WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 235 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.4 C 5.1 C Saturday, October 17, 2020 | 01-07-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla Oli continues to transfer secretaries without letting them settle at one place Serving and retired bureaucrats say the current administration is stable and it could have done much to strengthen civil service, but it is doing just the opposite.

ANIL GIRI Population, in his last five years as a KATHMANDU, OCT 16 secretary. Frequent transferring of top On Thursday, Secretary at the Office bureaucrats like secretaries and of the Prime Minister and Council of joint-secretaries has long been the Ministers Yadav Koirala got trans- bane of Nepal’s bureaucracy, which is ferred to the Ministry of Federal also called the permanent govern- Affairs and Local Development. He ment, as the elected one has a maxi- was one of the 10—out of the total 69 mum term of five years. secretaries of the Government of However, in the past, Nepal has Nepal—who were transferred. always struggled to have an elected Transfer of secretaries is just a regu- government complete its full term. lar process in bureaucracy and With new governments formed every Cabinet makes these decisions. But in nine months on an average, frequent Koirala’s case, this was his fifth trans- transfers of secretaries had become fer in just two years. the order of the day, as ministers Former bureaucrats and experts on would make changes in their minis- administrative affairs say while the tries just as they wished. government can shuffle civil servants The Oli government, however, was when it wants, senior staff, like secre- given the mandate to serve for the full taries, should be allowed to serve for term, hence it should have worked on POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL some time before they are sent from strengthening bureaucracy by letting Ranipokhari, with Balgopaleshwar Temple in the middle, is illuminated in evening light. Preparations are being made to inaugurate the historic pond following its post-earthquake restoration. one ministry to another so as to allow secretaries serve at least for two years bureaucracy to function smoothly. at one ministry, according to former “For good results, delivery per se and serving bureaucrats. and policy consistency, it is better if a There is no official data on how secretary is given at least two years to many changes or transfers have been serve at one ministry or one state enti- made at the top level of bureaucracy Triumph at 29,000 feet: Everest has seen over ty,” said Kedar Bahadur Adhikari, in the last two and half years after Oli who retired as secretary from the became the prime minister. A secre- Ministry of Culture, Tourism and tary, however, said there were more Civil Aviation last week. He had than a dozen reshuffles of the top 6,500 footfalls since first ascent in 1953 served in five different ministries, bureaucrats in this period. including the Ministry of Health and >> Continued on page 2 In recent years, summit hopefuls have been growing since the tragedy on the tallest mountain in 2014 and its closure following the 2015 earthquake.

all 14 mountains above 8,000 metres at the age of 31 years, becoming the youngest person to do so. The success rate of climbers has been improving since 2016. A total of 451 mountaineers, including 197 for- eigners, reached the top of Everest in 2016 after the peak saw no climbers in 2015, the year when Nepal was hit by a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people. Quake-triggered avalanches killed 20 climbers. On April 18, 2014, there was an ava- lanche near Everest base camp which killed 16 Nepali guides. Rescuers pulled out 13 bodies and the remain- ing three were never recovered as search and rescue operations were called off due to too much risk. The first post-avalanche ascent took place on May 23, 2014, when Chinese climber Wang Jing along with five Nepali climbing guides reached the summit of Everest. However, her ascent was marked by controversy as she flew over the Khumbu Icefall in a helicopter instead of crossing it on foot. High-altitude climbing guides had PHOTO COURTESY: KAMI RITA SHERPA cancelled all their planned expedi- An undated photo shows a queue of climbers making a final push towards Everest summit. tions to pay respect for their dead col- leagues. SANGAM PRASAIN tallest mountain in the world. But Wang completed her climb with KATHMANDU, OCT 16 This year, Covid-19 kept all expedi- five guides that were arranged pri- tions away, the second time in recent vately. The Department of Tourism A total of 6,507 mountaineers have years. There were no expeditions in had also issued the climbing permit as climbed Everest from the Nepal side 2015 following the April earthquake. a challenge to the guides who decided since Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Last year was significant in terms to boycott the expedition. The disaster New Zealander Edmund Percival of records set on the world’s tallest had brought a simmering tension Hillary first set foot atop the world’s peak. According to the ministry, there between the government and the highest peak in May 1953. were five record-setting events for climbing guides as the government This and other figures are con- 2019. did not pay heed to their demands. tained in the latest annual mountain- On May 22 and 23, a total of 223 and Following the disaster, the govern- eering statistics published by the 212 climbers reached the summit, ment had promptly announced a pay- Tourism Ministry on Tuesday. Among which has been recorded as the high- ment of Rs40,000 to the victims’ fami- the 6,507 summiteers, 471 are female, est and the second-highest number of lies to cover funeral costs. However, with Junko Tabei of Japan being the climbers on the top of Everest on a high-altitude guides and workers were first to make it to the top in 1975. particular day. angered by the government’s paltry The 8,848-metre (29,028 feet) Everest That year, the government issued a handout offer which led them to inten- straddles Nepal and China and the record number of permits, leading to sify their protest. summit can be reached from both ‘traffic jams’ on the icy route to the top In 2017, a total of 426 climbers, countries. It costs less to climb from of the world. Also, 10 people died, the including 199 foreigners, made it to the Chinese side since the royalty is highest death toll in four years. the top, slightly fewer than in 2016. less than Nepal’s $11,000 per person Kami Rita Sherpa climbed Everest The number of summiteers rose sig- and also because there is a motorable twice within a week, on May 15 and 21, nificantly in 2018 when 560 individu- road up to the base camp. giving him the distinction of having als, including 262 foreigners, reached Nepal’s Tourism Ministry started made the highest number of Everest the top. This record was broken in collecting details of events on Everest ascents in the world–24. 2019 when a crowd of 644 mountain- dating from 1922 when seven Sherpa The ministry said that the eers, including 280 foreigners, stepped climbers died in an avalanche, becom- Sagarmatha Height Measurement on top of the world. ing the first reported deaths on the Expedition 2019 team, led by chief “As the allure of Everest has survey officer Khimlal Gautam grown, so have the crowds,” said of the government of Nepal, Ang Tsering Sherpa, former president climbed Everest on May 22 and of the Nepal Mountaineering installed scientific equipment on Association. According to him, the the summit. The government is number of Everest aspirants in Nepal yet to announce the height of started to swell from 2007 when China Everest. started issuing Everest climbing cer- Nirmal Purja has climbed all tificates stating the height as 8,844.57 14 mountains above 8,000 metres metres while Nepal issued certificates in the record time of 6 months saying 8,848 metres. and 6 days and became the fast- The lower height was not recog- est person to do so. nised by various international organi- Ministry records show that sations, Sherpa said. Mingma Gyabu Sherpa climbed >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Despite spending millions on containing Covid-19, Lumbini Province has little to show for it A chunk of the budget was spent on procurement of medical equipment but the government failed to manage the required human resource to use those equipment.

