Wednesday, August 24, 2005

To Meet Or Not To Meet


I personally welcome this democratic exercise. As for the meeting, so far I have not seen any initiative from the other side: maybe they are even less interested than we are. I hope there is, and I am still up for meeting. My personal agenda for any such meeting I have already made public. What you see is what you get.
A movement for democracy itself has to be democratic.

As for dialogue, the South African experience comes to mind. Nelson Mandela negotiated with the apartheid people, and the apartheid people were outright heinous. I would not put the king and his comrades in the same category. They are many steps ahead of the apartheid types, and several steps ahead of Burma, and a few steps ahead of Pakistan. Nelson Mandela was jailed for almost three decades: that is practically a lifetime. Aang Sang Su Kyi is in jail. Benazir Bhutto is in exile. (To: Benazir Bhutto, The Junta Is Defiant: Is It The Burma Option They Have In Mind?, Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka: Lessons For Nepal, Burma Option Or Pakistan Option) Message 1

....... I personally have no political interest but I am a loyal citizen of my country who is now working outside Nepal and have every rights to meet our present king if given opportunity. I am saying me personally. I am saying anyone of you who understand out common voice. I have seen and read many articles about many politians like you and me who do excellent demostration in front of the public and media by burning tires and slogans but when the real time comes to take the challenge when the real opportunity comes to talk and take leadership we usually slip down and stoop down to our knees loosing one's dignity. I know and hope you're not one of them.

Don't get me wrong, my all intestions is to cut down on more killings on innocent Nepalase and children. That's all I care and this is one more strategy towards that goal. I am not a political analyst or a professor of Anthropology. I would rather ask my king than the president of the United States or Prime Minister of India. I still don't believe that the situation in Nepal can't be solved internally. And your point of comparing president Bush with our king is baseless. It's good that they're not meeting and giving this opportunity to meet king with us. In that respect I would even meet Moist Leaders Prachanda or Baburam to tell them my feeling and concern about our under-powered people in Nepal.

Second concern for me is Nepal Center in the USA. My other proposal of meeting king is to ask him to see whether how big his heart is to unite Nepalese. We have seen how much effort its taking us to raise one single Temple, center of our own. I heard that present king doesn't get involve in donating or believe in charity. It all depends on WHO is asking for WHAT reason? I don't think if I request him - he would not deny my proposal for a small property like this. If worst comes, I would like to ask his personal finance and ask for a small interest free loan for a while - until we are capable on our own feet. The other solution is to ask for a bigger Nepal Embassy who does all this. Let's ask for a bigger, larger Nepali Embassy and make them more active, rich and sincere so that we civilians need not worry about promoting Nepali Culture, Language and heritage in the International arena. I want to ask him and his freinds anf family like Sarad Chandraji - if they personally can contribute on this vernture.

Thirdly, let's think for a while from a civic society perspective let's come up with a better options too. Is demostration is the only way to acheive the solution? I am for diplaying cards on Sept 16th, need to be very attractive so that our message is sent accross. I even thought of dressing like a poor beggar or a poet who is locked in a cage - like a parrot - as Lekhnath has mentioned on his poem 'Pinjadako Suga'. Something creative, artistic, and think about Gai Jatra- vibrant and meaningful, colorful. So even when the media captures- let it capture Nepali Jhanki. And after the demostration I would rather suggest to host a dinner/snacks get-to-gether WITHOUT hard drinks (I have a special reason for that) so that we know each other's committements better. I am ready to donate $100.00 for a better and fruitful outcome. Let's not start deviding people again - let's unite them for the same cause, Nepal and Nepalese. Forget about Bush or Singh or even Indra Dev from Heaven - no one can bind us if we are not ready and prepared to embrace each other !

These are all my personal reasoning and plans, you don't need to agree but I have rights to my freedom. I hope you're NOT against my freedom of writing/proposal and indicating to be nonsense and baseless idea is merely your misunderstanding about my sincerity. You're deviding us and NOT respecting each other's idea like Baburam, retired and power hungry politicians or even present day king's actions shows all this. May be think for a while - these power hungry people, political silos need our help ultimately. I love your comments and I still respect your voice - even though they're a little harse on me and on my feelings towards on my people(including king, baburam, dirty politicians) and my beautiful country. 'These all are our shit and we need to learn how to wipe them out ourselves' is my point.

Message 2

I do understand your feeling. But do you think that the King is dumb that he does not hear what news is saying, what his foreign friends told him, and what others are voicing?

This is the same King who has literally advertised Prime Minister's post and requested for application. Isn�t this mockery of governing system? So I don�t think this King is dumb or needs to hear this voice. Even I was proposed with this idea, however, I refrained from entertaining. I am not boycotting the King, but I am just letting him know that we are not for a King who wants to reign and rule. The country is of its citizens, and Kings are just mere a head of state, by virtue of their birth and Nepalese keeping monarchy as a tradition. If he really wants to rule, then he should be ready to be questioned, challenged, and approved, and as an individual born in Nepal he has equally that right to do as all Nepalese have.

Regarding the money for Nepal Culture Center, I will not be entertaining it from Sharad Chandra Shah or Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah as advisor to state, and head of State, respectively. If we Nepalese residing in USA can not come up and build our own cultural center then it should be our weakness and we don't deserve to it from Nepali state, too. Culture has to be nurtured by us, and it should try to reflect our true Nepalese culture. That is it should have our Sherpas, Tamangs, Tharus, Terai Basis (Maithali), Bahun Chetri, Newars etc. that is truly reflected but not only Bahun/Chetri Hinduism......... Nepal is conglomeration of different ethnic, religious, and cultural society.........

