The Proselytization Conundrum

https://www.facebook.com/francoisgautierofficial/posts/830044567094429

Francois Gautier is a French political writer and journalist based in India since 1971. The above link is a post by Gautier in FaceBook today.

He pinpoints the Jesuits, which is not necessarily true for Nepal where proselytizing is mainly the domain of Protestant groups. Churches are mushrooming in the country; the last census put the Christians as 1.5% of the population, that proportion has increased rapidly over the past 4 years. A significant portion of the blame is due to the non-reformist nature of Hinduism. A Dalit or an untouchable treated as a pariah by their fellow Hindus has no stake in Hinduism. Given the right motivation, not just spiritual but also education, health and finanancial, he/she will readily convert to Christanity. And who is to blame them for that? On the other hand, the missionary zealots who see Jesus Christ as the exclusive saviour of souls are no less to blame. They are tearing apart the intrinsic culture and traditions of society for their own purposes.

The caste system has been illegalized, but exists socially especially in rural areas. Without awareness raising and education, this social disease cannot just be litigated away. Further, if the judiciary system cannot, and it does not, enforce the fact that casteism is illegal, reforms become well-nigh impossible. There are needed reforms which must be addressed by the pro-Hindu state advocates. Not enough to just shout for a Hindu Rashtra while turning a blind eye to areas in Hinduism which need imminent reform. The status of women, the barring of non-Hindus to convert to Hinduism, the monopoly of Brahmins in rituals and ceremonies, the eclipsing of spiritualism by pedantic ritualism, and the list could go on. A concrete example: Pashupatinath Temple is arguably the most sacred Hindu site in the country; there is a sign at the entrance "Only Hindus Allowed". As a Hindu, I have visited churches, mosques, and Jewish temples all over the world. Why do we feel threatened by non-Hindus entering our holiest shrine? And, actually, the sign basically keeps out only Caucasians and Africans because anybody who 'looks' like a Hindu can enter. Or as a friend told me, there is a church in Cracow, Poland, with a sign outside "Enter to pray only". Pretty practical, I daresay. 

Nepal's Constitutional Challenges

Just finished watching a Al Jazeera u-tube video on the above subject, kindly posted on Face Book by Jan Sharma. Please watch the video on u-tube (title as above) or in his or my FB timeline.

I cannot understand how some of the Nepali panelists used "caste" and "ethnic group" synonymously. There are 4 castes, legally abolished but unfortunately socially still a work in progress. There are around 100 ethnic groups in Nepal. Fortunately, Al Jazeera showed an Ethnographic Map of Nepal to enlighten the confused. "Every major caste was promised a state" - that stung my ears loud and clear!

A major point of discussion was on the meaning of "New Nepal". One of the panelists tried to summarize it as (a) the end of monarchy; (b) secularism; and (c) centralization to Federalism (sic). Am glad that Ms. Manjushree Thapa widened the meaning to broader aspects. In any case, (a) was not a demand of the 2006 'People's Movement' which was against "ABSOLUTE" monarchy, not the institution per se.

(b) was a Maoist agenda, to which the two other major parties acceded through coercion or in the mistaken belief that secularism is a sine qua non for democracy, supported by international proselytizing interests.

(c) is the reason why Nepal is in flames now with ethnic groups demanding their own state (which was erroneously made synonymous in the programme with 'province' by some panelists). The carnage in Tikapur a week ago, a bandh in Pokhara yesterday instigated by Magars, and we have not seen the last of it. Politics 101 as well as any dictionary can confirm that the opposite of centralization is decentralization, not federalization. Federalism also arose from the Maoist insurgency where the insurgents promised ethnic groups their own state in order to garner their support for the ignominious 'people's war'. Nepal has not had local government elections for 22 years; therein lies the solution, not federalizing a unitary state, a feat never accomplished in the history of nations. The Madhesh political parties are naturally for federalism in the hope that they will get at least two or three states, if not the entire Terai, as their own. Birgunj, one of the major border cities with India is under curfew as I write. I hear rumours Nepalgunj is also in a similar fate. To add fuel to the fire, the Indian Home Minister has been quoted as proclaiming that India will safeguard its citizens in Nepal Terai, further implying, wrongly, that 30% of Nepal's population is Madhesis. Fact remains that 60% of the Madhesis are Nepalis and the remaining only are Indians, who are welcome to return to their country. Further, the Minister had better not included Nepali Madhesis as his constituency.

As the Loktantrik Dispensation Unravels... by Dipak Gyawali

http://www.spotlightnepal.com/News/Article/As-the-Loktantrick-Dispensation-Unravels 

This Beautiful Game

250 million people play it in 200 countries - the Beautiful Game, as termed by the iconic Pele' . Football, also called soccer in North America, is more than a game. It is a passion, much more than a pastime for most. Wars have been fought over the game and many a riot has taken place. Twenty-two individuals take to the field and morph into a team, if they wish to win.