AMRITA ANMOL BUTWAL, OCT 16

The Lumbini provincial government has spent nearly half a billion rupees for the prevention and control of Covid-19 so far, but the rate of disease spread has not slowed down in the province, nor are the patients getting quality care. According to the data of the Ministry of Social Development in the province, Rs 495.2 million has been spent to combat Covid-19 so far. Officials say a large chunk of POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI this amount was spent on procure- A customer buys barley seeds at Indrachowk, Kathmandu on Friday. Sowing of barley seeds marks the start of Dashain festival that starts on ment of medical equipment and medi- the day of Ghatasthapana, which falls on Saturday this year. Once the seeds sprout and grow into grass or jamara, they are used as offerings on cines for government hospitals and the main day of the festival, Bijaya Dashami. health facilities. But despite making a big invest- ment to improve and strengthen the medical care infrastructure in the province, patients are not getting admittance in government-run health Oli continues to transfer secretaries ... facilities designated for Covid-19 care and treatment. >> Continued from page 1 senior bureaucrats and trade union officer. Forty-three-year-old Rishi Sharma, “This makes the bureaucracy leaders. An old hand at the Ministry of a local of Butwal Ward No 11, tested POST PHOTO: AMRITA ANMOL very unstable and vulnerable,” the Transfers of senior bureaucrats Home Affairs, Koirala was at the positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago. The Lumbini provincial government has invested Rs 216.1 million for the management of four secretary told the Post on the are dictated by three factors, accord- Ministry of Health and Population When he sought admission in govern- Covid-19 special hospitals and Rs 109.84 million in risk allowances for frontline workers. condition of anonymity because he ing to Govinda Kusum, a former home earlier this year. After the controversy ment hospitals in Rupandehi follow- feared retribution. secretary. over procuring medical equipment, ing severe illness, every one of them matic patients would be asked to iso- “None of the authorities checked up After Oli became the prime minis- “One is many senior bureaucrats Koirala had been transferred from the turned him away saying they did not late at home. Following the directive, on me so I had to monitor my health ter, he made two mistakes, according who have served in the provinces Health Ministry to the Prime have enough beds. free swab collection was also stopped improvement myself.” to at least two serving secretaries. want to come back to Kathmandu for Minister’s Office in May. “I was staying in home isolation but in the province. The provincial government says it “One was failure to adjust the civil reasons like better career opportuni- There are altogether 10 services in I had difficulty breathing after a cou- Dr Pushparaj Paudel, information will soon introduce plans to better the servants as per the new federal spir- ties, family, health and others. Two, the bureaucracy like health, finance, ple of days. I needed medical assis- officer at the Ministry of Social current medical infrastructure keep- it,” said one secretary who also spoke secretaries themselves want postings general administration and foreign. tance so I first sought admission at Development, believes the number of ing in mind the chances of further on condition of anonymity. “Second, in ministries where they get facilities Health, Physical Infrastructure and government hospitals but none of Covid-19 patients may be higher than spread of the virus during the festive the frequent transfers of civil serv- or it is easy to work at,” said Transport, Energy, and Forest and them had a bed for me,” he said. “I was what’s being reported daily. season. ants at the top level were made based Kusum. “Three, ministers prefer cer- Environment are some of the techni- then admitted to Universal Medical “These days even those who are It, however, does not have plans to on the prime minister’ and his minis- tain top bureaucrats at their minis- cal ministries where secretaries with College in Bhairahawa, a private insti- entering the province do not have to increase the scope of PCR tests, or ters’ personal preferences and bureau- tries so that they can work without technical know-how are usually pre- tution. I spent nine days at the hospi- conduct mandatory PCR tests,” said monitor the health condition of crats’ ideological beliefs.” any hindrances.” ferred. tal and spent Rs 20,000 per day.” Dr Binod Kumar Giri, the health patients in home isolation. By the time bureaucrats become But that said, according to Kusum, “Nepal’s bureaucracy seriously Lumbini Province has four Covid-19 director of the province. “PCR tests of “The government is going to expand joint-secretaries and secretaries, they frequent transfers are detrimental to lacks expertise and specialisation and special hospitals in Butwal, asymptomatic patients have also been and increase health services in Covid- have already served at various minis- the country because such moves cre- without it, no bureaucracy can be Bhairahawa, Dang and Banke dis- stopped. We are conducting free PCR 19 hospitals,” said Baijanath tries and state agencies and during ate not only policy inconsistencies, transformed,” said Kusum. tricts to treat critical patients from 12 tests only on critical patients.” Chaudhary, spokesperson of the pro- that course they have their own exper- there could also be a lack of personal A secretary who has been trans- districts. There are also 13 hospitals, vincial government. “But there are no tise in certain areas. and institutional memory. ferred to three different offices in one 12 district health offices and 12 plans yet to extend the same services That’s why, experts say, such top Kusum shared his experience of year said that the morale of civil serv- Ayurvedic hospitals that have isola- 14,490 people have to those in home isolation.” level bureaucrats should be allowed to dealing with Bhutan during the refu- ants is at an all time low. tion facilities. Sudarshan Baral, minister for remain at one ministry for some time gee crisis during the 1990s-2000s. “No one can protest or oppose the According to the data of the tested positive for Social Development in the province, so that they can help in policy deci- Between 1995 and 2006, Nepal and government decision,” he said. “We Ministry of Social Development, the said the ministry has released funds sions and also assist the ministers in a Bhutan held 17 rounds of talks to used to have a meeting of secretaries provincial government has invested the coronavirus in as per the demand of the health facili- more effective way. Frequently trans- resolve the issue of the around 100,000 to air our grievances at least once a Rs 216.1 million for the management ties so it is not the lack of money that ferring secretaries without taking Bhutanese refugees living in various month chaired by the chief secretary of four Covid-19 special hospitals and the province so far. has stunted the health sector in the their expertise into consideration also camps in Nepal but this has not taken place for the last Rs 109.84 million on risk allowances province. “We have been providing the affects government functioning. “In that one decade, the Home four months. The loyalty of the chief for front line health workers. necessary funds to all Covid-19 specif- A tax expert presently heads Ministry saw 10 secretaries while secretary is to party leaders rather But none of the government health The provincial government has pro- ic and other hospitals to equip them to bureaucracy at the Ministry of Health Bhutan had just one all along,” said than to the tens of thousands of civil institutions has been able to accom- vided seven ventilators to three Covid- fight the pandemic,” said Baral. and Population when the country is Kusum. “Even when I was leading our servants.” modate the rising number of Covid-19 19 special hospitals (Bhairahawa, But since there’s no proper mecha- fighting the pandemic. delegation, I saw the Bhutanese had It is not just the top bureaucrats patients. Currently, there are 195 beds Dang and Banke) in the province. The nism to inspect and monitor the According to a secretary who has come fully prepared as they had ade- who are unhappy with such frequent in four Covid-19 special hospitals in Butwal-based Covid-19 special hospital expenditures of the hospitals, the served at the ministry, it has two sec- quate personal and institutional mem- transfers in civil service. Butwal, Bhairahawa, Dang and Banke. has five ventilators. There are only 12 funds are not being utilised as needed, retary positions and one of them has ory but we did not have that leverage.” “Secretaries are transferred fre- The active number of cases across the ventilators throughout the province. says Dr Krishna Kharel, a member at to be a doctor, according to a general Only two secretaries have been quently and in some cases within one province reached 3,719 as of Friday. A majority of Covid-19 patients the Medical Council at the central understanding, but at present it has serving in the same ministries— month due to the personal interest of Until Friday, 14,490 individuals have have been asked to stay in home isola- level. “Even though hospitals have only one top bureaucrat. finance and defence— since this gov- ministers or ruling party leaders or been tested positive for the coronavi- tion but since there are no mecha- purchased medical equipment, the “No one wants to go to the Health ernment came to power, while most some interest groups,” said Gopal rus in the province. Of the total infect- nisms to provide medical assistance to failure to manage skilled human Ministry fearing there will be a power others have been shuffled around, at Pokharel, chairman of the Nepal Civil ed, only 1,085 people were able to get Covid-19 patients staying at home, resources in health facilities has ren- tussle,” the secretary, who also spoke least in three to four ministries, Servants Union which is a wing of the treatment at Covid-19 special hospi- most of them are unaware of changes dered the investment null,” said on condition of anonymity, told the according to the two secretaries the larger trade union of Nepal’s non-ga- tals. Among them, 66 succumbed to in their medical condition. Kharel. “The government is injecting Post. Post talked to. zetted civil servants. the disease during the course of treat- There are 2,165 Covid-19 patients in funds in hospitals but there is no pro- After Oli became the prime minis- Shanker Das Bairagi had also con- Over 35,000 civil servants are associ- ment. home isolation who have not received gress to show for all the money spent. ter in early 2018, bureaucracy suffered tinued at the Ministry of Foreign ated with civil servants’ trade unions According to the records kept by the any health services or medical care The spending has not been result-ori- a lot due to frequent changes of secre- Affairs until he was promoted to the and they are one of the strongest Provincial Health Directorate in from the government. ented.” taries and joint-secretaries, adjust- post of chief secretary earlier this voices of Nepal’s civil service. Lumbini, 15 Covid-19 patients died for “I did a PCR test in Lumbini Krishna Bahadur Paudel, an assis- ment of civil servants in the provinces month. “Bureaucracy has become a puppet want of treatment because they were Provincial Hospital after suffering tant accountant at the Ministry of the and local governments, and disre- Koirala’s recent transfer will take of the government. Civil servants are turned away by Covid-19 special hos- from a high fever about three weeks Social Development in the province, specting the rights of civil servants’ him to the Ministry of Federal Affairs transferred at whims,” said Pokharel. pitals, citing lack of beds. ago. My report was positive. I stayed said out of 495.2 million, Rs 209.92 mil- trade union and this has accumulated and Local Development for a second “We have failed to build a system on Two months ago, a Cabinet meeting in home isolation for 14 days,” said lion was from the Covid-19 fund and dissatisfaction in civil service from stint. He has also served in Kathmandu the transfer of the bureaucrats, but no issued a directive to hospitalise only Sushmita Pandey, a resident in Ward the rest of the budget was provided by the top to the bottom, according to Metropolitan City as its executive one speaks up.” symptomatic patients while asympto- No. 6 of Siddharthanagar Municipality. the provincial government. Darchula locals forced to pay steep prices for essentials as festivals near Triumph ... >> Continued from page 1 MANOJ BADU Mahakali Municipality. “The cost of “It’s not expensive to climb from the DARCHULA, OCT 16 vegetables has increased threefold. north side, and the process of obtain- The price of potatoes has gone up by ing a climbing permit is also easy,” The price of goods and daily essen- Rs 40 per kilo. And all these vegetables said Sherpa, adding that before 2007, tials in Darchula has gone up in the are grown locally and do not warrant the north face used to see a large num- last eight months in the wake of the a price hike since there are no addi- ber of climbers. coronavirus pandemic and the subse- tional transportation costs to factor Sherpa said that since 2016, China quent lockdown. As the festive season in.” started issuing climbing permits stat- approaches, the prices have climbed On Friday, a joint market monitor- ing the height as 8,848.13 metres. further up, making daily essentials ing conducted by the District Nepal and China will be clearing unaffordable for the locals in remote Administration Office, Food any confusion about the actual eleva- regions of the district. Technology and Quality Control tion soon by jointly announcing the Narendra Singh Dhami, a local of Office and the local unit found around height of Everest. Byas Rural Municipality in Darchula, seven quintals of onions stored in a “However, climbing from Nepal has said, “The cost of Mota rice in vegetable godown at Mahendranagar become more adventurous, and people Darchula Bazaar is Rs 55 per kilo. In Bazaar in Kanchanpur. love it instead of just climbing the last year’s Dashain, the same rice was Kalpana Bhatta, the administrative peak and going home, making the available at Rs 40 to Rs 45 per kilo. The officer at the District Administration number of summit hopefuls rise every cost of cooking oil has also increased.” Office, said, “The operator of the veg- passing year,” he said. According to Dhami, the prices of etable shop has been fined Rs 5,000. He was referring to the fact that almost all daily essentials, including This incident has shown that vegeta- while on the Chinese side, mountain- food grains, have gone up this year. ble shopkeepers in the district are eers drive up the base camp, on the “We also have to pay extra money to creating an artificial shortage of Nepal side the allure begins as they tractors to transport goods from onions in the market.” land at Lukla airport from where they Khalanga, the district headquarters, According to her, the team has start- have to trek 10 days to the base camp. to our villages.” ed monitoring vegetable shops in the The situation next year, with the It takes Rs 350 to transport 40 kilos bazaar areas after receiving com- climbing season slated to begin in of rice from Khalanga to Sunsera on a plaints of shortage and black-market- spring 2021, will depend on what turn tractor. POST PHOTO: BHAWANI BHATTA ing of onions. the Covid-19 pandemic takes. “From Sunsera, we have to carry A market monitoring team on Friday found expired food items being sold in Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur. The team also found expired food “There are inquiries,” said Sherpa. the rice sacks on our back. By the time items being sold in the Mahendranagar “Even though Everest will be open, a 40-kg rice sack costing Rs 1,850 our villages are past their expiration “The retail price of food grains and Jyotsana Bhatta (Joshi), assistant area, said Nawaraj Dahal, an official there won’t be many climbers because reaches Sunsera, the price will be Rs dates. This year has been especially other daily essentials has gone up in chief district officer in Darchula, involved in market monitoring from of the economic factor. People don’t 2,250,” said Dhami. “No one in our tough for us with the price hike and Darchula but nothing has been done said, “Two days ago, a market moni- Dhangadhi-based Food Technology have money, and climbing Everest is village can afford to buy such expen- the poor quality of food products,” about it. There has to be some sort of toring team inspected stores in and Quality Control Office. an expensive affair.” sive rice.” Joshi said. a control mechanism to keep such Khalanga Bazaar. Some expired food “We have seized all expired food Foreigners pay $11,000 to obtain a According to locals, the prices of Indraraj Pant, vice chairperson of price inflation at bay,” Pant said. items were seized from the area. We items,” said Dahal. “We will keep a permit to climb Everest and spend daily essentials have increased since the Darchula Chamber of Commerce The District Administration Office will start monitoring the market area check on the sale of expired and sub- anywhere between $40,000 and $90,000 the start of the coronavirus pandemic. and Industry, says that despite repeat- in Darchula conducts market monitor- to minimise unnecessary price hikes.” standard food materials during the for the entire expedition. In 2019, the Dipak Joshi, a local man in Duhu, says ed complaints from the locals regard- ing exercises, especially around the Even vegetables that are grown festival season.” government earned $5.07 million in the price hike has made life difficult ing the price hike, the concerned festive season, but the office says that locally and do not incur transporta- royalties from the issuance of climb- for everybody in rural Darchula. authorities are not doing much to it has not received any complaints of tion costs are being sold at an expen- Bhawani Bhatta in Kanchanpur ing permits. Out of the total revenue, “Moreover, food items that reach address the issue. price hike from consumers. sive rate, says Kiran Joshi, a local of contributed reporting. Everest accounted for $4.05 million.

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020 NATIONAL National rights body probe finds yet another extra-judicial killing State protection for guilty giving rise to such cases, activists say.