Finally, I am not of opinion of meeting King, and those who opt to, I don't have any grudge, too.

Message 3

Dear frends

I am sick of begging democracy with a pearson. Democracy is not his pewa.We are the master of country .You know what I mean. Since we all live in the USA. We all have used one time or other tax payer money. We Nepali pay king and his family. Now we want to beg with democracy. Begging days are over now we demand.

If king wants meet with us then he has to accept this pre-condition in public he should give-up on monarchy system and if he choose he could be interim president till Nepali could choose new head of state. Otherwise please don't try to week out republic demand. There is no room of constitutional monarchy.

Message 4

Friends;

1. First of all, let's respect people's voice in a gentle manner, that's the begining of the democray that we are invisioning and demanding for the past 10 years. Otherwise how are we in the US are different from any other un-educated but concerned citizen who are driven by this on going horrible cult of killing and dada-giri-dom. No wonder why king thinks giri and martial art dadas/well known gundas and underground don can pull this boat that is sinking in the ocean of blood day by day.

Let us be transparent here and put up our strengths/ideas together to be clear and loud - though some are still in crude form. Let's first identify the items that we agree. Our system that we are dreaming is new and so are we to execute it - but a very genuine and a way to express and fight for the right cause we need to agree on basic humanity first. Democracy is I guess a layer on top of the basic principles of protecting ourselfs from animalism[please read the article I have attached with this email]. The basic being Human Rights, Freedom of speech, education rights to the under-priviledged, food for everyone, shelter for the poor etc.

2. I personally don't believe in telling people what kind of freedom, democracy people in Nepal need. We being in the US should help them what they want NOT ask people to follow us what we want to see them to do. We are in the safest place in the world (despite of some 911 type of terrorists attack) and we all need to be vocal about demostratating what freedom is all about in general. For this I will give you one tiny example: please educate me how to resolve these type of issues in general in Nepal? Please convince me to begin with.

I was in Nepal a month back and had to go upto Banepa. My cousin offered me a ride and was driving his Maruti he just bought. While coming back a motorbike hit the car and the rider fell from the bike. Luckily he was wearing a helmet and hidn't hurt much himself. We stopped the car and asked him if he was hurt first. He said he is fine. We checked our car too - the motorbike made a lot of smudges on the side and the bumper came off. Politely we asked if he had insurance for the bike but he said "what if he died?". We told him it was his mistake and saw his red eyes and knew that he was awefully drunk. Suddenly we see 20 people surrounding us. Now what, we discussed?

a. Shall we wait for the police to come and take a report.

b. Ask people what we should do to a drunk-driver who is refusing to give his insurance/licence card? One of them replied - "Here everybody drinks and drives?"

I didn't know how to respond to that answer from the public and told my cousin to forget about the scene and go directly to the mechanics on our own. This is the situation in Nepal and we are fighting for their cause right? Think twice now when we fight for democracy in the US - these are the basic humanity or civic sense that we need to build on top of basic humanity - NOT only political division or transition is sufficient is my concern. 'Padekale bigareko desh Nepal' - I even see today - many of my good old educated friends don't bother to follow the rules of the street and feel proud in drinking-and-driving. Let's see if we can get-rid-of this freedom first !! Can we, shall we !!

Thanks. 1




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Tuesday, August 23, 2005

Opposition To The Idea Of Meeting With The King


This is the democratic way. We talk back and forth.

My stand on democracy has been clear and transparent, and right at this blog. (5 Steps To Democracy)

I think on September 16 we should hold the biggest protests possible. That is not a new position.

But holding dialogue with the king - if possible, which is a big if, there is no indication even they want it - is also one way to help the cause of democracy. We make our point. Even if the worst happens, in that he sorely disappoints, we will have claimed a political victory. That will energize us for our future programs.

I have already made my personal parameters for the dialogue very clear in my email to Sharad Chandra Shaha. (Letter To Sharad Chandra Shaha)

But for me that comes second. I am for genuine dialogue. Where you really try and listen to each other, and understand. My push for dialogue is nothing fake and surface.

If our sole focus is to shun dialogue with the other two camps, and only do things to strengthen our internal group cohesion, we end up with a mentality that we never did any wrong, we will not do any wrong. We have to watch out for that. We have to always be open to reflection and to self-criticism.

Heck, I am a strong proponent of dialogue also with the Maoists. (You Can Always Trust The Democrats To Be About Two Months Behind Schedule)

But having said that, I do mean to extend my empathies to those who have borne direct brunts from this regime. I do not take their pain lightly. It is just that achieving democracy at the earliest is what is good also for them. And so we have to exhaust all possible options.

Paramendra Bhagat


Email From Somnath Ghimire

Dear all,

Who brought up this nonsense and baseless idea to meet with King? Even the President of the United States does not want to meet with the Unconstitutional King of Nepal. Why do we need to bother to meet with him?

We boycott the meeting with King in New York, Why?
---Somnath Ghimire

I) Where in the Constitution of 1990 states that King can be the Chairman?

What king enjoys now as Prime Minister: Some key provisions: (Unacceptable in the eyes of our people)

Article 35 (1): Executive power the Kingdom of Nepal is vested in His Majesty and the Council of Ministers.

Article 36 (1): Constitution of Council of Ministers- King appoints the leader of the party which commands a majority in the House of Representatives as Prime Minister.

