Lalitpur, November 26, 2005

Women from the Jyapu community played dhime, a traditional musical instrument, for the first time in Taa Nani, Thecho, Lalitpur, today. Fifteen teams, each comprising four members, played dhime for five minutes at a ‘Dhime competition’ organised by the Thecho Misa Dhime Khala (TMDK). A musical instrument of the Jyapus, dhime is played during festivals, jatras and auspicious occasions. Girls and women in Thecho were not even allowed to touch dhime. Only boys were allowed to learn to play it from their elders. Three years ago, when the girls wished to learn to play the instrument, they had to go against the practice in the community. “Eleven of us donated money to buy musical instruments,” said Ganga Maya Malakar, 22, president, TMDK. “After six months of training, we began performing at the Open Theatre and in peace rallies,” she said, adding that exposure helped them earn money and recognition.” Community members have praised the girls’ efforts and provide them support. “With three years of experience and with support from the concerned authorities, girls and women hope they can opt for this occupation,” she added. Gopal Mali, a resident of Thecho, said: According to Newari culture, women were not supposed to touch the idols of Natheshwar, the god which is worshipped before playing dhime. “We now allow women to play the instrument,” he said.

Nepal wants well-off nations to pay for climate change

Kathmandu, November 26, 2005

Nepal has decided to express concern and seek compensation for deterioration of country’s natural resources due to emission of harmful gases by the industrialised nations at an international conference that begins on Monday. As many as 189 countries are participating in the Conference of Parties of United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to be held from November 28 to December 9 in Montreal, Canada. Jointsecretary of Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, Lok Darshan Regmi, will represent Nepal in the conference. His agenda: how can Nepal benefit from the Clean Development Mechanism. “I will raise the issue of making the industrialised countries compensate us for the deterioration of our resources, caused due to climate change,” he told The Himalayan Times before leaving the country. He said poor families in Dolakha and Solumkhumbu had to be evacuated due the possibility of bursting of the mountain lakes, which is a direct fallout of climate change caused by the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere.