WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 58 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in , , Bharatpur and 34.5 C 4.9 C Friday, April 24, 2020 | 12-01-2077 Nepalgunj How Oli aimed ordinance at splitting parties but instead led to their merger Two ordinances introduced on Monday culminated in a political drama that saw allegations of kidnapping and the merger of two Madhesi parties long at odds.

TIKA R PRADHAN & ANIL GIRI KATHMANDU, APRIL 23

The introduction of two controversial ordinances on Monday by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli set into motion a chain of events that eventually culminated in the alleged “kidnapping” of a political leader and the long-awaited merger of two Madhesi parties. Late Wednesday night, the Samajbadi Party and the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal, the third and fourth largest parties in the feder- al parliament, finally agreed to merge in order to “deal a blow to Oli’s ill-in- POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN tended move of splitting the Samajbadi A farmer dumps flowers at Ramkot in the Capital’s as the lockdown due to coronavirus puts florists out of business. Party,” they said. POST PHOTO: KABIN ADHIKARI “We foiled Oli’s plan to split the Samajbadi Party and Rastriya Janata Party Samajbadi Party by deciding to merge applied to the Election Commission on with them,” , a lead- Thursday to register a unified party. er in the six-member Janata Party praesidium, told the Post. However, Samajbadi Party coordi- Nepalis in London face xenophobia amid Covid fears Hours before the merger, Samajbadi nator and former prime minister Party Vice-chair Renu Yadav had was quick to attempted to split the party with the react, calling Surendra Yadav’s depar- Last week, two cars belonging to former British were set on fire in what is believed to be racially motivated attacks. support of six others of the party’s ture from a “kidnapping”. lawmakers, a move that was only pos- The party’s publicity department dep- ELISHA SHRESTHA IN KATHMANDU & But that wasn’t to be the only attack that this has to do with the Covid-19 sible because of one of Oli’s Monday uty chief Bishwadeep Pandey too NABIN POKHREL IN LONDON on the community that night. pandemic, which has sparked racism ordinances that allowed a party split alleged that ruling party leader APRIL 23 Barely an hour after Limbu’s parents’ and anti-Asian xenophobia across the to occur with just 40 percent support Mahesh Basnet and former Nepal car was set afire, another car belong- world. from either the party’s lawmakers or Police chief Sarbendra Khanal had On Wednesday, April 15, Milan Limbu ing to Basanta Maden, also a former Last month, when Roshan Gurung its central committee. Earlier, the “kidnapped” Surendra Yadav from was playing video games in his room British Gurkha and Limbu’s neigh- was walking on the street of Bristol, a requirement was 40 percent support Janakpur. when he heard a loud explosion. At bour, was burned. man directed an angry rant at him from both lawmakers and the central Basnet, however, denied any such first, he thought it was the sound of Ratna Limbu, Milan’s uncle, from his car. committee. charges. fireworks. But it was 11 pm in the oth- believes that the arson attacks were “It was the first time that I faced “If we had not decided to merge The former minister told the Post erwise quiet neighbourhood of racially motivated. racism. I get chills even remembering yesterday, Renu Yadav would have that he had been called for a discus- Maidstone, an English town south- “We have been deeply saddened the incident. The man yelled at me, split the party with at least six other sion by some Samajbadi Party law- east of London. Limbu looked out the and, at the same time, badly shaken up saying at what price I was selling bats lawmakers today,” said Ang Kaji makers who wanted to desert the window to find his parents’ car on fire. by these incidents,” he said. “I am and then he sarcastically congratulat- Sherpa, a central committee member party. According to insiders in the The police and fire department afraid that my family might also be ed me for spreading Covid-19,” said of the Samajbadi Party. ruling , Oli were called, and the conclusion was PHOTO COURTESY: KENT ONLINE the target of a hate crime.” Gurung. Renu Yadav, along with five other had deployed some leaders “to hold arson--the car had deliberately been The car after the arson attack in Maidstone. The arson attacks on Limbu and On March 18, Haushala Thapa lawmakers, had reportedly already talks” with Samajbadi Party leaders. set on fire. For Limbu, the son of Ram Maden are by no means isolated inci- Zimba reported being the target of a gathered in Kathmandu. One lawmak- One Samajbadi Party leader who Kumar Limbu, a former British dents. In recent days, physical and comment by a passerby who accused er, Surendra Yadav, was in Janakpur spoke on condition of anonymity Gurkha, it was an attack that he’d as a Gurkha enclave in England. verbal attacks against the Nepali com- her of having brought the “virus” to and was brought to Kathmandu by admitted that the Oli camp had put out never experienced before in “It was an attack on my family, on munity in England are becoming England. road on Oli’s instructions, according feelers to some disgruntled leaders. Maidstone, a small town that is known our house,” said Limbu. much more common. Many believe >> Continued on page 5 to media reports. >> Continued on page 5 Nepal stands to lose Rs 145 billion in remittance this year Projected drop due to the global economic slowdown triggered by coronavirus as well as the fall in oil prices, World Bank says.

SANGAM PRASAIN & coronavirus outbreak as PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA well as the fall in oil prices. KATHMANDU, APRIL 23 “The economic slow- down is likely to directly Remittance to Nepal is affect remittance outflows expected to drop by a whop- from the United States, ping 14 percent this year, the United Kingdom, and signalling an economic dis- EU countries to South Asia. tress stemming from the Falling oil prices will Covid-19 pandemic, said a affect remittance outflows World Bank report released from GCC [Gulf on Wednesday. Cooperation Council] coun- This drop in remittance tries and Malaysia,” the roughly translates to a loss report said. of Rs145 billion, based on Since March 12, no the current exchange rate Nepali has gone abroad to of $1=Rs120. work. The entire foreign Nepali migrant workers employment business has sent home $8.64 billion in been halted indefinitely for 2019, making the country the first time in over two one of the biggest benefi- decades. ciaries of remittance in the “The projection by the world. World Bank regarding the Remittances to the entire decline in remittances to South Asian region are Nepal is in line with our expected to decline by 22 own projection,” said percent to $109 billion, the Gunakar Bhatta, spokes- report says, driven largely person for Nepal Rastra by the global economic Bank. slowdown triggered by the >> Continued on page 5

C M Y K FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 | 02 MEDLEY

Inside the Post Quote of the day

Health Ministry to recommend easing of lockdown restrictions in areas National outside coronavirus hotspots, Page 3 The Ministry of Health and Population is likely to recommend that the Covid-19 high-level committee and the Crisis Management Center ease lockdown restrictions in areas outside infection hotspots. “We all know the ongoing lockdown cannot be continued in the same form, but we must Opinion ensure that risk is minimised before This pandemic will further increase inequality. Billions of jobs lost will be the major factor that will create further inequality even in the developed countries. restrictions are lifted.” Developing and least developed countries will be further affected by the economic downturn. Dr Bhagwan Koirala, chairman of Nepal Medical Council, on Money easing the lockdown restrictions. Boeing plans to reduce the workforce in its civil aviation unit by 10 percent to cut costs as the coronavirus causes a crisis for airlines, two sources familiar with the matter told AFP. The job cuts could affect up to 7,000 workers. Most read online World The coronavirus pandemic is cutting off the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims from How one resident led a smear campaign to get an their cherished Ramadan traditions as health officials battle to ward off new infections during ’s holiest month, haunted by multiple outbreaks traced to American kicked out of the country religious gatherings around the world. On December 30, Tandav News, a Pokhara-based online portal, published a story alleging that an American citizen on a business visa was involved in raising “illegal donations” in Pokhara. The portal followed up with another report on Culture & Arts January 1, detailing how the American was “making a profit in the name of ‘Extraction’ is a familiar kind of kinetic action movie featuring lengthy takes and social work”. Then, another story on January 6 regarding their “investigation violent choreography, but it benefits greatly from the atmosphere of an exotic, strategy”. lesser-seen and overwhelming locale. With three new cases, Nepal’s Covid-19 tally reaches 45 Three new cases of Covid-19 were confirmed on Wednesday, the Health Ministry said. This takes the country’s Covid-19 tally to 45. According to Dr Bikash News Quiz Devkota, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, samples tested at BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences confirmed Covid-19 positive in three men aged 24, 60 and 72 from Bhulke of Triyuga Municipality of Udayapur. 1. Where were two journalists b. Netflix POST PHOTO: KIRAN PANDAY recently threatened while c. Amazon Prime A health worker administers vaccine to a baby at an immunisation clinic organised at reporting about illegal mining? d. Hulu Udayapur is a ticking time bomb, warn doctors, as more Ramghat Primary Health Centre in Pingalasthan, Kathmandu on Wednesday. a. Mahottari Covid-19 cases are identified b. Sarlahi 5. Which country launched its With 14 Covid-19 cases reported from one neighbourhood–Bhulke of Triyuga c. Bara first military satellite into the Municipality–in Udayapur in a span of two days, public health experts warn of d. Siraha orbit on Wednesday ? a sudden surge in the days to come as they believe there is a strong possibility a. Iran On this day in history of community transfer. 2. Where does Nepal rank on the b. Germany global press freedom index c. France according to the annual report d. USA President’s swift approval of Monday’s ordinances has many of Reporters Without Borders? Yeltsin releases parts of new constitution ahead of polls a. 150 wondering about her role b. 130 MOSCOW– President Boris Yeltsin on Friday released the outline of a new consti- As often as the KP Sharma Oli government runs into controversy, it tends to c. 112 tution featuring a powerful executive presidency, in an apparent bid to use a drag other institutions down with it, even an office as vaunted as that of the d. 82 “yes” vote in this weekend referendum on his presidency as tacit approval for President. President on Monday approved two controver- the change. sial ordinances within hours of their issuance by the Oli Cabinet. 3. Which province recently bought A fierce struggle on the matter is expected in coming weeks between Yeltsin two real-time polymerase chain and the conservative-dominated parliament, whose members are opposed to reaction machines to conduct change. Supporters of the president point out that the current constitution, dat- Covid-19 tests? ing from the Leonid Brezhnev era, has been amended so often that it has become a. Bagmati Province REUTERS useless. Corrections b. c. Sudurpaschim Province 6. Which hospital recently The Kathmandu Post Our reporters and editors do their best to make sure our reporting is free from d. scrapped a contract for medical April 24, 1993 errors. But when we make mistakes that warrant correction, we will be transparent equipment after the supplier and clarify at the bottom of the specific article. 4. Which online streaming servic- delivered an old ventilator ? If you believe we have got something wrong and it requires correction, please es added nearly 16 million glob- a. Koshi Hospital email us at [email protected] with “correction” in the subject line. al subscribers during the first b. Mahakali Hospital Answers to News Quiz: 1(a), 2(c), 3(d), 4(b), 5(a), 6(b) For the most recent corrections, visit kathmandupost.com/corrections. three months of the year? c. Teku Hospital a. HBO d. Mechi Hospital HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) CANCER (June 22-July 22) LIBRA (September 23-October 22) CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** **** *** *** You’ve been all smiles with one of your foes You’re prepared to come to the aid of people in Today, your daily routine could be disrupted, Your creativity is on fire right now, so try to use lately, and this trend is likely to continue for need. That means you should be the first person but it won’t faze you. You have a solid focus on it to your advantage! It can help you see new some time. The two of you have much more to to reach out and offer a helping hand. You have everything you need to take care of. You know uses for old tools, a quick solution to a nagging gain by getting along. This isn’t exactly going to just the right amount of energy necessary to how to keep your head down and stay cool, problem, and even a fun way to put a smile on be a lovefest, though. There is still a real prob- handle your own issues as well as the extra bag- calm, and collected in the eye of a hurricane, so someone’s face. Your perspective is fresh and lem, and it won’t go away until they grow up and gage that someone you care about has been lug- have confidence that you’ll get done what you innovative now. You’re going to impress the start to accept responsibility. ging around. need to get done. majority of the people around you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) LEO (July 23-August 22) SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) **** *** **** *** You’ve been doing a lot of lovely things that are Why just talk to someone when you can sing You might think you want to know all the When someone tries to make you solve one of very appealing to the masses. You know your them a song? Why write an average text full of answers, but today it might be in your best their big problems, you can do one of two things: audience, and you know how to act around emojis when you can send them a funny online interests to be a little clueless and leave You can decide to be compassionate about their them. This savvy energy has given you an edge greeting card that says all you feel (and more)? yourself something to discover! Besides, know- situation and do your best to help them out, or over the competition, and it’s going to continue Be more creative with how you communicate ing everything can keep you from having fun. you can wish them luck and just keep on moving. to help you get some preferential treatment. today and you’ll make a much better And it can keep you from seeing things in a After all, something that isn’t your problem isn’t Your popularity will skyrocket. impression. new light. your problem.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) VIRGO (August 23-September 22) SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) PISCES (February 19-March 20) **** *** **** *** Someone you rely on often is getting impatient Share your latest ideas with your most trusted If you need an attitude adjustment, come up You have so much emotional strength. Why not about their work situation. You might need to friend, but don’t be hurt if they aren’t as excited with a different strategy for working through take advantage of it and tackle a touchy subject deal with their frustrations whether you want to about what you’re thinking. Their job is to be your emotions. Today, instead of feeling all today? It’s time to clear the air with someone or not. Friends often rely on each other when honest to you. It’s important to get feedback of your feelings and then getting overwhelmed, you’ve got a messy history with. Hearing hard seeking clarity, so it’s no wonder this person is right now, so focus more on how you can move them up to your brain and start truths is never fun, but getting rid of miscon- interested in hearing what you have to say about improve things than on defending what you thinking them through. Take each emotion one ceptions and talking about differences is a great their situation. want to do. at a time. way to transform or rediscover yourself.

CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 NATIONAL Health Ministry to recommend easing of lockdown restrictions in areas outside coronavirus hotspots With three more infections reported on Thursday, total Covid-19 cases in the country have reached 48.

ARJUN POUDEL Udayapur. KATHMANDU, APRIL 23 “We have started tracing the con- tacts of people who came in contact The Ministry of Health and Population with the infected people,”said a doc- is likely to recommend the Covid-19 tor working in Udayapur on the condi- high-level committee and the Crisis tion of anonymity, “We will test all Management Center to ease lockdown who have come in contact with the restrictions in areas outside infection infected people. hotspots. Mahendra Shrestha, director gener- The ministry is preparing to report al at the Department of Health to the committee headed by Deputy Services, said that the health ministry Prime Minister and Minister for has identified some areas including Defence Ishwar Pokhrel on Saturday. Udayapur, and the whole of “We will recommend the high-level Sudurpaschim as potential hotspots committee to enforce a partial lock- of Covid-19. down in areas outside of hotspots,”Dr “We have decided to test everyone Roshan Pokhrel, chief specialist at the who has returned from abroad, health ministry, told the Post. “As “Shrestha said. Thousands of people cases of coronavirus will be detected have returned home from and POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI in the future as well, we cannot contin- other disease-hit countries in Devotees offer prayers from the locked entrance of a temple on the occasion of Aunshi in Kathmandu on Thursday. The day is observed in love and memory ue with the ongoing lockdown for a Sudurpaschim, and most of them of one’s mother, living or deceased. This year’s ritual, however, was affected due to the lockdown. long time.” have gone home without staying in The ministry has been assessing the quarantine. risk of a Covid-19 outbreak through Public health experts say that the rapid diagnostic tests in various parts decision to lift the lockdown should be of the country, including the based on evidence that the level of after the govern- risk is low. After a halt to departures for South Korea, ment on March 24 imposed a nation- wide lockdown, which is to remain in force at least until April 27. Officials also do not Pokhrel said that the government Korean language test looks uncertain too has already relaxed the lockdown as rule out emergence people have been allowed to open shops selling daily essentials through- of Udayapur-like Both countries have yet to announce dates for Korean language test due to the Covid-19 pandemic. out the day, and those stranded in Kathmandu to go home. situation in future. CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL “But we are still against the idea of KATHMANDU, APRIL 23 lifting restrictions imposed on mass transportation, schools, colleges, mass “Before lifting the lockdown, we The Covid-19 pandemic continues to gathering and feasts,” he added. should test to ensure that there are no hit Nepal’s labour migration sector as Another official at the ministry said cases and the risks are slim,” said Dr the dates for Korean language test for authorities are anticipating the emer- Bhagwan Koirala, chairman of Nepal Korea job aspirants have also been gence of Udayapur-like hotspots in Medical Council. affected. the future, and that strict lockdowns “We all know that the ongoing lock- The dates for Test of Proficiency in should be imposed only in such down cannot be continued in the same Korean (TOPIK), a mandatory Korean hotspots. form, but we must ensure that risk is language test for Nepali migrant “Udayapur’s incident has become a minimised before restrictions are workers aspiring to work in South major headache for us,” the official lifted.” Korea, have not been announced so said on the condition of anonymity as Three patients infected with Covid- far, which is linked to the ongoing he was not authorised to talk to the 19 have been discharged after recov- global health crisis. media. “We anticipate the emergence ery on Thursday. No formal announcement has been of such hotspots in the future as well, Among them, two were admitted to made about this year’s test, Baburam as the number of cases continuously Patan Hospital and one to Seti Ghimire, a section officer at the rises in India.” Provincial Hospital of Sudurpaschim Employment Permit System (EPS) Meanwhile, the district administra- Province. With this, the number Section of the Department of Foreign tion has sealed Bhulke of Triyuga of total patients who have recovered Employment, told the Post. Municipality-3, Udayapur after over from Covid-19 in Nepal has “We have not heard anything from two dozen people tested positive for reached 10. the Human Resources Development the contagious disease. On Thursday The ones discharged from Patan are Service of South Korea regarding the too, a 55-year-old woman of the same the 81-year-old woman and her son, 58, language dates yet,” Ghimire said. POST FILE PHOTO locality tested positive to the virus, who were living in Sun City “Usually, the notice about the test is Young Nepalis stand in queue to register for the Korean language test which is mandatory for applying for a job in South Korea. pushing the total tally of Covid-19 Apartment, Pepsicola. The patients out by this time of the year.” cases in the district to 28, according to stayed in hospital for 10 days. Customarily, the EPS section for South Korea every week. The tests to qualify for jobs in South Korea. gered by the Covid-19 pandemic, not a Dr Bikash Devkota, spokesperson for “We just kept them under observa- announces the test in April-May. The first-timers would leave on Saturdays Those youths who had qualified for single candidate has been able to leave the ministry. tion. No medicine was needed for test dates are then decided by the EPS and the returnee migrant workers on the 2020 job intake have been unable to for South Korea.” Likewise, a 14-year-old boy from them, as they did not have any prob- Section and the Korean authority. Wednesdays. leave. Every year, thousands of Nepali Dhanusha and a 26-year-old man from lem,” Dr Bishnu Sharma, director at Since both countries are currently Nearly 300 youths had completed “We have filled up the employment youths apply for the Korean language Bhojpur also tested positive for Covid- the hospital told the Post. fighting Covid-19, the test dates the procedures to go to South Korea forms and submitted them to the test with the dream of working in 19 on Thursday, pushing the total Another patient discharged on remain undecided. before the crisis, Ghimire told the Human Resources Development South Korea. South Korea has number of confirmed cases to 48. Thursday is a 65-year-old woman of All departures to South Korea have Post. The delay in the test means more Service of South Korea. Their names emerged as one of the most-preferred Authorities have continued to trace Lamkichuha of Kailali. The woman, been suspended since mid-February at youths preparing for the test will be have been updated on the roster as labour destinations among aspiring people who may have come into con- who was admitted to the hospital on the request of the Korean authorities affected. Last year, a record number of well,” Ghimire said. “Candidates have Nepali migrant workers as the coun- tact with infected people. The April 13, suffered from high blood as the country was in the midst of a over 92,000 had applied for South started getting their labour contracts try offers better wages and facilities in Epidemiology and Disease Control pressure and asthma, according to Dr fight against Covid-19. Before that, Korean jobs. Only 6,908 among them from the employers, but due to the comparison to other countries, like Division, which has mobilised two Jagadish Joshi, spokesperson of the around 100 Nepali youths were leaving had passed the language and skill travel restrictions and lockdowns trig- Malaysia and the Persian Gulf states. teams to carry out contact tracing in hospital. Lockdown delays 2021 Parliament Secretariat prepares to host new session population census pilot The constitution makes it mandatory to table the national budget in the federal parliament by May-end. BINOD GHIMIRE nance. “We are hoping the ongoing pan- If restrictions remain for a long time, methodology KATHMANDU, APRIL 23 demic will be contained and the House meetings can be held without fear.” might be changed, says official The Parliament Secretariat has started Leaders of the main opposition party preparations for holding a new session say they are pressuring both the Speaker ANUP OJHA sus, enumeration for which is of the federal parliament as the date for and the government for timely com- KATHMANDU, APRIL 23 set to be conducted from June the government’s policies and mencement of the new session. Nepali 8- 28, 2021. programmes and the pre-budget discus- Congress whip Pushpa Bhusal said her The pilot phase of the 2021 “If the lockdown goes on for a sion nears. party has asked Speaker Agni Sapkota National Population Census, sup- long period, it will impact the The Speaker of the House of for an all-party meeting to pressurise posed to start on March 28, has procurement of goods such as Representatives and the National the government for the new session. been delayed due to the nation- tables, computers needed for the Assembly chairperson have directed the “The government undermined the wide lockdown imposed by the census,” added Regmi. He said secretariat to arrange seats for the law- House by issuing two ordinances at a government to contain the spread that this office would also be makers, maintaining adequate distance time when it was supposed to call a new of Covid-19. forced to change the methodology between them. The secretariat has also session,” she told the Post. “We don’t The pilot, which was to be con- of the pilot if it does not get been asked to make available masks to want the budget to be presented through ducted in two districts of every enough time for it. “If the lock- every lawmaker and ensure there is a POST FILE PHOTO an ordinance.” province, is also considered a down doesn’t end soon, we may opt disinfection chamber at the entrance to Lawmakers hope the House meetings can be held without fear amid a major health emergency. She said it is important that meaning- “rehearsal” census as it helps to conduct the pilot by phone calls the parliament building. ful pre-budget discussions are held so authorities to assess the effective- or mail, and not conduct face-to- Last year the budget session of the Lower House, which housed 601 mem- National Assembly sit at the dais. The that an appropriate budget is presented ness of the census questionnaire face interviews.” federal parliament started on April 29 bers of the Constituent Assembly, has secretariat, therefore, has to manage the to deal with the present crisis. Also, the and its enumerators. The bureau plans to mobilise and the government’s policies and pro- 542 seats while there are over 100 seats seats for 328 lawmakers. House session is necessary for discuss- “This (the pilot census) was sup- 54,000 employees (42,000 enumera- grammes were presented by President in the audience balcony, he said. “The parliament building will be ing the two ordinances—related to polit- posed to help prepare for the tors, 10,000 supervisors, and 2,000 Bidya Devi Bhandari on May 4. And Yogi said there are enough seats for ready to host the new session by May 2,” ical parties and the Constitutional upcoming census. But it has been representatives from the central, three weeks’ time was allocated for the both the Houses to run individual meet- he told the Post. Council, she said. delayed due to the lockdown,” said provincial and local governments) discussion and endorsement of the pol- ings so their only concern is arranging However, the government is still The government needs to table the Hem Raj Regmi, deputy director for the 2021 census. Preliminary icies and programmes, and the pre- the seats for joint meetings. Both the undecided on the new session. The ordinances within 60 days of the com- general at the Central Bureau of results are expected three months budget deliberation. The constitution House of Representatives and the President, on the government’s recom- mencement of the House session. Statistics. The bureau had trained after enumeration is complete. It makes it mandatory to table the budget National Assembly have a joint meeting mendation, calls the House session. According to chief 70 enumerators, including super- will take at least two years for the in the federal parliament on the 15th of when the President presents the govern- Minister for Law, Justice and whip Bal Krishna Khand, the meeting visors, to conduct the pilot in final report to be published, said Jestha (mostly on May 29) of the Nepali ment’s policies and programme and the Parliamentary Affairs Shiva Maya of the opposition parties held on selected districts of all seven prov- Regmi. Apart from that, the ongo- calendar. finance minister presents the national Tumbahamphe said the new session Wednesday also demanded timely begin- inces. “We will resume our work ing lockdown has also halted the “We have already started the prepara- budget. Yogi said seats will be added will be called but the date will depend on ning of the House session. as soon as the lockdown ends,” industrial survey, which was start- tions. The seat arrangement will be while the audience balcony could also how well the Covid-19 crisis is managed. “The meeting concluded that Prime said Regmi. ed this fiscal. According to the done in the next ten days,” Gopal Nath be used if needed. “We haven’t yet decided the date but Minister KP Sharma Oli is taking an According to the bureau, it will bureau, 14,000 businesses have Yogi, acting general-secretary at the par- The joint session has 334 mem- the government is working on the new autocratic path and the House is neces- take 15 days for enumerators to been counted till date. “We will liament secretariat, told the Post. He bers—275 in the Lower House and 59 in budget to be presented on the stipulated sary to check it,” he told the Post. He complete the pilot census, which also resume the industrial survey said the seating arrangements are being the Upper House. Among them, four time,” she told the Post. Asked if it was said the opposition parties will start the will help authorities prepare man- after the lockdown ends,” said made in a way that leaves one seat lawmakers have been suspended while possible, she said the national budget agitation if Oli doesn’t withdraw the uals to conduct the national cen- Regmi. empty between two lawmakers. The the Speaker and the chairperson of the could also be presented through an ordi- ordinance immediately.

