Restrictions Can't Check Virus Spread, Proper Response Needed, Experts

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Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 178 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.0 C 14.7 C Friday, August 21, 2020 | 05-05-2077 Bhairahawa Jomsom Restrictions can’t check virus spread, proper response needed, experts say Public health experts reiterate that the authorities must utilise the period to expand testing and contact tracing and devise short- and long-term strategies.

ARJUN POUDEL new cases were reported in a week in KATHMANDU, AUG 20 the Valley after the lockdown ended on July 21. The number of new infec- Districts including those in tions reported on August 4 was 251 Kathmandu Valley may have been (the second week); 587 on August 11 under strict restrictions, but (third week); and 1,027 on August 18 unless authorities fully utilise this (fourth week). period to increase tests and ensure On Thursday, when the Valley contact tracing and pull out all the returned to lockdown with strict stops, it could be yet another restrictions imposed, 200 new cases opportunity squandered, public were reported. The Valley’s Covid-19 health experts say. tally now has reached 2,316. Multiple doctors the Post spoke to The country as of Thursday has said that the virus has taken hold in reported 29,645 positive cases, includ- the community and that an effective ing 126 deaths. contact tracing is the only way to Death rate too has increased more break the transmission chain. than threefold in recent weeks. “We all know a lockdown or restric- Eighteen people had died until tion for an indefinite period is not August 4—in two weeks since the end POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA possible. Nor is it a solution to the of the lockdown on July 21, but 56 peo- Police briefly detained people who were out for various purposes at New Baneshwor in Kathmandu on Thursday. Authorities said a total of 2,326 people were held for flouting the restrictions pandemic,” said Dr Madhu Devkota, a ple succumbed to the virus from while 991 two-wheelers and 322 four-wheelers were stopped and taken in custody on the charge of plying without essential work. They were later released. professor at the Institute of Medicine, August 5 to August 18 (two weeks). Tribhuvan University. “We have to Experts say what is concerning is prepare.” cases are now doubling in a week or According to Devkota, the past lock- less in the Valley. Kathmandu is one of down is an example of how the gov- the most densely populated areas in ernment failed in the fight against the the country, with a huge mobility of Confusion and chaos as Kathmandu Valley virus. people. “The lockdown was imposed in An official at the Covid-19 Crisis haste and lifted without any plan- Management Centre told the Post that ning,” said Devkota. “We are facing Kathmandu Valley is facing a very the consequences now. ” serious situation. residents wake up to new coronavirus curbs According to the Health Ministry, 92 >> Continued on page 2 A lack of clarity on opening timings of shops selling essential goods and who are allowed to move around and who are not creates hassles for the public and law enforcers.

ANUP OJHA & SHUVAM DHUNGANA some time in “holding centres” the 180 in Bhaktapur. KATHMANDU, AUG 20 police have set up at various places. Local governments say they are help- Police also stopped some who were less and that they are just facilitating Kumar Timilsena had opened his on their way to office, as it was diffi- the chief district officer’s orders. store at Kupondole for just half an cult for them to identify who was on “Our role is to disseminate the mes- hour on Thursday morning when essential services and who was not. sage of the district administration policemen came on motorcycles, sirens On Thursday, banks said that their office, and we are implementing its blaring, and told him to close his shop. staff coming to work were stopped by decision,” said Raju Man Manandhar, “I had just received a supply of milk police and their motorcycles were spokesperson for the Lalitpur from a dairy,” said the 40-year-old who impounded. They warned that they Metropolitan City office. operates a grocery store. “I guess the will not provide services on Friday if Lalitpur Chief District Officer milk will go to waste now.” the movement of their staff is not Bhatta admitted that there were com- Later he learned from another shop facilitated. plaints from the public about confu- that police had been going around, Nepal Rastra Bank spokesman sion in timings—as to when the shops announcing that stores would be Gunakar Bhatta told the Post that the will open and till when they can buy allowed to open from 4am to 7am only. matter of obstruction of movement of foodstuff. On Tuesday evening, chief district the bank staff had been sorted out “We are having consultations over officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and with the Home Ministry, as banks fall the issue,” Bhatta told the Post. “We Bhaktapur issued prohibitory orders under the essential service category. may extend the period for buying and effective Wednesday midnight to con- Later on Thursday, the Kathmandu selling essential goods.” tain the spread of the virus. District Administration Office issued He, however, was quick to add that The orders say people should not a notice, saying that movement of it’s incumbent upon the local federal come out of home unless for buying vehicles carrying essential workers units to decide when it comes to man- medicines and essentials, vehicles would be facilitated. aging shops. should remain off the roads and only those, including shops, providing essential services should operate. When Nalini Shah, who lives in Bakhundole, went out to buy some foodstuff about 8am on Thursday, she did not find any shops open. “I had gone to buy milk, but all shops were closed,” said Shah. “Nor could I buy vegetables.” Local administrations’ prohibitory orders seem to be stricter compared to the lockdown days, but they have failed to properly inform the public. “We had tentatively announced to allow shops selling daily essentials to open from 4am to 7am,” said Narayan Prasad Bhatta, chief district officer of Lalitpur. When there was a nationwide lock- down from March 24, essential shops POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA selling foodstuff had been allowed to Policemen enforce a shutdown in Kalanki, Kathmandu, on Thursday. open initially until 9am, which later had been extended until 10am and The Oli government’s decision to let In Kathmandu, too, shopkeepers then the whole day. chief district officers grant powers to said they were confused about the dis- The Tuesday decision of the chief issue prohibitory orders has already trict administrators’ orders. district officers of the Valley, however, faced criticism with experts saying “Yesterday, police came and said has created confusion among the the move is against the spirit of the there would be prohibitory orders people. constitution, as it undermines provin- from Thursday. But we were forced to Without clarity on the timings for cial and local governments. close our shops after opening it for 15 buying essential stuff, many in differ- The government’s move of allowing minutes at 7am,” said Kiran Khanal, ent parts of the city thronged various local administrators to take their own who owns a cold store in Dhobichaur. shops, disregarding safety protocols measures to contain the spread of the “We could not open the shops through- and physical distancing. Police even virus comes amid widespread criti- out the day.” held some who were out for morning cism that it largely failed in the fight Rajeshwor Gyawali, administrative walks and jogging. They, however, against the pandemic. spokesperson for the Kathmandu were let go later on after spending The prohibitory orders in the Valley Metropolitan City, said he is unaware were issued after a sudden surge of the District Administration Office’s in the number of Covid-19 cases decision regarding the timings for over the past weeks after the gov- shops selling foodstuff. ernment lifted the nationwide Senior Superintendent Shyam Lal lockdown on July 21. Gyawali, chief of the Kathmandu The Health Ministry said that Metropolitan Police Range, said police 200 new cases were reported were closing the shops as per the in Kathmandu Valley on instructions from the local level. Thursday—174 in Kathmandu, “After assessing the risk in their 18 in Lalitpur and eight in areas, local authorities of every ward Bhaktapur. The total number of have allocated the time for shops to cases in Kathmandu Valley cur- open,” said Gyawali. “Police are only rently stands at 2,698—2151 in assisting in effective implementation Kathmandu, 367 in Lalitpur, and of a ward’s decisions.”

