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

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 76 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 37.0 C 8.0 C Wednesday, May 05, 2021 | 22-01-2078 Nepalgunj Jumla Complacency, miscalculation and missteps Will Oli’s confidence vote plan Country records highest daily coronavirus death toll and new cases. Oli’s chest-thumping and false claims shake up political landscape? continue as vaccine supply is nowhere in sight. 47 percent of total tests return positive results. Maoists withdraw support and Nepal-Khanal supporters are mulling resigning as lawmakers. Congress party eyes government and Janata Samajbadi is still a divided house.

ANIL GIRI & TIKA R PRADHAN ure out its next move. The Nepali KATHMANDU, MAY 4 Congress, the principal opposition party, is weighing options if it could Politics seems to be a priority for lead the government. The Janata Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, not Samajbadi Party, the fourth largest the ongoing pandemic that has been force in the House which holds the key, sickening people at an exponential is trying hard to remain united. rate and taking the lives of more and Maoist Centre spokesperson more people every day. And other par- Narayan Kaji Shrestha said that his ties are not behind. party would officially inform the As the country reported the highest Parliament Secretariat about the par- ever single-day toll of 55 deaths due ty’s decision to withdraw its support Covid-19 and another record daily to Oli. surge of coronavirus cases of 7,587, “The party has authorised chair Nepal’s top politicians were busy plot- Pushpa Kamal Dahal to take a final ting and scheming for advantage. decision on pulling out support to the Oli’s Sunday decision to seek a trust government,” said Shrestha. “Today’s vote in Parliament has unleashed a Standing Committee also dwelt on the new chain of events. A House meeting intention behind Oli suddenly seeking has been called for May 10 when Oli a vote of confidence in the Parliament.” will move the motion for a floor test. Even though the Maoist Centre and Oli as of now appears clear in his the CPN-UML were revived by the roadmap. If he survives the trust vote, Supreme Court on March 7, two weeks he will lead the government for the after it overturned Oli’s House disso- full term. If he fails, he will make lution decision, the Maoists had not every move to stop his opponents from withdrawn their support to the gov- forming a coalition government and ernment. take the country towards polls. Oli was elected prime minister in Oli’s move prompted the Communist February 2018 with the support of the Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) to Maoist Centre. S ource: Health Ministry withdraw its support, forced the Ever since the two parties were ARJUN POUDEL & BINOD GHIMIRE Sharma Oli made a tall claim–that all Raju Regmi, in-charge of the elec- In Nepal, the Oli administration has Nepali Congress to think if it indeed revived, Oli had challenged the KATHMANDU, MAY 4 the citizens would be inoculated tric crematorium operated by the acted as if there is no pandemic. Oli, has prospects of leading a coalition Maoist Centre time and again to with- “within three months.” Pashupati Area Development Trust, who is fond of peddling pseudosci- government and agitated the Janata draw its support if it really wanted to When Nepal reported no death from It has been a little over three months told the Post on Monday evening that ence, continued to downplay the virus Samajbadi Party. Last but not least, unseat him. Covid-19 on January 28, the first time since he made the statement. as many as 27 bodies were in queue as threat despite constant warnings from Oli has managed to goad the Madhav Oli’s chances of surviving the vote in six months, it was the second day of On Tuesday, the country reported one of the machines was not working. doctors and public health experts. Nepal-Jhala Nath Khanal faction into of confidence depend on how the the country’s vaccination drive. The the highest ever single-day toll with 55 According to Regmi, eight pyres When the country reported zero considering whether time has come Nepal-Khanal faction responds and country reported 213 new Covid-19 deaths and record high number of were on the bank of the river. death on January 28 with the new for them to make a decisive move. whether the Janata Samajbadi Party cases, a massive drop from the peak of new cases at 7,587. It was like what many in Nepal had cases coming down to three digits, After vacillating for two months, stands in his support. 5,743 cases that it had reached last Just a day before, there were been dreading had arrived. In neigh- Oli, his ministers and members of the Maoist Centre finally decided to If the Nepal-Khanal faction goes by year on October 21. A day before no funeral pyres lined up on the bank of bouring India, as coronavirus cases his coterie were in a bid to prove withdraw the support it lent Oli back the party whip and the Janata death was reported since August, on Bagmati at Pashupati Aryaghat, surged and the daily death counts that how the government had won in February 2018. The Madhav Kumar Samajbadi votes for Oli, he will con- January 27, while launching the vacci- where Hindus perform funeral rites. soared, images of funeral pyres light- over the virus. Nepal-Jhala Nath Khanal faction tinue to stay in power. nation drive, Prime Minister KP All had died of Covid-19. ing up the night sky were emerging. >> Continued on page 2 within Oli’s CPN-UML is trying to fig- >> Continued on page 2 Mental health issues on the rise amid pandemic and restrictions Social support, sufficient sleep, physical activities and limiting social media time are some of the ways to cope with the situation, experts say.

many people are having difficulty finding hospital beds, plasma and oxy- gen for the treatment of Covid-19 patients. People have turned to social media to get support and many are receiving the help too. However, for others witnessing such a scenario all over their social media feeds has triggered their men- tal health. “The uncertainty about their pres- ent and future, restricted to stay at home, seeing panic posts on social media and fear about new variants is all exacerbating mental illness,” Dr Prabhakar Pokharel, a consultant psy- chiatrist, told the Post. “The second wave could be more severe for mental health because it came suddenly when everything seemed to be returning to normal.” When the government announced that the country’s health system is unable to cope as coronavirus infec- tions continue to soar, people pan- icked more which led to more stress, fear, anxiety and other mental health related problems, Pokharel added.

shutterstock According to the World Health Organization’s Nepal office, the preva- SHUVAM DHUNGANA are dying in lack of treatment.” lence of mental disorders, such as KATHMANDU, MAY 4 The second wave of Covid-19 has depression and anxiety, is expected to turned out to be more virulent and rise with the soaring number of cases Rajesh was excited to meet his friends lethal, infecting more people and tak- every day in Nepal. when his college started in-person ing more lives. “Certain groups such as persons classes after months of lockdown last According to the Ministry of Health with existing mental health condi- year. However, restrictions imposed by and Population, Nepal in the last 24 tions and psychosocial disabilities the government following the surge of hours reported 7,587 new coronavirus were more vulnerable to acquiring Covid-19 cases across the country has infections, the highest number record- Covid-19 and stress and needed contin- forced the 22-year-old undergraduate ed on a single day since the pandemic uous care. Moreover, not everyone had student to stay at home again. began. During this period 55 lost their access to mental health services when “I spend my days surfing the inter- lives to the virus, the highest death they required it,” states its report. net on my phone. However, I am toll in one day. The World Health Organization, already fed up,” said Rajesh, who There have been 351,005 cases so far Country Office for Nepal, has been wished to be identified by only his with 59,798 active cases, and the death assisting the Ministry of Health and first name. toll stands at 3, 417. Population in developing a Covid-19 “I am scared of seeing social media Besides causing financial and phys- Mental Health & Psychological posts. I have recently read news that ical problems, the second wave of the Support intervention framework to there are no hospital beds available pandemic has also affected people draw adequate attention to mental for Covid-19 patients and many people mentally, creating panic in many peo- health and psychosocial support ser- ple’s minds especially the youth. vices in the national emergency “I can’t sleep properly think- response and to continue delivering ing about my future. This Covid- essential mental health services, 19 has delayed my second year according to the report. BSW [bachelor of social work] Mental Hospital in Patan has been exam once again. I have already receiving calls from patients having lost one year and I don’t want to problems like stress, anxiety and not lose another,” said Rajesh. being able to sleep as their close ones “I don’t think the situation are infected, according to the Hospital. will become normal anytime “Social support is the key—share soon and thinking about it gives and keep talking to people,” said Dr me anxiety.” Basudev Karki, a psychiatrist at the With the number of cases ris- hospital. ing each day in the country, >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, MAY 05, 2021 | 02 National A man died outside a pharmacy after three Will Oli’s confidence vote ... hospitals in Janakpur turned him away Janakpur Provincial Hospital turned a Covid-19 suspect away citing a lack of beds in the ICU. The man went to two private hospitals before returning home because he could not afford treatment there.

