WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 104 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, , Bharatpur and 35.2 C 10.5 C Monday, June 08, 2020 | 26-02-2077 Dipayal Jomsom Most Covid victims have died untested, with infections detected after death Doctors are questioning why they weren’t tested earlier since most of them had been living in quarantine, and why they didn’t receive proper medical attention.

ARJUN POUDEL tion could’ve made worse. KATHMANDU, JUNE 7 However, the cause of death cannot be firmly established without an Of the 13 people who’ve died in autopsy and the government has not of the coronavirus as of Sunday, a performed autopsies on any of the majority have tested positive for deceased. According to the Health Covid-19 only after their deaths, raising Ministry’s guidelines, it considers any questions behind their causes of death death of a person with a coronavirus and why they were not tested earlier. infection as a Covid-related death. Some have even tested positive a Without establishing the cause of week after their death, when their death, it is impossible to know the bodies had already been cremated by Covid-19 actual mortality rate in the their families. Samples from a 70-year- country, say doctors. old man who died on May 17 at the The government is also not conduct- National Medical College’s teaching ing tests on all those in quarantine, hospital in tested positive for which is where most people were liv- Covid-19 on May 25. ing when they died. Had they been Among the 13, a 29-year-old woman tested, perhaps their deaths could’ve from Sindhupalchok tested positive been prevented, say doctors. POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC three days after death; a 25-year-old “If the authorities had performed Vendors sell vegetables by the roadside in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu, on Sunday. Traders have said that a strict lockdown is no more sustainable. man from Banke died in quarantine tests earlier, most of the deceased at Narainapur and tested positive would have been diagnosed before after death; a 35-year-old man from their deaths,” Dr Anup Bastola, Arghakhanchi died on May 23 but test- spokesperson for the Sukraraj ed positive only on May 28; a 35-year- Tropical and Infectious Disease old man from Dailekh died in quaran- Hospital, told the Post. “Due to failure As India, China talk to resolve border stand-off, tine on May 30 and tested positive to collect specimens and conduct tests, after death; a 28-year-old man from people are dying in quarantine.” Surkhet, who died on June 4, tested According to officials, they don’t positive for Covid-19 after death; a have the capacity to test all of the analysts question when Delhi will speak to Nepal 45-year-old man from Palpa, who died thousands in quarantine. There aren’t on June 2, tested positive on June 4; enough rapid testing kits and only 21 and a 55-year-old woman from laboratories across the country can The Modi government has said that dates for talks with Kathmandu will be worked out after Covid-19 Dhangadhi tested positive after death. perform polymerase chain reaction Most of the 13 deaths have been tests, which can now take up to a week crisis while recently holding dialogue with Beijing over its boundary dispute. attributed to respiratory ailments like due to the backlog. pneumonia, tuberculosis and asthma, The Health Ministry’s policy is to It has been a month since India long-standing differences in eastern which the government believes is a only conduct PCR tests on those who opened a road link via Lipulekh, Ladakh over the Line of Actual result of Covid-19 complications. display symptoms of Covid-19. prompting Nepal to formally lodge its Control. The current tensions arose According to Dr Roshan Pokhrel, Doctors say that the condition of objection and then release a new polit- after reports of skirmishes between chief specialist at the Health Ministry, quarantine facilities themselves is ical map that includes Lipulekh, soldiers from both sides, resulting in most of the deceased had underlying also partly to blame for the fatalities. Kalapani and Limipiyadhura as parts injury. conditions that the coronavirus infec- >> Continued on page 5 of the Nepali territory. In the past too, soldiers from both Responding to Kathmandu’s initial the countries have crossed paths, only objection, Delhi had acknowledged to retreat later. the need for dialogue but said that This time around, New Delhi got dates for talks would only be finalised alarmed after reports that Chinese after the Covid-19 emergency was soldiers had made multiple intru- dealt with. sions. But if Delhi can hold talks with >> Continued on page 5 Beijing during the pandemic, it can also do so with Kathmandu, say political party leaders and foreign policy experts. “It looks like China is the pri- PHOTO COURTESY: @PM_NEPAL ority for India at the moment due Nepal has sought talks with India at the foreign secretary level or higher political level. to the seriousness of the dispute but it also shows that talks can ANIL GIRI sides agreeing to peacefully resolve the be held in any situation,” said KATHMANDU, JUNE 7 situation. Nepal, meanwhile, has been Madhu Raman Acharya, a for- asking India to sit for talks since mer ambassador and foreign sec- India and China on Saturday held November, with New Delhi most retary. “India needs to engage talks to resolve the month-long border recently saying that it’ll sit for talks with Nepal.” POST PHOTO stand-off in eastern Ladakh, with both once the Covid-19 pandemic is over. India and China have Experts have pointed to the need to improve quarantine facilities.

C M Y K MONDAY, JUNE 08, 2020 | 02 MEDLEY

Inside the Post Quote of the day

A India, China talk to resolve border stand-off, analysts question National when Delhi will speak to Nepal, Page 1 After marathon meetings for the last four days, leaders of the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and Samajbadi Party Nepal agreed to have three chairpersons to lead the unified Janata Samajbadi Party, and the new party was registered with the “It looks like China is the priority for India Election Commission on Sunday. at the moment due to the seriousness of the dispute but it also shows that talks Opinion The depiction of empty landscapes masks the local realities of the people and can be held in any situation. India needs ignores the historical, political and social context that has caused Nepali land to remain the way it is today. to engage with Nepal.” Madhu Raman Acharya, former diplomat and government Money secretary, on Nepal-India border dispute. China’s exports and imports fell in May as the economic slowdown abroad started to take its toll, and after a surprise jump driven by increased demand for anti-ep- idemic supplies, official data showed on Sunday. Most read online World Global cases of the novel coronavirus have neared 7 million, as case numbers Lockdown forces a family into destitution surge in Brazil and India, according to a Reuters tally. About 30 percent of those cases, or 2 million infections, are in the United States, though the fastest growing The eldest daughter of Manan Thakur is bed-ridden. She is running a high outbreak is in Latin America, which accounts for roughly 16 percent of all cases. fever. Thakur doesn’t have money even to buy her a cetamol. “There is no food in my home,” said Thakur, a barber by profession who has been running a shop in Kathmandu for the last 30 years. Culture & Arts To help you pick some of the best films ever made, the Post has curated a special Number of Covid-19 deaths rises to 13; 323 new list of recommendations from some of Nepal’s most acclaimed filmmakers. These films suggested by the filmmakers hold a special place in their hearts. cases confirmed on Saturday The number of deaths due to Covid-19 in Nepal has reached 13 after swab sam- ples of two persons who died on Wednesday and Friday tested positive for the News Quiz coronavirus. Private schools to lobby government to resume classes next month 1. Spring paddy crops in Chitwan d. 323 have been affected by which of Private schools are preparing to lobby the government to allow them to enrol POST PHOTO the following diseases? 3. Which day is celebrated as the students later this month and resume classes in areas with low Covid-19 infec- A farmer picks tomatoes at a farm in . a. Brown spot World Food Safety Day? tion rates from next month. Representatives from the Higher Institutions and b. Neck blast a. June 7 Secondary Schools’ Association Nepal have prepared a list of demands on the c. Root rots b. July 7 reopening of schools and colleges. d. Eyespot c. August 7 d. May 7 On this day in history Authorities plan to rescue Nepalis stranded abroad. 4. Which country has removed But no one knows who will pay for it months of its Covid-19 data Govt to sign urea deal Last month, when the government made public its economic status, it was from its government website? worried because workers’ remittance had gone into the tailspin. It counted the a. America KATHMANDU - As farmers reel under the double impact of possible bad harvest damage inflicted by falling remittance but did not bother to talk about the b. India and severe shortage of fertilizers ahead of rice plantation season, the govern- workers and ask about their condition as thousands of them have been c. Brazil ment is scrambling to import fertilizers to provide some measure of relief. rendered jobless. d. Germany The Agriculture Input Corporation (AIC) is on the verge of signing an agree- ment with Indian representatives of a Saudi Arabian supplier to bring in 50,000 5. Yelena Isinbaeva is related to metric tons of urea fertilizer at a cost of US $10.8 million. which of the following track The agreement is being signed without the usual process of calling for ten- and field events? ders which, Agriculture Ministry officials said, was time consuming thus unac- a. Long jump ceptable in the face of mounting crisis in fertilizer supplies. b. Pole Vault Sources within the Ministry of Agriculture told The Kathmandu Post Corrections c. High Jump Wednesday that the price of the impending urea import has been fixed at US POST PHOTO d. Triple jump $217 per metric ton. Our reporters and editors do their best to make sure our reporting is free from errors. But when we make mistakes that warrant correction, we will be transparent 2. How many new Covid-19 cases 6. Who is the author of the novel The Kathmandu Post and clarify at the bottom of the specific article. were confirmed by the Health Jane Eyre? June 8, 1995 If you believe we have got something wrong and it requires correction, please Ministry on Saturday? a. Virginia Woolf email us at [email protected] with “correction” in the subject line. a. 386 b. Agatha Christie Answers to News Quiz: 1(b), 2(d), 3(a), 4(c), 5(b), 6(d) For the most recent corrections, visit kathmandupost.com/corrections. b. 232 c. Charles Dickens c. 349 d. Charlotte Bronte HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) CANCER (June 22-July 22) LIBRA (September 23-October 22) CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** **** **** *** You could be dealing with some fragile egos You’re always smart enough to be careful in Shallow conversation is fine for the line at the You might be keeping yourself somewhat today, which could end up being quite tiresome business deals, but how careful have you been in grocery store or a particularly long elevator detached from the people who care about you for you. But in the end, taking the extra time romantic negotiations? Past pain could have ride, but all in all, it’s not your speed, especially most right now. Are you sure you’re not pushing and effort to make these insecure people feel been caused by careless generosity, so if you not today. You have too much wit and charm to them away? Right now it’s important that you comfortable and important will be much easier want to prevent yourself from getting hurt just skim the surface with other people. Take connect with others, not disconnect. Look into than having to deal with their tantrums should again in the future, go more slowly. A new per- the time to go deep. Ask the penetrating ques- this today. Ask one or two friends if they feel their paranoia get the better of them. son is an exciting thing, but what’s your hurry? tions that give people something to think about. you’re closed off or aloof.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) LEO (July 23-August 22) SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) **** **** *** **** Someone in your social circle or on your team at Ironically, a big ego has usually been inflated to Your vision for the future is sharper than ever, Have you been feeling held back or restricted work thinks that they deserve something you that supersize volume because someone is hid- which might be causing you to feel antsy about lately? If so, get ready to get moving! Your pro- have, but they’re failing to remember how much ing an insecurity or two. If you encounter a how you’re going to get to the next stop on your gress may have been slowed down by a certain work and effort you put into earning it. If all self-centered braggart today, keep that in mind. journey. Don’t worry about having (or lacking) person, but that person is no longer an issue their grumbling and whining is starting to get With all their bluster, they might be able to the energy or inspiration you need to move anymore. Either they’re leaving the scene or on your nerves, today might be the day to take intimidate other people, but they won’t be able forward. Right now, you’ve got enough of what losing their influence. Either way, today you just them to task. to intimidate you. You know what time it is! you need to do whatever you need to do. need to look ahead, pick your goal, and go for it!

