2. The Congratulations !
Newarland
for the released of
The Newarland monthly.
NEPALBHASA MANKA KHALA
Monthly Kathmandu, Nepal
Year 1 Issue 1 vol 1 | September 2011 | Nepal Sambat 1131 | Bhadra 2068 Rs. 10.00
Adulterated Kathmandu
Publisher's Note
By Newarland correspondant
Happy Mohani
Hundreds of sweet shops of
Kathmandu sensed a tough jostle
It was saddening that the
of earthquake this month, when Newars, the indigenous people of
government officials cracked one the Kathmandu Valley, still did not
after another of the city's known shops have a mouthpiece to speak out
and discovered that they were in fact their feelings in inter-communicable
selling filthy mixture of inedible and
adulterated items in sweet looking language. We believe that lack
packages. of communication between the
The reality of dozens of trusted Newars and non-Newars is the
shops for the elite and upper middle main cause behind mistrust between
class people and many more were
brought to the consumers, when the the indigenous people and the
Department of Food Technology and newcomers to this metropolitan city.
Quality Control (DFTQC) conducted Keeping this in our mind, we
investigations in those shops in the have come up to publication of a
month of September this year. The
shops were perhaps weavinging big monthly newspaper "Newarland".
dream of earning millions of rupees This will voice the concern of the
on the eve of the Hindu festival of Newars on local as well as national
Dashain and Tihar. issues. English will bridge the Newars
Along with the DFTQC, Department chunk of their income on advertising, areas of the city, what we tend
of Commerce (DoC), National Bureau attractive packaging and decorating to forget is that the trend of food and non-Newars living in this holy
of Standard and Metrology (NBSM), their shops with modern colours and adulteration is growing rapidly. valley and maintain the harmony
and District Administration Office lightings. Government officials say that the that has been here long. It will make
(DAO) are the key government Obviously, they draw the food adulteration in the capital has the readers feel proud to live in this
agencies responsible for monitoring additional expenditure from the grown three times in the last six years.
and inspection of food quality in the consumers and the prices are sure to According to the DFTQC, valley, which has a history of 2000
market. rise day after day, or they have to food adulteration rose to 23.7 per years of civilization.
According to the government compromise in quality to make profit cent in the financial year 2008-09, At the same time, we believe that
officials, nearly one-third of consumer of what they sell. from 7.4 per cent in 2003-04. And the this publication will also be useful to
goods are substandard in Kathmandu. S i m i l a r l y, t h e ex p a n d i n g trend is going on, even faster every
That means that out of three, one shop opportunities as well as rampant year. Adulteration rate doubled to
Newar young generation, who have
sells inedible foods and in each shop, corruption have brought a new class 15.1 per cent in 2004-05, compared unfortunately abandoned their
one in three items are not good for of nouveau riche in the capital, who to the previous financial year. A mother language due to the present
eating. This is the horrible reality of do not care for price. They habitually steady growth in the food adulteration language policy of the government.
the glistening shops of the capital go to places which sell things in higher rate has been noticed in 2006-07 This new publication will help them
city of Nepal, where live the most prices. However, it is not necessary (17.3 per cent) and 2007-08 (25 per
educated people who are concerned that those "high standard" shops cent), a government study shows. remember their past and make them
about their health and also are aware also seriously consider quality and As standards for hotel and feel proud to be Newars.
of the consumers' rights. consumers' health. In addition, as restaurants as well as food items We s t r o n g l y n e e d y o u r
Along with the growing population the purchasing capacity of the city being produced and sold by them constructive criticism, suggestion and
of Kathmandu, the shops of sweets dwellers rise, the numbers of such are lacking, the investigation into the
and readymade foods started shops increase; this is not unnatural. hygiene level of such food items has contribution to make this publication
mushrooming, especially in past one When we feel nice to see series not been effective. alive.
decade or two. The shops spend big of majestic shops along the business Cont. page 5
Book Review Foreign Pen Short Story
Some Recent
Questions of identity :
Publications on Newar The Letter
Unification and
Culture and Identity:
Sanskritisation
Brief Reflections
Page 3 Page 5 Page 6
Prof. Kamal P. Malla John Whelpton Chittadhar 'Hridaya'

3. September
2011
Events
New book released Indrajatra in Sikkim
Two n ew b ook by The Newars of Sikkim celebrated the procession.
Shreelaxmi Shrestha-A one of the major festivals of the The cultural progar mme was
story book 'A cry in the Kathmandu Valley, the Indrajatra managed by Ganesh Ram Lachhi, the
Wilderness' and a poetry probably for the first time this year, on patron of Madhyapur Kala Parishad.
book 'Shanti ya shanti' has September 15. Team of Bakhan Daboo organized
recently been published. The locals carried decorated symposium of Nepalbhasha short
The poetry book, panaquine with portrait of the Living stories and celebrated the 144th birth
published by Bhawana Goddess Kumari and made a procession anniversary of Mahakavi Siddhidas
Pithana contains 42 poems. along the major street of Gangtok. Mahaju there on the occasion.