One such game was played last Saturday by boys from Nepal and India. The prize was the championship of the inaugural South Asian Football Federation Under-19 tournament. After 22 years, Nepal won an international championship. That too against perennial 'big brother" rivals India. But more than that, it was a victory that Nepalis needed sorely. A devastating earthquake four months ago, a heart-rending massacre of security personnel less than a week ago, the never-ending political morass of constitution making, people needed something to cheer about. Attending my first ever international football match (not via TV), I could feel the throbbing expectation of the spectators as the two teams took to the field. Played in a small stadium, holding about 3,000 people (with many more crowded in the balconies of surrounding buildings), the enthusiastic cries of "Ne...paaal, Ne...paal" resounded as if there were 30,000 fans present. Arguably, one of the oldest people watching the match, I saw the fervour and single-minded unity of the young people wishing, hoping, wanting, praying that Nepal will win.

Braving the hot sun, I stood with a few family members for three hours lost to the magic wound by the Goddess of Football. Memories of playing the game in school, in the school alumni team and finally, for UNDP, in the UN League in New York slid through my mind as if vignettes in a play. It was good to feel young again. It was good to cheer for the national team. It was good to celebrate a historical victory.

Eleven Nepali boys, with emphasis on NEPALI, brought an almost forgotten joy to the people of this struggling country. They did not play as Gurung, Magar, Limbu, Tamang, Newar, etc., but as Nepalis united as a team, keeping the "raato chandra ra surya" flying high proudly. Therein lies a lesson which really does not have to be spelled out here.

Tikapur Revisited

Yesterday's blog was from the heart. This one is from the head, after the shock and despair has more or less dissipated.

While paying sincere condolences to the families of the police and the two year old boy who lost their lives during that afternoon of carnage, one has to question the judgement and preparedness of the police who walked into a crowd armed with spears and axes with an almost suicidal over-confidence. One also wonders why the authority in charge had apparently ordered the Armed Police Force not to fire their weapons. True, that authority has been removed and recalled; is any action being taken against him? Or, in the 'true spirit of Nepali tolerance', has a mere slap in the hand been administered? Security forces have not been attacked and killed in this manner since the Maoists specialized in it over a decade ago. The national trauma reverberates.

On the other hand, there have been reports that the mob was infiltrated by others espousing the politics of violence and the Tharus, generally known as a peaceable people, were used by these culprits for their own nefarious purposes. Regardless, the Tharu mob did come out armed with the implements mentioned above; it is unclear whether they meant to use them or they were just for show; even if it was the latter, it was not prudent at all.

The Army has been mobilized in Kailali and two other districts to maintain law and order. Curfews are the order of the day. The people cower or are even more emboldened, resulting in shootings by the security forces. The area is aflame. The conflagration will spread as the seeds of federalism bloom.

In Kathmandu, it seems the Big Three political parties, at least for now, intend to proceed with the constitution drafting process. Even read in yesterday's paper that 'secularism' remains in the constitution as insisted upon by the Maoists, while a huge majority of the people want a Hindu State. Should the triumvirate not pause to think and promulgate the constitution as drafted now, I can only shudder at what will happen to this country. It's not just the secularism issue. More importantly is the federalism issue where 6 states have been increased to 7 to mollify the folks in western Nepal, but leaving the Tharus out in the cold. Meanwhile, the Madhesh parties, not popular usually with the Tharus, are instigating the latter for their own purposes.

What in heaven's name are the politicians doing trying to federalize a unitary state, ahenomenon that has never occurred anywhere in the world? Yes, social injustice remains as regards the marginalized groups. The solution though is not federalization but strong elected local governance. Mind you, there have been no local elections on this country for over two decades!

The politico pundits have declared this country the "Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal". Forgive them, Lord, they know not what they do. We are not federal and will/should never be. Our democracy is a combination of oligarchy and kleptocracy. Republicanism was never an agenda of the Jana Andolan of 2006; it was sneaked in by self-serving politicians whose ambitions

Something Happened

Something happened last Monday, at a place I had never heard of, to people I did not know. There must have been many such incidents during the decade-long insurgency, but I never experienced the news first-hand as I was out of the country. I did not expect the force with which this incident touched my psyche. Sure, I love my country as much as the next person. Sure, what happened was an absolute mockery of governance, law and order and mob control. Every Nepali, without personal agendas, will likely agree.

Almost in a daze of anger and sorrow, I turned to FaceBook as an outlet for my feelings. Calling  for a military coup, posting u-tube videos supporting my feelings, exhorting young people to save the country, did I over-react? After all most of my posts are to FB friends, a measly 200 or so, quite a few expatriates and NRNs. Over-reaction or not, it was a catharsis of sorts. It helped me a lot, the situation not at all. Just a selfish act, only to help myself.

I am posting this rather personal statement as I try and revive my blog which has remained dormant for almost two years. I posted mainly my articles which had been published. It has been a ego trip of sorts. Not planning to publish anything now. Maybe just put my thoughts into the blog, not only personal ones like this one, but also addressed at the political and social environment.

Welcome back to the Chiya Pasal.