C M Y K FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Rupandehi authorities face Flood-displaced families from Integrated local resistance to their bid settlement plan Bhajani seek refuge in forest in Karnali to set up isolation centres More than 550 families who were displaced by the July flood have moved to fails to move Tilottama and Siddharthanagar municipalities have failed a community forest after living on the Postal Highway for eight days. beyond paper to set up new isolation centres as Covid-19 cases spiral. MOHAN BUDHAAIR KALENDRA SEJUWAL DHANGADHI, AUG 20 SURKHET, AUG 20 SANJU PAUDEL post.” According to him, they can RUPANDEHI, AUG 20 accommodate up to 20 patients in the The flood displaced families in For Dirgharaj Shahi, a local of Raskot park’s building. Bhajani Municipality, Kailali, have Municipality in Kalikot, monsoons On August 15, the Covid-19 Crisis However, Ram Giri, coordinator of moved to Mohanyal Community are unforgiving. Multiple landslides Management Centre of Tilottama the Park Management Committee, Forest from the Postal Highway, over the past few years have displaced Municipality, Rupandehi, decided to said: “The construction work of the where they had been taking shelter many families from his settlement in set up an additional isolation centre in building has not been completed. The after their settlements were flooded on Badaltola. view of the increasing number of committee’s meeting of Wednesday July 29. “We live in constant fear of during coronavirus patients. has decided not to provide the build- More than 550 families have pitched monsoons. Our houses are at risk of However, the decision to set up the ing for an isolation centre. We are yet their tents in the forest area. being swept away at any moment,” he isolation centre at Pushpalal Park in to fix electricity wires and bulbs in the “Living on the Postal Highway got said. “Some of our neighbours have Banbatika has hit a snag after the hall room. And, the building cannot increasingly difficult for us because lost their houses and properties and park officials refused to vacate their accommodate 20 individuals.” of continuous rainfall. So we moved to now live in makeshift huts. None of newly constructed office building for The locals also agree that the the forest 10 days ago,” said Khemraj the government bodies has so far the municipality to keep coronavirus municipality needs another isolation Kafle, one of the flood survivors from offered us a better alternative.” patients. centre. Bhajani Ward No. 8. In the last week of July, Badaltola Tilottama Municipality has so far “The Park Management Committee The displaced people say their was battered by a landslide that killed reported 32 Covid-19 cases. Twenty should allow the authorities to use one homes are still waterlogged and they PHOTO COURTESY: GANGA CHAUDHARY five members of the same family and patients among them are being treat- of its buildings. The park’s building is cannot return just yet. Flood-displaced families have set up tents inside Mohanyal Community Forest as their displaced 18 other households. It is ed at Shankarnagar Health Post, two in a suitable location near the health “At least the forest provides better homes are still waterlogged. one of the twelve locations in the symptomatic patients are receiving post,” said Bel Prasad Sharma, a resi- cover from the rainfall,” Kafle said. municipality selected as safe zones to treatment in Butwal Corona Hospital dent of Tilottama-2. Meanwhile, Sher Bahadur relocate displaced landslide victims and the remaining patients are stay- Meanwhile, Siddharthanagar Chaudhary, the municipal mayor, has under the provincial government’s ing in home isolation. Municipality Ward No. 2 is also facing claimed that not all the families living Integrated Settlement Development “The municipality has been wit- resistance to set up an isolation centre in the community forest are flood dis- Two more bodies recovered Programme. nessing a rise in the number of coro- at a local school. placed. The programme was initiated by navirus cases in the last few weeks. Dipak Kumar Thapa, ward chair- “Some people have moved to the the Karnali provincial government in There is currently only one isolation man, said the local people in the ward forest with the intention of encroach- from flood-hit area in Achham the last fiscal year wherein settle- centre. We need to add at least one are against the idea of setting up an ing the land. We are trying to identify ments at high risk of floods and land- more,” said Moti Prasad Paudel, the isolation ward at Balbhahira School. the genuine flood victims to resettle MENUKA DHUNGANA compensate and relocate the flood-af- slides were to be moved to safer loca- health coordinator of the municipali- The locals had even staged a protest them elsewhere,” he said. ACHHAM, AUG 20 fected families. tions. The programme, however, is yet ty. For the time being, the municipali- against the municipality’s decision on The municipal office has also Upadhyay said his office was work- to be implemented successfully. ty has been using the building of the Monday. been assessing the damage caused by Search team on Thursday ing closely with the local government On December 15, 2019, a Cabinet Shankarnagar Health Post as an isola- “The school building can accommo- the flood. recovered two more bodies of the to provide treatment to the injured, meeting had endorsed a working tion centre. date up to 100 individuals. But the The initial record of the municipal- flood victims who were swept away offer immediate relief to the displaced guideline to develop integrated settle- “We have proposed the building of locals aren’t happy with the decision ity showed that 3,200 families have by the rain-swollen Kailash stream in families and rehabilitate them to a ments. The guideline has also priori- Puspalal Park as it is adjacent to the to convert the school into an isolation been affected by the flood. Saini Bazaar, Achham, on Tuesday safer location. tised landless squatters, Dalits, and health post. It will be difficult for the centre,” Thapa said. “Around 150 families have been dis- night. Authorities are yet to ascertain the the marginalised. municipality to run isolation centres Until Thursday, 5,288 Covid patients placed and they now have nowhere to Eleven others are still missing and magnitude of the destruction. The According to the working guideline, in two different places,” said Basudev tested positive for coronavirus in live,” said Chaudhary. search for them is underway, officials flood is believed to have been caused the local units have to select safer Ghimire, mayor of the municipality. Province 5. Among them, one died and Jayasara Kami, another flood survi- said. The flood in Kailash stream had due to damming of the stream by a locations to relocate families based “This is why we chose the park’s 640 tested positive for coronavirus in vor from Bhajani Ward No. 3, dis- swept away 22 houses in Saini Bazaar, landslide before bursting with a great on the recommendation from geolo- building since it’s close to the health Rupandehi district. missed the mayor’s claim that some of the trade hub of Ramaroshan Rural force and laying to waste the settle- gists, environmentalists, and techni- them had moved to the community Municipality Ward No 5. ments downstream. cal teams. forest to take over the forestland. So far, the search team comprising The floods also swept away “We thought Badaltola was less “We came here to save our lives. We security personnel and locals have a concrete bridge and nine prone to landslides and had planned moved from the Postal Highway recovered eight bodies. Police said the suspension bridges in the Darna area, to move flood and landslide victims because living under the open sky dead and the missing persons belong according to Jhankar Saud, the chair- there. But the entire ward was affected with continuous rainfall was diffi- to four families of Saini Bazaar. man of Ramaroshan Rural by this year’s monsoon,” said Kashi cult,” she said. Meanwhile, Chief District Officer Municipality. Chandra Baral, mayor of Raskot The displaced families, Gokarna Prasad Upadhyay, who An ambulance belonging to Municipality. according to Kami, are still living inspected the flood-ravaged area on the local unit and five micro According to him, the local unit had with no provisions for food and sanita- Thursday, said the district administra- hydropower projects were also selected Badaltola without conducting tion facilities. tion was making arrangements to damaged in the disaster. a geological survey, as dictated by the “The food grains provided by the guidelines, since the local unit did not municipality on August 4 barely last- have the means to hire geologists, ed us for two weeks. We are now sur- liveable. The houses are filled with Ward No.8, 115 households of environmentalists or a technical team. viving on the food grains that we had sand washed in by floodwaters,” said Dailekhtol, Kusumghat and “The local units alone can’t imple- managed to salvage from our homes,” Kafle. “The whole municipality is at Barduwa in Bhajani Ward No. 3, 250 ment the programme,” Dipendra she said. risk of inundation since the rainfall households of Kauwakheda and Rokaya, a member of the Karnali The flood survivors say for some has not stopped.” Kalapathhar in Bhajani Ward No. 5, 20 Province’s planning commission, told families returning to their settlements The flood that occurred in the last households of Namabasti the Post. “The provincial government POST PHOTO: SANJU PAUDEL is out of the question, as their homes week of July had displaced 165 house- Paduwaphant in Bhajani Ward No. 1 had planned to call an expert team for The office building of Pushpalal Park where Tilottama Municipality plans to set up a Covid-19 were destroyed in the flood. holds of Krishnanagar, Kadadhik, and 35 households of Charra in survey and land use management in isolation centre. “None of the houses in Ward No 8 is Barchaud and Khallagaun in Bhajani Bhajani Ward No. 7. Karnali but the federal government did not respond to our request.” A 10-member project coordination committee led by Chief Minister Mahendra Bahadur Shahi, was Restrictions can’t check virus formed to implement the programme. spread, proper response Most of the local units have not sent needed, experts say details of risk-prone >> Continued from page 1 Ishwar Pokhrel and to make matters areas, officials say. “The case doubling time has come worse, he has been embroiled in a cor- down to a week. The virus is spread- ruption controversy. ing fast in densely populated areas,” Public health experts on a number According to Keshav Prasad said the official requesting anonymity of occasions have said privately as Upadhayay, spokesperson of the Chief because he was not authorised to well as publicly that the Oli adminis- Minister’s Office, the programme has speak to the media. “And our health tration is reluctant to pay heed to not taken off because the local govern- facilities are very poor.” their suggestions. ments are yet to submit the details of As per prohibitory orders issued for “We have been calling on the author- risk-prone settlements to the office. the Valley by district administrators, ities since the first case was reported “According to the guideline, the which came in effect on Wednesday to focus on tests, ensure effective con- local units have to assess the risk and midnight, people are not allowed to tact tracing and isolate the infected,” submit the details to us but we haven’t come out of homes unless for buying Dr Rajendra BC, former member of received the data yet,” Shahi said. medicines and other essentials. the Nepal Health Research Council, In the last fiscal year, the provincial Vehicular movements have been told the Post. “It has been seven government had notified all 79 local banned and shops other than those months since the first case was report- units of the province to identify settle- providing essential goods and medi- ed. We are still making the same ments at high risk of floods and land- cines will remain closed. requests to the authorities.” slides. Out of the 79 local units, only According to public health experts, When cases started to spike, Dullu and Chamudabindrasaini of since the virus is going to stay government officials started passing Dailekh, Tajakot and Chankheli of for long, the authorities must the buck. Humla, Thulibheri of Rukum (West), devise short-, medium- and long-term The Health Ministry spokesperson Raskot of Kalikot and Khatyad of strategies. even went on to say why the govern- Mugu responded. “It takes time to set up new health ment should take all the responsibility The government had allocated Rs facilities, as it is not only about of the people and spend on their test- 254 million for the programme that placing a few beds and installing some ing when they are reluctant to spend would cover all 79 local units; however, equipment. It, rather, is about also even Rs200. only five local units among the seven having human resources with years Experts say it is also incumbent interested received Rs 1.8 million of experience,” said Prabhat Adhikari, upon the people that they strictly budget each to conduct a feasibility an infectious disease and critical follow safety protocols and take pre- study of the land. care expert. cautionary measures, but the govern- “We had recommended that 90 “We should use this restriction peri- ment cannot wash its hands of its houses of Puchchhegaun, which is at od to break the transmission chain responsibility. high risk of landslide, should be shift- and to track infections. Meanwhile, “Beds in intensive care units are ed to safer locations but before they we should make maximum use of already packed and the country lacks could be moved, 651 other families available facilities.” enough ventilators,” said Adhikari, have been displaced this monsoon,” Even though doctors had warned in the infectious disease and critical care said Mayor Baral. the initial days that the country’s specialist. The programme at Tajakot in health facilities would soon get over- “People will start dying without Humla has also come to a standstill for whelmed, the authorities failed to pay treatment, if we fail to arrange beds a lack of safe locations to relocate heed. Public health experts say there and ventilators immediately.’’ landslide-prone settlements. Lal are some visible missteps by the gov- As of Thursday, 129 Covid-19 Prasad Dhakal, chief administrative ernment in response to the virus. patients are in intensive care units, officer of Tajakot Municipality, said, It was slow in putting together a with 54 in Bagmati province. The “The locations we had selected as ‘safe national network of testing labs and Health Ministry said that seven people zones’ witnessed multiple landslides human resources to ensure effective are on ventilator support in Bagmati this monsoon. We, therefore, haven’t contact tracing. province alone. been able to resettle the previously Even during the lockdown, people’s “An infected person spreads the displaced households in Tajakot.” movement from one district to anoth- virus to 2.3 persons on average. We According to the Karnali Provincial er and to the Valley continued. The had anticipated the present situation, Police Office in Surkhet, floods and government formed two committees as our preparation was not sufficient,” landslides in various parts of the to fight the virus but did not appoint said Devkota, the professor at the province have destroyed 91 houses and an expert as the coordinator. Institute of Medicine. displaced 2,942 families since mid- According to doctors, an expert “The authorities might extend the April. SSP Rajesh Bastola, spokesper- could have assessed the situation bet- restrictions as they seem to be left son at the office, said, “Fifty-one indi- ter than a political figure. Both the with no other alternative. But what viduals in the province were killed committees formed to respond to the authorities need to understand is and nine are still missing in this mon- Covid-19 are led by Defence Minister restriction is not a solution.” soon’s floods and landslides.”

