WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 170 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 34.2 C 15.0 C Thursday, August 13, 2020 | 29-04-2077 Dipayal Jomsom Highest single-day Covid-19 deaths in the country as eight succumb to disease With the rise in the number of people in intensive care, health experts reiterate the need to expand testing and contact tracing and increase isolation beds.

ARJUN POUDEL administrations and local govern- KATHMANDU, AUG 12 ments the authority to decide on restriction measures. It also pushed Nepal saw its single biggest Covid-19 back the start of air travel and death toll of eight on Wednesday, tak- long-distance travel by 15 days to ing the total to 91. A majority of these September 1. deaths have been reported since the Of late, there have been more symp- lockdown was lifted three weeks ag0. tomatic cases and the number of per- Of the eight new victims, two were sons in intensive care is also increas- from Dhanusha district and one each ing, according to the Health Ministry. from Kathmandu, Dhading, Saptari, “Eighty-seven people are in inten- Morang, Kapilvastu and Bara. sive care units and two are on ventila- According to the Ministry of tor support,” Dr Sameer Kumar Health, 51 have died since the nation- Adhikari, joint spokesperson for the wide lockdown was lifted on July 21 Health Ministry, told the Post. “The while there were 40 deaths during the number of patients infected with the nearly four months of lockdown that coronavirus becoming serious and was imposed on March 24. critical has been rising in recent days. On Wednesday, of the 484 people The survival rate of those on ventila- POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC who tested positive for the coronavi- tors is usually very low.” People walk in front of a display of miniature god idols at Gwarko in Lalitpur on Wednesday. rus, 138 were from Kathmandu Valley. Public health experts say the virus With the entry points to the Valley is spreading fast and the situation is unregulated during and after the lock- getting out of control. They have also down, thousands of people have been urged the public not to take risks, arriving in the Valley every day. which would be costly for self and to A significant percentage of the peo- the family members. Nepal’s battered mountaineering tourism’s autumn ple visiting Sukraraj Tropical and “People should maintain social dis- Infectious Disease Hospital for testing tancing, wear masks and follow safety are from districts hard hit by the pan- rules properly, which can save them hopes are fading fast amid rise in Covid-19 cases demic and even from India, hospital and others from the virus,” said Arjun officials said. Karki, an expert on internal medicine With the number of coronavirus and critical care. “There is no other cases rising at an alarming rate, the alternative to be safe.” Industry insiders say the fate of the upcoming climbing season rests on how the government plans to welcome tourists. government on Tuesday gave district >> Continued on page 2

lockdown. On March 20, the govern- ment banned all passengers, including Nepalis, from entering the country from the European Union territories, including the United Kingdom, West Asia, Gulf countries and countries like Iran, Turkey, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Four days later, on March 24, the government imposed a complete lockdown. The lockdown forced dozens of com- panies to cancel their expeditions booked months ago. The cancellation of mountaineering expeditions left around 20,000 tours, trekking and mountain guides out of job, according to industry insiders. But expedition companies were hopeful for autumn, which begins in September and lasts until November. The country’s peak tourism season, SHUTTERSTOCK which attracts a third of the total 1.2 The pandemic has wiped out jobs in Nepal’s mountaineering industry. million tourists visiting Nepal, does not generally draw tourists for Mount TSERING NGODUP LAMA his list was Everest. Everest, but hordes of adventure seek- KATHMANDU, AUG 12 Tendi, a certified guide of the ers come to trek. Many small peaks International Federation of Mountain see heavy traffic during the autumn On February 20, when Pasang Tendi Guides Associations, works as a season. Sherpa landed in Nepal, he had just mountain guide for TAG Nepal, a In addition to treks to the Everest wrapped up a two-month-long climb- Kathmandu-based outdoor outfitter. Base Camp, thousands of tourists ing expedition on Mount Aconcagua Internationally certified mountain travel across the country to various in Argentina. The next mountain on guides like Tendi are in high demand remote valleys and peaks, giving a during Nepal’s spring and much-needed boost to the local econo- autumn climbing seasons, and mies while employing nearly half a most of them spend months in million Nepalis, mostly as trekking the mountains, away from their and mountaineering guides. families. On July 21, the government decided For Tendi, this year was not to lift the lockdown allowing hotels going to be any different. Then and restaurants, trekking and moun- came Covid-19. taineering companies to prepare for “I have been out of work since the autumn season. They were reo- returning from Argentina,” said pened on July 30. The scheduled Tendi. domestic and international flights, The spring climbing season, however, were planned to open by which begins in March, this year August 17. Hope was growing strong. coincided with the beginning of >> Continued on page 2 Kantipur journalist Balram Baniya passes away Colleagues remember him as a soft-spoken but tough journalist—fully devoted to his job.

GHANASHYAM KHADKA & MATRIKA DAHAL and honest person. KATHMANDU, AUG 12 “I always felt the need of Balram in the newsroom to keep an eye on the Kantipur journalist Balram Baniya proceedings and to raise questions,” has passed away. said Wagle. “He maintained the high- He was 50. est level of integrity and would spare His body was found near the none.” Mando Hydropower Project area in Baniya had an outstanding career Sisneri of Makawanpur on Tuesday of three decades, most of which with morning. Kantipur. Baniya was associated with He left Kantipur in 2009 to join Kantipur daily since the paper’s ini- Nagarik daily for a brief stint. tial days. After spending around 10 “He was an ideal journalist from all years as a core member of the editori- aspects,” said Gunaraj Luitel, a for- al team, Baniya started his reporting mer news editor at Kantipur who cur- stint in early 2000. He used to cover rently edits Nagarik. “He was a man politics and parliament, but he made of few words but he never hesitated to his name in journalism after he start- speak his mind.” ed doing extensive reporting on POST PHOTO Baniya returned to Kantipur about bureaucracy and governance. Balram Baniya a decade ago. Soft-spoken by nature with an unas- Over the years, Baniya expanded suming personality, Baniya, according the angle and accuracy. his scope of reporting, covering issues to those who have worked with him, Narayan Wagle, who edited the related to energy, hydropower and however, was strict with fellow jour- paper twice, remembered Baniya as infrastructure projects. nalists when it came to new stories, an extraordinarily down-to-earth >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Nepal’s battered mountaineering ... >> Continued from page 1 Janga. tine for a week or more after arriving But since lifting the lockdown, there This March, he was supposed to join in Nepal, there’s no way we can attract has been a steady rise in coronavirus an Everest expedition as a cook, a job climbers,” said Mingma. cases. that would have employed him until While the Tourism Ministry plans On Monday, the government said the end of May. to allow tourists to visit Nepal with that international and domestic “When the climbing season got can- less hassle, the Ministry of Foreign flights will remain suspended until celled, I was a bit worried but I had Affairs is not interested in providing August 31. some savings to fall back on, and I on-arrival visas. Industry stakeholders–from high-al- thought when the autumn season “The Health Ministry is also for titude workers to guides and porters resumes, I can get back to earning regulating tourist movements,” said to lodging and fooding companies–are money and things will be better,” said an official at the Tourism now deeply worried about the future. Janga. Ministry who spoke on condition of When Tendi returned from But with less than a month to begin anonymity because of the sensitivity Argentina, his plan was to rest for two the season, Janga says his hope of of the matter. weeks before getting ready for Everest. getting back to work is sinking. Like The guidelines for tourists, which For the spiring’s Everest expedition, Janga, hundreds of people in the are yet to be finalised, have set a few his employer TAG Nepal had 32 climb- Everest region are hopeful that after a requirements for tourists—negative ers from all over the world. painful spring, autumn would salvage polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test “To support them, we had a team of their losses. results no older than 72 hours on 200 people, which included mountain “Lukla, the gateway to Everest, arrival; another PCR test in Nepal guides, high-altitude sherpas, cooks, where almost everyone is dependent from government-designated hospi- kitchen boys, porters” Tendi told the on tourism income, the mood is still tals and clinics; 14 days of quarantine Post. “From our company’s Everest deeply worrying,” said Janga. “My in hotels; and Covid-19 travel insur- expedition alone, the lockdown meant savings will probably support me for ance. 200 people losing their source of another few months only.” “All these documents, except for the livelihood.” Santa Bir Lama, president of Nepal PCR test in Nepal, should be submit- POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI At big expedition agencies, the Mountaineering Association, said ted while boarding a plane,” said the Army personnel pay final respects to the body of a person who died of Covid-19 at Pashupati in Kathmandu on Wednesday. number of people who have lost their every year, the association issues 1,200 official. “As per the preliminary dis- jobs is much bigger. to 1,500 climbing permits. cussions, tourists can spend seven Seven Summit Treks, one of the While the government itself issues days in quarantine in Kathmandu leading expedition agencies in Nepal, permits to mountaineering expedi- hotels, and another seven days in had 250 climbers for the spring climb- tions for Himalayan peaks more than hotels outside Kathmandu.” Kantipur ... ing season. 7,000 metres high, the association has Travel agencies are required to take Six people killed, many “We had 100 clients alone for been allowed to manage 27 small peaks all the responsibilities of the tourists, >> Continued from page 1 Everest. The rest were for known as ‘trekking peaks’ which starting from picking them up at the Hari Bahadur Thapa, former news editor Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Dhaulagiri range in height from 5,587 to 6,654 airport. of Kantipur with whom Baniya shared and Lhotse—all more than 8,000-metre metres. Many tourism stakeholders have innumerable bylines, remembered peaks, including the 6,812-metre high “Each permit can have anywhere suggested that the government set up injured in separate Baniya as one of the best journalists. Ama Dablam,” said Mingma Sherpa, between 1 and 15 climbers, and each dedicated Covid-19 testing at the “He was one of the rare journalists chairman of Seven Summit Treks. climber employs three to five people,” airport and provide results in a few who was dedicated to his profession,” “Had the expeditions gone ahead, we said Santa. “Many who depend on hours so that incoming travellers said Thapa. “He had a deep under- would have been able to employ 1,000 mountaineering have been hit hard by won’t face the hassle of staying in road accidents standing of Nepal’s bureaucracy, gov- people.” the cancellation of the spring climb- quarantine for days. ernance and the system.” Every year, young people are eager ing season, and if the autumn climb- Mingma said that many climbers A bus en route to Achham carrying returnees from India fell Baniya’s sudden demise came as a to have a crack at a high-paying job in ing season gets cancelled, many peo- are still interested to come to Nepal shock not only to the Kantipur family the Everest region. ple will be in financial ruin.” for the autumn climbing season. off the road in Doti, killing three persons and injuring 33. but also to the entire media fraternity Thirty-eight-year-old Janga The mountaineering community is “We still have around 200 climbing in the country. Bahadur Tamang was 14 when he fled eagerly waiting for the government to enthusiasts who want to climb Condolences poured in the whole from his home in Okhaldhunga and develop health safety protocols, Manaslu and Lhotse during the MOHAN SHAHI & MADHAV ARYAL “Overspeeding and foggy weather day on Wednesday via social media as arrived in Lukla hoping to find a job including quarantine measures if the autumn season,” said Mingma. DOTI/PALPA, AUG 12 were the main causes behind the acci- news came out about his death, with in trekking expeditions. autumn climbing is to happen. “Even though that number is just 20 dent,” said Superintendent of Police many expressing shock and sadness at During his first two years in Lukla, Meera Acharya, director of the percent of what we normally have for Six people died and more than 40 oth- Janakraj Pandeya. the sudden loss of a fighter journalist Janga worked as a porter. Department of Tourism, said they are the season, during such a difficult ers were injured in separate road acci- In another road mishap, two people who never capitulated to pressure. “When I was 16, I found work as a drafting health safety protocols for the time, even if we could run expeditions dents in Doti, Palpa and Mugu dis- died and six others were injured in a Baniya had gone out of contact with kitchen helper for a mountaineering mountaineering activities. for these climbers, it will provide the tricts on Tuesday and Wednesday. jeep accident in Nisdi Rural his family and the office since Monday. expedition, and I have been doing this “We are expected to unveil the safe- much-needed income for many who A speeding bus swerved off the road Municipality, Palpa, on Tuesday He had last communicated with the job since,” said Janga, who now works ty protocols soon,” she said, without haven’t had any work for months.” and plunged 100 feet below in evening. office on Monday to inform about an as a second cook for an expedition elaborating further. Eagerly waiting for tourists, Janga Purbichauki, Doti, at around 6am on The jeep, which was heading to article by Nepali Congress leader Ram agency. He has the experience of work- Besides health safety protocols for and his family are counting on the Wednesday, killing three persons and Gakdha from Jyamire in Nisdi, fell Chandra Poudel. ing with expeditions on Everest, Mera mountaineering activities, other authorities in Kathmandu to decide. injuring 33 others. Six of the injured around 700 metres below the road. Amid Covid-19 concerns, most of Peak, Ama Lapcha and Makalu. When guidelines for foreign tourists are still “Spring is gone, and if the autumn are reportedly in a critical condition. Police identified the deceased as the editorial staff of the paper has the autumn climbing season ends, awaited. doesn’t happen, I’ll be in no position to According to the District Police residents of Nisdi-5. One of the two been working from home. Janga works as a trekking guide. “Everything now depends on what pay my rent,” he said. “I have made up Office in Doti, the bus en route to deceased was a three-month-old He had gone missing after he was “The money I make from these two kind of quarantine rules the govern- my mind to build a temporary shed on Achham was carrying Nepali return- infant. The injured are receiving swept away in the Bagmati river near seasons is usually enough to sustain ment comes up with. If it declares that a plot of land not far from where I live ees from India. The deceased were treatment at Lumbini Medical College the Balkhu bridge. my family for a year and a half,” said travellers will have to stay in quaran- and move my family there.” from Mangalsain-7, Bannigadh in Palpa. The driver and his assistant His body was found on Tuesday but Jayagadh-3 and Chaurpati-4 in fled the scene after the accident, said the identity could not be ascertained Achham district. One among the police. immediately. The police could ascer- deceased was the driver’s assistant Meanwhile, in Mugu, a man died tain his identity on Wednesday only. while the other two were returnees and 10 others sustained injuries in a According to Senior Superintendent from India. jeep accident at Nigale on Wednesday. Deepak Thapa of the Metropolitan Highest single-day Covid-19 deaths ... Security personnel and locals res- The vehicle was heading to Tarapani Crime Branch, Baniya’s body was cued the victims and rushed them to from Gamgadhi, the district head- found near the Mando Hydropower >> Continued from page 1 “The government has been stuck on Birgunj have been halted for an indef- Doti Hospital. According to Dr quarters, when the accident took Project area in Sisneri of Makawanpur Meanwhile, critics argue that the gov- testing,” said Dr Anup Subedee, an inite period. Over 15 percent of health Prakash Thakulla, six critically place. The injured are receiving treat- at around 11am on Tuesday. His body ernment’s efforts to control the spread infectious disease expert. “But in case workers tested positive for Covid-19 injured people, including a 10-month- ment at the district hospital. has been kept at Hetauda Hospital. have not been effective. of a pandemic, the need is to test, treat and over 40 percent others, who came old baby, were referred to According to the police, Baniya was “It was clear to me right from the and isolate.” in contact with infected health work- Sudurpaschim Provincial Hospital in (Raj Bahadur Shahi contributed last seen at Balkhu at around 3:45 pm beginning that things are not being With the rise in new cases, the ers, were sent to quarantine. Dhangadhi for treatment. reporting from Mugu) on Monday. A police team in Balkhu done right,” Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, Health Ministry has been performing As of Wednesday, 24,432 persons had even questioned him that after- chief of the Clinical Research Unit at over 10,000 tests every day for the last have been infected with the coronavi- noon, to which he had responded, say- Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious few days. Doctors, however, said that rus across the country. Of them, 6,438 ing he was going home. Disease Hospital, said. “Only increas- only increasing the tests will not help got infected after the lifting of the According to police, he was then ing testing will not help after the in containing the spread of the coro- lockdown. Among the 1,450 people seen walking towards the vegetable infections become widespread.” navirus. For that, contact tracing and who have been infected in Kathmandu market on the banks of Balkhu river According to officials at the isolation is equally important, which Valley so far, 1,068 caught the virus near the Balkhu bridge. Epidemiology and Disease Control is not happening. after the end of lockdown. Thapa said that Baniya had fallen Division, tracing those who have come In Birgunj, the hardest hit city The lockdown was lifted into the river while walking under the into contact has become difficult, recently, two persons died on August 8 without proper planning and prepara- bridge as his shoes got stuck in the which has further raised the risk of and 9 while in search of hospitals tion in terms of increasing testing mud. Locals had tried to rescue him transmission. because hospital beds were in short capacity and isolation facilities. As a but they failed, as he was swept away Meanwhile, there are not enough supply, as were health workers result, there was a spike in the num- by the strong current of the flooded isolation beds across the country and because they had been infected. ber of positive cases throughout the river, according to Thapa. Further those without symptoms have been Earlier this week, the government country including in Kathmandu investigation is underway, said police. advised to stay at home, say public directed all hospitals to reserve 20 Valley. Born in 1970 in Mirlung of Tanahun, health experts. percent beds for Covid-19 patients but “There is a lot that still needs to be Baniya had been living in Across the country there are over doctors warn this could complicate done but neither the government nor Subidhanagar, Tinkune. He was a for- 10,000 isolation beds and in matters as infections could rise fur- the public has been doing it,” said Dr mer secretary of the Federation of Kathmandu Valley about 1,000, accord- ther within hospitals. Karki. “If we do not take proper steps, POST PHOTO: MOHAN SHAHI Nepali Journalists. Baniya is survived ing to data provided by the Health Except for emergency services, all there will be nothing left to be done Security personnel and locals carry out a rescue operation at the site of the accident in Doti. by his wife, a daughter and a son. Ministry. other services at Narayani Hospital in except to regret.” Surveillance to protect red panda cubs begins in hill districts of Province 1 The nurturing season of red panda cubs has begun and this is the time when they are at their most vulnerable, conservationists say.

