WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 227 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.5 C 8.0 C Friday, October 09, 2020 | 23-06-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla World Bank projects Nepal’s economic growth for 2020-21 at 0.6 percent If disruptions persist and relief spending weakens, growth could be as little as 0.1 percent, but in case a vaccine is available, it could go up to 2 percent, the bank says.

SANGAM PRASAIN economy to some extent.” KATHMANDU, OCT 8 The slowing of economic growth means incomes will stagnate or even Nepal’s economy came to a standstill fall and this will impact the living mainly due to the lockdown in the last standards of people, especially those fiscal year that ended in mid-July, reg- with lower incomes. istering a negligible growth of 0.2 “Most informal firms operate with percent. But despite businesses being limited savings, and owners may face open now, the outlook is bleak for the the difficult choice of staying home current fiscal year too. and facing starvation during the lock- The economy is projected to grow down or running their business and by just 0.6 percent, as Covid-19 period- risking infection,” said the South Asia ic and localised lockdowns continue Economic Focus. “These scenarios and disruptions to tourism are expect- accentuate financial difficulties as ed to persist, according to the World well as the spread of Covid-19.” Bank’s latest South Asia Economic In Nepal, coronavirus cases were Focus released on Thursday. initially restricted to areas bordering But should Covid-19 persist, disrup- India, but later surged also in urban tions continue and weak subnational areas. When the country went into capacity to implement relief spending lockdown on March 24, there were just weaken, growth could fall to 0.1 per- two reported cases. But by the time cent. On the other hand, if an effective the government lifted the lockdown on vaccine becomes available, growth July 21, without utilising the period to could recover to 2 percent, according improve health care facilities and to the multilateral funding agency. increasing the number of hospital The country’s economy is experi- beds and ventilators, the number of encing severe distress and since there cases had crossed the 17,000 mark. is uncertainty around the coronavirus Since then there has been no let-up and there is the lack of a solid plan for and the cases have been increasing at recovery, more pain is likely ahead, an alarming rate. economists have warned. Nepal has entered a second wave “This fiscal year, we are expecting that is much more severe than the all the sectors, except agriculture, to first, according to the World Bank be in the negative territory,” said report. Nepal saw a record single-day economist Shankar Sharma. “Due to surge in Covid-19 cases on Thursday the timely and abundant monsoon and with 4,364 people testing positive. The though chemical fertiliser was not national tally stands at 98,617, with RSS available on time, the agriculture sec- more than 26,000 active cases. A team of veterinarians from Chitwan National Park treats an injured wild elephant in the Telpani community forest in Mechinagar Municipality-3, Jhapa on Thursday. tor may be able to save the country’s >> Continued on page 2 Ruling party internal conflict is taking a toll on governance The two chairmen have been holding talks while the party has been holding Secretariat meetings regularly, but with no concrete decision, there is confusion all around.

between them saved the party from a split, but only because the two leaders reached a larger power-sharing deal. Their focus thus has been on pow- er-sharing, say insiders. According to them, every party has issues and the ruling party is not an exception, but internal issues should not hamper governance. “There must be an environment conducive to smooth functioning of the government and the two leaders must seriously consider the situation at hand and take decisions swiftly,” said Mani Thapa, a Standing Committee member. “Or else, it will be difficult for the party to convince people to vote for it when we go to the polls in about two years.” FILE PHOTO: PM’S SECRETARIAT After the internal dispute reached a Oli and Dahal have yet to reach an agreement on ministerial and other appointments. tipping point, Oli and Dahal on August 14 had formed a six-member panel to TIKA R PRADHAN government is already facing criti- recommend ways to run the party and KATHMANDU, OCT 8 cism from various sections of the soci- the government smoothly. ety, as it has failed to properly respond The party had then agreed that Oli The country on Thursday saw a record to the pandemic.” would lead the government for the full daily spike in coronavirus cases, just Over the last few weeks, the ruling five-year term and Dahal would run as the total number of infections party has held its Secretariat meeting the party as “executive chairman”. soared to 98,617. Health facilities have at least three times since September Yet another recommendation was a run out of intensive care beds and 20, with the last meeting held two days Cabinet rejig. ventilators. The World Bank has pro- ago. The party’s two chairmen—KP Both Oli and Dahal have been dis- jected the country’s economy to grow Sharma Oli and Pushpa Kamal cussing a Cabinet reshuffle for over a just by 0.6 percent this fiscal year, in a Dahal—have been meeting on a regu- month now, but no decision has been stiff challenge to the Oli administra- lar basis, around a dozen times in the taken, and party leaders say they don’t tion’s unrealistic target of 7 percent. last four weeks or so. know what is going around. Almost all the economic sectors have Even ruling party insiders say they According to insiders, Dahal is for been hit hard. Millions of people are do not really know what exactly Oli recalling all the ministers and then expected to be pushed into poverty. and Dahal have been talking about. making fresh appointments. Oli has This is the scenario the government The duo met on Thursday as well. refused the proposal. is presented with. But the country’s “The two chairs failed to forge con- Currently, of the 22 ministries— governance has been held hostage sensus on Cabinet reshuffle today as finance, communication and informa- by the ongoing internal conflict in the well,” said Bishnu Sapkota, press tion technology and urban develop- ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). adviser to Dahal. ment—are vacant. “The [party] leadership has failed to Apart from Cabinet reshuffle, Oli Oli has kept finance, communica- take any concrete decision, which is and Dahal have been trying to tion and information technology affecting both the party and the gov- reach a deal also on various appoint- berths with him while Physical ernance,” said Haribol Gajurel, a ments—at constitutional bodies and Infrastructure and Transport Minister Standing Committee member. “The foreign missions. Basanta Nembang is looking after the Party insiders say the leader- urban development portfolio. ship’s focus has been on issues Leaders close to Oli said the that are related to the party, prime minister is for filling the vacant hence, governance seems to have positions first. been put on the back burner. “As far as I know, the prime minis- In the ruling Nepal Communist ter will appoint ministers at the min- Party, which was born out of a istries of finance, communication and merger between the CPN-UML information technology and urban and the Maoist Centre in May development in a day or two,” said 2018, Oli and Dahal are the power Subas Nembang, a Standing centres. Committee member. “I don’t see a According to party leaders, Cabinet reshuffle taking place before everything revolves around the festivals.” them. Months-long negotiations >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K FRIDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Dailekh residents accuse local units of misappropriating Covid-19 funds Despite the high expenditure, the local governments did not deliver on their promise, say locals.

