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Theme: Anti-corruption strategies: journalistic perspective
In search of a white approach to nip black act

The latest perspective of Nepali journalism on its fight against corruption could be sensed in its search for a sanitized approach to tackle the cancerous crime. The concept pursued under it emphasizes more on cleanliness of method than on the seriousness of the act. It contrasts sharply with the past practice in which general publicity of corruption cases constituted the corner stone. One recent event, historic in many senses, has rendered the media more method - conscious than act-conscious. The simple information about action in corruption cases does not impress the media any more; it seeks to analyze the approach towards the anti-corruption move and the corrupted in the broad arena of justice.

The coverage of the case of convicting a former Prime Minister of Nepal and a former cabinet minister of corruption demonstrates the changed outlook. It has relayed the feeling of people in general not looking buoyant by the penalty given to the duo. Finding the persons, who could be dubbed as the top brass, and the highly powerful leaders of the country's politics until recently, guilty of corruption should have conveyed a different message in the struggle against corruption. What should have been described as an example of a great heroic act against corruption at the top level has been interpreted as a wrong approach to penalize the black act. This points out the need of sanitized strategy to tackle the crime.

The speed that anti-corruption constitutional bodies had taken in recent times has also been affected by the same event. They have silently felt the effect. Their dedication to the cause of anti-corruption mission has received a jolt. Nepali media that always championed the cause of justice, fair trial and impartial treatment in corruption cases have found it difficult to appreciate the method of accusation, trial and judgment by a single body. The process, they believe, has triggered disappointment among anticorruption workers. The Royal Commission for Corruption Control had better analyze the impression of the media and public to make itself effective in its assignment.

The journalistic perspective is to have the practice of separation of power in handling corruption cases: prosecutors taking up the case, court taking it up to listen to all sides analyze the evidence and giving verdict. It marks close understanding of what Transparency International vocabulary refers to by National Integrity System. The NIS approach is the right way of handling anti-corruption move. It seeks to make the important pillars of the State or the country transparent, accountable and free of corruption besides guaranteeing the flow of information about all of them to the public via media.

By making all components open, free and well linked, NIS approach nourishes anticorruption campaign in an effective way. The media have a very crucial to play in it.

The National Integrity System refers to Executive, Legislature, Political Parties, Election Commission, Auditor General, Judiciary, Civil Service, Police and Prosecutors, Public Procurement, Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, Investigative / Watchdog Agencies, Media, Civil Society and Regional and Local Government. Check and balance needed for their proper functioning would create an atmosphere in which corruption cannot take place. In case it occurs, it could be detected, prosecuted and brought to justice.

The conceptual and practical apparatus attached to NIS could be summarized in the following words:

# Corruption harms a country, spoils public behavior and damages the national structure.

# It results in waste of resources, concentration of wealth and widens the gap between the rich and poor.

# To brush it off, some specific strategy should be adopted with a sense of sincerity under constitutional anti-corruption bodies.

# The viewpoint of journalism in reducing or eliminating corruption is clear: ensuring transparency in public life right from decision - making level to the point of implementation.

# Dissemination of information from all components of NIS is a means to guarantee openness in public affairs.

Unfortunately, Nepali media, at present, cannot practice NIS approach because several institutions of the System are not in existence. Those bodies that are in animation are also feeling shocked because of various types of convulsions caused by conflict and day- to - day administration obstacles. The direction of anti-corruption move is in bewilderment.

The Executive wing is functioning under Article 127 and is being challenged by some political parties. The Legislature is nowhere, signaling complete absence of people's representation. Political Parties have restored their pre-1990 "restore democracy move". The Election Commission is functional and preparing for municipality poll but is not certain about all-party participation in it. The Auditor General is functional but its report goes un-responded. The Judiciary is in action but because of failure of other NIS components has not been able to make people believe strongly in its Justice. The Civil Service is doing its best but people feel they are not served better. Police are more engaged in security jobs and Prosecutors particularly Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority, other Investigative, Watchdog Agencies appear not inspired in their jobs. The Public Procurement, Civil Society and Regional and Local Government look disturbed.

The Media are functioning under fear of conservative action by government. The strategy they are compelled to adopt in such situation is: cautious reporting, self-censored editing and guided production or publicity. Anti-corruption move has suffered very badly because of this situation. The need of the hour, therefore, is to seek restoration of complete NIS and report it properly through white mechanism with emphasis on anticorruption drive.

Paper presented by the author at a Research and Media Center Against Corruption-ReMAC Seminar held this September 2005. Thanks ReMAC and the author-ed.

Yeti hunters have attempted to enforce their finding that abominable creature Yeti is not more than a Himalayan Bear by overriding the historical evidences and certain proofs in the existence of Yeti. It is basically the footprint traced by early mountaineers in Khumbu Himalayas that aroused human interest on Yeti.

