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“Army integration is the issue of the special situation and circumstances” Kathmandu, October 31, 2008- Our Kathmandu Representative Smita Magar spoke to Defense Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Magar ‘Baadal’ focusing around the army integration and contemporary issues. USNepalOnline.Com: What do you feel after being the first Defense Minister of Federal Republican Nepal? Thapa: Being the first Defense Minister of Republican Nepal I feel that the people have given me the very challenging responsibility. The main task of this time is to establish the long-term peace in the country. This can be done through army integration and its rehabilitation of it. If we fail to do that then it will affect in all the democratic practices, development and others sector. Therefore, it has given me the immense opportunity to work for establishing the long-term peace in the country while on other hand it is very challenging task as well. USNepalOnline.Com: What is the major role of Defense minister? Thapa: It mainly looks after the national security, protection and development of Nepal Army (NA). Its main role is to watch over national border, external security interferences and also internal security related matters while it also implements army in the time of emergencies may it be social or natural calamities. USNepalOnline.Com: It has been over 6 months of Constituent Assembly (CA) election. Why new Constitution making process has not been initiated yet? Thapa: The country is in the transition period, peoples’ wish is that this period would end as soon as possible. However, it is unfortunate to say that the process of Constitution making is taking longer than it already has. The cause of this is due to the contradictions among major political parties. The lack of political consensus among these major political parties has been slowing down the new constitution process and the people’s desire for long-term peace in the country. USNepalOnline.Com: How can you assure Nepalese people that the new Constitution will meet its deadline? Thapa: It depends upon mainly two things: first, it depends upon the commitment and loyalty of political parties who are in the government and CA. And their political will power to make the Constitution. Secondly, it depends upon people on how strongly they can play their role in pressurizing government and political leaders. Their unity will also matter in this issue. We will be able to make new Constitution within its deadline if these two factors play their crucial role effectively. USNepalOnline.Com: There is much-hyped discussion going on in the country about army integration. What is the government’s official policy about the army integration process? Thapa: According to the comprehensive peace agreement it is clearly mentioned that there will be integration of both armies meaning Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) and Nepal army. For army integration, the special committee will be formed with the political consensus and army adjustment will happen from the decision of committee. The standards will be set by this committee as per the comprehensive peace agreement. This matter has already come under the governments’ agenda. USNepalOnline.Com: There is a raising discussion that integration and rehabilitation mentioned in the Comprehensive Peace Accord does not imply the integration between PLA and NA. What is the truth? Thapa: Before Constituent Assembly, those political parties who said there should be army integration and peace process should happen are now taking stand on just opposite. Why they changed their views and are saying that army integration should not happen, I do not understand. Integration does not happen with only one army. This happens between two or more army. This is understood even by very common person as well. Also, the agreement did not only happen between political parties. We agreed on this issue in the arbitration of international arbitrator, the United Nations. International observer also wants army integration to happen according to the agreement. Saying that there can not be integration between the PLA and NA is a misleading concept. I think political parties who are arguing that army integration should not happen is their way of revenge against the people’s mandate. If this was not then there should not be any disagreement on the matter. USNepalOnline.Com: When integrating NA and PLA, there are views surfacing that it will lower the quality and global standard of national army. What do you have to say on this matter? Thapa: Army integration is the issue of the special situation and circumstances. We can not follow the army recruitment method as per in normal situation in this integration. The integration will happen according to the standards set by the special committee on this matter. Through understanding and discussion the solution on the integration can be done. USNepalOnline.Com: Is there ‘one say’ on army integration in CPN (Maoists)? Thapa: CPN (Maoist) is firm on the army integration. In the process of how to do the integration, party is open and ready to discuss and decide with other. Party