Much column space was devoted to Chief of Army Staff Chhatra Man Singh Gurung’s recent visit to India. Understandably so, since the manner in which he was going to be treated was supposed to serve as a bellwether for India’s position vis-à-vis the Maoists and issues such as the integration of the two armed forces. From the evidence so far, it is likely to be a while before Prachanda and Company are rehabilitated in the eyes of the Indian establishment, and their recent outburst would hardly have endeared themselves further. But that is another story, and not the intent of this column.What went unremarked about Gurung’s visit was that this was the first time the sahibs of the Indian army were feting someone from a community that makes up a substantial proportion of Indian Gorkhas. General Gurung may have gone to India as the top Nepali soldier, but he could surely not have been unaware of how significant it was in that sense; especially not if you are a Gurung from Lamjung, which lies smack in the catchment area of Gorkha recruitment (and also if you have a brother who had served in the British army, as his official biography mentions).It must have meant something for the Indians, too. Here was a Nepali Army chief who did not have a surname that purported origins in the sands of Rajasthan and neither could he claim to be a scion of the Kathmandu elite. He was, after all, as Indian generals with Gorkha regimental backgrounds are wont to putting it, with the most genuine paternalistic warmth, a true-blooded Gorkha. For, although many other Nepali ethnicities are now represented in the Indian forces, Gurungs, together with Magars, Rais and Limbus, probably still form the bulk of Gorkhas.There is the possibility that this aspect was not commented upon because the political dimension of Gurung’s trip was much more relevant in terms of news. But for no one to even mention its historicity for reasons mentioned above can only point to plain ignorance among mainstream journalists. It is not their fault though since the Nepali state has ensured that the service of Nepalis in the British and Indian armies is not part of the national consciousness. When I was at school in the 1970s, I cannot remember a single reference to it in any of the textbooks I read, and I do not suppose the situation is any different now. There are, of course, those before us who studied the Paras Mani Pradhan textbooks then in use in Nepal and learnt about the exploits of Jamadar Gaje Ghale, VC, but that ended with the nation-building project of King Mahendra and the concurrent indigenisation of school texts.The whitewashing of Nepal’s lahure history has been quite thorough. The ‘VC’ tagged to Gaje Ghale’s name is a matter of pride to the whole lahure community but it means little to most other Nepalis. As a matter of fact, there are two different understandings in Nepal of why Gorkhalis/ Gurkhas/Gorkhas/ Nepalis have a name as brave soldiers. For most of the lahure community (and, arguably, also the rest of the world), it is by virtue of their demonstration of courage in battles for the British and receipt of 13 Victoria Crosses, and which have been detailed in numerous books, generally by their own British officers. For the non-lahure groups, however, it is because of, among others, Bal Bhadra Kunwar’s steadfast defence of the fort at Nalapani against the British, which forms part of what historian Pratyoush Onta has described as the propagation of bir history, imputing Nepal’s existence to the bravery of Nepali heroes. As many will no doubt remember, the version of the Nalapani story we studied in school did not even explicitly state who won that battle. And, it certainly did not mention that Bal Bhadra was one of the ‘original’ lahures in that he went on to Lahore after his defeat at Nalapani to fight under Ranjit Singh, and died in battle there.It is indeed a grave travesty that lahures should not find any place in the official imagination of Nepali historical and social life. It is all the more jarring considering the important contribution of lahures in the development of what currently passes for the Nepali ethos, including their role in the spread of the Nepali language all over Nepal and beyond. It took someone as perceptive as B.P. Koirala to write a story of the lahure. But, with a few exceptions, the treatment of the place of lahures in the Nepali cultural landscape has been quite cavalier, and when they do appear they are often victims of stereotyping.Since 1990, however, lahures have become more visible in the media if only because of the still-ongoing struggle of the British Gurkhas for equal pay and pensions and associated stories such as the flight of capital from towns such as Dharan and Pokhara. Thus, it was that the recent concession by the British government to allow all ex-Gurkhas residency rights in the U.K. made headline news in Nepal. And, when, soon afterwards, the architect of that victory, British actor Joanna Lumley, came to Nepal on a triumphal tour, she received access to the highest offices in Nepal. Having already consorted with the high and mighty in London (her actions on behalf of the Gurkhas was even the subject of debate in the British parliament), it probably was all in a day’s work for her, but one just wonders if those high-profile meetings were out of appreciation for what she was able to achieve for a group of Nepalis, or was it because it just seemed politic to meet her and earn some brownie points with the lahure community. I hope it is the former, but I cannot but suspect that it was not the case.
