Our Man in Kathmandu

Tibet

2007-11-16T12:18:01Z

More on the free Tibet stuff later, at the moment I've got a lot of Chinese students I can't afford to annoy...

Gangotri, northwest India, and the source of the Ganges. Very holy...

2007-11-16T11:55:50Z

Whats happening Nepal?

2007-11-15T09:36:20Z

Why are Nepali politics currently in such dire straits? There is a common goal that the whole population apart from minority royalist elements aspire to achieve; a movement towards which was started with the April people’s revolt and seems to have stalled with the introduction of the Maoists to government one year ago. Yes, undeniably Nepal is facing huge obstacles on the road to fully representative democracy. New outlooks, refreshment (not the New York fact-finding-mission-kind) and ideas are desperately needed to drag the flagging democratic process out of the doldrums it is currently foundering in. Lacking too is the simple desire for change from politicians of every party. At times the octogenarian Koirala looks like an unstoppable bundle of energy when compared with the revolutionaries who still seem to be dazed by the direct sunlight that was so lacking in the jungle.

Looking away from the stalemate in Kathmandu and outside of Nepal’s borders for fresh approaches, lessons can be learned from its southern neighbour and the struggle there for independence in the twentieth century. This will provoke angry reactions among Nepali nationalists, but while examining the history of the Indian independence movement, striking similarities with Nepal’s struggle of today are thrown up. The colonial rule of the British can easily be compared with the autocratic madness of Gyenendra – neither had any public mandate or was accountable for their actions, and both ruled through fear, subterfuge and division. Hinduism did, or will play a major part in any national movement, being the dominant religion in both countries, (India however had to deal with much higher and more intense levels of religious tension than Nepal) and despite the outlook of many Nepali nationalists, Nepal and its southern neighbour are the two most alike countries in South Asia sharing close ties linguistically, culturally socially and to an extent, geographically.

Whereas the Indian independence movement succeeded in garnering world sympathy and support, in mobilising its population (almost completely peacefully in spite of colonial oppression reaching violent levels, read Jallianwalla Bagh) towards its cause, and eventually in attaining complete independence, the Nepali attempt has been hijacked by a bunch of stale, corrupt and lethargic power grabbers, and shows no sign at all of stumbling any further along its winding road. The process, if it is still a process, for no real movement has been seen in months is led by a dithering octogenarian well past his prime, and the so-called ‘alliance’ of the interim parliament consists partly of a mass of squabbling, bickering street thugs who wear suits and ties while letting their younger counterparts do as they please in the streets.

Where are the shining leaders of the pro-democracy movement in Nepal? God knows the cause is just as noble as the one championed by Nehru, Ghandi, and Gokhale. Do we see any examples of the courage, dedication and spirit demonstrated by them and the hundreds of other figures of the movement of the twentieth century in Nepal? Do we see a common unity among the population and parties, a common goal? No. We have the leader of “the people’s war”, the captain of the class revolution attempting to withhold his party’s spending accounts for its cadres languishing in cantonments (must have overspent by buying bound copies of das Kapital for every party worker) while sending his children to America to be educated and decrying the ‘interference’ of the US and India. Nehru, Gandhi and others sacrificed most of their worldly possessions during their pushes for reform, the only example the writer can find of this in Nepal is the head of the JTTM-J faction, who ekes out a living somewhere in the jungle of Bihar, nipping across the border now and again to help his cadres torch a bus. Well done that man…

The challengers faced by the early leaders of the independence movement in India were no less daunting than what the parties of today’s Nepal are up against, if anything, more so. Activists in India were constantly conspired against, and imprisoned by the British, and India, unlike Nepal had concentrated, large and vocal religious minorities to try and bring into the framework, and although we cannot forget the disaster of Partition, strenuous attempts at preserving national unity were made right up until it. The linguistic and cultural differences that activists had to deal with were huge, by far eclipsing those we can see in Nepal. From Bengal to the Punjab, from Kashmir to Tamil Nadu, India is and was more linguistically diverse than Europe and the different areas held different customs, beliefs and views all of which had to be brought on board in the struggle for independence. The masses, belonging to different classes and castes all across the country were harmoniously brought together, and urged to action by a relatively small group of thinkers, believers and most importantly doers, willing to face prison, hardship and poverty and of whom the vast majority did.

