WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 335 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 23.9 C -6.1 C Monday, February 01, 2021 | 19-10-2077 Dipayal Jumla Speaker sends back constitutional body recommendations The Council, headed by prime minister, had appointed office bearers to various constitutional bodies on December 15 after introducing an ordinance.

TIKA R PRADHAN Parliamentary hearing is a manda- KATHMANDU, JAN 31 tory process required by the constitu- tion for the appointments made by the Speaker Agni Prasad Sapkota has Constitutional Council. returned the appointment recommen- As per Article 292, parliamentary dations made by the Constitutional hearings shall be conducted for Council on December 15 to the appointments in the offices of the Secretariat of the Constitutional chief justice and judges of the POST PHOTO: MANOJ PAUDEL Council. Supreme Court, members of the Electric cars meant for tours of Lumbini are parked at their charging station. The vehicles, which were donated as part of World Bank’s Clean Energy Project, have been gathering dust for the A meeting of the Constitutional Judicial Council, chiefs and members past two months, as Lumbini Development Trust has yet to secure technical clearance and prepare the modality to operate them. Council, headed by Prime Minister KP of constitutional bodies and offices of Sharma Oli, had recommended 38 ambassadors. office-bearers for 11 constitutional The Parliament Secretariat had bodies, including the Commission for received the Council decision to Investigation of Abuse of Authority appoint office-bearers to 11 constitu- and the National Human Rights tional bodies 43 days ago. ‘Can’t give up hope’: Family of missing man find their Commission. As per Rule 26 (2) of the Joint According to a press statement Parliamentary Meeting Regulation, issued by the Parliament Secretariat, there would be no obstruction for the the recommendations sent for parlia- recommended people to assume office resolve tested after skeletal remains are found in Kuwait mentary hearing have been returned in constitutional bodies if the hearing to the Secretariat of the Constitutional committee fails to take any decision Council because the meeting that within 45 days of receiving the letter While the Kuwaiti authorities are yet to ascertain the identity of the remains, some Nepali media were quick to say they made the recommendations was held from the [Constitutional] Council. without informing the Speaker. The recommendations had run into belonged to Laxmi Sah, who has been missing since November last year, shocking and angering his family members. “The Speaker has sent all the docu- controversy because they were made ments for conducting the parliamenta- after Oli introduced an ordinance on CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL “Besides his regular job, he would hours of the night. There was no ry hearing to the Secretariat of the the Constitutional Council Act-2010 KATHMANDU, JAN 31 also do part-time jobs whenever he fixed schedule,” said Chhedi Lal, Constitutional Council as they were (Function, Duties and Procedures) on got the opportunity to make some who had flown to Kuwait a day after received on December 20, 2020 after a December 15, amending two Laxmi Sah’s daily routine revolved extra money.” Sah in 2008 and worked for the same meeting of the Council of Ministers provisions which meant the council around his job and flat in Al Sah, 49, was an employee of Al company. that morning decided to dissolve the could convene a meeting if the Farwaniya, Kuwait. He did not have Shimasyah International General According to his friends in House of Representatives,” reads the majority of the existing members any issues with his co-workers or Trading and Contracting Company Kuwait, Sah was making a hand- statement. “The House dissolution attend the meeting and take a decision his flatmates. and had been lately posted as a some income for a Nepali worker. ended the term of the parliamentary on the basis of majority. A meeting of “He was a hard-working man, cleaner at Kuwait International But on the night of November 19, hearing committee too. So there is the council on the evening who could work nonstop for 15-16 Airport. Sah suddenly disappeared. His no way those recommendations can of December 15 had made the recom- hours every day,” said Chhedi Lal “Since the pandemic began, he whereabouts remain unknown. be presented before the committee mendations. Sah, his close friend and a flatmate. would be working from 3am till late >> Continued on page 2 for a hearing” >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K MONDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Darchula residents demand Speaker sends back constitutional ... >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 the Constitutional Council that nance as various constitutional bodies That meeting was not attended by appointed office-bearers to 11 consti- were without office-bearers and that Speaker Sapkota and leader of the tutional bodies the same day he had he was not getting cooperation from resumption of tuin service main opposition Sher Bahadur Deuba. introduced the ordinance that was the council members, including Prime Minister Oli, Chief Justice swiftly approved by President Bidya Sapkota. Cholendra Shamsher Rana and Devi Bhandari. But by changing the provisions for MANOJ BADU bridges in the area. The residents of Darchula have National Assembly Chairman Ganesh The recommendation decision, convening the meeting and taking DARCHULA, JAN 31 The residents of several settlements been demanding the government to Prasad Timilsina were present. however, had reached the Parliament decisions, Oli had disturbed the bal- above Dhaulakot in Byas have to construct bridges across the Mahakali Article 284 of constitution stipu- Secretariat on December 20, the day ance of the council, as the constitu- The residents of the northern part of cross Mahakali River to reach River for decades. They were elated lates a six-member Constitutional Oli dissolved the House. tion envisioned the composition Darchula district have demanded that Khalanga, the district headquarters with Oli’s declaration to replace tuins Council headed by prime minister. Oli’s House dissolution move result- requiring the presence of the House authorities resume tuin crossings of Darchula. They have to cross the with suspension bridges. But the vil- The chief justice, Speaker, deputy ed in a split in the Nepal Communist Speaker and the leader of the opposi- across the Mahakali River. The gov- river to avail of government services lagers are still awaiting the bridges’ Speaker, National Assembly chair and Party and the other faction is led by tion to ensure