has the responsibility towards the People’s Army and running away from that responsibility is unthinkable. We can integrate PLA in different sectors of the country such as Nepal Army, Armed Police, Nepal Police and different other sections. There are other alternatives outside the present structure as well such as we can form industrial security force. USNepalOnline.Com: During army integration process, will PLA be able to have their say on whether they want to join the NA or not? Thapa: Obviously, during the integration we should and will consider their desire and choices as well. If anyone who is in People’s Army at present wants to stay outside army then we have to respect his or her decision. Some would prefer to work as the political activists while some may want to join the business, party will respect that. In my opinion it is a must because we have entered in the democratic values and system so we have to accept and respect their individual rights and choices as well. USNepalOnline.Com: Do you think it is the right time to discuss about army integration process right now? Thapa: The present government of Maoists is the progressive government. Establishment of long-term peace, institutionalized development of the democracy, relief and development, to defend national integrity and sovereignty are the four most important things for the present government. Because of the delay in army integration we are not able to focus in these all important matters. It was unfortunate for us that CA election happened very late. After that the series of unfortunate event started to take place in the country. The government could not be formed in time. Policy and programs were delayed. Instead of doing the work in speediness everything is being delayed. So, it is my request let us not involve in unnecessary discussion. USNepalOnline.Com: There is a rumour that Commander of PLA Nanda Kishor Pun ‘Pasang’ is going to China for training, is it true? Thapa: There is no truth in the reports that Nanda Kishor Pun (Pasang) going to the Republic of China for special army training. There has not been any form of decision on this matter. As a Defense Minister I have no information on this. This is the conspiracy to disrupt the peace process. There has not been any homework on bringing Maoists leadership in the Nepal army. This is just the rumour spread to create chaos and agitation by opportunists who want to get benefited from the situation. I am seeing this as the conspiracy to bring the dispute between NA and PLA during integration. USNepalOnline.Com: Recently many higher army officers were transferred without consulting Ministry of Defence, can they do that? Thapa: I do not have any objection on the transfer of the Nepal Army high position holder officers. That is the regular work of the Army Quarter. NA has the authority to perform its regular work. The transfer is approved by the Ministry of Defense. Army has not made decisions by going against Constitution or army rules and regulations. If it does there will be penalty, I am determined on it. Nepal Army was neither of people nor of the government. It was loyal to the Durbar or Royal family. This is an immense alteration so it will take time. Right now I have not felt that army has gone beyond Ministry of Defense, government and People’s mandate. We are forming new army rules and regulations. This will organize the old army structure in new circumstances. USNepalOnline.Com: There is an accusation that CPN (Maoist) are trying to politicize the Nepal army? Thapa: The ongoing discussion over the ‘army politicizing’ is theoretically illogic. It is a must for army to be politicized. They have to be politicized in order to make them loyal and dedicated to the nation and people. Now, politicizing of Nepal army means their democratization and professionalizing them. However, Party-cizing (Partykaran) the army is erroneous because it means it is loyal to some individual and certain political institution. USNepalOnline.Com: Now we are going to federal system through New Constitution. What are the major bases of Federalism in context of Nepal? Thapa: We are considering mainly two basis of federalism in our context: ethnicity and region. But, there can be other basis as well such as class and gender. There is interconnection between ethnicity, gender, region, language, culture and economic viability. Autonomous state will run on the basis of proportional representation of that states population. USNepalOnline.Com: If there will be no address on the ongoing demands of ethnic autonomous state with right to self determination what do you think will happen? Thapa: Definitely, if we fail to address their demand of autonomous state with right to self determination revolt from people is inevitable. Revolution is the outcome of necessity. So, for their identity, dignity and development it is sure that the oppressed and disadvantaged people will revolt. We are committed to address their demand as it is very necessary. October 31, 2008, Kathmandu Published:UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------------------