BINOD GHIMIRE Party of Nepal, too was killed extrajudicially. KATHMANDU, OCT 16 Though authorities had claimed he died in police action on June 20, 2019 in Lalbandi of At a time when the government is looking for Sarlahi, the commission had found that a excuses not to implement its recommenda- police team led by Inspector Krishnadev tions to book police officials involved in extra- Prasad Sah had killed Paudel. judicial killing, the Human Rights The commission in October last year recom- Commission’s probe has found that police mended legal actions against Sah and senior killed two alleged abductors in Bhaktapur constables Binod Sah and Satya Narayan after taking them into custody two years ago. Mishra for their involvement in the criminal The commission has concluded that a police offence. The commission also asked that a POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC team led by Deputy Superintendent Rugam warning be issued to Inspector Kiran Neupane People burn trash to keep themselves warm as the sun rises in Jadibuti, Kathmandu. Trash burning is one of the major sources of pollution in the city. Bahadur Kunwar arrested Gopal Tamang, 23, and Sub-inspector Surya Kumar Karki as they of Sindhupalchok and Ajay Tamang, 24, from provided false reports about Paudel’s killing. Nuwakot and shot them dead at Doleshwor jungle in Suryabinayak, Bhaktapur on August 6, 2018. Officers had claimed that they were killed in “an encounter” as the police had fired Alleged perpetrators of at them in retaliation after the duo tried to the 2018 kidnapping were Health Ministry slashes two-thirds budget for attack personnel who were searching for Nishan Khadka—the 11-year-old abducted not killed in ‘encounter’, from Kandaghari. Khadka was found buried in a pit dug for the commission states. treatment of non-communicable diseases laying the foundation of an under-construc- tion house belonging to Shyam Rawat of Madhyapur Thimi the same day the two As the constitutional watchdog also found Only Rs40 million has been allocated for free medicines for non-communicable diseases this fiscal year. were killed. severe lapses in the autopsy report, it had rec- The commission has concluded that along ommended that a warning be issued against ARJUN POUDEL of the division, told the Post. “But the budget as the main causes of the rise in non-communi- with Kunwar, Sub-inspectors Dipendra Dr Birendra Prasad Mahato from the KATHMANDU, OCT 16 for the programme has been reduced this year.” cable diseases. Chanda, Prashnna Malla and Ranjit Malangwa District Hospital. Non-communicable diseases are held respon- The findings, based on the Global Burden of Tamang and Assistant Sub-inspector Rajan One year after the recommendation, the Two out of three deaths in Nepal are blamed on sible for 66 percent of the total deaths in Nepal. Disease study, have also identified high blood Khadka were involved in the killing. The com- government is looking for excuses not to non-communicable diseases, but the Ministry Several studies, including Nepal Burden of pressure, smoking and high blood glucose lev- mission said it had recommended that the implement them. In May, the government of Health and Population has cut the budget by Disease, STEP survey on non-communicable els as the main risk factors in the deaths and government book the police officials on wrote to the commission to review its decision around two thirds this year meant for medi- diseases and others, show prevalence and risk disability in the country. criminal charges. to implicate the police officials in Paudel’s cines used to treat non-communicable diseases of non-communicable diseases surpassing According to Baral, the division’s plan to According to Bed Bhattarai, secretary and killing. free of cost compared to the funds allocated last communicable diseases. extend the programme of distributing medi- spokesperson for the commission, a team led “The government’s request was just an fiscal year. Nepal Burden of Disease conducted in 2017 cines of non-communicable diseases to health by Tahir Ali Ansari, a former justice at the excuse not to abide by our recommendations,” According to officials at the Epidemiology shows two in every three deaths in Nepal are facilities in 51 districts from 30 districts faced Supreme Court, consisting of Bigyan Raj said Bhattarai. The commission rejected the and Disease Control Division, only Rs 40 mil- caused by non-communicable diseases—heart problems due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Sharma, a former additional inspector gener- request on Thursday saying that the decision lion has been allocated to purchase medicines disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary “We don’t know what the ongoing pandemic al, and Dr Harihari Osti, a forensic expert, was was taken after a thorough study and there for noncommunicable diseases to be distribut- disease, lower respiratory infection and will do, but we have already started training formed to conduct a detailed investigation was no need for revision. ed free of charge from state-run health facili- stroke. health workers on administering medicines of into the case. Human rights activists say cases of extraju- ties across the country. The report of the STEP survey on non-com- non-communicable diseases,” added Baral. “With support from the Ansari-led team, the dicial killings are increasing because those Last year, Rs135 million was set aside for municable disease risk factors, jointly carried “Under the programme, screening of breast commission concluded that the Tamang duo involved in the crime are getting the state’s purchasing medicines for the treatment of out by the World Health Organization, the and cervical cancer will also be taught. was killed after arrest and the police tried to protection. “There is a sense of feeling among non-communicable diseases—hypertension, Ministry of Health and Population and the Medicines will be made available upto the project the incident as an encounter,” the security forces that they won’t face trial,” diabetes, chronic pulmonary disease and men- Nepal Health Research Council, shows alarm- health post level.” Bhattarai said. said Charan Prasai, a human rights activist. tal health—meant for free distribution from ing signs on a number of issues—alcohol con- The Ministry of Health and Population pro- The commission has also recommended “We will see more of such cases as long as health facilities in 51 districts. sumption, tobacco use, salt and junk food vides more than 70 types of medicines of com- Rs300,000 in compensation to Khadka’s family impunity prevails.” “We have decided to take the programme of intake, vegetable and fruits intake, and the risk municable and non-communicable diseases for and Rs100,000 each to the family of Ajay On Thursday, the commission listed 286 peo- distributing medicines for non-communicable of cardiovascular diseases. all district hospitals having at least 25 beds. and Gopal. ple including former top government officials diseases across the country starting this year,” Both studies showed changing age structure Patients get more than 60 types of essential The commission’s investigation found that and security officials who were implicated by Dr Phanindra Prasad Baral, chief of non- com- and lifestyle—increasing sedentary behaviour, medicines from primary healthcare centres Kumar Paudel, Sarlahi district in-charge of the commission in the last two decades since municable disease and mental health section tobacco and alcohol use, and unhealthy diets— and 35 types of drugs from health posts. the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist its formation in 2000. Dalits suffer hardship, discrimination during pandemic, new study finds A nationwide study on the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on Dalits shows they have been hit hard because of various measures put in place to contain the spread of coronavirus. CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL research findings. ed,” said Pariyar. KATHMANDU, OCT 16 “Dalits lost their jobs during the While they scrambled for food, lockdown because most of them are Dalits said that the government’s Dalit communities across the country daily wage workers. But even after it relief materials were not adequate to have been disproportionately affected was lifted, they could not travel to help them survive. Forty-six percent by Covid-19, pandemic-induced work,” said Sadhna Jha, deputy mayor of the Dalits pointed out the distribut- restrictions and other containment of Rajbiraj Municipality in Saptari ed relief materials were not enough. measures, a nationwide study shows. district of Province 2. “Also because To make it worse for members of the The Samata Foundation study of lower literacy levels among Dalits, Dalit community, who are subjected to found that nearly 82 percent of Dalits they couldn’t even understand the various forms of discrimination who participated in its survey report- risks of Covid-19.” mainly because of their caste, they ed financial distress due to the Covid- As they faced the crisis, they also suffered caste-based discrimination 19 pandemic and restrictions imposed struggled to make their ends meet, the even during the distribution of relief to contain its spread. report of the study says. Only 1 per- distribution. “Such financial distress was higher cent of the Dalits interviewed said At the national level, 18 percent among Dalits from Lumbini Province that they had enough to eat for the Dalits faced caste-based discrimina- and Sudurpaschim Province,” said next six months. While another 40 tion during relief distribution— Gopal Nepali, senior researcher at the percent said they could manage food ill-treatment was prevalent in all foundation. “The Covid-19 pandemic for at least one week, 8 percent didn’t seven provinces. According to the resulted in an economic crisis for the have a stock of food at all. findings, 48 percent of Dalits, who Dalit communities.” “It is widely experienced that mar- participated in the research Province 2, experienced caste-based discrimina- tion during the pandemic, followed by 26 percent Dalits in Sudurpaschim Province. “Every pandemic or crisis-like situ- ation hurts the marginalised and the suppressed more. The research find- ings have shown the same,” said Jasmaya Gajmer, Social Development State Minister of Province 1. “It shows we have to reconsider our interven- tions and how we have been imple- menting our activities while dealing with the pandemic. To help Dalits in distress, there should be adequate employment programmes.” The study found that 13 percent of Dalits still had no information about POST FILE PHOTO the infection risks of Covid-19, show- Dalits are not only facing economic and social hardships, they are also deprived of ing the lack of access to life-saving information on the risks of Covid-19 and how to prevent its transmission, the study showed. information during crises like the ongoing pandemic among marginal- The study titled “Impact of Covid-19 ginalised communities like Dalits are ised communities. on the Dalit Community of Nepal” affected more during times of crisis. Responding to the research find- was conducted among 1,5oo respond- The research findings proves that ings, Janak Rai, assistant professor at ents from 753 municipalities in all again,” said Pradip Pariyar, executive the Central Department of seven provinces of the country. chairman of Samata Foundation. “We Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, Likewise, 35 Dalit leaders from local, have had our own experience of the said the research is important for all provincial and the central level and 11 2015 earthquake which struck every- three tiers of the government, Dalit civil society members were also inter- one equally in the beginning. But activists, leaders and academicians. viewed to assess the effects of the when the government response and “The research reveals pertinent pandemic on Dalit communities relief started, the disparity was appar- issues with evidence of discrimina- across the country. Due to travel ent. Those in power had relatively tion in relief distribution. restrictions, interviews were conduct- easier access to government support.” For instance, more Dalits have ed over the phone, said Nepali, the According to Pariyar, the marginal- lost their jobs in Province 2, opening lead researcher. ised groups are in a sorry state again up avenues for finding out why Around 45 percent of the respond- even during the global crisis like it has happened,” said Rai. “Likewise, ents said they had lost their jobs dur- Covid-19. a relatively lower number of ing the pandemic. The job loss rate (53 “Malar Sada and Surya Bahadur Dalits from Bagmati have lost jobs but percent) was the highest among Tamang, who died after not getting they have also faced discrimination Dalits of Province 2 and Province food, were from the marginalised com- during the relief distribution drive. Karnali during the Covid-19 munities. This shows how these We need to delve into these issues induced lockdown, according to the groups are disproportionately affect- as well.”