the checks and balanc- ernment had put a stop on tuin cross- in Khalanga and to reach the nearest installation. the leader of the main opposition are Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav es. ings amid fear of Covid-19 since marketplaces on the Indian side to buy “We have been urging the govern- the members of the Council. Kumar Nepal. Many believe Oli introduced the March last year. essentials. ment and political leaders to replace Clause 6 (3) of the Constitutional ordinance so that he could appoint Though the KP Sharma government “It takes two days to reach the dis- the risky tuins with bridges since the Council Act (Functions, Duties and people of his choice to some constitu- had announced to replace all tuins trict headquarters if we use foot restoration of democracy in 1990. But Procedures) 2010 had it that at least tional bodies, including the with bridges five years ago, people trails. We can return home from visit- the bridges were never constructed,” five members must be present besides Speaker says he used Commission for Investigation of living in several villages of Darchula ing the district headquarters the same said Jagat Singh Dhami of Byas. prime minister for the Council to con- Abuse of Authority, so that he can are still dependent on tuins, rudimen- day if we are allowed to cross the The Indian government had agreed vene its meeting. Similarly, Clause 6 his inherent right to keep his opponents in the party in tary ropeway crossings, to get across river. Using a tuin is risky, but several to install four suspension bridges at (5) said that a decision must be taken check. Mahakali River. villages are cut off from other towns Badgaun, Madgaun and Maal of Byas based on consensus. as per Article 2 of But now with the Speaker returning The villagers have been left in hard- if the service remains closed,” said Rural Municipality and Baku of Since the deputy Speaker was yet to the recommendations saying that ship as the only alternative to cross Harak Singh Budhthoki of Rapla in Malikarjun Rural Municipality one be elected, one member’s absence the Constitution. with the House dissolution, there is no the river that acts as a natural border Byas-2. and half years ago. The bridge instal- could stop the Constitutional Council parliamentary hearing committee, between Nepal and India remains Government authorities had recom- lation work had started in those places from holding the meeting. there is no clarity as to what happens closed. mended constructing 10 suspension but was halted due to the Covid-19 The new provisions introduced next. “The government has already decid- bridges to replace tuin crossings in pandemic. through the ordinance, however, Speaker Sapkota is considered Some say Speaker’s decision to ed to open the Nepal-India border Darchula after Oli had announced The contractor has requested the meant that even the presence of just Dahal’s close ally. return the recommendations barely which had been sealed since the plans to replace all tuins during his District Administration Office to take three members was enough to convene Sapkota was elected Speaker in makes any difference and that those nationwide lockdown started. The first stint as prime minister. Only two the necessary initiatives so that it the meeting and decisions could be January last year in what was seen a recommended for the positions will closed tuin service should also be suspension bridges have been built, could resume the work, according to taken based on majority. After intro- victory for Dahal who had been at get automatic appointment as no hear- resumed,” said Ramesh Singh one in Lali and the other at Tigram, Raghubir Singh Saud, the proprietor ducing the ordinance, the council, in odds with Oli at the time as well. ing is possible within constitutionally Kunwar, a resident of Byas Rural and four others are under construc- of Manamalika Construction Service the presence of Oli, Rana and As Oli-Dahal tussle intensified in mandated 45 days. Municipality Ward No. 3. He urged the tion. However, the bridge construction which was awarded the contract to Timilsina, had taken the decision. the party, it had gradually become Returning such documents, howev- authorities concerned to allow the work has been halted due to the Covid- build two bridges across Mahakali Oli’s decision to introduce the ordi- apparent that Sapkota would not coop- er, is not a new practice, according to villagers to use tuins as there are no 19 pandemic. River. nance had drawn severe criticism. erate with Oli. the Parliament Secretariat. Experts on constitutional affairs Days before the ordinance on the “In the past also, recommendations had described Oli’s decision to issue Constitutional Council Act, Sapkota made for hearings when the parlia- the ordinance to amend the had skipped a couple of council mentary hearing committee was not Constitutional Council Act as “a meetings called by Prime Minister in place have been returned,” reads Machiavellian fraud” on the constitu- Oli in an action described by some as the statement undersigned by Roj tion and an action that undermined a tactical move taken at Dahal’s Nath Pandey, secretary of the the principle of checks and balances. behest. Parliamentary Secretariat. Oli had introduced the ordinance Without the presence of the Speaker In the letter, Speaker Sapkota has when infighting in his Nepal or the leader of the main opposition, been quoted as saying that he was Communist Party had reached a tip- the meeting could not even convene, using his inherent right to return ping point, with the faction led by let alone take decisions. Oli had then those documents to the Secretariat of Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav introduced the ordinance to change the Constitutional Council. Kumar Nepal demanding his resigna- the provisions for holding the meeting “It is my responsibility and duty to tion both as prime minister and party and taking decisions. protect and promote the House as per chair. Insiders had told the Post then that Article 2 of the Constitution,” reads At the December 16 meeting of the Oli had for long seen Sapkota as an the statement. “Since the House has Standing Committee meeting of the irritant and he had taken the Speaker’s been dissolved, as a leader of that Nepal Communist Party, Oli agreed to refusal to attend the Constitutional body, to protect the sovereignty of the withdraw the ordinance but later he Council meetings as an offence. people it is my responsibility to refused to do so. It later turned out Those close to Oli had said he had employ the inherent right that has that he had already held a meeting of no option than to introduce the ordi- been bestowed upon me.” ‘Can’t give up hope’: Family of ...

