Oli's Temple Visit Carries an Underlying Political Message, Leaders and Observers

WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 329 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 24.5 C -5.4 C Tuesday, January 26, 2021 | 13-10-2077 Dipayal Jumla Campaigners decry use of force by police on peaceful civic protest against the House dissolution move Unwarned, protesters were hit by water cannons and beaten up as they marched towards Baluwatar. Earlier in the day, rights activists were rounded up from same area.

ANUP OJHA Dahayang Rai, among others, led the KATHMANDU, JAN 25 protest. But no sooner had the demonstra- The KP Sharma Oli administration’s tors reached close to Baluwatar, the intolerance of dissent and civil liberty official residence of Prime Minister was in full display on Monday. Police Oli, than police charged batons and on Monday afternoon brutally charged used water cannons to disperse them, members of civil society, who had in what was reminiscent of the days gathered under the umbrella of Brihat when protesters were assaulted dur- Nagarik Andolan, when they were ing the 2006 movement, which is marching towards Baluwatar to pro- dubbed the second Jana Andolan, the test against Oli’s decision to dissolve first being the 1990 movement. the House on December 20. The 1990 movement ushered in In a statement in the evening, democracy in the country and the sec- Brihat Nagarik Andolan said that the ond culminated in the abolition of government forcefully led the peaceful monarc h y. protest into a violent clash. In a video clip by photojournalist “The police intervention in a Narayan Maharjan of Setopati, an peaceful protest shows KP Sharma online news portal, Wagle is seen fall- Oli government’s fearful and ing down due to the force of the water suppressive mindset,” reads the cannon, and many others being bru- POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL statement. tally beaten up by police. A policeman tugs at the hair of a protester surrounded by other officers wielding batons and rifle butt during a demonstration by civil society members against Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s Monday’s demonstration had start- “We were holding a peaceful pro- move to dissolve the House of Representatives. Several protesters were injured as police used water cannons and batons during their march to Baluwatar, the prime minister’s official residence, ed from ‘Kamal Pokhari’, which has test. Without prior information, police in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon. drawn heritage conservationists’ used force on us,” said Wagle. “This is attention of late because of the the beginning of the third Jana authorities’ bid to turn it into a “con- Andolan.” crete pond”. Oli faces charges of behaving as Renowned personalities including though he is the state, and since dis- writers Narayan Wagle, Khagendra solving the House, he has been mak- Sangraula, Ujjwal Prasain, Yug ing statements, branding all who criti- Oli’s temple visit carries an underlying Pathak, professor Sanjeev Upreti, cise him as anti-national forces. activist Rita Shah, social campaigner His aversion to civil liberty and and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Govinda peaceful protests had become appar- KC, human rights activist Mohna ent just after he assumed office, as he political message, leaders and observers say Ansari, Communist Party of Nepal had banned protests at Maitighar. leader Raghuji Pant and actor >> Continued on page 2 Prime minister’s puja at Pashupati comes at a time when calls are growing for restoration of a Hindu state with monarchy and the country has been pushed towards uncertainty.

Shyam Shrestha, a political analyst who has followed Nepal’s leftist move- ments for decades. “He is in a bid to make the pro-monarchy, pro-Hindu constituency happy.” In Nepal, pro-monarchy, pro-Hindu forces are scattered and they function under different names. The only party which is politically organised and making a pitch for reinstatement of the monarchy and the Hindu state is Rastriya Prajatantra Party. Until Oli dissolved the House, the party had a representation there with one seat. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party had vehemently opposed the abolition of the monarchy and declaration of Nepal as a secular state. But it was during Oli’s first stint as prime minister from October 2015 to August 2016 that the party’s leader, Kamal Thapa, was deputy prime min- ister and foreign minister. When Oli dissolved the House on December 20, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party did not welcome the move immediately. A senior party leader, however, told the Post on condition of anonymity that the party endorsed Oli’s decision PHOTO COURTESY: KPSHARMAOLI.COM.NP to seek a fresh mandate after a few Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli performed a special puja at Pashupatinath Temple on Monday. days following a meeting between party chair Kamal Thapa and Oli. ANIL GIRI Pashupatinath temple. He spent a lit- Oli’s decision to call snap polls for KATHMANDU, JAN 25 tle over an hour and performed a spe- April 30 and May 10 has come as an cial puja. He then instructed officials encouraging piece of news for Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli claims of the Pashupati Area Development pro-Hindu, pro-monarchy forces, to be a communist. Until May 2018, his Trust to develop the revered Hindu according to the leader. party’s name was CPN-UML pilgrimage site as a holy place for This may be a public visit to a tem- (Communist Party of Nepal–Unified “adherents of Vedic Sanatan ple by Oli, but his inclination towards Marxist Leninist), which preached Dharma”. everything Hindu has been in public dialectical materialism. Like any The sudden inclination of Oli, who display for quite a while. In July last other leader who claimed to be a com- has never been reported to have visit- year, Oli had sparked controversy by munist, Oli too believed in Marx’s cel- ed any temple to perform puja, claiming that the real birthplace of ebrated dictum: religion is the opium towards Hindu gods has left many lord Ram is in Nepal—not in Ayodhya of the people. perplexed, also because it comes at a of India. Oli also has instructed offi- The 69-year-old prime minister time when the country is seeing mass cials and local elected representatives today seems to have shed all his com- demonstrations demanding reinstate- to build a Ram temple in Ayodhyapuri, munist characteristics. There was a ment of Hindu state and the monar- Chitwan, and develop it as a Hindu time when he was hauled to jail where chy. This also comes on the heels of religious site. he spent 14 years for opposing the his decision to dissolve the House of Given the way political develop- Panchayat regime under the now-abol- Representatives, a move which has ments are unfolding in the country ished monarchy in the 1970s and 1980s. been argued as an attack on the consti- and the way Oli is making statements He, however, faces charges of acting tution which made Nepal a secular and doing things, it’s natural for peo- like a monarch these days, 12 years republic. ple to believe that Nepal could revert after the country deposed Gyanendra, Oli is the first communist prime to a Hindu state, according to Shekhar consigning him to history as the last minister to visit Pashupatinath tem- Koirala, a senior Nepali Congress monarch of the Shah dynasty that ple for a puja. Other communist prime leader. ruled Nepal for over 240 years. ministers like Manmohan Adhikari, “Nepal as a Hindu state seems to be And on Monday, Oli went to the Madhav Kumar Nepal, Pushpa very much on the cards. It may happen Kamal Dahal, Baburam during Oli’s regime or some time Bhattarai and Jhala Nath Khanal later,” Koirala told the Post. “There is never visited the temple during a political uncertainty now. But if their tenures and some of them elections fail to take place on the dates even refused to take the oath of declared by Oli, more demonstrations office “in the name of god”. will be there and chances of pro-Hin- Observers say Oli’s visit to the du forces hitting the streets are high.” Hindu temple may be a calculat- Oli returned to power in February ed move with some political 2018 on a nationalistic plank, ratchet- agenda. ing up anti-India sentiments in the “Oli has left no stone unturned wake of months-long border blockade to dismantle federalism and now by Delhi which was unhappy with the he seems to be moving towards new Nepal constitution. getting rid of secularism,” said >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Oli’s temple visit carries an underlying political message, leaders ... >> Continued from page 1 very constitution has often been ques- With a clear pro-China tilt, Oli con- tioned. tinued to thrive on ultranationist rhet- Many have described his House dis- oric. But after the Nepal Communist solution move as a constitutional Party split, despite efforts by the coup. The Supreme Court is currently Chinese to keep it united, following hearing as many as 13 writ petitions Oli’s House dissolution move, he has against Oli’s decision to dissolve the been trying to strike a fine balance, House. sending messages to Delhi too that he Sunil Pokhrel, a former secretary is ready to play along. general of Nepal Bar Association, is There are many in Nepal who one of the lawyers pleading on behalf believe restoring Nepal as a Hindu of the petitioners. state is one of the key agendas of “There have been concerns for quite India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. some time if Oli is bent on suspending Indian Prime Minister Narendra articles related to secularism and fed- Modi, a pro-Hindu leader, has often eralism,” Pokhrel told the Post. hailed Nepal’s Hindu pilgrimages, Article 4 of the constitution under explaining how the houses of worship the title “State of Nepal” states that in Nepal and India are linked. Nepal is an independent, indivisible, Modi, a devout Hindu leader, is sovereign, secular, inclusive, demo- known for visiting temples and offer- cratic, socialism-oriented, federal ing prayers for hours. The recent one democratic republican state. that attracted widespread coverage “Today’s event cannot be seen sim- and reactions was when Modi attend- ply as a worshipper going to the tem- ed an elaborated ‘Dev Deepawali” ple,” Pokhrel told the Post. “Oli has function in Varanasi. been very calculative and making Some say Oli’s puja on Monday long-term plans to suspend the arti- came as a reminder of Modi, who in cles of the constitution related to sec- August 2014 had offered prayers at ularism and federalism before going Pashupatinath. to elections.” Apart from pro-Hindu forces, including the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, some sections of the Nepali Observers say the POST PHOTO: KABIN ADHIKARI Congress too are not averse to the idea A bee flies towards a mustard flower at Tokha, Kathmandu on Monday. of restoring Nepal as a Hindu state. visit is an attempt to Shashanka Koirala, a Nepali Congress leader who is a cousin of garner support from Shekhar, had even declared recently that there would be a referendum on pro-Hindu forces. reversing Nepal to a Hindu state. Many in Oli’s orbit, however, them- Provincial governments gear up to selves are confused and they say it’s According to Pokhrel, Oli’s visit to very difficult to get into his head. Pashupati is also an attempt to garner A leader close to Oli, who did not support from the pro-Hindu, pro-mon- wish to be named, said that there is a archy forces. tendency among people to criticise Oli “That’s why you can see some law- administer first dose of Covid-19 vaccine for whatever he does. yers who have been making a pitch for “Have you forgotten how he was restoration of the monarchy and heavily criticised as being pro-Chris- Hindu state are pleading on behalf of The vaccination drive will be executed from district hospitals and health centres that are under provincial governments. tian when he participated in a confer- Oli,” said Pokhrel, buttressing his ence some two years ago?” said the argument. SUBASH BIDARI Development Ministry at Hetauda the district headquarters. the director at the Province Health leader. Some senior advocates like Sushil MAKWANPUR, JAN 25 Sub-metropolitan City-1. Bijaya Jha, the provincial health Supply Management Centre, told the In December 2018, Oli attracted Pant, Surendra Bhandari, Balkrishna “We plan to start administering the director, said Province 2 has received Post on Monday. widespread criticism for attending the Neupane and Bishnu Prasad The executives of all seven provinces vaccine from January 27. The vaccina- 34,000 vials so far to conduct the vacci- “The Social Development Ministry inaugural session of the Asia Pacific Bhattarai, who have been publicly in the country will be rolling out tion drive will be initiated in all 13 nation campaign. held a virtual meeting with the chiefs Summit, organised by the controver- demanding scrapping of secular Covid-19 vaccination drives in most districts of the province simultane- “Vials will be sent to the dis- of district health offices, medical sial South Korea-based non-govern- republic, are arguing on behalf of Oli. districts by Wednesday. The provinces ously. Preparations are underway to trict-based stores within Tuesday. The superintendents of the district hospi- ment organisation Universal Peace Oli’s rivals from the Nepal received Covid-19 vaccines developed designate inoculation centres,” said Province 2 government had demanded tals, immunisation officers and super- Federation. Communist Party, including Dahal by the University of Oxford and phar- Dr Purushottam Sedhain, the spokes- 180,000 vials but only 34,000 vials have visors of all the districts on Monday “There’s no big deal if he offered and Nepal, of late have been accusing maceutical giant AstraZeneca and person at the Social Development been received in the first phase,” he for the necessary management and prayers at a Hindu temple,” said the him of trying to take the country on produced in India by the Serum Ministry. said. preparation of the vaccination drive,” leader. “He has faced criticism in the the regressive path, thereby Institute of India through the Federal The Bagmati government is plan- According to the provincial govern- said Dr Pushparaj Paudel, the infor- past and he is facing now also. It’s squandering all hard-earned achieve- Ministry of Health and Population ning to administer the vaccine from ment, 33,600 health workers and 1,204 mation officer at the ministry. wrong to brand him as someone who ments—constitution, secularism and under grant assistance from India. the district hospitals and health cen- sanitation workers are going to be In Karnali Province, the Provincial is promoting one religion or the federalism. As many as 96,000 doses of the tres that are under the provincial gov- vaccinated in the first phase. Health Directorate is starting the vac- other.” Leaders close to Oli, however, Covid-19 vaccine meant for all 14 dis- ernment. It has formed a committee In Gandaki, a total of 40,000 doses cination campaign from Wednesday. But things need to be seen in a larg- defend him, saying that the prime tricts of Province 1 reached headed by Dipak Kafle, secretary at of the Covid-19 vaccine reached Rabin Khadka, director at the er perspective, according to a commu- minister equally respects all religions Biratnagar, the provincial capital, on the Social Development Ministry, to Pokhara on Sunday. According to Provincial Health Directorate, said, nist leader who is known as someone and beliefs. Monday. The vaccines are being stored designate vaccination centres and Khim Bahadur Khadka, director at “We have received around 24,000 doses well-versed in Marxism. “When he was prime minister in at the Province Health Supply mobilise health workers. the province health supply manage- of the vaccine so far. The vaccine will “We [as communists] believe in sci- 2016 and I was minister for tourism Management Centre in Biratnagar. “Ten to 20 health workers will be ment centre, the vaccines were sup- be dispatched to Humla, Jumla, Mugu ence,” said Ram Karki, a leader in the and culture, it was Oli who inaugurat- According to the Ministry of Social deployed in each vaccination centre, plied to Syangja, Parbat, Baglung and and Dolpa via air from Nepalgunj. The Pushpa Kamal Dahal-Madhav Kumar ed the World Buddhist Conference in Development of Province 1, the vac- depending on the number of people Myagdi districts on Monday. “We will remaining districts will get the vac- Nepal faction. “Science has never Lumbini,” Anand Pokhrel, a leader cines have been dispatched to all 14 who are to receive the vaccine,” said supply the vaccines to all districts in cine via road.” been something Oli believed in and close to Oli told the Post. districts on Monday itself with the Sedhain, adding that a total of 66,461 the province by Tuesday,” said The provincial government in what he did today just suits him and “During his earlier stint, he visited aim to start the vaccination drive on doses would be administered in the Khadka. Sudurpaschim has already completed his character.” the Taleju temple area, Lumbini and Wednesday. first phase in Bagmati Province. The Gandaki Province government preparations to start the vaccination Karki believes Oli’s visit to other world heritage sites. Allegations According to Sagar Prasai, chief of According to him, the beneficiaries has shortlisted 17,396 frontline work- campaign in all districts from Pashupatinath Temple is aimed at that the prime minister is going to the health division at the Ministry of will be given their second dose of the ers for the administration of the vac- Wednesday. A total of 35,170 doses testing the waters. revert the country to a Hindu state are Social Development, preparations vaccination after a month. cine in the first phase. were dispatched from Kathmandu and “He is trying to check how the soci- baseless,” said Pokhrel. “How is it have been made to vaccinate 35,576 The vaccines stored in Hetauda will “Ten health workers have received is expected to reach Dhangadhi on ety responds,” Karki told the Post. possible without amending the consti- individuals in the first phase. be distributed to Makwanpur, Chitwan training for the Covid-19 vaccination Monday night. “But he must remember that he is not tution for which a two-thirds majority “In the first phase, we received and Sindhuli districts of Bagmati drive in Pokhara, Kaski. They will be “The campaign will start from a monarch. His action may appease is required?” more than the required 71,152 vac- Province and Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, mobilised to 10 different districts. The Kailali and Kanchanpur on his constituency, but offering prayers Questions, however, have been cines. The provincial government has Sarlahi, Mahottari and Dhanusha dis- trained workers will provide training Wednesday. We will reach the hilly in a temple does not suit a communist raised over Oli’s commitment to the not decided who will receive the tricts of Province 2. to other health workers in the dis- districts by January 31,” said prime minister.” constitution. In the letter recommend- remaining vaccines,” said Prasai. “The Covid-19 vaccine will also be tricts,” said Dr Binodbindu Sharma, Narendra Karki, chief at the Health According to Karki, oftentimes lead- ing that the President dissolve the The provincial authorities plan to provided to six districts of Province 2 the director at Provincial Health Division in the Ministry of Social ers tend to play the religion card when House, which appeared into public administer the Covid-19 vaccine to with no storage facilities. We will dis- Directorate. Development in Sudurpaschim. The they face a legitimacy crisis. domain a few days ago, Oli says he was frontline workers like health workers, patch the vaccine there soon,” said Similarly, a total of 88,690 doses of provincial government plans to vacci- Marx’s dictum that religion is the forced to dissolve the House because sanitation workers, ambulance Sedhain. According to him, the federal the Covid-19 vaccine meant for all 12 nate over 1,600 individuals in the prov- opium of the people carries a meaning he needed a two-thirds majority to drivers, security personnel and those government will provide the vaccine districts of Lumbini Province reached ince in the first phase, he said. in which he describes religion as accomplish, among other tasks, con- deployed to manage the bodies of to 10 other districts of Bagmati Butwal on Sunday night. The provin- The vaccination will be done from harmful to revolutionary goals, as it stitutional amendments. people who died of Covid-19 in the Province in coordination with the pro- cial health authority is planning to 10 hospitals in Sudurpaschim. Health prevents people from seeing the class Shrestha, the political analyst, said first phase. vincial government. administer the vaccine to 39,495 indi- workers, sanitation workers, ambu- structure and oppression around Oli was never committed to the consti- As many as 7,600 vials--76,000 doses- On Monday, a meeting of the viduals in the first phase from lance drivers and other medical staff them, thus it could prevent the social- tution and the deadly blow he had - of the vaccine arrived in Hetauda, Provincial Corona Crisis Management Wednesday. involved in the treatment of Covid-19 ist revolution. dealt to the constitution by dissolving the headquarters of Bagmati Committee in Province 2, led by “We received the vaccine around patients will be vaccinated in the first Even though Oli is known as the the House just shows that. Province, on Sunday. The vaccines Lalbabu Raut, chief minister of the Sunday midnight. We are preparing to phase. main protagonist at whose behest the “Oli has given indications in the have been stored at the province sup- province, decided to start the vaccina- dispatch the vaccine to all districts by constitution was rushed in September past too that he is not a communist ply centre under the provincial Social tion drive from the hospitals located at Tuesday,” Dinesh Kumar Chapagain, (With inputs from local correspondents 2015 amid opposition from various anymore and that he is bent on in Morang, Dhanusha, Kaski, sections of society and some Madhes- destroying the system,” said Shrestha. Rupandehi, Surkhet and Kailali.) based parties, his commitment to the “Now he is proving it by his actions.” Campaigners decry use of force by police on peaceful civic protest against ...