ANANDA GAUTAM are found in these three eastern hilly community group has prohibited especially vulnerable during their season. the three eastern hill districts. The TAPLEJUNG, AUG 12 districts vehicles from blowing horns along the breeding season and the first three “The locals are aware of the red data of the network showed that the Wangchu Bhutia, the programme Suketar-Kaflepati road and the months of their birth, when they are panda conservation efforts. If they animal species is found in 23 districts Cryca Sherpa, a resident of Hangdewa coordinator of the Red Panda Network, Suketar-Thawakhola road, as loud at high risk of attack by stray dogs. disobey the rule, the community for- in the country. in Phungling Municipality Ward 9, said the time period in between May noises disturb red panda habitats. “Many times, I have seen dogs est will take necessary action against Red Panda, known as Habre in Taplejung, used to collect fodder from and October is of great significance in Red pandas are able to reproduce at attacking red pandas in Upper Phedi. them,” he said. Nepali, is one of the rare animal spe- the forest areas in Pathibhara. But he red panda conservation. around 18 months of age. They build The local community must come The local community groups have cies inhabiting the temperate forests hasn’t been there ever since the local “If red pandas find their habitat birthing dens in a hollow tree or a tree together to protect red pandas,” been preparing an annual timetable with abundance of bamboo in Nepal, community group banned people from disturbed, they tend to move to anoth- stump and line them with leaves, Tumbapo said. that informs locals when they can India, Bhutan, northern Myanmar entering the woodlands. er area with their cubs. The newborns grass, moss and tree branches to nest Meanwhile, Pasangrita Sherpa, enter the forests for firewood and fod- and southwestern China. The estimat- The group came up with the move to are vulnerable to this frequent change their young. chairman of Pathibhara Community der collection. ed number of red pandas is less than protect the endangered red panda spe- in location and could die due to unfa- Ramesh Rai, the programme coordi- Forest Consumer Committee, said According to the Red Panda 10,000 in the world. cies and their cubs, which are espe- vourable conditions in their new sur- nator of Himali Conservation Forum, they have requested locals not to let Network, 25 percent of an estimated Conservationists say construction cially vulnerable to any unfavourable roundings,” said Bhutia. which conducts conservation pro- their dogs roam the forest areas this 500 red pandas in Nepal are found in of roads through red panda habitat, conditions like frequent human move- According to the study performed grammes in various community for- deforestation, forest fire, poaching, ment in their environment. by Pralad B Yonzan, a conservationist, ests in 14 wards of different munici- excessive grazing, attack from preda- “For the time being, the ban has not in Langtang National Park in 1989, 86 palities of Taplejung district, said the tors and loss of food sources are the affected us, as we have plenty of grass percent of red panda cubs die at an forum has requested locals not to con- major challenges facing red panda in our fields,” said Sherpa, who is also early age. The study showed that this struct roads, cut trees, collect stones conservation. Moreover, parasitic a member of the local community high mortality rate of the cubs has and break boulders, and collect fodder infections found in red pandas during group that is working to save endan- posed a challenge in the conservation and firewood near forest areas. a recent study further worries conser- gered species. of the endangered species. According to Rai, the locals have vationists The breeding season for red pandas Conservationist Bhutiya said been very cooperative in their drive to Khile Sherpa, a local community begins at the end of May and lasts increased human activities in the forest protect and conserve red panda species. user in Bunkulung, said they are until the end of July. However, in the areas—like the expansion of the “We don’t enter forests to collect allowed to enter forests between following months until October, the Suketar-Kafle Pati road and the Suketar- fodder and firewood in the monsoon. mid-February to mid-April, before the mortality rate of red panda cubs is Deurali-Sikaicha road—has disturbed Grass for cattle is easily available in start of monsoon every year. high. This has prompted conserva- the district’s red panda habitats. farmlands. So there’s no problem,” “During that period, we collect fire- tionists to appeal to the public to leave “Red pandas get frightened by loud said Pasang Sherpa, a resident of wood that can last for four to six the habitat of these endangered mam- noises made by vehicles and humans Bungkulung in Phungling Ward No. 9. months. But during monsoon, we are mals undisturbed. while cutting fodder and firewood He said the locals are complying with not allowed to enter forests in accord- Consumer committees and local inside the forest. They need a peaceful the community groups’ requests to ance with the annual plan,” Khile communities in Taplejung, Panchthar environment while reproducing and help conserve the endangered species. Sherpa said. “We know if we enter the and Ilam districts, the major habitat nurturing their babies,” Bhutiya said. Dhanraj Tumbapo, who used to be forest areas during monsoon, our of red pandas, have begun surveil- “If there is any kind of outside inter- in charge of a temporary police post activities will disturb red panda habi- lance of red panda cubs as a part of vention, they tend to leave their birth- in Upper Phedi, which is 22.5 kilo- PHOTO COURTESY: HIMALI CONSERVATION FORUM tat. This is why we utilise the grass the species’ protection drive. It is esti- ing dens along with their offspring.” metres from the district headquarters Twenty-five percent of an estimated 500 red pandas in Nepal are found in the three eastern and fodder available in our fields dur- mated that more than 134 red pandas To prevent this from happening, the of Phungling, said red pandas are hill districts of Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam. ing the monsoon season.”