JYOTEE KATUWAL receipts for expenditure worth Rs 27.6 DAILEKH, OCT 8 million and cleared the bills.” Narayan Municipality spent Rs 43.6 The local units in Dailekh had built million to contain the spread of the quarantine and isolation centres to coronavirus. Resham Budha, acting hold the large number of returnees chief administrative officer of the entering the district every day and municipality, said, “The municipality had organised drives to distribute had to spend such a huge amount relief packages. But locals say that the of money because we had to local units failed to deliver on both purchase a PCR machine and other accounts; the quarantine centres were supportive medical equipment. We mismanaged and the relief packages also had to build the necessary infra- never reached those in need. structure and purchase food grains Man Bahadur Shahi, a 35-year-old and manage transportation from the local, has been struggling to make same amount.” ends meet for his family of six. A local Locals in Bhairabi Rural of Ward No. 1, Shahi says that his Municipality also protested after the name never came up on the list of rural municipality prepared two those eligible for relief. receipts reflecting the same amount, “I ran out of savings some months Rs 200,000, spent for 44 individuals and ago and I still don’t have an income. 200 individuals in quarantines in The local representatives came to our Ward No. 6 and 7. neighbourhood to distribute relief but In the last eight months, around I wasn’t among the beneficiaries,” 15,000 individuals entered Dailekh Shahi said. from various parts of the country and “The rural municipality distributed abroad. The local units claim that they relief materials to those who weren’t spent the funds to manage returnees POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI in need of them and left out impover- in quarantine centres. Elderly women rest at a pati, a traditional rest house, in Bhaktapur on Thursday. ished families,” said Maina Bahadur Thapa, a local of Ward No. 1. “The pandemic has become a source of Coordination income for people’s representatives and government employees in the Committee says local rural municipality.” World Bank projects Nepal’s economic growth for ... According to the data provided by units have little to the District Coordination Committee, 11 local units in the district spent show for millions >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 According to Faris Hadad-Zervos, Mahat. “Last fiscal year, it projected region will remain 6 percent below around Rs 215.5 million meant as Amid all the doom and gloom, remit- the World Bank Country Director for 8.5 percent growth, which was overly 2019 estimates, indicating that the Covid-19 fund in the last few months. that they spent. tance so far has been a silver lining. Nepal, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, ambitious and that growth rate has expected rebound will not offset the The data also reflects discrepancies in Remittance inflows to Nepal the economic consequences of the been trimmed to 0.2 percent by the lasting economic damage caused by the budget used by the local units increased by a surprising 23 percent, pandemic and impact on livelihoods World Bank.” the pandemic. In previous recessions, while managing quarantines, food Dullu Municipality spent Rs 23.2 in the first month of the current fiscal across Nepal are expected to be the When the Oli government presented falling investment and exports led the grains, clothes and equipment, million, Chamundabindrasaini year, fortunately, refuting forecasts most acute for informal workers or its budget for this fiscal year on May downturn. among others, against the Public Municipality spent Rs 17.9 million, that the income of Nepali migrant those without social security or assis- 29, Nepal was under lockdown and in “This time is different as private Procurement Act. Aathbis Municipality spent Rs 17.7 workers would crash due to the coro- tance, who are more at risk of falling the midst of the pandemic. Despite consumption, traditionally the back- Mahabu Rural Municipality spent million, Bhagawatimai spent Rs 8.7 navirus pandemic affecting the global into extreme poverty. that the government set an overly bone of demand in South Asia and a around Rs 30 million on transporta- million, Thatikadh spent Rs 15 mil- economy. “Swift action is needed to provide ambitious target of 7 percent. core indicator of economic welfare tion, medical equipment purchase and lion, Dugeshwor spent Rs 13 million, The growth in remittance has been incomes, social protection, and “Despite Covid-19 becoming a major will decline by more than 10 percent, food grains in the last six months. Naumule spent Rs 23.2 million, surprising despite tens of thousands employment to support them,” said threat to the economy, the government further spiking poverty rates,” said The rural municipality distributed Gurans spent Rs 11 million and of Nepalis migrant workers being out Hadad-Zervos. “This includes key failed to realise its consequences,” the World Bank. relief to 600 families in Ward no. 1 but Bharabi spent Rs 14.3 million for coro- of the job in major hiring destinations investment climate reforms to pro- said Mahat. “It said a 7 percent growth The report urges governments to locals say that the relief materials did navirus control and prevention in the abroad. mote physical infrastructure and target, which too has been trimmed to design universal social protection as not reach the needy families. They last few months, the data provided by “As people are travelling to India en access to finance for the informal sec- 0.6 percent.” well as policies that support greater allege that the Ward Chairman Hari the local units showed. masse for jobs, remittance may not fall tor to shorten the transition to recov- The multilateral funding agency’s productivity, skills development, and Prasad Upadhyay used the funds to Despite the high expenditure, the drastically and this may contribute to ery.” twice-a-year regional update notes human capital. keep his own vote bank happy. local units failed to meet the standard consumption stability,” said Sharma, In the three years prior to the pan- that South Asia is set to plunge this Covid-19 will profoundly transform Kamal Thapa, another local, said required to run isolation and quaran- a former vice-chairman of the demic, the economy grew at an aver- year into its worst-ever recession tak- Nepal and the rest of South Asia for the rural municipality did not seek a tine facilities, says Prem Thapa, chief National Planning Commission. “But age rate of 7.3 percent, against a back- ing a disproportionate toll on infor- years to come and leave lasting scars fair price in the market while buying at the District Coordination the worrying factor is that absolute drop of political stability and policy mal workers and pushing millions of on its economies, said Hans Timmer, food grains and other materials for the Committee. “The quarantine and iso- poverty would rise.” emphasis on investment, productivity South Asians into extreme poverty. World Bank Chief Economist for the relief packages. lation centres of the local units were Informal businesses make up and effective public institutions. Still, The report forecasts a sharper than South Asia Region. “Grocery items worth a million poorly managed. They seem to have around 50 percent of enterprises in Nepal’s economy remains hampered expected economic slump across the Economist Sharma said that the rupees were purchased from the same spent money unnecessarily. There are Nepal and are the main source of by structural challenges, including region, with regional growth expected government needs to launch social shop without any quotation. Around many receipts which show transac- income for most of the labour force. heavy reliance on remittance-fueled to contract by 7.7 percent in 2020, after protection and job retention schemes Rs 300,000 was spent on 2,700 individu- tions being done in millions but there Within this group, urban informal consumption, and a higher concentra- topping 6 percent annually in the past as well as policies that support greater als. That amount would have been is nothing to show for it,” he said. sector workers and self-employed tion of employment in agriculture. five years. productivity and skills development. enough to feed more families,” he “The majority of the bills were paid households in urban areas are more “It has been a tradition with this Regional growth is projected to “The government needs to act, said. violating the Public Procurement Act. vulnerable than rural households who government to estimate whatever it rebound to 4.5 percent in 2021. invest and spend,” said Sharma, “rath- Ramesh Kumar Dasaudi, chief at Some bills submitted by the local units can fall back on subsistence farming, likes without a proper basis,” said Factoring in population growth, er than becoming happy on its unspent the Health Section of the rural munic- don’t add up to the amount they claim the bank said in a statement. former finance minister Ram Sharan however, income-per-capita in the treasury.” ipality, said, “We have so far received to have spent.” Ruling party internal Two women people’s representatives in Ghorahi conflict is taking a join school to learn to read and write toll on governance Locals hail Yami Kumari Pun and Hima Devi BK for sending a message about the importance of education.

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 DURGALAL KC Insiders say Dahal’s proposal to recall Dahal tells Oli that DANG, OCT 8 all ministers first and then make fresh appointments stems from the fact that the party won’t take Yami Kumari Pun of Kalimati in he does not want Ram Bahadur Thapa Ghorahi, Dang, has a hectic schedule and Lekhraj Bhatta to continue in the any responsibility if since he started attending classes to Oli Cabinet. learn to read and write. Both Home Minister Thapa and he fills just the three The 55-year-old ward member of Industry Ministry Bhatta are Dahal’s Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan-2 attends old allies from the war days, but of ministerial berths. school with students her grandchil- late, according to insiders, they seem dren’s age. The ward office and her to be siding with Oli and that has school is only 50 metres apart making irked Dahal no end. and a falling economy. her commute easy between her work- And to ensure that Oli does not A minister in the Oli Cabinet said place and school. make a move on his own of appointing since reshuffle discussions have been “I never went to school during child- ministers to the vacant ministries, going on for quite some time, it has hood. I was busy tending to the house- Dahal has warned the party “won’t become difficult to work. hold chores and when I got married it take the responsibility” if that is done. “Bureaucrats have their own way of was my children I got busy with,” said “Dahal has told Oli that the party functioning,” the minister told the Pun. “Holding public office made me won’t take any responsibility if he Post on condition of anonymity. realise the importance of education. fills just the three vacant ministerial “First, we don’t know how long we are That’s why I took admission at the berths without doing a Cabinet over- here as talks have been going on for local school.” haul,” said a leader close to Dahal who weeks about a Cabinet reshuffle. Pun enrolled herself in grade three spoke on condition of anonymity. Second, bureaucrats think why they at Rampur-based Ganga Secondary “Dahal has made his position clear should abide us when our term is School this academic year. She has that if Oli appoints ministers in the uncertain.” been attending classes regularly since POST PHOTO: DURGALAL KC vacant positions without any consent, A leader gave a typical communist mid-September when the school Pun and BK attend a class with the young students at Ganga Secondary School. the party won’t back him up.” philosophical touch to describe the administration started classes by Oli is already under fire in the party ongoing happenings, saying that the maintaining physical distancing. She is also the elected ward member. are gradually learning to read and “But this is going to change. Many after his Cabinet recommended for- leaders’ lust for power is the biggest “At first, I felt uncomfortable study- “I wasn’t able to sign on documents write words. They are slowly getting people’s representatives at Ward No 2, mer finance minister Yubaraj contradiction of Nepali politics. ing with young children but soon I got for work. I wanted to learn to read and confident,” said Shreeman Neupane, a 3 and 12 have been studying formally Khatiwada and outgoing chief secre- “We have seen this in Nepali poli- used to it,” she said. write so I joined the school with Pun,” teacher at the school. “We decided to in school or taking adult literacy tary Lokdarshan Regmi as ambassa- tics for years; people want delivery A mother of four children, Pun says she said. “My husband is also not edu- enroll them in grade three as they class,” said Aryal. dors to the United States of America and leaders want power,” said Gajurel, she decided to learn to read and write cated. He works as a construction could read and write Nepali alpha- The ward office also hails the efforts and the United Kingdom without con- a Standing Committee member who because she came across many hur- worker. So it was important for me to bets,” he added. of its ward members. sulting with party leaders. represents the former Maoist party. dles while implementing her duty as a get an educated.” A good number of people’s repre- “They could hardly write their Leaders say the problem is not that “This is the contradiction we people’s representative. According to the teachers at the sentatives in the local units in the dis- names. They are now learning to read the conflict is raging in the party. have been witnessing. We managed “I was facing problems formulating school, it is a good sign that the peo- trict are illiterate. According to and write. Their learning will help What is concerning, according to to introduce massive political changes plans and allocating budget. I didn’t ple’s representatives despite their age Bharat Aryal, chief at the education accelerate the work at the ward office. them, is that the internal conflict is in the country. But we have not been want to sign the documents of which I decided to pursue education. It sends a unit of Ghorahi Sub-metropolis, Their self-confidence has increased as badly affecting governance, just as the able to defeat the same old contradic- had no clue.” positive message about the impor- only about 80 percent of elected they started formal education in country is in the midst of unprece- tion despite getting a two-thirds Hima Devi BK, 47, of Balim in tance of education, they say. representatives in the sub-metropolis school,” said Keshab Acharya, the dented challenges like the pandemic majority.” Ghorahi-2 is one of Pun’s classmates. “The senior members of the class are educated. ward chairman of Ghorahi-2.

C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2020 NATIONAL Nepali Congress likely to defer its 14th general convention Party leaders cite Covid-19 pandemic, senior leader Poudel’s demands for dissolving party departments and non-distribution of active membership as the reasons.