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 “We had thought that if he had been On the night of his disappearance, arrested, then he must be in one of the Sah had returned to his flat with three jails,” said Chhedi Lal. “Prison offi- other friends at around 10pm, accord- cials, however, refused our request ing to his friend Chhedi Lal, who was and asked us to bring the employer. So also in Kuwait at that time. we could not do much. Neither the “He had returned to the flat, but left company nor the local authorities before I got back from work,” said have cared much.” Chedilal from his home in Saptari. “He According to an official with the had left without informing anyone.” Nepal embassy in Kuwait, following His flatmates thought Sah must the information from Sah’s friends have left to work part time, which usu- that he could be in one of the jails, the ally was washing cars or loading cargo embassy had asked the company’s rep- at the airport. resentative to look for him in prisons. But he did not return till late and “Sah’s friends had said that he was when he did not receive the calls, his kept at Khaitan Police Station. We had flatmates became worried. asked the company official to visit the “Everyone started panicking when police station,” said the official, who he did not return the calls. His phone did not want to be named as he was was on till 6:02 am the next day,” said not authorised to speak with the Chhedi Lal. “He had not even gone for media. “But Sah was not there.” his shift at the airport.” Bijendra, Sah’s son, says they had More than two months after Sah’s also contacted the Nepal embassy in disappearance, a small news report in Kuwait. Kuwaiti media alerted those close to “The embassy told me that an offi- him. cial was handling the case. It’s been 18 On January 26, Arab Times report- days since then but I have not heard ed that Kuwaiti authorities had dis- anything from the embassy,” said covered skeletal remains in the desert Bijendra. “With not so encouraging of Abdali, around 115 km from response from the authorities, I am Farwaniya, from where Sah had disap- now planning to reach out to political peared. party leaders who can build pressure The paper, citing a vernacular daily, to look for my father.” reported that the remains belonged to Families and friends of Sah do not a Nepali national who had gone miss- believe that the remains discovered in ing several months ago and that he the desert were his. had allegedly been murdered. “It’s been hardly two and a half The identity of the skeletal remains PHOTO COURTESY: SANTOSH SAH months since he disappeared. It’s hard has still not been ascertained yet. Laxmi Sah has been missing since to believe that a body will decay down But back home in Nepal, some online November 19 last year. to the bones in such a short period of news portals were quick to conclude time,” said Chhedi Lal. “I am not there that the remains were that of Sah. night. The next day, it was Friday [a so I cannot say what is going on. Even Friends and family members, who holiday], so we went out to look for my ex-coworkers have not seen any were already distressed by his disap- him,” said Chhedi Lal, who returned police reports on the identity of the pearance, were shocked and angered to Nepal on January 13. “We person whose remains have been by the news. approached his supervisor at his com- found.” “We don’t know where my father is pany but he did show much concern Bhagwat Sah, another coworker and what condition he is in. Some and told us to wait for a few days.” and flatmate of Sah, is also sceptical media reports have already reported Back home in Nepal, Sah’s family about the identity of the remains. his death. How can they do that?” was ready to secure his release by “The local police are investigating Bijendra Sah, his son, said. “Such paying a fine if he had been arrested the case. Only they can confirm the reporting has only exacerbated our by the police. identity of the remains,” Bhagwat, pain. All of us are devastated. There is “We were in touch with a Bengali who is also Sah’s neighbour, told the no proof of his death yet unless his man, who had told us that he would Post from Kuwait over the phone. “He body is found.” find my father in exchange for money,” was an amiable person and never had Last two months have been emo- said Bijendra. “We were ready to pay any issues with anyone. We had tionally tough for the Sah family. him any amount. Later he said that he returned from work together before he Before his disappearance, Sah used could not do so. I also approached the left for a part-time job on the day of to talk regularly with his family mem- company where my father worked.” his disappearance. I don’t know what bers back home at Khamgada village According to Saroj Ray, a Nepali happened to him.” of Bodebarsain Municipality in activist who has been involved in sev- After the latest media reports, the Saptari district. He also remained in eral campaigns to rescue migrant Nepali embassy once again called the touch with his son Bijendra, who workers, Nepali media’s reporting of human resource manager of the com- works in a hospital in Patna, Bihar. Sah’s “death” was equally tragic for pany where Sah worked. The day Sah disappeared his family the family. “We are waiting for the company’s was preparing for Chhath, the biggest “There is no proof that Sah is dead. response. The embassy has also festival of the Tarai region. He had This has not been officially confirmed intensified search for the missing called Bijendra that afternoon. until now,” said Ray. person,” the official told the Post “He said that there was some com- Ray said that he has also approached over the phone from Kuwait City on motion going on and hung up saying Sah’s company, but they have not Sunday. he would call later,” said Bijendra. heard from them Back in Saptari, Sah’s family is “No one heard from him after that.” “Even the Nepali embassy officials looking forward to his return—or at After hearing the details of his last told me he was not among the Nepalis least for him to get in touch. They are call, Sah’s friends in Kuwait and fami- who were arrested during the raids also anxiously waiting for the forensic ly members back home intensified the launched by the Kuwaiti authorities,” test report to ascertain the identity of search for him. They thought the said Ray. the skeletal remains. police could have arrested Sah during His friends in Kuwait had also “We should not be thinking that their raids as he was not legally approached the Nepali embassy and something bad happened to him,” said allowed to work part time. gone to a Kuwaiti jail to inquire about Bijendra, who has returned home “We had heard that some 25-30 peo- Sah’s situation, according to Chhedi from his job in Patna to be with his ple had been arrested in a raid that Lal. family. “We cannot give up hope.”

C M Y K 03 | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2021 NATIONAL Nepali mission resumes verifying workers’ demand for Saudi jobs CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL KATHMANDU, JAN 31

The Nepali mission in Saudi Arabia has resumed its services to prospective Saudi employers who want to hire Nepali workers following a hiatus of 10 months—raising hopes for the revival of the labour migration sector hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. The Nepali embassy in Saudi Arabia has resumed attesting demand letters submitted by local employers for hiring Nepali, the mis- sion said. The embassy had stopped attesting the letters 10 months ago following the govern- ment’s decision to suspend recruitment of Nepali workers abroad due to the Covid-19 crisis. “The resumption of services at the embassy has raised hope among recruiting agencies and workers. Halting the issuance of demand verification letters had impacted labour migration [in Saudi Arabia] when other embassies had already resumed the service,” said Sujeet Kumar Shrestha, general secretary at the Nepal Association of Foreign POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA Employment Agencies (NAFEA), a grouping The Swayambhu stupa seen from a window in Chhauni, Kathmandu. of 854 recruiting agencies that supply Nepali workers. According to Shrestha, demand for around 50,000 to 60,000 workers is expected in the next month alone if everything goes smoothly. The government had suspended migration BRIEFING of Nepali labourers after outbreaks of Covid- It may take years to inoculate everyone 19 were reported in major destination coun- tries. Following the decision, Nepali missions Elderly woman dies in fire abroad had one after another stopped attesting DHANKUTA: An 88-year-old woman died labour demand letters. The embassy in Riyadh in a fire incident at Belhara in stopped issuing demand attestation letters on Dhankuta Municipality-9 on Sunday. against Covid-19, experts say March 13. Police identified the deceased as Even when the government announced the Bhakta Kumari Baral. The octogenar- resumption of the labour migration sector, the ian sustained critical burn injuries Health Ministry officials say only preparations to start a mass vaccination campaign may require three months. embassy in Saudi Arabia, a major destination after her clothes caught the flames for Nepali migrants, had not resumed its ser- while she was keeping herself warm ARJUN POUDEL extend the programme to primary healthcare restrictions on exports due to short supplies.” vices. next to a fire. KATHMANDU, JAN 31 centers, but that hasn’t improved the pace of Officials at the Health Ministry said that they