Friday, August 18, 2006

Nepali Convention: Venue Options, Website, Core 200


Community Center Idea: A Few Options
Shailesh Shrestha Recognized
Nepali Community Center
Alliance, GFIPN: Audio, Video
Business Ideas
Chandra Prakash Sharma 2
Nepal Vista Site Of The Month
April Convention: Creating A Glowing Core
April Convention: Emerging Picture
Chicago Convention September 2-4
April Revolution, April Convention
SAJA Convention 2
MaHa Sanjh
FDI, NRN, Upendra Mahato, $100 Million Fund, Dual Citizenship
ANA Convention: My Hamro Nepal Speech
Tara Niraula At City Hall

Concert, Cultural Program

Ganesh Temple in New York - Hindu Temples in New York
Hotels.com > Javits Convention Centre - Hotels nearby
Hotels.com > Cheap Flushing Hotels
Janis Joplin Concert Dates - OfficialJanis.com
New York hotels, cheap hotel reservations -accommodation, lodgings
Best Western Convention Center New York Hotels, NY Cheap Hotel ...
Hotels & Motels near Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York ...
Hotels.com > Book Best Western International Hotels in Flushing
Hotels.com > Book Clarion Hotels Hotels in East Elmhurst
Pan American New York Hotel, JFK and LaGuardia Airports, Queens NY USA
La Quinta Inn - Queens (New York City), New York Hotels
La Quinta Inn Queens (New York City) in Long Island City, New York
Admissions Events: Adelphi University

Lodging

Discount New York City Hotels
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New York City.com | NYC.com: The Authentic City Site for New York ...

Sports

Flushing Ymca in Flushing, New York
YMCA of Greater New York
[PDF] Queens Fact Sheets 2005.qxp
Flushing, New York - Flushing Ymca - Hotel, Motel, Lodging
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Flushing YMCA Hostel Queens - JimsDeli NYC guide

Queens

Queens Yellow Pages and Queens NY Guide
The Queens NY Yellow Pages
The Queens NY Yellow Pages
Queens College - CUNY Campus Area Yellow Pages by SuperPages.com

Queens Colleges

colleges in queens ny - ny university | Education-Portal.com
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Queens College
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Sight Seeing In New York City

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Flickr: New York City

The motto is keep the costs down. We are looking for the cheapest places to do the events, the cultural programs, the forums, the get togethers. When we say we want to offer a quality experience, it is going to happen when people interact. Besides, we offer the city. What better stuff can you offer?

This is really early stage. We are open to suggestions and ideas from anyone and everyone.

At the Alliance picnic (Alliance, GFIPN: Audio, Video, Alliance Picnic 2, Alliance Picnic) I got to talk to Navin Thapa. This was my second time meeting him. He was surprised I remembered him. The first time I met him was when my sister Babita was newly married, new in town, and Satramji from Lahan had thrown a party for her and her husband. Navinji suggested the Ganesh Temple has a hall, capacity 1,000, and that that might be a good, cheap venue option. I like the suggestion. (Ganesh Temple in New York - Hindu Temples in New York)

I just did a quick Google search on a few different topics. And Flushing keeps coming back again and again. This is just one person's thought right now, but right now the center of gravity for the convention is in Flushing. That is what round one of Google search tells me.

Website


This is really early stage. Ujjwal Bhattarai will be doing the legwork. We have not made any major decisions yet. But the website is where most people will get their information about the convention. The website is where most people will purchase their tickets.

This is what I have in mind. The diagram above is a possible template. Each page at the site will have that standard template.

The key idea I think is to people the site. Everybody on the management team will have a page. All participating organizations may get a page each.

A list of all those who purchase tickets can bet posted. All such individuals will have the option to get their names hyperlinked to their personal website.

And we will make it possible for everyone to participate in the decision making process. The convention starts now.

Core 200

Besides Chandra Prakash and me, there will be 10 other people on the management team. I expect each such person to have to put in a maximum of 50 hours from now until April 5. Each will get paid somewhere between $1000 and $2000. That is the current estimate.

And there will be a hundred or so volunteers. We will likely have blog offices along the lines of the Think Tank. That should greatly enhance the efficiency. Perhaps a total of 10 blog offices.

There will be a Chief Guest, a Chief Host, Kul Chandra Gautam, a half dozen Special Guests, Manisha Koirala, Upendra Mahato, Udit Narayan Jha, about 10 VVIPs, people like Tara Niraula, Mridula Koirala, Karma Gyaljen Sherpa, 90 VIPs, Binod Shah, Sanjaya Parajuli, Anand Bist, Luna Ranjit.

10 Departments

What will they be? One would be for the website. Another for Media Relations. One might have to focus on the convention's relationship with the participating organizations. Another with venue details. One might work on the schedule. One for the guests, the Chief Guest, the Chief Host, the Special Guests, the 10 VVIPs, the 90 VIPs. That is six.

Maybe we just need six.

One to deal with the vendors. Another for the Cultural Program. One for the Concert.

That is nine.

All these are tentative, designed to spark discussions.

New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles

I believe there should be an annual Nepali convention in each of these five major cities at different times of the year except in winter. And entire conventions should be video blogged so Nepalis all over the world can participate.


