WI THOUT F EAR O R F A V O U R

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 139 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 37.2 C 17.1 C Wednesday, July 07, 2021 | 23-03-2078 Nepalgunj Jumla Fate of opposition alliance at stake as CPN-UML factions step up unity talks As talks to bring Oli and Nepal together are termed positive, the future of the alliance, formed to make Nepali Congress President Deuba prime minister, is uncertain, leaders say.

ANIL GIRI positive direction. KATHMANDU, JULY 6 And if Oli and Nepal patch up their differences, the opposition alliance On Tuesday afternoon, chairman of will break down. the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Nepal did not participate in the alli- Centre) went to Koteshwor to meet ance’s meeting at the residence of senior CPN-UML leader Madhav Nepali Congress President Sher Kumar Nepal at his residence. The Bahadur Deuba on Monday, raising visit came as the UML has begun dis- suspicion and doubt in the opposition cussions to chart out the roadmap for bloc, leaders said. party unity. “We know there is immense On Monday the UML had revived its pressure on Nepal to patch up two-month old task force to resolve the differences with Oli. There are some dispute inside the party as Nepal has leaders in the Nepal camp who favour been siding with the opposition alli- party unity. Besides, Nepal might ance against the high-handedness of also face difficulties in building a Prime Minister and UML chair KP new party if he severs ties with Oli,” Sharma Oli. said Shekhar Koirala, a Nepali “Concerned over the revival of the Congress leader. UML task force, Dahal went to “But after all it is politics. If there is Post photo: Dipendra Rokka meet Nepal to inquire about the a patch up between Oli and Nepal, Ramji Adhikari of Old Baneshwor carries his 90-year-old father Min Bahadur after he got the second dose of Chinese Vero Cell Covid-19 vaccine progress made on the task force,” then the opposition alliance will break at Civil Hospital, Minbhawan in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Vaccination will continue until Thursday for the people who got their first shot in June. a member of the Dahal’s secre- down and Deuba’s chances of becom- tariat told the Post. “Nepal ing prime minister will be over.” briefed him on the possible sce- Nepal and 25 members of the dis- narios in the UML amid the solved House of Representatives close ongoing talks of the task force.” to him had sided with Deuba when the The UML task force, with five latter staked his claim to form a gov- Inside Academics plan a university members each from Oli and ernment under Article 76 (5) of the Nepal factions, held two meet- constitution. Oli too had made a bid Curfew imposed in Chitwan’s ings on Monday and Tuesday claiming the support of his UML and of excellence but keeping and, according to its members, the Rastriya Janata Party. Piple following protests talks are heading towards a >> Continued on page 2 against death of woman CHITWAN: The District Administration politics at bay is a challenge Office in Chitwan has issued a curfew order in Piple of Rapti Municipality-3 effective from 7:30 pm on Tuesday fol- lowing protests by the local residents Unlike existing universities, the board of trustees will have against the death of 23-year-old Sujita Bhandari. The residents of Piple had complete authority over appointment of vice-chancellor staged demonstrations on Tuesday as well, demanding that the murderers and it will not grant affiliations, its promoters say. of Bhandari be booked immediately. They obstructed vehicular movement along the East-West Highway for a few hours. The body of Bhandari, who had gone missing from her house on June 25, was recovered inside the Ghamile forest of Bhandara Piple on Sunday evening. The site where the body was found is around 3 km from her house. The curfew order has been clamped within 500 metres on both sides of the highway from Lothar bridge at Ward 1 to Daduwa at Ward 4 in Rapti Municipality. (Details on Pg 2)

Transporters, businesses are flouting health safety protocols KATHMANDU: On Sunday the Valley’s chief district officers announced fur- ther easing of Covid-19 restrictions and removed the odd-even number plate rule for public vehicles allowing them to operate from Tuesday by fol- Post file Photo lowing certain health protocols. More Granting affiliations, like Tribhuvan University (pictured) does, affects the quality of education. shops and businesses have been allowed to operate albeit on alternate BINOD GHIMIRE School of Law, writer and engineer days. As per the new rule, public KATHMANDU, JULY 6 Dovan Rai and Surya Raj Acharya, transport vehicles should not carry former visiting faculty member at passengers beyond their seating There are around a dozen universities the Institute of Engineering, among capacities but many public vehicles in the country. others. including buses were carrying more Half of them—Lumbini Buddhist, The members of the board have passengers Tuesday. At a time when Far-Western, Mid-western, claimed that the University of Nepal public health workers have been Agriculture and Forestry, Nepal Open will be different from existing ones warning the authorities that the and Rajarshi Janak—came into opera- because it will be fully autonomous. Covid-19 risk is not over yet, all kinds tion after the country adopted a new “The University of Nepal will be of shops have reopened in breach of political system following the 2006 autonomous,” Adhikari told the Post. the prohibitory orders. Eateries and movement. At the time of their estab- “We are aware that setting up a uni- restaurants, which are allowed to lishment, each of them promised aca- versity for top-quality education is not operate takeaway services only, have demic excellence as all the country’s possible without keeping it away from been allowing dine-in customers for existing universities have largely the shadow of politics.” the past few days. (Details on Pg 3) failed in imparting quality education. Indeed, Nepal’s universities are in However, they too have failed in the news during appointments of the their stated missions. vice-chancellors and other top offi- Illegal mobile phones to Now a group of academicians and cials which are made on the basis of become unusable from July 16 leading members of the civil society political affiliations of the candidates. have conceptualised a multidiscipli- All of Nepal’s existing universities KATHMANDU: Come July 16, all mobile nary university that can be a centre of operate under their own separate Acts sets bought without a bill or imported excellence. with the prime minister as chancellor into the country without paying cus- “We have shouldered an extremely and the education minister as toms duty will become unusable challenging responsibility by our own pro-chancellor. The vice-chancellor is when the Mobile Device Management choice,” said Dr Arjun Karki, former the executive head of the university. System kicks in. The Nepal vice chancellor at the Patan Academy The prime minister, as the ex-officio Telecommunications Authority will of Health Sciences, who leads the chancellor, appoints vice-chancellors implement the scheme from the team. “The country desperately needs based on the recommendations made beginning of the new fiscal year to improve its higher education. The by the education minister-led search which will secure and keep track of University of Nepal could set an committee. all cell phones in the country in a bid example for others.” But, according to Karki, the pro- to prevent misuse and grey market Conceptualised three years ago, posed university will operate under a imports, officials said. “As we have it was on June 15 that the Cabinet board of trustees and it will have com- observed that Integrated Data Centre formed the Infrastructure plete authority for the management of of the government can make real Development Preparation Board for the university including the appoint- time observation of mobile devices’ setting up the University of Nepal. ment of its vice-chancellor. genuineness, we decided to make a The proposed university will be estab- “Other than the formulation of the soft launch,” said Purushottam lished in Gaidakot Municipality, necessary laws for its establishment Khanal, the telecom regulator chair. Nawalparasi. and supervision, the government will Travellers to Nepal will be permitted It has an 11-member board and also have no role in its operation,” to bring only one mobile set along includes Bipin Adhikari, former Adhikari said. with the purchase bill. (Details on Pg 5) dean at the Kathmandu University >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 07, 2021 | 02 National Piple under curfew following protests over Fate of opposition alliance at stake after ... >> Continued from page 1 woman’s death in suspicious circumstances President Bidya Devi Bhandari, however, invalidated both claims calling them ‘insufficient’ following which, on Oli’s recommenda- tion, she dissolved the lower house and announced midterm elections The body of 23-year-old Sujita Bhandari, who had gone missing on June 25, was recovered in a nearby forest on Sunday. for November 12 and 19. The dissolution was subsequently chal- lenged in court and among the signatories of the writ petition were RAMESH KUMAR PAUDEL Nepal and 22 former UML lawmakers. CHITWAN, JULY 6 “As of now Madhav Nepal is sticking to his words but we have to think about possible future scenarios if he patches up with Oli and The District Administration Office in withdraws the signature put in support of Deuba,” Koirala said. Chitwan has issued a curfew order in The opposition alliance is made up of Nepali Congress, Maoist Piple of Rapti Municipality-3 effective Centre, the Nepal-led faction of the UML, the Upendra Yadav-led from 7:30 pm on Tuesday following pro- faction of the Janata Samajbadi Party, which on Tuesday parted ways tests by the local residents against the with the Mahantha Thakur-led faction, and Rastriya Janamorcha death of 23-year-old Sujita Bhandari. Nepal. The residents of Piple had staged The top leaders of the opposition alliance have, since they came demonstrations on Tuesday as well, together, held a series of consultations with editors of various media demanding that the murderers of outlets, journalists, civil society members and people from various Bhandari be booked immediately. walks of life including academicians and intellectuals to express They obstructed vehicular movement their commitment to removing Oli from the post of prime minister along the East-West Highway for a few for the sake of democracy, to defend the parliamentary system and to hours. save the country from more regression. The body of Bhandari, who had gone The top leaders had also vowed jointly that they would continue missing from her house on June 25, was the alliance for a long time until democracy and parliamentary recovered inside the Ghamile forest of democracy are fully secure and the rule of law and constitutionalism Bhandara Piple on Sunday evening. The prevail. site where the body was found is around “We have constituted a front of five political parties for the protec- three kilometres from her house. tion of national interest, the constitution of Nepal, democracy, and The curfew order has been clamped Parliament,” said Debua during an interaction with the editors of within 500 metres on both sides of the several media outlets on June 26. “We are also committed to saving East-West Highway from Lothar bridge at the lives of people from the pandemic and natural calamities. Welfare Ward No. 1 to Daduwa at Ward No. 4 in of the people, strengthening the federal democratic republic and Rapti Municipality. The order will be inclusive democracy and ensuring social justice and the rule of law effective for 24 hours. are our common goals.” According to the order issued by Chief But at the same interaction, Nepal had shown a sign of rapproche- District Officer Premlal Lamichhane, ment with Oli. only long-route vehicles will be allowed “If Oli mends his ways and corrects his mistakes, we must also to run on the highway. Anyone found Photo courtesy: Druba Khanal give him some space… you see Deubaji,” said Nepal during the inter- defying the curfew order will be arrested Local residents obstructed vehicular movement along the East-West Highway for a few hours on Tuesday. action with editors striking a conciliatory note. and jailed for up to one month, reads the The signs of rapprochement between Oli and Nepal have, there- order. On the day she went missing, the vic- Adhikari. last week. Her whereabouts is still fore, cast doubts over the alliance’s future. Deputy Superintendent of Police tim had called her sister Kabita Bhandari The District Police Office in Chitwan unknown,” said Jayashwar Sapkota, A senior Maoist Centre leader said that they are closely following Surya Thapa said Bhandari’s cell phone and told her that she had been kidnapped. will make their findings public after ana- father of the missing woman. the developments inside the ruling party and the information coming set was also recovered near the incident Kabita accused the police of failing to lysing the test and investigation reports, The District Police Office in Chitwan out from the UML is not very positive as far as they are concerned. site on Tuesday. take prompt action in finding her sister. Adhikari added. on Tuesday arrested a 23-year-old suspect “We have started specific talks from today but there is no concrete “The set does not have a SIM card but “The post mortem is being performed Meanwhile, a 21-year-old woman from from Bharatpur Metropolitan City Ward progress or decision at the task force-level,” said Surendra Pandey, a the memory card was intact,” said Thapa. at the TU Teaching Hospital in Gaindakot Ward No. 4 in Nawalpur, a No. 4. member of the task force from the Nepal faction. “We will enter into Security personnel had found the Kathmandu. Viscera samples have also neighbouring district of Chitwan, “My daughter had gone to Bharatpur the core business from tomorrow.” mobile phone’s battery, an old bag and a been collected for tests. The reports will has gone missing from Bharatpur since with the suspect. She had told us that The task force is discussing a package deal including party unity, bottle of insecticide near the site on arrive within a few days,” said June 28. she’d be back in half an hour but we have management of the leaders of the Nepal-faction in various party Monday. Superintendent of Police in Chitwan Om “We have been searching for her since yet to hear from her,” Sapkota said. committees, honourable presence of Nepal-faction inside Oli’s Cabinet, resolving the issue related to withdrawal of signatures of lawmakers extended in support of Deuba, according to two UML leaders familiar with the developments inside the ruling party. “Hopefully, there will be some positive development within a day or two,” another member of the task force said, requesting anonymity. Briefing 27 rhino poachers arrested this fiscal year “We are discussing all outstanding issues as a package.” The urgency is to reach a conclusion before the Supreme Court delivers its verdict on the House dissolution possibly on July 12. Two held with 150 kg Many poachers who had been on the run are turning themselves in, according to Chitwan park. If there will be positive development at the task force-level, marijuana then there is a plan of addressing a joint press conference by Oli RAMESH KUMAR PAUDEL year of 2020/21. Some of them are convict- found after five days with gunshot inju- and Nepal where they will make public the three-point deal, SUNSARI: Police detained two persons CHITWAN, JULY 6 ed poachers who were at large for a long ries. which is being discussed among top UML leadership, according to in possession of 150 kg marijuana time. On November 4, a female rhino of UML leaders. from Barahakshetra in Sunsari dis- Thirty-year-old Rajman Magar, an alleged On May 21, the national park detained around 25 years and its three-year-old But the way UML task force is meeting frequently, putting pressure trict on Tuesday. Bhupen Raya of rhino poacher, surrendered himself to Sagar Praja Chepang who was allegedly baby was found dead in the same area. The on Nepal to reach a deal with Oli, there is uneasiness going on inside Barahakshetra-8 and Amir Limbu of Chitwan District Court last week. Two involved in several incidents of rhino horns of both the rhinos were found miss- the opposition camp. Ramdhuni were held with the illegal separate cases have been filed against poaching in the past two decades. A case ing and they had sustained bullet injuries “We know, if Madhav Nepal returns to the UML, it will be a disad- substance and a fake pistol during a Magar, a resident of Gaindakot had been filed against him in 2010 and the in the head. Likewise, the skeleton of a vantage for some leaders like Ishwar Pokhrel, Shankar Pokhrel and security check of a van and a motor- Municipality-3, at the Chitwan District Chitwan District Court had sentenced him rhino without its horn was recovered in Subas Nembang of the Oli faction who are seen as Oli’s potential cycle, said police. Two other Court and two others at Nawalparasi to 15 years imprisonment in 2015. the Ghusaharghat area on November 6. successors inside the party,” the Maoist Centre leader said. “Our people who were travelling with (East) District Court. According to the park administration, The rhino might have been poached belief is that even though the Nepal faction might unite the party, it the suspects fled after seeing the According to Lokendra Adhikari, the four convicted poachers like Chepang around six months earlier for its horn, will not withdraw the signatures put in favour of Deuba.” police. assistant conservation officer at Chitwan were arrested in the current fiscal year. conservationists suspect. The potential dynamics within the party in case of rapprochement National Park, Magar was involved in all The increasing number of arrests made The population of one-horned rhinos between the two sides, however, is not clear according to a UML lead- four incidents. in relation to rhino poaching in the last stands at 752 as per the latest census er close to Nepal. Sudurpaschim decides to The national park administration and year has scared the poachers, with many report made public in April this year. “If the party unites after resolving differences, then a new situa- upgrade Tikapur Hospital security personnel deployed in the park coming forward to surrender. Chitwan is home to 694 rhinos, an increase tion will emerge,” said Pandey. “For now our focus is on talks within TIKAPUR: Keeping in view of the area had identified the involvement of 47 “Only 23 suspects had been arrested in of 89 since the last census in 2015. the task force.” increasing flow of patients, the people in the poaching of the four rhinos. the last five fiscal years but this year the One-horned rhino is an endangered spe- The Nepal faction had been demanding that the party Sudurpaschim provincial govern- “Most of the masterminds involved in number of poachers getting caught is cies that is at risk of extinction. structures and organisations should be revived to the status of ment recently decided to upgrade rhino poaching and smuggling its body high,” said Baral. “Those who were on the Of late, deaths of rhinos from pre-May 16, 2018 days. the Tikapur Hospital into a sub-pro- parts have been arrested. Lately, even run are surrendering now.” natural causes and by accident are on the The UML and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) had vincial hospital with 200 beds. some convicts on the run have started sur- The Chitwan National Park has claimed rise in Chitwan National Park, the park merged on May 18, 2018 to form the Nepal Communist Party (NCP). “The provincial government’s deci- rendering to the police,” said Ananath zero rhino poaching since 2016. However, administration says. As many as 43 rhinos But on March 7, the Supreme Court invalidated the Nepal Communist sion to upgrade the hospital is Baral, the chief conservation officer of at least four rhinos were killed by poach- died in the park in the current fiscal Party (NCP) and revived the UML and the Maoist Centre. praiseworthy. The decision should be the country’s oldest national park. ers in the current fiscal year. year due to natural causes, accidents or But since then Oli has been taking decisions within the party uni- implemented immediately,” said As per the data available at the park The park officials and security person- infighting. laterally including the inclusion of 23 leaders from the Maoist Centre Dipak Rawal, chairman of Tikapur office, as many as 27 people were arrested nel deployed in the area had heard gunfire “There are several challenges in rhino who defected to Oli’s UML in the party’s Central Committee. He has Hospital Development Committee. on charges of poaching rhinos and smug- on the western side of the national park conservation. Along with managing its also stripped the positions of leaders close to Oli like Bhim Rawal The health institution currently has gling their body parts in the current fiscal on September 1, 2020. A pachyderm was habitat, security patrols should be and Ghanashyam Bhusal, who were vice chairman and deputy gener- 51 beds. increased in the park area. Poaching is al secretary respectively. still the main challenge in rhino conserva- In a bid to placate the Nepal faction, Oli on Saturday had announced tion efforts,” said Kamal Jung Kunwar, the that he was ready to turn the clock back, and revive the Central Sanfebagar at high risk of former chief conservation officer of the Committee which existed before May 16, 2018. But the Nepal faction park. had initially called it too little too late. floods He underscored the need for the author- Later Oli also agreed to revive the task force as demanded by ACHHAM: Deujhal settlement of ities to take strong legal action against Nepal. Sanfebagar in Achham district is at poachers and raise awareness in the local During their meeting on Tuesday, Dahal suggested to Nepal that high risk of flood because of community to conserve rhinos and other Oli may betray him again, so he should be careful while dealing with rain-swollen Budhiganga river. wild animals. Oli, according to the leaders close to Dahal. Mukesh Kunwar, a resident of According to Baral, around 100 suspect- “Oli is trying to influence the verdict of the Supreme Court. Deujhal, said, “The flow of the ed poachers involved in several old cases Therefore, until the last hour he will be ready to sacrifice any post or river has increased due to the are still on the run. “They could be position for Nepal and will make all efforts to accommodate the rainfall over the past one week. involved in poaching rhinos again unless Nepal faction,” Narayan Kaji Shrestha, spokesperson of the Maoist More than 30 houses are at risk of they are detained. We are working actively Centre, told the Post. inundation. Every year during the to arrest them,” he said. But if Nepal bites the bait, then the opposition alliance is finished monsoon, we have to live in fear.” As per the existing legal provisions, one and its constituent parties will focus on internal issues, he added. According to the local government, will be jailed for 5 to 15 years and fined up “If the UML factions get together, then the opposition alliance will homes in Budhabagar and Pul to Rs 1 million if s/he is convicted of be dissolved, Nepali Congress will focus on its general convention, we Bazar areas are particularly at post file Photo poaching a rhino and smuggling its body will start party building and Upendra Yadavji will try to join hands high risk. The population of one-horned rhinos stands at 752 in Nepal, according to the latest census report. parts. with Mahantha Thakur faction again,” said Shrestha. Academics plan a university of excellence but keeping politics at bay is a challenge