C M Y K 03 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 NATIONAL Pandemic leaves youngsters stressed and devastated Study says Covid-19 has disrupted education of more than 70 percent of youths, affected them disproportionately.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL seen in Nepal where schools remain KATHMANDU, AUG 12 shut, and online classes for those who can afford them have become the If it were not for Covid-19 pandemic, norm. Children from families strug- Ankita Bhetwal would have been gling to make their ends meet due to applying for her visa for Canada, and the effects of the lockdown have no teaching her students English in option but to wait out the pandemic. Kathmandu. A large number of Nepali youths “I would have been happily shop- have lost their jobs at home and ping and hanging out with friends abroad as economies continue to reel as I would be leaving for Canada in under the effects of the crisis. early September to start college,” said “The Covid-19 pandemic is a global Bhetwal, 24, who lives in Thimi, health crisis, but more than that it is a Bhaktapur. global economic crisis. Today there But her plans she charted out so are 1.8 billion people in the world well a few months ago are unravelling. between the age of 15 and 35--a quarter She now feels stranded at home due to of the global population,” said Pradip the pandemic. Pariyar, a youth activist and executive “I had to turn my plans completely director at Samata Foundation. “This upside down,” said Bhetwal, who is the largest generation of young peo- called off her plans to move to Canada ple the world has ever seen. This crisis and got admitted at a college in has left millions out of work and, Kathmandu. To make things worse for women, the less skilled and the mar- her, she had to attend a virtual orien- ginalised have been affected the most.” tation programme organised by her A UNDP survey published in May POST PHOTO: MANOJ PAUDEL college where she decided to pursue showed that three in five employees Lotus flowers bloom in front of the World Peace Stupa in Lumbini, the birthplace of the Gautam Buddha. The heritage site wears a deserted look due to the absence of tourists. her MBA. “How do we get to know our lost their jobs due to Covid-19 and classmates through the computer most of them were youngsters. screen? I don’t think the whole learn- According to the ILO report, 38 per ing environment is going to be the cent of youth are uncertain of their same,” she said. future career prospects, with the cri- Bhetwal is one of the millions of sis expected to create more obstacles BRIEFING youngsters around the world whose in the labour market and to lengthen Covid-19 erodes Nepal’s achievement study and job prospects have taken a the transition from school to work. Lockdown enforced hit due to the global crisis. A new It said that while one in six youth study by the International Labour reportedly had to stop work since the in Butwal, Dharan Organisation, released on the occa- beginning of the pandemic, many TILOTTAMA/DHARAN: Butwal Sub- in maternal health of last two decades sion of International Youth Day, younger workers are more likely to be metropolitan City on Wednesday Wednesday, concludes that the Covid- employed in highly affected occupa- decided to enforce a lockdown from 19 crisis is unleashing a devastating tions, such as support, services and Thursday midnight. The lockdown Report says only 7,165 institutional deliveries have taken place after the outbreak. effect on the education and training of sales-related work, making them more will be effective till August 21 as a young people around the world. vulnerable to the economic conse- precaution to control the spread of POST REPORT In its move to contain the coronavi- munities taking the health services The UN agency estimates that 70 per quences of the pandemic, said the the coronavirus, said Deputy Mayor KATHMANDU, AUG 12 rus spread, the government enforced a increased to 33.9 percent from 30.7 cent of youth who study or combine report. On the other hand, 42 per cent Guma Devi Acharya. Meanwhile, lockdown starting March 22. The percent during the lockdown, those study with work have been adversely of those who are still employed faced Dharan Sub-metropolis has decided Covid-19 is taking away the achieve- annual number of births in the from the disadvantaged Madhesi affected due to the closure of schools, reduced income. to extend its lockdown until August ments Nepal made in maternal health selected hospitals accounted for over groups fell to 17.1 percent compared to universities and training centres due Pariyar, also a former president of 19. Manoj Bhattarai, chairman of in the last two decades, with a signifi- 11 percent of the total births in the the period prior to the lockdown, to Covid-19. Association of Youth Organisations Ward 17, said the sub-metropolis took cant reduction in births at health country. which was 21.5 percent, according to The report titled, ‘Youth and COVID- Nepal, a network of 92 youth-led the decision as the number of Covid facilities and an increase in neonatal The report said 13,189 women deliv- the report. 19: Impacts on jobs, education, rights organisations in the country, said, cases increased lately. The local unit deaths and stillbirths during the lock- ered babies at hospital prior to the The United Nations Children’s and mental well-being,’ says that a 65 “The pandemic has triggered mental also decided to ban the import of down, a research has shown. lockdown while the number decreased Fund (UNICEF) in May had published per cent of young people its authors health problems among young fruits, vegetables and milk from other A new study in the Lancet Global to 7,165 during the lockdown. There a similar report, claiming that an surveyed reported having learned less people.” districts during the lockdown. Health, a peer reviewed medical jour- was a significant disparity among the additional 670 children could lose since the beginning of the pandemic The ILO said that 50 percent of nal, published on Tuesday said the privileged and disadvantaged groups their lives every month in Nepal as the because of the transition from the young people it surveyed are possibly number of births in health institu- when it comes to accessing the health Covid-19 pandemic continues to weak- classroom to online and distance living with anxiety or depression, Birgunj lab sends 1,100 swabs tions decreased by around a half dur- service, according to the report. en the health system and disrupt rou- learning during the pandemic-in- while a further 17 per cent are proba- to Kathmandu for Covid test ing the lockdown compared to the “Nepal is an example of a country tine services. The UN agency had said duced lockdown. bly affected by it. An unexpected rise period before the restrictions were that has had substantial gains in researchers estimate up to 4,000 chil- Half of the participants believed in suicide have also been reported in BIRGUNJ: Narayani Hospital in enforced in response to the detection maternal and neonatal survival over dren could die in Nepal in the next six their studies would be delayed and Nepal since the beginning of the epi- Birgunj has sent around 1,100 swab of Covid-19 cases in the country. the past two decades, yet these gains months. nine per cent thought that they might demic in the country in March. samples to Kathmandu due to short- Stillbirth, the birth of an infant that are at risk due to Covid-19,” said the “Undoubtedly, countries face very fail, says the study. “I don’t see any government effort age of kits required for polymerase died in the womb, per 1,000 births report. tough choices on how to combat Covid- “The pandemic is inflicting multi- to help its people deal with this cri- chain reaction tests. Dr Madan jumped to 21 (a 50 percent increase) Since 2000, maternal mortality in 19. However, our findings raise ques- ple shocks on young people. It is not sis,” said Pariyar. “The government Kumar Upadhyay, medical superin- from 14 earlier. Institutional neonatal Nepal has decreased by 76 percent, tions on policies regarding strict lock- only destroying their jobs and employ- should come up with innovative ideas tendent at the hospital, said the mortality increased threefold from 13 and stillbirth by 58 percent. The num- downs in low-income and middle-in- ment prospects, but also disrupting to create jobs.” swabs were sent to the National per 1,000 live births prior to the lock- ber of institutional births increased come countries during outbreaks,” their education and training and hav- Meanwhile, after deciding to post- Public Health Laboratory in the down to 40 during the lockdown. four times between 2001 and 2016. The Joy Lawn, co-senior author from the ing a serious impact on their mental pone her plans to go abroad, at least Capital as the PCR laboratory at The research conducted for a period positive outcome was due to social London School of Hygiene and well-being,” said Guy Ryder, direc- for now, Bhetwal managed to land a Narayani Hospital does not have of five months was led by Dr Ashish mobilisation and financial incentives, Tropical Medicine, was quoted by a tor-general of the agency in a state- job for which she returned to enough kits for the tests. The KC and his team together with Uppsala according to the report. newsletter of the school. ment. “We can’t let this happen.” Kathmandu from Jhapa when the Birgunj-based laboratory is over- University, Sweden and London “Our findings indicate the need to “Collateral effects seem to be much The report points out that the situa- lockdown restrictions were eased. whelmed by increasing Covid-19 posi- School of Hygiene and Tropical continue communication with policy more severe than the actual direct tion has been even worse for young “My job requires me to go to the office tive cases in Parsa, Bara and Medical, United Kingdom. They stud- makers and programme coordinators effects of SARS-CoV2 infection, espe- people in lower-income countries as for work and doing that is more chal- Rautahat. Following a surge in cases, ied the cases from nine hospitals of to address such inequalities and cov- cially so for the most vulnerable in they have limited access to the inter- lenging than I thought,” she said. authorities had decided to increase the seven provinces from January 1 to erage gaps so that additional deaths our society, pregnant women and net, equipment and sometimes space “Moreover, I don’t drive and I can’t contact tracing, and to widen the March 20 prior to the lockdown and can be averted,” reads the report. babies. More data are needed, but even at home, highlighting a large ‘digital risk travelling in public vehicles. So, scope of polymerase chain reaction from March 21 to May 30 during the While the number of mothers from more importantly, more action now to divide’ between regions. I’m clueless about how to retain my tests in Birgunj. lockdown. the Brahmin and Chhetri (Hill) com- protect these services.” The digital divide has also been job and not get infected.” Elephants trapped between settlements and mega development projects As Nepal’s development aspirations grow bigger, its wild elephants are losing their habitats, conservationists have warned.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL the programme coordinator with the externalities of development,” elephant population in that particular KATHMANDU, AUG 12 IUCN Nepal. said Dadhi Adhikari, director of area?” “Problem arises after 1950 with South Asian Institute for Policy According to Hari Bhadra Acharya, Ever-expanding human settlements, malaria eradication programmes and Analysis and Leadership, a think an ecologist with the Department deforestation and development pro- new settlements in the Tarai where tank. “Nepal needs development and of National Park and Wildlife jects are undermining Nepal’s ele- people did not only migrate from the economic prosperity as well. The lack Conservation, elephant habitats and phant conservation efforts, wildlife Hills, but also Burma and northeast of infrastructure is the major factor corridors have been fragmented with conservationists have warned. India,” said Pradhan, who had also behind the country falling behind in the construction of settlements and Speaking during a virtual interac- served in a government position in the development.” roads. tion organised on the occasion of conservation sector. “They stripped Adhikari highlighted that as the “They can travel as far as 800-km World Elephant Day on Wednesday, down the forest areas and settled down country’s infrastructure is in poor and often follow their traditional the participating experts suggested in the low-lying Tarai plains, which conditions, it cannot imagine the routes. But with construction and that the country needs to strike a fine used to be elephant habitats and corri- development and growth of the human settlements, their movement is balance between conservation and dors. Earlier, there used to be one long country without building its infra- disturbed,” Acharya told the Post. development to save valuable wildlife chain of elephant movement from structure. “Disturbance to their old routes species like elephants, which are Assam to northwest India via Nepal. “We need more highways, airports means interaction with the public, under threat due to human activities. This path was cut off due to massive and railways,” said Adhikari. “We only increasing the risk of more “Nepal does not have a large ele- deforestation.” need to have a balance between devel- human conflict incidents with loss of phant population, but they are facing Now wildlife conservationists opment and environmental quality.” lives and properties. Despite the low threats due to human-wildlife conflict worry that the mega projects like Construction of Nijgadh airport number of elephants, human-wildlife and habitat encroachment,” said East-west railway, Tarai expressway, POST FILE PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR has long been at the centre of contro- conflicts are high for elephants and Dinesh Neupane, who has been study- proposed Nijgadh airport, Postal Conservationists are concerned that the upgradation of East-West Highway and the Postal versy, for it requires massive felling of leopards.” ing elephants for more than a decade Highway and upgradation of East- Highway Project could hinder movement of elephants along several key corridors. trees, which conservationists say will Beside habitat fragmentation, ele- now. “Many mega development pro- West Highway will further damage spell ecological disaster and disturb a phants are still prone to poaching and jects either traverse through their what little remains of the elephant ture development are major threats to moving trains,” said Pradhan. key corridor for elephants, tigers and elephants have died after being elec- habitats or are being built along their habitats and their corridors. Elephant the elephant population at the “We also need to worry about the other wildlife species. Economists, on trocuted and other reasons at alarm- core habitat areas, which are already habitats are already under threat due moment.” Tarai expressway, which will bisect the other hand, have been saying the ing rates as said by conservationists narrow. There is a risk of these pro- to deforestation, urbanisation and Conservationists are concerned Parsa National Park, and the proposed airport could be a game-changer pro- when compared to other countries jects further deteriorating the core various human activities. that the upgradation of East-West Nijgadh airport.” ject for the country. with large elephant populations. elephant habitats and hindering the According to Pradhan, restricted Highway into four lanes and the Postal At the interaction organised by the “Most of these development pro- Sociologist Anita Shrestha said all animal’s movement.” movement of elephants has become a Highway Project could hinder their Resources Himalaya and jects are concentrated in the Tarai development activities should be con- Nepal’s wild elephant population major cause behind increasing ele- movement of elephants along several Environmental Graduates in because it is geographically viable but ducted by keeping wildlife and ranges between 150-200. The country phant-human conflicts in recent years. corridors. Himalaya to discuss human-elephant the area also has dense forest, causing humans at the centre so that they do also welcomes around 200 migratory “In the last 15 years, 197 human Meanwhile, Sikta Irrigation Project harmony in country’s development conflict,” said Adhikari. “We cannot not cause harm to each other. elephants every year. These popula- deaths have been attributed to con- and Rani Jamara Irrigation Project context, the participants also raised say we don’t need Nijgadh airport but Pradhan, the elephant ecologist, tions roam around mainly in four flicts with elephants. There are also have already disrupted the move- concerns about the number of devel- cutting down nearly 2.5 million trees reiterated the need to protect elephant sub-populations—eastern, central, retaliation killings of elephants as ments of elephants inside Banke opment projects based around the is also a serious issue at the same habitats and corridors. western and far-western. more than 21 elephants were killed in National Park and Karnali Corridor, foothill of Chure range or low-lying time. We need more analysis on what “Elephants need to travel as they However, the four sub-populations, the same period,” said Pradhan. said Pradhan. Tarai districts—the habitat of native if, for instance, construction of Tarai are nomads. They take their tradition- also described by Elephant “Forest corridors are vital for ele- “We don’t know what East-West and migratory elephants. expressway reduces the environmen- al routes,” he said. “Any disturbance Conservation Action Plan (2008-2018), phant movement along India and Railway would do to the movements “There will be an impact on the tal burden of the already stressed will affect their population. We may have come down to two in recent Nepal. But such corridors are facing of elephants, but cases from India development process on the quality of Kathmandu Valley. Also, what is the not expand the areas and their popula- years, says Narendra Man Babu uncertainty due to human activities. and Sri Lanka suggest that there is a the environment. Environmental pol- guarantee that by not developing tion drastically, but we have to main- Pradhan, an elephant ecologist and Ongoing deforestation and infrastruc- high risk of elephants colliding with lution, wildlife habitat destruction are Nijgadh airport we will see a rise in tain the existing population.”

