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The Nepal Digest Tuesday 30 May 95: Jestha 17 2052 BkSm Volume 38 Issue 13
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* TND Board of Staff *
* ------------------ *
* Editor/Co-ordinator: Rajpal J. Singh a10rjs1@mp.cs.niu.edu *
* Consultant Editor: Padam P. Sharma sharma@plains.nodak.edu *
* TND Archives: Sohan Panta k945184@atlas.kingston.ac.uk *
* Book Reviews Columns: Pratyoush R. Onta ponta@sas.upenn.edu *
* News Correspondent Rajendra P Shrestha rajendra@dartmouth.edu *
* *
* +++++ Food For Thought +++++ *
* *
* "If you don't stand up for something, you will fall for anything" -Dr. MLK *
* "Democracy perishes among the silent crowd" - Sirdar Khalifa *
* *
******************************************************************************
**********************************************************************
Date: Thu, 25 May 1995 16:15:41 -0700 (PDT)
From: Dahal Durga <daha9014@uidaho.edu>
To: The Nepal Digest <NEPAL@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: Re: The Nepal Digest - May 25, 1995 (12 Jestha 2052 BkSm)
To Anita Regmi. Dear Anita, I do not think there was any thing for
lynching! I feel sorry if you were lynched.
**************************************************************
Date: Thu, 25 May 1995 22:58:26 -0400 (EDT)
From: kenneth pumford <kpumford@umdsun2.umd.umich.edu>
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Bhariya baloney
This is in response to Sanjay Kumar's article on the (supposed) racism
evident in the relationship between 1st World trekkers in Nepal and their
porters. His piece was full of interesting statements, such as "a mere
scratch and the racism inherent in the Neo-colonialism of the current
world oozes out", but he failed to follow through and prove his case.
Sanjay doesn't say what it is about the relationship between trekker and
porter that makes the Western traveler guilty of racism. Are the
anecnotes he quoted of trekkers begrudging their porters smoke breaks all
the proof he has to bring to the table? As one who has huffed and puffed
his way up many a Nepali trail with a heavy load, I doubt that more than
a few Westerners who have ventured onto the trails feel anything but awe
and admiration at the performance of the porters they hire. If the
mere fact that the trekker doing the hiring is a rich Westerner while the
poor porter is Nepali is what bother's Sanjay and leads him to cry
racist, he has to take a look at what the meaning of racist is. As long
as this earth has been spinning around the sun with men on it, people
have been born into different economic circumstances. If a rich Saudi
prince chooses to buy a Cadillac that an American assembly worker made
working at $17/hour (a pittance reletive to the Saudi's millions), it
doesn't make the prince a racist, just fortunate.
Based on my own experiences in Nepal, I would argue that the Westerner is
actually less racist in his or her dealings with porters than many
Nepalis. Many trekkers have no concept of the caste system, and treat
their porters as hired help, like a gardener or painter in the West,
whereas low caste porters hired by Brahmins or others of high caste can
be expected to be addressed as "ta~" like a baby or dog.
************************************************************
Date: Thu, 25 May 95 23:39:48 CDT
From: sbshah@gumbo.bae.lsu.edu (Sanjay B. Shah)
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Re: Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay
In the May 25 issue of the TND concerning the
"White Sahibs and coolies", I found the attitude of the
author unjustifiably harsh to westerners. I find that
attitude particularly amusing considering the fact that
we come to the their countries to study, get financial
support from them in most instances and get away with
criticizing them for things that happened long ago in
the past or for imagined slights. However I am not
against healthy criticism that are supported with facts.
I can't imagine what could have happened if we did the
same things in China or Russia, even if the tools were available.
However, in this context, let me make the readers
aware of certain things about Hillary and Tenzing.
Hillary is a New Zealander, who after climbing Mt.
Sagarmatha (we do have a Nepalese name for the Everest,
Qomolongma is the Tibetan name, and its not even in
Tibet), never ended his association with Nepal. He did
a lot for the Sherpas, by getting schools, hospitals, etc.
built for them through external funding. He still takes a
lot of interest in the development of that region which
he visits very frequently. As for the `Sir' that was to given
him by Queen Elizabeth, I am sure, he did not beg for it. If
somebody does not want to address him as Sir, its a free
society, he/she does not have to address him as Sir.
He also lost a son and daughter-in-law (or daughter and
son-in-law) in a plane crash in the mountains.
As for Tenzing, he was born and he grew up
in Nepal. But when he reached the summit, he unfurled
the flag of India alongside those of GB, NZ and Nepal.
The Nepalese Govt. at the time asked him to stay in
Nepal and help promote mountaineering. He would have been
awarded Rs. 40000 for that, which was a princely sum
in those days. But then he chose to be director of Jawahar
Lal Nehru Mountaineering School in Darjeeling and settle
in India. I think that was the end of his professional
role in Nepal.
Personally speaking, to me Hillary is a great
man . As for Tenzing, I consider him a great mountaineer,
period. I leave it to the readers to make their own judgements
as to who proved himself to be a worthier son of Nepal,
the adopted White sahib or the biological Brown sahib.
Sanjay Bikram Shah
sbshah@gumbo.bae.lsu.edu
**************************************************************
From: Tanka Sunuwar <tankas@microsoft.com>
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Date: Fri, 26 May 95 01:14:53 TZ
Subject: RE: Carpet Factories & Minimum Wage
I missed Mr Shrestha's article, but reading what Mr. Tiwari wrote on
the carpet factory, I thought I add couple of lines, too it.
Please, feel free to correct me where I wrong. It's been a long time
since last time I was in touch with Carpet Factories in Nepal. So,
things might have changed by now. But, from how it was about 7 years
ago, I don't think minimun wage will help neither the employee or the
employers.
Then, probably still now, people who worked in Carpet factory didn't
get paid by neither hours or days or months. They were not salaried
employees. Everybody worked on contract (Thegga?). An employee will
take a loom, say 3 X6 feet. S/he will finish it on her time, no time
pressure, but every one usualy tried to finish earlier than later.
They got paid when they turned in the finished product.
So, if the employers start paying their employees on minimum wages, two
things would probaly happen.
1. Employees may lag on their job because it would be like 10-5
like job, resulting in less productiveness
2. Employees will not have incentive for motivation. But, if they
work on contract, they work more when they need more money and take
of when they want to.
About the child/teen labor, I don't think it is as much as employers'
fault than the workers' family and relatives. As I said before
employers didn't pay their employees per head. People who are
responsible for teen/child labor are the families and relatives
(believe me I know), who barely provide the kids two square meal
(dal-bhat) a day and very little pocket expense in return for their
labour. It is very unfortunate, but that's what used to happen.
And again, all of these may have changed by now. I just thought I
would put down what learned while I was in KTM.
These are solely my personal opinion.
-Tanka
************************************************************************
Date: Fri, 26 May 1995 05:42:48 -0500
From: Ashok Sayenju <194038@JPNIUJ00.BitNet>
Subject: "Nepal Army: Still a Private Club?"