ANIL GIRI bership and formation of new party In order to hold a credible general KATHMANDU, OCT 8 interim structures which are crucial convention, the Poudel faction has in the run-up to the general conven- submitted a 16-point memorandum to Nepali Congress is party fraught with tion,” he added. the party headquarters and asked for rivalries and factionalism and this It was senior party leader Krishna a discussion in the party. division has been apparent also on the Prasad Situala who first proposed Nidhi said the party has to resolve issue of whether to reschedule the postponing the general convention several differences and demands put 14th general convention announced from February to May/April 2021. forth by the Poudel faction. for February next year. The Poudel faction, however, “President Deuba has offered Two of the major rival factions in opposed the plan, insisting that it was Poudel to sit for talks before Sunday’s POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN Congress, the first led by party still possible to conduct the general meeting,” he said. Labourers reconstruct a pond on the premises of the Sainik Mahavidyala in Sallaghari, Bhaktapur on Thursday. The pond, also known as Rani President Sher Bahadur Deuba and convention in February. As an alterna- Poudel has demanded dissolving Pokhari of Bhaktapur, is out of bounds for the general public, except on special occasions. the other by senior leader Ram tive, the Poudel camp also suggested the party departments formed by Chandra Poudel, have been on the beginning the assembly from Deuba, completing the integration polar opposite sides ever since the February in some districts and process of the party including giving debate of deferring the general con- holding the central convention in space to the leaders who joined vention emerged due to the Covid-19 May/April. Congress in different times, and pandemic. ensuring parity in the distribution of Small but improving demand for Nepali Both camps have a lot at stake on active membership. the convention taking place as planned The party has not fully accommo- and getting postponed. The assembly, Vice President Nidhi dated the members of the Bijaya set for 19-22 February, 2021, will try to said party has to Kumar Gachhadar led Nepal workers offers hope for foreign job sector elect a new set of leadership from the Loktantrik Forum, which merged centre to the local levels. While Deuba address demands with Nepali Congress in October, 2017. CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL those already with working visas also Employment Agencies, the umbrella wishes to continue his reign Poudel Similarly, Sunil Bahadur Thapa, the KATHMANDU, OCT 8 could travel because of flight restric- organisation of recruiting agencies wants to oust him and take over the put forth by the former leader of Rastriya Prajatantra tions and lockdowns in Nepal and outsourcing workers abroad, is also party reins. Party, also joined Congress in July and After several months of complete labour destination countries. counting on the situation to improve Which side comes on top from this Poudel faction. some of his associates are yet to be shutdown, Yam Bahadur Budhathoki, With normalcy slowly returning in in labour destination countries. welter of factional infighting remains adjusted in the party. involved in foreign employment, has destination countries, recruiting “Most countries have started issu- unclear for now, given that there are “There are several issues to sort secured a demand for 300 workers agencies in Nepal hope for a surge in ing visas to the workers which is a also other rival camps adding intrigue Dilendra Prasad Badu, a central out. If districts and electoral constitu- from Saudi Arabia. demand in coming months. good news,” Sujit Kumar Shrestha, to the party dynamics. working committee member and encies fail to meet the deadlines for The demand for workers is the first The UAE has partially opened for general secretary of the agency, told For now all eyes are on the party’s Poudel’s confidant, says if the party distribution of active membership, since the pandemic devastated the sec- foreign workers. It has started issuing the Post. central working committee meeting cannot hold the general convention on then the entire process will be affect- tor. Budhathoki has also managed to employment visas for government and There’s some obstacles though. convened for Sunday, as it could decide the scheduled dates, it can at least ed.” said Nidhi. get some demand for workers from semi-government sectors, as well as “We have been unable to conduct the fate of the general convention. begin holding the convention from There is another view in the party Dubai in the UAE. entry permits for domestic workers. physical interviews due to the Covid- Though Nepali Congress has not February 2021 at the district level. on holding the general convention in “Demands for Nepali workers are Likewise, the Bahrain has also begun 19 concerns. Also, workers’ demand made any official decision about the “Let’s defer the date for the distribu- time. slowly resuming with the countries in issuing work permits, allowing local attestation by Nepali missions abroad postponement of its general conven- tion of active membership to Some leaders have suggested hold- the Gulf Cooperation Council slowly employers to hire foreign workers. has stopped, so there is an obstacle in tion, party leaders say the central November end. The active member- ing votes in districts so that all voters opening up,” Budhathoki, managing “It will still take time for the situa- this regard as well,” said Shrestha. working committee meeting is likely ship are the voters of the party. If we may not have to come to the venue of director at Lifeline Overseas Pvt Ltd tion to reach the pre-Covid times. But Nepali labour migrant numbers to announce the reschedule dates. complete distribution of active mem- the general convention. told the Post. “The season is good for countries are slowly opening and have seen a constant drop in the last Congress Vice President bership by then, we can begin local Deputy Prime Minister Sujata the demand of workers, but due to fear allowing foreign workers. This is an few years. The last fiscal year, as a Bimalendra Nidhi hinted in a conventions at places where Covid-19 Koirala says if the party cannot bring among migrant workers, it has been encouraging sign,” said Budhathoki. result of the impact of Covid-19, saw a rather roundabout way that the con- risks have lowered,” Badu said. “If we thousands of voters to pick the new slow this year.” With the foreign employment sector remarkable drop of 27.5 percent in vention will be deferred but stopped do not begin to hold a convention in leadership, there should be an Workers demand, irrespective of shut for months, Budhathoki had con- labour permit issuance. Countries short of confirming that Sunday’s February, as per the constitutional arrangement where each district can the number, has come as a hope for verted his hospitality training insti- like Malaysia, Kuwait and Oman plan- meeting would make an official provision, we can defer it by six vote at the district headquarters. recruiting agencies, Budhathoki says. tute into a restaurant. He says he is a ning to reserve jobs for their citizens announcement. month. But if we do not do anything “If we cannot hold the general con- As Covid-19 cases started erupting relieved man after his office started has also been a cause for concern. “Though no one says it publicly, it is and do not begin the process by vention by that deadline, we have to in the Gulf, Malaysia and South Korea, receiving requests from foreign com- According to Shrestha, recruiting going to be very difficult to hold the February, the party will face a serious think over other options. One way is the government stopped issuing panies for workers. agencies, however, remain optimistic. general convention on the scheduled crisis.” allowing party members to cast their labour permits. As a result, the for- Buoyed by this development, he is “By October, we have estimated that date of February 2021 due to the Earlier, the party had fixed mid of votes in district or provincial head- eign employment sector came to a halt now making plans to send workers to there will be around 100,000-150,000 Covid-19 pandemic,” said Nidhi, who September to complete the distribu- quarters by maintaining the physical for several months. Europe for its hospitality industry demands for workers. Most of these is close to Deuba. tion of active membership of the distancing. The ballot boxes could be Since the pandemic began, there once the Covid-19 situation improves. jobs are in the construction sector,” “We have already missed the dead- party but due to the pandemic, several brought to Kathmandu for counting,” was no demand for new workers while Nepal Association of Foreign said Shrestha. lines set for distributing active mem- districts could not meet the deadline. said Koirala.