Then why is the story so different in Nepal? Are the methods that were used in India, ones of effective civil disobedience, peaceful protest and dialogue so vastly complicated, difficult and incompatible in any other country? Nepal and India are undeniably similar, the majority of their populations practice the same religion (and the problems of caste which accompany it), speak similar languages and share close cultural and historical ties so why can we see too vastly different approaches to a common goal?

If only the process was a ship with sails, and hot air could be utilized as a force with which to move it, Nepal’s politicians would at last be able to justify their existences…

Scottish Provincial Press

2007-11-12T10:46:07Z

“A country under foreign domination seeks escape from the present in dreams of a vanished age, and finds consolation in visions of past greatness. This is a foolish and dangerous pastime, in which many of us indulge”

This statement cannot properly be applied to Scotland, as it is not a subject under a ruling country although judging by the constant chip on its shoulder, one might wonder, but, if we replace the issue of foreign domination with today’s pressing problems however, then this quote from Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Discovery of India’ could easily be applied to modern Scotland. The north east is no exception, and its people some of the worst offenders in disappearing into the fuzzy warm past, one seemingly of cocoa, corporal punishment and endless long walks, and forgetting issues facing the area today, of which there happen to be not a few.

True, to the majority of the readers of local press in the northeast, these memories and recollections provide a welcome relapse into days gone by, ones of sunshine, youth and possibilities; when Buckfast, knife crime and rampant teenage pregnancy were almost unheard of. Burying ones head in the sand though, no matter how inviting and pleasant that sand is cannot and will not make the problems of today disappear, but still every week in the local Moray, Highland, or Aberdeenshire press, these fond reminiscences of the past manage to make an appearance, whether through columnists making comparisons with the hard working, polite, and dashing young manhood of yesteryear with the wretched, alcohol-ridden juveniles of today, a recount of a gorgeous summer walk taken over the Dava in 1959, or the photographic sections that convey how little Elgin High Street has actually changed over the past seventy years.

Press coverage of what the youth are up to extends to the latest junior football results, and roughly the second year of secondary education, when we’re still well-mannered enough to allow someone to take a photo of our gymnastics display. Aside from the odd volunteer overseas making a report, the old are informed of what the young are doing through police reports and exasperated letters from concerned residents. When was the last time you read something positive about, or written by, anyone between fifteen and twenty?

With the provincial press dominated by the middle aged or elder generations it’s no wonder that young people generally don’t read its publications, which is a shame as especially in the northeast, ways for young folk to communicate and share ideas and opinions outside of the all-conquering Facebook and Myspace are scarce. Obviously not every spotty fifteen year old is a budding Charles Dickens, but the whole age group cannot be written off as a bunch of illiterate ne’er do wells, and with the wide ranges of issues affecting Moray today (uncertainty over the future of the RAF bases, North Sea oil, and the brain drain down to England or the Central Belt) or threatening to in the near future, the community needs to hear the voice of the young. More so than before, as it is ultimately us who will reap the results of any decisions taken now by our elders.

Both age groups need to give ground; the elders need to realise the potential that we have, and make some sort of attempt to encourage us to use it. Fair enough, difficulties present themselves here; it’s not cool at all to be seen taking an interest in anything outside drinkin’ fightin’ an shaggin’, during your secondary school years and how many people under twenty, or thirty for that matter, are seen at any kind of public forum or meeting in the area? For our part, we need to realise that the northeast belongs to us too; once the current generation reaches sixty five and starts spending more and more time out of the country and the drizzle, we’re going have to work something out-it will be up to us to keep the hospitals running and the shops selling, no more six week holidays over the summer or fry-ups cooked for us on a Sunday morning when we’ve drunk too much on a Saturday night.

Keep The Peoples’ Friend and Scottish Country Life for reminiscing of better days, and we’ll keep that top shelf filth we read on booze, gadgets, birds and fashion to ourselves. When it comes to mainstream media however, let’s try and come to some sort of balance.

Microbanter

2007-11-12T02:52:22Z

Hanging out of a microbus door has got to be one of the best (of a bad bunch) workouts here for the upper arms and shoulders. Yes, the physical fitness scene here is shite, loping around a cricket field is never going to get rid of that curry and rice pot belly everyone seems to have.

