Remarks by Andrew Arato, Dorothy Hart Hirshon Professor of Political & Social Theory, The New School; Q&A session moderated by Kul Gautam, Senior Fellow, India China Institute.

A public talk by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda (‘The Fierce One’), the first democratically elected Maoist Prime Minister of Nepal, the World’s Youngest Democratic Republic! Nepal’s Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda (‘The Fierce One’), came to power in August 2008 following his party’s success in the country’s first-ever Constituent Assembly elections. Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and leader of its People’s Liberation Army, he led a decade-long People’s War (1996- 2006) with the goals of ending Nepal’s monarchy and creating a new federal republic. This year, Constituent Assembly elections held in April yielded a near majority for the Maoists. The Assembly’s first meeting ended a 240-year-old monarchy and began its main task: creating Nepal’s new constitution. In addition to leading the Assembly in this historic monumental task, Prachanda now faces the challenges of managing a complex coalition government to address the long-neglected basic needs of the people, while at the same time establishing security and peace in Nepal under the watchful gaze of an interested but skeptical international community.

Admission is free and open to the public. Limited seating on a first come basis, seating must be completed by 5:45PM

Co-sponsored by: Alliance for Democracy and Human Rights in Nepal American Nepal Friendship Society Association of Nepali Tarain in America Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Nepal in America United Nepalese Democratic Forum Adhikaar Nepalese Americas Council Friends of Nepal- New Jersey In Conversation (a podcast on www.Samudaya.org)