In the sparsely populated area of Khumbu region, Sherpas worship Yeti as `animal god' as it is evident that Yeti scalp preserved in Khumjung monastery is worshipped at par with other pantheon of Gods and Goddesses.

There is an oral tradition of upholding its value due to its historical linkages with the incidence when Sherpa forefathers smoothly operated a trick to end Yeti menace in the villages. It is believed that Yeti scalp is said to be the reminiscence of that incident that have passed from generation to generation. Another village monastery of Pangboche lost similar type of Yeti scalp 14 years ago due to mischievous acts of the strangers. Pangboche village is paying price for it, as no tourists would drop in here unlike Khumjung monastery.

It was in 1960 that some curious foreigners struck a deal with the villagers that Khumjung monastery would be renovated and given huge sums of donation for having let the Yeti scalp exhibited to the world population at large. Late Kunjo Chumbi, a senior and highly regarded headman in a three weeks time toured America and Britain and returned safe with heavily protected Yeti scalp.

Besides, the long time experience and observation of elderly Sherpas in identifying certain traits of Yeti cannot be undermined. There are few surviving Sherpas who can be taken as repository of valuable information that would help Yeti hunters. They say that tending yaks in high altitude camps above 4000 meters was never tension free because the alien body used to whisk away their herds, only to be found as carcass the next morning. According to these herdsmen Yeti devours blood leaving aside the flesh. Moreover they are very familiar with the noise that Yeti blow while approaching the prey.

It is important to mention the incident of Yangi Sherpa of Khumjung village who is said to have encountered Yeti in a broad daylight in Macherma some fifteen years ago while she was tending yaks. Pretending to be dead she saved her life, but couldn't help her yaks from falling prey to Yeti in quick order. In the words of Yangi Sherpa, Yeti at best can be described as `average height of eight years old boy with bulging stomach and protruding navel. The forehead looked prominent as if forging ahead because of sunken eyes and thick hair uniquely turned upward above the waist and downward below the waist. She said, it is hard to pinpoint whether it looked like an ape or monkey or even a bear.' Recollecting Yeti incident makes her ill, but nevertheless she is available for passing tourists to share her experience for few hundred dollars. She remarks, 'It is by all means a big amount, but insufficient to cover the expense of a shaman, who posses immense psychic power to heal me time and again.'

Yeti search expedition began to be organized right from 1954 onwards. In 1954 Yeti expedition led by Stopoli, late Ang Tshering Sherpa was duly rewarded with the 100 Indian rupees by the British and German Mountaineering club for having traced the footprint of Yeti first time. Sir Edmund Hillary led similar search party in 1960 in Khumbu Himalayas. To include other Yeti hunters are Reinhold Messner and Makoto Nebuka. Yoshiteru Takahashi has undertaken latest exercise of this kind in Mount Dhaulagiri of the western Himalayas to find the evidence of the existence of Yeti as in the previous expedition he had seen footprints in the snow.

Claims and counter claims furnished by Reinhold Messner, an Italian mountaineer and Makato Nebuka, a Japanese Alpinist in the existence of Yeti as mere Himalayan Brown Bears has raised question mark in the Sherpas' belief system and series of Yeti incidences. As far as Yeti scalp is concerned, a community which is admired for exemplary mountaineering feats and have won the hearts of mountaineers around the world by their unquestionable loyalty, simplicity, hard work and sincerity is less likely to temper the scalp for their personal benefits. However, few Sherpas, who are educated and have established themselves as successful entrepreneurs and professional experts in the metropolis, have come forward to put forth their argument in the Yeti finding. Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Environmentalist, TRAP opined that Yeti is definitely not a brown bear because it can not go beyond the altitude higher above 3500 meters approximately. During monsoon season brown Bear used to come to the higher altitude forest and eat animals and plants. Based on this assumption he concluded, 'I think people have come to conclusion due to this reason'. Ang Phurba Sherpa, Everest summiteers and convenor of Nepal Mountaineering Association's Welfare Committee said, 'I have not seen Yeti but according to our ancestors Yeti must have existed or it might still be there in the Himalayas' In similar fashion, Ang Tshering Sherpa, President of (NMA) said, "People in Khumbu region have strong belief that Yeti exists and it cannot be Meti."

Yeti search expeditions cannot be conducted in a specific time frame because it is a matter of chance and accident that it would appear on snow lines. In such case it is necessary that hunters establish long term contact with the local residents and up date clues like footprint, carcass of dead herds, shrilling noise and other peculiar traits of Yeti. But today it is unlikely that locals have come across such instance due to rapid growth of human population even at high altitude points in the name of mountain tourism.

