Friday, February 23, 2007

More thoughts on strikes

Apparently there has been one strike or another in Nepal every day for the last 3 months, but I am not sure how accurate that information is... anyways this strike seemed to amuse me... like I said the whole country is striking...

The Federation of Nepal Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI) has called for Nuwakot Bandh (strike)for an indefinite period starting from 22nd Feb protesting the police ban on sale of alcoholic substances.

I don't think I have been here long enough to even have a very wise opinion about what on earth is going to happen to this country, it's really hard to make sense of the various rumours you hear in various places. Some people say we should stock up on provisions big time in case the current strikes in the south start to hit more than just petrol and gas supplies... some people think the Maoists will take over... some people think the prime minster will die causing even more political chaos (he is in his 80s and ill)... some people think the King will try to retake power in a coup, I don't know, no one is very optimistic about anything, and so many different groups are protesting, its too complicated to envisage a solution... and yet it is possible to toodle along in Kathmandu without too much distress. Running around buying up all the pasta and tuna in town seems extreme, but then I don't know perhaps it isn't? hmmm interesting times.

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