>> Continued from page 1 He said an estimated Rs250 million this is one of the reasons behind the main goal of the universities estab- makes to a university when academics Karki said they believe that there Besides appointing the top universi- will be needed initially for building poor performance of the existing uni- lished after 2006, all are following the are the brains behind it would be no problem with funding for ty officials, including the vice-chan- infrastructure and other costs. versities.” lead set by the country’s oldest univer- “Excluding Kathmandu University, the good works and all 11 members of cellor registrar and rector, the govern- “We will start by offering courses Universities generate additional sity. no other university in the country was the development board will be work- ment also provides the bulk of their towards a bachelor’s degree and addi- funds from tuition fees from students After Tribhuvan University, bar- developed by academics,” he said. ing voluntarily while also contribut- budget for the existing 11 universities. tional construction will be gradual,” on their premises and constituent col- ring Mahendra Sanskrit University, “Therefore they lacked long-term ing funds based on their capacity. According to the University Grants said Adhikari. leges, affiliations they give to private Nepal’s oldest is Kathmandu vision.” But potential pitfalls are not lost on Commission, the government gave Gaidakot Municipality has already colleges, and examination fees from University, established in 1992 follow- It is not just academics based in observers. Rs11.30 billion in total to them in the provided the land. students at the affiliate colleges. ing the overt politicisation among stu- Nepal but also those working in “There is no point adding one more fiscal year 2019-20, the latest year for “We believe the university will be a For example, Tribhuvan University dents during the Panchayat days when renowned universities across the university if it follows the existing which figures are available. pride of the nation,” Chhatra Raj has given affiliation to 1,081 colleges, colleges were centres of anti-estab- globe who will help not only as mem- ones in its operation,” Tanka Nath Of them, Tribhuvan University Poudel, mayor of the municipality, besides running 61 constituent colleg- lishment activities as political parties bers of the faculty but in generating Sharma, a professor at Kathmandu received around Rs750 million while told the Post. “We are happy that it is es. Far Western University, in con- were banned. funds, according to Adhikari. University, told the Post. “I have heard other universities received between finally materialising.” trast, has one affiliate college in addi- It too was set up at the initiative of “We have received very warm good things about the to-be-estab- Rs82 million and Rs700 million. The public university will begin tion to its 15 constituent colleges. academicians like Suresh Raj Sharma responses from the Nepali diaspora in lished university. However, there are Mid Western University received with a focus on liberal arts—language According to the University Grants and Bhadra Man Tuladhar among oth- different countries,” he said. “We huge challenges to turn it into a cen- Rs140 million in 2019-20 while, study, culture, history, music and fine Commission, Tribhuvan University ers. Although it still remains the best believe we can generate necessary tre of excellence with political inter- Rajarshi Janak University, which has arts—and although technical pro- has 335,543 students enrolled studying varsity in the country, of late politici- resources and find faculties to run a ference being the major potential just started operation, got Rs82 mil- grammes will be introduced later, lib- its degrees at its constituent colleges sation and the lack of transparency in university of international standard.” problem.” lion. eral arts education will remain at its and affiliate colleges. Pokhara financial matters and granting of Nepal government, Gandaki Karki, the former dean of Patan More than 70 percent of these core, according to Adhikari. University with 30,542 students is the affiliations have been eroding its Province and Gaidakot Municipality Academy of Health Sciences, envi- amounts are spent on salaries of the Unlike existing universities it will second largest university in terms of image. have assured to contribute a portion sions University of Nepal to be a long- faculties and other staff. not grant affiliation to other colleges. enrollment. Far Western University Politicisation has also led to activi- of funds needed for the construction term project. But Adhikari says that they will not “It won’t grant affiliations,” said has 10,113 students while Mid Western ties like faculty members and students of the university campus. However, “Good universities aren’t built over- ask the government for funds for Karki. “Granting affiliations has University has 7,353 students. shutting down the university in recent the majority of the funds is expected night,” said Karki. “If we build a good University of Nepal, although they become a source to make money for Although promoting innovation times. to come from national and interna- foundation, the upcoming generation will accept them if it gives voluntarily. different universities at present and and research-based education was the Karki is well aware the difference it tional donors. will take it to new heights.”