C M Y K FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Reviving the world after Covid-19 crisis Undermining Loktantra Focusing on development work in line with SDGs It seems that the large electoral mandate has will be important in been misinterpreted by the prime minister. the days to come. Yesterday, April 24, marked Loktantra Diwas. The national day of celebration, which roughly translates to Democracy GOKARNA AWASTHI Day, holds a much deeper meaning for the Nepali people which the translation does not do justice. For, while democra- cy in some form had been brought to Nepal after the revolu- tion of 1951 and again restored after the People’s Movement in 1990, the People’s Movement of 2006 would mark the begin- ning of the end of the monarchy for good; Loktantra Diwas then celebrates republicanism and federalism as much as it The Covid-19 pandemic looks poised to does democracy. As each Loktantra Diwas passes, Nepal create a huge human crisis. To address moves further towards a more federal setup—finally fulfilling problems related to health, economy, the promise of ‘bringing Singha Durbar to the people’s door- social and environmental issues we need step’. The first elected local governments in over 20 years are to have a multidimensional approach nearing the mid-point of their tenure; the first provincial of development, at least, for the next decade. assemblies and governments are close to a similar milestone. In this scenario, the Sustainable No one envisioned that a major transition in the very func- Development Goals (SDGs) approach tioning of government in Nepal would come quickly. could be the framework for reviving and Therefore, even as the healthcare system and bureaucratic accelerating development work after this facilities were handed over to the provincial and local struc- pandemic. The integrated and wider tures, remnants of the past—district offices answering to the milestone set in SDGs, also called the centre—continue to survive in limbo, often competing with global goals, will help to revive the world in a faster and systematic way. local systems due to a lack of a clear division of roles. But There are 17 goals, 169 targets and with the Nepal Communist Party being in government in six more than 230 indicators adopted in the out of seven provinces and holding a large majority in federal SDGs. In our context Nepal has identi- parliament, it was hoped that the transition would have been fied 479 indicators to implement and smoother and more complete than it has been until now. After achieve global goals. all, the large majorities the ruling party secured in most parts SDGs have divided important issues of Nepal was a message from the people—that they prefered like poverty elimination, access to political stability and a strong government in place to close health, education facilities, gender issues, taking care of the environment the chapter on the long drawn out transition. into different goals and says develop- Yet, it seems that the large mandate has been entirely mis- ment without cooperating these issues interpreted by the man in charge of both the ruling party and will not last long. For example, Goal 3 is the federal government, Prime Minister KP Oli. It is no secret about good health and well-being. This is that Oli has been critical of the move towards federalism from paramount in the present context. The SHUTTERSTOCK the start. It is also not news that Oli has, time and again, main objective of this goal is to provide to the World Bank, there are three risks lock down. Around 1.25 billion workers to come for various reasons. First, there shown a tendency to embrace authoritarian tendencies over health facilities to the citizens in their associated with this lockdown related to are at a high risk of losing jobs. In Nepal, will be limited resources left in the coun- doorsteps at an affordable price. education and early childhood develop- it is estimated that more than a million try;s treasury after this pandemic and at more cooperative and democratic ones. Many essential bills SDG 3.3 aims to end the epidemics of ment. There is a high chance of dropout informal sector workers have lost their the same time development needs will that would strengthen democracy have been waylaid, while aids, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected rate. This is a major problem in Nepal jobs temporarily or permanently and are increase. SDGs framework gives an idea many controversial ones have been encouraged. Four danger- tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, too as government data shows that in need of relief materials from the state. to implement development work with ous ones that threatened privacy, freedom of expression and water-borne diseases, along with other around 60 percent of children who Goal 8 for instance is focused on eco- limited sources. free press—the IT management Bill, the Mass Media Bill, the communicable diseases by 2030. Covid-19 enrolled at grade one failed to reach nomic growth with a decent work envi- Secondly, a coordinated and time Nepal Special Service Bill and the Media Council Bill—have pandemic directly relates to this target. grade 10. ronment which appears to be the most bound development approach is needed been pushed on the agenda by the government over bills that The world needs to urgently act now and Goal 4 of the SDGs has identified affected area following the pandemic and to address these multidimensional would strengthen democracy and federalism. In fact, had the be prepared for future pandemics. major challenges of the education sector worldwide lockdown. needs. For instance, SDGs roadmap pre- Countries have to prioritise invest- worldwide and targets of the decade. According to the latest report pub- pared by National Planning Commission current Covid-19 crisis not forced Parliament to prorogue ments with a keen focus on human devel- These indicators will help prioritise our lished by the World Trade Organisation (NPC) has set milestones of 2022, 2025 early, the Nepal Special Service Bill was rumoured to be a opment and overall preparedness against efforts even after pandemics. the volume of merchandise trade could and 2030 to achieve different goals. priority signing. threats to the human race. Adequate According to a UN Women report, 37 plunge down to 32 percent in 2020. Milestones of 2022 and 2025 are the Perhaps no one had guessed in 2006 that the most danger to resources and willingness to spend it percent of women in South Asia and up Economic growth rate of the world will reminders for us to accelerate our efforts a democratic Nepal since the country’s days under a dictator- will be crucial to prepare the world to to 68 percent of women in the Pacific fall down to 1.5 percent from an earlier towards achieving global goals. SDGs ship would come from a popularly elected prime minister who battle further health pandemics in have experienced violence at the hands projection of 3.4 percent. The have incorporated people, planet, peace, helped usher in a republican set-up. But even the current future. of their intimate partners during the International Monetary Fund has prosperity and partnership for the pros- Epidemics and natural disasters are first 100 days of Covid-19. These unheard projected a 2.5 percent growth rate for perous world. So SDGs framework is lockdown has not stopped Oli’s manoeuvrings. In an attempt one of the major causes that push vul- voices of women will have a long term Nepal. important for integrated and coordinat- to discount his party members, while attempting to use dis- nerable people below the poverty line impact in our socio economic develop- This pandemic will further increase ed development. gruntled opposition leaders to strengthen his hold on power, within a short period of time. The United ment. To address the gender violence inequality. Billions of jobs lost will be Third is partnership. There is a high Oli sidelined his own cabinet to push through two highly con- Nations has shown that at least 500 mil- related challenges the world needs to the major factor that will create further chance that the developed countries will troversial ordinances. Now, with the merger of Samajbadi lion people will be forced to fall below the have a broader approach. inequality even in the developed coun- be adopting protectionist approaches Party and Rastriya Janata Party diminishing Oli’s hopes of poverty line due to Covid-19. The 2015 SDG 5 aims to reduce any form of gen- tries. Developing and least developed after this pandemic. We have now real- support from outside his party, and with his own party’s earthquake pushed around 700 thousand der violence by 2022. SDG 5.2 states elim- countries will be further affected by the ised that pandemics or natural disasters Secretariat discrediting his move, Oli is caught in the middle. people in Nepal under the poverty line. ination of all forms of violence against economic downturn. There is a high are not reserved for the poor and vulner- Goal 1 aims to eradicate poverty across all women and girls in the public and chance that countries will adopt protec- able groups. Embarrassingly, President Bidhya Devi Bhandari—dragged the world. In our case we have identified private spheres. tionist approaches to revive their econo- This pandemic has taught us that no into this controversy when she hastened to sign Oli’s pro- 30 indicators to address multiple aspects Hygiene has always been crucial in the my. That will hit the livelihood of the country is perfect to handle this kind of posed ordinances—now may have to repeal them herself, of poverty. Nepal has an ambition to development process, particularly when poor people in the least developed coun- crisis and nothing should be neglected. admitting an error. More embarrassingly for Oli, barring the reduce multidimensional poverty to 6 it is related to good health. Washing tries and refugees. It will also have a As the core principle of SDGs is leaving president’s repeal of them, his party’s majority in Parliament percent by 2030. Indicators that are hands has become one of the major ways huge impact on the economy of devel- no one behind, it is the best approach of may be used to throw out the ordinances once Parliament incorporated in goal one have not only to protect ourselves from viruses. Goal 6 oped countries. As of now more than 22 development for the next decade for a resumes. This episode should serve as an eye opener for the set up ambitions but also suggested mul- of SDGs is about good sanitation and a million people have registered them- prosperous world after this pandemic. tiple sectors that need to be incorporated safe drinking water facility. selves as unemployed in the United prime minister and the president. The Nepali people have to reduce poverty sustainably. According to the International Labour States. Awasthi is an economist and fought too hard and too long to gain a democratic, federal set- Due to worldwide lockdown around 1.8 Organisation, 3.3 billion workers are Focusing on development work in line former SDGs advisor at the up to allow the machinations of the few to derail progress. billion children are at home. According either fully or partially affected by the with SDGs will be important in the days United Nations in Nepal.

