Time for course correction

Chickens of “consensus” politics have come home to roost. The manhandling of Finance Minister Surendra Pandey by the Maoist members of parliament is a preview of what the future holds for the politicians of the current coalition, who once endlessly harped on the need for consensus, if the outcomes of the political bargain do not go the Maoists’ way. The footage of the ultra-progressives (read the Maoists) manhandling the less-progressive (the minister from the less-progressive CPN-UML) is just a mouse-click away for the world to see. The timing could not have gotten any better. Pandey got roughed up at a time when the never-ending rounds of elections for the post of prime minister was providing the world a glimpse of how exactly a dysfunctional political system looks like.

As usual, each side is blaming the other for the incident. Anything new in that? Not really. The blame-game has been going on for a while now. Instead of trying to figure out who is at fault, it would be helpful if we spent our time and energy trying to understand why something as serious as this happened inside the parliament. It happened for a simple reason. And the reason is that as a nation, we allow politicians to run the country by cutting deals in the name of consensus. Nobody except the dealmakers actually know the terms and conditions of the deals. So, it is very easy for them to lie about them later. What makes this deal-based process even more complicated is that, for these dealmakers, pleasing their masters (Chinese for the Maoists and Indians for the current coalition members) is much more important and lies at the heart of anything they do or agree to than serving the nation’s interest and fulfilling people’s expectations.

Blaming the Maoists for insincerity at this point in time is completely absurd and unintelligent. The Maoists have been inconsistently consistent throughout about their motive behind joining the hands with the political parties. They wanted to use the opportunity to achieve their goal of establishing the dictatorship of the proletariat. The rationalization of the Maoists’ intent to come overground came from the very politicians that now grouch about the Maoist motives, pundits who change their color faster than chameleons to remain politically-relevant and human right activists that are now nowhere to be seen when a people’s representative is manhandled in broad light inside the parliament. Hence, the wound that politicians of the Nepali Congress (NC) and the UML complain about is self-inflicted. The sooner they learn to live with it, the better off they will be.

The Maoists are now one of the dominant players of Nepali politics and there is logic to what they do. Every move of theirs is well-calculated and is meant to serve their political agenda. With India against their quest for power, the Maoists have no choice but to tilt the domestic political balance by coercing their political opponents. They want the opponents to be perceived as feeble and power-hungry who will eventually succumb to their bullying tactics. And there is precedence to what they believe in. On the other side, there is no political preparation to tackle the Maoists. All they have is the same old slogan of how big a threat the Maoists are for democracy, which gives them an opportunity to cash in on India’s soured relationship with the Maoists, both of which will not take the coalition very far.

Putting the blame on the Maoists will not serve any purpose when it comes to correcting the course that they are in. The NC and the UML should prove to the people, which they have not done so far, that they can effectively govern the nation and meet people’s expectations. The state’s reach has been shrinking with each passing day. Regurgitation of the same old stale slogan of democracy being in danger from the likes of Krishna Prasad Sitaula, who not very long ago used every argument that they could think of to justify how bringing the Maoists overground was good for democracy, makes the case that the coalition is trying to make against the Maoists look malicious and empty.

The ongoing small-scale confrontation between the major partners of the coalition and the Maoists will get bigger and more frequent in the days to come. This is just the beginning. The NC, with its new president, can be a game changer if it dares to get away from the influence of the likes of Sitaula that failed miserably to correctly assess the Maoists’ motives. It is time to play the game with the Maoists the way they do. Backdoor dealings with them should be completely stopped. Things as important as budget should be made public with or without the Maoist support. If they oppose, they are the ones that will be seen as obstructionist, and if they get physical, they should end up behind bars. Appeasing the Maoists so far has not gotten the nation anywhere, has it? It is high time that they be held accountable for their acts.

The moving of the political process forward should be done smartly. Staying put in a futile prime ministerial election process makes the NC look like a club of politically-immature jokers. Its obsession with the prime ministership is pushing Jhala Nath Khanal and his fellow comrades closer to Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Helping the UML retain its political base is as important as maintaining its own political space for the NC. The UML’s loss is the Maoists party´s gain. Hence, letting Khanal become the prime minister is politically more profitable for the NC than alienating him by endlessly bidding for Ram Chandra Poudel. Even if Poudel became the prime minister, there will absolutely nothing in this lame duck environment for him to achieve that will change the NC’s face and fate. So, why remain obsessed? Cut your losses by not appearing insensitive to Khanal’s desperation to become the prime minister.