C M Y K 03 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 07, 2021 National Split in Samajbadi Party is no surprise as New guidelines allow its formation was unnatural, analysts say clinical trials of The Election Commission will decide which of the two rival factions will get the party name and election symbol. vaccines but experts TIKA R PRADHAN The commission will now form a the other faction, led by Yadav and split and have asked the Election KATHMANDU, JULY 6 bench and begin a hearing process to Bhattarai, was vociferously against Commission to do the needful. decide which faction will get to retain this alliance. Chandra Kishore said divisions in After months long conflict over wheth- the party name and the election With both the factions deciding to Madhesi parties are determined more fear red-tapism er or not to support the House dissolu- symbol. part ways, the Thakur faction could be by the vested interests of the leaders, tion move of the KP Sharma Oli-led “The hearing process will begin in trouble because it has only 35 per- their interests to join the government government, the “unnatural bond” soon after the commission forms a cent representation in the 51-member and the geopolitics. Nepal Health Research Council, the body responsible for between two factions of the Janata bench as per the law,” Shrestha said. Central Executive Committee while Although the national political Samajbadi Party has finally come Differences between the two fac- the support of at least 40 percent of scene will be clear only after the giving approval for research on drugs, was not consulted. undone. The two camps decided to tions had come to the fore after the both the central committee and the Supreme Court’s verdict on House part ways on Tuesday. faction led by Thakur decided to sup- parliamentary party is needed to split dissolution, a formal split in the Janata But observers say the split of the port Prime Minister Oli following the the party. Samajbadi Party will have some Madhes-based party will have little February 23 restoration of the House But observers say breakdown of the impact. impact on national politics as the two of Representatives at the order of the “unnatural bond” between the two Another political analyst CK Lal factions have already been working as Supreme Court. Oli had dissolved the factions was inevitable. also said the unnatural union of the separate entities supporting different House on December 20 last year. “The Janata Samajbadi Party was two parties was sure to unravel as forces. formed just to be broken as their their constituencies were different The Janata Samajbadi Party was chemistry was different,” said and they could not tolerate each other. formed in April last year after a merg- The two factions of Chandra Kishore, a political analyst When the two parties merged, er between the Samajbadi Party and columnist for Kantipur daily. leaders said the merger was intended Nepal, led by Upendra Yadav and the party decided to “People were very excited when the to develop an alternative to the Baburam Bhattarai, and the Rastriya two Madhes-based parties decided to existing mainstream parties—Nepali Janata Party Nepal, led by Mahantha part ways within merge. But I have been saying from Congress and the communists led Thakur. the beginning that it was an unnatural by the CPN-UML. But within one year “We have signed a document agree- one year of merger. bond and won’t last long.” of the merger, the two factions of the ing to take different paths following Now with the split in the Janata party started to side with the same the necessary processes as we cannot Samajbadi along the lines of former mainstream parties and ultimately remain together,” said Anil Jha, a To lure the Thakur faction of the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and announced to go their separate ways. party leader, following the discussions Janata Samajbadi Party into joining Samajbadi Party Nepal, observers say “Actually, the quest for an at the Election Commission on Tuesday. his government, Prime Minister Oli the two parties will have clear ways— alternative force was premature “As Upendraji [Yadav] said there was had released from jail hundreds of Thakur’s party will support Oli while because both the parties that merged no condition of moving ahead together, Samajbadi Party cadres by withdraw- the party headed by Yadav and were Madhes-based and had little or we have agreed to split.” ing cases against them, formed a task Bhattarai party will join hands with no influence in the hills,” said Lal. The Election Commission had invit- force to discuss issues to be amended the opposition alliance of Nepali “They will not have much impact on ed both factions of the party on in the constitution and issued a citi- Congress and Communist Party of the elections as they have separate vote Tuesday in a bid to mediate a rap- zenship ordinance—which was later Nepal (Maoist Centre). banks.” prochement between the two sides. blocked by the Supreme Court. It is not immediately clear whether Lal said the constituencies lost by reuters But the two factions have already As part of the bargain, Oli also the Madhav Nepal-led faction of the Yadav could go to the Maoist Centre No clinical trial for any Covid-19 vaccine has been conducted in Nepal so far. reached a point of no return, with inducted 11 leaders from the Thakur ruling CPN-UML, which is currently while that of Thakur to the Congress— each faction taking actions against the faction of the party in his Cabinet. in dialogue with the Oli’s faction, will both to the anti-Oli alliance—while PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA of a vaccine in Nepal will have to other. But, once again, the Supreme Court remain in the opposition alliance. UML has its own voter base in Madhes. KATHMANDU, JULY 6 apply at the Nepal Health Research Raj Kumar Shrestha, spokesperson invalidated their appointments, stat- While the two warring factions of “The two parties within the Janata Council, an autonomous health of the commission, said the two sides ing that they were appointed after the the ruling CPN-UML have revived the Samajbadi Party have been support- The government can impose condi- research body of the government, in a were invited to find ways to reconcile May 21 House dissolution for the dormant task force to seek ways to ing different forces and that will con- tions on foreign companies for con- prescribed format. their differences, but neither side second time. patch up the differences, the two tinue even after their formal split,” ducting clinical trials of their vac- After an application is received, acquiesced to keep the party unity While the Thakur faction was get- factions of the Janata Samajbadi said Lal. “So, I don’t think there will cines in Nepal as per the Vaccine internal and external review is con- intact. ting closer with the Oli government, Party have decided to formally be much impact in national politics.” Clinical Trial Guidelines approved by ducted, feedback is sought and a pro- the Cabinet on June 21. posal is sent to the Ethical Review The government came up with the Board which can decline or approve guidelines nearly eight months after it the application. amended the Drugs Act-1978 through If approved by the board, the appli- an ordinance to pave the way for clini- cation is forwarded to the Health cal trials of vaccines, especially in the Ministry, which will take it to the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. Cabinet for approval. Clinical trial is the process of test- If the Cabinet approves the applica- ing the effectiveness of a new drug or tion, the company concerned should a vaccine on a large number of people acquire a licence from the Department with the informed consent of the per- of Drug Administration to conduct sons participating in the trial. the trial. “As per the guidelines, the govern- No clinical trial for any Covid-19 ment can set pre-conditions for the vaccine has been conducted in Nepal pharmaceutical companies such as so far. they should give Nepal priority access “We had received an application for to the vaccine over other countries conducting a clinical trial of a Covid- once it is available for distribution 19 vaccine from an Australian compa- and provide free vaccines for certain ny through the International Vaccine populations among other things,” said Institute,” said Gyanwali. “But, it Pradeep Gyanwali, executive chief of gave up its plan to conduct trial in Nepal Health Research Council. Nepal after it got enough participants “A protocol will also be developed in other countries for the trial.” detailing the rights of the participants The International Vaccine Institute in vaccine trials such as the right to is a nonprofit organisation estab- withdraw from the trial voluntarily, lished in 1997 as an initiative of the insurance coverage and compensation United Nations Development for any adverse effect or injury to the Programme. According to Gyanwali, participants.” the proposal was submitted to the The protocol should state the aim of council through COVAX, the interna- the trial and the procedures to be fol- tional Covid-19 vaccine-sharing lowed, the reasons for performing it scheme backed by the United Nations. on humans, the nature and degree of Even though the new guidelines any known risks, the groups from pave the way for conducting clinical which the trial participants are to be trials of vaccines in Nepal, officials at selected, and the means for ensuring the council say that the provision that the participants are adequately requiring cabinet approval for every informed before they give their con- clinical trial would create hurdles in sent. the process due to possible red-tapism. The protocol may also serve as a “For the trial of a drug, an approval contract between the government and from the council and a license from the vaccine developer company and the Department of Drug incorporates issues related to financ- Administration would be enough,” ing, insurance, liability delegation or said Gyanwali. Even though the gov- distribution of responsibilities, ernment amended the law through an according to the National Guidelines ordinance to pave the way for clinical on Clinical Trials with the use of trials of vaccines, it was done without Pharmaceuticals Products – 2005. consulting the council, two officials of Even though the Drugs Act-1978 had the council said. a provision regarding clinical trials of “The council is responsible for giv- drugs, it did not specify vaccine trials. ing approval for research on drugs “As there was no provision of trial and clinical trials are also a part of of vaccine in the law, the ordinance the research. But, the government has was introduced last year to amend the considered clinical trials as different law,” said Bharat Bhattarai, director and introduced new provisions, which general at the Department of Drug will delay the approval process,” said Administration. Gyanwali. “In times of crisis like the As per the Vaccine Clinical Trial Covid-19 pandemic, prolonging Post Photo: BEEJU MAHARJAN Guidelines, a company or organisa- the approval process is not a wise A plastic sheet separates the passengers inside an electric rickshaw as a Covid-19 safety measure at Lagankhel, Lalitpur on Tuesday. tion wishing to conduct a clinical trial decision.” Transporters and businesses are flouting health safety protocols Public vehicles are carrying passengers beyond their seating capacities, business hubs are crowded and restaurants are providing dine-in services.

ANUP OJHA rants, which are allowed to operate making long lines with no apparent and such mismanagement may lead to gers beyond their capacities. Although been deploying 1,400 traffic police in KATHMANDU, JULY 6 takeaway services only, have been social distancing. a ‘stressful situation.’ more public vehicles hit the roads the Valley every day. allowing dine-in customers for the According to the World Health “We have examples of people infect- from Tuesday following the removal The Home Ministry data show that On Sunday the Valley’s chief district past few days. Organisation, although all age groups ed with the coronavirus while stand- of the odd-even rule, many buses, in the past 24 hours, Kathmandu officers announced further easing of Major business hubs including are at risk of contracting Covid-19, ing in line to get their jabs. If such micro buses and three-wheelers were Valley recorded 499 new infections. Of Covid-19 restrictions and removed the Ason, Indrachwok, Makhan Galli, older people face significant risk of mismanagement is not addressed found carrying passengers beyond these, 365 cases were confirmed in odd-even number plate rule for public New Baneshwar, Old Baneshwar and developing severe illness if they con- those who were safe until now will be their seating capacities. Kathmandu, 105 in Lalitpur and 29 in vehicles allowing them to operate Koteshwar among others are packed tract the disease due to the physiologi- infected and that would be misfor- When the Post asked Senior Bhaktapur. from Tuesday by following certain with shoppers and others mostly dur- cal changes that come with ageing and tune,” said Pun. Superintendent of Police Janak According to the Kalimati Fruit and health protocols. More shops and busi- ing the evenings. Likewise, the vegeta- potential underlying health condi- On Tuesday, the country reported Bhattarai, the chief at the Vegetable Market Development Board, nesses have been allowed to operate ble shops at Kalimati have been seeing tions. 1,718 new cases of Covid-19 with 15 Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, crowding has become unmanageable albeit on alternate days. large crowds for the past few days. A week ago, when the Lalitpur deaths and the total infection tally has about the violation of the rules by in the Kalimati area since the easing As per the new rule, public trans- And in these crowds, social distancing Metropolitan City gave the second reached 648,085. transporters, he said traffic police of the restrictions. “After the Valley’s port vehicles should not carry passen- rules are not being observed and many dose of the Covishield vaccine Dr Pun expressed concerns over have been strictly monitoring public CDO opened shops, you can’t imagine gers beyond their seating capacities people appear to have done away with to its residents aged 75 and above, the the crowding at business hubs and transport vehicles. “There might have the crowds at the vegetable and fruit but many public vehicles including the masks. elderly people were made to stand for the growing disregard among the pub- been some cases of violations, but we shops at Kalimati from 3am to 5pm, buses were carrying more passengers Also on Tuesday, the Kathmandu hours with no proper queue manage- lic for facemasks and social distanc- will take strict action against anyone and it’s not possible to manage,” said Tuesday. At a time when public Metropolitan City started administer- ment. ing. found breaching the rules,” said Binod Kumar Bhattrai, executive health workers have been warning the ing the second dose of the Chinese Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the Until Monday, when the public vehi- Bhattarai. director of the Board. authorities that the Covid-19 risk is Vero Cell vaccine to senior citizens Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj cles with over 25 seats were allowed to “Wednesday onwards we will deploy “This is a high risk zone, but we not over yet, all kinds of shops aged 60 to 64 years from 12 different Tropical and Infectious Hospital in operate on alternate days as per an our staff all across the Valley and beef can’t tell traders and shopkeepers not have reopened in breach of the pro- hospitals but most of these hospitals Teku says the Kathmandu Valley is odd-even-number-plate rule, most of up inspection of public vehicles,” said to do their business, which is key to hibitory orders. Eateries and restau- were overcrowded with the elderly still at the risk of virus transmission the buses were seen carrying passen- Bhattarai. The division office has their survival,” said Bhattarai.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 07, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL Ties of tradition that bind and blind