To: The Nepal Digest <nepal@cs.mp.niu.edu>
It is interesting to read Amulyaji's piece on the Royal Nepal Army in the last
issue of TND. I would like to add some of my own thoughts on the subject.
At least the democratic process of the government selecting the Chief should
be considered an achievement from the past practices of direct appointment
from the Narayanhiti Palace. As far the appointment goes, there is always going
to be favouritism even when the government has a say in the process of selectio
n like there would be for any other top prestigious posts. It is certainly true
that the Thakuri clan have upper hand when it comes to top positions in the
RNA. But it should also be noted that there has been a gradual progress in
officers of other clans getting promoted in the last couple of years. I hope
this continues as democractic processes are followed. There is a feeling that
Army under a martial clan of Chettris is secure since there has been cases of
bad apples from other clans.
The reason for other people not getting equal oppurtunity is that their loyalt
ies have not been tested so far as ruling clans think. The allegiance to the
Crown and the country from the people in the South is also doubted by the ruler
s since they can be manipulated by our big neighbor. It will be a long time
before these kind of attitudes change.
As for the selection process going to RMA(Sandhurst) for officer training,
there is a seat for the top officer cadet of every batch at Kharipati to go
there. Again, how the selection process works is a different matter. There
are also reserved seats for Royal Palace and the top officers to send their
own favourites. If all these seats are scholarships provided by her Majesty's
government, it should be open to all. If HMG is paying the bills, the practice
should be discontinued.
Everyone knows that corruption in RNA is just as rampant as in Bhansar Bivag.
It is just that a civilian government cannot do anything about it since laws
are different for them. It is about time that the government as well as high
ranking officers if they have any morals left, do something to correct various
malpractices of screwing poor soldiers.
Dhanyabad!
Ashok Sayenju
Japan
**********************************************************************
From: bpandey@metro.mccneb.edu (Bhuban Pandey)
Subject: Looking for Prashant Raj Pandey (fwd)
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Date: Fri, 26 May 95 8:34:36 CDT
Hi Netters!
I'm looking for Mr. Prashant Raj Pandey's present whereabouts.
He came to this country about three years ago. He used to be a
student at a community college in Wichita, Kansas.
If you have any information about him, please let me know. My
phone number and e-mail address are:
402-451-5856
Thanks.
Bhuban Pandey
5730 North 30th., Bldg. 14S
Omaha, NE 68111
******************************************************************************
Date: Fri, 26 May 1995 14:09:36 -0800
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
From: bhushan@tanner.com (Bhushan Mudbhary)
Subject: Race wars? Letter to the Editor
This poem I dedicate to all the "race/violence-mongers", here and in Nepal.
First, a not so random sampling of quotes from TND.
>PUBLIC LYNCHING
>
>If some body dares to slutter a cow he deserves
>to be sluttered
>
>HINDUISM WAS LITERALLY FORCED
>
>Mongoloid race...
>
>... resulting a death of 5000 muslims
>
>Hindu activists
>
>.. ethnic conflict
>
>"These are indications of ethnic riots,"
Dark Thoughts at Noon
In madness and in rage
Life seemed so wanting of the
Cold ravages of death
Dark thoughts at noon,
Malignant visions of the damned
Miserly of life
Turn to the beast, the keeper of death
Let wholesale slaughter rule the land
Let the gullies flow with blood and
Let the winds carry the stench
Of rotting corpses, dividends of war
Seek your suffering,
Find your death
Choose your poison
The shrieks
The prayers, like
muffled echoes..
Morbid lust seeks BLOOD
YOUR race
YOUr seed
YOU
**********************************************************************
Date: 26 May 95 13:27:14 -0400
From: "Manish Nandy" <MANISH.NANDY@DOS.US-STATE.GOV>
Subject: Kunda Dixit
To: <nepal@cs.niu.edu>
Does anyone know the current address of journalist Kunda Dixit?
Mail addressed to his Manila address has been returned.
Manish Nandy
Department of State
Washington, DC 20520
Internet Address: manish.nandy@dos.us-state.gov
******************************************************************
Date: Sat, 27 May 1995 00:27:30 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ashutosh Tiwari <tiwari@husc.harvard.edu>
Subject: How about Chautari?
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Likening TND to Naya Sadak Ko Pipal Ko Bot (I had borrowed the
idea from Dr. Gyaneswor Pokharel of Nagoya University, Japan) has been
giving me cyber-distress.
Naya Sadak is in Kathmandu. And Kathmandu is an urban
center. And, in Nepal, urban centers are pretty much all-male affairs.
That is why, through private e-mails, otherwise genial friends
have charged me of an insufferable urban bias. Others have pounced on me
for interpreting TND's existence through a prejudiced Kathmandu-mindset.
And recently Anita Regmi even pointed out that Naya Sadak Ko Pipal Ko Bot
is too male-dominated a term.
O Tempora!! O Mores!! What to do? What not to do?
In light of these justified criticisms, I hereby humbly submit to
TND readers that this Naya Sadak Ko Pipal Ko Bot be changed to Hami Sabai Ko
Chautari.
Chautari seems fairly neutral, even evocative of the
warm-fuzzy-togetherness that the Radio Nepal's Phulbari Karyakram tries
so hard to capture, but never succeeds!!
At any rate, this Hami Sabai Ko Chautari would MEAN the place in
cyberspace for Nepali men and women and also children from the [global]
village to gather at the end of the day's work -- to guff-suff, to
argue, to get their news, views and gossip, to entertain and also to
infuriate/bore and anger one another.
Some, like Amulya [who, by the way, does not mind my picking on
him like this as long as I do it in moderation :-)] may talk more than
others; some like yours truly may have louder and even sillier opinions,
but most people like yourself may just prefer to 'listen' than say
anything.
Of course, once in a while, we may get tourists who want to go to
Lantang or climb Makalu, and some among us can give them directions.
Sadly, three things we cannot do collectively here is: Sing 'Resham
Firiri'; drink Ilam ko tato chiya, watch kancha-kanchi ko 'natch' and
take a deep, satisfying puff of a bidi or churot.
:-) :-)
namaste
ashu
***************************************************************
Date: Sat, 27 May 1995 16:49:18 -0500
From: Arun Dev Pant <pant@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu>
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Subject: Re: More on Parijat
Mahesh Maskey's article on Parijat provided excellent reading. The
political and literary background to her writings as well as the
description of her life has generated enough interest to add her works to
the summer reading list. Fortunately, the university library seems to
have quite a few of her writings in stock. I was wondering if there is a
preferred sequence to reading her works - i.e. in a certain progression
regarding development of writing style.
On a different note, I would like to say that TND makes interesting
reading and though I do not subscribe it, I access it through Rajendra's
wonderful home page. I too would like to express my appreciation to all
the people that work to put Nepal on the internet.