How did Koshi River Become a River of Sorrow? Kathmandu, September 1, 2008- The Koshi River, known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' has become the 'Sorrow of Nepal' with a disastrous flood after the breach of its embankment on the night of August 17. The flood has displaced more than 160,000 thousand people in Nepal while in India it has displaced more than half a million. Physically, India has suffered more than Nepal but compared with India, the damage is equally challenging for the small country of Nepal. Former General Manager of Nepal Electricity Authority, Santa Bahadur Pun Magar is a water resource expert. Usnepalonline Special Representative Smita Magar talked with him relating the disastrous Koshi flood: Q. What was the cause of the breach of the Koshi embankment which is now turning into the most devastating natural calamity for Nepal and Bihar, India? Pun: Negligence from the concerned authorities led to this problem. If they had repaired those weak embankments in time then things would have been different. Q: What can be the immediate solution? Pun: Fighting with nature is near impossible at this season so instead of pointing fingers at each other, both countries have to co-ordinate and focus on preventing Koshi River from doing any further damage. They need to focus on relief programs for victims. The ‘true’ repair of the breached embankment can only happen in the dry season. Q. What can be the long term solution then? Pun: India is sure to put forward the concept of building the Saptakoshi High Dam in Barahachhetra. This project is likely to displace about 75000 Nepalese people. Are we ready to do that? My fear is that if some Nepalese politicians sign the agreement without being transparent and discussing thoroughly with concerned authorities and people, we may end up losing our water rights to the Koshi River as we have in other rivers. So, they need to be very cautious and aware of the consequences of the High Dam. For a week after the breach of the embankment at the Kusaha of Sunsari, the Nepali government and the Indian government remained busy pointing fingers at each other for being at fault in the disaster. This increased the suffering of the flood victims, their vulnerability to diseases as well as damage to crops worth Rs 300 million in the district. Though the relief fund is pouring in from national and international levels it is not working as effectively as it should. More than that, nearly 25,000 hungry victims from India have entered Nepal complaining they did not receive any food from their government. Experts from both countries are working hard to protect the Koshi from further damage to the embankment but due to rain they are not able to reconstruct the breached embankment at this time. The Indian expert came to Kathmandu about repairing fragile areas of the embankment on August 17, and the breach of embankment happened on the night of August 17. “The repair of the embankment should be done in dry season, either before rainy season or after rainy season,” says Santa Bahadur Pun, Nepali water resource expert. As per the Koshi Agreement, the entire operation and maintenance of the barrage and embankment is up to India so if they had repaired the embankment on time the disaster would not have been so devastating. The Koshi Agreement was signed by Mahabir Shumsher (Nepal) and Gulzari Lal Nanda (India) during the premiership of Matrika Prasad Koirala in April 25, 1954. It has been arousing much bitterness in Nepal as Nepal is receiving only a minute portion of irrigation, India is benefiting more from power development, thus ruining Nepal’s richest agricultural lands while Nepalese peasants are being discriminated against in compensation. But India’s Ambassador Dev Mukherjee said in Kathmandu Reporter Club’s ‘Face to Face’ program in 2001, “If the Indian’s had built the Koshi Barrage a little downstream in Bihar, then Nepal’s advantage would have been zero. And Indian irrigation instead of nine and half lakh hectares would have been nine lakh and thirty five thousand hectares.” But the on-the-ground ground reality shows that the Koshi barrage, entirely within Nepal, is so sited that it provides not a single acre of Nepalese land with irrigation from the Koshi Eastern Canal which provides irrigation to 612,500 hectares of land in India. The Koshi Western, after traversing 35 kms of valuable Nepalese territory, provides irrigation to only 11,300 hectares of Saptari lands through gravitation flow and 13,800 hectares with costly pumped irrigation. This was availed only after much agitation by the Saptari farmers. On the other hand, the same Western Canal provides gravity flow irrigation to 356,600 hectares of land in India. “Koshi Agreement is the strongest agreement in water resources for Nepal as Nepal has every right to withdraw water from it whenever it needs, but results show otherwise. Nepalis are least benefited by it,” says Pun. India has always looked to the Nepali water sources for fresh water. In this run, Nepal has seen every water agreement with India getting weaker for Nepal and stronger forIndia. Agreements/treaties from Koshi to Gandak and to Mahakali River prove it. Coming back to today’s problem, the devastation caused by the ‘Koshi: Sorrow of Bihar’ in both countries