21st House Session Much Is Expected

By Prem N. Kakkar

THE twenty-first session of Parliament began on Sunday. Though dubbed as the Bill Session there are great expectations. First of all the passage of two ordinances is very important. The Terrorist and Destructive
Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance-2058 and Finance (First Amendment) Ordinance-2058 have been tabled in both the House of Representatives and the National Assembly for passage. As per the provisions, the ordinances have to be approved with a majority within three months of their declaration.

The short span of time that Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has been in office, has been an eventful period. No sooner had he become the Prime Minister, he called on the Maoists for peace talks. He was earnest in his efforts to end the problem through mutual dialogue and understanding. But it was not to be as the Maoists pulled out of the talks unilaterally without any reason whatsoever. This necessitated that the government take a tough stance on the matter.

Things became worse when the Maoists’ spree of violence and looting intensified. The government left with no alternative had to clamp a State of Emergency on November 26 last year. The Maoists were also declared terrorists and the army was mobilised so that the violence could be checked and the maintenance of law and order could be possible.

At the outset itself, Prime Minister Deuba had made it clear that despite the state of emergency, the people’s daily life will not be affected except for security reasons. As soon as the security forces got into action, the situation in many districts started improving. The action initiated against the Maoist terrorists is being seen as quite important for bringing back peace in the country.

The action by the security personnel is aimed at disarming the terrorists so that they would not be a threat to the people in general. As per the Defence
Ministry reports, the gains made so far are very encouraging. Despite all this,
the Maoists have not totally given up their tendency to involve in violence. It is not only the security forces but the people have also to join hands in this direction.

At this juncture, the role of the political parties are also quite important. As has been stressed time and again that national consensus is of vital importance in the fight against terrorism. So far the leaders of the main opposition party CPN(UML) and other parties have been receptive as far as the declaration of the state of emergency is concerned. They have all voiced that this state was necessary for people’s security but many do not want it to be extended beyond its three-month deadline. The problem is so complicated that fixing any particular deadline to end emergency is not possible. In fact, it depends on how much gains are made. What is necessary to focus on is how terrorism can be ended.

The declaration of the state of emergency was one of compulsions. Other ways to tackle the problem was not there. It is not to trouble the people but make their life more secure. Already in many places the people have returned to their villages and are leading a peaceful life tending their work.

The violence has cost the country much in terms of loss of lives and destruction of property. The economy is not what it was in the past. Tourism and exports have drastically fallen. This means that the national economy is going through hard times. It is only the return of peace that the economy can once again regain its health. Peace and law and order are of importance if economic and development activities are to go side by side. But that is not the situation now. Yet hope rests on the fact that the offensive against the Maoists have yielded results. The seizure of explosives, weapons, documents, etc. from the Maoists have weakened them which is an advantage for the security personnel. It means that with the decreasing fire power the morale is low among the Maoists.

These are the circumstances when the 21st session of Parliament has begun. It is time for all the parties represented in the Parliament including the ruling and the main opposition parties to work in such a manner that the threat to national life ends. For this the lawmakers and their respective parties have to come forth with initiatives that will lead to a country free of any sort of violence. The situation that the country is in must not be taken lightly as the after-effects will take long time to heal. Instead of squabbling over trivial matters, everyone must be able to keep national interest above all.

As the House session has already begun, it is a crucial test for the legislators and the support for the state of emergency can be discussed to the fullest possible extent and approved accordingly. It is a time for action and much is expected from the mature and experienced lawmakers.

"Miseries Behind Urbanising City"

POVERTY alleviation remains as much a catalyst for development as an utopia. It is the fulcrum on which plans of our policy makers, development planners revolve. Talking of our "respected" politicians, many times this word features in their harangues. In fact it is "GayatriMantra" for them in their political "Mandap". It may sound ludicrous the way this crucial issue is put up here. But the modest intention is to reach those immersed in endeavours of combating poverty. Though huge percentages of poor Nepalese reside in rural areas we can’t be longsighted not to see the multi-faceted problems emerging with urbanizing Nepal.

We feel proud to be the citizens of Kathmandu city, the capital and the heart of the nation. No one can deny Kathmandu as a city enriched with traditional and cultural heritage, major hub of the nation, that holds key economic, political and cultural significance. After Kathmandu was declared, a Metropolitan City it must have added prestige to the city and citizens. But it is urbanizing at an alarming rate, which has stood as a formidable challenge. Failure to manage and control this trend has led to urban crisis. Indeed murky face of urban poverty has become rampant. Unchecked immigrations, superfluity in population, high density, congestion, inadequate infrastructure and basic amenities, degradation of environment and ultimately weakening quality of life can be traced out as its chief feature. No doubt it would insinuate the blame on urban governance. Life in the city is getting costly as days pass by. In this kind of situation the urban poor suffers the most.

According to UNESCO report the urban poor are viewed as victims of urban poverty as being society, economically, politically, as well as spatially marginal. The growing economic disparity, unemployment problems and the cash shortage further exacerbate severity of urban poverty in the city. As city continues to strive with current phenomena, the vulnerability of this new class of destitute remains solemn and threatening.

Slumps and squatters are the most visible realities of urban poor. Both in and at the outskirts of the city exist these slumps and squatters such as in Jagritinagar, Palpakot, Balaju, Ramhity, Bhimmukheshwor and many more which are almost neglected when we imagine the city. Dwellers in such places suffer and struggle against multi-factorial psycho-social-environmental problems. Fear of eviction, deprivation of basic amenities, poor housing and living conditions, unhygienic vicinity, powerlessness etc can be attributed to their critical realities of life.