tion has become acceptable in the Without more aggressive mainstream discourse. In order to Finished at last counter the Hindutva propaganda, politicisation of the Muslims have learnt to play the role of Construction delays and project extensions have the ‘ideal minority’ and go the extent of inclusive agenda, cultural occasionally supporting the Hindu become all too common. Rashtra theory. divisions are unlikely to end. Christians are the invisible minority of Madhes but the sole convert of Suga The 456-megawatt Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project, is recognised by his name. Unlike Nepal’s largest hydropower station, has finally come online CK Lal Muslims, Christians spark instant ani- with one of its six 76-megawatt units generating power. Once mosity among most Hindus. The first the plant starts churning out energy at full capacity, we will SOUTH SIDE recorded case of Hindutva terrorism in officially become a power surplus country during the wet sea- Nepal in May 2009 was targeted against son, capable of exporting electricity. The project will also save Christians. The disgust at the mob attacks billions by cutting the import of electricity from India in the against Muslim establishments in dry season. But for a coveted project, the last 10 years saw mas- Kathmandu in the wake of the Iraq sive cost and time overruns. From the initial project cost of Suga is a village pretending to be a executions in September 2004 was Rs35 billion (without interest), the project’s cost has now township. Located in the middle of the remarkable. But the condemnable reached Rs53 billion (without interest). The project completion Jaleshwar-Matihani section of the bombing of the church in Lalitpur was deadline in mid-July 2016 was also affected by the 2015 earth- trans-border Mithila Madhyamiki received with widespread silence. quakes, which destroyed the access road to the construction Parikrama circuit, the settlement is Muslim Nepalis have largely accepted said to sit close to one of the several their marginality while Christians site, followed by technical setbacks of contractors. The revised holy sites in the Ganga plains where assert themselves and attract revile- deadline of mid-June last year was disrupted by the pandemic. Sukhdev Rishi of Hindu lore is believed ment. And last month, there were concerns after landslides near the to have meditated. There may be another reason behind Nepal-China border blocked the Rongsi stream, a tributary of Snuggling happily between the per- the differential treatment of two reli- the Tamakoshi River. ennial Bighhi River in the east and gious minorities. Cases of conversion For decades, a story that has run parallel with prolonged torrential Rato in the west, the village into Islam are relatively rare and hap- has traditionally been safe from the pens for personal reasons. Hindu zeal- political instability in Nepal is the delays in development pro- fury of floods that periodically washes ots feel threatened by the awakening jects that have cost the country billions. Development projects away dwellings and crops of neigh- that Christianity seems to have caused are mired in controversy, corruption and conflict, and have bouring villages during the monsoon. among less Hinduised Janajatis and subsequently affected project deadlines and financial planning. Sukha means happiness. the opportunities that the evangelists For instance, Nepal’s largest water supply project, the elusive Vegetable farming and cattle rearing offer to ‘upper caste’ converts. Melamchi Water Tunnel project, took almost two decades since on the riverbed during dry months is an its inception to finally supply water to Kathmandu Valley earli- alternative source of livelihood for the Caste cleavages landless living along rivers. With no Across the road from the Dhobi Tola er this year in March. The project was rife with political inter- such option, there is little sukha for the CK Lal mosque, the Chamartoli of traditional ference, project mismanagement, corruption and extortion poor in a village that bears the name. ies sit atop their newly-built concrete groups once defined the outer limits of midwives and cleaners of animal car- scandals. So much so that Melamchi ko paani became a public With an altered pronunciation, roofs as pumping sets whirl continu- the village. casses continues to be mired in poverty, metaphor for something unattainable. Multiple deadlines were Sukha also implies dryness. Being ously to clear submerged courtyards. Believed to be converts from the illiteracy and backwardness. Triply set, pushing the project cost to a whopping Rs31 billion. away from perennial streams has its Fear of Covid-19 appears to have dis- caste of Tattama weavers, Jolahas disadvantaged due to the lack of cultur- Following the disastrous flash flood last month at Melamchi, the pitfalls. Farmers have to be fully sipated and everyone seems to have diversified into trade and occupation al, social and financial capital, the project’s future is uncertain once again. dependent on the vagaries of rains to discarded their face masks. There is early on. They have been sending their Chamars have failed to benefit from irrigate their fields. Unlike life on the slightly less crowd in the bazaars, but children to formal schools for much opportunities offered by foreign Across the country, infrastructure development sites, from river banks, fishing can’t be a supple- that may have less to do with viral longer. That has ceased to offer a com- employment. The Dalit consciousness roads to bridges and hospitals that bear a deserted look, have a mentary source of income. transmission fears and more due to the petitive advantage for the labour mar- is higher among Dusadhs a few blocks similar story. Like broken election promises and bloated targets, Over a long period of mispronuncia- lower purchasing power induced by kets abroad. Longer years of schooling away, but Chamars seem resigned to construction delays and project extensions have become all too tion, Sukha became Suga and came to long lockdowns and repeated prohibito- is superfluous for dirty, difficult and their ‘outcaste’ status in the Hindu common. At the same time, the bidders and contractors enjoy be mistakenly associated with parrots. ry orders. dangerous jobs in West Asia. hierarchy. impunity at the cost of national progress. According to a 2019 Perhaps in jest, village elders allege Predictably, heated discussions at The mosque of Dhobi Tola looks fanci- Rupa Sunar’s act of resistance in report by the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of that the name refers to the Brahmin local teashops invariably turn towards er than Jolaha Tole, but the neighbour- Kathmandu has merely lifted the veil scholars of the village who used to par- politics. Despite being the constituency hood sends fewer workers outside. of respectability from the faces of some Authority, 1,848 development projects worth Rs118 billion are in rot Hindu scriptures in the courts of of Mahantha Thakur, there is little Overwhelmingly landless, washing Newa activists that want to straddle limbo, of which 1,032 projects have neither been terminated nor various rulers of yore. excitement about games being played clothes for families of patrons continue to two horses of Hindu identity and extended. It doesn’t take an economist to figure out that these The settlement lost its rural status in the federal capital. However, calcula- be the main occupation of most Dhobis. Janajati dignity simultaneously. delays in the construction sector have unwelcome effects on the when a government diktat drastically tions of caste blocks have begun to be Most children of Dhobis, as well as Madhesi Dalits still lack the political country’s economic output, and ward off potential investors for reduced the number of local govern- made for forthcoming local elections. It Jolahas, are still dependent upon local capital to create the uproar that their lack of transparency and business environment. ment bodies from around 4000 to 753 is said that Indian voters don’t madrasas for basic education. Pahadi counterparts seem to able to For the administration that repeatedly sells big promises on and it was merged into nearby cast their vote, they vote their caste Allegations of Hindutva forces have incite among self-professed progres- Jaleshwar municipality. Its newfound instead. That is equally true in most of resulted in throttling of funding that sives. jobs and prosperity, it is hardly accountable for managing and status hasn’t changed either the char- Madhes. could have helped such Islamic semi- The power of conferring any caste ensuring that the projects meet their deadlines and within the acter or the material condition of its naries upgrade into proper schools. below itself and bestowing sacred allocated budget. It has also failed to take necessary action to residents. Religious divide The government of Province 2 did try threads upon those capable of bearing address the issues that cause delays, thereby contributing to Like most villages in the neighbour- Contrary to the once-powerful argu- to improve the functioning of madra- the cost have allowed Brahmins stagnation. While there is no dearth of policy interventions to hood, almost every family is at least ment that modernity and secularity go sas through regulated funding, but it through the ages to ‘Hindu-ise’ assess contractors, ongoing projects and their progress, it is partly dependent on remittances. together, it has been seen that uncer- met with stiff resistance. Janajatis, amalgamate various groups evident that the government’s aloofness stems from its inability Agricultural practices continue to be tainties brought about by the pace of Upwardly mobile Muslims in Madhes into the four varnas and co-opt neo- traditional even though tractors have modernisation increase anxiety and like to claim that the material condi- elites as Kshatriyas. Policies of inclu- to plan and foresee the outcome. At the same time, it beats the largely replaced ox-drawn ploughs. The strengthen religiosity. tion of their community is better than sion challenge the religious authority drum of a populist agenda and rushes to lay foundation stones ancient system of irrigation, through a Where sacred trees and earthen Hindu Dalits, which appears to be true of the Hindu caste system. for projects without proper planning and budgetary resources. network of ponds and paini (channels), mounds on the four corners of the vil- on the surface. Part of the explanation That could be the reason some ‘upper Our progress as a nation depends on sustainable infrastructure has collapsed while modern canals hav- lage once served as customary shrines may lie in the higher literacy among caste’ and upper-class Madhesis appear development. The government has to plan and implement bet- en’t materialised. for devotees, Suga now boasts of at Muslims due to the pioneering role of ambivalent about inclusive policies. ter to attain the goals instead of floating ambitious growth rates Farmers anxiously wait for the rainy least two half-built temples. The Maulavis. But without even more aggressive and projects while consistently failing to spend wisely. If we fail season and then stay awake through mosque along the road in Dhobi Tola Unlike Islamic or Christian preach- politicisation of inclusive agenda, the night when the overflow from towers over its surroundings. Not to be ers, Hindu priests and pundits don’t social ties that deepen cultural divi- to take stock of the situation, project delays will only put addi- waterlogged streets begin to inundate outdone, the Jolaha Tole too has even venture, let alone volunteer, in sions and widen economic disparities tional pressure on the economy, and we will have to face losses. their dwellings. Remittance beneficiar- upgraded its old mosque. These two Dalit settlements. But the Dalit ques- are unlikely to end. The economic fundamentals of Chinese communism’s successes and failures

