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

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 197 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 34.0 C 13.2 C Friday, September 03, 2021 | 18-05-2078 Nepalgunj Jomsom

EXPLAINED What does the recent seroprevalence study mean? Two-thirds population with antibodies to Covid-19 does not mean they are immune to future infections. Misinterpretation of study could lead to surge in cases.

ARJUN POUDEL checks blood samples to look for anti- KATHMANDU, SEPT 2 bodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. A seroprevalence On Monday, the Ministry of Health survey is carried out in a larger popu- and Population released a statement lation to estimate the percentage of that said a preliminary report of the the population with antibodies. nationwide seroprevalence study showed 68.6 percent of the country’s When and where was the study population has already developed carried out? antibodies to Covid-19. Officials said that the detection of Blood samples were collected from 76 antibodies in a large number of peo- districts (excluding Manang) on a ran- ple, both vaccinated and unvaccinat- dom sampling basis between July 5 ed, should be taken positively. They and August 14. The sample size was also claimed that a large-scale out- over 13,000. Those samples were tested break of Covid-19 is unlikely in the at the National Public Health immediate future. Laboratory in Teku. The study was Authorities in various districts, carried out with the technical and including in Kathmandu Valley, which financial assistance of the World is still a major coronavirus hotspot, Health Organisation. have started dropping their guard– The Health Ministry had carried schools, cinemas and gyms are being out a similar study in 2020 but reopened. Despite the high infection refrained from publishing the report. risk and the Kathmandu Valley still The previous study had shown that reporting a high number of cases–the around 15 percent of the country’s Valley still has 9,000 active cases– population had developed antibodies authorities concerned seem indiffer- to SARS-CoV-2, with some districts ent to political rallies and religious and reporting up to 28 percent. other events. Public health Post Photo: Deepak KC experts have warned that the pre- Does having Covid-19 antibodies Two members of mounted traffic police patrol the New Baneshwar crossroads in Kathmandu on Thursday. liminary results of the seroprev- mean a person is protected from alence study, which is confusing future infections? and misleading, could increase complacency in all sectors and Doctors say no. According to experts, lead to a spike in new infections. antibody tests or serology tests are Here’s everything you need to carried out to check antibodies in know about the seroprevalence blood samples to determine if a per- Border issue with China exposes study. son has had a previous infection. A positive antibody result does not What is a seroprevalence study? always guarantee that a person is pro- tected against future infections. Nepal’s unstable foreign policy Serology or antibody testing >> Continued on page 2 When it comes to relations with neighbours, a studied approach that is above partisan interests is required, and both Oli and Deuba have bungled, analysts say.

ANIL GIRI KATHMANDU, SEPT 2

When it comes to Nepal’s foreign poli- omegawatches.com cy issues, what is missing is—the Nepal government. Over the years Nepal has seen gov- ernments of one political party or another, and these governments func- tion based on the orientation of the party that is leading. And when for- eign policy matters are concerned, the Nepali state is confused. The border issue with China is a case in point. Last year in September, reports sur- faced that the Chinese side had built 11 buildings in a remote part of Humla Post file Photo district that Nepal claims as its own Cargo trucks seen at a Nepal-China border point in Humla. territory. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs by KP Sharma Oli, who now heads the boundary dispute with China. The was quick to say that there were no CPN-UML. team is headed by a joint secretary at disputes. Oli was replaced by Nepali the Ministry of Home Affairs. Neither “The Department of Survey, based Congress’ Sher Bahadur Deuba on the name of the joint secretary nor the on official records, reports of the joint July 13. Deuba is mainly backed by the terms of reference have been finalised field inspection and boundary maps, Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist yet. has verified and confirmed that the Centre), which until March this year One of the ministers in the Deuba said buildings are not located within was part of the Oli government. government said the panel was formed the Nepali territory,” read the state- On Wednesday, Deuba formed a at the initiative of Deuba. ment. The government then was led five-member team to “study” the >> Continued on page 2 For queer people with disabilities, the path to acceptance is more arduous CONSTELLATION 41MM They face more prejudices in the forms of queerphobia and ableism, activists say. Born in 1952, the Constellation quickly became a symbol of OMEGA’s matters worse is the increased discrim- high quality manufacturing and record-breaking precision. Today’s Master ination that he now has to face. “I have always faced discrimination Chronometer certified models, tested at the highest level by the Swiss Federal from family, friends and other people Institute of Metrology (METAS), guarantee more accuracy, reliability and for being a bisexual. But when I lost both my legs, the discrimination supreme resistance to magnetism from electronic devices, such as phones and amplified. Before, I could provide for laptops. Almost 70 years later, the Constellation remains a star performer. myself. But now I am unemployed and face more prejudices than ever for being a queer as well as a person with disability,” says Paudel, 39. In the past two decades, Nepal’s rt

A queer movement has made several progressive changes in the country’s policies and laws. From legalising homosexuality in 2007, guaranteeing rights for a certain section of the queer population to ensuring protec-

Photo Courtesy: Deviant Deviant Courtesy: Photo tion for queer community in the coun- try’s constitution, the queer move- Ankit Khadgi While crossing the road near his ment in Nepal has helped amplify the Kathmandu, SEPT 2 home, Paudel, a bisexual, was hit by a voices of the queer population. speeding tipper and he lost both his However, according to queer AVAILABLE AT: On the morning of March 12, 2020, legs. The accident completely changed disability rights activists, who REGENCY WATCH: Annapurna Arcade, Durbar Marg • Thamsherku Center, Durbar Marg, MGA International Pvt Ltd Deepak Paudel, a daily wage labourer the trajectory of Paudel’s life. spoke to the Post, Nepal’s queer move- who moonlights as a dancer, was His disability has meant that he can ment has failed to address the con- returning home in Parsa Bazar, no longer work as a labourer or a danc- cerns and issues of queer people with Chitwan, after performing at a wed- er and has been facing difficulties pro- disabilities. ding in Narayanghat. viding for himself. What has made >> Continued on page 8

Omega_HQ • Visual: CO56_131.63.41.21.03.001 • Newspaper: 03176 12Mar21 CO56_131.63.41.21.03.001 (NP) C M Y K Language: English • Issue: 12/03/2021 • Doc size: 161.5 x 250 mm • Calitho #: 03-21-145520 • AOS #: OME_03176 • AD 15/03/2021 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 | 02 National Sindhupalchok flood victims migrate out of the district to seek livelihood Around 700 flood-displaced families of Helambu and Melamchi have moved to other cities since the disaster.