Arun Pant
pant@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
***************************************************************
From: ponta@sas.upenn.edu (Pratyoush R. Onta)
Subject: Discussion
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu (tnd)
Date: Sat, 27 May 1995 18:17:52 -0400 (EDT)
Discussion: Gurkhas and Post-Army Jobs
The following statement is posted here in the hope that the large crowd of
tnd readers will participate in a discussion that will be informative to
all. As someone who is currently thinking and writing on various issues
related to Gurkha history, I hope that the information and analysis known
to and presented by other participants will augment my own knowledge of
the issues involved. At the end of the statement I have attached a few
questions as a way to initiate discussion but reader responses need not be
limited by them. Please feel free to comment on any and all aspect of the
subject. Please note that only the British "Gurkha" identity is important
for the discussion below.
Pratyoush Onta
In February 1995, it was reported that about 58 former British Gurkhas
arrived in Sierra Leone under a three-month renewable contract to help
train the local military government troops (in guerilla and jungle
warfare) to fight the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) guerrilla movement.
The ex-Gurkhas were hired by the UK-based private company Gurkha Security
Guards (GSG) Ltd. set up in 1988 by a group of former British Gurkha
officers. GSG is said to have recruited its personnel in Kathmandu using
a local employment agency.
British government officials feared that since the Gurkhas were once part
of the British army, their presence could be mistaken as military
assistance by Britain to Sierra Leone's government and invite reprisals
against British and other foreign hostages being held by RUF guerrillas.
The Communist Government in Nepal was upset by this use of the ex-Gurkhas
even as it admitted that it could do very little to stop it. A government
spokesman was quoted as saying that some action against the recruiting
agency (in Nepal) was likely even as one former Gurkha in Nepal defended
the Sierra Leone contingent by saying that although risky, the job was a
form of employment similar to those pursued by many others in the
Middleeast and elsewhere.
A UPI report dated 12 March 1995 mentioned that seven Gurkhas had been
killed in Sierra Leone but this turned out to be a false report. On
February 24, an important official of the military government of Sierra
Leone, an American supervisor of the Gurkhas, and one other foreign
military advisor had been killed in an ambush by RUF guerillas. Some
unconfirmed reports also add that one ex-Gurkha was injured on this
occasion. In mid-May the contract that brought the ex-Gurkhas to Sierra
Leone where they were reportedly paid between $1,000 and $2,000 per week
(I think this should be per month but I can not be sure) expired and they
left the country even as the local government hired a contingent of
military instructors from the South Africa-based company Executive
Outcomes.
Sierra Leone is not the only place where former Gurkhas working for GSG
have served in recent times. For instance, as of November 1988, GSG had
hired more than 80 ex-Gurkhas to provide security in oil and mining
facilities in various countries in the Gulf and Africa. In December 1991,
it was reported that more than 50 ex-Gurkhas had been hired by this firm
for a variety of jobs that included mine clearing in Kuwait and guarding
tea and sugar estates in Mozambique. Around the same time, the British
firm Royal Ordnance had employed an undisclosed number of ex-Gurkhas for
mine clearing in Kuwait. In mid-1992 private security firms in Hong Kong,
such as Centurion Facility and Jardine Securicor Gurkha Services, a new
company started that year by Chris Hardy, a former British Gurkha Officer,
were reported to be hiring a few hundred former Gurkhas for security jobs
in Hong Kong. Another mid-1992 report mentioned that about 150 ex-Gurkhas
hired through unidentified labor contracting agencies were providing
security to British diplomats and diamond mines in Angola.
In April 1993, a Hong Kong real estate firm hired several former Gurkhas
to guard one of its prestigious estates. Ex-Gurkhas working for GSG got
assignments to clear land-mines in Mozambique in August 1993 and in
Cambodia in December 1993. By early 1995 former Gurkhas were guarding
posh residential estates, industrial sites, banks, retail premises, car
parks, stadiums, clubs and utilities in Hong Kong. They were also
providing security in Hong Kong's only synagogue. One report indicated
that because of their "proven track record as effective security guards"
the Gurkhas were in high demand in Hong Kong where it was becoming
difficult to hire local young people as watchmen. Another report has
suggested that in status-conscious Hong Kong, the latest fashion amidst
the rich is to have personal Gurkha bodyguards.
By January 1995, Jardine Securicor was reported to have about 900 Gurkhas
in its staff. Some former Gurkhas working for this firm were assigned to
secure a Vietnamese refugee centre as part of a plan to eliminate the
rampant drug problem in the camp. Almost 300 former Gurkhas with
engineering experiences were employed by this firm in the airport project
and in the construction of the Tsing Ma Bridge across the Ma Wan channel
in Hong Kong. This firm was also involved in the setting up of a new
company in Macau so that former Gurkhas could work as security guards in
posh residential areas there. A March 1995 report said that under the
Hong Kong Government's labor import scheme, about 50 ex-Gurkhas were
returning to Hong Kong every month.
To understand this new "deployment" of ex-Gurkhas in the international
security-related market, it might be useful to remember some details of
the most current retrenchment in the size of the Brigade of Gurkhas in the
British Army. In the so-called post-Cold War era that began in the late
1980s, threats from the erstwhile Warsaw Pact countries to Britain and
western Europe were perceived to be at a much reduced level than before.
Pressured to trim its previously inflated defence budgets, Britain, like
some other countries, resorted to military restructuring which included
huge cuts in the size of the overall military personnel. While defence
needs and spending were intensely reviewed and studied in the four or five
years preceding 1991, the actual reorganization in British military has
been carried out since 1992.
According to cuts announced in 1991, the size of the British army is being
reduced from about 160,000 personnel to about 116,000. As can be expected
the Brigade of Gurkhas has also been cut in size. But while the overall
reduction in army personnel has been close to twenty five per cent, the
size of the Brigade of Gurkhas is being reduced by about 70 per cent to
2,500 men from its previous strength of about 8,000 men. The logic of
retrenchment in the number of Gurkhas has been propelled by the impending
transfer of British sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997. In the
debates about military restructuring and the future of the Gurkhas in the
British Army, it is repeatedly pointed out that the Gurkhas have mainly
been used for border patrolling in Hong Kong over the past twenty years.
Since Hong Kong is to go and there are no other sites for the deployment
of the Gurkhas' other main purported skill, jungle warfare, so this
argument goes, the huge cuts are immediately justified. However,
underlying this calculation is another logic. It is that after Hong Kong,
the only other place for the Gurkhas is in Europe but, it is maintained,
they are not technically sophisticated enough for deployment in Europe wih
complex equipment.
The reduction in the number of Gurkha soldiers began in 1992. The four
regiments have been amalgamated (as of July 1994) to form a singe Royal
Gurkha Rifles regiment which has three battalions currently. Only two of
them will remain when the reduction to a total Brigade strength of 2500 is
completed in late 1996 or early 1997.
As the Gurkhas are relieved from the British Army, they and their
advocates have been trying to carve for them a second career. In this
realm, we have seen a burgeoning market for private security guards in
which ex-Gurkhas seem to be finding a role for themselves in an increasing
number every month. Although details of this process are hard to obtain,
I have tried to provide (above) a brief sketch of what is happening based
on published newspaper reports. The Brigade has itself opened a
reemployment bureau since Dec 1991 to assist ex-Gurkhas to find
international jobs. A few hundred men seem to have been assisted by this
office already.