Countdown To The April Convention 1
Countdown To The April Convention 2



Thursday, August 17, 2006

Contents 2006

Contents 2005
Audio Video Archive

Andolan Again
Congress Unification: Not Possible, Unnecessary
Indigenous Nationalities Peace Commission Nepal: Interim Constitution
Interim Army: You Can Walk And Chew Gum At The Same Time
In Solidarity With The Kamaiya Movement
The Concept Of National Capital And The Maoists
Direct Elections, One Seat For Every 100,000 People, Reservations, Primaries
Federalism: Competing Maps
Sting Operations
SAJA Convention 2
SAJA Convention
Brikhesh Chandra Lal: Representation In Constituent Assembly
MaHa Sanjh
FDI, NRN, Upendra Mahato, $100 Million Fund, Dual Citizenship
Time For Competition Will Come
Moriarty Was Wrong On The 12 Point Agreement
Political Decisions, House Dissolution, Maoist Transformation
RPP For Federalism Ahead of UML, NC And NC(D)
C.K. Lal: NRIs In Nepal
Gang Of Four And Mao And Girija And Pyar Jung
New Triangle: Maoists, Seven Parties, Civil Society
ANA Convention: Reflections
ANA Convention: My Hamro Nepal Speech
ANA Convention: Audio
ANA Convention 2006: Photos
ANA Convention Photos 15
ANA Convention Photos 14
ANA Convention Photos 13
ANA Convention Photos 12
ANA Convention Photos 11
ANA Convention Photos 10
ANA Convention Photos 9
ANA Convention Photos 8
ANA Convention Photos 7
ANA Convention Photos 6
ANA Convention Photos 5
ANA Convention Photos 4
ANA Convention Photos 3
ANA Convention Photos 2
ANA Convention Photos 1
My Federalism Is Economic, Scientific, Not Ethnic
Brian Cobb: Perpetual Andolan
Tara Niraula At City Hall
Interim Constitution Draft
Tara Niraula Recognized By NYC Government
Two Armies: What To Do
Rubbing The Maoist Nose In The Dust Is Not Smart
Countdown To The ANA Convention
Okay For Maoists To Join Government Before Arms Management
Reform The Nepali Organizations In America
Not So Fast, Indian Communists
Janajati Angst
Why It Is Important To Me The Congress Takes Up A Federal Republic
Nationally Televised Roundtable Conference
International Sanctions On Nepal Army Have To Continue
Madhesis, Social Justice, And The DaMaJaMa Equation In Nepal
Jason Fults
Why Were The Women Beat Up?
Rameshwor Shah: Inclusive Constituent Assembly
June 17 Madhesi Gathering In New York City
Madhesi Gathering Photos 2
Madhesi Gathering Photos
Nepali Mandir Board Meeting
Happy, Fast Pace
Mugabe Chor, Desh Chhor
The King Should Abdicate
Involve The UN In The Peace Process
Girija Koirala: Not In Tune With The April Revolution
MaMaMaMa
Frustration, Chemical Imbalance, Mental Imbalance
Dr. Hari Bansh Jha: Bonds Beyond Borders
Bodyguards For Prachanda And Baburam
Exporting Revolution
UML Inching Towards Federalism
Bahun, Chhetri, Sunni
Abolish The Monarchy, Abolish The Army
Jay Prakash Gupta
June 7 Madhesi Rally In Janakpur
Monarchy, Army, Federalism
MaDaMaJa
Aitabare Mela 2
Aitabare Mela
Dr. Binay Shah
Dr. Tara Niraula
40 Seats For Maoists, 25 For Others
Right To Property, Right To Free Speech
Nepal Janajati Statement From NYC
Nepal As A Cutting Edge Democracy
Bidya Bhandari: Power Woman
Who Will Hold The Constituent Assembly Elections
Somnath Ghimire: Why Republic
Somnath Ghimire, Family, Friends
Hamro Nepal Has Three Goals
Adivasi Janajati Talk At Harvard: Photos
Hindus, Chill
Dinesh Tripathi Appearance in Baltimore
Hamro Nepal Will Not Be Registered
What's Wrong With The ANA Convention
Democracy Diwali At The Nepali Mandir
Surya Bahadur Thapa
Janajati Sammelan At The New School
Constituent Assembly Elections Before Dashain
Dixit, Lawoti, Tamrat At Asia Society
A New Nepal Has Been Born
Prosecutors, Do Your Homework
Shobhakar Budhathoki: Transitioning The “Royal” Nepal Army
NYC Events
Public Trial
Somnath Ghimire: Open Letter To Deuba
Dr. Brian Cobb: Speech At Gongabu
Dr. Ram Krishna Shah
Pyar Jung's Toys
Revolution Has Moved From Sadak To Sansad, It Has Not Stopped
Hamro Nepal: Free Membership
UN Mediation Is Key
Land Reform, Truth And Reconciliation
Cat Outa Bag: Girija Koirala For Ceremonial Monarchy
Prachanda's Transitional Republic
Dissolve Parliament Only Two Months Before Constituent Assembly Elections
One Central Committee Member For Every Million Nepali
Top Dangi
मधेशीसँग संख्या छ, शिक्त छैन
Youth Council Victory Party
Hamro Nepal: Membership Drive