ANISH TIWARI Rural Municipality Ward No. 7 was also SINDHUPALCHOK, SEPT 2 found travelling to Kathmandu with her husband. “There’s only sand left where On June 15, the flooded Melamchi river our fertile land once lay. How long can swept away the house and property of we live here? So we decided to go to 50-year-old Shiva Lamichhane, a resi- Kathmandu and try our luck in the city.” dent of Gyalthum in Helambu Rural According to Rupakheti, a majority of Municipality Ward No. 4. the disaster survivors are moving to Since then, Lamichhane’s family had Kathmandu and to Kavre district after been taking shelter under tents and flim- the flood disrupted their lives. sy makeshift huts. On Wednesday, Since the disaster, 227 flood victims of Lamichhane and his family members Helambu are staying in temporary shel- POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA came down to Melamchi bazaar with ters provided by the local government A woman carries a baby on the premises of Bagh Bhairab temple in Kirtipur, Kathmandu on Thursday. their belongings. They were on their and donors. Other 180 flood victims of way to Kathmandu with no intention of Melamchi Municipality are living in returning to their village. rented rooms after their houses were “Our house and arable land plots have swept away by the flooded river. been buried by Melamchi floods. There’s Shyam Krishna Shrestha, a flood vic- Border issue with China exposes Nepal’s unstable ... nowhere to stay and nothing left to eat. tim of Ward No. 11 of Melamchi bazaar, That’s why we don’t want to stay here. said, “I also have plans to go to >> Continued from page 1 Deuba then assured his party members that he Millennium Challenge Corporation, is set to arrive We are going to Kathmandu to seek a Kathmandu. I don’t have anything left “But it was set up without the required debate would form a team to “study” the matter. in Nepal on September 9 to discuss the MCC. livelihood,” said Lamichhane. “We here.” and discussions on the issue,” said the minister The Congress leaders’ insistence that the China Observers say Deuba’s diplomatic dilemmas are couldn’t have stayed back to wait for According to the data of the District who did not wish to be named. The Deuba Cabinet border issue should be the government priority immense. And at such a time, they say it was a another disaster to occur. So we decided Disaster Management Committee in has just four ministers. stemmed from the fact that the Chinese embassy in premature move to form a team to “study” the bor- to move to Kathmandu even though we Sindhupalchok, around 700 flood-dis- Experts say Nepal has historically failed to make Kathmandu had written, on November 13, to the der dispute with China, despite the fact the previ- don’t have any concrete plans.” placed families of Helambu and a clear position on foreign policy matters, especial- party over Shahi’s report which was doing rounds ous government had said there were no issues. The floods of June 15 destroyed sever- Melamchi have already moved to ly when it comes to the neighbours, as such matters in the media. The Congress had taken it as an Bipin Adhikari, an expert on constitutional mat- al hectares of arable land in Kiul, Banepa, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and usually depend on the party in power. While the Oli affront, saying the embassy had breached the pro- ters and a member of a government task team on Gyalthum and Palchok of Helambu Kathmandu to seek a livelihood. government made a bungle, the Deuba government tocol in sending the letter to the party. boundary matters, said that Nepal should not con- Rural Municipality. “The area has been Nimagyalgen Sherpa, chairman of has not done any good with regards to the bounda- Observers say the problem lies with Nepal’s duct its foreign policy in a haphazard way and that totally devastated. Melamchi floods have Helambu Rural Municipality, and ry issue with China, according to them. political parties, as they have a tendency to take it should take an objective approach while dealing destroyed our source of livelihood so we Dambar Aryal, mayor of Melamchi “Pradeep Gyawali, who was foreign minister different approaches when it comes to India and with issues related to India and China. don’t want to stay here anymore,” said Municipality, say the local units are [when the boundary row surfaced] should not have China. While the Oli government’s hurried state- “If there was indeed a need to form a committee, Lamichhane. making efforts to put a stop to the migra- dismissed the issue in haste when an elected mem- ment dismissing there was any border issue with it should have been done through a studied deci- According to the District Police Office tion and resettle the flood-displaced ber raised the issue pertaining to Namkha Rural China was wrong, it is equally wrong on the part of sion. Such decisions should be taken based on need in Sindhupalchok, five people died and households. Municipality,” said Toyanath Baral, former direc- the Deuba government to form a committee “to rather than whims,” said Adhikari. “The erstwhile 20 individuals went missing in the “We have a phase-wise plan to con- tor general at the Department of Survey. “The then study” the matter in haste, according to them. government should not have dismissed the issue in Melamchi floods of June 15. struct temporary residences for 227 government should have dispatched a technical The issue has become an irritant within the rul- the past. We have to maintain coherence in our In total, 1,500 families of Helambu and flood-displaced families in the Helambu team or made public the report prepared by the ing alliance as well. foreign policy. Foreign policy should not be guided Panchpokhari Thangpal rural munici- area,” said Sherpa. “We are building 79 chief district officer of Humla.” The Maoist Centre, Deuba’s key coalition part- by partisan interests.” palities and Melamchi Municipality houses in the first phase.” Jeevan Bahadur Shahi, a member of the Karnali ner, believes that the border dispute with China According to Adhikari, a country’s foreign poli- have been affected by the flooding, Likewise, Melamchi Municipality has Provincial Assembly, after a field trip, had pre- appears to be the Congress party’s agenda, rather cy should not be devised based on which party is in according to the District Administration been providing various relief packages pared a report, saying Pillar Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12, 5 (1), than a national issue. power. “The foreign policy should be of the state… Office in Sindhupalchok. The raging to the flood-affected households in 6 (1), 7 (1) and 8 (1) were damaged in Humla district, “This issue [of forming the team] has drawn our not of the parties. It should be coherent, consistent river had swept away eight resorts, two Melamchi bazaar. which borders China. Shahi had also claimed that serious attention. This is a sensitive matter but the and participatory,” said Adhikari. motorable bridges and six suspension “Initially, we have decided to provide Pillar No. 12 was replaced by the Chinese side, as a Nepali Congress is treating it as an internal party A CPN-UML leader said the Deuba government’s bridges from Helambu to Melamchi Rs 30,000 to those flood-affected families result a large swathe of Nepali land had slipped issue,” said Narayan Kaji Shrestha, a Maoist decision to constitute a team is flawed. Bazaar, the office said. who have lost their houses and Rs 20,000 into the Chinese side. Centre leader and former foreign minister. “We are “The Oli government had already dismissed any On Wednesday, 32-year-old Subhadra to those who are at risk of flooding in Shahi’s report, however, was not owned by the saying that we should have a common foreign poli- dispute in the region. Such a move will destabilise Rupakheti of Chanaute in Helambu Melamchi,” said Aryal. government. cy. This [China border] issue is only on the Nepali our relations,” said Bishnu Rijal, deputy chief of The Home Ministry instead formed a team under Congress’ agenda, not on the agenda of the current the UML’s foreign affairs department. “Any govern- Chirinjivi Giri, chief district officer of Humla, to alliance.” ment, irrespective of which party is leading, look into the matter and prepare a report. When the issue had surfaced in September last should follow a balanced foreign policy.” The report was never made public. year, the UML and the Maoist Centre were one Experts on boundary issues say that it is natural “We forwarded the report to the Ministry of party–the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)–after for neighbouring countries to have an issue or two Foreign Affairs,” said a senior Home Ministry offi- their merger in May 2018. Their merger was largely regarding their borders and that such issues should cial familiar with the report. “We thought the engineered by China, and both were considered to be dealt with and resolved amicably. According to Foreign Ministry would speak on the basis of that have a leaning towards the north, in such a way them, since neighbours cannot be changed, it is in report, but it made a statement before the Giri-led that none wanted to antagonise Beijing. the larger interest of everyone to sit down and talk team submitted it to the Home Ministry, which put The Foreign Ministry’s hasty statement dismiss- and find a lasting solution when such issues everyone in a quandary.” ing any border dispute with the north is believed to emerge. The official said he is not in a position to say have been issued to not irritate China. “As per a protocol we have signed with China, if whether the Deuba government has taken the Now with the Deuba government raising the we find any dispute or encroachment, we can deal report into consideration to form a new team. issue, questions have arisen if Nepal has a consist- with it through a joint committee,” said Baral, the Long before Giri submitted the report to the ent foreign policy or it is guided by political par- former director general at the Department of Home Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ties’ narrow and myopic interests. Survey and a member of the government team said on September 23, “The boundary between The Deuba government is already caught in dip- formed to study the Kalapani dispute. “We have a Nepal and China was delineated and demarcated lomatic trouble. While it is under pressure to deal permanent mechanism to deal with boundary based on the Boundary Treaty and Boundary with India with regards to an incident in Darchula related issues with China. I had personally met Protocols signed between the two countries. Nepal in which a youth fell into Mahakali while crossing with Gyawali and advised him to dispatch a techni- and China have always maintained close communi- the river using a cable crossing, it has entangled cal team to Humla before making Nepal’s position cation on border matters.” itself into the border dispute with China. public when the issue had surfaced in September The Post’s repeated attempts to speak to Gyawali, Observers say Deuba, who has been struggling to last year.” who was foreign minister then, went unanswered. expand his Cabinet and ensure governance, is star- Nepal and China had prepared a digital bounda- After the formation of the Deuba government, ing at yet another major diplomatic test. He is ry map in 2005-6 but it could not be signed due to the ruling alliance, in which the Maoist Centre, the under pressure to ratify the Millennium Challenge dispute over the height of Mt Everest and one miss- Janata Samajbadi Party and the CPN (Unified Corporation compact, a United States programme ing pillar in Rasuwa, according to Baral. Socialist) are coalition partners, unveiled its com- under which Nepal will receive $500 million in “Since 1989 we have not signed any boundary mon minimum programme. The Kalapani dispute grants, through Parliament. Here also, he is not protocol with China,” said Baral. “It seems that the with India was included in the programme. sure his coalition partner, the Maoist Centre, would Deuba government made the decision in a hurry. I Some Congress leaders were quick to point out why support him. don’t know whether the current government even Post Photo: ANISH TIWARI the China border issue was not the government’s Fatema Z Sumar, vice president of the examined the archives and other details before Women from Helambu make their way to Melamchi Bazaar to board a bus to Kathmandu. priority. Department of Compact Operations at the forming the panel.” What does the recent seroprevalence study mean?

>> Continued from page 1 Why does past Covid-19 infection not In its statement issued on Sunday, the confirmed. variant of the virus, but their protec- seroprevalence study, some officials Some of these antibodies have little guarantee protection from future Health Ministry said that similar lev- The development of similar levels tion decreases over time, weakening have been quick to say that the coun- influence on whether the body can infections? els of antibodies had been found in of antibodies in all age groups, anoth- significantly within three months. try is close to reaching herd immunity, defeat the infection. So even if a per- people residing in all seven provinces, er of the Health Ministry’s claims, is a situation when a large portion of a son had a past infection and a positive Doctors say a neutralising antibody all three geographical regions–moun- an unheard-of concept that has not Is Nepal close to reaching herd community (the herd) becomes result, the antibody may not be the test is required to know whether or tain, hills and the Tarai, villages and been reported anywhere in the immunity level? immune to a disease, making the “rapid neutralising antibody” that not the antibodies present in the body towns, all genders, professions and world. Studies show the development spread of the disease from person to blocks the SARS-CoV-2 virus from work against new infections. The groups. of the antibodies level varies Paudel, the spokesperson for the person unlikely. infiltrating cells and replicating. serology test conducted by the Health In a regular press briefing on according to age. Health Ministry, asserts that time has Sushil Koirala, a public health Ministry is not the neutralising anti- Wednesday, the Health Ministry gave a According to the World Health not come yet to talk about herd immu- expert, says the misinterpretation of Do antibody tests show that vaccines body test. breakdown of the study results. Organisation, the available scientific nity, as the levels of antibodies have Covid-19 serology tests can lead to a are working? A neutralising antibody is an anti- According to Dr Krishna Prasad data suggest that in most people, not been checked by the study and false sense of protection and people body that is responsible for defending Paudel, the ministry spokesperson, immune responses remain robust and how much protection the could disregard proven prevention According to the Health Ministry’s cells from the pathogen, organisms 69.6 percent male and 67.4 percent protective against reinfection for at antibodies provide is still not known. measures. He adds that the wrong report, 80 percent of the population that cause diseases. They are pro- female survey subjects have antibod- least six to eight months after infec- Several international studies conclusions about vaccine efficacy who have taken the first dose of the duced naturally by the body as part of ies. Likewise, 72.4 percent of people tion (the longest follow up with strong show that antibodies developed from may influence others to refuse vacci- vaccine and 90 percent of the ful- its immune response, and their pro- residing in Tarai, 65 percent popula- scientific evidence is currently both natural infection and vaccina- nation, ultimately amplifying the ly-vaccinated population have devel- duction is caused by both infection tion living in the hills and 60 percent approximately eight months). tion wane over time, and antibodies spread of disease. oped antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. and vaccination against infections. living in the mountains have Covid-19 Individuals with mild or asympto- developed from one variant of the But experts say that many Covid-19 Neutralising antibodies can some- antibodies. According to the study, matic infection tend to have lower virus may not work against another What is Nepal’s vaccination status? antibody tests are not designed to spe- times be missing in the people already 64.3 percent of the population who antibody levels than those who devel- variant. cifically detect antibodies that develop infected with the virus, which means have not taken any vaccine also have oped severe illness. Some studies have As the coronavirus keeps mutating, As of Thursday, 5,425,888 people (over due to vaccination and thus cannot they can be reinfected, which has been antibodies. also suggested that waning of anti- it may be impossible to reach the herd 18 percent) have taken their first dose show whether antibodies are of the validated by cases of reinfection Officials at the Health Ministry say body levels occurs within several immunity level. People in Nepal are of the vaccine and 4,677,976 people right quantity or quality for protec- reported from across the country. The that the recent decline in new cases months after infection in some indi- getting reinfected and those vaccinat- (15.59 percent) have been fully immu- tion against infection or illness. severity of cases and deaths prove could be because two-thirds of the viduals. ed are also getting infected, according nised against Covid-19. Rapid antibody tests only show that past infection doesn’t guarantee population has already been infected to Paudel. Nepal has administered over 10 mil- whether or not antibodies are present, protection against future infections. with the virus, and that the risk of a Do antibodies developed from Moreover, only over 15 percent of lion (10,103,864) doses as of Thursday. without providing any quantitative Additionally, variants of the SARS- massive explosion of new infections vaccination last forever? the country’s population has been The country had earlier aimed to information. In other words, just CoV-2 keep mutating, and studies have remains low. immunised fully as of now, which inoculate 21,756,763 people, or 72 per- because someone has a positive anti- shown that new variants of the virus Doctors, however, are sceptical of No. Studies show that even antibodies means around 85 percent of the popu- cent of the population, above 14 years body test does not automatically mean could evade immunity developed from such claims, adding that it is impossi- developed from vaccines wane over lation is yet to be fully vaccinated. old against Covid-19, but the vaccine is that their level of antibodies is high other variants. ble to develop antibodies proportional- time. Several countries, including the being administered to people above enough to protect against Covid-19 ly as people in the highly affected United States of America, have decid- Why is understanding the correct the age of 18 only. The Health Ministry infection. Furthermore, antibodies Is it possible for people residing in all areas would have more antibodies ed to provide booster shots to those meaning of 68.6% serology positive has said that it has signed a vary in their ability to neutralise seven provinces, cities and villages, than those in the remote areas where with compromised immunity. results important? deal to purchase Moderna Covid-19 viruses–a property not measured by and all three geographic regions to cases of infection have not been Some studies also show that vac- vaccine to inoculate all those above 12 routine antibody tests. develop similar levels of antibodies? detected or only a few cases have been cines are effective against the Delta After the ministry statement on the years old.