Other commentators have suggested that the Gurkhas being relieved from the
British army or the Brigade itseld should be made a central part of a
permanent UN peace-keeping force that will do justice to the international
organization's increasing commitments all over the world. Although they
seldom specify the details of how this could be done (In an article posted
in TND some months ago, I discussed some of the details that will have to
be figured out if this idea is ever to materialize), it is an idea that
seems to find more support as the time goes by.
Some selective points for discussion:
1) Has the British military done justice to the long years of Gurkha
service by cutting the size of the Brigade by about 70 per cent? Why does
Britain retain the Brigade at such reduced levels? Is it for reasons of
sentiment as some advocates of all-British regiments have claimed? Or it
is because this arrangement allows it to recruit more Nepali men into its
army in case of war in the future as some ex-Gurkhas in Nepal have
claimed?
2) If ex-Gurkhas are now in the midst of creating a new international
market for themselves as security guards, what should the Nepali
government be doing, if anything, to assist them in the process? Since
the Nepali government has not been able to control fraudulent labor
contracting agencies, should it be not involved in this matter at all?
Should labor contracting agencies that are currently providing jobs to
ex-Gurkhas, many of which are opened by former British Gurkha officers, be
allowed to open branch offices in Nepal to facilitate the process ( I have
heard that some companies are interested in doing so)?
3) Why should the Nepali government or the British government have
anything to say over any form of employment ex-Gurkhas choose to do, be it
in Sierra Leone or Mozambique or Angola or Hong Kong?
4) Why does anyone think that the Gurkhas/ex-Gurkhas can become good
security soldiers for the UN as opposed to soldiers from other countries?
Why should soldiers from a single country be majorly responsible for
carrying out the peace-keeping responsibilities of an international
organization with so many member countries?
5) Is Gurkha recruitment an embarrassment for Nepal? If so, for what
reasons? Are intermittant calls that demand an end to recruitment voiced
only be certain class/caste/communities in Nepal?
6) Should a war memorial be constructed in Nepal in honour of all the
Gurkha soldiers who have died in the "line of duty"? (Such a call has
been made by the group that organized the first public reception of
Victoria Cross winners in Nepal in 1994).
Are there currently serving or former soldiers in the net? Are their
children of current or former Gurkha soldiers in the net? If yes, do they
have an opinion on any of the above and related issues? What do the rest
of think?
************************************************************
Date: Sat, 27 May 1995 16:39:23 -0700 (PDT)
From: Jacinda Trielle Mawson <jacinda@leland.Stanford.EDU>
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Subject: 2: A Caste Question
Hi!
I was wondering if I could post a question or if someone you know could
answer this.
I am writing my senior honors thesis on family planning in Nepal.
Is the name Rajthala a Chetri or Newar name?
Thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
Jacinda Mawson
*****************************************************************
Date: Sun, 28 May 1995 17:45 EST
From: ATULADHAR@vax.clarku.edu
Subject: Re: The Nepal digest May 26
To: daha9014@uidaho.edu
Dear Mr or Mrs (?) Durga Dahal:
Thank you for forwarding a copy of your letter requesting "censorship" of TND.
I am not connvinced that it is necessary and i will explain why with reference
to your letter below":
From: IN%"daha9014@uidaho.edu" "Dahal Durga" 28-MAY-1995 16:45:39.56
To: IN%"atuladhar@vax.clarku.edu"
TO THE TND EDITORS: THE NEPAL DIGEST.
I wish to request to the editors to censor it. I support A. Regmi, who
was the first to propose censorship. I feel shame reading my Sherpa
death explanation, Arun III, and the letter to Cornell Lady. They were
============
Durga:
If this were "private" communications, how did this get to TND in the first
place. If you or any person send a "private Communications" to TNd by computer
mistake, you should immediately send a follow-up request requesting the
amount of voluntary time he has to skim contributions will try to meet such a
request, Otherwise Isee no reason for the Editor to contributions. If there is
something I did not understand let me know.
=================
just private communications.
IF TND IS NOT GOING TO CENCER ALL ITS INFORMATION SOURCES THEN I FELT
UNEASY. THERE ARE LOTS OF SCOUNDRELS (BLACK GUARDS) IN PLACE OF NORDICS
============
This makes no sense to me because i do not know what you are referring to and
i doubt the Editor knows and yes, this is not enought to persuade me to
support censorship in TND.
=================
ege TO CASTRATE ITS SOURCES. THERE IS NO TIME TO PAY ATTENTION TO MALICIOUS
MASKETIERS FOR ALL. IF THE EDITORS CENSOR TO KEEP TND IT WOULD BE FINE.
============
IT IS NOT A GREAT EXCUSE TO ME I AM BEING A SINGLE MOTHER OF SIX (HALF A
DOZEN CHILDREN)? SINGLE MOM SO WHAT? WHO CARES MY CHILDREN? I HAVE TO
RAISE THEM.
==========
Durga, are you a single mother and a lecturer of geography at TC a MA from
Idaho and planning to go for phd in geography at Cornell? I am totally
confused, did your "private communicatins " get routed to TND without your
permisssion?
Again total confused, but my sympathis and salutations to you if you are a
single mother of six!
========
AGAIN TO THE EDITORS, HERE ARE LOTS OF COW SLUTTERING STORIES, HINDU KING
TALKS, AND SEVERAL OTHERS, HURTING THE HEART OF PEOPLE. PLEASE CENSOR
THEM AND KEEP THE TND HEALTHY.
==============
Here, I vehemently oppose your censorship request because you are trying to
impose your political views on the rest of Nepal and TND readers.
thanks
amul;ya
***********************************************************************************************
***********************************************************************************************
Date: 28 May 95 22:08:47 EDT
From: Rajendra.P.Shrestha@Dartmouth.EDU (Rajendra P. Shrestha)
Subject: News5/24-26
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
May 24
German mountaineer dies in Dhaulagiri
Excerpts from Reuters report
A German mountaineer, Albrecht Hammann, died on May 19 while
descending from Dhaulagiri I, the world's seventh highest mountain,
Tourism Ministry said on Wednesday,
The ministry said Hammann, who scaled the 8,167 metres (26,795 ft)
mountain with three others of a 11-member predominantly Swiss team,
died after he was taken ill, possibly due to lack of oxygen.
Hammann, a 45-year-old architect from Schliersee, Bavaria, and his
team members had scaled the peak without using artifical oxygen, the
ministry said.
The German climber had earlier conquered the peak with two Swiss
mountaineers -- expedition leader Norbert Joos, 34, and Urs Braschler,
43.
Nepal, Tibet to open Public tranportation link
Excerpts from Reuters report
Nepal and Tibet have agreed to start a public bus and truck
service between the two regions next month in a move which officials
said would boost tourism and trade.
Currently only western tourists on package tours can cross the
landlocked regions' border on the 873-km (542-mile) long highway
linking Kathmandu and Lhasa.
About 10,000 western tourists arrived in Kathmandu last year from
Tibet through the Kodari entry point.
China South West Airlines offers direct flights to tourists twice a
week between the two capitals.