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) VIRGO (August 23-September 22) SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) PISCES (February 19-March 20) **** *** **** *** However you feel is how you feel, so don’t try to You can’t analyse the unseen, so if you’re One of your most recent dreams may have Don’t get involved with stuff you’re unsure of hide it. If other people are uncomfortable with wringing your hands over a mysterious situa- included some confusing visions that left you right now, even if you think it will get you the your anger, happiness, or whatever emotion tion, stop it! Trying to figure out what is moti- perplexed the next day. Do you think that these cool kids’ approval. Why try so hard to be vali- you’re exhibiting, that’s just too bad for them. vating other people is a waste of your time. You visions hold key to happiness? Nope. They’re dated by people who just don’t get how great you You’re not a robot, so why should you act like can ask them questions until the cows come just various ideas that your subconscious has are? Just by being yourself, you offer more than one? Beware of people who think that hiding home, but right now they might not be in a posi- been toying with. You will gain more insight by enough to any crowd. If they can’t see it, then how you really feel is more powerful way to be. tion to tell you anything. trying out new schemes in your daily life. you don’t need them.

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 03 | MONDAY, JUNE 08, 2020 NATIONAL Supreme Court asks why state shouldn’t pay for repatriation of workers CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL Ministry of Tourism and Civil KATHMANDU, JUNE 7 Aviation, Ministry of Health and Foreign Employment Board The Supreme Court has issued a Secretariat as defendants. ‘show-cause’ notice to the government “Making workers foot all the bills is as to why the state shouldn’t pay for also against the provision in the act on the rescue and repatriation of desti- the use of the foreign employment tute and unemployed citizens unable welfare fund for the purpose of rescue to buy a ticket home or pay for a hotel and repatriation,” he added. room for quarantine. “The show-cause notice was issued A single bench of Chief Justice today regarding provisions in the gov- Cholendra Shumsher Rana issued the ernment order inconsistent with the order responding to a petition filed by act,”said Devkota. four lawyers on Wednesday, against The government’s plan to repatriate the “Covid-19 returnee order” issued Nepali workers in dire need to return by the government. The lawyers chal- home, has been criticised for making lenged provisions in the order that workers, who send remittances to sup- make it mandatory for migrant work- port the country’s economy, pay for ers wanting to return home to pay for their own tickets and quarantine facil- their own ticket. ities. “The provisions in the government According to Devkota, the Supreme repatriation plan contradict with Court refused to issue an interim Section 75(2) of the Foreign order, but asked the government why Employment Act, 2007 which talks it can’t bring home needy and disad- about the rescue and repatriation of vantaged migrant workers for free. migrant workers during disasters and Petitioners and migrant rights distress,” said Anurag Devkota, one of activists have been demanding that the petitioners. either the state or the foreign employ- The writ petition filed by advocates ment welfare fund pay for the repatri- Barun Ghimire, Prabin Subedi, ation of workers who can not pay for Anurag Devkota, and Binaya Rimal, themselves. According to them, provi- named the Prime Minister and the sions in the new order that require POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI Council of Ministers, Ministry of migrant workers to pay for their inter- Workers disinfect a hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu, as the facility is being converted into a quarantine centre for Nepali citizens returning from abroad. Hoteliers have agreed Labour, Employment and Social national tickets and quarantine is also to allow their facilities to be used as quarantine centres for the returnees. Security, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, inconsistent with the constitution. Lockdown and new Janata Samajbadi Party gets registered with map have come to Oli’s rescue but he is not out poll body but issue of hierarchy remains of the woods yet Mahantha Thakur and Upendra Yadav will have executive powers in the party while Baburam Bhattarai will lead the federal council. ANIL GIRI TIKA R PRADHAN their merger on April 22. Election Commission with him and The leaders have also decided to have KATHMANDU, JUNE 7 KATHMANDU, JUNE 7 However, leadership management had Bhattarai as the leaders of the new party Ashok Rai and Rajendra Mahato as the emerged as a major issue, resulting in the for the registration purpose. senior leaders. Mahato will also lead The Covid-19 pandemic, and the subsequent lockdown, as well After marathon meetings for the last four delay in registering the new unified party. But Yadav was adamant on the executive the parliamentary party of the unified as the new political map of Nepal incorporating territories days, leaders of the Rastriya Janata Party Though the leaders of the two parties role for him, according to leaders. part y. also claimed by India seem to have shielded Nepal Communist Nepal and Samajbadi Party Nepal agreed had finalised the hierarchy of the top three The days-long negotiations then resulted The Janata Samajbadi Party will have a Party chair and Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli from his oppo- to have three chairpersons to lead the uni- leaders— Thakur, Bhattarai and Yadav, in the agreement that Bhattarai will chair 53-member executive committee for now nents seeking his resignation until last month. fied Janata Samajbadi Party, and the new there was conflict over the executive roles the federal council of the new party while and two members will be nominated later. An uncanny silence prevails these days in the ruling Nepali party was registered with the Election between Thakur and Yadav. Thakur and Yadav will lead the executive Currently it has 26 members from the Communist Party, which until recently saw factions led by Commission on Sunday. But with Thakur getting the executive committee. Rastriya Janata Party and 25 members co-chair and senior leader Madhav “We have registered the new unified role lately, the Samajbadi Party had However, the issue of power sharing in from the Samajbadi Party. Kumar Nepal resoundingly demand that Oli step down. party at the Election Commission,” said demanded that Bhattarai must have the new party has not been resolved yet. The new unified party was announced “The entire nation is in a lockdown. We are fighting against Rajendra Mahato, a Janata Party leader. the first position in the party hierarchy. The hierarchy of party leaders could on the midnight of April 22, as some Covid-19, and it is getting serious by the day,” said Raghuji “Now the formation of a strong alternative However, the party has applied for the emerge as an issue of conflict with Thakur Samajbadi Party lawmakers were planning Pant, a Standing Committee member considered an ally of force has begun.” registration with Bhattarai as the fourth getting the first position in the party with to register a new party after the KP Oli Madhav Nepal. “There are other pressing issues on the table. Leaders say upcoming meetings of the ranking leader after Thakur, Yadav and executive role and Bhattarai, the second in government introduced an ordinance eas- So it would not be ethical to demand that the prime minister unified party will decide all the remaining Ashok Rai. The decision was made after hierarchy, getting none. ing the provision for party split. resign,” he said. tasks of the unification process including Bhattarai told the leaders that he Already, leaders have started question- The Samajbadi Party split, however, did Leaders from the opponent factions told the Post that they the hierarchy of the party leaders. was ready to sacrifice his rank in the ing how the first and the third ranking not happen. Since then the ordinance too haven’t given up on their demand that Oli resign, but the agen- As per an agreement among the leaders, party for the sake of party unity and for- leaders were going to share the executive has already been revoked. da has been withheld to focus on the budget and amendment Mahantha Thakur, Upendra Yadav and mation of a strong alternative force in the role. The leaders of the two parties had of the constitution to endorse the new map. Baburam Bhattarai will be the chairs of country. “The leaders agreed to register the party reached the Election Commission on April But party leaders from the Oli camp say demand for the the party, with Thakur and Yadav sharing Initially, the Samajbadi Party was con- with Thakur as the top leader due to the 23 to formally notify the electoral body prime minister’s resignation was never an issue, and even if equal executive powers. “We have an sidering offering Thakur a ceremonial role deadline pressure. The first meeting of the about the party merger. They had 45 days to some leaders raised it, it is no longer relevant. understanding that Bhattarai will lead the of the top ranking leader in the party hier- unified party is expected to settle the hier- officially register the party. “Demand for the prime minister’s resignation was never federal council as the party chair and the archy and entrusting the executive role to archy of the top leaders,” Ganga Shrestha, Shrestha, the general secretary of an issue. No one had raised it seriously,” said Bishnu Poudel, party will later elevate him to the first Yadav. general secretary of the Samajbadi Party, Samajbadi Party, said the commission the party’s general secretary. “Second, at this critical juncture, rank,” Mahato told the Post. But after Thakur refused to assume cere- told the Post.“We will come up with the could take some weeks to process and veri- demand for the prime minister’s resignation is completely The two parties, with 17 seats each in the monial role, the Janata Party had proposed regulations to define the roles of the party fy the documents before officially recognis- irrelevant as the country is dealing with the daunting chal- House of Representatives, had announced that the new party be registered with the chairpersons later.” ing the new party. lenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and its impacts.” Many within the party, however, say rather than the pan- demic, it was the border issue with India that suddenly came to Oli’s rescue. Earlier this month, when India announced the opening of a road via Lipulekh, the Oli government initially tried to deal Crowded prisons cause for concern as Covid-19 cases rise with it by issuing a statement and sending a diplomatic note to New Delhi. But as pressure mounted on the government to make a Hundreds of new inmates have entered prisons since the nationwide lockdown began on March 24. strong statement, officials decided to release a new political map incorporating the territories of Kalapani, Limpiyadhura government imposed the nationwide lockdown to prevent amid growing concerns of possible transmission of Covid- and Lipulekh within Nepal’s borders. The Oli government the spread of Covid-19,” said Sapkota. 19 in overcrowded prisons. But hundreds more have been then swiftly registered a constitution amendment proposal in Sapkota said that while new inmates are administered a added, defeating the purpose of releasing prisoners. Parliament to update the country’s map on the national rapid diagnostic test for Covid-19 before being admitted, “After the Supreme Court ordered the release of inmates emblem. none of the existing prisoners have been tested. held for minor crimes, hundreds of such detainees were Political parties from across the spectrum had no option but According to Sapkota, the prison has built temporary released under Section 155 of the 2017 Criminal Code how- to support the amendment. Oli’s vocal critics within the rul- quarantine facilities in case any inmates show symptoms, ever,” said Sapkota. “But there has been no significant ing party also fell in line, as the issue of the map was related but that facilities could be inadequate in case of an out- decrease in the number of inmates.” to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country, break. The prison staff don’t have any test kits or personal After the department directed all prisons across the insiders say. Anyone who would demand the resignation of a protective equipment either, he said. country to take precautions, prisons, since March 19, have prime minister who had taken up such a herculean task risked The situation is similar at the Dillibazar prison. restricted outside visits. The department had also distrib- being labelled “anti-national’, according to them. According to Sita Adhikari, in charge of the Dillibazar uted PPE sets along with thermal guns, masks and gloves, Party insiders say Oli may have managed to silence demands prison, there are over 600 inmates when the prison’s capac- according to Director General Pradip Raj Kanel of the for his resignation for now, but he will soon have to face vari- ity is around 300 inmates. Department of Prison Management. ous committees of the party, where his support base is weak. “Over a dozen new prisoners have been admitted after “However, we have not been able to conduct Covid-19 Leaders, especially from rival camps, are saying the party the lockdown,” said Adhikari. “Although the new inmates tests due to a lack of resources and funds,” said Kanel. “So must convene meetings of party committees, including the are brought in after a RDT test, due to a lack of space, we far, none of the prisoners seem to have been infected from Standing Committee to discuss a host of issues. Demand for do not have a quarantine facility, so we have to mix them Covid-19.” Olis resignation may not be on the agenda,“but we have to with other inmates.” According to Kanel, any outbreak could prove dangerous discuss the way the government is handling the Covid-19 pan- Like the Central Jail and Dillibazar Jail, most prisons as most prisons lack space to build quarantine facilities. demic and other issues,” said Pant. across the country are overcrowded, which has increased “Nepal’s prisons are not equipped to handle a Covid-19 One of the major issues that Oli will have to tackle in the the risk of a possible outbreak of Covid-19. According to outbreak,” he said. immediate future is related to the Millennium Challenge data provided by the Department of Prison Management, Corporation Nepal Compact, under which the United States is a total of 24,227 people are currently serving time in 74 to provide a $500million grant to Nepal. prisons. Out of which, 14,193 are convicted criminals “We have asked the leadership to convene the meeting of while the remaining 10,034 are awaiting sentence. the Standing Committee immediately after the budget session “Prisons in Nepal can only hold about 16,000 detain- of Parliament is over,” said Pant. ees. The numbers are far higher, which has made pris- According to leaders from the rival camps, the leadership’s POST FILE PHOTO ons more vulnerable to Covid-19 transmission,” said failure to allow the party to take ownership of important A communal cell at a prison in Kathmandu. Enforcing social Debarsi Sapkota, information officer for the Department issues such as the amendment of the constitution will also be distancing is impossible in the country’s overcrowded prisons. of Prison Management. raised during the meetings. So far, Nepal has reported a total of 3,235 confirmed “Even the main opposition decided on the SHUVAM DHUNGANA cases with 13 deaths. issue of the new map as an institution,” said Beduram Bhusal, KATHMANDU, JUNE 7 The World Health Organisation has warned that pris- a standing committee member. “But we didn’t do that,” he ons around the world can expect “huge mortality rates” said. “That apart, none of the issues we raised earlier about As Covid-19 cases continue to surge across the country, from Covid-19 unless they take immediate action, running the government in a systematic way or completing Nepal’s overcrowded prisons are increasingly becoming a including screening for the disease. The global health the party merger have been discussed and resolved.” cause for concern. Though no inmates have yet developed body warned of potential widespread infection in pris- The MCC issue continues to plague the party, with a section Covid-19 symptoms so far, officials believe that if testing is ons, and has released a set of interim guidelines, such as of leaders including Dahal and Jhala Nath Khanal expressing not conducted and precautionary measures are immediate- reducing overcrowding and ensuring access to health reservations about it. Standing Committee Member Bhim ly not taken, the coronavirus could spread like wildfire services, on preparedness, prevention and control of Rawal and Khanal recently wrote to Oli reminding him of among prisoners living in close quarters where physical Covid-19 in prisons and other places of detention. recommendations made on the issue by the party-formed distancing is impossible. And the risk has only increased Efforts to control the virus in the wider community panel led by Khanal. The committee had said that the deal with the addition of new prisoners since the lockdown will prove unsuccessful unless strict measures, such as cannot be ratified in its present form. began on March 24. adequate testing and increased hygiene procedures, are Party General Secretary Poudel, however, said that the MCC According to Laxmi Prasad Sapkota, jailor at the Central taken in all places of detention, particularly in over- also won’t be a thorny issue in the party. “Party leaders don’t Jail in Sundhara, the jail is capable of accommodating crowded prisons, according to the WHO. have differences over MCC,” said Poudel. “We will decide 1,400 inmates but it currently houses over 3,000 prisoners. In late April, the Department of Prison Management based on consensus.” “Hundreds of new inmates have been added since the had released over 400 prisoners, primarily juveniles,