Article 36 (3): King appoints deputy prime minister, state ministers and assistant ministers on the recommendation of the prime minister.

Article 36 (4): Prime minister and other ministers to be collectively responsible to the House of Representatives.

Article 36 (7): proviso- If prime minister dies, king appoints deputy prime minister or the senior most minister to act as prime minister until a new prime minister is appointed.

Article 42: If no one party has a clear majority in the Lower House, a member of the House who is able to command a majority there is to be appointed as prime minister.

Article (43): Duty of prime minister to inform the king on decisions of cabinet, Bills and other concerned issues.

Article (117): Prime minister is the Chairperson of the Constitutional Council which has responsibility to recommend names for appointment in constitutional bodies:

Article 87: Appointment of Chief Justice

Article 97 (2): Appointment of Chief Commissioner and Commissioners of Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority

Article 99 (1): Appointment of Auditor General

Article 101 (2): Appointment of the Chairperson and members of Public Service Commission

Article 103 (2): Appointment of Chairperson and members of Election Commission

Article 109: Prime Minister recommends to the king for the appointment of Attorney General of Nepal.

Article 115: Prime minister recommends for the imposition of the state of emergency.

Article 118: Prime minister is the chairperson of National Defense Council of Nepal. Same Article incorporates that army operates on the recommendation of the Council. King is now the defense minister of Nepal. Defense minister is also a member of the Council.

II) Militarization in Nepal, Militarism is the antithesis of humanism. It disregards human rights, suppresses freedom and mocks civil liberty. Nepal today is a prime example of such a process of militarization.

III) Authoritarian Rule: Inspiration of Militarization: The King adopted his strategy to make the people forcefully loyal towards him and not to give any opportunity to raise a voice in favor of democracy and against autocratic rule. Such practice made the king more dependent on the military power with a growing threat to the citizens. Hence, the militarization instigated by the Maoist expanded with the royal attitude of militarization. The Royal Nepal Army itself misunderstood its role considering as if it was only to be loyal to the King but not accountable to the rule of law.

IV) Consequences of Militarization:

a) Increase in Defense Budget: Once the democracy started weakening, the Royal Palace has been prone to increase the nation's military strength with new recruitment in the Royal Nepal Army and the Armed Police Force with an explanation to control terror. The total military strength of Nepal is above 85000. The Government of Nepal increased NR 1.20 billion for security to recruit additional 13,000 security personal for the Royal Nepalese Army. The increase in the security budget will divert the money from the basic needs like health, education, drinking water etc for the citizens.

b) Human Rights Violations and Denial of Rule of Law: With the growing violation of human rights basically by the security forces, there appeared impunity and disregard for the rule of law. In the face of Supreme Court orders to respond to habeas corpus petitions, military authorities consistently issued false denials or failed to respond in substance. They also obstructed the NHRC from fulfilling its monitoring and investigative duties. Many people were re-arrested immediately after they had been released by the courts. Six days before King Gyanendra’s 1 February 2005 coup, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour summed up the situation in the following words: “A climate of impunity prevails in this country as a result of which the rule of law, the fundamental glue of any society, is being worryingly eroded.” Immediately after the royal coup, thousands of political as well as human rights leaders were detained without any warrant and show cause. After the pressure from the international community and homegrown protest in Nepal, the royal government was compelled to release many detainees.

c) Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC): Constitutional Fraud: Part 12 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal has a provision of Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority. Before the Royal coup, this Commission was actively functional. However, after the royal coup, King Gyanendra set up Royal Commission for Corruption Control (RCCC) allocating it absolute authority to arrest the suspect, investigate, trial, give verdict and penalize. Such provisions have encroached to the entire jurisdiction of the judiciary of the kingdom of Nepal. "The RCCC is by far the greatest blunder. It may appear to some that it is powerful instrument to check the political forces that have now been allowed to come out in the open.… It is also a glaring reminder to all Nepalese of how easily absolute power can be used against them." (Nepali Times 3-9 June 2005).

d) Encroachment to civil administration: When the tenure of the local governments was expired, no action was taken to activate them. Instead of seeking democratic and decentralized option, the king appointed Regional and Zonal Commissioners in all five-development regions and fourteen zones respectively to replace the local governance. All these Commissioners are pro-royalist and anti-democratic forces who exercise unlimited power. But there is no any provision of such appointment in the Constitution. Moreover, the royal government has also appointed District Monitoring Committees in order to monitor and evaluate the performances of the civil services. This has undermined the role of Public Service Commission as provisioned in the constitution. The government has recently initiated appointment of District Development Committee Presidents and members in such a time when legality of the present government is under public scrutiny.

e) Nationalistic education: Despite a number of faults the multi-party system has brought about many positive changes in the country including in the education sector, privatisation in education has been so much rampant that there has been inter-institutional link locally and globally which assist in sharing the emerging knowledge and skills. But the government has been preparing to introduce new text books in the schools with nationalist flavor basically praising the Nepalese monarchy to appreciate every activity and personality of the members of the royal family. But such nationalistic education will only make the citizens more slavish than ever before and the students will lose the materials that are akin to the globalization and uprising science and technology.