Last year China and Nepal agreed to open up a public transport
service along the road built by China in the 1960s, but they did not
set a date.
Nepali and Tibetan transport officials agreed on Tuesday to begin
the service on a trial basis in June.
"The opening of direct road transport service will boost trade,
promote tourism and generate employment," said Devi Prasad Bastola,
spokesman for the Nepali Works and Transport Ministry.
Tibet will start regular public bus and truck services carrying
tourists and goods across the border next month.
Nepal's state-owned transport companies, Sajha Yatayat and Nepal
Transport Corp, will begin a public bus and truck service to Lhasa
once they obtain vehicles able to operate at high altitudes.
The road's highest point is 5,250 metres (17,220 feet) above sea
level.
Trade between Nepal and Tibet totalled $21.6 million during the 12
months ending last July.
Nepal could export construction goods and food to Tibet as
bringing those items to Tibet from elsewhere in China can be
expensive, Nepali officials said.
May 25
Bride Killed for not brining a jacket
Excerpts from UPI report
A groom who apparently wanted to be well- groomed was not pleased
when his bride failed to include a jacket in her dowry, so he and his
relatives killed her, published reports said Thursday. Manatoriya
Devi was married May 11 to Ram Yadav of Mohottari district in south
Nepal, the reports said. Six days later the bride literally met the
grim reaper when Yadav and his family hacked her to death with a
sickle. The woman had brought along as her dowry $600 in cash, a
bicycle, a transistor radio and some clothes -- but not a jacket. The
groom's father, Sivha Yadav, was arrested in the killing but other
members of the family apparently fled.
May 26
State Minister Pandey resigns
Excerpts from Xinhua report
State minister Hari Prasad Pandey submitted his resignation through
prime minister Man Mohan Adhikari to King Birendra who has accepted it
in accordance with the 1990 constitution, according to a notice
published by the palace today.
Pandey has resigned as he is not a member of the upper house or
the lower house. According to the constitution, a non member of
parliament may be appointed a minister, but he must become a member of
the parliament within six months from the date of his appointment or
else he has to resign.
This is the first cabinet member to withdraw from the CPN-UML
minority government. King Birendra has, on the recommendation of the
prime minister, assigned Minister for Information and Communication
Pradip Nepal to look after the affairs of the Ministry of Water
Resources.
New RNAC probe panel formed
Excerpts from Xinhua report
The government has set up a new commission under the Investigation
Commission Act 2026 B.S. today to inquire into various irregularities
concerning the Royal Nepal Airline Corporation (RNAC). The former
3-member governmental RNAC probe commission was dissolved on May 8
after 2 commission members, including the commission chairman,
resigned. The new commission will inquire into matters concerning the
appointment of RNAC's general sales agent for Europe, irregularities
in the sales of Boeing 727 aircraft. Girija Prasad Koirala, former
prime minister and senior leader of the main opposition the Nepali
Congress, was alleged to have been involved in the case.
***********************************************************
Date: 29 May 95 00:08:26 EDT
From: Rajendra.P.Shrestha@Dartmouth.EDU (Rajendra P. Shrestha)
Subject: eco-nepal
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Notice!!!
An Internet Group for Nepalese Economics
A new internet group, named eco-nepal@lynx.dac.neu.edu, has been
started in order to facilitate the exchange of ideas concerning
theoretical and applied issues of the Nepalese economy. The focus of
this group is intended to be completely on economic issues, with more
analytical and elaborated discussion, than the general readers of TND and
Soc.Culture.Nepal, would like read. Abstracts of thoses discussions will
be posted in both of them.
Suscribers of eco-nepal, may mutually benefit in several ways. First,
research papers, proposals, drafts of dissertations, working papers on economic
development of Nepal, done around the globe, can be circulated,
discussed and commented. Second, the widely and increasingly available
data-bases, such as PENN-WORLD Tables, econ-data,available on information
highways, that are relevant to analysis of Nepalese economy can be shared.
Third, a close academic connection of the members interested in the of
Nepalese economy might be very helpful in improving the efficiency of
the members of this group in the long run.
Given those objectives, ff you want to subscribe eco-Nepal, please send
an one line message with content, "Subscribe eco-nepal your name", to
listproc@lynx.dac.neu.edu, and you will be automatically put in the mailing
list.
Thanks for your subscription and active participation.]
regards,
Keshab Bhattarai
%%%%%Editor's Note: Please send your requests directly to eco-nepal. %%%%
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
****************************************************************
Date: 29 May 95 09:02:17 EDT
From: "Chitra K. Tiwari" <74641.3624@compuserve.com>
To: TND <Nepal@cs.niu.edu>
Subject: POLITICAL ANALYSIS
NEPAL'S DEMOCRACY IN DOLDRUM ?
Six months after the elections and the change of government from NC to
NCP-UML, Nepali politicians have once again begun to talk about another mid-
term poll and/or change of government through opposition coalition. Nepali
Congress has decided to withdraw its support to UML government in the coming
session parliament and has sought cooperation from the RPP to form the coalition
government. The RPP, which holds the fragile balance, is sending mixed signals.
The Thapa group appears to be willing to align with NC for a coalition but the
Chand group, which commands support of majority of RPP MPs than Thapa
group, appears to be following a wait and see attitude.
The UML leaders, on the other hand, are seeking support from the RPP
and other lilliputian parties to hang on to the seat of power. They have, however,
ruled out the possibility of a coalition with the RPP. In the event of the lack of
such support, the UML leaders say that their government will recommend the
King for the dissolution of parliament and a mid-term poll. It may be reminded
here that Girija Koirala, too, had utilized similar tactics to keep his opponents in
NC and the opposition quiet.
What's wrong with Nepali politics/or politicians? Why are these politicians
so fond of elections and governmental changes? Is it a struggle for policy? Is it
a struggle for ideology? Or is it a struggle for naked power?
I don't see any struggle for policy or ideology in Nepali politics. Is there
any fundamental difference between the NC, the UML and the RPP in matters of
policy and ideology? All of them are constitutional monarchists. Both the NC and
UML are clearly social democrats while the RPP, too, can not be described as a
rightist party in view of the party's manifesto although many people perceive the
RPP as a rightist party. The RPP is a rightist party not because it has rightist
platform in its manifesto but because it is perceived to be so by many people.
Why, then, should the UML government be toppled? What are the charges against
it? What has it done or not done to qualify for displacement? Has it brought about
a fundamental change in the constitutional structure of the country? Or is it
allowed to do so by the constitution? Is the economy of Nepal worst than it was
under the NC and the Panchayat governments? Has the UML introduced Stalinism
and thrown its opponents into the Gulag? Has there been any police shooting over
the unarmed masses of people as had happened several times during the Panchayat
and NC governments? Has its actions disturbed the peace and tranquility of the
country? Has anyone heard of UML ministers taking bribes and commissions as
had the NC ministers? Is there a major scandal comparable to RNAC scandal of
NC time? If so, please educate me. Has the UML government fired any
government employees as had the NC government? My answer to all of these
question is frankly, NO. I would, however, appreciate if someone could enlighten
me. I am open to listen and be convinced if anyone could furnish convincing
arguments as to why the UML government must be replaced by NC-RPP
coalition.
