Tibetan Freedom, Nepali Foreign Policy, and Wikileaks

"When caretaker Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said in October that he wouldn't let foreign powers interfere in internal matters, Nepal's Telegraph newspaper called it the 'best joke of the month.'" - LA Times


LA Times article addresses the new Nepali Prime Minister's foreign policy approach with India and China in light of the Wikileaks documents released in December 2010.  The audio files have evidence that Nepali border police are sending Tibetans back to China, paid off by the Chinese government.  The claims that these audio records are true have been denied by both sides. 


Prithvi Narayan Shah, Nepal's Gorkha unifier (conquerer?) coined the phrase, "Yam between two boulders."  This phrase continues to be tossed around today to describe the delicate relationship between these three countries.  The Tibet issue is a bargaining chip China can freely use when negotiating with Nepal government - especially the factions that value strong ties with China.  

Optimism for Kashmir?

Interesting photos of Kashmiri Pandits return to Kashmir.  Controversy is that, because they are Hindu, Pakistan sees them as a threat. 

An opinion article in the Times of India reports results from a recent survey about the Line of Control.  The article states that conflict was ready to be smoothed out before 11/26.  Since, the terrain for resolution, or at least compromise, has been rocky.

Sita Sings the Blues - "American" take on Ramayana

Attended a lecture today at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) that was part of a course taught by Drs. Robert and Sally Goldman of UC Berkeley's South Asian Studies Department.  They are here in Delhi working on their epic one-of-a-kind translation of the epic narrative The Ramayana composed by the poet Valmiki, which is an integral part of India's (and many other cultures') heritage. 

Today's course was framed from last week's (which I did not attend) where Sally focused on ideas of appropriation.  This carries a negative connotation for me as in 'cultural appropriation' of that which we perceive as exotic or different, holding some level of fantasy for us, be it savage, spiritually fulfilling, aggressive, or transgressive of our own cultural boundaries.  We identify this thing, e.g. Buddhist prayer beads, and we develop our own way of relating to it in the context of our own culture.  Appropriation means taking something which is not yours and owning or authoring meaning and significance to that thing outside of its original cultural context. 

We started watching Sita Sings the Blues under this premise - The Ramayana is an epic that 'belongs' to India (i actually don't know enough about the history yet to say this - I know it has traveled to many places and been retold in the contexts of many cultures, and today there was some reference to it being part of an extensive folk tradition in many countries as well).  Nina Paley used the story of Ramayana as a way to work through some bad things that happened in her own life.  She took this epic story, the basis of understanding of cultural structures for India, and looked at it not only through her US American lens, but the lens of a first time viewer of the epic.  We discussed many aspects of this after viewing including Nina's motive and her ability to capture what our audience thought were the true meanings/themes of the stories. 

What did I see while we watched?

What were the reactions to the viewing? (who made up the audience)

What did Sally and Bob want to talk about? (globalization and relevance of epic stories)

How is this relevant to my work as a cross cultural bridge for Americans in India?  I did speak up at the end - actually, I was put on the spot as one of the only two foreigners in the room other than the lecturers, and a US American as well.  People were interested in how someone would react to seeing this version as the first version of the Ramayana in their lives.  What an interesting question, especially in light of working with young US Americans who decide they would like to spend three or four months in India with the organization I work for.  I have often searched for accessible ways to introduce my students to Culture in a sensitive, non-overassuming way - a way in which I feel opens an ethical dialogue and creates understanding, relation, and curiosity about the experience the students might have. 

Constitution Process and Support for Nepal

It's hard to watch from afar.  Maybe even harder to watch at all.  A colleague just returned from KTM this weekend saying how shocking the living conditions are there: garbage in the streets piled high (the waste management system workers have been on strike since last may), loadshedding up to 18 hours/day (not enough time to charge a converter to get power).

Here are two articles -

First about STILL having no concensus on the constitution that is due to be finished on 28 May of this year.
Second about India and Nepal relations in times of difficult economy - will India support Nepal through this crisis spring?