C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 National

Briefing No official Kathmandu should not rush to reopen communication on Nine houses damaged, 22 at risk of landslide in Singati Darchula issue from DOLAKHA: A landslide at Singati in schools as children are at risk, experts say Bigu Rural Municipality Ward No. 4 damaged nine houses on Wednesday Nepal yet, India says night. According to the District Police City is reportedly preparing to reopen schools next week. Stakeholders suspect the decision is guided by vested interests. RAJESH MISHRA Office in Dolakha, 22 other house- NEW DELHI, SEPT 2 holds in the area are at high risk of ANUP OJHA schools should be allowed to resume landslides. Sanjeev Oli, chairman of KATHMANDU, SEPT 2 physical classes by following health India will not be speaking about the the rural municipality, said, “The dis- protocols. Schools and colleges across Mahakali incident in Darchula since placed households are taking shelter On Thursday, when Kathmandu the country were closed since March there has been no official communica- in makeshift tents.” Metropolitan City’s education depart- 18 last year and after nearly nine tion from the Government of Nepal ment announced its plans to allow months, from the third week of with the Indian government, said schools to reopen from next week, January this year, some of them Arvindam Bagchi, spokesperson for Ventilators, ICU remain Shiva Raj Adhikari, the principal of reopened only to be closed three the Ministry of External Affairs unused in Salyan hospital the Sanskrit Secondary School on the months later. of India. SALYAN: Ventilator and ICU facilities Durbar High School premises, was Earlier, in the third week of May He, however, confirmed to have in Salyan District Hospital have resting at home with Covid-19. when the infection rate was still high, “heard” about the incident through remained unused for a long time due “I have been in bed rest for a week the Kathmandu Metropolitan City had the media. to a lack of medical specialists. and both of my children are also decided to allow schools to conduct On July 30, Jaya Singh Dhami from Ventilators and ICU beds were infected,” Adhikari told the Post on exams. Doctors also think that school Khangdang Mal of Byans Rural brought to the hospital last year the phone. “I think it would be a reopening increases the risk of Covid- Municipality-2 in Darchula fell into with the help of the Karnali provin- mistake to reopen the schools 19 infection. the Mahakali river while using an cial government. Dasarath Shrestha, now,” said Adhikari, whose school has “We are still in the danger zone improvised cable crossing locally manager of the District Health Office 400 students. because the daily infection numbers known as tuin. The joint home secre- in Salyan, said, “Critical patients On Wednesday, the Valley authori- are still high at over 1,000,” said Dr tary Janardan Gautam-led probe have to be referred to other districts ties further eased the Covid-19 restric- Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the panel and media reports based on for treatment in the absence of doc- tions and announced that schools can Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj eyewitness accounts have suggested tors at the district hospital. The hos- reopen after obtaining permission Post photo: Elite Joshi Tropical and Infectious Disease that a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) per- pital has been referring up to 10 from their local units, which need to Children are at higher risk as they are not vaccinated and Nepal doesn’t have enough Hospital in Teku. sonnel had untied the cable just when patients to other districts every seek permission for the same from the paediatric health facilities and health workers to handle a pandemic, experts say. “The government should put in Dhami was about to reach the Indian month.” District Covid-19 Crisis Management place an effective system for monitor- side across the river. Center concerned. the government to allow them to reo- City to think of alternatives until at ing the infection situation and a con- “We have heard about the incident “On Wednesday, Kathmandu’s chief pen schools so that they can bill the least Dashain. trol mechanism before allowing through some media channels, but no Landslide damages district officer informed us that local students full fees and other expenses, A total of 640 private and 91 commu- schools to resume classes in person, as official information has been shared units can give permission to reopen but experts have been saying that chil- nity schools fall under the purview of the Delta variant could still trigger a with us yet,” said Bagchi at a press hydropower project in Humla schools. We have also found that the dren are the most prone Covid-19 the education department of the third wave,” said Pun. conference on Thursday evening. “We HUMLA: Electricity supply to Simkot, coronavirus infection rate has also infection as they are not vaccinated,” Kathmandu Metropolitan City. He says children are at higher risk don’t know if Nepal carried out any the district headquarters of Humla, come down so we are planning to said Binay Kusiyait, a professor at Similarly, Suprabhat Bhandari, as they are not vaccinated and that internal investigation on the matter. has been disrupted after a landslide allow schools to reopen from next Tribhuvan University. chairperson of the Guardians Nepal doesn’t have enough paediatric Since the Government of Nepal has damaged a hydropower project in the week, maybe from Monday or On Thursday the country reported Federation Nepal says he is opposed to health facilities and health workers to not informed us officially about what area on Thursday. According to the Tuesday,” said Ram Prasad Subedi, 2,004 new cases of Covid-19 and 16 reopening of schools in cities like handle a pandemic situation. transpired, we cannot make a state- Hildum Small Hydropower Project, the chief of the education department virus-related fatalities. Likewise, Kathmandu, where the number of Durbar High School’s principal ment on the matter.” the landslide damaged around 500 of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Kathmandu Valley recorded 793 new active Covid-19 cases are high. “It Adhikari, meanwhile, says it will be Bagchi also said he is unaware of metres of canal. “Technicians have He said the department will study infections in the past 24 hours. Of might be okay to allow schools in difficult to make children follow the any investigation initiated by the been deployed to assess the damage the infection situation on Friday and these, 541 cases were found in rural areas with fewer infections and Covid safety protocols including phys- Indian government into the incident. caused by the disaster. It will take at Saturday and decide accordingly. Kathmandu, 152 in Lalitpur and 100 in fewer students to resume classes in ical distancing. “We can only look into the matter if least a week to complete the repair However, educationalists and the Bhaktapur. person, but not in Kathmandu,” said “Just around a month remains for the Indian embassy in Kathmandu work,” said Sajan Aidi, the chief at Guardians Federation say they think “I see a sinister game here because Bhandari. Arguing that most stu- the Dashain holidays, so they should supplies us with information. Multiple the power project. Electricity pro- the government decision is guided by we might be inviting a catastrophe all dents in rural areas do not have access not be rushing to reopen schools. perspectives have emerged about the duced by the power project is sup- vested interests. “This is a result of because of the government’s imma- to the internet and computer or What if the children took infections incident since it occurred on July 30, plied to 2,300 households of Simkot commercialization of education. ture decision,” said Kusiyait, while mobile phones and their studies have home and infected their family mem- creating confusion about the details and Kharpunath. Private schools have been pressuring urging the Kathmandu Metropolitan been affected, Bhandari said such bers?,” said Adhikari. of what transpired on that day,” At least nine people dead in separate incidents of floods and landslides Road sections in Pokhara of Gandaki Province have started to cave in after continuous rainfalls for the last few days.

DURGALAL KC IN DANG & According to the police, a 35-year- Last week, Mahendra bridge and DEEPAK PARIYAR IN POKHARA old woman died in a landslide Lakeside road sections had collapsed, SEPT 2 at Bhalam in Pokhara on Wednesday posing risk to nearby settlements. night while her 45-year-old husband “On Thursday, Nadipur road sec- At least nine people were killed in who was rescued from the incident tion caved in threatening three houses separate incidents of floods and land- site died during the course of in Pokhara Ward No. 3. For the time slides in Kaski and Dang districts on treatment at Manipal Teaching being, we have repaired the road sec- Wednesday night. Hospital. tion. Several cracks have developed in Four women died when a car they Their three-year-old son has gone the area” said Rabindra Bahadur were travelling in was swept away by missing while another son, aged 9, Praja, ward chairman of Pokhara the flooded Sisnekhola in Ghorahi sustained injuries. Ward No. 3. Sub-Metropolitan City-4, Dang. The In another incident, a 42-year-old Meanwhile, vehicular movement bodies of two victims were recovered man was trapped in a landslide at along Butwal-Devdaha road section in on Wednesday night itself while two Bhanjyang Namunatole with his fami- Rupandehi has been disrupted after other bodies were recovered three ly on Thursday night. He was later the Ghodaha bridge caved in last kilometres downstream on Thursday rescued and taken to Manipal week. morning. Teaching Hospital where he suc- “Travellers have been using Security personnel rescued the cumbed to his injuries. Bhairahawa-Parasi road to go to driver of the car. He fractured his leg “The man died while undergoing Kathmandu from Butwal as an alter- in the incident and he was taken to treatment at the Manipal Hospital,” native way,” said Dilli Narayan Ghorahi-based Rapti Academy of said Pokhara Police spokesperson Pandey, deputy superintendent at Health Sciences, said police. DSP Subas Hamal. “His 14-year-old Provincial Traffic Police Office in The victims, all of them residents daughter, who was injured in the inci- Lumbini Province. “Works have also of Ghorahi, were returning from dent, has been discharged from the been initiated to construct a diversion Rupaidiha, a border town in India hospital. His wife and two sons were at Devdaha.” across Nepalgunj, after shopping. rescued alive.” In Sindhuli, vehicular movement “The driver attempted to drive Similarly, three people from the along Dudhauli-Lakhima and Arun across the flooded stream instead of same family suffered injuries in Thakur road sections has come to a taking an alternative route,” said another landslide that occurred at halt from Thursday. Superintendent of Police Suresh Baseri in Pokhara Metropolis. “The road sections were heavily Kafle. Kanhukhola and Kamalpokhari damaged due to multiple landslides In Pokhara, five individuals lost areas in Pokhara Ward No. 13 since last one week,” said Milan their lives and one individual went have been inundated because of Sunuwar, ward chairman of Dudahuli missing in separate landslides since floodwaters. Municipality Ward No. 13. Wednesday afternoon. Five individu- Sections of roads and physical als sustained injuries in Pokhara, infrastructure in Pokhara have start- (With inputs from our correspondents POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA according to the District Police Office ed to cave in after continuous rainfalls in Gandaki, Lumbini and Bagmati A Buddhist monk receives alms in the Capital on Thursday. in Kaski. for the last few days. Provinces) Lack of political culture has bred mistrust among parties, observers say Unable to trust the Maoists, Deuba has started approaching the main opposition, CPN-UML, mainly for the endorsement of the bill on the MCC grant.