has raised the crucial question: what can be done to prevent the occurrence of similar situations in the future? For some years India has been pushing forward the construction of Sapta Koshi High Dam in Barahachhetra as it will elongate the life of Koshi barrage and embankment along with inclusion of Sun Koshi- Kamala diversion and indirectly play an important role in River Linking Project of India. But, what India is presenting as the long term solution for Koshi can be disastrous for Nepal. If the High Dam is constructed the water level will touch Tumlingtar airfield. That means it will not only put the large Nepali rich-fertile land under water and imbalance our ecology, environment but also displace more than 75,000 Nepali people living in that area. Nepal government needs to be very cautious before signing any agreements with India on related issues. Concerned authorities should not misuse their power and sign any documents before talking with Nepali experts and people as there are chances that we might as well lose our water rights in Koshi as we have done in Gandak River, Mahakali and many other water resources of the Nepal. “India’s intentions are not good while we are talking about water resources. Before signing any documents concerned Ministers and authorities need to be transparent and take it to the people. They should form strong institution to negotiate with India on the matter so that Nepal will not lose its water rights and at the same time affected people will receive reasonable compensation,” warns Pun. As history shows, from construction of the Koshi barrage and embankment, local people were not compensated and their land revenue is not yet paid by the Indian government. Therefore, if the construction of High Dam becomes a necessity Nepalese authorities need to make sure those people who depend for their livelihood on the banks of the Koshi River and its tributaries are fairly compensated by India. Along with that, another important responsibility for them is to make sure Nepalese do not also end up losing their water rights from the Koshi River. They need to be cautious that it does not end up as it has on Gaur inundation, Mahali Sagar inundation, Laxmanpur embankment and in Tanakpur. -Smita Magar in Kathmandu September, 1, 2008 Published:UsNepalOnline.Com ------------------------- "Nepalese mountains taught me something important in life that I have never learned anywhere." -Kwon Hyouk Joung, Tae-kwon-do Coach, Nepal "In Korea, national players who bring any kind of medals from international games are given enough money, good job, facilities and respect by the government and that doesn’t happen in Nepal." "I love mountains. One of the reasons for coming to Nepal was because of Mountains. I really enjoy trekking and witnessing their majestic beauty that opens your heart. These mountains in Nepal taught me something important in life that I have never learned anywhere. Like the hard (powerful) ice on them made from soft snow and then when it melts, it becomes the supple water. They have taught me to live my life with that kind of heart. I am very thankful to Nepal, Nepalese and mountains for teaching me that." The former National Tae-kwon-do athlete of South Korea and now a coach for Nepalese Olympian Tae-kwon-do player Deepak Bista, Coach Kwon Hyouk Joung says he wishes to be the first coach to bring a medal for Nepal. A hard working of determination and pleasant personality, Kwon at 49 years of age feels it is a dream come true for any athlete or coach to participate in the Olympics. Kwon was a national Tae-kwon-do player when he was still in high school. He did his study in Tae-kwon-do in the Yongin University where he also worked as the chief coach from 1986. At that time he was only 26 year-old and since then he has been coaching players from different corners of the world. Kwon has been coaching Bista since 2006 as the chief coach. Under his close watch and training, Bista and others have been winning medals from such International Games as South Asian Games and Asian Games. Bista is the only athlete to qualify for the Beijing Olympics. Therefore, Nepalese are watching closely and hoping for a record from him especially after his training under Kwon for many months for Beijing Olympics 2008. Our Kathmandu correspondent Smita Magar talked to him last week. Read excerpt:
Kwon: The Olympics is the war without weapon. Countries show their power and supremacy through sports so the Olympics is a war done through sports. Here, different countries players will compete in their respective games for their countries’ honour. As a coach, for me, Olympics is the aim, the target, to reach one day in a lifetime. To be able to participate in the Olympics is the most prestigious honour of all. USNepalOnline: Which country do you think will walk with highest medals? Kwon: I think China will be the one to win the highest number of medals in this Olympics as China has been training very hard even before it was finalized that 2008 Olympics would be held in Beijing. For China, winning the USA with weapons is impossible so its strategy is to win through sports. So yes, China has the greatest probability of scoring highest rank in this