I’m cutting a terribly dashing figure, it’s as if I’m piloting a laser in a terribly prestigious sailing cup, squatting precariously out over a raging sea, face rugged and determined, licking salt spray from my lips and doing my utmost to beat those damn Yanks and bring glory and honour home to dear old England,

Not really. Yet again cheap public transport calls, and it’s a busy day…

Tea and toast await me at the end of this journey, but the aromas of street stalls and rainbows of fresh fruit at the street side (coated in fumes, but still preferable to cling film, Tesco) send tropical shaped doubts in to my mind, and I’m confused- the exhaust must be getting to my head- should I alight, ditch the pencilled-in chat about politics and gorge myself on papaya? Too late! (famous figure who never could decide), the express is off, and with a jet-like roar the engines fire up and we head north east ish.

Into the Abyss…

We race with other, rusty, clanking vehicles, horns for once welcome as they mask the spluttering and groaning our engine is emitting. I fear I must shoulder some of the responsibility for this, and I also feel that the blame for the craft being side-heavy and making no progress towards pole position in this race up the hill could, somehow, be laid at my feet. Not that there is much room at my feet of course, they’re being scowled at by at least four other sandaled pairs who are of the opinion that the ledge of the van was far too crowded even before my clumsy appearance, and that an accidental trip would do a favour to everyone.

Yes, space is tight, there’s no denying it. The bridge, only built for a single, slight Nepali navigator now has to accommodate a European, who’s shortcut-spotting and insult exchanging skills are definitely in the spring of life. My lack of combat experience is brought painfully to light as we approach the roundabout and the road widens out threefold and we are engulfed in shell fire from a rival dreadnought. I am almost thrown from the deck, saved only by a scrawny, sunburnt arm. Our driver doesn’t fail us though, and we emerge from the putrid smoke, weaving, ducking and diving through the melee of burning rubber. God! Was that a red flag with a hammer and sickle? Drive man, drive! We are a particular target for these ruffians, the pilot is wearing a Stars and Stripes bandana, some idiot is displaying his bottle of Pepsi for every Tom, Dick and Harry to see, and Britney Spears adorns the rear of the ship. So, the pedal is hit, we make haste, choking a couple of goats who were stupidly standing in our wake.

Many moons later…..

Trafalgar is left behind as we sail past lush rice paddies, dotted with large homes, the engine running smoothly, grandmothers back to berating anyone within reach and we have left the city and can look up in awe at the foothills of the Himalaya. Stupas and temples poke up from a lush green carpet and small waterfalls can be seen. Even the dogs seem to appreciate the clean air and there is a collective sigh of relief from everyone except the driver who continues to scowl from behind his battered cap and worries about how much longer the suspension will last.

It’s my stop. I bang on the terribly fragile roof, yell pompously at the minute conductor, hand over a sweaty ten rupee note, and step down and walk away, bag slung over my shoulder with all the swagger I can muster. When I’m out of sight I can thank my lucky stars, collapse for five minutes in a relieved heap, and go and talk about the Maoists over a strong cup of Earl Grey.

YCL

2007-11-12T01:49:21Z

‘YCL cadres demolish a house in Surkhet’, I read in the Kathmandu Post. Thuggery? Drunken vandalism? Nope, it was destroyed “as per wish of the people” according to the district leader “since they complained that it made the road congested” What obliging chaps. In the UK, the process is not quite so simple as a few whispers through the grapevine- council applications, endless surveys, counter applications and court hearings really do stifle the demolition industry. The youth wing of the Maoist Party of Nepal might not be so bad after all, we could all do with a bit of that over here and I wonder if they’d have time to deal with that monstrosity of a conservatory your next door neighbour obviously can’t afford but has put up anyway…. ?

The YCL (Youth/Young Communist League) is aligned with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), and now often does the rough work for the party, especially now that the latter is officially prohibited from doing so, being (technically at least) involved with the Eight Party Alliance and the peace process.

The organisation truly is a two headed beast though. We see youths muffled up with gloves and face masks taking part in city wide clean ups, we read of YCL cadres working to repair and maintain remote roads connecting distant villages and communities, something the current administration seems too busy, or unable to do. The recent Rayamajhi Commission, partly organised by the YCL has seen success in naming and shaming many royalist ministers still part of the interim government, who held posts and profited during the king’s autocratic rule, and so by default have no place in the ‘new Nepal’.