BINOD GHIMIRE to decide whether they want to remain Cabinet is expanded without with- Deuba is still not sure whether he has ments in different constitutional com- political practice and ideological devi- KATHMANDU, SEPT 2 in their mother parties—CPN-UML drawing the ordinance. enough support to pass the bills missions. It was an unprecedented ations,” said Karki, of the Centre of and Janata Samajbadi Party—or join Observers say a political party is because the CPN (Maoist Centre) incident where a head of one state Nepal and Asian Studies. Although Prime Minister Sher the splinter parties—the CPN (Unified formed adhering to specific ideology opposes the bill. organ had taken a legal battle against Though the country went through Bahadur Deuba has been in office for Socialist) of Madhav Nepal and and principles. However, there is an Unable to trust the Maoists, Deuba the executive head, chief of judiciary different political changes in the last nearly two months now, he hasn’t been Loktantrik Samajbadi Party of increasing trend of launching new has started approaching the main and the President. three decades, observers say the same able to give full shape to his Cabinet. Mahantha Thakur. The government parties to serve vested interests. opposition, CPN-UML, mainly for Only on Thursday, the UML filed a set of people continue to be in the And still there are no signs of Cabinet cannot repeal the ordinance until “The differences and distrust are the endorsement of the bill on the writ petition against Speaker Sapkota, helm and they never changed their expansion anytime soon. September 7. unavoidable when their interests MCC grant. arguing that his refusal to remove working style or worked towards If the recent statement by the CPN There are 21 ministries and there is clash. The example is right before us,” 14 of its lawmakers who have now developing a political culture and val- (Unified Socialist) chair Madhav a constitutional limitation not to Mrigendra Bahadur Karki, executive joined CPN (Unified Socialist) was ue-based politics. Kumar Nepal is anything to go by, exceed the number of ministers director at the Centre of Nepal and The level of distrust politically motivated. Dhungana says the tranny of the Deuba’s Cabinet will not get a full beyond 25. In the five-party ruling alli- Asian Studies, told the Post. “This happens when the characters state and political authority has con- shape at least until next week. ance, the Rastriya Janamorcha has The differences and mistrust are among the state prevail over the system in any deci- tinued to prevail over the years and “No party will utter a word about announced it would not join the gov- not limited to the ruling parties but sion-making process,” Daman Nath the political parties and their leaders Cabinet expansion until September ernment. However, the other four par- extend to parties outside the govern- organs too is Dhungana, a former Speaker and a never followed the rules of the game. 8,” Nepal told journalists on Thursday. ties are struggling to divide the minis- ment and state organs also. The Deuba civil society member, told the In his observation, the feeling Though he didn’t dwell on the details, ters owing to a high number of aspir- government was formed with support deepening. Post. “Unfortunately, these characters among the political leaders that they it was clear that the ruling parties ants. The problem is particularly seri- from the CPN (Maoist Centre), the don’t think above their vested set the rule is the major problem of want to withdraw the ordinance relat- ous in the Nepal-led CPN (Unified CPN (Unified Socialist), the Janata interest.” Nepali politics. ed to the Political Parties Act, 2017 Socialist) and the Janata Samajbadi Samajbadi Party and the Rastriya The level of distrust among the Observers say it is obvious that “What I have observed is that Nepali before Cabinet expansion. Party led by Upendra Yadav. Some Janamorcha. On July 18, during a con- state organs too is deepening. those leading the state agencies act in politics reached its historic low point After the CPN-UML and the Janata members of the House of fidence vote, Deuba had secured 165 On February 5, Speaker Agni the interest of the parties they are after the CPN (Maoist Centre) joined Samajbadi Party split on the basis of Representatives chose the two parties votes—60 percent—of the 271 strong Sapkota filed a writ petition against associated with, and there is also a mainstream politics through the the new ordinance, the Election hoping that they would be awarded House of Representatives. the Office of the President, then prime tendency among the parties to raise a peace process in 2006. This is not Commission has given provincial ministerial berths. However, with several crucial bills minister KP Sharma Oli, Chief Justice stink whenever a certain decision going to change until the present assembly members and local govern- Some ruling party leaders includ- including the controversial one on the Cholendra Shumsher Rana and taken by the state agencies does not set of political characters and the ment representatives elected on the ing Upendra Yadav fear that their Millennium Challenge Corporation National Assembly Chairman Ganesh suit their interest. leaders of the state organs are two parties’ tickets until September 7 parties could split further if the (MCC) grant pending in Parliament, Timilsina challenging the appoint- “It is basically a result of dirty changed,” he said.

C M Y K FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL The decline in Nepali public aesthetics Toilet: An urban tragedy Why are we spending millions To pee or not to pee—that is the existential on view towers on hilltops, dilemma we face in our public lavatories. where the view is already worthwhile? Doctors say you should not hold your urine for long hours if you are to keep your urological system healthy. If you do not AMISH RAJ MULMI pass around 3 litres of urine a day, doctors warn, you are at a high risk of forming kidney stones. But imagine this: You are a street hawker or a bus driver or a porter or a day tourist in Kathmandu Valley, and you feel the urge to urinate during the day when you are out on the street. How many public toilets can you locate in your vicinity, and how many of them “Salute! To the God Ganesa!... On are functional? We reckon that asking our readers whether Thursday, the third day of the bright they can locate a functional toilet in the valley is emotional fortnight in the month of Kartika of Nepal Samvat 822 [1701 CE], the peo- manipulation in itself. ple...were sent to fell the trees in the Even those who are not out on the streets every day have jungle.” Thus begins the Siddhagni a few stories each of having to return home quickly or Kotyahuti Devala Pratistha, a manu- script from the 18th century that details enter a restaurant or a mall or strangers’ homes during uro- the construction of what is perhaps the logical or faecal emergencies. Women who have to change apogee of Malla architecture in Nepal their sanitary pads or tampons; children who have to Valley: the Nyatapola Temple in Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur. change their diapers; senior citizens who cannot control This manuscript, one of the few of their bladders; and persons with disabilities who cannot its kind, records the events over a peri- od of 88 days during which the temple find ramps or tactile paving to reach the few functional was built (and another 38 days before toilets in the cities—each of us has a tell-tale story of consecration) in much detail. Scholar the loss of dignity when it comes to excreting waste from Sukra Raj Shrestha, who has translated a portion of the manuscript that our bodies. historian Dr Janak Lal Vaidya discov- And yet, we are used to going about our lives without com- ered, notes that the foundation was plaining that the most fundamental of human necessities excavated in seven days, while the six plinths were raised in 31 days, and remains unmet in the metropolitan capital city that boasts of so on. One can get a sense of the post file photo a glorious past and looks towards a prosperous future. The immensity of the project while going over the translation. was born, which has, in turn, shaped Udaypur is spending Rs10 million on a concrete, built at a cost of Rs3.2 mil- situation is so dire that Kathmandu Metropolitan City, a On Sunday, the sixth of Krishna pak- how outsiders perceive and view Nepal view tower, so is Sarlahi and Kailali. lion! Mude is not the only one to so-called modern megapolis that hosts millions of residents, sha of Phalgun 822 NS (1702 CE), the even in the modern era. And in Bagmati province, Rs180 mil- come up with this solution. Concrete boasts of just a few dozen public toilets, most of them smelly, main entrance to the sanctum sancto- lion is being spent on view towers— trees now grace Inaruwa, Dailekh, rum, garbha griha, was raised. Thirty Viewtower sans vision perhaps the one I saw at Dahachok was Tehrathum (which also has a concrete dirty, and inaccessible to persons with disabilities. To their days later, the third storey got its win- The Sarangkot hilltop is perhaps one of one among them. And not to forget the garlic sculpture in Lasune Bazaar), credit, valley mayors do not fail to announce the construction dows. Twenty-eight days later, the jhin- Pokhara’s most visited tourist sites, most infamous one of them all: the Beltar (Udayapur again!), Dhankuta of new public toilets each year; but whether their words have gatis, or terracotta tiles, were laid on with thousands gathering here to view Kathmandu view tower, delayed beyond and Sindhulimadhi. the topmost floor. Almost a month later, the sun rise over the Annapurna range. care after ‘milking’ local authorities for Such ludicrous creativity seems to turned into action is for all to see. several pujas began to be conducted to A few weeks ago, when I was in three years. emanate from the same mindspace that Urban centres outside of the valley are no different. ensure the temple could be consecrat- Pokhara, I was surprised to see a struc- Who spends millions on a view tower gave birth to a view tower on a hilltop. ed. And six months later, in Ashadh ture under construction at the very on a hilltop? What sense does it make to This begs the question: What on earth Bureaucrats and elected representatives who have led the 822 (1702), a repentance puja was summit, where once the Nepal climb a tower on top of a hill for a bet- happened to our sense of public aes- metropolises and municipalities in the past and the conducted in memory of the “innumer- Television tower was the only struc- ter view of the world? And can there be thetic? What do authorities think when present should hang their heads in shame for their sheer able lives of unseen and seen animals ture. It turns out that Sarangkot will no better use of resources than build- they give the go-ahead on such pro- that might have been killed knowingly soon get its own version of that peren- ing one in the first place? jects? And what can be done to arrest inability to build and manage functional public toilets even or unknowingly” during the construc- nial favourite of the new Nepali public View towers are but one symptom of this dramatic slide in the Nepali aes- as people continue to experience discomfort emptying tion work. aesthetic: a view tower. the low regard we have for public aes- thetic form? For all our talk of histori- their bowels and bladders, as well as face risk of infection When the Nyatapola was construct- A ‘five-year’ Sarangkot masterplan is thetics today. Nepal’s local leaders, cal glory and golden eras, I’m quite ed, it was a time of relative stability in in the works, worth Rs290 million. This replete with newfound resources and certain that the Licchavis, Mallas, and diseases, including cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery Nepal. The Mughals were the para- will entail new temples and monaster- wealth, are desperate to show some Shahs and Ranas would all be shaking and typhoid due to the transmission of excreta-related mount power in the subcontinent, and ies, a children’s park and a helipad. progress. So they concoct all sorts of their heads collectively in disgust if in Nepal Valley, the three city-states While the proclivity for holy sites at public projects that steer clear of crea- they looked down and saw a Nepali pathogens. had pretty much given up conquest, summits and hilltops has long been a tivity and any sense of artistic value. man clicking a selfie from a hilltop Accessible sanitation is a citizen’s fundamental human and instead their contest for power feature of religion in general–and one What else could explain a concrete pig view tower. right, which should be fulfilled without an excuse. And manifested itself through architectural can see new ones popping up in Nepal built in Udayapur’s Belka Municipality I’m not one to romanticise the past. marvels such as the Nyatapola or the even today–this idea that Sarangkot, at a cost of Rs6 million? Being Nepalis, But when viewed against this transfor- yet, two decades through the 21st century, we are at an evolu- Krishna Temple in Patan, or festivals from where the view was already price- there is now a debate on whether the mation of the Nepali public aesthetic tionary stage where declaring our cities and villages open such as the Kartik Naach. In effect, the less, needs a view tower allegedly abhorrent structure is a pig or the into a concretised view of the world, three city-states could be termed “thea- worth Rs10 million, is mind-boggling. Varaha avatar of Vishnu. As a local the Durbar Squares become a magnifi- defecation free is considered a developmental success tre states” in this period, where politi- It’s not just Sarangkot. artist told a newspaper, “Hindus wor- cent public space where culture, tradi- story. What is ironic, even tragic, is that the very claim of cal power was exercised and empha- Earlier this week, I walked up to ship it as Varaha, and Kirats cut it up tion and architectural skills all came open defecation free villages and cities is often a scam, as sised through rituals or spectacles. Dahachok, where Kalu Pande was cre- and eat it!” together in synchronicity. The meticu- This brought about an indigenous aes- mated, and guess what I discovered: Let’s leave aside the poor porcine lous record-keeping of the construc- bureaucrats, leaders and development agencies hurry to thetic form, wherein obligatory reli- another view tower. Our love for view statue for a moment, and go to Mude tion of the Nyatapola tells us how meet the Sustainable Development Goals targets on paper gious traditions co-existed with archi- towers goes beyond hilltops. In Damak, Bazaar in Sankhuwasabha, where our important such architectural marvels rather than bringing concrete changes in the way we manage tectural forms that had already evolved a view tower estimated to cost Rs2.5 local authorities have come up with a were for the people of the time. But if over the years. Thus, a Nepali—or billion is among KP Sharma Oli’s pet novel solution to counter climate the Nyatapola was built today, I’m cer- human waste. Newah, if you prefer—public aesthetic projects. Limchubung Municipality in change: a magnolia tree made out of tain it would resemble a view tower.