f) Rise in the Royal Expenses: The growing conflict in the country has gradually weakened civil authority and fostered the consolidation of militarization, giving opportunity to the royal institution to grab the executive power in the name of conflict resolution. Once, the king took executive power with a full confidence of military backing, the country's economy has been channeled to the royal palace. It means, there has been a monopoly of the royal institution in misusing the nation's money overtly and covertly. In 1996/97 the budget allocation for the royal palace was Rs. 64.16 million. After the king started maintaining direct rule, the royal expenses increased to Rs.619 million in 2002/2003, almost ten times. Moreover, there has been a tendency of the royal institution to divert budget from other allocations. For instance, since the parliamentary election couldn't take place, the budget allocated for the parliamentary election was diverted to purchase of luxury cars. "The palace needed Rs. 142 million to buy 'one Rolls-Royce limousine, one Jaugar and one yet unnamed luxury car for the comforts of the royal family in a country whose 9 million people do not get two meals a day. Moreover, in the fiscal year 2003/2004 Rs220 million was diverted from emergency relief funds (under the Ministry of Finance, Account No.95-3-901) allocated to provide relief to the victims of natural disasters to expend on 'marriage, gold purchase, travel, generator purchases." (Karki and Kattel2005:140-141).

g) Effect on the Media: The Nepali press media has to suffer greatly by the conflict. Between November 2001 and April 2004, more than 180 journalists have been arrested, 80 of them were mercilessly tortured and more than 8 killed.

The Royal Nepal Army Headquarters, on 2058 Mangsir 12 released a separate communiqué and ordered the press to certify all the news related to the armies from the Department of the Army News located in the Army Headquarters before release. This provision not only harassed the journalists but it also laid a foundation for the army to deliver speeches related to politics.

On 13 Mangsir 2058, a photograph of the armed Maoist insurgent was published in the Mid Week Post from the Kantipur Publication against which the government made a serious objection and confiscated all the issue of this newspaper from the newsagents in Kathmandu. Moreover, the government disappeared three journalists. Fifty-six journalists were extra judicially arrested and imprisoned for more than three months. More than sixty-two journalists had to face illegal arrest, detention and abuse. During that period the Maoists also took life of two journalists. However, the government was unable to investigate and arrest them. There was a grave violation of human rights against the journalists that were abducted by the Maoists. The journalists had to face terror, inhuman torture and unbearable treatment.

"The free media, one of the few legacies of the 1990 People's Movement that was still intact, has been deliberately and methodically torn down. The Ministry of Information and Communication sent a 'secret' and 'urgent' letter to Communication Corner which represents a cynical attempt to chock an FM radio network that was acclaimed the world over for going a voice to Nepal's voiceless." (Nepali Times, 3-9 June 2005). The government recently has made a rumour public that it was going to amend the act related to press through the ordeal where strict measures would be taken against the media. The government is putting its every effort to control all the private print and electronic media and to compel them to follow strict censorship and government's instructions. The media people have been staging street protest against such highhandedness of the government.

h) Appointment of the Human Rights Commission: Constitutional Fraud: On the expiry of the five-year tenure of the Human Rights Commission (NHRC) the government against the spirit of the Constitution and Human Rights Act, appointed the pro-royalist in the commission who are by twenty five national level human rights organizations accused of facilitating to cover up human rights violation by the security forces.

These are the few examples of King Gyanendra's deeds in Nepal and he has no respect for the democratic process and is willing to use whatever means necessary to thwart it. The monarch has shown no aptitude for coalition building or conciliation; the only arrows in his quiver seem to be intimidation and violence. He has alienated even his loyal retainers in recent days with his autocratic style. Attempting to restrain this king with a constitution is like attempting to restrain a large, vicious dog with a thread.

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Letter To Sharad Chandra Shaha


Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 12:22:23 -0700
From: "Paramendra Kumar Bhagat"
Subject: Fwd: Meeting the King in Person (To: Sharad Chandra Shah)
To: sharad@hlcit.gov.np
CC: "Ananta Risal" , "Sanjaya Parajuli" , "Anil Shahi" , "Somnath Ghimire" , "Kul Chandra Gautam" , "Mridula Koirala" , "Sarahana Shrestha"

To: Sharad Chandra Shah

Sharadji. Namaskar.

We are some of the leading voices for democracy among the NYC diaspora. There is going to be a major protest rally here on September 16.

But our goal is to make a productive contribution to the democratic cause in Nepal, something that the current governemnt also has voiced time and again. How could we both profess the same goal and still be so far apart in our methods?

I think if you could arrange for us to meet the king when he is in NYC, there would be opportunities to explore a possible meeting ground.

Speaking just for me, I think there are two choices for the country:

http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com/2005/08/proposed-democratic-republican.html

Or this:

http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com/2005/05/proposed-constitution.html

I have made some of the strongest criticism of the democratic experiment of the 1990s for its deficiencies. And for the political parties I have this:

http://demrepubnepal.blogspot.com/2005/07/janata-dal-constitution.html

I think the problem in the 1990s was too little not too much democracy.

I think dialogue might allow us all to make a departure from the past and create a new mutual future. We could all start afresh. A full fledged democracy could really unleash Nepal's economic potential. Both China and India are taking off:

http://technbiz.blogspot.com/2005/08/china-india-and-world.html

Nepal should not be left behind. This is to be the Asian Century.

So please arrange a meeting.

Thank you.

--- Paramendra Kumar Bhagat wrote:

> Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 12:02:47 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Paramendra Kumar Bhagat
> Subject: Meeting the King in Person
> To: Ananta Risal
> CC: Sanjaya Parajuli , > Anil Shahi , > Somnath Ghimire , > Kul Chandra Gautam

> > Anantaji has come up with this great idea. I think, besides the large > demonstration, we should also seek to meet the king in person. After > all, our goal is not just to make noise, our goal is to establish > democracy, and more than one method has to be used.