On the other hand there is lack of serious scientific analysis and in-depth study of claims in the existence of Yeti by the local residence of Khumbu. Unless and until these observations are turned in to reality with solid proof, it will remain a vague observation. In the present context it doesn't seem possible and therefore they must give a way to the logical conclusion of the decades long debate over the existence of Yeti.

Text courtesy: Nepal Traveler Sept-Oct 2005 issue. Thanks NT and the author for this serious and interesting article-ed

Just 11 km from the Katmandu city Shantiban is easily visible from across the road with huge golden statue of Buddha in meditation posture. It only takes 20 minutes village walk to reach the spot. Perched on a hill, the 25 feet tall Buddha's image is the main attraction of the place. Locals as well as tourists come here to worship and pay respect to Lord Buddha. The place has a different charm altogether; the blissful ambience, peaceful nature and the sweeping view of Godavari settlements below. Thee open space in front of the statue has been converted into a school where poor children from nearby villages join free Buddhism classes. The children are blessed by the Buddhist priests with their valuable speeches and discourses, and they are getting free food, free stationery and free text books and free teachings of Buddha.

Shantiban was built two years back in 2002. The huge image stands 25 feet from the ground and on the top of the image is placed a crystal. Crystal is known as a symbol of peace.

The Buddhist monks deliver teachings of Buddha 'Pariyati Shikcha' to children. This lesson needs to be prioritized by country like Nepal for many reasons. One of the major reasons is that Nepal is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, and as of the present time when many parts of the world are getting inclined to Buddhism, it can be made a good Buddhism learning school. Apart from Asia, even in west, Buddhism has become a matter of interest to learn, which might open a new market for Nepal that is heavily lying on tourism and other relative activities, The other reason is the present turmoil in the country which can only be measured through decent and peace loving people having ideal knowledge and an in-depth meaning of life. To meet both the targets this Shantiban can be a good start.

Bijay Bajracharya is the person who has taken such a huge responsibility on his shoulder. He is devoted to spread love and tends to defeat the hatred between human to and human to every living being on earth with the slogan 'Shantiban Worldwide Campaign'. Shantiban is a way out for his dreams of sharing peace with the rest of the world.

Since the creation of Shantiban many other international Buddhist organizations have shown interest in helping this noble cause. A similar kind of initiative is going to be made in Lumbini. "We are just trying to teach these children to become a rational human being in the future. These lessons would teach them what is good and what is bad. We have just started this. Paryati Shikcha holds great inspirations for life. It teaches how to live a happy life without hurting others' feelings. This is just a part of moral education that one must get. Besides, we are giving them few lessons on meditation as well so that they can develop sharp mind and concentration while learning," says volunteer and a family member Jagat Bajracharaya.

Currently some hundred students are being taught Buddhism at Shantiban. Every Saturday students gather in the premises of Shantiban, and under- the feet of huge image of Lord Buddha, these students get lessons of Buddhism. Two teachers have been appointed for conducting classes, one male and the other a nun. "It’s a great feeling to leach these children what I know. I have just started teaching here and have found children very attentive and enthusiastic. Now I have arrived to Panchshil lesson, which is a must-learn lesson from Buddha. Panchashil sheds light on the five not-to-do principles in life: Pana ti Pata (avoid violence),Adi na Dana (do not take without giving),Kame su Michakhara (do not involve in illegal sexual relationship with others than your wife/ husband), Musu Wada(do not lie),Suramarya Majamada (stay away from drugs and liquor). All the lessons are in Pali language but translated in Nepali for easy understanding," says Ajay Raj Shakya, a teacher in Shantiban Shikchalaya. Both the teachers are engaged in Shantiban for the of social development

rather than commercial benefits. Godavari has been the best place for the locals and tourists to spend some of their valued time in peace to themselves. Its peaceful environment, greenery, unpolluted air and solemnity have been attracting hundreds of nature lovers and picnic goers every day. However, Shantiban, has added one more attraction to Godavari lovers- For them, Shantiban certainly holds a greater prospect for reviving their belonging to peace and all we have to do is to recite three sacred lines: Buddham Sharanam Gachaami Dhammam Sharanam Gachaami Sangham Sharanam Gachaami.

Text courtesy: Nepal Traveller December 2004 issue. Thanks the NT and the author-ed

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is capital invested by foreign firms in production facilities or other physical assets. It refers to an investment involving a long-term relationship and demonstrates a lasting control by a foreign entity in a country other than of its origin.

This can be in three different forms of FDI, equity capital, reinvested earnings or intra company loans. The shortage of capital for investment, financing production and trade can be filled to restore growth and development. This attributes welcomes FDI in almost all the economies around the globe

A report by UNCTAD reveals that 90,00,000 foreign affiliates are in operation worldwide representing an FDI stock of over $ 7 trillion.

