WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 50 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 37.9 C 3.2 C Friday, April 09, 2021 | 27-12-2077 Nepalgunj Jumla Deuba’s intriguing dilemma and his credibility chasm The onus of taking political process forward is upon the Congress chief. But given the dynamics in his party, and his relations with Oli and other parties, he is hesitating.

ANIL GIRI with yet another issue—the party’s KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 14th general convention. Legally, the party must hold the Nepali Congress President Sher general convention by the middle of Bahadur Deuba is on the horns of a September and Deuba wants to lead dilemma. the party again. The Communist Party of Nepal Deuba is caught between whether (Maoist Centre) is offering him the to take the government leadership post of prime prime minister should or focus on general convention which he agree to form an alliance, along could earn him party presidency once with the Janata Samajbadi again. Party, so as to unseat Despite the government’s House Prime Minister KP dissolution move having been over- Sharma Oli. For a turned by the Supreme Court, Oli four-time prime min- has refused to step down, and ister, the offer is many say Deuba, as the lead- tempting. But there is er of the opposition, should a catch. have been at the forefront Deuba is unsure to press for the prime about the Janata minister’s resignation. Samajbadi Party, According to observ- which is a divided ers and experts, Deuba house. For Deuba to has conspicuously become prime failed to perform his POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI minister, he duty as the leader of the A woman beats seeds out of her mustard harvest at Khokana in Lalitpur on Thursday. needs the sup- opposition, as he could port of 49 Maoist not stand firmly against lawmakers and Oli’s unconstitutional and almost all of the 32 undemocratic move of dis- Janata Samajbadi solving the House. More lawmakers. importantly, at a time INSIDE An election of journalists The Nepali Congress when Oli has been attack- has 61 seats in the ing the constitution and lower house. parliamentary democracy, Three parties meet Insiders in the Deuba has not been able to today for talks on new under the shadow of Congress party say speak up, they say. government formation Deuba, however, is faced >> Continued on page 2 KATHMANDU: Soon after the Supreme political parties Court on February 23 overturned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s deci- sion to dissolve the House of Almost all candidates have backing of parties, leaving little Representatives, the main opposition Nepali Congress, Nepal Communist space for independent ones to lead, which many say could Party (Maoist Centre), and Janata Samajbadi Party have been in formal affect independence of Federation of Nepali Journalists. and informal talks to unseat Oli. But as the way forward has been an issue of contention, concrete talks between the three parties are yet to take place. Technically, the CPN-UML govern- ment still has the support of the Maoist Centre. In February 2018, the Maoist Centre had lent its support to the UML to form the government. The two parties subsequently merged in May 2018 to form Nepal Communist Party (NCP). But the Supreme Court on March 7 invalidat- ed their merger, once again reviving the UML and the Maoist Centre. The Maoist Centre, despite its bad blood with Prime Minister Oli, has not yet withdrawn its support to the govern- ment. (Details on Pg 3)

POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL India suffers vaccine Journalists voted on Wednesday to elect a new leadership of their umbrella organisation. shortages as virus surges TIKA R PRADHAN NEW DELHI: More than 700 million The Janata Samajbadi Party cur- KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 people across India were facing coro- rently is in negotiations with Oli to navirus vaccine shortages on clinch a power-sharing deal. The Thursday, local media reported, as The triennial jamboree of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party lately has infection numbers hit yet another Federation of Nepali Journalists stood by Oli on issues like dissolving daily record. Case numbers had eased concluded on Wednesday, with media- the House and holding early polls. in India but a second wave of the persons from across the country In Nepal, journalists have been his- virus has since returned with a under the umbrella organisation of torically aligned to political parties vengeance, with more than 126,000 Nepali journalists voting to elect a which have their own “journalist new infections recorded in the past 24 new leadership. Though it was not an organisations”. hours, a new record. Several regions anomaly, this time around, it became Nepal Press Union is close to the have tightened curbs on activity hugely apparent that the Federation Nepali Congress, Press Chautari is while Maharashtra, the current epi- has come hugely under the shadow of close to the CPN-UML, Press centre of India’s epidemic and home politics. A majority of candidates had Sangathan is affiliated to the Maoist to megacity Mumbai, is set to enter a their clear alignments with political Centre and Pragatishil Patrakar lockdown at the weekend. Prime parties—just a handful of journalists Sangh to Rastriya Janamorcha. Minister Narendra Modi received his filed their nominations as “independ- This time, there was an alliance second shot on Thursday, tweeting ent” candidates. between the Congress, the Maoist that vaccines are “among the few Observers, including those who Centre, Nepal-Khanal faction of the ways we have to defeat the virus”. He have led the Federation in the past, UML and Rastriya Janamorcha. urged others to follow his lead by get- say excessive politicisation and domi- And candidates were fielded nation of political parties in the jour- accordingly. ting vaccinated. (Details on Pg 6) nalists’ election is a cause for concern. Some aspirants, however, came “A worrisome trend is emerging,” under intense pressure. Rajesh Mishra Bringing art and said Bhanubhakta Acharya, a was one among them. researcher at the University of Ottawa “We have come to such a pass that science together on Digital Transformation and journalists have to knock the doors of LALITPUR: When she was a young Innovation, who regularly writes on party leaders to secure their candida- school-going girl, one afternoon, issues relating to the Nepali media. cy,” said Mishra, an aspirant for the when she had returned home after “The Federation seems to be in the post of general secretary. giving her science exam, Neera Joshi complete grip of political parties.” Since the Congress’ Press Union Pradhan was asked by her father This time, the candidates were and Maoist Centre’s Press Sangathan what questions were there in the divided along two different panels— had formed an alliance, the posts of exam to check how she did. One of one aligned to the Nepali Congress, Federation president and general sec- the questions she recalls was to write the Communist Party of Nepal retary were divided between them. the uses of flowers. Her father (Maoist Centre), the Madhav Nepal- Bipul Pokhrel was fielded for the frowned and asked, “So, what did you Jhala Nath Khanal faction of the CPN- post of Federation chairperson, mak- write?” To which Joshi remembers UML and Rastriya Janamorcha and ing way for the Press Sangathan to naively replying, “I wrote we use it the other coming together under the field its candidate, Roshan Puri, for for puja to worship gods.” Joshi now KP Sharma Oli faction of the UML, the post of general secretary. laughs at her innocence at the the Janata Samajbadi Party and For candidates like Mishra, there Siddhartha Art Gallery, against the Rastriya Prajatantra Party. was no space. backdrop of her artwork. Ask her The alignments were a clear reflec- He could not fight the election as an that same question today, Joshi will tion of Nepal’s national political land- independent candidate amid intense in turn ask you which flowers and scape at present. pressure from political party honchos, what details do you want. Joshi today The Congress and the Maoist Party he said. understands flowers in a much differ- are in a bid to forge an alliance against “There is no room left for independ- ent way than most would, beyond Oli and the Nepal-Khanal faction has ent candidates,” said Mishra. their outward beauty. (Details on Pg 8) its own battle to fight against Oli. >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K FRIDAY, APRIL 09, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Province 2 districts vulnerable to Covid-19 Deuba’s intriguing dilemma and his resurgence but preparedness sorely lacking credibility chasm Border crossings in Parsa and Bara districts have been witnessing a rise in the number of people returning from India lately. >> Continued from page 1 SHANKAR ACHARYA IN PARSA According to the District unused,” said Rajeshraj Yadav, “It’s true that Nepali Congress does not have sufficient & LAXMI SAH IN BARA Health Office in Bara, 19 individu- mayor of Kalaiya Sub Metropolis.. numbers in the Parliament to be a decisive force and it is not APRIL 8 als tested positive in the last three According to him, technical sure about the possible coalition partners, as it has its own days, prompting local govern- employees, who were appointed to bitter experience with the Maoist Centre and the Janata All eight districts in Province 2 ments to reintroduce tracing, test- operate the machine, have also Samajbadi Party is divided,” said Krishna Khanal, a profes- share borders with India but ing and treatment of Covid-19 been released. “We have frequent- sor of political science at Tribhuvan University. “That said, Parsa and Bara are see the largest patients. ed the Ministry of Social the Congress leadership has failed to create an atmosphere cross-border movement of people Both Parsa and Bara districts Development and Provincial in its favour.” than any other districts. share an open border with East Health Directorate seeking per- In the Congress party, many believe that the Maoist With India struggling with the Champaran in Bihar, India. mission to run the machine. But Centre, in principle, should have withdrawn the support it second wave of Covid-19 pandem- Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City, they said we have to seek permis- lent Oli in February 2018 before seeking their support. But ic, which is said to peak in the district headquarters of Bara, is sion to run the machine from the even if it did not, the Congress did have the responsibility to next few weeks, health authori- struggling in its effort to contain centre,” said Rajeshraj. seek Oli’s resignation on moral grounds, some leaders say. ties are worried about the rise in Covid-19 infections. The only pol- Ajaya Jayasawal, public health “Deuba and Oli seem to be on the same page,” said Dr the number of Covid-19 cases in ymerase chain reaction (PCR) inspector of Kalaiya Sub Shekhar Koirala, a senior Congress leader. “That is why we border areas. machine which was purchased Metropolis, said the District have been failing to take the right decision at the right time. The authorities, particularly in five months ago to conduct Covid- Administration Office in Bara, And this is weakening the party. Deuba in the meantime is the border areas, are sorely 19 testing has not been put to use had also notified the higher toying the idea of becoming the party president again.” underprepared to handle a surge because the local government has authority seeking permission to Oli’s December 20 House dissolution move had attracted in infection yet to secure approval from the run the machine. “But we are still widespread opprobrium, with a sizeable number of Since the beginning of this National Public Health awaiting permission to use the Congress leaders quick to call it unconstitutional and month, the number of Covid-19 Laboratory. machine. With Covid-19 cases on undemocratic. Deuba, however, maintained his silence, or patients has increased in Parsa. Kalaiya and other local units in the rise again, it is imperative for even while opposing Oli, it was a half-hearted effort, According to the data of Narayani Bara had invested Rs 10 million the sub-metropolis to start trac- Congress leaders admit. Hospital in Birgunj Metropolitan for the machine and other addi- ing and testing.” On most of the occasions, Deuba took a safe side—that City, the district headquarters of tional accessories. According to Dr Gaurav Mahato, Medical there was nothing to say as the issue was being dealt with by Parsa, 24 individuals tested posi- the sub metropolis, the machine Superintendent of Kalaiya the Supreme Court. And in principle, it looked justified, as tive for the disease in the last two was purchased at a cost of Rs 8.5 Hospital, points at the increasing conventionally a case sub judice in court does not warrant days alone. million. number of Covid-19 patients in statements—neither for nor against. The hospital, which was desig- SHUTTERSTOCK The machine that can test 96 Bara. “The number of Covid According to at least two Congress leaders, Deuba himself nated as a Covid-19 treatment hos- two units are expected to be com- “Covid-19 cases could explode swab samples at a time was cases has been increasing day by gave enough ground to suspect if he was complicit in Oli’s pital at the height of the pandem- pleted shortly. if the border points are not moni- installed at Kalaiya Hospital at a day. We hope to start PCR testing decision to dissolve the House and declare polls for April 30 ic last year, is not fully equipped Das said the Ministry of Health tored strictly. The situation can cost of Rs 10 million. once the issue is resolved.” and May 10. to treat the coronavirus patients. and Population has directed every get worse in Birgunj, ” said Dr “A lot of money was spent in In the past year, more than Other hospitals in Birgunj also hospital in the district to separate Udayanarayan Singh, head of the procuring and installing the 30 individuals died of Covid-19 lack preparations and resources 30 percent of their beds for the Emergency Unit in Narayani machine but it is yet to be operat- in Bara, the data of the District to handle Covid-19 cases. This has treatment of Covid-19 patients. Hospital. ed. This has deprived the citizens Health Office showed. Health Observers say Deuba as the left Parsa highly vulnerable. Fifty-one individuals died of Singh suspects that the current of their right to healthcare,” said officials fear the district will once Dr Saroj Roshan Das, informa- Covid-19 in Parsa in the past one active Covid-19 cases in Parsa dis- Upendra Prasad Yadav, mayor of again be gripped with Covid-19 opposition leader could have tion officer of Narayani Hospital, year, according to the data of the trict could be much higher given Mahagadhimai Municipality. cases. said currently four Covid-19 Provincial Health Directorate. the low test numbers. The machine was purchased “Bara is at risk since the done much more to help the patients are receiving treatment Similarly, out of 30,000 swab sam- “The rate of swab collection without permission from the district shares an open border in the emergency unit of ples collected for testing, the and testing is low. As a result, National Public Health with India. We are waiting for political process move forward. the hospital. results of over 3,000 samples came very few cases are being reported Laboratory. The sub metropolis Kalaiya and other local units to “The hospital is not in a posi- back positive for the coronavirus these days,” said Singh. “The had also appointed 11 employees get permission to use the tion to admit more Covid-19 infection. number of cases in Parsa including technicians to operate machine,” said Ram Naresh “Our party president barely spoke up despite the Oli gov- patients at the moment,” said A large number of Covid-19 will be much higher if swab col- the machine. Yadav, chief at the District Health ernment being embroiled in a slew of controversies and Das. patients had to stay in home isola- lection and testing processes are “The federal and the provincial Office. “The district administra- scandals,” said a leader who did not want to be named. “We The hospital is setting up an tion last year due to bed shortag- expedited.” government have not given us tion has yet to establish health should have asked for Oli’s resignation from the House floor, intensive care unit and a high es, and health officials fear the Meanwhile, Bara district has permission to operate the desks at the border points. but Deuba chose not to speak. Deuba’s silence, which can be dependency unit for the treat- situation could get much worse also begun seeing an uptick in the machine. This is the main reason This has increased the threat of easily translated into his tacit support to Oli, on the govern- ment of Covid-19 patients. The this time around. number of Covid-19 cases. behind the machine remaining virus spread.” ment’s various moves including the ordinance on the Constitutional Council Act is mysterious.” The 2017 election was a disaster for the Nepali Congress. After pulling out support to Oli in July 2016, Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal had formed an alliance with Deuba. The understanding was that Dahal would lead the An election of journalists under the shadow ... government for seven months and then hand over the reins to Deuba to oversee the elections. The Maoist Centre fought >> Continued from page 1 the post of Federation chairperson as an When the Govinda Acharya-led panel nacular weeklies were the only source of the local elections under an alliance with the Nepali But his concern is not that he could not independent candidate, said that he was won the election more than three and a information for the public. Such weeklies Congress. fight the election, he said. disappointed at how journalists are turning half years ago, Sher Bahadur Deuba was were backed by the parties, which at that But in the lead up to provincial and general elections on “The problem is political parties are into cadres of political parties. prime minister with Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s time were banned. November 26 and December 7, Dahal and Oli declared their holding sway over the Federation and par- Budhathoki was pitted against Pokhrel, backing. Journalists who were part of such week- “left alliance” in October 2017, much to Deuba’s chagrin. ty-backed journalists and their associations who had the backing of the Congress affili- Then too, Nepal Press Union affiliated to lies that ran aggressive campaigns against The people gave the mandate to the UML-Maoist Centre enjoy influence,” said Mishra. “Those who ated Nepal Press Union, Maoist Centre- the Nepali Congress and Press Centre affil- the Panchayat regime say the trend of jour- alliance (which merged in May 2018 to form the Nepal have been in the field of journalism for affiliated Press Sangathan and Khanal- iated to the Maoist Centre had forged an nalists today seeking the blessings of polit- Communist Party) to govern for the full term. With just 63 years lack the wherewithal to assert their Nepal faction of the UML-affiliated Press alliance against Press Chautari, as its “par- ical parties is worrisome. But journalism seats, the Congress was left with no option than to lick its position.” Chautari, and Nirmala Sharma behind ent” party the UML was in opposition. as a profession has seen a substantial wounds. Some candidates, however, refused to whom was the Oli faction of Press Chautari. But in May 2018, the UML and the Maoist growth and it would be wrong to brand Deuba, however, refused to step down as party president, withdraw their candidacy, only to face the Until Thursday evening, Pokhrel was Centre merged, thereby bringing the affili- journalists as parties’ mere cadres even if something he was asked to do on moral grounds for failing to ire of their affiliate organisation. clearly taking the lead, with Sharma trail- ate press organisations together. they win the election with the backing of ensure victory for the party. Nepal Press Union, which is affiliated to ing far behind. Budhathoki’s chances had However, a month before the Federation the respective parties, according to them. Oli’s House dissolution and snap polls, however, were a the Nepali Congress, has taken action evaporated. election this time, the Supreme Court “My observation is that though journal- godsend for Deuba, say party insiders. Deuba was then sud- against 11 candidates who had refused to “I didn’t have a flag but had an agenda. revived the UML and the Maoist Centre, ists seek the support of political parties denly licking his lips at the prospect of making a comeback withdraw and suspended them for at least No resources, but willpower. No physical and accordingly the press unions under during elections, those elected have not through the snap polls and becoming the prime minister— six years. The allegation they face is they vote deployed by political syndicate but them also split. Some different dynamics hesitated to speak against the same parties for the fifth time. But about two weeks after the House was “dared to file their candidacy despite professional moral vote. I had expected that also came into play. The Nepal-Khanal fac- when they are in power, especially when reinstated, the Supreme Court on March 7 scrapped the the union having fielded “authentic some 6,000 journalists would use their wis- tion is currently fighting against Oli. they attack press freedom,” said Harihar Nepal Communist Party and revived the UML and the candidates”. dom this time but our journalism has Taking this cue, the press organisations Birahi, a senior journalist and former Maoist Centre, catapulting the Janata Samajbadi Party into The Federation of Nepali Journalists is already plunged into the quagmire of par- of the Congress and the Maoist Centre got chairperson of the Federation who once the kingmaker’s position. one of the oldest civil institutions in Nepal. ties,” Budhathoki wrote in a Facebook post the backing of those under the Nepal- edited an extremely popular vernacular In the changed political landscape, Deuba’s chance of It was established by the late Nepali on Thursday evening as the vote counting Khanal faction as well. weekly Sapatahik Bimarsha, with its affili- becoming the prime minister came even closer. Congress leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai was underway. “I now feel that I was expect- Some former leaders of the Federation ation to the Nepali Congress. But his past experience with the Maoist Centre and the some 65 years ago as Nepal Journalists ing a lot more from the educated new gener- say the party-backed elected leadership will “This time pro-democratic and progres- Janata Samajbadi Party’s indecision made Deuba hold his Association. It acquired its current name ation in journalism.” have a challenge before them to develop the sive forces seem to shine, as those backed horses, say Congress leaders. on June 11, 1996. In the lead up to the election day, Federation as a more independent and pro- by regressive forces are going to face a “That Deuba has aligned with Oli is an out and out base- Some scholars have contested the date of Budhathoki had managed to garner quite fessional organisation. drubbing.” less allegation,” said Prakash Sharan Mahat, the joint gener- the establishment of the organisation, say- some support on social media. He “After all they are journalists and even if Birahi, who led the federation from 1995- al secretary of Nepali Congress considered close to Deuba. ing Satya Narayan Bahadur Shrestha had earned appreciation from various quarters they are elected to the leadership position 1998, said journalists who have played a “We are a party in the opposition and have a limited role to founded the Nepal Journalist Association for daring to challenge the party-backed with the party’s backing, they will have to crucial role in Nepal’s political changes play. We don’t have the numbers and the Janata Samajbadi four years before Bhattarai did, which the candidates. perform their duty as mediapersons,” said should work hard to protect the hard- Party does not look keen on joining hands with us and the Federation has not acknowledged yet. But to win an election, one needs votes, Shiva Gaunle, former chair of the earned gains. Maoist Centre to form a coalition.” The major objectives of the Federation not the support on social media. Federation. “This will be a huge challenge According to him, journalists are in a According to Mahat, Deuba has been in talks with the are to bring all professional journalists “I don’t think the Federation can raise but that’s how we learn. And the elected compulsion to have the backing of Maoist Centre and the Janata Samajbadi Party. working in the country under a common the agenda of working journalists,” leadership must understand that as jour- journalists’ associations close to political Following immense pressure—and to somehow mollify umbrella and provide them an efficient and Budhathoki told the Post. “Those elected nalists, their basic duty is to speak truth to parties also because it’s difficult to the critics and stave off criticism from the media, the professional leadership; safeguard the wel- would invest their time and energy in serv- power and hold those in power to account.” manage election expenses. But such a trend Congress party on April 2 decided to take the lead to unseat fare of all working journalists and protect ing the interests of the parties that backed Gaunle is also hopeful that the direct will decrease as professionalism increases, Oli and form a coalition government. their rights and amenities, according to its them.” election system will encourage more inde- he said. “The Janata Samajbadi appears more inclined towards official website. “The Federation strives for The voting system this time, however, pendent candidates to file their candidacy “The Federation leaders must uphold joining hands with Oli,” said Mahat. “What can our presi- the development of a responsible and was different compared to earlier years. in the coming days. their professional spirit and values instead dent do in this situation?” accountable media and promotes the idea The Federation used to elect leadership “With the direct voting system, profes- of serving the interests of parties that Observers, however, say Deuba as the opposition leader of press freedom.” through their representatives. sional journalists have dared to file their backed them,” said Birahi, who has also led could have done much more to help the political process Many, however, wonder if the Federation But all the 13,180 voters this time had a candidacy for different positions this time,” the Press Council Nepal. “Change comes move forward just while he focused on his party’s internal could stick to its primary objective if it chance to vote directly to the candidates of Gaunle told the Post. “I am hopeful that this gradually. Our journalism is improving by issues, including the general convention. loses its independent status and becomes their choice. new system will gradually encourage pro- the day. Soon we will achieve the level of “Deuba can take the lead to form a coalition of the Nepali an arm of political parties whose candi- It has been a matter of concern in the fessional and independent journalists to professionalism when political parties Congress, the Maoist Centre and the Janata Samajbadi dates are elected to the leadership. past also that when party-backed candi- stand up.” won’t be able to have their influence on Party,” said Kishore Nepal, a senior journalist who has been Gajendra Budhathoki, who was vying for dates win, they often hesitate to speak up Historically, the Nepali media has played journalists even if leaders wish so.” writing on political and social issues for decades. against their political mas- a crucial role in shaping up the country’s (Disclaimer: Tika R Pradhan is a former “Why cannot he offer the prime minister’s post to ters, especially when they democratic process. During the Panchayat member of the Federation of Nepali Mahantha Thakur? Why is he hesitating to break the cur- are in power. regime, when the press was muzzled, ver- Journalists) rent impasse?” Thakur, the chair of the Janata Samajbadi Party, is cur- rently in the spotlight, as he and Rajendra Mahato have been negotiating with Oli for a power-sharing deal. “The thing is Deuba and Oli share a good rapport and they have had some kind of understanding on key appointments and power-sharing issues,” Nepal told the Post. Deuba does not seem to have any qualms over early polls if Oli can declare them again. If not, according to insiders, Deuba will put his efforts on winning the party presidency through the general convention and prepare for elections which are anyway due in November-December next year. But analysts like Khanal, the professor, say politics is not just a power game and the Parliament is not just about forming governments and that politicians have a larger role and responsibility to play to ensure the rule of law, uphold the system defined by the constitution and protect democratic values. “What has stopped Deuba from standing on the Parliament’s rostrum and seeking Oli’s resignation? Has Deuba ever challenged Oli and held him to account? How many times did Deuba stand to criticise Oli from the House?” said Khanal. “Why is the Congress not filing a no-confidence motion against Oli? Registering a no-confidence motion does not always mean removing the government. It’s also a way to express dissent and keep the government in check.”