C M Y K MONDAY, JUNE 08, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Capitalism has failed to stay capitalist

Rough landing When economies are not The last thing the country needs at this allowed to go through their moment is a repatriation disaster. natural cycles, failing The government’s repatriation of 175 Nepalis from China’s companies drag on. Wuhan, in mid-February this year, had surprised many as its arrangements had exceeded their expectations. It had provid- PABAN RAJ PANDEY ed the evacuees with free air tickets and decent quarantine facilities, prompting them to say that they had finally felt ‘at home’ after months of distress. What was essentially a Wuhan-centred viral infection until February has evolved into a pandemic, leaving millions of Nepalis stranded abroad and craving to return home. Migrant workers living in the Gulf, Malaysia and South Korea are the Karl Marx must be smiling in his grave. In communism, the means of production hardest hit, having lost their jobs and left with no option but are owned by the state or community. to return home. The government’s decision to repatriate There is no private ownership of proper- them, albeit late, has come as a huge relief. Only this time it ty. Individuals are not incentivised to is in no position to replicate the efficiency of the Wuhan accumulate wealth. Capitalism allows all repatriation. The number of Nepalis who have reportedly this, and more. There is competition for requested to be repatriated number around 10,000 in Saudi labour, land and capital. However, over time, the winner-take-all attitude builds Arabia; 7,000 in Qatar; and 7,000 in Malaysia. The number is up excesses that ordinarily get corrected expected to grow once the repatriation process begins. during recessions. Yet, rising cen- Ideally, the government should repatriate all its citizens tral-bank activism is not letting business who want to return home during such a crisis. It should also cycles play out. From ownership of sov- fund the repatriation, especially in the case of the helpless ereign and corporate debt to even stocks in corporations, major central banks’ migrants who have contributed, in advance, to the migrant tentacles are spreading wider. Should workers’ welfare fund that stands at around Rs7 billion at the this continue, governments will end up SHUTTERSTOCK moment. The utility of the fund, as per the Foreign owning more and more of the private ply-side economics between 1981 and Central banks wield unfettered been buying equity exchange-traded Employment Act, 2007, is exactly for the ‘return and repatri- sector. Ironically, it was state control that 1989, the public sector was routinely powers funds. It feels like it is only a matter of ation of Nepali migrant workers’. Since the entire fund can’t sunk communism in many countries. defunded. Importantly, debt was no Under fiat money, central banks have time before the increasingly interven- longer a taboo. more flexibility. But as time went by, tionist US Fed goes there. In March, in be expended on an elephantine repatriation plan, the govern- State control proves costly for When Reagan entered the White they began paying more attention to response to the Covid-19 crisis, it began ment must adopt a needs-based approach, evacuating only communism House, inflation and interest rates were stock markets and the wealth effect. Paul buying corporate bonds, including junk. those in an emergency due to loss of jobs or medical In 1848, Marx and Friedrich Engels pub- peaking. Consumer inflation was over 14 Volcker who, under Jimmy Carter and Its balance sheet has grown to $7.1 tril- conditions among others. Such repatriation should be lished The Communist Manifesto. In 1917, percent in 1980 and the benchmark rate Reagan, broke the back of US inflation, lion, up nearly $3 trillion this year. entirely free of cost. the October Revolution overthrew the was at 19 percent in 1981. As they fell, was long gone. His successor at the Simply put, the Fed is cornered and has - Expecting the government to repatriate all workers—even Russian czar; a civil war followed, end- growth followed. Real GDP growth aver Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, fear- itself to blame. When economic cycles ing in the Vladimir Lenin-led Bolsheviks’ aged 3.5 percent during his tenure. But ing deflation, sharply lowered rates in are not allowed to go through their natu- those who are just homesick and thus want to return—would victory in 1922. The Soviet Union was federal debt nearly tripled to just under the early 2000s, sowing the seeds of hous- ral peaks and troughs, failing companies be asking a bit too much especially when it has failed to born. For much of the 20th century, it $2.7 trillion, while federal budget deficit ing and equity bubbles, leading to the drag on, leading to capital misallocation. expand the ambit of PCR testing within the country. Rather, went toe-to-toe with the US militarily averaged 4.3 percent of nominal GDP. financial crisis of 2007-08. The global Creative destruction is denied. From the it should conduct high-level talks with the labour-destination and economically. But deep down, the Both individual and corporate tax rates financial system was on the brink of time the Fed intervened in the 2007-08 countries to ensure that the distressed Nepali migrant work- command economy was unable to were cut; government spending did not collapse. In response, the Fed rightly crisis to the present, US debt load is high- compete on the global stage, finally go down as expected. Importantly, con- lowered rates to near zero and aggres- er, with federal debt nearing $26 trillion. ers are provided with minimum support for survival until unravelling in 1991 when Mikhail tinuing a trend that began in the 1970s, sively expanded its balance sheet. Other It takes more debt to produce the same the labour market returns to normal. Countries across the Gorbachev, father of perestroika the gap between rich and poor widened. central banks followed, including the output. world are expected to begin easing lockdowns sooner than and glasnost, resigned. In China, com- Further, deficit financing was no longer Bank of Japan, which adopted quantita- A leveraged economy means the Fed later to get their markets running even as they continue to munism began with Mao Zedong’s rise to loathed. In the 1987 movie Wall Street, tive easing (QE) as far back as the early cannot afford higher rates. Each time fight the pandemic. Rather than bringing home a large num- power in 1949. But to survive, China Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko 2000s. there is a crisis, markets, hooked on underwent market-economy reforms declares, ‘Greed, for lack of a better Investors responded to this firehose of Fed largesse, expect more. In the end, ber of migrants, greater effort should, therefore, be made on under Deng Xiaoping, who gradually word, is good’. liquidity by moving up the risk curve the Fed will end up owning more and holding them where they are while ensuring their living rose to power after Mao passed away This cultural shift in the 1980s preced- and pushing up stocks. The global econo- more assets. There is a precedent. As of conditions do not deteriorate. in 1976. ed the final nail in the coffin of the gold my began to grow. Concurrently, US the third quarter of 2019, the Bank of When India began repatriating its migrant workers at the After the Cold War ended, large-scale standard in 1971. In it, countries fix the markets realised that they had the Fed by Japan owned some 8 percent of the beginning of May, it had clarified, at the beginning itself, that privatisation of state-owned assets took value of their currencies on a fixed the tail. Anytime it tried to raise rates on entire Japanese equity market. As of the place in Russia—most of it under Boris amount of gold. After Germany adopted a sustained basis and/or reduce its bloat- same date, the Swiss National Bank the evacuees would have to bear all their expenses. Though Yeltsin in the early and mid-1990s. The the standard in 1871 until World War I ed balance sheet, markets threw a tan- owned US stocks worth $94 billion. not ideal, it was clear enough a statement on the modus oper- transition was chaotic, with a transfer of began in 1914, international trade was trum. This was true under both Ben It is anyone’s guess as to how things andi of repatriation. As of now, the Nepali government has significant wealth to a small group of settled using gold. Yet, when times were Bernanke and Janet Yellen, and it is true will shake out in the US in the next five failed to clarify who exactly is going to fund tickets, medical oligarchs and New Russians. Over time, tough, it was felt that the system was too now under Jerome Powell. In fact, since to 10 years or longer. Rationally, unless examinations and quarantine facilities of the repatriated. It economic inequality grew. In fact, rigid. In 1931, Britain stopped using it. there are no more arrows left in the con- serious reform takes place within is neither necessary nor feasible to repatriate all the migrant even in market economies such as the The US, ravaged by the Great Depression, ventional monetary quiver, central capitalism to bridge the rich-poor United Kingdom, the 1980s saw a followed suit in 1933 when Franklin D banks are having to invent newer uncon- divide and the Fed returns to normal workers stranded abroad. But the government must come major drive to privatise state-owned Roosevelt criminalised the possession of ventional tools. In the wake of the 2007-08 business, it will be increasingly difficult clean on who all it wants to repatriate and who bears the businesses. Under Margaret Thatcher, gold. In 1971, Richard Nixon ended the crisis, benchmark rates went negative in differentiating between capitalism and huge costs involved. The last thing the country needs now is who was in power from 1979 to 1990, more dollar’s direct convertibility into gold for Europe and Japan. Subsequently, both communism. a repatriation disaster. than 40 state-owned businesses were pri- foreign governments. Welcome to the era the European Central Bank and the Bank vatised. In the US—the bastion of capi- of fiat money, which is not backed by of Japan began buying corporate bonds. Pandey talks markets, money and talism—under Ronald Reagan’s sup- anything. In fact, the BoJ since 2013 has even macroeconomics on hedgopia.com. We want to hear from you