>> Continued from page 1 minor injuries but we did not arrest But the campaigners in their state- Civil society members and rights anyone,” said Senior Superintendent ment said that over a dozen people defenders have called Oli’s House dis- Pradeep Kumar Shrestha, also the were injured. solution move unconstitutional, say- spokesperson for the Metropolitan “Six critically injured persons ing he has committed a fraud on the Police Office, Ranipokhari. including Nirga Raj Jaishi, Janak constitution because it does not allow Dhungana, Suroj Tamang, Kuldip him to do so. Sharma, Sunil Shrestha and Govida Despite a dozen writ petitions Protesters say Bhandari are receiving treatment at against his move being heard by the TU Teaching Hospital in Supreme Court, Oli has been making Monday’s was a Maharajgunj,” read the statement. claims that the court cannot revive the Earlier in June also, police had used House, in what many say his attempts planned attack from force on youths who were demonstrat- to influence the judiciary. ing at Baluwatar against the Oli gov- “The Oli government has failed to the government side. ernment’s lacklustre response to the show regard for democratic norms,” Covid-19 pandemic. Uprety, the professor, told the Post. Basanta Ranjitkar, one of the coor- “The state is so fearful of its own citi- Shrestha defended security person- dinators of the Brihat Nagarik zens that it is not even allowing them nel’s baton-charge and use of water Andolan, said Monday’s was a planned to speak.” cannon, saying “minor force” was attack from the government side. Earlier on Monday, police had used as the protesters were attempting “A democratic government never rounded up around two dozen rights to enter the prohibited zone. behaves in the way the Oli govern- defenders from the Baluwatar area for “Five protesters and as many secu- ment has done today,” said Rajitkar. protesting against the House dissolu- rity personnel were injured,” said “No regime is afraid of the people tion. Police, however, said no arrests Shrestha. “But all those injured pro- unless it has committed anything were made during the civil society testers have returned home after wrong. Since the Oli regime has lost protest. receiving treatment at TU Teaching its legitimacy, it is too afraid of the “A few people might have sustained Hospital.” people.”

C M Y K 03 | TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 NATIONAL

BRIEFING Health workers get Woman dies after being training for Covid-19 attacked by husband SINDHULI: A 36-year-old woman died of critical head injuries that she suf- immunisation campaign fered at the hands of her husband in Hariharpurgadhi Rural Munici- Vaccination drive starts tomorrow in over pality-1, Sindhuli. Police said Sher Bahadur Baju, 40, attacked his wife 50 districts. Politicians and bureaucrats following a dispute on Friday. The woman died in the course of treat- to get the jabs in the second phase. ment in Hetauda on Saturday. Baju is at large after the incident, police said. ARJUN POUDEL KATHMANDU, JAN 25