C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 NATIONAL Recruitment agencies fight among themselves over Japan employment Dispute erupted after some agencies formed a separate body to work on various issues of employment in Japan.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL cated Japan unit will be established at KATHMANDU, AUG 20 the Department of Foreign Employment to oversee workers’ At a time when not a single Nepali has selection and departures. Since there been able to migrate to work in Japan are no roles specified for recruiting under the agreement both countries agencies, no one from outside will be signed last year, a new dispute has able to process the recruitment of come to the fore. aspiring migrants. The latest row is among recruiting “We are not formally informed agencies with the establishment of about any such organisation being the Japan Employment Coordination formed. If this is the group of recruit- Council (JECC) by a group of them. ing agencies engaged in JITCO, then The move has irked the Nepal they can come together and form such Association of Foreign Employment a forum,” said Bhola Nath Guragain, Agencies (NAFEA)—the umbrella spokesperson for the Foreign organisation of agencies recruiting Employment Department. Nepali migrant workers for various “But if they are trying to work as countries—even as the government is per the pact signed between Nepal and unaware of the development. Japan, there is no such role of agen- In a statement on Wednesday, cies or their coordination from out- NAFEA questioned the formation of side for labour migration to Japan.” the Council and also accused the The faction of recruiting agencies recruiting agencies forming it and the forming the JECC, however, said they government of setting up a syndicate were neither trying to create a syndi- POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL for Japan employment. cate nor an organisation parallel to The Maitighar-Naya Baneshwor road section wears a deserted look as the local administration imposed a week-long prohibitory order beginning Thursday in Kathmandu Valley. “All organisations working in the NAFEA. foreign employment sector have to Madan Mahat, president of the register with the Department of newly formed JECC, said it was just Foreign Employment. But the JECC a common forum of recruiting agen- has been registered as a non-govern- cies working in the Japan employ- mental organisation while its goals ment sector. BRIEFING and activities appear suspicious, lead- “This is a social organisation of Indra Jatra festivities called ing to a syndicate on employment in JITCO representative agencies for Japan,” Sujit Kumar Shrestha, the promotion and provides required Floods sweep away six NAFEA general secretary, told the coordination among the stakeholders wooden bridges Post. for tapping opportunities in Japan. MUGU: People of several settlements off over Covid-19 concerns “Our suspicion comes true because But we want to talk about the broader in Chhayanath Rara Municipality while the department has not issued issues of employment opportunities and Mugumkarmarong Rural munici- new licences to agencies which wish in Japan,” said Mahat. pality in Mugu have been affected Organisers accept there’s no way to observe the festival safely amidst the pandemic. to send workers under the Japan “Even after signing the new deal, after last week’s floods swept away International Trainee and Skilled Nepali workers have not reached six wooden bridges over Salimkhola. SRIZU BAJRACHARYA On Wednesday, the festival organis- Over the years, the festival has also Worker Cooperation Organisation Japan. We have not been able to send According to Chhiring Kyapne Lama, KATHMANDU, AUG 20 ers were supposed to have sent people gained international recognition with (JITCO), the new organisation has our workers and they are deprived of chairman of Mugumkarmarong, to Nala, a forest near Bhaktapur to its large scale participation, chariot been formed.” opportunities. The JECC will work for thousands of people from Magri, Last year Ritesh Ranjit was surround- bring ya sin, a wooden log to erect it pulling of three living deities of the According to Shrestha, the associa- lobbying, promotion and coordination Maha, Pulu, Daura, Lums, Kampha, ed with throngs of people at Majipat, outside Hanuman Dhoka Palace to Valley, Ganesh, Kumari and Bhairav, tion had been requesting the on various issues for ensuring oppor- Balchaur and Bhatdanda villages Lakhenani Chowk as he danced fero- mark the beginning of the festival. and various mask dances. Department of Foreign Employment tunities in Japan.” have to risk their lives while crossing ciously as the Majipa Lakhey, barefoot But they did not. And with the onset Many Newar communities also dis- to register interested and qualified The Nepal government has been the flooded stream. “Efforts are on to in the heat of the afternoon during of festival, many Newar communities play giant mounds of samay baji as agencies to work under the JITCO. drafting guidelines for implementing build makeshift bridges in the area,” Indra Jatra. He felt invigorated as the would accordingly plan for the proces- feasts for the deities. The festival reit- Currently, there are 206 organisations the deal signed in March 2019. Nepal is said Lama. crowd cheered him on, their gasps as sion and rituals of the jatra. erates a tale of a time when Lord accredited for sending Nepali workers among nine countries from where he closed him on them had him mirth- “I think it is the first time we are Indra disguised himself as a farmer to Japan under the Technical Intern Japan plans to hire an estimated fully laughing under the heavy red not celebrating the festival. Although and visited the Valley in search of Training Programme. 345,150 workers in 14 sectors over five Six more bodies recovered mask of the Bhairav, who is believed in the past the festival has seen parijat, the night flowering jasmine, “All these developments indicate years. However, not a single Nepali SINDHUPALCHOK: Rescuers have recov- to be the protector of the Valley obstructions, we had always contin- for his mother but was held by the that there is a new syndicate in the has reached Japan under the new pact ered six more bodies from the land- people. ued with the celebrations,” Gautam people who took him to be a thief. making with the government’s back- while recruiting agencies have been slide-ravaged Lidi village of “I felt out of this world performing Ratna Shakya, chair of Indra Jatra On Monday, Indra Jatra ing,” said Shrestha. claiming a stake in sending workers to Sindhupalchok on Thursday. Police Byawasthapan Samittee had also The agreement between Nepal and the rich nation. said a total of 30 bodies have now released a regretful notice to the pub- Japan—‘Memorandum of Cooperation “We have also been critical of the been recovered so far while nine vil- lic informing that the festival will (MoC) on sending Nepali workers with government when it wants to send lagers remain missing. According to only fulfil necessary rituals. The deci- the status of residence of Specified workers. What is the need for recruit- Deputy Superintendent Madhav sion was made after their meeting Skilled Workers (SSW) to Japan’—had ing agencies then?” said Shrestha. Prasad Kafle, a team of 55 rescuers with the officials of Kathmandu ruled out the role of private recruiting “But there was no need for a paral- fromNepal Army, Nepal Police and District Administration Office on agencies in hiring and supplying lel agency while these agencies are Armed Police Force are searching for Sunday. The notice further conveyed workers to Japan. already registered under the NAFEA. the missing. The massive landslide that this year’s Indra Jatra will see no The Labour Ministry, on several What if all them start forming similar swept away 13 houses and damaged 37 chariot procession or mask dance. occasions, has reiterated that a dedi- country-specific organisations?” others on Friday last week. Previously, before the communi- ty-outbreak of Covid-19, the organis- ers of the festival had been planning Covid-19 cases exceed to celebrate the festival as minimally as possible on a small scale. 1,000 in Kapilvastu “We had been discussing making KAPILVASTU: The total number of sanitisers and masks available to reported Covid cases has exceeded everyone and having only limited peo- 1,000 in Kapilvastu, Province 5. With ple on the ground while pulling the the confirmation of 24 positive cases chariot. And we were thinking of hav- in Krishnnagar and Bahadurgunj POS FILE T PHOTO: ANISH REGMI ing the police oversee the participa- Bazaar on Thursday, the total Indra Jatra (Yenya Punhi) is one of the most vibrant times of the year for the Newars in tion,” said Shakya. coronavirus cases reached 1,014. Kathmandu Valley. It heralds the arrival of Dashain and Tihar. “But a fact we cannot deny is that Kapilvastu, with 204 active cases, is even if we minimise the festival in ranked ninth across the nation and in front of the crowd,” said Ranjit. But Byawasthapan Samittee. terms of participation, there still will first in Province 5 in terms of total this year Ranjit is feeling down with The festival, one of the most colour- be a lot of people involved in the char- positive cases. the news of Indra Jatra festival being ful in the Valley, was started in the iot pulling and various other works of called off by the authorities conceding 10th century by king Gunakamadeva. the jatra. And we don’t want to risk to the rising Covid-19 cases in the Kumari Jatra, celebrated on the third people’s lives and escalate the risks,” Prohibitory orders in Sindhuli Valley. Ranjit has been performing as day, was an addition made during said Shakya to the Post. SINDHULI: All the nine local govern- Majipa Lakhey for about a decade, and Malla times in the 18th century. Over the past month, Covid-19 cases ments in Sindhuli district have this will be his first time not perform- But many who believe in the rituals in the Valley have spiked by hundreds; imposed prohibitory orders allowing ing in the festival. and the various traditions of the Indra 200 new cases were reported on only essential services to run follow- “There’s no way of curbing a crowd Jatra will still try to take part in the Thursday alone. ing a spike in coronavirus cases. “All when you are performing as the festival in some way, said Rajiv Ranjit, Many of these cases in the Valley so local governments coordinated with Majipa Lakhey, there will be hordes of who is the main lead of Indra Jatra far have been reported from inside the each other to impose the order after onlookers and although it’s sad that Shri Lakhe Aaju Guthi. core Newar settlements, said Shakya. contact tracing became difficult,” we won’t be celebrating the festival “And it’s understandable as they are “Festivals attract people, and a festival said Chief District Officer Yogendra this year, it’s an important step the very deeply tied to the values of the like Indra Jatra has a huge following, Prasad Pandey. “However, there won’t organisers have taken,” he says. celebration. Bereaved families still so we thought this was the best deci- be restrictions on the movement of Indra Jatra, Yenya Punhi, is one of might decide to walk for their deceased sion we could make looking at the essential goods.” Seventeen Covid-19 the most vibrant times of the year for family members in the Upaku proces- hour we are living in,” says Shakya. patients have been kept in isolation the Newars in the Kathmandu Valley. sion,” said Rajiv Ranjit. “It’s a difficult time for everyone in two different hospitals in the dis- The eight-day long festival heralds the During Upaku, marked on the first but people have been considerate POST FILE PHOTO trict while 12 have returned home arrival of Dashain and Tihar. This day of the festival, bereaved families about our decision,” said Shakya. The agreement between Nepal and Japan—‘Memorandum of Cooperation on sending Nepali after successful recovery, according to year the festival was supposed to walk along the periphery of core “And I think it’s okay for us not to hold workers with the status of residence of Specified Skilled Workers to Japan’—had ruled out the District Health Office. begin on August 30. Kathmandu city. the celebration for this one time.” the role of private recruiting agencies in hiring and supplying workers to Japan. Nepal receives over Rs 3 billion from Green Climate Fund for climate action

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL Latin America, Africa and Asia Pacific coun- Nawalparasi and Chitwan to the ones in the board meeting had approved the first-ever change-related projects worth $7 million each KATHMANDU, AUG 20 tries. But we have managed to receive the grant high mountains like Mustang and Manang. funding proposal of Nepal. from the Global Environment Facility were out of a tough and competitive process. First, In the view of the basin’s high vulnerability For the project, Building Resilient Churia approved in August 2019 and April 2020. Nepal has secured yet another significant the Independent Technical Advisory Panel of to climate change including increased frequen- Region in Nepal (BRCRN), to be implemented For accessing funds from the GCF, a global funding from Green Climate Fund (GCF) to the GCF sends queries regarding the project cy and intensity of rain, floods and landslides, by the Food and Agriculture Organization platform that helps countries in their efforts to support climate activities in the future. proposals which we have to respond. There are the project was designed to improve the resil- (FAO) in partnership with the Ministry of fight climate change by investing in low-emis- The 26th board meeting of the GCF in also inquiries during the board meeting. Only ience of communities and ecosystems in the Forest and Environment, Nepal was awarded sion and climate-resilient development, WWF Sangdo, South Korea, on Wednesday approved then the project is approved.” basin area, according to the project document. $39.3million in grant. Nepal and UNDP Nepal have also been working Nepal’s proposal for the project entitled The International Union for Conservation of “The main goal of the project is to protect Earlier this year, Alternative Energy on their project proposals. ‘Improving Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Nature (IUCN), a GCF accredited entity, and the ecosystem and enhance communities’ live- Promotion Centre (AEPC), Nepal’s first and The recent successes in accessing climate Communities and Ecosystems in the Gandaki the Ministry of Forest and Environment will lihood through nature-based solutions,” said only GCF accredited entity, also signed a con- finance for the country’s adaptation and miti- River Basin, Nepal’. jointly implement the project. While the Forest Dhungana. “Watershed management, river tract with GCF for seeking climate finance for gation efforts show that Nepal is gradually With the approval of the project, the country Ministry will be the lead agency for imple- conservation, protecting ecosystem services the country’s climate actions. learning ways to tap the opportunities. will access a financial grant of USD27.4 mil- menting the project, the IUCN will work on and improving livelihood are the major priori- The AEPC received GCF accreditation in “Our capacity for making our claims for cli- lion (over Rs3.29 billion) for implementing the other components like capacity building, ties. Through this project, we also want to February 2019. The GCF accreditation status mate finance has enhanced. But this is a highly five-year project. according to Dhungana. mainstream the concept that river basins can- means the entity becomes eligible for claiming competitive process and takes several months “This is a significant achievement in terms The project aims to improve the climate not be confined within the political boundary.” and accessing financial support of up to $50 of preparations,” said Dhungana. “The cur- of accessing climate finance for supporting resilience of nearly 1.9 million people from Despite its negligible contribution to climate million as its climate action partner. rent project was in the pipeline since February our climate actions. This has been possible 198,016 vulnerable households of the Gandaki change, Nepal is one of the most vulnerable Likewise, Nepal’s other climate finance sup- 2018 and all the homework was happening for because of the hard work of the engaged stake- River Basin. The basin falls in 19 districts of countries in terms of the adverse impact of port of $24 million under the Strategic Climate the last three years. For the proposal making, holders,” said Sindhu Prasad Dhungana, three provinces—Bagamti Province (five dis- climate change. Fund from the World Bank was approved last several rounds of consultation were held with spokesperson for the Ministry of Forest and tricts), Gandaki Province (eleven districts), This is the second significant funding the month for implementing the Forest for the involvement of the targeted communities, Environment. and Province 5 (three districts). country has received within a year from the Prosperity Project. ensuring gender components, rights of indige- “The grant could have gone anywhere in These districts cover low-lying districts of GCF. Last year in November, the 24th GCF According to Dhungana, two more climate nous groups and safeguarding environment.”

C M Y K FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Starting over again Against forgetting We must all work together to promote human rights and peaceful co-existence.