1949, it had a population of 540 mil- The divergence between lion. Then the CPC implemented pro-natal policies, such as limiting private and social valuation access to contraception, and the popu- lation grew to 841 million by 1971. can lead to sub-optimal But, with China having recently endured famine, the CPC then moved investment. to restrict fertility, with the extreme one-child policy lasting from 1979- 2016. The population continued to Nancy Qian grow during that period, and stands at 1.4 billion today. But the one-child pol- icy increased the old-age dependency ratio substantially, and contributed to a highly male-skewed sex ratio. The implementation of the Great Leap Forward and the CPC’s fami- ly-planning policies—like its invest- ‘Over the past hundred years, the ments in health, education, renewable [Communist Party of China] has unit- energy, or physical infrastructure— ed and led the Chinese people in writ- rested on the Party’s ability to spur ing the most magnificent chapter in grassroots mobilisation to convince the millennia-long history of the followers and coerce stragglers. But Chinese nation,’ President Xi Jinping there is an important distinction in declared at the CPC’s centennial cele- economic fundamentals. bration, in a speech that emphasised Most of the benefits of agricultural the Party’s role in driving China’s production and fertility are absorbed success, including its economic rise. by the individuals paying for them; the But the CPC’s economic record is actu- social and private values are very sim- ally mixed, and even those who recog- ilar. When individual interests’ are nise this often overlook that its suc- aligned with social needs, there is little cesses and failures stem from the need for state intervention. Add to that same economic fundamentals. implementation challenges—including Xi is right that, under the CPC’s assessing how much food a farmer leadership, China has achieved the should produce or how many children ‘historic leap’ from one of the world’s a family should have—and interven- poorest countries, with ‘relatively tions in these areas are not just unhelp- backward productive forces,’ to a mid- Flickr/Zhou Yuwei (Creative Commons) ful; they are extremely costly. dle-income country with the world’s enrollment rates also soared, from 20 wind, hydro, and solar power account necessarily reap the rewards. sity of Chinese policy implementation Xi’s centennial address devoted a lot second-largest economy. What he left percent to near-universal at the prima- for 25 percent of primary energy con- Renewable energy benefits future gen- mean that when policymakers get it of attention to the Party’s plans for out is that this record is marred by ry level, and from 6 percent to about 88 sumption in China by 2030. erations but hurts local economies wrong, the consequences can easily the future and its goal of ‘building major failures, such as the Great Leap percent at the secondary level. This ability to mobilise resources to that depend on coal today. New high- prove calamitous. China into a great modern socialist Forward (1958-62), which led to the Literacy rose from 20 percent in 1949 invest in public goods on such a large ways benefit newly connected popula- This happened during the Great Leap country in all respects’ by 2049, the largest famine in human history, and to 97 percent today. scale reflects one of the CPCs greatest tions, but farmers lose their liveli- Forward, when the collectivisation of 100th anniversary of the People’s decades of strict family-planning laws In the post-1978 reform era, the state strengths. It has the political power to hoods as their land is requisitioned agriculture forced peasants to cultivate Republic. To succeed, the CPC will that contributed to an escalating also invested in transportation and push through economic policies that for the new road. crops without financial compensation need to use its political power to push demographic crisis. renewable energy. Between 1988 and are good for overall growth, in areas These are textbook examples of or private property rights. The distorted through economic policies. One hopes, The CPC’s ability to mobilise 2019, the total length of Chinese where private investment would be how the divergence between private incentives made it difficult both to however, that it will exert power judi- resources effectively has enabled it to expressways increased sixfold; they sub-optimal. and social valuation can lead to maintain production and to track ciously, focus on public goods where provide large-scale public goods that now exceed the length of interstate Health care, education, renewable sub-optimal investment. Without gov- regional output and capacity. The ensu- the social value is much higher than helped to drive development. Most highways in the United States. energy, and infrastructure undoubted- ernment intervention, not enough ing Chinese Great Famine resulted in private value, and leave the rest to the notably, the Party made massive Moreover, China has built 50 ly contribute to economic growth and investment is made. But whereas pri- 22-45 million deaths in just two years, Chinese people. investments in public health and edu- third-generation nuclear power create significant social value. But the vate interests might be able to press and the economy stagnated, with China cation, beginning in the early 1950s. plants, and has been approving 6-8 people who gain are not always the their case in some countries, the CPC experiencing zero or negative annual Qian, a professor at Northwestern As a result, China achieved among the new reactors per year. And it recently same as those who pay. While educated has the power to impose its policy growth for the next two decades. University’s Kellogg School of fastest-ever sustained increases in life announced an ultra-high-voltage elec- and healthy people are more economi- decisions in China. And while deci- China’s fertility policy threatens to Management, is Founding Director of expectancy at birth, from 35-40 years trical grid. Such efforts will be guided cally productive, the parents who sive political leadership has often create another serious problem. When China Econ Lab and Northwestern’s in 1949 to 77.3 years today. School by the ambitious pledge to ensure that made the relevant investments don’t boosted progress, the scale and inten- the People’s Republic was founded in China Lab.

C M Y K 05 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 07, 2021 Money

FOREX US 119.59 Illegal mobile phones to become unusable from July 16 Euro 141.57 Pound 165.57 After the Mobile Device Management System is launched, it will secure—and keep track of—all cell phones in the country, officials say. Australian 90.63

Japanese 10.79 KRISHANA PRASAIN fiscal year 2021-22 also declared that The authority prepared the bylaws KATHMANDU, JULY 6 the Mobile Device Management for the implementation of the Chinese 18.5 System would come into operation Equipment Identity Register system Saudi 31.89 Come July 16, all mobile sets bought from July 16. to ensure national and consumer secu- without a bill or imported into the Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad rity, to identify genuine mobile hand- Qatari 32.65 country without paying customs Poudel, while presenting the budget, sets and make fake and non-genuine duty will become unusable when the said that the new provision would handsets inoperable in Nepal to ena- Malaysian 28.78 Mobile Device Management System control the use of illegal mobile sets ble tracking or blocking of mobile Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank kicks in. and also control criminal activities handsets that are lost or stolen, to The Nepal Telecommunications through the use of mobile phones. encourage the import and sales of Authority will implement the scheme The telecom regulator said the genuine mobile handsets, and to erad- Shares from the beginning of the new fiscal system was being built at a cost of icate the grey market. year which will secure and keep track Rs650 million. Once the system is implemented, if Nepse 2,818.10pts -0.19% of all cell phones in the country in a The system will be synced to a a mobile device is lost or stolen, the bid to prevent misuse and grey market database called the Equipment owner can apply online to track or highest losers imports, officials said. Identity Register that contains records block its use with any SIM or RUIM HIDCL UPPER RHPC NHPC NICL RADHI -5.53% -5.04% -4.11% -3.93% -3.53% -3.47% “As we have observed that the of legal and illegal mobile devices in card as applicable. Integrated Data Centre of the govern- the country. The device management The customs will release only those moderate losers SIL RMDC NIFRA NUBL NIBSF2 HPPL ment can make real time observation system is also expected to identify mobile devices which are already -1.06% -1.03% -1.02% -1% -0.99% -0.99% of mobile devices’ genuineness, we cloned, low-cost copy versions of approved by the authority and ensure

moderate gainers decided to make a soft launch,” said branded phones with fake registration that the IMEI, ESN and MEID num- PFL GUFL NHDL HBLD83 EBL KEF Purushottam Khanal, chairman of numbers. bers of imported mobile devices are 0.52% 0.49% 0.49% 0.47% 0.41% 0.40% the telecom regulator. “It might take one and a half registered and verified by the system. highest gainers According to him, travellers enter- months to get the system working in According to the Department of RBCL MEN CLBSL CORBL SMFDB SLCF ing Nepal will be permitted to bring a full fledged manner,” Khanal said, Customs, the country imported mobile 8.31% 5.21% 3.82% 3.54% 3.16% 3.11% only one mobile set along with the Shutterstock adding that the installation of the phones worth Rs34.14 billion in the purchase bill once the system is From Friday, travellers bringing cell phones will have to register them with Nepal Telecom by system would be 95 percent complete first 11 months of the current fiscal enforced. filling out a form to make them operational. by then. year as against the import of Rs15.74 “If they bring more than one set, The telecom regulatory authority billion in the same period of the last Price Per tola customs duty will be charged on the register online its International personal use, may be applicable as moved to develop the system four fiscal year. bullion extra sets,” he said. “The phones will Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), prescribed by the authority. years ago after the Mobile Device Mobile phone dealers have long need to be registered too.” Illegal Equipment Serial Number (ESN) and The Mobile Device Management Management System Bylaws 2018 was been complaining about falling sales Fine Gold Rs 91,800 mobile devices will be blocked from the Mobile Equipment Identifier System will consist of white, grey issued. because of a rampant grey market. use in Nepal. (MEID) with the Mobile Device and black lists of IMEI codes and Khanal said that due to Covid-19 The Mobile Device Management Silver Rs 1,330 Currently, migrant workers and for- Management System during the appli- provide interfaces to importers, cus- and the lockdown, introducing the System will bring smartphones eign travellers are allowed to bring cation process. toms and law enforcement agencies, system was delayed as solution pro- under the registration net, making Source: FENEGOSIDA more than one mobile set with them. According to the bylaws, mobile mobile operators, the general public viders had to arrive from third coun- it easier for authorities to monitor From Friday, travellers bringing users will be notified to register with a and the Nepal Telecommunications tries, and it took a long time to have them, according to Nepal cell phones will have to register them notification of denial of service by the Authority. goods released from the ports due to Telecommunications Authority. gasoline watch with Nepal Telecom by filling out a operators after 15 days from the first It is also expected to control the pandemic. Grey market mobile phones enter form to make them operational. detection of the unregistered set after criminal activities, according to the The mobile connectivity of telecom the country, especially from India, in According to the Mobile Device it is used with SIM or RUIM cards. regulator. The system will enable the operators like Nepal Telecom, Ncell hand baggage, and no customs duty is Management System Bylaws 2018, The guideline says that a one-time registration of mobile devices, verifi- and Smart Telecom will need to be paid on them. Many returning travel- individuals importing a device for registration fee for each mobile device cation of IMEI, ESN, MEID and identi- connected to the system that will be lers also bring phones for their friends personal use in accordance with cus- imported into Nepal, either by author- fication of non-compliant mobile operated from a new building built in and relatives, according to domestic toms regulation will be required to ised importers or by an individual for devices. The budget statement for the Chabahil. mobile dealers. Lebanon’s Diab urges donors to ‘save’ crisis-hit country