C M Y K SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020 | 04 WORLD BRIEFING Avalanche of early votes Thai protesters defy Sarkozy facing new charges PARIS: Former French President ban for second day Nicolas Sarkozy is facing new legal transforming 2020 election charges over alleged illegal financing of his successful election campaign Election experts predict that a record 150 million votes may be cast and turnout in 2007, the financial prosecutor’s despite PM’s warning office said on Friday, confirming an earlier Mediapart press report. rates could be higher than in any presidential election since 1908. Sarkozy, who once again claimed his REUTERS as army chief in a 2014 coup. Critics innocence on his Facebook page, has BANGKOK, OCT 16 say he engineered a general election now been indicted for “conspiracy” in last year to keep hold of power as a the inquiry over alleged Libyan Thousands of Thai anti-government civilian prime minister. He says the financing of this campaign. In 2018, protesters chanted “Down with election was fair. Sarkozy, who was president of France Dictatorship” in Bangkok on Friday, Protesters also want a new between 2007 and 2012, had been defying a government ban on constitution, to replace one drafted indicted for illegal financing and pas- demonstrations for a second day under military rule. sive corruption. “After four days of and in spite of a warning from “I’m not quitting,” Prayuth told questioning, during which I answered Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. reporters after an emergency cabinet all the questions that I was asked (...) Police were caught off guard as the meeting, adding that emergency my innocence has again been disre- location of the protest was shifted by measures would be in force for up garded by a decision that doesn’t about 1.6 km from the intersection in to 30 days. He warned people not to bring any evidence of any illicit the centre of the capital where tens of violate them, saying: “Just wait financing,” Sarkozy said on social thousands of people rallied on and see ... If you do wrong, we will use media. Sarkozy, who claims he’s Thursday. the law. ” victim of a “plot” in this case, is “It’s clear that Prayuth sees the Calls have also built up among pro- the second former French people as the enemy. And we him,” testers for reforms to the monarchy, president to stand trial after the protest leader Panupong “Mike” which is accused by protesters late Jacques Chirac. Jadnok told the crowd. of helping to entrench decades of A ban on gatherings of more than military influence in politics. five people was imposed on Protests have been largely peaceful. Dozens reported killed Thursday after nearly three months The only specific incident cited of protests that have called for a by the government for the imposition in clashes in Somalia reduction in the powers of King of emergency measures was one MOGADISHU: Dozens of soldiers and Maha Vajiralongkorn’s monarchy as in which Queen Suthida’s motorcade insurgents were killed in two days of well as the removal of Prayuth, a was jeered by protesters, but it fighting between Somali government former military ruler. also said protests were damaging the forces and al Shabaab militants Police with batons and riot economy and national security. northwest of the capital Mogadishu, shields rushed to the new Police said on Friday that two men a witness told Reuters on Friday. demonstration and closed nearby would be charged with attempted Somalia’s state news agency Sonna AP/RSS roads and metro stations. violence against the queen, which said the military had killed about 50 Tunde Ezekiel poses for a photo after voting early at State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta on Thursday. A Democrat, Ezekiel said he came out “We’ve issued warnings against carries a possible death sentence if fighters from the al Qaeda-allied to vote early to avoid Election Day lines and to ensure that his vote against President Donald Trump is counted. illegal acts,” police spokesman her life is thought to have been Islamist group. No immediate Yingyot Thepchamnong told threatened. Even if not, the charge account of the battle was available ASSOCIATED PRESS raise unfounded worries about fraud. has been sending volunteers and reporters. “After this there will be can mean life in jail. from the militants. Hussein Ali, a NEW YORK, OCT 16 Polling, and now early voting, suggest staffers into the field for months intensive measures in enforcing The UN High Commissioner for farmer in the Afgoye area, told the rhetoric has turn his party’s rank- despite the pandemic, touts that the law.” Human Rights was concerned Reuters he and other civilians had More than 17 million Americans have and-file away from a method of voting it has registered more voters this A protest sign read “Release our about the situation in Thailand, said been trapped in the crossfire during already cast ballots in the 2020 that, traditionally, they dominated in year than Democrats in key swing friends”—a reference to the arrest Ravina Shamdsani Said, a spokes- two nights of fighting. election, a record-shattering the weeks before Election Day. states like Florida and of more than 40 protesters, including woman for commissioner Michelle avalanche of early votes driven both That gives Democrats a tactical Pennsylvania—a sharp reversal from several of their leaders, as a Bachelet. Australia slams Russia by Democratic enthusiasm and a pan- advantage in the final stretch of the the usual pattern as a presidential government crackdown has intensi- “We are particularly concerned demic that has transformed the way campaign. In many critical battle- election looms. fied this week. about the application of serious withdrawal from MH17 talks the nation votes. ground states, Democrats have But it’s had limited success in “I have to fight for my future,” said charges, including the crime of sedi- SYDNEY: Australia on Friday joined The total represents 12 percent of “banked” a chunk of their voters and selling absentee voting. In key swing Pin, 22, a university student who tion, against individuals for peaceful- the Netherlands in slamming Russia’s the all votes cast in the 2016 presiden- can turn their time and money toward states, Republicans remain far less declined to give her full name for fear ly exercising their fundamental decision to withdraw from consulta- tial election, even as eight states are harder-to-find infrequent voters. interested in voting by mail. of reprisals. Prayuth first took power rights,” she told a briefing in Geneva. tions over its involvement in the 2014 not yet reporting their totals and vot- But it does not necessarily mean In Pennsylvania, more than downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine, ers still have more than two weeks to Democrats will lead in votes by the three-quarters of the more than which killed 298 people, mostly Dutch cast ballots. Americans’ rush to vote is time ballots are counted. Both 437,000 ballots sent through the mail and Australian citizens. Since 2018, leading election experts to predict parties anticipate a swell of so far have been from Democrats. the three countries have held discus- that a record 150 million votes Republican votes on Election Day that In Florida, half of all ballots sent sions aimed at uncovering the cause may be cast and turnout rates could be could, in a matter of hours, dramati- through the mail so far have been of the disaster, in which a Malaysia higher than in any presidential elec- cally shift the dynamic. from Democrats and less than a Airlines Boeing 777 was hit by a tion since 1908. “The Republican numbers are going third of them from Republicans. Soviet-designed missile, killing “It’s crazy,” said Michael McDonald, to pick up,” said John Couvillon, a Even in Colorado, a state where every all on board. Thirty-eight Australians a University of Florida political scien- GOP pollster who is tracking early voter is mailed a ballot and and 196 Dutch citizens were among tist who has long tracked voting for voting. “The question is at what veloc- Republicans usually dominate the the passengers on the plane when it his site ElectProject.org. McDonald’s ity, and when?” first week of voting, only 19percent of was shot down over eastern Ukraine’s analysis shows roughly 10 times as Couvillon said Democrats can’t rest ballots returned have been from Donetsk region where pro-Russian many people have voted compared on their voting lead, but Republicans Republicans. separatist rebels were battling with this point in 2016. “We can be are themselves making a big gamble. “This is all encouraging, but three Ukraine forces. Thirty-eight certain this will be a high-turnout A number of factors, from rising virus weeks is a lifetime,” Democratic data Australians and 196 Dutch citizens election,” McDonald said. infections to the weather, can impact strategist Tom Bonier said of the were among the passengers on So far the turnout has been lopsid- in-person turnout on Election Day. “If early vote numbers. “We may be mid- the plane when it was shot down ed, with Democrats outvoting you’re putting all your faith into one way through the first quarter and over eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk Republicans by a 2-1 ratio in the 42 day of voting, that’s really high risk,” Democrats have put a couple of points region where pro-Russian states included in The Associated Couvillon said. on the board.” separatist rebels were battling Press count. Republicans have been That’s why, despite Trump’s The massive amount of voting has Ukraine forces. Both the Netherlands bracing themselves for this early rhetoric, his campaign and party are occurred without any of the violent and Australia have previously Democratic advantage for months, as encouraging their own voters to skirmishes at polling places that REUTERS/RSS said they hold Russia responsible for they’ve watched President Donald cast ballots by mail or early some activists and law enforcement People gather during anti-government protests, near MBK shopping centre, in Bangkok, the incident. (AGENCIES) Trump rail against mail ballots and and in-person. The campaign, which officials feared. Thailand on Friday.

WHO: 4 drugs have little to no effect on Covid-19

ASSOCIATED PRESS The study, which was not peer-re- Agency is now reviewing whether cerns about supply, cost and access. GENEVA, OCT 16 viewed, found that four treatments remdesivir is causing kidney prob- “This is a drug that has to be tested—remdesivir, hydroxychloro- lems as reported by some patients. given by intravenous infusion for 5 The UN health agency says the quine, lopinavir/ritonavir and Martin Landray, a professor of to 10 days,” noting it costs about world’s largest randomized trial of interferon—had “ little or no effect” medicine and epidemiology at $2,550 per treatment course. “Covid Covid-19 treatments found “conclu- on whether or not patients died Oxford University, said the WHO affects millions of people and their sive evidence” that remdesivir, a within about a month or whether trial results for hydroxychloro- families around the world. We drug used to treat US President hospitalised patients recovered. quine and lopinavir were in line need scalable, affordable, and equi- Donald Trump when he fell ill, has Most of those had already been with a previous British study table treatments.” little or no effect on severe cases. ruled out. But remdesivir, a repur- he co-led. WHO said the study, which cov- The World Health Organization posed malaria drug, has been clas- “The big story is the finding that ered more than 30 countries, looked announced Friday the long-awaited sified as standard-of-care in the US, remdesivir produces no meaning- at the effects of the treatments on results of its six-month “Solidarity and it has been approved for use ful impact on survival,” he said in a overall death rates, whether or not Therapeutics Trial” that endeav- against Covid-19 in the UK and EU. statement. He said the drug is now patients need breathing machines, oured to see if existing drugs might Supplies of the drug have been lim- recommended in some countries and how much time patients spent have an effect on the coronavirus. ited, and the European Medicines but there have been significant con- recovering in hospitals.

New clashes break out in Nagorno-Karabakh REUTERS ees and the bodies of those killed had all YEREVAN/BAKU, OCT 16 but broken down. Armenia and Azerbaijan each accused Armenian and Azeri forces fought new the other of launching attacks, and each clashes on Friday, defying hopes of ending said it had the upper hand. nearly three weeks of fighting over the Armenian defence ministry official Nagorno-Karabakh enclave, and US Artsrun Hovhannisyan said Azerbaijan Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed had conducted artillery bombardments of Turkey for inflaming the situation by Nagorno-Karabakh from the north, “with arming the Azeris. total disregard for the humanitarian The worst outbreak of violence in the truce”. He added that Azeri forces had South Caucasus since Armenia and been repelled and had suffered significant Azerbaijan went to war over the enclave in losses. the 1990s, the fighting risks creating a Azerbaijan’s defence ministry said humanitarian disaster, especially if it Nagorno-Karabakh forces had been forced draws in Russia and Turkey. to retreat and Azeri forces retained the Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally advantage along the line of contact that recognised as part of Azerbaijan but popu- divides the sides. lated and governed by ethnic Armenians. Baku also accused Yerevan of a missile Turkey has increased military exports attack on Ordubad in Nakhchivan autono- sixfold this year to its close ally Azerbaijan. mous province, a region which belongs to Russia, is close to both sides but has a Azerbaijan but is surrounded by Armenia defence pact with Armenia. News agency and Iran. Armenia denied such an attack. RIA reported the Russian navy had The Nagorno-Karabakh defence minis- started planned military exercises in the try reported 29 more military casualties, Caspian Sea. bringing to 633 the number of servicemen There were further signs on Friday that killed since fighting broke out on a Russian-brokered ceasefire agreed last September 27. Azerbaijan does not disclose Saturday to allow the sides to swap detain- military casualties.