Banking on India’s support and regurgitation of democracy-in-peril rhetoric may work for a while and help the coalition stay put in power for some time, but with China’s support, the Maoist party is hell-bent on tipping the balance. If and when the balance tips, India will have no choice but to reengage with the Maoists. Aung San Suu Kyi received Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1993 from the Indian government, but when the Indian government later on realized that the Burmese junta was not going to release Suu Kyi anytime soon, it started reengaging with the junta that put her under house arrest. Than Swe’s recent gala reception in India and the endless case made by India’s foreign policy experts, including Shyam Saran, about the necessity of becoming pragmatic when it came to dealing with Myanmar’s junta is an example of how far the Indian pendulum can swing with change in domestic political situation. Endless complaints about the Maoists’ anti-democratic acts have not made them change their ways, so it is time you change your ways and do things differently Mr Sushil Koirala. By opting for that, you would be doing a huge favor both to your party as well as the nation.

American cuisine

In my view, there is nothing like American cuisine. American cuisine is a fusion cuisine. The fusion in this case means that it takes ingredients from more than one cuisine, mixes them together, and creates something new. American cuisine encompasses ingredients and techniques from around the world. It is basically a product of both regional uniqueness and international diversity. American food reflects the origins of its international diversity and blend of their culture and culinary mix. The fact that America does not have a cuisine is a measure of its democracy and ethnic diversity.

For me, Cuisine is a form of cultural expression in ways of preparing food. It is about bringing the flavors out of the ingredients at hand. Expensive ingredients do not necessarily make great cuisine. It is all about using the right ingredients in right quantity. Individuals and families from various nations and ethnicity have settled in the US, and through their cuisine, they share their heritage.

The United States is a land of delicious eating. It has unique food traditions, festivals, and events. Rather than unifying national style of cooking, the U.S. is a nation of regional cuisines. Regional traditions and diversity are the two important ingredients that make American cuisines attractive and diverse. Food choices vary from one region to another because of variation in culture, tradition, and climate. In the U.S. every region, state, city and town has its own unique food traditions and establishment, which is a combination of local tradition and diverse influence from around the world. The regional foods associated with the North East are cranberries, oyster, apples and cheese-steak. Regional foods from South East are collards, peaches, shrimp, tomatoes and okra. Corn, beef, grains, pasta, pizza are the regional foods in mid west. Salmon, clams, cheese, apples, strawberries are regional food in North West. While, chilies, tortillas, corn, beans, grapes, lettuce, avocados are regional food of south west. There is a rich diversity in American food culture. This can be very much experienced by traveling across the country. For example, regional differences exist even in the word “Barbecue.” It means pork in south and beef in the southwest.

There has been a major influence on American food over time. In 1700, a new country was formed by settlers from all parts of Europe and Africa, which resulted in mixing of cultures and cuisines. Some of the major influences on US cuisine came from African slaves. They carried with them seeds from their native foods, yams, okra, watermelon etc. The enslaved Africans created southern cuisine; sweet potato pie and candied yam as cook in Southern plantation kitchen by combining native foods with those of European colonists. African-Americans played a major role in molding the renowned cuisine of the South.

The American popular food “Barbecue” was discovered after the mingling of Native Americans, Anglo, and African traditions. In 1852, Chinese immigrants arrived in California to work in mines, pick crops, and build the railroads. Even though they were confined to the Chinese community and legally kept away from mingling with the broader population, they brought new traditions and ingredients to American dinner table. Over time, descendants of Chinese workers of gold rush era and the new Chinese immigrants started moving out of the China towns, as a result their cuisines became popular and a part of the American eating experience. It is said that there more Chinese restaurants in the US than the McDonald, which is a popular fast food chain.

Reference: American Cuisine. Available online at, <>

Speak the truth

The political stalemate continues unabated. While the members of the current coalition continue to stick to the demand of the dissolution of paramilitary structure of the Young Communist League (YCL) and return of the property seized property, the Maoists like in the past are trying their best to get away without fulfilling these demands. Given the level of political dishonesty that the Maoists exhibit, will these demands, that have a far reaching consequences on how we live and pursue our livelihoods, be ever met? Many concerned citizens have these questions crossing their minds.