Recruiting agencies had been complaining the drive. have been told that attempts are being made to that the Nepali mission in Saudi Arabia Only around 18.6 percent of the people the govern- Officials hoped that health workers serving in procure an additional four million doses within a should also resume the verification process, Jeep skids off road in Kavre, ment targeted to vaccinate under the first phase rural municipalities and female community month. But there is no clarity yet as to how the which is considered the first step towards hir- injuring ten people of the Covid-19 inoculation drive have received health volunteers, who have not been able to reach government plans to procure around 45 million— ing Nepali workers. KAVRE: Ten people were injured when their shot until the fifth day of the campaign, the district headquarters for immunization due to given the 10-15 percent possible wastage—doses of The embassy in Riyadh said that attestation a passenger jeep swerved off the road which officials aimed to complete within 10 days. various reasons, including transportation prob- vaccines required to vaccinate all eligible of demand letters will be carried out online in Namobuddha Municipality-2, As authorities scramble to step up the pace of lems, can reach primary health care centers. citizens. only. It has also developed a separate portal for Kavre on Sunday. According to the vaccinations, of the 430,000 frontline health work- But even after all health workers are immu- “We have been told by senior officials that vac- prospective employers to submit their demand District Police Office, the jeep hit a ers and essential workers who were supposed to nised, it would be difficult to immunise the wider cines will come in surprising ways but we do not letters. The embassy has also come up with a motorcycle and skidded off the road. get inoculated in the first phase, only 88,007 have population of over 21 million people over 14 years know more,” Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint specific format for prospective employers to Eight people on board the Janakpur- done so so far, officials said. Experts say that the of age within three months. Authorities would spokesperson for the Health Ministry, told follow while seeking approval from the mis- bound jeep and two motorcyclists sus- numbers indicate that it may take years for all have to inoculate at least 480,000 people a day to the Post. sion for the hiring process. tained damages in the incident. The eligible people to get the vaccine. achieve the target. Children under 14 years old If Nepal receives six million doses through the Through a press release on January 10, the victims were taken to various health “It is easier said than done,” Dr Baburam can’t be immunised, as vaccines have not been World Health Organisation’s COVAX programme, Nepal embassy in Riyadh had said the demand facilities in the district for treat- which will be enough to inculcate 20 percent of attestation would be started cautiously with ment., officials at the scene the population, the government still needs 40 mil- limited numbers and expanded in a phase- told the Post. lion more doses of the vaccine. wise manner, if necessary. Nepal rolled out its Covid-19 vaccination drive However, the association of recruiting agen- on Wednesday, a little over a year after the country cies is not convinced that the new online pro- Sah named vice-chancellor confirmed its first coronavirus case on January cedure will work smoothly. 24, 2020. “Even days after the verification process of Madhesh Institute of Health The inoculation drive was launched after India resumed, workers’ demand documents have DHANUSHA: Province 2 government supplied one million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, not been attested so far,” said Shrestha. “There has appointed Dr Ramkewal Sah as developed by the University of Oxford and phar- are still issues with the overall process.” the vice-chancellor of Madhesh maceutical giant AstraZeneca and locally manu- According to Shrestha, big companies in Institute of Health Sciences. factured by the Serum Institute of India, the Saudi Arabia prefer hiring workers through Similarly, Dr Binod Yadav and Dr world’s largest vaccine manufacturing company. local agencies whereas existing rules say Ankur Sah have been appointed as The India-manufactured vaccine, named employers themselves need to submit an appli- the registrar and rector of the insti- Covishield, is Nepali authorities’ preferred cation to hire Nepali workers. tute respectively. Chief Minister choice, as the country’s existing storage facility As per a 2018 directive, foreign employers Lalbabu Raut handed over the supports the vaccine to maintain its cold chain. who wish to hire Nepali workers, need to get appointment letters on Sunday. The The Covidshield vaccine needs to be stored in approval from the Nepali foreign mission provincial government had recently temperatures between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. based in the country concerned. The rule was decided to change the name of Meanwhile, public health experts warned that enforced to make the overall hiring process Janakpur Provincial Hospital to prioritising the new drive at the cost of the regu- more transparent and minimise fraud. Madhesh Institute of Health lar health programmes will jeopardise campaigns “If some companies are problematic, they Sciences. against other diseases. “Under the pretext of should be investigated. But bureaucratic has- fighting the pandemic, most of the regular health sles in the demand attestation process should Nepalgunj decides to close programmes have been affected,” said Marasini, be minimised,” said Shrestha. “More than 90 former director at the Epidemiology and Disease percent of demand applications from Saudi schools due to cold Control Division. “We have compromised other employers used to get approved in the past. NEPALGUNJ: Nepalgunj Sub- POST PHOTO: PRAKASH CHANDRA TIMILSENA regular programmes for the immunisation drive. But the number has come down to 20 in the Metropolitan City has decided to Health workers at the Armed Police Force Hospital, Balambu, after receiving their first dose of the Covishield vaccine. More people could die of other health problems.” past few years.” close all schools within the local unit Due to the ongoing pandemic, most of the pro- Every year, tens of thousands of Nepali for three days due to severe cold in Marasini, former director at the Epidemiology tested on them. gramme—maternal health, child health, nutri- workers head to the Gulf kingdom for work. the region. Gorakh Thapa, chief at and Disease Control Division, told the Post. Officials at the Health Ministry said that only tion, mental health, tuberculosis, immunisation But the number of Nepalis going there has the education unit in the sub-metrop- “Ongoing drive shows our capacity. It may take preparations to start a mass vaccination cam- and others have been affected. gone down in the past few years, following an olis, said that all community, institu- years to administer vaccines to all eligible people paign could take three months. Experts suggest the government set up a dedi- economic slowdown and the introduction of a tional and religious schools will be using the existing system.” “First of all it is impossible to secure the cated mechanism if it wants to launch a mass policy to reserve jobs for Saudi citizens. Last closed for three days starting from While inaugurating the first phase drive on required doses as almost all countries are vying to vaccination drive at once. fiscal year, when the number of Nepali pursu- Monday. Temperatures plummeted Wednesday, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had secure vaccines for their own population,” an “New dedicated mechanisms for vaccination ing overseas dropped significantly, 83,163 sharply in the area that has been said that the government will immunise all eligi- official at the ministry told the Post asking not to should be created and additional human resourc- Nepalis had gone to Saudi Arabia. enveloped by a thick fog for the past ble citizens within three months. be named. “Secondly, our system of immunization es should be hired to achieve the target,” Dr Recruiting agencies in Nepal fear the com- few days. The Meteorological However, on Saturday, he said the government is not sufficient enough to administer a new Bikash Lamichhane, former director at the Child plicated process and further delays in approv- Forecasting Division said the city plans to do that within a year. vaccine to the entire population at once,” the Health Division, told the Post. al of the demand letters might result in lost recorded a minimum temperature of The Ministry of Health and Population, which official added. “If we employ the existing mechanism, we will opportunities for Nepali workers. “Our work- 5 degrees Celsius and a maximum of had earlier decided to set up immunisation booths “I don’t think we can easily secure the required not only risk affecting other regular programmes, ers also need jobs in labour destination coun- 12.6 degrees on Sunday. only at district hospitals, has now decided to doses, as even the European countries have placed but it will also be difficult to achieve the targets.” tries such as Saudi Arabia,” said Shrestha. With new building, Durbar High School attracts pupils from private schools Parents who could no longer afford to send their kids to private schools after their incomes was shrunk by the pandemic are now looking at the government school as an alternative.

