Best of Nepal In 2005

BEST

Persons & Events of 2005 (here is the WORST list)

1. The 12-point Agreement:

For giving us the hope of bright and peaceful future. This groundbreaking agreement between the seven-party alliance and the CPN Maoist altered the polarization status in Nepali politics. Two of the three forces started talking. However, critics say the agreement is too vague and can go astray any time. Maoists who are waging war for the one party dictatorial communist regime agreed in principle to join the pluralistic society and make democracy their destination. Based on this agreement, mainstream political parties are launching nationwide pro-democracy Lok Jagaran (public awareness) campaign. For the first time in years, unarmed political forces went to the villages of Rolpa and Rukum spreading words of peace and democracy.

Related Link(s):
>Parties, Maoists Unite For Democracy in Nepal
>Agreement in Nepali (from Nepalblogs.com)
>Analyzing the Agreement

2. The Seven Party Alliance:

They all fought themselves in the late 90s and, many say, that was the main reason for the downfall of democracy in Nepal. When seven top leaders of seven different political parties appeared in a small hall of Kathmandu’s Orchid hotel to announce a historic joint statement, Nepali people cautiously welcomed because they had already seen the break-up of 5-party alliance before Feb 1. Still many believe that this alliance formed in Baishak 25 paved way for a new polarization in Nepal. Before striking a 12-point agreement with the Maoists, the alliance played remarkable role in pressing the rebels to declare ceasefire unilaterally. The Maoist’s truce came as a big relief in the times of war but people were disappointed as the royal autocratic government turned out to be too arrogant to reciprocate the move.

Related Link(s):
>Finally, They All Have One Voice Now
>First Step toward Peace is Restoration of Parliament

3. Krishna Pahadi, Devendra Raj Pandey and the Civil Society Movement:

For spreading words about our democratic movement and human rights issues in and outside Nepal and leading the Nepali civil society movement. Pahadi, left, who was imprisoned for about six months after the Feb 1 takeover is the first Nepali for whom Amnesty International organized a month long international (Europe and the US) speaking tour recently. Pahadi (holding a poster for his program in Italy) has been active in promoting peace, democracy and human rights in different places of the country. Pandey, the face of the civil society movement is credited for bringing urban intellects and retired bureaucrats into the democratic movement. The government is mulling a code of conduct to curb “anti-government” activities of retired bureaucrats.

Related Link(s):
>Pascchim tira baralida (Kantipur article on Pahadi’s Tour)
>Rising Voice of Republicanism

4. Shambhu Thapa and Nepal Bar Association:

The front man in our court battle against tyranny. This man, as the president, has led Nepal Bar Association in such a way that the organization has become the prominent face value of Nepali democracy movement. When Shambhu Thapa, the lawyer, leads, other lawyers follow. He used his position at NBA for the benefit of pro-democracy movement.

Related Link(s):
>Shambhu Thapa: Lawyer Who Advocates for Our Freedom

5. Anup Raj Sharma and Min Bahadur Rayamajhi:

Right persons at right place in right time. Supreme Court Justices Sharma and Rayamajhi upheld people’s right to information by issuing a historic verdict that explicitly directed all FM Radios to broadcast news and information. It is your duty to broadcast news, the ruling said, tell us news. Many would agree that these justices did nothing more than performing their duties honestly and constitutionally but the situation in Nepal is such that many a times people need bravery to do the right things.

Related Link(s):
>FMs, Tell us the NEWS!

6. Ian Martin and OHCHR:

For his efforts to safeguard Nepali human rights situation. Martin’s arrival as the Chief of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) operation in Nepal has significantly helped control the human rights violation by the warring sides. After he was appointed for the job in April 29, Martin has constantly been raising his and his office’s voice for human rights in Nepal. Under his leadership, OHCHR Office in Nepal has been monitoring the observance of human rights and international humanitarian law.

Related Link(s):
>Nepal Under International Scanning
>Nepalese Leaders Call For UN Monitoring

7. Nepali Diaspora in the US:

For keeping the Nepal issue alive in America. Pro-democracy members of Nepali Diaspora have organized impressive rallies in cities like New York and Washington D C advocating freedom and democracy Nepal. Prominent members of the Diaspora have actively lobbied for our case among influential people in the US. In this age of Internet, our people are using every means of communication to coordinate their efforts and organizing countless discussion programs aiming at creating buzz about Nepal situation in the US.

