Prime Minister’s Visit To India
Charting Out A Vision For The Future

By Nishchal Nath Pandey

PRIME Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba is currently on a 6-day official goodwill visit to India. The first visit to India by a Nepalese Prime Minister in 18 months, the visit is likely to focus on some key, important issues pertaining to the two close neighbours. One important factor which several critics have overlooked while reproving the Prime Minister’s India visit at this time is the fact that he is also the current Chairman of SAARC and the crucial issues relating to the regional organisation too are likely to be brought up during this visit.

Promoting Goodwill

Apart from promoting goodwill, trust and understanding, the high level visits between India and Nepal do constantly help in chilling out apprehensions and misunderstanding which are but natural between any two closely associated neighbours. Therefore, to and fro visits must always be galvanised to suit especially the challenging regional and international scenario. Therefore the faultfinding habit of certain
political maestros who have stated that the visit is ill timed since the country is currently under a state of emergency and the parliament is under session cannot be termed legitimate. How can one argue that the timing of the Prime Minister’s visit is miscalculated when he has not even completed his visit and the outcomes are yet to be seen and analysed? Only after a thorough and comprehensive post-mortem of the 6-day sojourn can one appropriately parley out the plus and minuses of the decision for the visit.

Apart from his meetings with the President and Vice-President of India and the one to one meeting through with his counterpart Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Deuba is also scheduled to interact with some key leaders at the centre including former Prime Ministers with whom he has developed intimacy through previous meetings both in Kathmandu and in New Delhi. A business meeting jointly organised by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is especially timely as a trade treaty has been signed between India and Nepal and the much talked about "deadlock" has ended fortunately with both sides "losing equally" if not "gaining symmetrically". It is a fact that the treaty has stepped backwards in comparison to the same of 1996 but how we cash in from some of the worthwhile and gainful provisions enshrined in the treaty depends on our ability. Coupled with this, issues such as the peril of a vast area of our territory getting submerged due to Laxamanpur, Marchwar and other dams have to be rightly discussed particularly in view of the fast approaching rainy season. Furthermore, the management of the open and porous border keeping in mind the security hazards faced by both the countries is an important and timely agenda.

With the events of September 11, the very content and conduct of international relations have seen dramatic shifts. Resolution 1373 of the UN Security Council makes it mandatory for member states to cramp terrorist activities inside individual country’s territories at the same time making serious effort in closing down their bank accounts. Discussing, sharing vital information and knowledge and seeking concomitant efforts to counter the menace of terrorism with neighbours is in today’s era a very natural ensemble of diplomatic proactiveness. As the biggest country in the region, any disturbance or political instability emanating from internal political violence inside any of its small neighbours too, without a doubt affects India.

Major Hallmark

A major hallmark of the visit will be a three-day tour of the Prime Minister to West Bengal. While Nepalese Prime Ministers had been increasingly focussing on forging closer ties with states of the south, political dynamics have set forth new and penetrating implications of Nepal’s four adjoining neighbouring Indian states vis-à-vis the government at the centre.

Among these neighbouring states, the Congress is in Uttaranchal, President’s rule is in place in Uttar Pradesh, the RJD of Laloo Yadav is in power in Bihar and the CPI (M) is in West Bengal while the Bharatiya Janta Party rules at the centre with the support of nearly two dozen strange bedfellows. Nepal must strive to promote goodwill and friendliness with neighbouring states as Nepalese are intimately attached and have emotional bondage with the peoples of these states. Bengalis have cultural affinity with Nepalese and the most important and closest harbour for Nepalese import and export goods is situated in West Bengal. The first ever visit of the Nepalese head of government to Kolkata is likely to build a bridge not only in fixing out the nitty-gritty and complications of transit and trade but more so start off the forging of dependable and futuristic neighbourly ties with West Bengal where thousands of Nepalese currently work and live.

In the final analysis, what is more crucial is to develop a vision for the future of Indo-Nepal relations so that it ceases to behave like traffic lights. A new generation fast emerging in both the countries but lesser in touch with one another and less emotional about each other will present manifold challenges in the future. If cashed in properly, this very characteristic offers opportunities, as hangovers of the past will no longer pester on the overwhelming prospects brought about by the new era.