C M Y K THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Us and them Light up the stage For Nepal’s arts scene to flourish, the government must act as a guardian and get the show going.

In early 2019, Nepali theatre marked a new milestone when Kathmandu hosted the weeklong Nepal International Theatre Festival, bringing artistes from nine countries to perform 30 plays at four theatres. It was a moment of elation for the theatre commu- nity. A movement started in 1982 by a group of discontented theatre workers had finally come of age. But the road ahead is as bumpy as it has been in the past. Over the past two decades, Nepali theatre has made its presence felt beyond the proscenium. Tickets would sell in advance. Cast members would become celebrities and move onto the silver screen. Plays would draw rave reviews, create jobs, and most importantly, raise an audience besides entertaining them with a range of produc- tions that cut through the Nepali psyche. But in 2009, seven years after its inception and orchestrating every move of the modern Nepali theatre, Gurukul, Nepal’s first drama school, shut down due to financial reasons. It was a black day as Sunil Pokharel, who spear- headed the movement, delivered a monologue before the final play was staged at its auditorium in Purano Baneshwor. As the curtains came down on Gurukul, leaving a big hole in Nepali theatre, several youth-led theatre groups emerged, ushering the movement in the years to come. But the economics behind it all remains the biggest challenge and artistes have been without work, given the restrictions in the wake of the pandemic. If Gurukul has shown what it takes to build an ecosystem for performance arts, it SHUTTERSTOCK has also shown us that without reliable sources of funding, years In Nepal, divisions created by African American woman under whose Muhammad’s Nation of Islam. Like his powers in different countries of South of efforts and sacrifices can just collapse or slow the pace of the influence Baldwin became a Pentecostal father who disliked all non-Christians Asia. When a state identifies itself with preacher and later by Elijah and looked upon all whites with suspi- a particular religion or a specific movement. Today, each of the over dozen theatre houses and doz- differences in caste, culture, Muhammad who asked Baldwin, ‘What cion, Elijah Muhammad did the same denomination of a religion, it automat- ens of theatre groups across the country faces uncertain futures. religion do you follow’? thing—presented Islam as the black ically creates an ‘us and them’ division. The pandemic has made it clear that the field of arts plays a sig- gender, religion and vested Even before all this, as a child, people’s religion and Christianity as And those who occupy state power nificant role in shaping our perspectives and enriching our lives. Baldwin had faced a similar question being for the white. become ‘us’ and those who are margin- interests are aplenty. from the pimps and the prostitutes on Baldwin resisted all these forms of alised become ‘them’. All kinds of judg- With stay-at-home orders across the world, all of us have applied or the Harlem streets in New York who ‘us and them’, whether created by the mental values of virtue and vice are consumed some form of arts in our daily lives to keep us sane. Art wanted Baldwin to join their trade. whites or blacks, and realised that he at created by attributing all the virtues to forms help us express ourselves. They make us think. They bring PRAMOD MISHRA And he had confronted the question of least cannot be anybody’s ‘little boy’—a ‘us’ and vices to ‘them’. Has there ever people together to celebrate society, to challenge dogmas. One way ‘us and them’, just like the white racial blind, docile follower to do their bid- been an example where the group that or the other, arts process experiences which are universal and yet CROSSROADS categorisation of the blacks, at home ding. In their place, he posited the need occupies and identifies with the state from his Baptist minister father for for critical thinking; an examination ever attributes admirable virtues to diverse. They are the very essence of what makes us human. A whom blacks had nothing to do with and interrogation of all forms of ‘us those whom the state designates thriving arts scene is also an indicator of a healthy nation. the whites and all whites were suspect; and them’ in society. as the other? No example comes to Across the world, in countries with a thriving art scene, there is therefore, all whites were ‘them’. mind readily. either state guardianship through direct funding and facilitation Diversity brings complexity In Nepal’s case, there are, or have At the invitation of the Limbuwan A universal phenomenon How can one apply this principle to been, many groups of ‘them’ in con- from national agencies or private donors, corporate houses and Readers Club, on a Facebook live pres- In my presentation, I emphasised that South Asia, where the chasms exist in trast to the holders of power. There is foundations supporting through grants and fellowships. We can entation in Nepali, on July 14 (discuss- ‘us and them’ divisions exist in all soci- big as well as small forms everywhere? ‘us and them’ within each category of also find that countries have integrated arts with academics from ing James Baldwin’s The Fire Next eties along national, racial, caste, lin- In Nepal’s case, the Nepali state adopt- Madhes, indigenous groups, Dalits, an early age. International practices are easy models to replicate, if Time), I spoke, among others, chiefly guistic, ethnic, religious, denomina- ed multiple divisions of ‘us and them’ women and Muslims—even though two things: Baldwin’s advice to his tional or tribal lines. I gave the example in the shape of Jung Bahadur Rana’s broader categories get general recogni- intentions and selection standards are high. But we should not shy namesake nephew to not internalise of the European history of religious Muluki Ain (legal code) of 1854, which tion for purposes of understanding away from the economics of it all because, at the end of the day, it the white racial gaze and resist and racial violence and wars, not just was itself an adaptation of Manusmriti privilege and marginalisation in the is all about sustainability. We have to accept the fact that we are a American racism by cultivating a glob- between Christianity and others but (the laws of Manu) that remained in political realm. If in terms of sharing small market and the arts scene is limited to Kathmandu or a few al worldview that would include all of within Christianity, between Catholics force for more than a hundred years as state power, access to state institutions other cities, but together, we have to fund the arts because they humankind, rather than the narrow and Protestants, resulting in colonial- state law in Nepal, seeping in the subju- through appointments and career Europe-produced, America-adopted ism and fascism. Any group identity gated subjects’ consciousness and opportunities become the crux of the eventually shape our culture and define us as a nation. racial perspective about blacks. I also that gets reified and obtains any form became what is called sanskar in problem, socially speaking, it’s the And we needn’t look far. To this day, the country’s ancient com- spoke about how other African of power (economic, political, reli- Sanskrit. But Jung Bahadur was not marital relations that make the ‘us and munity systems like the Guthi system in Newar society, also fund American writers like WEB Du gious, linguistic, or nationalistic) the original codifier in the subconti- them’ division astute. performance arts among others. The Kartik Naach, a dance drama Bois, Richard Wright and many others develops antagonistic feelings towards nent. The British colonial government How can a society grapple with the have done the same thing in their own others and designates itself as superi- had already formulated the Hindu laws toxic consequences of such divisions from the Malla era, survives to this day with support from commu- ways. or, better, more civilised, more based on Manusmriti when William created by religion, state and vested nity and personal donations. This is just one instance of steward- The other point I raised about advanced—in short, endows itself with Jones translated it in 1794. Even in the interests? How can group identity be ship. To be fair to the government, it has supported several theatre Baldwin’s work was his resistance to all the positive virtues—and imputes 14th century, Jayasthiti Malla had codi- formed only for the purposes of appre- groups at one time or another. However, such support often depends an ‘us’ versus ‘them’ division among all the negative attributes to ‘them’, fied the Hindu laws along with caste ciating lives and cultures and political on the personal rapport between government officials and theatre humans that produces a feeling of neg- who are different. divisions based on the Hindu dharma- empowerment rather than producing ativity toward ‘them’. In this division, Baldwin saw African Americans like shastras. And, I’m sure, the many king- marginalisation through the creation practitioners. In such a scenario, the most deserving ones get side- about race and religion in Baldwin’s himself become victims of this divi- doms of India and Nepal had their of ‘them’? I’ll devote my next column lined while the undeserving continue to reap benefits. Any such case, those that belong to ‘us’ try to sion imposed by white supremacist his- kings base their laws and rules accord- to this problem by bringing a couple of support should, thus, also be distributed judiciously. For Nepal’s proselytise individuals to be part of the tory and the culture of white, majority ing to the dharmashastras. notorious examples of historic vio- arts scene to flourish, the government must act like a guardian and group blindly by asking, in Baldwin’s America. But at the same time, he also And then there is Hinduism, lence produced by ‘us and them’ divi- words, ‘Whose little boy are you’?—as found its manifestation in his father’s Buddhism and Islam—all three increas- sion, as applied to marital relations in get the show going. Baldwin was asked by the mixed-race Black Baptist Christianity and Elijah ingly asserting themselves as state Nepal.

