Off The Record (Spotlight Weekly)

Daughter Rises

As Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala advances in age, the party is searching for a successor. At a time when almost all second-generation leaders are in no position to stand as a unanimous choice, Sujata Koirala, the sole daughter of the former prime minister, is approaching from behind. After living abroad for more than two decades with her German husband, Sujata separated a few years ago and acquired Nepalese citizenship. In the last few months, she has been actively mobilizing political forces, making her home among the major meeting venues. Papa, too, is using her house as a pre-eminent political platform. Despite opposition within the extended Koirala family to her active role in politics, Sujata seems to be coming out as a major leadership contender. Had she contested the elections a few years ago, she would have left Govinda Raj Joshi, Arjun Narsingh KC and Krishna Sitaula far behind today. Whether one likes it or not, Sujata is outsmarting even Shailaja Acharya. How other rivals in the party will respond to her emergence remains to be seen. In the past 40 days, Sujata has been taking the lead in organizing demonstrations. And that could mean a lot to the rank and file.

Groom Guidance

Most Nepalese actors and actresses marry a few years after taking their lead roles. Others wait a little longer. Jal Shaha, a renowned actress and daughter of poetess, seems to be in a marriage mood these days. In a recent newspaper interview, Shaha disclosed that she is in search of a groom. Although she did not say anything about the qualifications and criteria for her would-be-groom, Shaha, one of the busiest actresses of the Nepalese film industry, will need help to sort out candidates. Since her mother escorts her to and from shootings, she might help nominate a groom. For now, every bachelor is eligible to apply.

Pandey : Changing hat

Sports Smudge

Nepalese have a predominant tendency to destroy institutions that start functioning. In the sports sector, there has been a practice to dissolve national associations the moment they begin showing signs of life. As soon as All Nepal Football Association secured international fame, the sports authorities dissolved it and appointed their own henchman. Following the appointment of veteran badminton player Kishore Bahadur Singh as member-secretary of the National Sports Council, almost all the sports associations have been dissolved. Whether it was done with a good intention or not, the decision has rocked the sports sector.

Past In Peril

Sajha Buses : Old is gold

In every part of the world, antiques are regarded as part of the country's priceless heritage. Many countries keep them as the pride of the nation and state. But the situation in Nepal is different. Despite being a country of centuries-old gods and goddess, the people in the valley do not see anything preserved as antique. Although Kathmandu imported some old mechanized equipment, no one is taking care of them today. The Pharping Hydro-power Station, which is one of the oldest hydropower stations of Asia, has been dismantled, as has been the water tap installed in the period of Bir Sumsher. In the transport sector, Nepal imported many kinds of vehicles but only a few have been preserved. Following the decision of the appellate court, Sajha Yatayat, Nepal's oldest transport enterprise, has started rolling its blue buses again after a year-long hiatus. Nobody knows whether they are back for good.

See Movie If You Love Karishma

Manandhar : Will She return

The leading Nepalese actress-turned-producer Karishma Manandhar has left for the United States. Apparently bruised by the dismal public response to the opening of her latest film "Babusaheb", Karishma has decided to call it a day, according to her producer husband Binod Manandhar. The hubby haves us believe that it was due to lackluster public response that she decided to leave Nepal. He also urges people to go and see her movie if they want their favorite actress to return back. As Karishma counts hundreds of thousands of Nepalese including Maoist supremo comrade Prachanda among her fans, it does not seem impossible to lure the audiences to the theaters. If comrade Prachanda is listening, he should order his cadres to see the movie en masses prompting Karishma to come where she belongs.