Trivialising the apex court

not preserve the dignity of the court When the executive flouts or the magistrate but “preserves the authority of the court to ensure an the judiciary’s decisions, it ordered life in society.” However, despite the court’s empha- raises questions on the sis on the abidance of court orders, the judges remain relatively silent constitution’s legitimacy. when the court order entails the gov- ernment. This could be the case pri- marily because often, the ministry has BISHESH JOSHI & LAABHESH THAPA planned resources for expenditure, and they may not be able to spend a substantial portion of the budget in fulfilling specific court orders. However, this is no excuse. But, the meagre fine amount stipulated for contempt orders is concerning. For instance, the health minister of Delhi A Supreme Court of any democratic was in 2016 fined INR25,000 for con- nation balances the state on its shoul- tempt of court. In Nepal too, an ders. In a social contract between the amount of only Rs10,000 (as limited by state and its citizens, the judiciary the statute) could be claimed against acts as a custodian of the contract prime minister KP Sharma Oli when through the instrument of the consti- he called a nonagenarian advocate a tution. The essence of any contract is “grandpa lawyer” and insulted the trust, and if this shrine of trust is court proceedings as a “drama”. mangled, then the citizens shall revolt However, the present legal framework against the state. In Nepal, the shrine regarding contempt of court is not of this trust seems to be diminishing, robust and requires amendment; the as the other two organs of the trias meagre fine imposed does not encour- politica are flouting the orders of the age the contemnors to abide by the country’s apex court. The “balance of rulings but instead motivates them to power” scale seems to be skewed, and defy them for a certain price. the citizens’ faith in the guardian There has been a certain level of of the social contract seems to be erod- judicial lethargy when it comes to the ing away. From the landmark steps of non-implementation of court deci- the Supreme Court to quash the citi- sions. Therefore, contempt of court zenship requirement for pandemic proceedings in itself is inadequate. relief to the compensation of victims Shutterstock An independent authorised officer of the Baburam Bhattarai govern- as a legitimising instrument of the other” but also positively aiding the function. And it is appreciable if the the court hold the government in con- needs to be appointed to explicitly ment’s road expansion project, new government, established on the other in the effective discharge of courts take a proactive measure to tempt when the legislature or the oversee the implementation of the the government has failed to imple- cornerstone of individual liberty. their functions. For instance, the leg- curb this. Article 128(4) of the consti- executive denies the court order? court decisions and who shall be ment as many as 23 rulings of the Thus, the constitutions must espouse islature should not have a judicial tution mandates that anyone who In the case of Supreme Court of responsible for filing contempt Supreme Court. an unbiased, just, non-arbitrary can- overreach or willful disobedience of obstructs the dispensation of justice Nepal versus Home ministry, the court motions if the government does not The Constitution of Nepal promises dour to protect citizens through vari- the judicial order. When the executive and flouts or disregards court orders emphasised that the effective imple- abide by it. The court’s decisions must to safeguard the citizens’ rights ous methods like separation and bal- flouts the judiciary’s decisions, it rais- is held in contempt of court, and pro- mentation and abidance of the court be implemented because law gains against the arbitrary actions of the ance of power. es questions on the constitution’s ceedings and punishments are issued order is crucial for justice dispensa- sanctity, validity, and acceptance if state. It is an inherent morality that The idea of the separation of legitimacy, the spirit of the law, for the contempt. This article is tion. The intention of imposing dam- applied in an unbiased manner. runs in the veins of the Nepali consti- powers is that there needs to be har- constitutional values and democratic enforced through penalties or fines ages for the contempt of court is Flouting of law by the executive opens tution. Here, it is pertinent to under- monious coordination and checks ethics. It weakens public faith in the against regular citizens. But what inspired by ensuring effective justice the floodgates of the destruction of stand that constitutions come from and balances between the three organs rule of law. about the whole institution of the gov- delivery. The court further cited the democracy, values of liberty, and the revolutions and wars, where the old of democracy, namely the executive, In a democratic system, even if any ernment itself ? Contempt of court judgement of NL Patel, CJM Nadia constitution itself. government or form of governance is the legislature and the judiciary. one of the pillars is of uneven propor- against an entire organ of the govern- versus State of Gujarat, wherein the toppled, and the novel form of govern- The roles of these institutions are not tion, it destabilises the entire frame- ment might entail a constitutional Supreme Court of India held that the Joshi & Thapa study law at Nalsar ance begins. Constitutions have come limited to “not interfering with the work of the democracy in which we tragedy. This begs the question: Can object of the contempt of court does University of Law, Hyderabad.

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 Money

FOREX Australia looks US Dollar 117.20 Central bank rolls out Payment System Euro 138.91 to clear way for Pound Sterling 161.62 Japanese Yen 10.65 Inspection and Supervision Bylaw offshore wind farms Chinese Yuan 18.15 REUTERS MELBOURNE, SEPT 2 Qatari Riyal 31.78 The regulation formalises inspection and supervision of payment system operators and payment service providers.

Australian Dollar 86.56 Australia’s conservative government KRISHANA PRASAIN introduced legislation on Thursday Malaysian Ringit 28.19 KATHMANDU, SEPT 2 that could help clear the way for off- shore wind farms to go ahead in a Saudi Arab Riyal 31.25 The central bank has rolled out the country considered to have massive Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Payment System Inspection and offshore renewable energy potential. Supervision Bylaw 2021 in order to The long awaited legislation will set formalise inspection and supervision up a framework for building, running, Shares of payment system operators and pay- maintaining and decommissioning ment service providers. offshore electricity projects including Nepse 2,926.89pts -1.68% The operation committee of Nepal wind generation and transmission Rastra Bank has approved the cables, with environmental and finan- highest losers Payment System Inspection and cial safeguards. NABBC CORBL AKPL NRN KRBL PROFL -6.87% -6.48% -6.09% -5.88% -5.8% -5.56% Supervision Bylaw for digital pay- “An offshore electricity industry in ment, officials said. Australia will further strengthen our moderate losers BFC CFCL NSLB LICN ICFC UNHPL “We only have a payment system economy, create jobs and opportuni- -5.53% -5.26% -5.22% -5.14% -5.09% -4.85% bylaw and on the basis of the bylaw, ties for Australians and enhance the

moderate gainers the central bank started issuing cer- delivery of affordable and reliable SRBLD83 RMF1 SIGS2 EICPO LUK NBF2 tain circulars related to the payment power,” Energy Minister Angus 0.96% 1% 1.04% 1.43% 1.6% 1.94% system,” said Dev Kumar Dhakal, Taylor said in a statement. highest gainers spokesperson for Nepal Rastra Bank. Projects that could progress if the KMCDB DDBL KKHC CGH MKLB SLI “With the establishment of pay- legislation passes, as expected, 2.61% 4.32% 5% 5.23% 9.99% 10% ment system operators (PSOs) and include the Star of the South wind payment service providers (PSPs), project off the coast of Victoria, the their transactions needed to be Marinus Link transmission line from inspected and supervised, and the Tasmania to Victoria, and Sun Cable, Price Per tola bylaw was implemented to formalise which plans to deliver solar power bullion the work,” he said. SHUTTERSTOCK from the Northern Territory to According to him, the payment sys- Amit Agrawal, co-founder and director of e-wallet service provider Khalti, says that as digital payment is a growing industry, such provisions wil Singapore. Fine Gold Rs 90,800 tem of banks and financial institu- increase the use of digital payment. “This legislation is a key step to tions too comes under the purview of realising Australia’s offshore wind Silver Rs 1,205 the bylaw as they are also payment process for payment system operators and supervision will also involve col- viders. The bylaw also contains the potential and unlocking the associat- service providers and operators. and providers in case of incapability lecting details, holding discussions code of conduct, roles, responsibility ed economic benefits, including pro- Source: FENEGOSIDA Banks use SWIFT and conduct pay- to perform their functions, this will with management, and obtaining reg- and security of supervision. viding opportunities for the nation’s ment related transactions. help to expand the industry and build ular information. The department can After completing the supervision strong resources and maritime sec- The bylaw allows the central bank trust among customers, he said.“Soon- conduct field inspection, non-field work, the team is required to prepare tors,” Star of the South Chief gasoline watch to check that the transactions of pay- er or later, people will have to adopt supervision, special supervision and a field supervision report. Executive Casper Frost Thorhauge ment system operators and providers digital payment service, and it is inspection supervision, as per the On the basis of this report, the cen- said in a statement. are transparent, and that they have essential that they build trust in it. bylaw. Banks are required to submit tral bank will move ahead with the There are more than 10 proposed been adhering to the regulations and Nepal Rastra Bank has been playing through electronic means information improvement process if the banks and offshore wind projects with a com- organisational governance, Dhakal an important role to make this hap- to the central bank such as the num- financial institutions are found not to bined capacity of more than 25 giga- said. A payment system recommenda- pen,” Agrawal said. ber of their customers, total wallet be in a condition to provide service watts (GW), a recent government tion committee has been formed under “The public and government offi- numbers and stock (e-money), the related to payment or cannot operate research report said, adding that the related deputy governor that will cials also need to understand that dig- stock in settlement accounts, details the system, or are found to have done with a coastline of almost 60,000 km form, amend and issue policy-level ital payment service providers are not of fraud and conflict cases, and anything against the interest of share- (37,283 miles) with “very high provisions for the development, only for providing mobile recharge incidents of service interruption holders, owners or the public. wind resources”, it made sense to con- expansion and security of the pay- service, but a medium for providing and security. The improvement process includes sider developing an offshore wind ment system. digital financial service,” he added As per the bylaw, field visits should adding capital in the banks, submit- industry. There will be a separate oversight In order to make the payment sys- be made at least once every two years, ting short- and long-term work plans Onshore wind farms with combined unit under the Payment Systems tem secure, healthy and capable, and the department needs to form a for improvement to the central bank, capacity of 7.4 GW supplied nearly 10 Department to manage the inspection inspection and supervision under the team for field visit supervision. and adopting national and interna- percent of Australia’s power in 2020, and supervision work done by the existing laws and other policy-level Before conducting supervision, the tional practices for the improvement with a further 21 onshore wind farms department, as per the bylaw. provisions requires analysing the department will normally ask for a of banks. with a total capacity of 4 GW due to Amit Agrawal, co-founder and financial situation of banks, and the list of the necessary documents and The central bank can give instruc- start construction. director of e-wallet service provider management of their security system. work environment seven days in tions for acquisition if it seems neces- The legislation has widespread sup- Khalti, said that as digital payment The payment department needs to advance. But for special supervision, sary for the improvement process of port from the opposition Labour Party, was growing as an industry, such pro- prepare an annual work plan related the department might provide the banks and financial institutions. unions and green groups, in stark visions would increase the use of dig- to inspection and supervision pre-preparation time. The department will prepare inspec- contrast to most of the government’s ital payment and people’s trust in it. designed to increase public confidence The central bank can conduct a tion and supervision related annual other energy proposals, which are As the bylaw has provisioned merg- in digital transactions. thorough inspection and supervision reports and publish them within six seen as supporting gas and coal to the er and acquisition as an improvement In addition to field visits, inspection of payment system operators and pro- months of the end of every fiscal year. detriment of renewable energy. Apple hit with antitrust case in India China’s Alibaba to

