Janata Samajbadi, Amid Differences Within Party, Close to a Deal With

WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 58 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 38.6 C 6.0 C Saturday, April 17, 2021 | 04-01-2078 Nepalgunj Jumla Janata Samajbadi, amid differences within party, close to a deal with Oli Leaders say the government has given them word to free their lawmaker and to withdraw cases against their cadres in return for support to Oli on early polls and the MCC.

ANIL GIRI been making attempts to declare snap KATHMANDU, APRIL 16 polls. For this, he either has to dissolve the House once again unconsti- The government and the Janata tutionally or he has to create a situa- Samajbadi Party are inching closer to tion where the constitutional provi- an agreement and likely to reach a sions will allow him to do so. deal by next week on the party extend- Insiders say Oli appears ready to ing support to Prime Minister KP address the Janata Samajbadi Sharma Oli, leaders from both sides Party’s demands in return for its said on Friday. support to get the Millennium CPN-UML chief and Prime Minister Challenge Corporation Nepal KP Sharma Oli for the last few weeks Compact, a $500 million US grant, has been trying to rope in the Janata endorsed through Parliament and Samajbadi Party. declare early elections. The Janata Samajbadi, however, Even though Thakur, along with had put forward a list of its Rajendra Mahato, has been lobbying demands, including freeing its law- for joining hands with Oli, a section maker Resham Chaudhary from jail, in the party—led by Baburam withdrawing cases against its leaders Bhattarai and Upendra Yadav—is POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL and cadres, making public the opposed to the idea. A woman is aided as she crosses a flooded street at Mangalbazaar, Lalitpur after thundershowers on Friday afternoon. Lal Commission report and a “Though we have not been consult- commitment to amending the ed for the entire negotiations that constitution. have been going on for quite a while, it According to leaders, Oli and seems that some of our leaders are Janata Samajbadi chair toeing Oli’s position, which is unfortu- Mahantha Thakur on Thursday nate,” Upendra Yadav, the other chair Shahi survives vote of confidence in evening reached an understand- of the Janata Samajbadi Party, said. ing to address the demands for- “From what we are hearing about the warded by the Janata Samajbadi. closed-door negotiations in Baluwatar, Even though his December 20 it looks like some of our party leaders Karnali as four UML members defy whip decision to dissolve the House are ready to back Oli’s line of early was overturned by the Supreme polls. This is not acceptable to us.” The decision to cross the floor is aimed at sending across a message to Oli, says Court on February 23, Oli has >> Continued on page 2 a leader who decided to vote to save the Maoist Centre provincial government.

TIKA R PRADHAN Besides Jwala, Kurmaraj Shahi, KATHMANDU, APRIL 16 Nanda Singh Budha and Ammar Bahadur Thapa were the other UML Karnali Chief Minister Mahendra leaders to defy the party’s whip issued Bahadur Shahi, who was set to become by the Parliamentary Party leader Yam the first casualty of the feud between Lal Kandel. All are from the Madhav the CPN-UML and the Communist Kumar Nepal faction in the UML. Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), man- According to Jwala, five Provincial aged to secure a vote of confidence, Assembly members from the Nepal thanks to four UML Provincial faction, however, followed the party Assembly members who decided to whip, as just four people were needed cross the floor on Friday. to save the Shahi government and Shahi, a Maoist Centre leader, was send a message across to the party elected chief minister in February leadership. 2018 as part of a power-sharing “It was time we revolted against the deal between the UML and the Maoist unilateral and arbitrary decisions by Centre which had merged to form our party leadership,” Jwala told the the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) in POST FILE PHOTO Post over the phone. “We also wanted May 2018. Mahendra Bahadur Shahi to show that we are opposed to action However, after the March 7 decision taken against some of the leaders.” of the Supreme Court to scrap the Shahi needed 20 votes to survive as After the UML was revived, Nepal, Nepal Communist Party (NCP) and one provincial member had been sus- who had formed an alliance with revive the UML and the Maoist Centre, pended. Pushpa Kamal Dahal against Prime the UML had withdrawn the support it As the Nepali Congress and the Minister KP Sharma Oli, was forced to had lent to Shahi on March 17. As a Maoist Centre stood in favour of return to the party. result, he was forced to seek a vote of Shahi, the four UML members made On March 29, Oli suspended Nepal confidence. him earn 22 votes. and Bhim Rawal as party members for In the 40-member Karnali Provincial “We decided to cross the floor to six months. Thereafter, on April 1, Oli Assembly, the UML has 20 seats, give a message to our party’s leaders,” suspended Ghanashyam Bhusal and including that of the Speaker, the said Prakash Jwala, a UML Provincial Surendra Pandey for six months. Oli Maoist Centre 12 seats, the Nepali Assembly member close to Madhav alleged that the four leaders were Congress 6 and the Rastriya Nepal. “We are ready to face any working against party unity. Prajatantra Party has 1. action from our Parliamentary Party.” >> Continued on page 2 To open, or not to open Contradicting messages from government about running schools amid the coronavirus scare confuse guardians.

