I'm going to Nepal in a few weeks

[Lyev]

Not for political reasons; I organised and paid for the expedition ages before I had even read The Communist Manifesto or even heard of Karl Marx properly. Anyway, we'll be trekking in the Himalayas for about 5 days, and we have a "project" helping in a school for about 5 days also. There will also be a few days where we just hang around in Kathmandu. Has anyone got any advice for things to look out for, specifically political? I can't remember how to say "red salute" or whatever it is in Nepalese either. Thanks comrades.

[scarletghoul]

:crying: its not fair !

Perhaps you could do a little report or article for the CWI while youre there, like talk to some people (workers aswell as cadre) and stuff. The only recent thing Ive seen from the CWI on Nepal is that piece criticising their 'stagism' from afar.. they could do with some on-the-ground knowledge.. Just an idea.

"lal salaam" - red salute all across south Asia.

[Crux]

We actually had a comrade kind of recently return from there. He held a report on the swedish summercamp.

[Forward Union]

Not for political reasons; I organised and paid for the expedition ages before I had even read The Communist Manifesto or even heard of Karl Marx properly. Anyway, we'll be trekking in the Himalayas for about 5 days, and we have a "project" helping in a school for about 5 days also. There will also be a few days where we just hang around in Kathmandu. Has anyone got any advice for things to look out for, specifically political? I can't remember how to say "red salute" or whatever it is in Nepalese either. Thanks comrades.

Perhaps try to get an interview with a lay member of the communist movement there regarding their opinions on India and China?

[nuisance]

Perhaps try to get an interview with a lay member of the communist movement there regarding their opinions on India and China?
Exhilarating.

[Forward Union]

Exhilarating.

Yeah or maybe he should go shooot gunzzz

[Hiero]

Perhaps try to get an interview with a lay member of the communist movement there regarding their opinions on India and China?

Wouldn't you ask their opinions on the future of Nepal?

[Forward Union]

Wouldn't you ask their opinions on the future of Nepal?

Woops. This is one of those times where I really assumed it was a given. But I am quite personally interested in heaing their views of the wider region, with strikes now going on in China and a possible Maoist coup in India.

[scarletghoul]

Woops. This is one of those times where I really assumed it was a given. But I am quite personally interested in heaing their views of the wider region, with strikes now going on in China and a possible Maoist coup in India.
Haha I love how you're secretly excited about the Maoist revolution in India but can't bring yourself to use the R word so you have to call it a coup.

Oh god why am I just posting stupid irrelevant remarks in every thread today

[Lyev]

Perhaps try to get an interview with a lay member of the communist movement there regarding their opinions on India and China?
Exhilarating.
Yeah or maybe he should go shooot gunzzzI can't tell, are you guys taking the mickey?

[Leaf]

I am doing a similar thing - volunteering in Nepal for a month and then doing a trek. I am going from 27 November --to January. I would also greatly appreciate any political advice. I'm guessing i won't be able to do very much to help out with the struggles as I will be traveling with a group - world youth - for most of the time but I might stay a bit longer after the program - in Kathmandu. I don't know much about the situation yet but I will definitely be reading up before I go.

Also, what do you guys think about this kind of volunteering in general? -- I can see where it can be criticised definitely - the program doesn't explore why poverty exists and how to participate in larger scale change that eg overturning economic relations which will truly address things like poverty. But instead tries to aleviate the symptom. The organisation is supposedly non political etc. I am very excited about going so don't be too harsh please. I will take lots of photos when I am traveling and am very happy to post up any political related ones. Cheers comrades,

lal salaam

[Blackscare]

I can't tell, are you guys taking the mickey?


What the fuck is this. Some silly phrase in the UK?

[Saorsa]

To the travellers in this thread:

The thing you'll have to keep in mind is that while a lot of people in Kathmandu and other cities speak basic conversational English, it's rare to find the kind of English skills that would let you talk in depth about politics. Most of the people who speak fluent English are from privileged backgrounds and don't support the Maoists, for obvious reasons.

Your best bet, imho, is to go to the Maoist headquarters which are in a place called Perishdanda. Go up, introduce yourself, say you're a Western communist who wants to learn more about what's happening in Nepal so you can help build solidarity overseas. That could then get you access to the trade unions, the YCL, maybe even the PLA cantonments if you wanted to visit them.

Apparently most of the rickshaw drivers are pro-Maoist, and they tend to speak passable English.

I'd urge you to make contact with the UCPN (M) as soon as possible and try to piece together as many interviews, photos etc as you can.

If you want an introduction to what's happening in Nepal, this could be a good place to start. (http://kasamaproject.org/2010/03/17/new-pamphlet-from-new-zealand-revolution-in-nepal/)