AJIT TIWARI couldn’t sleep for he could not breathe JANAKPUR, MAY 4 properly,” Sah told the Post. “When I asked him about his visit to the hospi- Forty-five year old Lok Bahadur tal, he said none of the three hospitals Pariyar had been suffering from fever he visited were willing to take him in. for a couple of days. He took paraceta- He requested me to give him medi- mol tablets to bring his temperature cines and to treat him.” down. Soon he also suffered from com- Pariyar then sat down to catch his mon cold and severe body ache. When breath and soon collapsed. He never he reached Subodh Sah’s pharmacy on woke up. Monday, he was complaining of diffi- “I don’t know whether he had gone Post file Photo culty in breathing. He showed all to other places for treatment. When he If the motion fails, Oli might take the country towards polls. symptoms of Covid-19, says the phar- came to me on Monday evening he was macist. already in a serious condition. I >> Continued from page 1 the Nepal-Khanal faction are even dis- Sah advised Pariyar, a resident of thought it best to send him to Janakpur If the Janata Samajbadi does not cussing whether they should resign en Bateshwar Rural Municipality-4 in for treatment but sadly he died in vote for him, the Oli government will masse as lawmakers. Dhanusha district, to go to Janakpur want of treatment,” said Sah. fall. “We don’t want to cross the floor, for treatment since he suspected According to the Bateshwar Police A Congress office bearer said that if but we are discussing resignation en Covid-19 infection in the patient stand- Post, Pariyar, who ran an eatery, lived Oli fails the trust vote, the party will masse if Oli refuses to take us along. ing before him. “He was asking me for alone at his in-laws house. His wife take the lead to form a new govern- We have not made a final decision medicines. His condition was already and other family members live in ment with the backing of the Maoist yet,” said the Standing Committee very serious when he came. His treat- India. On Monday, he had asked an Centre and Janata Samajbadi. member asking not to be named. ment was not possible here,” said Sah. Post file Photo acquaintance to take him to Sah’s “We are constantly in talks with the “Some leaders have also said when “So I called for an ambulance and sent Janakpur Provincial Hospital is the designated Covid-19 hospital of Province 2. pharmacy. two parties,” the Congress leader told Nepali Congress President Sher him to Janakpur.” The Nepal Army (NA) team took the Post. “We are also watching the Bahadur Deuba is not ready for a Little did the pharmacist know that check up the doctors at the hospital Pariyar’s health condition had wors- Pariyar’s body from the chowk. The Nepal-Khanal faction.” no-confidence motion and has been Pariyar would take his last breath asked the patient to go to another hos- ened, says Mahato. NA personnel collected swab samples Oli’s UML party has 121 seats in siding with Oli, their resignation outside his pharmacy less than 24 pital since all Intensive Care Unit Ram Janaki Hospital refused treat- from the body and have sent it to Parliament, with around 30 members won’t be necessary.” hours later. (ICU) beds at the hospital were occu- ment to Pariyar stating that the treat- Province Public Health Laboratory in said to be commanded by the Nepal- Even though the Maoist Centre has The ambulance left for Janakpur pied. ment cost was expensive there. Janakpur for the Polymerase Chain Khanal faction. offered Deuba multiple times to with Pariyar at around 7 pm on “I took him to the provincial hospi- Since all three hospitals turned him Reaction test. The 275-member House of become the prime minister by unseat- Monday. He was chatting with the tal. The doctors said he had to be away, Mahato says Pariyar decided to The test report is yet to come. Representatives currently has 271 ing Oli, the Congress leader has not driver Rambabu Mahato on the way to admitted in the ICU as his oxygen return home. The Janakpur-based provincial hos- members, as four Maoist Centre mem- made any concrete moves. Deuba the hospital. He soon complained of level was very low but they did not The duo drove back to Bateshwar pital has 12 ICU beds. According to Dr bers have lost their positions. The maintained that firstly the Maoist shortness of breath and asked for help have a bed free,” said Mahato. Chowk at around 10pm. Pramod Yadav, the medical superin- Maoist Centre, hence, has just 49 seats. Centre had not withdrawn support, from Mahato. Mahato removed the Mahato took Pariyar back to the “I took him to three hospitals but tendent at the provincial hospital, The Nepali Congress has 63 mem- and secondly, there was no commit- oxygen cylinder and administered ambulance and went to Janaki Health none were available for him. He asked only 10 patients were admitted in the bers (two remain suspended) and the ment from the Janata Samajbadi. oxygen to Sah. Care Hospital, a private hospital in me to take him back saying that he did ICU till Monday evening. “The hospi- Janata Samajbadi Party has 34 mem- The Janata Samajbadi itself is a Pariyar’s residence in Bateshwar-4 Janakpur. The hospital had ICU beds have money to afford treatment in tal has to admit the patient if the beds bers (two suspended). divided house, with two top leaders, is about 16 KM from Janakpur, the but the hospital administration asked costly private hospitals,” said Mahato. are empty. I am still inquiring about For someone to prove a majority, 136 Mahantha Thakur and Rajendra headquarters of Province 2. the patient to pay Rs 13,000 per day for Mahato dropped Pariyar at the what happened in Pariyar’s case,” votes are required. Though suspended Mahato, siding with Oli, and as many The ambulance reached Janakpur a bed in the ICU. chowk. said Yadav. members are included to define the senior leaders, Upendra Yadav and Provincial Hospital, a designated Pariyar could not afford the treat- The next morning pharmacist Sah The Post tried to reach out to both strength of the House, they cannot Baburam Bhattarai, making a pitch Covid-19 hospital, at around 8pm. ment at the private hospital. found Pariyar standing outside his Janaki Health Care Hospital and Ram vote as per parliamentary regulations. for toppling the government. Oxygen level in Pariyar’s body had He asked Mahato to take him to pharmacy. Janaki Hospital but the hospital For the Congress and the Maoist As things stand, according to Janata dropped to 48 when he was taken to another hospital. The duo then “I was shocked to see him there. He administration did not want to com- Centre to form a government, they Samajbadi leaders, the party is clearly the provincial hospital. After health reached Ram Janaki Hospital. By now said he went home at night but ment about Pariyar’s case. will need at least 26 Janata Samajbadi divided vertically, with the Upendra- Party votes, as even though the former Baburam group commanding 18 law- two parties have 112 votes, only 61 of makers. the Congress members can vote. But even if the 18 lawmakers extend The Janata Samajbadi Party so far support to the Nepali Congress and Complacency, miscalculation and missteps has not given a word on supporting the Maoist Centre, a coalition govern- the Congress-Maoist Centre coalition. ment is not possible, unless the Nepal- >> Continued from page 1 Oli. The national defence force, how- there were just two virus cases in the vaccine provided by China under Rather, two of its top leaders– Khanal faction’s lawmakers resign. On February 6, Oli held a mass gath- ever, was caught by surprise. The country–one already recovered. The grant assistance, only 300,000 doses Mahantha Thakur and Rajendra The Nepal-Khanal faction claims it ering in the heart of the city. His loyal- Army told the Post on Tuesday that it cases went up until October and then have been used. Around 500,000 doses Mahato–are cosying up to Oli. has around 30 lawmakers on its side. ists worked on a war footing to bring has no clue about the construction of started to decline. When the cases are currently in the warehouse, Oli’s supporters say seeking a vote The faction is already vexed with Oli in “2 million people” to the rally. Oli the temporary hospitals as announced were falling, the government had according to officials. of confidence is the prime minister’s for seeking clarification from its as boasted from the bully pulpit how his by Oli. ample opportunity to increase the Doctors say while the government prerogative and he can do so whenev- many as 27 lawmakers. government succeeded in saving the “There might be some confusion number of beds and ventilators. must make efforts to contain the er he wishes. Speculation is also rife that if the lives of the people. about the construction of hospitals,” Oli, however, had plunged the coun- spread, expand tests and treatment “The Nepal-Khanal faction has to Nepal-Khanal faction’s 30 lawmakers It was forgotten if there was a Brigadier General Shantosh Ballave try into a political crisis. Ever since and increase the number of beds, make its position clear now, either it’s resign en masse, the equation in the Covid-19 mechanism. It did not meet Poudyal, the Nepal Army spokesper- Oli’s House dissolution decision on ventilators and oxygen supplies, it with Oli or it’s against Oli,” said a House will change. In that case, the for months. Reality started to sink in son, told the Post. “We have received a December 20, the governance has should use all its resources to acquire UML Standing Committee member House strength will reduce to 241 and when the second wave hit the country. directive to construct holding centres taken a backseat and political shenan- vaccines. from the Oli camp. the magic number will come down to The Covid-19 Crisis Management which can be used as quarantine and igans have continued. “If the government is trying to pro- By deciding to seek a trust vote, Oli 122. If 18 of the Upendra-Baburam Centre scrambled to meet when the isolation facilities. We aren’t con- Poor governance coupled with peo- cure vaccines from wherever it finds has clearly flummoxed his opponents, faction leaders support the Congress cases started to surge. But as is Oli’s structing hospitals.” ple’s carelessness, they were quick to them, it should administer all vac- who are still trying to figure out what and the Maoist Centre, Deuba could wont, he took decisions of his own. But what Oli claimed is just an throw away masks and participate in cines provided by China and pay for he is actually eying. One plausible become prime minister. Recommendations made by the Covid- example how he often tends to steam- festivals, parties and weddings, fuelled more and get them,” said Dr Baburam reason is Oli wants snap polls. If he But many say that is still “if and 19 task force rarely mattered. Its coor- roll everyone, analysts say. People infections. Marasini, former director of the fails in the trust vote, many believe, only if.” dinator Ishwar Pokhrel, one of Oli’s from Oli’s orbit also admit in private Amid the rising number of cases, Epidemiology and Disease Control Oli thinks another government is not A Nepal-Khanal faction leader said close aides, was too intimidated to that he has a tendency not to listen to the government from April 29 imposed Division. possible, which will mean House dis- that time has come for them to make a challenge his master. Anyway, the task anyone and do what he feels like. prohibitory orders. A chief district Analysts say Oli is so engrossed in solution and elections. decision now. force is full of ministers and “When the prime minister makes a officer of Kathmandu Valley told the his political games that he has com- With his decision, Oli has finally “If the motion fails, Oli will take the some officials, without a single statement on such a serious issue, it Post on April 28 that they were just not pletely forgotten the fact that he was forced the Maoist Centre to withdraw country towards polls which is not expert to make any scientific should be backed by a concrete plan,” using the term “lockdown” but it, in elected to serve the people. On a num- its support. possible. If Oli survives, he is certain- recommendations. said Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, for- effect, was a lockdown. Thursday ber of occasions, Oli has not hesitated Now he seems to be trying to send a ly going to initiate action against us,” As hospitals ran out oxygen beds mer major general of the Nepal Army. onwards, the lockdown is going to be to mock the people for criticizing him, message to the Nepal-Khanal faction said Ghanashyam Bhusal, a Standing and oxygen supplies, the Health “Otherwise, it will not only create even tougher. saying that no one could see the mas- to pick a side. Committee member close to Nepal. Ministry on Friday said the situation confusion among the people but tar- On Tuesday, Nepal, a country of 30 sive development work his govern- A Standing Committee member “So, we are discussing whether resign- had become unmanageable, in what nish the image of the Army.” million, was not far behind India, a ment has been doing. close to Nepal said many leaders of ing en masse is the best option.” came as a direct message that it has country of 1.3 billion people, when it By nature, Oli is a gregarious given up. A day later, a meeting of the comes to new daily cases per million man. He loves to be in company. He Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre Poor governance people. is garrulous. And most often he recommended that the government The countrywide infection tally has surrounds himself by his aides and perform cremation of bodies of those coupled with now reached 351,005, with the number allies, according to analysts and dying of the coronavirus. of active cases at 59,798. insiders. Oli hates to be challenged, Mental health issues ... Oli’s theatrics continued. people’s carelessness India on Tuesday reported they say. On Monday itself, just as dozens of 357,229 new infections and 3,438 Geja Sharma Wagle, who writes >> Continued from page 1 mask and staying indoors. funeral pyres were burning at fuelled infections. deaths. India’s total cases surged past extensively on contemporary political “One needs to keep a healthy life- -Follow a disciplined routine. Pashupati, Oli addressed the nation. 20 million. and geo-political as well as security style, have regular sleep, exercise, do Discipline helps the brain to focus on He once again marvelled at how his It did not take long for Oli’s matters, said making a fake claim on yoga, read, listen to music and take the task at hand and not stray away government had been able to control According to Pokharel, everywhere chest-thumping, when the country hospital construction in such times of multiple breaks.” into unnecessary negative thoughts. the virus spread. Half of his speech around the world governments deploy launched its vaccination drive with crisis is highly irresponsible and The only way to manage stress in -Pursue a creative activity. was in English, and for many it was armies in the times of crises but they the 1 million doses provided by India insensitive on the part of the prime these times is to focus on living in the -Exercise releases endorphins not a mystery why he did so. He made do so in close coordination. in grant, to turn into a thud. The minister. present, he added. which are natural painkillers. It also a clarion call to the world to extend “If it is just about increasing the Serum Institute of India refused to “Given the fact that he has central- Pokharel suggested not looking at gives a sense of accomplishment support, stressing global cooperation numbers of beds, why not do so at supply half of the 2 million doses for ised power and made himself the per- social media much. while keeping us physically fit and to combat the pandemic, in an admis- bigger hospitals with the govern- which Nepal had paid for, citing soar- son who calls the shots, I don’t believe “Rather than being panicked, peo- improving immunity. sion that the situation in Nepal has ment’s initiatives, as bigger hospitals ing demands at home. he was unaware of the fact,” Wagle ple should take proper precautions -Adequate sleep and sleep-wake pat- turned grave. have the required number of doctors The over-reliance on India for vac- told the Post. and not look at social media sites terns allow for the balance of neuro- Oli said that his government has and other human resources with cines has now put the Oli administra- Experts on international affairs much as social media is often filled chemicals to be restored so the emo- directed to set up coronavirus treat- expertise,” Pokharel told the Post. tion on the backfoot. and diplomatic matters say Oli’s with negative news which spread rap- tional exhaustion and burnout is low. ment facilities in the new building of That the government is building So far, only around 1.2 percent of request to the international communi- idly and cause panic and stress among -Healthy diet is always important to Bir Hospital and the newly-recon- hospitals now when the pandemic has the total population have received ty in the garb of an address to the people,” said Pokharel. improve physical and psychological structed building of the Tri-Chandra already taken a toll on the people both doses of vaccine and around 5.6 nation was nothing but a farce and For Anita Dhital of Kathmandu, stress tolerance. Military Hospital at Mahankal. itself is too little, too late. Experts percent of the population have histrionics. The international com- who has just finished her undergradu- -Connect with family and friends. “The government has directed the have for long said that the govern- received their first shot. munity could extend its support if it ate studies and was looking forward to Mental health related problem has Nepal Army to construct a 1,000 bed ment’s complacency threw the coun- On Monday, during his address to approached seriously and duly, accord- internship opportunities, the restric- been a challenge for Nepal even before temporary hospital in the Capital and try into a mess. Oli imposed a nation- the nation, Oli said his government is ing to them. tions have come hard. the Covid-19 pandemic with thousands in all the provinces immediately,” said wide lockdown on March 24 when making efforts to procure vaccines. Since the pandemic poses a great “I am having difficulty dealing with of people committing suicide every Multiple officials at the Ministry of challenge to the entire humanity, the my emotions,” said Dhital, 22. “I now year. Health the Post talked to, however, world appears to have come together sometimes completely lose my appe- According to a 2015 report of the said that the government is to offer help and neighbouring India is tite. Neither can I sleep properly.” World Health Organization, Nepal nowhere close to inking deals to pro- just a case in point. Over 40 countries For Dhital, fears of contracting the ranked 126th by suicide rate globally cure vaccines. have been supplying oxygen, vaccines, novel coronavirus and lack of medical and records an estimated 6,840 sui- “We have been trying our best to therapeutics and other medical mate- facilities to get treatment in the event cides annually—8.2 suicides per acquire vaccines and are in talks with rials to India to help it fight the coro- of getting infected has compounded 100,000 people. several vaccine-manufacturing coun- navirus. her mental state. More and more suicide deaths are tries and companies,” Dr Roshan The Oli government, however, is “This really triggers me. What if me being reported across the country Pokhrel, chief specialist at the Health arguably the only one to look to India and my family contracted the virus, every year, according to police data. A Ministry, told the Post. “But as of now, when it sought oxygen, antiviral drugs there would be no hospital beds and total of 5,124 people committed sui- we have yet to reach a single deal with and intensive care unit beds last oxygen in government hospitals while cide in the fiscal year 2016-17. The any company or country.” month. the private hospital will charge a huge number rose to 5,317 in 2017-18 and to According to officials, the govern- “It was insensitive to approach amount after being admitted,” she 5,785 in 2018-19. According to the data ment is in talks with India, China and India for support when the country added. “I used to go out to meet my provided by Nepal Police, during the Russia to procure the vaccine. itself is reeling under a grave corona- friends, or go to relatives’ homes. All lockdown period last year a total of 2, In the second phase of the inocula- virus crisis,” Hiranya Lal Shreshta, that has stopped and I started feeling 218 people committed suicide. tion campaign from March 7 to March Nepal’s former ambassador to Russia, being caged.” The Tribhuvan University Teaching 15, around 1.3 million people were told the Post. “The Oli government Pokharel and Karki give a number Hospital suicide hotline (9840021600) administered the first shots of didn’t activate of tips for stable mental health during and Patan Hospital crisis helpline for Covishield, the AstraZeneca type vac- diplomatic channels to send the pandemic. suicide prevention (9813476123) oper- cine manufactured by the Serum requests to other countries for help on -Avoid focusing on statistics that ate 24 hours. The Transcultural Institute. They will have to take their time. Making statements for public serve no purpose for the common Psychosocial Organization post PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR booster doses by the end of this consumption does not help when you man. All one needs to do is focus on (16600102005) provides helpline servic- The countrywide infection tally on Tuesday reached 351,005, with the number of active cases month. But there is no vaccine. are fighting a mammoth crisis like the their own self which means the same es between Monday and Friday from at 59,798. Of the 800,000 doses of Sinopharm ongoing pandemic.” old stringent measures of wearing a 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.