We regularly publish Letters to the Editor on contemporary issues or direct responses to something the Post has recently pub- Revisiting Visit Nepal 2020 lished. Please send your letters to [email protected] with ‘Letter to the Editor’ in the subject line. Nepali art, literature and notions of ‘community’ and also attempts Please include your address, phone number we can reach you at to entice tourists to visit the ‘traditional’ and your email address. land of Nepal, at the expense of the lived music must be promoted realities of the local people. The strategy How to make sure your letters are published? It’s simple—just alongside mountain for two other commitments—going green follow these basic guidelines: and climate change—has been described but with no concrete evidence of their Keep it short. Your letters will have a better chance of success if tourism. implementation. you keep it within 400 words. If you’re writing commentary, pitch The deficiency of Visit Nepal 2020 is SHREYA GYAWALI an op-ed instead. not due to the manner in which it has been marketed, but due to the motive Tell us what we got wrong, but back it up with resources. behind the initiative itself—hosting 2 million tourists within 2020. To revive Avoid jargon, use clear words and sentences. Keep in mind you’re the tourism industry that was severely communicating with other readers who may not be aware of the hit by the 2015 disaster, it will require subject. more than just reaching a quantifiable target. A preliminary study will enable We welcome witty letters. But please don’t go overboard. About a month into Nepal’s tourism us to understand our capacities as hosts year, it came to a halt due to the current and locally-driven planning will enhance Avoid abuse and diatribes. Covid-19 pandemic. We were only past a the tourism experience as well replace few ‘special events’ such as the Mt the empty rhetoric of a communi- Everest Fashion Runway and the Annual ty-based approach. Ice Climbing Festival when the virus outbreak hit the travel industry. While a Narrow branding national level tourism campaign was an Nepali art, literature and music must be important step for Nepal in the after- promoted equally alongside mountain Have something to say? math of the 2015 earthquake, the effort tourism, and the publicity of the cam- was inadequate. The campaign’s market- SIRAJ AHMAD/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM paign should take a more diverse The Kathmandu Post invites you to submit well-researched, ing that took shape only a few months Empty landscapes Devo Bhava’ meaning guest is God, approach to prevent the detrimental unapologetic opinion pieces. To make sure your articles get our prior to the end of 2019 not only lacked The depiction of empty landscapes which Hindus firmly believe in. The impacts of narrow branding. For attention, we ask that you keep the following things in mind when global outreach but also exhibited Nepal masks the local realities of the people hosts are removed from the ‘experience’ example, Las Vegas is popularly known inquiring and submitting content to the Post: within narrow framings of adventure and ignores the historical, political and that takes place on their land that is now as ‘the sin city’ offering ‘adult’ activities, and spirituality. As international tour- social context that has caused Nepali commercialised and advertised for the Bangkok is wrongly associated with All your opinion pieces should be pitched to the Opinion desk— ism will not resume anytime soon and land to remain the way it is today. The enjoyment of others. Events such as the sex tourism, and Goa is dangerously not to the editor-in-chief. Email your piece or idea (accompanied Visit Nepal 2020 has been officially called narrow representations of Nepal via Mt Everest Fashion Runway and the ice referred to as the drug capital. While with a high-resolution headshot) to [email protected]. off, it is our chance to identify the limita- tourism advertisements lead to the com- skating on Gokyo Lake were about creat- these places have so much more to tions of the current campaign. We can modification of land as well as the people ing records for having hosted these offer, they remain concealed within such We will only respond to pitches that have original ideas. We then rethink our tourism strategy by who belong there. While the Sherpas events on the highest peak in the world. representations. suggest that you google your pitch before writing to us. If you’re focusing more on quality tourism that have benefitted from mountaineering, International models walk on the Nepal could learn from other nations submitting an article that either the Post or other publications does not compromise Nepal’s image than they are often referred to as being ‘moun- ‘ramp’ to promote sustainable fashion on that have successfully hosted national on quantity. tain men’ who help ‘mountaineers’ make land inhabited by people who may not tourism campaigns such as Inspired by have already covered in the past, tell us in a sentence or two why The tourist perspective of Nepal is not their way up Everest; despite the necessarily be able to afford them, and Iceland which was launched right after your story offers something new. limited to but often driven by a desire to Khumbu region hosting diverse commu- foreigners with high-end gear are invited the 2010 volcanic eruption. The cam- The Post receives dozens of pitches every day from aspiring travel to ‘mysterious’ and ‘undiscovered’ nities and Sherpas doing much more to skate on a lake that is culturally signif- paign was part of a crisis management parts of the world. Images of empty than just climbing mountains. icant to the local community. The web- strategy and involved the entire nation writers, students, political commentators, entrepreneurs and dip- mountains and fluttering prayer flags The Visit Nepal 2020 promotions have site also lists the festivals of Nepal and during its launch. Scotland has a yearly lomats. We are not able to respond to every single email, but if we are commonly associated with Nepal. been no different from the use of images uses images with the motive of luring tourism theme that welcomes visitors to like your idea, we will get back to you soon. Please DO NOT pitch Since the expedition of Sir Edmund reinforcing such stereotypical narra- people to the ‘exoticism’ that Nepal has experience different things every year. us an idea if you’re already pitching it somewhere else. Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, Everest is tives via different media platforms. In to offer. For instance, it invites tourists to Clearly, Nepal’s tourism planning needs sold as an adventure playground where addition, the marketing of the campaign ‘Dance with the Gods’ by showing a pic- to be more inclusive to run a successful We carefully review submissions to ensure that no plagiarism people come to challenge their physical has been sluggish with lack of informa- ture of a lakhe dancing but with hardly and creative campaign. It not only has occurred. If we find any articles that have been plagiarised, abilities and set world records, fulfilling tion, inadequate event planning and any description about its cultural requires national-level assistance but such practice will lead to blacklisting. the thrill associated with ‘conquering’ vague commitments of ‘sustainable’ and relevance. also private sector involvement and local the highest mountain in the world. ‘community-based’ tourism. As the website outlines the campaign’s expertise to ensure better planning as Finally, please tell us who you are in a sentence or two when you Images of vast lands inhabited by rhinos The opening statement of the official commitment to sustainability, it uses the well as marketing. send us your story ideas. We want to know where you have and elephants are also used to convey the website of Visit Nepal 2020 is ‘Coming to most bizarre pictures and statements. published before or what your expertise is on the topic you’re ‘exotic’ and ‘natural’ spirit of the land. Nepal is coming to an experience that is For instance, there is a picture of three Gyawali is pursuing a Master of interested in exploring. These images may be true of Nepal but only yours’. It may have been written women planting paddy and the caption Applied Anthropology and Participatory they are unpeopled, evoking the concept with good intent, but goes beyond the ‘community-based tourism’. This picture Development at the Australian of terra nullius, unoccupied land. values of the Sanskrit phrase ‘Atithi gives a local flavour to the popularly used National University.