C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, APRIL 09, 2021 NATIONAL Health Ministry to revisit its Covid-19 projection as new cases may exceed 50,000 mark by July A second wave of infections has already started in Kathmandu Valley but the authorities have still not increased the test numbers, doctors say.

ARJUN POUDEL lic transportation and no agency is regulating KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 their movements. “If we do not take preventative measures and The Ministry of Health and Population says it is prepare for the worst case scenario, there is no working to revisit the projection of new cases of point in projecting possible case numbers,” Dr Covid-19 in the next three months. Keshav Deuba, a public health epidemiologist, told Earlier, the ministry had estimated that 50,000 the Post. “Any projection should be made for additional people would be infected throughout preparation and we are lagging far behind in the the country between April and July (Chaitra and preparations.” Ashad according to the Nepali calendar.) The Health Ministry has confirmed that the fast “More people will be infected in the next three spreading variant of coronavirus, the one first months than the projection we made earlier,” detected in the United Kingdom and identified as Dr Guna Nidhi Sharma, a senior public health B.1.1.7, is seen in swab samples of a significant administrator at the Health Ministry, told the Post. number of new cases. “We will revisit the estimation and recommend Scientists in the United Kingdom have said that measures to slow down the infection rate.” the UK coronavirus is 40 to 70 percent more trans- The ministry used to make predictions about the missible than the one that caused the first wave of number of infected people and officials claimed infections. that most of the projections they made in the past They have also said that the virus variant is matched in reality. 64 percent deadlier than its previous strains. Public health experts, however, said that the “Even educated people having Covid-like symp- projection of the infected people depends on the toms are not seeking tests assuming that change in number of the tests and if the authorities do not the weather and pollution are responsible for the POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC increase the number of tests, resume contact trac- ailments,” added Deuba. A schoolboy plays football before the start of his class at Tripureshwor, Kathmandu . ing, number of cases may not reach even 50,000. “There are certain barriers—testing charges, “Authorities have been performing tests on stigma against the infected people, problems of symptomatic people only,” Dr Anup Subedee, an living in rented homes and others, which should infectious disease expert, told the Post. “Over two- be removed to increase testing.” thirds of the infected people will be missed if we Doctors say that a second wave of infections has perform tests only on symptomatic people.” already started in the Kathmandu Valley and what Study shows that over 50 percent of the infected is alarming is that authorities are not increasing Three parties meet today for talks people do not have symptoms. the test numbers. They ask agencies concerned to Tests are also being performed on only sympto- use their own experiences of the past one year. matic people returning from abroad including Nepal so far has reported 279,100 cases of coro- India, where the number of new cases is rising navirus infections, with 3,038 deaths. exponentially. The Health Ministry said on Wednesday that 332 on new government formation India, which has been severely affected by the people were infected in the last 24 hours. Apart second wave of coronavirus, recorded 1,26,789 from this, 25 people tested positive in antigen fresh Covid-19 cases on Thursday, according to examinations performed at the health desks set up If the negotiations between Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre) and Janata Samajbadi Party are media reports. on the border with India. The number of active India’s Uttar Pradesh, which adjoins Nepal, is cases stands at 2,454 throughout the country. positive, further discussions will be held on the way forward to unseat Oli, Congress leaders say. reported to be in the grip of a second wave of infec- “As we are not getting sufficient doses of vac- tion, with 6,023 positive cases recorded in the last cine to protect our people, the few options we have ANIL GIRI As a preparatory step towards Friday’s told the Post on condition of anonymity. “He 24 hours. at present are enforcing safety measures, increas- KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 meeting Maoist Centre spokesman Narayan will ask when the Maoist Centre will with- According to a media report, 40 doctors ing testing and making contact testing effective,” Kaji Shrestha met Deuba on Thursday and draw its support to the Oli government and including vice-chancellor of King George’s Dr GD Thakur, former director at the Epidemiology Soon after the Supreme Court on February urged him to expedite the government for- if the Samajbadi Party will be united in Medical University, have tested positive in the past and Disease Control Division, told the Post. “But 23 overturned Prime Minister KP Sharma mation talks. supporting him and signing the no-confi- four days. unfortunately, people in authorised positions are Oli’s decision to dissolve the House of “I met with Deuba and we have agreed to dence motion.” The vice-chancellor tested positive for the sec- not taking the risk seriously.” Representatives, the main opposition Nepali call a meeting between three parties on Before Friday’s meeting between the three ond time in the last nine months and all the Nepal launched its vaccination drive on January Congress, Nepal Communist Party (Maoist Friday at Deuba’s residence,” said Shrestha. parties, the Maoist Centre is scheduled to infected doctors had received two doses of vaccine. 27 with the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufac- Centre), and Janata Samajbadi Party “This is the first joint meeting between meet Samajbadi Party leaders to make a Authorities in Nepal have been performing anti- tured by the Serum Institute of India under the have been in formal and informal talks to three opposition parties in order to form a common position, according to spokesman gen tests at land crossings with India at 16 points brand name Covishield. unseat Oli. new government as it has already been one Shrestha. for the last few days but only for symptomatic Nepal so far has vaccinated a little over 1.8 mil- But as the way forward has been an issue and half months [since the House was Earlier this week, Ram Chandra Poudel, cases. lion people. Nepal needs to inoculate 72 percent of of contention, concrete talks between the reinstated].” senior leader of Nepali Congress, who has Doctors say that many people could be asympto- its 30 million population against the coronavirus. three parties are yet to take place. So far, despite leading the main opposi- been vocal on the need to unseat Oli, too met matic and some pre-symptomatic (infected but in The World Health Organisation-backed COVAX Technically, the CPN-UML government tion, Deuba has been reluctant to take the Samajbadi Party leader Thakur to convince incubation period), who can transmit the virus, has committed to providing around 13 million still has the support of the Maoist Centre. In lead in unseating Oli pointing out that the it to side with Nepali Congress. without knowing. doses of vaccine, enough to inoculate 20 percent of February 2018, the Maoist Centre had lent its Maoist Centre is yet to withdraw its support “Since the Maoist Centre decided to take “We should keep those arriving from disease-hit the total population (around 6 million). support to the UML to form the government. to the government. action against four ministers in Oli’s areas in mandatory quarantine like in the past,” However, India’s temporary ban on Covishield The two parties subsequently merged in The Maoist Centre, however, insists that it Cabinet, we are convinced about the Maoist added Subedee. “New cases have been rising in could come as an obstacle to the COVAX May 2018 to form Nepal Communist Party is ready to unseat Oli. Centre and it has also given word that it will Kathmandu Valley also but the Health Ministry commitment. (NCP). But the Supreme Court on March 7 “We are very clear that this government withdraw its support to the Oli govern- has not increased the test numbers and resumed The Health Ministry rolled out the China-gifted invalidated their merger, once again reviv- should be removed but still the Janata ment,” another Nepali Congress leader said contact tracing.” vaccine on Wednesday, which will be sufficient ing the UML and the Maoist Centre. Samajbadi Party is in confusion,” said on condition of anonymity. “The only prob- Authorities have allowed people returning from to vaccinate around 400,000 people over the next The Maoist Centre, despite its bad blood Poudel. lem we are facing is with Samajbadi Party.” India or other countries to go home by using pub- few days. with Prime Minister Oli, has not yet with- Without the 32 votes of the Samajbadi Energy Minister Top Bahadur Rayamajhi, drawn its support to the government. Party in the House of Representatives (two Industry Minister Lekhraj Bhatta, Urban Leaders of the Maoist Centre say that the of its lawmakers are suspended), Oli cannot Development Minister Prabhu Sah and party is ready to withdraw its support in be unseated. Labour Minister Gauri Shankar Chaudhary case a no-confidence motion is filed against Mahantha Thakur, the chair of the Janata were stripped of their lawmaker positions the government at the same time. Samajbadi Party, is currently in the spot- on Thursday after they abandoned the “We are ready to withdraw support from light, as he and Rajendra Mahato, have been Maoist Centre and joined Oli’s UML. the government,” Standing Committee negotiating with Oli on a power-sharing Maoist Centre chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal member of the Maoist Centre Sunil Poudel deal. The party’s other chair Upendra Yadav had written to Parliament on Tuesday ask- said. “Withdrawing the support to the Oli and chair of the party’s federal council ing it to strip them of their lawmaker status. government and registering a no-confidence Baburam Bhattarai, on the other hand, are “The ball is in Samajbadi Party’s court to motion will go on hand in hand.” firmly against the continuation of the Oli unseat Oli,” said Nepali Congress spokes- Meanwhile, after much deliberations government. man Bishwo Prakash Sharma. within the party, the Nepali Congress on At Friday’s meeting, Deuba is planning to But the situation will be clearer on the April 2 decided to take the lead in unseating invite Thakur and Mahato, who are not so formation of another government following Oli and forming a coalition government positive about supporting Deuba’s bid to Friday’s meeting. “This is the first joint under the leadership of party President lead the government, as well as Yadav and meeting,” said Sharma. “If talks between Sher Bahadur Deuba. Bhattarai, according to a Nepali Congress three parties move in a positive direction, A week after that decision, the three par- leader who did not want to be named. then we will enter discussions on how and ties that need to come together to form the “During the meeting, Deuba will seek a when the no-confidence motion should be coalition are finally scheduled to meet on final answer from the Maoist Centre and the registered and how to move ahead in power POST PHOTO: MADHAV DHUNGANA Friday to chart the way forward. Samajbadi Party,” a leader close to Deuba sharing deal.” Many people are returning home from India amid a surge in Covid-19 cases there. Experts urge long-term strategy for curbing air pollution in the country Although forest fire has been the main factor of late, experts point out other causes like emissions from vehicles and construction and factory sectors, and open burning.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL rights?” said Dinesh Raj Bhuju, an academi- at 11pm, when there are low vehicular emis- KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 cian with NAST. “We are living with dangerous sions and industries are closed, AQI levels have levels of air pollution. It is hard to accept that been recorded over 300.” At a time when the country is engulfed in an Kathmandu is among the most polluted cities Pollution is not limited to Kathmandu Valley, atmosphere polluted to hazardous levels, in the world. For more than two and a half which sees a spike during the dry season. scientists, experts and common people worry weeks, the country has remained blanketed in Major cities including Pokhara, Bharatpur and that nothing much is being done to curb dense haze and smoke.” Simara have also been engulfed in poor air pollution. Bhuju pointed out that there are generally quality air. For the last two weeks, different parts of the three main factors of air pollution—vehicular “As air pollution gets severe and the general country including Kathmandu Valley have emissions, dusty roads and pollution from fac- public’s exposure to such poor quality air remained shrouded in thick haze and harmful tories. At the moment though, forest fires are increases, they can experience more serious, levels of air pollution, posing a serious risk to the leading cause of poor quality air. irreversible, debilitating and life-threatening public health. After massive forest fires worsened air pollu- health complications. Such a level of air pollu- During a virtual interaction organised by tion this year, the issue ignored for a long time tion affects people throughout their lifetime,” the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology has gained some attention, said Bhuju, a forest said Dr Dhungana. (NAST) on Thursday, experts stressed the need ecologist. “Different studies estimate that the “While we are so scared of Covid-19, which for a long-term strategy to combat air pollution country loses from 100,000 to 400,000 hectares has killed some 3,000 people, air pollution kills that causes headache for the nation every year. of forest every year. The massive annual forest around 40,000 people in Nepal every year. Such “The country is facing a severe level of air losses to wildfires shows even scientific com- a level of pollution should also be of as much pollution. However, we are only talking about a POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR munities did not pay adequate attention to worry. Not going out and wearing a good quali- few pollutant particles, mainly the Air Quality An activist stages a demonstration at Maitighar, Kathmandu, calling on the government to declare a public health wildfires, which is evident that there is a small ty mask can only be a short-term solution, but Index (AQI) value,” said Sunil Babu Shrestha, emergency with the air quality of Kathmandu and other parts of the country reaching hazardous levels lately. number of studies on forest fires, especially we need to find long term solutions to air pollu- vice-chancellor of the Academy. their link with air pollution.” tion as the problem occurs every year.” “More studies are required to understand ranked the third most polluted city in the Nepal is going through its worst forest fire On Thursday afternoon, 43 forest fires were According to Nabin Pokharel, a senior divi- other pollutants. A preliminary study of NAST world at 2:45 pm Thursday. season. Since March 1, the country has wit- reported while the Forest Fire Detection and sional engineer at the Ministry of Forest and shows there are also harmful bacteria in the On Tuesday and Wednesday, Kathmandu nessed over 1,800 incidents of bush fire across Monitoring System, a Nepal government web- Environment, the government is working on air that can severely affect the population.” was marked as the most polluted city in the the country. Last week, brief rainfall had given site, recorded 177 wildfires in the last 24 hours. plans to fight air pollution in sustainable ways. The ongoing spell of air pollution is linked world with the highest daily AQI reading of 342 a temporary respite from the dangerous air “This year, the reason behind air pollution “The government is working on enforcing with wildfires raging across the country. The and 308, respectively. pollution and wildfires before the fires intensi- might be different but its impacts are still the Euro Six emission standards for vehicles. The devastating forest fires, which have been “Forest fire is taken as the main reason fied this week, once again causing a dip in air same,” said Dr Ashesh Dhungana, associate existing emissions guidelines for in-operation reported from 73 districts, added to the hazard- behind the deterioration in air quality lately,” quality across the country. professor and chief consultant chest physician vehicles are being revised as well,” said ous smoke in the atmosphere, polluting the air said Shrestha. “However, we also need to find Following the rains, AQI came down to 42 on at the National Academy of Medical Sciences, Pokharel. in different parts of the country. out contributions of other sources of pollution March 31. Bir Hospital. “Nepal is ranked at top for the “Also, there are plans to set the standards for Kathmandu continues to rank among the like vehicular emissions, open waste burning, “The constitution guarantees us the right to wrong reason of air pollution. The current sit- heavy equipment like road rollers, cranes and most polluted cities in the world. With an AQI and dust coming from construction sites and live in a healthy environment. Should the state uation, when AQI levels are crossing the 300 excavators. All these works will be completed reading of 152, the Capital was once again industries, among others.” not be held responsible for not ensuring our mark, calls for a public health emergency. Even and enforced within this year.”