The story book published A cultral team from Kathmandu went Message from Nepalbhasha Manka
by Vajra Pulication contains there to participate in the progamme. Khala was read out on the same
16 stories. Shrestha now They played traditional drums along occasion.
lives in Netherlands.
Dharma Bir Shakya Honored
Dharma Bir Shakya, the
patrons of Ilohan Publicaions
was felicitated by Nepal Sun
Chaindi Byabasayi Sangh
Kathmandu Branch.
He was felicitated for his
contribution in the process of
strengthening of the institution.
He is the founder chairperson
of the Sangh.
Shuvarna Keshari felicitated
Nepalbhasha Khala,
Makawanpur felicitated story
writer Suvarna Keshari Chitrakar
on the occasion of its annual
general meeting.
Former chairman of Newa
Dey Daboo Laxman Rajbansi
addressed the function as the chief
guest on the occasion. Chitrakar is
former president of Nepalbhasha
Misa Khala and is now the vice-
chairman of Nepaa Rashtriya
Party.
Interaction of Shakya Forum
An interaction on the importance Naresh Bir Shakya, the founder
and use of Buddhist rituals and tradition member of the Foundation stessed
in our social life was organized jointly on need to preactice Newa rituals.
by Shakya Youth Forum and The The programme was chaired by the
Shakya Foundation Nepal. chairperson of the Foundation.
Women's Literary Conference
The progamme of women's literary programme was scheduled for 1131
conference was postponed to 1131 Kaulathwa. The time and venue would
Nalaswane charhe. Previously, the be the same.

4. September
Reviews 2011
Some Recent Publications on Newar
Culture and Identity: Brief Reflections
from inscriptions and introduction to to Newah philosophy” (p.3). The unique one-third of the community don’t even
other publications. Some deal with nature of Newah philosophy “began to speak a common language—believed
prehistory, others with myths. Some erode with the arrival of Hinduism and to be the sole binding link among the
entries cover several pages, others are its formal cults. The unique features of Newars. Although 85 percent Newars
only a paragraph long. The author Newar social and cultural practice are call themselves Hindu, even among the
doesn’t outline his approach to culture, precisely what he sets out to catalogue followers of the Mother Goddess/Ajima
nor the aim of the compilation. “The and gloss in the book. Evidently, the cults, some worship seven, others eight
history of Newah culture” is a project author thinks of these terms as the or nine, while the Shresthas in Lalitpur
he took up at the behest of his friends, identity marks, or finger-prints of the worship Ten Mahavidyas ! The Ugratara
By Prof. Kamal P. Malla and it is evidently a tall order for the Newars, if you like. How far Newah of Buddhists is a Mahavidya to Hindus.
author. Had it a less pretentious title, ideology, their social and cultural systems The same cult of Bungadyah is Lokanatha,
the book could have been used at least are influenced by Hinduism is a complex Matsendranatha, Avaloketisvara to
A few weeks ago, a well-wisher as a “general knowledge” book, or as subject deserving detailed investigation some-an androgyny, a siddha who was
mailed me three recent Nepalese a reference book on selected topics of on its own. We wish the terms were more at once a Kaula, a saiva Natha and a
publications on cultural history and interest to the author or some readers, inclusive, at least less selective. Buddhist savior for others. So in isolation
identity of the Newah community, for example, sitting for quiz contest. Unfortunately, the cultural “finger- or collectively, the selective terms might
evidently for review. I propose to discuss Fascinating though the book is as a prints” are neither unique nor shared not be the absolute markers of Newar
them in brief, leaving an elaborate source of scattered information, it is too by all castes, nor practiced at all cultural identity.
