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

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 181 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.2 C 14.0 C Wednesday, August 18, 2021 | 02-05-2078 Nepalgunj Jomsom An ordinance that makes it more evident Deuba no different from Oli The Congress-led government has done exactly the same for which the party criticised Oli government last year. It’s the UML that is launching an attack on Deuba now.

ANIL GIRI same objective as the one brought by KATHMANDU, AUG 17 the Oli government. The difference however, according to ministers famil- “Unacceptable move, irresponsible iar with it, is that the latest one seeks tendency,” screamed the title of a to change the provision of a political Nepali Congress statement on April 20 party split, reducing the requirement last year. The Congress party had for numbers of members in the issued the statement in response to Central Committee and the then prime minister KP Sharma Oli’s Parliamentary Party. move of issuing an ordinance to As per the current provisions of amend laws to ease party split. Political Parties Act-2017, any group More than a year later, Congress can register a new party if it can show President Sher Bahadur Deuba it has control over 40 percent mem- replaced Oli. bers of the Central Committee and the On Tuesday, the Deuba government Parliamentary Party. did exactly the same for which it The ordinance has changed it to 20 had come down heavily on Oli. Now percent, and the “and” provision has it’s Oli’s turn to launch an attack been changed to “or”. on Deuba. Oli’s CPN-UML has The Oli government’s ordinance already declared that it would vehe- had kept the requirement of the Post photo: Angad Dhakal mently oppose the ordinance number of members at 40 percent Nepalis rescued from Afghanistan arrive in Kathmandu on Tuesday. It is estimated that there could be thousands of Nepalis who are stranded recommended by the Deuba gov- and sought to change the “and” provi- in the war-ravaged country after the Taliban took over power in a lightning sweep. ernment. sion to “or”. The ordinance is currently If the ordinance is promulgated, with the Office of the President. the UML’s split is almost certain, as “The Cabinet has forwarded the Madhav Nepal faction could easily the ordinance to President register a new party. It would also Bidya Devi Bhandari,” said Tika help Mahantha Thakur, who has Inside Nepalis returning from Dhakal, a senior communication been relegated into minority in the expert to the President. Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), to form “It will most likely be promul- a new party. The Janata Samajbadi Food shortage looms in Byas gated on Wednesday.” Party was formed in response to the villages after link severed Afghanistan stress swift The ordinance that the Deuba ordinance move by Oli last year. government has brought has the >> Continued on page 2 DARCHULA: The northern settlements of Byas Rural Municipality, a remote local unit in Darchula district, are rescue of fellow citizens reeling under a shortage of rice and other essential commodities. Food crisis has hit wards 1, 2 and 3 of Byas As many as 118 Nepali nationals, working at the US Rural Municipality, as a foot trail linking the wards to Khalanga, the embassy in Kabul, arrive home, two days after district headquarters of Darchula, has been disrupted by landslides and the Taliban make a comeback. floods for the past two months, and omegawatches.com tuins (improvised cable crossing) that connect with India are not in opera- tion. “Local residents would cross over to Indian markets to buy food and other essentials. But currently, tuin crossings are prohibited. The Sashastra Seema Bal personnel cut off all tuins across the Mahakali river around two weeks ago,” said Prabhat Budhathoki, a resident of Dumling in Byas-2. “Residents of several settlements in the upper region of Byas have started facing a shortage of food and other daily essentials.” (Details on Pg 2)

Tharu Morcha in protest, pressuring government to implement past agreements KATHMANDU: On different occasions, successive governments prior to the AP/Rss promulgation of the Constitution of A woman holds a poster demanding the evacuation of people out of Afghanistan during a Nepal in 2015 forged agreements with demonstration in Berlin, Germany, on Tuesday. protesters from the Tharu communi- ty to have a separate Tharuwan prov- ANUP OJHA shown hundreds of Afghans rushing ince in western Nepal. Together with KATHMANDU, AUG 17 to the tarmac of the Kabul interna- other indigenous communities, the tional airport and clinging onto aero- Tharus too held protests demanding Prakash Basnet heaved a sigh of relief planes in a desperate bid to flee the delineation of the provinces based on when he emerged from the Tribhuvan country. Concerns have grown across identity. When their demonstrations International Airport in Kathmandu the world, as countries are working on were ongoing, eight people including on Tuesday morning. plans to evacuate their citizens. a senior superintendent of Nepal “The first thing I did after landing The 118 Nepali citizens who arrived Police and a toddler were killed in here today was call up my family,” in Nepal on Tuesday were rescued by Tikapur, Kailali district in August, Basnet, one of the 118 Nepalis who the Americans. The Nepal govern- 2015. Dozens of protesters were were evacuated from Afghanistan, ment has said it would do all it CONSTELLATION 29MM arrested in connection with the kill- told the Post. requires to bring back its citizens ings. Nineteen of them, including Basnet and 117 other Nepali nation- from the war-torn country, but offi- Resham Chaudhary, a member of the als, as well as nine Indians, were flown cials say they do not have the exact Born in 1952, the Constellation quickly became a symbol of OMEGA’s House of Representatives, are lan- to Kuwait by the United States on data on Nepalis there. high quality manufacturing and record-breaking precision. Today’s Master guishing in prisons in different parts Monday, a day after the Taliban took The Department of Foreign of the country. (Details on Pg 3) control of Kabul, the Afghan capital. Employment records show that in the Chronometer certified models, tested at the highest level by the Swiss Federal “It’s such a relief to be back home,” last fiscal year, ending mid-July, 1,073 Institute of Metrology (METAS), guarantee more accuracy, reliability and said the 43-year-old from Lamjung in Nepalis had obtained permits to work supreme resistance to magnetism from electronic devices, such as phones and Ignored and misunderstood Madhya Nepal Municipality. “But I am in Afghanistan. The Department’s sta- but driven by passion here empty-handed; there was no time tistics show that in the last seven years, laptops. Almost 70 years later, the Constellation remains a star performer. KATHMANDU: Gajendra Bardewa to collect my belongings.” more than 8,000 Nepalis have been scours parks, basketball courts, foot- Basnet and other Nepali and Indian issued labour permits to Afghanistan. ball grounds or any free ground citizens, who were working in the But it is estimated that there could be whenever he goes outside. He is United States embassy in Kabul, were more than 14,000 Nepalis who are always on the lookout for any open flown to Nepal from Kuwait in a stranded. Despite the higher risk, space ideal for skateboarding. Full- Jazeera Airways flight. Nepalis prefer to go to this conflict-rid- time skateboarding athlete Bardewa “We all were working as security den country due to high pay. is a winner of 3rd National Open guards inside the US embassy. So we Another returnee, who briefly Skateboarding Championship 2019. didn’t face any trouble,” said Basnet. spoke just as he came out of the air- For now, he practices skateboarding “But there are other Nepalis too who port, said since he and his colleagues on the old basketball court in reached Afghanistan through differ- were flown out on Monday from Kabul, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur. “We ent channels. The government must he did not have much idea of the pan- are doing this[relocating from one look into their status and ensure their demonium. place to another] from the beginning. safe repatriation.” “However, I am concerned about We started playing in an open space All the evacuees were taken to two other Nepalis,” said the man, who isolation centres by the Nepal Army. appeared to be in his mid-40s, from AVAILABLE AT: in Chyasal, from there to Satdobato, REGENCY WATCH: Annapurna Arcade, Durbar Marg • Thamsherku Center, Durbar Marg, MGA International Pvt Ltd then here[TU basketball court], then With the Taliban taking full control Pyuthan. “We cannot say how the situ- we were forced to leave here too, but of Kabul on Sunday, ending the United ation unfolds. I feel lucky that I have we returned after talking to the peo- States’ 20-year era, scenes of chaos, been evacuated. The government must ple here and reaching an understand- pandemonium and panic have been find ways to airlift other Nepalis ing,” says Bardewa with a deter- emerging from Afghanistan. working there.” mined look. (Details on Pg 8) International media reports have >> Continued on page 2 Omega_HQ • Visual: CO57_131.25.29.20.55.001 • Newspaper: 03177 12Mar21 CO57_131.25.29.20.55.001 (NP) Language: English • Issue: 12/03/2021 • Doc size: 161.5 x 250 mm • Calitho #: 03-21-145520 • AOS #: OME_03177 • AD 15/03/2021C M Y K WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 | 02 National An ordinance that makes it more evident Deuba no different from Oli >> Continued from page 1 After widespread criticism, Oli was forced to recommend the repeal of the ordinance after five days. Deuba’s ordinance move has met with criticism from members of his own party. “The motive behind bringing the ordinance is to split the UML and the JSP,” said Dr Shekhar Koirala, a senior Congress leader. “But this seriously undermines democrat- ic values and the parliamentary culture.” According to Koirala, the ordinance, the prime minister believes, will prolong his stay in power. “The ordinance will make it easier for Madhav Nepal to form a new party and join the government. But in principle, this is as wrong a move by this government as that by the erstwhile government,” Koirala told the Post. “Our party, which leads the government, should not endorse such a decision, which seeks to skip the parliamen- tary process.” When the Deuba government on Monday suddenly pro- rogued the House, it had become apparent that it would bring an ordinance to ease party split. The government, however, is likely to issue some more ordinances, as it is not sure of its own strength when it comes to the passage of bills from Parliament. The budget is one of them. The Deuba government could not bring a replacement bill for the budget ordinance with some amendments, as it was not Post Photo: beeju maharjan sure if it had enough numbers to pass it. A man carries corn stalks on a scooter at Dhapakhel, Lalitpur on Tuesday. “But dodging the House is not a good practice,” said Koirala. “If the prime minister thinks he lacks a majority, it is better to dissolve the House and declare elections.” Even though Deuba managed to secure 165 votes when he went for a floor test on July 18, there is unanimity that his fifth stint as prime minister is accidental. Oli’s misadven- Briefing tures led the Supreme Court to issue an order to appoint Food shortage looms in Byas villages Deuba as prime minister. But with no certainty that 14 lawmakers from the Nepal Pathak appointed faction who had voted for Deuba would vote for any bill, Kantipur TV Deuba’s government was hobbling. Even more than a month after assuming office, Deuba has not been able to expand his editor-in-chief after landslides disrupt foot trails Cabinet. A senior Congress leader told the Post that Deuba decided to introduce the ordinance at the request of the Nepal fac- Local residents have been unable to bring in food and essentials from India after Sashastra Seema Bal tion of the UML and Thakur of the JSP. “There is no doubt that the move is aimed at facilitating personnel cut off all improvised cable crossings across the Mahakali river around two weeks ago. splits in the UML and JSP,” said the leader, who did not wish to be named. MANOJ BADU and 4 have been facing a shortage unable to transport daily essen- said the rural municipal office A split in the UML now appears to be imminent. DARCHULA, AUG 17 of food and other commodities, as tials from the Indian markets. has requested the federal govern- Just as Deuba recommended the ordinance, the UML these settlements do not “Foot trails have been damaged ment to manage food grains in the expelled Nepal and 13 other members as lawmakers. The northern settlements of Byas have access to the district and vehicular movement has villages. Nepal told his supporters on Tuesday that “a new party Rural Municipality, a remote local headquarters. been obstructed in the Tinkar “We have told the Food will be formed”. unit in Darchula district, are reel- The villagers have to use Indian road due to multiple landslides. Management and Trading “We will re-organise the party,” said Nepal. “We may KATHMANDU: Dil Bhusan ing under a shortage of rice and territory to go to Khalanga and We have been unable to transport Company Ltd to establish food unite again if Oli corrects himself, or jointly contest polls Pathak has been appointed other essential commodities. buy essential commodities. They daily essentials from Khalanga sales centres at Tinkar and together later.” editor-in-chief of Kantipur Food crisis has hit wards 1, 2 have been hit hardest after the and we cannot even install Dumling of Byas,” Budhathoki As a last-ditch effort, Nepal had assigned Ghanashyam Television. Kantipur Media and 3 of Byas Rural Municipality, disruption in the foot trail and the wire crossing along the riverside. said. Bhusal to hold talks with Oli to explore the possibility of Group Chairman and as a foot trail linking the wards to tuin service. We have asked for help from “We have also demanded that keeping the party unity intact. But discussions failed to Managing Director Kailash Khalanga, the district headquar- The foot trail connecting Byas to the government authorities to the government immediately yield results. Sirohiya on Tuesday wel- ters of Darchula, has been the district headquarters has been manage food grains for us,” said supply food grains via helicopters Those removed as lawmakers are Nepal, Jeevan Ram comed Pathak as the new edi- disrupted by landslides and floods severely damaged at around 15 Dhami. to the four wards affected by Shrestha, Mukunda Neupane, Kalyani Khadka, Ram tor-in-chief of Kantipur for the past two months, and places since the start of the mon- food shortage in the rural Kumari Jhakri, Laxmi Kumari Chaudhary, Nira Devi Jairu, Television (KTV) at the televi- tuins (improvised cable crossing) soon season this year. municipality.” Pushpa Kumari Karna, Sarala Yadav, Kalila Khatun, Birodh sion’s headquarters in that connect with India are not in There are government food Trail connecting On July 26, the District Khatiwada, Krishna Lal Maharjan, Bhawani Khapung and Tinkune. “Kantipur Television operation. depots at Sunsera and Rapla but Administration Office in Darchula Metmani Chaudhary. is committed to reach new “Local residents would cross they do not have rice grains in Byas to the district had notified the Dhangadhi-based Raghuji Pant, a Standing Committee member who is close heights amid new challenges over to Indian markets to buy food stock at the moment. provincial office of the Food to Nepal, said if the establishment side fails to withdraw its posed in the changing times,” and other essentials. But current- “We have already informed the headquarters has Management and Trading decision of expelling lawmakers, the party won’t remain said Sirohiya. “I am confident ly, tuin crossings are prohibited. provincial as well as federal gov- been damaged at Company to supply food grains to united. that Pathak’s leadership will The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) ernments about the empty depots the locals of Byas Rural Deuba’s rival faction in the Nepali Congress, led by Ram help us achieve the goal.” personnel cut off all tuins across but we haven’t heard from them. around 15 places. Municipality Ward No. 1. Chandra Poudel, too has objected to the ordinance. His key Pathak, on his part, said that the Mahakali river around two Five hundred quintals of rice “On Sunday, we have again coalition partner, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist he would take Kantipur weeks ago,” said Prabhat meant for the locals of Ward No 2 requested the company to Centre), however, has maintained silence. Television forward by catering Budhathoki, a resident of Dumling was transported last year. The supply food grains to the ward The Post’s repeated attempts to speak to Narayan Kaji to the audience according to in Byas-2. “Residents of several depots are empty now,” said Local residents have been una- immediately,” said Siddhraj Joshi, Shrestha, spokesperson for the Maoist Centre, went unan- their choices. Pathak in the settlements in the upper region of Budhathoki. ble to walk to Khalanga because of chief district officer of Darchula. swered. past too has led KTV. Earlier Byas have started facing a Nabin Singh Dhami, a resident multiple landslides in several sec- “We have also asked the company A Maoist leader, who did not wish to be named, however, in the day, the KTV manage- shortage of food and other daily of Byas, said that the crops grown tions of the Tinkar road. to manage food grains to the said that there is no need to explain why the government is ment accepted the resignation essentials.” in their fields could not last more Dilip Singh Budhathoki, chair- rural municipality through air bringing the ordinance. tendered by Prashant Aryal as According to him, there were than three months and they are man of the rural municipality, services.” “The objective is clear… facilitating a split in the UML,” the editor-in-chief. He served eight to nine tuins in the Byas area the leader told the Post. “We don’t want this House to get for three and a half years. and all of them were cut off by the dissolved for the lack of numbers with the ruling alliance. Chairman and Managing SSB after Jaya Singh Dhami went The ordinance will pave the way for the Nepal faction to Director Sirohiya thanked missing in the Mahakali river. form a new party and join the government.” Aryal for his contributions. Jaya Singh Dhami, 33, of A leader of the Nepal faction welcomed the government Malghat in Byas Rural move of bringing the ordinance. Municipality plunged into the “Let Oli expel us from Parliament… from the Central PCR testing halted for river on July 30 as he was trying to Committee and other party committees,” Birodh Khatiwada past three weeks cross the Mahakali river using an told the Post. “But let the ordinance come, we will form a improvised cable crossing, the new party. There are several steps ahead. Things don’t hap- RAJBIRAJ: Polymerase Chain only means to get to the district pen at once.” Reaction tests at Rajbiraj- headquarters Khalanga from Observers, however, say Nepali politicians must learn to based Gajendranarayan Singh where he was planning to travel to abide by the rule of law and rise over partisan interest and Hospital have been halted for Kathmandu. The victim went shed their penchant for power so that they can give some the past three weeks, as the missing in the river after a mem- time for the country and the people. only PCR machine has stopped ber of the SSB reportedly cut off When Deuba was appointed prime minister, many had working. The Province 2 gov- the tuin he was using to cross the quipped that he did not inspire hope but the only solace was ernment had provided the Mahakali river. he was not Oli. However, with the ordinance, Deuba appears PCR machine to the hospital Residents of the crisis-hit area to be trying to prove he is no different from Oli. one and half years ago after on Saturday held a gathering Rajendra Maharjan, a political analyst, said if Oli’s move the district saw a rising num- and urged the ward office, rural of introducing the ordinance was wrong, so is Deuba’s. ber of Covid-19 cases. “Efforts municipal office and the provin- “How come something done by Oli is wrong and it is right are underway to repair the cial and federal governments to when it is done by Deuba,” Maharjan, who comments on machine,” said Dr Ranjit supply food and other essential contemporary politics, told the Post. “Nepali political par- Kumar Jha, the medical commodities to the area at the ties must stop deceiving the people of this country.” superintendent at the earliest. Most of the Congress leaders, who had condemned Oli’s hospital. The locals, according to Prabhat, ordinance last year, opted not to speak in detail on their warned of protests if the authori- government’s ordinance. ties do not address their problem “The party has not made a position yet on the immediately. government’s decision to bring the ordinance,” said Dhiran Singh Budhathoki, the Post Photo: Manoj Badu Bishwo Prakash Sharma, spokesperson for the Congress spokesperson of Byas Rural Local residents held a gathering on Saturday and urged the ward office, rural municipal office and the provincial and federal party. “I think the ordinance was issued due to some Municipality, said that wards 1, 2, 3 governments to supply food and other essentials at the earliest. political compulsions.” Nepalis returning from Afghanistan stress swift rescue of fellow citizens