I don't see any reason behind NC's decision to withdraw support to UML
government other than a competition for naked power. Former Prime Minister
Girija Koirala has informed a mass gathering in Rupandehi that K.P. Bhattarai and
himself have pledged "not to take rest until we went back to our former
condition." The message is loud and clear. Koirala and Bhattarai want to topple
the UML government not for reasons of fundamental policy differences but to go
back to "former condition." Bhattarai has even said that he has no objection to
RPP taking the Prime Ministership! I had never imagined that Bhattarai could
stoop so low for power.
Coalition government? Not a bad idea. In fact, I am a supporter of
proportional representation system of elections which is more often likely to
produce coalition government. Coaltion government under a PR system is natural
and that all parties are prepared for it. But coalition government under the Anglo-
American First-Past-The-Post System (the system that we now have in Nepal) is
not natural and parties feel uncomfortable to be a coalition partners. The first-past-
the-post system is a winner take all system and hence there is a very small scope
for a coalition. The coalition under this system is only a temporary mechanism.
It does not work. It invites election within couple months. Under the PR system,
however, coalitions may be formed several times between several parties from the
date of elections to another election due date but the elections will not be imposed
upon the people every six months.
We know that NC and RPP had enough opportunity to forge a coalition
in the aftermath of the November 1994 elections. We all know that they failed
then. How are we to believe now that they will succeed this time? The assumed
majority of the combined opposition (NC + RPP=103) is so fragile that
withdrawal or disagreement by only one dissenting member is good enough to
make them minority. The likelihood of this scenario is very strong. What
guarantee is there that the people will not be forced for another election in the
next six-months? How do we know that NC's Haloween is over? After all, they
were the one who failed to complete five-year term not because of opposition but
because of their own internal squabbles. Are there any indicators to believe that
Girija Koirala and Krishna Bhattarai have glued themselves after the Congress
Jatra in Pokhara? And what about those NC dissidents who are still rallying
around Ganesh Man?
Would the RPP fall in the NC trap to be a partner in a coalition? If so,
would such a coalition last another 4 1/2 years? I honestly don't think so. If RPP
joins the coalition with NC it will be only to perpetuate the self-serving
opportunism. It will step out of the coalition the moment it perceives its electoral
strength to be stronger. It could happen next November. Its slogan will be, "see,
we gave opportunity to UML. It did not do any good to the country. We tried to
work together with the NC but they did not allow us to push people oriented
policies. We had no choice but to withdraw our support to UML and to step out
from the coalition with the NC."
But before engaging ourselves into the scenario that could emerge in the
next six months, let us ponder over whether the NC-RPP coaltion is at all possible
under the constitution. The NC leaders are playing the game of wolves. They want
to climb the ladder of power without elections. They are provoking the
intellectuals of the country to explore the possibilities of going back to Article 42
(1) of the constitution. This article provides for a coalition government from the
hung-house. The logic here is that once the support to UML is withdrawn, the
parliament will once again return to be hung-house. In this situation NC leaders
want to invite RPP leaders to form the coalition government. They argue that the
King will have to accept the coalition. They have further argued that UML
government being a minority government has no right to recommend the
dissolution of parliament.
Well, is there a provision for multiple use of Article 42(1) in the
constitution? I am not aware of such provision. The process of the formation of
government starts from Article 36 and then moves to 42(1), 42(2), 42(3) and
42(4). If the majority government can not be formed under Article 36 the King
must call upon any member of parliament under 42(1) to appear with majority
signatures. If it fails ( and it failed in November 1994), the King must call the
leader of the largest party in parliament to form the minority government. Such
a minority government is required under 42(3) to command the confidence of the
house within 30 days. The UML government had received the vote of confidence
under this article in December of last year ending its minority status. The UML
government may be a minority government technically but constutionally it is a
majority government because a minority government can not function more than
30 days. If the government formed under 42(2) with a support of 42(3) fails then
the only constitutional choice left for such a government is to move to 42(4) and
dissolve the house and call for a fresh election. The constitution no where
provides for a return to 42(1).
The NC leaders and their intellectual apologists know it very well.
Nonetheless, Koirala group is playing a dangerous game in which NC's defeat is
inevitable. Koirala group appears to be totally hallucinated by power. They know
the taste of power and now out of power they have become desperate to regain
it. They are using all sorts of filthy tricks to return to power. K.P. Bhattarai has
even said that he has no objection to offer Prime Ministership to RPP. And it has
raised the ambition of another opportunist, Surya Bahadur Thapa, who has shown
willingness to participate in a coalition with NC.
The Koirala group wants to return to power without new elections. The
rank and file of NC, however, know that their party can not win more seats than
what it now has. It could actually lose a dozen or more seats to UML and RPP.
That explains why the intellectual apologists of NC are not happy with UML's
decision to go to polls in the event of passage of no-confidence motion. They are
putting forward a cunning argument saying that the country can not afford to
conduct elections every year. Do we have to remind these politicos and
intellectual apologists that acceptance of democracy also means acceptance of
elections. Elections come in a package of democracy.
Notwithstanding this constitutional situation the NC has already decided
to withdraw its support to UML government in the coming session of parliament.
As a result the following scenario has emerged:
1. NC will table a no-confidence motion. The RPP may or may not
dance in NC's tune. If it does not follow NC's tune the UML
government will survive.
2. If the RPP dances in line with NC's tune it will trigger a
constitutional crisis. The UML government will not survive. It will
recommend the King for the dissolution of parliament and call for
a new elections;
3. The RPP may or may not accept coalition with NC. If it rejects
coalition as in November 1994 there will be election without any
question;
4. But if the RPP accepts coalition the NC and RPP will present a
separate petition to the King asking for the formation of a
coalition;
5. What will the King do? I think he will not take the pain in his
head. He will throw UML's recommendation and NC-RPP's petition
to the Supreme Court;
6. If the Supreme Court gives its verdict in favor of UML government
there will be an election in November; but if the SC supports
coalition seekers the government will be transferred to NC-RPP
coalition;
7. The unholy alliance of NC-RPP will collapse in less than six
months triggering another election sometimes in May/June 1996.
But here too there will be another constitutional crisis. Who will
conduct the elections? A demand for a national government
including the UML is a logical sequence.
In the short term playing field appears to be wide for politicians. Good
luck power hungry politicos!! But watch out! When people get tired of your self-
serving politics they would not hesitate to pat on the back of a strongman who
will dare to shut the door of political stadium.
****************************************************************
From: Sanjay Kumar <sanjay@physics.purdue.edu>
Subject: Public Lynching of Hoodlums
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
Date: Mon, 29 May 95 10:48:01 EST
I fully support Anita Regmi's call for social action against men tormenting
women. Against the melieu which teaches and forces women to be only passive
sufferers, her public stand is heartening and should be emulated by all of
us. Though society does have some forms of sanctions against other
kinds of troture, this particular form of oppression is conveniently overlooked.