analysis for future. All three authors, like difficult to search any topic. There is a Newar settlements within the Valley, In the past centuries, the communities
most of us, are in search of the common “Table of Contents”, but it is misleading its periphery, much less outside the which migrated out of the Kathmandu
denominator called Newah identity or for searching. The Contents mentions Kathmandu Valley. Inspired by the Hindu/ Valley preserved their cultural memory
culture. As all three authors are equally “Samskriti va Dharma” on p. 183, but Baudha puranas or tantras, the Newars by erecting the temples of Nasah dyah,
noted scholars what they have to say in the text it is in p. 182! The rites of are said to be intoxicated with jatras, Gane dyah, Bhin dyah, or by observing
has considerable value for the social passage are briefly dealt with in pp. feasts and festivals; they are known for Gai jatra, Lakhe nach or Hanuman Nach
sciences as well. A few comments are 131-176. Just as the sequence of topics is their madness for gods and god lings, but in their new settlements. Those who
given below as preliminary reflections arbitrary their treatment has hardly any those worshipped as key deities differ left Nepal to work or live overseas still
on changing perceptions among us. consistency of approach. The pieces have from locality to locality, from caste to observe Ihi or Kayeta puja in Maryland,
Among the three books, Surendra more of the flavor of “personal essay” caste, from settlement to settlement. They Jhoh bhoye in Texas, or group Mha Puja
Man Shrestha’s is a handy reference work than of cultural history. With a little effort, have no common pantheon, nor a single in London! Small but dedicated groups
on Newar culture by a knowledgeable most of the pieces could have easily been omnipotent God, much less a controlling still are working to preserve language,
writer. Earlier, he had collaborated with grouped into sub-headings and chapters. church. There are too many varieties of script, religion and culture to the best
Baladeva Juju on The Tantric Worship For example, under the sub-heading of dispensers of salvation from life here, of their ability in not too hospitable
and Deities of Nepal (NS1105) and puja topics such as cahrhe puja, dyah with no certitude of the life hereafter. countries.
Kantipur (NS 1108), and he has also pyakham puja, pancamakara puja, Their priests range from
published a monograph on Newar nimantrana puja, jogi cakra puja etc., orthodox Vedic Brahmins to
domestic architecture a decade later could have come. Similarly, agam chem, heterodox Saiva Kapalikas,
in 1998. Although the recent book agam, agamdyaya dikcha, istadevata, from esoteric Buddhist tantrics
is entitled as “the history of Newah dyahchem, degu dyah etc. could have to monks and nuns living and
culture” it is a reference book, a treasure come in a group. At the end reading practicing pristine monastic
room of unexpected beliefs, hearsay, it, the book leaves us wondering what Buddhism. As they worship a
superstitions, legends and tantric lore history is, if not confused what constitutes diversity of cults some social
of the Newars. Written in cozy style it Newah culture scientists hesitate to identify
is, unfortunately, loose in structure and An accomplished writer in fiction the Newars as adherents
argumentation. His easy-going style and an educationist, Rajvamshi's book of any formal/organized
makes us feel at home as if we were avoids that mistake of treating each religion. They have no
listening to him in person, but uneasy at topic in isolation. His book too serves common scriptures, nor any
his wayward approach. Some 98 short as an accessible and handy glossary shared religious institution or
write ups on cults, beliefs, superstitions, of 436 selected terms in use in our authority, certainly no Golden
rites of passage, feasts or festivals, social and cultural life, grouped under Temple, no Potala Palace,
guthi, agama etc. are assembled at 13 subheadings, (e.g., rites of passage, nor any Vatican, or Mecca.
one place in an order which is neither dress and ornaments, food and drinks, The Pradhans of Thamel
thematic nor alphabetical. The compiler utensils, means of carriage, localities, are Buddhist; whereas the
believes that “culture is a system feasts, the ritual roles of select castes, Shilpakars are Uray by
different from religion, and that each and festivals). Although it is written caste, but they are Visnavas
author has his own way of looking at it. in Nepala bhasa and translated into by religion. The Newars
He believes that “(his) culture is living, Nepali, a useful glossary in Nepali is of Khona don’t celebrate
and not a dead culture, displayed in a provided for each term. The publication Mohani. The inhabitants of
museum.” (pp. gha-nga). The problems is also furnished with clear line-sketches Tokha as well as the Kumhas
with this publication begin here. of objects. of Thimi don’t have Mhapuja.
To begin with, one doesn’t know The book begins with an Introduction Not all castes have Degu
why or how the given topics are to Newah identity where the author puja nor do all castes have
selected. Some are merely quotes argues that “Newah identity is related a tantric agama. More than

5. September
2011
Newarland
Kumari and Indrajatra The world worships stones, ruling for the next year. within her quarters but she is Jaya Prakash Malla, the last
carved into different shapes The kings used to watch the not allowed to go out of her king of the Malla dynasty, was
as saviours of mankind. They festival from the stone paved residence except during special warned by the Kumari that his
visualise all manifestations of platform in front of the Kumari festivals. The rule is that she time of tenure would end soon
gods in the stones but the world House and follow the procession should not even get the slightest and was asked to provide her
finds it hard to accept a living in a horse chariot. of injuries. Any sort of bleeding, with a permanent residence. He
person, with equal respect and The prime Kumari is including menstruation would had the beautiful Kumari House
love, as a god or goddess - this selected from eighteen Viharas disqualify her from being a built in just six months and also
is human nature. They cannot of Kathmandu. The girl must goddess. started the tradition of chariot
accept anyone being celebrated be born from pure Shakya There are numerous stories procession along with two living
in the same way a piece of stone families and free of blemishes. behind the origin of the tradition attendant gods Ganesh and
may be. But Nepal might be She is supposed to possess 32 of worshipping Kumari. One Bhairav - this gave him an extra
the only country where a naive, special signs showing her says that an ancient king, Pratap 12 years on the throne.
little girl is worshipped as a divine nature. It is said that the Malla, used to play dice in his As the girl reaches 12, or
goddess. The girl is believed to
represent the family goddess
of the royal Taleju dynasty as
a living incarnation with power
to secure the throne s and the
people’s prosperity. She is known
as Kumari, the virgin one.