In the same article (Friday October the 5th) however, the YCL in Ghumti Kalikasthan threatened “physical action” if locals didn’t manage to cough up Rs 500,000 (about £3800) within a week, as compensation for an office vandalised one month ago. Further up the page, we read of YCL cadres exacting ‘tourism taxes’ from members of expeditions to Dhaulagiri, (a peak in the east of the country). Fair enough you might say, a permit to climb a mountain is expected. But this permit will be paid for at a government office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, any money taken by the Maoists will likely end up funding further ‘agitations’, aimed at derailing any future attempts at holding Constituent Assembly Elections. The elections have recently been postponed anyway, because of a Maoist walkout due to the failure of the other (7) parties to agree to declare the country a republic immediately.

So, the question of everyone’s lips is; Can our home grown neds learn from these Ghurkha hooligans?. Probably not I’m afraid, (on paper at least) the YCL is part of a political party, with its cadres fighting for the oppressed classes of the country (of which there are many) and striking against corruption and anyone who held power during the King’s recent stint at absolute rule, while the fine young men that roam our streets and parks seem to have no awareness of…..anything, even of who our Prime Minister is. ‘Battles’ in the northeast are fought over football shirt colours, easy and stupid young girls, and which part of our tiny county you’re from, not over political ideology or real grievances-it’s understandably difficult to bother to pay any attention towards the young warriors of Moray and the ‘problems’ they face. Alcohol too could be a problem. Of all of the misdemeanours of the YCL catalogued by the press here, rarely, if ever is alcohol a cause of the problem. Compare this to the shenanigans of the young scallywags in Forres….and well, I don’t even need to search for statistics. I just can’t see our boys giving up the Buckfast for the annual young hooligan conference in Geneva…

Of the course the YCL are not some kind of Secret Seven do-gooder bunch of happy young things. More often than not they are simply thugs, hiding behind a revolutionary mask in order to extort, rob and kidnap in the name of class war. Having suffered under the antics of the YCL for some time now, the public’s patience with the group is wearing extremely thin, (especially with the recent obstruction of publishing of The Kathmandu Post, and Kantipur newspapers by Maoist cadres) but with every looting, kidnap and strike, justification is always given, whether it be a corrupt minister’s naming and shaming, or a demolition as mentioned above. Often victims of scuffles with the group are compensated soon after. Can you see a young team of Scotland doing the same?

The YCL is undeniably a thorn in the side of Nepal’s extremely slow political process, merely doing the bidding of the Maoists who wish to disrupt any progress towards a functioning democracy. As the name suggests, the League is made up of youths, youths who are politically aware and active at least to a certain degree. The end, a socialist paradise free from the corruption, inequality and stagnation the country has suffered under for so long must look an attractive goal, attractive enough to justify violence being used attempting to attain it. The Maoists have cleverly sold themselves and their ideas to much of the youth- the people who one day may play huge parts in the future of the country, and whose participation is desperately needed (the current Prime Minister is an octogenarian, and the most active of a sluggish bunch of politicians). Hark back to Britain, where too large a proportion of the youth is staggeringly unaware of all current events, ones that are shaping their futures, and seems perfectly content to float along, drinkin’, fightin’ an’ shaggin’ every weekend away, and I’d much rather see a bunch of angry, vocal youths fighting for some sort of change in their country than a group of indifferent and pampered boys and girls involved in violence simply because they cannot think of anything better to do.

The YCL would always clean up your garden after taking it over for a rally, and if you received a beating at their hands, you’d more than likely receive a reason and possibly a receipt. Would you expect the same from the Forres Young Team?

Tihar

2007-11-10T11:53:24Z

Tihar is here! The best non-sacrificial festival of the year is now upon us.

Now I know my legions of fans will be wondering where I have been for the past while, and hoping upon hope that I've come back from my latest yeti-wrestling bout in one peice. Have no fear friends, I was merely down south, making an extremely risky and perilous border run. Safely installed in my Himalayan seat again though, I will now tell the tale...

I'd forgotten how beautiful the Terai (the flat part of Nepal which borders India) is until then, having succumbed to the typical Kathmandu attitute that the plains are hot, sweaty, malaria infested and inhabited by Indians. Sitting on the roof of the bus perched between the bus boy and his friend ,speaking absolutley atrocious Nepali, and whistling at ramro keties, (beautiful girls) was quite a laugh, and a wonderfull tonic for the smog and hustle of the capital. The Terai is like India; hazy and lazy; rice fields everywhere which surround pastel coloured homes, sometimes with people working in them. Nothing really moves, no wind, and only the occasional horn of a truck on the way up from the real Indian plains below disturbs the silence, which is looked upon by the first real foothills of the Himalaya.

