Post on 25-Feb-2016
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NEPALThe Mountain Kingdom
The Bishop’s SchoolLa Jolla, CA
Frank CarrJanuary 2013
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USAID Rule of Law Project2005 – 2007
Kathmandu NGO
Improve the Rule of Law and Promote a Civil Society Facilitate the drafting of the Nepal Mediation Law Conduct training programs for mediators (Commercial Sector) Work with the Nepal Supreme Court and Patan Appellate Court to
establish a court-referred mediation program– 17,000 cases pending at the Supreme Court of Nepal– Drafted Court “Rules of Procedure for Mediation”– Trained judges and court staff
Establish Mediation Centers Promote the use of mediation in the business community, Bar
Association, and Chamber of Commerce
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NEPAL PRESENTATION AGENDA
BACKGROUND
Geography/Economics History/Politics Ethnic Groups/Religion
VISITING NEPAL
Tourism Dining in Kathmandu Travel Tips
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NEPAL
Part 1Background
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Map of Nepal—South Asia
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Map of Nepal--Elevations
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ECONOMICS
Landlocked between two Asian powers - India and China (Tibet)– Historically a trade route between these two countries
Mountains cover 80% of Nepal – In Nepal, Himalayas are 500 miles long and 145 miles wide at widest– Greatest range of altitude on earth - from 100M to 8848M in about 125
miles.
Population– 30 million people - 85% live in rural areas– Literacy rate is 49%
Annual Income of $240/person makes Nepal one of the poorest countries in the world
Business is concentrated on agriculture, tourism, and water supply
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ETHNIC GROUPS
Peoples– Mosaic – over 60 ethnic groups– Tibeto-Burmese people in the Himalayas– Thakalis, Tamangs, Gurungs, Magars, Newari and Rais/Limbus– Tibetan refugees
Principals– Co-existence– Tolerance (change – women’s rights)
Language– Many Languages and Dialects– Nepali– English Spoken
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RELIGION
Hinduism – 81%– Hindu castes: Brahman to “Untouchables”
Buddhism – 13%– System of Philosophy and Code of Morality
Christianity – 1%– Visible in Schools
Islam – 4%– Border Area with India
Other – 1%
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Religion - Hinduism
Polytheistic Cycle of life, death and rebirth – Karma Omnipresent God
– Shiva – destroyer and reproducer– Vishnu - preserver– Brahma - creator
Ganesh – God of prosperity and wisdom (elephant head) Hanuman – trustworthy God (monkey) Vishnu Incarnations – Ten lives
– Budda - Teacher
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Religion - Buddhism
Gautama Budda– India 6th Century BC– Achieved enlightenment
Three Main Schools– Vajrayana (Nepal and Tibet)
Dharma – Teachings– Karma
Eye - symbol Stupa –bell-shaped religious structure
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Past Political History
700 BC Kirati Hindu Kingdom – Mongoloid People 300 BC Small Buddhist Kingdoms - India 300 AD Hindu Kingdom 1200 AD Golden Age of Mullas Kings
– Muslim Invasion 1769 Shah Kings - Unification 1767 - 1816 British East India Company
– Constant warfare 1846 Rana rule as Prime Ministers
– Constitutional Monarchy 1951 Shah Dynasty returns to power
– Rana PM ousted
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Current Political History
1990 - Popular uprising - Constitutional Monarchy established– King Birendra, Parliament and Courts– Constitution of 9 November 1990
Guarantees human rights Abolished caste system
– Numerous political parties arise– Various governments
1996 – “Maoist” Insurgency 2001 – Royal Massacre: Crown Prince kills royal family and himself 2005 – King Gyanendra: declares emergency/dissolves government 2006 – Popular Uprising/King deposed/Parliament restored Currently – Unsettled
– Maoist join government– Numerous governments– What to do with the former King
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NEPAL
Part 2Visiting Nepal
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Tourism
Scheduled– Kathmandap “Temple of the Living Goddess” - balcony– Mount Everest Flight – weather– Swayambhunath – Buddhist Stupa “Monkey Temple”– Pashupatinah – Shiva Hindu Temple– Bodhnath –Stupa– Patan – Museum and Museum Cafe– Durbar Square – Shopping
Unscheduled– Tamel – Shopping for crafts– Pushapti Temle and Crematorium– Royal Museum – Former residence of King
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Dining in Kathmandu
Hotel – Breakfast and variety– Bottled water
Street Vendors– Avoid
Nepali Food and Culture Experience– Interesting
Cafes and Restaurants – Guide– Bottled water
Indian Restaurants– Numerous - Curry and rice
International – Interesting and affordable– Fire and Ice – Thamel District Entrance - Very good pizza - Foreigners– Rumdoodle – Thamel District Inside – Good meat and pasta – Trekkers hangout
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Travel Tips#1 Preparation
Read the Information Packet– Excellent Advice
Health– Food
Money– ATM – Password– Notice to credit card company
Shots and Medication– Cipro
Communications
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Travel Tips#2 Environment
Smog– If you have a breathing issue, be prepared
Roving Blackouts– Small flashlight at night
Cleanliness– Hand sanitizer
Bandt– General strike– Tires burning– Easy to avoid
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Travel Tips#3 Safety
Crime is very low– Secure your passport and money
Pickpockets at Patan– Street sellers – Be alert
Traffic– Cars, mini-buses, taxis, mopeds, bicycles, and animals
Monkeys– Extremely Aggressive and protected– Do not feed– Do not carry food when touring a site with monkeys – Take off watches and jewelry
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Travel Tips#4 Shopping
Hotel– Gift shops are priciest
Thamel– Small business shops– Crafts, jewelry, carpets, pashmina, tea, spices, and tee-shirts
Patan– Shops, street vendors, and individuals
Rules for Shopping– Never pay the original price– Negotiate– Walk– Negotiate – Enjoy the experience
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Travel Tips#5 Have Fun
Experience the Nepali culture
Taste the different foods
Enjoy the sights
Meet the wonderful people of Nepal
Namaste
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Current Political Situation
Constitutional Assembly– Appointed in 2008 to draft democratic constitution – failed
Parliament– Interim 2007: Former members (208), Maoists (83), Civil Society (48)– Dissolved today– Political parties 9 (2008) to 30+ (2013)
Nepal Supreme Court– Justices 26 (2008) to 6 (2013)– No parliament = no appointment process
Royal Family– Former King – Resides in Nepal/Crown Prince – Exile in Thailand
Mediation Law – Passed by Parliament Women’s Rights
– Interim Constitution of 2007 – equality a fundamental right– Gender Equality Act – repelled discriminatory laws– Domestic Violence Prohibition Act – protection from domestic violence