The dictator’s two dilemmas

express pride in their country also are believe that, ‘Government is our The role of performance and more likely to express support for the employee, the people should tell gov- regime. ernment what needs to be done’, or culture in legitimising Likewise, greater trust in media has whether they believe that, ‘The gov- a positive effect on regime support. In ernment is like a parent, it should regimes points to a dilemma democracies, where media options are decide what is good for us’. diverse and often critical of the gov- The fact that adherents to liberal for authoritarian ones. ernment, citizens who have more values display a preference for regime trust in media are more likely to feel characteristics associated with liberal that they understand why the govern- democracy is not surprising. But the ANDREW J NATHAN ment does what it does. In authoritari- implications are different for different an systems, where the media are gov- types of regimes. If these liberal citi- ernment-run or government-influ- zens live in a democracy, they may be enced, citizens who believe official dissatisfied with what they have, but sources are more likely to support the they would not prefer an alternative. regime. In authoritarian regimes, as liberal Two other sets of variables are values spread, so does a preference for more surprising, and point to authori- democratic regime characteristics. So Authoritarian regimes often enjoy tarian regimes’ vulnerabilities. First, while democratic regimes need not more public support than democratic we found that the economic welfare of worry about their liberal citizens governments do. To discover why, my the respondent’s family had little favouring an alternative system, auto- colleagues and I administered the effect on his or her support for the cratic regimes do. Asian Barometer Survey in four regime. People seemed to credit or To be sure, authoritarian regimes waves across 14 Asian countries blame themselves for how well or can try to slow the erosion of demo- between 2001 and 2016. What we found poorly their families did, even though cratic values, as China has done with is that authoritarian regimes actually they attributed the overall state of the its campaigns to revive Confucianism suffer from acute near- and long-term economy to the regime. and promote a cult of President Xi vulnerabilities. By contrast, in both democracies Jinping. These efforts encourage When asked how much confidence and autocracies, citizens gave more younger and more educated citizens to they have in six different government weight to the government’s role in SHUTTERSTOCK feel proud of their country’s tradi- institutions, respondents in China ensuring ‘fairness’, defined as provid- demonstrations erupt, potentially there is also a statistically significant ment—are baked into the politics of tions and accomplishments. Yet the and Vietnam expressed ‘quite a lot’ or ing equal treatment to rich and poor, jeopardising the regime’s survival. relationship between affirming liber- democracies, they pose a unique same cohorts are increasingly deter- ‘a great deal’ of trust in 4.4-5.3 institu- safeguarding freedom of speech and A final reason for the differences in al-democratic values and being criti- threat to authoritarian systems, mined to assert their individuality, tions, on average, whereas Japanese association, and guaranteeing access support between authoritarian and cal of one’s government. because they are strongly associated protect their personal and property and Taiwanese respondents trusted to basic necessities such as food, cloth- democratic regimes is culture. Here, The combined role of performance with a desire for an alternative regime. rights, and learn more about the only 2-2.6 institutions. ing, and shelter. And they gave even the survey included a nine-item ques- and culture in generating regime In the survey, we presented three outside world. They want an account- We then asked four questions about more weight to the government’s tionnaire to measure traditional legitimacy points to a long-term alternative forms of authoritarian able government that abides by the whether respondents thought their ‘effectiveness’, meaning its ability to social values like conflict avoidance, dilemma for authoritarian regimes. rule, and asked if respondents would rule of law. form of government could solve the fight corruption, administer the rule deference to authority, and group loy- To achieve high marks for perfor- approve of any of them. Perhaps not The better an authoritarian regime country’s problems and thus deserved of law, and solve what respondents alty over individualism. It also includ- mance, both democratic and authori- surprisingly, liberal citizens in both performs in its mission to modernise the people’s support. Japanese, identified as the most important prob- ed a seven-item battery designed to tarian regimes will pursue policies authoritarian and democratic regimes society, the more rapidly liberal-demo- Taiwanese, and South Korean citizens lem facing the country. assess support for core liberal-demo- that promote modernisation. Yet, by found all three options unattractive, cratic values will replace traditional gave more ‘no’ than ‘yes’ answers, These findings point to a near-term cratic principles, such as the freedom definition, such policies run counter implying that they see no authoritari- values, and the larger the proportion while citizens in Vietnam, China, threat to authoritarian legitimacy. of speech and association, judicial to traditional values, which helps to an alternative that is superior to what of the population dissatisfied with Myanmar, Cambodia, and other Authoritarian regimes are more sus- independence, and the separation of explain why those authoritarian coun- they already have. But when we posed authoritarian rule will become. The authoritarian countries answered yes ceptible than democracies to corrup- powers. tries that have modernised the fastest four questions about the attributes most effective authoritarian regimes, much more often than no. tion, abuses of power, and catastroph- In all but two of the countries sur- also have the fastest spread of liber- respondents prefer in government, we then, are gradually digging their own The conventional wisdom is that ic policy mistakes due to secrecy and veyed, those who affirm traditional al-democratic values, especially found a preference for liberal-demo- graves. such results reflect the effects of over-centralisation. In democracies, values tend to accord greater legitima- among younger, more educated, urban cratic regime characteristics among nationalism and access to media. That dissatisfied citizens can organise and cy to the regime under which they citizens. citizens who believed in liberal-demo- Nathan is Professor of Political is correct. In both democratic and vote. Under authoritarian rule, dissat- live, regardless of whether it is demo- Moreover, while liberal-democratic cratic values. Respondents were Science at Columbia University. authoritarian systems, citizens who isfaction tends to build up until mass cratic or authoritarian. Likewise, values—and criticism of govern- asked, for example, whether they —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 MONEY

FOREX US Dollar 120.04 Bike sellers struggle to fulfil demand amid pandemic Euro 141.33

Pound Sterling 156.53 Valley residents are rediscovering the good old bicycle as the virus limits their transportation options.

Japanese Yen 11.23 TSERING NGODUP LAMA the bike was my primary mode of Chinese Yuan 17.28 KATHMANDU, AUG 12 commute,” said Theeng. “Once when the blockade ended and fuel became Qatari Riyal 32.97 Demand for bikes is so high that abundantly available again, I started Australian Dollar 85.66 Himalayan Single Track—a Thamel- using my motorbike again, and except based mountain bike company that for a few times a year, I rarely took out Malaysian Ringit 28.62 organises mountain bike tours and my bicycle.” also sells and services bicycles—has While using bikes for daily commut- Saudi Arab Riyal 32.01 already run out of stock. ing may not have taken off after 2015, Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank “In the 11 years that I have been in biking for leisure did, and with each this business, I have never seen such passing year, it continues to become PRICE PER TOLA demand for bikes,” said Santosh Rai, more and more popular. BULLION managing director of Himalayan In 2018-19 Nepal imported bikes Single Track. “Not only did we man- worth Rs1.5 billion. Fine Gold Rs 95,400 age to sell our new bikes, but we have “It is not surprising to see leisure also sold all our old stock of around 60 biking become so popular. We are nat- Silver Rs 1,210 bikes that had been lying around for urally blessed with trails that make more than five years.” leisure biking a great adventure activ- SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA Ever since the government eased ity,” said Rai. the lockdown and removed restric- Geographically, says Ratna Shares tions on people’s movement, demand Shrestha—president of the Nepal for bikes has skyrocketed, giving bike Cycle Society, a cycling advocacy Nepse 1,425.32pts 0.11% dealers a major boost in business. organisation—Kathmandu is ideal for The exponential increase in demand urban cycling. “It’s not a very big city, HIGHEST GAINERS for bikes during the pandemic is not and the average person’s daily com- SDLBSL GHL IGI UIC NBB UFL 9.88% 9.25% 3.55% 2.97% 2.95% 2.68% unique to Nepal. Globally, from the mute is around 10 km, which is easily United Kingdom, Germany and India doable on a bike,” said Shrestha. MODERATE GAINERS to the United States, many countries “Even weather-wise, with the city’s PRIN OHL NGPL SHPC NLG LEMF 2.62% 2.6% 2.56% 2.19% 2.04% 1.97% have seen demand for bikes soar dur- mild winters and summers, it’s perfect ing the pandemic. for cycling.” MODERATE LOSERS NICAD8283 JOSHI CHL BARUN AIL MLBBL When Pancbike, Nepal’s oldest bike But for those cycling daily in -3.37% -3.44% -3.48% -3.52% -3.72% -3.79% store, reopened after the lockdown, Kathmandu, the challenges are aplen-

HIGHEST LOSERS the store’s phone wouldn’t stop ring- ty. “One of the major concerns of PFL GLBSL GMFIL NFS AKJCL UNHPL ing. Tirek Manandhar, the CEO of cyclists in Kathmandu is lack of dedi- -3.84% -3.84% -3.9% -4.34% -5.55% -6.45% Pancbike, spent most of his time at cated cycling lanes, which makes the store answering customer queries POST FILE PHOTO cycling in the city difficult and a bit over the phone. People shop for bicycles at a store in Lagankhel, Lalitpur. risky,” said Shrestha. The first dedi- Before the stay-home order, he used cated bike lane in the Valley—a 4.7 km GASOLINE WATCH to get an average of two phone inquir- design, make social distancing almost from Rs40,000 and go up to hundreds for. “Most of them had high-end mod- cycle lane from Kupondol to Mangal ies a day; but after the lifting of the impossible. of thousands depending on the make els that were way beyond my budget. Bazaar—was inaugurated only last lockdown, he has been getting an aver- “For the many looking for an alter- and material used. According to One of the stores told me to come back November. age of 15 calls a day. native to public transportation, bikes Manandhar, the bikes that are most in after a month’s time. So I have no Both Manandhar and Rai say that “Suddenly, everybody in Kathmandu have proven to be a cost-effective and demand since the lockdown ended are option but to wait,” he said only time will tell whether the rise in seems to want a bike,” he said safe way of commuting,” said Rai. those that fall under the normal and This is not the first time that there demand for bikes courtesy of Covid-19 It was during the lockdown that “Then there are those that have gotten standard categories. has been such a demand for bicycles in will create a fundamental shift in peo- Deepak Limbu decided to get himself into cycling for health reasons to boost “We only have the more expensive recent memory. During the border ple’s mindset when it comes to cycling. a bike. Before the lockdown, Limbu their immunity to fight coronavirus models in stock. The rest have all been blockade of 2015, which caused a In May, when the government began used public transportation to travel in infection.” sold out,” said Manandhar of severe shortage of fuel, demand for easing restrictions on people’s move- the city. “Given that we are living in And there are a variety of bikes to Pancbike. bikes skyrocketed with people cycling ment, Theeng took out his mountain the midst of a pandemic, travelling in choose from. The problem Manandhar and Rai for their daily commute, according to bike that had been gathering dust in public vehicles is a risk I don’t want to Bikes come in three large catego- are dealing with now is restocking Manandhar. During the fiscal year his garage. “I realised that for the fore- take,” said Limbu. “After spending ries—normal, standard and branded. their inventory so they can meet the 2015-16, Nepal imported bikes worth seeable future, the safest way to com- hours online researching different Normal bikes are mainly for city com- high demand. Rs801.3 million, according to the mute will be on my bike,” said types of bikes, I finally got an idea on muting, and they only have the most “Ever since the pandemic took hold, Department of Customs. Theeng. “I have been riding almost the type of bike that fit my require- basic features. the global demand for bikes has gone “We had been very hopeful that the everywhere—to work, for grocery ment.” Prices for these bikes range from through the roof. There’s just so much trend would continue in the future,” shopping and I have even gone on a In a way, the pandemic has provided Rs12,000 to Rs20,000. Standard bikes demand that manufacturers are strug- said Manandhar. few weekend cycling trips. I had people with all the right reasons to get are mid-range bikes and they come in gling to supply, making it extremely But to Manandhar’s disappoint- almost forgotten how good it actually into cycling. With social distancing less advanced parts than the high-end challenging for stores like us to ment, not everyone continued using feels to cycle. With gyms closed, it is a becoming the new norm, people are ones, and prices range from Rs20,000 restock in time,” said Manandhar. their bicycles for their daily commute. good workout too.” avoiding public vehicles (which have to Rs40,000. The branded ones are the Last month, when Limbu went to Sanjay Theeng was one of the many The bicycle boom has made many been flouting safety protocols) and advanced bikes that come with top- bike stores hoping to buy a bike, none who bought a mountain bike in 2015. like Shrestha cautiously optimistic ride-hailing apps, both of which, by end features, and their prices start of them had the type he was looking “During the months of fuel shortage, about the future. India’s weak fuel demand drags on as virus crisis worsens REUTERS MUMBAI, AUG 12