The Jewel in the Crown is India

Often, when we, from the United States, begin to talk about colonial imperialism, the topic presents a conundrum not easily sorted out.  Examples from Franciphone Africa, China and its occupied territories, the mess left in South Africa, Brits in India, and (if we are brave enough to talk about it honestly) British in the US resulting in the genocide of Native Americans.  The topic overflows with examples of brutality, racism, oppression, servantry, power, control, and economic development.  If we're lucky, the discussion doesn't stop at the floodgates of guilt that quickly bubble up depending on how much one has thought about the topic of one's social identity and come to terms with these dynamics.  Isn't it?

One of the books (or sets of books) the students can choose to read before coming to India is the Raj Quartet by Paul M. Scott.  Jewel in the Crown is the first, but also the title of the miniseries that has been called the best miniseries of its time. 

Literary works of art - novels of the best storytelling and intrigue.  What makes a good story?  Lots of characters that you can identify with - characters with tragic flaws, ones that you fall in love with along with the storyline, ones that you hate because you see them one dimensionally until the secret behind them is revealed, and even then, you hate them a little bit for their cruelty.  Historical fiction works in this way - giving context of the time period (In JITC's case, 1942 - 1947 in India) by following characters along their journeys.  Characters that may or may not have actually existed at the time, but it doesn't matter.  The characters are telling the story of the history. 

Themes: Social commentary - Brits in India, or the history of Brits in India juxtaposed with India's own history, or the powerlessness to interact with it - power dynmaics and how they play out - WWII - Independence - Muslim/Hindu conflict -privilege - 'home' - graciousness/manners - drinking - love and how quickly or slowly the interaction takes place - taboos of sexuality -trust -...

I noticed how the characters never call each other out on their shit.  They just kind of bear it, sometimes to 'vent' to someone else about the behavior or decide what to do about it, but never to their faces.  (Example, Merrick, Susan's insanity)  Misunderstandings frustrate the viewer.

Colonialism is like a bad marriage - filled with frustration, angst, abuse, exploitation, joy, and sometimes love. 
Most of the Indians portrayed in the series are servants, sometimes cunning and stealing, sometimes supporting their Memsahibs perfectly.  Lady Chatterjee, Nawab and his family, and Hari Kumar have substantial roles.  It is quite skillful of the writer/director to spend such a time with Hari and Daphne creating an intense connection with them, then tragedy strikes.  They are not in the series physically for the rest of the episodes, but they hover in the storyline as a reminder of the ambiguity of disaster, unfortunate events, questions of identity and love; they ARE the main storyline, even though we finish with the Laytons and Ahmed's fate.  Hari and Daphne are the ominous bookends to the story, reminding the viewer that complications and dissapointment are the themes of the work.

Each episode includes actual wartime footage from WWII telling the story from the Indian/British perspective of the time.  Sarah, Merrick, Guy, and other characters are fully engaged in the security forces at different levels.  The footage brings reality to the stories of the characters and helps the viewer understand what the context is for their lives during each episode.  Another technique used is the ambiguity of the ending of each episode, sometimes in flames, sometimes just quietly ending without fanfare sneaking up on the viewer creating a feeling in me of expectation, tragic anticipation, or frustration at times.  There is no happy ending.  This solidifies the view that colonialism is like a bad marriage.

Pandit Baba, Gandhi/Nehru,

First Draft.

Today I learned...

that Gandhi and Nehru could have agitated the British further during the beginning of WWII potentially executing their campaign for home-rule while attentions were distracted with fascist regimes in Europe.  Not the case - They decided, along with the Bengali intellectual contingent (Tagore, Coomaraswamy and Nandalal Bose) that the fight against fascist regeimes was more important at the time than independence. 

Others such as Subhas Chandra Bose did not agree.  He wanted to take advantage of the weakened British state to gain independence.  He spent time with Hitler looking to connect on the "aryan" thing - meaning the Aryans origninated in the Indus river valley civilization, thus Bose saw himself as an Aryan, yet, Hitler didn't know what to do with him - he had dark skin and didn't fit the bill.  Hitler sent him to Japan.  Japanese didn't know what to do with him, so they sent him in to Burma to fight the Brits.  That lasted for a bit and then he was killed (more info needed).  There are some that think he is still out there in a cave somewhere waiting until the time is right when he will emerge as a messianic figure to lead India on to global domination.

The dangers of developing a national identity - seems Gandhi and the Bengalis had their feet on the ground and were able to balance their inspiration from the Russian and European idealist identity writers (Hegel, Tolstoy...) with the understanding of human empathy and Truth.  Bose missed the boat on that one. 