REUTERS phone base in the country has more NEW DELHI, SEPT 2 than doubled in the last five years.The invest $15.5 billion for Apple case in India comes just as Apple Inc is facing an antitrust chal- South Korea’s parliament this week lenge in India for allegedly abusing its approved a bill that bans major app dominant position in the apps market store operators like Alphabet Inc’s ‘common prosperity’ by forcing developers to use its propri- Google and Apple from forcing soft- etary in-app purchase system, accord- ware developers to use their payment REUTERS ing to a source and documents seen systems. Companies like Apple and SHANGHAI, SEPT 2 by Reuters. Google say their fee covers the securi- It is the latest The allegations are similar to a case ty and marketing benefits their app China’s Alibaba Group will invest 100 Apple faces in the European Union, stores provide, but many companies billion yuan ($15.5 billion) by 2025 in corporate giant to where regulators last year started an disagree. support of “common prosperity”, it investigation into Apple’s imposition Last year, after Indian startups pub- said, becoming the latest corporate pledge support for of an in-app fee of 30 percent for dis- licly voiced concern over a similar giant to pledge support for the initia- the initiative driven tribution of paid digital content and in-app payments fee charged by tive driven by President Xi Jinping. other restrictions. Google, the CCI ordered an investiga- Beijing has been encouraging com- by President Xi. The Indian case was filed by a lit- tion into it as part of a broader anti- panies to share wealth as part of the tle-known, non-profit group which trust probe into the company. That effort to ease inequality in the world’s argues Apple’s fee of up to 30 percent investigation is ongoing. second-largest economy. Other compa- wide-ranging regulatory crackdown hurts competition by raising costs The India antitrust case against nies that have made similar announce- on issues ranging from monopolistic for app developers and customers, Apple also alleges that its restrictions ments include Tencent Holdings, behaviour to consumer rights. Alibaba while also acting as a barrier to mar- REUTERS on how developers communicate with which also pledged 100 billion yuan, was fined a record $2.75 billion in ket entry. A salesperson speaks to a customer at an Apple reseller store in Mumbai, India. users to offer payment solutions are and Geely Automobile. April over monopoly violations. “The existence of the 30 percent anti-competitive, and also hurt the The government-backed Zhejiang The sector has also attracted criti- commission means that some app In the coming weeks, the CCI will The complainant, non-profit country’s payment processors who News website said Alibaba’s funds cism for the treatment of delivery developers will never make it to the review the case and could order its “Together We Fight Society” which is offer services at lower charges in the will go towards areas such as subsi- workers and ride-hailing drivers, most market ... This could also result in investigations arm to conduct a wider based in India’s western state of range of 1-5 percent. dies for small and medium-sized of whom are not covered by basic consumer harm,” said the filing, probe, or dismiss it altogether if it Rajasthan, told Reuters in a statement Apple has hurt competitors by enterprises and improving insurance social and medical insurance. which has been seen by Reuters. finds no merit in it, said a source it filed the case in the interest of pro- restricting developers from informing protection for gig economy workers Food delivery platform Ele.me and Unlike Indian court cases, filings familiar with the matter. “There are tecting Indian consumers and start- users of alternative purchasing such as couriers and ride-hailing driv- supermarket operator Freshippo, both and details of cases reviewed by the high chances that an investigation can ups.In India, though Apple’s iOS pow- possibilities, thereby harming “app ers. It will also set up a 20 billion yuan of which are owned by Alibaba, were Competition Commission of India be ordered, also because the EU has ered just about 2 percent of 520 mil- developers’ relationship with their “common prosperity development among operators called to a meeting (CCI) are not made public. Apple and been probing this,” said the person, lion smartphones by end-2020 - with customers by inserting itself as mid- fund”, the newspaper said. last month with government regula- the CCI did not respond to a request who declined to be identified as the the rest using Android - Counterpoint dleman in every in-app transaction,” The e-commerce giant and its tech tors on improving safety and labour for comment. case details are not public. Research says the US firm’s smart- the filing added. rivals have been the target of a rights for delivery workers. ‘We don’t know it’: Salvadorans fret over looming bitcoin adoption

REUTERS ATMs of its Chivo digital wallet that wearing a t-shirt with a logo that “[The] bitcoin law promises many SAN SALVADOR, SEPT 2 will allow the cryptocurrency to be rejects bitcoin. Bukele has defended surprises, unintended consequences converted into dollars and withdrawn his initiative by insisting that use of and costs that have not been consid- In the main handicraft market of El without commission. the digital currency will be optional in ered,” said Steve Hanke, an economist Salvador’s capital, traders complain But some 18 traders and passers-by the impoverished, dollarized country, at Johns Hopkins University. that with a week to go before bitcoin interviewed by Reuters said no author- and that it will eliminate commissions Hanke said it was “inconceivable” becomes legal tender, no officials have ity has explained how bitcoin works, Salvadorans pay abroad to send home that the new standard could escape come to explain how it will work or so most say they will not use it, at least remittances. guidelines set out by the Financial what benefits it may bring. to begin with. More than 2.5 million Salvadorans Action Task Force (FATF), an The sense of unease extends beyond In July, three out of four Salvadorans live abroad—the vast majority in the inter-governmental institution that San Salvador’s “Excuartel” market had reservations about the bitcoin United States—and in 2020 they sent fights money laundering. well into the Central American coun- plan, an opinion poll showed. back almost $6 billion, equivalent to 23 “The last thing El Salvador needs is try of 6.4 million people that On Wednesday, about 300 protesters percent of the country’s gross domes- a flagging by the FATF,” he said. on Tuesday will become the first marched on El Salvador’s Congress to tic product. Since El Salvador adopted the dollar nation in the world to adopt bitcoin as demand repeal of the new bitcoin law. “The clumsy opposition always as legal tender in 2001, average annual legal tender. “Bukele, understand - in El Salvador plays single-move chess. They have inflation has been just 2 percent, one “We don’t know the currency. We we don’t want bitcoin,” said a placard bet everything on scaring the popula- of the lowest in Latin America. That don’t know where it comes from. We carried by one protestor. tion about the bitcoin law and maybe record, critics argue, could be jeopard- don’t know if it’s going to bring us Another protestor, 29-year-old stu- they’ll achieve something, but only ized by the introduction of a crypto- profit or loss,” said Claudia Molina, a dent Roxy Hernández, said most until September 7,” Bukele wrote on REUTERS currency whose value has fluctuated 42-year-old seller of T-shirts and sou- Salvadorans do not want to use bit- his Twitter account last week. People protest against the use of Bitcoin as legal tender in San Salvador, El Salvador. by $2,500 in a matter of hours. venirs. “We don’t know anything.” coin and are confused by the law, “Once it’s in effect, people will see “I prefer the dollar, because we “They haven’t given us training. which states vendors must accept bit- the benefits; they’ll be shown up as Bukele’s plan includes a bonus of using bitcoin is risky given the crypto- already know it and know it well, They haven’t told us what we’re going coin payments, even though Bukele liars,” he added. “And what happens $30 equivalent in bitcoin for those who currency’s volatility and because it there’s no problem. But as we don’t to use or how to make the change.” has said it is not mandatory for ven- if someone doesn’t want to use bit- use the government’s electronic wallet could be used to launder money. They know [bitcoin], we don’t know how it At “Excuartel,” a popular tourist dors or consumers. coin? Well, nothing. Don’t download “Chivo,” a local word for something have pointed to Salvadoran officials will work,” said Jose Guardado, a draw, President Nayib Bukele’s gov- “The bitcoin law is something arbi- the application and continue with life “good” or “nice.” the US State Department has accused 48-year-old farmer in the Aguilares ernment has installed one of the 200 trary by the government,” said Roxy, as normal.” Critics of Bukele’s plan argue that of corruption. municipality north of San Salvador.

C M Y K FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 | 06 world

Briefing US envoy Kerry Taliban prepare to announce new Afghan says China crucial Fighting in Yemen’s central province kills 28 in one day to handling SANAA: Fighting has flared up government amid economic turmoil between Yemen’s pro-government climate crisis forces and Houthi rebels in the oil- The Taliban’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, is expected to have ultimate power over a new governing council. rich government stronghold of Marib ASSOCIATED PRESS province, with at least 28 fighters REUTERS BEIJING, SEPT 2 killed over the last 24 hours, security KABUL, SEPT 2 officials from both sides and tribal China needs to expand its efforts to leaders said on Thursday. Most of the Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers reduce carbon emissions to help hold fatalities were among the Iran-backed were preparing their government on back the rise in global temperatures, rebels assaulting the city of Rahbah, Thursday, more than two weeks after US envoy John Kerry said on Thursday. said the officials, who spoke on condi- the Islamist militia’s capture of Kabul The State Department said Kerry tion of anonymity. The rebels have brought a chaotic end to 20 years of told Chinese Vice Premier Han Zheng accelerated their push to take Marib war, while the economy teetered near in a virtual meeting that there is “no in recent months. collapse. way” for the world to solve the climate Taliban official Ahmadullah crisis without China’s “full Muttaqi said on social media a cere- engagement and commitment.” North Korea rejects mony was being prepared at the presi- China is the world’s largest carbon Chinese vaccines dential palace in Kabul and Taliban emitter, producing an estimated 27 SEOUL: North Korea has rejected spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said a percent of global greenhouse gases, around three million doses of a new government was a matter of a few followed by the United States. Chinese Covid-19 vaccine, suggesting days away. Kerry is in the eastern Chinese port they should be given to countries in The legitimacy of the government city of Tianjin for talks on stronger greater need, UNICEF said on Thurs- in the eyes of international donors efforts to curb rising temperatures to day. The impoverished North was the and investors will be crucial for the no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius over first country to impose a strict lock- economy as the country battles pre-industrial levels. down when it sealed its border in drought and the ravages of a conflict Global decarbonising efforts will January last year to stop the virus that took the lives of an estimated come under the spotlight at a UN con- spreading from neighbouring China. 240,000 Afghans. ference to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, Pyongyang insists it has yet to see The Taliban have promised safe pas- in late November known as COP26. any cases of the virus—a claim that sage out of the country for any for- “Secretary Kerry emphasised the analysts doubt—but it has paid a eigners or Afghans left behind by the importance of the world taking seri- huge economic price for the blockade, huge airlift which ended when US ous climate actions in this critical with the regime admitting in June it troops withdrew on Monday. But with decade and strengthening global cli- was tackling a “food crisis”. Kabul airport still closed, many were mate ambition,” the State Department seeking to flee over land. said in a statement. Qatar’s foreign minister said the China’s official Xinhua News Thousands protest in Bangkok Gulf state was talking with the Agency quoted Han as telling Kerry Taliban and Turkey about potential REUTERS that China had made “huge efforts” in demanding PM’s resignation technical support to restart opera- Taliban soldiers are seen at one of the main city squares of Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday. tackling climate change and had BANGKOK: Thousands of people tions at Kabul airport, which would achieved “remarkable results.” protested in central Bangkok on facilitate humanitarian assistance below him, a senior Taliban official promising to protect human rights of State Victoria Nuland had said the China “hopes the American side Thursday to call for the resignation and possibly more evacuations. told Reuters last month. and refrain from reprisals against old United States would look at deeds not will create the appropriate circum- of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- British Foreign Secretary Dominic The supreme Taliban leader has enemies. words. stances for jointly tackling climate ocha and said they would return Raab told the same news conference in three deputies—Mawlavi Yaqoob, son The Taliban have asked Afghan dip- “So they’ve got a lot to prove ... they change based on the spirit of the con- every day until he leaves office. Doha “we need to adjust to the new of the movement’s late founder lomats to stay in overseas posts for the also have a lot to gain, if they can run versations between their leaders,” The demonstration at the Asoke reality” in Afghanistan and said he Mullah Omar, Sirajuddin Haqqani, time being, according to a source with Afghanistan, far, far differently than Xinhua quoted Han as saying. intersection in central Bangkok would be talking with regional leaders leader of the powerful Haqqani net- direct knowledge of the move. The they did the last time they were in Kerry made a stop in Japan on was one of the biggest such gather- about securing safe passage through work, and Abdul Ghani Baradar, one militant group had made clear there power,” she said. Tuesday to discuss climate issues with ings this year despite a warning third countries. of the founding members of the group. would eventually be change but also In Kabul, “a real change has come Japanese officials before heading to from the police earlier in the day “Our immediate priority is...those An unelected leadership council is wanted to maintain a sense of conti- into the city” resident Zahid Ullah China. that protests are banned due to remaining British nationals, and also how the Taliban ran their 1996-2001 nuity, the source said. said. “The environment and peace is On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign coronavirus restrictions. Protests the Afghans who worked for the government, which enforced a radical But the United States, the European good but issues with wages since no Minister Wang Yi warned Kerry that against Prayuth have gained United Kingdom and others who may form of sharia Islamic law until it was Union and others have cast doubt on one knows who is running the coun- deteriorating US-China relations momentum since late June as groups be at the most risk,” Raab said. ousted by US-led forces. such assurances, saying formal recog- try. People are unemployed and could undermine cooperation between who sought his removal last year The Taliban’s supreme leader, The Taliban have tried to present a nition of the new government—and searching for work.” the two on climate change. return with broader support from Haibatullah Akhundzada, is expected more moderate face to the world since the economic aid that would flow from Humanitarian organisations have Such cooperation cannot be separated people angered by a worsening to have ultimate power over a new they swept aside Afghanisatan’s that—is contingent on action. warned of catastrophe as severe from the broader relationship, Wang coronavirus situation. (AGENCIES) governing council, with a president US-backed government last month, The foreign minister of current EU drought and war have forced thou- told Kerry by video link. president Slovenia told Reuters the sands of families to flee their homes. Relations between Washington and bloc was “far from even tackling this Afghanistan desperately needs Beijing have been strained by disputes question”, which EU leaders might money, and the Taliban are unlikely to over trade, technology and human discuss at summits next month. Some get swift access to the roughly $10 bil- rights. However, the two sides have EU states consider the Taliban a ter- lion in assets mostly held abroad by identified the climate crisis as an area rorist organisation. the Afghan central bank. for possible cooperation following US If the European Union—the world’s The new central bank head has President Joe Biden’s decision to biggest aid donor—decides to formally sought to reassure banks the group rejoin the 2015 Paris climate accord. recognise the Taliban government, wants a fully functioning financial China obtains roughly 60 percent of “aid is the leverage that the European system, but has given little detail on its power from coal and is opening Union has” in setting conditions, Anze how it will provide the liquidity more coal-fired power plants, while Logar said. needed, bankers familiar with the also committing to reducing its use of On Wednesday, US Undersecretary matter said. the fossil fuel. India locks down Kashmir after top separatist leader’s death ASSOCIATED PRESS SRINAGAR, INDIA, SEPT 2