A Sad Article By Laba Karki
Prakash Bom For Strong Districts
We Took Care Of The King, Pyar Jung Is Small Fry
First Sunday Every Month, Aitabare Mela, Block Party Later
Where Is Kamal Thapa?
Internalized Racism Among Nepalis In NYC
The April Revolution Asks For A New Political Party
No Short Cuts: Madhesis Will Have To March
An Open Letter To Gagan Thapa
Zimbabwe: The Constitution Is Faulty
Adhikaar 2
Adhikaar
Dismantle The Two Armies
To: The Kathmandu Media
Chitralekha Yadav: Speaker
Zimpundit: Zimbabwe
Undercurrents Of A Counter-Revolution
Maoist Posturing
Madhav Nepal
डा. कटक मल्ल: सुन्दर, शान्त र शिष्ट नेपालको निर्माणका लागि
The Revolution Is Very Much On
Victory
Reciprocate The Maoist Ceasefire Immediately
Army Under Parliament, Now
Mero Sansar Video Clips 7
Declare Constituent Assembly On First Day Of Parliament
Maoist Reaction To Democratic Victory: Not Right
Madhesi Rights: Total Equality
ितमीले देखाइ िदयौ
18 Days Of April Revolution: Victory
Kiran Nepal
Cobb To Leahy
Protests
Kiran Nepal, Dinesh Wagle
Brian Cobb: Savagery On The Roof Of The World
Nepal Has Hit The World Headlines
Home Minister: Bamdev Gautam
King Of India
My Most Controversial Blog Post To Date: On Madhesi Issue
Protests
King's Address: Old Wine, Old Bottle
Dinesh Wagle, Kiran Nepal In Town
House Revival Through Supreme Court Decision
कर्फ्यु तोड्न आह्वान गर्नेले
Could Girija Be President?
Sanjaya Parajuli In Brooklyn
Checkmate
Protests
Madhav Nepal Out In Open
Solidarity Rally DC
Smugglers, Sadists, Sycophants Have Infiltrated This Regime
Why The International Community Needs To Get Behind This Revolution
April 20: March Onto The Palace, End The Monarchy
Constituent Assembly: Still The Meeting Point
जाउलो खाएर क्रान्ित गर
Chand, Marich Man, Pashupati, Thapa, All Panches
Protests
The Art Of War, Bruce Lee
Mero Sansar Video Clips 6
End Of Ceausescu
30 Minutes With Amrit Bohra
Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, Irrelevant
जनआन्दोलनको कार्यक्रम
Monarchy's End: A Few Scenarios
Video Blogging
Aire Gaire Natthu Khaire Pahadis
क्रान्ितलाई नबुझ्नु, बुझ पचाउनु
Protests
Henry Shepherd: Open Source
Baburam Bhattarai: Lokatantric Ganatantra Ko Prasab Bedana
Gongabu Massacre
Get The Police On Our Side
Brian Cobb, Brave Man
Hamro Nepal, Latest
Interim President: Madhav Nepal
UN Rally
First ANTA NYC Event, Times Square Marriott
No Room For Monarchy In The 21st Century: King
Protests
Zero Tolerance Policy Towards Monarchy
Nepali Congress Or Praja Parishad
Protests
Friday Rally
INSEC Report
Malaria, Polio, Monarchy
Hamro Nepal: Draft Constitution
Alliance Is Mad At You
Mike Veer: Has Nepal's Orange Revolution Begun?
The King Set To Declare Date For Elections
Protests
Nepali Mandir
ये तो क्रान्ित है
Mero Sansar Video Clips 5
Happy New Year 2063
Interim Constitution, Revolutionary Parliament
Shoot At Sight Order: Dead End For The King
Protests
Constituent Assembly: 300 Seats Of Roughly Equal Population
Crime, Organized Crime, Terrorism, State Terrorism
The Police, The Army Need To Stop Following Illegitimate Orders
April 8: New Year
BBC Calls
NYC Rally Photos: Arnico Panday
April 9
April Revolution: Document Every Atrocity
Protests
The Fascists In Kathmandu
Final Act: Disobey The Curfew
Himal Survey
April 6,7,8,9, April 16,17,18,19, April 26,27,28,29
Even If The Worst Fears About The Maoists Are True
Write To Bush, Condi Before Possible Clampdown
Leahy Amendment Says No Arms To Nepal
यो सडक ितम्र्ो हो
Kamal Thapa Is A Nazi
Why The Maoists Should Cease Violence
Hamro Nepal All Set To Be Launched
Loktantra, Issue 5
Protests
Deuba Off To DC
Kamal Thapa Going Jail, Kamal Thapa Chukkie Pissing
Deuba In Jackson Heights
Deuba At Hotel Pennsylvania
Hridayesh Tripathy Released
Dinesh Tripathi, Your Worst Nightmare
Deuba At Columbia
Plan B
Way To Go
Deuba, Abused
This Movement Is About The Nepali People, Not Foreign Powers
Fundraising Mechanism
No Time Pressure, Only Principle
Democracy Spreading Mechanism
Sushil Pyakurel
Needed: Dynamic Agreement, Concrete Eight Party Alliance
Pin Plan
Sushil Pyakurel In Brussels
Pumping Money Into The Movement
Surya Subedi, Not A Democrat
Sari Sansar At The UN
Chiran Thapa: Snafu
March 22 Event, Deuba In New York
Revise The 12 Point Agreement In Delhi
Undeclared Ceasefire, Decisive Movement