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020 MONEY

FOREX Indian gold US Dollar 117.65 Fish farming is catching on in Khotang Euro 137.82 dealers stock up, Pound Sterling 152.33 Many farmers are switching to rearing fish because it provides a higher return compared to other types of farming. Japanese Yen 11.18 hope to usher in Chinese Yuan 17.57 DAMBAR SINGH RAI KHOTANG, OCT 16 Qatari Riyal 32.31 festive glitter Australian Dollar 83.41 Ratanchha village in Khotang district Malaysian Ringit 28.37 is turning into a fish farming REUTERS hub with almost every house BENGALURU/MUMBAI, OCT 16 Saudi Arab Riyal 31.37 digging a pond to raise various types Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank of fingerlings. Physical gold dealers in India Many farmers in this hilly district continued to stock up this week of Province 1 in eastern Nepal are ahead of an expected festival sales PRICE PER TOLA switching to rearing fish instead of bump, while the Golden Week in top BULLION planting crops because it pays more. consumer China did little to revive Sakela Rural Municipality-2, bullion demand. Fine Gold Rs 94,900 Ratanchha has become a model vil- Gold is considered an intrinsic part lage as fish ponds can be seen outside of Indian festivals such as Dussehra Silver Rs 1,200 most houses. Species like grass carp in late October, and Diwali and and common carp are the most com- Dhanteras in November. SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA mon fishes raised here. Demand from dealers has been Many youths in Ratanchha are improving slowly as they expect a GASOLINE WATCH making a good income from fish farm- revival in retail purchases during the ing, and they are doing it commercial- festival season, said Mukesh Kothari, ly or on a small scale. POST PHOTO: DAMBAR SINGH RAI director at Mumbai gold dealer Unnat Rai, chairman of Sakela Nepal’s annual requirement of fish amounts to 172,352 tonnes while local production comes to 83,000 tonnes, according to government data. RiddiSiddhi Bullions. Rural Municipality Ward No 2, is a Dealers charged $1 an ounce premi- fish farmer himself. “Youths have gerlings to local fish farmers in There are around 13 youth groups who According to him, rainbow trout um over official domestic prices, been attracted towards fish farming Ratanchha. The financial condition of have started commercial fishing by farming has been started on the banks inclusive of 12.5 percent import and 3 for the last few years as it provides a the villagers has improved after establishing Paurakhi Fish Farming of the Tawakhola in Makhmale of percent sales taxes, down from last higher return than the traditional receiving government help, according Group in Alele. Khidima in Sakela Rural week’s premium of $2. businesses they have been doing for a to locals of Ratanchha. The fish reared by the group is Municipality-3. long time,” he said. Fish farmer Parbat Rai has been ready for the market. Santaraj Rai, According to Khadka, a pond is An adequate water supply and raising fish for a decade, and has secretary of the group, said that one being constructed at a cost of around Gold is considered growing demand for fish has pulled been earning a good income from fish weighs about 1.5 kg. “The fish Rs5 million besides a rainbow youths towards commercial fish farm- it. He has reared about 300 kg of harvest has been good this year too,” trout hatchery. The rainbow trout an intrinsic part of ing, he said. “There are many farm- fish in his pond this year. said Rai. “About a thousand kg of fish farm was started with the participa- ers’ youth groups in the villages,” said Parbat switched to fishery after see- will be sold this year,” he said. tion of local groups and local and state Indian festivals Rai. He has built fish ponds on his 10 ing that he could make more money Arjun Kumar Khadka, chairman of governments. ropanis of land. this way compared to growing tradi- Sakela Rural Municipality, said the “Work is in full swing, and the rain- such as Dussehra Rai sold 60 kg of fish this week, tional crops. “Fishing is more profita- rural municipality distributed 250,000 bow trout farm and hatchery are and another 200 kg is ready to be ble than other types of farming,” he fingerlings in the last fiscal year after expected to be ready within this fiscal and Diwali. harvested. “Fish production has said. “I am preparing to sell 300 kg of observing the people’s enthusiasm for year,” said Khadka. increased this year.” According to fish this year,” he said. fish farming for a long time. According to government statistics, him, fish fetches Rs600 per kg in the The youths of Dhikurtung of He said the rural municipality Nepal’s annual requirement of fish On Friday, local gold futures traded local market. Ratanchha have been doing commer- decided to distribute fingerlings see- amounts to 172,352 tonnes while local around 50,750 rupees per 10 grams. In the last fiscal year, the rural cial fish farming for the last three ing how keen the local youths were production comes to 83,000 tonnes. Limited supply due to September’s municipality distributed 250,000 fin- years after earning a good income. about fish farming. The deficit is met by imports. sharp drop in imports also allowed dealers to charge a premium, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a bullion importing bank. Discounts in China eased to $30-$35 an ounce, their lowest since July, versus global benchmark US judge ‘not inclined’ spot gold rates as a week-long holiday India’s October diesel sales rise saw some retail buying, although demand was still subdued. “They have sufficient gold to circu- to reverse decision on late and that’s why there is no rush above pre-Covid levels, data shows for the time being,” said Bernard Sin, regional director for Greater during the coronavirus crisis, said an China at MKS, adding that demand official at one of the state refiners, WeChat app store ban could pick-up in the run-up to the though he cautioned that diesel sales Chinese New Year. Activity in Hong growth could be temporary. REUTERS application that the Executive Branch Kong was also muted, with gold sold “Typically, transportation of goods WASHINGTON, OCT 16 has determined constitutes a threat to between a $0.50 discount to a $1 premi- picks up ahead of festivals and the national security and foreign poli- um over global rates. dips during and after the key festivals. A US judge in San Francisco on cy of the United States.” Increased costs from mints and This year key festivals are towards Thursday said she was “not inclined” The WeChat users argued the refineries to get gold into Hong Kong the end of this month and early to reverse her decision blocking the government sought “to implement have caused premiums to persist, said November; last year they were in government from barring Apple Inc an unprecedented ban of an entire Keanan Brackenridge, product man- October,” he said. and Alphabet Inc’s Google from medium of communication” and ager at LPM Group Ltd. Rising gasoline and gasoil demand offering WeChat for download in US then only offered “speculation” of In Singapore, premiums were little in India should also aid other markets app stores. harms “without any evidence or changed at $0.80-$1.30 an ounce. hit by slow demand recovery. US Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler examples involving Americans’ use “We have some clients buying on Gasoline sales rose 1.5 percent year said at a hearing that she did not of WeChat.” the dip but more are selling because on year to 982,000 tonnes in the think a new filing by the Justice WeChat has an average of 19 million prices came up above $1,900,” said first half of October, up 1.45 percent Department “changes the outcome” or daily active users in the United States, Brian Lan, managing director at deal- from the same period last month, the changes her analysis. analytics firm Apptopia said. It is pop- er GoldSilver Central. data showed. Last month, Beeler issued a prelim- ular among Chinese students, “With demand in advanced econo- inary injunction blocking the US Americans living in China and some REUTERS mies on a declining trend, all of the Commerce Department order which Americans who have personal or busi- A worker fills diesel in a vehicle at a fuel station in Chennai, India. increase comes from emerging market was set to take effect late on September ness relationships in China. and developing economies, led by 20 in a suit brought by WeChat users. WeChat is an all-in-one mobile app REUTERS October, according to provisional data India,” the International Energy The Justice Department has that combines services similar to NEW DELHI, OCT 16 compiled by Indian Oil Corp, the coun- Agency (IEA) said in its World Energy appealed Beeler’s order to the 9th Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram try’s biggest refiner and fuel retailer. Outlook 2020. Circuit Court of Appeals, but no rul- and Venmo. India’s gasoil sales rose in October for Sales of gasoil, which account for State companies IOC, Hindustan ing is likely before December. The app is an essential part of daily the first time since the nation imposed about two fifths of the country’s over- Petroleum Corp and Bharat Petroleum The Commerce Department order life for many in China and boasts Covid-19 restrictions in late March, all fuel demand, totalled 2.65 million own about 90 percent of India’s retail would also bar other US transactions more than 1 billion users. preliminary data shows, signalling a tonnes, up more than 24 percent from fuel outlets. with Tencent Holding’s WeChat, In a similar case, a US appeals pick-up in industrial activity ahead of the previous month. State retailers sold 7 percent more potentially making the app unusable court on Wednesday agreed to fast- key festivals. Rising diesel sales in the world’s cooking gas in the first half of October in the United States. track a government appeal of a ruling Diesel sales by the country’s three third-biggest oil consumer and than a year ago, at about 1.17 million The Justice Department argues blocking the government from ban- state fuel retailers rose 8.8 percent importer would help refiners that tonnes, while jet fuel sales were down Beeler’s order “permits the continued, ning new TikTok downloads from US year on year in the first half of have had to cut crude-processing runs 57 percent at 135,000 tonnes. unfettered use of WeChat, a mobile app stores.

IMF warns global economy could be permanently scarred by Covid-19 crisis

ASSOCIATED PRESS The IMF panel urged the G-20 to World Bank, were held virtually Jubilee USA Network, said more WASHINGTON, OCT 16 go further and adopt at a meeting against a grim backdrop of the debt relief and and other steps next month a framework for man- damage the pandemic has inflicted must be taken. The global economy’s recovery aging the crushing debt burdens of on the world. In its economic out- “Wealthy countries, who are from the pandemic recession is ten- many low-income countries. look, the IMF forecast that global making decisions for the entire tative and uneven and “marked by International aid groups say rich growth would shrink 4.4 percent world about the crisis, are more significant uncertainty” as con- nations should not merely suspend this year, which would mark the insulated from the extreme shocks,” firmed coronavirus cases spread in debt payments but forgive large worst downturn since the Great LeCompte said. “Nearly 90 percent many countries, international chunks of debt that are leaving Depression. And the World Bank of all global stimulus was spent in finance ministers warned on poor countries unable to devote forecast that the pandemic could wealthy countries and less than 3 Thursday. their limited resources to health send an additional 114 million peo- percent in developing countries.” The policy-setting panel of the care and other urgent needs during ple into extreme poverty, defined as The IMF communique said more 189-nation International Monetary the pandemic. living on less than $1.90 a day. involvement by the private sector Fund concluded a virtual meeting The fall meetings of the IMF and Eric LeCompte, executive direc- in granting debt relief is needed, as Thursday with a joint statement its sister lending organization, the tor of the international aid group well as more widespread support by that warned of permanent damage governments. from the worst global downturn China, a major creditor since the Great Depression of the country, has been criticized by 1930s unless countries are given international aid groups for not further economic support. doing enough to grant debt relief to “The crisis threatens to leave low-income countries. While not long-lasting scars on the global singling out China by name, the economy, such as weaker productiv- IMF communique said that debt ity growth, heavier debt burdens, relief efforts need the “full sup- heightened financial vulnerabili- port” of all countries as well as ties and higher poverty and ine- greater transparency. quality,” the IMF panel said. The United States was represent- “This is a crisis like no other,” ed at the finance meetings by Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF’s Treasury Secretary Steven managing director, said at a closing Mnuchin and Federal Reserve news conference. “It calls for steps Chairman Jerome Powell. to enable a recovery like no other.” In his speech to the IMF panel, The IMF’s communique said it Mnuchin said the United States, the was committed to supporting “the world’s largest economy, was doing most vulnerable countries and peo- its part to support the recovery by ple.” It endorsed a six-month exten- “deploying the largest economic sion of a suspension on debt pay- relief package in American histo- ments that was approved AP/RSS ry” with Congress’ passage last Wednesday by the Group of 20 People wearing masks to curb the spread of the new coronavirus wait in a line for a free spring of $3 trillion in support for major industrial countries. meal at the Villa Maria del Triunfo district in Lima, Peru. workers and businesses.