C M Y K FRIDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL We can’t keep importing food Talking mental health Increasing dependence The staggering number of suicides in the recent on the market to supply past is a wake-up call for us. food may not be feasible in the days ahead. This Saturday, October 10, marks World Mental Health Day. As the world comes together in its fight against the coro- navirus, this year’s slogan, ‘Mental health for all’, sounds MADHUKAR UPADHYA pretty prescient for the world and for Nepal. During STARTING the first 74 days of the lockdown, 1,227 people across the country committed suicide. Among them, 149 were POINT teenagers. Data of the Non-Communicable Disease and Mental Health Section of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division also show that 6,261 people took their In a given system, be it biological, eco- own lives in the fiscal year 2019-20. It is an alarming nomic or any other, if the purpose of increase in the number of suicides, compared to 5,785 in all the modus operandi adopted is to mere- of last year. ly maintain the stability of specific The National Mental Health Survey, Nepal 2020 also found system components, the system’s over- all stability could be compromised. Our that among the adults, 10 percent had experienced mental food production system seems to be disorders in their lifetimes, and 4.3 percent were currently suffering similarly. We focus on the suffering from mental issues. The prevalence of lifetime supply of chemical fertilisers, seeds mental disorder was highest among adults in Province 1 at and pesticides which, despite being essential components, are only part of 13.9 percent--13.3 percent in the 40-49 years age group and 12.4 the whole system. We haven’t paid ade- percent among males. The nationwide prevalence of suicidal- quate attention to the health of the core ity, also known as suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation, was components, such as soil and water, found to be at 7.2 percent. which are in a state of consistent ruin. These unsettling figures represent a widespread preva- Catastrophic water erosion in our hills and mountains has resulted in loss of lence of mental health issues in the country, and doctors have organic carbon and nutrients, and reported a sudden rise in mental health patients amid the decline in soil biodiversity for long. heightened challenges brought about by the pandemic. The Imbalanced use of urea has further staggering number of suicides earlier this year makes the harmed the soil. We’re constantly reaching new SHUTTERSTOCK situation more critical, over 80 percent of which are associat- depths for groundwater in the Tarai. stability of just food security and basic sisted of building a concrete boundary planned. This narrative infers that our ed with depression, according to psychiatrists at the Nepal Examples from Saudi Arabia and else- economic activities to the larger, over- around the pond, and building the tem- government either doesn’t seem to Mental Hospital. Researchers say the ground reality could be where show that depletion of ground- all production system. Paradoxically, ple using reinforced concrete, along understand the problem or isn’t in a starker as the majority of the people do not know what men- water led to the collapse of farming the increasing dependence on remit- with fountains and a poolside café. hurry to tackle such systemic issues. tal health is or shy away from talking about their problems prospects. We are heading in the same tance has progressively weakened our After strong protests from the people Our hamartia, as a populace, is that we direction. The drying of springs and social capital, an essential component and heritage conservationists, these ignore the larger problems and instead due to trust issues, and also the stigma that surrounds men- streams in the hills has displaced farm- for farming communities required to plans were dumped, and the pond engage in analysing trivial matters tal health. ers for a few decades now. What’s continually manage land and water. and temple were restored in their that have little bearing on the issues The impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health is alarming is we don’t even have the We’re in a downward spiral. traditional style. at hand. already extremely concerning, according to the World steady income required to continue Covid-19 is exacerbating the already Unfortunately, similar public engage- We can’t avoid reality by burying importing food from elsewhere; widening gap between the rich and the ment is absent from agriculture. As our heads in the sand like ostriches. Health Organisation which has stressed an urgent need to meanwhile, food imports have grown poor. Increasing dependence on the long as the market makes food readily Imported food fails to answer long-term increase investment in service for mental health unabated. market to supply food may not be feasi- available, no questions are asked when questions. Within the limitations or risk a massive increase in mental health issues ble in the days ahead, especially in the the government fails to ensure domes- of geography, culture and the economy, soon. The government cannot shy away from these Rising imports post-Covid era, when food is likely tic production. For instance, the failure we have no alternative but to work prior warnings or continue to neglect the mental health Even during the nationwide lockdown, to be more expensive and inaccessible to supply fertiliser for this year’s sum- towards strengthening our production while incomes dwindled, Nepal import- for many. mer crops was not only an administra- base. The essence of a federal demo- sector. The grim indicators of the survey are serious ed cereals, vegetables and fruits worth It’s hard to reconcile with the tive question; it was an example of how cratic system is to engage people concerns which need urgent resolution. It cannot afford Rs22 billion in two months. In fact, we idea that the political leaders who planners fail to prepare. Farmers at the local level, to find solutions to to sit on research reports and do nothing beyond it, year have been importing over 5,000 tonnes fought for democracy no longer under- couldn’t get fertiliser despite the fact local problems. We can’t allow it after year. of cereals and 1,000 tonnes of vegeta- stand this problem. In a democratic that importing it is a regular job for the to end up being reduced to only win- bles every day in addition to other food system, the elected officials represent government. If planners fail to plan for ning the next election through demo- Mental health specialists say cases of disorders such as items. The irony is that the money for the people and address their concerns. contingencies in such routine work, cratic processes. depression, anxiety, psychosis and schizophrenia tend to these imports comes from the remit- Frustration seems to grow when how can we expect them to plan for Critical times demand answers to increase significantly during high-stress situations tance primarily earned by people from these elected leaders fail to meet the erratic occurrences like landslides and uncomfortable questions beyond mere- like pandemics, natural disasters and wars, sometimes at farming families who were pushed to expectations of citizens, and more floods or slow occurring problems of ly improvements to system compo- rates of 3 to 5 percent. The latest Red Cross report also shows join the labour market when shrinking so when they’re quiescent when con- soil and water degradation, which have nents. What steps has the state taken to production meant they couldn’t feed fronted by people’s problems. When consistently undermined our food pro- prevent water-induced disasters that that the pandemic has affected the mental health of their families, much less pay for health- decisions are made by a few elected duction system? Sadly, no one was held destroy our farmlands every year? one in two people. It also highlights the urgent mental care and education. individuals divorced from the reality responsible for failing to import fertil- What measures have been adopted health needs of those who have been on the frontline Thousands of Nepali youths working citizens face, genuine problems remain iser, except the contractors who failed to reduce soil and water degradation? of the pandemic to ensure they can continue to care in India had barely returned to the unaddressed. to deliver. Unless people in positions of Is our land not capable of producing safety of their homes during the pan- power are held accountable, it’s hard to enough, and if so, what alternate appropriately for others. As a society too, we have mostly demic before they were forced to go People’s voices matter imagine how such problems will ever plans are there to ensure food security? failed to address mental health issues, often ignoring back to their jobs. This epitomises how In a democracy, people’s voice governs go away. Can we increase food production conversations or shifting the blame to people who are fight- our dependence on remittance has the people. The public response to the From the government’s perspective, by bringing more land under agricul- ing a huge battle within themselves. We have to take the become so unavoidable, it’s fundamen- proposed restoration plan for Rani everything seems to be fine: the econo- ture at the expense of forest cover? We pandemic as an opportunity to start a conversation on mental tal. This restoration of remittance flow Pokhari exemplifies this democratic my is still intact, remittance hasn’t must ask these questions without hesi- may help support our food security, but process. The fancy scheme announced been as badly affected as expected, and tation. And we must unflinchingly health issues. we need to shift our concern from the by Kathmandu Metropolitan City con- projects are being implemented as demand answers.

To lock down or not to lock down?

ure and quantify, a proper accounting An adequate assessment of the costs and benefits of lockdown cannot just wave it away. of the costs and benefits Third, and perhaps most important of all, we must consider the impact of must address a few lockdowns on people who even in nor- mal times are struggling to meet their key issues. and their families’ basic needs. Governments of countries where many people live in or on the edge of PETER SINGER extreme poverty have particularly strong reasons to avoid lockdowns, but governments of developed countries also ought not disregard altogether the fact that a recession in the advanced economies jeopardises the very survival of people in other countries. For the past three months, this metro- Until this year, extreme poverty had politan area of nearly five million been dropping steadily for the past 20 people, the capital of the Australian years. So far in 2020, it has risen by 37 state of Victoria, has been under one million people. How much of that is of the world’s tightest lockdowns. You caused by lockdowns, rather than by may leave home only if shopping for the virus itself, is difficult to say, but essential items, meeting medical the part played by lockdowns would needs, providing care, taking up to two surely be significant. hours of daily exercise, and going to According to Henrietta Fore, execu- work if it is impossible to work from tive director of the United Nations home. Travel of more than five kilo- Children’s Fund, at the height of the metres (3.1 miles) from home, or pandemic, 192 countries had closed across the boundary of the metropoli- schools, leaving 1.6 billion children tan area, is prohibited. Police hand without in-person learning. For many, out heavy fines to violators. learning remotely would not have The Victorian government ordered been a possibility. At least 24 million the lockdown on July 5, after a day in children were projected to have left which the state, which has a popula- school permanently. For many girls, tion of 6.7 million, recorded 191 new that is likely to mean early marriage Covid-19 cases—the state’s highest instead of the prospect of a career. daily total since the pandemic began. SHUTTERSTOCK The New York Times recently reported The outbreak peaked at 723 new cases Protesting is not one of the permissi- cause—harms that, they suggest, may seasonal flu, saving about 400 lives in taking into account nothing but the that school closures, combined with on July 30 and then began to fall. By ble reasons for leaving home. exceed the benefits. The scientists cite the first half of 2020, compared to the number of lives saved or lost. That the economic hardship caused by October 4, the 14-day moving average When faced with a highly conta- an estimate from Cancer Research UK same period last year. avoids three key issues that a more the lockdowns, have caused a big had dropped to 12. gious disease that puts vulnerable that the lockdown has led to two mil- A group of researchers led by Olga adequate assessment of the costs and increase in child labour in low-income At the time of writing, the state people at risk, few Victorians are lion delayed cancer screenings, tests, Yakusheva, a University of Michigan benefits of lockdowns should face. countries. has had over 20,000 cases and 800 moved by abstract calls for ‘freedom’ or treatments, which could cost as economist, has sought to estimate the First, an adequate assessment Even if lockdowns do save lives in deaths. All the other Australian states coming mostly from younger people many as 60,000 lives—more than the net number of lives saved (or lost) by would not disregard the difference the countries that institute them, that together have had fewer than 7,000 who are at lower risk. Most accept that UK’s 42,000 Covid-19 deaths so far. pandemic-mitigating policies in the between dying at 90 and at 20, 30, or 40. isn’t sufficient to show that it is the cases and under one hundred deaths, the lockdown is necessary because it Cancer is only one cause of death US in 2020. The team finds that these As I have contended previously, we right path for a government to take. making it possible to hope that saves lives. And the steep decline in that the lockdown is likely to increase; public-health measures saved between should be counting years of life lost or Australia could eliminate the virus, as the number of new cases and deaths there are likely to be many others. But 913,762 and 2,046,322 lives, but also saved, not simply lives. Singer is Professor of Bioethics at neighbouring New Zealand has come during the lockdown suggests that it without a lockdown, the number of could result in an ‘indirect collateral Second, as Michael Plant and I Princeton University and the founder close to doing. does prevent deaths from Covid-19. deaths from Covid-19 could end up loss’ of 84,000 to 514,800 lives, implying argued earlier this year, the impact of of the charity The Life You Can Save. No major political party opposes the But that is only part of the picture. being many times greater than the 398,962 to 1,962,322 net lives saved. lockdowns on quality of life matters, His books include Animal Liberation, lockdown. Organised protest rallies In the United Kingdom last month, 32 present toll. There are also other ways That is a wide range, but still clearly a too. Lockdowns cause widespread Practical Ethics, The Life You Can were sparsely attended, perhaps scientists signed a letter to Prime in which the lockdown saves lives. In positive outcome. unemployment, for example, and that Save, and the forthcoming Why because police warned protesters that Minister Boris Johnson pointing to Australia, for example, it appears to Yakusheva and her coauthors seek sharply reduces life satisfaction. Vegan? they could be fined—and many were. the significant harms that lockdowns have virtually eliminated deaths from to avoid contentious ethical issues by Difficult as quality of life is to meas- —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2020 MONEY FOREX Up to 150 million US Dollar 117.49 Nepal, Bangladesh to sign Euro 138.12 Pound Sterling 152.05 could join extreme Japanese Yen 11.09 preferential trade agreement Chinese Yuan 17.30 Bangladesh will ‘soon’ provide on-arrival visa through the land route for Nepalis. Qatari Riyal 32.27 poor, World Bank says KRISHANA PRASAIN The move conditionally allows flights to promote tourism for mutual Australian Dollar 84.12 KATHMANDU, OCT 8 Nepal to export only acrylic benefit. “As the flights will be benefi- Malaysian Ringit 28.29 yarn through the port with the ban cial to both countries, the Bangladeshi Nepal and Bangladesh have decided to initially being withdrawn for only delegation has requested to start Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank sign a bilateral preferential trade one year. flights soon,” he said. “We will arrangement by the end of 2020. Nepal has long been demanding discuss this issue with the concerned Shares The sixth Nepal-Bangladesh Bangladesh to open the gateway for authorities and inform the Bangladesh Commerce Secretary level virtual exporters of Nepali yarn. In 2002, delegation over its development.”An- Nepse 1,589.63pts -0.71% meeting on trade and economic coop- Bangladesh restricted yarn import other topic discussed was the eration that concluded on Thursday through the land port seeking to safe- Rohanpur-Singhabad railway transit, HIGHEST LOSERS decided to hold the technical commit- guard the local cotton yarn industry designated to enhance Nepal- SPDL PPCL LEC RHPL AKPL API -7.08% -6.86% -6.75% -6.55% -6.37% -5.88% tee meeting in the third week of from foreign products. Bangladesh trade but it has not come November to finalise the list of prod- The country instead opened up its into operation. Nepal is set to import MODERATE LOSERS ucts, text of preferential trade Benapole land port and Chittagong chemical fertilisers which it had HPPL GHL UPCL HURJA JOSHI NGPL -5.6% -5.52% -5.33% -5.17% -5.11% -5.07% arrangement and rules of origin. seaport for yarn import. asked from the Bangladeshi govern-