spread of the pandemic. The Health Ministry’s directive came as the number of Covid-19 cases has seen a steady increase in the last two weeks with 836 new cases reported during the last 24 hours on Friday. The number of new cases reported on Thursday stood at 490, according to the ministry. The differing recommendations have left guardians confused and they say they cannot trust the government to keep their children safe from the virus. “I neither believe in the school nor do I have trust in the government to contain the virus,” said Suman Parajuli, 43, from Banasthali, POST FILE PHOTO Kathmandu, father of a 13-year-old girl. Wary of sending children to school, some parents demand alternative modes of learning. The Ministry of Education had held consultations with the represent- BINOD GHIMIRE closure of schools where students, atives of the private and public schools KATHMANDU, APRIL 16 teachers or other staff test positive and associations of guardians and for the coronavirus, in coordination teachers earlier this week following On Thursday, the Ministry of Health with the District Covid-19 Crisis recommendations of the Health and Population asked guardians not to Management Centre. Ministry on Saturday to shut down send their children to school. “The contradicting positions of the schools in densely populated areas for On Friday, the Ministry of education and health ministries show three weeks. Education directed schools to operate a serious lack of coordination,” said But school operators resisted, by ensuring safety protocols. Suprabhat Bhandari, chair of the according to a participant at the It also gave local governments the Nepal Guardian Federation, on the meeting. authority to take a decision on the different views on schools to check the >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Authorities unprepared to tackle Janata Samajbadi, amid ... >> Continued from page 1 “This provision won’t apply to the indi- According to Yadav, he will raise the viduals whose cases are pending in the issue in the party. court,” Budha told the Post. “This new Thakur, according to a UML leader, has provision applies to the individuals who coronavirus spike in Lumbini assured Oli that he will take the confidence have already been convicted by the court of party leaders, including Yadav and and are doing time in prison. We are col- Bhattarai, about the agreement that the lecting data of those people who fall under The provincial authorities are yet to step up preventive measures to curb further spread of the virus, party is going to reach with Oli. this category.” If Oli manages to secure the support of One of the Janata Samajbadi Party’s say health officials in Lumbini, where 238 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours. the Janata Samajbadi, even if it splits and pre-conditions before Oli to extending its just half its 32 lawmakers stand by him, Oli support is release of Resham Chaudhary cal by the day. If the number of will be in a comfortable position. who is currently doing time in Dillibazaar patients keeps on increasing, the The Nepali Congress with 61 seats and Prison after he was convicted by Kailali hospital will soon run out of beds,” the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist District Court in March 2019 for he said. Centre) with 49 seats cannot form a coali- masterminding the Tikapur violence in Bheri Hospital is a 72-bed facility tion government unless they manage to August 2015. with seven ventilators, which doc- extract the support of all 32 members of Chaudhary, who won from the Kailali-1 tors at the hospital say are not suffi- the Janata Samajbadi Party. constituency in the 2017 elections on the cient in light of the current case- With 121 seats of his UML, which is also Rastriya Janata Party Nepal ticket, was load. According to figures provided divided with around three dozen lawmak- handed down a life sentence, along with 10 by the Ministry of Health, 289 indi- ers on the Madhav Kumar Nepal-Jhala others; 12 were sent to jail for three years viduals tested positive for coronavi- Nath Khanal side, Oli can continue in and one for six months. Three people were rus in Banke district in the last power even if only 16 of the Janata acquitted. The Rastriya Janata Party and three days. Samajbadi Party members extend support. Sanghiya Samjbadi Party merged in April “There are 12 patients in the ICU In case the Nepal-Khanal faction decides to last year to form the Janata Samajbadi beds now. If we fail to bring the split, it will just make it easier for Oli to Party. number of infections under con- take the constitutional route to dissolve the The Janata Samajbadi has also been trol, the hospital will be over- House, saying all the constitutional provi- demanding that the government make the whelmed with Covid-19 cases in the sions to form an alternative government Lal Commission report public. coming days,” said Dr Sudarshan have been exhausted, and declare polls. The government had formed the commis- Thapa, the focal person at the The Janata Samajbadi Party has already sion under the chairmanship of former Coronavirus Special Hospital in forwarded names of its 208 leaders and Supreme Court justice Girish Chandra Lal Butwal. cadres who have been facing criminal on September 18, 2016, with the mandate to cases. probe the incidents that took place during A Janata Samajbadi leader said the the Madhes movement, to find facts about Office of the Attorney General will make a the incidents, to recommend compensation 127 swab samples recommendation to the government to for the victims and action against those withdraw these cases next week. held responsible for the killings. tested positive for “Last Thursday, we submitted the list to When the commission presented the the Home Ministry. The cases are pending report to the government in December Covid-19 in the in five districts namely Kapilvastu, 2017, Lal had said that it included the cases Rautahat, Nawalparasi and Sarlahi,” of 66 people killed during the violence, province on Friday. Surendra Kumar Jha, a Janata Samjbadi including 10 policemen. leader who is working closely with Thakur, During the talks between Oli and Thakur, told the Post. both sides also agreed to form “a commit- There are 16 ICU beds at the hos- During his meeting with Thakur, Prime tee” to look into the issue of constitutional pital. “Of the 16 beds, three are Minister Oli assured that by Monday, the amendments, according to another Janata defunct,” said Thapa. Office of the Attorney General will initiate Samajbadi Party leader. Meanwhile, Kapilvastu has the process to withdraw the cases. “A retired judge will probably lead the POST PHOTO reported 16 active cases as of Friday. Jha said the Cabinet then will take the committee,” the leader who spoke on condi- Health workers say that the uptick in Covid-19 cases is mainly due to the free movement of people through several border points. The district had not seen a single decision. tion of anonymity told the Post. Covid-19 case since mid-February, To ease the process of withdrawing Rajan Bhattarai, Oli’s foreign relations MADHU SHAHI IN BANKE step up preventive measures to District authorities in Banke say according to the District Health cases, the Ministry of Law, Justice and adviser who has been actively involved in SANJU PAUDEL IN LUMBINI & curb the further spread of Covid-19, that the uptick in Covid-19 cases is Office in Kapilvastu. But the start Parliamentary Affairs has come up with a negotiations with the Janata Samajbadi MANOJ PAUDEL IN KAPILVASTU they say. mainly due to the free movement of of April marked the resurgence of new directive on withdrawing cases. Party, told the Post that the talks are head- APRIL 16 “Neither the provincial nor the people through Nepalgunj- Covid-19 cases in the district. Home Ministry spokesperson Chakra ing “towards a positive direction” and a local governments are acting Rupaidiha and other open border “There’s a high chance of a Bahadur Budha confirmed to the Post that deal is likely soon. A week ago, a 31-year-old migrant promptly to avoid last year’s situa- points in the district. Covid-19 outbreak in the district a new work procedure has been approved “The government has responded to their worker from Gubrakot Rural tion where the entire province was “Nepalgunj is at risk of being a but the authorities are yet to take by the Cabinet and as per which records of demands in a positive way and we can Municipality Ward No. 13 in in the grip of Covid-19,” said Tej Covid-19 hotspot again,” said stern measures to control the the criminal cases of all individuals are expect an outcome very soon,” said Surkhet returned home from India Oli, the coronavirus focal person at Dirgharaj Upadhyay, assistant chief spread,” said Umesh Ghimire, the being studied. Bhattarai. after falling ill. He was taken to the District Health Office in Banke. district officer in Banke. “We failed coronavirus focal person at the Bheri Hospital in Nepalgunj a few “We have requested the local gov- to keep a check on cross-border District Health Office. days ago following complaints of ernments to arrange ambulances movement. We should have tight- On Thursday, a meeting of the shortness of breath. At the hospi- for emergency use but we are yet to ened security at the border points to district level Covid-19 Crisis tal, his test for Covid-19 came posi- hear from them.” prevent free public movement.” Management Committee in tive and he was moved to the ICU According to him, over 200 Covid- Meanwhile, the District Kapilvastu directed the govern- where he was kept on ventilator 19-infected individuals in Banke Administration Office has tight- ment offices to adopt necessary pre- support. On Friday morning, he have been asked to self-isolate at ened the Nepalgunj-Rupaidiha bor- cautions to contain the spread of died while undergoing treatment home for a lack of beds in the der point from Friday to contain the virus. for Covid-19. hospitals. cross-border movement. Despite the In Nepalgunj, the Covid-19 Crisis Six critical Covid-19 patients are “We put in a request for ambu- measures in place, movement Management Committee has decid- currently admitted to the ICU at the lances since most Covid-19 infected across other open border points ed to close all schools and business- hospital. are in home isolation and if their continues to go unchecked. es for a week, except those offering According to the data of the hos- condition deteriorates, we have to “We have set up a health desk at emergency and essential services. pital, out of 74 Covid-19 patients act fast and take them to a hospi- the border point. Covid-19 suspects “We have decided to shut down undergoing treatment at the hospital,” said Oli. “Bheri Hospital can- will be sent directly to a hospital,” schools after the district saw a spike tal, 49 are in critical condition. not bear the pressure alone. It’s said Upadhyay. in Covid-19 cases,” said Uma Thapa Health officials in Lumbini becoming increasingly important According to Dr Prakash Thapa, Magar, deputy mayor of the sub-me- Province, where 238 new cases were to sort out logistics and medical superintendent at Bheri tropolis. reported in the last 24 hours, have make arrangements for ambulanc- Hospital, out of 183 swab samples Education Chief of the sub-me- POST FILE PHOTO raised concerns about the growing es, isolation facilities and more collected from across the province tropolis Gorakh Bahadur Thapa Janata Samajbadi Party leaders are still divided over whether to support the Oli government. number of infections in all major hospital beds.” on Friday, 127 tested positive for informed that 14 teachers and stu- cities of the province. The provin- Nepalgunj has seen a spike in Covid-19. dents have tested positive for Covid- cial authorities, however, are yet to Covid-19 cases in the past few days. “The situation is becoming criti- 19 in various schools of Nepalgunj. To open, or not to open >> Continued from page 1 Shahi survives vote of confidence in Karnali as four ... “The Education Ministry seems to have bowed to private schools,” Bhandari, who was present at the meeting, told the Post. >> Continued from page 1 Oli and Janata Samajbadi Party, according to Centre (12 seats) and the Janata Samajbadi Party Public health experts, on the other hand, are concerned that schools could be breeding The four leaders’ decision to cross the floor in leaders, have edged closer to a deal which entails (2 seats) filed a no-confidence motion on Thursday, grounds for the virus as some 12 percent of those infected in the recent surge of cases are Karnali comes at a time when the Madhav Nepal he would get the Janata Samajbadi’s support for minutes after the Maoist Centre withdrew its children against 4 percent last year. faction in Kathmandu is indecisive over what his early polls bid. Hence, if the Madhav Nepal support to Gurung. In the 60-member assembly, As many as 271 children reported positive in the last two weeks with the death of one. move it should make as Oli is bent on driving it faction decides to split, it will be even easier for Gurung will need 30 votes to survive the no-confi- “Children could carry the virus from the schools to their homes or vice versa. Schools into a corner. Oli, as he could dissolve the House, this time con- dence motion and if the Madhav Nepal faction very much fall in the risk zone,” Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Clinical Research Unit Shyam Shrestha, a political analyst who has stitutionally, to declare early polls. crosses the floor, his government will fall. The at Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, told the Post. followed Nepal’s leftist politics for decades, said Friday’s development in the Karnali Province, UML has 27 seats in the assembly. In its advisory on Thursday, the Health Ministry categorically said sending students to the development in Karnali does carry a message however, carries more political meaning for Oli, Meanwhile, later on Friday, the UML schools of 14 districts was risky. These districts include Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, for Oli. as it at least shows that the Madhav Nepal faction Parliamentary Party of Karnali province decid- Kaski, Rupandehi, Chitwan, Banke, Parsa, Kailali, Morang, Dang, Surkhet, Bara and “It looks like the Madhav Nepal faction is slow- now can stand up and challenge him, according ed to recommend the party’s Central Committee Baglung. ly gaining ground,” Shrestha told the Post. “If to leaders. that action be initiated against the four leaders Health Ministry officials say that it cannot close the schools as it is not an enforcing leaders of the Madhav Nepal faction dare to lose Shahi survived a vote of confidence on Friday for defying the whip and crossed the floor. agency but can only recommend. their seats in the House of Representatives, the just a day after a no-confidence motion was filed Leaders of the Nepal faction, however, say that Ministry of Education officials, on their part, say that there is no need to close down Oli government could be in a crisis.” against Gandaki Chief Minister Prithvi Subba they are not afraid of any action Oli is going to schools as it would create unnecessary fear and terror in the academic sector regarding the The Madhav Nepal faction is believed to have Gurung, a close ally of Oli. take against them and their struggle against him pandemic. 38 to 40 seats of the total 121 seats of the UML. Gurung prorogued the Provincial Assembly on will continue. “Everyone should be careful about not creating unnecessary fear in the academic sector,” In Kathmandu, Oli, who is UML chair, has been Wednesday night. The opponents, however, have “We are stronger than Oli,” said Beduram said Deepak Sharma, spokesperson for the ministry. “The ministry is closely assessing the trying to rope in the Janata Samajbadi Party, demanded a special session. Bhusal, a Standing Committee member close to present scenario.” which has 32 seats in the House. The Nepali Congress (15 seats), the Maoist Nepal. “What happened in Karnali is a message. But education experts accuse the Education Ministry of irresponsibility. Everyone is ready to sacrifice their posts in their “The Education Ministry is very irresponsible,” Binay Kusiyait, a professor at the fight against Oli. Any deal with Oli is now possi- Tribhuvan University, told the Post. “It should be concerned about the safety of students ble only if he is ready to make a concession.” above everything else. The incumbent government, however, works at the behest of the private schools.” The worry is widespread. “As the Health Ministry is the line agency to make decisions regarding the health issues, future steps should be taken based on its assessments,” said Bhandari, the chairperson of the Nepal Guardian Federation. Education experts and guardians say since this is the prime time for private schools to collect fees with most of them beginning new admissions or conducting the final tests, they aren’t willing to close the schools until they complete their collection. The academic session is ending in June this year as the government extended it by two months to make up for the time lost to the pandemic. However, many private schools are already conducting the final exams while some have started admissions for the new academic session. But observing safety protocols and conducting classes as directed by the Education Ministry is not feasible for lessening the risk of infections as school infrastructures are poor and they don’t have the space for proper physical distancing. “Most of the schools have over 30 students in a classroom which is very risky,” said Pun. Meanwhile, Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Friday, in line with the decision of the Ministry of Education, decided to close the schools for a week where teachers, students or other staff test positive for Covid-19. According to Bhandari, given the reluctance of the Ministry of Education and the growing risk of spread of infections, guardians have started lobbying the local governments to stop the in-person teaching-learning process. “The irresponsible decision of the Education Ministry could put the health of hundreds of school children at risk,” Dhananjaya Sharma, former principal at Gyanodaya School in Kathmandu, told the Post. Parajuli does not want to take the risk. “I will enroll her if the school decides to run online, if it doesn’t, I will help her to study at home,” the 43-year-old father said.