Viral Authoritarianism

Governments that start to test these limits Crises like the Covid-19 have must be held accountable immediately. The second lesson is that we must resist served as a convenient pretext for scapegoating. In responding to the pandemic, too many governments have sought to label authoritarian regimes to normalise Covid-19 a ‘Chinese’ virus, setting the stage for surveillance and stigmatisation of people of their tyrannical impulses. Chinese descent. As a Haitian-American, I witnessed such PATRICK GASPARD persecution firsthand during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s, when the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that AIDS was being transmitted by ‘homosex- uals, heroin users, haemophiliacs, and Haitians’. As a result of that unscientific, biased messaging, the US started detaining Haitian asylum seekers in a horrific ‘God and the people are the sources of all Guantánamo Bay prison camp, which actually power … I have taken it, and damn it, I will undermined efforts to prevent the spread keep it forever’, declared Haiti’s François ‘Papa of HIV. Doc’ Duvalier in 1963. And so he did, remain- Finally, we must address the underlying ing president until his death in 1971, whereup- economic and social disparities that on he was succeeded by his son, Jean-Claude pandemics tend to exacerbate. To see how the (‘Baby Doc’), who extended the dictatorship coronavirus has laid bare America’s profound another 15 years. inequities, look no further than Rikers Island, This may seem like ancient history. But not New York City’s main jail, which now has the to me. My family is Haitian, and though we highest infection rate on the planet. More immigrated to the United States during my broadly, the crisis is demonstrating once again childhood, we always seemed to remain within that far too many American families lack reach of the Duvaliers’ ruthless regime. I have access to health care, paid sick leave, worker never lost sight of the brutal lessons Haitians protections, personal savings, and other learned under the Duvaliers, including how basic needs. they regularly used natural disasters and Even as we fend off new attacks on democra- national crises to tighten their stranglehold on cy and civil rights, we must use this moment to power. recognise all the ways our societies were strip- We must heed that lesson today. Covid-19 is a SHUTTERSTOCK ping the rights of citizens, refugees, migrants, threat not just to public health, but also to pile food and water. Worse, Indian law-enforce- fies his status as an absolute dictator. two fronts in the same battle. and asylum seekers before the pandemic hit. human rights. Throughout history, crises like ment authorities have since been using the The response to these violations from the Fortunately, civil society organisations and Yes, concerns about the state of democracy is the current one have served as a convenient lockdown to increase their targeted discrimi- world’s democracies has barely risen to the individuals are not powerless in the face of not most people’s main concern nowadays. But pretext for authoritarian regimes to normalise nation against the country’s Muslims. level of a whisper. But lest Americans think pandemic crackdowns. After more than three if safeguarding democracy is not on your own their tyrannical impulses. My parents wit- Meanwhile, in Kenya and Nigeria, police themselves immune from such power grabs, decades on the front lines in defence of democ- personal ‘to-do’ list, it is safe to assume that it nessed this firsthand in Haiti. We are all seeing and military forces have pummeled anyone they should consider that, in late March, the racy, we at the Open Society Foundations have isn’t on anyone else’s, either. it again now. who does not seem to be complying quickly US Department of Justice asked Congress for learned some relevant lessons. Sadly, too many of those in power will never The new threat started in , where an enough with social-distancing protocols. In the power to detain American citizens (not just For starters, we must use every tool availa- take it upon themselves to protect our rights. already authoritarian government’s initial Israel, the authorities have joined around two undocumented immigrants) indefinitely with- ble to protect civil liberties. While the pandem- We must do that for ourselves. Democracy is effort to cover up the epidemic allowed it to dozen other governments in stretching privacy out trial. ic calls for social distancing, it does not justify more than just a system of governance; it is a spread globally. But China is hardly alone. In protections to the breaking point, by using As we take the fight to Covid-19, we also police brutality and abuse of government lens through which to view the world and one’s India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gov- cellphone data to track citizens’ movements. must do everything we can to protect the power. The instant that political leaders start place in it. If we break that lens during an ernment instituted a 21-day lockdown with And in Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, health of our democracies. More to the point, restricting free speech and the right to protest, emergency, we may never see ourselves the only four hours’ notice, providing no time for who has been consolidating power for years, we must recognise that, in many ways, defend- or spurn checks on their power, the risk of a same way again. millions of the world’s poorest people to stock- has pushed through a law that effectively codi- ing public health and defending democracy are slide into authoritarianism becomes real. —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 NATIONAL Saptari halts rapid tests after running How Oli aimed ordinance at splitting parties ... short of antibody detection kits >> Continued from page 1 much of a difference to Oli but he was “The post of Deputy Speaker and preparing for the worst case scenario, The district is seeing an influx of people returning from overseas and Kathmandu, but it has only 30 rapid test kits. two ministerial berths were on offer,” given the changing dynamics within said the leader. his own Nepal Communist Party But on Thursday, after the merger (NCP), where factionalism is rife. individuals entered Saptari of the two parties, Samajbadi leaders “The prime minister has and among them 30 were sent to denied that they had any plans to split repeatedly said that the ordinance Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital for the party at all. was not aimed at our party, but how rapid testing. “There are grievances everywhere, can it not be?” said Beduram Bhusal, a Dr Chumanlal Das, the medical in every party,” said Pradeep Yadav, a standing committee member. “If you superintendent at the hospital, said all Samajbadi Party lawmaker who was make a law, it cannot be applicable to 30 tests results were negative. named as one of the seven trying to just others; it is equally applicable to “The remaining others have been split. “That there is dissatisfaction you too.” sent to quarantine facilities in their does not mean we were going to split According to insiders, Oli decided respective local units,” said Das. the party.” to introduce the ordinance to ease a Meanwhile, the District Health Apart from Renu Yadav, Surendra party split so that he could insulate Office is also running short of other Yadav and Pradeep Yadav, the four himself in case the Nepal Communist essential medical gear such as gowns, other lawmakers whose names were Party suffered a crisis of its own. masks and gloves. doing rounds as dissenters were The ruling party commands 174 “We will soon run out of sanitisers Mohammad Istiyak Rai, Uma Shanker seats in the 275-strong Parliament–121 and personal protective equipment Argariya, Kaludevi Bishwokarma, from the former CPN-UML and 53 too,” said Yadav. and Renuka Gurung. from the Maoist Centre. Although the provincial govern- Both Surendra Yadav and At least two leaders from the former ment had recently announced to send Mohammad Istiyak Rai served in the UML said that even though the ordi- a Polymerase Chain Reaction machine Oli government in the past. nance on political parties looks like it to Saptari to conduct tests, the local On Thursday morning, the was aimed at other parties, Oli had his administration is yet to decide where Samajbadi Party and Janata Party own calculation. to set up the machine. registered their new party—the “In case the Maoist faction decides “The discussions are ongoing to set Janata Samajbadi Party—at the to walk away and take all of its 53 law- up a lab. The possible locations are the Election Commission. The party has makers, Oli, considering all 121 UML District Health Office building, taken the Samajbadi Party’s flag and lawmakers on his side, will need just Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital, the Janata Party’s umbrella election 14 more lawmakers to hold on to Gajendra Narayan Singh Industrial symbol. Those who were said to have power,” a leader who represents the Area or Sai Krishna Medical College,” been planning to split are also in the former UML told the Post on condition said Yadav. new party, which now has a total of 33 of anonymity. “To earn those 14 seats, For the time being, the swab sam- lawmakers. there was a need to ease the law for ples collected in Saptari are being sent Party lawmakers say that they party split.” to Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute foiled Oli’s schemes, but the question The Samajbadi Party and Janata of Health Sciences for PCR tests. on many’s minds is—what exactly did Party have 17 and 16 seats, respective- POST PHOTO: ABDHESH KUMAR JHA On Wednesday, a team of Women, Oli hope to gain by splitting the ly, in Parliament. Oli’s plan, according More than 100 individuals entered Saptari on Wednesday alone, and among them 30 were sent to Gajendra Singh Hospital for rapid tests. Children and Social Justice Committee Samajbadi party. to leaders, was to first split the of the provincial assembly inspected Both the Samajbadi Party and Samajbadi Party and then the Janata ABDHESH KUMAR JHA has so far performed 760 rapid tests on office has decided to halt the test for Gajendra Narayan Singh Janata Party were part of the Oli gov- Party, bringing their lawmakers into RAJBIRAJ, APRIL 23 individuals staying in various quaran- the time being. Hospital, District Health Office and ernment when it was formed in his fold. tine facilities. The hospital, mean- Migrant workers from Qatar, Bhardaha Hospital and took stock of February 2018. They had joined Oli But the move boomeranged. Instead The health authority while, had run 120 tests as of Malaysia, Dubai and Saudi the situation. after assurances that their demands, of splitting, the two parties, which has run short of rapid diagnostic test Wednesday. Arabia before the lockdown as well as Anul Rain, chairman of the including constitutional amendments, had often seen each other as adversar- kits for surveillance of suspected “The whole district has only 30 those people who were stuck in committee, said they had inspected would be addressed. But the Janata ies despite their agenda being almost coronavirus patients. rapid test kits left. We will have to halt Kathmandu are returning in droves, the health institutions to assess the Party quit the government in March the same, ended up merging. Multiple The District Health Office said on the rapid tests from Friday,” said but the district health office has no situation. last year after the attempts by the two parties to unite in Thursday that it will no longer be con- Duniyalal Yadav, chief at the District resources to test them for possible “We have been informed about the Court sent its lawmaker, Resham the past had failed. ducting rapid antibody tests on people Health Office. “We have already infection. shortage of rapid test kits and other Chaudhary, to life in jail for master- After registering the unified party, entering the district. informed the provincial government “We have Gulf returnees coming essential medical equipment. The minding the 2015 Tikapur violence. Sharat Singh Bhandari from the The district had received 960 test about the shortage.” home and we need to perform rapid committee will direct the provincial The Samajbadi Party too pulled out of Janata Party gave Oli the credit. kits and 160 units of them were issued The district has been seeing a huge tests on all of them to check for infec- government to immediately fulfil the the Oli government in December last “We would like to thank the prime to Gajendra Narayan Singh Hospital influx of people coming for tests. With tion,” Yadav said. requirements of test kits and medical year. minister for hastening our parties’ in Rajbiraj. The District Health Office a limited number of kits, the health On Wednesday alone, more than 100 equipment,” said Rain. Losing the two parties did not make unification,” said Bhandari. Nepalis in London face xenophobia amid Covid fears