One can draw an argument here from looking at the development of the nation-state theology in the late 18th c. and take Hitler's third reich as an example of how destructive (yet mesmerizing) developing national identity can be.  The other example are the Indian nationalists in the middle of the 20th c. 

hm.

China Response to Border Bullying

China's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang says she has not read any reports of border encroachment around the Lines of Control in Ladakh.  In fact, she says, "China has always strictly honored its commitments."

Indian Defense Minister, AK Antony, also denies the recent claims that China is subversively grabbing land along the border. 

Both of these articles - from Times of India and Press Trust of India - are quite short and without many details.  The TOI article reports Antony saying, "There is only a difference in perception," about the border encroachment.  One wonders about pressure to post some information from an Indian source denying the recent claims...

What is the difference?  How should it be explained?  What are the different perceptions - that China IS harassing nomads along the high mountain plateau border, but India shouldn't perceive it like that?   His words certainly imply that something is going on. 

China and India are in their final rounds of talks to "safeguard peace and tranquility along the border."

Maoist Fourth Phase - Border Agression

Maoist leaders and their latest crusade: Take the land BACK from India!  Chalo!  The focus is a 75 sq. km. patch of land in western Nepal that has been under occupation since Indo-China war in 1962.  Kalapani in the far west and Susta in Lumbini area - check out International Boundary Consultants on this issue.

Let's watch and see.

Here's an interesting piece from the Chennai Center for Chinese studies about the border issues.  The article well-documents the recent events and decisions of the Maoists in their fourth phase of 'action.'

Many Voices and Concerns on Kashmir Solution

Peace conference called by two separatist leaders of J & K at the Indian International Center seem to speak about the 'real' issues here.  Ethnic group rights in the process need to be heard - many people are greatly affected by the stalemate in the northern areas.  Neither is willing to give an inch to the other and the 'dialogue' process is at a standstill because credibility of this technique has been lost through eruptions of violence in the past 15 years. 

One of the leaders, Sajjad Lone, proposes trade as a means to build trust and build the economy of the region.  Through this, the region can be unburdened by "the monotony of sovereignty."  He released a document called "Achievable Nationhood," the first of its kind since violence in 1989, at the beginning of Jan 2010.  Is this just the type of leadership that the region is needing to emerge from protracted conflict?

The paper calls for tax-free movement of goods between a united J & K. "Lone's peace formula comes a month after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said Islamabad would abandon its claim to Kashmir if India agreed to give the territory autonomy under joint supervision by both countries," says Reuters. 

New Peaks open for Tourism in Ladakh

The Times of India published an article saying which restricted areas are now open to foreigners for mountaineering-type pursuits.  This is going to highly imact tourism in Ladakh.

I wonder if this is India's way to lay claim to previously restricted areas... if J & K state then makes tourism dollars off of peaks in the southeaster corridor of the Karakoram, Pakistan and China cannot very well claim any of that land is belonging to them, can they.  The closer India pushes toward the borders, the more tenuous the situation may get.

Don't know if this is such a good idea, India.
And Ladakh, it's time for you to dial up the sustainable eco-tourism business strategies.  Helena Norberg-Hodge, where are you when we need you!

Understanding Federalism

Wikipedia
says it is is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together (Latin: foedus, covenant) with a governing representative head. The term federalism is also used to describe a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units (like states or provinces). Federalism is a system in which the power to govern is shared between national and central (state) governments, creating what is often called a federation. Proponents are often called federalists.

Federalism is the type of politics wherein a group of members create a sovereign constitution with central governing authority and political units.

Wiki uses the example of India as a unique form of Federalism... 28 states and 7 Union territories, but with exceptions based on caste and/or class of individuals or ethnic minorities.  Does this give rise to uncontrollable separatist movements? i.e too much freedom = no enough central control?  

US is given as another example where parts came together to create a functional whole.  Though, the debate continues to rage about state vs. central government control of things like speed limits and health care.

I'm curious about Nepal's process and their vision of the term. 

Gilgit-Baltistan

Historically (? Source) a part of Kashmir (State language is Urdu but linguistics in Baltistan suggest strong connection to Tibeto-Burmese languages as opposed to Persian/Arabic What is the persian/arabic family of languages called?) folks in Gilgit-Baltistan have been under Pakistani rule since 1949. 