Army to plant 15,000 saplings Health workers serving across the country on Monday got LAMJUNG: Nepal Army is set to plant training on administering the Covid-19 vaccine received 15,750 tree saplings at Besisahar, from India in grant. Lamjung. Shreejung Battalion in The Child Health Section at the Family Welfare Division Udipur is organising a tree plantation of the Department of Health Services said that around 200 programme in various places of health workers of the three districts of Kathmandu Valley Besisahar Municipality on January assembled for training on the immunisation. Frontline 28. Chief of Army Staff Purna health workers will receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the Chandra Thapa is scheduled to attend first phase. the tree plantation programme. The Health workers serving in the provinces and the dis- saplings will be planted at wards POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC tricts received the training online, Dr Jhalak Sharma, 2, 3, 8 and 9 of Besisahar. Two bulls fight on the Bagmati riverbank at Pashupati, Kathmandu on Monday. chief of the section, told the Post. India delivered one million doses of the vaccine devel- oped by the University of Oxford and pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca and produced in India by the Serum Institute of India on Thursday. Health workers have been asked to note the details of frontline workers before administering the vaccine, tell How India is using vaccine diplomacy to them clearly about the possible side effects and refer them to health facilities if the vaccine recipient develops some serious complications. They are asked to send the immunised people home only recalibrate its neighbourhood first policy after half an hour of injecting the dose. “This is a safe vaccine, to which many countries have given emergency use approval,” said Sharma. Frontline Foreign policy watchers and experts say the jabs could prove for Delhi, which is in a bid to win over its neighbours, a shot in the arm. workers have been prioritised for the vaccine to better prepare them for saving the lives of others. ANIL GIRI China and it has emerged as a dominant ferred choice as the country’s vaccine stor- that had not been going well since due to The Ministry of Health and Population said that the KATHMANDU, JAN 25 player geopolitically giving a headache to age and transportation infrastructure India’s own policy dilemma and China’s vaccine has already reached the provinces and some dis- the US and India to counter Beijing’s rise, supports it. outreach in South Asia. trict hospitals. That India is the world’s largest producer of according to observers. When Foreign Minister Gywali visited “Providing Covid vaccine is a good ges- “Vaccines will reach most of the district hospitals by vaccines has become a tool for its diplomacy To this end, India and the US signed a New Delhi between January 14 and 16, the ture, helping out neighbours in this difficult tomorrow,” Dr Roshan Pokhrel, chief specialist at the in the region at a time when its relation- strategically important pact in November. issue of vaccines had come up. time is good and we should take it as a posi- Health Ministry, told the Post. “Immunisation will start ships with neighbours have not been at With the Covid-19 vaccine, that many world “We sent diplomatic notes to various tive step of India,” said Bhekh Bahadur simultaneously in over 50 districts on Wednesday.” their best. leaders call it “global public goods”, India countries but in particular, we had sought Thapa, former Nepali ambassador to India. The drive will be delayed in some remote districts, as With Nepal, it has a border row but that has somehow managed to lessen China’s Covid vaccine from India that would cover But there are other outstanding issues transportation of the vaccines will take time. has taken a backseat after it received a mil- clout in the region, some observers say. our 20 percent of our population,” Gyawali that the two countries have including that The Health Ministry plans to immunise around lion doses of the coronavirus vaccine in a “This Indian attempt is to counter China told the Post, “Of that, we do not know how of the border. The border row had escalated 430,000 frontline workers, including health workers, sup- grant last week. Nepal will begin immunis- and a strategy to keep the neighbourhood in much India will give us in a grant but we after India built a road through the disputed porting staff, female community health volunteers, ing frontline health workers on Wednesday. its fold,” said Chandra Dev Bhatta, a will seek to buy vaccine in subsidised rates Limpyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani area sanitation workers and ambulance drivers. Elderly But it is not just Nepal that the South Kathmandu based political analyst. “As if not possible to get free doses.” to the Kailash Mansarovar in the Tibet people taking refuge in old age homes and jailbirds will be Asian giant has been providing vaccines to. China is engaging in multiple levels across Nepal has to inoculate 72 percent of its Autonomous Region of China in May last immunised after the frontline workers. Half of the vaccine According to the India’s Ministry of the South Asian region, India was under population of 30 million. Children below the year, prompting Nepal to published a map will be saved for a second dose, as each person needs two External Affairs since January 20, it has pressure to counter it and its role in the age of 14, that make up 28 percent of the showing the areas as part of its territory. doses. already shipped Covid-19 vaccines also to The submission of a report prepared by a “Vaccines provided by India under grant assistance are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Mauritius, bilateral Eminent Persons’ Group on Nepal- only for the frontline workers,” added Pokhrel. “No politi- Seychelles and Myanmar and has received India relations, problems faced by India- cians or bureaucrats will be vaccinated in the first phase; orders from several other countries. funded projects in Nepal are other issues they will be immunised in the second phase. Prime Despite its own vaccination campaign, that need to be resolved. Minister KP Sharma Oli will only inaugurate the pro- the largest in the world, it has chosen to India should brace up to resolve other gramme.” share vaccines with other countries. This outstanding issues with Nepal that will Officials at the Health Ministry said around 50 immuni- act has not just boosted India’s image but truly reflect and embody the meaning of sation booths will be operated in around one and half also injected positive momentum to its “neighbourhood first policy”, say a section dozen hospitals of Kathmandu Valley. “troubled” neighbourhood first policy and of experts. Experts say the government must also launch some geopolitical components are reflected “India should come forward to resolve the programmes so as to make the people aware of the vac- in this drive, leaders and experts have said. outstanding issues too,” said Thapa, who is cines they are being administered and the possible side “It looked good at a time when India was the coordinator from the Nepali side in effects. rolling out the vaccine for its population POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL Eminent Person Group. “We have seen “We should not forget that rumours and misinformation that it gave us too at the same time,” said Workers upload the Covid-19 vaccine provided by India upon its arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. alignment and realignment of international spread more quickly than facts,” Dr Bikash Lamichhane, Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali. “It has forces in present time and new alignment former director at the Child Health Division, told the Post. boosted their image and I must say this is region has been diminishing.” population, will not be inoculated as exist- and realignment are in process of making The Serum Institute of India in its fact sheet has listed generosity on part of the Indian govern- Indian experts accept that the pandemic ing vaccines have not been tested on them. and unmaking. In this context, we want to the possible side effects of the vaccine based on the reports ment towards the people of Nepal.” has indeed been an opportunity for India. The India-made Covishield cannot be used see problems with India resolved as the rela- it has received after the rollout. India started its immunisation campaign “Neighbourhood first is our most impor- on those below 18 as well because it has not tionship is heading towards a positive According to the company, some very common, which on January 16 and the million doses arrived tant and principled foreign policy pillar for been trialled on them. direction.” may be seen in more than 1 in 10 people, side effects in Nepal on January 21. engagement in the region. We are stepping Nepal is looking forward to getting vac- Given the outstanding issues of the bor- include tenderness, pain, warmth, redness, itching, swell- The Pune-based Serum Institute of India, out during the pandemic to support others cines to cover 20 percent of the population der among other matters, India had not ing or bruising where the injection is given. the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, mostly in the developed and developing from the World Health Organisation’s been engaging with Nepal in the political People may feel generally unwell, tired or can have has been manufacturing Covishield vac- world,” Manjeev Singh Puri, former Indian COVAX programme and procure another 20 front, as it did not want to be seen as an chills or a feverish feeling. Nausea and joint pain or mus- cines developed by the University of Oxford ambassador to Nepal told the Post from New percent, according to Gyawali. active political player in Nepal, but of late it cle ache are other possible side effects. and pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca. Delhi over the phone. “This India’s initia- “We were concerned about the efficacy of has changed its strategy while dealing with Other common side effects, which may be seen India, China, the United States, Germany, tive has brought countries in the region the vaccine, affordability, prompt delivery Nepal, observed Bhatta. in up to 1 in 10 people, include a lump at the injection the United Kingdom and Russia are produc- closer to India. Besides sharing our scientif- or easy to transport and compatible to our “Anti-Indian sentiment is high in Nepal site, fever, being sick (vomiting) and flu-like symptoms ing the Covid-19 vaccines. ic knowledge and production to the whole cold chain,” said an official on condition of despite Indian support to us. So our ties are (high temperature, sore throat, runny nose, cough and China too has been keen to provide the world, we also showcased how important anonymity. “Considering all these priori- very delicate with India,” said Bhatta. chills). vaccine it has developed to the neighbour- our neighbours are to us.” ties, the vaccine produced by Serum “Under its ‘neighbourhood first policy’, Some uncommon side effects, which may be seen in up hood and has supplied it to Myanmar but The gesture has been appreciated in Institute of India became our first choice Indian clout had not been that impressive to 1 in 100 people, include feeling dizzy, loss of appetite, given that India manufactures one that has Nepal. due to our set condition and also because but the Covid vaccine has given an opportu- abdominal pain, enlarged lymph nodes, excessive sweating proven efficacy and has the infrastructure “I thank Prime Minister Shri @narendra- India was also willing to support us during nity for India to foster it. There now is real- and itchy skin or rashes. to manufacture in large quantities, it seems modi ji as well as the Government and peo- the informal communications.” isation in India that it should improve its Officials at the Health Ministry, however, hope people to have been pipped by India in ‘vaccine ple of India for the generous grant of one For India this opportunity to support ties with Nepal but there should be limited would not hesitate to receive the jab, as it is a quality diplomacy’. million doses of COVID vaccine to Nepal at Nepal and other countries has become a political engagement.” product. Some observers see India’s reachout to this critical time when India is rolling out chance to recalibrate its position in the “They [Indians] will continue to be “I’d like to request all frontline health workers to get the region and beyond through the Covid-19 vaccination for it’s [sic] own people,” Oli region. engaged in Nepal unlike in the past. They immunised without any fear,” Dr Jageshwor Gautam, vaccine has some geopolitical meaning to wrote on Twitter. “Nepal appreciates this After Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not interfere in the internal political spokesperson for the Health Ministry, told the Post. counter Chinese clout. Every country in gesture from a friendly neighbour.” came in power in 2014, he propagated the matters of Nepal, that has backfired on “Within a week to 10 days we will complete administering South Asia is now doing business with The Covishield vaccine is Nepal’s pre- idea of “neighbourhood first policy” but them,” Bhatta said. the first dose of vaccine to the selected people.” Wildlife experts believe there could be more tigers living in hill areas After tiger sightings in Dadeldhura and Ilam, wildlife experts say there could be more tigers living in or migrating to the hill areas due to improved green cover and prey abundance.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL est—the highest ever recorded sight- conservation in the Mahabharata adverse consequences on forests, wild- KATHMANDU, JAN 25 ing of the big cat in the country. In range. There is no doubt that tigers life habitats and animal movement. December, another tiger was photo- can not be in Mahabharata range, pro- They have also increased negative Last year, two Royal Bengal Tigers graphed in the eastern part of the vided there is a connecting corridor, interactions between humans and were spotted strolling in the mid-hill country. The spotting of the tiger at an no disturbance and prey.” wildlife. Highways are turning into a region of the country. Wildlife conser- elevation of 3,165 metres beat the pre- According to Karki, the finding also death trap for wild animals, including vationists were left questioning what vious record of the tiger sighting in expands Nepal’s known tiger distribu- tigers as three tigers have died in was encouraging tigers to move western Nepal. tion beyond the TAL, the only land- vehicular accidents along the upwards. The government authorities had scape known to be inhibited by tigers highway. They believe there could be more confirmed that never before had a in the country, and widens potential According to statistics of the tigers dwelling in the country’s hilly tiger been spotted and captured on tiger habitats in the country at a time Department of National Park and region, which has not been a typical camera at such an altitude in the when the whole world is battling to Wildlife Conservation, 108 wild ani- tiger habitat at least in the last several country’s documented history. protect its existing range. mals were killed in road accidents in decades. Wildlife experts had attributed Still, tiger conservation faces chal- the last fiscal year. Such incidents During a virtual discussion organ- improved green cover in the country’s lenges such as habitat conservation were high in Parsa, Banke and Bardiya ised by Environmental Graduates in mid-hill region, providing north-south SHUTTERSTOCK and negative interaction with humans. national parks. Himalaya and Resources Himalaya connectivity, less disturbance in upper Nepal is home to 235 tigers according to the 2018 census. Loss and fragmentation of tigers’ hab- “Such highways cause a barrier to Foundation on Monday, conservation- regions compared to the low-lying itat and death of tigers in vehicular their movement and fragmentation of ists discussed the possibility of tigers Tarai districts where they are facing ritory or make a journey upwards, and in Bhutan at above 4,000 metres. accidents along the national highways wildlife habitat,” said Karki. “There living in the hill region of the country. habitat loss and decline in prey as which depends on forest connectivity,” A study by Global Tiger Forum that traverse the country’s protected should be signage for motorists to “Tiger sightings in Dadeldhura in possible factors behind tigers migrat- Karki said at the virtual event. (GTF) in 2019 said that high altitude areas remain a threat for the country alert them about wildlife. Also, there the west and Ilam in the east have ing upwards lately. The latest tiger census, in 2018, regions in India, Nepal and Bhutan of 235 tigers. should be wildlife-friendly structures shown that tigers can be found at such According to Karki, who is also a detected signs of tiger presence in 12 have the potential to become suitable “Maintaining and restoring key for their passage.” altitudes of the country as well,” said wildlife biologist specialising in tiger districts—Bara, Parsa, Makwanpur, habitats for the tiger. The GTF study wildlife corridors is essential to According to Shyam Shah, a chief Jhamak Bahadur Karki, associate pro- conservation, a tiger can dwell in the Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Dang, Salyan, identified a potential tiger habitat of expanding tiger populations,” said conservation officer of Banke fessor with Kathmandu Forestry area which has 20 percent forest cover, Banke, Bardiya, Surkhet, Kailali and 52,671 square kilometres in the high Karki. “But increasing threats from National Park, where 102-km of East- College. “Not only Ilam, if we deploy with corridor connectivity and ade- Kanchanpur—of the 18 districts sur- altitude area across India (38,915 sq infrastructure development is frag- West highway passes through the park camera traps focusing to study the quate prey. veyed across all potential tiger habi- km) , Nepal (2,213 sq km) and Bhutan menting these key habitats.” area, the park authorities have been presence of tigers along the north- Rising numbers of tiger population, tats in the Tarai Arc Landscape (TAL). (11,543 sq km). Earlier this month, a tiger from enforcing several measures to mini- south corridor, tigers may be found which is also prompting tigers to stray Before tigers were captured on cam- “The factors that foster tiger pres- Parsa National Park was killed by an mise wildlife-vehicle collisions. anywhere at that elevation. I am not outside their habitats, will cause era in Dadeldhura and Ilam last year, ence in western Himalaya region, overspeeding car along the East-West “We have placed signage along the asserting that tigers will be found, but tigers to move further up in the future, there were several anecdotal reports which includes Uttrakhand and Nepal Highway, raising concerns for the highway. We also use speed guns to there can be tigers at that elevation if according to wildlife experts. of tiger sightings in the hill region. are gentle elevation, high forest cover, safety of valuable wildlife dwelling in monitor vehicle speed,” said Shah. we look at its possibility.” “When tiger population sees an Royal Bengal tigers have been spotted high drainage density, high tempera- protected areas and their adjoining “Besides, arboreal canopy bridges Last year in April, a tiger was cap- increase, sub-adult tigers will have at even higher altitudes in India and ture variation and moderate dry con- forests. installed for animals to cross the high- tured on a camera trap at an altitude only two options—either fight with Bhutan. In India, the big cat has been dition,” said Karki. “Tiger sighting at A rapid assessment of linear pro- way have also proved effective for ani- of 2,500 metres in a Dadeldhura for- another competitor to claim their ter- sighted at an altitude of 3,630 metres 2,500m provides solid ground for tiger jects in the Tarai region has found mals, mostly monkeys.”

C M Y K TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Biden inauguration brings For a few dollars more changes for Nepal We must begin to ask ourselves if the foreign labour market is worth dying for.