(Anup Ojha contributed reporting)

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 NATIONAL

BRIEFING

Students, teachers fall sick due to fever, common cold CHARIKOT: A majority of students and teachers at a school in Bigu Rural Municipality are down with common cold and fever for the past one week. Kalu Jirel, the school headmaster, said 102 students and six teachers have fallen ill. Yudhisthir Khadka, chairman of the rural municipality, said: “We have directed the school management to close the school for a few days. A team of health workers has been mobilised to contain the spread of the disease.”

Conflict victims receive ID cards in Gorkha GORKHA: Victims of the Maoist insurgency in Gorkha district have started receiving ID cards. On Friday, ID cards were issued to two victims, said Sushila Gyawali, an official at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. “ID cards have been dis- tributed after identifying them as insurgency victims. The commission has been investigating 63,711 complaints related to the insurgency,” said Gyawali.

Funds shortage delays embankment repairs RAUTAHAT: Damaged embankments along the Bagmati and Lalbakaiya rivers in Rautahat are yet to be repaired, leaving several settlements at the risk of flooding. Chief District Officer Indradev Yadav said the embankments need to be repaired at 14 places along the Bagmati and 15 places along the Lalbakaiya River. “We have written to the Ministry of Finance to release the POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI budget,” he added. People from the Newa community take part in Biska Jatra at Tokha, Kathmandu on Friday. Election Commission earns disrepute over Nepal Trust unable to communist party legitimacy indecision earn 10 months’ rent The commission has time and again failed to resist influence despite being a constitutional body, observers say. from Kathmandu Plaza PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA (NCP), which was formed after a intention over the indecision regard- seek a written response. So, even PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA moved the High Court Patan and KATHMANDU, APRIL 16 merger of the UML and the Maoist ing his faction’s letter registered at after one month since the faction KATHMANDU, APRIL 16 secured an interim order against Centre, the commission has been fac- the commission on March 14. led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and vacating the space. Former prime minister Madhav ing criticism for its perceived indeci- The commission, however, said that Madhav Kumar Nepal in the scrapped Even though the Nepal Trust largely But the Supreme Court discontin- Kumar Nepal earlier this Sunday sion from both political parties and it had nothing to do regarding the Nepal Communist Party (NCP) vacated the Kathmandu Plaza on ued its interim order after a few expressed his displeasure at the other stakeholders. complaint of the Nepal faction as the made legitimacy claims over the party Thursday, it failed to get even a single months. “Ever since the court discon- Election Commission’s ‘indecision’ Many believe the commission failed Oli faction has not written to the com- on February 2, the commission rupee from those who rented the prop- tinued its interim order, we were pre- regarding the complaint that his fac- to take decisions under the influence mission to update the change made by didn’t seek any response from the erty. The trust is learnt to have lost paring to vacate the space. We had tion of the ruling CPN-UML had regis- of Prime Minister Oli, who was in the party. Oli faction. around Rs 6 million in potential rent notified the shops and offices to leave tered at the constitutional body over minority in the Nepal Communist “Once we get the letter asking us to “If the constitutional bodies like income of the last 10 months. the building. But they don’t want to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s ‘uni- Party (NCP) before the party was update any change made by the party, the Election Commission fail to After its 27-year lease agreement listen to us arguing that they have lateral’ decision to induct new central scrapped as per the court order. we will see whether the rules have perform their duties independently, it with the Concept Developers Private nothing to do with us as their con- committee members. The election body’s perceived inde- been followed in the decision making invites lawlessness and people start Limited, the company that built the tracts were with Concept and not us,” On March 12, the Oli-led faction had cision ultimately worked in favour of process. The letter submitted by the losing faith in the law and this Kathmandu Plaza, expired in June said Shrestha. amended the statute of the party giv- Oli, who has an upper hand in the now Nepal faction will also be considered,” ultimately weakens democracy,” last year, the trust was preparing to Earlier this year, the High Court ing more power to Oli. On the back of revived UML. said Chief Election Commissioner Pandey said. rent the building out to the metropolis also discontinued its interim order this new-found power, Oli inducted 23 “It was widely felt that the Dinesh Thapaliya. The commission officials do not for Rs6.05 million per month. paving the way for the trust to vacate new central committee members, who commission failed to take decision on Irrespective of when the commis- buy the argument that their The new monthly rent is almost 10 the space. But it took time for the trust had defected from the Maoist Centre, time regarding the legitimacy dispute sion takes a decision regarding the institution has failed to perform times the rent Concept Developers had to vacate the space hence the losses. and handed them various responsibil- in the scrapped Nepal Communist matter, leaders of the Nepal faction its duty. been paying the trust. Before the lease In fact, at the same time when the ities after snatching the same respon- Party (NCP) recently,” said Dolakh believe that the election body is under Chief Commissioner Thapaliya agreement expired, the company was Cabinet decided to rent out sibilities from the leaders associated Bahadur Gurung, former election the influence of the government, denied that the commission has subletting the space to various shops Kathmandu Plaza to the Kathmandu with the Nepal faction. commissioner. particularly Oli. delayed a decision on the legitimacy and offices and paying the trust a Metropolitan City, Concept also sought dispute in the now scrapped Nepal lump sum of Rs 625,000 per month. a 25-year extension of its lease and Communist Party (NCP). But the trust’s failure to rent the proposed to pay Rs6.2 million per “Since the law sets no deadline for building out to the metropolis may month, which is more than what the the commission regarding the legiti- cost it dear. Metropolitan City had offered. Trust macy dispute, the commission Following the expiry of the agree- officials, however, said the Concept takes decisions whenever it deems ment between the trust and Concept made the proposal after the Cabinet appropriate,” he said. “The perceived Developers, the shopkeepers haven’t decision. delay of the commission has not hurt paid any rent. Concept Developers, in Earlier, the company had offered a anybody.” turn, has also has not paid rent to much lower rent. According to a for- But observers say the commission the trust. mer official at the trust, it had initial- has failed to resist power time and Now for the period since the expiry ly proposed a rent of Rs800,000 per again despite being a constitutional of their agreement, the trust has month. But Shrestha claimed that his body. While many are questioning if demanded that the Concept should company had agreed to pay Rs1.8 mil- the election body is under the pay the rent at the same rate as what lion initially and the offer was later influence of Oli, it had failed to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City has revised to first Rs2.2 million and final- withstand pressure of the power agreed. ly to over Rs6.2 million. three years ago when it registered the “We wrote to Concept Developers on “If Concept was really interested in Nepal Communist Party (NCP) led by April 12 demanding rent as per the extending the lease agreement, it Oli and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, who new rate set for the Kathmandu could have made its proposal on time. now chair the Maoist Centre. Metropolitan City for the period of the We saw that they were just haggling “Despite a clear legal provision that past 10 months,” said Suresh Acharya, for lower rent,” said Acharya. But a party with the same name cannot be executive secretary at the trust. even after agreeing to vacate the registered again, the commission reg- “But, the company refused to receive space, Concept has not withdrawn its istered the Nepal Communist Party our letter.” petition, which is still sub judice at (NCP) three years ago under pressure “Concept Developers should pay the Supreme Court. “We didn’t with- from the ruling party. So, not only this any damages caused to the trust due to draw the petition because we believe time, the commission struggled to this unwarranted delay,” he added. that our lease agreement should have take decisions independently then too. However, the company is not willing been extended as per the amended Those who pressured the commission to pay any rent for the last 10 months Nepal Trust Act-2007. to make such decisions are now com- arguing that there is no legal basis for Many people suspect that the provi- plaining against the Supreme Court,” the trust to claim the rent. sion was amended to enable the trust POST FILE PHOTO said Bipin Adhikari, former dean at “Firstly, there has been no agree- to extend its lease agreement with Yeti Madhav Kumar Nepal has raised question on the independence of the Election Commission. Kathmandu University School of Law. ment that enables the trust to claim Holdings for the operation of Gokarna Even though the party named as compensation from us,” said Sunil Forest Resort. Owners of Yeti Emboldened by the Supreme “As a constitutional body, it has the “This is clearly reflected in its inde- Nepal Communist Party was already Shrestha, managing director at Holdings, including the late Ang Court’s verdict of March 7 to invali- authority to take decisions regarding cision regarding the legitimacy dis- registered by Rishi Kattel at the Concept Developers. “How can we pay Tshering Sherpa, are considered date the merger between the CPN- any disputes in political parties such pute of the Nepal Communist Party commission, the constitutional body the trust when the shopkeepers and close allies of Prime Minister KP UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre) in as those related to registration, elec- (NCP),” said Surendra Pandey, a lead- had provided the same name to the offices haven’t paid us the rent?” Sharma Oli. 2018, Oli had taken these decisions to tion symbols and legitimacy. It is the er from the Nepal faction, who has party co-chaired by Oli and Dahal, He also said his company was not “The Gorkana lease deal with Yeti strengthen his position in the party. duty of the commission to take timely also been suspended as a party mem- allegedly under the influence of two willing to pay even the rent as per its Holdings was extended several years In response, the Nepal faction of the decisions on the matter once the sides ber by the Oli faction. “The commis- powerful leaders of the ruling party. old agreement (Rs625,000 per before its expiry and for just 1.5 times UML, whose leaders are facing sus- concerned approach the commission.” sion has failed to withstand Oli’s move Kattel, whose claim to the party’s month) until the shops and offices pay more than the existing price. But, the pension, had registered a letter at the Before the court verdict on the to treat the constitutional bodies like name was rejected by the election that first. trust refused to extend our lease Election Commission on March 14, Nepal Communist Party (NCP), five government organs.” body, had to move the Supreme Court, “We haven’t earned any rent for although we offered 10 times more asking the constitutional body not to former chief commissioners and com- Section 44 (1) of the Political Parties which ultimately gave verdict in nearly a year from the shops and offic- money than our previous lease deal,” recognise the decisions of the Oli fac- missioners of the Election Act-2017 states that a faction his favour. es. Instead, we had to spend around said Shrestha. tion terming them as being against Commission had called for early deci- that stakes claim to the party, stamp, According to Adhikari, the Election Rs 1 million per month in electricity Even after the Kathmandu Plaza is the UML statute. sion on the legitimacy dispute con- flag and symbol needs to submit Commission still had an avenue to and water tariffs and security. “Since vacated, it may take some time for the The election body is yet to take any cerning the ruling party. They had papers with all the documents to take ownership of its flawed decisions we are already suffering losses, we Kathmandu Metropolitan City to shift decision on the matter. Speaking at a warned that the delay in the decision the commission along with the and ask the UML and the Maoist cannot pay the trust,” Shrestha said. to the Plaza. Subhas Raj Kafle, who is function in Birgunj on Sunday, Nepal would affect not only the country’s signatures of at least 40 percent Centre to come forward with a new However, Acharya argues that formally associated with Concept said: “A constitutional body like the political process but also the credibili- Central Committee members within name for registering their merged Concept Developers should pay the Developers, had filed separate writ Election Commission does not take ty of the election body. 30 days after a dispute arises in party. rent as the latter was still running its petitions at the High Court Patan and decisions. What can be a bigger con- “If the commission loses credibility, the party. After receiving the “But the commission appeared to be office at Kathmandu Plaza. the verdicts are expected in early May. tradiction than this?” people will not believe what it does. It application, the commission needs happy to let the two parties—UML and Vacating the Kathmandu Plaza “We have already made prepara- This is not the first time that the may encourage many people not to to seek a written response from the the Maoist Centre—remain separate became difficult after the Supreme tions to move our office to Kathmandu Nepal faction has accused the Election follow the rules and take the rules rival faction by serving a 15-day dead- and didn’t make an active effort for Court first issued an interim order Plaza,” said Ishwar Man Dangol, Commission of indecision. seriously,” said Gurung. line as per Section 44 (2) of the Act. their remerger although its past after Concept Developers challenged spokesperson at the Kathmandu Ever since the dispute began in the Leader Nepal has once again raised But the law has not set any deadline decision resulted in the separation of the trust’s decision. Later, the shop- Metropolitan City. “We will move once now scrapped Nepal Communist Party a question about the election body’s for the commission when it should the two parties,” he said. keepers in the Kathmandu Plaza also things become clear.”