Breast-Feeding: Symbol Of Emotional Ties

By Dr. Niranjan Prasad Upadhyay

BREAST–feeding is a natural process. Psychologically, in the course of this practice, mothers show affection to their kids. The kids who are deprived from breast-feeding, usually seem to be emotionally upset. In general practice, the modern women are more conscious to maintain their body structure by withdrawing the practice of breast-feeding. As a fashion, they prefer to use bottle-feeding. Early initiation of breast-feeding is beneficial for both mothers and their children. Physiologically, breast-feeding stimulates the release of a hormone that helps the uterus to contract and this is beneficial to mothers. The first breast milk is important for babies because it contains essential elements that are rich in antibodies and protect the new-born babies from diseases.

Nepal Family Health Survey 1996 found that about 98 per cent of married women have ever breast-feed their children. Comparatively, it is found that rural, non-literate, and older women are more likely to breast-feed and for a longer time than their counterparts. It is observed that on an average Nepalese women breast-feed their children for more than two years.

His Majesty’s Government of Nepal has brought out an outstanding research report on "The situation of woman, children and households". In that report, government shows that among the ecological zones, the highest proportion of mothers breast-feeding was in the hills (99 per cent), while lowest was in the Terai (97 per cent).

Universal Phenomenon

Breast-feeding is a universal phenomenon. It provides added protection against pregnancy. The fertility reducing effect of breast-feeding emerges from its role in lengthening the birth interval. Research studies have shown that the average length of inter-birth interval in Nepal is more than 30 months and there is a direct positive link between duration of breast-feeding and birth interval. It is proved that breast-feeding always builds up healthy personality and structures the sound health of child. Sound health always leads toward mental and physical well being. Basically, mental health problems are characterised by psychological and behavioural symptoms, resulting from changes in one’s thinking, attention, concentration, memory and judgement. American psychologist, James V. McConnell (1983) insists that once a baby monkey has become emotionally attached to the mother, the mother can do almost no wrong. A child cared for by mother with consistent behaviour patterns rapidly builds up an emotional attachment to its mother, for it learns that much of what is pleasant and satisfying in its world comes through inputs from it’s mother. Psychologist, J.A. Bowlby urges that if the mother always feeds the child, the infant soon builds up a schema that incorporates both "food" and "mother". When food appears, the child expects its mother to be there too, because it is not yet mature enough to discriminate food from mother. If the infant is suddenly separated from its mother during the first few months of its life, the child may have considerable difficulty adjusting to its altered circumstances.

A number of psychological studies suggest that the love an infant experience for its mother is due to an intense "bonding process" that develops during the first days of the child’s life. Some scientists believe that this bonding is a form of imprinting, similar to that found in birds and other animals. Psychologist, Daniel Stern researches that most infants are born with a readiness to respond to the adults around them. However, the strength of the attachment process is influenced by rewards and punishments. Psychologists stress initial love and affection an infant gets from his or her mothers. This type of infant-parent relationship helps the child to develop expectancies about the world around it. Research of the World Health Organisation (1989) shows that when the mothers breast- feed their baby it builds up close attachment between mothers and children. In this course of action, the emotional attachment may build up. Basically, a baby who is deprived from breast-feeding may raise disability and that leads weaker than other babies. It is also scientifically proved that the baby who does not get breast-feeding may easily become ill. Health researchers state that mother’s milk is the best nutritious diet for the babies that protect them against many diseases. They stress that mother need to eat and drink well to have enough breast milk for the baby. Milk, eggs, rice, green leafy vegetables, and fresh fruit are especially good food for a breast-feeding mother. Swedish health researcher, Ted Greiner (1995) stresses that breast-feeding contributes to care by fostering mother-infant bonding, stimulation, and skin and eye contact, as well as providing high-quality nutrients hygienically and countering infection. Human milk promotes brain growth and development. Breast milk is rapidly digested. When breast milk forms all or nearly all of the infant’s food, the infant will want the breast often, and this will naturally lead to frequent contact between mother and infant. In poor countries, breast milk can play a key role to vitamin A nutrition, irrespective of the child’s age. Its effects in promoting child survival seem to be more distinct than its effects in promoting growth. Basically, the duration of breast-feeding does contribute to longer birth spacing.