C M Y K FRIDAY, APRIL 09, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Better prepared next time

Covid-19, Part Two Five lessons we can We were in such a hurry to throw away our masks. learn from the Gorkha Earthquake to build The Health Ministry has finally blurted it out: The United Kingdom variant of the coronavirus is responsible for the safer communities. recent surge in cases in Nepal. What had remained a matter of speculation and fear for quite some time has now turned into a reality. Known as B.1.1.7, the UK variant is considered JITENDRA BOTHARA 40 to 70 percent more transmissible and 67 percent deadlier than the variant that caused the first wave of coronavirus infection. That the UK variant is present in a significant number of new cases—apart, of course, from the one detect- ed last year—means we are staring at the possibility of a far more volatile situation in the coming weeks and months. Earlier this week, Health Minister Hridayesh Tripathi The earthquake of 2015 was a tragic minced no words in saying that the country may witness the event that caused mass causalities and peak of what is considered the second wave of coronavirus damage and destruction in Nepal. The transmission in June if citizens were to remain lenient and post-earthquake response from all over continue flouting precautionary measures. For once, a top the world helped Nepal get through a leader has spoken of the Covid-19 situation for what it is: A very tough time in its history. Almost six years on, here are five lessons we deadly scenario considering how we floundered during the can learn from the Gorkha Earthquake first wave. Over a year after we were confronted by the coro- to continue building safer and more navirus at home, we seem to have come back to square one. resilient communities. We are as unprepared to tackle the surge in the number of Firstly, pre-2015 efforts to improve coronavirus transmission today as we were last year. earthquake safety were mostly restrict- With 332 new cases in the past 24 hours, the graph of coro- ed to urban areas and of a limited scale. navirus transmission is rising yet again after a lull of a few Traditional buildings and rural areas POST FILE PHOTO months. Worse, it is more than one variant this time. have not improved enough in earth- Thankfully for us, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, quake safety despite their known vul- a perfect opportunity to construct them are unique to Nepal. For years, we have earthquake is to recognise the impor- Covishield, is said to be effective against the UK virus. While nerability. As a result, traditional safer and resilient, and improve the adopted and adapted from other coun- tance of coordination and collabora- buildings were affected disproportion- existing ones. Unsafe infrastructure tries resulting in less-than-optimal tion between government, national the effectiveness of the vaccine is a matter of relief, the ally, causing thousands of casualties in will result in catastrophic damage and earthquake safety measures while not and international organisations, the Serum Institute of India has clearly been under strain to the Gorkha Earthquake. The large financial losses in future earthquakes addressing the uniquity of Nepal’s con- private sector, and all other relevant fulfil the demand for the Covishield vaccine that is primarily majority of the new buildings recon- and greatly disrupt Nepal’s growth and text. Sustained efforts to improve safe- stakeholders. Nepal has moved from a being administered in Nepal. This means that we are still far structed in the earthquake-affected prosperity. Roads in and out of the ty requires an understanding of the fatalistic approach to safety to a proac- away from achieving a desirable level of immunity at the areas could be considered earth- Kathmandu Valley need to be earth- multi-dimensional interplay between tive and informed approach. As a community level. Our best bet against all hues of the corona- quake-resilient because they have been quake safer and resilient. Due to finan- technology, socio-economics, culture, result, we have taken a long stride in virus, therefore, is self-discipline. constructed following the building cial and technological limitations, in and politics. As citizens of this country, implementing and amending policy However, whether we are ready to trade our freedom with code, but this is not the norm in the rest certain instances, we may not be able to we have an in-depth understanding of measures to improve disaster risk self-discipline is a tricky question. The government does not of the country. Unfortunately, there are have resilient infrastructures, and in these complexities, and need to take management. The National Disaster a significant number of buildings that these cases, it will be essential to have leadership in addressing these issues. Risk Reduction and Management have much public legitimacy to ask people to stop congregat- are unsafe. Complete replacement of alternative backup plans to mitigate For example, more than 60 percent of Authority has been established to pro- ing in large numbers and observing festivals, for its own these vulnerable buildings or retrofit- disruptions and reduce losses. the buildings in Nepal are constructed vide leadership and coordination to record vis-à-vis prevention and management of coronavirus ting them to meet the building code in Thirdly, Nepal is well recognised for using stone and brick in mud mortar, maintain our momentum in disaster transmission has been anything but exemplary. So when it its entirety on a mass scale is economi- its architecture, culture and tradi- which is highly vulnerable to earth- risk reduction. This is a difficult task did try to stop the observation of Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur, it cally and technically unviable. Thus, tions-the presence of seven UNESCO quakes. These buildings are construct- because earthquakes are infrequent, was met with resistance—followed by a Supreme Court inter- we need a pragmatic approach to World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu ed from locally sourced materials that yet our efforts to mitigate them must be im order—and had to relent to the will of the community. So improve the safety of these buildings. Valley is a testament to this. This are readily available, usable and continuous to realise the benefits dur- the government has only gone to the extent of ‘requesting’ gives Nepal a special status and identi- affordable. These building types are ing future earthquakes. Moving for- people to observe Covid-19 safety protocols. An adaptable approach ty on a global scale promoting tourism sustainable, but most of them are not ward, the authorities in Nepal should New Zealand’s approach may be rele- to our country. Their survival is essen- resilient to earthquakes. We need develop coordinated and pragmatic For all we know, the government will still be busy fighting vant here, where all existing buildings tial to maintain our cultural identity, to conduct research and innovate prac- short-, medium-, and long-term plans for its own survival even as doctors and patients ask for more (other than small houses) must meet at and they need to be passed on to the tical, affordable and replicable meth- and visualise where we should be in the ventilators when transmission reaches its peak. What’s least 34 percent of the requirements of next generation. Despite only mild ods to improve the resiliency of these years to come. more, we have a prime minister who continues to peddle their building code, or these must be shaking, the Gorkha Earthquake traditional buildings. This requires We must understand that there is no pseudoscience, asking people to gargle with guava leaf retrofitted in a given time frame. This damaged and destroyed many temples, building innovative research facilities absolute safety because it is dependent juice to keep coronavirus at bay. Clearly, it is incumbent upon way, the buildings can survive medium palaces, rest houses and other and tools within our financial and on factors such as technology, resourc- us to take care of ourselves, as we can’t trust the government intensity earthquakes and be economi- cultural structures and sites in the logistical limitations. es, and risk perception. Improving to do that for us. cally viable. An approach like New Kathmandu Valley. A similar example is seen at the safety is an incremental process and More than 3,038 deaths and 279,100 infections later, we have Zealand’s that is pragmatic in Nepal’s A comprehensive framework needs Institute of Technology, Roorkee, India will take time. Achieving safety levels become more stubborn than ever when it comes to following context will help to improve the safety to be developed for their documenta- where they constructed a shock table in of the developed and technology-driven of the existing buildings and protect tion, seismic assessment and sympa- the 1970s using scrapped railway countries in Nepal on a mass scale is Covid-19 safety protocols. More than a year after face masks our communities. As well as this, a thetic strengthening, and restoration. bogies. The recommendations made by not feasible due to vast differences came to be considered an essential weapon against the coro- policy framework would be necessary All of these will require research. In the Indian Building Code on earth- between the countries. What we need navirus, many of us still wear them to cover our chin rather to highlight the roles of different levels certain instances, it may not be possi- quake-resilient construction of stone to do is prioritise and take small than our mouth and nose. Even if we wear the masks proper- of governments and incentivise private ble to strengthen the heritage struc- and mud buildings are based on experi- but confident and coordinated steps. ly, we use every excuse we get to pull them off and avoid and public stakeholders to retrofit tures, but comprehensive documenta- mental testing completed on this Our focus should be on improving putting them back altogether. Many of us still claim we find their buildings. tion will help to restore them if they shock table, which continues to be used earthquake safety for all our communi- the masks suffocating. Sanitisers, soaps and water contain- Secondly, despite the vulnerability of are damaged or destroyed in future to this day. Such facilities are under ties, given Nepal’s unique limitations ers are already a rarity in most public places, and, and we our infrastructure, it suffered relative- earthquakes. This will avoid conflict development in Nepal currently and and strengths. have stopped maintaining social distancing altogether. In our ly less damage during the Gorkha and delay in restoration as we saw after the need is to link these with engineer- Earthquake because the intensity of the Gorkha earthquake. ing education. Bothara is an earthquake engineer and collective carelessness, we are inviting a virus attack on our- the tremor was mild where most of the Fourthly, we need to improve our a Fellow of Engineering New Zealand selves. It is time, yet again, to get our guard up against the infrastructure existed. Nepal is invest- research environment and facilities to Coordination and collaboration and New Zealand Society for deadly virus. ing heavily in infrastructure, which is address earthquake safety issues that Lastly, the most important lesson of the Earthquake Engineering.