A surprisingly good road turned into not such a good road upon entering the hills, however the sharp twists and turns completely failed to make any impression on the driver, and he steamed on regardless of who was clinging on to his roof rack. After several cold hours on the roof (I lent my jacket to the bus boy, and graciously let him keep it as he had nothing else to keep him warm but a T-shirt. Idiot. It was only this morning that I realised that the 400 rupees I had lost were in the pocket of that very jacket. Karma now topped up, I don't have to give to beggars for at least another week), kept only from death's door by hot milky tea, we made the familiar turn into the Kathmandu Valley and saw the metropolis stretch out before us. Even in it's smoggy glory, the lights that adorn every building due to Tihar (the Nepali Diwali) still manage to shine through. It's isolation and complete lack of regard for anything living in it make me love it more, and it was with a smile that I walked up the steps to my appartment. Wiped off when I had to take a cold shower. Landlord hasn't got round to turning on the hot switch yet...

So, another round of Tihar tonight, can't remember what animal gets the special treatment today, think it's buff. Yesterday was cows, and the day before was dogs. Who really deserve the break, getting kicked, punched and having stones thrown at them every other day of the year. And taunted by the monkeys.

Right, it's been about a week without the shisha, mother, so I'm off to rouse some friends and poison my lungs...

rossadkin @ 2007-10-16T11:00:00

2007-10-18T05:18:33Z

The monsoon has decided to return with a vengeance after tempting us with a few days of hot sunshine and clear skies, and did so on Tuesday with a rather fierce thunder storm that managed to knock out the power. Out came the candles, and quicker than a lightning flash the room of knowledge, inspiration and discipline was transformed into a romantic chamber, with soft shadows dancing across everyone’s faces…all of which was completely lost on the middle-aged class of students I was teaching. I, however, enjoyed it immensely and am hoping for a repeat.

After, it was a short trip out to Swayambhu stupa (kind of a wee temple, Buddhist) in the west of the city, to meet the principal of a private school. Quite an interesting walk, once round the back of the temple (where you sneak in using one of the paths that lead up the hill) the road becomes a kind of no man’s land between the territory held by the monkeys of the temple, and the street dogs of the other side. On the left was a caravan of monkeys, obviously on the warpath somewhere, while the other side of the road was host to an equally rabid party of dogs, probably on a scouting mission prior to Wednesday’s alcohol and testosterone fuelled brawl between the two species up the park, like. Can’t say I’m particularly bothered by the outcome, both carry rabies. And fleas.

I’m missing the autumn of back home-the crisp skies, crunchy leaves, Rugby (’mon the ENG-GER-LUND!)etc etc etc. Out here I’m struggling to come to terms with the fact that it feels like summer (and a good one) in October. So, you in the woollen socks and with wood fire going, appreciate the autumn, at least you’re not sweating by 8am. Soon December will be here, you’ll drink too much, wake up, make up new resolutions and be back to gurning by the time February’s put its head around the door. Yes.

Oh, met the BBC correspondent for Nepal the other day. Didn’t offer me a job.

Deshain is currently in full swing, and goats, chickens and buffalo are being sacrificed at temples across the city. How a dead chicken manages to appease the gods (numerous) still puzzles me, but we’ll leave that for another day when someone religious does something stupid and I’m feeling mean. Dead non-bovines aside, it brings a welcome holiday from the school, which will hopefully be spent somewhere out of the haze and smog practicing Nepali.

Still no news on the promised coup, does anyone know any ex-public schoolboys kicking about with time on their hands? Maybe the son of an ex-PM? Should get things off the ground…

The coup

2007-10-12T13:04:01Z

Like clean water from a tap and civil servants, the coup has failed to appear. Never fear, there's still hope, nothing has really been sorted out today at all, apart from some of the parties agreeing to condemn the abduction of journalist Birendra Sah. He's strongly suspected to have been spirited away by a group affiliated to the Maoists, or Maoists themselves for exposing illegal activities involving their cadres and the timber trade. So that's that then. We can all enjoy the weekend (only one day here, something else needing to be urgently addressed) and the start of Dashain knowing that 'they' have done all they can to sort out the current fiasco.