Let’s get this straight: The paramilitary structure of the Young Communist League (YCL) will not be dissolved and the seized property will never be returned. There are many reasons for this, the prime being: In the Maoists’ collective consciousness, YCL is not a paramilitary force. It is a youth political force like the ones that every other major Nepali political party has. As far as the seized properties are concerned, 90 percent have been already returned. This is what the chief architect of the Maoist Party, Baburam Bhattarai said when grilled by Fauziah Ibrahim of the Al Jazeera television, recently. Is Bhattarai telling the truth? Absolutely not! There is ample evidence to support the fact that YCL is a paramilitary force. As far as the return of the seized properties is concerned, the process is yet to begin. Despite their pledge to return the seized properties, the Maoists continue to seize private properties. Ms. Ibrahim presented the fact that the latest event of confiscation occurred in May of 2010.

Bhattarai’s latest interview raises a serious question on his integrity. Bhattarai, whom many youngsters revere as the most honest politician, may not be what they believe him to be. The time has come for the bewildered youths who see political messiah in Bhattarai to take a close look at things he says and does. There is clear disconnect. It might be dangerous to chase fantasies preached by intellectual guru that believes in radical violent means to social reform and has an audacity to lie with a straight face knowing the fact that he will be watched by millions within and beyond the national boundary.

What should we expect from our politicians? Should we expect moral perfection? Or should we expect them to do the job they were hired to do? Or, the both? Answering these questions might be even considered redundant given the level of dishonesty that Nepali politicians exhibit. Despite consistent outlandish remarks and violent outbursts, Bhattarai is considered as a relatively clean and competent leader. He has been so far successful in not only charming relatively well educated youths but also keeping the Indians that call the shots in Nepal guessing. At the end of the day, he might turn out to be not very different from his current boss Pushpa Kamal Dahal, whom India groomed unsuccessfully to serve its interest.

Indians in their never ending experiment to turn Nepal into a client state are hedging their bet on Bhattarai primarily for two reasons. First, the Maoist party at its current form with Pushpa Kamal Dahal as a supreme leader is impossible to dictate. Hence, it needs to be cut down in size. And the best way to do that is by promoting Bhattarai, which they think will eventually lead to a vertical split in the Maoist party. Indian bureaucrats and intelligence operatives, especially the ones stationed in Kathmandu, seriously believe that making Bhattarai the next prime minister will bring about a split in the Maoist party. Second, Indians at this point have no bankable leader with popular mass support, whom they can rely on, to fulfill Indian interests.

Bhattarai with a straight face lied to Ms. Ibrahim. Why did he do that? He did so for a very simple reason. And, the reason is—he can afford to do so. He very well realizes the fact that he is dealing with a fragmented electorate. People whose property has been seized belong to the upper middle class and beyond, who did not support the Maoist rebellion to begin with. Plus, they are the ones that complain about the YCL’s paramilitary activities. So, why even bother about being correct?

Instead of engaging in a futile exercise of wining the hearts and minds of urban elites and “feudal” in hinterland, he talks about the rights of peasants to till the land. It is important to understand why Bhattarai and others ideologues in UCPN (Maoist) raise the issue of land reform, which they failed to act upon, while heading the government. In a country where approximately half of the population lives below the poverty line and millions are landless, the idea of land reform has tremendous political appeal. Through land reform the Maoists want to hand out “rights” to politically correct groups (read landless and tenants). At the end of the day, by expanding the entitlements of these groups, they want to garner their undivided support and use them against other citizens that oppose Maoists’ agendas. In doing so, Bhattarai and his fellow ideologues conveniently ignore the fact that the cost of the gifts they bestow on these groups have to be borne by other hardworking citizens.

HIV & PREGNANCY

• HIV is an RNA herpes virus that is spread by infected body secretions.

• The most common ways of transmission are sharing contaminated needles, having sexual intercourse with an infected partner and perinatal transmission.

• The clinical course from HIV to AIDS is a gradual but relentless immunosupression during a period of year, resulting in death caused by overwhelming infection from opportunistic diseases. Progression from HIV to AIDS in infants is more rapid than in adults.
  

• Neonates of HIV infected women have a 13-52% chance of acquiring HIV from the mother.

• The major route of vertical transmission is contact with the infected genital secretion at the time of vaginal delivery.

• Neonates born from HIV positive mother will have positive HIV tests from passage of trans placental passive IgG.