>> Continued from page 1 There is evidence that wherever “I work in a supermarket and I have outlet Vox’s visuals editor. pened to be on Nepalis, rather than as community leaders and council mem- “Until then, I had never been har- outbreaks take place, people scapegoat faced comments such as ‘go back to “News outlets must ask them- a racially motivated crime against bers, Mercel-Sanca urged the authori- assed for my race. So, when racist groups that are already marginalised your country’ several times, even selves—Are the photographs further Nepalis.” ties to monitor and act to prevent slurs were used against me, I felt and treated as “the other.” before the corona outbreak,” said stigmatizing a particular community Khadka reported that the Maidstone racially motivated crimes against shocked, angry and unsafe at the same Narayani Devkota, a lecturer at Limbu. “Most of the time, these or perpetuating stereotypes?” said community has successfully raised British Gorkhas. time. I felt like people were judging me Tribhuvan University’s Sociology attackers are a small disruptive group Amaria. the total of 1,000 pounds for victims of Even officials at the Nepali Embassy based on my appearance,” said Zimba. Department, said that the Nepali com- of individuals, such as uneducated As for the arson attacks, Dinesh the arson attacks as a gesture of soli- in London believe that the attacks As the number of Covid-19 cases munity in the UK has become a target people and kids.” Khadka, a Maidstone borough coun- darity. were a result of racial stereotyping. rises, fear and anxiety over the poten- of racist crimes amidst the outbreak Neelima, however, said misinforma- cillor, said that the police are investi- But not everyone shares Khadka’s “We believe that the Maidstone inci- tially deadly disease have led individ- of Covid-19 because they have long tion regarding Covid-19 and its associ- gating the cases and five people have optimism. dents were racially motivated,” said uals and groups to scapegoat Chinese been regarded as “the other” in the ation with a certain ethnicity has only been taken into custody on suspicion Alan Mercel-Sanca, chief executive Sarad Raj Aran, deputy chief of mis- people and those of Asian descent. predominantly white society. contributed to the hostility towards of involvement. Khadka, however, officer of the UK-Nepal Friendship sion at the Nepali embassy. “We are Throughout history, whenever there is “Nepalis in the UK are racially dis- Nepalis. doesn’t believe that the arson attacks Society, said that the arson attacks concerned that if such crimes keep a major incident with global or region- tinct immigrants who are in the “Since the media has been Covid-19 were racially motivated. were “symptomatic of a much broader happening, racist acts against Nepalis al implications, people have sought to minority. They are also regarded as with pictures of Asian people, many “I have spent around 19 years in this engrained problem of anti-Asian rac- may continue, even after the pandem- allocate blame to certain vulnerable comparatively poor in socio-economic have started scapegoating Nepalis on locality, and I have never come across ism”. In an email that was sent to ic is over.” populations in order to calm their own status. These reasons may have fur- the basis of their appearance, as there a racially motivated crime fears. ther triggered the racially motivated are many Nepalis who resemble East against the Nepali communi- For instance, during the H1N1 act against them during the out- Asians,” he said. ty,” he said. “There are swine flu outbreak in 2009, Mexicans break,” said Devkota. The repeated use of photos of around a thousand Nepalis and many Latinos were scapegoated According to Neelima Limbu, a res- Asians alongside news about Covid-19 living in Maidstone and peo- whereas people of African descent ident of Dover, harassment against could contribute to the xenophobia ple love and respect British were scrutinised during the 2014 the Nepali community existed even Asians already face, according to Gorkhas. We should see this Ebola outbreak. before the outbreak of Covid-19. Kainaz Amaria, the American news as an arson attack that hap- Kalaiya mayor held Nepal stands to lose Rs145 billion ... >> Continued from page 1 The report said that so far, governmen- Many Nepalis are expected to return tal policy responses to the Covid19 crisis on charge of selling home after losing their jobs due to the have largely excluded migrants and their potential contraction of the economy in families back home. major destination countries. “But there is a strong case for including India, Malaysia, and countries in the migrants in the nearterm health strate- substandard lentils Persian Gulf are major destinations for gies of all countries, given the externali- Nepali migrant workers. Although the ties associated with the health status of an government does not have exact figures on entire population in the face of a highly how many Nepalis are working abroad, contagious pandemic,” it said. released on bail the number is estimated to be in the mil- The bank has recommended that gov- lions. ernments consider short, medium, and LAXMI SAH Rudra Prasad Pandit issued a According to Migration in Nepal, a longterm interventions to support strand- BARA, APRIL 23 ruling to release Raya and country profile’, a report prepared by the ed migrants; the remittance infrastruc- other people held on the same International Organization for Migration, ture; loss of subsistence income for fami- Rajesh Raya, the mayor of incident on bail. Raya and an estimated 500,000 Nepali migrants are lies; and access to health, housing, educa- Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan lentil trader Tejkaran Jain in Malaysia, followed by Qatar with over tion, and jobs for migrant workers in host/ City who had been arrested were freed after paying a bail 400,000, Saudi Arabia 334,451, the United transit countries and their families back on charge of selling sub- of Rs 281,000 each while oth- Arab Emirates 224,905 and Kuwait 70,000. home. standard lentils, was released ers paid Rs 60,000 for their Although unofficial estimates vary The size of remittances in Nepal was on bail on Wednesday late release. widely, an estimated 3 to 4 million Nepalis equivalent to 27.3 percent of the Gross evening. Eleven other people “Mayor Raya and other live and work in India, according to the Domestic Product in 2019, the highest in who were held in connection accused were freed after pay- report. South Asia, according to the World Bank. to the case were also freed ing the bail amount as “With the International Monetary Fund As of the first eight months of the cur- along with Raya. announced by the chief dis- projecting a contraction in economies of rent fiscal year 2019-20 that began in Police had arrested Raya trict officer,” said the Gulf countries in 2020, many Nepalis mid-July, Nepal received remittances on Tuesday on charge of sell- Superintendent of Police are expected to lose their jobs. This will amounting to $5.19 billion, a slight ing substandard lentils from Krishna Pangeni. affect the inflow of remittance,” said increase of 1.7 percent compared to the his store to be distributed as The security personnel had Bhatta, who is also the chief of the bank’s same period last year, according to the part of food relief for the sealed the grocery store run research division. central bank. families affected by the ongo- by Raya and sent the sample Remittance is the lifeblood of Nepal’s “But, inflow of remittances will be ing lockdown. Eleven others, of the lentils collected from economy as it is the primary source of badly affected in the last four months of including five ward chairper- the store to the Regional Food financing its large import bill. Nepal’s the current fiscal,” said Bhatta. sons of the sub-metropolis, Technology and Quality foreign exchange earning through exports Last week, the government formed a had also been detained at dif- Control Office in for and tourism is minimal. Remittances are task force headed by a member of the ferent times earlier for their a test on Saturday. Raya was also the key sources of income for a large National Planning Commission, the alleged involvement in the taken into custody after the proportion of the country’s population. primary planning body of the govern- incident. laboratory test of the sample The economic crisis induced by Covid19 ment, to study the potential impacts of the The District Police Office confirmed that the lentils could be long and pervasive, when viewed pandemic on labour migration and in Bara investigated the inci- were of substandard quality. through a migration lens, said the World remittances. dent on black marketeering Following numerous com- Bank. Lockdowns, travel bans, and social Amid concerns over the possible charges and submitted its plaints from the locals, the distancing have brought global economic impact on foreign exchange reserves due report to the Office of District security personnel had raid- activities to a near standstill. to a decline in remittance, the govern- Attorney. District Attorney ed Raya’s store and seized “Host countries face additional chal- ment, late last month, banned the import Mahendra Thapa recorded around 3.2 tonnes of lenges in many sectors, such as health and of peppercorns, betel nuts, peas, date the statements of the accused lentils. The mayor had agriculture, that depend on the availabili- fruits, and vehicles with price tags of over and filed a charge sheet allegedly forced the ward ty of migrant workers. Migrants face the $50,000. against them at the District chiefs to purchase the lentils risk of contagion and also the possible “Beside discouraging imports, we need Administration Office on from his store unsold for loss of employment, wages, and health to increase foreign aid and foreign direct Wednesday. years for the municipal relief insurance coverage,” said the bank in its investment in the country to offset the loss Chief District Officer programme. report. in remittances,” said Bhatta.