So don't loose heart just yet. Nepal still might be in with a chance to join the military government club (current South Asian members; Burma, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka ).

'Tim'

Who are the Famous Five?

2007-10-12T05:08:41Z

Recently recieved a question regarding who the Famous Five were. Obvously from an unlettered oaf living in a a cave somewhere, but I'll be nice and provide an explaination...
Back in the 50's and 60's, a woman called Enid Blyton (adored by schoolkids then, but now not so well looked upon today as everyone's discovered she was actually a bit of a racist) wrote a series of books detailing the capers and adventures of 4 school kids and their dog, Timothy. It was all 'jolly good', ginger beer, homemade sandwiches and catching jewel thieves, kidnappers and the like.....could have taught the layabouts of today a thing or two is the point I'm trying to make, while sounding very much like a octenagarian, tea sipping, country house owning, white haired collumist for The Daily Telegraph. I'm not. I'm 20.

Famous 5

2007-10-12T05:00:31Z

Waiting for the coup...

2007-10-10T14:03:17Z

The Kathmandu grapevine has it that there may be an attempt at a takeover late this week by Gyanendra, the former king and the army. Whispers from household staff, landlords and friends all point to something happening on Thursday night, after the failure to solve any real differences during tomorrow's (Thursaday) emergency meeting of the 8 Party Alliance is broadcast.

Will we see the king, loathed by most of the population but whose stock is slooooowly on the up (helped by recently recieving a tika, or blessing like any other commoner-a fact broadcast by most newspapers) marching back in to power at the head of a triumphant, liberating army, cheered on by crowds of Nepalis sick to the back teeth of the constant bickering and politiking by the current government? Errrr, I don't know (best to be blunt-I'll tell you on Friday))but it would make Nepal very interesting for a while. Maybe it'd manage to make a British broadsheet, but then again probably not. No, no, far too busy publishing surveys that show children who eat junk food and don't exercise get fat, or waxing lyrical over 'the new black'.

In a way it would be a shame. Yes, the current administration is absolutely useless, (thought that the Lib-Lab coalition in the Scottish Parliament didn't get enough done?Try eight parties, with at least 2 of them hardcore communist and then watch the legislation fly off the shelves...) but it was brought about by a people's movement against an autocratic king who was abusing his power in every shape and form. Surely worth saving? The Maoists, by default would be forced back into the jungle, and back into action against the army. Do we really want to see a resumption of the 'peoples war'?

Right, enough, it may not even happen. Watch this space though.

'George'

Peevish Pervez

2007-10-04T08:57:59Z

With another obstacle to his re-election removed by the Supreme Court, Pervez Musharraf looks all set to run for, and win another term as President of Pakistan. All is not well though- recently 86 opposition MPs resigned in protest of Saturday's proposed election, an election many claim will
be 'unconstitutional and illegal', due to the fact that Musharraf is the head of the armed forces and therefore cannot legitimately run for the post under the country's constitution. Many legal sticking points exist here, and although the Supreme Court has agreed with Musharraf, there still remains widespread dissent among parlimentarians and the judiciary. Buoyed by the reversion of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry's suspension by Musharraf in August (due to immense pressure from members of the legal profession taking part in on and off riots for 3 months), members of Musharraf's administration can expect to see further action from m'learned friends of the Pakistan judiciary.

Let's hope so too.The uprisings up until Chaudhry's reinstatement in August were often violent, with several deaths in Karachi and riot police resorting to tear gas,rubber bullets and batons But they were angry, noisy and heard by the international community, the scrutiny of whom is needed now more than ever. An independent judiciary is essential in any country and one could argue even more so
in Pakistan, to counterbalance the military-leaning decisions taken by its President and the shady, largely unaccountable actions of the Inter-Service Intelligence (the former head of which will take
over the position vacated by Musharraf ''if'' he wins Saturday's election). Pictures of the disturbances
in Lahore, Karachi and other major cities back in the spring and summer showed the rest of the
world an angry, loud and sometimes violent group of lawyers and judges. Not something often seen
in the West, and likely condemmed by some. But surely a country such as Pakistan (others in South Asia, too)
needs a vocal and active legal system-its lawmakers after all are the people who
translate the will of the government, however corrupt it may be, into funtioning laws of a state. Once a
judiciary looses a certain amount of independence from it's government, a descent into a murky swirl
of shady laws and unaccountability will ensue. Last year in the US the Attorney General, Alberto
Gonzales became embroiled in a bitter row, lasting for months over his supposedly politically motivated
sackings of eight federal attorneys, a row he never recovered from and a possible contribution to his
step down in August 2007.

