The Prakriti Project

Where would I be at 5pm on November 15, 2011 if I was in Kathmandu? That's easy--I would be in Gyaneshwor at the Fulbright Commission Auditorium. The Fulbright presentations are well researched and very interesting and I would like to encourage you, if you are in Kathmandu, to attend. The details of the program is posted below from the e-mail I got from Fulbright.

F U L B R I G H T F O R U M

" The Prakriti Project:
A Pioneering Synthesis of Newari Repoussé and Contemporary Painting"

Speaker - Ms. Maureen T. Drdak, Senior Fulbright Researcher of Art

Date - Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Time - 5:00 p.m.
Venue - Fulbright Commission Auditorium, Gyaneshwor

Abstract
Taking its name from the Sanskrit word prakriti, signifying both physical matter and the primal creative force that shapes it, Maureen Drdak’s Prakriti Project is the first synthesis of contemporary painting and the metal art of traditional Newari repoussé, a technique in which sheet metal is hammered from both sides to produce a three-dimensional bas-relief.

Drdak is working both at her studio in the Patan Museum, and in the Patan atelier of contemporary master of Newari repoussé, Raj Kumar Shakya, to continue and advance her study with Raj Kumar's brother Rabindra Shakya. Both men are grandsons of the venerable Kuber Singh Shakya, the acknowledged historical master of repoussé. The Kuber Singh Shakya family lineage of artists and scholars, patronized by the Malla rulers, is traceable back to Abhaya Raj Shakya, founder of the Mahabouddha Temple in 1601.

The significance of The Prakriti Project lies in the creation of a genuinely new art form resulting from the mergence of specific materials, artistic practices, and cultural traditions. It represents a unique contribution to the vocabulary of the visual arts, evidencing the unexplored contemporary applications of this venerable and ancient art form, addresses the relevance of qualitatively endangered material techniques to contemporary art practices, and furthers the dynamic expansion of cultural boundaries and the ongoing artistic and cultural dialogue between the Asia and the West. It serves as a model for future investigations of the expressive potential for contemporary art inherent in Nepali traditional practices.

Drdak is creating a major artwork demonstrable of this synthesis, to be exhibited at Siddhartha Art Gallery in Kathmandu in January 2012. She will exhibit jointly with her guru, Rabindra Shakya, in order to exemplify the linkage between master and student, traditional legacy and contemporary form. Drdak’s work, Flying Nagas, takes as its theme the protective serpent deities of the Kathmandu valley; among the Naga’s many powers and blessings is the ability to alleviate drought--a growing problem for Nepal--beset as it is by the accelerating effects of global warming. Closely associated with the health of the environment, and symbolic of the integration of opposites, the Naga is a beloved and powerfully relevant symbol for Nepal and for this project, one which speaks with authenticity and eloquence to the Nepalese people and to their current environmental concerns.

Drdak explains her work and its genesis, introduces the audience to the repoussé form and process, its contemporary masters, and presents her work progress to date. A Power Point presentation rich in visual imagery and photos will accompany her presentation.

Agriculture Investment in South Asia

Here is an article on agriculture investment in South Asia, published on SAWTEE's Trade Insight (Vol.7, No. 2, 2011) written by Ghintang Economics' own Shreesh Bhattarai. I have posted a brief paragraph from the article below. If you want to read the entire article please click here (PDF) and scroll down to page 27.

South Asian economies rely heavily on the agriculture sector. For instance, in 2000, the share of value added of agriculture in gross domestic product (GDP) was approximately 25 percent in South Asia. However, the region has seen a steady decline in this figure in the last decade. The share of value added of agriculture in GDP was only 18 percent in 2009. This is a result of structural changes as countries have transitioned into more manufacturing- and service-friendly economies. The agriculture sector has also been an important source of liveli- hood, especially for the poor, in South Asia. In 2008, it employed about 60 percent of the labour force in the region, contributing 22 percent of the regional GDP. 

Continue to read the entire article on page 27 of SAWTEE's Trade Insight.

Who is Looking Out For You?

The Consumer Court that the government of Nepal is creating is a positive step towards a safe and fair business environment, which is crucial, not only for the safeguard of consumer rights, but also for a vibrant economy. Due to the very high (% of income) transaction costs for any consumer to bring a suit against a business, there has to be proactive government inspections for this program to succeed. I am sure that it will be a learning experience and many kinks will be ironed out as they come up.