MODERATE GAINERS The meeting was led by Baikuntha However, Nepali traders have been ment last month. Dahal said that UFL PROFL CFCL ICFC BFC GMFIL Aryal, secretary at the Ministry of reluctant to use the Benapole Bangladesh was ready to bring the 5.33% 6.57% 6.63% 6.67% 8.7% 8.82% Industry, Commerce and Supplies. port, which connects Petrapole of railway transit operation online. HIGHEST GAINERS Prakash Dahal, joint secretary at India, stating that they face a lot of The Bangladeshi delegation also RLFL GRDBL GUFL SFCL KRBL MPFL the ministry, said that the product list hassles while using the gateway proposed to sign a double taxation 8.82% 8.97% 9.4% 9.72% 9.79% 10% under the preferential trade agree- that passes through the Indian land avoidance agreement. The proposal ment was not finalised as the discus- customs. has been tabled at the Cabinet, Dahal AP/RSS sion was primarily focused on tariff, said, adding that preparation was Homeless women sleep in the street on a mattress in Buenos Aires, Argentina. para-tariff and non-tariff barriers in underway to sign a memorandum of BULLION PRICE PER TOLA the listed products. Nepal is seeking understanding to share agriculture ASSOCIATED PRESS ulation lives below $3.20 a day, a mas- Earlier, at the commerce secre- know-how between the Department JOHANNESBURG, OCT 8 sive number of people vulnerable to Fine Gold Rs 93,900 tary-level meeting held in March in zero tariffs on a list of Agriculture Extension of the kind of economic shocks that this Dhaka, the two sides had agreed Bangladesh and Nepal’s Department Up to 150 million people could slip into year have come in waves Silver Rs 1,180 to sign a preferential trade arrange- of products and the of Agriculture. extreme poverty, living on less than Unemployment is rising, and those ment by June but it was postponed The discussion also included $1.90 a day, by late next year depending who scraped together savings have SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA due to the spread of the coronavirus removal of other visa process simplification and on how badly economies shrink dur- watched them disappear. Families are pandemic. Bangladesh raised the issue to simpli- ing the Covid-19 pandemic, the World eating less. Many children, who “The Nepali delegation has been duties and charges. fy the process for investors and Bank said Wednesday in an outlook account for half of the world’s poor, GASOLINE WATCH asking for the removal of other duty businessmen. grimmer than before. miss out on distance learning. charges as it raises the product cost As Nepal had raised concerns Middle income-countries are “Many of the new poor are likely to of Nepali goods. The Bangladesh “As Bangladesh has been charging regarding visas for students, the expected to have 82 percent of the new be engaged in informal services, con- delegation was not in favour of remov- high tariffs on many goods exported Bangladeshi delegation said the coun- extreme poor, including India, Nigeria struction and manufacturing—the ing the charges as they said it could from Nepal, we have asked them try has been providing a one-time visa and Indonesia. Many of the new sectors in which economic activity is impact the country’s revenue,” said to review it and bring it down to for students till the completion of extreme poor will be more educated most affected by lockdowns and other Dahal. zero,” said Dhakal. study from 2019. urban residents, meaning cities will mobility restrictions,” the report says, Nepal is seeking zero tariffs on The Nepali delegation also asked Bangladesh has decided to provide see an increase in the kind of poverty citing phone surveys in countries goods listed under the agreement the Bangladeshi government to on-arrival visa through the land route traditionally rooted in rural areas. around the world. and the removal of other duties and build infrastructure like customs for Nepalis and it will be implemented Most of the new extreme poor, more Recovery, experts say, could take a charges. and quarantine offices as the lack of soon, said Dhakal. than 110 million even by the World decade—a shattering blow to people A list of products under the prefer- such facilities has been causing a However, the Bangladesh delegation Bank’s baseline estimate, will be in who had pulled themselves from pov- ential trade agreement has been delay for Nepali goods exported to raised issues regarding procedural South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. erty and saw a better life ahead. exchanged and will be discussed one Bangladesh. hassles while opening a pharmaceuti- The pandemic has abruptly halted Developing countries are seeking by one by both delegations, said Similarly, Bangladesh has proposed cal company in Nepal. years of progress against global more assistance from the World Bank, Dhakal. The preferential trade agree- implementing the Bangladesh, Bilateral trading between Nepal extreme poverty, expected to rise this other financial institutions and richer ment is also one of the issues that Bhutan, India, Nepal (BBIN) initiative and Bangladesh started to improve year for the first time in over two dec- governments to free up resources to prime ministers of both countries for cargo transit between Nepal and after the Kakarbhitta-Phulbari- ades. It also threatens to worsen global fight the pandemic. wanted to finalise as soon as possible, Bangladesh. Banglabandha transit route came into inequality and make it “harder for They want an extension of the debt according to government officials. “As Bhutan has not consented to the operation on August 31, 1997. countries to return to inclusive moratorium by Group of 20 nations The Nepali side also discussed the agreement, we have informed our In 2019-20, Nepal imported goods growth,” World Bank president David beyond the end of this year, and they issue of yarn export. Last year, Bangladeshi counterpart that the worth Rs5.29 billion while it Malpass said. call for outright debt cancellation. Bangladesh decided to lift the ban on BBIN initiative will take time to be made export earnings of Rs954 Global economic growth is expected They also want the issue of special yarn imports from Nepal via the implemented,” Dahal said. million from Bangladesh, according to fall by 5.2 percent this year, more drawing rights by the International Banglabandha land port after nearly Bangladesh is interested in starting to the statistics of the Department than in the past eight decades. Monetary Fund, but Washington has 17 years. Saidpur-Bhadrapur or Biratnagar of Customs. Almost a quarter of the world’s pop- opposed it.

Worldlink partners Thailand delays plan to with Facebook to provide Express Wifi receive foreign tourists REUTERS agents in Guangzhou. Operators in POST REPORT BANGKOK, OCT 8 Phuket are also puzzled. KATHMANDU, OCT 8 “We have not been notified about Thailand is pushing back plans to the arrivals,” Phuket Tourism WorldLink Communications has part- receive its first batch of foreign Association President, Bhummikitti nered with Facebook for Express Wifi tourists due to administrative Ruktaengam told Reuters. connectivity to provide users with issues, a senior official said on “Phuket is ready, but we need clari- fast, affordable and reliable WiFi ser- Thursday, adding to uncertainty about ty, where are they from, how many and vice. Express WiFi will be supported when it will welcome back visitors where will they stay?” Bhummikitti at 7,500 WiFi hotspots across Nepal. vital to its economy. said, adding that more information Punit Manandhar, project manager Processes involved in applying would help create confidence among at Worldlink said that Express Wifi is for and issuing special visas is delay- the local community. free but has a time limit per session, ing the soft reopening, Tourism Authorities last month announced from 15 minutes to two hours, depend- Authority of Thailand (TAT) that a limited number of long-stay ing on the locations and requires governor Yuthasak Supasorn visitors would be allowed from coun- users to fill out a KYC form to avoid told Reuters, adding that about 100 tries deemed low risk and their trips misuse of the service. tourists were expected to arrive this must include two weeks of quarantine To connect with Express Wifi, peo- month. at their resort. ple can connect by using their mobile Foreign arrivals stopped in April Thailand has just over 3,600 con- number for which they will receive a after the government banned commer- firmed cases, among the lowest in code and register on it. Facebook has cial flights to keep the coronavirus Asia, but its economy could contract provided a software platform while at bay. by a record 7.8 percent. Worldlink will handle other aspects In September, the TAT said some The tourism-reliant country could such as access point, network and 120 tourists on special long-stay see just 6.7 million foreign visitors bandwidth, according to Sumit Jain, visas would fly directly from this year, the government predicts, chief technical officer at the company. Guangzhou to the resort island of after a record 39.8 million in 2019, According to WorldLink, through Phuket this week, but their travel has whose spending made up about 11.4 the partnership, the company been delayed. percent of GDP, or 1.93 trillion baht will support the construction, opera- Chinese media has questioned the (£47.91 billion). Authorities had earli- tion and growth of Nepal’s WiFi identity of those tourists, however, er shelved a “travel bubble” plan to through its Express Connectivity with reports unable to confirm any allow movement of travellers between Express platform. Thailand travel bookings among countries with low infection rates.