The controversy over the Qatari police allegedly trying to recruit Nepali nationals for its security forces has resurfaced this week. This follows the fiasco, in November last year, that the Qatari police had tried to bypass Nepal’s foreign employ- ment rules. The issuance of a visa to a Nepali national last week under the category Police Army Staff for work in Qatar has raised suspicion among Nepali authorities that migrant workers are being sent to the Gulf state illegally. Qatar had recruited 179 youths legally in the first phase early last year, but had allegedly bypassed the government’s guide- lines while recruiting 300 youths in the second phase. Nepal had suspended three recruitment companies that were found to be involved in conducting interviews for recruitment without following the due process. Government officials have said they are trying to ascertain the authenticity of the visa and check whether the alleged wrongdoing is the handiwork of the Qatari police or of local manpower companies duping job seekers by misusing the name of the Qatari police this time. However, as the Post reported on Monday, the candidates are being asked to pay a hefty sum of over $6,000 for getting the security force job. This means that the agencies have possibly returned to busi- ness clandestinely. In addition, there are reports that foreign employment agents are already recruiting Nepalis through India after the Nepal government refused to release labour permits and start- ed raiding Nepali manpower companies. If this is true—as Foreign Employment Department Director-General Kumar

Prasad Dahal thinks it is—it is a case of human trafficking, SHUTTERSTOCK and the government must take this matter up with India and last four years has been the majority in host. This is one issue that has Nepalis for whom Kathmandu is Qatar immediately to ensure that Nepali youths seeking for- The new US administration power dominating the minority. Black been trampled on by the current just a transit point. There will be more eign employment are not duped once again. Lives Matter became not only a move- political fiasco. Whoever will come to people wanting to study or migrate to has already shown signs of ment in America, but it opened up dis- lead the government, this will have to the US than ever before as the political Qatar has been a major labour destination country for Nepali cussions on the South Asian hypocrisy be rekindled. The geopolitics of the situation becomes even more compli- migrant workers, with 31.8 percent of them taking up jobs in departing from the policies of supporting this as an aggrieved region is tied to the impact of the cated. the Gulf country in 2018-19. The ongoing controversy does no of the old one. party in the US but practising exclu- challenges of climate change; when good to the relations between Qatar and Nepal, both of whom sion in their own communities. In natural disasters and long term prob- Nepal and the US Nepal, the issues of the Dalits and lems occur, there are no political The relationship between Nepal and have been inter-dependent on each other for labour force and other marginalised groups, along with boundaries. Nepal has again an oppor- the US has been challenging since the remittance respectively. The Nepal government cannot afford SUJEEV SHAKYA women, that was brushed aside will tunity to take a leadership position in grant under the Millennium Challenge to remain lenient this time, and should conduct a swift investi- have an impact on bilateral relations, the region. Corporation (MCC) was made into a gation to bring the wrongdoers—if any—to book at the earliest. THE OTHER investments and development assis- geopolitical issue. When then-Secre- tance. President Biden has appointed a Nepalis in the US tary Pompeo visited South Asia, he But there are other things too that Nepal must consider as it VIEW team that is perhaps the most diverse One of the key decisions of the new skipped Nepal—just as a statement begins to crack down on the alleged malpractices. It must begin and inclusive in US history and his administration has been to provide cit- from Nepal accused Washington of to consider how its image is being shaped into that of a man- administration would surely like to see izenship to 11 million undocumented attempting an ‘imperialist coup’ in power country, as it encourages its youths to spend their lives that taken as an example elsewhere in migrants. Nepalis form a good number Venezuela. US investments in Nepal The inauguration of the US President the world. In Nepal, the culture of male of them. A Pew Research Report indi- have been at a historic low due to the toiling in foreign labour destinations. That does not mean Joe Biden on January 20 was, for the domination and upper-caste patriarchy cated there were about 150,000 US citi- Nepal government’s disinterest in Nepal can afford to impose a complete check on foreign labour majority of the people around the will come under a scanner. We will go zens of Nepali origin in 2015, with 83 encouraging foreign investments and migration. Remittances account for over a quarter of the coun- world, a relief. Not only has the past back to the discourses of 2008 to 2015, percent having lived there for less than the control of local political business try’s gross domestic product. Nepal received a financial remit- four years been tortuous for the United and the issues of Madhes and Janajatis 10 years. Since the 2015 earthquake, cartels over the government. Tourists States, but it has encouraged many will resurface. 9,000 Nepalis were given residency in from the US as a percentage of total tance of $8.79 billion in 2018-19 apart from the skills the migrant self-centred politicians globally to pur- the US under a Temporary Protected tourists have declined and so has peo- workers learn. sue inward-looking authoritarian Climate change Status, but the previous administration ple to people exchange. The Peace But along with the financial benefits come problems includ- actions with complete disregard to fun- The new administration’s commitment was not interested to convert it into Corps that was suspended during the ing deaths and amputations among the migrants that are part damental principles of equity and jus- to battle climate change has been very citizenship. Let us not forget that every insurgency restarted in 2012 and the tice. The inauguration speech clear. Closer to home, the fragile ecolo- Nepali who becomes a US citizen adds network of Nepal and Nepalis has a lot and parcel of high-risk jobs. The fact that Nepal receives three provided a sense of calm and a gy has been in discussion now for a more family members. The Diversity to do with the thousands of US citizens dead bodies of migrant workers on an average each day shows direction that we will get back to a half a century. Air pollution remains a Visa (DV) programme administered by who became Nepal’s biggest and best how foreign labour is an ongoing national tragedy. Nepalis world of global cooperation through major challenge with uncontrolled the US government saw more than a ambassadors. However, the govern- expressed shock and dismay as 18 coffins of deceased Nepali multilateralism, respect of human exploitation of natural resources by million Nepalis in 2019 and 2020, or one- ment continues to make the work of rights, social inclusion and the need to politically aligned cartels. Nepal has tenth of the eligible population, foreign volunteers in Nepal difficult migrant workers repatriated from Malaysia were offloaded mitigate climate change challenges. the opportunity to lead the discourse. wanting to become US citizens. from the perspective of visas and from a Nepal Airlines aircraft on Saturday. It’s about time we Definitely, Nepal and Nepalis will be After four years of hosting Himalayan The US has been a sought after destina- approvals. For Nepal, there is an ‘open began asking whether the foreign labour market is worth dying impacted by this in four meaningful Consensus Summit, one of the tion for higher education with Nepal moment’ to recalibrate ties with the US for. It definitely is not, if we have the audacity to begin thinking ways. Advisory Board members, Prof featuring among the top 10 source and for Nepalis, there is another oppor- Mahendra P Lama, created a concept countries of students for many tunity to engage at the people to people about how we can create more employment opportunities for Protection of minority rights around the Sagarmatha Dialogue that years. The US still continues to be the level with the US. We can only hope for youths within the country itself. One of the biggest challenges of the the Government of Nepal decided to land of opportunity for the young the best. Was Brexit inevitable?

was in some sense predetermined. To of a weak federalism. John Maynard The key need of today’s be sure, no one engaging in the debate Keynes, too, was attracted by the idea at the time thought so. Both Leavers of ‘small political and cultural units democracies is to form a and Remainers believed the outcome combined into larger, and more or less was open, and fought hard to ensure closely knit, economic units’. good mix of localism and the result they wanted. Had Europe evolved along these But in retrospect, there was a whiff lines, the UK might have been less centralised control. of inevitability about the UK’s separa- estranged from the EU, because the tion—not from Europe, but from the Union itself would have been a differ- EU as the institutional expression of ent animal. But, in Pabst’s telling, the ROBERT SKIDELSKY it. To be fanciful, one could say that European idea succumbed to the the Leavers instinctively sensed that instrumental ‘neo-functionalism’ of dusk was approaching, whereas the state-builders like Jean Monnet and Remainers did not. the ‘ordo-liberalism’ of the Hayekians, After all, the UK joined the EU late who wanted a market order based on and was an awkward member, and the rules rather than norms. weight of its past increasingly militat- It is a moot point whether the vision ed against the Union’s future. Looking of a modernised feudalism has any On one level, the United Kingdom’s back, the rupture began with the UK’s part to play in the future. For one departure from the European Union decision to opt out of the Economic thing, it lacks a sharp analytical edge, was an unintended consequence of a and Monetary Union (EMU) estab- which is very important to win aca- too-clever political ploy by former lished by the 1992 Maastricht Treaty. demic advocacy of an idea. Social sci- prime minister David Cameron. In EMU, which every EU member state entists can think in terms of state, 2015, in order to undercut the appeal was expected to join, was intended to market, and society, and divide their of Nigel Farage, the leader of the UK be a stepping-stone to political union. work into political science, economics, Independence Party movement, and And EU leaders saw the 2012-14 euro- and sociology, but a scheme of social secure a conservative majority in the zone crisis, caused by the single cur- thought that dulls academic bounda- upcoming general election, Cameron rency’s lack of political counterparts, ries leaves them floundering outside promised a referendum on whether as the necessary spur, or goad, to fur- their disciplines like beached whales. Britain should stay in the EU. He ther state-building. Moreover, although feudal Europe expected to win and keep Britain in Since that crisis, the EU has taken was extremely vibrant religiously and the EU. He succeeded in his first aim, tentative steps toward fiscal union, culturally, it was economically static. only to resign immediately when the banking union, and a lender-of-last- The city-states of the Renaissance, ‘Leave’ side won the UK’s 2016 referen- resort function for the European forerunners of modernity, produced dum on its EU membership. Central Bank, and, though still mostly wonders of thought and art, but little Brexit, on this view, was simply a on paper, to strengthen the superviso- technological progress, productivity historical accident, the result of one ry and surveillance powers of the growth, or increases in income per politician’s tactical miscalculation. European Commission, European capita. It fell to the newly unified But this is a superficial rendering of a Parliament, and ECB. The economic SHUTTERSTOCK nation-states of northwest Europe to complex story. When the German phi- crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandem- Wolfgang Schäuble called a Europe of A more seductive vision is that of a common tasks. This Europe takes seri- achieve economic takeoff. losopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich ic has resulted in an ambitious fiscal ‘variable geometry’. A core group of modernised medievalism. The politi- ously ideas such as subsidiarity and The primary requirement of today’s Hegel wrote that ‘the owl of Minerva rescue plan. So, the Leavers were right member states headed by Germany cal scientist Adrian Pabst of the the tragedy of the commons. Its vision democracies is to devise a successful spreads its wings only with the com- to see a federalist logic embedded in would federalise sufficiently to make University of Kent approvingly is that of a civil society able to under- combination of localism and the cen- ing of the dusk’, he meant that the the EU’s economic structure. the single-currency system work, describes today’s European system as take all the necessary tasks of econom- tralised control needed for sustained direction of history is evident only But is federalism really Europe’s while a Mediterranean group would consisting of ‘hybrid institutions, ic management without the central economic growth and tolerable equali- after the event. It was a colourful way destiny? Many federalists argue that choose more flexible arrangements, overlapping jurisdictions, multiple controls federalists deem essential. ty of conditions. Perhaps there is a of stating the law of unintended con- if the EU’s 27 members do not advance such as adjustable exchange rates. membership, polycentric authority, Immediately after World War II, the way Europe can do it. What Brexit sequences. The consequences of all the way to political union, Europe This path is feasible and logical. It and multi-level governance’. This idea of a decentralised Europe offered shows is that we have not yet found it. Cameron’s political manoeuvres were will retreat all the way to a congeries has not been followed because, rather Europe is grounded not in legal con- an attractive middle way between the unintended, but his political passions of nation-states. unattractively, it harks back (possibly tracts, but in the reality of social rela- destructive poles of a Hitlerian empire Skidelsky, a member of the British were doing the work of Hegel’s Yet, such a binary choice is surely unconsciously) to the old idea that tionships. and warring nation-states. It had a House of Lords, is Professor Emeritus Weltgeist, or world spirit—the unseen false. There are several possible ver- Europe is inherently divided into pro- Loyalty flows from proximity, not particular, and obvious, appeal in of Political Economy at Warwick force driving history. sions of Europe. One alternative is ductive and unproductive parts and passports, and ‘mutualisation’ is the Germany itself, where the Federal University. This argument suggests that Brexit what former German finance minister races. But it remains a possibility. motive and method for undertaking Republic was established on the basis —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 MONEY

FOREX Oxfam urges radical US Dollar 117.00 Agricultural products lead export growth Euro 142.11 economic rejig for Pound Sterling 160.00 Export revenues swelled by 15.46 percent mainly due to a rise in shipments of cardamom, tea and medicinal plants.