March 8 Event At The UN
The King's Clowns And The Baathists Of Iraq
Dinesh Tripathi Raising Dust
Moriarty In The Soup
Kanak Mani Dixit, Rhoderick Chalmers
Up The Ante: Smart Sanctions
Baburam Moriarty Debate
Mero Sansar Video Clips 4
Protests
India, Europe, US For A Constituent Assembly
Congress Not Yet For A Republic
Video Clips
March 2 Event In New York City
हृदयेश त्रिपाठी: मधेसी समस्या र राज्यको पुनर्संरचना
Govind Shah: Social Inclusion Of Madheshi Community In Nation Building
5 Point Agreement
February 20 Event In Baltimore
The King Is Nowhere Close To Seeing The Light
Moriarty Deserves Your Ears
The Demosphere Manifesto
OHCHR Report
Organization: Hamro Nepal
Narayan Singh Pun, I Want Your Number
संघीय गणतन्त्र
Activism And Entrepreneurship
Your Many Identities
Bravo Supreme Court
Blogalaxy For Global Democracy
The Maoists Are The Reason The King Should Handover Power To The Democrats
March 22 Event At Columbia
Mary Joyce
Lenin, Mao
Money, Message, Organization
"Robin Hood Im Internet"
We Want To Stop Bloodshed: Prachanda
Mero Sansar Video Clips 3
Lohani Baburam Debate
Possible Framework For A Negotiated Resolution
Nepal: One Year Of Royal Anarchy
German Journalist Lena Brochhagen Inquires
Leahy, Lion
A Democratic Roadmap That Does Not Rely On The King
Country On Verge Of Bankruptcy
My Address To The King
February 1 New York Rally Photos
Conspiring Against Democracy Is Treason And Can Be Legally Punished
ICG: Electing Chaos
February 1, 2006 Royal Proclamation
Non-Violence All The Way
कांग्रेसले रोज्नुपर्ने बाटो
Protests
One King Is Six Blind Men
Khim Lal Bhattarai Arrested
RNA To Deliver Mail
Loktantra Issue 1
Loktantra Issue 2
Loktantra Issue 3
Loktantra Issue 4
अहिंसाका प्रश्न
From The Past Issues Of Janadesh, Maoist Mouthpiece
France Or South Africa
Not Journalism But Politics At The Speed Of Thought
Blogger Receives Death Threat, Bloggers Form Union
Bloody Hell
Events To Mark 2/1
The Nepalgunj Attack: Military Stalemate Continues
Subedi Surya, Not Surya Subedi
How The Blogosphere Can Help The Democracy Movement In Nepal
The King Is Not Even Pretending
डा बाबुराम भट्टराईलाई शान्तिको सन्देश
डा बाबुराम भट्टराई: आन्दोलनको उत्कर्ष र त्रस्त सत्ता
Those In Nepal Should Take The Lead On Logistical Help From Diaspora
मधेशी अधिकारको कुरामा पहाडीहरुको सहभागीता
Hridayesh Tripathi Arrested
प्रवासी नेपाली: "नैतिक समर्थन कायम राख्दै भौतिक समर्थन थप्ने।"
NSU US Canada Chapter Press Statement
Protests
Video Clips For Sale 2
Video Clips For Sale 1
Umesh Shrestha: Pioneer
Republic Of Nepal Flag
Where Are The Second Generation Leaders?
भूपि शेरचन, गोपालप्रसाद रिमाल, प्रवर जिसी
Repressive Measures Intensify In Nepal Against Democratic Movement
Mero Sansar Video Clips 2
Protests
Curfew? What Curfew? Royal Tamasha
Our Options
मधेशी पहचान
Curfews Will Not Save The Crown
देशव्यापी पम्फलेटिङ
India, EU, US, Japan, UN Should Be Thinking Economic Sactions
Verdict: Loss Of Crown, Property And Liberty For Gyanendra Shaha
Prakash Chandra Lohani Is Off The Mark
Bamdev Gautam: January 20 On Schedule
प्रहार गरिहालौं
Dipta Shaha Is For February 8 Polls, I Am Against
Symposium At Columbia
Freedom Of Assembly Under Attack In Nepal
Baburam Bhattarai May Not Preach Violence To The Seven Party Alliance
Tea, Coffee Or Soda?
अइ आन्दोलनमें मधेशी अधिकारके बात
लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नै किन?
Dinesh Prasain, Republican
Dinesh Tripathi, "Arthur Kinoy Of Nepal"
Loktantric Ganatantra Nai Kina?
Girija's House Revival Stand: The Real Reason
RPP Split Shows Monarchy Will End
Janakpur Rally, Biggest In Nepal Since 1990
What We Are Up Against
Protests
The Blame Game
My Proposal To The Saturday Symposium At Columbia
Anand Bist, Troublemaker
Why Did The Chicken Cross The Road?
NAC Talk
Dinesh Tripathi In New York
Nepal Needs To Be Hitting The World Headlines: Write To The Media
Advisors, Doers, Donors, Supporters, Cheerleaders, Spectators, Whiners
चुनाव बहिष्कार बाहेक विकल्प छैन: सात दल
Satchit Is Still More B.S.
Protests
Dinesh Tripathi: In Person
PCP: Pahadi Chauvinist Pig
Forget Constituent Assembly, Head Straight For A Republic
King Gyanendra, Lead, Follow, Or Get Out Of The Way
A Militarist King And A Wasted Ceasefire
Flickr Tag: NepalDemocracy
Nice And Easy: President Nepal
Proposed Republican Constitution