>> Continued from page 1 Japanese embassy in Kabul. Reuters reported that at least 12 mili- are set to arrive home with the help of assured them that we would do whatev- Afghanistan was banned for Nepali The government has called upon tary flights had taken off from the the US embassy. er we can,” the official said. workers in July 2016 after 13 Nepalis Nepalis to fill up a form if they want to Kabul airport on Tuesday. The US has The major concern, however, is how The embassy, however, is not clear were killed in a car bomb attack in be evacuated from Afghanistan. Nepalis sent 6,000 troops to assist the evacua- to bring those Nepalis back home who how it could evacuate those Nepalis Kabul. But the government lifted the in Afghanistan can also contact +977- tion from the airport. are undocumented. who reached Afghanistan through ille- ban in 2020. A majority of Nepalis, 9749326458 (Department of Consular At Kathmandu airport on Tuesday An official at the Nepali embassy in gal channels. mostly ex-police and ex-army person- Services) and +977-9749326459 (Ministry morning, an Indian national who was New Delhi, which has the accreditation “There are no clear instructions from nel, went to the war-ravaged country to of Foreign Affairs). They can also get in evacuated from Afghanistan said he to look after Afghanistan, agreed that the Foreign Ministry,” said the official. work as security guards in foreign mis- touch with the Nepali embassy in New had been working at the US embassy in there are challenges when it comes to Meanwhile, the man from Pyuthan, sions and United Nations agencies. Delhi at +91-8929601925. Kabul since 2004. rescuing Nepalis who have reached who said he is grateful that he managed The Nepal government, according to After the Ministry of Foreign Affairs “I am an Indian national. I could not Afghanistan illegally. to return home safely, expressed con- Nepali officials, has already established called on Nepali citizens to register bring any belongings along with me, “The embassy is taking initiatives to cerns about the Nepalis stuck in communication with most of the for- their name, address, contact details and but I am glad that I was rescued,” said evacuate those Nepalis who had reached Afghanistan. eign missions and UN agencies and their contacts in Nepal, 256 Nepalis liv- the man who identified himself as Raj the country after taking labour per- “Afghanistan is a war zone. There is requested them to help repatriate ing in Kabul have already sent emails Kumar Thapa. mits. But it’s difficult to rescue others,” fear and uncertainty,” he said. “I have Nepalis working with them. and contacted the designated Nepali Another Indian national, Udaya Man said the official. “Some have reached not heard about any Nepali being taken As many as 579 Nepalis were said to officials. Lama, a retired Indian Army official, recently, while there are others whose captive by the Taliban as yet, but the be working at the US embassy in Kabul. The Kabul airport, which was closed the Post spoke to said he has already visas have expired.” government must make efforts to get all Officials say as per the records availa- on Monday after people started rushing informed his family members that he According to the official, the undocu- its citizens home safely at the earliest.” ble to them, 60 Nepalis are working in to the tarmac and climbing up air- was returning home. mented Nepalis are more worried. the German embassy, 87 in the United planes, was reopened on Tuesday for “My family was so worried,” he said. “They are in touch with us and (Rajesh Mishra contributed reporting Kingdom embassy and 62 in the evacuations of foreign nationals. According to officials, more Nepalis requesting their evacuation. We have from New Delhi.)

C M Y K 03 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 National Tharu Morcha in protest, pressuring government to implement past agreements Brihat Nagarik Aandolan, an alliance of civil society members and people from various walks of life, supports the protest.