C M Y K 03 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 05, 2021 National Briefing Government importing Kathmandu woefully slow Six dead, four injured in Baitadi jeep crash in Covid-19 preparedness BAITADI: Six people died and four oth- ers were injured, one critically, in a 20,000 oxygen cylinders, jeep accident at Ward 6 of Pancheshwar Rural Municipality in Baitadi district on Tuesday. Four of compared to Lalitpur the victims had died on the spot and two others on the way to the Baitadi 100 ventilators from China District Hospital. According to Police Inspector Darshan Khadka, the rest and Bhaktapur of the injured are receiving treat- Some of the cylinders could arrive as early as next week, Health Ministry says. ment at the hospital. PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA KATHMANDU, MAY 4 Mayor Shakya says Kathmandu has a huge floating population and Province 2 to hire Amid record rise in daily Covid-19 serious cases from other districts are referred to hospitals in the Capital. 417 health workers deaths and infections, the govern- JANAKPURDHAM: A cabinet meeting of ment has initiated the process to ANUP OJHA positive for the coronavirus on a daily basis Province 2 held Tuesday in Janakpur import 20,000 oxygen cylinders KATHMANDU, MAY 4 in the municipality. On Tuesday Bhaktapur has decided to add 417 health workers and 100 ventilators from China district reported 513 infections. in the province. The health workers fearing shortages like that in The leadership of the Kathmandu Prajapati said the city has mobilized will be hired on contract basis. India. Metropolitan City under Mayor Bidya local clubs, city police and volunteers to Similarly, the meeting also As the situation is getting Sundar Shakya has been a spectacular fail- monitor the public mobility and has strictly announced that the under-construc- increasingly grim with hospitals ure. The country’s largest civic body’s implemented the Covid-19 safety protocols. tion Manipal Teaching Hospital in overwhelmed with Covid-19 ineptness has once again been exposed by It is important to mention that the Janakpur would be converted into a patients and majority of them the second wave of the coronavirus pan- Kathmandu Metropolitan City annual temporary Covid-19 hospital within requiring oxygen, the government demic. budget is nearly four times bigger than the next 15 days, according to the started the process to import more Even as the neighbouring Lalitpur and Lalitpur’s and almost 10 times bigger than Office of the Council of Ministers. cylinders and ventilators from Bhaktapur cities have taken proactive initi- that of Bhaktapur. The city had announced The meeting concluded by designat- China. After deaths mounted in atives to fight the crisis caused by the virus, a budget of Rs 16.42billion for the current ing one minister in each district as India following an acute shortage Kathmandu Metropolitan City appears fiscal year 2020/21. Lalitpur’s annual budget focal person, as proposed by the of oxygen, the government of Post file Photo woefully unprepared to deal with the situa- is 4.79 billion and Bhaktapur’s Rs1.82 bil- Provincial Covid-19 Crisis Nepal started worrying about a A worker refills oxygen cylinders at a plant in Balaju, Kathmandu. There are eight tion even as Kathmandu is the biggest lion for the current fiscal year. Management Centre, to coordinate potential oxygen crisis in Nepal. oxygen plants in Kathmandu Valley and they have around 70,000-80,000 cylinders. Covid-19 hotspot in the country. However, Kathmandu has done nothing the Covid-19 response in the province. The Health Ministry on Tuesday Lalitpur Metropolitan City has been to date except for establishing an oxygen reported a record high 55 deaths under the grant pledged by China government stepped up to import earning public appreciation for its proac- plant at Shahid Gangalal National Heart and 7,587 infections. Additionally, during the video conference late the cylinders. tive role in serving the people infected with Centre, Bansbari. For the plant, the City Couple killed in house fire 73 people tested positive for coro- last month,” a senior official of the According to the Oxygen Covid-19. On Sunday, Lalitpur’s Chyasal had donated Rs 27.5 million and announced RAMECHHAP: An elderly couple died navirus through antigen tests. Health Ministry told the Post on Industries Association, a grouping Youth Club converted a community event to provide free oxygen for heart patients at when a house caught fire at Laharetol “We are working to import oxy- condition of anonymity. of Kathmandu Valley-based sup- venue into an isolation facility. The facility, the hospital. Mayor Shakya inaugurated in Umakunda Rural Municipality-2, gen cylinders from China through But, all the oxygen cylinders pliers, they have a production which will be manned by four doctors, can the plant on Sunday. Ramechhap on Monday morning. a government-to-government that the government is planning to capacity of 8,000 cylinders per day house five Covid-19 patients with mild Kathmandu city has turned into the big- Police said Dhan Bahadur Karki, 78, agreement,” said Jageshwar bring from China will not be and the current demand for oxy- symptoms, according to officials. gest Covid-19 hotspot with over 60 percent and his wife Sita Karki, 68, died in Gautam, spokesperson at the brought in a single lot. Officials at gen in the Valley’s hospitals is “We have set up additional 160 isolation of the district’s cases being reported from the incident. The couple’s son, daugh- Ministry of Health and Population. the Health Ministry said that the around 6,000 cylinders. beds for people who don’t have isolation the City. According to the Public Health ter-in-law and grand daughter sur- “We are now discussing whether government plans to bring 2,000 There are eight oxygen factories space at their homes,” said Raju Man Department of the City, from this week vived the incident. In a separate to send our own plane for bringing oxygen cylinders and all 100 venti- in Kathmandu which have around Maharjan, spokesperson at the Lalitpur onwards, over 1,000 new cases are being incident, Odiram Budhathoki, 70, the cylinders.” lators on chartered flights in the 70,000-80,000 cylinders, according Metropolitan City. reported from within the City daily. died in a wildfire at a local communi- He said some of the oxygen cyl- first phase. to the association. He said 50 of the 160 isolation beds are at “On Monday we conducted the 61st ty forest at Sharada Municipality-6 in inders could arrive next week. “We are also holding discus- Officials and doctors said most Sunakothi and the remaining 110 at a retire- municipal executive committee’s meeting Salyan district on Sunday. According to the officials at the sions to bring the remaining cylin- of the Valley’s hospitals don’t have ment home constructed by the local Jyapu under the chairmanship of Mayor Shakya. health and finance ministries, at ders by sea, but no formal decision their own oxygen plants or The meeting has announced to set up an least a portion of the oxygen cylin- has been taken yet,” said an offi- storages and rely on suppliers. In isolation centre and a separate Covid-19 ICU beds remain unused ders and ventilators will be cial of the ministry. view of the growing demand for Over 60 percent of hospital,” said Ishwar Man Dangol, spokes- BAITADI: Two intensive care unit (ICU) received in grant from the north- But, oxygen manufacturers who the life-saving gas, the manufac- person at the city. beds with ventilators remain unused ern neighbour. frequently bring oxygen cylinders turers have lately stopped supply- Kathmandu district’s Dangol however could’t say where the at Baitadi district hospital for lack of During a joint video conference by sea say that it would take at ing to businesses while individu- isolation center and the hospital would be trained workers, Dr Basanta Raj on April 27 among foreign minis- least around two months to bring als and households must produce cases are being constructed. “For taking decisions about Joshi, chief at the hospital, said. ters of China, Afghanistan, cylinders from the sea route that doctor’s prescription to purchase the isolation center and the hospital, a sev- The Sudurpaschim provincial Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and would be too late given the emerg- oxygen. reported from the City. en-member committee has been formed government had provided the ICU Sri Lanka, Chinese State ing crisis in the country. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli with ward-13 chair Deepak KC as coordina- beds last year. Covid-19 cases in Councillor and Foreign Minister According to government offi- in his address to the nation on tor,” said Dangol. Baitadi have been rising in Wang Yi had offered to help South cials, they have already sent the Monday said the government has Samaj at ward 4 of the Metropolitan City. Records at the City’s Health Department the recent days. Asian countries in acquiring specifications of oxygen cylinders banned the supply of oxygen for “Covid-19 patients at the isolation centers show that active Covid-19 cases in the city Covid-19 vaccines and support the to China. industrial purposes to ensure that will be provided food, medicines and treat- had reached 1,974 on Sunday, while the