• All HIV- positive pregnant women are recommended anti viral prophylaxis(AZT), which is continued from 14 weeks' gestation throughout pregnancy, including delivery.

• The vertical transmission rate is 30%, without maternal azidothymidine (AZT) prophylaxis. AZT prophylaxis has reduced the infection rate to 10%, with vaginal delivery.
  

• Pregnant women with low CD4 count and high RNA viral loads are given multidrug antiviral regimens.

• The currently offered mode of delivery is cesarean section to HIV-positive women.

• Perinatal transmission is increasing globally as a direct result of the increase in number of HIV infection among women of child bearing age. Global precautions is to pay careful attention in handling all body fluids.

India brides had 'virginity test'

India's National Commission for Women wants Madhya Pradesh state to explain why hundreds of would-be brides reportedly underwent virginity tests.

All the women who took part in a state-run mass wedding last month were forced to take the test, witnesses say.

Several of the women later complained that they had found the exercise shameful and humiliating.

Officials deny virginity tests took place. They said the tests had been to ensure the women were not pregnant.

In India, a bride's virginity is highly prized and pre-marital sex is frowned upon...click & read more

Polio threat to Pakistan children

The continuing conflict in Pakistan has left more than a million children at risk of contracting polio.

Vaccination programmes earlier this year were compromised by opposition from militants and by violence, which has made many areas inaccessible.

Pakistan is one of four countries which still see annual outbreaks of polio.

The first few months of the year are crucial for vaccination teams who try to reach children before the polio virus starts to circulate.

This year, their campaigns have been badly disrupted...click to read more...

Proof mounts on restricted diet

Cutting calories may delay the aging process and reduce the risk of disease, a long-term study of monkeys suggests.

Over 20 years, monkeys whose diets were not restricted were nearly three times more likely to have died than those whose calories were counted.

Writing in Science, the US researchers hailed the "major effect" of the diet.

It involved reducing calorie intake by 30% while maintaining nutrition and appeared to impact upon many forms of age-related disease seen in monkeys, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and brain atrophy.

Whether the same effects would be seen in humans is unclear, although anecdotal evidence so far suggests people on a long-term calorie-restricted diet have better cardiovascular health.

The precise mechanism is yet to be established: theories involve changes in the body's metabolism or a reduction in the production of "free radical" chemicals which can cause damage.

The benefits of calorie restriction are well documented in animals, but now the results have been replicated in a close relative of man over a lengthy period.

Over 20 years, monkeys whose diets were not restricted were nearly three times more likely to have died than those whose calories were counted.

Writing in Science, the US researchers hailed the "major effect" of the diet.

It involved reducing calorie intake by 30% while maintaining nutrition and appeared to impact upon many forms of age-related disease seen in monkeys, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and brain atrophy. click for more news..

'Lower' Asian obesity threshold

The threshold for being overweight and obese should be lowered for British Asians, international experts say.

People of South Asian origin are more likely than white people to develop heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

To reflect this, Indian health chiefs have changed their measuring system and said other countries should follow suit for people of South Asian origin.

GPs in the UK agree a better system is needed, but have put forward another option to pick up those at risk.

Standards used around the world to tell when someone is overweight or obese are based on data from Caucasians....click for full news

Is olive oil good for health?

Olive oil is fruit oil obtained from the olive (Olea europaea; family Oleaceae), a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. Although more expensive than other oils, olive oil has many health benefits. It has the highest percentage (about 77%) of monounsaturated fat among commonly used oils. Studies have found that consumption of olive oil can lower the risk of heart disease by reducing blood cholesterol levels and blood clot formation. It also contains many antioxidant phytochemicals that have many health benefits.

This oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives and comes in different varieties depending on the amount of processing involved. Varieties include:

• Extra virgin: Considered the best, this oil comes from the first pressing of the olives.
  
• Virgin: Comes from the second pressing.
  
• Pure: Undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
  
• Extra light: Undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.

Olive oil is great oil for cooking. When cooking with olive oil, save your extra-virgin expensive oils for salads, dressings and vinaigrettes. You can also drizzle it over slices of crusty bread or onto open-face sandwiches. Use it on a baked potato or add it to mashed potatoes instead of butter. Extra virgin olive oil tastes great on cooked vegetables or brushed onto fish or meat before serving.