C M Y K SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 | 04 WORLD Opponents of Myanmar coup form unity government ASEAN leaders will meet in Indonesia on April 24 to discuss the situation.

REUTERS primary objectives will be to win pening. Sasa told Reuters the objective YANGON, APRIL 16 international support and recogni- was to end violence, restore democra- tion. cy and build a “federal democratic Opponents of Myanmar’s junta Its minister of international coop- union”. The military, while playing lip announced a National Unity eration, Dr Sasa, told reporters the service to the idea of federalism, has Government on Friday including United States and Britain had recog- long seen itself as the core power hold- ousted members of parliament nised Venezuelan opposition leader ing the country together. and leaders of anti-coup protests and Juan Guaido as the legitimate leader Unity government leaders said they ethnic minorities, saying their aim of that country. intended to form a federal army and was to end military rule and restore “We are the democratically elected were in talks with ethnic minority democracy. leaders of Myanmar,” said Sasa, who forces. Myanmar has been in turmoil since goes by one name. “So if the free and The Special Advisory Council for the February 1 coup that ousted a democratic world rejects us that Myanmar, a group of international civilian government led by democracy means they reject democracy.” experts including former United champion Aung San Suu Kyi which International pressure has also Nations officials, hailed the creation had held power for five years and was been building on the Myanmar mili- of the NUG as historic and said it was starting its second term after a land- tary, particularly from Western gov- the legitimate government. slide election victory in November. ernments that have imposed limited While the politicians were announc- People have taken to the streets day sanctions, though the generals have a ing the unity government, other oppo- after day to demand the restoration of long record of dismissing what they nents of military rule observed a democracy, defying crackdowns by the see as outside interference. “silent strike” staying home to mourn security forces in which more than 700 those killed or wearing black in small people have been killed, according to a marches in half a dozen cities and monitoring group. Leaders in talks towns, media reported. At the same time, political leaders, Streets in the main city of Yangon including ousted members of parlia- with ethnic were largely deserted, residents said. ment from Suu Kyi’s party, have been There were no immediate reports of trying to organise to show the country minority forces to violence at protests on Friday but six and the outside world that they and people were killed in a shootout not the generals are the legitimate form a federal army. between soldiers and a “local group” political authority. in the central town of Kani the previ- “Please welcome the people’s ous day, the Myanmar Now media government,” veteran democracy The unity government released a agency reported. activist Min Ko Naing said in a 10-min- list of office holders including mem- The military has also been round- ute video address announcing the bers of ethnic minorities and protest ing up critics. Two prominent protest formation of the National Unity leaders, underlining the unity of pur- organisers were arrested on Thursday. Government. pose between the pro-democracy The turmoil and prospect of grow- While setting out few positions, Min movement and autonomy-seeking ing conflict has alarmed Myanmar’s Ko Naing said the will of the people minority communities, some of whom neighbours in Southeast Asia, who was the unity government’s priority, have battled the central government have been trying to encourage talks while acknowledging the scale of the for decades. between the rival sides. task at hand. Suu Kyi, who has been in detention Leaders of the 10-member “We’re trying to get this out from since the coup, was listed as Association of Southeast Asian the roots so we have to sacrifice a lot,” state counsellor, the post she held in Nations (ASEAN), which includes he said, referring to the junta. government. Myanmar, will meet in Indonesia on A spokesman for the junta could not The only known communication April 24 to discuss the situation, Thai be reached for comment. she has had with the outside world and Indonesian media reported. The generals justified their takeo- since the coup has been monitored Junta leader Senior General Min ver with accusations of fraud in the video calls with her lawyers. A spokes- Aung Hlaing was due to attend, a Thai November election won by Suu Kyi’s man for the democratic politicians broadcaster said, but the Jakarta Post AP/RSS party, though the election commission said while they could not inform her said it had not been confirmed wheth- In this image taken by Mads Nissen on August 5, 2020, Rosa Luzia Lunardi, 85, is embraced by nurse Adriana Silva da Costa dismissed the objections. about the unity government, he was er the summit would include repre- Souza, at Viva Bem care home, Sao Paulo, Brazil. The image titled ‘The First Embrace’ was won the World Press Photo of the One of the unity’s government’s sure she was aware of what was hap- sentatives of the junta. Year award, and the first prize in the General News Singles category.