History has not yet traced the
The rule is that origins of the Kumari tradition.
So far the chronicles argue, it
she should not started as early as in the time of
even get the a twelve-century ruler Gunkam
Dev, to whom the credit of making
slightest of this Kathmandu city goes. A
injuries. Any sort chronicle, narrated by Daniel
Wright in 1966 says that he
of bleeding, instituted Indra Jatra festival by
erecting the images of Kumaris.
including Further, Mary Slusser writes in
menstruation her book Nepal Mandala that
manuscripts written in 1280 and
would disqualify 1285 AD describe the method
her from being of choosing, ornamenting and
worshipping Kumari.
a goddess. There are several Kumaris in the
Kathmandu Valley. Theoretically,
each Bihar or the monastery
should have one but many of
them today have discontinued
this tradition mostly due to lack
of patronage. Kumaris can be
found in Kwa Bahal, Kilagal,
Tokha (Kathmandu), Sulimha-
tol, Hakhaa Bahal, Bungamati
(Patan), as well as Chaturvarna
Mahavihar (Bhaktapur) among candidate children are taken secret chamber with Goddess sustains any injury, she is sent to her
others. to a special dark room for a Taleju, the royal goddess and home after a special ceremonial
Above all, the Kumari at strenuous test, in which the little also seek advice in ruling the pooja. She starts her family life
Hanuman Dhoka holds the children has to sit in front of country. One night, perverted normally - studying, marrying
principal position for she is given giant buffalo heads in puddles lust shadowed his mind and and conducting a career as well
an artistic house - Rajlakxmi of blood where images of immediately the omniscient – afterwards. Still, by kins and
Kul Vihara - with elegant different unearthly creatures goddess vanished from his sight. friends, she is generally called by
woodcarvings and beautiful wall come and go in the oil lamp- Taleju, however, advised him in the name of Kumari, rather than
paintings. Her chariot procession lit chamber. The one, who can the dream that the king might her own name.
during the festival of Indra Jatra sustain the ghastly atmosphere select a Buddhist girl in whose The tradition has continued,
is celebrated where the presence bravely, is selected. However, body the Hindu goddess could no political change or natural
of the ruling monarch is a must. Juju Bhai Shakya, the husband of dwell. The king followed the calamity has ever affected the
He receives ‘tika’ from her on his the Kumari’s caretaker husband advice and received the power unbroken chain. However, the set
forehead and carries her divine rules out any such criteria. to rule from the goddess through traditions are being modified
sword to recharge the power of The Kumari can play all day the girl. along with time.

6. September
Newarland 2011
Questions of identity :
Unification and
Sanskritisation
traders, who had even before but either. Prithvi Narayan Shah
Prithvi Narayan's time begun to himself is said to have praised
settle on small scale in the hills, the charms of Newar women,
now spread out in greater number. and his son had an influential
In the Valley itself there is no Newar mistress as well as an
evidence of any attempted revolt. interest in the tantrism which
When the Newar mir munishi was an important feature of
(foreign secretary) Lakshmi Dal Newar religion, but regular
told the British residency just after marriage between Parbatiyas
Jang's 1846 seizure of power and Newars was not permitted.
that the Newars would rise at The Parbatiyas seem to have
his command, the British rightly been practicalarly disdainful of
assumed that he was merely the banre, the Vajracharyas and
acting as an agent provocaterur, Shakyas: Kirkpatrik records a
conversation with a 'Rajpoot' (i.e.
Thakuri or perhaps Chetri), who
There ws finally the complex FoREIgN PEN was eager to point that none of
case of the Newars of the his caste ever visited the Buddhist
Kathmandu Valley, who after testing on Jang's behalf whether temple of Swayambhu hills. This
1769 seem definitely to have the residency's professions of non- attitude served, of course, to
accepted the new rules: they intervention were genuine. strengthen Newar identity rather
were described by a British At the same time, however, than encourage full identification
visitor in 1793 as 'tolerable there remained a strong gulf with the state. The Newars did,
reconciled to the chains imposed between Gorkhali and Newar. however, have a strong sense
upon them by their conquerors'. One prominent Newar bhardar, of belonging to the Kathmandu From book A History of Nepal, by John Whelpton
The predominant feeling seems Tribhuwan Pradhan, was among valley and, as kings of the Valley, (p.59-60), published by Cambridge University Press,
to have been simply relief that appointed to government posts the Sah dynasty could expect a reprinted 2008.
the log war was over and Newar or receiving lucrative contract, degree of loyality.