My hitcounter
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Nepal´s Supreme Leaders Wreaking Democracy
Perhaps it is in the entire history of representative (Parliamentary) democratic system Nepal could be the only one nation, which honors those political leaders who lost people´s electoral mandate from nation´s historic elections of Constituent Assembly upon the daylight of 21st century.
Why such an unfair political practice has been strained in Nepal at this point after all that suffering is a shock for those eyes to see their own electoral mandate has been decomposing by the arbitrary mandate of leaders like GP Koirala.
Far greater than this is the agony of the rest of the elected representatives of Constituent Assembly, particularly to those elected leaders of Nepali Congress party to see how leaders like GP Koirala can rail the unelected govern Nepal.
I had never understood among many previous utterances of GP Koirala when he spoke particularly on Democracy that is unique to Nepal. He said often times Nepali politics is unique and Nepalis´ political leaders are capable of resolving every political hurdles by themselves for peace, Democracy and justice.
But now I have come to understand one of his utterances clearly that the supreme leaders like GP Koirala can overrule the norms and principle of electoral Democracy by inflicting desired unique situation in the politics.
First, such an infliction took place in new Nepal with Maoist supreme leaders through the reelection of one of the supreme leaders who lost from two constituents of Constituent Assembly elections to honor him with the responsibility of Chairperson of Constitution Drafting Committee.
The sentiment perhaps was to honor communist comrade but it really violated the ethics of Democracy. Nonetheless, the uniqueness of Nepali politics (UoNP) as status quo apparently has the power to justify such violation with the whip of Nepal´s supreme leaders.
The UoNP arbitration has reelected the unelected. Consequently, the unelected- reelected has become the Prime Minister of Nepal by letting go his primary responsibilities as the chairperson of constitution drafting commission obligated during Maoist led government.
As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister under UoNP seems feeble without the pressure of other supreme leaders such as GP Koirala´s arbitration in politics – "from cabinet formation to promoting his own daughter to deputy prime minister against the majority rule of members of Central Working Committee of his own party Nepali Congress."
At this point, Nepal has no political setup for public opinion. Public opinion simply does not count to supreme leaders who advocate UoNP. It has been clear that the current politics has failed to respect people´s electoral mandate of the historic constituent elections.
Democracy for Nepali people has become hopeless. The UoNP arbitrations have made people apparently scapegoats to put up with all the adverse situations. How many innocent people were killed, tortured, jailed and displaced! How many young have had been recruited by rebels and counter rebels! How many young women and children have become the victims of human trafficking! How many hardworking family members were murdered, kidnapped, raped, and robbed by thugs! To the horror of Nepalis the reports are found in media every other day!
Life of Nepali people is in utter chaos under the status quo of UoNP and its supreme leaders should be accountable since after signing "Comprehensive Peace Accord 2006" to end ten years Maoist-insurgency that paved the safe road for Maoists to enter mainstream politics.
What could have otherwise brought Maoists to mainstream politics if there had been no 12-point Comprehensive Peace Accord between main political parties? All those involved political parties must subsequently respect and comply with the accord until peace process comes to a logical end. But this is not the UoNP arbitration but people´s voice for peace at least.
Any attempt therefore to review CPA prior to a fair resolution for integrating Maoist combatants will undermine CPN United Maoists´ commitment to mainstream politics. Even if Maoist supreme leaders agreed with the UoNP proposal to review CPA, it will be considered violation of peace-treaty.
India or other nations can be blamed for all this because Nepal´s supreme leaders are incapable puppet. But it is the UoNP status quo that lets Indian interest intrude in our nation. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out whether the proposal is free of Indian interest to undercut Maoist strength in mainstream Nepali politics.