ANUP OJHA that runs morning shifts. school, and it will provide a great economic “The school has also added a few new teach- KATHMANDU, JAN 31 “Over sixty percent of the new students have relief for my family,” said Basnet. Uma Basnet, ers. Everything looks really good here,” said come from private schools,” said Akhilesh Karishma’s mother, said she got her three chil- Budha. Sunday was the first day of school for Anjelica Azad, principal of Bhanu School. “We received dren enrolled at Durbar School after she could “We now have really good infrastructure, Tamrakar. The ninth grader, who was studying a lot of applications and we had to be very not pay exorbitant fees at their previous school. and the number of students who want to study at a private school in Kathmandu, is now selective when enrolling students,” said Azad. “How could I pay Rs75,000 for my kids who here has gone up,” said Shiva Raj Adhikari, attending a government school at the heart of “Many parents complained that private didn’t go to school over nine months?” said the principal at the Sanskrit school that has been Kathmandu—one of the oldest in the country. schools charge them exorbitant fees even when mother of three who lives in a rented room and running classes for grades six to 10. He said his “I sat for the entrance exam a week ago, and their children didn’t attend classes in the name has been left unemployed following the nation- school enrolled 167 new students this year. classes started on Sunday,” said Tamrakar, one of online classes, which were not effective,” wide lockdown. Adhikari said that the school has been talk- of the new students at Durbar High School, said Azad. “The school has good infrastructure and the ing to Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s which was ravaged by the 2015 earthquake and “As we have enrolled 150 new students, the school has assured us that it will provide qual- Education Department to hire more teachers. recently rebuilt with Chinese aid at the cost of number of students at our school has now gone POST FILE PHOTO ity education,” said Uma. Ram Prasad Subedi, chief of the city’s edu- Rs850 million. up to 300,” he told the Post. The school’s new building was built under aid from For the past four years students from both cation department, said his office is coming up “I am trying to adjust with the situation Tamrakar’s mother Maita, who was forced to the Chinese government. the schools were taught at the Temporary with a plan to make the school the best public here. But I love all the new things,” said close her shop in Sitapaila over four months Learning Centre constructed by the Chinese school in the city. “We will soon make the plans Tamrakar, who is happy to learn Sanskrit at ago says sending her daughter to Durbar High now resumed classes for grades 11 and 12. government on the premises of Balmiki public. We are equally concerned about impart- the school. School has eased her financial burden. “I paid But on Sunday, the school opened its doors Vidyapith Mahavidyalaya in Pradarshani ing quality education to students,” said Subedi. Tamrakar is one of the new students at the Rs 1,950 for my daughter’s admission. I would for around 600 students from both Bhanu and Marg. Meanwhile, Principal Adhikari believes that government school, which now boasts a com- have been charged over Rs 60,000 in annual fees Sanskrit schools. The school only has 35 teach- Mahesh Budha, a 10th grade student from Durbar High School’s lost glory will now be puter lab, science labs, an auditorium hall and if we had gone to a private school,” said Maita, ers—17 in Sanskrit and 18 in Bhanu school. Humla, said he is happy that he can now study restored. a canteen better than most private schools in 46, who fractured her hand in June and could Karishma Basnet, 15, another newly enrolled in the new building. The school’s history dates back to the 1800s the Valley. not continue her business. student in grade nine said two of her siblings “I feel as if I am somewhere else. Earlier the when it was a matter of pride to send children The Durbar High School building is shared Although President Bidya Devi Bhandari are now enrolled in the same school—one in roof over our classroom leaked when it rained, to the school. by two schools: Bhanu School, which runs inaugurated the newly restored building in grade one and the other in grade eight. “The and we spent four years in a congested room,” The Ranas built the school in 1853 to educate classes during the day, and the Sanskrit School December last year, the school had only until infrastructure is far better than my previous remembers Budha. the children of the ruling class.

C M Y K MONDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Cervical cancer is avoidable Electoral eyewash With polls in mind, Prime Minister KP Oli has been crossing the moral boundaries of democratic politics.