> > If there is someone from the king's side -- I think there are > personal > friends and family of Sharad Chandra Shah who live in NYC who could > arrange such a meet - who might take the initiative, it could work.

> > You guys have been in NYC much longer. Use your contacts. Let's set > up > a meeting.

> > --- Ananta Risal wrote:

> > > - i think a few people like you, sanjaya, kulchandra should try > after > > the display. > > - there should be both the approaches table talk and demostration > > - politically savvy people need to talk to the king - for the good > of > > the people is my opinion - just displaying cards will not help, > there > > should be some intelletual group who need to represent > > people/demostrators and talk to him personally - not with the knee > > down but with dignity and with confidence. because I have seen many > > politicians - they talk one think in front of the people and when > the > > real times comes - hide like a scary cat or wet dog > > - if I have any political interest or information I would have work > > real hard to meet him and tell him our mission and committment > > towards democracy

> > > > Paramendra Kumar Bhagat wrote:
> > -- meeting the king is a great idea
> > -- but is that an option? is it a possibility?

> > > > http://www.paramendra.com
> > http://www.swapn.biz

> > > > > http://www.paramendra.com
> http://www.swapn.biz

> http://www.paramendra.com
http://www.swapn.biz
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Gang Of Four


The king gravitated towards Tulsi Giri (Response To The Panchayati Ghost Tulsi Giri March 18), Kirti Nidhi Bishta and Sharad Chandra Shaha like a heat seeking missile moves towards a target. Like it gets said to be nice to someone, such and such is a man who needs no introduction, Sharad Chandra Shaha is a man who needs no portfolio.

When Kantipur published news stories about Tulsi Giri being a bank loan defaulter, the related papers at the said bank supposedly disappeared, and the Kantipur people started getting threatening phone calls. That's the kind of stuff Sharad Chandra Shaha used to engage in during the Panchayat era. He wrote the book on Mandale, after all.

Kirti Nidhi Bishta and Tulsi Giri both sycophants made Mahendra Raj possible. They were the planets that revolved around the sun of the monarchy in its heyday. The gravity pull is the bigger story than those that got pulled.

All of these are capable, efficient, smart people. A big mistake the democrats can make is to assume these are stupid people. They are not. Assume they are as smart as you are. They will try to counter every move you will try to make. So think a few steps ahead.

Another mistake the democrats can make is to think that maybe these people will change. No, they will not change. They are Monarchists for life. They will be apologists for lifetimes of debaucheries once they get pushed out of power. But in their own minds they will not come around to thinking like a democrat. Never. Democracy is an ideology that has always been foreign to them.

Tulsi Giri used to be a top Congressman. Supposedly BP Koirala thought very highly of him. That gives one an opportunity to heap another bit of criticism upon BP. His judgment of character was not sound. He saw Tulsi and did not recognize him.

You have to study these people like they are biological specimens, with said characteristics. There are certain ways they think, there are certain ways they act. Face that reality. Don't see them for what you wish they were, see them for what they are.