CPN United Maoists has become one of the powerful political parties after constituent assembly elections due to their major point compliance to CPA. Maoists can play a significant role in mainstream politics if they are fully committed to multiparty democracy beyond the mindset of UoNP status quo.
Most importantly Maoists has to stop their communist gimmicks. They must play honest role in drafting new constitution. If not it is clear Maoists are part and parcel of UoNP status quo with all that obstructions for civilian supremacy.
Unfortunately, Nepal has no government that is neither fully functioning, nor the rule of law and justice at this juncture. The utter lack of political will and consensus is an omen for greater political instability, which may dismantle peace process and Democracy.
The UoNP politics of supreme leaders as status quo has created conflict and chaos in their own parties. That is way there is utter lack of political will and consensus. Nation´s hope lies on the new generation of leaderships if they can transcend themselves from the status quo of UoNP politics with their full commitment to peace, rule of law and Justice.
In my opinion, the best of all assurances is to take the responsibility of the body of legislature with authority over the legislation for scrutinizing workings of other bodies of government, particularly cabinet bills and decisions.
Those who oppose the authority of body of legislature for scrutiny in a nation like ours will encourage the government corruption and tradition of impunity. The new generation of leaderships must be open to reeducate themselves with the workings of modern Democracy that is pragmatic and most effective but by long shot less dogmatic and devoid of nonsense.
Why such an unfair political practice has been strained in Nepal at this point after all that suffering is a shock for those eyes to see their own electoral mandate has been decomposing by the arbitrary mandate of leaders like GP Koirala.
Far greater than this is the agony of the rest of the elected representatives of Constituent Assembly, particularly to those elected leaders of Nepali Congress party to see how leaders like GP Koirala can rail the unelected govern Nepal.
I had never understood among many previous utterances of GP Koirala when he spoke particularly on Democracy that is unique to Nepal. He said often times Nepali politics is unique and Nepalis´ political leaders are capable of resolving every political hurdles by themselves for peace, Democracy and justice.
But now I have come to understand one of his utterances clearly that the supreme leaders like GP Koirala can overrule the norms and principle of electoral Democracy by inflicting desired unique situation in the politics.
First, such an infliction took place in new Nepal with Maoist supreme leaders through the reelection of one of the supreme leaders who lost from two constituents of Constituent Assembly elections to honor him with the responsibility of Chairperson of Constitution Drafting Committee.
The sentiment perhaps was to honor communist comrade but it really violated the ethics of Democracy. Nonetheless, the uniqueness of Nepali politics (UoNP) as status quo apparently has the power to justify such violation with the whip of Nepal´s supreme leaders.
The UoNP arbitration has reelected the unelected. Consequently, the unelected- reelected has become the Prime Minister of Nepal by letting go his primary responsibilities as the chairperson of constitution drafting commission obligated during Maoist led government.
As a matter of fact, the Prime Minister under UoNP seems feeble without the pressure of other supreme leaders such as GP Koirala´s arbitration in politics – "from cabinet formation to promoting his own daughter to deputy prime minister against the majority rule of members of Central Working Committee of his own party Nepali Congress."
At this point, Nepal has no political setup for public opinion. Public opinion simply does not count to supreme leaders who advocate UoNP. It has been clear that the current politics has failed to respect people´s electoral mandate of the historic constituent elections.
Democracy for Nepali people has become hopeless. The UoNP arbitrations have made people apparently scapegoats to put up with all the adverse situations. How many innocent people were killed, tortured, jailed and displaced! How many young have had been recruited by rebels and counter rebels! How many young women and children have become the victims of human trafficking! How many hardworking family members were murdered, kidnapped, raped, and robbed by thugs! To the horror of Nepalis the reports are found in media every other day!
Life of Nepali people is in utter chaos under the status quo of UoNP and its supreme leaders should be accountable since after signing "Comprehensive Peace Accord 2006" to end ten years Maoist-insurgency that paved the safe road for Maoists to enter mainstream politics.
What could have otherwise brought Maoists to mainstream politics if there had been no 12-point Comprehensive Peace Accord between main political parties? All those involved political parties must subsequently respect and comply with the accord until peace process comes to a logical end. But this is not the UoNP arbitration but people´s voice for peace at least.