Related Link(s):
Influencing Those Who Influence The Influential Here
Listen What This Man Has To Say
An Activist Goes To America
New York is New Road: Democracy Demanded
I Say Civil Liberties Now, Not Tomorrow

8. Patrick Leahy and James Walsh:

These men are strongly taking Nepal’s case to the lawmakers and policy formulators of the US. Leahy the senator , left, has been constantly raising Nepal’s democracy movement in the US Congress and pressing his government to take necessary action. He has also regularly highlighted king Gyanendra’s autocracy and human rights violations. Walsh, an ex-Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal and the Congressman, has been working with his fellow lawmakers to pursuade the US government to pressurize the royal Nepal government.

Related Link(s):
>‘I Rise To Speak On Nepal’
>US Senate Amendment On Nepal
>We The Congressmen Rrespectfully Ask Your Majesty
>Patrick Leahy Rises To Speak, Again
>‘Will RNA Cast Its lot With People?’

9. Sharawan Mukarung and Arjun Parajuli:

For triggering the wave of Loktantrik (democratic) poems and proving that literature is a powerful means of expression. We have seen countless Loktantrik poem recitations programs since Mukarung, right, published his super-famous poem “Bise Nagarchi Ko Bayan” in Nepal Magazine. His satirical creation was so much appreciated that people started paying money to hear his poems. In one program, Mukaraung collected Rs. 30 thousand within an hour. With hard-hitting poems like “Satra Saaj Bhag Dui” the bearded kaviji Parajuli has become the poetic voice of the democracy movement. They unknowingly became catalysts for people’s desire to fight for democracy.

Related Link(s):
>Bise Nagarchi Ko Bayaan (the poem)

10. Ramesh & Rayan, Nanda Krishna Joshi and Rubin Gandarva:

For singing songs of people and democracy. Ramesh & Rayan, left, have re-emerged with their progressive and provoking songs like “Gau gau bata utha” [“rise from villages”] and have been actively involved in pro-democracy movement in Nepal in 2005. The duo recently declared in a mass meeting that their songs don’t belong to a particular party but to the entire democratic movement.

Nanda Krishna Joshi, left, the popular Deuda singer has used his singing ability in the interest of democracy movement. He has the gone to villages of East Nepal singing his deuda, a folk tune popular in West Nepal, pro-democracy “Jhyamma Jhyamma” songs. While doing so, he has also taken the tune of West Nepal to Eastern parts of the country. Rubin, the teenager, has become the humming bird of democratic movement. When he sings parodies based on popular folk tunes, the people rise and start dancing. This Gandarva’s mass appealing and anti-autocracy songs have become major attractions in the programs organized as part of peaceful democratic movement.

Related Link(s):
> Songs of Revolution Echoed in Patan
> Jhyamma…Jhyamma: Singing Democracy
> In Search of Rubin-I (from Nepalblogs.com)
> In Search of Rubin II

11. Keith Bloomfield:

As the British ambassador and the chief of the EU in Nepal, Bloomfield has been constantly raising issues of democracy. He has travelled to different parts of Nepal talking about democracy and freedom. And the royal government felt the heat created by Bloomfield speeches. So much so that royal loyal Ramesh Nath Pandey’s Foreign Ministry has summoned Bloomfield twice in 2005 for speaking “against” the government.

Related Link(s):
>Bloomfield Is A Headache For Royal Govt.
>So, Bloomfield Is Here To Stay

12. Palpasa Cafe:

For proving that there is no dearth of readers of Nepali literature provided there is quality creation backed up by good marketing campaign. The debut novel by journalist Narayan Wagle created history in Nepali publishing industry by selling more than five thousand copies in the first month of publication. The book, branded as War Novel by some critics, is about contemporary Nepali society and won this year’s prestigious Madan Puraskar.

Related Link(s):
>Palpasa Cafe Hits Bookstores
>Narayan Wagle: A Novelist Is Born With Palpasa Cafe
>Narayan Wagle Wins Madan Puraskar

13. Nepali Windows/ Nepalinux:

For enabling computers understand our language. Big achievement in Nepali computing after the arrival of computer arrived in the Himalayan country. Though it will take time to see many computer users in Nepal using these software, they have definitely paved the way for further development in Nepali computing.

Related Link(s):
>Finally, Penguin Speaks Nepali
> Campaign of Make Computer Understand Nepali (from Nepalblogs.com)

14. Hami Basanta Khoji Rahechhau:

For taking the issue of democracy to the street in the form of drama. This popular street (We are looking for Spring) performance by Sarbanaam group has been revived after 15 years. In those dark days of autocracy in the late 80s, this drama in which spring means democracy and freedom, gave impetus for democratic movement.