countries with other medical logis- Nepali officials and private sec- the hospitals do not face shortages. ment all for free,” said Devi Thapa Gurung, City’s website showed that the number had Banke extends lockdown tics from the China-South Asia tor manufacturers of oxygen have On the other hand, the govern- the Covid-19 focal person at Lalitpur reached 2,730 by Monday. NEPALGUNJ: The District emergency Supplies Reserves. been maintaining that the country ment has announced waiver of Metropolitan City. Besides this, the City has Amid rapid surge in infections and hospi- Administration Office in Banke During the meeting, China had is yet to see an oxygen shortage customs duty, value added tax and already allocated Rs 10 million for setting tal beds in short supply, many ward repre- has extended prohibitory orders agreed to provide Nepal “with an like that of India but they are con- excise duty on the import of oxy- up an oxygen plant, according to her. sentatives have reportedly gone out of con- in the district for a week on Monday. additional grant of medical equip- cerned about a potential shortage gen cylinders. Gurung said critical cases will be sent to tact by switching off their phones to avoid Chief District Officer Shivaram ment and materials equivalent to 5 due to the recent record surges in “Had the government asked us hospitals while those with mild to moderate pestering requests from patients and their Gelal, said, “The orders have million RMB (Rs92 million) to Covid-19 cases. to bring the cylinders five-six symptoms will be treated at the isolation relatives for support. been extended due to the increase complement the national efforts in After the oxygen manufacturers months ago, there would be little centres. “Since the hospitals are already On Monday, the country reported its in Covid-19 cases. With the extension, the fight against Covid-19, accord- notified the government that risk of oxygen shortage in the overwhelmed, the isolation centres will be highest single-day death toll of 55 and 7,587 the district will remain closed ing to the Foreign Ministry state- oxygen cylinders rather than country,” Narayan Timilsina, gen- helpful,” said Maharjan. new cases. until the midnight of May 10.” The ment. oxygen itself could be in short eral secretary of Oxygen According to focal person Gurung, of the The Kathmandu Valley recorded 3,893 orders imposed last week were going “Some oxygen cylinders and supply in the event of the Covid-19 Industries Association, told the total cases in the district less than 90 are new infections in the past 24 hours. Of to expire at midnight Monday. ventilators will arrive in Nepal situation getting worse, the Post last week. from the city. “So far, the situation is not as these 2,779 were from Kathmandu district grave as in Kathmandu but we have stepped alone. up our preparations,” she said. On Tuesday Bhaktapur Mayor Prajapati criticized INTERVIEW 601 new cases were reported in the district. Kathmandu for its lack of ‘preparedness.’ Similarly, Bhaktapur Mayor Sunil “The City has enough money, resources Prajapati said his office has taken all the and manpower to fight the spread but they needed precautions to break the Covid-19 are seriously lacking in preparedness,” said transmission chain. Prajapati. ‘We’ve failed to check the virus spread. We “We were well prepared before the second Kathmandu Mayor Shakya, meanwhile, wave of the pandemic hit the Valley as we rejects such allegations. “I have heard that had learnt enough from our last year’s other municipalities in the Valley especial- experiences,” he said. The municipality has ly Lalitpur and Bhaktapur are doing a good can only focus on increasing hospital beds.’ already established 25 High Dependency job but the situation in Kathmandu is dif- Units (HDUs)—which, according to him, ferent,” argued Shakya. provide care close to intensive care, and 50 “We have a huge floating population and Kathmandu Metropolitan City has now become a If we were only to give service to the citizens of isolation beds in ward-9. serious cases from all the districts are Covid-19 hotspot. According to the Public Health Kathmandu, our resources are adequate. “These units are manned by adequate referred to Kathmandu so our challenges Department of the City, over 60 percent of the But the problem is we have to give services for numbers of doctors and nurses round-the- are enormous. That’s why we are working infected people in Kathmandu district are from people who come from Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and clock,” said Prajapati. According to him, to set up an isolation centre and a dedicated within the Kathmandu Metropolitan City area. from all the 77 districts. I have heard that other around 35 persons on average are testing Covid-19 hospital,” said Shakya. The district has generally had the most number cities in the Valley are doing good but their of daily recorded cases during the ongoing sec- case is different. You have to be clear that ond wave. On Tuesday alone, Kathmandu district the best hospitals are inside Kathmandu accounted for 2,779 cases of the total 7,587 infec- Metropolitan City whether they are public or tions reported across the country. However, com- private. pared to other local governments in Kathmandu Valley, the City it has been lagging behind in Lalitpur Metropolitan City has already preparations to check the spread of the virus. established isolation centres with over 150 beds The Post’s Anup Ojha talked to Kathmandu and even volunteers from communities are Metropolitan City Mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya working for it. Bhaktapur Municipality says it had about the reasons for its sluggish response and prepared months prior for a worst case scenario what measures it has been taking to fight the by establishing isolation centres and high pandemic. Post file Photo dependency unit beds. Why could Kathmandu The interview has been edited for clarity. Yes, we do not have a single isolation centre of Metropolitan City not make preparations earlier? our own. But we have been tying up with differ- The 61st municipal executive committee ent hospitals. As this happens to be the Capital We are preparing. We need to make it well man- meeting on Sunday announced Kathmandu city, it’s difficult to make separate isolation aged. Just getting space is not enough. We need to Metropolitan City’s plans to build its own centres. But we have not been idle during the add beds, infrastructure and we need health hospital and isolation centres. When is this going pandemic. workers. We need to do it very well. Let’s forget to materialise? On Sunday, the City established an oxygen about yesterday. Let’s work for today. plant at Shahid Gangalal Hospital. It produces We have been working on two different options. oxygen for 130 cylinders every day and they will Last year due to the extension of the lockdown Firstly, we are coordinating with the existing go all across the Valley. We are going to establish many people were forced to come to Khula hospitals within the metropolitan city which a plant at Kanti Hospital within two months and Manch for free food distributed by different already have infrastructure and enough man- that will be producing oxygen for 70 cylinders organisations. But the City was criticised for power. For example, on Monday we had a meeting every day. This way we need not depend upon being indifferent to the plight of the poor. Does with authorities of Bir Hospital. We are going to others. the City have any plans not to repeat last year’s add 200 beds for Covid-19 patients there. We have problems as the prohibitory orders are going to committed to provide oxygen in cylinders to the Unable to handle the non-stop phone calls from be extended? hospital for these additional beds. Maybe, we will people for help in requesting hospital beds for be able to do this by Sunday. Covid-19 patients, many ward representatives Nobody should die of hunger this time. Secondly, we are planning to convert have started switching off their phones. Don’t I request everyone to contact their ward Kathmandu National Medical College, which is you think this is a time to make infrastructure offices if they do not have food to eat. We closed right now, into a temporary Covid-19 hos- overnight rather than wait for next week? have already published notice through pital. There have also been talks to make isola- ward offices. Besides that, all shops will be open tion centres for those testing positive at Nepal Yes, this is true. But at the moment the in the morning. There won’t be a shortage of Police Hospital’s new building, Bir Hospital’s situation is such that even if a ward chair or I fall food in the market. new building, Ayurvedic Hospital in Kirtipur, sick, we won’t get a hospital bed. People are char- Gorkha Hospital at Gongabu, Kantipur Hospital tering helicopters to come to Kathmandu for But even now a large number of people are at Subidhanagar, Mahendra Narayan Hospital at treatment. The sick are also coming in ambulanc- flocking behind Prasuti Griha at Thapathali Gaushala. Soon, we will be establishing isolation es. It feels as though we are losing to the virus. for free meals. Why is the City not working for centres in coordination with those hospitals. Instead of checking the spread of the virus to them? prevent more people from falling sick, we are Kathmandu Metropolitan City has already forced to increase the number of hospital beds. People should not move around that way as it will become a hotspot for Covid-19 with over 1,000 lead to the spread of the virus. They daily new infections. But the City does not have a Why is Kathmandu Metropolitan City so far should not move from one place to another. single isolation or quarantine centre till now. You behind regarding breaking the chain of I again request them to contact their ward have just made a plan but not executed it yet. transmission despite it having enough money, offices. They will get a meal and won’t die Don’t you think it’s too late? resources and manpower? of hunger.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, MAY 05, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL Restoring balance Covid-19 bonanza They cannot turn the crisis into a money minting festival.