I would also say that most men get voyeuristic pleasure out of other men
oppressing women; how else can one explain the abundance of rape scenes
in popular films.
AS A RESPONSE TO ANITA REGMI"S CALL, I URGE ALL RIGHT MINDED PEOPLE ON
THE TND LIST TO SEND IN A NOTE DENOUNCING SUCH ACTS. IF THE ALLEGED PERSON
DOESN'T STOP HIS ACT IMMEDIATELY THEN A MORE DIRECT FORM OF ACTION SHOULD BE
CONTEMPLATED.
I don't personally know Anita Regmi, the woman in question or the alleged
culprit Durga Dahal, but from general experience I am pretty much aware that
there are lots of men prowling around looking for women victims. Self centered
to the extreme, such hoodlums are concerned solely with their immediate
sensual gratification. They lack even the basic human capacity to be aware
of consequences of one's action. Present sexist society offers enough
oppurtunity for such men to oppress and torture women. Its (im)morality is the
main cause of these crimes. It idealises women who are dolls for men's
indulgences, are passive, obedient and quietly take what comes their way.
While it is abundantly clear that only when women openly start fighting back,
the oppressing men will be put in their right place. In a crowded bus in
Delhi, I once witnessed a middle aged man being publicly slapped by a
young working class woman (most likely she was a house maid) for being
physically indecent to her. I am sure the man learnt a lesson or two.
Reflecting back on my experinces, as growing up with a bunch of 15-16 year old
boys, also teaches a lessor or two. Girls and sexual innuendos were the
common butt of jokes. Though some of us were sensitive to other forms of
oppression, we never asked ourselves how did grils feel about our bunch
standing on a street corner, gesticulating and talking loudly. Those of
us who actually took the 'bold' step of going out and actually 'did'
something were never looked down, infact they were looked upto.
As an aside, there are two points regarding other issues in Anita Regmi's
note. First, I don't think that in any significant way women are
different from men. In a very deep sense all humans irrespective of race
or sex are equal. In the current Post-Modernist vogue of the academia
such humanist position may be passe, but I can't think of anyother argument
which can morally justifiy struggle agaisnt all forms of oppression.
In the elite circles of the First world, and following them also in the
elite classes of the Third world, 'Multi-Culturalism' is the latest craze.
This fare amounts to celeberating (mainly ethnic) differences. I don't
understand how in a world wracked by oppression there can be any celeberation of'diffrences'. Stemming from the same ideology, though comming and positioning
themselves on the other side, some feminist groups (for instance Eco-Feminists)
start from the view that women, in their way of thinking, empathising
and experiencing, are fundamentally different from men. But I hold what Simone
de Beauvior said, " We are not born women, we are made women". An unequal
society differentially creates human beings as different kinds of subjects
and objects of oppression. Thus, in the current society, not only
are the women made to live inhumanly, but also the men of current
society are unnatural humans.
Second question deals with the forms of Women's opposition. Upper class/caste
women are oppressed mainly be restricting their activities ( when and where
can they go, how should they appear, what can they do what they can't, making
them a ward of a man, a father, brother or for the most part the socalled
husband, etc. etc.) and suppressing their talents by withholding all
oppurtunities. Against such form of oppression, individual freedom and equality,
within the broad parameters current society, naturally emerge as justified
demands. While the upper class/cast women are oppressed as women, they also
enjoy certain previliges by being members of their class. But the vast majority
of working class and peasant women are oppressed not only by sexism but also
as poor workers and peasants in the current society. Struggles
of these women necessarily demands equality in distribution of wealth and
means of production, hence a deeper restructuring of current society. I would
also add, that without articulating their demands within the broader mass
based struggles, the upper class/caste women have a little chance of
realising them. Condition of women in the West, where a formal equality has
has been acheived, is an ample proof.
by providing
***************************************************************
Date: Mon, 29 May 1995 15:19:55 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ashutosh Tiwari <tiwari@husc.harvard.edu>
Subject: Late graduation-news
To: nepal@cs.niu.edu
All 150-plus members of the
Greater Boston Nepali Community (GBNC)
CONGRATULATE
Vijaya Halabe on his getting a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute
of Technology (MIT) in March '95. Vijaya's field is information technology.
All in Boston wish him and his wife Versa the best as they move to
Houston, Texas, after many years in the Greater Boston area and (then in
Amherst, Mass.)
namaste
ashu
*********************************************************************
Date: Tue, 30 May 1995 20:58:57 +0900
From: GP <g44329a@nucc.cc.nagoya-u.ac.jp>
To: NEPAL@cs.niu.edu
Subject: for possible publication.
Study(MADE) in Japan: how, why, who should be stamped ?
this seal.
Several peoples asked me about the ways to come to Japan to study
in their field of competence. the following is just a hint. I would
further like to say that I cann't send any of you the name of univ.
or professor. The following hint is /should be enough from my side.
Study in Japan
==============
"Made in Japan" , is the word we used to see from childhood specially
in Radio Transister and now in every product from pen to excellent
luxurious cars. In near future we will not see this "Made in Japan"
in products. It is because of the production cost. Today, many
companies like Sony, National (Matsushita Corp.), Toyota have moved
their production plant to south east asian countries and India. As
I have seen in TIME magazine, that Japan had per capita income
in 1994 of US$ 37,700. Highest in the world? The salary of any one
, here, is based on the AGE and for example, a 50year old person has
salary US$50,000. (Yen 100 = $1 rate) whether a labour or university
teacher or company employee. TIME writes that the per capita income
of Japanese will be US$45,000. in 2005. So, it has become today
a center of money making. Today, because of Japanese economy,
many well reknowned university professor to labour , are
attracted in Japan. Now, Japan looks changing the use of seal
"Made in Japan" from goods to the researchers, policy makers to
labour and what not? Still, there are many constrained conditions
to come to Japan and study. First, is the language and second
is the source of tution fee and sustainable money for every day
life. Living cost is very high and it is almost impossible to
stay for one year in Japan with parent's money. These days there
many many private scholarships available in Japan, but, the difficulty
is to know where are they and how you can obtain? Monbusho
Scholarship (ministry of education and culture) is given to
those who get admission in national universities(?). It is almost
impossible to get for undergraduate studies. But, for Graduate and
Doctoral Research there is high possibility. You will be given about
US$2,000. which is quite enough for single students. Not only for
Nepalis, but also for Europeans , this money is more than enough
especially for students (as single-unmarried).
In the first year, allmost all university,
provide luxurious (?) hostel with minimum charge , e.g. US$40. So,
you don't have to worry about part-time. This time you can devout for
making your professional career. Making friends and so on.
Similarly, private funding is also possible if you can work
evening. But, the part-time job (al-beito) is usually the same type
as peoples do in America (?), i.e. working as construction labour
(highly paid), to restaurant waiter (least paid, Yen 700,). But, there
are many other jobs you can get. Graduate student in the first year
can do part-time job , but, in the second year it is almost impossible
to find time to do such part-time job because you have to be too busy
with your research work, especially , if you are in science and technology
(eng. ?medical) due to heavy work load on computer and exptl. laboratory.