Related Link(s):
>Sarwanam searches anew for ‘spring’ (The Kathmandu Post article)

15. Nepali Cricket:

For winning important matches when needed and moving Nepal up in the World cricket barometer. Nepal is being noticed wordwide andn international regulatory bodies like ICC are holding thier top meetings in Kathmandu. In those hard and disappointing times, the game of cricket and our wonderful lads gave us the joyous news from the field. It was an exihilirating experience to see our folks lifting the Under 19 ACC Cup for third time in a row.

Related Link(s):
> Double Delight!

This entry was posted on Saturday, December 31st, 2005 at 8:46 pm and is filed under UWB! Team. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

23 Responses to “Best of Nepal In 2005”

Kendrika Says:
December 31st, 2005 at 11:45 pm

When I see this list, I remember the recent remark of Tulsi Giri in Jhapa. He very clearly termed the 12 point Agreement a Hoax. And that is very much true. I just saw Nepal Television and one political analyst was telling the same. The agreement is a Maoist tactic. Parties are trying to use that as a means to gain the power. It is very unfortunate that some people are branding Agreement the biggest achievement of the year. I can only pity them. You have to understand the reality. Try to go beyond what you see and think wise. Get out of this illusion.

The Doctor Says:
January 1st, 2006 at 12:03 am

Kendrika: “…Tulsi Giri in Jhapa….Nepal Television.”

I am sorry to know your sources of “knowledge.” Torilahure Giri and NTV?? Huh?????

programmer Says:
January 1st, 2006 at 1:29 am

I don’t think all these thing are good or best , but oviously are some. What next ??

freedomfighter.np Says:
January 1st, 2006 at 6:07 am

Kendrika,
You are right from your positing. I cannot expect any good, who draws conculsion citing TG and NTV.

Have a good new year with TG and NTV!

(But I highly recommend you to meet different people, read news from diferent sources, visit different places of nepal.)

Chandan Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 10:58 am
Good and appropriate items selected!

no democracy i need ganatantra Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 2:30 pm
oh kendrika
where are u??
we are in 21st century and u r in 19th century.
u are watching NTV and TG.
come out of your home and see the world and also nepal
what is going in world and what is going in nepal
see where is nepal.
please come out of your home and feel the reality.
Feeling reality would be better than giving the comment after watching NTV.

Ram Bahadur Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 3:33 pm
12 Point Agreement is only hope in Nepal at this hour of crisis. Now what will happen after the end of cease fire and on the 8th of Feb. KG has become a total failure and he wants to destroy Nepal completely. Not only TG is mentally unstable but his chairman should be also taken to mental hospital.

Shyam Laal Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 3:36 pm
Yes I agree with ram bahadur. KG’s actions are always negative. How long he can rule the country at gunpoint ?

No Santosh Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Every power group should seat together to solve our problem.KG can join 12 point programme with his amendments. There is no problem solving attitude in all the groups. Only aggravating the situation would bring the country to a landslide and kill thousands of people.

Chature Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 3:52 pm
Friends,

Better not to comment on Kendrika. I surpriese how internet access (super world miracle of 20th century) came to that person’s hand. Any way that s up to person.

Kendrika jee, Please make a copy of your comment and go to west gate of Narayanhity, possibly you will get assistant minister. I guess, there is no another best place for you.

realTouch Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 7:50 pm
I appriciate the courtesy of bloggers towards a lady name ‘Kendrika’. If it was a male name, all bloggers would have fell upon him like hungry pack of wolves. Kendrika! You are lucky by your name.

Sarki ko choro Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 9:18 pm
I am surprised to see the personal attack on blogger and outright discounting of their view without arguing the point.

Is that all you bloggers can do?

C’mon guys give your argument why the 12 point agreement is not a ploy by Maoists to fool the parties so that the parties can carry Maoists’ agenda (e.g constituent assembly)? A blind person can see that!

Poudel A. Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 11:16 pm
This is a great list with events and persons selected in a good manner. Had I formulated the list, I would have put Krishna Pahadi, Devendra Raj Pandy and the Civil Society movement at the No. 1 position. Civil society movement really inspired the political parties to intensify the movement against autocracy.

To Kendrika,
I just saw Kantipur TV and Dr. Devendra Raj Pandey, former finance minister in the interim government, was telling Bijay Kumar that we need loktantra and the system is more important that any person. Can you assume all power and stop possible voice that might go against you? No, he was saying, you can’t do that even in your house. Even your father can’t do that.