Prime Minister KP Oli is acting as if he is already on the great election campaign trail. Why would he not? The elections, if they end up being conducted as planned—are less than three months away. Even as the fate of the elections remains unclear, Oli is on an inauguration spree, in the hope that they would translate into votes. His motto seems to be to inaugurate everything and visit every place if they promise a few votes in the planned elections. As the Election Commission remains tight-lipped about whether the prime minister of a caretaker government is allowed to inaugurate infrastructure projects just a few months before the elections, the prime minister seems to care little as to whether he has the moral authority to do so. Last week, January 25, Oli inaugurated a bridge over the Rapti river, the foundation of which had been laid by Dahal in 2017, in Lumbini Province. Meanwhile, Oli’s acolyte and pro- vincial chief minister Shankar Pokhrel promised over half a dozen projects in and around Dang district. On Friday, Oli awarded the tender to develop the 679-megawatt Lower Arun Hydropower Project to India’s Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited. On Saturday, Oli inaugurated the city hall of Bharatpur Metropolitan City and the ring road in Bharatpur Municipality, in what could be considered a direct affront to his rival in the SHUTTERSTOCK ruling Nepal Communist Party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal. Oli even cancer in Nepal with 3,504 new cases gramme. The coverage rate of the early screening and intervention. made it a point to address a mass gathering in the constituency If diagnosed early, it and 1,872 deaths each year, as per gov- screening programme in Nepal is Raising awareness among the people held by Dahal. ernment statistics. below 3 percent. Ethical concerns over about the aforementioned measures is What’s more, Oli asked why Dahal had not spoken a word on is one of the most informed consent, client privacy and of paramount importance to combat building a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the constituency of Dahal preventable and National guideline their perceived fear about the harmful the disease and reduce morbidity and and the supposed birthplace of the mythical king. This was In 2010, with the aim of reducing the effects of screening are the reasons for mortality. Using mass media, school incidence of cervical carcinoma, the this low coverage. To overcome such and college-level curricular modifica- only one of Oli’s recent attempts at hitting the religious nerves treatable forms of cancer. Nepal government formulated a nation- barriers, we mostly focus on the visual tions with more content related to cer- of the Nepali people as the planned election dates draw closer. al guideline for screening and prevent- inspection with acetic acid technique vical screening and HPV vaccination, Last Monday, he performed a special puja at the Pashupatinath ing cervical cancer. Although this as it is the most convenient, affordable and capacity development programmes Temple, the revered Hindu pilgrimage site, and then instructed DR KISHOR ADHIKARI guideline calls for screening at least 50 and accurate one. Another sensible targeted at local level health service officials of the Pashupati Area Development Trust to develop percent of the women aged 30-60 years alternative for screening in Nepali providers are some of the crucial steps and reducing the mortality rate by 10 society can be self-collection HPV test- that need to be taken. A creatively tai- the temple as a holy place for ‘adherents of Vedic Sanatan percent in this age group every five ing since ‘shame and fear’ is a major lored ‘public awareness’ programme is Dharma’. years, cases of cervical cancer were hurdle. In this technique, women do an urgent need to address misconcep- Inauguration of infrastructure projects and catering to reli- reported constantly between 2012 and not have to expose their private parts to tions. If not given urgent priority to gious sentiments, however, are only the most visible political 2017, according to the research findings healthcare workers as they can collect spread public awareness in Nepal, cer- manoeuvrings of the prime minister. Even the government’s of BP Koirala Memorial Cancer the swab themselves with minimal vical cancer may become one of the Cervical cancer is an abnormal and Hospital, Chitwan. With comprehen- instruction. major hurdles to achieve the promised handing out of identity cards—that come with no benefits—to excessive growth of tissue of the cer- sive and strategic approaches, cervical The HPV vaccine is another proven Universal Health Coverage by the year the kin of people who disappeared during the Maoist insurgen- vix, a part of the female reproductive cancer can be eliminated within a few strategy being widely used in many 2030. cy seems to be the result of electoral calculation rather than a system connecting the uterus with the generations. If diagnosed early and countries globally for preventing cervi- Health programmes directed at cer- genuine commitment to complete the transitional justice pro- vagina. This form of cancer results managed effectively, cervical cancer is cal cancer. These vaccines are very vical cancer should be based on ade- cess. No wonder that Oli has suddenly become interested in the from cell mutation where altered cells one of the most preventable and treata- effective if given before the women quate evidence. Due to the lack of sci- grow and multiply out of control, and ble forms of cancer. become sexually active. Vaccination entific research on the epidemiology of whereabouts and welfare of former Maoist combatants. they don’t die. Cancer cells invade There are various ways of screening can also be given to sexually active cervical cancer, there is always a prob- In democratic politics, moral boundaries trump short-term nearby tissues and can break away for cervical cancer such as Pap smear, individuals and in spite of an abnor- lem in evidence-based health planning electoral calculations and are to be created and nurtured by the from a tumour to spread elsewhere in visual inspection with acetic acid and mal Pap smear test. This vaccine has and programmes. A series of explorato- leaders in the long run. Prime Minister KP Oli and his govern- the body. Almost all cervical cancers HPV testing. The cervical screening great public health benefits and it has ry investigations should be done to ment would do well to stop exploiting citizens’ religious senti- are a result of infection by the human programme is the most widely used greatly reduced cases of cervical can- pinpoint the existing barriers in the papillomavirus (HPV), a very common method where a few cells from the cer- cer in the developed countries. early phase so that necessary steps can ments, development rhetoric, and various outstanding issues virus transmitted through sexual inter- vix are scraped off using a cervical However, in a developing country like be taken to address them. Deeply- in the country as an eyewash for the upcoming elections. course. Once diagnosed, surgical inter- brush and sent for microscopic exami- Nepal, the use of the HPV vaccine is rooted gender norms have been evident vention is the mainstay of treatment. nation to rule out cervical cancer or very rare. Different international as a great impediment to cervical However, combined radiotherapy and any initial alterations that may organisations are providing HPV vacci- screening programmes, hence, chemotherapy is also an effective alter- lead to cervical cancer. Women need to nation aid in Nepal but on a very small health programmes should be con- Corrections native. start their regular cervical cancer scale. A very high cost and little public structed by thinking outside the box. Cervical carcinoma is one of the screening test after their first sexual awareness are the key obstacles to a We must utilise the opportunity provid- In the story ‘Zero Covid-19 deaths…’ (January 29, Pg 3) the date of the most prevalent cancers among women. contact or after reaching 21 years age, successful implementation of the vac- ed by the recently established federal- first