C M Y K SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Pacesetters Everton face acid test in Merseyside derby Doha to host single leg Asian Champions League final The Goodison Park club are without a win against the Reds since 2010. But on Saturday, they host their near neighbours with a rare sense of superiority. DOHA: Qatar will host the single leg AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE emphatic. “We are all aware our stand- final of this year’s Asian Champions LONDON, OCT 16 ards dropped last season,” said League in Doha on December 19 amid Everton captain Seamus Coleman. the Covid-19 pandemic, the Asian Lifted by Carlo Ancelotti’s astute lead- “There are ways of losing games, but I Football Confederation (AFC) said on ership and the transformative signing thought the fight wasn’t there in some Friday. Like most other sports in the of James Rodriguez, Everton have a games and wanted to make sure the world, this year’s Asian Champions golden opportunity to prove their rise lads understood what it means to play League was suspended in March due to the top of the Premier League is no for this club. We have a top-class man- to the pandemic. West zone games in fluke when they face Liverpool on ager who won’t accept anything else. the continent’s top club tournament Saturday. Since we came back, the standard and were moved to Qatar when the sport Everton have gone 22 matches with- work rate has been fantastic.” resumed last month and the AFC out a win over Liverpool since their Ancelotti has brought the best out then moved all remaining games for last Merseyside derby success in of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, East zone sides from Malaysia to October 2010. But a decade on, Everton who has netted nine goals in six games Qatar. The East zone games will take finally face their near neighbours for Everton this season before scoring place from November 18 to December from a position of strength, while on his England debut last week. His 13. Despite stringent bio-security Liverpool arrive at Goodison Park masterstroke has been the close-sea- measures, several teams were affect- looking unusually vulnerable. son capture of Real Madrid cast-off ed by the novel coronavirus, with last Everton’s perfect start to the season James. Fellow new-boys Allan and year’s winners Al Hilal axed from the extended to a fourth successive league Abdoulaye Doucoure have added grit competition after they reached the win when they brushed Brighton to Everton’s midfield, but James sets knockout phase with a game to spare. aside before the international break. the tone. The 2014 World Cup Golden Just 24 hours later, Liverpool suffered Boot winner fell out of favour in a humiliating 7-2 loss at Aston Villa Madrid, but Ancelotti still had faith in UEFA President Ceferin hints that highlighted the defensive flaws him after their time together at Real at fewer hosts for Euro 2020 that have bedevilled the Premier and Bayern Munich. LONDON: UEFA President Aleksander League champions this season. Having won La Liga and Champions Ceferin says he is confident the post- If Everton can take advantage of League titles with Real and enjoyed poned Euro 2020 tournament will go Liverpool’s mini-crisis, it would pro- domestic success in Munich, the ahead next year despite a fresh wave vide further evidence that Ancelotti’s 29-year-old has brought a quality and of Covid-19 cases across Europe, side are capable of turning their ear- confidence that has helped address though it could be staged in fewer ly-season form into a sustained reviv- Everton’s chronic lack of belief. than the planned 12 countries if nec- al. Without a major trophy since the “James has improved us without a essary. The 24-team tournament was 1995 FA Cup, Everton have languished shadow of a doubt,” said Coleman. pushed back by a year due to the pan- in Liverpool’s shadow since the 1980s, AFP FILES “He has got unbelievable quality when demic but a new surge of novel coro- when Howard Kendall led them to a Everton’s Calvert-Lewin has been grabbing headlines with six league goals as his side boast the only cent percent record in the Premier League. we get him the ball. His range of pass- navirus infections has raised doubts pair of top-flight titles. Thanks to the ing and decision-making are fantastic. over whether it can be played in the intuitive guidance of Italian boss age when many of his peers are ready tion lost a little lustre during a trou- replace the sacked Marco Silva had We are very fortunate to have him.” rescheduled June-July 2021 slot. “We Ancelotti and the sublime displays of to step away from such a stressful job. bled spell with Napoli that ended with been a mistake. But he has turned the “Dominic is benefiting from James are always concerned about the situa- Colombia playmaker James, the The 61-year-old has won domestic his dismissal in December after 16 tide, helped by a dressing room blast and the whole team is at the minute.” tion (but) we are absolutely sure that Goodison Park club have hope again. titles with Chelsea, AC Milan, Paris months in charge. that defied his urbane image. While it is too early to proclaim the Euro will be played,” Ceferin told Ancelotti’s relaxed public persona Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, Last season, after Ancelotti’s first Tearing into his players after a Ancelotti’s squad as the equals of the Spanish pay TV network masks a fiercely competitive streak as well as lifting the Champions seven months at Goodison, Everton spineless 3-0 loss at Wolves last sea- Everton’s 1980s icons, a top-four push Movistar+. “The plan is that we do that has taken him across Europe in League with Milan, as player and finished a disappointing 12th, prompt- son, Ancelotti demanded more ambi- would look realistic if they can add to the Euro exactly as it is. But I have to search of more managerial glory at an manager, and Real Madrid. His reputa- ing suggestions his appointment to tion and the response has been Liverpool’s problems this weekend. say that, instead of 12 countries, we could do a Euro instead in 11, in eight, in five or in one country.” He added that it was too soon to say whether matches would be played without spectators, in full stadiums Inter facing complicated buildup Kohli admits pushing De Villiers or with reduced capacities. REUTERS wing-back Ashley Young, midfielders Radja MILAN, OCT 16 Nainggolan and Roberto Gagliardini and reserve USA Cricket targets full goalkeeper Ionut Radu after all tested positive for down the order didn’t work Inter Milan are facing difficult build up to their coronavirus in the last week. ICC membership by 2030 Serie A meeting against neighbours AC Milan on Players returning from the international break AGENCIES gies. Sometimes things don’t come off. We’re LONDON: USA Cricket has launched its Saturday with six players sidelined through Covid- include Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez, who SHARJAH, OCT 16 pretty happy with the decisions we took, but it first strategic plan outlining initia- 19 and others returning from a hectic seven days of played for Chile in their 2-2 draw at home to didn’t come off,” Kohli said. “We take pride in tives to be launched until the end of international football. Colombia on Tuesday, and striker Lautaro Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat our bowling. Tonight it didn’t come off.” 2023 with the target of becoming a Both teams are unbeaten so far and have sug- Martinez, who scored for Argentina in a 2-1 away Kohli on Thursday admitted the decision to Chasing the total, KL Rahul (61 not out) and full member of the International gested that they are ready to challenge Juventus win over Bolivia at 3,600 metres above sea level in push AB de Villiers down the order didn’t work Chris Gayle (53) went on a six-hitting spree to Cricket Council by 2030. The USA for the title. Milan, in particular, have looked La Paz. Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku scored but said his bowlers should have been able to bring the equation down to seven in last two Cricket Foundational Plan identifies impressive, winning all three games without con- twice for Belgium in a 2-1 win in Iceland while defend 171 against Kings XI Punjab in their overs with nine wickets in hand. But Punjab five objectives - growing engagement, ceding a goal and stretching their unbeaten run to Christian Eriksen played for Denmark away to Indian Premier League match. somehow managed to take the game to the last increasing participation levels, 19 matches in all competitions. England. De Villiers, who had smashed a 33-ball 73 ball with Nicholas Pooran finally hitting the improving the performance of its Usually, Italy’s sports dailies go into overdrive All those players were due to undergo routine against Kolkata Knight Riders in their last winning six. “It was quite surprising, we national teams, operating sustainably ahead of the derby, devoting several pages a day to Covid-19 tests on Thursday, leaving coach Antonio match, was expected to come in at his usual thought the game might finish in the 18th. A bit and building trust across the local the fixture during the week ahead. But on Thursday, Conte with a single full training session on Friday. number four spot but with two leg-spinners in of pressure at the back end can confuse you, cricket community. It also plans to the game was overshadowed by the disciplinary The situation appears less complicated at Milan, operation, left-handed batsman Washington anything can happen in this game,” Kohli said. launch a domestic T20 professional tribunal’s decision to hand Napoli a 3-0 defeat to where 39-year-old forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Sundar was sent ahead of the South African. Punjab captain Rahul heaved a shy of relief league - Major League Cricket - by Juventus for failing to play their match earlier this training again after recovering from Covid-19. Bangalore couldn’t accelarate in the death after his side’s second win of the season. “I 2022 and develop at least two more month amid confusion over Covid-19 rules. Napoli, They have two players in quarantine after positive overs and if it wasn’t for the 8-ball 25 by Chris don’t even have words. We knew that we had to ICC one-day international accredited who host Atalanta on Saturday, were also deducted Covid-19 tests—Leo Duarte and Matteo Gabbia— Morris in the last over, the total would have scrap and get over the line once and that would venues by next year. Currently, the a point and have promised to fight the decision. and, while some of their players were also involved been below 160. “We had a chat, a message from give us confidence. We’re a far better side than country has one such facility in Inter, who have seven points, will be without in national team games, none of them had to play outside about left-right combination and we bottom of the table. Towards the end it got too Florida. (AGENCIES) defenders Alessandro Bastoni and Milan Skriniar, in South America. wanted to go with it because they had two leg- close for comfort but happy that we made it.” HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Your recent push toward getting to know someone Make a very small change in your diet and you could Looking at the glass as half full is going to get your The universe knows that you deserve a relationship better is creating good results, but pushing even create some surprisingly dramatic results in your day off to the right start, so put on a bright attitude based on mutual respect and cooperation, and you harder is not going to create even better results. You energy and even in your wallet! Restrictions can be when you get up today. When you greet the world do, too. It’s time to be more demanding about what should think seriously about turning down the heat pretty difficult at first, but you’ll get used to them with cheerfulness, you inspire confidence and trust. you need and stop putting the desires of others above and giving them a bit more space. eventually. It’s a good day! your own.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Has someone’s super-size ego been getting on every- Why on earth would you turn to other people to get Make a connection with a stranger today. Start up a Your mind could be focused on the future right now, one’s nerves for a while now? It’s up to you to step up validation about what you are doing? An outside casual conversation. Having genuine contact with an and it’s a very good time to get things started--and the and alert them to the fact that people who care about evaluation may feel more valuable than your own unknown entity can give you surprises. Being more ambitious the better! Seek out something them most are starting to wonder if they have opinion right now, but in reality it is only what you charming when you don’t have to could bring you a that brings you some sort of mental or physical changed into a braggart. think about yourself that matters. sweet little ego boost. challenge.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** You could meet a unique person today. They could No one likes to hang out with people who think There is a lot of positive energy around newness in Are you hesitant to get more personal with your boss spark your interest and make you eager to get to they’re better than everyone else, so if you want to your life right now. Things that begin today have a because you fear that they won’t like it? Nonsense! As know them better. Nevertheless, you should keep the stay social right now, you need to avoid talking too very good chance of enduring for a long time, so if long as you maintain boundaries, there is no reason conversation light and carefree. If you barrage them much about your gains. Being proud of yourself is you’ve wanted to schedule a first date with someone, not to ask them about their weekend or share a brief with too many questions, you’ll scare them off. great, but being cocky is not. this is the perfect day for it! story about your life! CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020 CULTURE & ARTS Everyone else controls a woman’s body except the woman to whom it belongs From femininity to motherhood, Mieko Kawakami’s latest novel Breasts and Eggs is an intense, personal story about the phases of a woman’s life.