C M Y K 05 | MONDAY, JUNE 08, 2020 NATIONAL Police arrest Business community in Tanahun Most Covid victims have Rautahat kiln massacre suspect demands relaxation in lockdown died untested ... SHIVA PURI >> Continued from page 1 ing grounds, we haven’t been able to RAUTAHAT, JUNE 7 Businesses say protracted lockdown has pushed them to the brink of financial instability. “People dying in quarantine and the improve them.” cause of deaths being established According to Marasini, people with Police on Saturday arrested a man SAMJHANA RASAILI after several days means clinical eval- underlying conditions should never be over the Rautahat brick kiln massacre TANAHUN, JUNE 7 uation is not being done properly in placed in quarantine facilities in the in which nearly a dozen people were quarantine,” said Bastola. “If the con- first place, as they run a bigger risk of allegedly “burnt alive” 13 years ago. The business community in Damauli, dition of quarantine facilities is as contracting, and succumbing to, the Mukti Sah, 55, arrested in the district headquarters of Tanahun, portrayed in the media, there are huge virus. Such people could also need Simraungadh, near the India-Nepal took to the streets on Sunday problems that need to be addressed if immediate medicare care. border on Saturday, had been on the demanding that the authorities ease casualties are to be prevented.” “Those with underlying conditions, run since the incident took place on the lockdown. Most quarantine facilities across the elderly and pregnant women April 9, 2008. He was presented before Small traders, shopkeepers and big the country are makeshift and lack should be kept in isolation in hospital, the court on Sunday, said Deputy business owners have called on the basic facilities—running water, sepa- and ambulances need to be on Inspector General Dhiraj Pratap authorities to find an alternative to rate toilets, separate rooms, and sepa- standby to take patients to hospital,” Singh. Sah worked as a carpenter at the lockdown that has been going on rate kitchens. Most facilities are also said Marasini. “The authorities the time of the incident, according to for more than two months now. overcrowded with hundreds of indi- really need to take the management of police. Nine other suspects of the inci- They say prolonged lockdown has viduals crammed into quarters meant quarantine seriously to ensure dent are still at large. The main sus- hit their business as well as increased for a few dozen. that there is no transmission of the pect, Mohammad Aftab Alam, was financial burden on many traders The National Human Rights coronavirus.” remanded in custody at Nakkhu Jail, with loan interests and instalments POST PHOTO: SAMJHANA RASAILI Commission said on Saturday that Although there is still debate on the Kathmandu, in November. they have been unable to pay. People take to the streets in Damauli, Tanahun, on Sunday demanding the lockdown be eased. people dying in quarantine centres risk of catching Covid-19 from a dead Alam, a Nepali Congress leader and “We supported the government by due to Covid-19 infections was a cause body, Marasini believes that care elected member of Parliament, was following the lockdown rules for more suitable for shops selling vegetables, Sunday despite the lockdown. for concern. should be taken, as bodies can contain arrested on October 13 last year in than two months. But now we are food and other essentials. Rajesh Thapa, chairman of Lamjung The commission also drew the gov- fluids like saliva. The Health Ministry connection with the incident. struggling for our survival. It’s time Baikuntha Neupane, mayor of Byas Chamber of Commerce and Industries, ernment’s attention to the quarantine has issued separate guidelines for At least two people had been killed the government came up with an Municipality, has urged the business said the chamber had urged the shops centres that don’t meet the minimum handling an infected body, which can and two dozen others injured by a alternative to this lockdown,” said community to act responsibly and fol- and businesses to open because they standards. be done by trained persons with per- blast that rocked Rautahat ahead of Kumar Mohan Shrestha, who runs a low the rules to control the spread of could no longer wait for the authori- “Currently, there are more than sonal protective equipment. But due the elections. According to eyewit- photo studio in Damauli. coronavirus. ties to ease the lockdown. 167,000 people in quarantine,” said to delays in testing, health workers nesses, the people injured in the blast Although the local government has “The streets and the marketplaces “The prolonged lockdown has the commission. “In view of the and family end up handling the body, were allegedly burnt alive in a brick introduced a plan to ease the lock- will be crowded if all the business affected the business community of rising number of cases, the crisis putting them at risk of contracting kiln under Alam’s orders “to destroy down in phases, the business commu- activities are opened,” he said. “The Lamjung. So we have prepared our could continue.” the virus and spreading it further. evidence” related to the blast. nity say they cannot do their business municipal office has decided to allow own schedule to open shops,” he said. The commission also called on the According to Health Ministry offi- Two months after the incident, with partial relaxation of restrictions. the operation of only those businesses According to the chamber, shops and government to properly manage the cials, they are cognizant of the rise in Alam turned himself in to the police Byas Municipality has decided to that provide essential services. Other businesses dealing in non-essentials quarantine centres and expand poly- deaths in quarantine and are looking on June 23, 2008 when a first informa- allow all shops to open between six to shops should operate only in the will open on Sundays, Mondays and merase chain reaction tests for those at improvement measures. tion report was filed identifying him ten in the morning and banks and morning hours as specified by the Tuesdays while essential businesses who are being quarantined. “We have discussed the need to as the primary accused. A month financial institutions between eleven office to avoid overcrowding.” will open throughout the week. “All those who died in quarantine improve the conditions of quarantine, later, the Office of the Attorney to two in the afternoon for three days Three cases of Covid-19 have been Business communities across the coun- might not have died had the authori- conduct more tests and prevent the General decided against pursuing a a week. confirmed in Tanahun so far. Hundreds try are growing impatient with the ties conducted proper screening,” Dr spread of infections,” Pokhrel, the criminal case against Alam and five However, local traders have demand- of people, mainly those who had seemingly interminable lockdown and Baburam Marasini, former director Health Ministry specialist, said. other suspects. ed that they should be allowed to run recently returned from India, are stay- have started defying the lockdown. of the Epidemiology and Disease “We are also working to buy a poly- Prosecutors have charged Alam their business well into the afternoon. ing in various quarantine facilities. Control Division, told the Post. merase chain reaction testing with attempted murder and holding According to them, the relaxation of Meanwhile, many shops and busi- (Aash Gurung contributed reporting “Despite knowing that quarantine machine that can conduct more tests and transporting explosive materials. lockdown during the morning is only nesses were opened in Lamjung on from Lamjung) [centre]s are turning into virus breed- at one time.” As India, China talk to resolve border stand-off, analysts question when Delhi will speak to Nepal

>> Continued from page 1 December 30. After opening up the new road in Indian territories it is claiming,” the news report The tensions between Nepal and India over Lipulekh, Nepal sent another note to India on said. the Kalapani region, however, have not reached May 11. The report does not mention when Nepal com- the level of scuffles between security forces, with India never responded to any of these notes. municated such a proposal. both Kathmandu and Delhi now being in a state But last month, for the first time, Delhi A senior Foreign Ministry official, however, of “cartographic war”. acknowledged talks as the only way to resolve told the Post that no diplomatic note has been Analysts have been constant in suggesting the dispute after Nepal strongly protested the dispatched since May 11. that dialogue is imperative, as soon as possible. opening of the road via Lipulekh and handed “It was through that note that Nepal sought a A constitutional amendment bill registered by Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra a dip- date for talks. It did not mention holding virtual the KP Sharma Oli government is currently in lomatic note. talks,” said the official. Parliament, and a vote to fast-track its endorse- “I fail to understand why India is setting con- During a discussion at the International ment is likely on Tuesday or Wednesday. The bill ditions for talks with us,” said Bishnu Rijal, Relations and Human Rights Committee of the will formalise the new Nepali map by revising it deputy chief of the ruling Nepal Communist federal parliament on May 11, Foreign Minister on the national emblem. Party’s international affairs department. “Now Pradeep Gyawali had ruled out virtual talks, Ruling party leaders say that Prime Minister that India and China sat for talks at two levels citing data security reasons. Oli is himself engaged in backchannel commu- despite the Covid-19 crisis, questions arise While Gyawali did not elaborate on his con- nications with various sources in New Delhi to regarding their reluctance to hold a dialogue cerns, PM Oli had participated in a virtual meet- kickstart talks at the Foreign Secretary level. with Nepal.” ing of SAARC leaders initiated by Modi. There were even talks about a telephone conver- Rijal said that officials from both sides could Ashok Mehta, a retired Indian Army general sation between Prime Minister Oli and his at least talk via video conferencing to set the who closely follows Nepal affairs, said it would Indian counterpart Narendra Modi. The call stage for further dialogue. be wrong to compare the border disputes between never materialised. “Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a Nepal and India with those between India and Some members of the diplomatic circle in virtual summit with the Australian prime minis- China. “That said, Indian foreign secretary must Kathmandu believe that the resolution of the ter last week. The Indian foreign minister has ring up his Nepali counterpart,” Mehta said in India-China boundary dispute could help been holding virtual talks with several of his an email interview. Nepal’s chances for talks, as the dispute between counterparts,” said Rijal. “So why isn’t India Mehta called for immediate talks at the Nepal and India also includes China in some ready to even hold a video conference with us?” Foreign Secretary level so as to “defer constitu- capacity. Some in Nepal believe that there is growing tional amendment in Nepal” to update the map “The present boundary dispute in Lipulekh suspicion among Delhi officials that Nepal has in the national emblem. warrants talks not only with India but also with been cosying up to China, which is why India is “A telephone conversation between the China, and if Nepal wants to resolve the disputes delaying talks with Nepal. two prime ministers will be most useful,” with India–and later with China–this is the right Indian Army Chief MM Naravane has been said Mehta. “Once the Covid-19 crisis is over, time to engage,” a former Nepali diplomat told quite vocal in saying that Nepal was objecting to face-to-face dele- the Post. India’s opening of road via Lipulekh at China’s gation level talks Experts and analysts, back in 2017, had also behest. can be held said that Nepal should raise its boundary issues The Modi administration has neither owned between the two with India, including the row over Kalapani, up to Naravane’s statement nor rejected it. There sides.” Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, when Delhi and has been no official statement from Beijing were in a standoff over Doklam. Kathmandu either regarding Earlier in 2015, Kathmandu had sent diplomat- Naravane’s allegation. ic notes to both Delhi and Beijing after they According to a news report in agreed to expand a trade route via Lipulekh the Indian Express on Sunday, without informing Nepal. Kathmandu has conveyed to Delhi The Kalapani issue, however, was largely for- that it is open to a virtual meeting gotten by the Nepali leadership in Kathmandu between the foreign secretaries to until November 2019 when India in its new polit- resolve the border issue that is ical map placed the region within its borders. threatening relations. Since November, Nepal has at least twice sought “The Express has learnt that the dates for talks at the Foreign Secretary level. Nepal government, via a note ver- Deferral of talks, however, was then attributed to bale (a diplomatic note), said that a reshuffle in India’s Ministry of External Affairs. the foreign secretaries can meet in Nepal has sent four diplomatic notes since. person or hold a virtual meeting to The first note was dispatched on November 20, discuss the issue of Kalapani, another on November 22 and one more on Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura, that

Request for Expression of Interest General Contractors for Construction Services REI NO. 21-0003 The World Bank Group invites General Contractors to participate in a Request for Expression of Interest (REI) for pre-qualification for the office fit-out works for the World Bank Group country office in Kathmandu, Nepal. Scope The project is to provide fit-out works as per the following; · Total fit-out area of the project is about 8404 Sq.ft or 781 Sq.mt · Work will include interior construction and finishing works: floors, ceilings, office partitions, doors and frames, fixtures, fittings, etc. electrical, AC, ventilation, fire protection systems, plumbing and sanitary, security, IT, AV system, and miscellaneous. The REI will be issued to interested General Contractors starting June 08, 2020. The last day for submission of expression of interest is on June 21, 2020. The applying firm should have minimum annual average revenues of US$ 2 million for the past three years. To be considered as eligible to participate, firms must meet all the mandatory criteria outlined in the World Bank Corporate Procurement website https://www.worldbank.org/ en/about/corporate-procurement/business-opportunities/administrative-procurement For details and to apply, please visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/about/corporate-procurement/business- opportunities/administrative-procurement and search for REI No. 21-0003. For further information or questions please contact Kamal Altafullah via e-mail at [email protected]. Commencement of the main contract is scheduled for July/August 2020 with a 6-month duration for completion.