reported Covid-19 death in Nepal should have been May 16. August It is the fourth most common carcino- and it should be repeated every three cination programme in Nepal. ism that offers a high level of decen- 3 was the previous date on which zero Covid-19 deaths were reported in ma worldwide, and the second most years. tralisation for encapsulating local Nepal in the space of 24 hours. The headline should have mentioned ‘in common for women aged 15 to 44 years. Pap smear screening has been Public awareness needs and expectations through 24 hours’. The errors are regretted. About 85 percent of the incidents and reported to be a cost-effective method Despite the efforts of the government, research. If you believe we have got something wrong and it requires cervical cancer deaths occur in low and for detecting early cervical cancer, the prevalence of cervical carcinoma correction, please email us at [email protected] with ‘correction’ middle-income countries, where the however, its feasibility is still ques- has not dropped so far. There are Dr Adhikari is an associate in the subject line. death rate is 18 times higher than in the tioned due to a shortage of human numerous modifiable risk factors and professor and head of the MPH For the most recent corrections, visit kathmandupost.com/ developed countries. Cervical cancer resources, necessary infrastructure preventive measures like behaviour Programme at Chitwan Medical corrections. ranks as the leading cause of female and financial resources to run the pro- modification, condom use, vaccination, College, Bharatpur. The electric vehicle tax

International commitments vehicles reap the major benefits from The government has These positive steps were also work- it. The previous year already wit- ing towards honouring Nepal’s com- nessed a surplus generation of elec- taken all the wrong mitments under the Paris Agreement tricity, and subsequent years will gen- of the United Nations Framework erate even more electricity with more steps in trying to curb Convention on Climate Change hydropower plants under construc- (UNFCCC). As per Nepal’s Nationally tion. Nepal’s neighbours, India and air pollution. Determined Contribution, it aims to China have also committed to electri- reduce air pollution by 2025 and pro- fying a majority of their vehicles by mote renewable resources. Nepal sub- 2030. With increased capacities in KRITAGYA SHAH mitted its second Nationally hydropower generation, Nepal could Determined Contribution on eliminate its trade deficit as the world December 8, 2020, in which it has moves further towards renewable pledged $3.4 billion in the form of energy. unconditional commitment to achieve its targets. Ready for the future As a least developed country, Nepal Thus the mass adoption of electric is not required to make such massive vehicles ties up intrinsically with var- On January 4, Kathmandu’s air quali- financial commitments as per the uni- ious impacts such as clean air, reduced ty sank to its worst level, hitting 500 versally accepted principle of fossil fuel dependency, improvement on the Air Quality Index. Much of this Common but Differentiated in the trade balance, the fulfilment of pollution had to do with the open fires Responsibilities and Respective more extensive international commit- that had gone unchecked for more Capabilities, which recognises the ments, and reduced carbon emissions. than a month. But even before that in developed countries as the major con- With cleaner air, the beauty and 2018, Kathmandu was ranked among tributors to climate change and hence attraction of Nepal would be further the 10 worst polluted capitals in the the most responsible. On the one hand, amplified, providing an improved world. Vehicular emissions are the government is making massive attraction for tourism. responsible for 70 percent of the air environmental-friendly economic Mass adoption of electric vehicles pollution in the Kathmandu Valley, commitments in the form of could also pave the way for domestic which holds more than 48 percent Nationally Determined Contribution production of electric vehicles as the of all the automobiles in the commitments while, on the other technology for manufacturing them country. These numbers are vividly hand, it is increasing taxes on electric becomes more straightforward. In demonstrated in the horrendous vehicles which will work against these 2019, Yatri Motorcycles, a Nepali start- traffic the Valley sees every day same commitments. up, built the first domestically and the steady decline in air quality. This electric vehicle tax increase designed electric motorcycle. This How then can we begin to address decision not only works against depicts the steps Nepal had begun to the issue of air quality in Kathmandu? Nepal’s Nationally Determined take to benefit from the country’s Electric vehicles ‘were’ to be the Contribution, it also harms the nation- SHUTTERSTOCK hydropower potential and tax incen- solution. al economy. For the first time in 2020, vehicles to reduce external depend- which would benefit the economy, Another study by the University tives prior to the electric vehicle tax In 2018, Prime Minister KP Oli had electricity production of Nepal had ence on fossil fuels. environment and public health and of Bologna has suggested that hike. We don’t have to look very far to pledged to turn 20 percent of the reached a surplus, resulting in the Currently, petroleum ranks among ‘leave behind’ Nepal’s reliance on fos- air pollution particles carry the understand the implications of clean- motor vehicles in Nepal to electric by Nepal Electricity Authority’s losing Nepal’s top five imports. Gasoline sil fuel. However, shortly after virus over long distances which er air in Kathmandu and all over 2020. Ironically, taxes on electric vehi- potential revenue of Rs2 billion per sales have almost doubled in the last that, his administration failed to capi- result in the increased spread of Nepal. The air pollution record of cles were raised so high they month due to lack of energy demand five years. This has only increased talise on the economic potential of Covid-19. January 4 amply shows us what is, became as expensive as gasoline-pow- during the lockdown. The then man- Nepal’s external dependency, further surplus hydropower by jacking up In these testing times, the promo- whereas the lockdown provided us ered automobiles, if not more aging director Kulman Ghising had causing a severe jump in Nepal’s trade taxes on electric vehicles and saw a tion of electric vehicles isn’t the solu- with a wonderful opportunity to see expensive. The government did not even appealed to the public to increase deficit. In 2018, Prime Minister KP record rise in air pollution in tion to all the problems. However, it what could be. Electric vehicles are roll back the tax on electric vehicles to power consumption by making great- Sharma Oli’s address at the launch of Kathmandu. was a great start. As per a USAID the future. Nepal, with its massive the pre-lockdown structure but er use of electric vehicles with plans battery-powered public buses under Multiple studies have also drawn report, Nepal has the potential to gen- hydroelectric power potential, would introduced a new progressive tax being made to set up charging stations Sajha Yatayat also marked the launch a causal link between Covid-19 and erate over 40,000 megawatts of elec- be more than ready for this future if starting at 42 percent. This has affect- for electric vehicles throughout the of the National Action Plan for air pollution. A study by Harvard tricity through hydropower. Such the right steps are taken now. ed the demand for electric vehicles country. He also highlighted the Electric Mobility. In his address, he University has stated that increased potential when harnessed would truly which had risen to 10 percent of all importance of government policy and spoke of Nepal’s independence in air pollution has a direct link with benefit the economy, environment and Shah is an advocate and environmen- sales. support to shift to battery-powered hydropower in the next few years increased Covid-19 death rates. public health of Nepal when electric tal activist.