Some private hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley and elsewhere across the country are reported to have refrained from taking Covid-19 patients, and referring anyone who tests positive dur- ing screening to public hospitals. Medical professionals and administrators at public hospitals have complained that they are receiving a large number of referrals from private hospi- tals. This, even after the Ministry of Health and Population has directed private hospitals not to refer patients without ensuring that the hospitals designated for Covid-19 care have enough beds. The choice of whom to treat and whom to refer to public hos- pitals is reported to have been based on the particular patient’s financial status. Moreover, private hospitals have reported to have failed to put the ideals of public service above all else, as they continue to keep profit-making at the centre of their work. While the Health Ministry has fixed the costs for Covid-19 treat- ment at hospitals at Rs3,500 per day for normal patients, Rs7,000 for moderately ailing patients and Rs15,000 for those needing intensive care, private hospitals are charging many times more than those rates. As a result, patients are forced to either depend on the overburdened public hospitals for treatment or stay at Shutterstock home even if they begin developing severe Covid-19 symptoms. our democracy in several ways. For powers of the state and for what ends, positive sign is that the people trust The relationship between example, we can look at the ability of has become a critical question. their ward representatives more than In trying to accumulate more and more wealth, some private the parties to deliver the fruits of Undoubtedly, many of Nepal’s institu- their provincial or national representa- hospitals have exposed their poverty of social responsibility. Of the people and political democracy to the peoples or look at the tions designed to deliver services to the tives. People are happy with the local course, they cannot be asked to be completely charitable—after way they represent the people’s voices. people have become hollowed out and governments and the federal system parties is reaching a We can also look at the status of funda- weak. and think these entities can improve all, they have salaries to pay, loans to repay, and profits to make. mental rights and freedoms, or adher- One evidence of this is public per- their livelihood. But these requirements should not blind them to the responsi- breaking point. ence to democratic values and the rule ception. According to a recent nation- The political circus being enacted by bility of keeping the country’s population healthy. They cannot of law. wide opinion poll conducted by political leaders and parties in the last Here, I will briefly discuss the ability Sharecast Initiative Nepal, a growing few months have again reinforced peo- turn the crisis into a money minting festival. And the fact that Ajaya Bhadra Khanal of parties to represent and deliver on number of people believe that the coun- ple’s belief that they are the biggest their work involves saving precious lives aggravates the degree people’s aspirations and how the public try is heading in the wrong direction. threat to Nepal’s democracy, federalism of their social responsibility and accountability. has so far perceived their performance. Such pessimism is more prevalent in and national interests. the urban areas (50 percent) than in Politicians are obsessed with power The government did not discriminate between health work- Strong state, weak people rural areas (40 percent). What is more because it provides them opportunities ers, sanitation workers and supporting staff from public and While the Nepali state has become worrying is that the number of people for extraction, corruption, and abuse private hospitals during the immunisation drive. This was an strong, the people have become weaker feeling this way has increased by 16 of state powers. and unable to receive the benefits. percent in the last year. Nepal’s younger generation is frus- acknowledgement on the part of the government that frontline It has been a toxic combination of The state of disarray and chaos The ‘fruits’ of democracy that people trated by the political instability and workers, notwithstanding their association, are important incompetence, arrogance and greed. exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic may prioritise are employment, poverty failures of the state. However, the availa- members of the system that is necessary to fight the pandemic. As if announcing elections at the appear counterintuitive to this claim. reduction, control of inflation, control bility of jobs overseas and remittance However, private hospitals have been a missing link in the fight peak of a pandemic were not enough, However, the Nepali state’s ability to of corruption, political stability, health have helped cushion the eruption of dis- political leaders gathered thousands of raise taxes (and extract from the peo- and education. People also want roads, content back at home. The contribution against the Covid-19 pandemic. This is not to undermine the people from the outskirts and crowded ple) has grown in recent years. For especially in the Sudurpashchim of remittance to GDP has allowed more role they have played in the treatment and management of them in big cities in meaningless dis- example, in the last 6 years, the tax to Province. space for politicians to continue exercis- patients. But the fact that they have failed to become reliable plays of power. The big rallies and GDP ratio has increased from around ing their excesses and incompetence. social interactions intensified until the 16 percent to 21 percent. It is similar to Failure of parties Another outcome of misgovernance alternatives to the overburdened public hospitals means that pandemic reached a tipping point, kill- that of high-income countries, but The operation of a democratic system is and political infighting is that the young- they have faltered in fulfilling their social responsibilities. ing thousands of people. unlike them, most of the taxes are indi- unthinkable without political parties. er generation is becoming less interested Public hospitals across the country are having to return On the other side, the governments rect (more than 65 percent). Similarly, Political parties are the medium through in politics. While 63 percent of Nepali have failed to continue the vaccination Nepal’s security and rule of law insti- which people are represented. However, people claim that they are not interested patients because they have literally run out of beds and resourc- drive, manage Covid-19, or bolster the tutions have become stronger. Nepal’s if perceptions of the people are to go by, in politics, this figure is much higher for es. In such a situation, the responsibility of private hospitals to health sector. Nepal’s political circus, foreign policy has also become more Nepal’s democracy is in crisis. According the younger generation. fulfil the gap is unequivocal. The already overwhelmed public which began at the centre, has now independent, to the extent that the to the poll, about 76 percent of the people Of course, there are solutions to spread to the provinces. Political insta- Nepali state can now take stands believe that political parties do not repre- these problems and ways in which civil health system cannot take the sole burden of taking care of bility, borne out of complete disregard against countries like India, the US, sent their interests. society and citizens can check the per- patients, as the responsibility of rescuing the country from the for democratic principles and values, and China. More than three-fourths of the peo- formance of political parties. The first current crisis lies equally with private hospitals as well. Private has reached epidemic proportions in The only issue, however, is the use ple believe that the parties have failed step, however, is to recognise that Nepal. In summation, Nepal’s politics and abuse of such a strong state. to represent them. What could be Nepal’s democracy is in crisis. The hospitals should, therefore, rise to the occasion and take care of has failed its people. In fact, the great- Arrogant and incompetent leadership worse? relation between the people and the the sick and dying. It is also a part of the social contract not to est threats to Nepal’s economy, democ- has meant that the strength of the state The primary cause of the current parties is reaching a breaking point. let the people alone in times of crisis. They must, therefore, racy, and well being of its people are has been used and misused to serve unfavourable situation is political par- We must restore this fundamental the political parties. vested interests rather than deliver the ties and their leaders. About 60 percent character of democracy and look for work hand-in-hand with all stakeholders to ameliorate the situ- We can assess the performance of fruits of democracy to its people. In the of the people do not trust the political means that does not rest solely on an ation rather than shed responsibility at this time of crisis. the political parties and the status of absence of democracy, who controls the parties and their leaders. However, a already flawed electoral system. Will the Fourth Industrial Revolution serve sustainability?

and increase reliance on monoculture Building a sustainable in response to commercial pressures. AI’s potential to help address the future requires a rethink of climate challenge lies not in optimis- ing systems, but in augmenting peo- assumptions about the role ple’s capacities to become stewards of the biosphere. Such a broader view is of artificial intelligence. urgently needed today. But there are two big risks in striving to direct intel- ligent machines to foster biosphere Victor Galaz stewardship. The first is hype. As the pressures on our planet and the climate system increase, so will the hope that AI solu- tions can help ‘solve’ deeply complex social, economic, and environmental challenges. Our knowledge about whether AI actually offers large cli- Silicon Valley leaders tell us that the mate benefits (and to whom) is limit- Fourth Industrial Revolution will ed, and existing assessments are often bring untold benefits. They say it is wildly optimistic, given what we know already underway and accelerating, of technological evolution. All claims powered by artificial intelligence and must be rigorously and independently other technologies, and warn that we tested as AI technologies evolve and will be left eating dust if we don’t get diffuse over time. with the programme. The second risk is acceleration. The This upheaval—which also reflects deployment of AI systems and related the impact of robotics, bio- and nano- technologies like IoT, 5G, and robotics technology, 5G, and the Internet of may well lead to more rapid loss of Things (IoT)—is a general-purpose biosphere resilience and increased revolution. Its leaders and their boost- extraction of fossil fuels and the raw ers promise that it will help societies materials that underpin these technol- to tackle climate change, address pov- ogies. For example, oil and gas firms erty and inequality, and stem the dra- are increasingly seeking to cut costs matic loss of biodiversity. through digitisation. According to one The revolution might play out like estimate, the market for digital servic- that. Or it might not. Shutterstock es in the fossil-fuel sector could grow Consider the most recent digital My work has increasingly focused But more often than not, the effects of requires us to rethink some deeply ciency is the wrong way to think about 500 percent in the next five years, sav- revolution, which brought us Google, on the collision of two worlds. The technological change are indirect; held assumptions about the role of bolstering the long-term resilience of ing oil producers about $150 billion Facebook, and Twitter, and changed technosphere comprises the stuff that they move through complex webs of technology, and artificial intelligence people and the planet. Resilience—the annually. the way information flows around the humans have created, which amounts causation and become visible to us in particular. ability to rebound from shocks and Digitisation, automation, and AI world. At first, the ability to connect to to an estimated 30 trillion tonnes, or 50 only after a long time. Social media The biggest imperative may be to adapt to changing conditions— have untapped potential both to others online, and to create and kilogrammes (110 pounds) per square are a good example of this. broaden the dominant ‘AI for climate requires diversity and redundancy. A strengthen sustainability and to opti- share digital content seamlessly meter of the Earth’s surface. The bio- The technosphere is all around us. change’ narrative. In its simplest city with one huge freeway through mise exploitation. To harness the through ever-growing virtual social sphere is the thin layer clinging to the It is on track to become a so-called form, this narrative focuses on using its centre is vulnerable to gridlock if Fourth Industrial Revolution to networks, seemed straightforwardly Earth’s surface where life thrives, and ‘cognitive infrastructure,’ with the AI to predict climate, or to optimise hit by a flash flood or terrorist sustainability, we need to start direct- beneficial. where humans have enjoyed a ability to process information, reason, energy systems or traffic flows. attack. One that has many routes ing its technologies better and But today, the global flood of misin- 10,000-year stretch of relatively stable remember, learn, solve problems, and But the climate system is fundamen- from one place to another is more stronger now. formation enabled by these platforms climate. at times even make decisions with tally connected to the biosphere, resilient. is making it more difficult to manage I first became interested in the rela- minimal human intervention through with its biodiversity, forests, oceans, Systems that are optimised to max- Galaz is Deputy Director of the the Covid-19 pandemic and tackle cli- tionship between these worlds while increased automation and machine and agricultural ecosystems. imise output (say, of a particular crop) Stockholm Resilience Centre at mate change. Few realised what was exploring the growth of semi-auto- learning. Developing and deploying AI respon- are prone to shocks and changing cir- Stockholm University, Programme happening until it was too late, and mated global early-warning systems In evolutionary terms, this may sibly to tackle urgent sustainability cumstances. Optimising agricultural Director at the Beijer Institute of now we are dealing with the fallout. for disease control. This made me prove to be a giant leap. But decisions challenges requires embracing this land for maximum yields using pre- Ecological Economics at the Royal So, how can societies minimise the appreciate how deeply technology regarding the technosphere’s design connection with the living planet, and dictive analytics and automation is a Swedish Academy of Sciences, and risk of inadvertent, ignorant, or will- alters human, organisational, and and direction must reflect social goals our role in it. tempting strategy, but it could acceler- author of the forthcoming book Dark fully malicious use of the next genera- machine behaviour. Sometimes that and the state of the planet. Building a Moreover, framing AI’s contribu- ate the loss of local ecological knowl- Machines (Routledge, 2022). tion of technology? influence is linear, simple, and direct. more sustainable future, therefore, tion in terms of optimisation and effi- edge, amplify existing inequalities, — Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 05, 2021 Money

FOREX US 118.47 Rights activists find rapid response team ineffective Euro 142.26 Pound 164.48 The job of squad representing several ministries is to keep supply lines clear during the prohibitory period aimed at containing rising Covid-19 cases. Australian 91.4 KRISHANA PRASAIN stock products, he said. “If there is Japanese 10.83 KATHMANDU, MAY 4 any problem with regard to supply and transportation, they can contact Chinese 18.3 The high-level rapid response team the officials of the rapid response Saudi 31.59 created by the Ministry of Industry, team directly.” Commerce and Supplies to ensure According to Narayan Prasad Qatari 32.53 smooth supply of essentials during Duwadi, joint secretary at the Industry the lockdown has not been as effective Ministry, factories producing essen- Malaysian 28.73 as it should be, say consumer rights tial consumable goods and companies Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank activists. handling their transportation and dis- Comprised of officials from the tribution are allowed to operate freely. related ministries, the squad is tasked “During a meeting with the heads Shares to facilitate transportation and supply and representatives of the umbrella of food items and daily consumable organisations of industry and trade, Nepse 2,654.69pts 0.07% goods. Its job is to keep the supply we requested them to obey the lines clear during the two-week-long prohibitory order to break the chain highest gainers prohibitory period so that valley resi- of infection, and they have agreed,” SMATA MLBSL BBC SMB RADHI RURU 10% 10% 9.99% 9.98% 9.90% 9.90% dents do not face problems. Duwadi said. Government-owned But Madhav Timalsina, president enterprises have sufficient stocks of moderate gainers MPFL NMBMF UMRH ACLBSL GBLBS RHPC of the Consumer Rights Investigation food items, he said. 2.86% 2.85% 2.81% 2.74% 2.69% 2.68% Forum, said that the local administra-