C M Y K MONDAY, JUNE 08, 2020 | 06 MONEY

FOREX OPEC, allies agree to US Dollar 121.24 Manufacturing output drops sharply Euro 136.83 extend deep output Pound Sterling 153.56 cuts through July Japanese Yen 11.06 as lockdown restrictions slash demand Chinese Yuan 17.12 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Most of the factories located in the country’s five major industrial corridors are operating at below capacity. VIENNA, JUNE 7 Qatari Riyal 33.06

Australian Dollar 84.49 KRISHANA PRASAIN most poultry factories had pulled OPEC members, led by Saudi Arabia, KATHMANDU, JUNE 7 down their shutters. and other key oil producers agreed on Malaysian Ringit 28.41 Dairy industries that were running Saturday to extend historic output Nepal’s manufacturing output has at 80 percent of capacity have slowed cuts through July, as oil prices tenta- Saudi Arab Riyal 32.30 dropped sharply as lockdown restric- down to 60 percent. Local dairies are tively recover and coronavirus lock- Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank tions slash demand, raising concern still in operation, but large enterpris- downs ease. among officials and industry leaders. es including pasteurisation plants The 13-member cartel and its According to the Ministry of have shut down. allies, notably Russia, decided to PRICE PER TOLA Industry, Commerce and Supplies, According to a report, the sugar extend by a month deep May and BULLION essential industries like food, dairy, industry has 40,000 tonnes of sugar in June cuts agreed in April to boost feed, hatchery and poultry, drinking stock. Liquefied petroleum gas prices, the Organization of the Fine Gold Rs 87,400 water and tea are reporting a steep fall refilling plants are operating at full Petroleum Exporting Countries said in production. capacity. in a statement. Silver Rs 925 Most of the factories located in The drinking water industry is Prices had plummeted owing the country’s five major industrial operating at 60 percent of capacity, to falling demand as countries SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA corridors—Attariya-Dhangadhi, down from 100 percent before the around the world imposed strict lock- Nepalgunj-Kohalpur, Butwal- lockdown, and is only producing downs to stop the spread of the new Belahiya, Pathlaiya-Birgunj and water in jars. The production of coronavirus. GASOLINE WATCH -Biratnagar—are operating at drinking water in pet bottles came to a “All participating countries... below capacity. stop after restaurants and hotels agreed the option of extending the Industry Minister Lekhraj Bhatta closed down. first phase of the production adjust- said the ministry was doing home- The medicinal drug industry has ments pertaining in May and June by work to ease the lockdown and draw reported a drop in production from 70 one further month,” the OPEC state- up a new modality to unshackle facto- percent of capacity to 60 percent. ment said. Under the terms of the ries making essential goods. He added Demand is static, and the products April agreement, OPEC and the that they were holding daily talks have a short shelf life, so output has so-called OPEC+ pledged to cut output with industry insiders to increase pro- been slashed, the ministry said. by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) duction and market the goods. POST FILE PHOTO Oxygen plants, however, are operat- from May 1 until the end of June. Regarding dearer essential food A file photo shows workers making sandals at a factory in Biratnagar. ing at full capacity like before the The cuts were then to be gradually items, Bhatta said that prices had not lockdown, as per a report. eased from July, to 7.7 million bpd been raised that much. Prices of goods try said that almost all food industries ical reason behind the Indian move. According to the ministry, only 338 until December. imported after the lockdown have were in operation currently. Imports have been tightened in an of the 597 essential goods factories in Algerian Oil Minister Mohamed gone up due to higher transportation The tea industry, that was operating effort to prevent the potential spread 10 industrial areas are in operation. Arkab, who currently holds OPEC’s charges, he said. at 70 percent of capacity in mid- of Covid-19, he added. The feed, hatch- And even those still open are operat- rotating presidency, told AFP that the The production of factories making March, is operating at 30-40 percent. ery and poultry industries also saw a ing at around half their capacity. agreed cut for July was 9.6 mbpd, just biscuits, noodles and snacks shrank The ministry said production declined drop in production from 80 percent of And of the 11,736 workers employed slightly below the 9.7 mbpd for May from 80 percent of capacity in mid- due to a decrease in demand for Nepali capacity to 40 percent. Poultry and by these factories, 4,900 have kept and June. March to 50-60 percent in the begin- tea in Europe and inability to send hatchery industries are closing down their jobs while 6,836 have been sent Oil ministers from key producers ning of June. samples for testing and certification. as they have been severely battered by home on leave. will meet monthly to assess the The output of rice, beaten rice, Output is down also because the the lockdown. Bhatta said that factories producing agreement, he added. Analysts had lintels, flour and oil factories Indian government has stopped the The ministry said there was no ancillary goods such as packaging expected the May-June cuts to be dropped from 75 to 55 percent of capac- import of Nepali tea, according to a problem in egg production, but with a materials and other items were oper- extended by at least another month, if ity during the same period. The minis- report. Bhatta said there was no polit- decline in demand for broiler chicken, ating at 40-60 percent of capacity. not longer. China imports plunge, exports fall on virus hit to global growth AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Iris Pang, ING chief economist for BEIJING, JUNE 7 Greater China, told AFP another rea- son was likely a drop in parts bought China’s exports and imports fell in for re-exports—imported goods that May as the economic slowdown abroad are shipped out after further process- started to take its toll, and after a sur- ing—due to the uncertainty of global prise jump driven by increased demand. Medical exports supported demand for anti-epidemic supplies, Chinese shipments in April and May, official data showed on Sunday. with shipments of textile yarns, fab- With consumer demand muted and rics and products rising 21.3 percent key overseas markets suffering down- for the first five months on-year. turns, imports saw their sharpest Analysts expect this boost to fade on-year fall in over four years, even as however, as the virus situation the country worked to restart its econ- improves worldwide. omy after bringing activity to a stand- “Export growth rebounded in still to curb the coronavirus. March and April, even as lockdowns Exports from the manufacturing came into effect abroad, because of a powerhouse fell 3.3 percent on-year backlog of orders that had piled up last month, better than the 6.5 percent while Chinese factories were shut in slide expected by a Bloomberg poll February,” said Julian Evans- of analysts. Pritchard of Capital Economics in a But the return to negative territory recent report. came after a surprise 3.5 percent jump But he noted the Purchasing in April, which was partly due to med- Managers’ Index, a key gauge of ical exports. factory activity, still pointed to “a deep Analysts have warned of signs that downturn in exports that has yet a larger downturn awaits. to materialise” as activity in China’s Customs data released Sunday also major export markets remains showed a larger than expected drop in subdued. imports on-year, which were down by Exports would likely take a further 16.7 percent and at a four-year low. hit in June and July, said IHS Markit’s Part of the plunge in the value of Biswas, before recovering towards the imports could be explained by falling end of the year supported by lock- commodity prices worldwide, said downs ending across Europe and the POST PHOTO: KIRAN PANDAY Rajiv Biswas of IHS Markit. US and the Christmas season. Workers display gold jewellery at a shop in New Road, Kathmandu on Sunday. Prices of the precious metal have soared to Rs 87,400 per tola. Sweden didn’t lock down, but economy to plunge anyway Australia extends support to airlines AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE market was in good shape, with strong STOCKHOLM, JUNE 7 job creation and a declining unem- Sweden’s sharp ployment rate. for domestic flights Unlike most countries, Sweden never Now, the government expects a job- locked down during the coronavirus downturn is less rate of nine percent for 2020 and REUTERS pandemic, largely keeping businesses largely explained 2021, compared to 6.8 percent in 2019. MELBOURNE, JUNE 7 operating, but the economy appears to It sees growth of 3.5 percent in 2021. be taking a hard hit nonetheless. by its dependence Sweden’s sharp downturn is largely The Australian government said on Under the Scandinavian country’s explained by its dependence on Sunday it will continue to underwrite controversial approach to the virus, on exports. exports, which account for around 50 domestic flights through September, cafes, bars, restaurants and most busi- percent of GDP. extending its aid for airlines such as nesses remained open, as did schools “70 percent of Swedish exports go to Qantas Airways Ltd and Virgin for under-16s, with people urged to At first Sweden’s export-heavy the EU. Shutdowns in Germany, the Australia Holdings Ltd’s hurt by the follow social distancing and hygiene economy seemed to be doing okay, UK and so on are expected to hit Covid-19 pandemic. guidelines. with GDP actually growing by 0.1 per- Swedish exports considerably,” the Deputy Prime Minister and Whatever hope there may have been cent in the first quarter. government said. Transport Minister Michael that this policy would soften the eco- But now the country is expected to In March, some of the country’s McCormack said the initial backing, nomic blow now seems dashed. follow the same path as most of biggest companies, such as automaker due to expire on Monday, will be “As in most of the world, there will Europe, with its economy shrinking Volvo Cars and truckmaker Scania, extended to cover shortfalls in operat- be a record decline for the Swedish for the full-year 2020 and unemploy- halted production in Sweden. ing flights on top domestic routes, economy in Q2,” SEB bank economist ment soaring. This was not because of local even as airlines start to rebuild Olle Holmgren said. In April, the government predicted restrictions, but because of problems crushed capacity. Australia has barred A rebound was likely in the latter GDP would contract by four percent in with supply chains in Europe and the its citizens from almost all outbound part of the year, but “we expect it to REUTERS 2020, compared to its January forecast rest of the world. Their activities have travel in order to stop the spread of take a long time before the situation People enjoy warm weather at the Tantolunden park as the spread of the coronavirus disease of 1.1 percent growth. since resumed. the new coronavirus. “The Australian normalises,” he told AFP. continues, in Stockholm, Sweden. While the European Commission Meanwhile, consumption plunged government is doing everything possi- To be fair, Swedish officials insist has forecast a Swedish contraction of by 24.8 percent between March 11 and ble to ensure the aviation industry is their strategy was always aimed at “When we have decided what meas- weak economy typically lead to poorer 6.1 percent [compared to -6.5 percent April 5, according to a study conduct- sustained throughout the pandemic so public health, and never specifically ures to take to stop the virus from public health. for Germany and -7.7 percent for the ed by four University of Copenhagen that it can rebound on the other side,” at saving the economy. spreading, we have not had any eco- Sweden, a country of 10.3 million, eurozone], the outlook presented by economists. McCormack said in a statement. The idea was to make sure hospitals nomic considerations. We have fol- had reported 4,639 Covid-19 deaths the Swedish central bank is even more “Sweden is paying the same price Qantas has grounded 220 planes could keep pace with the outbreak and lowed the advice of our [public health] as of Friday. dire—it anticipates a GDP decline of [as Denmark] for the coronavirus and halted all international flights, protect the elderly and at-risk groups. experts on this issue,” Finance That gives it one of the world’s high- up to 10 percent. pandemic. The explanation is that except government repatriation char- Sweden has succeeded at the for- Minister Magdalena Andersson told est virus mortality rates, with 459.3 Some economists see Swedish when you are in a galloping crisis, ters and cargo flights. Qantas said it mer, but admitted failure at the latter, reporters in late May. deaths per million inhabitants—four growth rebounding as early as the consumers pull the emergency brake, would triple domestic capacity to 15 with more than three-quarters of Still, authorities acknowledge that times more than neighbouring second half of 2020, but the finance whether restaurants are closed or percent of normal levels by the end of virus deaths occurring among nurs- keeping businesses open was also part Denmark and 10 times more than minister has warned things could get not,” Niels Johannesen, one of the the month, with the potential to rise to ing home residents and those receiv- of a broader public health considera- Norway, which both imposed stricter worse before they get better. four economists, told Swedish daily 40 percent in July if state border ing care at home. tion, as high unemployment and a confinement measures. Before the crisis, Sweden’s labour Helsingborgs Dagblad. restrictions ease.