Adulterated ... the consumers could not sleep a common saying, which could not substandard foods. Likewise, provision. After media hue and
The officials admit that it at night because many of them be concealed by advertisements if the food item is found to cry for several days, the people
is going on unchecked due were their trusted brands. featuring noted actors actresses. be unhygienic, the maker is will forget the issue and the
to weak market regulatory Fo o d i t e m s p ro d u c e d Even a high-level diplomat slapped a fine of Rs, 5,000 to owners start doing business as
mechanism. The government do traditionally by uneducated was dramatically involved in Rs 10,000 and®or jailed for susual. This is what has been
have legal provision, mechanism people in small scale is one advocating the factory, which a maximum of two years. This happening most of the cases.
and staff to regulate the food thing but what is alarming is that was playing games with the is too insufficient to bring the The government officials
standard. But the lack of intended adulteration is turning lives of thousands of consumers rampant racket of adulterers have admitted to the media
adequate manpower and other out to be a huge problem in every day. behind the bars. that they don't have special
resources, necessary equipment, expensive and fast growing An investigation round up of W h i l e, a c c o r d i n g t o plan to step up monitoring and
motivation as well as tendency consumer goods produced locally the government officials last year Consumer Protection Act, inspection of eateries and their
of some of the staffers to go for and by chains of food shops. found that five out of 22 bottled companies manufacturing and products this year and due to
personal benefit have hindered Nepali market is flooded water brands had contamination selling substandard edible lack of technical guidelines,
the office from doing its duty on with branded products with of harmful bacteria, and of the commodities are either fined enforcement of precise standard
the regular basis, they say. substandard packaging and 29 samples of edible oil and Rs 100,000 or are jailed for 5 for eateries and quality of their
The investigation this year storage. Packed food are ghee examined, 10 were found years, depending on the nature foods has been difficult.
found that the sweet shops were believed for their brand names to be adulterated. of the cases. But the process If the government has to
using unhygienic places and but one of the trusted brand of However, the health of of the second is too lengthy to prove its sincerity, and the
utensils, contaminated water juice made a record among its around four million people see the justice of the consumers businessmen want to prove
to make the sweets. And they consumers when it was found that living in the capital valley is guaranteed. their quality, the cosumers too
were also found re-using old the factory was storing thousand dependent on 44 years old On the top of it, even when have to play role in this issue,
and date expired food, which of packed juice with future dates legal provision. The Food Act the government officials get pressurising the government to
were returned from the market. of manufacturing, so that it could 1967 has provision for slapping the adulterers red-handed, see the adulterer behind the
When some media footage of be marketed even months after a fine of Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000 there is little chance that the bars will make change and keep
the kitchens of some renowned the production. Finding inedible or®and a jail term for six wrongdoers are prosecuted the healthy city free from evil
shops were brought on the air, precipitations in those juices were months to a year for producing and penalised as per the legal practices.

7. September
2011
Literature
Short Story
The Letter
Chittadhar Hridaya (1906-1982) was not only a pioneer among the modern writers in Newari language but a major
force in the literary movement during his lifetime. He was the founder of Nepal Bhasa Parishad, a literary society, and of
the magazine Nepal.
For his democratic leaning and writings in Newari language, he suffered imprisonment on the early 1940's for a number
of years. While in jail, he wrote an epic about the life of the historical Buddha. sugat saurav. He has tp his credit nearly three
dozens publication on Nepal Bhasa, including Thaybhu, Thona jimi woyeta Hay, Yoga sudha, Khupu Bakhan, Min manah
pau, Jighu Sahitya, Nepal Bhasa sahityaya jatah, yakamiya cha, Nepal Sanskrit. The present story from Khupu Bakhan
(1947) first appeared in an English version by Tej R. Kanskar in Nepal Bhasa short stories (1977). He was awarded the title
'Kavi keshari' by late king Mahendra.