Olympics, as it is ready in everything. USNepalOnline: How about Nepal’s performance at these Games? How do you think our players will perform? Kwon: I hope Nepal’s performance will be better overall. However, I can not tell about other games but I am confident about Tae-kwon-do. I am sure that Deepak will be at his best while competing. Moreover, Deepak has done hard training in Korea for 4 months and had spiralled (fight one on one) with at least 200 other players so he has enough training and experience on different opponents. Now the only remaining thing is that he will not make any mistakes that will decrease his points during the game. In Tae-kwon-do, winning and losing depends on whether the player makes mistakes or not. Training is more or less similar everywhere. USNepalOnline: What is your target in the Olympics, how confident are you on coming home with a medal? Kwon: Our target is to win and bring a medal from Olympic Games for the first time for Nepal. Apart from his (Deepak) physical training he is psychologically very aware of his duty towards his country and country people. Therefore, I am confident we will win. If there is no target for the big thing, it is useless for me to coach and so it is for the athlete to compete. USNepalOnline: What are the strategies you have planned for the game? Kwon: First, I have to get data on Deepak’s opponent and plan how to attack their weakness, but it may not always work as they might change their style. So, as we have three rounds, by the first round I will know the strongest and weakest points of our opponent and will direct Deepak time and again to get more points on game. Apart from that, Deepak has very strong punch so in the first round we will intimidate our opponent with it. Then as there will be hesitation from opponent’s side on attacking us we can get more points from second round. USNepalOnline: What do you think are Deepak’s strongest points which will play a vital role in winning? Kwon: Deepak understands ‘motion’ or the movement of the opponent very well. That will help him know what the next move is going to be of his opponent and react on his part likewise. Another one is that he has this conscience, a confidence that gives him power to believe he can win. He does not like to lose so he is very hard-working, determined and with strong will power. Third thing I already mentioned. It is that his punch is very powerful which will not only put him at an advantage at receiving plus points but also prevent his opponents from attacking him easily. USNepalOnline: What about his weaknesses? What do you think might put Deepak at a disadvantage compared to his opponents? Kwon: There is one thing that can put him at a disadvantage compared to his opponents. It is his age. His age is a bit more compared to his opponents. Due to this, his speed is a bit slow and his body’s stamina is not as strong as we would prefer to have at this moment to compete in the Olympics. USNepalOnline: Now something about you; what made you to come Nepal as coach? Kwon: In 2006, Asia Tae-kwon-do Union (ATU) asked me if I was interested to go to Nepal for coaching. I had heard a lot about Nepal and the situation of the game so I took the offer. ATU controls the Tae-kwon-do activities of Asia. Its objective is to balance the level of Tae-kwon-do in every country in Asia. They said Nepal was in a bad situation in the game. Therefore, I thought I will be helpful here, so I came to Nepal. USNepalOnline: What did you find to be the situation of the game was when you came to Nepal? Kwon: We have a saying in Korea “Frog of a Well”. Like the saying, our Nepalese players such as Sangina Baidhya were very famous in local level but they did not have any recognition outside the country. Player and coach were good but they did not have any experience at the international level and that was why people of other countries used to make fun of or patronize Nepali Tae-kwon-do players. But now the situation has changed. Nepal has put itself at the international level. Deepak’s level has reached that of the top players of the world, but he can reach even higher. ATU is also saying that Nepal has reached the required level but I think we need to develop it even more. USNepalOnline: What are the differences between South Korea and Nepal in terms of Tae-kwon-do and facilities provided to the players? Kwon: In Korea, national players who bring any kind of medals from international games are given enough money, good job, facilities and respect by the government and that doesn’t happen in Nepal. If Nepali players did not have to ever think about money problems, job, necessary facilities and if they received respect and honour from their government and people as Korean players do, then they will also do very well as they will only need to concentrate on the game and play from their hearts. USNepalOnline: What are the possibilities and challenges for Tae-kwon-do in Nepal? For that, Nepal Tae-kwon-do Association should fully concentrate on the development of Tae-kwon-do rather than on their own personal benefits. If they only search for their benefits the development we are talking about will never happen. Here, the government also