FDI inflows to developed countries dropped to $ 321 billion in 2004 as compared with $ 380 billion in 2003.However FDI inflows to the United Kingdom and the United States, two of the largest traditional host countries recovered from a dip in flows in 2003.Whereas, developing economies led the recovery in global FDI flows in 2004 with inflows of $255 billion, 48% higher than the previous year.

FDI flows to Asia and the Pacific crossed $ 166 billion. This is an increase of 55% to 2003. The countries like China, India and Republic of Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore managed to attract the major chunk of the capital inflows.

The FDI inflows to Nepal stood at $1.7 billion as of December 15, 2004. At the present, there are 927 foreign investment projects in Nepal. This provides jobs to 97,851 people. The table below illustrates the break of FDI in different industries in Nepal.

No of projects (As of 15/12/2004.
Agriculture & Forestry	13
Manufacturing	439
Electricity, Gas, Water	19
Construction	31
Hotel 7 Resort	226
Transport & Communication	25
Housing & apartment	17
Service Industries	157
Total	927

As of December 2004, India was the largest foreign investor in Nepal. It holds 32 percent of the total projects involving it in five of the ten largest foreign enterprises. Other big investors in Nepal are United States, China, British Virgin Islands, Norway, Japan and South Korea

In Nepal FDI can be traced back to 1951-52 when Commercial Corporation was established as joint venture with 67 percent equity of Indian investors. In 1961 provision was introduced for foreign investment in medium and large-scale investments. However only in the year 1974, 100 percent foreign investment was permitted to industries such as cement, fertilizer, steel or basic consumer goods such as diary, pharmaceutical, paper, textile, but there prevailed preferences for Nepalese investors to foreign investors in medium scale industries with investment of Rs. 1 million to Rs 5 million.

For the first time sixth development plan (1980/81-1984/85) recognized the importance of foreign investment. At the present Nepal is governed by foreign investment and Technology Transfer Act, 1992, which was formulated to achieve the objectives of industrial development and employment creation.

The government encourages FDI in the country by providing attractive incentives with a liberal policy. Upto 100 per cent equity participation by foreigners is allowed into almost all the sectors except those in cottage industry, arms & ammunition, energy & real estate business, printing currency, travel and trekking agencies and consultative services.

The Act allows full repatriation of equity, profits or dividends and interest on loans. Government has given the assurance against nationalization of the investment. Furthermore incentive of a minimum five-year tax holiday is granted tagged with attractive tax allowance .

However the statistics prove that Nepal has not achieved its FDI goals. Nepal attracted only 23.5 % of total FDI inflow in South Asian-Least Developed Countries between 1989-1984.This further decreased to 9.4% of its share in 1995-2000.

Currently inflows of FDI in comparison to our neighbors India and China, Nepal attracts only 28% that of India and 2.7 5 % that of China. Nepal only attracts 1.02 % of the total FDI that flows into Asia and pacific region.

Attracting FDI has become a competitive task. A country cannot solely rely on the advantage of cheap labor to attract FDI anymore. It is necessary to be supplemented with strong legal framework, infrastructure, skilled labors, stable political scenario, good labour practices, visible promotional programs etc. Unfortunately Nepal lags far behind in these spheres in comparison to its neighbors.

Policy maker’s boast about “Foreign investment and Technology Transfer Act, 1992 “and the amendment of the Act in 1996 to prove the governments efforts to attract foreign investments. However foreign investors in Nepal have a different story. According to the investors basic problems faced by them is the turtle paced decision –making and non-committal attitude on the part of the government, political instability, biased labor law, complicated tax system, frequent changes in policy/rules, less attractive incentives on exports, failure of large scale industries, corruption, lack of banking facilities in rural areas etc creates obstacles.

It is high time Nepal took measures such as, a system of automatic approval and registration of foreign investment projects up to various limits in different sectors. This would significantly sort out the delays in clearance and permissions that are still required. It is also necessary to develop a mechanism to monitor flow of FDI

Hardly any promotional measures are taken to publicize Nepal as potential for FDI .It is beneficial to conduct studies on new areas for foreign investment and promote the prospects of joint ventures. Information about newly enacted policy/reforms should be widely disseminated.

It is also noticed that one window system has not been able to provide stated facility. In addition Nepal being a new WTO member, the FDI policies should be compatible with those of the WTO.

Policy makers and the government should focus in area of critical importance to channel FDI into Nepal. This will create jobs, finance social spending, transfer foreign technology and management skills. Furthermore contribution to foreign exchange reserves will fund imports and meet international debt. Nepal will definitely benefit in many social and economic spheres, which will contribute to reduction in poverty.

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