Climate change and national security

Nevertheless, an integrated It is encouraging that approach is needed to address the security challenges emanating from America is rejoining climate change at the strategic level. The first step for the strategists is to global efforts against recognise the effects of climate change and identify the inter-relationship of climate change. the various risks in national and international security. They should then ascertain the long- and SURENDRA SINGH RAWAL short-term approaches, instruments and institutions to deal with the root causes, and their manifestations in security challenges. United Nations agencies and regional organi- sations are the best-suited partners to address the long-term effects of cli- mate change. Thus, for inter-agency Despite recent harsh criticism of coordination, there is a need to Russian President Vladimir Putin and create a climate security focal point at Chinese President Xi Jinping, United the highest level of each country’s States President Joe Biden has already bureaucracy. The last step will be to invited the duo to the climate summit plan to treat the symptoms and funda- scheduled for April 22-23. The invita- mental causes discretely while tion demonstrates the importance and addressing their causal relationship urgency of cutting global carbon holistically. emissions as per the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real and will have American leadership wide-ranging consequences in many SHUTTERSTOCK The approach adopted to address the areas, including security. The effects the Arctic Ocean. The security chal- ment and the complexity of South migration in the millions poses a con- effects such as epidemics and pandem- security challenges posed by climate of climate change—sea-level rise; lenges due to the sea-level changes are Asia’s socioeconomic and geopolitical siderable security challenge in the ics. While a direct causal relationship change should not be a disjointed water, food and energy scarcities; diverse and unprecedented. For exam- situation has made the region more region. Similarly, North Africa, between climate change and Covid-19 effort from the overall comprehensive mass migration; upsurge in local and ple, the temperature and sea-level rise susceptible to climate change. Nepal’s the Middle East, Central Asia, the has not been established yet, a new approach. It is critical to understand global conflicts; and pandemics—pose is cracking open the concrete dome, snow-capped mountains are turning Indo-Pacific and other strategically Harvard TH Chan School of Public that the security challenges of climate a significant threat to national securi- known as the nuclear tomb, which is bare, adversely affecting the country important regions suffer from this Health study confirms that ‘pollution change are a convoluted result of ty. This critical non-military threat used to dispose of nuclear waste in the and the entire South Asian region, trend. Global warming has created is at the heart of both problems’, indi- social, economic, political and envi- with high likelihood and impact needs Marshall Islands, threatening to spill thereby amplifying food insecurity, water scarcity in the Himalayan cating a possible connection between ronmental factors, and an integrated considerable attention and appropri- plutonium into the Pacific Ocean. violence and migration in the river basin due to glacier melt, the two. A National Geographic report approach should be applied instead of ate strategy to address the possible Himalayan basin area. Due to a mon- resulting in intra-state and inter-state shows a strong correlation between just treating the symptoms without security consequences. Water management soon pattern shift, the area suffers conflicts among South Asian deforestation and the displacement of significant outcomes. The sea-level rise due to climate Water, food and energy scarcities are from droughts, inundation and land- Association for Regional Cooperation fruit bats to human communities car- It is encouraging that the US is change is threatening US cities such another set of risks presented by cli- slides. The increasing natural disas- nations. The security risks created by rying a deadly disease with them. rejoining global efforts against cli- as southern Louisiana, Miami and mate change. Water management ters demand extensive humanitarian climate change are transmitted over Unlike other security challenges, mate change, intending to take up the New York, and posing an existential across the globe is critical because the assistance and disaster relief mis- time and space. Some risks take time the effects of climate change are an leadership role. This requires America threat to low-lying nations like chain reaction between water scarcity, sions, compromising military prepar- to emerge, while others appear as intertwined global phenomenon. to make an ambitious and achievable Bangladesh, the Maldives and the food production and energy demands edness for core military operations. rapid disasters, impacting local and Apart from the indirect effects, many pledge before the November Marshall Islands. On the one hand, the is likely to produce a vicious cycle. Studies have shown that water scar- distant regions. countries are also likely to face direct Conference of the Parties meeting in submersion of the landmass will pres- These shortages presented by climate city, extreme weather conditions and Climate change will have a severe threats from natural disasters and Glasgow. Against this backdrop, as a ent direct threats to the US homeland change interact with each other and ecosystem degradation due to climate impact on health across the world, pandemics or large-scale outbreaks of leading example, the US must develop and critical energy and military infra- compound into societal violence over change have generally resulted in leading to security implications. The diseases. In the era of great power a credible national security strategy structure, while on the other, popula- time. The severe water crisis is likely communal and local conflict. However, World Health Organisation suggests competition, climate change is expect- that incorporates ways and means to tion displacement can increase the to spark inter-state conflicts in some such low-level violence resulting from that children in resource-strapped ed to amplify the existing security address the adverse effects of climate influx of refugees and immigrants. water-scarce areas such as the Indus climate change can turn into intra- countries are likely to suffer the most challenges by adding complexity, change at home and abroad. And the The ocean level changes will also sig- valley, the Brahmaputra-Meghna state or international conflicts, mass from adverse health conditions due to accelerating the intensity and present- rest should follow suit. nificantly impact maritime security basin, the Nile basin and the Sistan migration and state failure, ultimately climate change, but other segments of ing new challenges such as the rivalry and strategically important water- region. creating more ungoverned spaces. A the global population or countries are between the US, Russia and China in Rawal is a freelance National Security ways such as the South China Sea and The inter-linkage of the environ- case in point is Syria, where mass also not immune from the health the Arctic region. Analyst and Strategist.