Tulsi Giri
  • International Nepal Solidarity Network » Dr. Tulsi Giri: Either ... “Democracy means freedom. Freedom to speak, vote and expression and they are possible even without the multi-party system.”
  • United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal » Blog Archive » Tulsi Giri ...
  • Tulsi Giri, Royal Cabinet Meeting and Happy Donors » ..... a medical doctor by training ..... When democracy was first demolished in 1960 he played a major role to sustain King Mahendra’s autocracy in the country. When the rulers tried to be somehow flexible during 1980’s he left the country with fierce indignation. Now he is again back to fuel an attempt to finish democracy........ His coming back to Kathmandu created a panic among the liberals. The pain was materialized when he started to speak against the constitution, political parties, people’s representatives, advocates, journalists, and every liberal corner of the country...... He flew away with state money to Sri Lanka ...... By religious practice also he is a fundamentalist who actively involved himself in forceful conversion of people from one religion to another ...... he is the one who talks a lot and gives lots of direction to the ministers in every Cabinet meeting. The King himself comments a little while most of the members just make briefings...... In the Cabinet meeting just after the news about his bank loans the King was disturbed visually and Giri too. Interestingly Giri didn’t talk that day....... I hope Giri will choose to leave the country once again.
  • United We Blog! for a Democratic Nepal » Blog Archive » Tulsi Giri ... Giri’s expression was fluent. I found his personality pleasing and entertaining. He showed no irritation to any question filed toward him. He even replied with a smile to harsh questions like “We are allowed to criticize political leaders, but why not the king?” But he never left his hard-liner stand over the issues. He answered almost all questions, even the most difficult ones, with smile in his face........... Though I still hate him for his conservative approach to the issues, I found his expression style really praiseworthy.
  • Tired Tulsi Giri Feels Plunged Into A Mess
  • Tulsi Giri in PR Campaign
  • Samudaya.org :: View topic - Is Tulsi Giri a handsome man? He carries a very anti-democratic, according to my and general definition, ideology wrapped with an attractive and to a great extent, handsome body...... “Yes, Dr Giri,” I said, staring directly at his mysterious eyes that have serious retinal problem .... the medical doctor who never practiced medicine ....... he admitted of being a shy person.
  • Nepal strikes back: India slammed : HindustanTimes.com
  • IndiaDaily - Nepal King's deputy named in bank scam Tulsi Giri, a three-time former prime minister and a trusted aide of Gyanendra's father, the late king Mahendra
  • Nepal Home Page 1975, Rijal resigns; Tulsi Giri is appointed prime minister; King Birendra ... 1977, Tulsi Giri resigns as prime minister in the wake of corruption charges
  • Chiefs of State and Cabinet Members of Foreign Governments Last ...
  • Political Leaders: Nepal Bishewar Prasad Koirala 27 May 1959 - 26 Dec 1960 (+1982)
    - King Mahendra's rule - 26 Dec 1960 - 2 Apr 1963 (+1972)
    Tulsi Giri 2 Apr 1963 - 23 Dec 1963
    Surya Bahadur Thapa 23 Dec 1963 - 26 Feb 1964
    Tulsi Giri 26 Feb 1964 - 26 Jan 1965
    Surya Bahadur Thapa 26 Jan 1965 - 7 Apr 1969
    Kirti Nidhi Bista 7 Apr 1969 - 13 Apr 1970
    - King Mahendra's rule - 13 Apr 1970 - 14 Apr 1971
    Kirti Nidhi Bista 14 Apr 1971 - 16 Jul 1973
    Nagendra Prasad Rijal 16 Jul 1973 - 1 Dec 1975
    Tulsi Giri 1 Dec 1975 - 12 Sep 1977
    Kirti Nidhi Bista 12 Sep 1977 - 30 May 1979
    Surya Bahadur Thapa 30 May 1979 - 12 Jul 1983
    Lokendra Bahadur Chand 12 Jul 1983 - 21 Mar 1986
    Nagendra Prasad Rijal 21 Mar 1986 - 15 Jun 1986
    Marich Man Singh Shrestha 15 Jun 1986 - 6 Apr 1990
    Lokendra Bahadur Chand 6 Apr 1990 - 19 Apr 1990
  • National 1 (Spotlight Weekly) Former prime minister Dr. Giri, who has been living in India for the past many years, used to visit Nepal several times in the past creating a kind of turmoil in Nepali politics. Although he was said to have come to Kathmandu two weeks ago to attend the wedding in the family of his close friend, there were rumors about his political role, which came true..... Dr. Giri who had remained out of touch following his self-imposed exile to India and Sri Lanka for more than 13 years..... Known as a hardliner of Panchayat politics, Dr. Giri - who opposed the reform in Panchayat system in 1980, is a shrewd political manipulator....... Dr. Giri, who was foreign minister in B.P’s cabinet - was appointed first vice-chairman of a cabinet chaired by late King Mahendra (in 2019 BS). Dr. Giri -who was promoted to the chairman of the council of ministers later- resigned following differences with the King....... Dr. Giri was appointed as a prime minister last time in 1976 and he again resigned after he was indicted in Carpet Scandal in 1977...... Dr. Giri has many ideological critics in erstwhile followers of Panchas as well as other political parties but even his critics hail his talent of handling politics...... Regarded as a soft-spoken politician, former prime minister Kirti Nidhi Bista is regarded as a good friend of Nepal’s northern neighbor. Although Bista resigned in 1979, he continues to remain in constant touch with Nepalese politics.