C M Y K FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 | 06 MONEY

FOREX China buys crude US Dollar 122.02 Advertising industry laments revenue Euro 131.55 as prices collapse, Pound Sterling 150.73 adding to stockpiles Japanese Yen 11.35 loss as lockdown paralyses economy Chinese Yuan 17.23 Qatari Riyal 32.51 During the period mid-March to mid-April, the ad sector reportedly missed business worth Rs 1.5 billion. Australian Dollar 77.56 to have an annual turnover of Malaysian Ringit 27.99 Rs7 billion from running ads on social media like Facebook, Instagram and Saudi Arab Riyal 32.45 YouTube. Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Whenever there is a crisis, Nepali companies first slash their advertis- ing budget; a nd this is what has hap- AP/RSS PRICE PER TOLA pened currently amid the virus lock- BULLION down, Rijal said. Tugboats push a crude carrier to a shipyard Ads in the print media, which has on the Yangtze River for retrofit in Qidong Fine Gold Rs 77,000 the highest share of the ad market, city in east China’s Jiangsu province China. have plunged by 95 percent following Silver Rs 720 the lockdown. ASSOCIATED PRESS Commercials in the electronic BEIJING, APRIL 23 SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA media, which includes TV and radio, have dropped to 20-30 percent despite China, the world’s biggest energy an increase in TV viewership with consumer, is building up stockpiles of GASOLINE WATCH people being confined to their homes, crude oil as global prices plunge due he said. to the coronavirus outbreak. But the industry can still pay its Imports rose 4.5 percent in March employees for another two to three over a year earlier even as the world’s months, and there is not going to be second-largest economy shut down to any salary cuts or layoffs, Rijal said. fight the virus and demand collapsed. Acharya said it would be hard to For the first quarter of the year pay the staff salaries in full after the imports were up 5 percent. next payday. The price collapse is battering state- According to him, large advertising owned oil producers and possibly dis- SHUTTERSTOCK agencies are discussing the possibility rupting official plans to develop the The sector provides 35,000 direct jobs and around 150,000 people are engaged in it indirectly. of slashing the salaries of employees industry but is a boon to Chinese earning more than Rs15,000 per month drivers and factories. It gives Beijing a KRISHANA PRASAIN almost all promotional activities industry to bounce back as it will be by 40 percent. “But there are no plans chance to add to a strategic petroleum KATHMANDU, APRIL 23 came to a stop after the lockdown went difficult to turn around the negative to lay off employees,” he said. reserve that is meant to insulate into effect. The print media was growth even to zero,” said Acharya. said that, in terms of digital the country against possible supply Nepal’s advertising industry, like already beginning to feel the impact a Advertisers said that the current marketing, there would be many disruptions. every other economic activity in the few days before the stay-at-home order situation had created a problem all new opportunities to engage with “In the midst of all this, China oil country, has been paralysed by the was issued. along the advertising supply chain. consumers digitally as recent events imports have been resilient, as low virus lockdown that has elongated “Issuing commercial advertise- “The business is also in a near lock- have widened the digital landscape of prices have enabled stockpiling,” said to a month. ments in the middle of a pandemic is down state,” said Rijal. the country. Peter Lee, senior oil and gas analyst During the period mid-March to not the right thing to do as consumers “The media industry will be hit Bhoj Raj Aryal, senior professor for Fitch Solutions. mid-April, the ad sector missed busi- are mentally disturbed due to the cur- hard too by the drop in the volume of and former head of the Central ness worth Rs1.5 billion, including the rent situation,” he said. advertisements. As 85 percent of the Department of Management at annual New Year bonanza around According to Shakya, depending on cost of an advertisement goes to the Tribhuvan University, said that a Chinese importers Baisakh 1 when advertising spending the financial implications, people’s media sector, it will definitely suffer,” slowdown in the economy first trans- explodes due to the events, discount spending preferences might change he added. lates into a reduced marketing budget. sent 84 tankers to offers and sales schemes at this time too, so advertisers have to build a busi- According to the association, there Aryal, who is also an advertisement which were all cancelled, said ness around this new context. are 250 advertising agencies operating industry expert, said that multina- Saudi Arabia in Apollo, Oaktree, Rabindra Kumar Rijal, president of “There might be a change in spend- actively in the country, among tional companies set aside a budget in the Advertising Association of Nepal. ing behaviour as people might not go which 150 are registered with it. The the beginning, but most domestic com- mid-March as Ujaya Shakya, managing director out as often as they used to even after sector provides 35,000 direct jobs and panies allocate a budget as needed. BGH among of Outreach Nepal, said that this the lockdown is lifted. Outdoor activi- around 150,000 people are engaged in The direct impact of a decline in global prices fell. would directly hit consumer confi- ties will be limited,” he said. it indirectly. advertisements on the media industry dence as spending patterns would “I think the concept of advertising The annual turnover from above- has been felt in some of the big media those circling change with consumers buying only will undergo a major shift after things the-line and below-the-line advertis- houses in the country, he said. As global prices fell, Chinese items essential for daily life. settle down. There will be new trends ing amounts to Rs12 billion, Rijal said. From consumer psychology to importers sent 84 tankers to Saudi Ranjit Acharya, CEO of Prisma and ways to connect with consumers,” Below-the-line advertising has sunk to reviving the market, it will have a Arabia in mid-March, each able to Virgin Australia Advertising, said that except for a said Shakya. almost zero, he said. long-term impact in the advertising carry 2 million barrels of crude, very few awareness advertisements, “It will be a challenging task for the The digital advertising sector used sector, Aryal added. according to news reports that cited REUTERS the China Shipbuilding Industry SYDNEY/HONG KONG, APRIL 23 Association. Low oil prices “have a positive Private equity and distressed situa- impact on China,” said the ruling tion specialists Apollo Global Communist Party’s Political and Management, Oaktree Capital Legal Commission on its social media Management and BGH Capital are account. among those that have expressed Still, the plunge threatens to disrupt interest in restructuring Virgin plans to make China more “energy Australia Holdings Ltd, five sources self-reliant” if state-owned drillers said. have to cut spending on developing Virgin on Tuesday entered volun- domestic oilfields, said industry ana- tary administration in an attempt to lyst Max Petrov of Wood Mackenzie. restructure its crippling A$5 billion State-owned PetroChina Ltd., Asia’s ($3.2 billion) debt load as it struggles biggest producer, is “probably losing with a lack of demand due to the coro- quite serious amounts of money,” said navirus pandemic, making it the Asia- Petrov. He said PetroChina has to Pacific region’s biggest victim of the decide whether to follow the lead of crisis gripping the airline industry. Western producers and slash spend- The company’s administrators said ing on new wells. they would hold a first meeting of “If it cuts investment, and creditors on April 30 and have retained because of the nature of China’s oil- Houlihan Lokey to advise them on fields, it will take a very long time for restructuring the airline. production to come back up,” said More than 10 parties have already Petrov. “It will take years and even expressed interest in restructuring more money.” the country’s second-biggest airline, Beijing also appears to be adding to Vaughan Strawbridge, one of the its strategic stockpile, though details four partners from Deloitte who were are secret. appointed as administrators, said The Cabinet’s National Energy on Tuesday. Administration reported in September The three private investment that total reserves held by the govern- groups are interested because they are ment and oil companies were equal to experienced airline investors, 80 days of consumption. said one of the sources, who has direct POST PHOTO: MANOJ POUDEL The official reserve stands at about knowledge of the situation. The five A view of the Central Canal seen from Shanti Deep (Flame of Peace) in Lumbini. Lumbini is the Buddha’s birthplace and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. But with a nationwide 385 million barrels, according to Lee sources declined to be named because lockdown in place, travellers have not been able to visit the spiritual site. of Fitch Solutions. they were not authorized to speak with media. BGH and Oaktree declined to com- ment. Apollo did not return requests for comment. The administrators are looking to European tourism scrambles to salvage summer as lockdowns ease execute a binding deal with a buyer by the end of June, The Australian Financial Review reported, citing a REUTERS thrown the travel and tourism indus- customer service Pascal Due. confidential flyer sent to interested LISBON/ATHENS, APRIL 23 try into turmoil. Most airlines have warned of a slow parties. International travel is expected return to normal as passengers hesi- The flyer said an information mem- There are no tourists at Vila Gale’s to drop 39 percent this year, tate over booking holidays until their orandum would be available to poten- resorts right now, and the home page according to consultancy Tourism safety can be demonstrated by health tial buyers by the end of April, there of the company’s website urges visi- Economics—equivalent to 577 million authorities, though Europe’s largest would be an updated management tors to #STAYHOME. fewer journeys. low-cost carrier, Ryanair, predicts a plan ready in early May, non-binding Still, Portugal’s second-largest hotel That is catastrophic for an industry relatively quick bounce-back fuelled indicative offers would be due in mid- chain is busy: staff are stocking up on that accounts for more than 10 by a price war. May and binding bids would be due in sanitisers, gloves, masks and ther- percent of global gross domestic Portugal is working hard on its mid-June, the newspaper reported. mometers, re-arranging dining tables product (GDP) and employs some 320 image as a safe place to visit, prepar- As of Dec. 31, Virgin had A$1.8 bil- to keep guests at least 1.5 metres apart, million people. ing health safety certifications for lion of unsecured bonds that will be and drawing up a la carte menus to The European Union’s Internal hotels, which will be required key to a restructuring deal. replace buffets. Market Commissioner, Thierry to offer protective equipment and even “What they need to do is to get rid It plans to reopen its hotels Breton, wants a “Marshall Plan” using coronavirus tests for employees and of some liabilities and then from June, joining a scramble by funds from Europe’s vast economic customers. attract new investors,” said a lawyer Europe’s tourism industry to salvage stimulus packages to haul hotels, res- Economy Minister Pedro Siza representing creditors, who was what business it can from this sum- taurants, tour operators, travel Vieira recalled the emotional tribute not authorized to speak publicly about mer season as coronavirus lockdowns agencies and cruise companies back paid by British Prime Minister Boris the matter. begin to ease. from collapse. Johnson to Portuguese nurse Luis “We have to endure the situation The EU’s executive will come up REUTERS Pitarma who cared for him while in and get some revenue this summer,” with guidelines on how to restart trav- A view shows the empty Tocadero square near the Eiffel tower in Paris. hospital with coronavirus. said Vila Gale executive board mem- el, but getting member states in lock- “Luís is not an isolated case,” Siza ber Goncalo Rebelo de Almeida. “I step may not be easy. that represents about a quarter of spokesman for the Association of Vieira told Reuters. “Our nurses are hope ... that will at least allow us to Austria has suggested a staggered Greece’s economy. British Travel Agents. There was among the best prepared in Europe.” pay fixed costs. And then we will bet resumption of tourism, initially There are doubts that Mediterranean more interest in holidays from late Home rental firm Airbnb also wants on it returning to normal in 2021.” allowing German visitors in, rather destinations can persuade northern this year, he said. to reassure, suggesting hosts share Across the continent, from than a full restart of the EU’s suspend- Europeans worried about their financ- A survey of 1,300 users from their “enhanced cleaning regime” Portugal’s Algarve to the islands of ed open-border pact. es and catching the virus to come Germany by booking portal with potential guests and let them Greece, beaches are deserted. Greek Tourism Minister Harry south this summer. Spain and Italy in HolidayCheck showed that 40 percent know person-to-person contact will There are no visitors at the Eiffel Theocharis says it is critical that particular are infection hotspots. are sticking to travel plans for this be minimal. Tower or the Louvre, Edinburgh’s Europe adopts a common position and The British government is advising year and 30 percent want to spend But many say much of the summer August festivals have been cancelled reopens borders soon because already against all but essential travel any- their next holiday in Germany. Most season is already lost. and the Netherlands’ flower fields businesses have folded. where, and Britons are cancelling just want clarity on cancellation “We have definitely lost three REUTERS are closed. “Many hotel units won’t open, and summer holidays. terms. months, now we are hoping to recoup Travellers stand at a Virgin Australia Airlines The COVID-19 pandemic, which has there will be unemployment,” “With that advice in place... new “What holidaymakers need now is the other four, July to October,” said counter at Kingsford Smith International killed nearly 180,000 people and infect- Theocharis told Reuters, calling for bookings, especially for early summer, fast, correct and easily understanda- Hotelier Manolis Giannoulis on the Airport in Sydney, Australia. ed more than 2.5 million globally, has long-term financial aid to an industry would have virtually dried up,” said a ble information,” said its director of Greek island of Crete.