It will foolish to think that urban poverty is a malaise affecting just the slums and squatters. Indeed if we scratch the shiny surfaces of even urbanised areas we would find poverty deeply engraved therein. Probing into the veracities of urban life in Kathmandu we can catch the sights of urban poor in every nook and corner. Street vendors with no organised place to conduct their petty trading risk their sole investments in the acting with the city police. There are cart pushers and porters destined to accept hardship and agony to sustain their living. Construction workers engaged in works from dusk till dawn are susceptible to exploitation by contractors. Aren’t they prone to severe health hazards? Is there any security for their physical well-being? Similarly there are rickshaw pullers expecting tourist passengers unsure about their daily earnings. Loitering street children and rack pickers enjoying their freed life in the street land unaware of the gloomy future. Beggars moaning and desperately stretching their weary hands hoping for a penny popped out from passer-bys. One cannot avoid pathetic sights of old age destitute hovering around temples in the most wretched condition. We cannot remain apathetic with the predicaments of daily low wageworkers. Especially during the riots and "bandhs" they are the most disadvantaged side. There are many other realities during the course of urbanising city. Now do we think the lives of these underpriviledged and vulnerable sections of the society better off?

We must comply that cities are not an exclusive habitat of rich and opulent class. But in reality urban poor are perceived incongruous to the elite-dominated city culture. In fact, they are regarded impediment to the beautification of the city. The moot question is have we recognised the potentials of their little contributions at micro level? Can we imagine smooth functioning of a city without daily wageworkers such as ‘porters’, construction workers and others engaged in informal sectors? The success and prosperity of urbanising city cannot be measured only in terms of huge complexes, roads, park and infrastructure developments. Living standard and quality of life of poor should also improve hand in hand. Hence for a sustainable city poor should fit into it.

Indeed it is sad to say that there haven’t been many concrete and substantial programme to uplift the quality of life of the urban poor. Though there is some space in the ninth five-year plan to tackle urban poverty, the picture remains gloomy for lack of implementation. Even as we see the NGOs mushrooming in our society it is awful to find that there aren’t many working to this end.

Hence the situation demands effective urban governance. Urban Planning should give enough space for socio-economic aspect of the urban poor. Rural-Urban linkage of the poverty should be recognised and assessed. The complex and dynamic nature of urban poverty should be explored and researched. Finally, there should be a platform where poor organise themselves to advocate for decent and dignified life conditions and revamp the entire unjust socio-economic structure. Poverty is a evil, which ails urban society. It is thus imperative that it be cured for it to be hale and hearty.

Women Who Became Self Dependent

By Laba Dev Dhungana

THREE years ago, when Mamata Rai of Paanchthar started her own tailoring business, she had to become a victim of lot of ridicule by the villagers. Since tailors are considered to be outcasts, the villagers even threatened her that they would not drink water at her home. Mamata, who hailed from a poor family background took her tailoring training from cottage and small trade industry, Paanchthar.

She started her own tailoring business after taking a loan of 5000 rupees. At present, the earns more than 5000 rupees a month. Moreover, the villagers have started respecting her and they have even started encouraging their daughters and sisters to join the business.

Mamata’s father had married a second wife and left home when she was 6 years old. She was forced to marry at the age of 14 and she became a widow when she was 18 years old. She gained interest in tailoring when she saw her aunt from Jhapa doing the same business. At present, she is not only an entrepreneur but she also trains others in tailoring.

Similarly, Sita Aryal who had been left by her husband in Gaighat, Udaypur is at present running a Dhaka weave business and she earns more than 200 rupees a day. She has her own niche in the society. When she started her business 8 years back, she had a difficult time even feeding herself. But, through her business, she was not only able to save her land by repaying a loan, she also takes care of her two children’s education.

Many women have found changes in their lives after gaining skills in certain sector. This has encouraged many women to join skill development training. Sita Aryal advises anyone who seeks her help to join skill development training. But, according to Mamata Rai, women themselves retreat from gaining new experiences.

Sita Aryal, whose husband was an alcoholic and abusive, had to go without any food right after her husband her. She has not undergone any training. She gained skill though her own initiatives and now she is well respected as a successful entrepreneur.

Women of Paanchthar have proved that women can also stand on their own feet through skill development training and earn self respect in the society.

Bimala Tumbapo of the same village started working in Dhaka factory after her husband brought in a second wife. A mother of one child, at present she has a net income of more than 2000 rupees a month.

Women Awareness Group of Nagi--I have started a commercial Dhaka industry from a loan of 50,000 rupees taken from Agriculture Development Bank. According to President Januka Adhikari, the industry was established to provide skills to disad-vantaged women and at present it trains 40/50 women annually.

Similarly, 25 women have been employed by Sailing Dhaka Industry in Phidim. Sita Sailing who has been in the business for a long time has already transferred her skills to 50 women. Sita who has had training inside the country and abroad is doing business worth millions of rupees.

Member of District Development Committee, Paanchthar Asharatna believes that skill development training can bring a whole lot of changes in a woman’s life. According to her women should also be provided leadership development and empowerment along with skill development in order to make them self confident.

Cottage and small industries development committee Paanchthar provides many skillful trainings to women in various places. According to Jivnath Dahal, disad-vantaged women are given the first priority and many women have taken advantage of this.

(Sancharika Feature Service)