When sautéing or frying, use either a combination olive oil (one that is simply a blend of extra virgin and regular olive oil) or a straight olive oil.....more

Carbohydrates

The simplest form of carbohydrate is sugar. Both processed (refined) and unprocessed foods are carbohydrate. The good carbohydrates are unprocessed whole foods containing natural sugars like lactose in milk and fructose in fruits. The best source of good carbohydrate is from plant source as it provides vitamins, fiber, minerals and pytochemical along with grams of carbohydrate. Carbohydrate is required for various metabolic function of the body. It is the primary source of energy for vital organs, brain, central nervous system and kidney. Carbohydrate is broken down into glucose in the digestive system. Insulin, hormone secreted by pancreas helps the transport of glucose from blood into the tissues as energy.

The bad Carbohydrates are sugar in refined form, such as sucrose (table sugar), added sugar. White refined grains are not good for the body because it provides calories but no nutrients. Refined foods are low in fibers and cause health risk, and also increase the risk of heart disease. Whole grains, vegetables full of fibers are good carbohydrates and also promotes required nutrients and helps lower risk of chronic disease.

The growing varieties of food in supermarkets have left us with food choices that are either harmful or beneficial. We need to act responsible by looking at the nutritional food level when purchasing.

USDA’ survey shows that in the U.S an average adult takes about 20 teaspoons of added sugar that is 320 calories everyday. People do not realize these 320 calories by consuming added sugar can add extra pounds quickly. Too much sugar in diet can quickly cause weight gain. Consuming high carbohydrate diet may predispose to weight gain because one gram of carbohydrate gives four calories. Food high in carbohydrate are also are high in calories. Obesity is the end result of consuming too many calories each day from all sources of carbohydrate, protein and fat. USDA recommends only about 9 teaspoon of added sugar a day. Commercially added sugars in beverages or baked products are to be avoided.

Food containing fibers are good for health and wellbeing. Dietary fibers are indigestible form of carbohydrate not absorbed in the intestinal tract. The foods that are refined or whiter grains have lower fibers. White grains food such as muffins, bagel, hamburger bun, and white rice is poor source of fiber. Fibers based food slows peak in blood glucose level thus reducing the risk for Diabetes. Fibers rich foods such as oats, beans and fruits help lower cholesterol. It also makes full and reach satiety. In order to add fibers to our diet, foods like whole grains, beans, plenty of fruits and vegetables must be included in our daily food choices. Fibers in diet may also have positive role in weight management.

Carbohydrate containing food is usually rated by its glycaemic index. Food that takes longer time to be absorbed is called as low glycaemic index. Whole grains, fruits, veggies, beans have lower glycaemic index as they get absorbed slowly in the body thus avoiding spikes in blood sugar level.

Carbohydrate food that spikes blood glucose level quickly is called high glycaemic index food like potatoes, white bread and white rice. Sugar added foods; starchy foods, raises blood glucose level quickly because they are rapidly absorbed in the blood stream.

Studies have concluded that everyone especially people with diabetes should eat food with low glycaemic food like soy products, beans, fruits, milk and grain bread. Plant based food high in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes and low fat diary products moderate in calories can result in weight management. Boosting vegetarian diet is a smart & healthy move in life.

Best way to achieve healthy weight is to watch calorie intake. The secret to remain healthy is to avoid simple Carbohydrate like sugar sweetened food, soda drinks and sweets; as these are high in calories with no nutrients. This type of food makes us sleepy, tried and increases craving for more sweetened foods.

Carbohydrates’ have an important role in balanced diet so we need to act smart and be careful when choosing carbohydrate containing food.

Lithium in water 'curbs suicide'

Drinking water which contains the element lithium may reduce the risk of suicide, a Japanese study suggests.

Researchers examined levels of lithium in drinking water and suicide rates in the prefecture of Oita, which has a population of more than one million.

The suicide rate was significantly lower in those areas with the highest levels of the element, they wrote in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

High doses of lithium are already used to treat serious mood disorders......click here to read full article.

Swine flu 'in decline' in Mexico

Swine flu in Mexico, the epicenter of the world outbreak, has peaked, the Mexican health minister has said.

Jose Angel Cordova said the virus, blamed for at least 19 deaths in Mexico, appeared to have peaked between 23-28 April.

"The evolution of the epidemic is now in its declining phase," Mr Cordova told a news conference.

World Health Organization officials said authorities should remain vigilant as the virus could return.

Asked about Mr Cordova's comments, WHO official Gregory Hartl said the current "round of activity".....................click for more news.