Japanese Yen 11.27 post-Covid world KRISHANA PRASAIN Chinese Yuan 18.06 KATHMANDU, JAN 25 ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON, JAN 25 Qatari Riyal 32.13 Export revenues from listed products Australian Dollar 90.35 swelled by 15.46 percent in the first Anti-poverty campaigner Oxfam half of the fiscal year mainly due to a warned on Monday that the fallout of Malaysian Ringit 28.93 sharp rise in shipments of cardamom, the coronavirus pandemic will lead to tea and medicinal and aromatic plants the biggest increase in global inequal- Saudi Arab Riyal 31.19 to India. ity on record unless governments rad- Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank According to the Trade and Export ically rejig their economies. Promotion Centre, the export of prod- In a report geared to inform discus- ucts listed in the Nepal Trade sions at the World Economic Forum’s Shares Integration Strategy between mid-Ju- online panels of political and business ly and mid-January were valued at leaders this week, Oxfam said the Nepse 2,440.87pts 0.66% Rs19 billion, up from Rs16.49 billion richest 1,000 people have already during the same period in 2019-20. managed to recoup the losses they HIGHEST GAINERS Amrit Lamsal, under-secretary at recorded in the early days of the pan- CIT GLBSL PLI MEN NHPC HPPL 10% 9.95% 9.87% 9.81% 9.4% 9.38% the Ministry of Industry, Commerce demic because of the bounce back in and Supplies, said that exports of stock markets. By contrast, Oxfam MODERATE GAINERS GUFL RBCL NRN NBL RBCLPO SRBL cardamom, tea, pashmina and medici- said it could take more than a 8.96% 7.81% 7.59% 6.98% 6.47% 5.63% nal herbs had grown while yarns, decade for the world’s poorest to recov-

MODERATE LOSERS carpets, footwear and textiles showed er their losses. PICL SJCL CORBL BFC SABSL SMB a slight dip, which was nothing to “Rigged economies are funnelling -3.5% -3.56% -3.85% -3.89% -4.39% -4.43% worry about. wealth to a rich elite who are riding HIGHEST LOSERS Shipments of tea and cardamom to out the pandemic in luxury, while SLBSL NFS GBLBS PROFL SINDU SIFC India have increased, both in terms of those on the frontline of the pandem- -4.55% -4.81% -5.04% -5.41% -5.47% -6.98% quantity and value, since the lock- ic—shop assistants, healthcare work- down was lifted thanks to a growth in ers, and market vendors—are strug- output this year. gling to pay the bills and put food on Former commerce secretary the table,” said Gabriela Bucher, exec- PRICE PER TOLA Purushottam Ojha said that exports utive director of Oxfam International. BULLION of the listed agricultural products Using figures from Forbes’ 2020 swelled as the pandemic had no effect Billionaire List, Oxfam said the Fine Gold Rs 92,400 on their production. world’s 10 richest people, including “But there is nothing to be happy the likes of Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, Silver Rs 1,260 about. We have such a huge trade defi- Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and cit, a 15 percent increase in exports is Warren Buffett, saw their fortunes SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA insignificant and does not help to less- increase by half a trillion dollars en the trade deficit much,” Ojha told POST FILE PHOTO since the crisis began even though the the Post. Farmers sort large cardamom in Taplejung. global economy remains smaller than GASOLINE WATCH In order to increase exports of the when the pandemic started a year ago. listed products, a massive develop- exports in the last fiscal year were totalled 8.78 million kg, compared to percent to Rs3.94 billion from Rs4.23 ment and export programme needs to worth Rs4 billion. 6.72 million kg previously. billion in the first half of the previous be introduced, Ojha said. Pashmina exports increased by Traders said that Nepal was able to fiscal year. Exports in the last fiscal It could take more Trade Policy 2015 has identified 24 32.56 percent to Rs1.56 billion during capitalise on rising demand and high- year were worth Rs7.25 billion. other Nepali products that have a com- the review period from Rs1.17 billion er prices in India due to a drop in Textile shipments too fell by 3.86 than a decade for the parative and competitive advantage. previously. production there. percent to Rs1.62 billion. Nepal “A product-specific trade/export Dharma Raj Shakya, former presi- The price of Nepali teas jumped by exported textiles worth Rs1.69 billion world’s poorest to policy needs to be introduced consid- dent of the Handicraft Association of 40-60 percent on strong demand and a in the first six months of the last ering the development and improve- Nepal, said that design improvements, huge shortfall in India, benefiting fiscal year. Textile shipments in recover their losses. ment in production, development of promotion of Chyangra brand pash- domestic producers. the last fiscal year were valued at the value chain and increased mar- mina and diversification of markets Exports of medicinal and aromatic Rs2.87 billion. ket,” he said. resulted in a sharp increase in pash- plants increased sharply by 34.24 per- Carpet exports declined by 2.83 per- Meanwhile, using data specially Cardamom shipments saw a sharp mina shipments. cent to Rs960.84 million in the first six cent to Rs3.52 billion during provided by the World Bank, Oxfam 51.6 percent year-on-year jump to Nepal’s pashmina exports in the months of the current fiscal year, up the review period, compared to said that in a worst-case scenario glob- Rs3.81 billion from Rs2.51 billion. last fiscal year amounted to Rs1.76 from Rs715.788 million previously. Rs3.63 billion in the same period al poverty levels would be higher in Nepali traders exported 4.77 million billion. Shipments of medicinal herbs in the last year. Shipments in the whole 2030 than they were before the pan- kg of cardamom in the first six months Tea exports in the first six months whole of the last fiscal year were val- of the last fiscal year were worth demic struck, with 3.4 billion people of the current fiscal year against 3.13 jumped 67.5 percent to Rs2.77 billion, ued at Rs1.56 billion. Rs6.15 billion. still living on less than $5.50 a day. million kg in the same period in the compared to Rs1.65 billion during the Ginger exports inched up by 3.34 Footwear exports in the first half Bucher said women and marginal- last fiscal year. same period of the previous fiscal percent to Rs295.15 million from were also down by 6.9 percent to Rs536 ized racial and ethnic groups are bear- Traders said that increased demand year. Nepal’s tea exports in the whole Rs285.60 million previously. Ginger million from Rs575 million previously. ing the brunt of this crisis and are from India and higher prices led to a of the last fiscal year were valued at exports in the whole of the last fiscal Nepal exported footwear worth “more likely to be pushed into poverty, steep growth in the value of carda- Rs2.78 billion. year came to Rs435.77 million. Rs786.31 million in the whole of the more likely to go hungry, and more mom exports. Nepal’s cardamom Tea shipments in the first half Nepal’s export of yarns dropped 7 last fiscal year. likely to be excluded from healthcare.” While urging governments to ensure that everyone has access to a coronavirus vaccine and financial support if they lose their job, Bucher said policies in a post-coronavirus Top hedge funds earn Biden plans to sign order for world should focus on ending poverty and protecting the planet. “They must invest in public servic- es and low carbon sectors to create $63.5 billion in 2020, millions of new jobs and ensure every- government to buy more US goods one has access to a decent education, health, and social care, and they must ASSOCIATED PRESS apply to the separate Buy America ensure the richest individuals and highest in a decade BALTIMORE, JAN 25 programme, which applies separately corporations contribute their fair to highways and bridges. It seeks to share of tax to pay for it,” she said. President Joe Biden plans to sign on open up government procurement “These measures must not be band- Monday an executive order that aims contracts to new companies by scout- aid solutions for desperate times but a to boost government purchases from ing potential contractors. The order ‘new normal’ in economies that work US manufacturers, according to would create a public website for com- for the benefit of all people, not just administration officials. panies that received waivers to sell the privileged few,” she added. The United States has shed roughly foreign goods to the government, so Oxfam has traditionally sought to 540,000 factory jobs since last February that US manufacturers can have more inspire debate at the World Economic as the coronavirus pandemic hurled information and be in a more compet- Forum’s annual gathering of business the world’s largest economy into AP/RSS itive position. and political elites in the Swiss ski recession. The goal of the order would President Joe Biden To help enforce these goals, the resort of Davos. be to use the $600 billion the federal order establishes a job at the White Though the pandemic means there government spends on procurement cies. It also changes rules so that more House Office of Management and won’t be any trek up the mountains to boost domestic factories and hiring, of a manufactured good’s components Budget to monitor the initiative and this week, organizers are putting on a said officials who insisted on anonym- must originate from US factories. focus on ensuring the government virtual gathering. ity to discuss the forthcoming American-made goods would also be buys more domestically made goods. Leaders including Chinese announcement. protected by an increase in the gov- It also requires federal agencies to President Xi Jinping, Indian Prime Biden’s order would modify the ernment’s threshold and price prefer- report on their progress in purchasing Minister Narendra Modi, German rules for the Buy American pro- ences, the difference in price over American goods, as well as emphasiz- Chancellor Angela Merkel and South gramme, making it harder for contrac- which the government can buy a for- ing Biden’s support for the Jones Act, African President Cyril Ramaphosa tors to qualify for a waiver and sell eign product. which mandates that only US-flag ves- are all set to take part in the meetings foreign-made goods to federal agen- The order also has elements that sels carry cargo between US ports. from January 25-29.

REUTERS A picture illustration shows US 100 dollar bank notes.

REUTERS Chase Coleman’s Tiger Global, which BOSTON, JAN 25 earned $10.4 billion, Israel Englander’s Global stocks rise on recovery hopes Millennium, which earned $10.2 bil- The world’s 20 best-performing lion and Steve Mandel’s Lone hedge funds earned $63.5 billion Pine with $9.1 billion. Andreas REUTERS ing valuations amid questions over ments have meant months of indeci- have supported 2020 stay-home benefi- for clients in 2020, setting a record Halvorsen’s Viking Global Investors LONDON, JAN 25 the efficiency of the vaccines in curb- sion in a country suffering more than ciaries, we do not think the rotation for the last 10 years during a chaotic earned $7.0 billion and Ken Griffin’s ing the pandemic and as US lawmak- 175,000 Covid-19 cases a day with mil- into cyclicals is over,” said Mark time when technology oriented Citadel earned $6.2 billion, according Global shares rose to levels just shy of ers continue to debate a coronavirus lions out of work. Haefele, chief investment officer at stocks led a dramatic rebound from a to LCH data. record highs on Monday, as optimism aid package. Global Covid-19 cases are inching UBS Global Wealth Management. pandemic induced sell-off, LCH Ray Dalio’s Bridgewater Associates, over a $1.9 trillion US stimulus plan All eyes are on Washington DC as towards 100 million with more than 2 Haefele said a broadening economic Investments data show. founded in 1975, held on to the number outweighed rising Covid-19 cases and US lawmakers agreed that getting the million dead. recovery, a normalization of economic As a group, the most successful 1 ranking since inception, with $46.5 delays in vaccine supplies. Covid-19 vaccine to Americans should Despite the recent outperformance activity as vaccination programmes managers earned half of the $127 bil- billion earned, even after a terrible European stock markets opened be a priority even as they lock horns in tech stocks, investors have reiterat- continue, and attractive valuations for lion that all hedge funds made last 2020 during which LCH data show higher, with the pan-European over the size of the US pandemic ed views that cyclical and value stocks emerging-market stocks relative to year, LCH Investments, a fund of Dalio lost $12.1 billion. STOXX 600 up 0.3 percent. The conti- relief package. will outperform as economies recover. developed markets were reasons for funds firm that tracks returns and is George Soros’ Soros Fund nent’s 50 biggest stocks were also up Financial markets have been eyeing “While renewed lockdowns and UBS shifting its preference to emerg- part of the Edmond de Rothschild Management, which no longer manag- 0.3 percent. a massive package, though disagree- mobility restrictions around the world ing markets. group, reported. es money for outside clients, held on to Germany’s DAX rose 0.2 percent, On Friday, the Dow fell 0.57 percent, Despite the pandemic that triggered the number 2 spot followed by Mandel, Italy’s FTSE MIB index jumped 0.6 the S&P 500 lost 0.30 percent and the a historic stock market sell-off in Griffin and managers at D E Shaw percent and Britain’s FTSE 100 Nasdaq added 0.09 percent. The three March, shut down large sectors of the who rounded out the top five perform- rose 0.1 percent. Spain’s IBEX and main US indexes closed higher for the economy and swallowed up millions ers of all time. France’s CAC 40 faltered, down 0.1 week, with the Nasdaq rising over 4 of jobs, the 20 best hedge funds topped In 2020 only Dalio and John percent each. percent. their 2019 returns of $59.3 billion. Paulson’s Paulson & Co, which earned A rally in US tech stocks to near “Small/Mid (SMID) cap earnings That was despite 2020 not being as billions from housing market bets dur- record highs on Friday helped fuel were more impacted by the pandemic, profitable as the previous year for ing the financial crisis, lost money, the gains in their counterparts in Asia and we project an earnings rebound hedge funds as a whole, which saw data show. and Europe. A European basket more than 2x larger than the S&P 500,” earnings fall from $178 billion in 2019. Jim Simons’ Renaissance of tech stocks gained 1.2 percent. In said BoFA strategists in a note. The average hedge fund returned Technologies, often ranked among the Asia, Chinese tech giant Tencent “Historically, when Democrats con- 11.6 percent in 2020, according world’s most successful funds because soared 11 percent. trol both the White House and to Hedge Fund Research data, of its Medallion portfolio returns, MSCI’s All Country World index, Congress, SMID-cap returns have lagging behind the S&P 500 index’ 16 dropped out of the top 20 performers which tracks stocks across 49 coun- exceeded large cap. Also, SMID-caps percent gain. after the funds it offers to outsiders tries, was up 0.3 percent on the day. are more domestically-oriented, “The net gains generated by the top fell between 20 percent and 30 percent Global equity markets have scaled which should benefit from on-shoring 20 managers for their investors of last year. record highs in recent days on bets and infrastructure spending.” $63.5 billion were the highest in a dec- “Conditions favoured man over Covid-19 vaccines will start to reduce Sentiment in Asia was boosted by a ade. In that sense, 2020 was the year of machine and it was notable that infection rates worldwide and on a report that China had surpassed the the hedge fund,” Rick Sopher, LCH’s Renaissance Technologies, a stronger US economic recovery under AP/RSS United States to be the largest recipi- chairman, said in a statement. machine-driven manager, has dropped President Joe Biden. A woman walks past a bank’s electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index at Hong ent of foreign direct investment in Last year’s biggest earners include out of the top 20,” Sopher said. Investors are also wary about tower- Kong Stock Exchange in Hong Kong on Monday. 2020 with $163 billion in inflows.