All in all, I think it was high time Nepal had a system in place to protect the consumers. Let's just hope the body stays independent and doesn't get bought out by special interests!

शुभकामना!   

From An Economist, Without Graphs and Charts

Ouch! As an economist, what Mr Anil Bhattarai wrote did hurt-but, what he is pointing out is true. Most economists take the traditional methods and processes as the panacea to all our development issues. However, I would not lump all economists as being “dangerously delusional” or using “selective statistics and concocted graphs.” I would argue that there are many economists who are doing good honest work and have strong academic and methodological approach to their analysis.

To be fair, all the possible ventures that economists told the Bookworm participants are not nostrum as Mr. Bhattarai calls them. In fact, most of the things on the “long list” are actually pretty good ideas and make a lot of economic sense—although, I could do without the cement factory. The problem, as I see it, and I think Mr. Bhattarai is trying to get at, has to do with "how to" not "what to." The list is valid. However, how to go about achieving those goals is, and should be, of concern. So, yes, we should look into exploring “minerals with the Chinese help” and growing “fruits and vegetables for the growing middle class in India,” but do so in a way that is sustainable and has minimal negative impact on local ecology and culture. And, yes, we should promote regional tourism and get the Indians and Chinese “to visit our beautiful mountains or sacred temples and monasteries,” but do so while following the guidelines for eco-tourism so as to create a sustainable system. In other words, we need to have a “systems thinking.” We should not engage in economic activity just because it provides us with a short run profits with complete disregard to social and environmental factors. Doing so will most certainly cost us much more in the long run--all the negative issues Mr. Bhattarai points out about India and China will become our own!

So, I do think the list is valid and do not criticize the economists for correctly pointing them out. But, I agree with Mr. Bhattarai that the local leaders, economists, and developers have to think outside the box and come up with new ways of doing business. We need to focus on development methods that promote sustainability, equity, and preservation of local traditions and cultures, while trying to capitalize on “enormous advantage of growing prosperity in our vicinity.”

May be a presentation on various alternative economic/business models could be a program that Bookworm can put together.

Get Ready to Rock the Vote

The Election Commission of Nepal is firing on all throttles to register voters throughout the country. This is one of the key times for the Nepali youth to take charge through the democratic process. It is in our best interest to register and get others to register in order to make sure that our voices are heard. It is time to say enough!

There is a seismic wave building in the youth population of Nepal. This energy is evident on Facebook, Twitter, local newspapers and blogs. There is actually a movement (http://www.facebook.com/retirethenetas) on Facebook to “Retire the Netas.”  Recently there was a Facebook movement to sign a letter to the Supreme Court condoning their actions against corruption. This energy can be fruitful only if it can be translated into grassroots organization and movement. These frustrations expressed on the web and print media is shared by almost all the past and present generations who have been denied prosperity and a decent outlook into the future! It is important to galvanize this sentiment amongst the youth to coalesce around the common dream of an opportunity to succeed—an opportunity to be able to compete with fellow generations of other countries in the globalized world of the twenty first century. The Nepali youth know that they are as good as any Briton, American, European, or Australian. They know, if given a chance, they too can advance and prosper.

This sentiment will give rise to a stronger and organized movement. Then the focus should be on having new individuals contest in the next election from as many constituencies as possible. All these possibilities, however, start by making sure that everyone is registered to vote. Young aspiring leaders should engage in this process. The e-generation, especially the  young entrepreneurs and business professionals should support the young leaders and help them put up a decent fight--this could be in the form of financial support, local campaigns, Facebook and Twitter campaigns, etc. Get creative and help in any way that you can.

I, for one, am going to do my part. Are you?

Earthquake

According to MSN India "a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 5.7 on Richter scale jolted western Nepalese districts near the Indian border, damaging over two dozen houses but no loss of life was reported. The tremor that hit the area at 5.30 pm yesterday lasted 15 seconds, according to officials. No human causality was reported so far. Nepal had experienced five smaller earthquakes over the period of past one month.Over two dozen houses were damaged by the tremor in Baitadi, Bajhang and Darchula near Indian border, according to National Seismological Centre here."

Here is a link to the website of National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) for information regarding earthquake preparedness.

Nepal's GDP Growth--Hijo, Aaja, Bholi

Ghintang Economics' source: http://www.tradingeconomics.com/