T h e h ou s e of Shanka room to talk to his wife Kumud and over again, and embracing Does he really expect me to be made, while the gifts from
Sunder, the business man, was Kumari. It was not impatience the sleeping child she wept happy, smiling to see him leave? friends and relatives were
humming with activity that that he felt, but an emotional bitterly. At that moment Shashi Only two years, says he, but emptied one by one and a few
day. Many young men came confusion in having to leave his entered the room and said in two years is a long time. This coins dropped into each basket.
and went leading behind home and family for the first a firm voice: 'Look, you are still money I suppose is the price Then the priest took the names
their parting presents, while time in his life. The thought of weeping. You are disrespecting of my love. Why can't a man of all the known deities sacred
numerous women filed past his wife's sorrowful face and this auspicious occasion by really understand a woman's to the family and symbolic coin
the room carrying baskets their newly born son promised behaving in this way. Why do heart? so ran her desperate offerings were made to each.
full of boiled eggs, dried fish to make his leave-taking a you make it difficult for me? I thoughts. She looked down In conclusion, every member
and wine, traditionally sent painful one, but he struggled shall possibly be away for two at the bag of money again, of the family starting from
by friends and relatives as to maintain his manly sprit. Just the eldest to the youngest
tokens of good luck to a person then the family priest arrived, approached Shashi to bid him
leaving on a long journey to enquired about the appointed farewell. Each of these coins
Lhasa in Tibet. The gifts were time and settled down to a were put into Shashi's red cap
received and identified by quiet conversation with Shashi's as tokes of good luck.
recording the names of each father. Then came the turn of Kumud
sender on pieces of paper and During all these activities Kumari but try as she might she
placed in appropriate baskets. Kumud Kumari sat alone in could not advance towards her
As evening fell the her room lost in her thoughts. husband. She stood there like a
astrologer arrived to The lamp beside her flickered statue, with her hand covering
deter mine the auspicious for want of oil but she was her mouth to suppress the
time for departure.When he hardly aware of her immediate irrepressible sobs which choked
announced that 11.20 at night surroundings. A cross current her throat, and her eyes were
would be the favorable time, of distressing thoughts were red and swollen with tears. her
preparations for the farewell passing through her mind. Her mother-in-law sternly rebuked
ritual got underway. A metal mother-in-law appeared to her her for weeping and led her
bowl and a pot of curd were as foolish woman, her husband forward. She stretched out her
placed on a heap of rice a layman without feeling-totally hands without looking at her
grains, while the lady of the unconcerned of his wife and husband, and two coins were
house, Mrs. Latan Laxmi, wiping child. Why do people run after dropped into her palms. The
tears from her eyes, assembled money at the cost of domestic feel of the coins seemed to
the other puja items, the holy oil happiness? What is the value years-no longer than that, I snatched it and put it away in pierce her heart for strangely
lamp, vermillion tika powder, of money if this disrupted their promise you. So why must you one corner. She sighed heavily enough she, at that moment,
incense, flowers, boiled eggs, married life? Men are cruel- weep this way? You should be and started to sob again. The was reminded of the exchange
dried fish and wine. they do not understand the happy and wish me well in my lamp, as if unable to witness her of gifts on the day of their
The father and his son, inner feelings of a woman. Her business venture, but instead sorrow any longer, flickered out, marriage. She bowed her head
Shasi Sundar, in the meanwhile patience and tolerance are you obstruct me with your tears. leaving the room in darkness. to touch her husband's feet,
spent some time in arranging too often taken for granted. You may need some money after which she was withdrawn
**** from m the scene to relieve the
business accounts, while their She heaved a deep sigh and while I am away. Keep this
employees were busy packing looked at her sleeping child. Her with you. Saying this Shashi Shortly later, the farewell emotional tension of the final
the goods to be taken on emotions seemed to overflow at dropped a small bag full of ritual commenced when the leave-taking.
the long horse-back journey the sight of the child, for drops silver coins on her lap, looked other men to accompany Shashi The astrologer then
to Tibet. Everyone seemed of tears rolled down her face. back at her once more and to Lhasa arrived after taking appeared and reciting Tantric
anxious to have everything 'Oh, what is to become of left the room. This seemed to leave from their homes. The incantations, sprinkled holy
ready before departure time. this child! Why must he leave add fuel to the fire, for Kumud family priest chanted prayers water in all directions. Shashi
Shashi Sundar moved about us in this world of isolation? Kumari burst into tears again, invoking the gods to bless Sundar then descended the
from room to room restlessly, How long must I endure this this time sobbing loudly. What Shashi Sunder for his safe stairs, accepting fur ther
now sitting silently before his torture of separation?' Her does he mean by saying that I journey. The offerings of egg, offerings on each floor,
father and then hurrying to his heart echoed these words over am obstructing him by weeping? fish, flowers and curd were Cont. page 7

8. September
Valley 2011
Earthquake Rocks Kathmandu
The earthquake of September 18 have to lose their lives due to the The Kathmandu Metropolitan City are living in those houses. We all know
not only moved the earth of Kathmandu earthquake. Sajan Shrestha, 36, and his (KMC) also is doing its best to make that the base of the valley is a lake
bus also rocked hearts of millions of daughter Anisha Shrestha, 8, originally people aware of the threaths of the and the surface is made of fine soil
people living here. The magnitude of from Gorkha district as well as Bir casualties by such natural calamities. sediment. In this case, one can always
6.8 was enough to create panic to the Bahadur Majhi, 19, were crushed to Still, constructions of illegal and ill- raise question of durability of the mega