moderate losers tion and police personnel do not seem GIC SHL GLICL NTC KRBL LUK to be coordinating with the rapid Traders say trucks -0.56% -0.53% -0.52% -0.52% -0.51% -0.48% response team as traders have been highest losers stopped at different places. bringing food items CGH NLG HGI PICL NBL API “The rapid response team has been -1.98% -1.73% -1.63% -1.51% -1.42% -1.36% formed as a formality only as it does to Kathmandu have not seem to be facilitating supply of daily goods,” he said. to wait at entry Timalsina said that traders were points for long. Price Per tola being stopped by the police and asked bullion to show invoices while returning after making deliveries. “This will ulti- Fine Gold Rs 90,600 mately affect supply management,” he Cells have been formed at the said. Traders complain that trucks Department of Industry and the Silver Rs 1,325 carrying food items have to wait in a Department of Commerce, Supply and long line at the entry points to the Consumer Protection to address sup- SoG urce: FENE OSIDA Kathmandu Valley, and they have to ply and transportation problems. If face hassles while returning after there are any policy-level matters, unloading their cargo. they will liaise with the rapid response gasoline watch Consumers have their own com- time which will coordinate with the plaints. “Prices of rice, oil and sugar Po st Photo related officials. have soared since the government Traders and suppliers have complained of hassles resulting from the two weeks of prohibitory orders enforced in Kathmandu Valley. “Observing last year’s experience, announced the stay-home order. A bag we have requested the traders for of rice which used to cost Rs1,475 now people do not have faith in the govern- Development and the Ministry of should display a sign clearly mention- healthy market practices,” he said. costs Rs1,600,” Timalsina said. ment,” Timalsina said. Home Affairs, will coordinate and ing its destination, and there should The Department of Commerce has The Federation of Nepalese “Fixing short opening hours for facilitate the supply system, said Prem not be more than two people in the been conducting market inspection on Chambers of Commerce and Industry, grocery stores is unscientific, and Lal Shrestha, joint secretary at the vehicle, otherwise it will be stopped by a regular basis, and in the current sit- the Confederation of Nepalese there is no logic in it. This only cre- Industry Ministry. “There is no prob- the police,” he said. uation, we have made a provision to Industry and the Department of ates greater chances of infection as lem regarding transportation of There will be no problems in the inspect the market at certain times so Commerce, Supplies and Industry the shops are crowded with people essential goods,” Shrestha said. transportation of essential goods like that artificial shortages and price were to jointly issue a white who have to finish their shopping Shree Ram Ghimire, joint secretary during last year’s lockdown, and that hikes do not occur. paper announcing the amount of food within the limited time. Grocery, vege- at the Ministry of Agriculture and is why the pass system has been “The job of the rapid response team in stock to assure the people so that table, fruit, and livestock shops need Livestock Development, said that trav- removed, Ghimire said. is also said to be to control black they would not hoard groceries, to be open for 12 hours,” he said. el passes were not required for the Farm and dairy products will not go marketing, but traders are selling Timalsina added. “As people have to rush with their transportation of farm and livestock to waste for lack of transportation like low quality and expired food items “The government should have shopping, they do not have time to products. last year as no passes are required for including masks and sanitisers,” informed the public that there are check the labels on the packages, “The truck carrying the shipment transporting agricultural and live- Timalsina said. sufficient stocks of goods, and not to which creates chances of their getting engage in panic buying; but it did not cheated. Traders could pass off goods happen. Crowds have been gathering that are past their expiration dates or at the grocery stores since the govern- have been relabelled,” he added. ment issued the prohibitory order, and The rapid response team, which people have stored goods enough for includes the joint secretaries of the three months. This shows that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Vaccine sales power Pfizer UK-India trade deal includes through first quarter Covid-19 vaccine investment Associated Press LONDON, may 4

Britain has announced 1 billion pounds ($1.4 billion) of new trade and investment with India, including a deal with the Serum Institute of India to aid in the development of vaccines against Covid-19 and other diseases. The announcement came before a video meeting Tuesday between UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, who are expected to agree on deeper cooperation that could pave the way for a free-trade agreement between their countries. The British government is seeking to increase trade with countries out- side the European Union following the UK’s departure from the bloc. It said AP/rss the trade and investment deals In this March 27 photo, a laboratory worker simulates the workflow in a cleanroom of the announced late Monday are expected BioNTech Corona vaccine production in Marburg, Germany. to create more than 6,500 jobs in the UK. The package includes a 240 mil- Associated Press medicines dropped significantly. lion-pound investment in the UK by New y York, Ma 4 Adjusted earnings, excluding one- the Serum Institute, the world’s big- time items, jumped 48 percent to $5.26 gest vaccine-maker, that will support Pfizer, buoyed by a huge jump in sales billion, or 93 cents per share, far above clinical trials, research and possibly for its Covid-19 vaccine and solid per- the 79 cents Wall Street was expecting, vaccine production, the British gov- formance across most of the company, according to a survey by Zacks ernment stated. The Serum Institute, is hiking its 2021 financial forecast Investment Research. Revenue was in collaboration with Codagenix, has sharply after blowing past Wall Street $14.58 billion, also easily exceeding started early-stage trials of a one-dose expectations for the first quarter. forecasts of $13.49 billion. nasal vaccine against Covid-19. The New York drugmaker and its The maker of the blockbuster “Like every aspect of the UK-India German partner on the vaccine, Prevnar vaccine against pneumococ- relationship, the economic links BioNTech, continue to sign contracts cal disease said even without Covid-19 between our countries make our peo- with multiple countries for their two- vaccine sales, it is meeting its goal of ple stronger and safer,’’ Johnson said dose shot. They reported $3.46 billion increasing revenue by at least 6 per- in a statement. “Each and every one of in first-quarter sales and now expect cent each year through 2025. the more than 6,500 jobs we have to rake in roughly $26 billion over the “Excluding the growth provided announced today will help families year, up from their prior forecast of from [the vaccine], our revenues grew and communities build back from about $15 billion. 8 percent operationally,” Chief coronavirus and boost the British and The companies may soon receive US Executive Albert Bourla said in a pre- Indian economies.’’ and EU approval to give the vaccine to pared statement, adding, “In addition, Trade between the UK and India 12- through 15-year-olds and continue we have achieved important clinical, totals about 23 billion pounds annual- testing the vaccine in other groups, regulatory and commercial mile- ly, less than 5 percent of Britain’s including pregnant women and chil- stones across our pipeline and portfo- trade with the EU. Britain’s long ties dren from six months to 11 years old. lio while also continuing to increase to India have come to the fore in recent The partners are also testing the our capacity to supply urgently-need- days. In the UK, home to about 1.4 mil- efficacy of a booster shot of the vac- ed doses” of the Covid-19 vaccine.” lion of Indian descent, many have cine, which may be needed—perhaps Pfizer now expects to be able to watched with horror at the crisis and annually—to keep immunity high deliver about 2.5 billion vaccine doses sought ways to help from afar. over time and to protect people from this year and already has signed con- Britain added India to its “red list” numerous emerging coronavirus vari- tracts covering about 1.6 billion of of countries on April 23, banning ants that may spread more easily or be those doses, including 200 million arrivals for anyone from India except more deadly. And they’re developing doses promised for the US by the end for UK citizens and residents, adding new vaccine versions that have a of May and another 100 million doses to a sense of isolation and helpless- longer shelf life and don’t require later this year. The company also has ness for many in Britain who feel cut being kept frozen. Pfizer on Tuesday begun testing a pill to treat Covid-19. off from their loved ones at home. reported net income of $4.88 billion, Meanwhile, sales of cancer drugs One emergency appeal by the or 86 cents per share. That was up jumped 18 percent in the quarter and British Asian Trust, a charity founded from $3.36 billion, or 60 cents per sales of medicines administered in by Prince Charles, has raised tens of share, in 2020’s first quarter, when the hospitals rebounded 11 percent as thousands of pounds so far. The funds global coronavirus pandemic began patients got treatments delayed by will go directly to the charity’s local triggering lockdowns, and doctor vis- hesitance to go to hospitals swamped partners to procure oxygen equipment its and new prescriptions for other with Covid-19 patients. for the seriously ill.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, MAY 05, 2021 | 06 world Briefing ‘Horrible’ weeks ahead as India’s virus crisis worsens 23 dead as Mexico City metro Experts are worried the prices being charged for shots will make it harder for the poor to get vaccinated. overpass collapses MEXICO CITY: An elevated section of ASSOCIATED PRESS back of this surge,” he said. would’ve been possible,” she said. But the Mexico City metro collapsed and NEW DELHI, MAY 4 The death and infection figures are the country “didn’t even do that.” sent the train plunging toward a busy considered unreliable because testing Now authorities are scrambling to boulevard late Monday, killing at least Covid-19 infections and deaths are is patchy and reporting incomplete. make up for lost time. Beds are being 23 people and injuring at least 79, city mounting with alarming speed in For example, government guidelines added in hospitals, more tests are being officials said. Rescuers found four India with no end in sight to the crisis ask Indian states to include suspected done, oxygen is being sent from one bodies trapped inside a rail car that and a top expert warning that the Covid-19 cases when recording deaths corner of the country to another, and was dangling from the overpass but coming weeks in the country of nearly from the outbreak, but many do not do manufacturing of the few drugs effec- were unable to remove them. It was 1.4 billion people will be “horrible.” so. tive against Covid-19 is being scaled up. not clear if those dead were included India’s official count of coronavirus The US, with one-fourth the popula- The challenges are steep in states among the 23. Mexican Foreign cases surpassed 20 million on Tuesday, tion of India, has recorded more than where elections were held and Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard nearly doubling in the past three 2 1/2 times as many deaths, at around unmasked crowds probably worsened called the collapse “the most terrible months, while deaths officially have 580,000. the spread of the virus. The average accident we have ever had in mass passed 220,000. Staggering as those Municipal records for this past number of daily infections in West transportation.” numbers are, the true figures are Sunday show 1,680 dead in the Indian Bengal state has increased by a multi- believed to be far higher, the under- capital were treated according to the ple of 32 to over 17,000 since the ballot- count an apparent reflection of the procedures for handing the bodies of ing began. Netanyahu faces midnight troubles in the health care system. those infected with Covid-19. But in “It’s a terrifying crisis,” said Dr. deadline to form coalition The country has witnessed scenes the same 24-hour period, only 407 Punyabrata Goon, convener of the JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister of people dying outside overwhelmed deaths were added to the official toll West Bengal Doctors’ Forum. Benjamin Netanyahu faced a mid- hospitals and funeral pyres lighting from New Delhi. Goon added that the state also needs to night deadline on Tuesday to put up the night sky. The New Delhi High Court hasten immunisations. But the world’s together a new coalition govern- Infections have surged in India announced it will start punishing gov- largest maker of vaccines is short of ment—or be looking at the possibility since February in a disastrous turn ap/rss ernment officials if supplies of oxy- shots—the result of lagging manufactur- of leading his Likud party into the blamed on more contagious variants Multiple funeral pyres of Covid-19 victims burn at a crematorium in New Delhi, India. gen allocated to hospitals are not ing and raw material shortages. opposition for the first time in 12 of the virus as well as government delivered. “Enough is enough,” it said. Experts are also worried the prices years. Netanyahu has struggled to decisions to allow massive crowds to confirmed cases per day has soared contact with believe things will The deaths reflect the fragility of being charged for shots will make it secure a parliamentary majority gather for Hindu religious festivals from over 65,000 on April 1 to about improve in the next few days. India’s health system. Prime Minister harder for the poor to get vaccinated. since March 23—when elections and political rallies before state elec- 370,000, and deaths per day have offi- “I’ve been ... trying to say to them, Narendra Modi’s party has countered On Monday, opposition parties urged ended in deadlock for the fourth con- tions. cially gone from over 300 to more than `If everything goes very well, things criticism by pointing out that the the government make vaccinations secutive time in the past two years. India’s top health official, Rajesh 3,000. will be horrible for the next several underfunding of health care has been free to all Indians. Despite repeated meetings with many Bhushan, refused to speculate last On Tuesday, the health ministry weeks. And it may be much longer,’” chronic. India is vaccinating about 2.1 mil- of his rivals and unprecedented out- month as to why authorities weren’t reported 357,229 new cases in the past he said. But this was all the more reason for lion people daily, or around 0.15 per- reach to the leader of a small Islamist better prepared. But the cost is clear: 24 hours and 3,449 deaths from Covid- Jha said the focus needs to be on authorities to use the several months cent of its population. Arab party, Netanyahu has not been People are dying because of shortages 19. “classic” public health measures: tar- when cases in India declined to shore “This is not going to end very soon,” able to close a deal during a four- of bottled oxygen and hospital beds or Dr Ashish Jha, dean of Brown geted shutdowns, more testing, uni- up the system, said Dr. Vineeta Bal of said Dr. Ravi Gupta, a virus expert at week window. That window was to because they couldn’t get a Covid-19 University’s School of Public Health versal mask-wearing and avoiding the Indian Institute of Science the University of Cambridge in expire at midnight. (AGENCIES) test. in the US, said he is concerned that large gatherings. Education and Research. England. “And really ... the soul of the India’s official average of newly Indian policymakers he has been in “That is what’s going to break the “Only a patchwork improvement country is at risk in a way.” Taliban launches Afghan offensive after deadline for US pullout REUTERS KABUL, MAY 4