C M Y K FRIDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2020 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Trump hails experimental New fighting as Russia, India declines proposal to test Sputnik-V vaccine US and France look for NEW DELHI: India’s drug regulator has treatment for his virus recovery knocked back a proposal from Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd to conduct a large study in the country to evaluate Questions continue to swirl about trajectory of his recovery and when he could return to Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire Russia’s Sputnik-V Covid-19 vaccine and has asked it to first test the vac- normal activities, including campaigning, with Election Day only four weeks away. REUTERS Azeri authorities say 30 civilians cine in a smaller trial. The recom- YEREVAN/ BAKU/ GENEVA, OCT 8 have been killed and 143 wounded mendations by an expert panel of the ASSOCIATED PRESS since Sept. 27 but have not disclosed Central Drugs Standard Control WASHINGTON, OCT 8 Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians information about military casualties. Organisation noted that safety and fought new clashes on Thursday Nagorno-Karabakh said its main immunogenicity data from ear- US President Donald Trump has cred- before talks at which the United administrative centre, Stepanakert, ly-stage studies being conducted over- ited an experimental drug treatment States, France and Russia will discuss had been shelled and that 30 service- seas is small, with no inputs available with helping his recovery from Covid- how to secure a ceasefire and avert a men had been killed, taking its mili- on Indian participants. India’s move 19 and suggested his diagnosis could wider war in the South Caucasus. tary death toll to 350 since Sept. 27. It comes as a setback for Russia’s plan be a “blessing in disguise” in the Azeri Foreign Minister Jeyhun says 19 civilians have also been killed to roll-out the vaccine even before full nation’s battle against the pandemic. Bayramov will meet US, Russian and and many wounded. trials show how well it works, while But there is no way for the president French envoys in Geneva on Thursday Following the latest reports of fight- pushing back its efforts to win or his doctors to know whether the and Armenia’s foreign minister, ing, Armenia said it had dismissed the approval for the vaccine in the coun- drug had any effect. Zohrab Mnatsakanyan, is expected to head of its National Security Service try that leads the world on average In a new White House video posted meet officials form the three countries in a presidential decree. It gave no number of new infections. Wednesday evening, Trump said his in Moscow on Monday. reason. illness had shed light on an experi- The talks mark the start of a con- The fighting has raised internation- mental antibody cocktail that he tied certed drive by the three powers to al concern that Turkey, a close ally of Mao scroll found cut in half to his improved condition. Seemingly halt fighting that flared on September Azerbaijan, and Russia, which has a HONG KONG: A stolen Chinese calligra- sensitive to the fact that his treatment 27, increasing concerns about the defence pact with Armenia, could be phy scroll written by Chairman Mao course has been far more comprehen- security of pipelines in Azerbaijan sucked into the conflict. Zedong and estimated to be worth sive than the care received by average that carry natural gas and oil to The warring sides have ignored millions of dollars has been found in Americans, he promised to swiftly get Europe. repeated ceasefire calls and the Azeri Hong Kong, police said on Thursday, the drug approved for broader use— Washington, Paris and Moscow are and Armenian leaders have been at after it was stolen from an art collec- and distribute it for free—even though co-chairs of the Organization for odds over their conditions for halting tor’s home in September. The 2.8 he does not have the power to order Security and Co-operation in Europe’s fighting. metre scroll had been cut in half as it that himself. (OSCE) Minsk Group that has led Azeri President Ilham Aliyev’s been deemed too long to display, “I want everybody to be given the mediation in decades of conflict over main demand is for Armenia to set a police told a news conference on same treatment as your president, the mountain enclave of Nagorno- timetable for a withdrawal from Wednesday. It was looted on because I feel great,” Trump said in a REUTERS Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh and surrounding September 10, along with stamps, video from the Rose Garden. “I feel, US President Donald Trump prepares to leave for the White House from the Walter Reed Under international law, Nagorno- Azeri territories, and wants Turkey coins and other pieces of calligraphy like, perfect.” National Military Medical Center in Washington on October 5. Karabakh belongs to Azerbaijan but it involved in peacemaking. worth a total of HK$5 billion ($645 Still, questions continue to swirl is populated and governed by ethnic He told Euronews in an interview million), said senior superintendent about the trajectory of Trump’s recov- effectiveness of the drug have not yet Conley added in a memo that Trump Armenians, who broke away in a 1991- that Bayramov’s attendance at the Tony Ho. ery and when he might be able to been proven. And there is no way for had been symptom-free for over 24 94 war that killed about 30,000. Geneva talks “shows who wants nego- return to normal activities, including the president or his doctors to know hours, and that his oxygen saturation “The position of the United States tiations.” campaigning, less than four weeks that the drug had any effect. Most peo- level and respiratory rate were has been clear and has not changed: Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry dis- Ardern poised for victory before Election Day. The video marked ple recover from Covid-19. normal. The memo also said a blood both sides must cease hostilities missed calls for a unilateral ceasefire WELLINGTON: New Zealand Prime Trump’s first appearance before a In the video, Trump continued to test Monday showed Trump had coro- immediately and work with the Minsk which it said “maintain the status quo Minister Jacinda Ardern’s party is camera—albeit a White House- play down the threat of the virus, navirus antibodies, substances that Group Co-Chairs to return to substan- based on occupation.” projected to be one seat short of operated one —in nearly two days. The promising those who are ill that fight infection, but he had been given tive negotiations as soon as possible,” Armenia has ruled out a withdraw- being able to govern alone, and has a White House has released only limited they’re going to “get better fast, just an experimental drug on Friday a US. spokesman in Geneva said. al from territory it considers historic double-digit lead over its rival, with details about his condition and treat- like I did.” More than 200,000 people in containing these. Hours before the talks were due to homelands. It has also accused Turkey just over a week to the general elec- ment, leading to questions about what the US and more than a million world- Regeneron says it’s not possible for start, Azerbaijan said the city of of military involvement in the conflict tion, an opinion poll showed. The lies ahead for Trump. wide have died from the disease. this type of blood test to distinguish Ganja, deep inside the former Soviet and says it has sent in mercenaries, closely watched 1News-Colmar Trump received an experimental Trump’s doctor reported that the between antibodies Trump’s republic, had been shelled by allegations denied by Ankara. Brunton poll showed support for antiviral cocktail made by Regeneron president continued to make progress body may be making and those sup- Armenian forces. “Our position has been and remains Ardern’s Labour party, which is seek- through a “compassionate use” in his recovery. plied by the company’s drug. Most One civilian had been killed in that the Karabakh issue cannot be ing a second term in office, at 47 per- exemption, a recognition of the above- Dr Sean Conley, the White House likely, the ones detected in the Monday Azerbaijan’s Goranboy region and solved through violence,” Armenian cent, unchanged from the last poll on and-beyond standard of care he physician, said Trump had begun the test are from the drug, the company other villages and towns were fired on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told September 28. (AGENCIES) receives as president. The safety and day by declaring, “I feel great!” said. by ethnic Armenian forces, it said. Euronews. American poet wins Nobel in Literature ASSOCIATED PRESS immediate comment to journalists authors, the Academy said Gluck STOCKHOLM, OCT 8 gathered outside her home in resembled 19th-century U.S. poet Cambridge, Massachusetts. Emily Dickinson in her “severity and American poet Louise Gluck won the A professor of English at Yale unwillingness to accept simple tenets 2020 Nobel Prize in Literature for University, Gluck first rose to critical of faith”. works exploring family and childhood acclaim with her 1968 collection of Gluck becomes the 16th woman to in an “unmistakable...voice that with poems entitled “Firstborn”, and went win the literary world’s most prestig- austere beauty makes individual on to become one of the most celebrat- ious distinction since the Nobel prizes existence universal”, the Swedish ed poets and essayists in contempo- were launched more than a century Academy said on Thursday. rary America. The Swedish Academy ago. Academy Permanent Secretary said that in Gluck’s works “the self While she draws on her own experi- Mats Malm said that Gluck, 77, also a listens for what is left of its dreams ences in her poetry, Gluck, who is multiple winner of US literary and delusions, and nobody can be twice divorced and suffered from ano- awards, was “surprised and happy” at harder than she in confronting illu- rexia in younger years, explores uni- the news when it came in the early sions of the self”. versal themes that resonate with read- morning hours U.S. time. She gave no Drawing comparisons with other ers in the United States and abroad.