Today and tomorrow mark major commemorative events in the global human rights calendar. The United Nations has proclaimed August 21 as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, and August 22 as the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. Both these days are related to protecting the human rights of victims and survivors of gross violence and injustice. They help highlight how victims and survivors struggle to have their voices for justice heard and their rights to dignity upheld. The twin commemorative days are also deeply interlinked, for they underscore the need for the world to come together to right the wrongs committed against innocent lives. While victims of terrorist attacks tend to receive attention in the immediate aftermath of the event, they are more often than not relegated to the dark corners of history in the long run. Not only the dead but also the survivors of such attacks face neglect once the limelight shifts to more pressing events. States and rights organisa- tions alike often overlook the need to provide the survivors with physical, psychological, financial and social support to help them cope with their trauma and eventually recover. It is with keeping this in mind that UN Secretary-General António Guterres has said it is essential to remember and hear the victims of terrorism and help them rebuild their lives and heal. The violence against religious communities, especially religious minorities, poses another great challenge today. Religion is often a POST FILE PHOTO major contributing factor in terrorist attacks and communal clash- There seems to be no bad acid trip, it intensifies the ques- ing down again, and when our feeble for not following basic precautions. es. The day to commemorate the victims of violence based on reli- tions we ask ourselves and makes our healthcare system is beginning to get But increasingly it is clear that our mind go places we don’t want it to. overwhelmed? What good is growth Covid-19 response is built upon the gion or belief recognises the need to create awareness about the ills end to either the pandemic Covid-19 eats away at the foundations when survival is the answer? twin pillars of incompetence and abdi- of religious intolerance, violence and discrimination, and calls or the government’s of our trust in others—friends, family, The circle has begun to close in. Last cation of responsibilities. We relied on upon states and communities to step up their efforts in promoting relatives. Before meeting them, we month, we joked about a false alarm in donations for ventilators; we did not want to know, who else did they meet? our neighbourhood. Last week, a ven- prepare enough beds; we reduced PCR communal harmony, cultural and religious plurality, human rights incompetent response. Where did they go? Have they been dor tested positive. The other day, a testing at a time we should have and dignity. Moreover, the day also marks the need to recognise the wearing masks? friend said we—he meant people like increased them; we allowed mass tran- acts of violence and discrimination against atheists, children, The virus also turns us selfish. How us, who wear masks, sanitise ourselves sit of people into populated areas; we AMISH RAJ MULMI women and LGBTQI+ community persons that come together with far should we go to keep ourselves and all the time, wash our hands at every are not informing those who have test- our families safe? We’ve thrown social opportunity, who live in homes with ed positive on time; Nepalis are stuck religious intolerance. niceties out the window. There is awk- open spaces—wouldn’t get it. He cor- abroad with little information about The twin commemorative days are also an occasion to call atten- wardness all around if we meet some- rected himself immediately; of course when they can return—the list is long. tion to the roles of states in committing acts of terror and violence, one. Do we hug? Take off our masks it wasn’t true. Our privilege affords us What we have done is bring out a (the literal ones, too)? And should we be space and perhaps a measure of safety. shoddily designed badge on which we and perpetuating the marginalisation of victims and survivors. sitting here, in this cafe? Isn’t home But if we’ve learnt anything over this spent Rs2 million, published a map that Apart from the well-known acts of legitimate and non-legitimate safer? year it is that the virus is a great equal- has done little except become an irri- violence, states often get away with committing acts of criminal Every morning, for the past five Over the months, as Nepal’s response iser. tant, attempted to identify the birth- months, a tailorbird couple sits outside to Covid-19 falters under the weight of As our cities return to living under a place of gods at a time when humans negligence such as the unlawful storage of hazardous material at a our window, their distinctive cheep- state incompetence, I see the disease blanket of dread, we ask ourselves if are dying and fought for power when a port in Beirut, which resulted in a deadly explosion that claimed cheep-cheep call acting as our alarm closing in upon us. At first, it was a we are doing enough. But the citizen coherent response was needed. over 170 lives. A BBC Nepali Service report recently highlighted clock. In these months, the couple has distant one—spatially and metaphori- has been compliant; she has been wear- Public health experts have cried the threat posed by the storage of large amounts of the same haz- raised two sets of chicks. The first cally. Things looked under control. ing a mask, and she has suffered the themselves hoarse, but no, it’s time to brood had three chicks, each a little Tests were being done; hospitals did loss of livelihood and income with stoi- change the carpets and buy new vehi- ardous material that caused the Beirut explosions in military bun- ball of fluff, and I saw them one evening not overflow. Cases rose, but the cism. But she has also followed orders— cles (turns out, there is plenty in the kers at Swayambhu, right in the heart of Kathmandu. as they huddled close to each other in a overall numbers didn’t look too bad. We and if the order is to go to work, coffers when one needs it). Frontline From dictatorships to democracies, states all over the world have jasmine bush as the parents rushed grew accustomed to the smell of there is little she can do. The citizen workers like doctors and the police are about trying to gather insects for them. sanitisers; our hands soaked in the is a puppet, strung along by a govern- testing positive every day. But no, we for long remained playgrounds for acts of violence against minori- The second brood had two chicks, smell of soap. And our faces bore the ment that has fumbled its way as it will assume the virus doesn’t move at ties of all kinds including religious, racial, linguistic, ethnic and born sometime in the past month. The marks of mask straps—but we were diverted our attention with gods and night, and so we will issue prohibitory gender. Recent events in the global scene have shown that the unho- tailorbird sews leaves together to make okay with it. maps. orders only for the night. And now that ly alliance between majoritarian-nationalist politics and religious a nest of brilliant craftsmanship, Then came the inexplicable decision All these months, I have desisted the excreta has hit the fan, we are now another of everyday nature’s wonders. to remove the lockdown. Just like that, from critiquing our government’s pan- entering damage control by issuing a fundamentalism poses a grave threat to the lives and livelihoods of But I am yet to see the nest in my gar- the tap was turned on. Everybody demic response. I have said we need to weeklong prohibitory order. If only the minorities. It is time for governments, activists and rights institu- den, despite my many attempts. If the seemed to forget that the virus isn’t one be more patient, especially because virus listened to official orders. tions to come together and work towards promoting shared values past five months have taught me any- to follow state regulations. Things went more advanced health systems than And so, I return to watching the tai- thing, however, it is to be patient. back to normal: traffic jams, daily lives, ours—Italy, Sweden, the US, even lorbirds stoically, and hope to find the of fraternity, human rights, peace, co-existence and benevolence. I was never a patient person to begin etc. Experts argued the lockdown India—have collapsed under the weight nest soon. There isn’t much we can do, May the twin commemorative days remind us once again of our with, but the lockdown months forced wasn’t a feasible solution, livelihoods of cases. I have pointed out the futility except keep ourselves safe as best as we collective responsibility towards society. It is only by remembering me to be one. As days pass like clouds had to be earned, businesses could of comparing mass testing in an can. Like the kings of yore, we hope and months disappear into the ether, close down. advanced island-state like Singapore that Pashupatinath will watch over us. the victims and protecting the vulnerable that we can ensure that there is little else one can do. This pan- All of this is true. But what now— and a country like ours. And I have, After all, what can we expect the gov- justice prevails in its truest sense. demic is an extraordinary event; like a when cities across the country are clos- like many still do, faulted the citizens ernment to do?

Now is the time

on local sources, and managing solid from haemorrhaging further. The government and waste had become an unending chal- The supply and agriculture minis- lenge. Kathmandu had turned into tries could have worked together on businesses need to plan a one of the most polluted cities in Asia. policies to better market local farm Overall, the pace of nature’s decline produce and ensure timely availabili- recovery that is greener and had already been exceptional and ty of imported fertiliser so that farm- required a fundamental reorganisa- ing would become a little more more sustainable. tion across technological, economic, rewarding to attract the youth who are and social systems to restore them. otherwise certain to depart for foreign Planners were well aware of the employment later on. Imposing strin- MADHUKAR UPADHYA decline, and yet, they didn’t commit gent rules to curb middlemen would themselves enough to change. The enable farmers to produce more and STARTING pandemic has forced us to revisit our create opportunities in their villages. POINT actions. The Roads Department resurfaced the The lockdown has had an exception- roads in the capital demonstrating al, positive impact on the environ- that the lockdown period presented a ment. Vehicular emissions decreased unique opportunity to take advantage dramatically as the use of fossil fuels of urban life coming to a grinding halt It’s yet another trying moment for the dropped. Dust and other suspended by coming up with plans to make average citizen as the government has particles in the environment fell to reforms, which otherwise would have extended restrictions on travel and minimal levels. Industrial waste emis- been difficult. nonessential services until August 31 sions remained low. As a result, the due to rising Covid-19 cases. For now, environment, especially in urban More resilient future one can only hope that the virus out- areas, improved greatly. In Kathmandu It’s time to think outside the box in break doesn’t get out of control; and to and other major cities, people could order to shape our recovery in a way this end, if the restrictions need to be breathe clean air and see clear blue that will reframe the future to deliver further extended, so be it. Lives must skies for the first time in decades. a more sustainable and more equita- be protected first. Who wouldn’t want to have this ble revival tailored to suit our situa- With nearly two-thirds of business- improvement sustained—for the tion and needs. Instead of just shoring es closed completely and transactions health of our communities? up our fledgeling economy, rendered reduced by about 74 percent among The government, obviously, would further feeble by the pandemic, the those that are still in operation, thou- want to resume economic activities as government and businesses need to sands of jobs have been lost. This has soon as the curve of transmission is plan a recovery that is greener and crippled the economy which has flattened. Reverting to the status quo more sustainable, which may require affected everyone, although the lower will mean continuing with the econo- making drastic and necessary chang- middle class, primarily employed in my that led to large-scale environmen- es in our policies. informal sectors, has suffered the tal degradation. The question is POST FILE PHOTO Critics may say that switching from most. It’s difficult to predict when whether we want to follow the same several occasions, don’t seem to be tions and stricter emission regula- massive landslides and catastrophic fossil to clean, green energy may not these lost jobs will resume, if they do trajectory that got us into this mess ready to do so as of yet. tions. Introducing simple rules like erosion, to ropeways, a transport sys- get us to the growth rates of yester- at all. However, the government can’t before the pandemic or maintain the Except for the health sector that has lane driving and strictly adhering to tem that suits the landscape as well as years for some time, but with the shift, waste time to see how we want to build environment that we have experi- been overwhelmed and exhausted by the speed limit would significantly the economy, would greatly benefit the we can ensure sustainable and low- our recovery plans, and while doing, it enced in the last five months. The lat- the pandemic, other development sec- improve traffic conditions. Making natural environment. Considering the risk prosperity. No doubt our develop- must consider one area in particu- ter demands that we re-examine our tors were doing minimal routine work dedicated bicycle lanes and encourag- landscape and our economy, ropeways ment funds, in the wake of Covid-19, lar—environmental protection. development trajectory and get back during the lockdown. This period pro- ing the use of bicycles even for the should have been the solution to the will be limited for years to come to a mutually effective connection vided these sectors with ample time to delivery of goods such as takeout or problem of our mobility, particularly because our revenue sources have Fossil to clean energy between humans and nature. work on developing policies to main- online purchases within the city limits for goods. In fact, cargo bicycles and been hit hard. We’ll see less aid com- We must remind ourselves that the An increasing number of people tain the aforementioned improvements could help promote a bicycle culture. goods transporting ropeways had ing as donor countries themselves pre-Covid economy had its own issues. now accept that we need to shift from by introducing new measures and reg- Replacing small delivery vans with been introduced and tested in the past, face unprecedented economic slow- It had caused severe degradation of fossils to clean energy in the larger ulations. Unfortunately, such initia- electric three-wheelers would lessen but government apathy discouraged downs. Current improvements in the the environment, the rivers were pol- interest of the future of humanity. tives were absent. The energy and demand for petroleum products. their endorsement. Promoting such environment aren’t just a fluke; luted, groundwater had depleted However, authorities with the power transport ministries, for example, Similarly, shifting from roads that means of transport will not only they’re a rare opportunity to re-route beyond repair, urban centres were to possibly make the required reforms, could have worked together to impose are not only expensive to maintain in improve the environment but prevent our development path to a more resil- over-crowded, putting more pressure which the state has agreed to do on higher standards for vehicle condi- the hills but also known to have caused limited foreign currency reserves ient future.