BRIEFING Indian vaccine maker asks Iran says production of 60 percent 65,000 flee attacks on northeast Nigeria town: UN US to ease export curbs enriched uranium ‘underway’ ABUJA: As many as 65,000 people have fled the northeastern Nigeria town of AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE news agency. “We are now getting Under the accord, Iran had commit- Damasak following a series of jihad- TEHRAN, APRIL 16 nine grams (almost a third of an ted to keep enrichment to 3.67 percent, ist attacks, the UN refugee agency ounce) per hour,” Salehi said later on though it had stepped this up to 20 said on Friday. Fighters from the Iran said on Friday it has begun state television. percent in January. so-called Islamic State West Africa producing uranium at 60 percent puri- While production was underway, Negotiations aimed at ensuring the Province stormed the town in Borno ty, in another breach of its commit- scientists at Natanz were still working return of the United States to the state three times in a week to strike a ments to the international community on how to install the two centrifuge JCPOA and the lifting of sanctions military garrison, burning homes which is concerned about its nuclear lines Iran said would be dedicated to resumed this week in Vienna. and a UN office and killing at least programme. 60 percent enrichment operations, Russia’s ambassador to the UN in 12 people. The Islamic republic had declared it Salehi said. Vienna, Mikhail Ulyanov, tweeted would sharply ramp up its enrich- He added that could see Iran’s pro- after the latest round of talks on ment of uranium on Tuesday, two duction of 60 percent enriched urani- Thursday that the “general impres- Putin to decide on counter days after an attack on its Natanz um fall to six grams an hour, but sion is positive”. sanctions against Washington AP/RSS nuclear facility that it blamed on arch- added that it would continue to make The head of the Iranian delegation, Serum Institute of India paused exports to COVAX after a devastating surge of infections in foe Israel. 20 percent enriched uranium on the Abbas Araghchi, was more cautious at MOSCOW: The Kremlin said on Friday India resulted in increased domestic demand. The announcement cast a shadow same two lines. the end of the meeting. that Russian President Vladimir over talks in Vienna aimed at salvag- The move to enrich uranium to 60 Araghchi stressed Iran wanted to Putin would decide what counter ASSOCIATED PRESS for the production of the COVID-19 ing the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran percent purity takes Iran closer to the avoid the talks “dragging on” and that sanctions to impose on Washington, a NEW DELHI, APRIL 16 vaccine developed by Novavax. Serum and world powers that then US presi- 90 percent level required for use in a they had to “take place in a well-de- day after US President Joe Biden hit Institute and Novavax have inked a dent Donald Trump abandoned almost nuclear weapon. fined framework and within an accept- Moscow with an array of punitive The chief executive of Serum Institute deal to supply 1.1 billion doses of the three years ago. The Islamic republic has gradually able time period”. measures, but gave no indication of of India, the world’s largest maker of vaccine to COVAX to equitably distrib- Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the rolled back its nuclear commitments He also stated that the planned timing. The US government on vaccines and a critical supplier of the ute it across the globe. Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, since 2019, a year after the US with- rise in enrichment levels was in Thursday blacklisted Russian compa- UN-backed COVAX facility, asked Serum Institute of India paused on Friday confirmed the country was drew from the accord and began order to “meet some of the country’s nies, expelled Russian diplomats and President Joe Biden on Twitter to lift exports to COVAX after a devastating now producing uranium enriched to imposing sanctions. medical needs”. barred US banks from buying sover- the US embargo on exporting raw surge of infections in India resulted in 60 percent purity. The 2015 deal known formally as the The European Union has rejected eign bonds from Russia’s central materials needed to make the jabs. increased domestic demand. “The enrichment of uranium to 60 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, this argument, with its external bank, national wealth fund and Vaccine makers and experts in Over 200,000 new infections were percent is underway at the Martyr or JCPOA, gave Iran relief from sanc- affairs spokesperson Peter Stano say- Finance Ministry. India have been concerned that the detected in the past 24 hours and Ahmadi Roshan nuclear facility” in tions in return for curbs on its nuclear ing there was “no credible or plausible use of the Defense Production Act by major cities, like Mumbai and New Natanz, he said, quoted by Tasnim programme. civilian justification” for the move. Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai the US to boost their own vaccine pro- Delhi, are under virus restrictions. duction was resulting in exports of Hospitals are overwhelmed and gets 14 months in prison for critical raw materials being stopped. authorities are scrambling to try and unauthorised assembly This was hobbling vaccine production vaccinate enough people to slow down in other parts of the world. the spread. But in doing so, India HONG KONG: Hong Kong media Stéphane Bancel, chief executive relies heavily on AstraZeneca shots tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced officer for Moderna, said Tuesday in made by Serum Institute of India. to 14 months in prison while an online event that export embargoes Poonawalla had said the unavaila- nine other activists received jail time were also preventing American vac- bility of the raw materials, such as the or suspended sentences on Friday cine makers from exporting shots specific medium needed to grow for taking part in unauthorised globally and resulting in shortages. microorganisms, would prevent assemblies during mass pro-democra- “If we are to truly unite in beating Serum Institute from scaling up the cy protests in 2019. Senior barrister this virus, on behalf of the vaccine production of the vaccine developed Martin Lee, who helped launch industry outside the US, I humbly by Novavax. the city’s largest opposition request you to lift the embargo of raw The company had been planning to Democratic Party in the 1990s material exports out of the US so that make up to 40 million shots of the was given an 11-month suspended vaccine production can ramp up,” vaccine monthly. sentence. (AGENCIES) wrote Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Ramping up the production of this Serum Institute shot could also help India. Novavax of India. He had has applied for authorization of earlier told The the vaccine to regulators in Europe, Associated the US and the World Health Press that pivot- Organization. If approved, India ing away from would be able to use the shot under suppliers in the new regulations that make it easier to US could result greenlight vaccines that have received in a delay of up the nod by the UK, the US, Europe, AFP/RSS to six months Japan or WHO. Abbas Araghchi, political deputy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran, leaves the ‘Grand Hotel Wien’ after the nuclear talks in Vienna.

माणपह हरायो �म�त २०७७/११/२१ गते तीनकुनेबाट China warns US, Japan against collusion �स�भल अतालसम जाँदा मेरो �नन होरा भएको +2 को Academic Transcript, Migration र Provisional ASSOCIATED PRESS Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to the White certificates हराएको ँदा पाउनुने BEIJING, APRIL 16 House on Friday. That meeting is seen as महानुभावले न�जकको हरी कायालय वा reflecting Biden’s emphasis on strengthen- 9823016954 मा सक ग�र�दनु न China said on Friday it has expressed “seri- ing alliances to deal with a more assertive

अनुरोध गदछ। ous concerns” to the United States China and other global challenges. Name: Ayush Budhathoki and Japan over what it calls negative moves Zhao told reporters at a daily briefing Board: National Examinations Board and collusion between the two countries that Japan and the United States should Year of completion: 2076 Symbol No.: 25602069 against China. “take China’s concerns and demands seri- School: Gorkha International Public The statement from Foreign Ministry ously, avoid words and actions that interfere Secondary School, Ghorahi, Dang spokesperson Zhao Lijian came just before in China’s internal affairs and harm President Joe Biden welcomes Japanese China’s interests.”

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 MONEY

FOREX Day workers leaving US Dollar 117.29 Farmers who lost fertile lands to Koshi Euro 142.86 India’s Mumbai as Pound Sterling 164.34 Japanese Yen 10.96 floods find hope in fruit farming virus dries up jobs Chinese Yuan 18.29 ASSOCIATED PRESS Villagers learn new techniques to turn sand covered land into fruit orchards. MUMBAI, APRIL 16 Qatari Riyal 32.75