BINOD GHIMIRE police and attacked them indiscriminately. KATHMANDU, AUG 17 “The government prepared a fake case against many including Resham Chaudhary,” On different occasions, successive govern- Shrawan Tharu, acting coordinator of the ments prior to the promulgation of the Morcha, told the Post. Constitution of Nepal in 2015 forged agree- He said only the protests by the Tharu and ments with protesters from the Tharu com- Madhesi communities have been treated as munity to have a separate Tharuwan prov- criminal acts. ince in western Nepal. “This is state’s discrimination against the Together with other indigenous communi- marginalised community,” he said. ties, the Tharus too held protests demanding Brihat Nagarik Aandolan, an alliance delineation of the provinces based on identi- formed by civil society members and people ty. When their demonstrations were from various walks of life, too, has supported ongoing, eight people including a senior the protest that will continue until Thursday. superintendent of Nepal Police and a toddler The protesters say this is just the beginning were killed in Tikapur, Kailali district in of their protest, which will continue until August, 2015. their demands are met. Dozens of protesters were arrested in con- Mohna Ansari, a former member of the nection with the killings. Nineteen of them, National Human Rights Commission, said including Resham Chaudhary, a member of they have supported the protest because gen- the House of Representatives, are languish- uine concerns have been ignored by succes- ing in prisons in different parts of the sive governments. country. “Dozens of people from the Tharu commu- The incident marks six years next week. nity were tortured after the killings but they Leaders from the Tharuhat Tharuwan never got justice. The government must Rastriya Morcha started a fresh protest in make public the report by the Lal Commission the Capital on Tuesday, demanding the gov- and implement its recommendations,” she ernment release those in prisons and follow told the Post. through on the past agreements. Despite the Supreme Court’s order and the “We were told that our concerns will be ruling from Parliament, the government is addressed through an amendment to the con- yet to make the report public. stitution,” Bhanu Ram Tharu, an adviser to The government in February 2016 formed Morcha, told the Post. “However, it hasn’t the commission led by Girish Chandra Lal, a been implemented even six years after the former justice at the Supreme Court to look promulgation of the constitution.” into the atrocities committed during the Tharu said that their protest is aimed at Madhes and Tharu protests in 2015, which pressuring the government to withdraw the were organised against the drafting and cases against those who have been treated as promulgation of the constitution. criminals for participating in a political Protests had erupted in the run-up to the movement. constitution promulgation, as identity-based The protesters say the Tikapur incident parties opposed the plans of four major forc- was a part of the political movement turned es to push through the finalisation of the deadly due to an instigation by the state statute in the Constituent Assembly. The authority. The Tharu protesters say SSP commission investigated a total of 3,264 com- Laxman Neupane was killed because the plaints registered to it. Post Photo: Anish Regmi state authority itself hatched a conspiracy in According to the report, 66 people—includ- A woman wearing a mask pulled down to her chin walks past a notice calling for wearing masks against the coronavirus in Kathmandu on Tuesday. its search for a way to weaken their ing 10 police personnel, 18-month, four-year movement. and 15-year-old children were killed during “Neupane and his aides were unarmed the movement. Of them, 62, including police despite knowing that the protest was going to officers, were declared martyrs, while four be huge so as to breach the government’s had not been conferred the status. restrictions,” said Tharu. The commission visited 18 districts for the Minutes before he was killed in cold blood, probe. The report has recommended that the People forced to buy drug used to treat unarmed SSP Neupane had attempted to talk government strengthen the mechanism to to the enraged protesters who were in their control riots and agitations. thousands. Two of his security guards The seven-member commission was man- were also without arms when the incident dated to probe the incidents that took place severe Covid-19 patients in black market took place. during the Madhes movement, to find facts Thousands of demonstrators who had about the incidents, to recommend compen- arrived from several villages wanted to take sation for the victims and take action against out a rally in the prohibited zone. There was those held responsible for the killings. Patients paying up to 17 times the government approved price for Tocilizumab, a drug that is in short supply. a scuffle when the police tried to stop them. “The reality behind the Tikapur incident The security personnel lobbed tear gas canis- will be out once the report is made public. ARJUN POUDEL expert, told the Post. “We heard that the drug is the Forum for Protection of Consumer ters to disperse the crowd. But the protesters, The state’s actions must be in line with its KATHMANDU, AUG 17 in short supply in the US as well.” Rights-Nepal. “And all this is happening under using another path, suddenly encircled the recommendations,” said Ansari. Gurung refused to identify the person who the protection of the state machinery. When the On Monday last week, when the health condi- sold the drug to him. He said that despite spend- agencies responsible for market regulation tion of a 47-year-old man infected with Covid-19 ing Rs1 million on the drug, his brother did not ignore issues like this, people are bound to started deteriorating fast, doctors at HAMS survive and he does not want to extend the issue. suffer.” Hospital asked his relatives to find Tocilizumab, However, with the rise in the number of Timalsina said that such malpractice is an arthritis drug which is said to reduce the risk critical Covid-19 patients of late, demand common not only in drugs for Covid-19 treat- of death in severe coronavirus infected patients. for the drug has increased several fold. Due to ment but also in private hospitals to treat coro- However, it was not easy to find the drug man- limited supply, the drug is being smuggled into navirus patients. ufactured by Roche, a Swiss multinational the country and sold in the black market at exor- Earlier, the Ministry of Health and Population healthcare company. The patient’s relatives bitant prices. had formed a committee to monitor the approached Yetichem, the authorised importer exorbitant fees charged by private hospitals. and distributor of the drug in Nepal, to no avail. The committee has not disclosed its findings “We got the drug only on Thursday [after four Malpractice also common so far. days] sold on black market for Rs1 million. We “Relatives are ready to pay any amount got the drug and it was administered to my in private hospitals demanded by hospitals and pharmacies to save brother, but he died on Saturday,” Dhana Raj the lives of their loved ones,” said Timalsina. Gurung, brother of the deceased man, told the treating Covid-19 patients. “Some people are taking undue advantage of Post over the phone from Pokhara. “We are their desperation. What is concerning is that the mourning his death right now.” regulatory bodies are helping such people, not Doctors around the world have been using Gurung paid more than 17 times the price the victims.” Tocilizumab for treating critically ill Covid-19 ceiling set by the Department of Drug The Department of Drug Administration said patients. The drug is still undergoing clinical Administration, the national regulator of the that stern legal action will be taken if any trials to ascertain whether it is a definitive drug market. The department has allowed the firm is found selling Tocilizumab in the black treatment option for critical coronavirus supplier to sell the drug for not more than market. patients. Rs58,000, according to Santosh KC, spokesper- “Yetichem imported 200 doses of the drug on “When steroids stop working and health con- son for the department. Monday,” Santosh KC, spokesperson for the ditions of patients become too critical, “Selling medicine at a price more than 17 department, told the Post. “No one is permitted Tocilizumab injection is used,” Dr Prabhat times higher is simply extortion,” said Bishnu to sell the medicine at a price higher than the Post Photo: Elite Joshi Adhikari, an infectious disease and critical care Prasad Timalsina, deputy general secretary for ceiling set by the government.” Members of Tharuhat Tharuwan Rastriya Morcha stage a sit-in at Maitighar, Kathmandu on Tuesday. Ghising outlines poor performance of power utility under previous leadership While his appointment is challenged at the Supreme Court, Ghising has announced plans to increase domestic consumption and export electricity.

PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA managing director of the authority. In the last fiscal year, electricity sions made by the Sher Bahadur Before the completion of the Upper on its platform, allowing Nepal, KATHMANDU, AUG 17 Ghising is credited with ending the leakage increased to 17.18 percent Deuba government. Tamakoshi Project, Nepal had an Bangladesh and Bhutan to participate problem of power cuts and substan- from 15.27 percent in the previous fis- Criticism of his performance as the installed capacity of 1,385MW. With in power trading. Kul Man Ghising, the newly appointed tially increasing the profit of the cal year 2019-20, according to the head of Nepal Electricity Authority the addition of power from Upper With a view to selling electricity, managing director of Nepal Electricity authority during his first term as the authority. and his removal, however, have not Tamakoshi, the country’s installed the Nepal Electricity Authority in Authority, on Tuesday outlined the head of the power utility. Ghising didn’t directly blame gone down well with Shakya. capacity has now reached over May this year participated in a bid, worsened financial situation of the After his four-year tenure expired Shakya for the authority’s poor per- In his writ petition, Shakya has 1,800MW. seeking to export 40MW to the state power utility under the previous in September last year, Ghising was formance, both in fiscal and manage- claimed that time had not come to According to the authority, peak Punjab state of India. The authority is leadership. replaced by Shakya, who had been rial terms. He did, however, say that evaluate his performance as he had demand currently stands at 1,550MW. currently awaiting response from On the occasion of the 36th anniver- working as the acting managing direc- the absence of a competent leadership not served even one full year as the This means when all units of Upper Punjab State Power Corporation sary of the authority, Ghising present- tor of the authority since November had something to do with reduced head of the authority. Tamakoshi start production, the coun- Limited. ed the financial situation of the last year. performance of the authority. The hearing on his writ petition has try will have nearly 300MW of surplus If Punjab is ready to buy electricity authority following his exit. To make room for Ghising’s appoint- Even Energy Minister Pampha been scheduled for Wednesday. energy in the wet season. from Nepal, electricity will be deliv- Ghising said that the authority’s ment, the government had appointed Bhusal expressed her displeasure at Whether Ghising will continue to “Necessary measures will be taken ered via Dhalkebar-Muzaffarpur 400 income was reduced by 6.59 percent to Shakya as an energy expert at the the performance of the previous lead- remain the managing director of to increase consumption of electricity KV interstate transmission line. Rs71.28 billion while net profit plunged Water and Energy Commission. ership of the authority without men- the authority depends on the court’s at home and to export the surplus According to Ghising, the authority nearly 70 percent after his departure. But, unhappy with the decision, tioning Shakya’s name. ruling. energy,” said Ghising. has plans to develop more cross-bor- The authority’s net profit fell to Shakya has appealed the Supreme “I was told recently that the author- Since his arrival, Ghising has In order to increase domestic power der transmission lines with India. Rs3.51 billion in the last fiscal year Court against Ghising’s appointment. ity witnessed electricity leakages of already announced his plans and pri- consumption, plans are afoot to review “Infrastructure will be developed to 2020-21 from Rs11.68 billion in the fis- In his petition, Shakya has argued 16.93 percent. But, in fact, there had orities for the authority. the tariff being imposed on infra- enable trading in line with the cal year 2019-20. that he had neither resigned from the been more,” Bhusal said at the anni- One of his major priorities is mini- structure development, rural electrifi- agreement reached with Power Grid Incidentally, Ghising reading out post nor was removed following the versary programme that was held vir- mising power wastage. cation, agriculture, irrigation, and Corporation of India for electricity the fiscal status of the electricity due procedure. He has appealed to the tually. “Ensuring the market for electricity industries. trade regionally and sub-regionally,” authority comes at a time when court to nullify Ghising’s appoint- She said that the leadership of the generated by the 456MW Upper The state power utility has also ini- Ghising said. Hitendra Dev Shakya, the ment. authority was changed to ensure “the Tamakoshi Hydropower Project and tiated the move to export electricity. “The construction of the 400KV former managing director, has chal- During his previous stint at the right person at the right place”. various other projects has emerged as In April, India officially allowed Butwal-Gorakhpur cross-border lenged his appointment at the authority, Ghising had brought down “I have made similar changes at the a big challenge,” Ghising reiterated on Nepal entry to its power exchange transmission line will be initiated Supreme Court. electricity leakages to just over 15 per- Energy Ministry as well,” she claimed. Tuesday. “Technically, the country market. The Indian Energy Exchange while detailed design work of A Cabinet meeting on August 9 had cent from 25.78 percent in the fiscal Ghising’s appointment in the state now has surplus energy, particularly (IEX) announced the “commencement 400KV Ratmate-Kerung will also be decided to appoint Ghising as the new year 2015-16. power utility was among the first deci- during the wet season.” of the Cross Border Electricity Trade” initiated.”

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL Remembrance of recent past Unsmart decision It is impossible to write an obituary of a person who Administrative apathy is fatal than the infectious touched several people’s lives Delta variants of coronavirus. without them realising it.