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 MONEY India rice prices rise as exporters 17 diners receive grapple with floods, ‘very good’ rating coronavirus REUTERS after inspections BENGALURU, AUG 20

Rice export prices in top-hub India Government teams checked 501 roadside restaurants and edged higher this week as floods and surging coronavirus cases hammered eateries in the last fiscal year for food quality and hygiene. supply and export logistics. India’s 5 percent broken parboiled KRISHANA PRASAIN fiscal year 2018-19 conducted inspec- variety rose to $383-$389 per tonne KATHMANDU, AUG 20 tions and standardisation in 860 from last week’s $382-$387, with hotels and restaurants. A total of 748 exporters struggling to fulfil orders Only 17 among the 501 diners on hotels and restaurants were catego- due to limited availability of contain- Nepal’s highways passed food hygiene rised on the basis of food safety. ers and workers at the country’s big- inspections with a ‘very good’ rating, Among them 14 were issued a very gest rice handling port, Kakinada, in according to a report issued recently good score, 94 good, 288 satisfactory the state of Andhra Pradesh. by the Department of Food Technology and 352 average. “Demand is huge for Indian rice due and Quality Control. These establish- Many hotels and restaurants in the to lower prices, but exports are getting ments were awarded a green sticker previous fiscal year fell under the affected by floods and the coronavirus with three stars. average category that needed improve- outbreak in Andhra Pradesh,” said Matina Joshi Vaidya, director gen- ment. According to the data, many Nitin Gupta, vice president for Olam eral of the department, said it was diners were found to be not fulfilling India’s rice business. very challenging to be graded ‘very standardisation requirements. good’, and many among the 501 Mohan Krishna Maharjan, spokes- roadside restaurants and eateries person for the department, said that Traders expect the department checked in the ratings were issued particularly to last fiscal year for food quality and hotels and restaurants on the high- prices to stay hygiene did not meet the required ways where public vehicle movement standards. is high. Inspection and standardisa- elevated for the POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL “It is not enough to have good food tion were conducted in establishments With a week-long prohibitory orders in place, shops in Kathmandu Valley, like these in New Road, have been forced to pull down their shutters. hygiene, you need to have a consistent that serve meals, he said. next few months. The orders were issued as part of a measure to contain the spread of the coronavirus. record of maintaining proper hygiene Eateries in Khurkot, Nepalthok, which many restaurants did not Muglin, Malekhu and other highway have,” she said. rest areas were targeted because of With 2.84 million total Covid-19 The restaurants and eateries may their heavy traffic and long duration cases, India is the worst-hit country in be maintaining quality, but they stops, he added. Asia and third only behind the US and should also keep records to show the “We began issuing ratings to the Brazil in terms of the number of Apple reaches $2 trillion market inspection team that they offer quality hotels and restaurants in places like cases. Floods in neighbouring and standard foods, she said. Nagarkot and Bandipur with the start Bangladesh damaged rice crops worth The inspection team cannot check of Visit Nepal 2020, but we stopped 363.34 billion taka ($4.29 billion) on the restaurants daily, so the team nor- inspecting them following the cancel- around 100,000 hectares, Agriculture value as tech fortunes soar mally grades them based on their lation of the tourism promotional Minister Abdur Razzaque said. records, she said. “Restaurants and campaign,” he said. Bangladesh, the world’s third big- ASSOCIATED PRESS The broader boom in tech stocks eateries must be able to show how The department’s regional offices gest rice producer, often relies on CALIFORNIA, AUG 20 also has helped the benchmark S&P they are assuring quality and safety in Biratnagar, Janakpur, Hetauda, imports to cope with shortages caused 500 index reach new highs after steep when the inspection team asks for it,” Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and by floods and droughts. Apple has become the first US compa- declines earlier in the year. Apple, she told the Post. Dhangadhi inspected the diners and Meanwhile, Vietnam’s 5 percent ny to boast a market value of $2 tril- Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook and Maintaining quality and hygiene is graded them, Maharjan said. broken rice rates jumped to $480-$490 a lion as technology continues to Google’s parent company, Alphabet a basic requirement. There are other “The department’s inspection tonne on Thursday, its highest since reshape a world where smartphones account for nearly 23 percent of the criteria like maintaining the proper teams look closely at kitchen hygiene, late 2011, from $470 last week. are like appendages and digital servic- S&P 500’s entire value. temperature in the refrigerator, ensur- store, toilet sanitation, hygiene man- “Supplies are thin as local traders es are like instruments orchestrating Apple isn’t the first company in ing that cooked food is kept at a tem- agement, raw material store and have increased their purchases recent- people’s lives. the world to reach a market value perature of at least 75 degrees Celsius, hygiene knowledge,” Maharjan said. ly and the summer-autumn harvest The iPhone maker reached the $2 of $2 trillion. That honour belongs to washing salad ingredients in potassi- In October 2017, the department has ended,” a trader based in Ho Ci trillion milestone in Wednesday’s energy producer Saudi Aramco, um permanganate or chlorine, and issued a directive making it mandato- Minh city said. early stock market trading when its which attained it in December not reusing cooking oil. ry for hotels and restaurants to main- The return of the novel coronavirus shares surpassed $467.77. 2019. Saudi Aramco now trails Hotels and restaurants also need to tain food quality standards, food safe- to Vietnam late last month has also The stock later backtracked to close Apple with a market value of about keep health records of their employ- ty measures and hygiene. prompted the hoarding of rice domes- at $462.83, but it didn’t diminish a $1.8 trillion. ees as per the hotel and restaurant Eateries have been classified into tically, the trader noted. remarkable achievement that came Now that technology has clearly analysis criteria. four types—very good, good, medium Traders expect prices to stay elevat- just two years after Apple became the become the oil of the 21st century, According to the report, 82 hotels and average—based on the quality of ed for the next few months until a new first US company with a $1 trillion other industry leaders could soon be and restaurants, or 16.5 percent of the food, service and infrastructure. The harvest in October. market value. AP/RSS joining Apple in the $2 trillion club, total, were graded ‘good’ and received directive came into force after being Supply concerns also pushed It comes amid a devastating pan- The sun is reflected on Apple’s Fifth Avenue now that it is clear technology has a green sticker with two stars; 201 endorsed by the Ministry of Thailand’s benchmark 5 percent bro- demic that has shoved the economy store in New York. become the oil of the 21st century. establishments, or 40 percent, were Agriculture Development. Hotels and ken rice prices up to $480-500, its high- into a deep recession and caused Many industry analysts are predicting rated ‘satisfactory’ and were given a restaurants receive four types of est since July 2, from $465-$500 last unemployment rates to soar to the of the industry’s biggest players, as Amazon, Microsoft and Alphabet green sticker with one star. stickers depending on how well they week. “It seems like the rice harvest in worst levels since the Great Depression well as relative newcomers, such as could eclipse the milestone in the The remaining 201 diners got a star- fulfil the standards prescribed by the provinces will not be so great,” a nearly a century ago. video conferencing service Zoom, upcoming months too. less yellow sticker, meaning they Good Manufacturing Practice, Good Bangkok-based trader said. But Apple and other well-estab- which has seen its shares quadruple Not all technology companies are needed improvement. Hygiene Practice and Hazard Analysis lished tech giants such as Microsoft, so far this year. doing as well as they were before the As per the department, restaurants Critical Control Point principles to Google, Amazon, Facebook and Netflix Apple’s stock has climbed nearly pandemic. Google, for instance, suf- classified as ‘very good’ will receive a protect consumers’ health. FOREX have thrived during the upheaval as 58 percent this year. In recent weeks, fered the first quarterly revenue green sticker with three stars, and The department received 461 com- the pandemic has forced millions of the rally has been bolstered by decline from the previous year in its restaurants ranked as ‘good’ will get a plaints regarding processed drinking people to work, attend classes, shop excitement over a four-for-one stock history during the April-June period green sticker with two stars. A green water, edible oil, quality of meat-relat- US Dollar 120.35 and entertain themselves at home. split that Apple announced late as the advertising sales that generate sticker with one star means ‘medium’, ed products, hotels and restaurants Euro 142.61 That, in turn, has made technology last month in an effort to make its most of its profit tapered off amid and an eatery with a yellow sticker and the quality of rice, and its rapid even more crucial, a factor that has shares more affordable to a wider pandemic-driven lockdowns across means it is in need of improvement. response team took immediate action, Pound Sterling 158.19 caused investors to snap up the stocks swath of investors. the US. The department in the previous officials said. Japanese Yen 11.37

Chinese Yuan 17.40 Qatari Riyal 32.82 China, US agree Australian Dollar 86.21 India faces slowdown as virus clouds rural revival Malaysian Ringit 28.84 REUTERS to hold trade talks, Saudi Arab Riyal 32.09 MUMBAI/NEW DELHI, AUG 20 Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Chinese commerce India is staring at a protracted slow- Shares down as coronavirus cases reach its countryside, with signs of recovery in Nepse 1,397.57pts ministry says 0.45% the rural economy hailed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi “at best a REUTERS HIGHEST GAINERS mitigating factor”, government offi- BEIJING, AUG 20 SFCL CLBSL BBC SLBS BFC SJCL 9.91% 5.75% 5.52% 3.88% 3.03% 3% cials and analysts said. The world’s No.5 economy reports China and the United States have MODERATE GAINERS first-quarter GDP data on August 31 agreed to hold trade talks “in the com- SHIVM CHCL EIC SABSL HBL DHPL 2.92% 2.34% 2.09% 2.08% 2.04% 2% and, according to a Reuters poll, it is ing days” to evaluate the progress likely to have contracted 20 percent of their Phase 1 trade deal six MODERATE LOSERS over April-June. It is forecast to shrink months after it took effect in February, SLBSL GMFBS LBBL MSMBS GHL TRH -1.31% -1.32% -1.63% -1.64% -1.75% -1.96% 5.1 percent in the year to March 2021, the Chinese commerce ministry said

HIGHEST LOSERS the weakest since 1979. on Thursday. BNT SIFC MHNL MPFL SDLBSL JOSHI Nearly half of India’s 1.38 billion Ministry spokesman Gao Feng -2% -2% -2.44% -2.78% -2.99% -6.45% population rely on agriculture to sur- made the comments at a weekly brief- vive, with the sector accounting for 15 ing held online, but did not elaborate. percent of its economic output. They followed Tuesday’s remarks Modi has been citing higher fertil- by White House Chief of Staff Mark PRICE PER TOLA BULLION iser demand and sowing of monsoon Meadows that no new high-level trade crops, both key signs of rural activity, talks were scheduled, though both Fine Gold Rs 98,800 to show there are “green shoots” in sides were in touch about implement- the economy. ing the Phase 1 deal. Silver Rs 1,360 But four government officials said The deal, reached on January 15, the uptick in activity may not be as and seen as a major breakthrough SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA large as believed given a spike in virus after a two-year long trade dispute cases in rural areas that were initially between the world’s two largest econo- isolated from the pandemic. mies, set ambitious targets for China GASOLINE WATCH “The economic situation has in to sharply boost purchases of US farm fact worsened since April and May, REUTERS and manufactured goods. and we are likely moving towards A file photo shows farmers planting saplings in a rice field on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India. But ties quickly soured in the after- a longer economic slowdown than math of the coronavirus pandemic earlier expected,” a finance ministry new cases are increasingly emerging cerns, along with an increasing pro- interest rate cuts, but many feel and China’s imposition of a new official said. outside major cities, dashing hopes portion of active Covid-19 cases,” said demand is likely to remain subdued national security law in Hong Kong. The official pointed to sluggish con- the rural economy will be a buffer Upasna Bhardwaj, economist at Kotak until virus worries subside and the Both sides traded threats and sumer demand and a slowdown in against shrinking exports and Mahindra Bank. Rating agency ICRA government pumps in more money. sanctions on individuals and busi- rural lending as causes for concern. manufacturing. believes pent-up demand contributed “Flattening of India’s virus curve is nesses, such as Chinese video plat- “The situation on the economy front “While a recovery in rural activity to some improvement in manufactur- critical for a pickup in production. form TikTok. is very serious and the government’s provides a glimmer of hope, it is at ing in June and July, and that it may Once the economy unlocks fully, we Official data also suggests hands are tied on the fiscal front,” a best a mitigating factor,” said Rahul not continue in August due to virus-re- expect exports to lead to recovery and China’s imports of US farm and government adviser with direct Bajoria, a Barclays economist. Bajoria lated lockdowns. domestic demand to lag,” said Kapil manufactured goods, energy and knowledge of India’s budget plans expects India’s GDP to have contract- A widening fiscal deficit may also Gupta, chief economist, Edelweiss services are well behind the pace said. Both declined to be named as ed 22.2 percent in the June quarter. limit India’s ability to provide more Research. Former central bank needed to meet a first-year target they were not authorised to speak to Farmers planted nearly 14 percent stimulus, though Finance Minister Governor Raghuram Rajan has called increase of $77 billion over 2017 pur- media. A ministry spokesman more land between June 1 and July 31 Nirmala Sithamaran has promised to for greater focus on protecting India’s chases. China’s purchases have declined to comment. than last year given good monsoon take steps for industries like tourism economic capabilities for a meaning- increased as its economy recovers A slump in monthly demand for rains, while fertiliser production rose and hospitality. ful revival. from this year’s coronavirus lock- fuel, electricity, steel, consumer dura- 4.2 percent in June. India’s fiscal deficit hit a record “As is the case with most countries down, however. bles and auto sales over April-June “Even as the momentum coming $88.5 billion over April to June, in the region, there is bound to be On Tuesday, US President Donald further highlight the dire state of the from the agriculture sector owing to a already 83.2 percent of the target for some permanent damage to output, Trump told reporters he had post- economy. India also has the third-high- normal monsoon and robust sowing is the whole fiscal year, due to lower tax setting recovery back by a few years to poned an August 15 review of the est number of virus infections in the a positive, we believe this may not collections and front-loaded spending. return to pre-Covid trend,” said trade pact, in frustration over Beijing’s world at more than 2.7 million, and sustain due to surplus labour con- India’s central bank has frontloaded Radhika Rao, a DBS economist. handling of the virus pandemic.