Afghan security forces fought back a huge Taliban offensive in southern Helmand province in the last 24 hours, officials and residents said on Tuesday, as militants launched assaults around the country following a missed US deadline to withdraw troops. Although the United States did not meet the May 1 withdrawal deadline agreed in talks with the Taliban last year, its pull-out has begun, with President Joe Biden announcing all troops will out by September 11. Critics of the decision to withdraw say the militants will try to sweep back into power. “There was a thunderstorm of heavy weapons and blasts in the city and the sound of small arms was like someone was making popcorn,” Mulah Jan, a resident of a suburb of provincial capital Lashkar Gah, told Reuters. “I took all my family members to the corner of the room, hearing the heavy blasts and bursts of gunfire as if it was happening behind our walls,” he said. Families that could afford to leave had fled, but he had been unable to go, waiting with his family in fear before the Taliban were pushed back. Attaullah Afghan, the head of Helmand’s provincial council, said the Taliban had launched their huge offensive on Monday from multiple reuters directions, attacking checkpoints Handover ceremony at Camp Anthonic, from US Army to Afghan Defence Forces, in Helmand around the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, province, Afghanistan on Tuesday. taking over some of them. Afghan security forces had Afghan troops two days ago. pull out was agreed last year under launched air strikes and deployed The Afghan defence ministry said former President Donald Trump. The elite commando forces to the area. The that in addition to Helmand, security Taliban rejected Biden’s announce- insurgents had been pushed back but forces have been responding to attacks ment that troops would stay on past it fighting was continuing on Tuesday by the Taliban in at least six other but withdraw over the next four-and-a- and hundreds of families had been provinces, including southeastern half months. displaced, he added. Ghazni and southern Kandahar in the The deadline has been met with a A Taliban surge in Helmand would past 24 hours. surge in violence, with a car bomb in have particular resonance, as the opi- The defence ministry said just over Logar province killing almost 30 um-growing desert province was 100 Taliban fighters had been killed in people on Friday evening. At least where US and British forces suffered Helmand. It did not provide details on seven Afghan military personnel were the bulk of their losses during the casualties among Afghan security killed when the Taliban set off explo- 20-year war. forces. The Taliban did not immedi- sives smuggled through a tunnel they As part of the pullout, US forces ately respond to request for comment. had dug into an army outpost in south- handed over a base in Helmand to The May 1 deadline for US troops to western Farah province on Monday. Myanmar violence could lead to civil war, China’s UN ambassador says

associated PREss the deaths of hundreds of civilians. that’s why China prefers ... more dip- new york, MAY 4 Zhang strongly backed diplomatic lomatic efforts.” efforts by the Association of Southeast “That’s why China is working very China’s UN ambassador on Monday Asian Nations known as ASEAN and closely with the relevant parties urg- urged stronger diplomatic efforts to by UN special envoy for Myanmar ing them really to refrain from going resolve the confrontation in Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener, and extreme, avoiding violence, avoiding since the February 1 military coup, expressed hope they would produce casualties, and try to find a solution warning that further violence could results. He said “China is not in favour with dialogue. That’s why the council lead to a chaotic situation “and even a of imposing sanctions.” is also now giving full support to the civil war.” Myanmar for five decades had lan- diplomatic efforts of ASEAN,” he Zhang Jun also warned that “any guished under strict military rule that said. wrong handling” might lead to further led to international isolation and Zhang was asked whether China tension in Myanmar. sanctions. As the generals loosened was concerned that Myanmar could The UN Security Council on Friday their grip, culminating in Suu Kyi’s descend into civil war, given that its strongly backed calls by Southeast rise to leadership in 2015 elections, the military is fighting the Kachin and Asian nations for an immediate cessa- international community responded Karen ethnic minorities, which main- tion of violence and talks as a first by lifting most sanctions and pouring tain their own armed forces, while step toward a solution following the investment into the country. The coup also confronting pro-democracy pro- military coup in Myanmar that ousted took place following November elec- testers — amid reports that civilians, civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and tions, which Suu Kyi’s party won over- mainly students, are now receiving her party. whelmingly and the military contends training in the use of weapons in eth- The council again demanded the was marred by fraud. nic areas. restoration of democracy and the “It’s mainly an issue relating to the “We do have similar concerns,” release of all detainees including Suu difference on the election,” Zhang Zhang said. “We do believe that with Kyi and condemned the use of vio- said. “The political parties should be diplomatic efforts we can avoid the lence against peaceful protesters and able to find a solution on that. So further escalation of the tension.”

C M Y K 07 | WEDNESDAY, MAY 05, 2021 Sports | Medley West Ham boss Early goal eases pressure on Kathmandu Rayzrs Moyes sets sights on A 1-0 victory over Butwal Lumbini sent coach Bal Gopal Maharjan’s side level on seven points with leaders Biratnagar City and Dhangadhi FC. Champions League SPORTS BUREAU to point towards the spot. Ghanian K ATHMANDU, May 4 midfielder Reuters William Opoku Asiedu stepped to BURNLEY, May 4 An early goal eased pressure on take the penalty but his low strike Kathmandu Rayzrs as they edged towards the right was denied by a div- West Ham United boss David Moyes Butwal Lumbini FC 1-0 to come level ing goalie Bikesh Kuthu, also the picked an attacking side and told them on points with leaders atop the stand- Kathmandu captain. to “go for it” against Burnley and they ings of Nepal Super League football In the 13th, Kathmandu defender responded by racking up 22 shots on tournament at the Dasharath Stadium Florent Koara’s strike was caught by goal in a 2-1 win that puts them within in Tripureshwor on Tuesday. goalie Bishal Shrestha. Butwal touching distance of Champions Lumbini made the first threatening League football next season. move in the 26th minute but Asiedu The Hammers rose to fifth in the NEPAL SUPER LEAGUE Table failed to apply the finishing touch Premier League table, three points from the area in a perfect pass from behind Chelsea in the final Champions Team P W D L GF GA Pts Ashis Lama. League spot with four games left to Biratnagar 4 2 1 1 7 3 7 Kathmandu came closer to doubling play. West Ham still have to face Dhangadhi 4 2 1 1 7 4 7 the advantage three minutes into the Everton (8th), Brighton & Hove Albion Kathmandu 4 2 1 1 2 3 7 first half stoppage time but Ashis (14th), West Bromwich Albion (19th) Butwal Lumbini 4 1 2 1 6 5 5 Lama smashed the bar from the edge and Southampton (15th), while Pokhara 4 1 2 1 1 2 5 of the area after being set up by Sudil Chelsea have a tougher run-in, taking Rai. on leaders Manchester City, Arsenal Lalitpur 4 0 3 1 2 3 3 There were not many remarkable (9th), Leicester City (3rd) and Aston Chitwan 4 0 2 2 3 8 2 moves in the second half and besides a Villa (10th). couple of attacks in the stoppage time, “I’m hoping with four games to go, Butwal Lumbini were the only Kathmandu played with the intent of people still talk about us and the undefeated side in the first ever fran- saving their lead. Oloumou’s feeble Champions League. We want to take it chise football tournament but had to strike for Kathmandu in the first min- down to the final day and try to sneak rue missed penalty for the defeat after ute of the four-minute injury time was in,” Moyes told BBC Sport. they conceded an early goal through easily caught by a diving goalie “It will probably need us to win all Cameroonian forward Stephen Post Photo: Keshav Thapa Shrestha while Sudil Rai also failed to four games. Europe would be an Binong. Kathmandu Rayzrs’ forward Stephen Binong (left) shoots to score a goal against Butwal Lumbini during a match of the Nepal Super League. capitalise on a scoring opportunity in incredible achievement. I think I’ll Both sides came into the match with the fading moments. be disappointed if we don’t get there a must win pressure as they had won Lumbini, who faced their first defeat, sive against the Butwal Lumbini side Their pressure was rewarded in the Butwal coach Sanoj Shrestha said n o w. only one among the last three matches dropped one spot to fourth with five who were missing their influential fifth minute as Binong beat glovesman that the absence of winger Amir and Moyes welcomed back Michail and a winning outcome was a must points after the completion of the winger Amir Shrestha along Shrestha to score in a long pass from defender Rabin proved costly for Antonio from injury, and the striker to strengthen their bid for playoffs. fourth round. with defender Rabin Shrestha due to Sudil Rai. Butwal Lumbini shot stop- them. “The whole game scenario responded by netting both goals for Only the top four sides at the end of “Everyone came with a spirited per- injuries. per was slow to make a quick decision changed after we conceded an early the Hammers. “Michail Antonio made the single round robin league qualify formance. The coach had briefed us it Kathmandu charged at Butwal and delayed going for the ball, allow- goal,” said Shrestha who also blamed a great impact. He’s come back in good for the playoff in the seven-team was a do-or-die game and everyone Lumbini post in the very first minute ing the forward to find the ball and put missed penalty as the reason for condition, good shape ... he’s a big contest. fulfilled their duty,” said captain only for midfielder Tej Tamang to fire it past him into the net. defeat. influence in the team and we’re glad to The victory lifts former national Bikesh Kuthu. wide from 30-yard. They came closer Butwal Lumbini wasted a golden Kathmandu players Rai was named have him back,” Moyes said. coach Bal Gopal Maharjan-led Coach Maharjan said that it was a to scoring in the fourth minute when chance to pull level two minutes later the promising player and captain With Burnley nine points above the Kathmandu level on seven points with must win game. “The boys could not Cameroonian midfielder Messouke E as they failed to convert the penalty. Kuthu was declared the super player. relegation zone, their survival in the leaders Biratnagar City FC and play to their potential in the first half Oloumou made a bouncing header in They were awarded the penalty after Rai got Rs10,000 and Kuthu Rs25,000 in Premier League is not yet mathemati- Dhangadhi FC. Kathmandu, who leap- but they were better after the break,” Tamang’s pass but custodian Bishal Bishwash Shrestha brought down for- cash reward. cally ensured but manager Sean frogged two spots, however are third said Maharjan. Shrestha made a prompt reaction to ward Suman Lama inside the area Dhangadhi FC will play against Dyche believes they are trending in due to goal differences. Butwal Kathmandu started with an offen- grab it just ahead from the goalline. prompting referee Kabin Byanjankar Pokhara Thunders on Wednesday. the right direction. . Indian Premier League suspended indefinitely over Covid-19 crisis