International Women's Day. 8 March

(Published in "Enterprising Women" by the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs' Association Nepal (FWEAN), 8 March 2013)

8 March is International Women’s Day. This day is observed around the world each year to celebrate the achievements and gains made by women and to focus on further steps to be taken to work towards equality for women. International Women’s Day also provides an opportunity for communities to recognise and celebrate local women’s achievements and the contribution they continue to make to their area. 

Worthy of note are two Nepali women who have recently been awarded CNN Hero awards. One of the 2012 CNN Hero of the Year was Pushpa Basnet, just 29 years old, whose NGO – Early Childhood Development Center – supports children so that they do not have to live behind bars with their incarcerated parents. Since 2005, she has helped more than 140 children. Anuradha Koirala, social activist and the Founder and Director of Maiti Nepal “Mother’s Home” in Nepali, a NGO dedicated to help victims of sex trafficking won the CNN Hero of the Year Award in 2010. In addition, a two-year grant of $500,000 was provided to Maiti Nepal by the United States government. She has also received the Courage of Conscience Award from The Peace Abbey in Sheraton, Massachusetts in 2006. The good works of exceptional Nepali women have been recognized internationally indeed.

But the war for women’s equality and an end to Violence against Women continues. There is an on-going Movement for Justice and Rule of Law also known as the “Occupy Baluwatar” movement which is in its 65th day as of the time of this writing. The cases of Sita Rai (names changed) who was robbed at Kathmandu’s international airport and raped subsequently; Chori Maiya Maharjan who has been missing for a year; and the mysterious death of Saraswati Subedi, among other cases, have been highlighted by this movement as it protests daily near the Prime Minister’s residence at Baluwatar. Men make up a substantial number in these rallies, and they have even protested wearing women’s apparel in solidarity with the latter. As recently as 14th February, there is news about a 12 year old girl raped in Siraha district.

Outdated tradition plays a large part in the repression of women. There still remain communities in western Nepal who observe strict customs related to maternity as well as menses. The new-born child and mother have to remain secluded, usually in the cow shed, for 11 days before the priest “purifies” the child in the ceremony commonly known as Nwaran. Similarly, women have to remain completely secluded for 5 days during their monthly menses. The former has resulted in the death of children who do not have access to proper post-natal care. The latter is yet another phenomenon of “untouchability” in our society. Some of these customs are “talibanesque” in their narrow-minded out-of-date severity.

Another glaring illustration is the treatment of widows in Nepal. When the husband dies, the wife’s bangles are broken, the vermilion on her head wiped away and she is swathed in white, never to wear red again. She has to go into hard mourning for 13 days. Some widows even wear only white for a year or for the rest of their lives. A widower can receive offers of marriage the very next day after the death of his wife.

Daughters, once married, have no legal rights on their parents’ property. I assume parents are supposed to wash their hands off their daughters once they marry. She becomes the responsibility of her husband. In a way, she becomes a member of her husband’s family completely with minimal ties to her own family. There are murmurings that this law will soon be changed, giving equal rights to sons and daughters. It is yet to be seen whether the fabled “New Nepal” will redress this inequality.

For sure, there have been improvements for women in Nepal, as elsewhere in the world, in certain areas. Women’s literacy, ages 15-24, is 60%, though men’s is 81%. Maternal mortality rate, the number of maternal deaths per 100,000 deliveries, has decreased from 281 a few years ago to 170. Comparative figures: Sri Lanka – 35, China – 37, USA – 21 and Singapore – 3! Still room for lots of improvement. The median age at first marriage of Nepali women is still only around 17, exceptionally low.  23% of Nepali women aged 20-24 still give birth by age 18. Women still have more than 3 children; the poorest fifth have over 5 children while the richest fifth have closer to 2 children. Only 11% of Nepali women are attended to during birth by skilled personnel.

Statistics alone do not tell the whole story. They are merely indicators of deep-rooted social, cultural and development issues. Until we can accept the fact that all babies, whether male or female, are born equal and have equal rights, the status of Nepali women will continue to be defiled. Parents will keep on having children until they have a son who can light their funeral pyre, thus inflating the birth rate. Women are usually not even allowed at funerals. Why should not a daughter light the funeral pyre? If women in history had the courage to burn themselves alive in the funeral pyres of their husbands, courage is in no short supply among women.

Changes in women’s status can come about only with basic attitudinal changes among men, as well as women who cling to out-dated customs. These changes need to be brought about by education, how children are brought up, and legal safeguards for women’s rights. There is still a long way to go for women to achieve equality and equity with men in Nepal. But it is a challenge that cannot be avoided. It has been proven, for example, that educated mothers have fewer and healthier children. So it is not an exaggeration to say that women shape the future.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, let each one of us reflect on the true status of the average Nepali woman. Not the socialite or ex-CA member, not the educated and aware, but the simple girls and women in a village. Perhaps they spend most of their time fetching water, cooking, washing clothes, and looking after their fields and cattle, if any. They are illiterate, doomed to a life unchanged for generations. Development, a nebulous term at best, requires many ingredients. A crucial one is that women have to be educated and their status must be equal to men. ###

Source of figures above: Population Reference Bureau