C M Y K TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 | 06 WORLD China pushes conspiracy theories Indian farmers ride on Covid-19 origin, vaccines tractors into capital There are criticisms that China allowed the virus to spread globally by reacting too slowly during the early days. ahead of Republic Day

ASSOCIATED PRESS developed by Western drug compa- TAIPEI, TAIWAN, JAN 25 nies. They use a newer technology than the more traditional approach of Chinese state media have stoked con- the Chinese vaccines currently in use. cerns about Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine, In December, the director of the despite rigorous trials that showed it Chinese Centers for Disease Control, was safe. A government spokesperson Gao Fu, said he can’t rule out negative has raised the unfounded theory that side effects from the mRNA vaccines. the coronavirus could have emerged Noting this is the first time they are from a US military lab, giving it more being given to healthy people, he said, credence in China. “there are safety concerns.” As the ruling Communist Party The arrival of the WHO mission faces growing questioning about has brought back persistent criticism China’s vaccines and renewed criti- that China allowed the virus to spread cism of its early Covid-19 response, it globally by reacting too slowly in the is hitting back by encouraging con- beginning, even reprimanding doc- spiracy theories that some experts say tors who tried to warn the public. The could cause harm. visiting researchers will begin field State media and officials are sowing work this week after being released doubts about Western vaccines and from a 14-day quarantine. the origin of the coronavirus in an The Communist Party sees the apparent bid to deflect the attacks. WHO investigation as a political risk REUTERS Both issues are in the spotlight because it focuses attention on China’s Farmers participate in a tractor rally to protest against the newly passed farm bills, on a because of the rollout of vaccines response, said Jacob Wallis, a senior highway on the outskirts of New Delhi, India. globally and the recent arrival of a analyst at the Australian Strategic World Health Organization team in Policy Institute. REUTERS new farm laws they say will hurt their Wuhan, China, to investigate the ori- The party wants to “distract domes- NEW DELHI, JAN 25 livelihoods and help big companies. gins of the virus. tic and international audiences by Their unions are pushing for repeal Some of these conspiracy theories AP/RSS pre-emptively distorting the narrative Caravans of tractors clogged a key of the laws, after rejecting a govern- find a receptive audience at home. The In this January 20 file photo, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying speaks on where responsibility lies for the highway in northern India on Monday ment proposal to suspend the meas- social media hashtag “American’s Ft. during the daily press briefing at the Foreign Ministry in Beijing. China is trying to spread emergence of Covid-19,” Wallis said. as tens of thousands of farmers pro- ures it says will usher in much-needed Detrick,” started by the Communist doubt about the effectiveness of Western vaccines and the origin of the coronavirus. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman testing against agriculture reforms steps to boost farmer incomes. Youth League, was viewed at least 1.4 Hua Chunying got the ball rolling streamed into the capital ahead of Several rounds of talks with Modi’s billion times last week after a Foreign she said, saying, “That is super, super 50.4% after including mildly sympto- last week by calling for the WHO celebrations for Republic Day. government have made little headway. Ministry spokesperson called for a dangerous.” matic cases. investigation of the US military lab. India marks its founding as a repub- At the weekend, police said they WHO investigation of the biological In the latest volley, state media After the Brazil news, researchers The site had been mentioned previ- lic on Tuesday with a military parade would allow at least 12,000 tractors to weapons lab in Maryland. called for an investigation into the at the Australian Strategic Policy ously by CGTN and other state-con- in the historic city centre, but the traverse a 100-km stretch around the “It’s purpose is to shift the blame deaths of 23 elderly people in Norway Institute, a government-supported trolled outlets. farmers, who are demanding a roll- capital, despite some intelligence from mishandling by (the) Chinese after they received the Pfizer vaccine. think tank, reported seeing an “If America respects the truth, then back of Prime Minister Narendra warnings of possible efforts to disrupt government in the pandemic’s early An anchor at CGTN, the English- increase in Chinese media disinfor- please open up Ft. Detrick and make Modi’s deregulation effort, plan their the farmers’ peaceful rally. days to conspiracy by the US,” said language station of state broadcaster mation about vaccines. public more information about the 200 own peaceful show of strength. A farmers’ group exhorted its mem- Fang Shimin, a now-US-based writer CCTV, and the Global Times newspa- Dozens of online articles on popu- or more bio-labs outside of the US, “We will teach Modi a lesson that he bers to refrain from violence in known for exposing faked degrees and per accused Western media of ignor- lar health and science blogs and else- and please allow the WHO expert will never forget,” said one of the pro- detailed instructions issued for other fraud in Chinese science. “The ing the news. where have explored questions about group to go to the US to investigate the testers, from the district of Ludhiana Tuesday’s event. tactic is quite successful because of Health experts say deaths unrelated the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine origins,” Hua said. in Punjab, who drove his own tractor. “Remember, our aim is not to con- widespread anti-American sentiment to the vaccine are possible during at length, drawing on an op-ed pub- Her comments, publicized by state Loudspeakers blared anti-govern- quer Delhi, but to win over the hearts in China.” mass vaccination campaigns, and a lished this month in the British media, became one of the most popu- ment songs as the lengthy procession of the people of this county,” it said. Yuan Zeng, an expert on Chinese WHO panel has concluded that the Medical Journal that raised questions lar topics on Sina Weibo. of vehicles rolled down National In the western state of Maharashtra, media at the University of Leeds in vaccine did not play a “contributory about its clinical trial data. China isn’t the only government to Highway 44, accompanied by dozens thousands of farmers were also on the Great Britain, said the government’s role” in the Norway deaths. “It’s very embarrassing” for the point fingers. Former President of community kitchens to hand move, flocking to a flag-hoisting cere- stories spread so widely that even The state media coverage followed a government, Fang said in an email. As Donald Trump, trying to deflect blame out hot meals and beverages in the mony on Tuesday in the heart of well-educated Chinese friends have report by researchers in Brazil who a result, China is trying to raise for his government’s handling of the winter cold. Mumbai, India’s financial capital. asked her whether they might be true. found the effectiveness of a Chinese doubts about the Pfizer vaccine to save pandemic, said last year he had seen Farmers mainly drawn from the “We are here to support farmers in Inflaming doubts and spreading vaccine lower than previously face and promote its vaccines, he said. evidence the virus came from a Wuhan breadbasket states of Punjab and Delhi, to highlight that farmers across conspiracy theories might add to announced. Researchers initially Senior Chinese government offi- laboratory. While that theory has not adjoining Haryana have blockaded the country are against the farm public health risks as governments said Sinovac’s vaccine is 78% effec- cials have not been shy in voicing been definitively ruled out, many approaches into New Delhi for about laws,” said Ashok Dhawale, a state try to dispel unease about vaccines, tive, but the scientists revised that to concerns about the mRNA vaccines experts think it is unlikely. two months to protest against three protest leader.

BRIEFING China criticises US over

Nine workers found dead in China gold mine explosions South China sea activity BEIJING: Chinese rescuers have found REUTERS “This is not conducive to peace and the bodies of nine workers killed in BEIJING, JAN 25 stability in the region.” explosions at a gold mine, raising China has repeatedly complained the death toll to 10, officials said on The United States often sends ships about US Navy ships getting Monday. Eleven others were rescued and aircraft into the South China Sea close to islands it occupies in a day earlier after being trapped to “flex its muscles” and this is not the South China Sea, where Vietnam, underground for two weeks at the good for peace, China’s Foreign Malaysia, the Philippines, Brunei mine in Shandong province. One Ministry said on Monday, after a US and Taiwan all have competing person was still missing. The cause aircraft carrier group sailed into the claims. of the accident at the mine, which disputed waterway. The carrier group entered the South was under construction, is under The strategic South China Sea, China Sea at the same time as investigation. The explosions on through which trillions of dollars in Chinese-claimed Taiwan reported January 10 released 70 tonnes of trade flows each year, has long been incursions by Chinese air force debris that blocked a shaft, a focus of contention between Beijing jets into the southwestern part of disabling elevators and trapping and Washington, with China its air defence identification zone, workers underground. Rescuers particularly angered by US military prompting concern from Washington. drilled parallel shafts to send down activity there. China has not commented on what food and nutrients and eventually The US carrier group led by the its air force was doing, and bring up the survivors on Sunday. USS Theodore Roosevelt and Zhao referred questions to the defence Chen Yumin, director of the rescue accompanied by three warships, ministry. group, told reporters that nine work- entered the waterway on Saturday He reiterated China’s position ers recovered on Monday died more to promote “freedom of the seas”, the that Taiwan is an inalienable part than 400 metres below ground. US military said, just days after of China and that the United Joe Biden became US president.. States should abide by the “one China” “The United States frequently principle. Indian and Chinese troops sends aircraft and vessels into Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen in new border brawl the South China Sea to flex its mus- visited a radar base in the north of the AP/RSS cles,” the foreign ministry spokesman, island on Monday, and praised its In this time-lapsed photo, hot lava runs down from Mount Merapi as its activity continues since local geological authority raised the alert to the NEW DELHI: Indian and Chinese troops Zhao Lijian, told reporters, ability to track Chinese forces, her second-highest level in November, in Kaliurang, Indonesia, on early Sunday. Merapi is one of the most volatile among the country’s more than have fought a new brawl on their responding to the US mission. office said. 120 volcanoes. contested Himalayan border, leaving injuries on both sides, mili- tary officials said on Monday. The fighting on Jan 20 came six months after a pitched battle which left at least 20 Indian troops dead as well as an unknown number of Chinese House sending Trump impeachment to Senate, GOP opposes trial casualties. The world’s two most populous nations have since become ASSOCIATED PRESS first chance I get to vote to end this loyal supporters heeded his rally cry ties. Arguments in the Senate trial acquit Trump. Democrats would need embroiled in a diplomatic showdown WASHINGTON, JAN 25 trial, I’ll do it” because he believes it by storming the Capitol and trying to will begin the week of February 8. the support of 17 Republicans—a high over their geographical and would be bad for the country and fur- overturn Joe Biden’s election. The Leaders in both parties agreed bar—to convict him. political differences. The Indian As the House prepares to bring the ther inflame partisan divisions. proceedings will also force Democrats, to the short delay to give Trump’s When the House impeached Trump military played down the latest impeachment charge against Donald Trump is the first former president who have a full sweep of party control team and House prosecutors time on January 13, exactly one week after skirmish as a “minor face-off” at Trump to the Senate for trial, a grow- to face impeachment trial, and it will of the White House and Congress, to to prepare and the Senate the chance the siege, Sen Tom Cotton, R-Ark., Naku La pass, which connects Sikkim ing number of Republican senators test his grip on the Republican Party balance their promise to hold the for- to confirm some of Biden’s Cabinet said he didn’t believe the Senate had state with Tibet on the Chinese side. say they are opposed to the proceed- as well as the legacy of his tenure, mer president accountable while also nominees. Democrats say the extra the constitutional authority to convict A short statement said the tensions ing, dimming the chances that former which came to a close as a mob of rushing to deliver on Biden’s priori- days will allow for more evidence to Trump after he had left office. On were “resolved by local commanders president will be convicted on the come out about the rioting by Trump Sunday, Cotton said “the more I talk to as per established protocols”. Four charge that he incited a siege of the supporters, while Republicans hope to other Republican senators, the more Indian troops were injured when a US Capitol. craft a unified defence for Trump. they’re beginning to line up” behind Chinese patrol was forced back, gov- House Democrats will carry the sole Sen Chris Coons, D-Del., said in an that argument. ernment sources said. They added impeachment charge of “incitement interview with The Associated Press “I think a lot of Americans are that China suffered an unknown of insurrection” across the Capitol on Sunday that he hopes that evolving going to think it’s strange that the number of casualties. (AGENCIES) late Monday evening, a rare and cere- clarity on the details of what hap- Senate is spending its time trying to monial walk to the Senate by the pros- pened Jan. 6 “will make it clearer to convict and remove from office a ecutors who will argue their case. my colleagues and the American peo- man who left office a week ago,” They are hoping that strong ple that we need some accountability.” Cotton said. Republican denunciations of Trump Coons questioned how his col- Democrats reject that argument, after the January 6 riot will translate leagues who were in the Capitol that pointing to a 1876 impeachment of a into a conviction and a separate vote day could see the insurrection as any- secretary of war who had already to bar Trump from holding office thing other than a “stunning viola- resigned and to opinions by many again. tion” of tradition of peaceful trans- legal scholars. But instead, GOP passions appear fers of power. Democrats also say that a reckoning to have cooled since the insurrection. “It is a critical moment in American of the first invasion of the Capitol Now that Trump’s presidency is over, history and we have to look at it and since the War of 1812, perpetrated Republican senators who will serve as look at it hard,” Coons said. by rioters egged on by a president jurors in the trial are rallying to his An early vote to dismiss the trial who told them to “fight like hell” legal defence, as they did during his probably would not succeed, given against election results that were first impeachment trial last year. that Democrats now control the being counted at the time, is necessary “I think the trial is stupid, I think Senate. Still, the mounting Republican so the country can move forward it’s counterproductive,” said Sen AP/RSS opposition indicates that many GOP and ensure such a siege never hap- Marco Rubio, R-Fla. He said that “the Rioters, loyal to President Donald Trump, storm the Capitol in Washington on January 6. senators would eventually vote to pens again.