Sixteen months into the pandemic, the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre, a government apparatus set up to man- CK LAL age the Covid-19 situation, is hellbent on repeating the same mistakes over and over again. In an unsmart move that defies South Side conventional scientific guidelines, the centre on Monday issued a circular to District Administration Offices through- out the country to enforce ‘smart lockdowns’. The centre also said Chief District Officers had been authorised to impose restrictions on public movement and other measures neces- This is going to be a saga of two teens sary to break the chain of transmission. from Palpa that came to Kathmandu in As the surge of new infections in the country drives hospi- the early 1970s in search of better tal admissions that are nearing capacity, the Health Ministry opportunities. This is going to be a has long warned that a third wave is inevitable mainly story of Kathmandu city as it evolved because of lax standard operating protocols and inadequate over the decades from a sleepy town into a bustling metropolis. This is also tests and contact tracing. But instead of focusing on prepar- going to be a narrative of how the place edness and implementing science guided pandemic proto- and the person interacted with, and cols, the Deuba administration has continued to assign an changed, each other. This is homage to essential task of controlling the pandemic to a body com- the memory of Shyam Sunder Lal posed mainly of security personnel and bureaucrats. That Kakshapati, 70, who passed away last administrative apathy is fatal than the more infectious Delta week in Bangkok. He was the elder sib- variants of coronavirus cannot be overstressed. Over 10,000 ling of a friend of mine of over four decades. Friends of Gopal Sunder Lal people have succumbed to the pandemic, with dozens of Kakshapati usually discontinued their deaths reported daily. Still, the government has failed to bol- banter whenever Shyam Dai arrived, ster its response mechanism, eroding public confidence and but his presence was unmistakable photo Courtesy: Nayantara Gurung Kakshapati’s Facebook hurting the economy. even when he was not around. towns stocked tinned food from wipe surfaces that had just been Sadak was ahead of its time in stocking Nepal’s Covid-19 situation continues to be volatile, with a Memories are said to be notorious Calcutta, quality tea from Darjeeling, cleaned. diapers, slings and strollers for young potentially lethal third wave just around the corner. The liars. With the passage of time, the eyes coffee beans from Coorg, condiments Within a few years, it was time to patrons of the Café that had become Covid-19 R-value continues to hover above 1. The Health of the mind begin to see things in a from Kerala and locally manufactured move on, and Nanglo opened its doors working parents. It folded up due to a Ministry reports 2,478 new infections on average each day. completely different light. The break in cookies for their discerning customers. on Durbar Marg. Unlike the Café, misunderstanding between the suc- the continuity of events is filled with Shyam Dai managed to attract the neo- Nanglo was a pub first and then only a cessful tenants and their envious land- The more contagious Delta variants are the dominant strains wistful details. During bouts of melan- elite of Kamal Pokhari, Gyaneshwor, café. It appeared from the beginning lords. With its landline phones and in circulation, with 21 districts home to more than 500 active cholia, the intensity of sadness seems Lazimpat and Naxal who came for their that Shyam Dai was sure of Nanglo’s walkie-talkies, the Yellow Cab had cases and 16 other districts host more than 200 active cases darker than it actually was when morning constitutional to the newly success. If sandwiches and burgers had preceded experiments like Sarathi and each. Kathmandu Valley continues to be the top hotspot in endured. Nostalgia, on the other hand, created Ratna Park across the road. made the Café popular, it was the selec- Taximandu by a quarter of a the country, reporting close to 1,000 cases or above each day. makes recollection brighter than lived They shopped at Sam’s while the chauf- tion of pizza and varieties of momo century, but it was an idea whose time These are not acceptable levels to let everything run amok as experiences. Remembrance, however, feur or the attendant waited outside that made Nanglo a hit. Who else would hadn’t yet come in Nepal. When he if there is no pandemic for sure. A ‘smart lockdown’ has been frees the mind from the pressures of with their pedigreed dogs. have thought of spinach momo on the realised that urban transport wasn’t either being accurate or sounding It used to be a different crowd during menu but the restaurateur brothers his forte, Shyam Dai lost no time and in place ever since the second wave receded, but the figures detached. Remembrances are more the day. The grocery had attractive with a vegetarian mother? The Chinese exited as fast as he had entered the in the daily situation report released by the ministry speak about the emotions of the narrator candy jars and a soda fountain near the Room and the Cake Shop followed in field. for themselves. The current measures are obsolete and beg than the profile of actors or the descrip- counter. While a glass of soda was defi- quick succession, each catering to a Shyam Dai had seen the potential of for a scientific approach other than restrictive measures, tion of events. I recount this story nitely cheaper than a bottle of Cola, it different set of patrons. Gopal presided Nagarkot early on and invested in some which should be a final resort for the government. And sup- without the help of any notes and with- used to be more expensive than the over the beer drinkers at the Roof Top property for developing it into a resort. pose the country has reached that pandemic level. In that out consulting Gopal for the authentic- nimki and chiya combo available near- and Rani Gurung Kakshapati super- Successful entrepreneurs invariably case, the government should communicate hard facts to the ity of what I remember. by at a Bhotahiti eatery. A few students vised the cake mix with elbow length breed jealous and conniving competi- public, especially after conducting a nationwide serological of Padma Kanya in their starched gloves. Shyam Dai spent more time tors. When the Nepal Army claimed Success stories orange dresses thronged the store for with architects and builders of his cot- that it required the whole of the hill- study and vaccination campaigns targeting essential workers When hippies had made Jhochhen a cookies, candies and Colas. tage in what was then back of beyond side for training purposes, he recog- and the most vulnerable age group. happening place in the early years of Like most serial entrepreneurs, near Mohan Chautara off the Ring nised his limitations and quietly with- The ‘smart lockdown’, or so to speak, is questionable, as is the sanguine 1970s, I remember seeing Shyam Dai probably wanted to do Road. drew into his existing businesses. After the relevance of the centre that continues to impose them, a fancy-looking grocery store at the something new and thus came the Café Bigger successes followed as the the noughties, the frequency of my citing substandard epidemiological data based on inadequate trifurcation towards New Road, but I de Park—or just the Café to its regu- Nanglo Bakery upended the bread mar- visits to Nanglo diminished, and soon, testing. Take the 8 pm deadline for public and private vehi- am not sure if it was a Kakshapati lars—which lured youngsters of the ket dominated till then by Krishna, my adda shifted to the Bakery Café at cles in the Kathmandu Valley while massive crowds throng enterprise. What I know is that the aspirational middle class into the café Himal and Panna paurotis. The chain Teku. I met Shyam Dai even less, but Kakshapatis liked to call themselves culture. The distinctive feature of the of Bakery Cafés recreated the ambi- his smile remained as warm, some- marketplaces and temples, restaurants and businesses and both Palpalis and Jhochhen lads. The Café, its USP in the lingo of marketers, ance of Café De Park on a bigger and times followed by a mocking remark— packed public transport throughout the day, violating norms grocery stocked Coca Cola in glass bot- was the designed informality of the brighter scale, and created history by ”Don’t call me Dai, I look younger”— of physical distancing and indoor assembly. Is this the kind tles that were probably transported all interiors. It had paintings on the walls hiring waiters with impaired hearing. which he indeed did with his mane of ‘hard/mixed/soft/minimal’ lockdown that the Chief the way from Raxaul through and easy chairs to lounge on; and it Riverside Springs Resort was one of a dyed jet black. District Officers will replicate across the country in the days Tribhuvan Rajpath or airlifted from played an eclectic selection of pop, jazz, kind for quite a while. In the enigmatic It is impossible to write an obituary ahead? If so, the administration will continue to fail misera- Patna for the cannabis-smoking heavy metal and country records from 1980s, students of business schools had of a person who touched several peo- bly and miss an opportunity to right the wrongs and change Westerners that flocked to Freak Street. a quality music system in the back- been doing case studies on Nanglo. ple’s lives without them realising it, the course of our testing strategy. That said, ground data It was with Sam’s Grocery near Rani ground. My enduring memory of the Shyam Dai became a rock star of sorts lived life the way he liked, unafraid of Pokhari that Shyam Dai tried to recre- Café is Gopal pretending to be older for management trainees by the end of controversies, and then left leisurely so should guide pocket lockdowns where necessary, but without ate the ambience of unhurried shop- than he was and imperiously looking at the euphoric 1990s. that those he loved would learn to cope adequate testing and public health protocols, the country will ping for connoisseurs previously chirpy guests as they munched French with their loss. Remain strong, Rani never find a way out of the endless loop of lockdowns. The exposed to such stores elsewhere. In the fries, tucked into steaming sizzlers and False starts Bhauju, and soldier on, Gopal—Shyam government should have known better than to make such an staid 1960s, posh localities such as sipped endless cups of coffee. Whenever Not many customers remember it any- Dai lives in the collective memories of unsmart decision. Cantonments and Civil Lines of Indian Shyam Dai arrived, waiters began to more, but Nanglo Bazaar at Putali an entire generation. University English departments should read more women

which is both commonly taught at the Books by female-identifying university level and still read by gen- eral readers. authors are less likely to be For the most part, we found that Goodreads users read books—includ- reviewed in prestigious ing classic works by Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle and Oscar literary magazines. Wilde—about as often as university professors taught them. However, we also found that the Karen Bourrier books that Goodreads users read more often than they were assigned in uni- versity tended to be by women writ- ers, to feature strong female protago- nists and to be aimed at a young adult audience—or all three.

Taking women writers seriously Even in the 21st century, women writ- This research is important because it ers are often consigned to what suggests that professors who want to American novelist Meg Wolitzer has connect to students should take called “the second shelf.” Women’s women writers more seriously. novels are designed and marketed Women writers show up less with a female audience in mind and often than male writers on university publishers still presume that novels syllabi. A survey conducted at about women won’t appeal to male McGill University in 2018 showed that readers. Unfortunately, even in 2021 73 per cent of writers assigned on the there may be some truth to this pre- university’s English literature syllabi sumption. are men. This sexism can be seen in the con- Unfortunately, this is no surprise: tinued speculation that female-identi- English Prof. John Guillory’s work on fying novelist Elena Ferrante is actu- canon formation captures the state of ally a man. Vanity Fair contributing college English classes 30 years ago editor and book columnist Elissa (and sometimes even more recently) Schappell summarised the assump- when it was not uncommon for tions behind the speculation: the nov- English professors to teach only white elist’s prolific output of “serious” men. books that interweave history, politics, Works by women writers are forma- violence, sex and domestic life, while tive for many readers. For example, “unflinchingly showing women in an Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre are unflattering light.” often among the first “adult” novels Books by female-identifying authors that young English-language readers are also less likely to be reviewed in Shutterstock read. Their combination of romance prestigious literary magazines. In 2019, women are reading. classroom, using data from the Open We scraped data from Goodreads Compared to what professors teach and strong female protagonists contin- more than 60 per cent of reviews in Syllabus Project. and found that most Goodreads book In a second study, we compared what ues to appeal to 21st-century readers magazines including London Review of Reading women In past decades, researchers relied club members were likely to have read books Goodreads users read to what outside the classroom. Books, The Atlantic, and Harper’s, were My collaborative research with data on handwritten diaries, letters and books in common by women authors. university professors assign in the Our study also showed that Frances of books written by men. This is actual- science professor Mike Thelwall has surveys of readers to find out how These women authors fell into two classroom, using data from the Open Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden ly an improvement since 2010, when explored the reading habits of a everyday readers responded to the categories: young adult authors (J.K. Syllabus Project. The Open Syllabus and A Little Princess, and Lewis between 69 per cent and 80 per cent of cohort of mostly female readers (76 books they read. Goodreads, which Rowling, Suzanne Collins, Stephanie Project originated at Columbia Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in reviews in these magazines were of per cent) on the popular social net- collects book reviews and ratings from Meyer and Veronica Roth) and 19th- or University. It amasses syllabi, or col- Wonderland—three works of young male-authored books. work site Goodreads. As a group, 90 million members, offers one portal early 20th-century authors (Jane lege reading lists, from openly accessi- adult fiction featuring girls—were The popular #readwomen hashtag Goodreads users also skew younger, into reading habits. Austen and Harper Lee). The popular- ble university websites. Open Syllabus also read more on Goodreads than we on Twitter has been one response to whiter and more educated than the On average, women Goodreads ity of young adult series by women, currently has a corpus of over nine would predict given how often they the marginalisation of women general population. users read twice as much as male including the Harry Potter and million syllabi from 140 countries. were assigned on syllabi. authors or sexism about their work. We examined what books readers Goodreads users, and are more willing Hunger Games series, means that 13 Our study focused on Victorian lit- The social network website Goodreads read on Goodreads compared to what to read books by both male and female of the 19 most popular titles are by erature, literature published during Bourrier is Associate Professor of can also provide insight into what university professors assign in the authors. women. Queen Victoria’s reign (1837-1901), English at the University of Calgary.