Australian Dollar 92.43 PRADEEP MENYANGBO cal. But growing plants in sand is dif- Migrant workers are piling into rail SUNSARI, APRIL 16 ferent, said farmers who have learned stations in India’s financial capital Malaysian Ringit 28.90 the Rajasthani model. Mumbai to head back to their home On August 18, 2008, the Koshi River According to them, a small villages now that virus-control meas- Saudi Arab Riyal 31.80 burst through its eastern embank- ditch needs to be dug and filled ures have dried up work in the hard- Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank ment about 13 km upstream from with organic manures to plant the hit region. the Koshi Barrage. Sahabuddin sapling. The plant needs to be watered “What do I do now?” asked Ramzan PRICE PER TOLA Haq, who has a farm on the banks of regularly. Ali, who’d been earning up to 500 BULLION the wayward river, was ruined For Ali, who owns 15 bighas of land, rupees ($7) per day as a labourer but when his field was buried under 4 feet life was once difficult. He had to has been out of work for two weeks. Fine Gold Rs 90,500 of sand. face difficulties as his source of He arrived at Kurla railroad station The Koshi rushed over the plains, income dried up completely after the on Friday morning and joined a long Silver Rs 1,300 the water flow swelling to 166,000 Koshi flood. line to buy a ticket to board a train for cubic feet per second (cusec) from the Ali was not able to enrol his chil- Balrampur, his village in northern SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA regular 25,744 cusecs, and carved a dren in school due to financial diffi- Uttar Pradesh state. Ali, 47, hopes to new path 15-20 km wide and 150 long culties. When his two sons grew up, find some work in the village to feed north to south. they had to go abroad as migrant his wife and four children. GASOLINE WATCH The flood spread across eastern workers. Ali had even worked as a The government of Maharashtra Nepal and India, and thousands of daily wage earner. state, home to Mumbai, imposed people lost their possessions. The “If modern irrigation facilities are lockdown-like curbs on Wednesday for water eventually receded, but it left provided, our productivity could be 15 days to check the spread of the behind a devastated land. higher than in Rajasthan,” said Ali, virus. It closed most industries, Hectares of fertile farmland turned who was a member of the study group. businesses and public places and into desert overnight. In Koshi “In Rajasthan, a lemon plant bears limited the movement of people, Rural Municipality alone, 3,100 bighas fruits for 30 years.” but didn’t stop bus, train and (500 hectares) of land was covered Ali is now optimistic. “I am prepar- air services. with sand. ing to utilise other land that was left An exodus ensued, with panicked Seeing no hope of being able to barren for years,” he said. day labourers hauling backpacks onto grow anything on the land, most The Koshi flood had affected 35,000 overcrowded trains leaving Mumbai. young people of Kumyahi Ghorki vil- households in the then four village The migration is raising fears of the lage in Koshi Rural Municipality-5 in development committees—Shreepur, virus spreading in rural areas. Sunsari district decided to go abroad Haripur, Paschim Kushwaha and Maharashtra has been the centre of for work, many went to India. Laukahi. the nation’s recent record surge in Haq too joined the exodus. He left Some farmers who could afford it new infections. for Qatar in 2010—two years after the POST PHOTO: PRADEEP MENYANGBO had spent up to Rs150,000 to have the On Friday, India recorded another flood inundated his village. He spent Sahabuddin Haq and Asgar Ali have grown lemon in their fields covered by sand in Koshi Rural sand removed from their fields and high of 217,353 new cases in the past 24 nearly nine years in the Gulf country Municipality. started cultivating paddy, corn, wheat hours, pushing its total since the pan- before returning home. He was 27 and barley. demic began past 14.2 million. The years old. have visited my farm,” he said. on. “I have 15 bighas of land all cov- But productivity has not improved. Health Ministry also reported 1,185 Haq tried to sell his 4-bigha farm, “People are really surprised to see ered with sand. This year, I planted For many farmers, it was already too fatalities in the past 24 hours, raising but there were no buyers. “The lemon growing out of the sand.” lemon and dragon fruit on 1 bigha. late to remove the sand, and now it deaths to 174,308. land was useless. A barren desert,” Haq’s neighbour Asgar Ali has also The lemon trees have started bearing costs a lot of money to do so. The rush among migrant workers he said. become a lemon farmer. The two had fruit,” Ali said. According to Ayub Ansari, chair- was not as desperate as last year The villagers had no idea what seen a video on YouTube how lemon The value of the land here is man of the rural municipality, sand when Indian Railways suspended they were going to do. Nobody would could be grown in sand. They took the going up now. The desert has been has been removed from 600 bighas of all passenger train services during buy their land, and the bank would idea to Koshi Rural Municipality drawing many farmers. Haq said land, but more than 2,500 bighas is a strict and sudden nationwide Japan fishing not lend them any money with it as which arranged a study visit to that people were not willing to buy his still covered by it. lockdown. collateral. Rajasthan state in India. land for even Rs20,000 per kattha two “It’s now impossible to remove the That forced tens of thousands of Then their luck changed. They A 10-member municipality team led years ago. sand. But farmers have learned a new impoverished workers to walk or ride groups alarmed learnt to make green plants grow by Chairman Ayub Ansari went to “Now the land is worth Rs250,000 technique after the visit to Rajasthan,” trucks and buses in soaring heat as in the swathes of sand. Haque had Rajasthan where they held an interac- per kattha. None of the farmers, he said. they tried to return home. planted 550 lemon saplings on his tion at the Department of Agriculture including me, will sell the land. We Ansari said that the federal and Also, northern states like Punjab, over plan to release land a year ago, and they were start- and observed some sites. The farming have realised that the desert is not a provincial governments should help Haryana and New Delhi and ing to bear fruit. He has also planted model was replicated on the banks of wasteland anymore.” to market the lemon, dragon fruit, western Rajasthan state haven’t seen dragon fruit. the Koshi River. In many countries, farming in the Indian plum, pointed gourd, peanut large-scale movement of migrant Fukushima water Haq expects to earn Rs2.5 annually Other farmers like Mohammad desert is expensive as the farm and pomegranate crops produced by workers yet because it’s the harvest- from his lemon trees in the next five Ison, Enamul Haq, Arwin Yadav and requires water regularly. Desert farms the local farmers. ing season. Big farms have hired REUTERS years. His farm has also become a des- Jalaumuddin Haq have also started require almost three times more water “Thousands of farmers in Koshi workers to harvest wheat and IWAKI, APRIL 16 tination for agro tourism. cultivating lemon, dragon fruit, than those in temperate climates. This Rural Municipality will benefit if other crops and prepare for sowing “More than 2,000 Indian farmers squash, pomegranate and watermel- makes farming in the desert impracti- proper market access is provided.” new crops. Fishing communities in Japan are alarmed over the decision to release contaminated water stored at the wrecked Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant, a move that has also set off a diplomatic ruckus with neighbours China’s GDP jumps record China and South Korea. Japan’s government said on Tuesday it will release more than 1 18.3 percent but post-Covid million tonnes of treated water from the Fukushima site in stages starting in about two years. China called the decision “extreme- rebound seen slowing ly irresponsible”, while South Korea said it will explore petitioning an international court to stop the release. The still-struggling fishing communities of northern Japan, devastated by the earthquake and tsunami that caused the meltdowns at Fukushima 10 years ago, have long expected the decision and have lodged regular protests with the government.

The move has also set off a diplomatic ruckus with neighbours China REUTERS and South Korea. A cargo ship carrying containers is seen near the Yantian port in Shenzhen, China.

REUTERS pling pandemic that has killed about 3 “The thing I’m most afraid of is the BEIJING, APRIL 16 million worldwide. damaging rumours even if fish are China’s rebound has been led by declared safe,” Masao Takahagi, 67, China’s economic recovery quickened exports as factories raced to fill over- told Reuters. sharply in the first quarter to record seas orders and more recently a steady Still, checking nets on his boat with growth of 18.3 percent from last year’s pickup in consumption as shoppers his wife at Onahama port in Iwaki deep coronavirus slump, propelled by returned to restaurants, malls and car city, 60 km (35 miles) south of the stronger demand at home and abroad dealerships. Fukushima site, he wasn’t sure there and continued government support Retail sales increased 34.2 percent was much he could do about it. for smaller firms. year-on-year in March, beating a 28.0 “In the end, there’s only the sea,” he But the brisk expansion, heavily percent gain expected by analysts said. skewed by the plunge in activity a and stronger than the 33.8 percent Although the government consid- year earlier, is expected to moderate jump seen in the first two months of ered other options, most experts had later this year as the government the year. expected it to eventually opt for turns its attention to reining in Other data, however, showed a mod- release into the Pacific Ocean after the financial risks in overheating parts of eration in expansion with quar- water is treated and diluted to within the economy. ter-on-quarter growth slowing to 0.6 regulatory limits. While the jump in gross domestic percent in January-March from a Fishing communities and others product (GDP) undershot the 19 per- revised 3.2 percent in the previous suffering reputational harm from the cent forecast by economists in a quarter, missing expectations for a 1.5 release will be compensated, Tokyo Reuters poll, the official data showed percent increase. Electric Power, owner of the it was the fastest growth since quar- Factory output grew 14.1 percent Fukushima station, said. terly records began in 1992 and up year-on-year in March, slowing from a Catches from waters near the from 6.5 percent in the fourth quarter 35.1 percent surge in the January- plant are tested for radiation, as the last year. February period and lagging a fore- meltdown spread huge amounts of “The upshot is that with the econo- cast 17.2 percent rise. radioactive material over air, land my already above its pre-virus trend National Bureau of Statistics and sea. and policy support being withdrawn, spokeswoman Liu Aihua told a news Most restrictions on fishing have China’s post-Covid rebound is level- conference on Friday while the econo- been lifted, though, said Hiromi ling off,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard, my started 2021 on a firm footing, the Matsubara, 60, as he stepped into the senior china economist at Capital services sector and smaller firms still cockpit of his boat at Onahama. Economics. “We expect quar- faced challenges, while consumer “We have just started to return to ter-on-quarter growth to remain mod- inflation was likely to remain moder- full-scale operations. If the water is est during the rest of this year as the ate. Data last week showed consumer released, I’m afraid that we will go recent boom in construction and prices rising at only a modest pace in back to where we were,” he said. exports unwind, pulling activity back March, even as factory gate inflation Others seemed just as resigned. towards trend.” hit a near three-year high. “The government has said releasing Aided by strict virus containment “Looking forward, the trend of nor- the water is scientifically safe,” said measures and emergency relief for malisation may continue for the rest Motonobu Kimura, a 38-year-old trad- businesses, the economy has recov- of the year, and domestic consump- er sorting fish at the port. ered from a steep 6.8 percent slump in tion is expected to be the major growth “The only thing we can do is to trust the first three months of 2020, when driver,” said Chaoping Zhu, global them and do business with those who an outbreak of Covid-19 in the central market strategist at JP Morgan Asset will do business with us.” city of Wuhan rapidly became a crip- Management in Shanghai.

