HELLO NEPAL

The Himalayan Times 26 September 2014 Bravo Basu It was astonishing to read an encouraging news story “Kathmandu street kid now an author, activist” (THT, 24 Sept. Page 2). Bravo Basu, I salute you for completely turning your street kid’s life into an author and activist. I am sure it will be an eye opener for other street kids who have been sheltered in different shelters run by various organizations. Child Workers in Nepal (CWIN) deserves appreciation for its humanitarian job and I humbly urge it to continue its noble cause. I think, these different organizations can avail an opportunity to Basu as a resource person to orient and motivate the street kids to lift themselves from their homeless state. Donor funds have been badly misused in the name of betterment of street kids. The absence of government’s proper law for the upbringing of these street kids and the lack of proper monitoring of the use of donor funds has made their lives hard. Rai Biren Bangdel Mah...

The Himalayan Times 19 September 2014 What went wrong? T his is with reference to the news story “NPC put off sine die after CPN-M boycotts meet” (THT, 17 Sept. Page 1). I would like to say that it was unfortunate that the National Political Conference could not convene as envisaged. It was hoped that the political parties within and outside the CA would arrive at consensus for resolving the outstanding constitutional issues. However, it seems that the ruling parties did not show seriousness in addressing the issues raised by CPN-M led 33 political parties alliance. Blame game between and among the political parties have started as in the past pushing the nation towards confrontation. The ruling parties need to be more open, serious and responsible for creating conducive environment so that the parties outside the CA can feel assured that their voice would also be heard. How could the NPC be held without any agenda? Discussing issues without any purpose wo...

Curbing corruption The Prime Minister’s concern shown towards the rampant corruption going on in the country seems encouraging as reported in the news item “I won’t spare the corrupt, says PM” (THT, 13 Aug. Page 5). However, it is easier to say than practically done. There does not seem any place in the government owned institutions that are not openly involved in the corruption. There is no proper control mechanism system designed to curb the institutionalized corruption. It is known to everybody that Nepal is sliding down every year in the list of the most corrupt nation in the world and will continue to go down unless the government acts with firm commitment. There were signs earlier that the Commission for Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) seemed serious in its action by bringing the culprits under its control. Unless CIAA continues to fully act with its mandated job, Prime Minister’s wish of seeing Nepal free from corruption may remain a dream. His gov...

Kathmandu Post 2 September 2014 END IT ALREADY It looks like the political parties in the Constitution Assembly (CA) are all set to miss the deadline for resolving the contentious issues by September 6 (“Missed deadline may invite chaos” 31 August, Page 1) . Every party is sticking to its gun which could be detrimental for the ongoing constitution drafting process. The relationship between the ruling parties and opposition is heading towards confrontation and it might invite unwanted disaster. If they miss the deadline for resolving the contentious issues, the first draft of new constitution will not ready by mid October. Also, as the political parties in the CA have agreed to form a High Level Political Commission (HPLC), the opposition’s act of blocking the CA’s proceedings makes no sense. Time has come for all to be serious. The current political confrontation between them will only increase mistrust among parties. If the ruling parties continue to push for f...

The Himalayan Times 2 September 2014 Deadline It seems that the political parties in the CA will miss the deadline for resolving the contentious issues by 6 September 2014 as reported in “End Parliament obstruction: PM” (THT, 31 August, Page 1). Looking at their political activities, there does not seem any indication so far that they will be able to come to a consensus and proceed with the CA calendar. The ruling parties and opposition are heading towards confrontation. If they miss the deadline, it is for sure that this will entirely affect the CA calendar. This will make it very difficult to bring out the first draft of new constitution by mid October. If the ruling parties continue to settle the issues through voting process, drafting of the new constitution may get hampered. Rai Biren Bangdel Maharajgunj, Kathmandu

The Himalayan Times 8 August 2014 Lessons to learn This is with reference to the news item “On Nepal visit, Modi says ”felt as though I had come home” (THT, 6 August, Page 5). The official visit of an Indian prime minister to Nepal after a gap of 17 years proved to be significantly successful and productive in terms of boosting bilateral relations between the two republics. Therefore, it can be expected that Modi’s recent visit has laid a solid foundation for furthering the age old political, social, cultural and economic ties between the two countries in the days ahead. In fact, during the last one decade under the Congress rule in India , New Delhi used to deal with Nepal through bureaucracy and security agencies. Nepal should not let the opportunities for development and cooperation provided by Modi’s visit to slip, mainly in water resource, trade, investment and infrastructure. But Nepal ’s bureaucratic machinery has often failed to utilize most of such o...

The Himalayan Times 1 August 2014 Empowerment The word “Empowerment” used to be the development jargon of I/NGO and other development organizations in their working documents, However, empowering women “digitally” must have been a catchy word for the women activists as reported in “Empowering her digitally” (THT, 28 July, Page 14). The two week long training program focusing on increasing the knowledge and skills of young women participants in using computers and internet was organized by Code of Nepal, a US based initiative working to increase open data and digital skills in Nepal especially for women.   The training must be extremely fruitful and productive to digitally empower the young women participants in terms of its importance in the 21 st century requirement. This sort of training should be organized on a wider scale so that more young women can be trained to face challenges such as gender-based violence. Rai Biren Bangdel Kathmandu ...

The Himalayan Times 29 July 2014 Remarkable agreement Apropos of the news story “ Nepal high on India ’s priority: Swaraj” (THT, 26 July, Page 1). After long time, it seems that India has realised Nepal ’s strategic importance in the regional peace and stability.   It is, indeed, a welcome statement made by the visiting Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj. However, there are a number of issues that India has to come forward with open heart to amicably resolve as a good and sincere neighbour. She has shown some indication that India seems serious about what it says. There are a number of age-old bilateral agreements that may need detailed review and to revisit by both countries in order to meet the demands of the 21 st century. The importance given by the India ’s new government on these issues seems praiseworthy. Nepal should grasp this opportunity to sort out the weaknesses included in these bilateral agreements and amend to suit presen...