India’s fuel demand dragged lower in July, posting its fifth consecutive year- on-year decline, government data showed on Tuesday as a spike in coro- navirus cases and floods in many parts of the country restricted eco- nomic activity. Consumption of refined fuels, a proxy for oil demand, fell to 15.68 mil- lion tonnes in July, 11.7 percent lower compared with a year earlier and 3.5 percent below the prior month, data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas showed. Diesel consumption, which accounts for about two-fifths of India’s overall fuel usage and is widely used for transportation as well as for the country’s irrigation needs, fell to 5.52 as higher retail prices dented demand activity in some Indian states. million tonnes last month from 6.31 in the world’s third-biggest oil con- India’s top refiner, Indian Oil Corp, million tonnes in June. sumer and as virus cases continue to said last month it would continue to On an annual basis, demand for explode. operate its refineries below capacity diesel declined about 19.3 percent. With over 2 million people infected in 2020/21, and that it didn’t see a Sales of gasoline, or petrol, fell with the novel coronavirus, India recovery in demand to pre-Covid lev- by 10.3 percent from a year earlier stands third with the most cases after els “in the near future.” to 2.26 million tonnes, and were the United States and Brazil. Fuel consumption in India nearly down 0.8 percent from 2.28 million In addition, heavy rains and floods halved in April as a nation-wide lock- POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC tonnes in June. have affected millions of people and down to curb the outbreak halted eco- Labourers work at a junk yard in Gwarko, Lalitpur. Demand for fuel was also impacted battered industrial and construction nomic activity and travel. From carats to peanuts: How a pandemic upended the diamond industry

REUTERS ing to financiers and sales data. diamond prices down between 15 per- er. With Rio Tinto’s massive Argyle JOHANNESBURG/MUMBAI, AUG 12 “There are a lot more enquiries from cent and 27 percent. “What has hap- diamond mine in Australia among people seeking to buy these luxury pened in the second quarter, I have those coming offstream soon, global As the coronavirus pandemic upended stones as a hedge,” said Chris Del never seen in my life,” De Beers Chief diamond production will likely be the global diamond industry, shutter- Gatto, CEO of the DelGatto Diamond Executive Bruce Cleaver told Reuters. reined in until 2025, independent ana- ing mines from Lesotho to Canada and Finance Fund, the largest non-bank “There was no really properly func- lyst Paul Zimnisky forecasts. disrupting supply chains, Rajen Patel lender to the diamond, jewellery and tioning rough market.” Several diamond mines shuttered swapped diamond polishing for pea- watch industries. Prices for high Indian imports of rough diamonds due to the pandemic have also yet to nut farming. Patel, who worked for a quality one-carat diamonds are rising plunged from $1.5 billion in February reopen, including Stornoway decade in India’s Surat where about 80 steadily and are currently around 12 to just $1 million in April, data from Diamonds’ Renard mine in Canada, percent of the world’s diamonds are percent higher than at the start of the the Gem & Jewellery Export Petra Diamonds’ Williamson mine in polished, joined the exodus of gem year, in contrast to still-depressed Promotion Council shows. Tanzania, and Firestone Diamonds’ workers leaving the city as cases of prices for lower-quality stones of the Antwerp, another diamond hub, Liqhobong mine in Lesotho, which the the virus shot up. After taking up same size, data from trading platform saw rough imports drop 20 percent company said would likely stay closed farming in his home village, he has no RapNet shows. year-on-year in the first half, accord- until April to preserve cash. plans to return in the coming months. “If you are in that top end, the ing to data from Antwerp World Meanwhile, Africa-focused Petra “I won’t earn as much I was earning demand is still there because the peo- Diamond Centre. The city’s exports of Diamonds is in restructuring talks in Surat, but I won’t starve and there ple who go for these type of goods feel polished diamonds fell 46 percent. REUTERS with creditors, while in Canada’s is no fear of getting infected with the pressure of the market downturn In a bid to survive, some miners are Diamonds are seen at the diamond exchange in Antwerp, Belgium. Northwest Territories, Rio Tinto’s coronavirus,” he said. Demand for less,” said Gus Simbanegavi, CEO of trying to change the traditional pric- Diavik mine partner has sought credi- diamonds has plummeted during the Bluerock Diamonds. But only a few ing game by securing a cut of onward high-value diamonds from the Mothae for a portion of the estimated polished tor protection, saying it cannot afford pandemic, freezing sales and squeez- miners are lucky enough to have polished diamond sales, and miners mine in Lesotho for $505 per carat plus price. “There is real opportunity with- the miner’s cash calls. ing prices. With temporary mine clo- deposits of large, high-quality dia- may eventually have direct tie-ups a 50 percent share of the margin on in the diamond business as a whole to Even De Beers is feeling the pain, sures at risk of becoming permanent, monds, leaving some producers at with luxury jewellery brands, RCC the future polished diamond sale. modernise the sales system,” said saying job cuts are likely, as it remains diamond miners are seeking ways to risk. Covid-19 has forced miners to Diamond Consultants managing Lucara Diamond Corp, which mines Lucara CEO Eira Thomas. Lucara has unclear whether supply will shrink extract more value from their stones. cancel or delay sales, with major dia- director Richard Chetwode predicts. in Botswana, struck a deal in July also set up an online diamond sales enough to meet plunging demand in The lone bright spot has been steady mond shows scrapped due to health Australia’s Lucapa Diamond Co inked with Antwerp manufacturer HB platform. the global diamond jewellery market, demand for large, high-quality dia- and travel restrictions. The few sales a deal with an unnamed “high-end Group under which the miner’s dia- In the meantime, miners are hoping which Bain estimated was worth $80 monds from affluent investors, accord- that have taken place showed rough diamantaire” to sell some of its monds larger than 10.8 carats are sold production cuts will help prices recov- billion in 2019.

C M Y K THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 | 06 WORLD

BRIEFING India considers resettling Kashmiri Three die in Bengaluru as Facebook post sparks clashes youth who give BENGALURU: At least three people died in clashes with police in the Indian city of Bengaluru overnight on up arms Tuesday after a Facebook post offen- sive to Muslims sparked protests in REUTERS which a police station was attacked, NEW DELHI/ SRINAGAR, AUG 12 and a politician’s house and vehicles were torched. Unable to quell protest- India is considering offering young ers using batons and tear gas, Kashmiri militants an escape from a besieged officers opened fire as they life of violence by temporarily risked being overpowered during the resettling them in more peaceful violent unrest in a Muslim-dominated parts of the country, according to the neighbourhood, the southern city’s top military commander in the police chief told Reuters on Kashmir Valley. Wednesday. “Despite elders of the Lieutenant General BS Raju community trying to pacify the revealed the plan for a new scheme to crowd, the mob burnt vehicles on the offer a way out of militancy during a road, they attacked the police sta- telephone interview from his tion,” Police Commissioner Kamal headquarters in Srinagar, Kashmir’s Pant said. “The police had no escape main city. and they had to resort to firing and He told Reuters recommendations three people died,” Pant said, adding had been submitted to Prime Minister that 110 people had been arrested for Narendra Modi’s government and that alleged vandalism and attacking the the plan, while not finalised, was in an police. A police official said an emer- advanced stage. gency law prohibiting gatherings had “These are young boys who need to been imposed in Bengaluru, a city of be taken care of for a period of time,” 12 million people best known as Raju said, adding that could involve India’s Silicon Valley. Pant said the temporarily settling them outside of person responsible for the offensive Muslim-majority Kashmir. post had been arrested. The post, Past efforts to persuade fighters to which reportedly involved the put down their guns have had mixed Prophet Mohammed, has since been success. But Raju said the military deleted. Facebook did not immediate- had recommended the scheme take a ly comment on the issue. longer-term approach to rehabilitat- AP/RSS ing ex-militants. A woman walks past a rainwater drain during a heavy storm in Beijing on Wednesday. “The bottom-line is that it will have No human pyramids on a structure that will help and give ‘Lord Krishna’ festival confidence to the people who are opt- MUMBAI: There were no human pyra- ing to surrender,” Raju said. mids in Mumbai’s Janmashtami festi- val celebrating Lord Krishna on Wednesday, which normally attracts Past efforts to thousands onto the streets, due to a Australian state adds 21 deaths as surge in coronavirus in India, with persuade fighters more than 60,000 cases reported in 24 hours. “This year, the celebra- to put down their tion will be symbolic,” said Ram Kadam, a state lawmaker who Singapore clears migrants’ dorms guns have had organises one such celebration in mixed success. Mumbai. “We will just have posters Health authorities in New Zealand scramble to trace the source of new outbreak as largest city goes back into lockdown. cheering on doctors and nurses, and will pray to the Lord to help us overcome this pandemic. Usually ASSOCIATED PRESS cases in the last 24 hours. India also foreign workers can now resume work return to work including 81 percent of More than 50,000 people have died Hindus in Mumbai form human MELBOURNE, AUG 12 reported 834 deaths on Wednesday, as their dormitories have been cleared the total 387,000 workers in the con- during more than three decades of an pyramids and try to break a pot of bringing its death toll to 46,091. India of Covid-19 after months of lockdown struction, marine shipyard and pro- insurgency that New Delhi accuses curd at the top. Folklore says Krishna The Australian state of Victoria on has the third-highest caseload after and virus testing. People living in the cess industries. neighbouring Pakistan of fuelling, by formed pyramids with friends to Wednesday reported a record 21 virus the United States and Brazil, but only crowded dormitories comprised the South Korea reported 54 new cases using militant groups to wage a proxy- break pots of butter or curd hung deaths and 410 new cases from an out- the fifth-highest death toll, and author- bulk of Singapore’s 55,353 cases. Only of Covid-19 as health authorities war across the disputed border divid- from ceilings so they could steal break in the city of Melbourne that ities say the fatality rate has dropped 27 deaths have been recorded in the scrambled to stem transmissions ing the Himalayan region. the contents. Kadam said there would has prompted a strict lockdown. below 2 per cent for the first time. tiny island-state. amid increased social and leisure India has flooded the valley with be no public festivities in Mumbai State Premier Daniel Andrews said Prime Minister Narendra Modi The Ministry of Manpower said late activities. The figures announced by security forces - about 200,000 military this year. 16 of the deaths were linked to aged- urged leaders of 10 states that account Tuesday that all the dormitories have South Korea’s Centers for Disease and paramilitary troops are deployed care facilities. The number of new for about 80 per cent of India’s total been cleared except for 17 standalone Control and Prevention brought the there. And Raju said militant attacks cases in Victoria is down from the cases to rigorously apply contain- blocks which serve as quarantine total cases to 14,714, including 305 have dropped by nearly 40% compared China denounces US health peak, giving authorities some hope ment, surveillance and contact trac- facilities. It said all foreign workers deaths. The center says 35 of the new to last year. the outbreak is waning. ing to drive the fatality rate below 1 living in these dormitories have either cases were local transmissions, all but Last August, Prime Minister Modi chief’s criticism ‘ Meanwhile, three Melbourne stu- per cent. Modi also urged that testing recovered or have tested virus-free, three from the Seoul area. changed the political landscape by BEIJING: China said on Wednesday dents were fined after posting social be ramped up in several states. except for 22,500 workers in isolation. The other 19 cases were linked to taking away Jammu & Kashmir’s sta- that US Health Secretary Alex Azar media videos showing them breaching Singapore’s government says most It said the majority are now able to international arrivals. Health author- tus as India’s only Muslim majority has performed the “worst in the nighttime curfews for a McDonald’s ities see those as less threatening to state, splitting it into two federal- world” in controlling the novel coro- run, the Australian Broadcasting the community since people arriving ly-controlled territories and removing navirus, rejecting criticism of China Corporation reported. from abroad face mandatory tests and the special privileges afforded to made by Azar during a three-day trip The state of New South Wales on two-week quarantines. Kashmiris. to Taiwan this week. Azar attacked Wednesday reported 18 new cases, Meanwhile, China’s new domestic Promising a concerted effort to China’s response to the coronavirus including two connected with a pri- coronavirus cases fell into the single develop the region economically, Modi pandemic on Tuesday saying that if vate school cluster in Sydney. digits on Wednesday, while Hong Kong said the move was need to integrate such an outbreak had emerged in Health authorities in New Zealand reported just 33 new cases. The Kashmir more fully with the rest of Taiwan or the United States it could scrambled to trace the source of a new National Health Commission said all the country, but critics said it would have been “snuffed out easily”. outbreak as the nation’s largest city nine new cases were found in the further alienate Kashmiris. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman went back into lockdown. northwestern region of Xinjiang, Pakistan, which maintains a Zhao Lijian told a regular briefing The four cases reported from one whose capital Urumqi has been at the long-standing territorial claim on the epidemic in the United States Auckland household are New centre of China’s latest major out- Kashmir though it denies accusations was “out of control” and the blame Zealand’s first locally transmitted break. Another 25 cases were brought that it materially helps the militants, lay with Azar. “He ignored millions cases in 102 days. The 22 others were by Chinese travellers arriving from has denounced Modi’s action. of Americans suffering from the in mandatory quarantine after return- abroad. Densely populated Hong Kong Since the start of the year, Indian virus and went to Taiwan to put on a ing from travel abroad. Two of the also recorded another six deaths to security forces have killed around 135 political show,” Zhao said. “His infected people had visited the tourist bring its total to 58 fatalities among militants, most of them recruited behaviour proves once again that city of Rotorua last weekend while 4,181 cases. Authorities have ordered locally. in the eyes of US politicians, suffering symptoms, and authorities mask wearing in public settings, The military estimates that there American lives mean nothing when were trying to track their movements. AP/RSS restrictions on indoor dining and are currently around 180 militants compared with their selfish political India’s coronavirus caseload topped Relatives and bystanders, some of them wearing protective suits line up for oxygen cylinders other social distancing measures in a operating with various groups active gains,” he said. (AGENCIES) 2.3 million after adding 60,963 new for patients outside a hospital in Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir, on Wednesday. bid to stem the latest outbreak. in the valley, Raju said. Antibody drugs being tested Who is Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate for US vote? to treat, prevent Covid-19 Born in 1964 to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother, the senator has often spoken of the deep bond she shared with her mother. ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON, AUG 12 ASSOCIATED PRESS She was elected California’s attorney attorney general while she held the same The list in the legislation included WILMINGTON, AUG 12 general in 2010, the first woman and Black post in California. practices Harris did not vocally fight to With a coronavirus vaccine still months off, companies are person to hold the job, and focused on But Biden and Harris have since reform while leading California’s rushing to test what may be the next best thing: drugs that Joe Biden named California Sen Kamala issues including the foreclosure crisis. returned to a warm relationship. “Joe has Department of Justice. And while she now deliver antibodies to fight the virus right away, without having Harris as his running mate, making histo- She declined to defend the state’s empathy, he has a proven track record of wants independent investigations of police to train the immune system to make them. ry by selecting the first Black woman to Proposition 8, which banned same-sex leadership and more than ever before we shootings, she didn’t support a bill that Antibodies are proteins the body makes when an infection compete on a major party’s presidential marriage and was later overturned by the need a president of the US who under- would have required her office to take on occurs; they attach to a virus and help it be eliminated. ticket and acknowledging the vital role US Supreme Court. stands who the people are, sees them where such cases. Vaccines work by tricking the body into thinking there’s an Black voters will play in his bid to defeat After being elected to the Senate in 2016, they are, and has a genuine desire to help “We made progress, but clearly we are infection so it makes antibodies and remembers how to do that President Donald Trump. she quickly gained attention for her asser- and knows how to fight to get us where we not at the place yet as a country where we if the real bug turns up. In choosing Harris, Biden embraced a tive questioning of Trump administration need to be,” Harris said at an event. need to be and California is no exception,” But it can take a month or two after vaccination or infection former rival from the Democratic primary officials during congressional hearings. Harris has taken a tougher stand on she said. for the most effective antibodies to form. The experimental who is familiar with the unique rigour of a Harris launched her presidential cam- policing since Floyd’s killing. She co-spon- The national focus on racial injustice drugs shortcut that process by giving concentrated versions of national campaign. The 55-year-old first- paign in early 2019 with the slogan sored legislation that would ban police now, she said, shows “there’s no reason specific ones that worked best against the coronavirus in lab term senator, who is also of South Asian “Kamala Harris For the People,” a refer- from using chokeholds. that we have to continue to wait.” and animal tests. descent, is one of the party’s most promi- ence to her courtroom work. She was one “A vaccine takes time to work, to force the development of nent figures. She quickly became a top of the highest-profile contenders in a antibodies. But when you give an antibody, you get immediate contender for the No 2 spot after her own crowded Democratic primary and attract- protection,” said University of North Carolina virologist Dr White House campaign ended. ed 20,000 people to her first campaign rally Myron Cohen. “If we can generate them in large concentra- She will appear with Biden for in Oakland. tions, in big vats in an antibody factory ... we can kind of the first time as his running mate at But the early promise of her campaign bypass the immune system.” an event Wednesday near his home in eventually faded. Her law enforcement Wilmington, Delaware. background prompted scepticism from In announcing the pick Tuesday, Biden some progressives, and she struggled to called Harris a “fearless fighter for the lit- land on a consistent message that resonat- tle guy, and one of the country’s finest ed with voters. Facing fundraising prob- public servants.” She said Biden would lems, she abruptly withdrew from the race “unify the American people” and “build an in December 2019, two months before the America that lives up to our ideals.” first votes of the primary were cast. Harris, born in 1964 to a Jamaican father One standout moment of her presiden- and Indian mother, spent much of her tial campaign came at the expense of formative years in Berkeley, California. Biden. During a debate, she said Biden She has often spoken of the deep bond she made “very hurtful” comments about his shared with her mother, whom she has past work with segregationist senators and called her single biggest influence. slammed his opposition to busing as Harris won her first election in schools began to integrate in the 1970s. 2003 when she became San Francisco’s Some Biden confidants said Harris’ district attorney. In that post, she debate attack did irritate the former vice created a re-entry programme for low-level president, who had a friendly relationship AP/RSS drug offenders and cracked down with her. Harris was also close with Biden’s In this March 9, 2020, photo, Sen Kamala Harris speaks at a campaign rally for Democratic presidential on student truancy. late son, Beau, who served as Delaware candidate former Vice President Joe Biden at Renaissance High School in Detroit.