Almost all foreigner can get scholarship, in the second year
of their graduate studies, because there are many scholarship than
number of students applying. Only, thing you should do is: make your
supervisor (Professor) happy.
As mentioned before, the first biggest problem is the language.
Every Japanese are forced to study upto grade 9, so they know how to
write and read their language properly. They hardly want to speak
in other language, though, they prefer to know some foreign language
to get rid of problems during their travel to overseas. MAsters(graduate)
level students have to take course work of 30 credit hours, so, it is
all most impossible to get rid of Japanese language to satisfy the 30
credits. Japanese language is essential if you really want to do best
in Master level. In Japanese education, you attend classes
you complete the requirement. Most of the exams are submission of
reports, so you can prepare in English. Second year should be
spent on research work which you can do in any language with the permission
of your supervisor. One thing, I tell you is, if you satisfy the requirements
the trend here is that "you will not be victimised", as I have seen
before coming to Japan. Personal ego, between committee members
results students in trouble in some other countries, while in Japan
such problems rarely observed. Your suprevisor, is your "bidata"
as long as future is concerned in getting Masters degree. Students under
the same professor have excellent co-operation.
Doctoral research(Ph.D., Dr.Eng., D.Sc.......) have different
approach. Many universities have two kinds of Doctoral programs. First
kind of doctor's course is , the unbounded duration of Ph. D. program,
especially designed for researchers working in company and universities
who are full time employees and are involved in the institution's
long term research projects. Second type, is for fresh students under
35 years of age. They are supposed to do research work for 3 years
as full time students and then submit a Ph.D. dissertation to the
committee which will review the research results. In this second type,
most universities demand, 3 point equivalent research papers. They
call one full point paper to an original research paper published
in a learned international journal on the subject. Conference papers
are not usually counted as a full point paper. Such system is to avoid
the time required to review the thesis by an external examinier
in universities which does not have such 3 point requirements. So,
if your research is excellent and can work hard you feel this system
is quite better than the system with external examiner who reviews
the thesis at the end of the research program. Still there are
universities without either of the requirements mentioned above.
(Those who wish to apply for Ph.D. program need not to worry
about the Japanese language in day to day research, but, you cann't
avoid in your daily life. You can learn J.L. for daily life, like
Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal, i.e. from personal contact in
Laboratory).
How to apply?
=============
In my opinion, the quality of university as a whole should be a criterion
for undergraduate studies because there are many inter-discipilinary
courses you have to study. University is very important for
undergraduate course. While for graduate (here graduate means Masters)
level you should go for the best school (e.g. School of Eng. in
Nagoya University, Medical School in Nagoya University). Similarly,
when you want to go doctoral studies, then you should select the
best advisor, who can properly guide you in your research matter
and provide any resource you need during the Ph.D. program. The
advisor should be sound enough in the subject. The professor
can be selected by conducting a thorough search in learned journals
and conference proceedings in the area of your interest. or,
else, you can obtain such idea from the persons working in the same
field and are in close contact with you. Thorough study in the
present research conducted by the professor is very important, which
helps you make right target with least expense of your bullet,
i.e. letter of correspondence. So, spend as much time as you can
looking/referring journals conference proceeding on your interested
topic. Some professor go on changing their research topics
based on their project availibility. Famous professors get more
fund and also have many reseach areas. they have more
capability to hire students. So, I suggest to consult recent
journals/conference proceedings and try, rather than random
hunting which may result frustration. When you wish to make
correspondence to a professor, write a short research program.
Better consult experienced person, who may know what can be
the appropriate research program. There are some key words which
are hot in the subject, e.g. environmental problem, sustainable
environment (today envi. is a spice from politics to research---sad?).
Research program, is usually a hint to the professor
that you are interested in that area, the real research might
completely be diferent, but you should present that your interest
and the professor's interest are similar.
If a Japanese professor, likes your research proposal, he can
hire you. In Japan, if a professor wants to conduct worthful research
he won't be said no by the Monbusho (Ministry of Education and
Culture).
Japanese Universities
======================
There are more than 50 national universities which offer graduate
and Ph.D. studies. They are distributed all over japan, from Hokkaido
(very cold place) to Okinawa(very hot place). Among them, there are
7 universities called "Imperial University" before second world war
. Theses Universities are Hokkaido Univ., Tohoku Univ., Tokyo Univ.
, Nagoya Univ., Kyoto Univ. , Osaka University, and Kyushu University.
Japanese peoples say that these are the best of the best universities
in Japan. I was, told that the total fund spent by Monbusho in these
universities are much much higher than any other national univ.s. for
research, for academic materials and facilities. It does not mean that
other national universities don't get. They also have good facility
as well as good professors. This is just a general trend, as peoples
believe. Some other peoples may have different opinion. i don't know.
Obligation
==========
The most important obligation in this country is , you can never become
citizen of Japan, (in general, though there are some exceptional cases).
You can work here, but, you have to leave one day.
Advantage:
===========
Japanese govt. (Monbusho) feels responsible for your future once you
get a degree from Japanese universites. They want to keep you in contact
after you leave Japan, too. I have recently heard that Monbusho has
started keeping record of every foreign professionals studied in Japan,
and will try to employ if the person don't / cann't get job in the
home country. It seems true to me. Few guys who completed from my Lab.,
are getting a descent job in their field of study after going back to
their home country. I hope,too .
There is one more plan, you can return to Japan for about 6 month
duration called "TRAINING" period, after 3 years period of last graduation.
This may help you to keep you fresh in your profession. there many
chances .............
The things I liked, in this country:
1. Nice Woking environment.
2. Security (unfortunately, the gas attack occured in Tokyo. But, I
consider it just a exceptional.)
3. Transportation (best transporation in the world? Though costly.
You must have seen the movie "bullet train". You can go to
Tokyo from Nagoya and do your work and come home for dinner.
Its possible.
4. Peoples---- Their behave with foreigners is quite better than
the countries where I had ever visited.
5. CLean air----- Singapore is a fine country and fine for clean.
Here peoples keep the country clean by heart , not by fine to be fine.
6. Near from Nepal.
7. Like Hillary's comment on Mount. Ev. climbing, I also say liked
this country because such unique country-people-face do exist here
in this earth.
8. Hidden reason. No need to explain. If you think of going back
to Nepal, then come here --study---work for some time---
get some experience how should you work for the country----
--you will understand JFK's words ----ask what you can-
give--- don't ask what the country can give you------- make
money---good resource to Nepal--- then go back----to-mangal-man
enjoy life with your friends----relatives----parents----
no need to be MADAN of MUNA-MADAN-die-ing for money.
Note:
These statements are mine, not of my employer. The term 'he' or 'his'
refers to any one, shall not be regarded as male gender
, rather applies to both . Unfortunately, the females in this earth
are dominated by males, i.e. from animal to human.
Good Luck.
Sayonara.
Gyaneswor
P.S. Persons interested in making flames, I learned from Amulya T.
that -- best way to keep away from flames is don't respond them.
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