  • Don’t give them a brand name: Dr. Giri Kathmandu 15-2-2005 (Nepal ... Few would have thought that 78-year-old politician, Dr Tulsi Giri, would make a comeback in the Nepali politics in such a dramatic way....... Every time he arrived Kathmandu strictly on a "private visit" over the last few years he made headlines. And, when he arrived in the Nepali capital at the end of January this year to attend the wedding ceremony of a daughter of one of his well-wishers, he was again in the news. But no political analyst or media observer worth his/her salt could predict that this medical doctor-turned-politico was coming back in the centre-stage of Nepali politics once again within a few weeks in an astounding way........ Born in a politically active family of Giris at Bastipur in southern district of Siraha on 8 October 1926, Tulsi Giri did his MBBS from Darbhanga Medical College in the Indian state of Bihar at the young age of 23 (in 1949). Along with his family members, the young doctor was actively involved the pro-democracy movement in the fifties. His family has thrown a number of politicians in the Nepali politics, but not as charismatic as him. Rudra Prasad Giri served as a minister during the Panchayat regime while Nepali Congress ideologue Pradip Giri is now a central committee member of NC (Democratic)...... B. P. Koirala was the first Nepali politician to identify great political acumen in this young and ambitious man. He appointed him as central working committee member of his party for over six years (2008-2014 B. S.)....... A powerful orator and dynamic leader, Dr Giri was general secretary of the NC when the party contested first-ever parliamentary polls in 1959 and formed the first popularly elected government led by B. P. Koirala bagging two-third majority in the parliament....... During his 16-month-long tenure, Koirala appointed Dr Giri as a junior minister (with rural development portfolio) but later promoted him as foreign minister. Interestingly, when late King Mahendra dismissed the Koirala administration in December 1960, Dr Giri was his first choice. He was the first minister in the council of ministers chaired by King Mahendra himself. And, there was no looking back for this colorful politician...... later appointed Giri as vice chairman of the council of ministers under him. It was during this period that Giri is attributed to have formulated the philosophy of "partyless Panchayat democracy"...... Giri is said to have played an important role in the "Back to Village campaign' launched in the late seventies...... during Dr. Giri's tenure that newspapers like "Naya Sandesh" were banned by the government for criticizing the then Panchayat polity. Interestingly, the then editor of Naya Sandesh, Ramesh Nath Pandey is an influential member in the new council of ministers....... When late King Birendra announced a nationwide referendum between multi-party democracy and Panchayat system with reforms, Dr Giri campaigned vigorously in favour of the latter....... Dr Giri, however, left active politics as soon as the then Panchayat regime entered into a phase of competitive politics allowing election to the Rastriya Panchayat on the basis of adult franchise. He spent his time along with family in Sri Lanka and India.
Kirti Nidhi Bishta
 Sharad Chandra Shaha
  • High Level Commission for Information Technology Sharad Chandra Shaha. Vice Chairman. 4244820, 4244559. 223. sharad@hlcit.gov.np
  • Scoop: Nepal's Seeks US Help To Squash Maoist Rebellion Nepal needs U.S. weapons and technology to battle Maoist guerrillas, and expects Washington to continue supplying military aid despite a political takeover by Kathmandu's king, according to a top Nepalese official....... "We need helicopters, light arms, the visual-radar type of thing. These are the kind of things which make such a lot of difference. That's what we want in terms of support" from Washington, said Sharad Chandra Shaha, vice chairman of a new High Level Commission for Information Technology (HLCIT)...... "I believe that there will be cooperation...there are certain problems, but I think it will work out" between the U.S. and Nepal...... Mr. Shaha is considered a long-time "known hardliner" and supporter of a powerful monarchy in Nepal, according to an Indian diplomat who has monitored Mr. Shaha's political record....... "He is one of the top three people" politically close to King Gyanendra ...... Despite Mr. Shaha's new role in information technology, he said he was unaware that people in Nepal were creating blogs on Internet criticizing the king's regime after Kathmandu's news media was forced to kneel under heavy censorship....... Though familiar with e-mail, Mr. Shaha said he did not know what a blog was ...... "A 'blog', is it? I didn't know," he said. "The few people who are familiar with putting in these blogs might try and do something and all that, but I think we'll overcome that." ....... "They are free to do it. All you have to do is to put it in the Internet and send it, right? What is the problem?"....... "The Maoists do something, and the newspapers blow it up and make it sound as if they are such a very strong force," Mr. Shaha said, explaining the censorship...... "Real international negative publicity creates a situation in the country where the general public -- before realizing what is going to happen -- might react. Not 'might react', but might be negative."
  • Asia Times ...... an instance of the king's preference of his own relatives and members of the Shah-Rana clan when it comes to appointments to key positions maintained by taxpayers' money. Most of his close advisors are Ranas, descendants of autocratic rulers who were ousted during the pro-democracy movement of 1950-51. Sharad Chandra Shaha, one of the new advisors, has been at the center of controversy since 1990 for his anti-democratic stance. "The sooner the king weeds out these flatterers the better for the long-term interest of the institution of monarchy," said a retired royal appointee, on condition of anonymity.
  • [PDF] Olympic Review - April 1983/No. 186 Mr. Sharad Chandra Shaha, President of the NOC of Nepal. opens the football course. football pitches
  • Year Book 1999 Annex -1 so many incidents of corruption and fraud occurred during the Panchayat era. Those incidents happened in the involvement or protection of the panchas At times some incidences of scandals were exposed publicly. But the panchas the real culprits and smuggles, often protected themselves by taking action against one or two individuals. During that era, a culture was developed to allow the powerful to do anything they would like. This reality is supported by the fact that Sharad Chandra Shaha, was never brought to justice..... The Panchayat era recognised itself nationally and international as the era of fraud, corruption, commission and smuggling.
  • Nepal official denies reports of secret mission
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Monday, August 22, 2005