C M Y K 07 | FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 WORLD

BRIEFING South Asia Virus warnings back safety over coronavirus cases top Australia to pursue coronavirus investigation 37,000, headache for SYDNEY: Australia will push for an tradition during Ramadan international investigation into the coronavirus pandemic at next governments eyeing month’s annual meeting of the World Virus has already disrupted ’s Holy Week, Passover, the Muslim hajj pilgrimage and other major religious events. Health Assembly, the decision-mak- lockdown end ing body of the World Health the whole holy month. Turkey banned Organization , its prime minister said communal eating during the holiday REUTERS on Thursday. Australia wants the and banned Ramadan drummers NEW DELHI, APRIL 23 WHO to be strengthened and is sug- marking the times for fasting from gesting introducing inspectors with going door-to-door to collect tips. South Asia’s coronavirus infections the power to enter a country to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran have crossed 37,000, with more than respond more quickly to a health Khan bowed to the country’s religious half in India, official data showed on crisis in the style of weapons inspec- clerics, refusing to close the mosques Thursday, complicating the task of tors. Australia sits on the executive despite a warning from the Pakistan governments looking to scale back board of the assembly, which deter- Medical Association that such gather- lockdowns that have destroyed the mines WHO policies and appoints ings are like a petri dish to spread the livelihoods of millions. the director-general. virus in a country that has a fragile Authorities in India sought this health care system. week to ease a stringent 40-day lock- Egypt’s Grand Mufti Shawki Allam down of the population of 1.3 billion There was no cover-up said Thursday that healthy Muslims by allowing farm and industrial activ- of coronavirus, envoy says have a religious obligation to fast ity in the least-affected rural areas. LONDON: China did not cover up the despite the global pandemic—but said But more than 1,400 new cases novel coronavirus outbreak and so coronavirus patients would be “the reported on Wednesday, for one of the United States should not seek to most eligible” for an exemption. India’s biggest single-day jumps in bully the People’s Republic in a man- US authorities have also struggled recent weeks, carried its tally to 21,392 ner reminiscent of the 19th century to reconcile religious freedom with infections. European colonial wars, the Chinese stemming the virus. A federal judge “We have to remain focused in this ambassador to London said on said he will deny a bid by three fight, the effort is to stop the spread at Thursday.“I hear quite a lot of this Southern California churches to hold any cost,” said Satyendra Jain, the speculation, this disinformation in-person church services during the health minister of Delhi, one of about China covering up, about China pandemic, saying that government’s India’s top three virus hotspots. hiding something - this is not true,” emergency powers trump what in nor- “If we want end the lockdown, Liu Xiaoming said. “The Chinese gov- mal times would be fundamental con- we have to bring down the number of ernment was transparent and very stitutional rights. red zones.” quick to share data.”Some other UN Secretary-General Antonio In neighbouring Pakistan, which country, their local courts sued AP/RSS Guterres urged Muslims to “focus on has roughly half as many cases as China, it is absurd, he said. People attend evening prayers while maintaining a level of social distancing to help avoid the spread of the coronavirus, at a mosque in Karachi, our common enemy—the virus,” and India, Prime Minister Imran Pakistan. Imran Khan’s government bowed to demands by religious leaders and agreed to keep mosques open during the Ramadan Islamic fast. repeated an earlier appeal for an Khan tested negative for the virus, immediate cease-fire for all conflicts. the information and broadcasting First Syrian state torture ASSOCIATED PRESS daily laborer Hamayoon, who goes by risk a setback. It would be a shame if The UN also warned that more than minister said. ISLAMABAD, APRIL 23 only one name. “The government premature hope ultimately punishes 135 million people were at acute risk Khan was tested after a meeting trial opens in Germany must have some mercy on us and us all.” of starvation even before Covid-19 last week with the head of one of the BERLIN: Two alleged former Syrian The coronavirus pandemic is cutting allow people to work at least half a day Germany has been praised for its appeared. The virus is making that country’s biggest charity organisa- intelligence officers went on trial in off the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims to be able to feed themselves.” proactive approach to the pandemic, situation worse, leading to massive tions, who later proved to have Germany on Thursday accused of from their cherished Ramadan tradi- US President Donald Trump is testing widely, shutting down citizens’ lines for food banks from the Texas the virus. crimes against humanity in the first tions as health officials battle to ward pushing for a swift nationwide movement and achieving a much city of El Paso to the Paris suburbs, “I am happy to report that his test is court case worldwide over state-spon- off new infections during Islam’s holi- reopening, Vietnam and New Zealand lower reported death toll, at 5,315, and hitting Africa especially hard. negative,” said Firdous Ashiq Awan, sored torture by Bashar al-Assad’s est month, haunted by multiple out- moved on Thursday to end their lock- than other large European nations. “On one hand, the lockdown and the minister. regime. Prime suspect Anwar Raslan, breaks traced to religious gatherings downs and European leaders were As Muslim leaders announce the lack of jobs, and on the other hand, Until now, South Asia, home to a an alleged former colonel in Syrian around the world. gathering via video later on Thursday official start of Ramadan, govern- Ramadan is coming and the prices for fifth of the world’s population, has state security, stands accused of car- Ramadan, a month of daytime fast- to try to reinvigorate their virus-crip- ments are trying to balance health all food items have gone up. It is a huge suffered fewer infections in the pan- rying out crimes against humanity ing, overnight festivity and communal pled economies. protection with traditions and many problem for the people,” shopkeeper demic than rich nations such as while in charge of the Al-Khatib prayer and giving, begins with the The coronavirus crisis is far from have closed mosques or banned collec- Noor Alam lamented in the Afghan Britain, Spain and the United States. detention centre in Damascus. He new moon this week and comes in the over, however, and the threat of new tive evening prayers. In addition to capital of Kabul. But that could be the result of lower appeared in the dock wearing glasses middle of the worldwide debate over outbreaks looms large. German Ramadan’s sunrise-to-sunset fast, fam- The EU has pledged 20 billion euros rates of testing that health experts and a moustache, is charged with when and how to lift virus restric- Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed ilies and friends gather for large fes- ($22 billion) to provide help to vulner- believe may allow the virus to lurk overseeing the murder of 58 people tions. Keeping the faithful healthy dismay on Thursday, criticising some tive meals at sunset, worshippers go to able communities globally. EU leaders undetected. and the torture of 4,000 others at the during the entire month poses a whole states for moving “very briskly, if not mosques for hours of evening prayers were holding a virtual summit “We have repeatedly said there is no prison between April 29, 2011 and new challenge. to say too briskly” in trying to reopen and communal meals are organised Thursday to take stock of the damage alternative to a testing, trace and September 7, 2012. Fellow defendant The virus has already disrupted their economies. for the poor. the coronavirus has inflicted on the quarantine programme,” said Sonia Eyad al-Gharib, 43, is accused of Christianity’s Holy Week, Passover, “We’re not living in the final phase Authorities in the capital of bloc’s own citizens and to thrash out Gandhi, the chief of India’s main being an accomplice to crimes against the Muslim hajj pilgrimage and other of the pandemic, but still at the begin- Indonesia, the world’s most populous an economic rescue plan. opposition Congress party. humanity, having helped to arrest pro- major religious events. ning,” Merkel warned ahead of the Muslim majority nation, on Thursday Merkel warned: “It’s a long journey; “Unfortunately, testing still remains testers and deliver them to Al-Khatib “Ramadan is coming, and people European Union summit. “Let us not extended to May 22 its strict dis- We can’t run out of stamina and air low and testing kits are still in short in the autumn of 2011. (AGENCIES) have nothing to eat,” said Afghan squander what we have achieved and ease-fighting restrictions—covering too soon.” supply and of poor quality.” Trump signs immigration order featuring numerous exemptions

ASSOCIATED PRESS ment-based green card applicants WASHINGTON, APRIL 23 already live in the US, the proclama- Trump’s pivot to tion Trump signed on Wednesday will President Donald Trump claimed on most affect the parents, adult children Wednesday that he had signed an exec- immigration is a and siblings of citizens and perma- utive order “temporarily suspending strategy he has nent residents hoping to one day join immigration into the United States.” them in the country. Trump has derid- But experts say the order will merely often used to rev ed that practice as “chain immigra- delay the issuance of green cards for a tion” and pushed Congress for years minority of applicants. up his base. to adopt legislation that would favour Trump said his move was necessary what he calls “merit-based” immigra- to help Americans find work in an tion instead. economy ravaged by the coronavirus. say that, if the order is made perma- Trump’s pivot to immigration is a “This will ensure that unemployed nent, it would also satisfy Trump’s strategy he has often used to rev up Americans of all backgrounds will be long-stalled push to end what he calls his base. first in line for jobs as our economy “chain migration.” It’s the latest Ahead of the 2018 midterm elec- reopens,” he said. example of his administration using tions, for instance, Trump put immi- But the order includes a long list of the pandemic as cover to enact immi- gration at the forefront, using migrant exemptions, including for anyone who gration policy changes he has long caravans in Latin America as a rally- is currently in the country, those seek- championed. ing cry as he ordered thousands of US ing entry to work as physicians and Trump ran in 2016 on promises to troops to the southern border to stop nurses, wealthy foreign investors, and crack down on both illegal and legal an “invasion.” the spouses and minor children of immigration, making the case—dis- In recent days, officials bolstered by American citizens. The 60-day pause puted by many—that foreign workers their successful efforts to restrict trav- also leaves untouched the hundreds of compete with Americans for jobs and el at the country’s borders had been thousands of temporary work and stu- drive down wages. While many of discussing how they might seize the dent visas the US issues each year. Trump’s efforts to dramatically upend opportunity to enact additional immi- That left partisans on both sides of the nation’s immigration system have gration restrictions. the immigration battle accusing been stymied by Congress and the Trump’s team, however, denied on Trump of being driven more by poli- courts, the pandemic has allowed him Tuesday that he was using the virus to REUTERS tics than policy as he tries to rally to move forward with some. make good on a longstanding cam- Reku Matsui, 8, and Yaya Matsui, 12, pose for a photograph while holding pictures that they drew during the coronavirus voters in an election year. Yet experts Since the vast majority of employ- paign promise during an election year. disease (Covid-19) outbreak, as they stand on the balcony of their home in Tokyo, Japan. Virus traps, sickens foreign labourers in Gulf Arab states