Any attempt therefore to review CPA prior to a fair resolution for integrating Maoist combatants will undermine CPN United Maoists´ commitment to mainstream politics. Even if Maoist supreme leaders agreed with the UoNP proposal to review CPA, it will be considered violation of peace-treaty.
India or other nations can be blamed for all this because Nepal´s supreme leaders are incapable puppet. But it is the UoNP status quo that lets Indian interest intrude in our nation. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out whether the proposal is free of Indian interest to undercut Maoist strength in mainstream Nepali politics.
CPN United Maoists has become one of the powerful political parties after constituent assembly elections due to their major point compliance to CPA. Maoists can play a significant role in mainstream politics if they are fully committed to multiparty democracy beyond the mindset of UoNP status quo.
Most importantly Maoists has to stop their communist gimmicks. They must play honest role in drafting new constitution. If not it is clear Maoists are part and parcel of UoNP status quo with all that obstructions for civilian supremacy.
Unfortunately, Nepal has no government that is neither fully functioning, nor the rule of law and justice at this juncture. The utter lack of political will and consensus is an omen for greater political instability, which may dismantle peace process and Democracy.
The UoNP politics of supreme leaders as status quo has created conflict and chaos in their own parties. That is way there is utter lack of political will and consensus. Nation´s hope lies on the new generation of leaderships if they can transcend themselves from the status quo of UoNP politics with their full commitment to peace, rule of law and Justice.
In my opinion, the best of all assurances is to take the responsibility of the body of legislature with authority over the legislation for scrutinizing workings of other bodies of government, particularly cabinet bills and decisions.
Those who oppose the authority of body of legislature for scrutiny in a nation like ours will encourage the government corruption and tradition of impunity. The new generation of leaderships must be open to reeducate themselves with the workings of modern Democracy that is pragmatic and most effective but by long shot less dogmatic and devoid of nonsense.
Exchange market in the review period
The central bank has observed three-fold increase in foreign exchange reserve in the first nine months of this fiscal year in comparison to the same period the last fiscal year.“In mid-April 2009, the gross foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 276.05 billion, an upsurge of 29.8 per cent in comparison to the level in mid-July 2008. In the corresponding period of the previous year, such reserves had increased by 10.4 per cent,” said Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB).However, on the basis of the US dollar, gross foreign exchange reserves rose by 11.7 per cent to $3.47 billion in mid-April 2009 as against 12.1 per cent in the same period of the last fiscal year.“In the first nine months of 2008-09, NRB injected net liquidity of Rs 108.0 billion by net purchase of $1.4 billion from commercial banks through foreign exchange intervention. A net liquidity of Rs 66.0 billion had been injected through net purchase of $1 billion from commercial banks in the corresponding period the previous year. An elevated inflow of remittances necessitated such a substantial amount of intervention in the foreign exchange market in the review period,” said NRB.Workers’ remittances surged by 60.3 per cent in the first nine months of the current fiscal year in comparison to a growth of 29.6 per cent in the corresponding period the previous year, said the central bank’s report.“The current level of reserves is adequate for financing merchandise imports for over one year — 12.4 months — and merchandise and service imports for 10 months,” according to the macro-economic data based on the first nine months of this fiscal year published by the central bank.
acroeconomic situation
The first quarter of the current fiscal year saw poor export business with a fall by 16.8 per cent against an increase of 25.9 per cent in the same period last year, according to the current macroeconomic situation, based on first three month’s data of the current fiscal.
Export to India declined by 11.4 per cent against a rise of 3.2 per cent in the same period last fiscal year. Exports to other countries also plummeted by 23.2 per cent as against a rise of 70.6 per cent in the same period the preceding year.
The report attributes the decline in exports to India to the drop in exports of readymade garments, zinc sheet, footwear, thread and marble slab. “Exports to other countries fell due to decline in export of pulses, woollen carpets, readymade garments, tanned skin and readymade leather goods,” Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) said.
However, imports increased by 30.4 per cent compared with a growth of 32.8 per cent in the corresponding period of the last year. While imports from India rose by 25.2 per cent compared to a growth of 20.9 per cent, imports from other countries rose by 37 per cent compared to a growth of 51.8 per cent in the same period last fiscal. .