Protests Protests Protests Protests Protests Protests
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(Photo sources: NepalNews, Kantipur, United We Blog, Samudaya etc.)

Shobhakar Budhathoki: Imperatives Of Effective DDR



The peace process seems to have remained at a stalemate even after the sending of a joint letter to the United Nations on August 9, 2006 by the government and the Maoists, requesting the monitoring of the ceasefire, seeking assistance for the "management of arms and armed personnel of both sides," and for observing the constituent assembly election.

The letter does not, however, elaborate on the modalities of these issues, particularly the procedures and appropriate timing of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) or the process of reforming the Nepal Army (NA). These contentious issues have again been sidestepped. We know that the peace process could once again be in jeopardy as it was when the issues of arms management and the timing of DDR arose after the government sent a letter to the UN seeking assistance for decommissioning the PLA, without informing or prior consultation with the Maoists.

Theoretically and practically, "arms management" is an integral part of DDR, which must be conducted in good faith and with a cooperative approach as part of any peaceful resolution to the conflict, rather than used as a way to provoke another party to the conflict.

Although arms management as part of a broader DDR strategy is essential for a peace agreement, a peace process dominated by arms management alone destabilizes the efforts to end the 10-year-old-conflict. Although all peace agreements or settlements incorporate DDR in one form or another, there are additional political and outside factors that can contribute to or obstruct its success.

Disarmament expert, Joana Spear, outlines in a book entitled, Ending Civil Wars: The Implementation of Peace Agreements, five main factors that determine the success of DDR. They include the feasibility of the agreement and its aims; the implementation environment; the capability and resources of international implementers; the attitude of warring parties; and effective verification. Several of these are not yet present for a successful DDR process in Nepal.

First, as previously mentioned, issues of DDR have been used as tools by the parties to the conflict to provoke the other, indicating a reserved attitude towards taking genuine and significant steps towards DDR.

Second, many members of the international community have tried to force decisions regarding disarmament. The United States, the European Union, Japan and India have all insisted upon disarmament of the PLA prior to the Maoists joining an interim government. The strategy for DDR and the peace agreement must be "owned" by Nepalis, rather than, as is so often the case, developed by outside actors.

There are examples from Afghanistan with its new, but western, constitution to Mozambique where disputes erupted during DDR because the UN Angola Verification Mission (1993-1995) used the term "disengagement." While it is wise to consider the advice of friends, ultimately the strategy for DDR must be "homegrown." Forcing decisions and setting timelines and criteria is not the responsibility of the international community, but rather of the Nepalis themselves. Such strong-arming only weakens the peace process and efforts for political transition, thereby strengthening autocratic forces in Nepal.

Third, there have not been sufficient confidence-building measures taken to instill trust between the two parties to begin DDR. Although the parties can hold dialogues and begin to strategize, immediate implementation of DDR, particularly the disarmament of the PLA, is not feasible. Considering the still very questionable loyalty of the NA, the rash and rather unilateral statements of some political leaders, and that steps to ensure political space for the Maoists are still heavily debated, disarmament of one side would create an imbalance of power and a sense of insecurity among former combatants, which would surely disrupt the wider peace process.

The process for DDR should be clearly laid out in terms of timing, stages, sequencing, etc… in order to make guarantees to both parties. Trust must be built slowly between the two, through statements, with concessions, and by following through on previous understandings and agreements.

Fourth, DDR and reforms to the security sector must be conducted concurrently with development programs, otherwise reintegration is not feasible. If the future of ex-combatants (both PLA and NA) is uncertain either could revert back to violence, extortion, or other crimes. Development strategies (economic, educational, health care, and political) play an important role in halting the emergence of new armed-groups and discouraging vigilantism, both of which if unaddressed could create insecurity that will quickly destabilize the state and the peace agreement.

During the peace process in El Salvador (1991-1995) not having a shared strategy regarding land ownership caused a significant setback. In Uganda, those who were injured and disabled from fighting in the civil war later disrupted the political transition due to their sacrifices being ignored. Job opportunities, acknowledgement of past service, and land are just some of the issues that can create stumbling blocks to effective DDR if development is not included in the operational strategies of the agreement and in the national strategy.