Indian authorities cracked down on public movement and imposed a near-total communications blackout in disputed Kashmir on Thursday after the death of Syed Ali Geelani, a top separatist leader who became the emblem of the region’s defiance against New Delhi. Geelani, who died on late Wednesday at age 92, was buried in a local grave- yard in a quiet funeral organised by authorities under harsh restrictions, his son, Naseem Geelani, told The Associated Press. He said the family had planned to bury him at the main martyrs’ graveyard in Srinagar, the region’s main city, as specified in his will but were not allowed to do so by police. “They snatched his body and forci- bly buried him. Nobody from the fam- AP/rss ily was present for his burial. We tried In this 2010 photo, Kashmiri separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani waves to the media to resist but they overpowered us and before his arrest in Srinagar, India. even scuffled with women,” Naseem Geelani said. Geelani spearheaded Kashmir’s on orders by Prime Minister Imran The Press Trust of India news agen- movement for the right to self-deter- Khan. Its foreign ministry condemned cy reported that officials buried mination and was a staunch propo- the non-public burial by Indian Geelani’s body and prohibited any nent of merging Kashmir with authorities. mass funeral in anticipation of Pakistan. He strongly opposed any “Pakistan strongly condemns the anti-India protests. dialogue with New Delhi, a position barbaric act of snatching of the mor- As most Kashmiris remained locked rejected by successive Indian govern- tal remains of the iconic Kashmiri inside their homes, police and soldiers ments who often dubbed him a hard- leader” by Indian police, the ministry patrolled the tense region. line politician. said in a statement in Islamabad. Government forces placed steel barri- Geelani was also the face of It said the Indian government was cades and razor wire across many Kashmir’s civilian defiance against “so afraid of Syed Geelani and what roads, bridges and intersections and Indian rule. He led a faction of the All he stood for that they have now resort- set up additional checkpoints in towns Parties Hurriyat Conference, an asso- ed to this inhuman act even after his and villages in the Kashmir Valley. ciation of various Kashmiri political passing away. This shows the degree Authorities shut down most cell- and religious groups that was formed of callousness on part of the phone networks and mobile internet in 1993 to spearhead a movement for Occupation Forces.” service in a common tactic employed the region’s self-determination. Kashmir has long been a flashpoint by India to head off mass protests. The group used civil disobedience between India and Pakistan, which in the form of shutdowns and protests both claim the region in full but rule as a tactic to counter Indian rule. only parts. Rebels have been fighting For many in Kashmir and beyond, against Indian rule since 1989. Most Geelani was an enduring icon of defi- Muslim Kashmiris support the rebel ance against India. goal that the territory be united either Farmer Mohammed Akbar said under Pakistani rule or as an inde- Geelani’s death filled him with pendent country. remorse but also anger after he New Delhi accuses Pakistan of learned that Geelani’s body had been sponsoring Kashmiri militants, a buried by authorities who excluded charge Pakistan denies. Tens of thou- Kashmiris and his extended family sands of civilians, rebels and govern- from participating in the last rites. ment forces have been killed in the “They are looking at ways to humil- conflict. iate us,” Akbar said as he held his Tensions flared in the region in 2019 grandson in his arms. “They are even after New Delhi stripped Kashmir’s scared of dead Geelani.” semi-autonomy, scrapped its statehood Pakistan observed a day of official and removed inherited protections on mourning and flags flew at half staff land and jobs.

C M Y K 07 | FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 Sports | Medley Ronaldo Nepal, India settle for draw Tsitsipas rolls after breaks men’s Anjan Bista puts the hosts in front but Anirudh Thapa’s equaliser denies coach Almutairi’s another bathroom trip scoring record team a chance of defeating the South Asian giants for the first time in eight years. Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse NEW YORK, Sept 2 LONDON, Sept 2 Stefanos Tsitsipas took another trade- Cristiano Ronaldo signalled his inten- mark long bathroom break then cred- tion to keep playing for Portugal for ited it for advancing to the third round “years to come” after breaking the of the US Open on Wednesday as a all-time international goalscoring storm lashing New York forced the record of 109 previously held by Iran’s suspension of an indoor match. Ali Daei. The 23-year-old Greek third seed The Manchester United forward was booed after taking more than scored twice in the dying minutes to eight minutes between the third and move to 111 international goals as fourth sets but dominated after his Portugal came from behind to beat extended toilet trip to flush Frenchman Ireland 2-1 in World Cup qualifying on Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0 Wednesday. at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Ronaldo, who is the all-time top “I think taking a break and going to goalscorer in the Champions League change—I was completely wet—I was and the leading marksman in Real refreshed,” Tsitsipas said when asked Madrid’s history, led his country to about the key to sweeping the final set AFP/rss their only major tournament win at in 30 minutes. “I was much more able Stefanos Tsitsipas has been ridiculed by Euro 2016. to deliver good tennis in the fourth set. Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev for The 36-year-old spoke of his pride I was able to stay resilient on each and extended bathroom breaks. after his latest milestone. every point.” “From all the records that I have Tsitsipas, who matched his deepest with a torn hamstring, captured her broken during my career—and fortu- US Open run, has been ridiculed by third in a row in 2014. nately there have been a few—this one Andy Murray and Alexander Zverev Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open is very special for me and it’s certainly for extended bathroom breaks seen as winner who could meet Osaka in the on the shelf of the achievements that gamesmanship. fourth round, beat 21st seed Coco make me truly proud,” Ronaldo said French Open runner-up Tsitsipas, Gauff 6-4, 6-2 in an all-American show- in a post on Instagram. who says he’s only following ATP down. “I’m really pleased with how I Ronaldo became the first player to rules that have no time limit on toilet played,” Stephens said. feature in five European breaks, fired a career-high 27 aces, five Medvedev, a winner last month in Championships at this year’s Euro more than his previous best, in win- Toronto, also beat Koepfer on his way 2020, winning the Golden Boot. And he ning his ATP-best 50th match of the to the 2019 US Open final, which he could equal the record of playing at year. lost to Rafael Nadal. “Great level from five World Cups should Portugal make “I just felt very loose on my serve,” me,” Medvedev said. “There were a it to Qatar next year. Tsitsipas said. “My ball toss was very few tight moments in the match and I The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Post Photo: Hemanta Shrestha consistent. That helped me find a spot managed to play them well. I’m happy who secured a return to United from Nepal’s Anjan Bista (second right) celebrates after scoring a goal against India during their friendly football match at the Dasharath Stadium. and have points off my serve.” to be through in less than two hours.” Juventus this week, hinted he has no High winds and water drenched the Russian fifth seed Andrey Rublev intention of retiring from interna- SPORTS BUREAU debut for the national team in 2008 restored parity in the 61st after grounds and wind-blown rain entered beat Spain’s Pedro Martinez 7-6 (7/2), tional football in the near future. KATHMANDU, Sept 2 AFC Challenge Cup Qualifiers in Chhetri’s 25-yard scorcher landed just through upper corner openings under 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-1. He next faces “Thank you Portugal. Thanks to all Cambodia. ahead of the goalline as the ball the closed roof of Louis Armstrong 50th-ranked American Frances Tiafoe, my teammates and opponents for Hosts Nepal settled for a 1-1 draw Both sides could not create remark- punched by Nepal custodian Limbu Stadium to suspend a second-round who warns, “I’m coming after him.” making this journey so unforgetta- against South Asian giants India after able chances in the first half an hour. failed to cross the bar. Substitute match between South African Kevin Two-time Grand Slam winners ble,” he added. “Let’s keep meeting they conceded second half equaliser Nepal opened scoring in the 31st after Thapa rushed to the ball and sent it to Anderson and Argentina’s Diego Victoria Azarenka and Garbine inside the pitch in the years to come! in the first international friendly at Bista collected Indian defender the back of the net. Schwartzman. Remnants of deadly Muguruza booked a third-round show- I’m not closing the count just yet.” the Dasharath Stadium in Konsham’s back pass to goalie Sandhu India’s Manvir Singh threatened Hurricane Ida would shut down the down. Portugal face Qatar in a friendly on Tripureshwar on Thursday. inside the area and comfortably drib- in the 83rd minute but his strike at covered court after twice interrupting Spanish ninth seed Muguruza, the Saturday before travelling to Nepal could not realise their ambi- bled past the shot stopper before the far post from a crowded the match, with the National Weather 2016 French Open and 2017 Wimbledon Azerbaijan on September 7. tion of beating India for the first time shooting at the open net. area missed the target. In the Service issuing a tornado and flash winner, beat Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 6-2, Thanks to Ronaldo’s rescue act in after eight years after India equalised Nepal created yet another chance in stoppage time, Nepal’s Kamal Thapa’s flood warnings for the area. taking her first win in four tries the Algarve, Fernando Santos’s men in the 61st minute through substitute the first half stoppage time before header in Suman Aryal’s cross Anderson and Schwartzman against the German. top Group A of European qualifying, forward Anirudh Thapa. Nepal’s cap- Suman Lama ended up applying a went wide. resumed in Ashe after Tsitsipas’s vic- She will next face two-time three points clear of Serbia, who have tain and goalie Kiran Kumar Limbu feeble shot on goal from the area forc- Nepal made five changes in the mid tory, with the South American win- Australian Open champion and three- a game in hand. was at fault for the goal. ing Indian custodian Sandhu for a second half and gave debut to mid- ning 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-4. time US Open runner-up Azarenka, Earlier, winger Anjan Bista had diving save. fielder Nitin Thapa. He replaced Tej Defending champion Naomi Osaka the 18th seed from Belarus who defeat- given lead to Nepal in the 36th taking Hurt by the goal they conceded, Tamang in the 85th minute. advanced by walkover while Russian ed Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 6-3, 7-6 (7/1). advantage of poor backpass to Indian India made four changes at the start India’s Croatian coach Igor Stimac second seed Daniil Medvedev breezed “The next round is going to be exciting custodian Gurpreet Singh Sandhu of the second half bringing in said that his side were better in the into the third round over Germany’s for both of us,” Azarenka said. from teammate Chinglensana Singh Anirudh Thapa, Sahal Abdul Samad, game and they deserved to win. “The Dominik Koepfer 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. Azarenka and Muguruza have split Konsham. Seriton Fernandes and Rahim Ali. pitch condition, defensive approach Osaka reached the third round four career meetings. “It’s going to be Hosts Nepal, who had defeated India They piled pressure in the early quar- and counter attack were key to Nepal’s when 20-year-old Serbian qualifier a very difficult match. She always 2-1 in the 2013 SAFF Championship ter after the break. performance,” said Stimac. “We were Olga Danilovic withdrew due to plays great here,” Muguruza said. last time at the same venue, came up Nepal survived a scare in the 51st better in the second half after making illness. “I have been feeling unwell “She’s one of the best players out with swift passes at the wet outfield of minute when Indian skipper Sunil four changes.” these past few days dealing with a there.” the Dasharath Stadium in the evenly Chhetri was denied by Limbu in Nepal’s Kuwaiti coach Abdullah non-covid related viral ilness,” Romanian 12th seed Simona Halep, contested affair. It was the 20th Thapa’s freekick. The goalie was Almutairi who had promised to win Danilovic posted on social media. a two-time major champion, beat encounter between the two sides. In forced to rush out of the area and the match and make Nepali proud of Osaka, seeking her fifth Grand Slovakian Kristina Kucova 6-3, 6-1. their previous fixtures, Nepal blocked the ball with his hand before their team apologised for the outcome. Slam title and third US Open crown in After an injury-nagged season, it’s have won two, lost 13 and drawn four being shown a yellow. “I am sorry to Nepali people,” he said, four years, next faces Canada’s Halep’s deepest US Open run since AFP/rss matches. Two minutes later India captain claiming that his side were better for 73rd-ranked Leylah Fernandez. The 2016. “I feel better. I’m more Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo moved to 111 Goalie Limbu also equalled former Chhetri missed yet another scoring 80 minutes of the game. 23-year-old Japanese third seed could confident,” Halep said. “Before the international goals, breaking the all-time captain Biraj Maharjan’s record of chance as his header in Glan Peter The second friendly between the become the first repeat US Open win- tournament, I was a little worried record of 109 held by Iran’s Ali Daei. highest 73 caps for Nepal. He made Martins’ cross flew wide. India two sides will be played on Sunday. ner since Serena Williams, absent with injuries.” HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) *** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) ** You’re not one for staying down in the dumps, Aries. As a Cancer, you’re no stranger to the rollercoaster Let yourself seek out your friends today, Libra. You The universe has been pushing you to shore up old Friday’s cosmic landscape encourages you to leap of moods you move through in a day. Friday’s skies thrive on having a sense of community. Thus today’s wounds around your self-confidence, Capricorn. You back into a positive mindset after a bit more emo- encourage you to depart from the ride and find stable cosmos works to feed your soul with the support and have been seeking new outlets for self-expression. tional shuffling. The day may highlight ongoing ten- ground again. Focus on your untapped talents and joy of connection. Focus towards the all-important You need only grant yourself access to exploring new sions on the career front. the current state of your finances.. contacts. terrains.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) **** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Friday’s skies hold little activity in store, Taurus. It’s been important for you to tap back into your You’ve been pushing hard towards making your As an Aquarius, you’re here to seek new solutions to Take advantage of the slow pace! Today’s alignment sense of self-worth in recent weeks, Leo. You’ve need- dreams come true, Scorpio. Friday’s skies point your outgrown problems. Remember to let yourself keep a may lower energy levels and confuse long-term goals ed to shore up your own confidence in your abilities focus towards the state of your ambitions. Send your finger on the pulse of that drive rather than to keep but can also imbue the day with a hazy, sensual and rather than rely on other people for positive feed- attention towards getting ahead and tackling mainte- the blinders on and plow ahead without a second romantic feel. back. Step back out proudly. nance on ongoing projects. thought.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) *** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** This time of year is all about tapping back into your Let yourself slip into retreat mode today, Virgo. The To a Sagittarius, there’s nothing worse than being Let yourself get down to business today, Pisces. You’ll creative skill sets, Gemini. Friday’s cosmic landscape day encourages you to pull away and restore your bound to tiresome routines and day-to-day trappings. feel your best if you manage to cross multiple things encourages you to engage with that drive to do what waning energy levels. It’s an ideal time of the month Let yourself gallop across the open plains today. A off your to-do list and still leave time for exercise and you. Try to maintain some fluid space for that artistic to focus on release, renewal, and rest. Refrain your- fresh change of scenery may be just what you need to proper meals. Friday’s skies encourage you to recon- energy. self from heavy workloads. figure out the next step. nect with order and process. Crossword Sudoku