Agence France-Presse on a cabinet line-up for almost 11 Beirut, July 6 months. Diab stepped down and has Lebanon’s caretaker premier served as caretaker premier since Hassan Diab on Tuesday urged the deadly Beirut port explosion donors to “save” the country, of last August 4, when hundreds despite the fact it has not formal of tonnes of ammonium nitrate government, as it struggles fertiliser exploded, killing more through a dire economic crisis. than 200 people and ravaging Warning that Lebanon is “just swathes of the capital. Samsung Q2 days away from a social explo- The disaster overwhelmed sion,” Diab urged the internation- Beirut hospitals in the middle of al community to “help save the novel coronavirus pandemic. profit up on Lebanese from death and prevent In the months since, the eco- Lebanon’s demise”. nomic crisis that started in the He urged foreign donors to autumn of 2019, sparking street strong chip release financial aid even though REUTERS protests, has only deepened. The the multi-confessional country Caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Diab. Lebanese pound has lost more has failed to form a new govern- than 90 percent of its value to the prices ment in almost 11 months. plunges deeper into what the dollar on the black market. “Linking aid to Lebanon with World Bank has called one of the Plunging foreign currency Reuters government formation has start- world’s worst economic crises reserves have translated into long SEOUL, July 6 ed to threaten the lives of since the 1850s. queues outside petrol stations and Lebanese,” Diab told a Beirut The international community imported medicines running out. Samsung Electronics Co Ltd likely meeting with foreign envoys. has pledged humanitarian aid but “Lebanon is passing through a saw a 38 percent surge in profit for the Withholding funds, he argued, conditioned any financial assis- very dark tunnel, and the suffer- April-June quarter thanks to strong does “not affect the corrupt. tance to the cash-strapped inter- ing has reached the point of trag- chip prices and demand spurred by a Instead it is the Lebanese people im government on the formation edy,” Diab said. pandemic-led consumer appetite for who pay a heavy price,” he said. of a new cabinet to launch Foreign donors have pledged electronics as well as recovering “Save Lebanon before it’s too reforms. millions of dollars in aid to the investment in data centres. late.” But despite international pres- Lebanese people at two interna- Operating profit for the world’s big- Lebanese are grappling with sure, led by former colonial power tional conferences, but stopped gest memory chip and smartphone spiralling devaluation and pain- France, the deeply divided politi- short of offering any assistance to INVITATION FOR SEALED BID maker likely jumped to 11.3 trillion ful shortages as the country cal elite has been unable to agree the Lebanese state. NIC ASIA Bank solicits sealed Bid from interested Companies/Firms for Supply/Delivery and won ($10 billion), according to a Installation of Office 365 Business and Microsoft 365 Enterprises E3. Refinitiv SmartEstimate drawn from 20 analysts and weighted toward those Interested Companies/Firms can obtain Bid Document from Bank’s General Administration who are more consistently accurate. & Projects Management Ecosystem at Registered Office, Thapathali upon deposit of non- The South Korean tech giant’s refundable Bid Document fee of NPR 5,000/- (NPR Five Thousand Only) strong performance—coming despite Bangladesh exports up 15 percent as Quantity: it shipping fewer smartphones than in January-March—underscores the S.N. Description Quantity (Unit) stratospheric demand for chips that global demand for garments rebounds 1 O365 Business 250 has depleted stockpiles and filled pro- duction capacity. 2 Microsoft 365 Enterprise E3 50 The result would be up 20 percent Reuters from the first quarter and mark DHAKA, July 6 Total Units 300 Samsung’s highest operating income for the second quarter since 2018. Bangladesh’s exports jumped 15 Eligibility Criteria Revenue likely rose 15.4 percent. percent to $38.76 billion in the • The bidders should have at least 3 years of company registration. Samsung is scheduled to announce financial year ended June, data • The bidders should have minimum experience of service in related field for last 5 preliminary second-quarter results on showed on Tuesday, led by a years. Wednesday. rebound in demand for garments • The bidders should have annual turnover at least of NPR. 5 Million During the FY The company’s chip division likely as Western economies recovered. 2076/077. benefited from memory chip price The world’s second-largest • The bidders should have authorization letter for distributorship/dealership hikes that exceeded market estimates, apparel producer after China took for Supply/ Delivery and Installation of Office 365 Business and Microsoft 365 analysts said, while shipments grew a roughly $6 billion hit in the 2019- Enterprises E3 as well. Prices of DRAM chips, widely 20 financial year, with overseas used in servers, mobile phones and apparel sales falling 18 percent to Documentation Requirement other computing devices, jumped 27 $27.94 billion. percent compared to the March quar- Garment exports rose 13 per- • Company/Firm Registration Certificate – Duly Notarized. ter, while those of NAND flash chips cent to $31.5 billion in 2020/21 • Valid copy of PAN/VAT certificate – Duly Notarized. that serve the data storage market from a year earlier, thanks to a 21 • Valid copies of Tax clearance of FY 2076/2077 or FY 2077/078 – Duly Notarized. rose 8.6 percent, according to research percent surge in overseas sales of • MOA and AOA – Duly Notarized. provider Trendforce. knitwear products such as t-shirts • Latest Share Register (Share Lagat) – Duly Notarized. Profit also improved at Samsung’s and sweaters, but were 7 percent REUTERS • Latest Director Register (Sanchalak Lagat) – Duly Notarized. chip-contract manufacturing and below the pre-pandemic period of Garment employees work at Fakhruddin Textile Mills Limited in Gazipur, Bangladesh. • Latest Company Update (Company Adhyawodhik) in case of firms Renewal from – logic chip design business, partly 2018-19 financial year, the Export Duly Notarized (Department of Commerce/Industry) because operations at its Texas facto- Promotion Bureau said. rising up, that could hamper our Some garment workers are • Appreciation letter/ Reference letter issued by Commercial Bank(s)/ renowned ry returned to normal, analysts said. Sales of woven garments, such exports” Shahidullah Azim, vice happy as they are able to earn corporate houses to back the claim of experience. They estimated the chip division’s as formal denim shirts and pants, president of the Bangladesh overtime wages, which often • Authorization certificate for distributorship/dealership for the proposed brand. operating profit in April-June rose rose only 3 percent, which export- Garments Exporters and account for 20 percent of their • Other required documents as mentioned in Bid Document. about 22 percent from the year-earlier ers attributed to tepid demand as Manufacturers Association, said. monthly income. period to about 6.6 trillion won. more people worked from home “Our garment factories are “I am really happy that I can Sealed Bid for all the requirements mentioned above are to be submitted within close Still, Samsung’s smartphone ship- and avoided social gatherings. largely unaffected by the latest earn some more doing overtime. of business on 21st July 2021 in the prescribed format. Sealed Bid should be addressed ments dropped to about 59 million in Bangladesh’s exports in June pandemic situation at home but There was a time when we went to to General Administration & Projects Management Ecosystem and must be submitted in April-June from about 76 million in grew at a record pace of 31 per- we need to control it soon,” said the factory and sat idle all day as person. Sealed Bid received after the deadline will not be accepted. Bid documents sent the first quarter, according to cent from a year earlier to $3.58 Azim, who supplies European and there were no orders,” said through Mail/Courier will neither be accepted for any consideration nor will they be Shinyoung Investment & Securities, billion, led by more orders from North American retailers. Munna Khan, a worker in returned to the sender. as sales slowed for its latest flagship the United States and Europe. Bangladesh is currently bat- Gazipur, on the outskirt of the model, launched in mid-January. Garment industry leaders said tling a record spike in coronavi- capital city Dhaka. Low wages Bid shall be opened on 25th July 2021 at 11:30 PM. At Registered Office, NIC ASIA Bank Reduced demand from India, hard they expect exports to increase rus cases, prompting the govern- have helped Bangladesh build its hit by the pandemic during the quar- but rising costs of freight and raw ment to extend its strictest lock- garment industry, with some 4,000 ter, as well as tight supply for some materials could hold back growth. down to July 14. Garment facto- factories employing 4 million mobile processor chips may also have “Order flow is satisfactory. But ries, however, are allowed to oper- workers, supplying brands such affected shipments, analysts said. freight costs and cotton prices are ate observing health protocols. as H&M and GAP.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 07, 2021 | 06 Sports | Medley Briefing Holders Brazil edge Peru to secure Copa final berth England name new squad to face Pakistan after Covid-19 cases Lucas Paqueta scores the decisive goal in the 35th minute to help the hosts overcome Peru 1-0 in the semi-final at the Maracana stadium. LONDON: England selected an entirely Agence France-Presse win a corner just after the half hour, new squad for their limited-overs RIO DE JANEIRO, July 6 they ended up playing the ball all the series against Pakistan after three way back to Gallese. players and four staff members tested Star forward Neymar set up Lucas Brazil deservedly took the lead 10 positive for Covid-19, the country’s Paqueta to score the only goal as hosts minutes before halftime after Peru cricket board (ECB) said on Tuesday. Brazil beat Peru 1-0 on Tuesday to gave the ball away in midfield for the Two days before the series gets under- qualify for the Copa America final. umpteenth time. Neymar’s twinkling way with the first of the three The semi-final was a repeat of the toes got him free of three defenders in one-dayers in Cardiff, Ben Stokes was last final, two years ago, when a Brazil the box and he teed up Paqueta to fire named captain of an 18-man squad team shorn of the injured Neymar home from 12 yards. which included nine uncapped play- also triumphed on home soil. Peru finally had their first attempt ers. Seven unidentified members of “Paqueta is a great player, he’s get- at goal on the counter attack four the England party tested positive in ting better in every game and in every minutes after halftime, but goalkeeper Bristol on Monday, one day after the game with the national team,” Neymar Ederson comfortably parried rain-ruined final match of a one-day said about the 23-year-old match win- Gianluca Lapadula’s powerful drive. series against Sri Lanka. “...those ner, who plays his club football for Soon after, Raziel Garcia shot wide impacted will now observe a period Lyon in France. “He’s just had a great twice in quick succession as Peru of self-isolation from July 4 following season with his club and is showing showed far greater ambition than dur- the UK Government’s protocol on that he can be a very important player ing the first period. quarantine,” the ECB said in a state- for the Brazilian national team.” Peru were now on top with Garcia ment. England are due to face Brazil totally dominated the first at the heart of their attack and his Pakistan in three ODIs and three half at the empty Nilton Santos stadi- shot on the hour mark was parried by Twenty20 matches. um in Rio but had to survive some Ederson. nervous moments after the break Brazil started to wrestle back con- before securing a spot in the final. trol and Everton shot straight at Arsenal midfielder Guendouzi They opened up Peru on eight min- Gallese before Neymar blazed well joins Marseille on loan utes as Paqueta’s pass sent Richarlison over the bar. MARSEILLE: Arsenal midfielder Matteo in behind the defence, but after beat- Peru should have been level nine Guendouzi, who spent last year at ing goalkeeper Pedro Gallese to the minutes from time when Yoshimar Hertha Berlin, has joined Marseille ball, the forward tried to pull it back to Yotun fired a free-kick into the box on loan, the French Ligue 1 club Neymar who blazed high and wide and Alexander Callens beat Ederson announced on Tuesday. Masreille under pressure. Gallese spilled a to the ball but headed wide from just signed the 22-year-old Frenchman on fierce Casemiro free-kick from dis- six yards out. a one-year deal with an option to buy. tance but gathered the loose ball It would prove their last chance and Guendouzi made his Ligue 1 debut for before winger Everton could turn in coach Ricardo Gareca rued their slow Lorient in 2016 before joining Arsenal the rebound. start. “We paid for being slow to settle two years later. He made 82 appear- Brazil were turning the screw and into the game,” he said. “The team ances for the Gunners, scoring one Everton cut in off the right flank but reacted well in the second half and it goal and came off the bench in the shot straight at Gallese. The Peruvian Ap/RSS was even.” 2019 Europa League final against shot-stopper was the busiest player on Lucas Paqueta (left) scored the winners for Brazil in the last two knockout matches, with his previous goal sealing a 1-0 win against Chile. But he admitted the 4-0 group stage Chelsea. Guendouzi scored twice in the pitch in the first quarter and after thumping Brazil handed Peru earlier 24 appearances for Bundelsiga side saving another Casemiro piledriver and then Richarlison. And when to be beaten to the ball by Richarlison, of Everton’s shot. in the tournament, and a 4-2 home Hertha Berlin last season. He was from distance he made an incredible Gallese suffered a rush of blood to the Brazil couldn’t capitalise as Peru’s Peru were non-existant as an attack- defeat in World Cup qualifying in called up by France coach Didier double point blank save from Neymar head and charged out of his area only defenders threw themselves in front ing force and when they did manage to October, had affected their approach. Deschamps as cover for Paul Pogba for two Euro 2020 qualifiers but was an unused substitute. Guendouzi’s arrival comes three days after Marseille signed Argentina defender Leonardo Balerdi Former champion Kerber into semi-final, Jabeur knocked out on a permanent basis. The German sees off Czech Muchova to enter Wimbledon last four for the fourth time while Tunisia’s Jabeur loses to second seed Sabalenka of Belarus. Leeds rope in Barcelona’s Firpo Agence France-Presse LEEDS: Leeds United have signed ver- time. I really enjoy every moment the broadest of smiles spread across Her last appearance in a major semi-fi- once—a straight sets loss at Indian LONDON, July 6 satile defender Junior Firpo on a here. It was a tight match, she played her face as she soaked up the reality nal was at the 2019 Australian Open. Wells in the quarter-finals in 2019. His four-year contract from Spanish side really well and I knew I had to play my of her achievement. Pliskova has yet to drop a set at run to the Wimbledon last-eight is Barcelona for an undisclosed fee, the Former champion Angelique Kerber best tennis today.” She will try and go one better than Wimbledon this year and has been impressive as he had won just one Premier League club said on Tuesday. reached the Wimbledon semi-finals Sabalenka put a brake on Jabeur’s compatriot Viktoria Azarenka who broken just three times in five rounds. match on tour between his surprise British media reported that Leeds for the fourth time on Tuesday with a historic run at Wimbledon with a 6-4, twice reached the last four in 2011 and Her eight aces on Tuesday, meanwhile, Miami Masters title in March and the had paid around 12.8 million pounds 6-2, 6-3 win over Karolina Muchova of 6-3 win in 74 minutes. The 23-year-old, 2012. “I mean I am really happy with took her tournament tally to 40. start of Wimbledon. ($17.73 million) for the Dominican the Czech Republic while Tunisia’s who had only won one match on her this win,” she said. “It’s always tough In the men’s game Hubert Hurkacz “Playing on this unbelievable court, Republic-born 24-year-old, who has Ons Jabeur’s historic run ended at the three previous visits to Wimbledon, against Ons, she’s an amazing player became the fourth Polish man to reach the best court in the world with this four caps for the Spanish Under-21 hand of second-seeded Belarus’ - will play former world number one and person. I’m happy it looks like the Wimbledon quarter-finals on magnificent crowd, is so special and team having moved to the country at Aryna Sabalenka. Karolina Pliskova who eased into the everything is working for me. It’s real- Tuesday with a five-set win over means a lot to me,” said Hurkacz. an early age. Firpo, mainly a left back Kerber, the German world number last four with a straight sets win over ly tricky, shots on the grass. Russian second seed Daniil Medvedev. “Daniil is world number two, has but who can switch to different posi- 28, who won the title in 2018, will face Viktorija Golubic. Pliskova saw off Switzerland’s World number 18 Hurkacz triumphed unbelievable skills. Stopping yester- tions across the back line, made his either top seed Ashleigh Barty or Ajla Jabeur departs having lost in her Viktorija Golubic 6-2, 6-2 to reach her 2-6, 7-6 (7/2), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in a match held day at the end of the fourth set was a breakthrough at Real Betis before Tomljanovic for a place in Saturday’s second Grand Slam quarter-final. first Wimbledon semi-final. The over from Monday due to rain and will first time for me, I had talks with my moving to Barca on a five-year con- final. However, the 26-year-old has done Former world number one Pliskova is now face Roger Federer for a place in coach and worked with my physio to tract in 2019. He played 41 times for “It’s a magical place for me,” said wonders in her goal to use her exploits yet to win a Grand Slam title with her the semi-finals. prepare for today and do the things the Catalan side in the last two Kerber, who is a three-time major win- to encourage young Arab women— best performance at the majors a run- “For this sport, Roger is unbelieva- better than yesterday. campaigns, helping them win the ner, after securing the 80th victory of especially North African—to take up ners-up spot at the 2016 US Open. ble, what he does, how he plays and Hurkacz, 24, follows in the footsteps Copa Del Rey last season. Firpo is her career on grass. “I was excited to the sport. “I’m super-happy to be through to the titles he has won throughout his of fellow Poles who made the last- Leeds’s third signing of the close play the grass court season after a one Sabalenka may sport a tiger tat- my first semi-final at Wimbledon,” career. He inspired so many people eight at the All England Club—Wojtek year break. I am so happy having my too—which prompted her parents not said the 29-year-old Czech who will be and it’s going to be fun,” said Hurkacz. Fibak (1980) and Jerzy Janowicz and season spell. (AGENCIES) heart on the court and enjoying my to speak to her for a week in 1998—but playing in her fourth Slam semi-final. The Pole has only met Federer Lukasz Kubot (2013). HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** As an Aries, you’re self-motivated and driven to You’re in no mood for any socially draining situation Let yourself cultivate a fresh perspective today, Let yourself go into full-on productive mode today, accomplish whatever you set your sights on. Let the today, Cancer. Retreat into your shell and spend some Libra. You’re craving adventure, space, and freedom Capricorn. The moon’s presence in quick-thinking universe remind you of this natural mode of opera- soothing time in solitude, as the reflective Gemini from mundane obligations- as the moon parades Gemini sends your attention towards your routine tion today, as the moon coasts through excitable moon points your focus inward. Aim to prioritise through playful Gemini. It’s an ideal day to devote and regiments. You need an organised workflow and Gemini. activities that reconnect you with your centre. energy to educational pursuits. sense of purpose to feel your best today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Look at your resources today, Taurus. What skills of Wednesday’s cosmic landscape makes it easy to cross As a Scorpio, you’re no stranger to introspective Honour your need for leisure today, Aquarius. You’re yours need dusting off ? What needs changing around things off your to-do list, Leo. The moon floats states. Pull away from the world today to inhabit this in no mood for laborious, mundane work—so, try to your approach to finance? These questions are ripe through mentally sharp Gemini, sending your focus quiet, inner world that needs some tending to. The find a way to cultivate a fun and childlike joy into in your mind today, as the moon roams through towards your current goals and sense of community. moon floats through heady Gemini, turning your whatever you do. Luna’s presence in playful Gemini hyperactive Gemini. It’s an ideal day for your sharing plans. focus towards unprocessed feelings. points your focus to creative projects.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Devote focus towards getting back into your body Devote your energy towards carving out your career Look to your close relationships to find your purpose Send some TLC towards your roots, Pisces. The today, Gemini. The nurturing moon’s presence in path today, Virgo. The moon floats through versatile today, Sagittarius. Other people have much to teach moon’s presence in reflective Gemini has you feeling your sign helps you tap back into any unexpressed Gemini all day, helping you handle multiple things at you about yourself, as the moon floats through your sentimental over your family connections. Reach out feelings and hone in on your most pressing needs. It’s once and rake in fresh perspectives on your current opposite sign of logic-based Gemini. Today spend and reconnect to your closest of kin to feel your best, an ideal day for charismatic endeavours. public mission. energy towards education-based efforts. rather than overextending yourself socially. Crossword Sudoku