C M Y K FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 | 06 WORLD

BRIEFING

China says Taiwan allegations ‘malicious slander’ BEIJING: China on Thursday branded as “malicious slander” accusations from Taiwan about hacking attacks linked to the Chinese government, further adding to tensions between Beijing and Taipei. Taiwan has been urging its people to be alert for what officials call “omnipresent infiltra- tion” from China, ranging from Beijing-backed media campaigns to cyberattacks, against the island that China considers its territory. This week, Taiwan said hacking groups connected to the Chinese government had attacked at least 10 government agencies and some 6,000 email accounts of government offi- cials in an “infiltration” to steal important data.

Thai police arrest activists over protests BANGKOK: Thai police said on Thursday they had arrested eight more activists, including two popular rappers, in a crackdown after more than a month of protests against the military-backed government that have also challenged the powerful monarchy. The eight arrested over- night and on Thursday are charged with breaching internal security laws over a July 18 protest and defy- AP/RSS ing an emergency decree that banned A newly-wed couple kiss as Belarusian opposition supporters hold flowers during a protest in Minsk, Belarus, on Thursday. Demonstrators are taking to the streets of the Belarusian capital and other cities, keeping up their public gatherings to prevent the push for the resignation of the nation’s authoritarian leader. spread of the coronavirus, police said. “The arrests of the leaders that organised such activity are being processed based on the law,” Jirapat Phumjit, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau told North Korean leader’s reporters. India records another high of Iran announces locally sister named ‘de facto made missiles new coronavirus infections DUBAI: Iran displayed a surface-to-sur- face ballistic missile on Thursday Delhi has about 11,000 active cases after more than 139,000 people were infected. that Defence Minister Amir Hatami second-in-command’ said had a range of 1,400 kilometres ASSOCIATED PRESS and a new cruise missile, ignoring US NEW DELHI, AUG 20 Russia to begin Covid-19 vaccine trials on 40,000 people REUTERS demands that Tehran halt its missile SEOUL, AUG 20 programme. “The surface-to-surface India counted another record high of MOSCOW: Mass testing of Russia’s first Russian authorities and scientists fol- missile, called martyr Qassem new coronavirus infections on potential Covid-19 vaccine to get lowing two months of small-scale South Korea’s intelligence agency Soleimani, has a range of 1,400 km Thursday as it ramped up testing to domestic regulatory approval will human trials, the results of which believes that Kim Yo Jong, the sister and the cruise missile, called martyr more than 900,000 a day. involve more than 40,000 people and have not been made public yet. of North Korean leader Kim Jong Abu Mahdi, has a range of over 1,000 The 69,652 new cases pushed will be overseen by a foreign research But Western experts have been Un, is serving as his “de facto km,” Hatami said in a televised India’s total past 2.8 million, of which body when it starts next week, backers more sceptical, warning against second-in-command” but has not nec- speech. Pictures of the missiles were 2 million have recovered, the Health of the project said on Thursday. its use until all internationally essarily been designated his succes- shown on state TV, which it said was Ministry said. These were the first details on the approved testing and regulatory steps sor, a South Korean lawmaker said “the newest Iranian cruise missile The country also recorded 977 coro- shape and size of the upcoming late- have been seen to be taken and proved on Thursday. that will further strengthen Iran’s navirus fatalities in the past 24 hours, stage trial of the vaccine given by its a success. Believed to be in her early 30s, Kim deterrence power”. (AGENCIES) raising total deaths to 53,866, the min- developers, who are aiming to allay “A range of countries is running an Yo Jong is the leader’s only close istry said. Covid-19 illnesses and concerns among some scientists information war against the Russian relative with a public role in deaths are thought to be far higher about the lack of data provided by vaccine,” Kirill Dmitriev, head of the politics, recently spearheading a new, AFP/RSS around the world due to limited test- Russia so far. Russian Direct Investment Fund tougher campaign to put pressure on Kim Yo Jong ing and other factors. The vaccine, called “Sputnik V” in (RDIF) that is backing the vaccine, South Korea. Putin critic Navalny India has conducted 3 million homage to the world’s first satellite told a briefing. The vaccine data will Ha Tae-keung, an opposition party lighted a substantive policy role that tests for the virus, but experts have launched by the Soviet Union, has be published in an academic journal lawmaker on parliament’s intelligence goes beyond being merely Kim’s assis- urged increasing its testing capacity been hailed as safe and effective by later this month, he said. (REUTERS) committee, told reporters that Kim tant, analysts say. in coma, aides greatly, given India has the world’s was helping to run the regime with She issued her first public state- second-highest population of 1.4 bil- mandated authority from her brother. ments to spray criticism at the neigh- lion people. are the worst-hit regions. reopened elementary, middle- and “The bottom line is that Kim Jong bouring nation, and the North’s state suspect poisoning It has the third-most cases in the South Korea reported 288 new cases, high-schools in May. Un still holds absolute power, but has media portrayed her as playing a deci- world, behind the United States its third straight day over 200, as Health officials in Australia’s hot turned over a bit more of his authori- sion-making role. REUTERS and Brazil, and has the fourth health authorities scramble to slow an spot state said the daily new Covid-19 ty compared to the past,” Ha said, fol- In July, she offered personal views MOSCOW, AUG 20 highest number of deaths behind outbreak in the greater capital area. tally would have to be substantially lowing a closed-door briefing by the on diplomacy with the United States the US, Brazil and Mexico. India’s The Korea Centers for Disease Control lower before authorities would consid- South’s National Intelligence Service. in an unusual statement in state Russian opposition politician Alexei nationwide lockdown imposed in late and Prevention said 230 of the new er easing the lockdown in the city “Kim Yo Jong is a de facto sec- media, saying her brother had given Navalny was in a coma in a Siberian March began easing in May and is cases came from the Seoul metropoli- Melbourne. ond-in-command,” Ha added in a tran- her special permission to watch hospital on Thursday after drinking a now largely being enforced in high- tan region, where health workers have “I won’t give you a figure, but single script of remarks seen by Reuters. recordings of that country’s cup of tea that his spokeswoman said risk areas. struggled to track transmissions tied digits or even low double digits,” More authority on economic and Independence Day celebrations. she believed was laced with poison. On Wednesday, authorities ordered to various places and groups, includ- Victoria state Deputy Chief Health military policy has also been delegat- When rumours and speculation A fierce critic of President Vladimir reopening of hotels and weekly mar- ing churches. As of noon Thursday, Officer Allen Cheng said, though he ed to several other senior officials, arose in April about Kim Jong Un’s Putin, Navalny started feeling ill when kets in the Indian capital that were 676 cases have been linked to a huge was encouraged by a downward trend. although at a lower level, possibly to health, his sister was seen a possible returning to Moscow from Tomsk in closed for nearly four months. The northern Seoul church led by a vocal Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said reduce strain on Kim Jong Un as well placeholder to take over the family Siberia by plane on Wednesday morn- situation improved in the Indian capi- conservative activist. if the city was reopened even at half as help him avoid blame for any fail- dynasty until one of Kim’s children is ing. He was carried off the plane on a tal with only 12 deaths reported in the Sarang Jeil Church’s pastor, Jun the current figures, “you wouldn’t ures, Ha said. old enough. stretcher after it made an emergency past 24 hours. Kwang-hun, marched in downtown have defeated the second wave. You’d Kim Yo Jong won fame ahead of her Kim Yo Jong has been absent, landing at Omsk. Delhi has about 11,000 active cases Seoul over the weekend, shared a just be beginning the process of a brother’s 2019 summit with US however, from several recent high-lev- He was in intensive care and on after more than 139,000 people were microphone with other protesters and third wave.” President Donald Trump in Vietnam, el meetings, such as a plenary an artificial lung ventilator in an infected. Four of India’s 28 states was later hospitalized after testing Victoria reported 240 new cases and when her efforts to ensure everything gathering of the ruling Workers’ Omsk hospital, his spokeswoman Kira now account for 63 percent of total positive. At least 17 other protesters 13 deaths on Thursday, an increase went well included holding an ashtray Party on Wednesday, said NK News, Yarmysh said. fatalities and 54.6 percent of the case- have tested positive so far. Separately, from the previous day but continuing for the North Korean leader at a train a Seoul-based website that tracks load. Western Maharashtra state the Education Ministry said 240 infec- a recent decline. Melbourne has been station on his journey. North Korea. and three southern states of Tamil tions have been confirmed among stu- under Australia’s toughest pandemic Her prominence in the campaign That has stirred some speculation Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka dents and teachers since the country lockdown restrictions for two weeks. against South Korea this year high- about a possible demotion. Harris seizes historic moment in accepting nomination

ASSOCIATED PRESS She was preceded in the convention their stories. But as Americans, we all WILMINGTON, AUG 20 program by Barack Obama, meaning stand on their shoulders.” the nation’s first Black president Harris also blistered Trump, some- Kamala Harris accepted the introduced the woman trying to be the thing she’s expected to do frequently REUTERS Democratic nomination for vice presi- first Black person to hold the vice as she campaigns with Biden in the Alexei Navalny dent on Wednesday, cementing her presidency. Obama said Harris was an coming months—though in-person place in history as the first Black “ideal partner” for Biden and was events may remain impossible as the “We assume that Alexei was poi- woman on a major party ticket and “more than prepared for the job.” coronavirus rages. She recalled her soned with something mixed into his promising she and Joe Biden will reju- Harris is a former district attorney days in the courtroom when she would tea. It was the only thing that he drank venate a country ravaged by a pan- and California state attorney general. declare “Kamala Harris for the peo- in the morning. Alexi is now uncon- demic and riven by racial and parti- She promised to speak “truths” to the ple,” reviving a slogan from her presi- scious,” Yarmysh said. san divides. American public. She said she and dential campaign, while noting, “I Doctors gave contradictory infor- In an address capping the third Biden, who tapped her as his running know a predator when I see one.” She mation about his condition, saying it night of the virtual Democratic mate last week, believe in a country didn’t mention the president by name had stabilised but also that there was National Convention, the California where “we may not agree on every then but didn’t spare him later. still a threat to his life and they were senator evoked the lessons of her detail, but we are united by the funda- “Donald Trump’s failure has cost working to save him. late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a biol- mental belief that every human being lives and livelihoods,” Harris said. There is a long history of Kremlin ogist and Indian immigrant, saying is of infinite worth, deserving of com- She later added, “Right now, we have a foes being poisoned or falling ill after she instilled in her a vision of “our passion, dignity and respect.” president who turns our tragedies suspected poisonings. nation as a beloved community— Democrats hope Harris can galva- into political weapons. Joe will be a They include Alexander Litvinenko, where all are welcome, no matter what nize their party’s faithful—who are president who turns our challenges who died in London in 2006 after we look like, where we come from or divided between progressive and mod- into purpose.” drinking tea laced with polonium-210, who we love.” erate wings—and win over swing vot- The Biden campaign is hoping and Sergei Skripal, a former double “In this election, we have a chance ers still deciding between Biden and AP/RSS Harris can excite young voters and agent who was poisoned with a nerve to change the course of history,” Trump. But she also was introducing Vice presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks at the Democratic National Convention. people of colour, especially after agent in 2018 in Salisbury, England. Harris said. “We’re all in this fight.” herself to a national audience that months of protests over institutional The Kremlin has repeatedly Mixing a former prosecutor’s polish may not have been paying close atten- was empty except for socially dis- noted that this week marks the 100th racism and police brutality that denied involvement in those and other with the deeply personal, Harris also tion to the race until now. tanced reporters and a few campaign anniversary of the 19th Amendment, swept the country. She’s known for her incidents, calling them anti-Russian spoke of her Jamaican father and get- “For somebody with her wealth of staffers. She was introduced by her which gave women the right to vote. tough questioning in the Senate, par- provocations. Yarmysh did not say ting a ”stroller’s eye view” of the civil background and experience, she’s still sister, Maya, her niece Meena and Ella Except that right, Harris said, came ticularly during confirmation hear- who she believed may have poisoned rights movement as her parents pro- fresh. She’s still new,” said Ohio Rep Emhoff, her stepdaughter who calls much later for most Black women, ings of two Trump nominees, Brett Navalny but said police had been tested in the streets in the 1960s. Marcia Fudge, a former chair of the her “Momala.” At the end of her who helped secure that victory yet Kavanaugh for Supreme Court justice called to the hospital. “There is no vaccine for racism,” Congressional Black Caucus who speech, Biden walked out to join her were still prohibited from voting. and William Barr for attorney A regional health ministry spokes- Harris said. “We have got to do the endorsed Harris’ 2020 presidential pri- from a distance and both were soon “Without fanfare or recognition, general. She also caused a stir by woman, Tatyana Shakirova, con- work.” mary run before throwing her support joined by their spouses. they organized, testified, rallied, broadsiding Biden during a primary firmed that Navalny has been hospi- Harris addressed a party that has behind Biden in March. In sweeping remarks that touched marched, and fought—not just for debate last summer over his opposi- talised in Omsk and said doctors staked its future on bringing together Harris spoke at a convention centre on the legacy of Black women who their vote, but for a seat at the table,” tion to busing in the 1970s to integrate assessed his condition as serious. a racially diverse coalition of voters. in Biden’s home state of Delaware that paved the way for this moment, Harris Harris said. “We’re not often taught public schools.