C M Y K 07 | TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY Police edge Province 2 to reach semis Chelsea sack Lampard, Following Police’s qualification to knockout round, all three departmental teams have secured last-four berths in PM Cup. Tuchel set to take charge SPORTS BUREAU KATHMANDU, JAN 25 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE improved results. LONDON, JAN 25 Lampard’s points-per-game average Nepal Police Club edged Province 2 by of 1.67 is the lowest for any Chelsea four wickets to qualify for the semi-fi- Chelsea sacked manager Frank manager since Abramovich arrived at nals of the Prime Minister Cup Lampard on Monday after 18 months Stamford Bridge in 2003. He admitted National one-day cricket tournament in charge, with former Paris Saint- he was worried after last week’s 2-0 as Group ‘B’ runners up at the Mulpani Germain boss Thomas Tuchel hotly defeat to high-flying Leicester. “It’s not cricket grounds on Monday. tipped to replace him at the Stamford where we want to be,” said Lampard. Following Police’s entry to the Bridge. “I am worried. From the form we were semis on the last day of the group Lampard signed a three-year deal in in to get so quickly in to the form stage, all three departmental teams July 2019, leading Chelsea to the FA we’re in now... we should be better have secured their berths in the last Cup final and a fourth-placed Premier than losing five in eight.” four. Nepal Armed Police Force (APF) League finish in his first season in The former playmaker won three Club and Tribhuvan Army Club were charge. Chelsea cruised into the last Premier League titles during his glit- assured of semi-final spots from 16 of the Champions League and brief- tering playing career at the Stamford Group ‘A’ with a match in hand. ly topped the Premier League table in Bridge, as well as the Champions and Police, who wrapped up the group December after an impressive start to Europa Leagues and other domestic stage with six points, finished one the season but they have now slumped honours. Lampard’s first managerial point behind table toppers Bagmati POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA to ninth after five defeats in eight posting was at Championship club Province replacing Lumbini from sec- Armed Police Force Club defeated Tribhuvan Army Club by six runs to advance into semi-finals as Group A winners with maximum eight points. matches—11 points behind leaders Derby. In his one season in charge, ond place. Manchester United. they reached the Championship play- In another match at the TU grounds, Ansari who scored 13 and 15 runs five fours and two sixes in his 68-ball Sunday’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round off final, where they lost to Aston APF saw off Army by six runs to fin- respectively were the other batsmen to PM CUP STANDINGS knock. They were also gifted with an win against Championship side Luton Villa. ish on top of Group ‘A’ with maximum touch double figures. extra 39 runs. was not enough to save the former His departure marks the 14th mana- eight points. Army finished run- Police’s Lalit Rajbanshi was the TEAM P W L T PT NRR Army bowler Hari Chauhan England midfielder. The club said it gerial change since Abramovich’s ners-up with six points after first most successful bowler with four Group A grabbed the highest five wickets while had been a “very difficult decision” to takeover, which transformed the defeat in the group stage. wickets under his belt. The man-of- APF 4 4 0 0 8 1.849 Shahab Alam took two wickets. part ways with the 42-year-old, who is London club into English and Police will vie with Group ‘A’ win- the-match gave away 37 run in his Chauhan conceded 60 runs in his 9.4 their all-time record goalscorer. “We European heavyweights. Army 4 3 1 0 6 1.357 ners APF in the semi-finals at TU eight over spell with a maiden over. overs bowling giving away 60 runs. are grateful to Frank for what he has Lampard’s former England team- grounds on Wednesday while Army Sagar Dhakal grabbed two wickets. Karnali 4 1 3 0 2 -0.825 In the run chase, Army players also achieved in his time as head coach of mate Michael Owen said the decision will take on Group ‘B’ winners Police’s opener Kushal Bhurtel Province 1 4 1 3 0 2 -1.038 came up with a collective batting the club,” Chelsea said in a statement. was “staggering”. “Where do you Bagmati at the same venue on scored 43 runs while wicketkeeper Gandaki 4 1 3 0 2 -1.323 effort and kept their fight until the “However, recent results and perfor- begin?” he tweeted. “Against the odds Thursday. batsman Anil Sah contributed unbeat- GROUP B last over before they succumbed to mances have not met the club’s expec- made top 4 last season and qualified Police, seeking a must-win outcome en 47 runs. Bhurtel shared a 46-run Bagmati 4 3 0 1 7 1.303 defeat. tations, leaving the club mid-table impressively to the knockout stages of to secure a knockout round birth, partnership for the first wicket with Police 4 3 1 0 6 1.067 Army opener Anil Malla, who was without any clear path to sustained the @ChampionsLeague this season. opener Sunil Dhamala who contribut- invited Province 2 to bat first and Lumbini 4 2 1 1 5 0.854 run out by Kishore Mahato, was the improvement.” Bought some good players who will restricted them to 169-9 in the match ed 13 runs. He hit three fences and a highest scorer with 45 runs. He hit Former PSG boss Tuchel, who was settle in given time. Madness.” reduced to 47 overs per side due to six before being trapped leg before by Sudurpaschim 4 1 3 0 2 -2.413 eight fours in his 76-ball knock. His abruptly fired by the French champi- Tuchel only became available a wet outfield. Chasing the moderate Kumar Thapa. Province 2 4 0 4 0 0 -1.078 opening partner Lokesh Bam contrib- ons in December, is in line to take over, month ago when he left PSG, less than target, the departmental side made Sah hit four fences in his 69-ball uted 21 runs, Rohit Paudel 30 runs, it was widely reported. five months after taking them to the 170-6 in 38 overs. knock. Amit Shrestha and Dipendra innings and were restricted to 234-8. Bhim Sharki 27 runs, Rajesh Pulami Defeat to Arsenal at in the FA Cup Champions League final, which they Opener Harishankar Shah was the Singh Airee contributed equal 17 runs APF’s innings were built on moder- 33 runs, Bikram Sob 28 runs while final Wembley in August was followed lost to Bayern. The 47-year-old German highest scorer for Province 2 with 53 apiece while captain Manjeet Shrestha ate contributions from top seven bats- Aakash Chand and Shahab Alam by a 7-1 aggregate defeat to eventual won back-to-back league titles with runs. He hit five fences and a six in his remained not out on 12 runs. men except opener Asif Sheikh who remained not out for 16 and 20 runs Champions League winners Bayern, PSG, but that was not enough to satis- 84-ball knock before being run out. Province 2 bowler Bibek Yadav was out for seven runs. His opening respectively. Hari Chauhan and skip- convincing the Blues board they need- fy the club’s Qatari owners, who None of the other batsmen made and Kumar Thapa grabbed three wick- partner Subash Khakurel contributed per Binod Bhandari were both out for ed to splash the cash. Ben Chilwell and replaced him with former Tottenham remarkable contributions as his open- ets each. 38 runs, skipper Sharad Vesawkar 24 duck. Kai Havertz arrived for big fees manager Mauricio Pochettino. ing partner Himanshu Dutta was out At the TU grounds, put into bat first runs, Sumit Maharjan 46 runs, APF’s Kamal Airee claimed three following the earlier signings of Prior to PSG, Tuchel impressed at for 16 runs while Ravi Singh and APF were bowled out for 240 runs with Sundeep Jora 28 runs, Basant Regmi wickets and was named the man of Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner but Borussia Dortmund, having started Bishal Shusling scored equal 12 runs. two balls to spare. In the run chase, 20 runs and Amar Routela 26 runs. the match. Bhuvan Karki pocketed an outlay of around £220 million ($300 his managerial career with Augsburg Captain Suraj Kurmi and Aadil Army made a slow start to their APF’s highest scorer Maharjan hit two wickets. million) has failed to translate into and then Mainz. England sweep series 2-0 Chandrapur thump Chaudandigadhi 7-1 for first win REUTERS carried England home. SPORTS BUREAU minute bending a pass from Saraswati the defence gave Sabita the advantage conceded in the first half because of GALLE, JAN 25 England, who added only five runs to KATHMANDU, JAN 25 Chaudhari into the net. and she tapped in the team’s third. defensive lapses but we improved the their overnight tally before being dis- Chaudandigadhi held on the lead Sabita then scored her individual sec- game in the second half and we won.” England chased down a target of 164 missed for 344, took just over a session Sabita Rana Magar netted a hat-trick until the final minutes of the first half ond in a one versus one with Devika in “After we lost in the defensive game to secure a 2-0 sweep of the series on to turn the match on their head as Dom and Dil Kumari Rana Magar scored a but Dil Kumari cut the deficit pulling the 69th minute, before completing against Nepal Police Club, we switched Monday, beating Sri Lanka by six Bess (4-49) and Jack Leach (4-59) undid brace as Chandrapur Municipality an equaliser from a corner from her hat-trick nine minutes later. It was our tactic to attacking but lack of wickets in the second Test. the home batting line-up It included a came from one goal down to beat Sabita in the injury time. again one on one with Devika and coordination among players resulted England scored 164-4, with Dom wild sweep from veteran Angelo Chaudandigadhi Municipality 7-1 in It was a one-sided game after break Sabita gave the goalkeeper no chance. in a heavy loss,” said Chaudandigadhi Sibley 56 not out and Jos Buttler Mathews as he was bowled by Bess for the National Women’s Football League at the ANFA Complex with Chandrapur made it four in the 85th coach Dipak Thapa. unbeaten on 46. England earlier dis- five, and a slog that was top-edged by on Monday. Chandrapur dominating the posses- minute through substitute Sunita The win sent Chandrapur level with missed Sri Lanka for 126 in their sec- captain Dinesh Chandimal (9). Chandrapur were licking the sion, and quickly took the lead when Bholan and Dil Kumari scored her Nepal Police Club on three points. ond innings. England’s run chase Embuldeniya was the only home wounds from their 6-0 humiliation by Rajani Thokar put the ball superbly brace in the additional time to wrap Chaudandigadhi are at the bottom of began nervously as they lost their batsmen to make more than 20. But he Armed Police Force Club in their into the top corner from inside the box up the game and take their first three seven-team standings and are without first four wickets for 89 runs, with Sri was eventually dismissed off the opening match when they came on the in the 47th minute. points. a win after two matches. Lanka’s spinner Lasith Embuldeniya bowling of Root, who claimed another ground, and it seemed they were fall- Rajani almost got her second min- It was a much needed win for the On Tuesday, Armed Police Force taking three wickets for a match tally wicket with his next ball by bowling ing to a second consecutive defeat utes later when her attempted shot Chandrapur coach Noorraj Kafle after Club will lock horns with Tribhuvan of 10. But an unbeaten 75-run partner- Asitha Ferando to wrap up the when Anjana Thulung fired was stopped by goalkeeper Devika the opening loss. “We needed to win Army Club while Nepal Police Club ship between Sibley and Buttler innings. Chaudandigadhi ahead in the 23rd Shrestha but a poor combination with this game, which we did,” he said. “We will face Waling Municipality. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Your forays into business are going to be an You’re prone to deeper expressions and solid You are more attractive than you realise, and It’s an excellent day to lead people to new places adventure, to say the least. Keep in mind that it commitments now. This extends to platonic relation- someone is going to make it their job to help you in their lives. You’re feeling restless today. You takes time for any new venture to take off and flour- ships too, so strengthening a friendship is a good understand that today. Be happy and gracious when have been good long enough, and you’re itching ish. It takes time for anything good to grow, remem- possibility. Relationships with co-workers should get someone calls you beautiful. You should believe to break out and run. This could be the start of a ber that. easier. them. long phase.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** You’re feeling pretty good today, fed by the Your tenacity is a powerful force, and it You love to be daring as much as the next Interesting news could come from some unexpected positive comments you’ve been getting about will help you make lots of progress. Just be person, so why not kick things up a notch? places today, and surprises could come from many your appearance and style. Build on that sure to fold in some fun and make time to Fuel the excitement. Go the extra step of different directions. These treats have a wonderful momentum. It’s a great time to unleash your artistic touch base with a friend you haven’t seen in a making your desires not only known but also way of reminding you what the universe has in impulses. while. irresistible. store for you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Every one of your questions deserves an answer, but You can’t be everyone’s best friend. In fact, you can’t You can oblige people today if you must, but don’t be Be clear about what you want. Just because illusions you’ll have to go and find them yourself. Today, even expect everyone to like you. So stop putting so an out-and-out doormat. Make sure your opinions aren’t real doesn’t mean they’re not powerful. To get heed your curiosity and seek the source of the much effort into pleasing someone who clearly can’t are clear. They need to know where you stand. the motivation you need, picture your success. mystery. Ask that person why they value you in be pleased, at least by you. You two are just not com- Don’t keep quiet about how you want to do things Imagine what your life will be like once you have their life. patible. differently. reached that summit. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Scowling Bernie Sanders Makers of Sophia the robot plan happy his mittened meme mass rollout amid pandemic may raise millions for charity Hanson Robotics, based in Hong Kong, said four models, including Sophia, Lifting spirits around the world since it went viral, would start rolling out of factories in the first half of 2021. the meme depicts everything from Japanese anime art to 1960s album cover copies.