Between Drinking Water And Helicopters


  • Nepal Army to buy four choppers from Kazakhstan:- Webindia123, India for Nepali Rs.2 billion ($17.43 million) besides training pilots at its own aviation academy...... a whopping Nepali Rs.1.1 billion loan..... Royal Nepalese Army currently has two MI-17s, in addition to two Polish Sky Trucks, two Islanders obtained from Britain and six Indian choppers - two Lancers, two Cheetahs and two Dhruvs. It also has several fixed-wing aircraft, like the Canadian Otter and at least three French brands....... Since 2000, the RNA has been increasingly deploying choppers to combat the escalating Maoist insurgency......Helicopters are also used to support ground troops during clashes with the communist guerrillas when the fighter choppers fitted with gun ships mount an attack from the air......airlifting troops is proving to be faster and less dangerous. .... The army also began its Aviation Training Centre last month to cut down costs as well as get a higher number of pilots. ..... The first batch of pilots from the training centre comprises six trainees who are being taught to fly choppers. Since the fledgling aviation centre lacks trainer aircraft, the pilots have to make do with actual helicopters.
  • Nepali army to acquire four helicopters :- Webindia123, India In the budget presented last month, the government had cited lack of resources for not allocating funds for the purchase as requested by the defence ministry...... The loan is repayable in 10 years and according to the present army plans, the loan will be paid in ten equal instalments of $2.88 million..... Nepal's central bank, Nepal Rastra Bank, is said to be opposed to deal as the interest being charged is "high" and suggested that the army procure the loan from the Army Welfare Fund which has deposits totalling over $114.3 million..... the order for the helicopters has already been placed with the Kazak Helicopter Joint Stock Company..... The army says it needs the helicopters because of its greater security and developmental responsibilities.
  • Nepal Army to buy four choppers from Kazakhstan (LEAD) NewKerala.com, India Royal Nepalese Army currently has two MI-17s, in addition to two Polish Sky Trucks, two Islanders obtained from Britain and six Indian choppers - two Lancers, two Cheetahs and two Dhruvs. It also has several fixed-wing aircraft, like the Canadian Otter and at least three French brands.
  • Govt Buying Four Choppers With Bank Loans Kantipur ..... the first-ever loan of Rs 1.1 billion from a consortium of commercial banks to finance the procurement of four Russian MI-17 helicopters ...... negotiations between MoD and the consortium of banks led by Himalayan Bank has entered the final stages ...... the final agreement could be signed within two weeks, if existing differences - mainly on the rate of interest - is settled ...... the bank has asked 8 percent per annum interest, whereas the MoD has offered 7 percent ..... The government has been compelled to take the loan because it cannot afford to arrange such a huge amount of money to purchase the helicopters...... The brand-new helicopters would be directly bought from the manufacturer, Joint Stock Company of Kazakhstan, and the total cost of four helicopters, including insurance premium interest for 10 years and spare parts, would be around Rs 2 billion....... the consortium will finance 90 percent of the Rs 1.22 billion - that is Rs 1.1 billion (cost without insurance and parts) - for a period of 10 years. The remaining 10 percent will be financed by the defense budget earmarked annually ....... Nabil Bank, state-owned Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nepal Bank Limited and Rastriya Beema Sansthan are members of the consortium ....... MoD has agreed to repay the principal and incurred interest of the loan annually in 10 different annual installments from its annual defense budget. The ousted Sher Bahadur Deuba government, in January 2005, had decided to earmark Rs 200 million annually for a period of 10 years to purchase the helicopters, from the current fiscal year........ according to legal experts, the proposed deal violates a provision of the Loan and Guarantee Act 2025, which bars mobilizing internal borrowings for non-development purposes....... RNA spokesperson Brigadier General Dipak Gurung, said that apart from using the helicopters to mobilize troops when needed, they would also be used for civil purposes....... Commenting on the proposed deal, Kishor K Maharjan, deputy general manager of Himalayan Bank, said the proposed deal is a good opportunity for the banking system, which has been facing problems of excess liquidity in recent years.
This is a major travesty. This is what happens when you don't have a democratic, civilian control over the army. Melamchi is a waste of money, but these helicopters are a good use of a poor country's money. That is the suggestion. The army is a bulldog the king will keep happy at any cost. Monarchies and dictatorships are not designed to feel the people's pain. Their utter disregard for accountability leads them to misuse public money.

Several wrongs are being committed with this deal.

(1) The army is constantly encroaching the public political space. The army mafia is consolidating its hold, or at least trying to. They mistakenly think they are teflon frying pans, immune from demands from the people. They are sorely mistaken.

(2) The king has a major attitude problem, and he is showing it every step of the way. The same things, if allegedly done even if not proven, are wrong when those alleged are democrats. But when the king does the same thing many times over, one is to overlook the issue? The monarchy is expensive enough as is at $5 million per year in direct costs. That is not counting the expanded military budget. And now you have this $20 million bill pushed down the throat of the Nepali people.

(3) It is so obvious to me this regime only seeks a military solution to the civil war. It has no interest whatever to seek a political solution. It will succeed - not likely - or it will bankrupt the country trying. These people are not seeking to calm down the waters. They are happy to be in power. That is it.

(4) Monarchism and military rule are ideologies. They have to be understood for what they are. Members of the regime, if their pasts are any indication, would rather leave the country than feel at home within democratic setups. These people are not going to change their minds. They will have to be pushed out through a mass movement.

(5) This misallocation of money. This is beyond corruption. This is theft.

The democratic regime that will replace this autocratic one should not feel any need to honor this loan. After all, it is not being incurred by a legitimate government.

In The News
  • Move On Path Of Complete And Mature Democracy: King Kantipur ..... while giving instructions to the Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of all the four districts of Mahakali Zone at the Zonal Administration Office in Mahendranagar...... "It does not matter if a few persons make hue and cry by presenting themselves as the people's representatives" .... The King walked on foot for more than one and a half hour and accepted bouquets presented by thousands of people present to have a glimpse of the King.... The King held direct conversation with the local people and apprised himself of the grievances of the people.
  • Koirala against collective leadership Kantipur .....unlikely to accept the proposal of several second-generation leaders to hold elections for all the key posts in the party to pave the way for collective leadership..... Koirala, through his close aides, has informed the second-generation leaders including Ram Chandra Poudel that he is unwilling to accept their proposal...... The second-generation leaders held a meeting on Monday to discuss the issue after Koirala's rejection of their proposal. Some of the leaders suggested that they should collectively challenge Koirala in the upcoming general convention of the party.
  • Parties seek support to facilitate talks with Maoists Kantipur .... seven-party alliance Monday decided to seek active support from civil society to facilitate a possible dialogue between them and the Maoists...... the parties had good relations with the rebel leadership, but were not happy with the conduct of their cadres
  • Maoists rape 25 women in Saptari Kantipur A group of Maoists raped over two-dozen women of a Dalit settlement at Jagatpur-4, Saptari district at gunpoint last week..... About two-dozen Maoists, who came five days ago, raped females of ages between 22 and 35 years...... After word spread about the heinous act, the Maoist leadership of the area came to the victims and "apologized". "They prostrated themselves at the victims' feet begging forgiveness and also pledged to take action against those involved," said 65-year-old Gopali Khang, father-in-law of a victim.
  • Maoists seize rights activist Pahadi’s land Kantipur
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