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, APRIL 09, 2021 MONEY

FOREX China’s capital US Dollar 119.65 Foreign aid to Nepal surged 26.87 percent Euro 141.94 envisages 10,000 Pound Sterling 164.44 Canadian Dollar 94.93 to $2 billion last fiscal year fuel cell vehicles Japanese Yen 10.93 Chinese Yuan 18.27 The money received from development partners accounts for 23.3 percent of the national budget. by 2025 Qatari Riyal 32.66 REUTERS SANGAM PRASAIN in 2019-20. In contrast, support from SINGAPORE, APRIL 8 Australian Dollar 91.40 KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 the UN has continued to decline, Malaysian Ringit 28.92 reaching a 10-year low of $44.3 mil- The city of Beijing aims to have over Foreign aid to Nepal surged 26.87 per- lion. The Asian Development Bank 10,000 fuel cell vehicles on the road Saudi Arab Riyal 31.90 cent to $2 billion in the last fiscal year was the largest disbursing develop- and build 74 hydrogen filling stations Thai Bhat 3.80 2019-20 ended mid-July, helped by the ment partner, contributing 30.5 per- by 2025, as the Chinese capital maps funds allocated to assist Covid-19 cent of all foreign aid disbursements out an ambitious plan to develop the UAE Dhiram 32.57 response and recovery programmes, in 2019-20. Annual disbursements low-carbon fuel, state media reported Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank the Finance Ministry said. reached $611.5 million, up from $292 on Thursday. The money received from the coun- million in 2018-19, representing a 109.5 China is the world’s largest green try’s development partners accounts percent jump. house gas emitter but is aiming for Shares for 23.3 percent of the national budget. The World Bank was the second carbon-neutrality by 2060. In the previous fiscal year, largest disbursing development part- It is leading the global expansion in Nepse 2,674.35pts 0.10% foreign aid disbursement amounted to ner with a 23 percent share of all aid renewable energy like solar and wind $1.57 billion. disbursements to Nepal. Annual dis- power, and has in the last few years HIGHEST GAINERS The Finance Ministry’s bursements declined to $461 million begun early planning for venturing NICLBSL GLH JLI MPFL RLFL GILB 9.94% 9.92% 9.79% 9.77% 9.68% 9.6% Development Cooperation Report from $528 million in 2018-19, repre- into hydrogen. released on Thursday shows that out senting a 12.7 percent drop. Many provinces and cities are MODERATE GAINERS of the $2 billion disbursed as foreign POST PHOTO Departing from past practice, scrambling to map out hydrogen plans SIFC CFCL NRN PFL ILBS SADBL 8.37% 7.98% 6.68% 6.33% 5.98% 5.96% aid in the last fiscal, 25.6 percent or Out of the $2 billion disbursed as foreign aid in the last fiscal, 25.6 percent or $512.9 million International Monetary Fund dis- and are calling for state subsidies to $512.9 million came for Covid-19 came for Covid-19 response and recovery. bursements in 2019-20 have been help spur the sector. MODERATE LOSERS RBCL UMHL HGI NHPC SJCL KKHC response and recovery. reported separately from World Bank The capital forecasts its hydrogen -2.43% -2.54% -2.61% -2.82% -2.86% -2.9% In terms of the Covid-19 response disbursements. use for road transport and power gen- FOREIGN AID DISBURSEMENT TO NEPAL (IN MILLIONS) HIGHEST LOSERS support, the largest proportion was in In the reporting year, the eration to reach 50 tonnes a day by the form of loans ($469.8 million), fol- International Monetary Fund was the 2023, and 135 tonnes by 2025, Beijing RHPC PMHPL NICGF AIL RHPL UPCL Donors 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 -3.21% -3.54% -3.57% -3.65% -4.17% -4.42% lowed by technical assistance ($29.7 third highest disbursing development Daily reported, citing a local govern- million), grants ($11.9 million) and ADB $217.68 $253.89 $291.69 $292.48 $611.45 partner, with disbursements totalling ment draft plan for 2021-2025. direct implementation ($1.5 million). World Bank $243.69 $345.96 $533.51 $528.31 $461.31 to $214 million. This amount was According to the report, 93.6 percent IMF —— —— —— —— $214.00 issued as a loan and was fully of the Covid-19 support was provided on-budget and was provided to the PRICE PER TOLA US $118.93 $134.05 $117.83 $77.54 $125.16 Part of the hydrogen BULLION on-budget. financial reform sector, said the In the last fiscal year, 69.9 percent of UK $89.47 $128.31 $123.87 $117.23 $95.22 report. The United States was the vehicle fleet will Fine Gold Rs 89,000 the foreign aid disbursement ($1.4 bil- India $35.76 $59.25 $56.76 $58.94 $93.57 fourth highest disbursing develop- lion) consisted of loans. China $35.36 $41.24 $58.72 $150.37 $93.02 ment partner in 2019-20 with annual be deployed for Silver Rs 1,260 The report said that $1.67 billion Japan $45.91 $77.65 $106.20 $110.50 $72.61 disbursements totalling $125.16 mil- (83.5 percent) of the total foreign aid lion. The United Kingdom was the 2022 Winter EU $29.48 $83.88 $116.17 $26.17 $49.84 SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA went into on-budget projects and the the fifth highest disbursing develop- remaining $329.9 million (16.5 percent) UN $113.57 $120.72 $65.62 $64.07 $44.38 ment partner in 2019-20, providing Olympics Games. into off-budget projects. (Source: Finance Ministry) 4.8 percent of all foreign aid disburse- “This is a significant improvement ments. Annual disbursements reached GASOLINE WATCH compared to 2018-19 when only 78.4 Finance Ministry. “We hope that the least developed country status, even $95.2 million, down 18.8 percent Part of the new hydrogen vehicle percent of the foreign aid was chan- support will continue.” though donors prioritise them for for- from 2018-19. fleet would be those deployed for nelled as on-budget funding,” the The Finance Ministry said that eign aid. The inflow of aid in Nepal is India was the sixth highest the 2022 Winter Olympics Games due Finance Ministry said in its annual looking at recent trends, it’s a positive not expected to be affected by its devel- disbursing development partner in to take place in and near Beijing, publication. indication that the growing gross opment and economic growth. 2019-20, providing 4.7 percent of all aid before being expanded to ply high- The health sector received the larg- domestic product or the size of the The report said that multilateral disbursements. Annual disburse- ways in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei est chunk of the aid money—$318.4 economy has not led to a reduction in development partners accounted for ments reached $93.6 million, marking region to replace heavy-duty trucks million or 16.1 percent. The financial foreign aid disbursement. 71.0 percent of the total foreign aid a 58.7 percent increase in support powered by diesel fuel. reform sector came next with 11.0 per- “Both foreign aid disbursement and disbursement. The top disbursing from 2018-19.Following a steep Between 2021 and 2025, some 4,400 cent, housing received 7.7 percent, gross domestic product have multilateral partners in 2019-20 were increase in 2018-19 from 2017-18, trucks are expected to shift to fuel energy 7.2 percent and road transpor- increased, but the second at a faster the Asian Development Bank, the Chinese support dropped in 2019-20. cells, displacing 145,000 tonnes of tation 7.0 percent. rate.” According to the Central Bureau World Bank, the International The report said that the interna- diesel consumption annually, the The report said that it was one of of Statistics, Nepal saw robust eco- Monetary Fund, the European Union tional community had pledged $4.1 report said. the biggest foreign aid disbursements nomic growth for three consecutive and the United Nations. billion for post-earthquake recon- At the end of 2020, China had on record. A similar surge in foreign years—rising by 8.59 percent in 2016- Bilateral development partners con- struction at the International fewer than 10,000 trucks and aid disbursement or official develop- 17, by 7.37 percent in 2017-18 and by tributed 29 percent of the total Conference on Nepal’s Reconstruction buses powered by hydrogen, with ment assistance was observed during 6.39 percent in 2018-19. aid. The top disbursing bilateral devel- held in June 2015 in Kathmandu,. annual use of the fuel at 3,000 tonnes, the fiscal years 2015-16 and 2016-17 due Disaster struck in the last fiscal opment partners were the United As per the Finance Ministry, $3.88 the world’s second-largest after the to the massive earthquake that struck year 2019-20 when Covid-19 related States, the United Kingdom, India, billion (94.6 percent) of the total United States. the country in 2015. The pay-out then social distancing measures and lock- China and Japan. pledged amount has been committed Beijing will source part of the had swelled by 29.9 percent. downs paralysed the country, and it The report said that some of the through the signing of formal agree- hydrogen production from Yanshan “This reflects the strengthened ties suffered the first economic contrac- multilateral partners including the ments with the government of Nepal. Petrochemical Corp, owned by of the development partners with tion in 37 years. Asian Development Bank, the Out of this amount, a sum of $1.4 state refiner Sinopec Corp, which Nepal during times of difficulty,” said According to Dahal, Nepal is look- European Union and the World Bank billion, representing 36.2 percent of wants to become China’s number 1 Suman Dahal, spokesperson for the ing forward to graduating from its increased their support substantially the commitments, has been disbursed. hydrogen player.

Singapore becomes a global cruise leader

REUTERS SINGAPORE, APRIL 8

Singapore currently accounts for a third of the world’s cruises its tourism body said on Wednesday, owing to the roaring success of its “cruises to nowhere” at a time of cri- sis in the industry globally. Cruises have yet to restart in many parts of the world after taking a beating from the coronavirus pandemic, with some of the earliest big outbreaks found on cruise ships. The city-state launched what it called “round trips” on luxury liners in November, which have no port of call and last only a few days. Singapore has seen relatively few domestic Covid-19 cases since last year. The Singapore cruises are open only to its 5.7 million res- idents, who have been unable to leave the tiny country for leisure and have settled instead for activities like stayca- tions and even indoor camping. The cruises recorded about 120,000 passengers, according to the Singapore Tourism Board, and run at lower capacity, with stringent health protocols. The tourism board said it calculated its share of global cruises by using data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).Some cruises from the Caribbean are expect- ed to resume from June.

C M Y K FRIDAY, APRIL 09, 2021 | 06 WORLD India suffers vaccine shortages as virus surges At least 11 killed as Serum Institute to resume exports only in the next two months ‘once the situation in India cools off’, company CEO says. Myanmar protesters AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE NEW DELHI, APRIL 8 More than 700 million people across fight troops India were facing coronavirus vaccine shortages on Thursday, local media reported, as infection numbers hit yet Myanmar’s ambassador to London Kyaw Zwar Minn locked another daily record. Case numbers had eased in India out of the embassy, with sources saying his deputy has but a second wave of the virus has since returned with a vengeance, with taken charge on behalf of the military. more than 126,000 new infections recorded in the past 24 hours, a new REUTERS people, from the people.” The junta on record. YANGON, APRIL 8 Thursday arrested Paing Takhon, a Several regions have tightened model and actor who had spoken out curbs on activity while Maharashtra, Anti-coup demonstrators in Myanmar against the coup, his sister told the current epicentre of India’s epi- fought back with handmade guns and Reuters. In Yangon, the country’s big- demic and home to megacity Mumbai, firebombs against a crackdown by gest city, activists placed shoes filled is set to enter a lockdown at the security forces in a town in the north- with flowers to commemorate dead weekend. west but at least 11 of the protesters protesters. were killed, domestic media reported AAPP has said 2,847 people were on Thursday. currently being held in detention. India’s coronavirus Initially, six truckloads of troops In addition, arrest warrants have were deployed to quell protesters in been issued for hundreds of people, cases are nearing the town of Taze, the Myanmar Now with the junta this week going after and Irrawaddy news outlets said. scores of influencers, entertainers, 13 million with When the protesters fought back with artists and musicians. handmade guns, knives and fire- Paing Takhon, 24, well-known in 170,000 deaths. bombs, five more truckloads of troops Myanmar and Thailand, was one of were brought in. the latest celebrities to be detained. He Fighting continued into Thursday had condemned the military takeover Prime Minister Narendra Modi morning and at least 11 protesters and pledged support for Suu Kyi. received his second shot on Thursday, were killed and about 20 wounded, the The country’s most famous comedi- tweeting that vaccines are “among the media said. an, Zarganar, was arrested on Tuesday, few ways we have to defeat the virus”. That would take the toll of civilians media reported. He urged others to follow his lead by killed by security forces to over 600 Overseas, tussles for control of getting vaccinated. since the junta seized power from the Myanmar’s diplomatic missions India’s vast vaccination programme elected government of Aung San Suu emerged again on Wednesday. is reportedly experiencing problems AFP/RSS Kyi on February 1, according to the Myanmar’s ambassador to having administered 87 million shots A woman stands next to a sign reading 'vaccine out of stock' at a vaccination centre in Mumbai. Assistance Association for Political London Kyaw Zwar Minn said he was so far in a population of 1.3 billion Prisoners (AAPP). locked out of the embassy, with sourc- people. centre in the Mumbai neighbourhood AFP said the area “will be able to con- tion capacity was “very stressed” and Taze is near the town of Kale, where es saying his deputy had shut him out According to the Times of India, 10 of Dharavi, India’s largest slum, long tinue vaccination for the next two it called for financial help from the at least 12 people were killed in a sim- and taken charge on behalf of the states have stocks that will last only queues formed as people waited to get days” after Wednesday. government. ilar clash between troops and protest- military. three or four more days, including a jab. However, federal health minister Poorer countries, as well as some ers on Wednesday. Kyaw Zwar Minn has broken ranks Uttar Pradesh, home to about 200 mil- Afrin Sultana Khan, in charge of Harsh Vardhan said late Wednesday rich nations, have relied heavily on “Taze, Kale have many hunters in with the ruling junta in recent weeks, lion people, as well as Bihar and West the facility, warned it would only be that many states were trying to “dis- Serum for supplies of the AstraZeneca the jungle,” said Hein Min Hteik, a calling for the release of detained Bengal. able to vaccinate another 440 people— tract attention from their failures and vaccine but last month New Delhi put resident of the region and a youth civilian leader Suu Kyi. In Maharashtra, the state health its daily average—before shutting spread panic among the people”. the brakes on exports to prioritise activist. “They have handmade fire- “It’s a kind of coup, in the middle of minister issued a dire warning on shop. Allegations of shortages in domestic needs. arms. And now they came out with London... you can see that they occupy Wednesday, saying supplies would run “We are trying to see what we can Maharashtra were “utterly baseless”, Chief executive Adar Poonawalla their weapons in order to protect the my building,” he told Reuters. out in three days unless replenished. do to save some stock for tomorrow,” he said. said the firm had been sent a legal locals, while the people were under There have also been similar coun- “We are having to tell people that the doctor told AFP. “Vaccine supplies are being moni- notice by AstraZeneca about delivery attack by the junta.” ter claims in embassies in other global since vaccine supplies have not “Obviously we are very worried.” tored on a real-time basis, and state delays, but Serum would only resume A spokesman for the junta could not centres and at the United Nations. arrived, they should go home,” Rajesh She added that she had no idea governments are being apprised regu- exports in the next two months “once be reached for comment. Fitch Solutions said in a report that Tope told reporters. when new doses would arrive. larly about it.” the situation in India cools off”, he “People will try to defend their own Western sanctions targeting the mili- Major vaccination centres across One district in the state of Andhra Ajay Ghai, a senior health official added. lives and their rights,” said a former tary were unlikely to succeed in Mumbai, which has recorded over Pradesh ran out entirely on Tuesday in Uttar Pradesh, said “vaccine sup- Total coronavirus cases in India are government minister who is part of restoring democracy, but said the 480,000 infections, were running out and the whole of the south-eastern plies are happening on a rolling basis nearing 13 million and there have the CRPH, a group of lawmakers rep- army was losing control. of doses Thursday, with the huge region of 55 million people may have and so is the replenishment. There is been 170,000 deaths from the virus, resenting the ousted government. It predicted a violent revolution pit- Lokmanya Tilak Municipal no supplies left by Thursday, the no shortage at all.” although the per capita rate of infec- “People will not wait for CRPH to ting the military against an armed General Hospital stopping Economic Times reported. The head of India’s Serum Institute, tion in the world’s second-most popu- act,” the minister said in a video call opposition comprised of members of inoculations altogether. In the eastern state of Odisha a let- the world’s largest vaccine maker by lous country remains low compared to with Reuters. “The CRPH cannot stop the anti-coup movement and ethnic At a government-run vaccination ter from the health minister seen by volume, said on Tuesday that produc- other nations. the possible armed resistance by the militias. China blames US for tensions over Taiwan

