) seeks to reach reproductive health services and family planning up to the village level through health institutions. In each VDCs 3199 sub health posts were supposed to be established and 205 Primary Health Care Centres in each electoral constituency. Some International and National Non-governmental Organisations are also working to improve the health status. But health facilities have not improved and reached to villages.

Marriages are usually arranged for the convenience of the parents. Sometimes they are not even real marriages, as in the case of a teenage girl being ‘married’ to a 9-year-old boy because his family needed a servant to work in the house and fields and could not afford to pay for the one.

In our villages 40 per cent of the first bear their first child between the ages of 15 and 19 which means that the baby will probably be of low birth weight. If another infant is born before the child in the lap is two years there is a 50 per cent possibility of the infant’s death.

Unseen and unexpressed is the mental suffering of the woman who has lost a child Ratna Maya Giri a 42 year old leader of a women’s group in Dolakha District had given birth to eleven children. The first one lived, but all the others except the last two died. She never understood how they had died, and thinks that if she had known what she knows now those eight children would still be alive. Now she is a community health volunteer. She had fallen into a deep depression after her eighth child, daughter died.

She wandered away from the village in a daze, convinced that she must have committed some terrible sin to deserve such a punishment. Holding the dead child in her arms she walked up a steep rocky cliff, telling herself that it was either the sin of the child or her own fault had killed it and if she was the sinner she should die along with the child. She climbed all the way up never losing her footing and reached the top unhurt. After really thinking about it she realised she wasn’t to blame, and only then was she able to return, home, exhausted but convinced that it must not have been all her fault after all.

Now a days maternity related illnesses are regarded as the most serious, although the problems of malnutrition and anemia also take their toll on women’s health.

Each year 500,000 mothers throughout the world die of problems related to childbirth in our country 85 out of every 1,000 women die during childbirth. According to a family planning survey the desire to have a son by women without children was found to be 86 per cent and 100 per cent of women who already had three girls desired for a son. Those with one son wanted another son in 90 per cent of the cases. Many women have their own unique concepts of human anatomy. For example, if asked to describe sterilization of a woman the villagers say that the uterus has been turned upside down. Whatever means of family planning may be adopted, it is necessary to have an idea as to what its bodily effects are. It is important to know about the structure of their body and how it functions.

In the developing countries 20 per cent of the population is seriously affected by malnutrition, 50 per cent do not have access to pure drinking water, and 60 per cent do not have access to health care facilities. Poverty and ignorance are at the root of poor health. The main cause for the deplorable condition of women’s health are social and traditional customs and burden of the work is always heavier on women. Men and male children have much more access to resources than woman and female children.

In the past, nursing and health services were considered as belonging exclusively to women, but in the last few years men have also begun to take up nursing training. Even if there is a special significance of women in the society, we should encourage the participation of men also in family health care. Women could use their own knowledge and skill of only they had more self confidence and accurate information. This could be enhanced through training courses in basic first aid, nutrition and health care. Health problems should not be taken in isolation only gender sensitive integrated programme can improve health and reproductive health of women.

Of Photogenic Models

By Uday Lama

OF late there has been an interest shown by young adults for modelling in general and the models in particular. This can be attributed to the glamour surrounding it and the wide publicity it has received. Once the seed is sown it is hard, nay even difficult to reverse the trend. Although its seamier side has yet to be divulged.

"Catch ‘em young" goes the quotation and nowhere is this more true than in this profession which is growing by leaps and bound. Catwalking the ramp is no longer a rare show to be attended by a handful of people; anyone with the right contacts can be on hand to watch and ogle.

Its hard steady work for those who aspire to be one with the modelling crowd. Despite the irregular hours and the absence of any form of security in hard cash, it is a chance to face the camera and expose oneself to critical acclaim. More can be learned in a hour of experience than a year of practice.

Good looks, a body to match and the right statistics can go a long way in making a model of a person. Smiling and putting on a brave front is not easy but the day’s work has to be gone through in spite of the ordeal. Though there are breaks from the camera shoot for a product or an ad and one can simply slip away.

Competing for the efforts that come one’s way takes some doing. Only those with guts and a bit of bravado can meet the expectations of the organisers. Being natural and appearing at ease all the time and while is part of the game. Although one may be exploiding with tension within.

Since this is a fledgling industry the perks provided for the growing number of would be wannabes are not much. And if it does materials its not enough to make a living. There are other stumbling blocks (like not being shown due recognition) what may persuade one to look elsewhere. While a promising start may launch one onto more lucrative ventures.

Getting started is the first step to gaining a toehold and the chances are slim of making it if the right overtures are not made. Anyone entertaining doubts would be advised to leave the field for others. Following the house rules and acquiring confidence on and off the ramp goes a long way in promoting self. This is what professionalism is all about.

Being in touch with the inner self means putting long hours in front of the mirror. Brushing up on the tips received, building postures and body language and trying out the come-hither smile to win hearts.

And slowly but surely the day will come when it all pays off and there is no more waiting in the wings but going out on the centre stage. Once the snowballing effect takes place there is no looking back and dividends are quick to come. Making a name for oneself is but a step away and calling the shots.