Fifth, the two parties have not fully developed the aims, or end goals, for reforming the security sector and completing DDR. Until they develop objectives, there cannot be a comprehensive strategy developed. These objectives must be developed in consultation with civil society, political entities, and the public-at-large. If the objectives do not meet the needs of the Nepali people, no amount of reform will result in a sustainable peace. This leads to the final point; there will not be a conducive environment for effective DDR if the peace process is not made more transparent. Thus far, the proceedings have been relatively concealed from the public. The process, to be accepted by the people, should be more transparent, and the agreement, including points on DDR and security sector reform, should address the needs and concerns of the people.

The current "private" method of the peace process provides opportunities for both the sides to take non-binding positions, and an agreement will be less likely to address some of the security and justice needs of the victims of the conflict.

End goals, development, needs of the public, transparency, security for free and fair participation in the constituent assembly election, confidence-building measures, the role and responsibilities of national and international verifiers, and simultaneous DDR and security sector reforms should be discussed and laid out in detail.

As preparations for the monitoring and management of arms continue, the concerns raised in this article must be considered and dealt with in an environment of cooperation. If these issues remain unaddressed, or decided upon without public input, full implementation of DDR and reforming the NA and other state security structures will not be feasible.

(The writer, human rights defender and conflict resolution practitioner, holds a Masters Degree in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego, USA)

My Work In The Ideas Department Is Complete
Gurung Not Katawal For Army Chief
Who Will Tie The Bell Round The Cat's Neck
Language Policy
Alliance, GFIPN: Audio, Video
The Next Revolution Will Be At The Ballot Box
Political Synthesis Nepali Style
Janakpur Gherao
Mainstream Jay Krishna Goit Also
Arms Management: Break It Down Into Smaller Pieces

Community Center Idea: A Few Options


Nepali Community Center

I have not been the one to take the lead on this idea. There was a group of some 50 Nepalis in the city who first talked about it. But the idea never took off. Then this past year Chandra Prakash Sharma has been taking the lead.

I am supportive of the idea at the concept level, but I think we have to do some serious reality check, and we have to do a cost benefit analysis.

We Nepalis have a tendency to think in terms of a physical strucutre. So a community center takes the form of a house, a building. If that were to materialize, you are talking Queens, not Long Island.

Nepalis in the Baltimore-DC area did erect a Pashupati temple somewhere there, but the place is far from the city. I guess costs were a factor. And I gather the place stays mostly deserted. Hundreds of thousands of dollars went into it. Was that the best use of the money?

To build a physical community center in Queens, you are talking a million dollars. That is a lot of money. Can that money be raised? From where? How long will it take? How will you sell the idea? What's the idea?

Right now we have a hard enough time raising $900 a month. And not even the Indian community has in the city what we envision. The Indian community is much larger, much richer.

And say you do erect the building. Then what? Maintenance costs are involved. There will be no income. More money will have to be raised on a monthly basis to run the place. You are looking at hiring people to run the place.

And even if you manage to do all that, an average Nepali in the city works seven days a week, odd hours, long hours, at low paying jobs. That average Nepali will hardly ever visit the place. And so the whole thing might end up a white elephant project.

So I think we have to think in terms of an alternate vision.

Events, Organizations, Websites

April Convention: Creating A Glowing Core
April Convention: Emerging Picture
April Revolution, April Convention

That is why I am so excited about the idea of an annual convention in Queens. This is a private sector effort for a reason. Chandra Prakash and I hope to do it better and cheaper than the so-called non-profit efforts that have been the rage so far in the diaspora. And we hope to do it in a way such that the participating organizations wield a lot of decision making power.

I think we need to organize many more events in the city. There are so many open slots.

There has to be this annual convention every April. There can be a few major events in summer. The Alliance Picnic is a great one. It's in a park. It is potluck. It is free. We have to think in terms of a few block parties. All major festivals have to be celebrated. There have to be many more political and social discussion events. And there have to be many more house parties. There already are. But they tend to be mostly private. If we can do a better job of sharing information, we can make them a little more public.

I am really big on the house party idea. I feel like the house party has to be the core, the basic building block of the idea of a "community center." And people should blog those house parties. Share pictures.

Each organization does it in its own way. But my emphasis is to keep the costs down as much as possible. And to widen the circle of participation.

Less than 2% of the Nepalis in the city are members of this or that organization. That is a serious handicap. That number has to be moved to at least 33. If at least one out of three Nepalis in the city will become members of one or the other organization, we might have covered the entire base.

To that end, existing organizations should expand, and new organizations have to be launched. And there should be a few umbrella organizations.

I am big on the idea of keeping it simple. Hamro Nepal offers free membership for a reason.

There is a major blind spot. No Nepali organization in America has thought in terms of political empowerment of Nepalis right here in America, none has thought in terms of voting rights. Unless that is rectified, Nepalis in general do not feel compelled to join the organizations. They sound too abstract. Talk about the here and now.

And the organizations have tended to be elitist. The white collar, blue collar divide has to be narrowed. This is one place the ethnic organizations can play a major role. You emphasize the cultural bonds.