C M Y K 07 | MONDAY, JUNE 08, 2020 WORLD Delhi reserves Trump wanted to hospital beds for deploy 10,000 troops residents as virus in Washington DC, cases surge official says

REUTERS REUTERS NEW DELHI, JUNE 7 WASHINGTON, JUNE 7

The city of New Delhi on Sunday US President Donald Trump told his ordered many of its hospital beds advisors at one point this past week he to be reserved solely for residents of wanted 10,000 troops to deploy to the the Indian capital, as the number Washington DC area to halt civil of Covid-19 infections continued unrest over the killing of a black man to surge. by Minneapolis police, according to a India on Sunday registered 9,971 senior US official. new coronavirus cases, taking its tally The account of Trump’s demand to 246,628 cases, with 6,929 deaths. The during a heated Oval Office conversa- case numbers now lag only the United tion on Monday shows how close the States, Brazil, Russia, United Kingdom president may have come to fulfilling and Spain. his threat to deploy active duty troops, New Delhi city alone has registered despite opposition from Pentagon more than 10 percent of total cases, leadership. making it the third worst-affected part At the meeting, Defense Secretary of the country after the western state Mark Esper, the chairman of the Joint of Maharashtra, home to financial Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley, capital Mumbai, and southern Tamil and Attorney General William Barr Nadu state. recommended against such a deploy- “Delhi is in big trouble . . . corona ment, the official said, speaking on cases are rising rapidly,” state Chief condition of anonymity. The meeting Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a was “contentious,” the official added. video message on Twitter, where he The White House did not immedi- announced that private and city gov- ately respond to a request for ernment-run hospitals will be comment. reserved for Delhi residents. “If we open Delhi hospitals for patients from all over, where will Delhi residents go when they get infected with coronavirus?” Typically about 60-70 percent of AFP/RSS patients admitted to hospitals in Delhi A tourist poses for a photo inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok on Sunday, as it reopened for visitors. are people traveling from other states to get treatment as the city’s hospitals, among the best in the country. A Delhi government coronavirus mobile app showed the city of more than 20 million people had 8,049 Covid- 19 beds, but more than half were Global coronavirus cases near 7 million already occupied. Of the 60 hospitals, 11 had no beds available, the app showed on Sunday. The Delhi city government has issued an order saying hospitals must as outbreak grows in Brazil REUTERS admit every patient from the city with Trump has since appeared satisfied coronavirus symptoms, following with deployments by the National complaints from some people on social The United States accounts for about a quarter of all fatalities but deaths in South America are rapidly rising. Guard, the option recommended by media that people were being refused the Pentagon and a more traditional treatment. REUTERS/AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Organization (WHO) over “ideological But gloomy data from Asia’s two emerges from a strict nationwide tool for dealing with domestic crises. Although cases are still rising, PARIS, JUNE 7 bias”, following the example of the largest economies highlighted the lockdown that sent millions of Pentagon leaders scrambled to call India is easing its lockdown rules. United States. long road to recovery. migrant labourers back to their far- governors with requests to send From Monday, Delhi and several other Global cases of the novel coronavirus He is among those arguing that the China reported a plunge in foreign flung home villages. Guard forces to Washington. Indian cities will open malls, restau- have neared 7 million, as case num- economic damage lockdowns are caus- trade on the back of subdued consum- The worst health crisis in more Additional federal law enforcement rants and religious places with strict bers surge in Brazil and India, accord- ing is worse than the virus itself—and er demand and weakness in key over- than a century has forced tens of mil- were mobilized too. social distancing rules. ing to a Reuters tally. the oil industry has been hit particu- seas markets. lions out of work just in the United But also key for Trump appears to The nationwide lockdown has hit About 30 percent of those cases, or 2 larly hard. Analysts say a deeper downturn in States, the world’s hardest-hit nation. have been Esper’s move to preposi- businesses, but the government says it million infections, are in the United Governments are also increasingly exports is looming for the world’s But President Donald Trump said tion—but not deploy—active duty sol- helped slow the spread of the virus. States, though the fastest growing focused on repairing the economic manufacturing powerhouse, where his country was bouncing back. diers from the 82nd Airborne Division outbreak is in Latin America, which damage, and even hard-hit European the virus first emerged late last year. “We had the greatest economy in and other units in the Washington DC now accounts for roughly 16 percent countries are now opening their bor- Factories in India are also strug- the history of the world. And that area in case they were needed. Those of all cases. ders and allowing people to return gling to restart because of labour strength let us get through this horri- troops have since departed. Globally, deaths from the novel coro- to work. shortages, as the country slowly ble pandemic, largely through, I think “Having active duty forces BRIEFING navirus are approaching 400,000. The we’re doing really well,” he told available but not in the city was United States accounts for about reporters. enough for the president for the time,” one-quarter of all fatalities but deaths As the country reels from a second the official said. Guaido reappears after claim in South America are rapidly rising. weekend of massive protests against Trump’s bid to militarise the US he hid in French embassy The number of deaths linked to Covid- racism and police brutality, Trump— response to the protests has triggered 19 in just five months is now equal to facing re-election in November—reit- a rare outpouring of condemnation CARACAS: Venezuelan opposition lead- the number of people who die annual- erated his calls to further ease stay-at- from former US military officials, er Juan Guaido reappeared in the ly from malaria, one of the world’s home measures. In Europe, badly-hit including Trump’s first defense secre- street in videos distributed on most deadly infectious diseases. countries slowly continued on a path tary, Jim Mattis, and retired four-star Saturday by his team and parliamen- The first Covid-19 death was report- toward a post-pandemic normal, also generals who normally try to steer tary allies, after foreign minister ed on January 10 in Wuhan, China but seeking to revive key tourist sectors in clear of politics. Jorge Arreaza claimed he had taken it was early April before the death toll time for the summer. Those comments reflect deep refuge in the French embassy in passed 100,000, according to the The European Union said it could unease inside and outside the Caracas. “They are the ones who are Reuters tally of official reports from re-open borders to travellers from out- Pentagon with Trump’s willingness to hiding... $15 million reward for them. governments. It took 23 days to go side the region in early July, after inject the US military into a domestic I am showing my face,” said Guaido from 300,000 to 400,000 deaths. The some countries within the bloc race relations crisis following the in one of the videos, which show him United States has the highest death re-opened to European visitors. killing of George Floyd, 46, who died wearing a mask and gloves to protect toll in the world at almost 110,000. In France, the Palace of Versailles on May 25 after a Minneapolis himself from Covid-19 as he walks Fatalities in Brazil are rising rapidly re-opened without the US and Chinese policeman knelt on his neck for nearly down a line of cars, greeting and and the country may overtake the tourists that usually make up a third nine minutes. chatting with drivers. Guaido, the United Kingdom to have the sec- of its visitors. Floyd’s death has led to a wave of parliamentary speaker who is recog- ond-largest number of deaths in the The country also marked the anni- protests and national soul-searching nised as interim president of world. The total number of deaths is versary of the 1944 D-Day landings over the country’s legacy of violence Venezuela by 50 countries, was believed to be higher than the official- with a fraction of the big crowds seen and mistreatment of African referring to the accusation by the ly reported 400,000 as many countries in previous years, owing to strict Americans and other minorities. United States of “narcoterrorism” lack supplies to test all victims and social distancing restrictions. It has also led some Pentagon against the socialist government some countries do not count deaths Signs that life was beginning a leaders of colour to issue unprece- of Nicolas Maduro. outside of a hospital. AP/RSS return to normal in Europe and Asia dented statements about their experi- But President Jair Bolsonaro has Nuns listen as Pope Francis delivers his blessing as he recites the Angelus noon prayer from were tempered by the bleak numbers ences dealing with issues of race in Japan declines to join US threatened to leave the World Health the window of his studio overlooking St Peter’s Square, at the Vatican, on Sunday. streaming in from Latin America. the US military. in condemning China TOKYO: Japan has decided not to join the United States, Britain and others in issuing a statement scolding China for imposing a new security law, Pandemic, dire economy, unrest upend US presidential race Kyodo news agency reported on Sunday, citing officials from countries involved. The United Kingdom, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE demonstrations have been peaceful, the US, Australia and Canada con- WASHINGTON, JUNE 7 have further laid bare the nation’s demned China on May 28 for impos- deep social wounds. “It’s a pretty bad ing a law that they said would threat- Three concurrent crises scarring the moment,” said Daniel Gillion, a politi- en freedom and breach a 1984 Sino- United States—a deadly health pan- cal science professor at the University British agreement on the autonomy demic, economic despair and wide- of Pennsylvania and author of “The of the former colony. There was no spread social unrest—have reframed Loud Minority.” immediate response to Reuters e-mail this year’s presidential contest and The crises, he told AFP, have been inquiries to Japan’s foreign ministry prompted national reflection over “horrific” for African Americans, who and the US embassy in Tokyo. racial inequality in America. traditionally have poorer health care China’s foreign ministry did not Is the country on the cusp of a outcomes, have just a fraction of the immediately respond to a request transformation, or will systemic ine- household wealth of whites, and are for comment. qualities exacerbated by the coronavi- more likely to face police brutality. rus crisis persist, allowing alienation “I can’t think of a (modern-day) and marginalization to fester? period where blacks have experienced Lebanon’s president urges In weeks, the unprecedented strain such strife, such pain, such hardship,” has become the focal point of the fero- Gillion said. Among Covid-19 victims, unity after night of violence cious White House campaign between a disproportionate number are people BEIRUT: Lebanon’s President Michel President Donald Trump and of colour. Aoun called for national unity on Democrat Joe Biden, two politicians While Trump on Friday touted a Sunday after violence erupted in approaching the disasters with very surprise drop in the overall jobless parts of Beirut between supporters different strategies. It has been sever- rate from 14.7 percent in April to 13.3 of rival political parties. Lebanon al generations since the country has percent in May, black unemployment maintains a fragile sectarian balance experienced such a sharp and rapid actually rose, to 16.8 percent. since its many religious sects fought confluence of major emergencies, a The injustice that erupted into ugly a 1975-1990 civil war with factions national low point that philosopher view when a white police officer often backed by rivals. A financial Cornell West has branded “America’s pressed his knee onto Floyd’s neck for crisis that began late last year, rooted moment of reckoning.” almost nine minutes is the latest man- in decades of state waste and corrup- Nearly 110,000 Americans have died ifestation of a systemic racism that tion, is seen as the biggest threat to of Covid-19, and tens of millions are has persisted for generations. AP/RSS stability since the war. “Our strength jobless due to pandemic-prompted “There’s been a knee on the neck of A group of protesters take a knee while marching in lower Manhattan, New York. remains in our national unity...What lockdowns. At the same time, unrest black America since slavery was happened last night is a warning has gripped dozens of US cities where abolished,” 30-year-old Minneapolis to smoothe tensions. Instead he has lem,” he tweeted Thursday about White House to a nearby church for a bell,” Aoun’s office quoted him as protesters demand justice over the protester Kayla Peterson said from exploited discord and launched a “law recent controversial tactics deployed photo opportunity minutes after the saying. “We must put our disputes killing by Minneapolis police of behind a pandemic face mask. “We’ve and order” crusade. Trump has walled in Washington, “is the arsonists, loot- area was forcibly cleared of protesters aside and hurry to work together to unarmed black man George Floyd. never really been free.” off the White House from protesters ers, criminals, and anarchists, want- contained clear signals to conserva- revive our country from the depth of Repeated episodes of police brutali- Trump could have delivered an Oval and launched fiery accusations that ing to destroy it (and our Country)!” tive and evangelical voters in his base: the successive crises.” (AGENCIES) ty caught on camera, even as most Office address to the nation this week do little to calm the storm. “The prob- Trump’s provocative walk from the security and faith remain paramount.

