NO LAW FOR RICH AND ELITE

Translated from the Nayapatrika daily - June 29, 2008 Issue:

The law has forbidden making any child (below 14 years old) work. However, one former aide minister has not only kept an eight year old boy as a house worker, he has beaten and injured the boy using pipe and khukuri.

The one who demonstrated this cruelty upon the innocent boy is – former aide minister and leader of Nepali Congress Sarbadhan Rai. Rai, in drunken spree, carried out this beating over his house worker Bikram Shrestha on Thursday, June 26. A “Female Tole Sudhar Samiti” at Naraynsthan had rescued the boy and taken to Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj for treatment.

According to Bikram, Rai accused him of stealing money (Rs2000) and pounded him with a pipe. Bikram’s body is covered with scars, black and blue marks and swellings. Rai used to torture the boy before as well, and one time, Rai even stroke him with a khukuri.

Rai also used to kick Bikram on his head almost everyday.

However, wife of former minister Rai, Deepa has taken the responsibility of beating. “I beat the boy, with stick. Sir does not beat him, he loves the boy so much.” She also accused the boy of stealing the money. “Rs2000 was lost and I thought the boy stole it, so I thrashed him,” said Deepa. She added, “If I knew that this incident would be covered by media, I would not have done this.”

According to Bikram, former minister Rai used to drink alcohol and used to make him stand guard. “He drinks Royal Stag till 1 AM in the morning, he asks for ice, or water or glass. If I fell asleep, he would kick me and wake me up.”

Wife of former minister Rai, Deepa, also used to beat the boy. She used to wake him up as early as 4 AM in the morning and make him sweep the floor and wash the dishes. He had to wash clothes, wash dishes and bring vegetables from the market

Deepa had brough Birkam from her maternal home from Ranke of Ilam some seven months ago. Deepa’s mother convinced Birkam’s father that the minister’s family would take care of his studies.

Bikram is currently taking a refuge at CWIN (Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre). He is still afraid that the former minister will find him and take him back. “I want to go back to my home, but my step mom beats me as well.”

What will happen?

An officer at CWIN has registered a case against Sarbadhan Rai at the local police station. This case will most likely never see the doors of the court. The family of the boy has been given Rs100,000 as compensation and this case would definitely be buried underneath the files of other similar cases. Jail sentence for Sarbadha Rai? Unimaginable.. won’t happen here in Nepal - despite countless so called anti-child labour NGO$ and INGO$ and media coverage (that too only by Naya Patrika.. none of the big newspapers/media covered this incident).

Sarbadhan Rai will most probably still drink Royal Stag every night, his wife will still be calling him “Sir” and they will have another boy/girl “nokkar” in their house.

This case is so similar with one kid named Rupak, who used to work as a “nokkar” in the house of one reputed school principal in Kalanki. He had a similar fate.. his family was “paid off” well and the case never saw the daylight. (This was some four or five years ago). The guys at CWIN might still remember how they helped bury Rupak’s case!

(Photos taken by a “friend” - who almost got jailed!)

But this might be all futile - most of the households of rich and elites have child workers or “nokkar”, “kancha”, “kanchi” and the child abuse stories of Bikram and Rupak might be taking place in different versions and different proportions.

While the media went absolutely bananas over Kamal Nepali, the likes of Bikram will keep on getting abused and tortured.

Khatey Journalists - Thukka Myaa

Shameful. Disgraceful. Nepali journalism is a supreme example of “khatey” journalism and “jholay” journalism. Thukka - randi ka baan patrakaar bhanauda khatey haru. No wonder, no one really respects “journalists” in Nepal, especially the reporters and photographers.

How I hate to be a part of it!

Thukka!

Pic 1: There were about 100 reporters and camerapersons registered for the press conference, however almost 200 plus showed up - with some non-reporters as well. Those on the pic are trying to sneak inside past the first main gate.

Pic 2: Kaski Hall. Former King comes and becomes overwhelmed with the number of journalists present in side the hall. He is interrupted several times with incessant “halla-khalla” journalists were continuing with. He finishes his statement with several journalists at the back still persisting with their commotion.

Pic 3: “Raja le baseko chair”. One asshole taking picture of another asshole sitting on “the” chair. Several “foreign” journalists did not want to miss the opportunity of the life time either and took pictures of themselves posing on the chair. Eventually that chair was broken apart in a “tussle” between the journalists. Kantipur daily has the picture of the unfortunate royal chair.

Pic 4: Another asshole.

Jholay Journalism and the New Nepal

Who is a Jholay Patrakar:

Political party workers turned journalists/reporters/editors; typically carrying a bag (jhola and thus Jholay) and with the party’s hidden agenda and propaganda well tucked inside. Or, any journalist who seeks aspirations, benefits, blessings or favors in some sort/shape from the political parties.

In the recent years, Jholay Patrakar is also the one who carries “chosen” vested interests and certain “hidden agendas” of media houses, especially in the “big” private media organizations.