There is face time, phone time, and screen time. Not every Nepali in the city is online, but most are. Almost all are. Almost everyone has a cellphone. I don't know anyone who does not. And everybody meets in small groups. Most people party once a week, or once every few weeks.

I am a big proponent of using the web to disseminate information. Perhaps at the core of the community center concept should be a megawebsite, and not a physical building. There should be this one place online where all organizations list their events.

Even if the physical building were to materialize long term, the short term stuff has to do with events, organizations and websites. So the talk is not either or.

Do events, blog events. Text, audio, video. It is so easy to do. You can get the basic equipment for less than $100 on eBay. That way you act local, but your impact is global.

Countdown To The April Convention 1
Countdown To The April Convention 2





On The Web

Grass Roots Organizing
Politics and Technology: grassroots organizing
Citizen Works - Tools for Organizing
perfect.co.uk / CivicSpace's 'grass-roots organizing tool kit'
Bell Launches Grassroots Organizing Website | Chris Bell for Texas ...
Advocacy & Organizing Tools | Center for International Media Action
Grassroots Organzing Tips
[PDF] Grassroots Organizing ¬ Building a Green Party Local
Advocacy & Organizing Tools | Center for International Media Action
State Legislative Resources - Advocacy Tools
Organizing Director with NC Conservation Network :: surgenetwork ...
Film as an Organizing Tool
Community Tool Box - Tools
ALRA Grassroots Organizing
Academic Affairs Vice President - Grass Roots Organizing Weekend
The Dean campaign and grassroots organizing
DDN Articles - Re-Wiring the Future of Community Organizing
Grass Roots Organizing - What does GRO stand for? Acronyms and ...
Wisconsin Grassroots Democrats: Democracy for America Organizing Tool

महिला सबैका उपनिवेश

निभा शाह

राज्यव्यवस्थामा स्त्री वा कुनै पनि विद्रोही पक्षलाई बोल्न, तर्क राख्न र प्रश्न उठाउन नदिनु ठूलो हिंसा हो । यस्तो हिंसामा वास्तविक हिंसा जरुरत पर्दैन । सामाजिक वहिष्कार, डर, त्रास र धम्की पर्याप्त हुन्छ । प्राचीनकालदेखि प्रत्यक्ष-अप्रत्यक्ष यातनाको आडमा समाजभित्र मुख्य तीन किसिमको उत्पीडन भइरहेको पाइन्छ । बदलिँदो परिस्थितिअनुसार नयाँ-नयाँ जामा पहिरिएर आउने वर्गीय, जातीय र लिंगीय उत्पीडनको एकमात्र सिकार आधा आकाश हो ।

मध्यकालीन युरोपमा राजा र इसाई पुरोहितहरूको बोलवाला थियो । तत्कालीन अन्यायपूर्ण सामाजिक नियम र राज्य विधानविरुद्ध यदि जनतप्काबाट आवाज उठेमा त्यसको सजाय मृत्युदण्ड हुन्थ्यो । बेला-बेला भइरहने मृत्युदण्डका आयोजक र दर्शक राजा, पुरोहित, शाही खानदान र राजदूत हुन्थे । यिनका अगाडि लाखौं-लाख कथित काफिर आरोपित स्त्री-पुरुषका झुन्डलाई सार्वजनिक अग्नी कुण्डमा जिउँदै जलाएर मारिन्थ्यो । 'काफिर' नामकरण गरिएका पीडितले आयोजकलाई 'हामीलाई किन जलाउने ?' भनी प्रश्न गरेमा उत्तर पाउँथे- 'चुपलाग तिमीहरू पनि मान्छे हौ र ?' मान्छेको अस्तित्वमा स्वीकार्य नभए यी 'काफिर' गरिब वर्गका हुन्थे । गरिब तप्कालाई दिइने यस्तो सजायलाई द्वन्द्वात्मक भाषामा वर्गीय उत्पीडन भनिन्छ ।

नेपालमा केही वर्ष अघिसम्म पनि कैलाली, कञ्चनपुर, बर्दियाका थारू महिला सामूहिक बलात्कारको सिकार भइरहन्थे । कथित मालिक गिरोहद्वारा बलात्कृत यी महिलाले न्याय पाउँदैनथे । जमिन्दारीप्रथाको आडमा 'पीडित आवाज' दबाइन्थ्यो । आफैं झाँक्री आफैं बोक्सी बनेको मालिक इजलासले पीडित पक्षलाई भन्थ्यो- 'तिमीहरू मान्छे हौ र बलात्कृत भयौ ?' खासगरी पश्चिम तराईका थारू महिलाले भोग्ने यस्ता विविध खाले उत्पीडन जातीय उत्पीडन हो । अहिले पनि भिन्न रूपमा थारू महिला बलात्कृत भइरहन्छन् । कमलरीको जिन्दगी तीन बित्ताबाट चार बित्तामा सरेको छैन । उही ढाँकको तीन पातमा अल्झिएको छ ।