Positive Link

High-quality feeding interactions during first years of life tend to be positively linked to the child’s subsequent cognitive and linguistic competence and to more secure attachments to major caregivers. In many countries, the average duration of any breast-feeding may be between 6 and 15 months. Interventions for longer duration have yet to be developed, widely applied and evaluated. Generally, breast-feeding is the most prominent content of knowledge, and it is always "balanced" between a double valence, modern and traditional. The principles organising such contents are linked to the daily practices with the baby and values on which subjects more or less effectively involved in the practice of infant feeding take different positions (Swiss Journal of Psychology, 1998). In conclusion, breast–feeding unites food security, health protection, and care. It represents the strongest possible foundation for nutrition. Psychologically, feeding is an ideal context that examines the interaction between biological developments, cultural variability and promotes children’s survival and health.

A Page From History
Glimpses Of Medieval Nepal I

By Guna Dev Bhattarai

BEFORE the rise of Jayasthiti Malla (1380 A.D.) the society of the Nepal Valley was a conglomeration of mixed races. His rise marked an epoch in the history of Nepal. He stabilised the society by introducing a series of reforms. He formulated various codes which were to be strictly observed by the different Varnas (four) and Jatis (Thirty Six). The chaos and confusion created by the influx of many foreigners in the valley necessitated him to form water-tight social structures.

The society of the Malla period was founded on solid structure. In those days nuptial ties were regarded sacred. In case of misunderstanding between husband and wife either of them had the right to divorce. Nevertheless there were rare cases of divorce among the upper caste people. As there was water-tight caste system there were many rules pertaining to marriage, divorce, remarriage and the like. High caste people like the Brahmins, the Kshetriyas and some well-to-do businessmen could marry more than one woman, but they did not allow their women to do so. The lower caste women were entitled to divorce their husbands if the latter slighted, neglected or hated them or were suffering from incurable diseases. The Brahmin or the Kshetriya women were deprived of any right of divorce.

The people mostly the Newars had unity among themselves. Most of the houses were attached together. They were helpful to their next door neighbour during feast and nuptial ceremonies in particular. They would mourn by not taking food if any of their neighbours died.

As soon as a child was born Surya, Ganesh and Kumar were offered rice, flowers and the like. Next came the name giving ceremony better known as Jatakarma. The chief priest after consulting the exact time of the birth of the child gave a name to the child in keeping with the prevailing practices. When the child passed the fifth or the sixth month a ceremony called Aanaprasana or Janko was held. The child apart from breast feeding was supplied with varieties of food. After this the child slept for some time. It was stated that a knife, a book or a piece of straw were kept beside the sleeping child. The child after a sweet slumber would touch one of the said things. If he touched the knife, it was believed, that he would become a warrior in future, if he touched the book or the straw he would become a learned man or a farmer respectively.

During the medieval age the joint family system-prevailed. Sons, grandsons and great grandsons with their spouses lived in the same house. Generally there was unity among all the members of the family in which the headman, by virtue of being the oldest, commanded respect and was honoured by all other inmates of the family. On every occasion of feast and festival he acted as the sole guardian. He was supported to be well acquainted with traditional practices of the family. Only he was entitled to enter into the secret chamber of the family deity. He possessed every right to furnish the person if the latter acted against the prevailing social and religious norms.

Generally the birth of a male issue was welcomed by the family but it did not mean that a female issue was slighted or neglected. A thirty five year old woman, if she did not want to get married, could inherit property from her guardians.

Harsh punishment was awarded to low caste men or women if they had sexual relation with high caste men or women. The Brahmins and the Kshetriyas could marry lower caste women but the latter were classed as illegitimate. Even lower caste women, if they were the favourites of their husbands had great respect in the family though they were deprived of participation in big religious functions.

There was no system of Parda among the women. They freely mixed in society but with some restrictions imposed on them.

The rulers of the Valley and even their nobles had legitimate wives and concubines. Polygany lingered in the society for a long time. That is why the court was heterogeneous in character. Different nobles had their own axes to grind to the effect court intrigues were common features.