The trend of “Jholay Patrakar” and “Jholay Patrakarita (Jholay Journalism)” seems to have emerged after the democracy of 2046 BS in Nepal. Political parties unscrupulously made their cadres infiltrate the media houses. The government media suffered ghastly. For instance, with each change in government, many such Jholay Patrakars, representing various political parties, were able to position themselves inside Gorkhapatra, Nepal Television, Radio Nepal, RSS (National News Agency) - and operate for the benefits of the parties.

An example of Jholay Journalism:

The text below is a news text written by a reporter from RSS, the National News Agency.

MINISTER YADAV INAUGURATING ON ENVIRONMENT DAY
Lalitpur, June 5:

Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Matrika Prasad Yadav said the government was set to provide Nagarjuna palace as a temporary residence to the former king Gyanedra Shah so as to remove him from the Narayanhiti palace.

Minister Yadav said so while speaking at a programme organized by National Trust for Nature Conservation to mark the World Environment Day here today.

It was not necessary to manage a residence to the former king as he is now an ordinary citizen, Minister Yadav opined, adding that the Nagarjuna palace was also for temporary period.

He further said that some forces were still busy in obstructing the route of Maoist progression through pretensions. Similarly, saying that conservation of the forest is impossible until the conversation of natural heritages, he viewed that forest mafias are still active to fulfill their petty desire.

On the occasion, Minister Yadav also gave way the prizes along with certificates to the winners in various games organized to mark the Day.

Member Secretary of the Trust, Bimal Kumar Baniya said people from all sectors should pay attention to nature conservation.

RSS, June 5 2008.

What will trouble any sane mind is the way the lead of the news article is started. It starts with the statement of the minister which is totally irrelevant with the purpose of the function, just said to “heat up” the crowd and the atmosphere.

Even though the occasion was the “World Environment Day 2008″ and the program was being held predominantly among school students, teachers, and parents, our honorable Minister Yadav tactfully inserts a completely unrelated issue in his speech and then, our Jholay Patrakar follows it up by making the minister’s statement as the lead.

Also, in the above news text, there lacks a serious “editorial watchfulness” (along with some grammar mistakes: conversation and way instead of conservation and away).

Sadly, this type of “which minister said what” in the lead of the news articles is one of the most common practices we can see in any format - paper or electronic; government or private.

Journalists, many, are usually busy attending press meets, functions, tea-snacks parties and ceremonies. They are also involved in multitude of unions, organizations and NGOs - serving their self interests and agendas.

In this democratic age as well, unfortunately, the trend of “Jholay Journalism” is still a big part in both the government and private media houses.

“Free journalism and Free media” - concepts that look real on papers and declarations only!

——

Thou Shall Not Castigate Supremo Party

Slur Against Media

The outrageous slur against the media and other political parties by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a public gathering at Tundikhel has exposed his personal mentality and that of his party. In an attempt to outshine his own colleagues by drawing more applause from his own henchmen, Dahal forgot to conceal his true self. He did not hesitate a bit to show his hatred for the free media and democratic politics. He descended to the level of warning the press not to write anything against his party—an open and ugly display of totalitarian mentality. Interestingly, the very next day they tried to mend fences because they did not wish to unmask their undemocratic face in front of the international community as yet. Baburam Bhattarai did clarify his leader’s gibe by saying that he did not mean to be rude to the media. But it was not said with conviction, so it failed to convince the media. Maybe Bhattarai would not mind letting his nemesis get some bad repute. Dahal himself has not yet mustered enough courage to admit the mistake.

Obviously, the Maoists will try to downplay their slur at the center, but the message from the former rebel chief will have a far-reaching impact all over the country. Local level cadres take their cue from what their leader speaks at the center. It is likely that they will now unleash a reign of terror against media people all over the country. However, it seems the Maoists already have a central policy to attack the opposition press. Even before Dahal spoke against the media, his cadres had been attacking journalists in Kailali district. Journalists Lucky Chaudhary, Hemanta Paudal have been displaced after facing murder attempts. They had written about a local temple and pond, which a local Maoist leader did not like. The situation has worsened to such an extent that over a dozen editors from the district have announced closure of their newspapers owing to threats and insecurity.

After Dahal issued an open threat from Tundikhel, fear has swept the minds of journalists around the country. If anything bad should happen to a single member of the press, comrade Dahal will be held responsible. During dire times such as now, we can do nothing but urge international rights organizations, press freedom organizations and all forces supportive of the freedom of expression and democracy to immediately pay heed to the worsening situation of media persons in Nepal. The diplomatic community in Nepal that has been strongly advocating support of the Maoists must tell them to stop intimidating the press. If the Nepali press fails to get national and international support, we believe our media will be gagged. We feel sorry to realize that in threatening the media, Dahal has followed the line of the infamous Tulsi Giri—chairman of the erstwhile king’s cabinet.

Editorial, The Kathmandu Post
June 1, 2008.

More:

Prachanda Warns Kantipur

Another dictator in making?