India recently made a public claim for the region.  This article verbalizes India's claim that Pakistan is illegally occupying the land there, despite claims from the newly elected Chief Minister Mehdi Shah that the region has no connection to Kashmir.  Elections in November were successfuly administered and CM Shah's win made G/B officially the fifth province in Pakistan. 

India is calling out Pakistan for not addressing human rights violations that have occured in the past few years as the seperatist movement is gaining momentum. 

Watch this region - another example of contracted ethnic conflict where struggle for human rights against oppressive nationalist government is compounded by the fact that many eyes are on the strategic region.  Issues are Karakoram Highway (KKH) for trade with China, Taliban presence in areas north and west of Balitistan, other seperatist movements as a result of central Pakistani government not paying much attention to folks up there - including human rights issues of food and resource accessability, health needs, and education. Read this one about that.

India and Pakistan - Maps, resources , and glacier melt

Northern Border Conflict or Siachen Conflict refers to the elusive boundary issues in India's northernmost state Jammu & Kashmir.  Eruptions of war, armed conflict, ethnic aggression plague the region as China, India, and Pakistan figure out their stakes.  Other stakeholders are Gilit/Baltisani, Afghani and Tajik peoples living in and on the borders of the Karakoram.

Siachen Glacier
The highest battlefield in the world at 21,000 ft is the glacier set in the Saltoro range (northeast of the Ladakh range) in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh.

I always wonder about the impact of the military presence in Ladakh - benefits and drawbacks for the people, but also the landscape I read this interesting article the other day about environmental impact on this glacier given the melt caused by the military presence there. 

Who's making hunger worse?

“It’s the role of the state and not the level of wealth, that determines progress on hunger,” said Anne Jellema.

Findings from an ActionAid study say that Brazil, China, and India (in that order) score the highest in the study.  US scores 8 out of 100 for eradicating poverty within its borders. Pretty crappy compared to other developed countries.

Economist article commenting on the study and comparing growth rates of the world's three largest developing countries here.

Indian Federalism

The Economist talks about the different separatist movements here happening in India, most notable the Gorkhas living in West Bengal who have been "at" the Gorkhaland movement since the 70's (check facts)

With states created as recently as 2000, Indian government seems to pay attention to the needs of disenfranchised ethnic groups and listen to their struggles presuming that creating a separate states does indeed address the needs of these communities.

At what cost? What is the goal of Indian nationalism? How does this impact the region economically?

How does India's bent toward balkanization of the country show an example for Nepal who's government is trying to address the same issues?

Sino - Indian Relations...

(Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Chinese Premiere of the State Council Wen Jiabao)

Is China being aggressive with its international neighbors?  Maybe President Obama is not the only one being bullied.  This blog (from an Indian perspective, it seems) offers detailed commentary on diplomacy between these two giants.

Mr. D.S. Rajan (Director, Chennai Center for China Studies) writes a thoughtful analysis of recent blogs from inside China and what themes he sees coming out of the writing. Themes include a possible Sino-Indian conflict on a large scale, China's movement toward more military presence on its southern borders as of late, Chinese claims on Ladakh (but not Kashmir), capturing of Sikkim, and Nepal as a stepping stone for either country given the current political situation. 

This is an astute synthesis of information.

From the Global LAB Archives...

This was written by me in the spring of 2008 while working for Global LAB leading gap year programs in northern India. 
________________________________________

Seva = Service.

Many times over the course of the semester, we arrange for, explore the practice of, and process our experiences giving service. Many of the religions into which we dig have strong traditions of donation and service - this semester we've dug deeply into Jainism as we've explored Jaipur. Selfless volunteer service, or seva, is a act practiced by Jains in many different ways. The most important piece is not just to give the seva as an obligation but to truly feel from your heart that there is nothing else to do but give what you have - your skills, your gratitude, and your love.

About a week ago, I had a chance to do just that. I am still feeling the tingly warmth radiating out of my chest as I sit here, remembering, in order to blog about this experience.