C M Y K 07 | FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Gnabry powers Bayern into Champions League final Ethics committee clears Infantino after investigation The Bavarian giants roar to a 3-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais to set up mouth-watering against final against PSG with Neymar and Mbappe on Sunday. ZURICH: FIFA’s independent ethics REUTERS found Robert Lewandowski at the committee has cleared the organisa- LISBON, AUG 20 back post. His weak shot was saved by tion’s president Gianni Infantino of Lopes, only for the alert Gnabry to any alleged breach of its code, world Bayern Munich powered into the pounce and convert his ninth goal in football’s governing body said on Champions League final, where they nine Champions League games. Wednesday. Swiss authorities last will face Paris St Germain, as two Lewandowski, looking well below month decided to open criminal pro- goals from Serge Gnabry led them to his usual levels of sharpness, had ceedings against Infantino to look an emphatic 3-0 win over Olympique another good chance after the inter- into meetings between the FIFA chief Lyonnais on Wednesday. val, but he again made it too easy for and Swiss Attorney General Michael Bayern will bid for their sixth Lopes, leaving Lyon still with hope. Lauber. Lauber and Infantino have European Cup triumph when they Moussa Dembele, the two-goal hero in denied any wrongdoing with the FIFA come up against Neymar and Kylian the quarter-final win over Manchester chief saying he met the Attorney Mbappe on Sunday and after convinc- City, came on for Depay in the 58th General as part of his duties as presi- ingly beating Chelsea, Barcelona and minute and added much-needed life to dent of the governing body. The eth- now Lyon, Hansi Flick’s side will sure- the Lyon attack. ics committee said it had received a ly start as favourites. But once again, when the chance complaint on June 21 and had The Germans are unbeaten in 2020, came for the French side, they failed received documentation from various winning 24 of 25 matches in all compe- to make the most of it—Houssem Swiss authorities and administrative titions and they have won every Aouar finding Ekambi in the box but courts.” All of this material has been Champions League game this season. the Cameroonian’s finish was straight duly scrutinised by the chairperson No team has ever won the Champions at Manuel Neuer. of the investigatory chamber in the League with a 100 percent record but Bayern lacked the intensity of their context of the preliminary investiga- while Bayern will fancy their chances, first-half display but they made sure tion,” the committee said in a state- PSG’s powerful attack should make of the win in the 88th minute when ment. “Based on the information for an entertaining contest. Lewandowski rose to head home a available to date, no aspect of the con- “Paris are a good team. For now we Kimmich cross from a free kick for his duct analysed constitutes a violation celebrate a little bit but afterwards we 15th Champions League goal this of the FIFA regulations,” it added. focus on the next game,” said Bayern’s season. Lewandowski has scored in Canadian left back Alphonso Davies. nine straight UEFA Champions “It’s going to be a good game, there’s League matches—only Cristiano Two coronavirus infected going to be goals in it. This is what you Ronaldo (11) has a longer streak—and players in South Africa squad dream of as a footballer—playing has notched 55 goals in all competi- CAPE TOWN: Cricket South Africa on against the best in Europe. And we’re tions this season. Thursday reported two positive able to do that, I’m excited,” he added. Lyon’s disappointment will be Covid-19 tests among national team PSG will take hope from the early stronger given that their seventh-place players who were due to participate chances that Lyon created—Memphis finish in the French league means in a squad camp taking place this Depay found space behind the Bayern REUTERS they will not be competing in week. CSA tested 50 players and offi- defence but, forced wide, he could only Bayern Munich’s Serge Gnabry in action during the Champions League match against Lyon in Lisbon, Portugal on Wednesday. European football next season. “We cials prior to the camp, which began shoot into the side-netting. Lyon, who knew that we were up against a better on Tuesday and runs to Saturday, and upset Juventus and Manchester City Powerful striker Karl Toko Ekambi er ball from Joshua Kimmich found Lopes did well to keep out as Bayern team and we stuck to our game plan confirmed two positive cases among in the previous rounds, had warmed found space in the Bayern box and Gnabry who danced in from the right pushed hard for a second. It came in but to beat such a team, you need to the group, without naming those up on the field before the game with should have done better after his first and unleashed an unstoppable shot, the 33rd minute—and was started and score when you have the chance,” said infected. The camp is focused on team rarely-seen intensity and it showed as shot was blocked and his follow-up from over 20 metres out, into the top finished by Gnabry. The former Lyon sports director Juninho. “Maybe bonding and was arranged after CSA they took the game to Bayern and they effort struck the post. But moments corner. Gnabry went close again with Arsenal midfielder fed Ivan Perisic on it would have been different if we had came under heavy criticism from went close again in the 17th minute. later Bayern grabbed the lead—a clev- a snap-shot that Lyon keeper Anthony the left and the Croatian’s low cross converted our early chances.” some former players who claimed there was a culture of racism within the side. “There were no replace- ments made for the two players who tested positive. All those unable to Barcelona appoint Koeman to lead recovery Ponting against ‘Mankading’ attend the camp will join the proceed- ings virtually,” CSA said. REUTERS later became the club’s assistant coach European Championships after they AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE told the Grade Cricketer podcast on BARCELONA, AUG 20 before embarking on a career as a had failed to reach Euro 2016 and the NEW DELHI, AUG 20 Wednesday. “It is going to be a hard Sheffield United sign Ramsdale head coach, managing Dutch sides 2018 World Cup. conversation I’ll have to have with Barcelona have appointed Ronald Ajax Amsterdam, PSV Eindhoven and “Over the past two and a half years, Ricky Ponting has warned him, but I’m pretty sure he’ll take it on after Henderson departure Koeman as their next coach, the club Feyenoord plus Premier League sides I have done everything I can to achieve Ravichandran Ashwin and the rest of the chin. He will say that it was within LONDON: Sheffield United have signed said in a statement on Wednesday, as Southampton and Everton and La success with the team,” Koeman told his Delhi Capitals squad he won’t tol- the rules and he had his rights to do it, English goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale the Catalans look to rebuild after their Liga’s Valencia. the website of the Netherlands’ foot- erate any “Mankad” run-outs during but it’s not within the spirit of the from Bournemouth on a four-year 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in the “Barcelona and Ronald Koeman ball association, the KNVB. “I look the Indian Premier League. game or certainly the way I want the contract, the Premier League club Champions League last week. have come to an agreement for him to back with pride on what we have The Australian great, who will Delhi Capitals to play.” announced on Wednesday. Financial Koeman, who has left his role as be the team’s coach until 30 June achieved together in that period. The again coach the team in next month’s The dismissal was named after details of the transfer were not dis- manager of the Netherlands, has 2022,” said Barca’s statement. “A club Dutch national team has a bright star-studded tournament, said the India’s Vinoo Mankad, who ran out closed but British media reported signed a two-year-deal with Barcelona, legend and Barca’s hero at Wembley future, I am convinced of that. controversial tactic might be legal, but Australia’s Bill Brown by removing United paid Bournemouth 18.5 mil- who sacked Quique Setien on Monday who gave fans their first European Everyone knows that Barcelona is my it was against the spirit of the game. the bails at the bowler’s end during lion pounds to bring Ramsdale back after he presided over the club’s worst Cup, Koeman is coming back to the dream club. It feels very special to me All-rounder Ashwin sparked contro- the 1947 Sydney Test. The mode of to Bramall Lane after his move to the defeat ever in European competition Camp Nou. But this time he will be in to be able to become a coach there.” versy and a worldwide debate last year dismissal, while legitimate, has been south-coast club in 2017. Ramsdale, and a first trophy-less season for the the dugout to lead the team.” The KVNB’s director Eric Gudde with his “Mankading” of England widely considered unsporting. 22, made 37 appearances last season club since the 2007-08 campaign. Koeman has frequently been linked added: “We regret Ronald’s decision, batsman Jos Buttler when the spinner But opposition to it has been soften- for Bournemouth, who were relegat- Koeman, who will be officially pre- with the Barcelona job in the past, in but respect his choice. In the period was captain of Kings XI Punjab. ing recently, particularly in limit- ed to the second tier Championship sented at the Camp Nou stadium later spite of a somewhat patchy club that Ronald has been national coach, He has been hired by Delhi Capitals ed-overs cricket, when non-strikers on the final day of the campaign. on Wednesday, is dearly loved at Barca record which included disappointing he has achieved good results and given for next month’s IPL in the United can gain an unfair advantage by leav- Ramsdale will replace Dean for his role in Johan Cruyff ’s hugely stints at Valencia and Everton. But he the team colour back in their cheeks Arab Emirates, and Ponting said ing the crease early. Ashwin employed Henderson who has returned to his successful side known as the ‘Dream worked wonders with the Dutch after a number of difficult years.”As- he will be talking to Ashwin as a the tactic last year, stopping in his parent club Manchester United after Team’ and for scoring the goal that national team, leading them to 2019 sistant coach Dwight Lodeweges will priority. delivery stride to whip off the bails spending two seasons on loan at delivered the club’s first ever UEFA Nations League final as well as act as interim national coach until the “I’ll be having a chat to him about while Rajasthan Royals’ Buttler was Sheffield United. (AGENCIES) European Cup in 1992. The defender earning qualification to the postponed KNVB has appointed a successor. that, that’ll be the first thing I do,” he backing up out of his ground. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Instructions belong in a board game, not in romance. There will be an unusual or heated exchange While this day’s events are too chock-full of details Your home is usually your refuge from the world, but It’s important to do things your own way, and yes, between you and another person in the morning, and for most people to handle, you will flourish under the recent events could be causing some problems in that that may include making your own mistakes. If it could leave you feeling confused for the rest of the barrage of dates, times, facts and figures. Embrace area. If it’s a matter of physical disrepair, make all other people are giving you unwanted advice, thank day. It isn’t often that the opinions of someone else all the chaos of the day, and tie up all those the phone calls and arrangements necessary to get them and then ignore them. stay with you like this. loose ends. things mended.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) **** LEO (July 23-August 22) **** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Your closest family relationships have been going The voices of authority will sound especially Open up your calendar and take a look at the You have an admirable sense of ownership over through many changes lately, and you are all enter- loud to you today--but perhaps that is just because months ahead. Today is an excellent day for what you are doing right now, but is it completely ing a new phase as individuals. This power struggle you don’t like what they’re saying? It is time to stop long-term plans, so start thinking about what you warranted? There is a lot to be said for delegating will create a few conflicts, but they are all neces- talking so that you can listen more attentively. At want to do and where you want to go over the course some of your responsibilities to other people once sary--and not very long lasting. least try. of the year. in a while.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) *** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) **** Try to be a lot more active with people than you One of your closest friends misses you terribly, and Sometimes, you just have to go on faith. You’re at a Your energy needs some stimulation today, but not usually are right now--it would be a good idea to it’s time for you to make them your top priority. crossroads right now and time is running out. You the physical or emotional kind. To feed your mind, mix your energy with the energy of a large Whether they live near you or not doesn’t matter. need to decide which way you’re going, and you seek out some intellectual stimulation. Controversial group, preferably in some sort of leadership Geography has nothing to do with closeness, when it won’t have the luxury of knowing all the informa- perspectives will force you to think about things in a position. comes to emotions. tion you want to know about your options. new way. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 How Teej songs have evolved and what they mean for women From bitter-sweet lyrics with which women vent their emotions to notes of resilience against patriarchy, Teej songs have for years been used as a means to reflect women’s position in Nepali society.