C M Y K 07 | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY Swiatek crushes Podoroska to storm into final The weekend that was M SHRESTHA the Championship. The teenager thumps Argentine qualifier Nadia Podoroska 6-2, 6-1 to become youngest finalist of the French Open in 19 years. Players who have played PL WATCH under Bielsa have observed that REUTERS he demands a lot from them. PARIS, OCT 8 Ander Herrera, who played for Bielsa at Athletic Bilbao before Polish teenager Iga Swiatek became the Last weekend will go down in he joined Manchester United in youngest player to reach the French Premier League lore. Lowly 2014, said that the players were Open women’s final in 19 years when she Aston Villa drubbed majestic knackered at the end of the 2011- crushed Argentine qualifier Nadia champions Liverpool 7-2. Mighty 12 season when they reached the Podoroska 6-2 6-1 on Thursday. Manchester United went down final of Europa League and the Swiatek had too much poise and power 1-6 to Tottenham Hotspurs. It Copy del Rey —only to lose both. for world number 131 Podoroska, who was the first time since 1963 that Four games into the season it was looking to become the first qualifier Liverpool conceded seven goals. is easy to see why. The players to reach a final at a major in either the Manchester United have been run and run and run throughout men’s or women’s singles draws. “I’m shipping six goals more often the 90 minutes. That means they kind of surprised, really. I always knew and the last time was in 2011, make the opposition run too, that if I would be in a Grand Slam final, against derby rival Manchester especially a team under it would be at the French Open,” Swiatek City. Guardiola which play a posses- said on court. “I wanted to play this These two matches on Sunday sion based game and press match as a first-round match, I didn’t hogged the headlines. Aston their opponents to win back the want to think of it as a semi-final other- Villa showed that a fearless ball immediately. All Bielsa’s wise I would have been too stressed.” game plan can unnerve players swarm forward when Swiatek, the youngest player to reach Liverpool. They may not be run- they have possession and run the women’s final at Roland Garros since away champions again. With back when they lose it in the Kim Clijsters in 2001, raced to a 3-0 lead United, what can one say? Erik opposition half or even in the and never released her grip on the open- Lamela should have been sent opposition box. ing set despite a poor first-service per- off with Antony Martial but, Manchester City should have centage. The second set was a mere for- sadly, they did not even put up a scored more than one goal in the mality for world number 54 Swiatek, who resistance, questioning if Ole first half so careless were Leeds has lost only 23 games in her six matches Gunnar Solskjaer is the right United in their passing. The first at Roland Garros. She ended Podoroska’s man for the job. goal came through a forward ordeal on the first match point with a However, it was the game punt from their baby-faced goal- service winner. between Leeds United and keeper Illan Meslier which fell On Wednesday, world number one Manchester City the previous to a City player and soon Raheem Novak Djokovic reached his 10th French day that was better viewing. Sterling had the ball and he Open semi-final but suffered an injury Tactically speaking as well as for scored. City had other chances scare before beating Spain’s Pablo the thrill, in the meeting between but Meslier made some wonder- Carreno Busta 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-4. AP/RSS two top managerial brains in ful saves. At the other end City A month after being defaulted for inad- Pole Iga Swiatek, ranked 54, became the lowest-ranked women’s finalist at Roland Garros since the WTA computer rankings began in 1975. football there was a lot to enjoy. goalkeeper Ederson too made a vertently striking a line judge with a ball At the final whistle, seated on number of outstanding saves to while playing Carreno Busta in the US first conceded by Djokovic in the tourna- the second Grand Slam semi-final of his but Tsitsipas, who also reached the his bucket seat, Marcelo Bielsa deny Leeds. The second half was Open fourth round, the 33-year-old ment. Djokovic looked flat and had to career defeating Russian Andrey Rublev semi-finals at last year’s Australian looked at the ground for about exhilarating football. There was Serbian found himself in trouble once save break points early in the second set 7-5 6-2 6-3. Open, fought back to level the set and half a minute. There was a lot to so much open space and players again. This time it was nothing more before raising his game at the important Before the quarter-final on Court then broke Rublev’s serve to take the contemplate about the game. ran into them to get the ball. If sinister than apparent physical problems moment to win the next two sets. Carreno Philippe Chatrier, the 13th-seeded Rublev opener. From 3-5 down in the first set, Then he got up and walked City deserved to win the first with the top seed wearing tape on the Busta hung on gamely but Djokovic was had won both previous tour-level meet- Tsitsipas won five straight games and a towards his opposite number, half, Leeds deserved in the sec- back of his neck and his upper arm superior when it mattered and one break ings against fellow 22-year-old Tsitsipas frustrated Rublev seemed to have run out and probably his biggest admir- ond half. Only Ederson contin- requiring treatment. Carreno Busta, who in the fourth was enough to set up a last- with their last encounter less than two of ideas against his inspired opponent. A er among top managers, and ued to come to the rescue. But lost in the US Open semi-final after lead- four clash with Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, weeks ago in the final in Hamburg. The forehand volley for his 35th winner smiled. The two exchanged a few when he conceded, he was at ing Alexander Zverev by two sets, took the Serb’s 38th Grand Slam semi-final. Russian looked set to keep his record completed the win for the Greek on his sentences. Both probably said fault for dropping a shot from a advantage to win the opening set—the Fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas reached intact as he served for the first set at 5-4 second match point. that there was a lot in the game corner. Rodrigo pounced on the to think about and what a game loose ball and scored. the other team played. “I said Marcelo Bielsa had a reputa- I’m not able to analyse the game tion when he came to the after one second, I’m not able to Premier League. He has already process it,” Pep Guardiola said. lived up to them even after four Camavinga, Caputo set age marks as France, Italy win Manchester City are a top games. He lost against a much team winning the league four superior Liverpool team in the ASSOCIATED PRESS League matches against Poland and the Netherlands on draw for the guests. ‘’Disappointed and fed up,’’ Low times in the last eight seasons. first weekend of the season and BERLIN, OCT 8 October 11 and 14. said, despite Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Since 2011-12, when they finally he has drawn with City, the top At Stade de France, Olivier Giroud scored twice on his Florian Neuhaus scoring on his Germany debut and became the champions, they flight runners-up last season France and Italy celebrated notable achievements on 100th appearance to take his tally to 42 goals, one more Benfica forward Luca Waldschmidt getting his have always been contenders. and title contenders this year. opposite ends of the age spectrum on Wednesday as both than French great Michel Platini and just nine behind first international goal. Germany took the lead on three Leeds United, on the other Leeds United games are to be teams earned big wins in friendly games. France’s all-time top-scorer Thierry Henry. Camavinga occasions but lacked the concentration to hold on for hand, had not been in the enjoyed. They are here to stay in The 17-year-old Eduardo Camavinga became France’s opened the scoring with an acrobatic left-footed strike the win. top flight since 2004. It was a the top flight and fans of football youngest scorer in more than 100 years after making his from outside the box into the top corner. He became the While the goals were raining in Paris, Florence and mid-table Championship side should be grateful for it. first start for the national team, netting the opening goal second youngest player to score for France, at 17 years, Cologne, there were none in Lisbon, where Portugal until Marcelo Bielsa was “Being successful deforms us in a 7-1 rout of Ukraine in Paris. The 33-year-old 11 months. Maurice Gastiger was just six months young- ended Spain’s 42-game scoring streak in a 0-0 draw. It was appointed manager in 2018. as human beings, it relaxes us, it Francesco Caputo became the oldest player to score on er when he scored against Switzerland on March, 8, 1914. the first time Spain had failed to score since a 2-0 defeat They were set for automatic plays tricks on us, it makes us his debut for Italy when he grabbed the second goal in a Corentin Tolisso, Kylian Mbappe and Antoine to Italy at the 2016 European Championship. promotion by either being worse individuals, it helps us 6-0 win over Moldova in Florence. The Sassuolo forward Griezmann also netted for France, while Vitaliy Tiny Liechtenstein defeated Luxembourg 2-1 away to champions or the runner-up in fall in love with ourselves. broke the record held by Leonardo Pavoletti, who was 30 Mykolenko scored an own goal for a Ukraine side record two consecutive victories for the first time after a the maverick Argentine’s first Failure is the complete opposite, when he scored in a European Championship qualifier depleted by coronavirus cases and injuries. Viktor 2-0 win over San Marino on September 8. season in-charge but the team it makes us more solid, it brings against Liechtenstein last year. Tsygankov scored the visitors’ consolation early in the Frank de Boer’s first game in charge of the Netherlands literally lost steam towards us closer to our convictions, Stephan El Shaarawy scored twice while Bryan second half. ended in a 1-0 loss to Mexico. Raul Jimenez’ penalty was the end of the season. They it makes us more coherent.” Cristante and Domenico Berardi also netted their first Germany coach Joachim Low left out many regulars enough to decide the game in Amsterdam. Poland played in the play-offs, lost Thus spake Biesla. To watch a international goals for Italy, which were 5-0 up at the for Turkey’s visit to an all-but-empty stadium in Cologne, enjoyed a 5-1 win over Finland in Gdansk. Kamil to Frank Lampard’s Derby team managed by someone break after a first-half onslaught. Roberto Mancini field- but he was left disappointed when Kenan Karaman Grosicki scored a hat-trick as star forward Robert County in the semi-final. Last with such a philosophy play is a ed an experimental Italy side ahead of the Nations scored in the fourth minute of injury time to grab a 3-3 Lewandowski was given the night off. season, they were champions of privilege. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** It’s a big balancing act when it comes to love, work, Turn “I wish” into “I will” and “I can’t” into “I can.” You and a certain someone make such beautiful If you make a promise to someone, make sure you family, friends, and private life. The trick is getting Don’t you think it’s about time you started taking music together. Right now, collaboration brings out follow through on it. If you find yourself making what you need when you need it and making sure yourself seriously? Stop telling yourself that your the best in both of you. This person may not have commitments without the wherewithal to ensure others get what they need from you. Prioritising and plans, hopes, and desires are silly. Don’t dismiss been your first choice, but you’ve turned out to be a they happen, now is the time to ask yourself why flexibility: that’s the secret. what your soul is trying to tell you. first-class duo after all. you’re bent on promising the impossible.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** There’s a time for fun and games and that time is Hold back that boundless ambition for now. You have To appreciate where you are now, you have to take a Farmers know that fields have to lie fallow for a time now. Yes, really! The stars want you to play. Put down something more immediate that needs handling on look at where you’ve been. This will be especially for them to bloom. The same principle applies to your the work, turn off the TV, and get out of the house. the home front, and you know it. Whether it’s family, rewarding now that you have the ultimate gift: hind- life. If you’ve been working far too many hours, it’s Come on now. No rolling your eyes and grumbling friends, or lovers, someone’s been clamoring for your sight. Go ahead and take a good, long look, and don’t time to find a way to relax so that you, too, can grow about how you just want to “relax.” attention. be afraid to be honest. during the appropriate season.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Underestimating people is almost always a mistake, The stars are telling you to accept gracefully the All you need is love; love is all you need. And now The skill of flirting doesn’t just apply in the realm of and that’s especially true in your case. Why not stop things you can’t change, to have the courage to more than ever, their little homily is right on in more romance, you know. Sometimes it’s necessary to per- being so hard on everybody else (and yourself) and change the things you can, and to develop the ability ways than one. So apply their words to any and all form that delicate dance of come-closer-no-wait-no- give ‘em a break? It’s all a matter of having expecta- to tell the difference. It’s understandable that this areas of your life that seem blocked or otherwise really-come-closer with other desirable elements in tions and managing them sensibly. can all seem a little bit confusing. impossible in this moment. your life. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K FRIDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 To boost local tourism, hotels launch attractive deals With the festive season around the corner, almost every leading hotel in the country has announced stay packages specially designed for the domestic market.