C M Y K 07 | THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Sevilla, Shakhtar qualify for Europa League semis Tottenham sign Southampton midfielder Hojbjerg Five-time competition winners Sevilla beat Wolves 1-0, face Manchester United on Sunday. Shakhtar edge Basel 4-1 to set up Inter Milan tie for Monday. LONDON: Tottenham signed Denmark AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE began to rock, but the goalkeeper midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg PARIS, AUG 12 could do nothing to stop Sevilla’s win- from Southampton in a reported £15 ner with two minutes left. Banega was million ($19 million) deal on Tuesday. Sevilla qualified for the semi-finals of again at the heart of the action, whip- Hojbjerg became Tottenham’s first the Europa League on Tuesday after ping in a fizzing cross that Lucas signing since the end of the Premier Lucas Ocampos’ late header broke Ocampos did brilliantly to guide into League season after agreeing a five- Wolverhampton Wanderers’ hearts, the bottom corner and send his team year contract with the north London while Shakhtar Donetsk thumped into the semis. club. “We are delighted to announce Basel 4-1 to join the Spaniards in the In Gelsenkirchen Shakhtar booked the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg last four. Five-time competition win- their spot in the last four with a com- from Southampton,” the club said on ners Sevilla face Manchester United manding win over Basel that will give their Twitter account. The 25-year-old in Cologne on Sunday thanks to a Inter Milan something to think about was stripped of the Saints captaincy brilliant header from Argentine ahead of their semi-final clash on and dropped for most of Ocampos with less than two minutes Monday. Southampton’s post-coronavirus lock- left on the clock which gave them a “I’m feeling amazing because we down matches after he informed deserved 1-0 win, while Shakhtar take have worked hard and we trust we can them he would not be signing a new on Inter Milan on Monday in another reach the final,” said goalscorer contract. Everton were also in the intriguing tie. Junior Moraes. “If you want to test hunt to sign Hojbjerg, but his desire Sevilla dominated their English yourself, you have to play against to work with Tottenham manager opponents over the course of the teams at this high level.” Jose Mourinho is believed to have match, as a tired-looking Wolves’ The Ukrainian side got off to a flyer helped seal his signature. In a sepa- dreams of European glory ended with thanks to Brazil-born Moraes, who rate move, Tottenham right-back Kyle a whimper. “I am very proud of my headed home Marlos’ corner with less Walker-Peters joined Southampton players. We needed to have lots of than two minutes on the clock, and for £12 million after spending the patience against a very good team,” they never looked back from that point second half of the season on said Sevilla coach Julen Lopetegui, on. Taison put Shakhtar two ahead 20 loan at St Mary’s. whose team are now unbeaten in 19 minutes later when his deflected shot matches in all competitions. flashed past Basel’s bamboozled goal- Premier League outfit Wolves keeper Dorde Nikolic. Alan Patrick England’s Broad fined over thought they were set to make the per- put the result beyond doubt from the use of inappropriate language fect start in the 11th minute when penalty spot with 14 minutes left after LONDON: England paceman Stuart Adam Traore set off on a sensational Taison’s burst into the box was ended Broad has been sanctioned by his surge towards goal from his own half AFP/RSS by a clumsy challenge from Basel father Chris, a match referee, for a and was chopped down in the area by Sevilla’s Lucas Ocampos (third right) heads to score a goal during the Europa League match against Wolves in Duisburg, Germany, on Tuesday. defender Yannick Marchand. breach of the International Cricket Diego Carlos. However Raul Jimenez, Shakhtar rounded off a fine display Council’s code of conduct during the who had scored all of his previous seemed to enter the area before the Wolves back into their own half. half came when Jules Kounde met in the 88th minute when right-back first Test against Pakistan. Broad was eight penalties for Wolves, sent a weak penalty was taken, but in any case However they struggled to carve out Suso’s beautifully flighted cross in the Dodo combined with Tete before fined 15 per cent of his match fee for spot-kick towards Yassine Bounou, that was to be Wolves’ last shot on many clear-cut opportunities, with 66th minute, but the Frenchman had smashing home a superb finish. a level one breach and also given one who could hardly believe his luck as target of the match as chances became Wolves’ defence managing to snuff to stretch for the ball and sent it loop- Ricky van Wolfswinkel’s close range demerit point for using inappropriate he batted the Mexican’s tame shot hard to come by. out their opponents when they did ing over the bar. Eleven minutes later strike for Basel a minute into stoppage language when dismissing Yasir Shah aside. There were claims that Bounou Sevilla though began to take a manage to break free. Rui Patrico did well to tip over Ever time made no difference to a thump- in Pakistan’s second innings at Old had left his line while Sevilla players stranglehold on the play and force The first good chance of the second Banega’s dipping free-kick as Wolves ing defeat for the Swiss. Trafford on Saturday, hours before England completed a three-wicket win. Broad admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Chris Broad, the former England Football’s fixtures postponed, again Pakistan’s SAG medalists banned batsman who is now a member of the ICC’s elite panel of match referees. The second Test starts on Thursday SPORTS BUREAU rescheduled to 2021,” reads the Asian football SPORTS BUREAU conducted the second test as well. But they both at Southampton. KATHMANDU, AUG 12 governing body’s statement. KATHMANDU, AUG 12 failed the doping test,” according to NOC. “With the aim of protecting the health and “As per the international norms of athletics, Nepal’s remaining fixtures of the Asian safety of all participants, FIFA and the Three Pakistani athletes—two gold medalists the trio will be stripped of their medals Serena sets up Venus clash qualifiers of FIFA World Cup 2022 and AFC will continue to work together to closely and a bronze medalist of the 2019 South Asian and the athletes finishing just behind them will LEXINGTON: Serena Williams made a AFC Asian Cup 2023 have been postponed for the monitor the situation in the region and to identi- Games—were stripped of medals and banned for be given their medals,” said RK Bista, the winning return to competitive tennis second time owing to the coronavirus fy new dates for the respective qualifying four years after they failed doping tests. secretary at Nepal Athletics Association, who on Tuesday as she rallied from a set pandemic. matches.” According to the Nepal Olympic Committee is also the International Technical Officer of down to beat Bernarda Pera 4-6 6-4 6-1 According to a statement released by the Asian Further details on the new dates for the next (NOC), men’s 110m hurdles gold medalist athletics. at the Top Seed Open in Lexington, Football Confederation, the AFC and interna- round of qualifying matches for the FIFA World Muhammad Naeem, 400m hurdles winner Testing positive in doping means the silver Kentucky on Tuesday in her first tional football governing body FIFA had decided Cup 2022 and the AFC Asian Cup 2023 are said to Mehboob Ali and 100m sprint bronze medalist medalist of 110m hurdles Surendra Jayak will match of the Covid-19 era. Williams to postpone Asia’s all remaining matches to next be announced in due course. Sami Ullah were stripped of their medals. They get the gold and bronze medalist Roshan Dhamika was five points from falling to the year with a view to protecting the health and The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) will be banned until December 2, 2023, which was of Sri Lanka will bag silver while fourth placed American left-hander in the second safety of all participants. However, no date has has already named 34 players for the preliminary effective from December 3, 2019. Indian Maymon Poulose will be elevated for set but suddenly showcased her fight- been announced. selection and conducted PCR tests of all of them. Urine samples of the three players collected bronze medal. ing spirit and pulled away to set up a Had the matches taken place as per the origi- The football governing body had planned to start during in-competition doping control tests were The 400m hurdles gold and silver will go to the second-round showdown with older nal fixture dates, Nepal should have played the the closed camp training from August 17. found positive. “The samples were sent to the Indian duo of Jabir Madari Pa and Santosh sister Venus, a 6-3 6-2 winner over three remaining matches by June 9. As per the Apart from players, ANFA also conducted the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA)-approved Kumar while Sri Lankan Asanka Indrajit will Victoria Azarenka. Serena is also pre- fixture published after the first postponement, PCR tests of three dozen individuals who were Anti-Doping Lab in Qatar and the test revealed bag the bronze medal. Ali will be replaced by paring for the August 31-September 13 Nepal were scheduled to host Chinese Taipei on expected to have contact with the team. They that they had used the banned substances,” stat- his compatriot Uzair Rehman for bronze in US Open. In other action, former US October 8, Australia on October 13 and Jordan on included coaches, officials, kitchen staff, clean- ed an NOC release. 100m sprint. Open champion Sloane Stephens was November 12. ers and caretakers of the ANFA hostel as they All three athletes were found to have taken The ban meant table topper India will have a upset by Canadian Leylah Fernandez, “FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation were set to be housed at the ANFA hostel in Anabolic Androgenic Steroids. They are now total haul of 176 gold medals while Pakistan, who Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putinseva beat have jointly decided that the upcoming qualify- Satdobato. used in medicine to stimulate muscle growth and finished four in the standings behind Nepal Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic and ing matches for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 “Now all the players will be released by ANFA. appetite. “All three tested positive in the A sam- and Sri Lanka, will have 30 golds. The Coco Gauff beat fellow American and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, originally sched- We will start the next training once the AFC pub- ple tests and were informed about it. They were 13th sub-continental games were held for uled to take place during the international match lishes new fixtures,” said national team manager also given an opportunity for B tests in the same the third time in Nepal last year from Caroline Dolehide. (AGENCIES) windows in October and November 2020, will be Madhusudan Upadhyaya. lab. Among them, gold medalists Naeem and Ali December 1 to 10. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Today is one of those days when the more organised Be careful not to act too spontaneously today. If you want more roses, wine, and poetry from your If you’re only acting modest because you don’t want you are, the more you will enjoy yourself. So do your- Practice counting to ten before you blast off and tell special someone, you need to give them more roses, to come off as being too cocky, then you aren’t being self a favour and start the day by evaluating what someone what’s on your mind. And definitely make wine, and poetry. Show them what you expect of honest! You could get some praise today, but don’t needs to be done and how you are going to go about sure you give your temper time to cool off before you them with your actions. It’s as simple as that. They’re feel guilty about enjoying it! You don’t have to worry doing it. cause any friction with an authority figure. smart. about people thinking that you have a big head.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) **** LEO (July 23-August 22) **** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) ***** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) **** Some great news could be coming your way today, Your charm is obvious today, and it will enable you to Creating your own happiness is easy when you get You’re at an important fork in the road of your life but you need to play it cool! Don’t rush ahead and do have a good time doing just about anything! This active! The physical movement of any kind will that might require you to leave some important peo- anything too hastily. Let the news settle in and give kind of can-do positive energy can help you attract a make your blood pump faster and get all your endor- ple behind. But saying goodbye to them will be sur- everyone a chance to get used to the changes that are lot of diverse people who will keep your life interest- phins surging around your body, spreading a good prisingly easy when you take a moment look at all coming. ing and your problems small. mood from your head to your toes. you have to gain by moving on.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) *** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) ** PISCES (February 19-March 20) ** You should not take any kind of financial risk today. It’s in your best interests to be as generous as you Someone has been playing games with you, and they Being in charge might make you think that you are There is too much uncertainty involved in this new can right now. Set aside some free time to help a haven’t been fun kind. All the phone tag, confusing doing everyone else a favour, but that’s an illusion. venture, and you need to play things safe. Get some friend. If you don’t share resources, you’ll never conversations, and generally flaky behaviour is not It’s much more likely that you are excluding people distance between your friendships and your financial know the feeling of pride that comes from helping something you have to put up with. Today you need from having a say and feeling involved in the deci- life, too. someone when they really need it. to put an end to it. sion-making process. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 'We are open to criticism. We have to listen' With the National Reconstruction Authority scheduled to come to a close by the end of this year, the Post spoke to CEO Sushil Gyewali about the body’s involvement in heritage restoration and culture conservation and the recent controversy surrounding Rani Pokhari.