Reuters however, it is imperative that the tour- May 30 final in Ahmedabad, could headache. Australian government for its deci- NEW DELHI, May 4 nament is now suspended and every- resume. “We are looking for another Australia has banned all arrivals sion to ban citizens in Covid-ravaged one goes back to their families and window,” Patel said by telephone. from India until May 15 and England India from returning home, saying The Indian Premier League (IPL) was loved ones in these trying times,” the “Right now we can’t say when we can has added India to its travel “red” list. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has suspended indefinitely on Tuesday league said in a statement. “The BCCI reschedule it.” In a letter to the franchises last “blood” on his hands. due to the Covid-19 crisis in the coun- will do everything in its powers to A suspension looked almost inevi- month, the league assured them they Morrison dismissed Slater’s criti- try, leaving many international play- arrange for the secure and safe pas- table after Monday’s game in would discuss the foreign players’ cism as “absurd” on a TV talk show on ers with major concerns over how sage of all the participants in IPL Ahmedabad had to be postponed after travel arrangements with the Indian Tuesday. “What we’re doing here is they will return home. 2021.” two Kolkata Knight Riders players government. Cricket Australia we’ve got a temporary pause in place The organising Indian cricket board The eight-team IPL, with an esti- tested positive for Covid-19. Two declined to comment when asked if it because we’ve seen a rapid escalation (BCCI) and the league’s governing mated brand value of $6.8 billion, is non-playing members of Chennai had any plans to try and bring its play- in the infection rate in people who council members convened an emer- the richest Twenty20 league and Super Kings also contracted the virus ers home. Hours before the league was have travelled out of India,” Morrison gency meeting at which they decided attracts many of the best players from in Delhi, prompting questions about suspended, the Australian Cricketers’ said on the Nine Network. to suspend the tournament with around the world to cricket-crazy the robustness of the league’s Association said it would talk to the The IPL’s suspension also casts immediate effect. The BCCI had forged India. As many as 57 foreign players, bio-bubble arrangements. Australian government about the doubt on this year’s Twenty20 ahead with the league despite fierce including 14 Australians, are The abrupt suspension left players’ travel plans. Australian play- World Cup which is scheduled to take criticism for staging it in a country currently stuck in India along foreign players, including ers Andrew Tye, Adam Zampa and place in India in October-November. where coronavirus infections surged with dozens of support staff. England’s World Cup- Kane Richardson cut short their IPL The global showpiece tournament past 20 million on Tuesday. IPL chairman Brijesh Patel winning captain Eoin stints to return home last week. could be shifted to the United Arab “These are difficult times, especial- told Reuters it was too early to Morgan and Australia’s Former Australia test batsman Emirates if the Covid-19 crisis in ly in India, and while we have tried to say when the league, original- Steve Smith and David Michael Slater, now working as a com- India does not ease, a BCCI official bring in some positivity and cheer, ly scheduled to culminate in a Warner, with a major mentator, strongly criticised the said last week. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** It’s easy to kick things into high gear today, Aries. Wednesday’s skies energize you into action, Cancer. You’ve given the opportunity to make important for- Your romantic life is feeling the pressure to change, Yet, you’ll need to incorporate your need for quiet, The moon floats through imaginative Pisces and ward strides today, Libra. Your ruling planet, lover Capricorn. Lean into healing conversations and pow- privacy, and solitude to make sure things run forms a connection with self-assertive Mars. This Venus, forms a supportive connection with illumi- erful revelations that are making themselves known smoothly. Today you will be able to take action on pairing prompts you to express yourself boldly and nating Pluto. This energy can prompt powerful, today, as lover Venus supportively aligns with projects and family issues. carve a path forward through any obstacles. emotionally healing conversations. deep-diving Pluto.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Lean into your desire for a fresh start today, Taurus. So many stories are simmering right beneath the This time of year is all about getting out of your Wednesday’s skies are chock full of action, Aquarius. The universe is imploring you to be radically honest surface today, Leo. The deep feeling Pisces moon comfort zone, Scorpio. Don’t be afraid to stretch You’re in the mood to get down to business and bring with your most pressing wants and needs. Today’s sends your attention towards any unexpressed yourself and refresh your perspective. Use your your talents out into the open today, as the creative energy offers you an ideal opportunity to heal old thoughts and feelings stirring around relationship energy to push ahead with personal projects. Pisces moon connects with self-motivated Mars. wounds and make powerful forward movements. matters.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Don’t rest on your laurels today, Gemini. You’re ready Wednesday’s cosmic landscape is anything but slow You’re likely to be dealing with some heavy material Let yourself heal behind closed doors today, Pisces. to make moves and see things through on the career and steady, Virgo. You’re ready to make moves and go behind closed doors today, Sagittarius. Be sure not to Tuesday’s skies work to brighten the mood back up, front, as the soulful Pisces moon aligns with energet- forward with your goals, as the visionary Pisces brush off your feelings and plow through them. Try but you may still have a few things to work through ic Mars. This energy drives you to action and helps moon aligns with initiative-hungry Mars. Use this to take action on your stagnant relationship con- before you feel leveled out. The moon glides into your you maintain stamina towards personal projects. energy to get ahead with projects. cerns. sign, helping revitalize your sense of self. Crossword Sudoku

Yesterday’s Solution

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, MAY 05, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Pandemic takes a toll on Nepal’s theatre community The majority of theatres in the country have now been closed for over a year and this has left artists facing multiple challenges.

Ankit Khadgi be on stage and perform in front of a live skills,” says Rai. “The thing with acting is Kathmandu audience.” the more you practice it, the better you get For theatre artists, a theatre is more at it. But when you have been forced off hen the first lock- than just a venue to showcase their talent. work for more than a year and live in down happened, like “For us, theatres are our home. Artists scary times like these, the chances of your everyone else, come from different socio-economic back- acting skills getting affected is maxi- Akanchha Karki grounds but none of that matters when we mum.” expected it to be over are in a theatre,” says Karki. “Everyone Many theatre artists say they are not in a month. lives like one big family. From drinking just unsure of their careers but also of the WAs someone who had been working non- tea and rehearsing together rehearsing to future of the Nepali theatre community. stop for over a decade in Nepali theatre, even brainstorming ideas, we spent a lot “I don’t know for how long the commu- Karki thought the lockdown would pro- of time with each other.” nity can sustain itself in such a climate. I vide her a much-needed break from her With the majority of theatres now hope the situation improves soon,” says hectic lifestyle of acting, writing, direct- closed for over a year, it hasn’t been possi- Shrestha. ing and even managing a theatre. ble for artists to relive such experiences of With so much uncertainty and normal “Like everybody, I was unaware of the solidarity and togetherness. This, say the- lives turned upside down, theatre artists gravitas of the situation. I thought that atre artists, has not only taken a toll on say that all that they crave now is to get lockdown would be over in a month, and their mental well being but also their cre- back to work and perform on stage. we would all get back to our normal lives,” ativity. Post File Photo “I miss the stage. I miss the lights. I miss says Karki, director of Kausi Theatre, “In more than 25 years of my career in In 2020, theatres in the country were among the first businesses to be closed to curb the spread of the costumes. I miss the unity and the who was at the time prepping up for the the Nepali theatre scene, I have always Covid-19. friendship we shared between friends from Nepali adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984. longed to share my ideas with my friends the theatre,” says Sharma. “Until the day During the first few days, Karki made and perform with them. But when we have impacts our creativity,” says Sharma. forced break from theatre has caused her theatre returns to its pre-pandemic days, use of her free time by taking part in been restricted from doing what we love for It has been more than a year since Rai to question her skills and craft. the dark clouds of hopelessness and frus- online discussions and sessions with her so long, it makes us dull and it negatively last performed on stage. Such prolonged “I constantly fear that I will forget my tration will constantly hover above me” theatre friends. But when the government kept extend- ing the lockdown, Karki says she started getting anxious and her mental health started getting affected. “After having worked in theatre as long as I have, it has become more like my home and not getting the chance to per- form, rehearse and enjoy the process of making a play for such an extended period of time started affecting me emotionally and mentally,” says Karki. “It was like having an identity crisis and I felt lost.” Karki wasn’t the only one going through such emotions. Many from the theatre world say that they experienced the same during last year’s nationwide lockdown. Even though last year’s lockdown began on March 24, theatres and cinema halls were already shut by the government on March 18, making theatres among the first businesses to be closed. As winter approached, daily Covid-19 cases started declining and businesses in the country started resuming operations, a few theatres in the country reopened. “By last year’s November, daily Covid-19 cases had declined and some measure of normalcy seemed to have returned,” says Jeevan Baral, a theatre artist, who returned to his village in Morang during the first lockdown. “Theatre artists were hopeful of getting back to work.” A few theatres even started hosting plays, on their premises. “A few theatres in the capital also resumed classes, and Kausi was also able to bag some works as well,” says Karki. But then in April this year, Nepal got hit by the second wave of Covid-19 and the few theatres that had opened closed once again leaving many artists more worried about their future. The prolonged absence of work, artists say, has affected them financially and mentally. “It’s always been difficult for theatre artists to sustain in Nepal. But many con- tinue in the field because they are passion- ate about it. The pandemic, which has left many of us without work for more than a year now, has made things much more difficult than it already has,” says Kedar Shrestha, artistic director of Theatre Mall. “With no income and a platform to express our creativity, we are all in one way or another affected by the current situation.” During the first wave of coronavirus, most theatre groups started going online. Right in the beginning, Shrestha’s theatre group hosted a live screening of the previ- ously recorded plays on their Facebook page. Although it was a new experiment, the plays, which have been watched more than half a million times, were well-re- ceived, says Shrestha. Likewise, a few groups also performed street plays, voicing social issues through their performance. Even though the online platforms and street plays did keep theatre artists busy for a while, nothing comes close to per- forming on stage, they say. “I think it’s difficult to describe in words how it feels, for an artist not to get the chance to perform on a stage. It’s like someone snatched your happiness, and there’s nothing you can do but be a mute spectator,” says Baral. At least during the previous lockdown, says Karki, she had the energy to conduct a few virtual sessions. “But now, I don’t even have the energy or excitement to go online. This time, it’s mentally more difficult for most of us,” says Karki, expressing her grief, over a phone interview with the Post. But it’s not that it’s only the theatre artists and the theatre community that are suffering. The whole world is facing economical, mental, and social challenges, exacerbated by the constant lockdowns and the pandemic. “However, for actors, especially those who work in theatres, it’s more challeng- ing to cope with turbulent times. Since their profession requires them to play with emotions, most theatre actors are emotionally fragile and vulnerable, and such prolonged uncertainty can take a toll on their mental health,” says Aashant Sharma, a theatre artist and director. Many theatre artists the Post spoke to agree with Sharma. Many of them shared that the pandemic has affected their men- tal health, so much so that they feel hope- less and powerless. “As someone who has been in this busi- ness for 16 years and has done more than 35 plays, the stage has always been a place from where I derive power and energy. I feel the most powerful when the lights are on me and I act for the audience,” says Pashupati Rai, a theatre artist. “But the pandemic has snatched the stage away from me. I have never felt so powerless. I feel a part of me is missing now that I can’t do what makes me the happiest—to

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