people whohave been threatened of death by the ill-feted wall. designed houses are going on. Greed constructions. People, mostly newcomers
possibility of major earthquake for Urbanization of Kathmandu has of some corrupt officials in the KMC has to the capital city are participating in
many years. welcomed constructions of thousands caused thousands of people to live in rat- races to possess the most luxurious
Five persons were killed and other of houses each year in this capital perpetual fear. and beautiful apartments but what will
44 were injured as the quake rocked city. Most of them are educated, Around 100 mega buildings with happen if similar, or slightly bigger
eastern and central Nepal. The panic well-to-do people who are aware of over 10 stories are being constructed in strike of earthquake hits Kathmandu
moved across the country and of natural casualties like earthquake. the capital, and around 50,000 people again? The dangers of open electricity
course, across the capital city – from wire, lack of emergency exit, extra
the Constituent Assembly to slums food, and drinking water will pose
simultaneously. the bigger threats. And we don't have
The biggest irony of the earthquake necessary mechanism to rescue the
was the falling of the wall of the British people who will be victimized by the
Embassy. Dozens of non- government modern concepts of urbanization. We
organizations were now and then giving cannot expect them to be better than
lectures, TV interviews and publishing the wall of the British Embassy.
articles in newspapers that the age-old When the government officials are
houses of core city are the main threat making fun of century-old four-storey
to the people living here. But when it houses in Asson, they are turning their
really came, it was proved that the blind eyes to the newly constructed
constructions of the rich, elegant and houses along the narrow alleys of
intelligent embassy had to wear the Baneshwar, Kalanki, Chabahil and
crown of being the most vulnerable to Koteshwar.
the earthquake. The building might be This is the time of do or die. Either
strong enough for its staffers. They even the government, or the KMC be sincere
might have safe places in the building to put an end to illegal constructions
to take shelter during the quake. But, and emphasize safety measures, or
they do not care for the common people we have to be ready for casualties of
where the embassy is located. thousands of people in the next round
Unfortunately, three innocent people of major casualty.
The Letter ... Her growing apprehension of a herd of fierce looking buffaloes much delay. I have had many kept silent as if debating a
and left the house through the prolonged separation distressed chased her. Looking back over bad dreams lately and I am not dilemma in their minds. The
main door where he dropped her to the point of divorcing her shoulder she fled for her very happy about this.' suspense they created aroused
coins into the two water-filled her from the normal realities life and instantly arrived on the At this moment Kumud, after deep suspicions in the minds of
pitches placed on either side. As of life. Her active imagination bank of a swiftly flowing river. washing the dishes came down Shankha Sunder and his wife.
he walked away without looking staged a tug-of-war on her She ran on desperately along to place a jug of drinking water They could not comprehend the
back at the house the image of mind, her dream of an ideal the river bank, and then up a in the room and overheard her purpose of their visit. The priest
his weeping wife embracing future conflicting with illusions of steep hill where, their life and mother-in-law's remark. She finally broke the silence as he
the child, passed over his mind's despair and frustration. When instantly arrived on the bank immediately remembered her spoke in a soft vice, I see no
eye recurringly. It was only then her husband comes back she of swiftly flowing river. She ran terrifying dream that morning point in further delaying the
that he felt the full impact of the will not welcome him with open on desperately along the river and stood there in amazement matter. The way of the world
separation. arms now will she allow her son bank, and then up a steep hill listening to her mother-in-law is inevitable, we must accept
**** to go to him. She will resent him where, to her horror, she found speak those strange words. our fate.
One evening Kumud Kumari until he feels fully sorry for the herself on the edge of a dark Before Kumud could leave Kumud heard those like
with her two year old son on her mental anguish he had caused abyss, and unable to stop, the room, the family priest a woman in delirium; her
lap was reflecting on her past- her. But such a plan is soon she plunged headlong into its accompanied by an employee head began to swig and her
her memory carrying her back transformed into meaningless yawing depth. But before she of another business man in Tibet, face turned white as a sheet.
to the days of her childhood, a fantasy, the practical and real struck the bottom, she woke up entered the room without any Although she failed to grasp
few simple incidents in her life seemed elude her. Finally, with a start, her face covered warning. any meaning in those vague
and finally to her marriage. tired out by her brooding with cold sweat and her heart Shankha Sunder although words, her loudly beating
She had looked forward to new melancholia she fell asleep beating wildly. surprised by this unexpected heart signaled a premonition
and happy life after marriage, with her child still sucking at her **** visit welcomed them and asked of something terrible. At this
but the hope she once had no breast. Towards the morning That evening Sanka Sundar them to sit down, while his wife instant, the companion of the
longer held out any promise. her sleep was disturbed by a after his meal sat in his room stood up with her grandson priest put his hand into his
Her husband had been away strange dream. She dreamt writing a lette. Her wife, sitting and Kumud moved away to pocket and slowly produced a
for almost two years now and that she was walking along next to him with grandson on her one corner. The visitors sat letter tied with white string - the
there was yet no indication of a narrow road with her child lap said, You should, I think ask next to Shankha Sunder but symbol of tragic news, the news
his returning in the near future. in her arms when suddenly a hem to return to Nepal without did not venture to speak; both of death.