C M Y K MONDAY, JUNE 08, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & ARTS (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Four Nepali filmmakers pick their favourite films The Post spoke to filmmakers to curate a range of films to watch during the lockdown to get a glimpse of the best of world cinema.

ANKIT KHADGI KATHMANDU POST PHOTO tanding in a line to get a ticket, the aroma of cheese popcorn Binod Poudel entering your nostrils, and expe- Poudel is the writer/director of 2019’s most riencing an overflowing of emo- POST PHOTO PHOTO COURTESY: SAHARA SHARMA PHOTO COURTESY: SAMPADA MALLA acclaimed Nepali movie ‘Bulbul’. Alongside tions—who doesn’t miss going to serving as the principle of Nepal’s first film the theatre to enjoy a beautifully Nischal Basnet Sahara Sharma Sampada Malla school, Oscar International College, Poudel Smade film? Basnet is a director, writer, actor, and sing- Sharma is an independent filmmaker, Malla is a screenplay writer, filmmaker, also wrote 2012’s critically acclaimed film And as we’re all under lockdown, the er. Known for finding the right balance known for her films Chasing Rainbows and a media personality. Along with writ- ‘Saanghuro’. thought itself evokes nostalgia. While it between aesthetics and commercial value, (2013) and Bardiya Sundari (2019). She is ing screenplays for various Indian serials will take a while to be able to experience his debut movie ‘Loot’ (2012) is often credit- also the CEO of Gauthali Entertainment, and the acclaimed Nepali political web I would suggest everyone watch ‘Silent movies in halls, there are still a plethora ed for bringing in a new wave in the film a production house. series, ‘Singha Durbar’, Malla also serves Light’ (2007) by the Mexican director, of masterfully crafted films available on industry. as Creative Director at Sarwanam Theatre. Carlos Reygadas. The movie is masterful- the internet—many of which never made With multiple streaming platforms, ly made, and the director plays around it to the big screen. There are few films that have deeply we’re spoilt for choice but these choices As someone who is a fan of motivation- the personal journey of his characters. To help you pick some of the best films impacted me professionally and personal- sometimes feel overwhelming and that’s al films, Tom Hanks’ ‘Forrest Gump’ Every shot feels like a rhythm, created ever made, the Post has curated a special ly. Spike Lee’s Inside Man (2006) is one of exactly when I turn to ‘My Cousin Vinny’ (1994) is my all-time favourite. I have with perfection. From shot to shot transi- list of recommendations from some of them. The climax, the engaging plot, and (1992). Joe Pesci and Marissa Tomei’s watched this film more than 20 times till tion, the director has placed the sub-text Nepal’s most acclaimed filmmakers. the whole setting of the movie were amazing performance lifts this brilliantly date. The first time when I saw this movie, hidden, which demands full attention These films suggested by the filmmakers ingrained in my memory for a long time. written comedy that is perfect if you’re I had no clue about how films worked. I from the viewers. This itself is a beautiful hold a special place in their hearts, and I think the movie helped me be clear looking for something light and fun but was amazed by the film and its power that technique, as it fully engages the audi- may strike a chord with yours. about how I wanted to approach my story sensible. it kind of motivated me or germinated an ence with the story-telling. and script for ‘Loot’. I would suggest peo- Likewise, the ‘Namesake’ (2006) by interest in me to be a filmmaker. ‘Taste of Cherry’ (1997) by Abbas ple watch this heist thriller. Mira Nair is the kind of the film which is Mani Ratnam’s ‘Guru’ (2007), starring Kiarostami was the first movie I had seen ‘Knocking on Heaven’s Door’ (1997), a a reminder that you don’t have to agree Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, from the director’s filmography. For me German-language movie, is something with the larger message to appreciate a is also a movie that I go back to frequently, Kiarostami as a moviemaker redefined that can be a great option to watch now as film. Irfaan Khan and Tabu’s stellar per- even if it’s watching a few scenes. Akira what cinema meant for me. Even if it’s Reservoir Dogs, The well. I was young when I watched this formances will convince and compel you Kurosawa’s ‘Rashomon’ (1950) is the kind not a big story, Kiarostami perfectly cap- movie, but the memories are still fresh. to look deeper into the immigrant experi- of film that you would learn more after tures the inner conflict of his characters, Usual Suspects, The The telling of a story about two patients ences in America. rewatching again and again. For any beautifully representing the time and escaping from a hospital and embarking I don’t think there’s anything I can say screenwriter or director, watching these space of the plot. Namesake, Inside Man on a journey in the pursuit of fulfilling about Federico Fellini’s classic, ‘8 ½’ films is like attending a film school, help- If you want to enjoy a movie, filled with are some examples of their dreams is emotional, interesting, (1963), that hasn’t already been said. I ing us to learn more about our craft. great acting performances that will spell- funny, and inspiring. first watched this film as part of my 2009’s critically acclaimed and Oscar- bound you, then I would suggest you to sheer brilliance. Classics like Quentin Tarantino’s films, coursework, and I found it obnoxious and nominated movie, ‘Up in the Air’ which watch Paul Thomas Anderson’s ‘There ‘Reservoir Dogs’ (1992), Bryan Singer’s pretentious. But when I watched it recent- stars Geroge Clooney is a film that every will be Blood’ (2007). There are no words to 1995 neo-noir film, ‘The Usual Suspects’, ly it felt like a new film altogether. I was film enthusiast should watch. There are describe how skilful Daniel Day Lewis is. and Frank Darabont’s ‘The Shawshank able to get past the almost-frustrat- no big dramas, just subtle nuances that His performances in ‘Lincoln’ (2012) and Redemption’ (1994) must be watched by ing-plot-structure and felt it was deliber- will leave a mark in you. ‘My Left Foot’ were path-breaking, but his everyone, for their sheer brilliance. ate and even necessary while appreciat- Likewise, 1942’s classic ‘Casablanca’ is acting in ‘There Will Be Blood’ made me Although we are yet to witness the best ing the film for its intimacy and honesty. one film every film school in the world deeply appreciate and admire his calibre. stories finding their way to Nepali cellu- I’m going to go ahead and mention the urges you to see, and it is a must-watch. Lastly, I would like to recommend Luis loid, few well-made Nepali movies have film even at the risk of sounding like a Every scene is a master class in screen- Bunuel’s ‘That Obscure Object of Desire’ made their presence felt. ‘Kagbeni’ (2008), snob, but ‘Taxi’ (2015) by Jafar Panahi is writing and direction. I would also like to (1977). It’s engaging, artistically brilliant, ‘Dasdhunga’ (2010), and ‘Sanghuro’ (2012) special. It’s a lesson and a reminder that a recommend the ‘Matrix’ (1999), ‘Kung Fu and the surreal journey of the characters are a few Nepali films I would recommend film is never at the mercy of fancy Panda’ (2008), the ‘Lunchbox’ (2013), and is moving as well. I would suggest every people to watch. equipment. the latest Nepali film, ‘Aama’ (2020). filmmaker watch this movie.

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