Yesterday’s Solution

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 07, 2021 | 07

England eye breakthrough but Danes stand determined Dembele apologises over The Three Lions are aiming to reach their first major final since 1966 World Cup while Denmark are dreaming of a repeat of the shock 1992 Euro triumph. racism storm Agence France-Presse PARIS, July 6

France midfielder Ousmane Dembele on Monday apologised after a video emerged on social media of him appearing to denigrate Asian hotel employees on a tour of Japan by his club Barcelona. Dembele offered his “sincere apolo- gies” after a 42-second clip, which he appeared to have made on Snapchat in 2019, was leaked and widely shared on social media platforms. It shows Dembele, on Barca’s preseason tour in July 2019, talking to team-mate Antoine Griezmann who is waiting for local technicians to hook up a game console to a television in their hotel room. “All these ugly faces, just so you can play PES, aren’t you ashamed?” Dembele asks. He then appears to mock the Japanese lan- guage before asking: “Are you advanced in your country or not?” Dembele, who is recovering from surgery after injuring his knee in France’s second group game at Euro, said he regretted the incident. “Recently a private video dating from 2019 has been circulating on social AFp/Rss media. As it happens it is in Japan—it Gareth Southgate’s England, who are unbeaten and have not conceded a goal at the Euro Championship 2020, will start as clear favourites with a stronger squad and home advantage over Denmark in the semi-final at the Wembley stadium. could have been anywhere on the planet. I wasn’t targeting any commu- Reuters his players back down to earth before Maguire was sent off in the 31st min- change sharply if his team stumble at Hjulmand’s team have a clear struc- nity,” he said on Instagram. “The MANCHESTER, July 6 the semi-final, he does not have to look ute - but that in itself is a reminder of the same stage this time. ture and method to their play which video has now gone public—I under- back far for a warning against com- the way a moment of indiscipline can Denmark’s performances in this has earned them their place in the last stand how it could have impacted the England have the chance to reach a placency. swing a game. tournament, where they have respond- four. people present in those images first major final since their 1966 World An England side containing ten of Maguire looks rock solid at the ed to the Eriksen trauma in such In attack, Martin Braithwaite cre- and as such I offer them my sincere Cup triumph when they take on the current squad faced Denmark at moment as part of an England defence inspiring fashion, should also keep ates the spaces which Mikkel apologies.” Denmark at Wembley in Wednesday’s Wembley in October in a Nations which has yet to concede a goal in the England focused. The Danes got out of Damsgaard and Kasper Dolberg have The video, first appeared on a Euro 2020 semi-final, but they will League match and lost 1-0 to a tournament. And with Harry Kane Group B with a rousing 4-1 win over exploited well and there is a threat YouTube account with only a handful need to banish a history of stumbling Christian Eriksen penalty. Eriksen, back to scoring form with three goals Russia in Copenhagen before thrash- from attacking wing backs Jens of subscribers, but was then picked up at this stage. who is recovering from the shocking in the two knockout stage games, ing Wales 4-0 in Amsterdam. In the Stryger Larsen and the excellent on Twitter where it received more Gareth Southgate’s side were cardiac episode he suffered as he col- England look to be peaking at the quarter-final they beat a well-organ- Joakim Maehle. Pierre-Emile than 6,000 retweets under the hashtag impressive in their 4-0 dismantling of lapsed in Denmark’s opening Euro right moment. ised Czech side 2-1 in the heat of Baku Hojbjerg and Thomas Delaney are a #StopAsianHate. Ukraine in Rome on Saturday, herald- game, will not feature at Wembley of There was, however, a similar to reach the last four of a major tour- firm presence in the centre of mid- Griezmann, who was also in hot ing a wave of euphoria in the country course. feeling among England fans after nament for the first time since their field while the back line in front of water three years ago for appearing as media showered the team in praise. But Kasper Hjulmand’s side, who they beat Sweden in the last eight of shock triumph at Euro 1992. goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has wearing blackface and dressed as a England fans need no reminder, beat the Czech Republic 2-1 in their the World Cup three years ago in Much of the focus on Denmark has been solid. member of the Harlem Globetrotters however, that their team have lost four quarter-final, will be largely the same Russia only to fall to Croatia in the been on the way the team has come Unbeaten England though start for a party, insisted on Monday that he major semi-finals since Alf Ramsey’s as the one which left London with semi. together and fought so well after the as clear favourites with a stronger had always opposed “all forms of dis- team’s title. three points eight months ago. The “Now we’ve replicated what we did shocking scenes against Finland, with squad and home advantage and crimination”. Southgate has been keen to keep the lessons from that game are limited by there, but that won’t be enough to ful- Southgate noting they are “riding a the fear that has gripped them in pre- He also apologised and insisted: “I burden of history out of his team’s the fact that England played almost an fil the group,” said Southgate, who wave of emotion”, but they have been vious campaigns refreshingly absent am sorry if I offended my Japanese thinking. If he needs a way to bring hour with ten men after Harry knows that the national mood would much more than battlers. so far. friends.”

Players to Watch Today’s Fixture Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark) Bukayo Saka (England)

The 21-year-old Sampdoria man, The Arsenal teen was a surprising picked by coach Hjulmand to rebuild selection ahead of Jesse Lingard, but the attack in the absence of Eriksen, has more than played his part in has emerged as Denmark’s revelation England’s run. Saka shone against of Euro 2020. His opening goal in the the Czech Republic and then kept his 4-1 group-stage win over Russia saw place in the starting line-up for the him become Denmark’s youngest scor- Germany match, only to miss out on er at a Euro. He impressed again in the quarter-final with an injury. the 4-0 thrashing of Wales. He is tech- Southgate has the luxury of choosing nically adept, strong with both feet between Foden, Sancho and Saka on England vs Denmark and possesses great vision. the right wing against Denmark. 00:45 NST, Thursday Five subs Euro 2020 impact likely to persuade more to make move permanent Reuters phase with at least seven games was until the end of 2022. LONDON, July 6 introduced in 1996. Five goals were The temporary rule was first intro- scored in 15 knockout matches by sub- duced in May 2020 in response to the Being able to use five substitutes is a stitutes at Euro 2016, but there have Covid-19 pandemic to allow teams to new phenomenon, but after a been nine already this time around, use five substitutes, instead of the record-breaking impact from players with three games still to go. standard three, to support player wel- off the bench in the knockout stages at fare amid a congested fixture sched- Euro 2020, interest in making addi- ule. tional replacements a permanent fix- An average of 0.75 The temporary amendment will ture will only increase. remain in place until December 31, Last-gasp drama has defined this goals per match have 2022 “for all top-level competitions”, year’s European Championship, espe- IFAB said, with its implementation at cially in some enthralling knock- been scored by the discretion of individual competi- out-round matches. There was tion organisers. Switzerland’s stunning comeback substitutes so far in A further extension is likely to be from 3-1 down to peg world champions one of the issues that is part of FIFA’s France back in the last 16, a match the knockout stages. major review of international football they eventually won on penalties, and the match calendar that is being Croatia’s incredible turnaround in led by former Arsenal boss Arsene their clash with Spain, and Italy’s pul- With five chances to change a Wenger, but ultimately it will be sating tussle with Austria that went to match, coaches are understanding the IFAB’s decision. extra time. importance of keeping such talent in The counter argument from many All three of those matches had one reserve, especially during a gruelling club-level coaches is that five subs thing in common - goals from tournament. Sources from within the favours bigger teams with greater substitutes were key, with a coach’s game have told Reuters that there is a financial resources to have more use of his squad making more differ- desire for five substitutions to remain strength in depth. ence than ever at a European a permanent fixture. But if knockout matches in major Championship. Football’s law-making body the tournaments, which are often tense According to Nielsen’s Gracenote, International Football Association affairs with so much at stake, can gen- an average of 0.75 goals per match Board (IFAB) announced in May that erate enhanced excitement thanks to Afp/Rss have been scored by substitutes so far competition organisers will have the many fresh legs thrown on late in the Football fans make their way to Wembley Stadium ahead of the Euro 2020 semi-final match between Italy in the knockout stages at Euro 2020 - option of allowing teams to continue day, then the desire for more of the and Spain in London on Tuesday. The stadium is hosting the semi-finals and the final with more than the highest rate since a knockout using up to five substitutes per game same is likely to gather pace. 60,000 supporters—75 percent of capacity. The Euro has been blamed for helping the spread of Covid-19.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 07, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Learning to live with schizophrenia Apart from medical care, people with schizophrenia require empathy, understanding and acceptance, but for many, that is still a far off reality.