Yesterday’s Solution

C M Y K FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 03, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 For queer people with disabilities, the path to acceptance is more arduous

>> Continued from page 1 in queer organisations about issues relat- “Our issues and voices have never been ed to queer people with disabilities, and acknowledged,” says Safal Lama, a non-bi- this has made the country’s queer move- nary queer disability rights activist. “We ment less inclusive. have largely remained invisible from con- “We haven’t been able to use an inter- versations related to queer issues. We do sectional approach in queer activism as not get enough space to voice our con- queer activists lack information about cerns as able-bodied queer people do. queer people with disabilities. But it’s There has been a little effort to include us high time we work towards addressing the in the queer movement in Nepal.” needs and demands of queer people with According to Lama, the lack of inclu- disablities,” says Dhakal. sive queer spaces for people with disabili- Not accepted by queer and disability ties is an issue that has never been ques- organisations, queer people with disabili- tioned or challenged within the queer ties are now working independently and community of Nepal. forming communities to advocate for their “We have seen many changes because rights. of the queer movement but when it comes In May this year, Lama started Queer to us [queer people with disabilities], our Disabilities Nepal, an Instagram account, rights and needs have always been to build a community where queer people ignored. Even if we speak about it, the with disabilities can connect with one queer community doesn’t listen to us, and another. they say that disability is a different issue “I had started a Facebook page targeted and should not come under queer agen- for queer people with disabilities, but I da,” says Lama. “But it’s not. For the failed to use the page actively. But in May, queer movement to uplift everyone, issues I decided to start using Instagram. I know of queer people with disabilities should be it’s just an Instagram account, but I want- given equal focus.” ed to start a conversation and build a Aditya Rai, a queer disabled activist community among queer people with dis- who works at Blue Diamond Society abilities, many of whom have not received (BDS), an organisation that advocates for any space till now,” says Lama, who’s also LGBTIQA+ rights, agrees with Lama. Rai, a psychosocial counsellor and one of the who joined BDS in 2011, says that it’s not members of Queer Youth Group, a youth- that the conversation of guaranteeing the led queer organisation. same rights and opportunities for queer Lama says that through the Instagram people with disabilities hasn’t spurred. Post Photo: Beeju Maharjan account, they have been able to form a “I started out as an activist in 2011 and Aditya Rai, a queer disabled activist, at Blue Diamond Society’s (BDS) office in Kathmandu. Rai has been working at BDS since 2011. group of 15 queer people with disabilities since then I have made efforts to make from different parts of Nepal. other queer activists realise why it is for being disabled. They still call me vari- them because of their heteronormative them in accepting their identities. “I came across the Instagram account important to include voices of queer peo- ous names and always say that I am good beliefs. “People like us aren’t welcomed with last July. I’ve always known that there ple with disabilities. But there’s always for nothing.” “Once, when I attended an event organ- open arms in queer institutions. And when are people out there who are like me. Not lack of concern from them as they believe In a society that is yet to fully accept ised by and for people with disabilities, I we go to disability rights organisations, we just physically but emotionally and in that disability organisations, not queer queer people, it has become crucial for had raised the issue of how disability are told that a disabled person can’t be their sexual preferences. Connecting with organisations, should handle our issues,” queers to build an all-inclusive communi- rights movement leaves behind queer peo- queer. Because of such unwelcoming spac- others like me through the Instagram says Rai. “In Nepal, queer people with ty of their own. ple with disabilities. Most of the attendees es, it’s challenging for a disabled person to account has made me feel less alone and disabilities are marginalised within the However, queer people with disabilities and organisers didn’t validate my concern. accept both of their identities,” says Rai. inspired in many ways,” says A, a 22-year- marginalised community of queer popula- the Post spoke to say that one of the major They started asking me if I could provide Activists from both the disability and old bisexual woman and one of the mem- tion.” struggles they face is getting acceptance them with the number of queer people in queer rights movements accept their fail- bers of the group, who spoke on condition The problem of lack of inclusivity, how- from their own peers. the country’s disabled population, exerting ure to include queer people with disabili- of anonymity. ever, is not limited to Nepal. Lack of inclu- “I feel left out and excluded as the queer a belief that we [queer people with a disa- ties. Since the conversation on queer people sive queer spaces and the ableist attitude community hasn’t accepted that people bility] barely exist,” says Lama. “We agree that we have been unable to with disabilities has just started in the within the queer community are common with disabilities can also be queer,” says In the various policies and acts that address the voices of queer people with country, activists believe that there’s a across the world. Rai, who’s currently working as a pro- have been made for people with disabili- disabilities. Most of our focus has been on lot yet to be done in Nepal’s queer disabil- “Our society’s way of looking at disa- gramme officer at BDS. “They have this ties, the word queer or LGBTIQA+ hasn’t demanding rights for the whole communi- ity rights movement. bled people itself is problematic,” says mindset that, to be queer you have to be been mentioned at all. Neither has there ty. But it is true that even within our com- “Queer people with disabilities are Payal Thapa, 22, a trans activist from able-bodied. Once you are disabled, even if been any focus drawn to address the needs munity, they are the ones who have to face already in a very physically and emotion- Nawalparasi, who lost her right leg when you say that you identify as a queer, they of queer people with disabilities by any more prejudices. We will try to work ally vulnerable place,” says A in an email she was a child. “But when a person with question you and your choice.” particular institution. together with them in the future,” says interview. “An inclusive space in all social a disability is queer, then society holds It’s not just the queer movement that The lack of acceptance from queer com- Mitra Lal Sharma, president of the movements is important as it creates even more prejudices against them. I had has failed to accommodate and give space munity has meant that for queer people National Federation of Disabled Nepal. a safe haven for us so we can share our to suffer from discrimination in my per- to the voices of queer people with disabil- with disabilities who want to explore their Manisha Dhakal, executive director of thoughts, feelings, and ideas without sonal and workspace from both cisgender ities; even disability organisations, say queerness, there’s no place to learn about BDS, also agrees with Sharma. According the fear of being judged, belittled, or heterosexual people and my queer friends queer people with disabilities, have failed queer issues, which creates difficulties for to her, there’s a huge knowledge gap with- bullied.”

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