As a citizen of a nation, we have certain responsibilities. Our efforts and actions should be directed toward good. And that GOOD is to establish democracy. I would like to quote Mr. Pandey here:

A bad system makes good person bad but a good system makes a bad person good. Lets go for the GOOD system. And we know that is non other than democracy.

Today your NTV showed your T Giri among those royal political parties who were begging money from the government for election.

To UWB,
I also like your choice of Nepali cricket. I am also a big fan of the sport and I would like to thank our boys for giving us victories.

Saugat Says:

January 1st, 2006 at 11:26 pm
Constituent Assembly is not the Maoist agenda. Its Nepali Congress’s agenda since the 50s. Go to libraries and turn back the pages of history books. Constituent Assembly empowers people and strips King from unconstitutional power. By declaring cease fire, Maoist showed maturity.

King has gone to eastern region to promote his election agenda. If king is too much keen about elections, he should be afraid of Constituent Assembly because that’s all about elections. And people will have real choices to vote in and out.

Sarki ko choro Says:

January 2nd, 2006 at 11:42 am
I don’t believe a single word of people from Congress party say, except perhaps from one or two.

Never heard of Congress talking about constituent assembly before the Maoists raised it. Even if they might have uttered the word they (Kangressi) have said so many incoherent things that it is hard to make out what they want to say. They have been saying all sorts of things in the past and they habitually keep on contradicting themselves all the time!!

Truth Says:

January 2nd, 2006 at 1:13 pm
“Ke Garchhas Mangale Afnai Dhangale”

Political parties should have ruling this country till now if they had united in the parliament. They made their choice themselves to the street. Sometimes we find pity on them running like a hungry fox to Delhi, Lakhanu, Silguri, Rolpa, Kathmandu, Polkhara, Gulmi, Biratnagar etc..etc.. places. Still they don’t have any destination and gone to maobadi to get support. what a same strategy, those who destroyed them now are their godfather. If one go back to the history, the maobadi were nothing infront of them.

recentnews Says:

January 2nd, 2006 at 1:47 pm
Kendrika!
NTV is good only to watch Tito Sattya and Ka Beman Director !

realTouch Says:

January 3rd, 2006 at 12:29 am
One factor is very common between political parties and Maoist – their roots are among the people and they accept people’s supremecy. All revolts may not be successful but big political changes were by revolution. Maoist may die out but the issues raised by them already brought a vast change in social structure. Those who go outside of Kathmandu valley, feel it. Understanding between Maoist and political parties is an agreement of that feeling.

Monarchist, first of all, can not accept people’s supremecy and so, they are alien among common people. Monarchist or bhardars are arrogant by nature because they feel arrogancy gives them supremacy over people. So, they don’t have the feeling of that 12-point agreement.

Global Voices Online » Blog Archive » Nepal: Best and the Worst Says:

January 3rd, 2006 at 1:43 am
[…] United We Blog! presents the best and the worst of Nepal in the year 2005. […]

tg Says:

January 3rd, 2006 at 12:21 pm
How the hell did the likes of Shambhu Thapa make the list? I keep forgetting who this site is hosted by, how come you did not put Kantipu on the list to make your master Gyawali proud.

Truth Says:

January 3rd, 2006 at 12:50 pm
Realtouch,

I accept your one point that autocracy cannot be accepted in 21st century. But totally disagree if you say maoist activities are genuine. Are you in stone-age to support maobadi brutal killings? Change can be bring with peace also, my dear. Get lesson from Mahatma Gandhi. How come you educated person to support the maobadi’s act. If you look at their cruel incident of killings, do you agree with them?

Uglo Keta Says:

January 18th, 2006 at 5:31 pm
Recently when I saw in one of the newspapers saying British Envoy Mr. Bloomfield will be leaving soon, I felt sad. He was so far the best envoy Nepal has ever had from UK. He concern about the political situation in Nepal and his voice for the restoration of Democracy in Nepal will never be forgotten by us. He was not only a diplomatic person but also a good entertainer. I have listened to him singing live in many places. His ability to perform as Diplomat and as a cultural ambassador is really something I have never seen before. His live performance also left many music lovers in Kathmandu say “WOW! what an ambassador!”. Good luck Mr. Bloomfield. We hope the next envoy will be as nice and honest as you. We love you.

Himalaya Film Festival Says:

January 19th, 2006 at 12:15 pm
I think getting Nepathya to Europe was great thin too! And of course the many performances they gave with the other musicians through Nepal!

HAN