Hyperopic Maoists & myopic pundits

Nepali Film Posters III

GHAAYAL (action version)

GHAAYAL (romantic version)

Rekha Thapa’s KISMAT

BHISMA PRATIGYA
And this one is the most precious one. This poster must be over 10 years old. Incomparable and invincible, Rajesh Hamal, ready with karate chops! Dhiren Shakya in suspenders, Gauri Malla in white and Neer Shah, probably the tyrannical “sahu ji” in a village.

And, for the love of dog, when will Nepali films not have this sort of pose/hero/dressup?

Stripped, Ripped and Burnt - II

Well, not exactly - the Shah-dynasty flag was not stripped ripped or burnt. Nevertheless, the flag was indeed pulled down - quietly and swiftly. The Nepali national flag, now, proudly flutters instead, as the new wave of Democratic Republic of Nepal gently blows all over the Narayanhiti Palace.

15 days is what he has. There’s no time for repent, there’s no time for reminiscence, “I should have done this - I should have done that”. No, there’s no time for atonement and there’s no time for ablution. “Ex-King” Gyanendra Shah should be starting to pack up and vacate the palace right about now. He should be happy that there’s no bloodshed or exile.

And then a public statement would be nice too -

“Hamra Sarkaar Le, yesh Narayanhiti Durbar Chodney Nirnaya Gari Bak’seka Chau”
(sic, hehe)

People want the Narayanhiti Palace be turned into a national museum, wouldn’t that be nice? It would be quite thrilling to take a “tour de Palais“.

The tour - through the chambers reeking corruption, conspiracy, slavery, atrocities; through the shady rooms where royal ghosts remain trapped, their voices subdued; through the blood stained corridors; through the lavish halls that are testimony of opulence, glorious greed and majestic indulgence of monarchs.

Yes, the tour would be thrilling.

—-

Nepalnews: Finally, national flag flies at Narayanhiti

Nepali Tyam, Gazzab Cha!

Even though the parliament secretariat’s statement said that the “oath-swearing in” ceremony for the members of the Constituent Assembly will begin at 1.00 PM at Birendra International Convention Center, New Baneshwor today, it’s already 2.30 PM and half of the hall is still empty.

Sadhai Nepali Tyam.

There’s one saying - “Casting nai jhuur bhaye pachi, filim ke ramro hola ra?”

Sadhai Nepali Tyam.

If this is the prelude to the historic Constituent Assembly, imagine the real picture for the coming two years. It would be a celestial miracle if these CA members could finish drafting the new constitution for Nepal in 24 months.

Strip, Rip and Burn - I

Mocking the very consciousness of Republican, the royal monarchist flag is fluttering in Narayanhiti palace. That blood-smeared flag is a symbol of atrocities and oppression. That is a symbol of dynasty-ism, caste-ism, discrimination, division, darkness and superstition. That is a symbol of suppression, slavery, slaughter and plunder.

Hence, on May 28, when the republic is declared from the International Convention Center, that flag should be stripped down, ripped apart and burnt.

The question remains – will the true steps to institutionalize the ubiquitous feeling of republican begin on May 28?

By: Khagendra Sangraula
(Translated from the NayaPatrika - Monday May 26,2008.)

Sadness befalls Living Goddess

Kumari of Patan “displayed” during this year’s Nariwell Jatra of Rato Machindra Nath.

People were religiously touching her feet, bowing to her.. while she, the Living Goddess, remained lifeless.. sad.. and silent.

How can such glance, which is believed to bring good luck, confer anything but sadness?

She was made Goddess when she was 5. Now, almost 13 years old, she is awaiting her first menstruation - in other words, to be “sacked” from the divine designation as she becomes impure and sinned. Soon she will just be a former-goddess, soon she will have to start all over her normal life – soon she will be ostracized.

Her childhood, now all but a cruel memory intricate with seclusion and silence, sacrificed in the name of tradition. While other children played, cried, went to school and ran on the streets – she, the chosen one, sat inside her temple being trained not to speak, not to smile and not to cry.

All for the glory of “Shakya” family, all for the glory of Hinduism!

She never asked for this.

Baker Museum: He Slept on Pillow of Leopard Skin

Police recover huge cache of illegal artifacts hoarded by American explorer

Nepal Police on Friday said it confiscated vast range of illegally possessed ancient idols, artifacts and woodcrafts of archaeological importance including skins and bones of endangered wildlife from the rented apartments of an American national and famous explorer Ian Baker in the capital city.

Interestingly Ian Baker, 41, who has been reportedly staying in the country since many years, is a world-renowned explorer, novelist and a contributor for the National Geographic and several other magazines.

Details -

Nepalnews
Kantipur
More on Ian Baker

According to a press released by Metropolitan Police Crime Division, Hanumandhoka, Kathmandu on May 23, 2008 - the police have confiscated over 100 different items of such rare artifacts, hides and bones from two of the houses Baker rented in Naxal and Baluwataar.

Here are some pictures of “Ian Baker Museum”, taken by Dipesh Shrestha.