SRIZU BAJRACHARYA better involves a process and it KATHMANDU requires observation and takes time,” says Gurung. here are days when Bobbin too is aware of his con- twenty-three-year-old dition and follows a routine to Bobbin (name keep himself in check. With the changed) imagines time that he has taken to under- himself as a cricketer. stand himself, he has slowly Sometimes he believes opened his bounds of social life. Tthat he is too loyal for his own He has been taking slow strides to good and that leads him to think do what he loves the most, study. that his loyalty is the root cause of “Bobbin always says he wants to many of his life’s problems. There study, even though he knows he are also days when he feels the will have difficulty doing things. world around him is too loud for He repeated grade 11 for three him to bear. years, but he didn’t give up. He Bobbin has gone through sever- passed the exam and now he is al ups and downs in his life--he moving forward slowly with his sometimes gets overwhelmed by life,” says Radha. his dark thoughts. And occasional- According to Gurung, one of the ly, he gets hit hard by his psychotic things people fail to realise when episodes. There was one time it comes to disabling mental disor- when he called his sister to tell her ders is that pity has nothing to do that he has been having this con- with understanding their condi-

stant thought of hurting himself. Pixabay tion. There are days when Bobbin “Rather than understanding has to learn to differentiate his Gautam, a clinical psychologist try coming for treatment of schiz- schizophrenia can live with their and being unreasonable but it them, they sympathise distantly, thoughts from reality. with Transcultural Psychosocial ophrenia. condition and lead normal lives,” turns out he was showing us signs which is not helpful at all. What “My son is different from most Organization Nepal. “It may be “Many patients only seek medi- added Gurung. of his condition and we didn’t individuals living with such men- children of his age. He has schizo- because depression and anxiety cal help at the later stage of the It was when Bobbin was study- realise it,” says Bobbin’s father. tal conditions need is assurance phrenia,” says Radha (name are more common than schizo- illness. That’s because not many ing in grade eight that his mother Bobbin, however, has been that they have a chance at leading changed), Bobbin’s mother. “He phrenia, which affects only about people notice the early warning first started noticing a distinct doing much better than before normal lives. They need support has some strong beliefs that are one percent of the population. signs of schizophrenia, which behavioural change in him. She with medication and counselling, in enabling scenarios where the hard to break through and delu- However, schizophrenia is a severe includes irritation, sudden out- remembers that up until then he for which the family is very grate- world is accepting of their condi- sions that can easily harm him, mental condition that is accompa- burst of emotions or violent was a studious student and got ful. He has improved a lot, says his tion,” says Gurung. sometimes even us. But ever since nied by various other mental dis- behaviours, eccentric conversa- good grades. mother and sister, and they believe From not being able to under- his diagnosis, he has become bet- orders like depression, anxiety, tions, lack of motivation, etc. And “My son loved studying but all the positive changes are due to the stand what Bobbin was going ter. But as a mother I am still and even obsessive-compulsive by the time we come to know of it, of a sudden he was not doing well hours of counselling Bobbin has through to accepting and working scared to think of a world he will disorder.” the patients are in a more vulnera- with his grades. Gradually, he received and believes in. towards helping him get better, the be in without us. The world around According to WHO, schizophre- ble state,” says Gurung. showed a lack of motivation and “At first it was just medication, family has come a long way. The us only knows to look at people nia is a chronic and severe mental Gautam believes that this hap- was struggling to do things on his and we had not tried counselling family says that the goal is to be like him with pity. They don’t disorder affecting 20 million peo- pens because of a lack of aware- own,” shares Radha. but it seems counselling is as there whenever he needs them. know how to help or enable him. ple worldwide. In Patan’s Mental ness. Bobbin began gaining weight important as taking medication They now just want Bobbin to live They don’t know how to walk in Hospital, one of Nepal’s leading “Many times, people are not and he seemed dull, remembers for his condition,” says Babita, a happy life. The family has his shoes.” hospitals for mental illnesses, aware of mental health issues and his elder sister Babita, (name who is also a psychology student become active in advocating for Radha was also the first in her cases of schizophrenia, over the tackle them with traditional changed). Doctors initially diag- herself. “It was after he had con- more awareness of many mental family to accept and understand years, have become more common. beliefs. And sometimes in doing nosed him with depression and he fessed that he was having suicidal illnesses. her son’s condition. She is daunt- “It is a disorder that needs both so, they delay seeking medical was given medication accordingly. thoughts that I decided to take him “In these years of knowing and less and strong-willed. She under- medication and counselling. And intervention,” says Gautam. It was only about five years ago to Kathmandu with me to try learning about schizophrenia, our stands that the stigma that sur- it affects different people in differ- “Seeking help from a psychologist in Siliguri, India, that the family counselling. And it has really family has become closer to each rounds her son’s mental illness is ent ways. But schizophrenia most- is often the last thing on people’s finally came to know that Bobbin worked for him.” other. There was a time when overwhelming. But she hasn’t ly affects how people think, feel minds.” had schizophrenia. Radha remem- When a person with schizophre- things were really rough but now given in. and behave. People with schizo- The onset of Schizophrenia usu- bers bursting into tears and think- nia is able to confide in a thera- that we have accepted and moved Conversations around mental phrenia often have delusions and ally begins with psychosis, where ing why her son? They couldn’t pist, they are able to understand on, things have been a little easi- health, over the years, have slowly confuse their reality,” says one is unable to differentiate believe what they had heard. And their illness better and work on er,” says Babita. “Knowing a con- grasped momentum, and especial- Bhupendra Gurung, a clinical psy- thoughts from reality. Their when she learned about symptoms themselves. dition is not enough to work on it. ly the Covid-19 pandemic has chologist with Kanti Children’s behaviour is characterised by dis- of schizophrenia, it all began “When we diagnose someone And for people with mental issues, brought to everyone’s notice the Hospital. Gurung previously organised thinking. And it affects making sense to her. with schizophrenia, we try to find what they need the most is the importance of mental health. worked at Patan Mental Hospital their cognition--which is also the “Up until that point in time, we out about what issues aggravate support of loved ones. And I am However, when it comes to a severe where he oversaw Bobbin’s case reason it affects their learning had visited almost each and every their conditions--be it their envi- grateful that my brother has a mental illness like schizophrenia, and provided him with counsel- and retention of verbal informa- mental hospital in the country. We ronment, family, socialisation, family that walks shoulder to there is very little awareness. ling. tion, explains Gurung. The mental never imagined that something behaviour? We try to analyse what shoulder with him.” “Compared to depression and And during his tenure with the illness can also be disabling if not like this could happen to our son. triggers them. Then we gradually anxiety, many do not know what institution, Gurung says that he treated on time. For many years, I thought he was work on their behaviour by com- Some names have been changed to schizophrenia is,” says Bharat had people from all over the coun- “But with help, people who have being stubborn, pulling mischiefs munication and guidance. Getting protect identities. All the world’s an audience whether theatres are light or dark Most say a screen cannot replace a live performance, but many also predict digital theatre is here to stay.

Barbara Lewis & Supantha Mukherjee equipment was more affordable, it LONDON would empower creative people,” he told Reuters. or many it is theatre’s darkest hour. For others, Rising from the ashes Britain’s Royal Theatre Charlotte is a small thea- Shakespeare Company tre that has used the switcher to included, lockdown has stream to an audience across the speeded up the use of United States and Canada. Ftechnology that has transformed It is North Carolina’s longest stagecraft and revealed new audi- continually producing community ences and business opportunities. theatre, but faced an even more Even before Covid-19 closed the- uncertain future than most after a atres, they had distributed record- fire last year ravaged its 80-year- ed performances via cinemas for old headquarters. people who could not get to the Its previous theatre also burned West End or Broadway. down, forcing actors to perform The pandemic has turned where they could. Acting Executive even the smallest theatres into Director Chris Timmons said the producers of streamed content company had rediscovered the watched far beyond their local “renewed energy of theatre not communities. just being a building”. Most say a screen cannot replace Timmons expects to carry on a live performance, but many also streaming even when Theatre predict digital theatre is here to Charlotte has a refurbished venue stay, and a generation that has next year, and can imagine a grown up with computers and younger generation less interested smartphones might even prefer it. in the rituals of pre-performance The Royal Shakespeare dinners and after-show drinks. Company says it is combining dig- “Maybe we’ll look back in a few ital skills with traditional art. years and see that there’s this Mixed reality productions allow whole generation that would rath- actors to work alongside techno- er just watch it on a screen than logical versions of Shakespeare’s have that other social aspect to it. more unearthly characters and I think there’s certainly room for digital events have invited audi- both,” he said. ences worldwide to contribute to The live experience will still be the action from their computers. hard to beat. “We’re living R+D right now. If Neil Darlison, director of thea- we look at what the pandemic did, tre at Arts Council England, said

it cracked open the future. And REUTERS the council supported the use of this is the first draft and I think digital tools to engage a wider that’s terribly exciting,” Sarah ing to pay for digital content and before the pandemic took hold, a technology for blockbusters such ately. Blackmagic founder Grant audience, but the appetite for live Ellis, director of digital develop- prepared to watch online even transformative piece of equip- as Avatar and Game of Thrones. Petty said he wanted to help new theatre was still strong. ment at the RSC, told Reuters in when theatres reopen. ment became available. It allows switching between four talent by providing easy-to-use “I don’t think streaming is an interview. It is known as a switcher and different cameras, meaning a sin- technology. going to be as disruptive to theatre “We have an audience that’s Magical switcher the one generating particular gle performance—as opposed to “When I first got into this indus- as it is to, say, cinema or indeed it local to us, but we also have this Theatres are unanimous in want- excitement—because it costs just the many takes required to create try, I found that creative people was to music. Theatre’s USP is the huge global audience, which is a ing to recreate the tension of a $295—is the ATEM Mini produced a movie - can provide all the angles were being sidelined and the busi- collective experience—which is massive potential.” drama as it unfolds. by Blackmagic Design, an and close-ups needed. It also per- ness people were the ones that much harder to replicate digital- Research by the RSC during That used to mean expensive Australian company that has mits rapid editing, so performanc- were running everything. I just ly,” he said. lockdowns found audiences will- technical crews. But a few months worked with the RSC and provided es can be shared almost immedi- felt that was wrong and if the — Reuters

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