BARBARA GOLDBERG WASHINGTON

S Senator Bernie Sanders, the famed curmudg- eon photo- graphed at President Joe UBiden’s inauguration wearing mittens and a scowl behind his facemask in an image that instantly became a meme, said on Sunday he was happy it may help raise millions for charity. Lifting spirits around the world since it went viral, the meme depicts everything from Sanders’ mittens touching Michelangelo’s Hand of God in the Sistine Chapel, to the Vermont Democrat helping actor Demi Moore mould clay at the pottery wheel from the film “Ghost,” to Sanders joining the World War Two REUTERS Yalta Conference in 1945, seated Senator Bernie Sanders attends the next to British Prime Minister inauguration of Joe Biden as the Winston Churchill, US 46th President of the United States REUTERS President Franklin Roosevelt on the West Front of the US Capitol Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Hanson Robotics, David Hanson adjusts a head of a humanoid robot at the company’s lab in Hong Kong. and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. in Washington, US. Asked by CNN on Sunday MICHELLE HENNESSY standing surrounded by robot heads in his lab. called Grace, developed for the healthcare sector. whether he was enjoying the be a good thing, and not only a HONG KONG Hanson believes robotic solutions to the pan- Products from other big players in the indus- meme as much as the rest of the fun thing,” he said. demic are not limited to healthcare, but could try are helping fight the pandemic as well. world, the 79-year-old gave an Vermont teacher Jen Ellis ocial robots like me can take assist customers in industries such as retail and SoftBank Robotics’ Pepper robot was deployed uncharacteristic grin and said said on Twitter that she gifted care of the sick or elderly,” airlines too. to detect people who weren’t wearing masks. In he was overjoyed that his hand- Sanders the mittens, which she Sophia says as she conducts a “Sophia and Hanson robots are unique by China, robotics company CloudMinds helped set woven mittens, blue facemask knitted from repurposed wool tour of her lab in Hong Kong. “I being so human-like,” he added. “That can be so up a robot-run field hospital during the corona- and trademark glower could be sweaters, two years ago. can help communicate, give useful during these times where people are ter- virus outbreak in Wuhan. turned into gold for needy Featured since in everything therapy and provide social ribly lonely and socially isolated.” The use of robots was on the rise before the Americans. from Japanese anime art to “Sstimulation, even in difficult situations.” Hanson said he aims to sell “thousands” of pandemic. According to a report by the “Not only are we having fun 1960s album cover copies, Since being unveiled in 2016, Sophia—a robots in 2021, both large and small, without International Federation of Robotics, worldwide but what we are doing here in Sanders stood out among the humanoid robot—has gone viral. Now the com- providing a specific number. sales of professional-service robots had already Vermont is we’re going to be designer garb at the ceremony pany behind her has a new vision: to mass-pro- Social robotics professor Johan Hoorn, whose jumped 32% to $11.2 billion between 2018 and selling around the country for his mittens, a snowboarding duce robots by the end of the year. research has included work with Sophia, said 2019. sweatshirts and T-shirts, and jacket made by Vermont compa- Hanson Robotics, based in Hong Kong, said that although the technology is still in relative Some humans might be wary of putting all of the money that’s going to ny Burton, and carrying a large four models, including Sophia, would start roll- infancy, the pandemic could accelerate a rela- robots in such sensitive roles. When asked be raised—which I expect will manila envelope. ing out of factories in the first half of 2021, just tionship between humans and robots. whether people should fear robots, Sophia had be a couple of million dollars— “I’m convinced Senator as researchers predict the pandemic will open “I can infer the pandemic will actually help us an answer ready. will be going to programs like Sanders would have dressed new opportunities for the robotics industry. get robots earlier in the market because people “Someone said ‘we have nothing to fear but ‘Meals on Wheels,’ that feed exactly the same to his own “The world of Covid-19 is going to need more start to realise that there is no other way,” said fear itself ’,” the robot mused. “What did he low-income senior citizens,” inauguration had he won,” said and more automation to keep people safe,” Hoorn, of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. know?” Sanders said. one Twitter user. founder and chief executive David Hanson said, Hanson Robotics is launching a robot this year — Reuters “So, it turns out actually to — Reuters Wilkerson’s ‘Caste’ among Pandemic boosts variety of video games As many parts of the world are once again under strict lockdowns, certain video games finalists for book have filled people’s need for a bit of distraction, adventure and socialising. critics awards AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE BRUSSELS Other finalists for this year’s National Book Critics Circle ou’re stuck in lockdown but that doesn’t mean you can’t include an acclaimed biography of Malcolm X and fiction visit a tropical island, a space station or have games night by Martin Amis and the late Randall Kenan. with your friends—certain video games have filled the need of the world’s confined for a bit of HILLEL ITALIE Y Dead are Arising: The Life of Malcolm distraction, adventure and socialising and NEW YORK X,” co-written by Tamara Payne and her achieved unexpected success during the father, the late journalist Les Payne, pandemic. sabel Wilkerson’s “Caste,” an and winner last fall of the National acclaimed biography of Malcolm Book Award. Animal Crossing X and fiction by Martin Amis and The other finalists were Amy No adversaries or competition in “Animal the late Randall Kenan are among Stanley’s “Stranger in the Shogun’s Crossing: New Horizons” which came out this year’s finalists for National City: A Japanese Woman and Her in March for Nintendo’s Switch console. Book Critics Circle prizes. World,” Zachary D Carter’s “The Price Instead players explore an island, collect- IThe critics circle announced five of Peace: Money, Democracy, and the ing fruit and making tools and furniture, nominees in each of six competitive Life of John Maynard Keynes,” Heather trading with others, as the seasons slowly categories Sunday, and seven finalists Clark’s “Red Comet: The Short Life and change. for an award for best first book. The Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath” and Maggie This version of the game certainly hit Feminist Press, whose founder Florence Doherty’s “The Equivalents: A Story of the spot with players hungry for a bit of Howe died last year, will receive a life- Art, Female Friendship, and Liberation light-hearted diversion. It powered to the time achievement award and has a nom- in the 1960s.” top of the sales charts in the United States inee for criticism: Cristina Rivera In poetry, the nominees were Victoria in March 2020, and was among top sellers Garza’s, “Grieving: Dispatches from a Chang’s “Obit,” Francine J Harris’ in other countries as well. It was the num- Wounded Country.” New Republic critic “Here Is The Sweet Hand,” Amaud ber two title in Europe for 2020 overall, Jo Livingston received a citation for Jamaul Johnson’s “Imperial Liquor,” according to GfK. Excellence in Reviewing. Chris Nealon’s “The Shore” and Danez “The smashing success of Animal Winners will be announced March 25. Smith’s “Homie.” Crossing is explained by two factors: This year’s nominees are the first The autobiography finalists were one is an underlying trend towards family SHUTTERSTOCK under new leadership at the NBCC after Cathy Park Hong’s “Minor Feelings: An games and the other is the short-term which monitors the gaming industry. Once equipped, players can fight against many of its board members departed in Asian American Reckoning,” Shayla factor of the confinement,” said Nicolas The online multiplayer game takes monsters or be guided through fitness 2020 amid a dispute over how to respond Lawson’s “This Is Major: Notes on Vignolles, head of the association of place on a space ship. Most people are routines by the television. to the summer’s Black Lives Matters Diana Ross, Dark Girls, and Being French video game publisher association crewmates but several are imposters The closure of gyms along with lock- protests. Among those stepping down Dope,” Riva Lehrer’s “Golem Girl,” SELL. who are out to kill or at least downs fuelled a spike in sales, leading to was NBCC president Laurie Hertzel, Wayétu Moore’s “The Dragons, The He said parents suddenly confronted block crewmates from carrying out their shortages last year after consumers senior books editor for the Minneapolis Giant, The Women” and Alia Volz’s with being confined with their children assigned tasks. Lively debates take snapped up four million units between Star Tribune. She was replaced by “Home Baked: My Mom, Marijuana, looked to video games to find options for place as crewmates seek to unmask the October 2019 and July 2020. David Varno, Publishers Weekly’s fic- and the Stoning of San Francisco.” family entertainment, and that “Animal imposters. tion reviews editor. Beside’s Garza’s “Grieving,” criti- Crossing was an ideal game for par- The game’s popularity has even seen US FIFA 2021 In the NBCC’s fiction award category, cism nominees were Vivian Gornick’s ent-child interaction.” lawmakers join in matches broadcast on The halt to many football matches and the Amis was nominated for his autobio- “Unfinished Business: Notes of a Nintendo’s chief in France, Philippe Twitch in an effort to reach young voters postponement of the Euro championship graphical novel “Inside Story” and Chronic Re-Reader,” Nicole Fleetwood’s Lavoue, has acknowledged the last year. may have sparked interest among fans to Kenan, who died in 2020, for the story “Marking Time.” Namwali Serpell’s firm’s lucky timing of releasing the game For French game publisher Nicolas play virtually. According to GfK, FIFA 2021 collection “If I Had Two Wings.” “Stranger Faces” and Wendy A. just as many people were needing an Vignolles it is the exchanges between play- from Electronic Arts was the best-selling The other finalists were Maggie Woloson’s “Crap: A History of Cheap escape. ers that explains the game’s popularity. video game in 2020. O’Farrell’s “Hamnet,” Souvankham Stuff in America.” “But we were happy to have helped con- “Among Us at the intersection of social Thammavongsa’s “How to Pronounce Three of last year’s most talked about fined people feel less lonely and to escape networking and video games,” he said, Board and card games Knife” and Bryan Washington’s first novels, Raven Leilani’s “Luster,” mentally,” he told the French newspaper noting that nearly one in two gamers in If chess boards and Uno cards graced the “Memorial.” Megha Majumdar’s “A Burning” and Le Figaro. France say that video games help them tables of many households more frequent- Wilkerson’s “Caste,” her widely read Douglas Stuart’s “Shuggie Bain,” are create social relationships. ly during lockdowns, their video games exploration of American racism; was a nominees for the John Leonard Prize Among Us “That didn’t exist before... This underly- versions did as well. nonfiction finalist. The others were for best first book, fiction or nonfiction. The success of “Among Us” in 2020 was a ing trend has accelerated with confine- A sign of that is a collection of classic Walter Johnson’s “The Broken Heart of The other finalists are Kerri big surprise for the industry as the title ment,” said Vignolles. board games for Switch was among the top America: St, Louis and the Violent Arsenault’s “Mill Town,” Karla Cornejo drew little attention when was originally sellers for the console in France last year, History of the United States,” James Villavicencio’s “The Undocumented released in 2018. Ring Fit Adventure Nintendo told Le Figaro. Shapiro’s “Shakespeare in a Divided Americans,” Brandon Taylor’s “Real But its developers at US studio If working out and playing video games “The big lesson of confinement was that America,” Sarah Smarsh’s “She Come By Life” and “C Pam Zhang’s “How Much Innersloth kept refining their concept, are usually two contradictory activities, video games have broken definitively the It Natural: Dolly Parton and the Women of These Hills Is Gold.” which paid off when some prominent “Ring Fit Adventure” brings them stereotype of a game that can cause people Who Lived Her Songs” and Tom Zoellner’s The Leonard award is named for the game streamers on Twitch began to play it together. to withdraw and become isolated,” said “Island on Fire: The Revolt That Ended late literary critic, who helped found on the platform in mid-2020. The game works with the Switch con- Nicolas Vignolles. Slavery in the British Empire.” the NBCC in 1974. By November the game had half a bil- sole, whose controllers are slotted into a “They were an incredibly effective anti- Biography nominees included “The — Associated Press lion players, according to Superdata, Pilates ring and a leg strap. dote to isolation.”

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