C M Y K 05 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 Money Rupandehi District Court issues contempt notice to Tiger One The court has asked the company to explain why it disobeyed the order related to the alleged encroachment of public land.

SANGAM PRASAIN Bhairahawa, which is the first respond to the Post’s request for KATHMANDU, AUG 17 integrated five-star casino resort in comment. South Asia. The shares and properties have Rupandehi District Court has issued According to the petitioners, the been valued at Rs4.10 billion, accord- a contempt of court notice to Tiger court orders dated July 5, 2019 and ing to a source privy to the matter. The One Private Limited, operator of the August 14, 2019 state that the shares of properties include a casino housed in Tiger Palace Resort in Bhairahawa, Tiger One, land and physical infra- the Shangri-La Hotel in Kathmandu, ordering the company to explain why structure cannot be transferred and around 11 bighas of land belonging to it wilfully disobeyed the court’s order that the status quo must be main- the Tiger Two project in Jhapa, related to the alleged encroachment of tained. This order of Rupandehi and the Tiger Palace Casino Resort public land. District Court has been upheld by the spread over 17 bighas of land in On July 5, 2019, the court had issued High Court Butwal. Bhairahawa. an interim order to Tiger One and “The opponent has captured gov- Built at a cost of Rs6 billion, the Silver Heritage Investment of ernment land and constructed infra- Tiger Palace Resort has been valued at Tilottama Municipality-7 forbidding it structure, and they are not eligible to Rs3.97 billion, the source said. to sell shares or build anything on the do so. In the context of the petition The Silver Heritage Group has put plot where the five-star Tiger Palace claim to that extent, the defendants its property on the market several Resort stands, pending a full verdict have conducted purchase and sale of times. In August 2019, non-resident on a writ petition charging encroach- shares, undergone agreements and Nepali Indra Bahadur Thapa had ment on public land. constructed physical structures offered to buy the Tiger Palace Resort District Judge Lila Adhikari including a new house and party hall in Bhairahawa at an enterprise value issued the contempt of court notice on the land, which is in contempt of of $33.9 million. But the deal fell on August 13, and has ordered Tiger court. Thus a miscellaneous criminal through after Thapa failed to come up One to present written replies within case should be filed against the defend- with the money. 15 days, according to the court docu- ants,” the document states. At that time, three Nepali business ments seen by the Post. “The court may give another 15 days houses—Chaudhary Group, IME “The companies have disobeyed if the defendants fail to furnish a clar- Group and Vishal Group—were in the the court order,” said Awadh Bihari ification with proof,” said Dubey. fray to buy the resort after the Silver Dubey, general secretary of the water Documents obtained by the Post Heritage Group put it up for sale or users group under the Bhairahawa- show that sale and purchase agree- partnership. Lumbini Ground Water Irrigation ments of the shares and properties of The 100-room property is the first Project, who filed the contempt case. Silver Heritage Investment were com- integrated five-star casino resort in “The company did not maintain the pleted on August 3. South Asia. Silver Heritage had status quo in the case.” According to the documents, the planned to offer 400 guest rooms in the In 2019, the Bhairahawa-Lumbini buyers are US-based Manhattan second phase. It was awarded a five- Ground Water Irrigation Project had Heights Group, Bhusal Investment of star rating by the Department of filed a writ demanding the recovery of Bhairahawa and Kathmandu-based Tourism in November 2017. 9 katthas (3,205 square metres) of Post FILE Photo Samrat Group. Tiger Palace is spread over 17 public land. District Judge Lila Adhikari issued the contempt of court notice on August 13, and has ordered Tiger One to furnish replies within 15 days. “All these sale and purchase agree- bighas and features two villas, a gym, The project has accused the resort ments are illegal as the case is sub spa, swimming pools, restaurants and of encroaching on plot numbers 120, the government. Silver Heritage Group. The group Casino at the Shangri-La Hotel in judice. The court has halted any trans- meeting and banquet facilities suita- 148, 152 and 190 belonging to a public Tiger One is the locally registered debuted in Nepal in 2015 with the Kathmandu. In 2017, it opened the action of the company,” said Dubey. ble for weddings. The resort has a canal and plot number 73 belonging to subsidiary of the Australian-listed opening of The Millionaire’s Club & 100-room Tiger Palace Resort in The Silver Heritage Group did not 2,471 square-metre casino floor.

FOREX US opens probe of Tesla Germany halts US 119.27 Global markets Euro 140.39 development Pound 164.54 lower amid China, Autopilot after 11 crashes Australian 86.98 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE sharply lower Monday. aid for Japanese 10.91 NEW YORK, AUG 17 Investigations such as the one announced Monday sometimes lead to Chinese 18.41 Afghanistan unease US safety officials opened a prelimi- recalls. In June, Tesla recalled more Afghanistan Saudi 31.8 nary investigation into Tesla’s than 285,000 cars in China due to prob- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE cent at 7,150.25. The DAX in Frankfurt Autopilot after identifying 11 crashes lems with the cruise control system AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Qatari 32.56 BEIJING, AUG 17 declined 0.3 percent to 15,871.65 and involving the driver assistance sys- that authorities there said could lead Berlin, AUG 17 the CAC 40 in Paris sank 0.5 percent to tem, officials said on Monday. to collisions. Malaysian 28.14 Global stock markets and Wall Street 6,804.12. The incidents dating back to 2018 However, analysts said such a recall Germany has stopped development Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank futures sank on Tuesday amid turmoil On Wall Street, futures for the S&P included one fatal crash and seven could involve a software update rather aid for Afghanistan for now, the minis- in Afghanistan and unease about 500 index and the Dow Jones Industrial that resulted in injuries to 17 people, than a more hardware change that ter responsible said on Tuesday, after China’s economic outlook after weak Average were off 0.4 percent. according to the National Highway requires costly equipment upgrades. the Taliban swept back into power. gasoline watch July activity. On Monday, the S&P 500 and Dow Traffic Safety Administration. Musk has a history of skirmishing “State cooperation on development Investors looked ahead to a speech both rose 0.3 percent while the Nasdaq The agency “is committed to ensur- with regulators, but the controversies is suspended for the time being,” by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome fell less than 0.1 percent. ing the highest standards of safety on have had little effect on Tesla’s ascend- Development Minister Gerd Mueller Powell for an update on the health In Asia, the Shanghai Composite the nation’s roadways,” a spokesper- ance over the last year and a half as said in an interview with the of the biggest global economy. Traders Index lost 2 percent to 3,449.98 and the son said, and in order to “better under- the company has hit key production Rheinische Post newspaper. also awaited US retail sales and facto- Hang Seng in Hong Kong sank 1.6 per- stand the causes of certain Tesla targets. “We are working at pace to evacuate ry data. cent to 25,750.45. The Nikkei 225 in crashes, NHTSA is opening a prelimi- His achievement in building Tesla from Afghanistan those local develop- Markets in London and Frankfurt Tokyo slipped 0.4 percent to 27,424.47 nary evaluation into Tesla Autopilot from a fledgling startup into a paceset- ment officials and NGO workers who opened lower. Shanghai, Tokyo and after spending most of the day in pos- systems.” ter in the electric car market stands want to leave.” Hong Kong retreated. itive territory. Tesla founder Elon Musk has out as a success as other electric auto The difficult situation on the On Wall Street, futures were lower a The Kospi in Seoul retreated 0.9 defended the Autopilot system and the startups like Lordstown Motors and ground has created obstacles for an day after the benchmark S&P 500 hit a percent to 3,143.09 and Sydney’s S&P- electric automaker warns that it Nikola have stumbled. evacuation mission being led by new high despite rising US coronavi- ASX 200 shed 0.9 percent to 7,511.01. requires “active driver supervision” At the same time, Musk has sparked German forces in Kabul. rus infections. India’s Sensex gained less than 0.1 behind the wheel. blowback from critics as he pushed or Officials admitted on Tuesday that Traders got “some positive senti- percent to 55,624.76. New Zealand, But critics, including in Congress, flouted the rules on everything from a German military plane left Kabul ment” from Wall Street but were “pay- Singapore and Jakarta declined while say the system can be easily fooled and his use of social media to discuss carrying just seven evacuees while ing close attention to the situation in Bangkok gained. that the system’s name gives drivers a Tesla’s operations to his response to hundreds waited on the ground Afghanistan,” Anderson Alves of On Wall Street, technology and false sense of confidence. They have Covid-19 health protocols required by because allies responsible for security ActivTrades said in a report. health care stocks accounted for much called for NHTSA to take action. local authorities near the California at the airport could not secure their Landlocked Afghanistan’s economy of the gain in the S&P 500. Tesla did not respond to an AFP plant. The Center for Auto Safety, a access to the transport. is tiny, but other governments were Sectors traditionally considered request for comment. non-profit group, has pressed US offi- Germany was seeking to complete caught off guard by the speed of the lower risk, including utilities and The crashes cited by NHTSA cials since 2018 to bar the name the evacuation of local staff “so far as collapse of its US-allied leadership. companies that make food and person- involved incidents in which “various “Autopilot,” viewing the moniker as possible” in the scope of the current Thousands of people tried to flee the al goods, also helped lift the market. Tesla models crashed” in instances deceptive. evacuation mission, Mueller told the country after the Taliban seized the Those gains outweighed a pullback in where first responders were involved, Jason Levine, executive director of newspaper. capital, Kabul. banks, energy stocks and a swath of including “some that crashed directly the center, welcomed news of the “We are also looking at other ways Markets also were digesting news retailers and travel sector companies. into the vehicles of first responders,” NHTSA probe, but said it should go beyond that,” he added. that Chinese factory output, consum- Analysts had expected US economic the NHTSA spokesperson said. “far beyond” crashes involving first The German government had er spending and investment grew growth to slow from its breakneck Three of the crashes took place in responder vehicles “because the dan- agreed to send 430 million euros ($506 Briefing more slowly in July than expected. pace earlier this year, but the highly California, while others happened in ger is to all drivers, passengers, and million) to Afghanistan a year, mak- The government blamed flooding in contagious delta variant has prompt- Florida, Texas and Massachusetts, pedestrians when Autopilot is ing it one of the biggest donors to the central China and controls on travel ed even more caution from investors. and other states. The probe covers engaged,” he said in an email to AFP. country. This money was intended to Himalayan Bank, Diners and business to fight outbreaks of the In energy markets, benchmark US models Y, X, S and 3, the agency said. “Whether Autopilot needs to be dis- support the training of local police Club International sign pact coronavirus’s delta variant. crude lost 44 cents to $66.83 per barrel “NHTSA reminds the public that no abled, or be required to use driver forces and strengthen the justice sys- That depressed oil prices as traders in electronic trading on the New York commercially available motor vehi- monitoring systems to prevent these tem, as well as furthering the rights of to expand acceptance and adjusted forecasts of Chinese demand. Mercantile Exchange. On Monday, the cles today are capable of driving them- crashes, is a question for NHTSA,” women and fighting corruption. issue cards in Nepal Beijing’s policy of pursuing zero contract dropped $1.15 to $67.29. Brent selves,” the spokesperson said. Levine said. Speaking last week, German for- virus cases “points towards the risk crude, used to price international oils, “Certain advanced driving assistance “But there’s no question that some- eign minister Heiko Maas said the KATHMANDU: Himalayan Bank Limited of aggressive measures” that “may shed 45 cents to $69.06 per barrel in features can promote safety by help- thing needs to be done quickly to pre- country was not “viable” without the has signed an agreement with Diners continue to put a cap on growth,” Yeap London. It lost $1.08 to $69.51. ing drivers avoid crashes and mitigate vent more injuries and deaths.” support of international aid. Club International, a subsidiary of Jun Rong of IG said in a report. The dollar rose to 109.32 yen from the severity of crashes that occur, but Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein “We will not send another cent to Discover Financial Services, and part In early trading, the FTSE 100 in Monday’s 109.24 yen. The euro as with all technologies and equip- said the most likely outcome of the this country if the Taliban take of the Discover Global Network, to London was down less than 0.1 per- declined to $1.1769 from $1.1776. ment on motor vehicles, drivers must probe will be a requirement for a soft- complete control, introduce Sharia become an issuer of Diners Club use them correctly and responsibly.” ware update and additional warnings law and turn it into a caliphate,” cards and a merchant acquirer to News of the probe sent Tesla shares about the limits of Autopilot. Maas said. expand card acceptance for Diners Club International, Discover and Network Alliance cardholders in Nepal. “Himalayan Bank is proud to be the franchisee of Diners Club International in Nepal,” said Ashoke SJB Rana, chief executive officer, Himalayan Bank Limited. “By adding Diners Club International to our credit card product mix, we will soon be able to offer our merchants the ability to accept more card brands from around the world as part of Discover Global Network.” The bank will initially focus on growing accept- ance in Nepal, enabling 146 ATM loca- tions and more than 5,000 points of sale terminals. This will allow Discover Global Network cardholders from Diners Club International, Discover and Network Alliance Partners in India, South Korea, Brazil, and Turkey and beyond to use their cards via the bank when travelling to Nepal, the bank said in a statement. “Through our partnership with Himalayan Bank Limited, we continue to deliver increased global reach that our part- ners value as we gain acceptance in Nepal,” said Annie Zhang, APAC AP/rss regional managing director for inter- A man walks past a bank’s electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index at Hong Kong national markets at Discover Stock Exchange on Tuesday. Asian stock markets declined on Tuesday amid concern about Global Network. turmoil in Afghanistan and unease about China’s economic outlook after weak July activity.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 | 06 world