RICHA BHATTARAI yet, it carries such meaning within. It ask, of relationships between poverty, signifies a woman’s worth, the ways it is The novel is a freedom, and children. It is so hard-hit- hy are books measured and rated in this world. Makiko ting and tender that a sense of restless- by Japanese believes that perkier breasts will make no-holds-barred ness envelops the reader, makes them authors so her happier, successful, fulfilled… A trap reexamine their lives and the decisions sad?” I texted that makes us imagine these desires as coming out of they take to run that life. All the charac- my landlady our own, and not a product of the patriar- ters are incredibly sad, dejected, perhaps Yoko. chal, consumerist society we are living in. postmodern Japanese clinically depressed or battling mental “W“Because the ones which get translated You have value only if you are beautiful women, their trauma, the vestiges of an unsatisfactory are the sad ones—it attracts the English and perfect, nothing less can be accept- childhood. The impact poverty can make (speaking) audience, I suppose,” she able. “Beauty meant that you were good,” struggles and passions. on a woman’s reproductive decisions are answered. Natsuko muses, “And being good meant also well-documented. I was in the midst of reading Breasts being happy.” But even with an incredibly strong and Eggs, by Mieko Kawakami, and the Nearly a decade later, we move from the motive, an eruptive, poetic style and an constant despair of the protagonists had breasts to the eggs—the eggs in women’s that polices her, the society that sets almost all-women cast, Kawakami’s novel seeped into me. Originally published as a ovaries. It is now Natsuko’s turn to be moral boundaries… has its dull and languorous moments. novella, Breasts and Eggs took 12 years to obsessed with these eggs, her fertility and All of this is depicted so simply, and yet There is too much mention of the mun- be expanded, and then translated, into its longing for a child. She abhors the idea of tartly, in Kawakami’s debut novel in dane, details of the restaurant that the current form. It incorporates two distinct sex, having left her boyfriend rather than English. It is a woman’s world, women in characters go to, the dishes they choose, yet interrelated facets of a woman’s bodi- indulging in it. And yet within her she various stages of their life—entering the manner in which they pick up their ly autonomy. feels a yearning for progeny that grows puberty, getting married, applying for a cutlery, the time they use the restroom. We are introduced first to the into desperation. Because Japanese laws divorce, birthing a child, looking after These side events do not really add to the up-and-coming author Natsuko, her sister deem it illegal for unmarried women to parents, dealing with old age. All of them bigger story and seem a waste of words. Makiko, and niece Midoriko. After a pov- opt for artificial insemination, Natsu examine, minutely and with a lot of bit- Also, the two sections of the novel are so erty-stricken adolescence that has led to a begins seeking other ways to become a terness, their lives and that of their fore- disparate that they do not amalgamate meagre job at a restaurant, Makiko mother. After plenty of introspection, a mothers. “My mom was free labor – free well. After building a lot of expectations arrives at her sister’s place with a strange brief romantic tug-of-war and much grief, labor with a pussy,” a woman muses with the breast augmentation, the ambition. She wants to enhance and per- the novel hurtles to a rather conservative Breasts and Eggs about her self-sacrificing mother. Another novelist just discards it and goes on to fect her breasts. Natsuko cannot under- and tame end. This is specially surpris- Mieko Kawakami woman perfectly critiques the dualities another section where there are way too stand what has gotten into her sister. ing, and a bit unsatisfactory, when juxta- of the seemingly woke man, “He went many unnecessary conversations and Makiko can barely make ends meet, her posed with the numerous bold statements Translators: Sam Bett and David around, patting himself on the back, like people. daughter has stopped talking to her, yet and fierce queries elsewhere in the novel. Boyd he’s so much better than all those Kawakami has been hailed as one of all she rattles are the names of doctors From breasts to eggs—from femininity Publisher: Europa Editions men. ‘I know the pain that women feel, I the leading writers in Japan today, intro- and the cost of the procedure. to motherhood—it is quite an intense and Pages: 448 respect women’ and all that… So duced first as Murakami’s protégé and Natsuko frets about the 15,00,000 yen personal story. Women readers, especially, fucking what, though, right? How then his favourite author. And it is won- Makiko plans to spend on the surgery, yet will identify with the various stages of many times did you clean the house last derful to see such a feminist piece of she immediately regrets it. “I worried life that Kawakami has depicted. why does a state deem it illegal for a month? How many times did you cook? work, especially from this side of the that the way I’d said it made it sound like Sometimes a woman is willing to sacrifice woman to be a mother when she wants to, How many times did you go grocery globe, but the idea does not sync seam- it was too much for her breasts—I’d asked everything to achieve beauty, and some- or force her to be a mother when she has shopping?” lessly into the storytelling (or perhaps it her “Are you really worth that much? Are times forgo everything to be a mother. Yet to let go of her fetus? Although women’s The novel is a no-holds-barred coming is not possible for a translation to transfer your breasts worth that kind of an invest- how much of it comes from her own minds and bodies seem to be their own, out of postmodern Japanese women, those nuances). ment?” desires, and how much is directed by fam- they are constantly controlled by the their struggles and passions. The author The discussion of breasts and nipples ily, society, and government? Must a images she sees, the scriptures she reads, speaks of experiences we’ve had and for- Bhattarai is a writer from and doctors gets almost unbearable, and woman be a mother to feel complete? And the laws she is forced to abide by, the state gotten, of questions we’ve forgotten to Kathmandu. BEST-SELLERS | NEW RELEASES

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1. Sambandhaharu by Vijay Kumar 2. Maharani by Chandra Prakash Baniya 3. The Carpet Weavers by Nemat Sadat 4. Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara 5. Kanchi Maharani by Sheeva Shah & Saguna Shah Source: Mandala Book Point Source:

Non-Fiction

1. The Politics of Nepal: Persistence and Change in and Asian Monarchy Kranti ra Pratikranti Satta ra Satya Singha Drubarko Ghumney Mech by Leo E Rose and Margaret W Fisher Author: Ramesh Nath Pandey Author: Khagendra Sangraula Author: Sudha Sharma Publication: Publication: Publication: Publication Nepalaya 2. Everything you Ever Wanted to Know Shangri-La Books Book Hill Price: Price: Price: Rs 425 about Bureaucracy But Were Afraid Rs 666 Rs 500 to Ask by T R Raghunandan Ramesh Nath Pandey’s Kranti ra Political analyst and writer Khagendra Gynaecologist Sudha Sharma writes a 3. Aafai lai Khojda by Bishwamber Pratikranti highlights the influence Sangraula translates 11 philosophical memoir about her life highlighting Pyakurel of foreign forces in various political essays from eight renowned intellectu- her journey in a gender mainstream- 4. Yogmaya & Durga Devi: Rebel Women events and counter-revolutions in als. The essays advocate for the wel- ing society. In this book, she illus- of Nepal by Barbara Nimri Aziz Nepal. The book divulges the conflict fare of society and discuss govern- trates the challenges for a woman that arose due to the corruption of ment systems and envisions a better pursuing politics inside a patriarchal 5. Republic of Religion by Abhinav power by the leaders of the country way of life. structural system. Chandrachud since 2006.

Same old, same old Here it starts again, every October, without reason or rhyme. Every act a mere repetition of what was done before; every speech a replica of what was said before.

BIBEK ADHIKARI We walk to the house from the bus stops, Back home, there’s always a litany of buy apples and bananas, and ring the bell demands: an LED TV, a mixer-grinder, a nside the living room of a distant twice until a manservant comes running washing machine, a sofa, carpets, curtains, relative. Sitting straight on the floral to open the wrought-iron gate. We walk in, clothes, chicken. We count and we calcu- embossed sofa, afraid to move a mus- a little concerned about the videshi dog late. We take secondary and tertiary jobs. cle. Lattice windows welcome the that lives a far luxurious life than we ever We do donkeywork from eight in the morn- warm October sunlight. The crystal could. We greet, bowing and reaching for ing to eight in the evening. Letting the offi- chandelier, reflecting the light, hangs the stinking yet pedicured feet. We smile cious hakims abuse us, we lay on the Ilike Damocles Sword. Not knowing what the perfect jack-o-lantern smile. ground, sucking on their toes. We break our else to do, we watch and wait. We receive tika, accept a handsome dak- poor backs for a few extra thousands. One leg draped over the other, hands shina, customarily place our foreheads on In the hopes of never being short of behind his head, our host clears his throat their toes, gobble a spicy lunch of basmati money, we plant Devil’s ivy in earthen and speaks, “Look at this city. Dust and rice and meat gravy, and commute back pots. dirt everywhere.” home. Every year, with profound precision Isn’t that how the middle class expresses We look out of the window at the box- and unwavering enthusiasm. love? By asking for more and by submit- shaped houses arranged in a neat row. *** ting themselves to become the slaves of Two crows sit on a telephone wire and Back home, the dreaded existential their petty dreams, and when that doesn’t caw before taking their wings and wheel- question raises its ugly head, ready to work succumbing to superstitions? ing away. strike and poison our happy hearts: Will *** “And the traffic,” he says. “It takes SHUTTERSTOCK this ‘eternal recurrence’ ever end? Is there The sun is setting, unable to do any- hours to reach anywhere.” We nod, deem- than-life LED screen. right mixture of odd chemicals that a way out, out of all this meaningless thing else. The clouds are red as if ing it to be the safest thing to do. “A gift from my son,” he says, “from would magically transform our ragged repetition of senseless events? Or, as besmeared with blood. A few plastic kites A rich odour of fragrances, eau de par- Amrika. Two thousand dollars only. I kept selves into something lustrous. If only we humans, are we doomed to repeat and zigzag, swooping up and down as if hunt- fum and eau de toilette mixed with the saying no, but ke garne!” What to do? He knew where the green wads of crisp relive, like Camus’ characters trapped in ing a prey. The air is saturated with a fresh smell of parijat flowers, wafts in. smiles; we smile in return. We don’t know banknotes grew. We could have made it, the narratives, until death comes gallop- sickening smell of parijat flowers—the Footsteps shuffle on the stairs. Merry what else to do. beyond the Goldstar shoes and Nokia ing in the darkness? kind that blooms every night, having voices join—and a peal of laughter erupts. A bored-looking Saint Bernard walks phones. That is our fantasy. Ke garne? nothing else to do, and lies fallen and The bankers, real estate agents, hoteliers, in, licks his toes, and cuddles against his *** The question swells like a tumour in trampled the next morning. and INGO-lords have arrived in their pudgy legs. A chubby boy, tapping on his Here it starts again, every October, the back of our heads. We, too, are like parijat flowers, bloom- Toyota Corollas. new iPhone walks in, clicks a dozen pic- without reason or rhyme. Every act a Drifting between sleep and wakeful- ing and falling, year after year, having no They comment on the weather, the dust tures of the dogs. “Come, Sheru, let’s mere repetition of what was done before; ness, we plot and scheme, from applying alternative and nothing else to do. and dirt, the lumbering traffic. “No sys- play,” he says, in his make-believe every speech a replica of what was said for the diversity visas to running away We want to return, back to small happi- tem in this country,” one says, while the American accent. before. Year by year we repeat the ritual, from the Capital to other forms of ness, the simplest of joys, but nothing is others click their tongues. “Only the com- “A gift for my naati,” says our host. unable to get off the hamster wheel. escapes—the ones that make you look in, waiting at the other end, except endless mies thrive. Haina?” We all nod and say “Only sixty thousand. He loves dogs. Ke We commute to three relatives’ bunga- to travel inward. We sit cross-legged, eyes emptiness, frowning and spitting bile. “ho-ho” and go back to admiring the lush garne?” What to do? He chuckles; we force lows in an over-crowded Mahanagar closed, dreaming of a better world. We In my moleskine journal I write: living room. ourselves to chuckle. Yatayat, smelling the crisp stench of new breathe in and breathe out, each breath a “Another day goes by, and the world isn’t Old yearning and loneliness linger in Imitation saves when mingling with clothes and old sweat. Throughout the reminder that we are alive, that we live any different.” the mahogany furniture, or perhaps the nouveau riche. It helps us dream that journey, we make small talk: weather, and breathe, that this unplastered con- Only the Devil’s ivy keeps growing, something unknowable and unsayable one day we too might buy expensive dogs traffic, life in the city, a secondary job, a crete box is not a prison but a privilege. twirling up, up—reaching for our necks, creeps over them, like shadows. It’s as if and brand-new iPhones and invite the secondary diploma. What is a mid- But even with my eyes closed, I cannot forming a close coil, and slowly stran- these luxury items were added, like an poor relatives and say, “Ke garne!” We dle-class family if not a bunch of people deceive myself, for what I want to do is—as gling us in our dreams. afterthought, once our host started mint- must yearn for the future. making small talk in crowded buses, my favourite poet once wrote—“Tell the ing green dollars. The afterimage of the The perfumed air is full of possibili- avoiding any meaningful conversation truth but tell it slant.” But what for? What Adhikari is a memoirist based in American Dream flickers on the larger- ties. If only we knew the formula, the whenever possible? good are truth-telling and confessing? Kathmandu. He tweets as @bibek_writes.