REUTERS separates the island from its giant Washington has expressed its BEIJING, APRIL 8 neighbour. concern about a pattern of Chinese Speaking at a daily news briefing, intimidation efforts in the region, Beijing blamed the United States on Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman including towards Taiwan. Thursday for tensions over Taiwan Zhao Lijian said US ships engaging China believes the United States is after a US warship sailed close to in “provocations” “send a seriously colluding with Taiwan to challenge the Chinese-claimed island, asking wrong signal to the forces of Taiwan Beijing. rhetorically whether China would independence, threatening peace Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says sail in the Gulf of Mexico as a and stability in the Taiwan Strait”. they are already an independent “show of strength”. “Would a Chinese warship go to country called the Republic of China, The democratically-run island the Gulf of Mexico to make a show of the island’s official name. has complained of repeated military strength?” he added. Taiwan is China’s most sensitive activities by Beijing in recent In 2015, five Chinese Navy ships territorial issue and a major bone of months, with China’s air force making sailed in international waters in contention between Beijing and almost daily forays into Taiwan’s the Bering Sea off Alaska, in an appar- Washington. air defence identification zone. ent first for China’s military that Chinese state-backed tabloid the On Monday, China said an came as then-US President Barack Global Times, published by the ruling aircraft carrier group was exercising Obama toured the US state. Communist Party’s official People’s close to the island, and on Wednesday The US Navy has been regularly Daily, said on Thursday China’s a US warship sailed through the conducting what it calls “routine” carrier group had been drilling near sensitive Taiwan Strait that transits of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan “amid US provocations”.

C M Y K 07 | FRIDAY, APRIL 09, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY New Diamond, Help Nepal APF pass group stage Sukra Rai clinches Western Open golf SPORTS BUREAU clinch club volleyball titles with perfect record KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 SPORTS BUREAU of 28 runs from 18 deliveries. Sukra Bahadur Rai registered a five- New Diamond down Nepal Police while Help Nepal beat Armed Police Force in the finals. KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 Lumbini bowlers Sawatika Bajgai stroke victory over amateur Subash and Kritika Marasini pocketed two Tamang to clinch Surya Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) Club wickets apiece. Western Open golf at the par-69 wrapped up the group stage with cent In the run chase, Lumbini opener Himalayan Golf Course in Pokhara on percent winning streak while the Nitu Bhandari scored 17 runs off 27 Thursday. national captain Rubina Chhetri-led deliveries before she was sent to the Rai carded two-under 67 for a total Province 1 bowed out of the campaign pavilion. Another opener, Laxmi score of six-under 201. Amateur with victory in the Lalitpur Mayor’s Chaudhary scored 35 runs off 37 Tamang, the twin gold medallist Cup Women Championship twenty20 deliveries. of the 13th South Asian Games, cricket at the TU cricket grounds in In another match, Roma Thapa and played even-par 69 for a total of Kirtipur on Thursday. Apsari Begam played an unbeaten one-under 206. Rai, who won his APF, assured of a final spot with a 75-run partnership for the third wick- fourth title, pocketed a purse of match in hand along with et as Province 1 posted 128-2 before Rs130,000. Sudurpaschim Province, edged restricting Mayor’s XI at 113-7. Bhuwan Nagarkoti and Sanjay Lumbini Province by 40 runs. Province Thapa scored 66 runs in her 57-ball Lama finished joint second among 1 saw off Lalitpur Mayor’s XI by 15 knock. Begam contributed 26 off 29. pros with a total score of even-par 207. runs in the dead rubber match. Captain Rubina Chhetri scored 21 Nagarkoti shot two-under 67 and APF topped the group with eight runs. Mayor’s XI bowlers Santoshi Lama scored two-over 71. They points winning all four matches and Chaudhary and Saraswati Chaudhary received Rs72,000 each. will vie against Sudurpaschim pocketed one wicket each. Bal Bhadra Rai was fourth with the Province, who finished runners-up Mayor’s XI opener Anuradha total score of seven-over 214 and POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA with six points, in the title clash on Chaudhary led the run chase scoring received Rs50,000. Members of New Diamond Sports Club and Help Nepal Sports Club pose with their respective trophies after winning the fifth National NVA Club Saturday. 28. Suman Khatiwada was the next Binod Tamang finished fifth among League Women’s and Men’s Volleyball Championship at the NSC covered hall in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu on Thursday. Electing to bat first, APF posted best scorer hitting 27. Captain the pros with the score of 10-over 217 142-6 at close and restricted Lumbini Saraswati was not out on 17 runs. and walked away with Rs 42,000. SPORTS BUREAU avenged their Wednesday’s loss out- third and bagged a purse of Rs75,000 at 102-2. APF batter Mamta Chaudhary, Province 1 captain Chhetri grabbed The top 21 professional players KATHMANDU, APRIL 8 playing Armed Police Force (APF) while Bulbule Rara Club, who ended also the player of the match, scored three wickets in her four-over bowling earned prize money in the third Club in straight sets to retain the title. the men’s league campaign at third the highest 47 runs off 48. Captain Sita giving away 18 runs. She was named event of the Surya Nepal Golf Tour New Diamond Sports Club became the APF had defeated Help Nepal 25-18, place, also got the same amount in Rana Magar played a quickfire knock player of the match. 2020-21. women’s champions of the fifth 25-18, 25-23 in the final league round reward. National NVA Club League Women’s match setting up a rematch with Help Army women and Police men were and Men’s Volleyball Championship Nepal. fourth and cashed Rs37,500 each. on Thursday while Help Nepal Sports But after bringing back the rested New Diamond’s Mali was declared Club clinched the men’s title. three Indian players in the squad for the best women’s player of the After stumbling at the start falling the final clash, Help Nepal were com- tournament while Help Nepal’s Binit 5-0 behind, New Diamond quickly fortable in their 25-14, 25-20, 25-22 win Kumar was adjudged best men’s African Roots Association enter final recovered to make the score 5-6 but over the departmental team. It is the player. could not cover their early deficit los- second straight men’s title for a Help Police’s Usha Bhandari, Manisha LAL PRASAD SHARMA area and the latter passed it to Moussa played a short pass to R ing the first set 22-25 at the NSC cov- Nepal side, who have now claimed Chaudhary and Kamala Pun were POKHARA, APRIL 8 Tamang. But Root Association for- Mbakop from corner before the for- ered hall in Tripureshwor. three titles. named best spiker, best blocker and ward Moussa seized the ball from mer supplied to Rim inside the area, But the improvement persisted and For New Diamond, it is their first best setter respectively while New African Roots Association stunned Tamang and set up Basscek who who fired at the far post to ensure New Diamond went to win the other title in more than three years. They Diamond’s Salina Shrestha, Lalita Nepal Police Club 2-0 in the second slammed at the near post. their ticket for the final. two sets 25-11, 25-19 thanks to national last won the title in 2018 when they Nath and Kumar Rai were named best semi-final of the Aaha-Rara Gold Cup Though Police played a technically Roots Association coach Senge player Prativa Mali’s tact and bril- defeated APF 26-24, 25-23, 28-26, 25-23 defender, best server and best coach. in Pokhara on Thursday. sound game, the physically superior Boris said his side were able to play liance. in the final of the first New Diamond In men’s section, Bulbule’s Murad Roots Association scored at both Roots Association played long passes pressure free match Despite getting closer to glory, New Cup National Open Women’s Jehan, Police’s Deepak Raj Joshi, Help ends to send the six-time champions and high balls keeping the departmen- after scoring an Diamond lost rhythm in the fourth set. Volleyball Tournament. Nepal’s Bikash Kumar, APF’s Binod packing and set up the title clash with tal opponents under pressure. After early goal. He also Police took advantage and found the It is also New Diamond’s first Chand and Bulbule’s Ghana Shyam Sankata Club, who edged Armed taking an early lead, the Roots promised to come lost hope winning the set 21-25 as the national NVA club league trophy since Chaudhary received best spiker, best Police Force Club in the first semi-fi- Association shifted their strategy to up with better match went into decider. the third edition. They were also the blocker, best setter, best defender and nal. The final will take place on holding the score and were successful. performance in The fifth set was fierce until the winners of the first edition. best server respectively. Help Nepal Saturd a y. They sealed the victory in the fad- the final. score was tied at 9-9 but New Diamond Both winners New Diamond and coach Ramesh KC was named the best Forward Basscek gave Roots ing moments of scored four consecutive points to lead Help Nepal received a cash prize of coach. Association a second minute lead dis- the four-minute 13-9 before rallying to 15-11 victory Rs300,000 while second-placed Police A total of six women’s teams and possessing the ball from Tej Tamang. stoppage time and secure the title. women and APF men pocketed seven men’s teams had participated in Police goalie Sanjit Shrestha gave a utilising a cor- In the men’s final, Help Nepal Rs175,000 each. APF women finished the week-long tournament. short pass to Ajit Bhandari inside the ner kick.

HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Everything is not what it seems under Friday’s skies, Aries. Friday’s skies are something of Salvador Dali paint- It’s easy to become flustered under Friday’s skies, Reality is hard to locate under Friday’s cosmic land- Your ruling planet, self-driven Mars, finds itself floating ing, Cancer. Reality is not quite present; the smallest Libra. You’re in the mood to accomplish things on scape, Capricorn. It’s best to hold off on taking out to sea with reality-dissolving Neptune. This pairing is actions are likely to feel like a strain. your to-do list… and yet, the cosmos are incredibly immediate actions—especially around the job front. likely to significantly lower your energy levels and make sleepy and dreamlike. you susceptible to confused, fantasy-driven actions.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** You’re prone to deceptive thoughts around your own Don’t fret if you feel like you’re not moving towards As a Scorpio, you’re guided by the courageous plan- Don’t second guess your potential today, Aquarius. potential today, Taurus. Don’t let these mirages mess your goals today, Leo. Action-taking planet, Mars, et, Mars. Today’s skies find Mars submerged in a It’s easy to fall into delusions around your creative with your tangible progress. Action-taking Mars finds itself in a disorienting aspect with reality-bend- dreamworld as it squares off with shapeshifting abilities, as driven Mars locks into a reality-shifting finds itself in a disillusioning square with non-reali- ing Neptune today. Neptune. square with Neptune. ty Neptune.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Be mindful of the choices you make regarding your You may feel like you’re being swept out to sea today, It’s hard to see straight under Friday’s skies, It’s hard to know where you end and others begin career path today, Gemini. You’re operating under Virgo. The visionary Pisces moon spends the day Sagittarius. The cosmic landscape is thick with a today, Pisces. You’re likely to be especially prone to some powerful fantasy-prone thinking, as the dreamy alongside reality-bending Neptune, blurring bound- dense, disorienting fog—as the slippery Pisces moon boundary issues with family members or roommates moon merges with reality-bending Neptune. aries and increasing sensitivities on the relationship merges with reality-bending Neptune. today, as self-interested Mars squares off with reali- front. ty-dissolving Neptune. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K FRIDAY, APRIL 09, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Bringing art and science together Neera Joshi Pradhan is perhaps Nepal’s only botanical illustrator capturing the character, details, aesthetics and scientific accuracy of flora. Her journey has been solitary but priceless.

SRIZU BAJRACHARYA every day. When flowers like jaca- LALITPUR randa, orchids, bird’s foot trefoil, or loonkali swan, and pear blos- hen she was a som bloom, it’s their beauty that young people notice first than their dis- school-going tinction. girl, one after- According to Tirtha Bahadur noon, when Shrestha, a senior botanist, many she had seasonal flowers have slowly dis- Wreturned home after giving her appeared in the Valley itself. “It science exam, Neera Joshi could be because of climate Pradhan was asked by her father change, urbanisation or the hap- what questions were there in the hazard flower picking—but many exam to check how she did. One of flowers no longer blossom and the questions she recalls was to people are really not concerned write the uses of flowers. Her about this change. We are still father frowned and asked, “So, without that kind of awareness,” what did you write?” said Shrestha. “The greenery that To which Joshi remembers we see in the springtime has naively replying, “I wrote we use shrunk visibly,” he says. it for puja to worship gods.” And that is one pertinent con- Joshi now laughs at her inno- cern that has been driving cence at the Siddhartha Art Pradhan to make the kind of art Gallery, against the backdrop of she does through the years: The her artwork. need to educate people about flora. Ask her that same question It has been her dream to establish today, Joshi will in turn ask you and document visuals that will which flowers and what details do stay with people and give them you want to know. Joshi today information beyond their allure. understands flowers in a much “When you don’t know anything different way than most would, about something, how will you beyond their outward beauty to protect them? And so my efforts their intrinsic nature. For years, have been about trying to bridge Joshi has trodden a road less trav- that gap by bringing art and sci- elled by artists, and it has made all ence together to the general peo- the difference. ple in the way they can under- She is probably the only stand the nature of flowers,” says acclaimed botanical illustrator of Pradhan. the country, say the botanists and Joshi’s journey as a botanical art critics the Post spoke to. illustrator began in the ’90s, as she “I have not met people who have pursued her Masters of Science in an interest in making flowers the Botany. As a botany student, Joshi way I do. Artists do make flowers had to make a number of pen and but their flowers are emblematic ink drawings of plants to study

Each of Joshi’s flora portraits is an effort to document the life of flowers in their natural environment without any adulteration.

POST PHOTOS: BEEJU MAHARJAN and of their own imagining. But the nature of plants. It was part of It’s spring, and flowers are blooming gracefully on paper at the Siddhartha Art Gallery, as Joshi showcases her ninth solo exhibition ‘The Beauty of Nepal’s Flora’. my flora portraits are about cap- their education programme. But turing the character, detail and for Joshi, this task was becoming years, she has mastered more ness,” says Joshi. “And it’s not such expertise has not been taken expressing the beauty of the floras scientific nature of the plants— more and more interesting and finesse and dexterity. Her por- easy; there are rules and regula- into consideration seriously yet, but in portraying the scientific capturing their technicality for immersive. traits have more exact details of a tions that you need to follow if the says Joshi. “The collaboration identity of plants. And that is the scientific purpose with an By the time she had completed plant’s structure and physiology works are to be botanical illustra- between science and art has not what makes her work special,” artistic flair,” she says. her Master’s degree, Joshi had and their aesthetic. And they have tions.” happened and so, the scope of this says Shrestha. “Her work is lively It’s spring, and flowers are found her calling in the most unas- more life, as Joshi patiently takes Joshi today also makes subjec- art is still limited,” says Joshi. and draws people’s attention to blooming gracefully on paper at suming way. Joshi, the daughter time making the portraits, and tive aesthetic and abstract art And it’s Joshi who has been flowers with a deeper understand- the gallery, as Joshi showcases her of the celebrated artist late oftentimes collects flowers as her- related to flowers. It was some- pushing for this domain with her ing,” he said. ninth solo exhibition ‘The Beauty Ramananda Joshi, was expected bariums to imitate the strokes in thing she gradually opened up to illustrations and her botanical art Joshi’s work has both artistic of Nepal’s Flora’, where she to take art as her subject but Joshi its most natural form. She studies as she pursued botanical illustra- classes through her atelier cum and scientific purpose: to art lov- brings together some exotic and had plans for science. the floras through the microscope tions. But the journey of becom- school of botanical art, Studio ers, her botanical portraits give indigenous flower portraits of But Joshi perhaps was destined to inscribe each stroke carefully. ing a botanical artist in Nepal has Petals, which she started in 2004. them artistic pleasure and to sci- Nepal through watercolour with to be an artist all along. Soon after That is also why Joshi’s work is been mostly solitary for Joshi. It’s Joshi has contributed to many entists and botanists, information gouache, and graphite, educating she discovered her aspiration as a invaluable: she doesn’t work on mostly students of botany who studies and conservation of on the nature of plants. Her por- people about the flowers with botanical illustrator, she was making copies of her work, rather become her apprentice, not stu- Nepali flora and her work is also traits have a clarity that even pho- their scientific names. working towards honing her skill. she involves herself in a deep pro- dents of fine arts. And although included in the Flora of Nepal, tographs cannot capture. “My works can also be taken as She trained herself in the Marie cess that she has fallen in love she has become a bridge between Volume III, a comprehensive Her exhibition includes water- visual communication and docu- Selby Botanical Gardens, Florida, with. Each of Joshi’s flora por- science and art, the two fields have record of plants published by colour and graphite works of flo- mentation of our flora. And I USA, in 2002 and then took traits is an effort to document the not converged and hence opportu- Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh. ras like Luculia gratissima, think they are significant for the Botanical Art Classes at the Royal life of flowers in their natural nities and scope for works like In a world where the idea of art Rhododendron arboreum, conservation of our natural herit- Botanic Garden of Edinburgh, in environment without any altera- hers have not been explored. has been dominated by traditional Magnolia grandiflora, Jacaranda age,” she says. the UK. tion or adulteration. While in Europe and many and contemporary art, Joshi’s and sunflowers. It’s a bracing Joshi is right to think that peo- Today, there is a vast difference “You have to be disciplined so other countries, artists and scien- work is unusual and offbeat. “It is experience where onlookers are ple have little idea about flora, between her work from her initial the strokes are focused and pru- tists work together in research something that does not necessari- bound to think of nature. even those that people come across days as an artist to now. Over the dent. It’s a process of mindful- studies of floras, here in Nepal, ly fit into the conventional idea of But it’s a known fact to Joshi art, and much of it is because we that her art does not have the kind have not educated people about of reception that artworks of the diversity that art and history other genres do in Nepal. It’s diffi- offers in this country,” says cult, she knows, but despite it, Mukesh Malla, art critic and writ- Joshi pursues it with much fer- er. vour. “I hope people will come to “Neera has been making por- see the exhibition and enjoy it,” traits of flowers capturing their she said. “I have always wanted to characters carefully and exactly bring my collection to people. of nature. And in her own way, she Piquing their interest in flowers has also broken the idea of art, the will be everything to me,” she set norm of art and has drawn said. people’s attention to an art form Joshi’s current exhibition is that is still overlooked and under- definitely one to look forward to; mined,” he said. it’s refreshing and embraces the “And the way I see it, she has romantic idea of spring. Her jour- made history in our Nepali art ney in the context of Nepal is history already by taking a path so definitely one of a kind, hopefully, courageously that not many have,” it will also open new opportunities said Malla, over a phone conversa- and widen the scope for new forms tion with the Post. of artistic pursuit. Even botanist Shrestha believes Joshi’s work is significant to the The Beauty of Nepal’s Flora will be study of Nepal’s flora and in the on display until 26 April at education of the general people. Siddhartha Art Gallery, “Her works are not just about Babarmahal.

Published and Printed by Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd., 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