चार-पाँच वर्ष अघिसम्म पनि जाजरकोट जिल्लामा कुनै-कुनै गाउँ यस्ता थिए, जहाँ महिलालाई दूध खान दिइँदैनथ्यो । गाईवस्तु चराउन, घाँस काट्न, पस्सो फाल्न मिल्ने । तर दूध खान नमिल्ने ! अनौठो सामन्ती 'देव प्रथा' कायम थियो । जब जनअभियानका कार्यकर्ता त्यहाँ पुगे, तिनले त्यहाँका मुखियालाई सोधे- तपाईंहरू महिलालाई दूध खान किनदिनु हुन्न ? जवाफ थियो- 'महिलाले गोरस -दूध) खाए देवता बिगडन्छ ।' फेरि प्रश्न- किन बिगि्रन्छ ? फेरि जवाफ, 'महिला माइस -मान्छे) हुन् र ?' प्रश्न उत्तरको सिलसिलामा जनअभियानका कार्यकर्ता र मुखियाबीच एउटा समझदारी कायम भयो- 'अबदेखि पुरुषले पनि गाईवस्तु चाहिँ चराउने, दूध भने नखाने ।' यो समझदारी एक सातामै टुट्यो । पुरुषहरूको दबाबमा मुखियाहरूले यो समझदारीलाई यसरी तोडे- 'अबदेखि देवतालाई हामी मनाउँछौं, तर महिला-पुरुष दुवैले 'गोरस' खाने ।'

महिला भएका नाताले मात्र खेप्नुपर्ने यस्ता खाले उत्पीडनलाई लिंगीय उत्पीडन भन्नुपर्छ । यस्ता लिंगीय उत्पीडन दूध प्रथा तोडेरमात्र खारेज हँुदैनन् । अहिले पनि जाजरकोटी महिला 'छाउपडी', 'सुत्केरी', छोरा पाउनुपर्नेजस्ता विविध खाले पुरुषवादी प्रथाबाट पीडित छन् ।

मध्ययुगका शासक वर्गले रैती स्त्री-पुरुष दुवैलाई मान्छे स्वीकार गर्दैन्थ्यो । तर पुरुष आफ्नै सजातीय वर्गको हुनाले कम यातना दिन्थ्यो । उदाहरणका लागि सन् १५६८ मा स्पेनका शासकले नेदरल्यान्डका कथित काफिर जनतालाई मृत्युदण्डको सजाए सुनाए । इतिहासमा बेमिसाल यस उर्दी सजाएमा तीस लाख मान्छे एकै फरमानमा मारिए । कुख्यात त्यस मानवबधमा पुरुषभन्दा महिला संख्या कैयौं गुणा बढी थियो । मात्र महिला हुनुको सजाए बढी यातना झेल्ने आधा आकाश सबैको कोल र घान हुन् । त्यसैले हालसम्म सारपक्षमा उत्पीडक, उत्पीडीत सबै पुरुष वर्गका उपनिवेश हुन् महिला ।

भनिन्छ बाघको अनुहार बिरालोमा देखिन्छ । थारू र जाजरकोटी महिलाको जीवन गाथाले आम-नेपाली महिलाको दसा देखाइरहेछ । यस्ता स्त्री—दसालाई चिर्नै पर्छ । यसका लागि 'महिला विशेषाधिकार ' विषयमा जोड दिन जरुरी छ । एउटा विषयले अर्को विषयलाई असर पारिरहेको हुन्छ । यसै सन्दर्भमा नजिकिँदै गइरहेको 'तीज पर्व' एकोहोरो रूपमा किन मनाउने ? स्त्री-पुरुष दुवैले चुरा पोते किन नलगाउने ? लै बरीको भाकामा अबदेखि तीजपर्व संयुक्तरूपमा मनाउन थालौं । समानुपातिक मुद्दा धर्म संस्कृतिमा पनि जोडिनुपर्छ ।

त्यसै गरी 'घुम्टो प्रथा' 'बुर्का प्रथा' पुरुषतिर तेर्साइदिँदा कसो होला ? समाज विज्ञानअनुसार यस्ता 'प्रथा' पुरुषतिर तेर्साइदिँदा खारेज भएर जान्छ । महिला आकाशमा यस्ता थुप्रै प्रश्न उठ्ने गरेका छन् । सामाजिक, आर्थिक, धार्मिक कुनै पनि क्षेत्रमा स्त्री-पुरुषका लागि भिन्दा-भिन्दै मापदण्डको आचारसंहिता बनाउनु सामाजिक न्याय कदापि हुन सक्दैन ।

Shailesh Shrestha Recognized










Dear friends

Finally I got an authentic press release from the organizer, that is what I was waiting for. On Aug. 6th, 2006, I was honred/awarded by"Jewel of the Community Award" for my one decade long contribution in this community to promote Nepali culture through the performing arts, advocacy of human rights, social justice and political actvism to establish full fledged democracy(Ganatantra) in Neapl through the peaceful means.

I am sending you two different attachments: press release and photographs of the ceremony. The honor/award was presented by Human rights group of India and south asian community independent voice(bimonthly).

I would like to share this honor with the Nepali community, community leaders and activists with whom I was always together for our common goal and mission.

Regards
Shailesh Shrestha
Actor & activist
New York
USA

Tara Niraula At City Hall
Tara Niraula Recognized By NYC Government