C M Y K SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Paras Khadka out of Tri-Nations Series West Ham on Stokes out for up to 12 weeks cusp of top-four LONDON: England all-rounder Ben Hosts Nepal take on the Netherlands in the opening match of the Twenty20 International series today. Stokes will be sidelined for up to 12 finish, Moyes says weeks after fracturing a finger while on Indian Premier League duty, crick- REUTERS et chiefs announced on Friday. LONDON, APRIL 16 “England all-rounder Ben Stokes will be out for up to 12 weeks after a David Moyes has done his best to con- repeat X-ray and CT scan on tain the excitement over West Ham Thursday revealed that he has a frac- United’s unlikely top-four push but ture of his left index finger,” an with seven games to go he is now pre- England and Wales Cricket Board pared to admit they could do it. statement read. “Stokes, who is cur- Moyes takes his fourth-placed team rently in India with Rajasthan Royals to Newcastle United on Saturday when in the Indian Premier League, will fly a victory would push the Hammers home tomorrow. He will have surgery into third spot. Their next game is in Leeds on Monday.” “The injury then against rivals Chelsea but after occurred while fielding during that their run-in looks promising and Royals’ opening match against belief is growing that West Ham, who Punjab Kings on Monday when he have not finished in the top four in the completed a catch in the deep to see top-flight since 1986, are on the cusp of off West Indies batsman Chris something incredible. Gayle.” Stokes looks set to miss “This is the third time this season England’s two Tests against New we have gone fourth, I think, and Zealand in June as well as limit- when you are beginning to touch it ed-overs matches against Sri Lanka. you start to think we can do it,” He could be back for the white-ball Moyes, who is in his second stint as assignments against Pakistan in July West Ham manager, told reporters on and the five Tests against India that Friday. start the following month. “Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton are all teams that can touch POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA us. We have seven to go I have my tar- Venus accepts Madrid wildcard (From left) Captains of Malaysia, Nepal and the Netherlands Fiaz Ahmed, Gyanendra Malla and Pieter Seelaar respectively, pose with the Tri-Nation Series trophy on Friday. gets and the players know what we MADRID: Venus Williams has accepted need to do. a wild-card invitation to play the SPORTS BUREAU aggravated my right rotator cuff mus- closed camp. They have 55 points from 31 games, Madrid Open which starts on April KATHMANDU, APRIL 16 cle tendon and inflammation resulting NEPAL SQUAD Jora made his international debut one more than Chelsea who are in FA 29, organisers said on Friday. The in a small tear. As per the doctor’s in January 2019 in the ODI and T20I Cup semi-final action this weekend, Gyanendra Malla (captain), Dipendra Singh Airee (vice 40-year-old American last played the Nepal’s all-rounder Paras Khadka has advice and supervision over the last series against the United Arab three better off than Liverpool, six captain), Sandeep Jora, Binod Bhandari, Sompal Kami, tournament in 2018 and reached the been ruled out of the Tri-Nations T20 five days, I have been advised to under- Emirates and became the youngest clear of Spurs and seven ahead of Karan KC, Sandip Lamichhane, Abhinash Bohara, Aarif final in 2010, losing to Aravane Rezai. Series due to an injury, the Cricket go two-three weeks of rehabilitation cricketer to score a T20I fifty at 17 Everton, who have a game in hand. That year she won the doubles at the Association of Nepal (CAN) said on and extensive physiotherapy,” Khadka Sheikh, Aasif Sheikh, Kushal Bhurtel, Kushal Malla, years and 103 days. He has won six West Ham may never have a better event with her sister Serena. “I am Friday. wrote on Twitter. Shahab Alam, Kamal Singh Airee, Sushan Bhari. T20I caps since. chance to break into the top four and delighted to be able to return to The former national team captain “Will miss the tournament but I Spinner Shahab Alam and batsman Moyes said he would now be disap- Madrid to begin my clay-court sea- had sustained an injury to his right believe the team is good enough to win Netherlands in the series opener at Ashif Sheikh have also been included pointed if they don’t make it into son,” said Venus Williams, quoted in shoulder during a training session on it all the way.” the TU cricket grounds. in the T20I squad for the first time. Europe. the organisers’ press release. Along Sunday and will be sidelined for up to Sandeep Jora will take his place in Jora was not included in the final Meanwhile, Nepal captain “Of course, I would be,” the former with the American, the Madrid field at least three weeks. the squad for the double round robin 15-member squad announced on Gyandendra Malla, the Netherlands Everton and Manchester United man- includes Australian world number “Having bumped my right shoulder series featuring the Netherlands and Wednesday. Lalit Narayan Rajbanshi, captain Pieter Seelaar and Malaysia ager said. “We are competing really one Ashleigh Barty, Japanese Naomi while attempting to take a catch last Malaysia, scheduled to start on Bikram Sob, Pawan Saraf and Lokesh captain Fiaz Ahmed unveiled the well and we are trying to keep putting Osaka, Romanian Simona Halep and Sunday during a practice game, it Saturday. Nepal are set to face the Bam were also released after the Tri-Nations Series trophy on Friday. on shows and pulling out results. Czech Karolina Pliskova.

Sheffield United lose McBurnie SHEFFIELD: Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie will play no part in their Young guns make mark in Arsenal’s rout of Slavia Prague seven remaining Premier League games of the season after suffering a AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE League after an inconsistent season. Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabon Italy’s only remaining representa- “If you look at the overall tie we fracture in his foot, interim manager LONDON, APRIL 16 The performances of Saka and international revealed on Thursday tive in Europe came into the clash at were the better side, but that doesn’t Paul Heckingbottom said. McBurnie Smith Rowe, who had a goal disal- he had been hospitalised after the Stadio Olimpico with a slender mean anything,” Ajax’s Davy Klaasen picked up the injury in last weekend’s Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised lowed but set up Nicolas Pepe for his contracting malaria while on interna- lead but two away goals from last told Dutch broadcaster RTL7. 3-0 home defeat by Arsenal and it Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka opener, impressed Arteta. Both play- tional duty. week’s first leg in Amsterdam. Roma will be hoping to gain revenge could also cost him his place in the after the youngsters blooded by his ers made their debuts under Emery, Roma lined up a blockbuster Europa Their European campaign looked in on United for the 7-1 hammering they Scotland squad for the European predecessor Unai Emery helped set up who was sacked in November 2019 League semi-final clash with danger when Ajax teen Brian Brobbey suffered at Old Trafford at the quar- Championship this summer. a Europa League semi-final between after 18 months at the Emirates. Manchester United after holding Ajax was introduced for Antony at the ter-final stage of the Champions Heckingbottom has now lost two for- the two managers. “For me it is a joy to watch them to a 1-1 draw to go through to the last break and the striker made an instant League in 2007. wards in quick succession after cap- Saka, 19, scored and 20-year-old play, to watch them every day in train- four 3-2 on aggregate. impact, racing onto Perr Schuurs pass United had few problems against tain Billy Sharp underwent surgery Smith Rowe was a commanding pres- ing,” said a delighted Arteta. “How Edin Dzeko’s strike 18 minutes from three minutes after the restart and Granada, who had a mountain to on a thigh problem this week. “He ence in midfield as the Gunners beat they behave, the passion and the com- time ensured the draw and passage for nipped the ball past an onrushing Pau climb after losing the first leg 2-0 in (McBurnie) has got a stress fracture Slavia Prague 4-0 on Thursday—5-1 on mitment they have for the club. And Paulo Fonseca’s side, who were on the Lopez. Spain. in his fifth metatarsal so we’ve lost aggregate—to reach the last four for then how much they like to play foot- back foot for most of the match, and a However after Dusan Tadic’s strike Edinson Cavani opened the scoring two forwards, which isn’t positive,” the third time in four years. ball. You have to let them express showdown with United who strolled for the away side six minutes later was after just five minutes to put said Heckingbottom before Saturday’s There they will meet Villarreal, themselves, and give them certain into the semis 4-0 after a 2-0 win over ruled out for a foul on Henrikh United ahead on the night when he trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers. managed by Emery, who won the tro- frameworks to work in and some ideas La Liga outfit Granada at Old Trafford. Mkhitaryan in the build up, Dzeko lashed home Paul Pogba’s looping Sheffield United are bottom of the phy three years in row from 2014 when on how they can exploit their quali- “I’ve never got to a semi-final before, tipped the tie in Roma’s favour. knockdown. table with 14 points from 31 games he was in charge of Sevilla and also ties.” so I’m very proud, especially as we are The Bosnian was on hand to tap home The away side pressed and had and relegation will be confirmed if took Arsenal to the 2019 final. Winning Their performances plus two goals representing Italy right now,” said the leveller which put Roma a goal some chances but Jesus Valleho’s they lose to Wolves and Newcastle the Europa League could be Arsenal’s from French striker Alexandre Fonseca, who has been under pressure ahead on aggregate after Riccardo last-minute own goal sealed the win United avoid defeat against West Ham ticket back into Europe as they are Lacazette made light of the absence of following a disappointing Serie A Calafiori’s low cross was deflected for United, who could yet have an United. (AGENCIES) struggling in mid-table in the Premier last season’s leading scorer Pierre- campaign. into his path. all-English final with Arsenal. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** The moon’s presence in busybody Gemini makes for Your moods are likely to shift dramatically today The moon spends the morning hours floating You need to be productive to feel your best today, a morning full of conversations and errand-running. Cancer. The morning hours are colored by the men- through thoughtful Gemini, forming a conjunction Capricorn. It doesn’t matter the size of the effort—so Luna’s union with hyperactive Mars can make for tally stimulated Gemini moon’s union with go-getter with self-motivated Mars. This pairing encourages long as you apply yourself to a task that feels reward- clear communication or sharp-tongued exchanges— Mars. This pairing can make you frustrated if you you to get out of your comfort zone, learn something ing. It’s easy to get stressed today, so remember to so, be mindful of your word choice. don’t find an outlet for the excess energy. new, or make impulsive travel plans. call on exercise if you need an outlet.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** You’re sending all of your energy towards your You have the ability to get up and go after your goals You may still have some psychological digging to do As an Aquarius, it’s critical for you to unleash your resources today, Taurus. Do beware of impulsive today, Leo. The moon spends the first half of the day before you can move forward Scorpio. The reflective eccentric and unique side. Part of that story emerges purchases where you may overspend. Later, the floating through quick-thinking Gemini, sending Gemini moon spends the morning cuddled up along- around your creative potential, which is where you moon slides into soft-spoken Cancer, helping you put your attention to your current set of ambitions. side hot-heated Mars, intensifying your emotional should direct your focus today. Devote energy towards your feelings into words. reactions and helping you be direct. creative action.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** It’s important for you to get back into your body Don’t rest on your laurels today, Virgo. You’ve got Relationship matters dominate the day ahead, It’s all right to be a hermit. You have plenty of things today, Gemini. The moon spends the morning hours everything you need to achieve your goals. The ver- Sagittarius. Unspoken issues around partnership to accomplish on the home front, as the heady floating through your sign, forming a conjunction satile Gemini moon spends the morning alongside are likely to emerge early in the day. Try to clear the Gemini moon aligns with hyperactive Mars. This with hyperactive Mars. This pairing stimulates your go-getter Mars and dream-big Jupiter, helping you air and be direct about anything obscuring clear pairing prompts you to tackle projects that require need for exercise and exertion. put in the work and stamina required for success. communication. stamina. Beware of touchy moods. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE A civil servant’s treatise on corruption Sharad Chandra Paudel’s latest book, Bhrastachar—Kaaran, Parinaam ra Niyantranka Upaya, offers readers a comprehensive take on corruption in the country.