Briefing New Zealand to Evacuation flights resume at Kabul airport enter lockdown after China holds assault drills near Biden said he had to decide between asking US forces to fight endlessly or follow through on a withdrawal agreement. Taiwan after ‘provocations’ single virus case TAIPEI/BEIJING: China carried out REUTERS assault drills near Taiwan on KABUL, AUG 17 ASSOCIATED PRESS Tuesday, with warships and fighter WELLINGTON, AUG 17 jets exercising off the southwest and Military flights evacuating diplomats southeast of the island in what the and civilians from Afghanistan New Zealand’s government took country’s armed forces said was a resumed on Tuesday after the runway drastic action on Tuesday by putting response to “external interference” at Kabul airport was cleared of thou- the entire nation into a strict and “provocations”. Taiwan, which sands of people desperate to flee after lockdown for at least three days after Beijing claims as Chinese territory, the Taliban seized the capital. finding a single case of coronavirus has complained of repeated People’s The number of civilians had infection in the community. Liberation Army (PLA) drills in its thinned out, a Western security offi- Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern vicinity in the past two years or so, cial at the airport told Reuters, a day invoked some of the stirring rhetoric part of a pressure campaign to force after chaotic scenes in which US she used early in the pandemic by the island to accept China’s sover- troops fired to disperse crowds and urging the “team of 5 million”—New eignty. In a brief statement, the PLA’s people clung to a US military trans- Zealand’s population—to go hard and Eastern Theatre Command said war- port plane as it taxied for take-off. early in trying to eliminate the latest ships, anti-submarine aircraft and “Runway in Kabul international outbreak. fighter jets had been dispatched close airport is open. I see airplanes landing “We have seen what happens to Taiwan to carry out “joint fire and taking off,” Stefano Pontecorvo, elsewhere if we fail to get on top of it,” assault and other drills using actual NATO’s civilian representative, said Ardern said. “We only get one chance.” troops”. It did not give details. on Twitter. She said Auckland, where the By afternoon, at least 12 military infected man lives, and Coromandel, flights had taken off, a diplomat at the where he had visited, would go into Fierce French wildfire forces airport said. Planes were due to arrive a full lockdown for seven days and the evacuations near Saint-Tropez from countries including Australia remainder of the country for three LE LUC, FRANCE: Hundreds of French and Poland to pick up their nationals days while health experts tried to find firefighters battled a raging blaze and Afghan colleagues. the source of his infection. near the Mediterranean resort of Under a US troops withdrawal pact The developments prompted people Saint-Tropez on Tuesday, with thou- struck last year, the Taliban agreed ap/rss to line up outside supermarkets to sands of residents and holidaymakers not to attack foreign forces as they US soldiers stand guard along a perimeter at the international airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on Monday. stock up on essential items and forced to evacuate. Roughly 750 fire- leave. sparked a sharp drop in the value of fighters using high-pressure hoses US forces took charge of the air- The Taliban began their push in the the New Zealand dollar. and water-dropping aircraft were port—their only way to fly out of Taliban announce ‘amnesty’, urge women spring with attacks on government New Zealand had managed to stamp attempting to control the flames, Afghanistan—on Sunday, as the mili- positions in the countryside and out the virus, and the last outbreak which began racing through a nature tants wound up a week of rapid to join government targeted killings in cities. The was in February. But Ardern had reserve on Monday evening. advances by taking over Kabul with- International Committee of the Red been warning that the contagiousness “Thousands of people have been evac- out a fight, 20 years after they were KABUL: The Taliban declared an tal rule in the late 1990s. But many Cross said more than 40,000 people of the delta variant would likely uated as a precautionary measure, ousted by a US-led invasion. “amnesty” across Afghanistan and Afghans remain sceptical. with wounds caused by weapons require more drastic action than but there are no victims,” fire service Flights were suspended for much of urged women to join their govern- Older generations remember the had been treated at facilities it previous outbreaks. spokeswoman Delphine Vienco said. Monday, when at least five people were ment on Tuesday, seeking to Taliban’s ultraconservative Islamic supports in June, July and August, New Zealand has also been slower killed, witnesses said, although it was convince a wary population that views, which included severe 7,600 of them since August 1. than other developed nations to unclear whether they had been shot or they have changed a day after dead- restrictions on women as well as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi inoculate its population, leaving it Belarusian activist sentenced to crushed in a stampede. ly chaos gripped the main airport as stonings, amputations and public told US Secretary of State Antony vulnerable to outbreaks. Only Media reported two people fell to desperate crowds tried to flee their executions before they were ousted Blinken that the hasty pullout of 32 percent of people have had at least eight and half years in prison their deaths from the underside of a rule. by the US-led invasion that followed US troops had a “serious negative one shot and 18 percent are fully KYIV: A Belarusian activist who US military aircraft after it took off. Following a blitz across the September 11, 2001, terror impact”, China’s state broadcaster vaccinated. stabbed himself in the neck two US troops killed two gunmen who Afghanistan that saw many cities attacks. While there were no major CCTV reported, adding that Wang And officials have been viewing a months ago to protest political appeared to have fired into the crowd fall to the insurgents without a reports of abuses or fighting in the pledged to work with Washington to growing outbreak in nearby Sydney repression and authorities’ threats at the airport, a US official said. fight, the Taliban have sought to capital of Kabul, many residents promote stability. with alarm, saying they don’t want to to prosecute his relatives was US President Joe Biden defended portray themselves as more moder- have stayed home and remain fear- US forces are due to complete their make the same mistakes by waiting sentenced to eight and half years in his decision to withdraw US forces ate than when they imposed a bru- ful after the takeover. (AP) withdrawal by the end of this month too long to impose strict measures. prison on Monday. A court in Minsk, after 20 years of war—the nation’s under the deal with the Taliban that Health officials said genome testing the capital of Belarus, found Stsiapan longest—which he described as cost- hinged on their promise not to let would not verify until Wednesday Latypau, 41, guilty of violating public ing more than $1 trillion. asking US forces to fight endlessly or takeover on Afghan political leaders Afghanistan be used for international whether the infected 58-year-old man order, resisting police and fraud, the But a video of hundreds of desper- follow through on a withdrawal agree- who fled and its army’s unwillingness terrorism. had the delta variant, although they Viasna human rights group said. ate Afghans trying to clamber onto a ment negotiated by his predecessor, to fight. British Foreign Secretary Dominic were working under the assumption Latypau will also have to pay a fine US military plane as it was about to Donald Trump. The Taliban captured Afghanistan’s said Afghanistan must never be used he does. of about $3,500. In June, Latypau used take off could haunt the United States, “I stand squarely behind my deci- biggest cities in days rather than the to launch attacks, but the West would Officials said they could not a pen to inflict a wound on his neck just as a photograph in 1975 of people sion,” Biden said. “After 20 years I’ve months predicted by US intelligence. have to be pragmatic in relations with immediately find a connection while he was sitting in court in a trying to get on a helicopter on a roof learned the hard way that there was In many cases, demoralised the Taliban. between the man and the handful of defendant’s cage. He was hospitalised in Saigon became emblematic of the never a good time to withdraw US forc- government forces surrendered President Ashraf Ghani left people who have tested positive while and operated on, but a day after the humiliating withdrawal from es. That’s why we’re still there.” despite years of training and Afghanistan on Sunday as the Islamist isolating in quarantine after arriving surgery he was placed back into Vietnam. Facing criticism from even his own equipping by the United States and militants entered Kabul, saying he from abroad. The border is seen as the pre-trial detention. (AGENCIES) Biden said he had to decide between diplomats, he blamed the Taliban’s others. wanted to avoid bloodshed. most likely source of any outbreaks. Haiti quake survivors face storm threats