9. September
Regd No.: 125/067/68
2011
Views
Restructuring Nepal from
Newar Prospective
What necessitates a country’s death and destruction than one similar party leaders for a New Nepal, even an
governance system to restructure size of tremor that occurred with a elementary school boy or girl will ask
may vary depending on individual magnitude of 6.7, struck in the western why these pieces are different so much
cases. Many developing countries state of Gujarat, India in 2001, killing so the sizes are unfairly demarcated.
after civil war or ethnic conflict tend more than 20,000 people. But the Committee concerned has not
to seek changes against the existing PM Bhattarai can manipulate the heeded calls for rectification of the
governance systems. But taking up cases tremor for better for worse. If he was wrong demarcation of the states in
of Cambodia and South Africa for only image building for the past three the new federation. The most affected
examples, both countries after decades weeks, he may be spending time visiting people by this unfair and discriminatory
old conflicts that led to civil war have the victims and touring the damaged in demarcation are the Newar people,
managed to settle the problems with Kathmandu and elsewhere no sooner he whose whole indigenous and historic Suwarn Vajracharya
the existing system of governance by comes back from New York. But, if he is state of Nepal Mandala was squeezed
rectifying the past ills and errors. Nepal, genuine on the need of solving centuries into just three districts of Kathmandu, VIEWS IDEA
needing the change of governance old grievances of the people of this holy Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and some tiny have to struggle to procure, whereby
system and after Maoist insurgency native land of diverse nationalities, we areas of adjoining districts despite it is harmony among people is developed
and military atrocities, held election for can expect him assigning several of black and white clear that the historic and peace prevails. So desire the
Constitutional Assembly (CA) in April his subordinates to take good care of Nepal Mandala covers a region of Nepalese, too. Governments in the past
2007, has so far seen three governments victims and damages Sunday’s tremor at least twelve districts of today’s have proved that they did not represent
collapsed without concluding the peace has caused, and he will be initiating Kabhre, Dolakha, Rasuwa, Dhading, the people of Nepal, hence willfully
process and drafting of the New to find solutions to peace process and Nuwakot, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Sindhu- ignored the desire of the Nepalese.
Constitution, despite the people elected drafting the New Constitution within the palchok, and Makawanpur in addition Baburam administration should be able
them for those two important purposes. next month well beforehand his three to Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. to prove that his government represents
The recent UNCP(Maoist) - Madheshi months term ends in November. Unfairly demarcated 14 states must the people of Nepal, not just UCPN
Front alliance government led by Dr. In bringing peace process into not be a Hobson’s choice. Every fair (Maoist) and UMF just because they
Baburam Bhattarai remains to see a logical conclusion, he has to solve minded one believes that Bhattarai have formed a coalition government,
how it will comply its commitment to disputes over Maoist combatant administration can rectify this. and he will be honoring his commitment
the logical conclusion of the peace integration with national army and, A Fair Society to the people. If not, he will only
process and the drafting of the New over nation’s restructuring under a A humble desire of a people of be confirming the allegation of his
Constitution. PM Bhattarai’s three week federation. He can not back down any country is primarily a peaceful government’s own spokesman and the
old government was greeted by an the commitment to federalism but can and prosperous life, which is possible coalition partner Jayaprakash Prasad
unprecedentedly huge tremor before rectify the present state restructuring only in a fair society, a society where Gupta that Baburam is simply busy in
he left for New York to attend the UN committee’s wrong decision of unfairly everybody is treated equally, given “personal image building.”
conference. Thanks to the truthfulness of demarcated sizes of future federal chances of access to basic needs such - Suwarn Vajracharya is Advisor
the peace loving people of this land, states. In considering the sizes of 14 as water, food, shelter, education, work of Nepal Federation of Indigenous
the 6.8 rector scale tremor brought less states allocated by a group of three big and security, for which they do not Nationalities (NEFIN) Japan
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Editor/Publisher: Naresh Bir Shakya | Assistant Editor: Rajendra Manandhar| P.O. Box: 1967 | Phone: 4220730 |e-mail: elohanpublication@yahoo.com | Printed at : Print Sky, Kathmandu