So many human rights and civil liberties groups scrutinise new laws and regulations in the West
(although so far failing to solve the farce of Guantanamo Bay), and we must remember that in Pakistan
the situation is rather different, with fewer groups operating and access to victims of abuse frequently
blocked by the authorities. When such a situation exists, it is up to the the law makers
to either prevent abuses from happening or to bring those responsible for perpatrating them to account.
Not specific only to Pakistan, but countries across South Asia, a legal system free from governmental
interference and corruption is a must, (especially in the absence of international monitoring groups) for
providing a fair, open and accountable form of government.

Whoever wins the upcoming presidential election in Pakistan, and especially if Musharraf does, the
judiciary must strive to remain independent. The decision recently taken by the Supreme Court allowing
Musharraf to run for President recently, worryingly shows that he may have made his made first
move against Pakistan's legal system. In Iftikhar Chaudhry the outspoken elements of the legal profession
have found a charismatic and upstanding leader. Yes, further unrest and protests may lead to deaths but
too will they provoke needed scrutiny of Musharraf's regime, both from within the country and from it's
neighbours. So m'learned friends, keep it up.

Tea

2007-10-04T07:12:05Z

Lots and lots of long pieces, and I haven't worked out how to do the LJ cut thing,so get scrolling.

So, another day in the post (I hope) monsoon season. Skies are clear, it's hot and the mountains surrounding the ciy are sloooowly showing glimpses of themselves. Only when the dust and the smog are kept down though, so rarely. Reckon I'll have to get on a bike and head out of town this weekend...

Today there is supposed to be a city-wide strike, but in the same fashion as civil servants at their desks and hot water from taps, it's failed to materialize. You get used to it.

'What!' you cry! 'Governmental employees neglecting their duties and a lack of water suitable for showering?' Yes,it's true. But everyone must realise it is terribly hot here and there is such a lot of milk tea to get through....

Be like a Nepali. If it's not too hot to do any real work wherever you are, pretend it is, make a sweet, weak tea and do some reading. And if you are in the tropics, chances are you're doing it anyway...

The Yoof of today. Sort it oot.

2007-10-04T07:01:50Z

Do the young folk of Britain really have what can be called a youth anymore? Unlike the editors of a certain well-respected daily broadsheet, I’m not old enough to remember the Second World War, and my friends and I could never keep up any ‘Famous Five’ activities for very long so I reckon I’m better qualified to write on the issues facing today’s youth. One seems to be our collective indecisiveness and fear (think emo) of doing anything outside of what our contemporaries and elders think is best for us.

On one side we’re constantly surrounded by apologies for things our country did before we, or in some cases our parents were even born, yet on the other we have columnists of well-respected daily broadsheets (yes you, The Daily Telegraph) reminiscing fondly of the dammed good thrashing we gave those Argies, or of Churchill’s eccentricities between the golden years of ’39-’45. No wonder we’re confused, we (or the current generation of politicians) can’t even agree what constitutes Britain-should the Jocks piss off and have a go themselves or not? A complete disparity and a lack of unity exists among our youth-if you’ve a rounded Home Counties accent, then you are almost guaranteed trouble in parts of Glasgow or Cardiff, and vice versa. Even within cities wearing the wrong coloured football shirt is the reason for a beating or stabbing.

This is not an attempt to look into why we have these problems, why as a generation, so far we can only claim celebrity obsession, rising obesity, gangsta rap and the iPod as defining moments of our childhood. I don’t have access to enough books and statistics for that, and quite frankly it would bore everyone in the room. No, I’m aiming to pry into what we can do about it, us, the young folk of Britain today who should really have a lot more balls and be so much more independent that we are.

To start, look at the opportunities we are born with. That little red book you can get for around £50 will get you, visa free to almost every country in Europe and a whole host of interesting places abroad. The rest of the planet is trying to learn the language we speak from birth, our currency is one of the strongest in the world, meaning 6 months of working and saving can easily transfer to one year or more living somewhere exotic. A decent proportion of the rest of the word listens to our music, sings our songs and watches our films, and despite the appalling record we have in places, we are mostly welcomed when we dare to leave our island. Even more so that our American and European counterparts, the world truly is our oyster.