REUTERS anyone alive. A smell of dust and LES CAYES, AUG 17 decomposing bodies permeated the air. Heavy rains lashed Haiti on Tuesday “We came from all over to help: night, complicating rescue efforts and from the north, from Port-au Prince, drenching thousands left homeless by from everywhere,” said Maria a devastating earthquake that killed at Fleurant, a firefighter from northern least 1,419 people, as hopes dimmed for Haiti. survivors. As heavy rain began to fall, Tropical Depression Grace churned emergency workers pulled a blood- over the regions of southwest Haiti stained pillow from under the rubble, worst-hit by Saturday’s quake of mag- followed by the corpse of a three-year- nitude 7.2, whipping devastated towns old boy who appeared to have died in with high winds and torrential rains, his sleep during the earthquake. causing flooding in at least one area. Shortly after, as the rain intensified, The earthquake brought down tens the workers left. of thousands of buildings in the With about 37,312 houses destroyed poorest country in the Americas, by the quake, according to Haitian which is still recovering from a major authorities, and many of those still quake 11 years ago that killed more unexcavated, the death toll is expected than 200,000 people. to rise. The latest disaster comes just over a Vital Jaenkendy, who watched as a month after Haiti was plunged into bulldozer shifted rubble from his col- political turmoil by the assassination lapsed apartment building, said eight of President Jovenel Moise on July 7. residents had died and four were miss- Several major hospitals were ing. severely damaged, hampering human- Jaenkendy and others have been itarian efforts, as were the focal points sleeping under a tarpaulin on a dirt of many shattered communities, such road nearby, and were hunkering as churches and schools. down for the rains. Haitian authorities said on Monday “When the storm comes, we’ll take that 1,419 deaths had been confirmed, shelter in car ports of the houses with some 6,900 people injured. nearby, just until it passes, and then As hopes began to dim of finding we’ll return to our place in the road,” ap/rss significant numbers of survivors he said. Israeli soldiers play chess at their position near the Israel-Gaza border on Monday. among the wreckage, the storm imped- Doctors in battled makeshift tents ed rescuers in the seaside city of Les outside hospitals to save the lives of Cayes, about 150 km (90 miles) west of hundreds of injured, including young the capital Port-au-Prince, which bore children and the elderly. the brunt of the quake. Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who The storm is expected to dump up to was sworn in less then a month ago Iran producing more uranium metal, UN nuclear watchdog says 15 inches (38 cm) of water on parts of after Moise’s assassination, vowed to Haiti, creating a risk of flash floods, disburse humanitarian aid better ASSOCIATED PRESS known as the Joint Comprehensive to offset crippling American sanctions June with no date set for their resump- according to the U.S. National than in the wake of the 2010 quake. BANGKOK, AUG 17 Plan of Action, or JCPOA, which re-imposed after the US pullout. tion. Hurricane Centre. Though billions of dollars in aid promises Iran economic incentives in The western Europeans, as well as Following the latest IAEA report on Rescue workers from across Haiti money poured into Haiti after that Iran continues to produce uranium exchange for limits on its nuclear pro- Russia and China, have been working the increase in uranium metal produc- were digging alongside residents quake and Hurricane Matthew in metal, which can be used in the pro- gramme, and is meant to prevent to try to preserve the accord. tion, US State Department spokesman through the rubble on Monday 2016, many Haitians say they saw duction of a nuclear bomb, the United Tehran from developing a nuclear Ned Price said the move was “uncon- evening in a bid to reach bodies, scant benefits from the uncoordinated Nation’s atomic watchdog confirmed bomb. structive and inconsistent with a though few voiced hope of finding efforts. on Tuesday, in a move that further Iran insists it is not interested in Iran insists that return to mutual compliance.” complicates the possibility of reviving developing a bomb, and that the urani- “Iran has no credible need to pro- a landmark 2015 deal with world pow- um metal is for its civilian nuclear the uranium metal duce uranium metal, which has direct ers on the Iranian nuclear programme. programme. relevance to nuclear weapons develop- In a report issued by the The European members of the is for its civilian ment,” he said in a statement. International Atomic Energy Agency JCPOA earlier this year voiced “grave “Such escalations will not provide in Vienna to member nations, Director concern” over the production of ura- nuclear programme. Iran negotiating leverage in any General Rafael Mariano Grossi said nium metal, however, saying Iran has renewed talks on a mutual return to that his inspectors had confirmed on no credible civilian need for it and JCPOA compliance and will only lead Saturday that Iran had now produced that it is a “key step in the develop- President Joe Biden has said he is to Iran’s further isolation.” 200 grams of uranium metal enriched ment of a nuclear weapon.” open to rejoining the pact, but that He said further that “Iran’s nuclear up to 20 percent. The US unilaterally pulled out of Iran needs to return to its restrictions, advances have a bearing on our view Grossi had previously reported in the nuclear deal in 2018, with while Iran has insisted that the US of returning to the JCPOA,” and sug- February that his inspectors had con- then-President Donald Trump saying must drop all sanctions. gested that the US was slowly running firmed that a small amount of urani- it needed to be renegotiated. Months of talks have been held in out of patience. um metal, 3.6 grams, had been pro- Since then, Tehran has been steadi- Vienna with the remaining parties of “We are not imposing a deadline duced at Iran’s Isfahan plant. ly increasing its violations of the deal the JCPOA shuttling between delega- for negotiations, but this window REUTERS The production of uranium metal is to put pressure on the other signato- tions from Iran and the US. will not remain open indefinitely,” he Haitian firefighters search for survivors under the rubble of a destroyed hotel after Saturday’s prohibited by the 2015 nuclear deal ries to provide more incentives to Iran The last round of talks ended in said. 7.2 magnitude quake, in Les Cayes, Haiti.

C M Y K 07 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 Sports | Medley Briefing India pacemen shine with bat and ball India meet Pakistan Nepali women to play the in Group 2 opener Philippines on September 18 After declaring the innings on 298-8 and setting 272 target to win following a ninth-wicket stand of 89 between Shami at T20 World Cup KATHMANDU: Nepali national and Bumrah, Siraj’s 4-32 and Bumrah’s 3-33 help India dismiss England for 120 and win the second Test by 151 runs. women’s team will vie against the Associated Press Philippines on September 18 in Agence France-Presse DUBAI, Aug 17 their 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup LONDON, Aug 17 qualification match. According to India will play Pakistan in the All Nepal Football Association India’s pacemen impressed with both opening Group 2 match at the (ANFA), Nepal will play their second bat and ball as Virat Kohli’s side International Cricket Council’s match against Hong Kong on thrashed England by 151 runs in the Twenty20 World Cup in October, a September 21 in their group ‘F’ second Test at Lord’s on Monday. day after Australia take on South game having three teams. Hong Victory gave India a 1-0 lead in a Africa and the West Indies meet Kong and the Philippines will play five-match series after just their third England in the first games of the their last group match on September win in 19 Tests at the ‘home of cricket’ Super 12 stage. 24. All the matches of the group are followed a rain-marred draw at Trent The ICC on Tuesday released the set to take place in Tashkent, Bridge. full draw for both stages of the October Uzbekistan. Earlier, Nepal were England, set 272 to win in a mini- 17-November 14 tournament which is confirmed as the hosts of Group ‘F’ mum of 60 overs on the last day, being played in the United Arab before Asian Federation were dismissed for 120—their latest Emirates and Oman after being Confederation (AFC) shifted the collapse. shifted from India because of the tournament away owing to the They were in dire straits at 1-2 after impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Covid-19 pandemic. The group Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Bangladesh and 2014 T20 World Cup winners among three teams will Shami removed openers Rory Burns champions Sri Lanka are among secure a place for the AFC Women’s and Dom Sibley for nought apiece. Ap/Rss eight teams involved in the first stage, Asian Cup India 2022 set to take place Fellow paceman Mohammed Siraj India’s Jasprit Bumrah (centre) celebrates the wicket of England’s Joe Root during the fifth day of the second Test at Lord’s cricket ground. which will feature double-headers from January 20 to February 6. (SB) then followed up with 4-32—a return on six days at venues in Muscat, that saw him end the match by bowl- top score of 33 in the hosts’ second before his nine off 45 balls ended fine figures of 3-33 in 15 overs. Oman, and Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in ing No 11 James Anderson to seal an innings. His attack repeatedly bowled when lbw to an Ishant Sharma His exit started a collapse that saw the UAE. Abraham joins AS Roma India win that followed their 1986 and too short early in the Shami-Bumrah nip-backer. New batsman Jonny England lost their last three wickets The four leading teams in the ROME: AS Roma have signed striker 2014 Test triumphs at Lord’s. stand and by the time they adjusted, Bairstow, was out for just two when all on 120, with Buttler caught behind first stage will advance to the Super Tammy Abraham from Premier Earlier, Shami, with 56 not out, and the batsmen were set. lbw to Ishant on review. for 25 before Anderson fell. 12 round, joining tournament League team Chelsea on a five-year Bumrah (34 not out) both hit their “A lot of it falls on my shoulders,” And England’s 67-4 at tea became India resumed Monday on 181-6. hosts India and seven other deal, the Italian Serie A club said on highest Test scores and shared an said Root. “I’ve got to do a lot of learn- 67-5 three balls afterwards when Root Robinson struck with the new ball automatic qualifiers. Tuesday. Roma confirmed the 40 unbroken ninth-wicket stand of 89, ing and that if we find ourselves in a was caught by Kohli at first slip off to have dangerman Pant caught The Super 12 round will run from million euro ($47.08 million) deal during India’s second innings 298-8 similar position that tactically I am Bumrah for 33. behind for 22. October 23 to November 8 and the top for the 23-year-old, who joins Jose declared. better.” Siraj struck twice in successive Shami and Bumrah scored steadily two teams in each group will advance Mourinho’s team in search of game “I feel super proud of the whole Bumrah had Burns out for nought balls to leave England 67-5, with against England’s quicks. Shami went to the semi-finals to be played in Abu time. Abraham ended last season as team,” said India captain Kohli. “The when the left-hander was caught off a Moeen Ali caught by a gleeful Kohli to his second fifty in 53 Tests in stylish Dhabi on November 10 and in Dubai Chelsea’s joint-top scorer with 12 pitch didn’t offer much in the first leading edge at wide mid-off. The before Sam Curran completed a king fashion, driving successive deliveries on November 11. goals in all competitions, but found three days. “The way we played this struggling Sibley followed soon after- pair when edging to Pant. from off-spinner Moeen for four and Dubai will host the final on himself on the periphery of the morning with Mohammed Shami and wards when he nicked a superb Shami New batsman Ollie Robinson, in an six off to reach the landmark in just 57 November 14. first team at the London club since Jasprit Burmah with the bat was leg-cutter to wicketkeeper Rishabh England side without Ben Stokes, tak- balls. The defending champions West Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank important. We believed we could get Pant. It was the first time in 141 years ing a break from all cricket due to This innings surpassed his 51 not Indies are in Group 1 along with Lampard as manager in January. them out in 60 overs and the bowlers of Test cricket in England that both mental health issues and fellow out against England at Nottingham’s Australia, 2010 champions England The England international joins were outstanding.” home openers had been out for a duck all-rounder Chris Woakes (heel inju- Trent Bridge in 2014. and South Africa. Roma after Chelsea brought England captain Joe Root blamed in the same innings ry), gamely resisted for 35 balls. Bumrah also topped his highest India and Pakistan are joined by Romelu Lukaku back to England himself for the reverse, despite his The recalled Haseeb Hameed, in on But Robinson was eventually lbw on Test score for the second time this New Zealand and Afghanistan in from Inter Milan. (REUTERS) superb first-innings 180 not out and a a pair, was dropped in the slips on four review to Bumrah, who finished with series after his 28 at Nottingham. Group 2. Afghanistan’s female footballers feel Taliban threat, plead for help