C M Y K SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Foreign filmmakers sell Nepal as a paradise of sob stories—and Nepali filmmakers follow The portrayal of Nepalis as poor, hungry, Mount Everest-climbing, uneducated people is not a result of what the people chose to share with the world but because that’s what filmmakers decided was worth telling.

ABHIMANYU DIXIT his films. He believes that as long as film- makers are honest, it’s fine to narrate (Editor’s note: Spoiler alert for short film poverty and hardships. Ashmina.) Filmmaker Bikash Neupane agrees, “Most filmmakers come from these villag- ilms are cultural snapshots of es with hardships and that’s what they their time. Take any film, look tell their stories.” closely, and you will find con- But the problem isn’t poverty—it’s temporary values, beliefs, and when filmmakers choose to tell these sto- anxieties prevalent in that par- ries only to satisfy the colonial gaze. “You ticular society staring right at have to think if the story is sellable in the Fyou. And this choice of picking aspects to international market because they are highlight or hide lies entirely with the the only funding bodies. Unless we have a filmmaker. Nepali funding body, these sob stories “Watch commercial Nepali films from won’t stop being featured,” says Shah. the 90s, and you’ll know exactly what Filmmaker Sharma agrees, “Alongside city-dwelling filmmakers thought of vil- the financial motivation, your film’s lage folks,” says filmmaker Deepak selection at an international arena is Rauniyar. “A lot of Nepali films from that extremely rewarding. While back home, era [90s-early 2000s] have a village-meets- the state hardly recognises the value of city narrative. The makers chose to depict films or artists, these film festivals, with the people from villages as crude and SCREENGRAB VIA YOUTUBE their awards and grants, give you a sense illiterate, while in reality they’re not.” A screengrab of the 2018 film Ashima, directed by Derek Berenson. Berenson’s film reinforces a falsely prevalent stereotype that Nepal’s identity is only of recognition and validate your identity Even in international films, questiona- that of a poor country. as a filmmaker and therefore it’s quite ble representation of people belonging to easy to succumb to their idea of Nepali different regions, political backgrounds Everest region, I travelled to Pokhara to fetishise the brown population as poor films.” and religions is widespread: during the complete my training as a paragliding and exotic, and feel better, just like in the And opportunities in Nepal are truly Cold War (during the 70s-90s) Hollywood pilot. I was immediately captivated by the This tendency of film Ashmina. quite far and few. Most local film produc- made villains out of European militants. young children who were working in the “White skinned people think they can ers are first-time investors, only looking After 9/11, villains were religious terror- landing field and instantly knew that I Westerners wanting go anywhere and have a license to tell any for returns from their investments and ists. In Hindi films, the villains are almost would one day return to Nepal to capture to exoticise eastern story they please,” says Rauniyar. will only back a film that is guaranteed a always the shemagh (checkered their story on film”. However, the conversation is changing. cinema hall release. And in these “com- scarves)-wearing neighbours. This film has been screened at multiple cultures and values is “Today, you have to ask yourself if this is mercial” films, a filmmaker has to adhere But for filmmakers to repeat such ste- film festivals around the world, and even your story to tell, and if you’re the right to the market’s expectations of genre, reotypes is dangerous, as films contribute won Best Narrative Short in Jerusalem nothing new. person to tell it,” he adds. which is limited to comedy, romance, to shaping the identity of countries and International Film Festival and Best The colonial gaze robs people of their heist or action. It’s rare for local cultures on a global platform. Short Fiction Film in the Krakow identity. It instils a stereotype that can be investors to trust and finance an inde- For years now, films based on Nepal International Film Festival. And this kind of representation can be difficult to break away from. Actor and pendent film. have been introduced to the world audi- However, despite all the accolades the problematic. That is because these films producer Reecha Sharma has lived In a welcome move, the state body for ence through foreign eyes. Foreign films film has collected at prestigious festivals, usually travel around multiple film festi- through the consequences. When she’s films, Film Development Board, recently in this regard are made by and for foreign it’s difficult for Nepalis to share the vals, convincing attendees to believe that abroad, she’s constantly expected to justi- announced that they’re working on a audiences. And in these films, Nepal is enthusiasm, and Nepali filmmakers these are the only stories that come from fy her spoken English. ‘Story Bank’ through which the board either a land of mountains—like in Into agree. “There’s a tendency of privileged Nepal, that this is Nepal’s reality. And the “Foreigners seem to have a precon- will invest in original content that show- thin Air: Death on Everest (1997), Everest individuals to portray the people of other damage is already done. ceived notion that Nepali people don’t cases authentic Nepali art, culture, and (2015), The Climb (2017); or Buddha’s cultures as stupid,” says Rauniyar, add- Abinash Bikram Shah recalls meeting have English language skills.” she says. literature. But this story bank is in its Birthplace, as in Little Buddha (1993) and ing, “Why would a teenager need her with foreign delegates of international “Almost every interaction with a foreign- early days, and will take some time to see 7 years in Tibet (1997). If not that, we’re a mother to wash her hair for her?” film festivals, “At these labs most produc- er will have me clarifying that not every practical applications. Until then, we land of mystical and exotic powers, like Sahara Sharma, another Nepali film- ers and mentors have certain expecta- Nepali is a mountaineer.” need to have more conversations around in The Golden Child (1986), Caravan maker, says, “The maker seems to have tions only because you’re from Nepal. The idea that a Nepali’s identity is lim- representing Nepal uniquely. (1999), Doctor Strange (2016). Most often convinced himself that poor, dirty and They’re mostly looking for tropes like ited to being poor, hungry, Mount Everest- Non-fiction storytelling is actively dis- though we’re one of the poorest nations desperate are the defining characteristics sacred religious rites. The Kumari wor- climbing, uneducated, third world exotic cussing and dealing with the issue of the in the world that needs a white saviour— of the Nepali people.” Sharma further ship being the most popular.” oriental people is not because that’s what colonial gaze. Like fiction films, funding as in Kathmandu Lullaby (2012), Brave clarifies, “While foreigners are soaring This tendency of Westerners wanting we chose to share with the world but for documentaries are also dependent Girl (2013), Highway to Dhampus (2014) or up in the air and in open spaces, Nepali to exoticise eastern cultures and values is because that’s what foreign film makers upon decision makers who helm from Sold (2014). people are confined within narrow and nothing new. Edward Said, a literary the- among others decided was worthy of tell- predominantly white cultural back- The newest addition to this list is the dark spaces.” orist and historian of colonial narrative, ing. But that was back in the day when we grounds. Last week, a group of documen- film Ashmina (2018). Director Derek Now, it’s easy to dismiss these ideas as was one of the first to start a conversation did not have access to technology or film- tary film makers, producers, festival pro- Berenson’s logline reads:“In an impover- fictional and therefore harmless. But about the privileged culture’s ‘gaze’ at making skills. grammers, and educators from South ished country, rife with contradiction, a nothing in a film is ever a coincidence. minorities. In his 1978 book Orientalism, In over 50 years of Nepali cinema, we Asia met on an online session entitled young girl is torn by her obligation to her Every small detail in a frame—the compo- he explains that colonialism worked not have reached a place where an average of #decolonizeDocs. The discussion focused family and the influence of foreign visi- sition, lighting, sound, art, and acting—is just through army or conquest or oppres- 100 films release every year, there is a on ‘real inclusivity, sensitivity towards tors.” The film is a 15-minute, Nepali lan- there only because the director decided sion, but also through anthropology and growing presence in the international systemic inequality within the South guage fictional take of an innocent, on it. In this case, Berenson, a white man, justified narratives. According to him, film festival circuit, and filmmakers of Asian region, and ultimately, a stronger impoverished teenager who works as a whose experience of Nepal is only an “The west has the tendency to paint an today are equipped with technology, and documentary ecosystem in the region’. parachute packer in Pokhara. A white expedition he took, decides to narrate an exotic, sensual and depraved picture.” most importantly, they understand the “A stronger network of South Asian tourist (Fabian Gleeson) pays her 10 emotional tale of a young Nepali girl. There’s a buzzing debate amongst the impact. Yet, even filmmakers at home are film professionals is the key to help us Euros (Rs 1,373) for her work and Ashmina In journalism, this approach is com- Nepali film makers with some justifying unable to change the lens and release our grow,” says Kshitiz Adhiraj, organiser of (Dikshya Karki) submits all of her income monly referred to as ‘parachute journal- this phenomenon with: “at least a film is stories from the colonial gaze. the session, adding, “We need to make to her father (Prakat Pageni). The prima- ism’, where someone from an entirely being made” or “they’re bringing econo- This trend is particularly obvious in better friends in South Asia.” ry breadwinner for her family, Ashmina different beat reports on issues and plac- my to Nepal”, and “we could have never short films. “Some filmmakers will inten- Unlike most countries in South Asia, needs permission to use her own income es they have little idea of. This lack of made such a technically advanced film.” tionally tell sad stories because film festi- Nepal has never been geographically and needs her mother (Sadhana Bhandari) knowledge leads to inaccurate and dis- But a film is more than its making. No vals are known to prefer those,” says colonised. Perhaps that is why we are to wash her hair (which is honestly very torted news reports, much like in the film exists in a vacuum. It’s going to have actor Divya Dev. “And since stories of late at recognising this narrative strange). The film culminates with context of this film, where Pokhara is an audience and, regardless of the size, extreme hardships and poverty seem to angle. But today, as films become more Ashmina turning violent and fighting for reduced to a poor, gloomy, and desolate an impact. Take Slumdog Millionaire be the only ones making it to these festi- accessible all around the world, it’s time some money. She cuts the paracord and place. (2009) for example. The debate around it is vals, new makers are conditioned into we work towards shifting the traditional walks away. Berenson’s film reinforces a falsely that the film wouldn’t have won at the thinking those are the only stories worth colonial gaze and create a space where Berenson is an Israeli filmmaker based prevalent stereotype that Nepal’s identity Oscars if the director wasn’t white. This telling and this is something we need to we’re free to tell our own stories—the way in the UK. On the film’s website, his state- is only that of a poor country; hence sto- film presents an exotic view of a country fight against,” he adds. we want to. ment reads: “Ashmina’s story was ries that come from here can only be and disregards how the film makes an This discussion is not something new. inspired by a 2014 trip to Nepal. Following about the poor, hungry, and underprivi- ‘other’ out of Indian people. In Slumdog Sujit Bidari, a filmmaker, recalls being Dixit is a filmmaker, film educator and a mountain climbing expedition in the leged individuals, basically sob stories. Millionaire, the white (colonial) people questioned about emphasising poverty in film campaigner based in Kathmandu.

SCREENGRABS VIA YOUTUBE Nepal is often portrayed as a land of mystical and exotic powers by foreign filmmakers, like in the 2016 film Doctor Strange (left) or Caravan (1999).

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