And yet so few of us take advantage of being truly young, free and single and seem content to float along with the crowd, sensibly directed by our elders and betters. Is it a price we are now paying for the sins of the Empire that fewer and fewer of Britain’s youth are venturing abroad? Or is the bubble created for us during our secondary education, free, fixed meals and ‘inclusiveness’ at every step of the way simply too alluring to leave? Much, too much of the youth (and often sections of the youth with wealth and opportunity) are happy to stay in that bubble- and do so by scraping two C’s at Higher and going to university to study some kind of nonentity. The prestige that comes with being a student for four years is obviously far more enticing than getting a trade or a job (you can’t talk Freud and wear All Stars if you’re a brickie, naturally). It’s easy to see how this appeals- three or four years of increasing independence, the chance to drink and shag around as much as you like, and yet still being covered by the safety net of guidance staff, parents and others around you who are doing exactly the same thing. It almost seems too good to be true, and it is, until time is up and the taxman comes knocking.

We need to realise that there is more waiting for us outside of the school-volunteer-uni-job path. I’m not wanting to bore everybody with tales of people who ‘found themselves’, saving orphans in Mozambique, or helped the tribal people of Zimbabwe dig a toilet, but there are so many opportunities given to us the moment we’re born it seems foolhardy, and even rude not to use them. It’s possible to make money in so many different ways both at home and abroad, all that is needed is an idea and some hard work to realise it. A rise in young, talented free-thinking entrepreneurs would help put the ‘Great’ back into Britain (pleasing the affore-mentioned paper) far more than the legions of second-rate sociologists and media studies graduates we seem to be churning out at the minute.

So, you with the spots, hormones and baggy jeans, buy a ticket to somewhere stupid, shear Kangaroos, go Yeti hunting, crew yachts, set up a diamond mine, teach, pick apples, or start something closer to home. Maybe an organic sock factory, a magazine or a find-your-tartan centre for the Yanks. Preferably though, think up your own idea of making your mark.

On second thought, what did happen to the Famous Five?

‘Julian’

Back page of a university prospectus?

2007-09-30T11:36:48Z

Holiday Work Abroad!

-Tired of Gap years helping children in Africa? Volunteering getting you down? Want something with a real challenge?

-Want to be a bus conductor on the world famous Kathmandu Public Transport System?

-Here are a few handy hints. Make sure you can fulfill them before you make that life changing career move!

-Nepali roads are, to say the least, fraught with obstacles; moving and non-moving, animal and human, pothole and barricade. Your driver (best to have someone you trust) will take every available action to avoid these, sometimes at high speed. Needless to say a firm stance and grip are of utmost importance. Even when pushed to capacity (20+ people/boxes/livestock), a good conductor will still manage to find a secure perch at minimum inconvenience to paying passengers and keep a winning smile on his face. This comes with experience, and is rarely found in a novice.

-A broken or cracked voice is absolutely essential. No-one is going to hop on a vehicle if it’s destinations are advertised in a weedy, pre-pubescent whisper. A strong, clear, confident tone carried over the assorted noises of the street will bring customers of all ages and sexes flocking in, all assured that the vehicle is in sound working order, driven by a straight and true driver and provided with impeccable on-board service. Any conductor worth his salt will look after his voice. Some conductors swear by daily doses of menthol sweets, but each transport worker will come up with his own method of keeping his voice as clean as a whistle.

-Possession of a large lung capacity is also a definite benefit. Destinations need to be reeled off quickly and clearly under pressure, and gulping down large volumes of air in between shouting place names is inadvisable in Kathmandu. Good pronunciation is necessary for district names extending to more than four syllables (common)-a crash course in spoken Nepali before the commencement of employment can be a good idea.

Other qualities needed-
Small stature preferred -space is very limited in rush hours.

Basic English is an advantage. The phrase ‘sorry, no change madam’ has earned many a bus boy’s fortune.

Pay- Shite.

Applicants should apply in person to:
Anyone,
The Old Bus Station,
Ratna Park, Kantipath
Kathmandu,
Nepal

Hello

2007-09-30T11:03:29Z

Righto, lots of stuff to put up with the grand opening of the blog....bear with it...