Read on the news that Ashutosh Tiwari of Himal Media was manhandled by two thugs near his home. It was on Kantipur.

http://www.kantipuronline.com/pdf/kanti2.pdf

Thanks, Taat, for this rather sensational headline ;-), and thanks to a Sajha friend who sent me an email about this posting here.

No, I was NOT "manhandled by two thugs near [my] home".

What happened was this: 

On Friday, Oct 24, at 10:29 am, the vehicle I was riding on my way to office was pelted, from the back, with two big rocks by two guys on a motorcycle on the Koteswor-Balkumari stretch of the Ring Road. 

Those guys, whom I did not recognize, ran away. A part of the vehicle was smashed.

Needless to say, it was a frightening/unsettling experience.

Thankfully, the quick-thinking driver and I escaped all right.

A likely reason for the attack?

Let's just say that (as in most medium to large companies in Nepal), a significant chunk of the CEO's time goes into, believe it or not, dealing with members of ultra-radical trade unions who are far more interested in what their political masters tell them to do than in the laws of supply and demand. Most companies in Nepal have either shut down or are functioning well below capacity due to all sorts of trade union problems.

In my case, let's just say that some members of one such trade union and their political masters are not exactly thrilled with some of my work that's aimed at improving the financial health of the company.   

My "unpopular" works?

A. Letting go of more than 30 redundant staff with super-generous severance packages, and 

B. Daring to tell the leaders of the radical union what they should do to help the company earn money so that the jobs could be made secure for all employees. 

Oh well.

Such, such are the joys and the frustrations of running a company in our pyaro maatri.bhoomi. 

oohi

ashu

 

Is this Manjima's boyfriend/husband Ashutosh Tiwari???

Who is this punk? Never heard about this pink.

I wondered what could be the reason when I read about it in nepalitimes.com. It seems to be the same old disease ... Don't know when we'll have a good environment to work in  the country.. 

"...such are the joys and the frustrations of running a company in our pyaro maatri.bhoomi..."  Nicely said. Anyway, wish you all success in your mission...

Ashu dai

u were one of the inspirations for me to come back to nepal from boston to do something here

i read abt it too and i was aware of the back story too with all that crap on jana aastha

i am quite sure, our determination and vision  are quite stronger than theirs

could be matter of time

but we will prevail

after all " matri bhumi nai pyaro hunchha, haina ra".

jaya hos

pearljam 

 

 

Ashu,

It is always a pleasure hearing from you. I like the way you control your replies, they are analytical, yet succinct. However, I must say you should have seen it coming once you did not cater to their demands. I personally worked as a plant manager in a manufacturing unit in Nepal for a year and I know the feeling. When ugly politics mar the institutionalization of any industry in Nepal, selfless individuals like you leave town in a midnight train. I was one of those people who took an aircraft instead, survival was impossible in a neo deomocracy. Am I a coward? Was I scared? Did I buckle under pressure? Hell yes. All I wanted was a job where I could work at my earnest self, meet legitimate challenges, and steer away from blame games and dirty affairs.

As much as I resent the radical trade union politicians, I despise the owners of most Business Houses in Nepal as well. For one, they do not institutionalize their workplace, they do not train their employees properly, they do not believe in quality products which could add extra mileage for their success. For two, nepotism, favoritism, ethnic incongruence and redundant bureaucracy creates hostlity towards any ideas, creativity or long term plans created within. Talking about politics, I have personally seen many business owners in close alliance with top brass politicians to create bills which unarguably goes in their personal favor.

All I could see is a balance in enmity between both business owners and radical laborers, and believe me, if it is tipped, it evokes apocalypse. All I wish is someone who could create a parallel balance between incentives & generosity and good workmanship & persistence.

Guchha,

That punk is a Harvard Graduate, who chose to return to Nepal after studies, for none other reason than teach imbeciles like you to be a good samaritan.

In Sajha.com, Guchha represents Maoist cadres and Maoist related trade union members as a sample. Nepal is now passing through this kind of trend, more precisely: "Opponent cleansing." In recent days, Ashu seems to be one of the victims of Maoist and Maoist related Trade Union's atrocities.

The Maoists are trying to clean up their opponents whom they introduced a new phrase, "Abashes of Feudal System." They are now trying to follow the following four steps to remove those who are not in their side:

1. First, use Carrots. Communists are best in using hot cake words or speech to attract the people who are emotional driven and easily swayed by illusions and skin deep issues. I will count Anil Pandey as a sample, Anil met Prachanda for 30 minutes or so (based on his blog at Sajha.com), and changed his stance / position in just 30 minutes. Now, he is one of the biggest supporter of Prachanda in Sajha.com, and defends that Maoists are the best. Look at what Maoists are trying to do in Nepal. They have 46 Ministry level secretaries, and they are replacing the earlier set with their own chamchas, and pushing old set to useless jobs to guarantee their aims and goals. They are reshuffling 63 CDOs, and they are distributing 3.6million rupees at village level cadres where they don't have any checks. Anil, grow up man! Don't get swayed by 30 minute chat, and if you do so, then you will support Chavez if you listen to his 1 hr speech in UN, and I doubt you have any firm belief and position to defend democracy. People like Ashu are bleeding because of rhetorical blogs, and flip flopping actions.

2. Stick or threat as second level method. Ashu is paying the price for firing 30 employees. Maoist trade unions must be using their second level tricks to influence Ashu. In current scenario in Nepal, where the current wave is on Maoist side, I wonder whether Ashu can stick to his action or forced to reinstate some of these 30 employees that he fired recently in the final show down. Who will speak on behalf of Ashu? Capitalist (in the eye of Maoist) egg head, right? Elitist, because he has a degree from Harvard.

3. Extortion / warranty / death threat: The recent attack on Ashu's car with 2 or multiple bricks is an attempt to warn him using threats / intimidation.

4. Hijack / kill / torture just the way Ram Hari Shrestha got the final result for resisting Maoists threat and intimidations. Finally, the guy "Bibidh" who was involved in killing was in CDO office with the Defense Minister (Where is Anil Pandey?). Was he caught? How can you connect this dot in Ashu's case? No one will be caught. Either Ashu's family will pressurize him to leave the country or Ashu will compromize with these "trade unions" or "give up the current position and switch the organization" or will be another Ram Hari Shrestha. I am worried about him and his life. Well, Ashu might say to us, don't worry. But, there were several Ashus who were attacked, intimidated, and tortured, and ultimately, either they left the country or they did what the Maoists want. Now, the country is run by Maoists, and if Bibidh can walk in CDO office with the Defense Minister, and Police can do nothing but just watch him walking in broad day light, what can you expect on Ashu's behalf? I doubt whether you can be a different Ashu or not? How long?

Guccha ko guccha khelne buddhi bhaepachi ke garna sakincha...