needs to play the important role. USNepalOnline: Apart from Tae-kwon-do what does fascinate you in Nepal? Kwon: I love mountains. One of the reasons for coming to Nepal was because of Mountains. I really enjoy trekking and witnessing their majestic beauty that opens your heart. These mountains in Nepal taught me something important in life that I have never learned anywhere. Like the hard (powerful) ice on them made from soft snow and then when it melts, it becomes the supple water. They have taught me to live my life with that kind of heart. I am very thankful to Nepal, Nepalese and mountains for teaching me that. USNepalOnline: And last but not least, what are your plans after Olympics? Kwon: Right now my only focus is Beijing Olympics. Nepal has participated in Olympics before but has never been able to bring medals. My wish and concentration is to bring the first medal for Nepal. I am focusing on Nepal and our game in the Olympics so I have not thought of anything about me or my plans afterwards as it is not the priority of the moment. August 3, 2008, Kathmandu Published:UsNepalOnline.Com ----------------- दुरा भाषाको एक्लो बोल्ने जिबित सोमाले यसरी कहानी बताइन् काठमाडौं, April 1, 2008-When Soma Devi Dura speaks the Dura language there is no one who can speak it back to her or even understand what she is saying. This octogenarian lady has lived most of her life without having two way interactions in her very own language. “I always want to speak in my language but as there is no one else who can speak or understand it, that is not possible,” says Soma Devi Dura, the only native speaker of the Dura language, which was spoken in parts of Lamjung and Tanahun districts in western Nepal about a century ago. “The desire to speak my language is so strong that I find myself being stared at when I unknowingly speak Dura, even after starting the conversation in Nepali,” she added. “Due to lack of interaction in Dura, she has forgotten the words for a few things,” regretted Kedar Bilash Nagila, who will research this language for his PhD following completion of his Masters level thesis on the same language. “It is a challenge to find those forgotten native words,” said Nagila. Although there are many challenges, Nagila is happy to have the support of the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) and Dura Sewa Samaj. Soma Devi Dura is living in Kathmandu, making easier for him to study. Soma Devi Dura is 83, living in Handikhola of Dura Danda, Lamjung. She can neither hear nor see well but recent medical treatment has improved her health considerably. Last year she had surgery on one eye and she has been provided with special hearing equipment for the documentation of the language. Recalling her childhood, she tells how she learned Dura from her grandmother. “Even during those days very few villagers spoke the language but those who did were not only from Dura community; but also from Kami and other ethnic groups in the village,” she said. She remembers being scolded and even disliked by playmates and elders who did not understand her when she spoke.. “That finally made me stop speaking in Dura,” adds Soma Devi. “Perhaps because they did not understand the language they discouraged me, but I continued speaking with my grandmother.” Determination showed in her face as she remembered. When she married at early age, into a family that did not speak Dura, there was no one to converse with in Dura. Neither her husband, son, or five daughters can speak Dura. “I wish my children would ask me to teach them but they have no interest, asking ‘what is the use of language that no one understands?’. I wish they would instead ask ‘Teach us Mother! We will learn!’ ” Then she smiles and reveals that she has been teaching Dura to her niece, Kamala Dura’s daughter-in-law. “Whenever we meet we start talking in Dura. She has been learning fast and can speak in broken form but it is a really good feeling when I get to talk in my language,” she adds. Kamala Dura, Soma Devi’s niece says that Soma Devi Dura asks her to try to speak in Dura and even gets angry when she cannot. Says Kamala: “It upsets me to be unable to speak her language but the tone and words come differently when we try. It would have been easier if we had been taught during childhood, but everyone around us spoke Nepali so we learned to speak Nepali instead,” she adds. Soma Devi says she is hopeful for the future. “If everyone shows interest in speaking the language I will speak and they can follow me. It will be easier to learn that way and it will surely also revive the language when many will be able to speak it,” she explained. “This is the hope and desire that has brought old people like me so far from home so that future generations will speak the language.” Researcher Kedar Bilash Nagila, Kishore Dura, President of Dura Sewa Samaj and Member Secretary of the NFDIN Lok Bahadur Thapa are also hopeful that accurate documentation of the language will revive the dying language of the Dura community through the dedicated efforts of Soma Devi Dura. -Smita Magar in Kathmandu Published:UsNepalOnline.Com -------------------------------- |
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