MADAN KUMAR BHATTARAI of the country has resulted in a situation the private sector, civil society and media also need emphasis. While calling corrup- of apathy or ignorance on the part of the in exposing and combating corruption. tion a deflection of the accepted order of harad Chandra Paudel, a enlightened or privileged group of peo- The last chapter presents specialised any society, the author paints a construc- bureaucrat with three and a ple who actually run the show. institutions and instruments for con- tive note saying that if sincere efforts are half decades of experience and The first chapter deals with the intro- trolling corruption and seeks to examine to be made, corruption can be controlled who retired as Secretary to the ductory part, covering definition, ele- preventive, curative and behavioral or minimised. Second, unlike many other government, has authored a ments and types of corruption from a measures in tackling corruption with books by civil servants or political people new book entitled historical perspective. It also dwells on focus on resource management, civil that have virtually flooded the market S‘Bhrastachar—Kaaran, Parinaam ra all relevant national and international servants and development. now, it refrains from what can be called a Niyantranka Upaya’, which can roughly instruments including the establishment At the end of the book, the author has symptom of self-admiration. be translated to ‘Corruption—Causes, of the Transparency International con- thought it pertinent to include two tables Paudel has been able to present a Consequences and Ways of Control’. stituted in 1993, suitably corrective meas- in the form of appendices depicting coherent picture of both theoretical and Possibly the first of its kind in Nepal, ures undertaken by other major institu- expenditures on the part of thirteen practical aspects of corruption in simple the impressively voluminous work with tions subsequently like the World Bank countries in terms of highest military and readable language. The book, howev- comprehensive focus on corruption is a (1997), the United Nations (1997) and the spending and transactions of the world’s er, suffers from some weaknesses. First, must-read by the general public and civil Asian Development Bank (1998). The sec- top fifteen business houses. The obvious there are mistakes galore in the form of servants, political leaders, lawyers, civil ond chapter focuses on causes of corrup- intention of the author is to highlight the proofs. The second aspect is that though society representatives, students and all tion in public and private sectors. It talks prevailing nexus and intricately close the book covers a wide spectrum of those interested in the subject. of a powerful nexus between politicians association between public and private issues and incidents relating to corrup- Originally from Tanahun district, the and civil servants, either through direct sectors in terms of accentuating the evils tion in the world at large, it displays writer is a second generation civil serv- participation or passive resistance, that of corruption defying public opinion at obvious reluctance from the author’s ant. Paudel’s father retired as a class II has helped foster corruption in the pub- home and abroad. part to deal with major cases of corrup- officer of the Government of Nepal lic delivery system and other areas. The And Paudel too has been shrouded in a tion in the country despite some sketchy officer. Paudel joined the Ministry of writer also feels that foreign aid and case of corruption. He was implicated in treatment of the matter here and there. Health as his maiden administrative political transition have become breed- a case filed by the Commission for posting and rose through the ranks and ing grounds for corruption and other of corruption and ways and means of Investigation of Abuse of Authority Bhattarai is a former Foreign Secretary successively handled various responsi- malpractices. controlling corruption in the political CIAA), an agency that is itself under and author involved in the study bilities involving ministries of general The third chapter covers various forms sphere that has largely proved elusive. cloud for many years, and he spent more of Nepal’s foreign relations from a administration, local development, home and modalities of corruption involving Chapter nine is very relevant in the sense than three years in virtual isolation and historical perspective. He is available on and forest, apart from his stint in the all stakeholders, corrupt, corrupter and that it pertains to evaluation of efficacy trauma fighting litigation before he was [email protected]. National Planning Commission. mediator or interlocutor. The fourth and pitfalls in the task of controlling acquitted of all charges. While corruption is a hotly debated chapter is related to the serious impact corruption in the administrative sector. Besides serving as a standard textbook subject both nationally and internation- of corruption from economic, political, Likewise, chapter ten deals with the on corruption, the book is, therefore, not BHRASTACHAR—KAARAN, ally, there is a paucity of a comprehen- administrative, social and environmen- tricky issue of controlling corruption in only a victim’s perspective and intends to PARINAAM RA sive book on the subject and Paudel has tal perspectives. Chapters five and six the judicial field from various angles. serve as a wake up call to each and every NIYANTRANKA UPAYA done a great service by bringing out such deal with theories of corruption and Chapter eleven covers other modes of Nepali: that unless they join hands to Sharad Chandra Paudel a thorough work on the subject. The book prevalence of endemic corruption in corruption control including the role of address the core issue of corruption, our has twelve chapters with two appendices. diverse sectors of national life respec- international community and the utilisa- aspirations for social and economic Publishers: Sangri-La Books In the preface, the writer focuses on the tively. tion of international resources. It also transformation will at best remain a pipe Pages: 766 malaise of corruption in Nepal and Similarly, chapters seven and eight deals with corruption from the prisms of dream. Price: Rs 1,195 states that the narrow intellectual base respectively attempt to scrutinise bases politics and economics, and the role of Two other positive aspects of the book BEST-SELLERS | NEW RELEASES

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Princely letter: Philip apologised to Nixon for ‘lame’ toast Known for his quick wit and willingness to be self-deprecating, Philip’s brand of cheekiness didn’t always go over well.

WILL WEISSERT how much I appreciated your very great NEW YORK kindness and hospitality at the White House. I was quite overwhelmed by the hroughout his decades in guests but delighted to meet such a dis- public life, Prince Philip was tinguished company.” known for putting his royal He mentioned having then traveled to foot in his mouth with occa- New York, where he was interviewed by sional off-the-cuff remarks Barbara Walters for NBC’s “Today” show. that could be embarrassing. “The weather in New York was horri- TBut his faux pas at a White House ble but otherwise all went well,” Philip dinner with President Richard Nixon in wrote, “and I found Miss Walters particu- 1969 was enough for Philip to actually larly charming and intelligent. I hope we lose sleep. did a good piece.” In a handwritten note to the president The long guest list for the dinner was uncovered by archivists at the Richard all-male. It included Vice President Spiro Nixon Presidential Library and Museum Agnew, most of the members of Nixon’s in Yorba Linda, California, the Duke of Cabinet and nongovernmental notables Edinburgh wrote to “humbly apologize” like business magnate Ross Perot and for failing to toast the president’s health Britain-born comedian Bob Hope. as dictated by protocol during a “stag” Byron said Nixon almost certainly dinner in his honor. replied to Philip’s letter, but, with the “After the brilliance of the other speak- library archives remaining closed ers and yourself, I am afraid my contribu- because of the pandemic, what he might tion was very lame,” Philip wrote to have said is unknown. What Philip said Nixon from Greenland on November 7 in his remarks—other than omitting after his solo US trip had concluded. He wishing Nixon good health—is unknown added: “That night I woke up in a cold for the same reason. sweat when I realized I had forgotten to The dinner came a day after Nixon propose your health!” delivered his famous “silent majority” Philip died last week at age 99, and his speech in which he implored a national funeral is Saturday. He was married to audience to unite behind the continuing Queen Elizabeth for 73 years. war in Vietnam until his administration “I think the letter itself shows the could achieve “peace with honor.” Byron character of Prince Philip that so much said top aide H.R. Haldeman, who later of the public in the UK and across the went to prison for his involvement in the Commonwealth, and really across the Watergate scandal, noted in his diary world, have come to admire,” said Jim how absolutely joyful the president was Byron, executive vice president of the that night, given that his address had Nixon Foundation. He said the letter was been positively received. discovered before the coronavirus pan- Nixon, who died at age 81 in 1994, was demic but made public this week, as a a bit older than Philip, but the two had way of marking Philip’s death. AP/RSS known each other for years by then. As “It expresses some private feelings of a In this undated image provided by The Richard Nixon Library & Museum, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip talk with US President Richard vice president, Nixon and his wife met moment in time that the public really Nixon at Buckingham Palace in London. with Queen Elizabeth and Philip in doesn’t always get a chance to see,” London. The Nixons gave the royal cou- Byron added. tor, “How do you keep the natives off the While visiting a military barracks, every time I run my bath, the steam sets ple a tour of Washington’s sites when Known for his quick wit and willing- booze long enough to pass the test?” Philip asked a sea cadet instructor if she it off.” they made a state visit to the U.S. in 1959. ness to be self-deprecating, Philip’s brand Seven years later in Australia, when vis- worked in a strip club, and even said to a During White House dinners, honored “Philip, by all measures, he was being of cheekiness didn’t always go over well, iting Aboriginal people with the queen, woman who had lost two sons in a fire guests usually offer a toast to the presi- kind,” Byron said of the letter. “And real- and sometimes veered into racism. In he asked: “Do you still throw spears at that smoke detectors were “a damn nui- dent’s health and success. Philip wrote to ly expressing so much of his character.” 1995, he asked a Scottish driving instruc- each other?” sance. I’ve got one in my bathroom, and Nixon that he couldn’t “begin to tell you — Associated Press

C M Y K SATURDAY, APRIL 17, 2021 | 08 (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053

Published and Printed by Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd., Central Business Park, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal, P. B. No. 8559, Phone: 5135000, Fax: 977-1-5135057, e-mail: [email protected], Regd. No. 32/049/050, Chairman & Managing Director: Kailash Sirohiya, Director: Swastika Sirohiya, Editor: Sanjeev Satgainya