ASSOCIATED PRESS Dubai with his two brothers, just says 10,000 workers are being screened Gulf countries have introduced DUBAI, APRIL 23 wants to escape. daily in Abu Dhabi’s industrial amnesty periods for workers whose Khaliqnoor said he has been plead- district. visas and residencies expire during Long a lifeline for families back home, ing daily with the Pakistani Consulate Many of the migrants hold low-pay- the pandemic. Several have ordered migrant workers in oil-rich Gulf Arab to fly him and one of his brothers out. ing construction jobs, labouring in firms to provide food and accommoda- states now find themselves trapped by “Our job is gone and we need to move.” scorching heat to transform the tion to migrant workers who’ve been the coronavirus pandemic, losing jobs, It’s a cruel fate for the millions of region’s deserts into cities teeming furloughed, though labourers have running out of money and desperate mostly South Asian migrants who left with highways, skyscrapers, luxury been vulnerable to abuse for decades. to return to their home countries as their homes. They’ve missed priceless hotels and marbled malls. Others Countries also have promised free Covid-19 stalks their labour camps. years and family milestones for more work as cleaners, drivers, waiters and treatment for any confirmed case of Whether on the island of Bahrain, lucrative wages in the Gulf. in jobs traditionally shunned by the virus, regardless of citizenship. hidden in the industrial neighbour- Their work is essential for the locals. Women often find jobs as nan- Access to health care, however, hoods behind Dubai’s skyscrapers or region that hosts them and for their nies or maids. The virus represents a remains an issue. In Dubai’s industri- in landlocked cities of Saudi Arabia, a home countries. Their remittances new danger, especially in their living al Al Quoz neighbourhood, an growing number of workers have con- are a lifeline for nations like quarters. Krishna Kumar, the head of Associated Press journalist recently tracted the virus or been forced into Afghanistan, India, Nepal, Pakistan the Abu Dhabi-based Kerala Social saw more than 20 people who were mass quarantines. Many have been and the Philippines. Center, named after the Indian state worried that they had the virus stand- put on unpaid leave or fired. Some 35 million labourers work in from which many labourers come, ing for hours in the rain outside a pri- The United Arab Emirates is even the six Arab Gulf states of Bahrain, said up to 10 workers share a room in vate clinic, waiting to be seen. threatening the labourers’ home coun- Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia some labour camps in the region. In Dubai’s Naif neighbourhood, tries that won’t take them back with and the UAE, as well as in Jordan and In Bahrain and Qatar, hundreds of home to the famed Gold Souq, a man possible quotas on workers in the Lebanon, according to UN figures. migrant workers were quarantined who gave his name as Bilal told the AP future—something that would endan- Foreigners far outnumber locals in after an unknown number contracted that he and his colleagues had been ger a crucial source of remittances for the Gulf states, accounting for over 80 Covid-19, the disease caused by the stuck in their office building because South Asian countries. percent of the population in some coronavirus. Saudi Arabia also noted police closed the area off without AP/RSS Workers like Hunzullah Khaliqnoor, countries. Gulf states have increased the danger of the virus spreading in warning as a weeks-long curfew came In this April 16 photo, a labourer looks out the window of his living quarters in the Al Quoz an IT manager from Peshawar, coronavirus testing for residents and housing for labourers. It’s a crisis into effect. Dubai has since imposed a neighbourhood of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Pakistan, who shares a room in citizens alike. The UAE, for example, striking Singapore as well. citywide 24-hour lockdown.

C M Y K FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & ARTS (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Virtual tours: Travelling in the time of Covid Saurav Dhakal, founder and curator of StoryCycle, on storytelling and how his organisation is using technology to offer virtual tours for a society under lockdown.

or centuries, humans have and then on May 29, we have Everest relied on storytelling as a pow- (Khumbu) virtual tour with Apa Sherpa erful medium to understand the as the walk leader. world around them and to The idea behind Virtual Heritage Tour impart knowledge, social is to give people who are staying indoors norms and philosophies. How during the lockdown the opportunity to Feffectively stories deliver the message take part in socially, historically and cul- embedded in them depends on how com- turally immersive virtual tours. Those pellingly they are crafted, told, and in interested to take part in the tours can do today’s technologically advanced world, so by visiting our website storycycle.com developed with the use of different tech- and registering for Virtual Heritage Tour. nologies. A lot of what StoryCycle, an organisation founded by Saurav Dhakal, How challenging is it to organise virtual engages in revolves around providing tours given that you have to rely on a lot youth with the tools needed for effective of multimedia materials? storytelling in a rapidly modernising world. Getting the required multimedia materi- In an interview with the Post’s Tsering als wasn’t a problem because we already Ngodup Lama, Dhakal talks about how have most of the materials needed for the technology can help tell effective stories places currently listed for the Virtual and about Virtual Heritage Tour, an initia- Heritage Tour. For example, Bagmati tive by StoryCycle to give people under Promenade was a part of Our Dream City, lockdown a virtual, cultural tour of differ- a campaign we started last year in collab- ent corners of Nepal—like Barpak, oration with the British Council, where Lumbini and the Khumbu region. Excerpts: we helped youths who live and work in the locality or have a special affinity with Making use of technology to tell stories the place design a heritage walk by com- is central to what StoryCycle does. Why bining stories of historical moments, reli- do you think this is particularly impor- gion and social life and connecting it to tant in a diverse country like Nepal? modern society. So we just used the mate- rials we already had from the campaign Every place has a story and the story is and used them for the Bagmati Promenade what gives the place and its people their virtual tour. unique identity. If you look at our coun- Since we had also already visited try’s history, a lot of it hasn’t been docu- Barpark and Khumbu as part of mented properly. This lack of documenta- StoryCamps, which is a series of events tion is one of the main reasons behind we organise at various locations to many gaps in our history. But in today’s empower media enthusiasts in those loca- world, with all the technological tools tions, we already have plenty of photos, that we have at our disposal, it has become video stories, map points and a 360-degree possible to record and document many imagery of the two places. narratives and stories. One of the ways PHOTOS COURTESY: STORYCYCLE If there was one challenging part, it we do that is by making use of map-based The Virtual Heritage Tour aims to give people at home the opportunity to take part in socially, historically and culturally immersive virtual tours. was the technical aspect of conducting storytelling techniques and promoting virtual tours. Doing everything remotely those stories to enhance the digital foot- from integrating maps and photos to tell print of that particular location. the stories for the places was a little tricky. We conducted several trials to A few weeks after the government “The demand for ensure that things go as planned. We are announced the lockdown on March 24, virtual tours will happy with all the positive feedback and StoryCycle announced the launch of appreciation we received from our Virtual Heritage Tour. What is the main continue when the Bagmati Promenade tour and are now idea behind the project? pandemic subsides.” looking forward to upcoming ones. Before the Covid-19 lockdown, we had What do you think about the role of already made a plan to organise the virtual tours in a post-lockdown world? Bagmati Promenade tour on the occasion Tour on April 17 with a virtual tour of of World Heritage Day. But the lockdown Bagmati Promenade with Sanjib The lockdown and the need to maintain a meant that we could no longer go ahead Chaudhary as our walk leader. social distance has increased people’s with the tour. Then we came up with the We have three more such tours lined up interest in virtual tours. And I think the idea of organising Virtual Heritage Tour, as part of our Virtual Heritage Tour. The interest and the demand for virtual tours a multimedia tour where the tour’s walk next one is on Barpark and is going to be will continue when the pandemic leader makes use of images, videos, texts, held on April 24 [today] with Bir Bahadur subsides because such tours provide peo- map points, to provide viewers with an Ghale as the walk leader. The Barpark ple from all over the world an opportunity in-depth cultural, social knowledge of the tour will be followed by Lumbini (May 7) to know about places without having to place. We held our first Virtual Heritage with Anil Chitrakar as the walk leader, travel there.

A teeming, violent pre-pandemic world in ‘Extraction’ Amid the pandemic, ‘Extraction’ is easily the biggest new spectacle arriving on any screen anytime soon.

JAKE COYLE

he big-budget action thriller ‘Extraction’ belongs, in many ways, to another world. It’s set in the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka, one of the most densely populated cities Tin the world. It’s in this urban sea of peo- ple and traffic that Chris Hemsworth’s battle-scarred mercenary engages in a torrent of gunfights, car chases and hand- to-hand combat. ‘Extraction,’ produced with the Marvel- trained muscle of Joe and Anthony Russo (‘Avengers Endgame,’ ‘Captain America’), wasn’t shot in Dhaka but in Thailand and Ahmedabad, India. In India, it was one of the largest Hollywood productions to set down on the subcontinent. The throngs there doubled for Dhaka and populated ‘Extraction,’ a teeming movie made very obviously before the pandemic era of social distancing. “There were thousands of people watching each day and erupting at the end of each take. It was like being in the Coliseum,” Hemsworth said in an inter- view by video conference from his home in Australia. “It’s interesting now to go: Would you be able to pull that off post- this? It would be very different.” ‘Extraction,’ which debuts Friday on Netflix, is the directorial debut of Sam Hargrave, the stunt coordinator on ‘Endgame’ and other films and the former stunt double of Chris Evans’ Captain America. It’s a familiar kind of kinetic action movie featuring lengthy takes and violent choreography, but it benefits greatly from the atmosphere of an exotic, lesser-seen and overwhelming locale. And, right now, ‘Extraction’ is easily the biggest new spectacle arriving on any screen anytime soon. The film re-teams Hemsworth with the Russos, a year after ‘Endgame,’ in a script penned by Joe Russo a decade ago. He adapted it from the graphic novel ‘Ciudad’, which is set in Paraguay’s AP/RSS Ciudad del Este. But a couple of years ed but it has an energy and vibrancy The cast is an exceedingly internation- of Marvel, brought to a different genre months ahead. The Directors Guild ago, when the Russos tapped Hargrave to that’s unique,” said Hargrave. “You al one, including the Bollywood actors and a smaller-screen platform. recently formed a committee led by direct, they went looking for a new city. couldn’t look in any direction that’s not Randeep Hooda and Pankaj Tripathi. “Joe and I got to see not just the fandom Steven Soderbergh to examine possible “There were a few projects that were unique to the Western eye.” Since launching in India in 2016, Netflix but the filmmaking community around on-set solutions. circling Ciudad del Este as a location, one Films set in far-flung locations with a has increasingly prioritized reaching the the world,” said Anthony Russo. “Having That makes the visceral, peopled realm in particular at Netflix. When we came up white protagonist have sometimes been subcontinent’s 1.3 billion people. Reed opportunities to tie into talented film- of ‘Extraction’ a vision of a recent but, at with the idea to flip it to Sam, we started criticized for relying on “white saviour” Hastings, Netflix’s chief executive, has makers from every corner of the globe is least temporarily, vanished movie world. looking for another, fresh location,” said tropes, a charge that has been lobbed by previously forecast that the company’s very exciting to us.” To Hemsworth, it was a thrilling one. Joe Russo. “We had spent some time in some at “Extraction.” next 100 million subscribers will come The Russo brothers are currently edit- “It ratcheted up the pressure of shoot- Mumbai on a promotional tour and that’s Hemsworth plays Tyler Rake, a merce- from India, and it has poured some $400 ing their next film, the crime drama ing within those places being so densely where we got the idea to do it in nary hired to rescue the son of an Indian million over 2019 and 2020 into expanding ‘Cherry,’ remotely. They say they are, like populated,” said the actor, recalling elabo- Bangladesh.” drug lord. He soon finds himself dou- India-specific content. (Netflix declined to much of the industry, trying to conceive rate action scenes with hundreds of peo- Hargrave first scouted Dhaka in 2017, ble-crossed and fighting legions to shield say how much ‘Extraction’ cost to make.) and plan for how productions of any ple. “Sam threw us in a location that in between the shoots for ‘Infinity War’ a boy (Rudhraksh Jaiswal) for reasons For the Russos, they see ‘Extraction’ as kind—let alone huge, rough-and-tumble added to it tenfold.” and ‘Endgame.’ “It’s very densely populat- he’s not even himself sure of. an extension of the globe-spanning scale films like ‘Extraction’—can resume in the — Associated Press

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