ANKIT KHADGI cal representation and underlying sexism KATHMANDU in Teej songs is a result of male singers penning and performing Teej songs. n July 19, singer Sophia “When more and more men singers and Thapa released a Teej song writers started occupying space in Teej ‘No Barta Please’ on songs—which was largely the domain of YouTube. Through the female artists for a long time, the songs song, Thapa urges women suffered from the male gaze, leading to who are pressured to fast show women and their issues in Teej Oon Teej to not succumb to external forces. songs in a stereotypical manner,” says “If one wants to fast, it should be their Sharma. personal choice,” says Thapa, who wrote Sharma’s views echo in the songs by the song during the lockdown days within Santosh KC and Khuman Adhikari, who two days. have been releasing Teej songs almost “Through the song I also wanted to every year which receives millions of comment on discriminatory customs, like views on YouTube. Last year, Durgesh drinking khutta ko pani [leftover water Thapa had also released the first series of after the husband’s feet are cleaned], ‘Bich Bich Bich Ma’, a Teej song that which are responsible for maintaining brought a wave of conversations, as it hierarchy,” she says, for whom such songs insisted men too should be involved in the are an artistic medium through which celebrations of Teej. This year too, he has she conveys messages of equality and released two back-to-back Teej songs rebels against patriarchal practises in the ‘Bich Bich Bich Ma 2’, and ‘Bich Bich name of festival and culture. Bich Ma 3’. Her song, however, was met with a lot Many do not agree with this notion. of backlash, and the video of the song “The trend of male singers entering the had to be removed from the social media realm of Teej songs is daunting, as they site because the singer started facing are not only taking away space of threats from the public as well as reli- female artists, but are also taking the gious fundamentalists. voice of women for whom Teej songs Although Thapa had to pay a price for have been a way of expressing them- being vocal about women issues through selves,” says singer Jyoti Magar, who for her work, according to Indira Mishra, the past seven years has been releasing associate professor of English in Teej songs. Mahendra Multiple Campus, Dharan, the While Magar’s Teej songs have also essence of Teej songs has always been been deemed as frivolous by many, for her, this—to use the songs as a medium to it’s the market that dictates the nature of vent out the frustrations and grief women her songs. face in society, because of patriarchy’s “There have been times when I have unfair treatment and other societal been a part of projects, which I did for injustices. experience and because it had commer- “Teej songs, most of the time, are filled cial value,” says Magar, who has been with pathos, as it has always been used as POST FILE PHOTO part of four Teej songs this year alone. a medium through which women express On Teej, which falls on Friday, women come together to observe the festival by dancing and singing. But when it comes to creating her own their problems,” says Mishra, who has songs, she is interested in composing written research articles and presented songs have altered. While traditionally, the guy mattered,” says Oli. songs that reflect women’s resistance to academic papers on Teej songs. Teej songs have always been like an alter- With Oli’s song, the market of Teej patriarchy as well as the essence of cele- Celebrated annually on the third day of native genre in the “herstory” of songs in While traditionally, songs blossomed, with more and more brating the festival with full freedom the waxing moon in the Nepali month of Nepal, where women have the agency to artists showing interest in creating such without any moral policing. Bhadra, Teej is a prominent festival tell their stories, today they have become Teej songs acted as an songs; however, according to Sharma, the “We don’t live in a utopian society, which is observed with fervour and commodified. “Traditionally, there were agency to tell stories, more advanced society became, the where gender-based discrimination enthusiasm mostly by Hindu women liv- no opportunities in the public sphere more Teej songs started getting driven by doesn’t exist,” says Magar. ing in the hills and plains of Nepal. where women could openly talk about today they have capitalist motives, to cash in on a song’s “It’s just the forms and ways of dis- The women observe the festival (by their problems. That’s why they used popularity rather than to create meaning- criminating against women that have feasting and dancing with other women these songs as an opportunity to sing bit- become commodified. ful art. changed now. That’s why artists need to and then fasting) in the hope that they ter-sweet songs about their inner suffer- “Before the subject of the songs were write Teej songs, which reflects the state will find a ‘good’ husband like goddess ings,” says Sharma. centred around women and their expres- of women as well as showing them resil- Parvati did in lord Shiva. Legend has it With the end of civil war, democratisa- Teeja ko Rahar Aayo Bari Lai from the sion. Now the trend has switched and ient people who won’t succumb to any that goddess Parvati, who was supposed tion of institutions, and rise in the econo- 1991 classic film Kanyadan was the num- artists are only concerned about how to pressure from now on,” says Magar. to marry lord Vishnu, too had undergone my, many Nepali women started getting ber one Teej song for most women. Then sell their songs for which they use vari- But the songs don’t only have to be lim- rigorous fasting to get Lord Shiva, as he employment and education opportuni- came Oli’s song, whose lyrics were initial- ous antics,” says Sharma. ited to resilience, she says; it can be just was the one she wanted to marry. Married ties. And this became the most important ly lambasted (for it carried the message These antics, Sharma says, are regres- about having fun as well, which is what women observe the festival in the hopes changing point in the nature of Teej that women should have the decision to sive, failing the songs in helping them her latest Teej song ‘Gilash Thokauni’ is that their husbands will have long lives. songs, says Mishra. select partners on their own), which become what they originally were created about. But viewers took offence at her On this day, women dressed in various “Before Panchayat, we had songs where changed the game and the nature of for—agents of raising women’s issues in song, for it showed women consuming hues of red, orange, green and pink dance women made their miseries the subject of Teej songs. the form of songs, says Sharma. alcohol during Teej celebrations. their heart out in both public and private the song. During Panchayat, and even According to Oli, who’s currently serv- In Sharma’s private study, where she Magar, however, hasn’t given much places on Teej songs, which according to during the multi-party system of the ‘90s, ing as a Member of Parliament, the song analysed 66 Teej songs that were released thought to the criticism because she Bindu Sharma, assistant professor of Teej songs had elements of revolution in was created intentionally to bring a revo- this year on YouTube, the researcher believes a person should be allowed to Nepali at Ratna Rajya Campus, is the soul it,” says Mishra. “It was only after 2006 lution in Teej songs by highlighting the found that 32 percent of the songs were celebrate a festival any way they choose. of the festival. that a new wave in Teej songs flourished importance of self-decision of women in still driven by the patriarchal notions, “In the end, Teej is a festival of women, by “Without songs and dance, Teej can’t be in Nepal, after women started getting picking up the spouses. “Back then, it was where women were shown as materialis- women, and for women only,” says Magar. celebrated. The essence of the festival lies economically independent,” says Mishra, mostly the family members who decided tic beings. Likewise, the time-worn arche- “It’s women who should be the one in women coming together to observe it who credits the arrival of Komal Oli’s whom the girl should marry. Likewise, type of women being responsible for deciding how they want to celebrate and by dancing and singing on songs that are Poila Jana Pam for changing the nature there was also the trend where men would other women’s miseries was also reflected if the songs reflect their way of celebra- made for the festival,” says Sharma. of Teej songs in Nepal. be visiting different families to search for in the songs. tions, no one should have an issue with But over the years, the nature of Teej Until 2006, for almost two decades, the ‘perfect’ bride. Only the approval of According to Sharma, such stereotypi- it”, she says.

‘Unhinged’ is no reason to return to a movie theatre Unhinged is a frankly mediocre effort, with no apparent point other than titillating (but somehow tedious) gore rage, and endless (though impressive) car crashes.

JOCELYN NOVECK LOS ANGELES Despite the film e hope you are as excited as being dubbed a we are,” goes ‘psychological thriller’, the promotion- al email from one is hard pressed to the studio, “W“about bringing the beloved pastime find the psychology. of going to the movies back into America’s lives.” Well, yes, of course we are. But, you think, maybe there’s some- But then we watch the film. And we thing interesting to explore? The precipi- wonder .... Really? THIS movie? tating incident is simple: Harried mum It’s more than a little disturbing that Rachel (Caren Pistorius, doing her best to Unhinged, essentially an angry-white- differentiate levels of fear behind the male revenge flick, will be the first wide wheel), is going through her own divorce release to invite patrons back to theatres and trying to raise a school-aged son (a since the coronavirus pandemic shut sensitive Gabriel Bateman, who like them down. Because, well, besides an everyone here deserves a better movie). energetically committed (no pun intend- Of course she’s late getting him to school, ed) performance from Russell Crowe, because she’s a harried single mum in the Unhinged comes off as a frankly medio- movies. cre effort, with no apparent point other Stopped at a red light, Rachel honks at than titillating (but somehow tedious) the guy who fails to move when the light gore, misogynistic rage, and endless changes, then flips him off. This is, as (though impressive) car crashes. Julia Roberts would say in “Pretty It also lacks any discernible trace of Woman,” a big, huge mistake. He asks her deeper social meaning, or even—which to apologize. She doesn’t. And the ram- might have saved it—a whiff of self-aware page begins. wit. So, again, THIS is the movie that’s Other than the slightly creative touch going to proudly welcome us back to the of having Man play Russian Roulette multiplex? with the contacts on Rachel’s stolen The real question is whether it’s even phone—even this, though, is clumsily tel- worth watching from your couch—where egraphed in an earlier scene—there are you don’t have to worry about distancing, few surprises. And despite the film being let alone pay for parking, the babysitter dubbed a “psychological thriller,” one is or a vat of popcorn. hard pressed to find the psychology. Let’s start with an odd filmmaking As for a moral—well, judging from the decision by director Derrick Borte and end, it seems to be: “Don’t intentionally screenwriter Carl Ellsworth: In a brutal enrage a big crazy angry guy in a truck.” prologue, we see Crowe’s character begin- OK, noted. ning his day (his terrible, horrible, no AP/RSS At certain points that strain all creduli- good, very bad day) at 4 a.m., in his truck A scene from Unhinged which shows Russell Crowe. ty, you’re just hoping Crowe will look up outside the home where he seemingly and wink, and maybe whisper his famous lived with his ex-wife. He removes his OK, so this is a very troubled man—or is why the 90-minute running time will “When you’re very angry you lose a lot of Gladiator line: “Are you not entertained?” wedding ring, exits his vehicle with an Man, as he is identified in the script, with still feel bloated. self-control.” Also: “People have so much Because then we could laugh along with axe and a jug of gasoline, and proceeds to no name attached. But why start the We then get a documentary-style les- coming at them that their brains can’t him—as we can with a humorous tweet bludgeon the occupants to death and set action here? It means we don’t have any son, during opening credits, on the plague handle it.” (This is pre-pandemic. You he recently sent, promoting the film. the home on fire (because this appears in mystery, and thus narrative tension, as to of road rage. We hear news commenta- want to shout at the screen: “Tell us about Alas, no such luck. the trailer, it hardly seems a spoiler). how far Man can and will go. Maybe this tors saying deep things about anger, like it!”) —Associated Press

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