Associated Press selves,” Popal told The Associated building the country, developing the But she never abandoned the female They are just like desperate. They LONDON, Aug 17 Press in a telephone interview from situation for the next generation of footballers, helping to expose physical have so many questions. What is hap- Denmark. “That breaks my heart women and men in the country,” she and sexual abuse, death threats pening to them isn’t fair. They are In frantic phone calls and voice mes- because of all these years we have said. “So I started with other young and rape that implicated the hiding away. Most of them left their sages, Khalida Popal can hear the dis- worked to raise the visibility of women using football as a tool to Afghanistan federation leadership. houses to go to relatives and hide tress and tearful pleas for help. women and now I’m telling my women empower women and girls.” The corruption in the sport was reflec- because their neighbours know they The football players in the in Afghanistan to shut up and disap- By 2007, there were enough players tive of the shaky foundations of a are players. They are sitting, they are Afghanistan women’s national team pear. Their lives are in danger.” for Popal to be part of Afghanistan’s country that has deteriorated rapidly afraid. The Taliban is all over. They that Popal helped establish now fear The 34-year-old Popal can barely first women’s national team. after the withdrawal of troops from are going around creating fear.” for their lives after the Taliban swept comprehend the speed of the collapse “We felt so proud of wearing the the US-led mission. Popal is a world away but connected to regain control of the country after of the Afghan government and the jersey,” Popal said. “It was the most “The women of Afghanistan by the messages pinging into her two decades. sense of being abandoned by Western beautiful, best feeling ever.” believed in their promise but they left phone of the Taliban. When they call, all Popal can do is nations who helped to topple the Popal encouraged her teammates to because there’s no more national “They keep taking video and photos advise them to flee their homes, escape Taliban in 2001. Having fled with her use their platforms to speak out as AP/RSS interest. Why did you promise?” Popal from the window showing they are from neighbours who know them as family after the Taliban captured escalating attacks were seeing the Former Afghanistan national women’s asked. “This is what my girls crying just outside the home and that is very pioneering players, and try to erase Kabul in 1996, Popal returned to Taliban retake territory. football team captain Khalida Popal helped and sending voice messages are say- sad,” she said. their history—particularly activism Afghanistan two decades ago as a “I received so many death threats empower and establish female footballers. ing. Why not say you would leave It’s hard to even imagine against the Taliban who are now re-es- teenager who had been living in a ref- and challenges because I was quoted like this? At least we could protect Afghanistan, ranked 152nd by tablishing the Islamic Emirate of ugee camp in Pakistan. With the pro- on the national TV,” she said. “I was Association. But the threats contin- ourselves.” FIFA out of 167 women’s teams, Afghanistan. tection of the international communi- calling Taliban our enemy.” ued and she was eventually forced to An exasperated Popal sighs. playing again. “It’s been very painful “I have been encouraging to take ty, Popal felt optimistic that women’s Popal stopped playing in 2011 to flee Afghanistan to seek asylum in “We would not have created ene- to witness when the government down social media channels, take rights would be promoted. focus on coordinating the team as a Denmark in 2016.“My life was in great mies,” Popal said. “They are crying. surrendered,” Popal said. “Women down photos, escape and hide them- “My generation had the hope of director at the Afghanistan Football danger,” she said. They are just crying … they are sad. lost hope.” HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Important messages concerning your work/life bal- Be mindful of your word choice under today’s cos- Breakthrough realizations are taking place on a deep The moon slips forward into your sign, providing ance and health are making themselves known. On mic landscape! Both your mind and tongue are internal level today. Pay attention to the messages you with a boost of self-assertive energy and a desire top of that, you will be provided with ample energy equivalent to a sharpened knife today. On the flip coming up around self-defeating patterns, especially to have your needs met and validated. It is likely to to see and do it all; just be mindful of burning your- side, the alignment provided ample energy to apply those concerning your ability to self-assert and the fire up your self-expression, so be mindful of stum- self out and take rest when needed. towards anything requiring mental stamina. way you handle anger. Don’t act on your instincts. bling into unnecessary conflicts.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Messenger Mercury merges with go-getter Mars It’s all too easy to pull the trigger on whatever pur- Things are likely to get a bit heated in the social You’re likely to be dealing with some uncomfortable today, bringing a healthy dose of inspiration and chases you set your sights on today. Be mindful of scene of your world. Communicator Mercury merg- truths that need acknowledging today. Rather than initiative towards creative projects and romantic your impulsive desire to burn through your savings, es with fiery Mars today, creating an influx of dialed bury your feelings, aim to make room for them to pursuits. Take this opportunity to be forward about brought on by the union of Mercury and Mars. Don’t up energy in this arena. Be mindful of getting breathe. The moon slips into solitary Capricorn, your feelings or to apply yourself artistically. buy on instincts. Think wisely. involved in inflammatory battles among friends. encouraging a day spent seeking renewal and release.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Your ruling planet spends the day merged with You’re led by the wing-footed planet of intellect, Be on the lookout for direction-changing news on the The close relationships in your life are demanding self-motivated Mars. This heated pairing increases Mercury. Wednesday’s skies find Mercury cozied up career front. The alignment brings energy and drive clarity. Today’s skies witness the heated union of your need for speed and action—especially when it with self-motivated Mars, both presently residing in to apply to your ambition. You may find it’s all too messenger Mercury and go-getter Mars, delivering comes to family matters or living environment. Be your sign. This pairing is, on the one hand, liable to easy to get roped into unnecessary conflict among an energetic punch to partnership matters. This wise and don’t take decisions that you will regret. increase tempers and impulsive actions. authority figures or co-workers. increases the likelihood of fired up conversations. Crossword Sudoku

Yesterday’s Solution

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Ignored and misunderstood but driven by passion For a sport that has already been included in the Olympics, skateboarding is largely an unrecognised sport in Nepal with little to no government support.

SHRANUP TANDUKAR gory while Samiksha Rai won first place (tied KATHMANDU with Kamali from India) in women’s category. Competitive skateboarders like Bardewa ajendra Bardewa scours parks, and Samiksha are determined to improve their basketball courts, football skills and talent by persevering and struggling grounds or any free ground on their own, overcoming one obstacle after whenever he goes outside. He is another. Yet, the lack of support from con- always on the lookout for any cerned authorities discourages them from open space ideal for skateboard- time to time. Bardewa says, “My mother has Ging. pawned her gold jewellery and collected money Full-time skateboarding athlete Bardewa is so that I could cover the travel expenses to a winner of 3rd National Open Skateboarding Indian competitions and represent Nepal.” Championship 2019. For now, he practices Samiksha also shares her confusion at the lack skateboarding on the old basketball court in of support from concerned authorities. She Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur. says, “I am representing Nepal in competi- “We are doing this[relocating from one place tions, and as an athlete, I feel like I should be to another] from the beginning. We started focused on my own practice and growth rather playing in an open space in Chyasal, from there than worrying about the travel expenses and to Satdobato, then here[TU basketball court], logistics.” then we were forced to leave here too, but we Dangol says that he understands the bureau- returned after talking to the people here and cratic nature of Nepali government. He says, reaching an understanding,” says Bardewa “The association[NSSA] is trying to do things with a determined look. and improve things and we can see that. But “But a few months later, they[local basket- it’s not enough.” He believes that the associa- ball players] might get strict again and not let tion should focus on creating a national skate- us use this space. Then, we will once again go boarding team of Nepal so that “players can searching for a new open space again.” get national recognition and have credibility For a sport that has already been included in while approaching sponsors.” He is confident the Olympics, skateboarding is largely an that this is the least that the concerned author- unrecognised sport in Nepal. Many do not even ities could do to help Nepal’s skateboarding consider it as a professional sport akin to foot- scene. ball or cricket. It is viewed as a hobby, a phase, Meanwhile, athletes are now being support- or more commonly an activity for rebellious ed by foreign skating brands. Bardewa is spon- and angst-ridden teenagers. But for others, it is sored by a Hong Kong skateboarding brand a passion, a career path, even a lifestyle. “There ‘HKIT’ while Samiksha is sponsored by is something within us that gives us hope that ‘RampKing Skateteam’. They are provided we can achieve something with skateboarding. skateboard deck, wheels, and other gears and I can’t even explain what it is.…I can’t even go merchandise like shoes and clothes. to sleep if I haven’t skated during the day,” says Bardewa is hopeful that the skateboarding Bardewa. scene in Nepal will continue to grow. His face He along with an organisation ‘Yuwa For Post Photo: Beeju Maharjan brightens and there’s a hint of cockiness in his Change’ have been organising workshops and In Nepal, skateboarding is viewed as a hobby, a phase, or more commonly an activity for rebellious and angst-ridden teenagers. voice as he says, “If the skateboarding sport is events to spread awareness about skateboard- included in South Asian Games(SAG), then I ing. Recently, they have started skateboarding built under the coordination of the National have been pressuring the NSC for funds to She shares her experience competing at a am fully confident that Nepal will win the gold beginner classes for girls on Saturdays called Sports Council(NSC), National Skating and build a skateboard park in Kathmandu for skateboarding competition in India called medal.” His confidence is shared by fellow ath- ‘Girls On Board’ on the same basketball court. Skateboarding Association(NSSA), and years. He says, “Not having a single skating ‘Jugaad Skateboarding Competition’. For her, letes like Samiksha. Now every Saturday, the basketball court in US-based NGO ‘Make Life Skate Life’. It is a park in the capital is something that is shame- there was a world of difference between the NGO like Yuwa for Change have been trying TU echoes with the playful shrieks and screams skatepark built on government land with ful for me and even the entire country.” He says skating scene in Nepal and India. “There are to uplift the skateboarding scene against the of beginners learning how to balance them- financial and technical help from the US-based that the NSC has provided land in three loca- skating parks everywhere in India. And they odds. Founder and President Jagrit Pahadi selves on top of a skateboard. The experienced NGO. tions in Kathmandu valley--Satdobato, are all free.” She says if she could have access says that they coordinate with foreign brands skateboarders lend a hand to beginners, literal- Meanwhile, Ktm Skate Park, the sole Mulpani, and Chobar--to build skateparks. to a skatepark, then she could practice to her to provide sponsorship for players, organise ly and figuratively. The beginners’ faces start skatepark in Kathmandu, shut down recently However, the NSSA hasn’t yet received the allo- heart’s content and improve her skills. For events like ‘Skate Yatra 2021’, and even provide to lighten up as they start to get the hang of in May 2021. It was a skatepark leased on pri- cated funds from the national budget to build a now, she barely gets to practice three hours a necessary equipment and gears for hopeful balancing and steering their bodies. vate land and during the second lockdown, it skatepark. day in an abandoned and dilapidated park in beginners. Pahadi says that he is confident that “We don’t have any other space to teach was closed down. Skateboarding as a sport is developing in Thapathali. if given the proper facilities and opportunities, skateboarding to beginners so we have settled Ujwol Dangol, a veteran skateboarder and Nepal at the grassroots level from individual In spite of the lack of resources, Nepali Nepali skateboarding athletes can compete here. If we don’t manage an open space, then owner of Hamro Skate Shop, who managed the players and organisations. It is developing skateboard athletes have proven their skills with the best internationally. beginners often practice on roads which is KTM Skate Park says that the financial burden despite little to no government support. and talents in international competitions time “I hope that our skateboarding scene in Nepal risky. We are only allowed to use this space was too much to handle during the lockdown. Samiksha Rai (aka Lorin), a full-time ath- and again. International competition victory is continues to grow so that players can showcase from late morning to late afternoon,” Bardewa He adds that he asked for assistance from con- lete, says that she doesn’t have any hope from not a pipe dream for Nepali athletes. In the their talent and reach greater heights,” says says as beads of sweat trickle down his face cerned authorities but “they would rather let concerned authorities to lend a hand at all now. Indian skateboarding Competition ‘Jugaad’, Bardewa. “I am hopeful that in the future, no from the scorching sun. the sole skatepark in Kathmandu shut down “We have tried so hard to get them to help us Nepali players frequently clinch high ranks. In other athlete will need to pawn their mother’s At the moment, Annapurna Skatepark in instead of lending financial help.” and build a skatepark but they just ignore us,” the 2019 Jugaad Skateboarding Competition, jewellery to afford travel expenses and repre- Pokhara is the only skatepark in Nepal. It was NSSA president Achut Khanal says that they she says with frustration. Basanta Rai won first place in the men’s cate- sent Nepal in foreign competitions.”

Published and Printed by Kantipur Publications Limited, Central Business Park, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal, P. B. No. 8559, Phone: 5135000, Fax: 977-1-5135057, e-mail: [email protected], Regd. No. 32/049/050, Chairman & Managing Director: Kailash Sirohiya, Director: Swastika Sirohiya, Editor: Sanjeev Satgainya