Overall balance of Payment (BoP) registered a deficit of Rs 19.45 billion in contrast to a surplus of Rs 7.70 billion in the same period last fiscal. “The current account also posted a deficit of Rs 11.38 billion in the first quarter of this fiscal year against a surplus of Rs 4.31 billion in the same period of the last year,” the central bank saidt. The current account deficit is attributed to expansion in trade deficit by about 48 per cent and the decline in net income by 15.6 per cent.
Under transfers, while grants fell by 21 per cent, workers’ remittances increased by just 11.1 per cent in comparison to a whopping rise of 67.3 per cent in the same period of last year.
Gross foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 249.10 billion in mid-October 2009, a drop by 11 per cent compared to the level as at mid-July 2009. Such reserves rose by 8.5 per cent in the corresponding period last year.
“In US dollar terms, gross foreign exchange reserves declined by 5.7 per cent to $3.38 billion in mid-October 2009. In the same period last year, such reserves had gone down by 3.9 per cent. The current level of reserves is sufficient for financing merchandise imports of 8.5 months and merchandise and service imports of 7.2 months only,” the report said.
However, the budget deficit stood at Rs 90.5 million compared with a deficit of Rs 2.9 billion in the same period last year due to a high growth of revenue collection.
The total government spending increased by a whopping 35.5 per cent to Rs 39.7 billion against a decrease of 2.4 per cent in the same period last year. “Recurrent expenditure increased by 54 per cent to Rs 28.5 billion against a decrease of 13.2 per cent in the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, capital expenditure increased by 73.3 per cent to Rs 1.93 billion in contrast to a decline of 60.8 per cent in the same period last year.
Export to India declined by 11.4 per cent against a rise of 3.2 per cent in the same period last fiscal year. Exports to other countries also plummeted by 23.2 per cent as against a rise of 70.6 per cent in the same period the preceding year.
The report attributes the decline in exports to India to the drop in exports of readymade garments, zinc sheet, footwear, thread and marble slab. “Exports to other countries fell due to decline in export of pulses, woollen carpets, readymade garments, tanned skin and readymade leather goods,” Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) said.
However, imports increased by 30.4 per cent compared with a growth of 32.8 per cent in the corresponding period of the last year. While imports from India rose by 25.2 per cent compared to a growth of 20.9 per cent, imports from other countries rose by 37 per cent compared to a growth of 51.8 per cent in the same period last fiscal. .
Overall balance of Payment (BoP) registered a deficit of Rs 19.45 billion in contrast to a surplus of Rs 7.70 billion in the same period last fiscal. “The current account also posted a deficit of Rs 11.38 billion in the first quarter of this fiscal year against a surplus of Rs 4.31 billion in the same period of the last year,” the central bank saidt. The current account deficit is attributed to expansion in trade deficit by about 48 per cent and the decline in net income by 15.6 per cent.
Under transfers, while grants fell by 21 per cent, workers’ remittances increased by just 11.1 per cent in comparison to a whopping rise of 67.3 per cent in the same period of last year.
Gross foreign exchange reserves stood at Rs 249.10 billion in mid-October 2009, a drop by 11 per cent compared to the level as at mid-July 2009. Such reserves rose by 8.5 per cent in the corresponding period last year.
“In US dollar terms, gross foreign exchange reserves declined by 5.7 per cent to $3.38 billion in mid-October 2009. In the same period last year, such reserves had gone down by 3.9 per cent. The current level of reserves is sufficient for financing merchandise imports of 8.5 months and merchandise and service imports of 7.2 months only,” the report said.
However, the budget deficit stood at Rs 90.5 million compared with a deficit of Rs 2.9 billion in the same period last year due to a high growth of revenue collection.
The total government spending increased by a whopping 35.5 per cent to Rs 39.7 billion against a decrease of 2.4 per cent in the same period last year. “Recurrent expenditure increased by 54 per cent to Rs 28.5 billion against a decrease of 13.2 per cent in the same quarter last year. Meanwhile, capital expenditure increased by 73.3 per cent to Rs 1.93 billion in contrast to a decline of 60.8 per cent in the same period last year.
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