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Dear Fergus, Your assumption and research plan are very interesting! However, the information you have come across is far from the ground realities. The majority of Nepalese people do not want monarchy and Gyanendra’s return. It is worthless to spend your time and money on this research. If you are really interested in doing research on Gyanendra and his family members, I think it is better to look into the other areas such as Gyanendra and his family’s role as an ordinary citizen and their contribution for new Nepal and so on. Finally, WE DO NOT WANT GYANENDRA AND MONARCHY AGAIN IN NEPAL. WE DO WANT TO LIVE AS A CITIZEN NOT AS A SUBJECT. Chandra -----Original Message----- From: Fergus Anderson <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 10:08 Subject: Ex-King Gyanendra a new model citizen - A lesson to us all... Dear Michael, I came into the office early yesterday morning to send of my proposal to Mark for possible inclusion at next year's BNAC Study Day. So imagine my horror when I realised who I had sent the email to..! As Mark gently reminded me you have just sent this to the whole of the British Nepal Academic Council. The ridicule, the embarrassment... How can I show my face amongst my peers ever again? However a number of lessons can be taken from this incident: Prepare your study proposal thoroughly before sending it off... Don't ever underestimate the power of the internet and how useful if can be. But most importantly of all: don't ever, ever be afraid to ask. 24 hours is a long time in the life of a student of Nepalese politics, and I will now be in Nepal in November. If anyone wishes to meet up or anything taken/brought back from Nepal please don't hesitate to make contact. Still tottering on the shoulders of giants. i remain, Fergus Dear All, I am that enthusiastic about Nepal that I was in the office at 7.30 this morning typing up my proposal to send to Mark. And before I could have my second cup of chiya this morning I had sent it out to the whole of the BNAC list! Please let me apologise. However, everyone has replied with overwhelming support and encouragement. Thank you. I am also most grateful for your many comments and suggestions - They have been noted. I'll be attending the BNAC Lecture on the 20th October at SOAS if you wish to meet afterwards for a beer and a chat. The drinks are on me. Til' next time. Fergus Date: Wed, 6 Oct 2010 04:00:27 +0100 From: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Nepal Study Day 2011 Presentation: Ex-King Gyanendra a new model citizen To: [log in to unmask] Dear Fergus Of course there is and always will be a section of public opinion in Nepal that would like to see the monarchy reinstated. But I don't quite trust the polls you cite, and I think your approach could be more nuanced. I don't think the failure to elect a PM is really related to the absence of the monarchy, just a sign that the wrong process has been used, as both the UML and UCPNM have recognised. A second point: if you are looking at Nepali public opinion and the Nepali media you really must ensure that your focus is on the discourse that takes place in Nepali, and to some extent also in other Nepalese languages, not in English. I recommend an early visit to Martin Chautari, where they have a very extensive archive and people who will be glad to advise you. All the best Michael Hutt On 5 October 2010 08:39, Fergus Anderson <[log in to unmask]> wrote: Dear Mark, I am returning to Nepal in January for three months. One of my projects will be carrying out research to find out if the Nepalese want a return of the monarchy. And I wish to present my findings at the Nepal Study Day next April. Is there a role for the ex-king in a secular democratic Nepal. Is he still a king and is Nepal secular and democratic? As I write this the government has tried nine times to elect a new prime minister. http://www.nepalitimes.com/blogs/thebrief/2010/09/30/once-again/ If the political logjam isn't broken shortly the people may want a return of the monarchy. The government and the Maoists are certainly wary of the Ex-king real or perceived power and influence. This was demonstrated recently on the on the 21 September this year when the ex-king was denied the right to attend a programme to commemorate former Kumaris at Basantapur. As the Nepali Times said at the time: "not a commoner yet". Research will concentrate on the period from the 21 September to publication of the paper next April, to ascertain and quality the length that the interregnum may last. A recent poll carried out by The Telegraph of Nepal: 71% of pollsters voted for the monarchy to be revived (TelegraphNepal.com 4 Oct 10). I would be most grateful for your comments and suggestions. Fergus PS See you on the 20th Oct 10? Working title: Ex-King Gyanendra a new model citizen The fall and rise of the Shah Dynasty of Nepal Aim: The aim of this research project is to ascertain the support by the general populace, political parties, Maoists, and the former royals for the restoration of the Shah royal family to the Narayanhiti Palace. Questions to be asked: 1. Do the main actors of the Nepalese politic feel the need for a return of the Shah royal family. 2. Other than a ground swell of opinion for a restoration of the monarchy what other circumstances could be seen for a reinstatement of the royal family. 3. Is there a need for a requirement of the monarchy. 4. A brief background overview from May 2008 when the monarchy was deposed to date. Research 1. A questionnaire is going to be carried out (between Jan and Apr 2011), in the following locations: a. Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. b. Biratnagar, Janakpur, and Nepalganj. c. Two rural areas (to be decided): one east one west. As wide as possible geographical, ethnic, political, age, and caste will be surveyed. Poll Question Nepali Times 26 August 2010 What do you make of Paras Shah's public comeback? Result 42.3% Long overdue 31% Delusional 26.7% Hmmm Total votes : 1821 Poll Question Nepali Times 3 June 2010 Which of the following cares most about Nepal and the Nepalis? Result 8.5% NC 4.7% UML 20.6% Maoists 33.2% ex-King 33.1% None of the above Total votes : 4654 Poll Question Nepali Times 4 March 2010 Do you think Nepal should be declared a Hindu State in the new constitution? Result 32.3% What for? 65.7% Yes, please 1.9% Don't know Total votes : 3928 Media Review The Nepalese media is monitored daily. In addition a colleague in Kathmandu is collecting English and Nepalese print articles relating to the monarchy. Literature Review To gain a better understand of the present situation t he following books (from my own collection), will be sourced: Aditya, A., (2009) Restructuring the State Inclusive Nepal in the 21st Century. Kathmandu: Friends for Peace. Basu, S. and Riaz A. (2010) Paradise Lost? State Failure in Nepal New Delhi: Adarsh Books. Bhattarai, B., (2005) Monarchy vs. Democracy The Epic Fight in Nepal. New Delhi: Samkaleen Teesari Duniya Bhattari, H.P., (2007) Democractic Constitution Making Experiences from Nepal South Africa Sri Lanka. Kathmandu: Nepal South Asia Center. Bista, D.B., (1991) Fatalism and Development Nepal's Struggle for Modernization. Calcutta: Orient Longman. Dixit, K.M., (2002) State of Nepal. Kathmandu: Himal Books. Hutchins, F. (2007) Democratizing Monarch A memoir of Nepal's King Birendra. Kathmandu: Vajra Publications. Gellner, D., Quigley, D., (2003) Contested Hierarchies A Collaborative Ethnography of Caste Among the Newars of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. New Delhi: Oxford University Press. Gellner, D., Hachhethu K., (2008) Local Democracy in South Asia Microprocesses of Democratization in Nepal and its Neighbours. New Delhi: Sage Publications. Gayer, L. and Jaffrelot, C., (2009) Armed Militias of South Asia Fundamentalists, Maoists and Separatists. New Delhi: Foundation Books. Gellner, D., (2008) Nationalism and Ethnicity in Nepal. Kathmandu: Vajra Publications. Gellner, D., (2008) Resistance and the State Nepalese Experiences. New Delhi: Social Science Press. Hangen, S., (2010) The Rise of Ethnic Politics in Nepal Democracy in the margins. Abingdon: Routledge. Hoftun, R. and Raeper, W., (1992) Spring Awakening An Account of the 1990 revolution in Nepal. New Delhi: Viking Huntington, S., (2009) Polictical Order in Changing Societies. New Delhi: Adarsh Books. Mishra, B.P., (2007) Rebuilding Nepal. Kathmandu: Bhrikuti Academic Publications. Pant, S.D., (2009) Illusion of Independence Kathmandu: Institute of Rural Development. Pyakuryal, K.N., (2008) Nepal: Transition to Transformation. Kathmandu: Human and Natural Resources Studies Center, Kathmandu University. Rakesh, R.D., (2007) Murder of Madesh. Kathmandu: Safari Nepal. Roy, A., (2008) Prachanda The Unknown Revolutionary. Kathmandu: Mandala Book Point. Shakya, S., (2009) Unleashing Nepal Past, Prsent and Future of the Economy. New Delhi: Penguin Books India. Sharma, R.S., (2006) The State and Society in Nepal Historical Foundations and Contemporary Trends. Kathmandu: Himal Books. Stiller, V.J., (1993) Nepal Growth of a Nation. Kathmandu: HRD Research Center Stiller, V.J., (1995) The Rise of the House of Gurkha. Kathmandu: HRD Research Center Vishwakarma, R.K., (2006) People's Power in Nepal. New Delhi: Manak Publications. > Date: Sat, 31 Jul 2010 17:29:18 +0200 > From: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Nepal Study Day 2011: Cambridge, 20 April > To: [log in to unmask] > > Dear Colleagues, > > Herewith an early announcement for next year's Nepal Study Day to be > held in Cambridge. Please circulate to colleagues and students who may > not be on the BNAC list. > > Call for Abstracts > 9th BNAC Nepal Study Day > University of Cambridge > Wednesday, 20 April 2011 > > (with an option of continuing on Thursday 21 April depending on the > number of abstracts) > > With support from the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences > and Humanities <www.crassh.cam.ac.uk> and the Centre of South Asian > Studies <www.s-asian.cam.ac.uk> at the University of Cambridge, the > Britain-Nepal Academic Council announces its 9th Nepal Study Day to be > held at the University of Cambridge on 20 April 2011 (with an option of > continuing on 21 April depending on the number of submissions received). > > The 2010 Study Day, held at Durham, was popular and well attended. BNAC > encourages participants to make short presentations that share research > findings or discuss ongoing projects that focus on Nepal or the Nepali > cultural world. Programmes from previous years can be found online at > <www.digitalhimalaya.com/bnac/study_days.html>. Research from all > disciplines will be considered, including work relating to the Nepalese > Diaspora. We encourage presentations on all stages of research, and > particularly welcome abstracts by masters and doctoral students. > > If you are interested in participating please send a brief abstract of > 250 words to Dr Mark Turin <[log in to unmask]> by 5pm on Monday, 28 > February 2011. In keeping with previous study days, only abstracts will > be circulated in advance, with full papers presented on the day. Members > of BNAC may attend the Nepal Study Day for free, while for non-members > the attendance fee is £20. Lunch will cost around £8, to be paid in cash > on the day. Small bursaries towards travel costs and registration fees > will be made available to students whose presentations are accepted. > > Presenters and participants are expected to organize their own travel to > Cambridge and their accommodation while here. Please refer to these > helpful websites for more information: <www.visitcambridge.org> and > <www.cam.ac.uk/visitors>. > > The organizers are particularly grateful to the Kosciuszko Trust for its > generous financial support of travel bursaries for this year's Nepal > Study Day. > > For more information please contact one of the conveners by email: > > Dr Mark Turin, CRASSH/MAA, University of Cambridge <[log in to unmask]> > Dr Sara Shneiderman, St Catharine's College, Cambridge <[log in to unmask]> -- Michael Hutt Professor of Nepali and Himalayan Studies School of Oriental and African Studies, London tel. [0044] [0]20 7898 4286 =