cisms are politically motivated too. SHASHWAT PANT KATHMANDU Till date, out of the Why has Rani Pokhari come under so 920 monuments, we much scrutiny? he National Recons- truction Authority (NRA) have fully restored When people came to us asking us not was established on to use concrete, we took their advice December 25, 2015, with 453 monuments. and started from scratch. But then the objective of rapidly people started to tell us that the water reconstructing buildings in the pond came automatically from a Tdamaged by the 2015 earthquakes. ments of up to Rs 10 million. source within the pond. We didn’t dis- And since its formation, the author- Taking that concern into considera- regard that fact too. We then asked our ity has helped rebuild over 500,000 tion, we have made special provisions team of archaeologists to study if that houses, over 10,000 schools and hospi- and increased that amount to Rs 1 bil- was still possible. We dug deep to see tals and over 900 heritage monuments. lion. Using that, locals have made user if we could find water sources but we During this timeframe, the authority groups in projects like Kastamandap, couldn’t. has also faced a lot of criticism when Rani Pokhari and recently Bungamati. There was a system of Raj Kulo it comes to heritage reconstruction, (Royal Canal) back then. Those don't especially when it comes to Rani Who does the NRA prefer to give exist anymore. The public too needs to Pokhari. projects to? User committees or understand that. We are talking to With the authority’s term coming to contractors? authorities of the possibility of bring- an end on December 25, the Authority’s ing in water from different ponds as CEO, Sushil Gyewali, spoke to the Our first priority is always giving it to well. But nothing is fixed yet. Post’s Shashwat Pant about the user committees. But there are some Right now, people are concerned authority’s role in heritage restora- projects that cannot be done by them. about the use of tube wells, which we tion, the challenges it has faced and Some are too big that user groups have asserted is only a last resort. the criticism, and what the future is don’t want to take ownership because They want us to use only rain water. for heritage monuments after its term they don’t have the ability to do so, And we also want to use more sustain- ends. Excerpts: which is why we give it to contractors. able measures: like rain water or With time, we’ve realised that the water from Kathmandu’s Valley Water What works has the NRA done when contractors have developed a capacity Management Board. But we have to it comes to heritage conservation? to build these monuments. We’ve pro- look at all practical solutions. And why have many of the projects PHOTO COURTESY OF NATIONAL RECONSTRUCTION AUTHORITY vided training to their staff who have Heritage activists have been saying been delayed so much? What little we had, we first started to The second problem we faced was take them on board from the first become decent artisans capable of we have been rushing to complete pro- work on world heritage sites in lack of skilled manpower when it brick, because if we didn’t do that, a restoring temples. It’s not that their jects because our term is coming to an In total, we were assigned the restora- Kathmandu, then moved slowly came to heritage restoration. These lot of problems would be created in work goes unmonitored. Heritage end. But the public wants the temple tion of around 920 heritage monu- towards other monuments which had skills in earlier times would be passed the future. activists regularly keep a check on to be open at least by Tihar. We are ments throughout the country. Out of been destroyed in the 2015 earthquake. on from one generation to another but The last problem we had was to them and we have a team of archaeol- caught in between. Yes, we do want to that, 170 were monuments in world Till date, out of the 920 monuments, that doesn’t happen anymore. That ensure that when restoring, we make ogists who monitor the work on a reg- complete our projects before the end heritage sites in the Kathmandu we have fully restored 453 monuments knowledge is limited, which is why we the buildings structurally strong so ular basis. There is no preference; we of our term too but that’s because oth- Valley, 404 heritage monuments with- which includes fully restoring 105 her- had to train a lot of people. that they wouldn't come down when give projects based on the capability erwise it'll be further caught in a in the Valley and 346 monuments were itage monuments which fall on the Another problem we face was that another earthquake hit Nepal. of the people. limbo. outside the Valley. world heritage site list with only 65 in some places, locals were not too Because we don’t want unsafe struc- While working, we had to give first now remaining to be restored. compliant. For example, in the Aagan tures. But that contradicted tradition- Is the criticism that the NRA is There are rumours that NRA’s priority to private houses, schools and Chhe: temple in Basantapur, whose al techniques because back then con- getting fair? contract will be extended by a year. hospitals. But after that, our time and How tough has it been to restore restoration has been in limbo, locals crete wasn’t used. So we had to come What is the plan of action for now? effort has been given to restoring dam- these monuments? didn’t want the Japanese to enter the up with ways we could strengthen it We are open to criticism. We have to aged heritage monuments. shrine room of the temple to restore using age-old techniques. listen to them. At NRA, we want to When deriving the five-year plan, The reason why we put heritage It has been tough. We were put back by it. This put on hold its works for a long ensure that the monuments are when we started, we had said that restoration third on our priority list multiple, unexpected issues. The first time. Another obstacle we faced was What complaints do you get from rebuilt in a way that ensures locals’ restoring heritage monuments would was because we wanted to ensure that problem we had was lack of early doc- restoring the temple in the same man- public stakeholders? voices are heard too. We don’t want take at least six years. We would have the work we did was done in the right umentation. We quickly realised that ner it was built, which means produc- anyone to be unhappy and have completed our works on time, if not manner. We had to ensure that the no two monuments, even though they ing similar bricks produced over two- They say they want to be involved in always held dialogues with locals to for various hindrances, including right people were working in the res- looked similar, were the same. For three centuries ago with the same the restoration projects because they ask what wrong we are doing. Covid-19. There is a likelihood that it toration projects because working in example, we compared two temples quality. This takes time. know the monuments well. They don’t If their concerns are valid, we will be extended by a year but nothing heritage you need skilled artisans. built in the Malla time, and we found The fourth challenge was convinc- want monuments to be given to con- always correct it. But if their com- is sure yet. Another issue we had was finances. vast differences. And because many of ing the community we were going to struction companies who work with plaints are invalid, then we sit down, When our contract ends, we will While we were getting decent dona- the buildings were built in a different do a fair job. Because a lot of people’s concrete, as the locals say that they talk and explain to them. handover everything to the tions for private houses, schools and time, it was tough for us because the lives revolved around these heritage won’t do justice to the project. But We too need to understand why they Department of Archaeology, with hospitals from abroad, donations for manner and the materials used to monuments—from early morning according to the Public Procurement are concerned and if their demands whom we have been working in close heritage restoration were quite low. build the monuments were different. prayers to evening prayers—we had to Act, we can only give them monu- are just. But sometimes some criti- coordination with all this while.

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