TSERING NGODUP LAMA Sabita Tamang, sales and reservation KATHMANDU officer at Kasara Resort. “We have been getting a good amount rom the third week of March 22 of inquiries and are looking forward to to mid-July, Rupakot Resort in welcoming guests at the resort with all Lekhnath, Kaski, wore a desert- the safety measures in place.” ed look. The resort’s 42 rooms It’s not just hotels outside Kathmandu were empty, and there were no that are offering packages tailor-made for diners at the restaurant, which the domestic tourists. Several hotels in Foffers gorgeous views of the beautiful Kathmandu have also come up with such Begnas and Rupa Lakes against the packages hoping to attract the city’s resi- Annapurna Range. dents looking for a quick staycation with- During the roughly four months when in the confines of the city and those trav- the nation-wide lockdown was at its elling to Kathmandu from other parts of strictest, hotels across the country, like the country. Rupakot, were either shut or had few In August, Hotel Shambala, which is guests. located in Bansbari, Kathmandu, It was finally in July, when the lock- announced special packages for the down began loosening, that hotels started domestic market. reopening. But by then, it had become “We have two kinds of packages—an known that international tourists, which overnight and a day package. The over- the majority of hotels in the country rely night package includes accommodation, on for revenue, were unlikely to travel to two meals, and access to the swimming Nepal in the foreseeable future, and if the pool. The package is priced at Rs 7,000 industry were to see any business in the nett for single occupancy and Rs 8,000 nett coming months, it had to focus on the for double occupancy,” said Tseten domestic market. Tsatultsang, CEO of Hotel Shambala. Fast forward to October, almost every “We also have a day stay package for Rs leading hotel in the country now has stay 5,000 nett for single occupancy and Rs packages specially designed for the PHOTO COURTESY: RUPAKOT RESORT 6,000 nett for double occupancy. The pack- domestic market, and with Dashain less Rupakot Resort was one of the first premium hotels in the country to launch such packages to encourage domestic travelling. age includes room, three-course lunch than two weeks away, hotels are hopeful and access to the swimming pool.” that attractive packages will encourage Shangri-La Village Resort, which rate was only around 15 percent,” said Nepalis who travel abroad for vacation When Hotel Shambala opened in the domestic travellers to travel. resumed operations on October 1. A Pandey. “But we expect bookings during the festive season, says Pandey, first week of July, says Tsatultsang, the Just 10 days after reopening, on July 26, day prior to the resort’s reopening, to increase from the third week of are unlikely to do so in the current situa- hotel only had around three percent Rupakot Resort announced a bed and it announced a two nights and three October, which is when the Dashain tion. “They’ll most likely want to travel occupancy. breakfast package for the domestic mar- days package for the domestic market. holiday kicks off.” within Nepal, which will give domestic “Most of our guests were NRNs who ket, making it one of the first premium “The package includes two nights tourism a much-needed boost,” said were stuck in Kathmandu due to the lock- hotels in the country to do so. accommodation in a deluxe room and two Pandey. down,” said Tsatultsang. “Ever since we “We had finally reopened after months meals a day for just Rs 12,999 nett for dou- Another popular destination for travel launched our staycation packages, howev- of closure, and we knew that if we are to ble occupancy and Rs 9,999 for double Hotels in Kathmandu during Dashain is Chitwan, and with er, our occupancy has nominally get Nepali clients at our resort in occupancy,” said Babita Pandey, Group have also come up Chitwan National Park now open, hotels increased to around 10 to 15 percent.” these difficult times, we needed to come Sales Manager at Shangri-La Hotel in the popular wildlife safari destination Even though foreign tourists, which with a very attractive package,” and Resort. with packages hoping are also gearing up for the festive season. are the main source of revenue for the said Shusil Adhikari, one of the directors Rupakot too launched a special package On October 1, Kasara Resort, a proper- majority of hotels, are unlikely to arrive of Rupakot Resort. “Keeping in mind from October 1. “The package includes to attract the city’s ty that borders Chitwan National Park, in the same numbers as previous years, how price sensitive the domestic market room and two meals for only Rs 5,500 nett reopened after being closed for more than hotels say that remaining close until is, we priced our B&B package at Rs 6,000 per person. It also includes free shuttle residents. six months. The hotel has now tied up international tourists start coming in is nett. The response was quite good service from Pokhara to the resort,” said with Yeti Airlines and is offering a two not an option for them. and during the entirety of the offer Adhikari. nights and three days package, which “In this scenario, whether you close or period, which was from July 26 to Hotel executives say that the number According to Adhikari, Rupakot includes roundtrip airfare, all meals, jun- open, you are losing money,” said September 30, our average occupancy of enquiries for packages have increased Resort’s daily occupancy is also around 15 gle activities at Rs 16,999 per person. Tsatultsang. “But by remaining open and was 20 percent.” in the last few days but only a very few to 20 percent. “But as we near Dashain, “We are also offering the same package finding ways to generate business, you Roughly an hour’s drive from Rupakot enquiries have converted into bookings. we expect occupancy to go up to 30 to 40 without airfare at a very attractive hope that you minimise losses and also Resort and in the heart of Pokhara is “Until October 8, our daily occupancy percent,” said Adhikari. price for the domestic market,” said give your staff a sense of purpose.”

‘Speak up!’—‘Sesame Street’ tackles racism in TV special Sesame Workshop—the nonprofit, educational organisation behind Sesame Street—will later this month air the half-hour anti-racist special episode The Power of We.

MARK KENNEDY up like a superhero because they’re only the star of “grown-ish;” “Hamilton” star NEW YORK white. Though hurt, the Black Muppet Christopher Jackson; and Grammy- nevertheless refuses to stop playing nominated singer Andra Day. esame Street has always pressed superheroes, saying they can come in all Viewers are offered tips to help their for inclusion. Now in the wake colors. The white Muppet soon apologis- communities unite, including chalk of the national reckoning on es. “Racism hurts and it’s wrong,” is the drawings, making positive signs and race, it’s going further—teach- message. In the song How Do You Know? going to sing-a-longs. When outside, all ing children to stand up against racism is dealt with head-on. “Hey, Elmo, the puppets wear masks, even the letter racism. how would you feel if I said, ‘I don’t like puppets. The special concludes with the SSesame Workshop—the nonprofit, edu- you ‘cause I don’t like the color red?’” slogan “Listen. Act. Unite.” cational organisation behind Sesame sings Tamir, a Black, 8-year-old Muppet. Sesame Workshop has included online Street—will later this month air the half- Elmo responds: “Elmo wouldn’t care resources for parents to help guide con- hour anti-racist special The Power of We what you said ‘cause Elmo is proud, proud versations with their child about race, and hopes families will watch together. to be red!” It concludes with the lines: including talking, singing and breathing The special defines racism for younger “Speak up. Say something. Don’t give in.” together. “Sharing can help us feel bet- viewers and shows how it can be hurtful. “We believe that this moment calls for a ter,” is one tip. There are also downloada- It urges children who encounter racism direct discussion about racism to help ble pictures to colour and certificate with or hear someone else be the victim of it to children grasp the issues and teach them a place to put the name of an upstander. call it out. “When you see something that they are never too young to be “Sesame Street,” which last year cele- that’s wrong, speak up and say, ‘That’s ‘upstanders’ for themselves, one another, brated its 50th anniversary, has a history wrong’ and tell an adult,” 6-year-old and their communities,” said Kay Wilson of explaining the world to children, tack- Gabrielle the Muppet advises. Stallings, executive vice president of cre- ling everything from foster care to sub- The special, composed of little skits ative and production at Sesame Workshop, stance abuse. The latest special comes on and songs in a Zoom-like format, will in a statement. the heels of “Sesame Street” contributing stream on HBO Max and PBS Kids and air Current and former Sesame Street to “Coming Together: Standing Up To on PBS stations beginning October 15. human cast members Alan, Charlie, AP/RSS Racism,” a CNN town hall special in June In one animated skit, a Black Muppet is Chris and Gordon take part in the special, This image released by HBO shows some of the cast of Sesame Street. In the wake of the national hosted by Van Jones and Erica Hill. told by a white Muppet that he can’t dress alongside celebrity guests Yara Shahidi, reckoning on race, the show is going further—teaching children to stand up against racism. — Associated Press

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