As you all know, we were living in Chomu - a small town 40 km outside of Jaipur - for three days. On the evening of the second day, as the students were safely with their homestay families laughing, dancing, and singing with their brothers-and-sisters for the night, Harrison and I traveled with Shivani, our local coordinator, to visit some Jain nuns. We found them walking along the busy road, cars blowing their horns and blazing past these women, clad all in white, heads covered with blue/grey material covering their mouths as to not inhale any unaware insects as they walked. What a contrast to the motorbike-stares as many folks ripped by us!

More striking than the sight of these nuns walking along the road was the entourage that followed them. Women and men who had devoted either that part of the day or a week of their life to walk along with with nuns. They were cooking and cleaning and readying every small detail to arrange for the safety, sleeping, and eating for the nuns caught and held my attention. One woman, in particular, Lali, drew me in with her smile immediately.

We arrived at the place where the nuns would stay for the night and preparations began immediately for dinner. Harrison and I stood around, for a minute or two, watching, observing, and being quite dwarfed by the quick activity around us: the nuns needed to eat before the sun set in about 30 minutes. We were standing in a movie scene - The two of us still, in focus, while everyone else played back in fast forward around us.

My eyes focused on Lali - in her red sari - her strong body moving with grace among the others, quietly, but firmly guiding, showing the others what needed to be done to accomplish their tasks. Not quite knowing what else to do but feeling uncomfortable watching things happen around me while I stood still, I approached her. She looked at me, smiled deeply, and put an apple in my right hand and a knife in my left. I squatted down and began to peel. I was focused on taking the seed parts out of the apple, as Lali showed me, because Jain nuns can't eat any piece of food that could potentially contain another life. I looked to my left where Lali had placed a huge bowl of fruit for me to peel and de-seed: pomegranate (yikes for de-seeding!), papaya, apples, oranges, and grapes. Next to the bowl, a cup of steaming chai sat also waiting for my attention. I set to work.

This small bit of seva that I was able to give - merely cutting some fruit for the nuns, and for the people who were attending to them to share together - filled me up with a deep sense of satisfaction. I felt a bit weightless with joy, actually. It's these moments that I am so grateful for, but are also a bit dangerous as they are addicting. To feel so happy and so light is a rare thing.

So as we continue to move along this semester and engage with other traditions in which seva is a huge piece (Sikhism at this Golden Temple where I finish up this post), I remember this feeling, Lali's smile, and the happiness that came from my small actions that evening before the sun set.

May you all feel the heart warmth as you identify pieces of service that you give every day to your loved ones, your children, your parents, your partners. May the giving be enough to fill your hearts with gratitude for the opportunity to give.

In Service,

TKJ

The Yam between Two Boulders

Good article from Republica about how Nepal needs to be careful moving forward politically.

Unskillfully playing both sides with two giants, Nepal is.  Internal turmoil, and grandiose ideas about trust and relations with the giants will do Nepal, and her Maoists, no good.

Jesus's lost years

jesus in kashmir - bbc documentary






And I'm still curious - There's another series that seems interesting... less about Kashmir, more about the story pieces that aren't told by the bible (youtube: The Hidden Story of Jesus - in 11 parts). 

I spoke with a friend of mine today who knows a lot about Kashmir.  She correctly pointed out that Hemis Monastery, which is cited in these videos, was not even built yet during the time period of Jesus's life.  "Saint Issa" could not have visited Hemis, even if there was a Saint Issa.  Buddhism was in its hayday in North India at this time, awaiting the

The Silk Road certainly had an impact on the spread of Buddhism.  How and when exactly remains illusive. 

Ethnicity and Seperatist Movements

Basques in Spain from CNN - Basque Movement (est. 1959) labeled a terrorist group by the US.

Maoists (Naxals or Naxalites) in India from CNN - Suspected terrorist activity in northeastern India.  These guys have been at it since 1960.

Big Question always arises with students as we are trying to understand the idiosyncracies of the Maoist movement here in Nepal (official est. 1996) - What is the connection between these self-proclaimed separatists?  Do they have similar goals? methods? are they connected by anything other than morphed ideology from Mao's Cultural Revolution in China?  How closely are they following traditional Maoist ideology?  Are they taking cues from each other?

Sanjib ji was telling me the other day that it was only just recently that the Naxalites in India had formally acknowledged the Maoists here in Nepal as a group they could look up to and emulate as they had truly been able to reform government and strive toward the goals set by their ideologies. 

Remains to be seen, no?