C M Y K 05 | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2021 MONEY

FOREX More than half of US Dollar 117.03 Poultry market takes hit after bird flu Euro 142.03 world’s airline pilots Pound Sterling 160.48 no longer flying, Japanese Yen 11.18 is detected in Kathmandu Valley Chinese Yuan 18.21 survey shows Qatari Riyal 32.14 Officials says poultry products from areas other than where the flu was detected can be consumed. Australian Dollar 89.45 REUTERS KRISHANA PRASAIN LONDON, JAN 31 Malaysian Ringit 28.95 KATHMANDU, JAN 31 More than half of the world’s airline Saudi Arab Riyal 31.20 With a bird flu case confirmed in pilots are no longer flying for a Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Kathmandu Valley on Saturday, the living amid the plunge in demand dur- consumption of chicken has already ing the coronavirus pandemic, accord- started declining. ing to a new survey, and those that are Shares Anil Basnet, founder of online gro- still flying feel less valued by their cery supplier Metrotarkari, said that employers. Nepse 2,370.54pts -2.26% no order for chicken was received till A poll of nearly 2,600 pilots by Sunday afternoon. UK-based GOOSE Recruitment and HIGHEST LOSERS “We used to receive orders of industry publication FlightGlobal, RLFL GUFL UMRH GFCL MPFL KKHC -8.3% -7.83% -7.66% -7.54% -7.41% -6.67% around 25 kg on an average every day. released on Thursday, found only 43 But we have not got any order today,” percent were doing the job they had MODERATE LOSERS PFL GLBSL IGI MHNL PROFL UFL he said. “People might have stopped trained for, with 30 percent unem- -6.34% -6.19% -5.86% -5.86% -5.66% -5.44% ordering chicken due to bird flu.” ployed, 17 percent furloughed and 10

MODERATE GAINERS But it is not just online stores that percent in non-flying roles. CMF1 CCBL GRDBL TRH NABILP NLG are not getting orders. Many pilots that are still flying have 1.2% 1.77% 1.78% 1.82% 1.87% 4.34% Shailendra Kumar Khadgi, who faced deteriorating working condi- HIGHEST GAINERS owns a chicken store in Kalimati, said tions. Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific KMCDB NABBC CLBSL SIC EICPO PLI that the impact of bird flu has gradu- Airways Ltd, for example, instituted 4.49% 5.78% 6.02% 8.73% 9.92% 9.93% ally started on poultry consumption. permanent pay cuts of up to 58 per- “The demand and price will decline cent, and Turkish Airways and within a few days as bird flu was con- Singapore Airlines Ltd have tempo- firmed in Kathmandu,” said Khadgi, rarily lowering salaries. PRICE PER TOLA who supplies chicken to hotels and “We can see the effect the pandemic BULLION restaurants. has had on employed pilots too,” Chicken retailers said that custom- GOOSE Recruitment chief executive Fine Gold Rs 92,100 ers have started enquiring about officer and founder Mark Charman where chickens were brought from. POST FILE PHOTO said in a statement. “Large numbers Silver Rs 1,320 It is not just consumption of chick- The bird flu virus was confirmed in turkey and duck samples collected from farmers at Phutung and Sanglekhola of Tarkeshwor Municipality-7. are feeling insecure about their jobs, en that people are concerned about. an increased number are planning to SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA They are also fearful about eating Post. The Agriculture Ministry has The Agriculture Ministry had direct- illegally entering the country despite look for new roles this year as well as eggs. Urmila Deula who brought a completely banned the import of live- ed strict inspection in quarantine the ban. many feeling less valued by their crate of eggs on Saturday returned it stock that can transmit the disease offices and high alert on Nepal-India “The situation would not have aris- employers.” to the shop after she heard about the and intensive inspection is being done border areas on January 6. The en if the government had strictly For the unemployed pilots in the GASOLINE WATCH bird flu. for the disease. government directive had come as increased its vigilance at the border,” survey, 84 percent said it was due to “I thought it’s better not to take the With the confirmation of bird flu, soon as bird flu was confirmed in four Poudel said. “A national-level investi- the pandemic. Before Covid-19 hit, risk since bird flu has been confirmed the area was taken under control states of India. gation team needs to be formed to there had been widespread pilot short- in the Valley,” said Deula, a resident immediately and 1,865 ducks, 622 Ghimire said that the circular will strictly monitor illegal entry of poul- ages that had driven up demand for of Mahalaxmisthan, Lalitpur. quails, 32 chickens , 25 turkeys, 542 be effective until further notice. try products.” aviators and led to improving pay and Deula is planning to stop consump- eggs and 75 kg of feed were safely “There are possibilities of smug- If such preparations are not started conditions. tion of chicken and eggs and bird destroyed. gling of chicken and other bird live- soon to control flu and other diseases, Now, 82 percent of unemployed meat items for a few more weeks. “I “Everything in the area was stock from the southern neighbouring the situation may take a turn for the pilots would take a pay cut for a new have heard that it can be eaten if destroyed so there is no chance for the country due to the open border. We worse, he warned. opportunity, the survey found. cooked well but I have no confidence spread of bird flu,” Ghimire said. have coordinated with local adminis- “People will stop the consumption For those that have kept their jobs, to give it to my family amid this pan- According to Ghimire, farmers tration, police administration, and all of poultry products due to the flu pilots in Europe reported being the demic,” she added. whose productions were destroyed quarantine offices located in border resulting in the overflow of supply most stressed by Covid-19, with The Ministry of Agriculture and had been compensated as per the points to be on high alert,” he said. and fall in price,” he said. respondents citing the risk of catch- Livestock Development confirmed the rules. The Agriculture Ministry took With that the Ministry thinks that it But other traders do not agree that ing the virus, disjointed rules and bird flu (H5N8) in turkey and duck a sample after farmers complained can control bird flu from entering such a situation may arise. the possibility of being placed in quar- after a sample test in Central Livestock about the death of ducks and turkeys. Nepal as least through checkpoints, Junga Bahadur BC of Poultry antine during a rotation as among Disease Research Lab. The ministry has not received any he added. But authorities are worried Market Management Association their concerns. The samples were collected from other complaints from farmers after that as the price of chicken is high in said that the flu has been seen in only Forty percent of pilots said their local farmers of Phutung and that case. Nepal, there are chances of traders one place so far and therefore it will mental health had been affected by the Sanglekhola of Tarkeshower “Chicken and other poultry prod- bringing chicken and other poultry not impact the demand and price pandemic, with the figure higher Municipality-7 in Kathmandu. ucts supplied from other places can be through illegal channels. very soon. among younger pilots. “Bird flu has not been seen in other consumed,” Ghimire said. Janak Poudel, president of Poultry “If the bird flu is not seen in other “The amount of stress and anxiety places till now but our team is on high The bird flu seen in Kathmandu Producers Association, said that the places then it will not impact sales and the pandemic has caused me has per- alert,” Shreeram Ghimire, spokesper- does not confirm that infection has government has failed to strictly consumption,” he said. “Production is manently scarred my outlook on life,” son of Agriculture Ministry told the come from India, he added. inspect poultry-related products from already low as it is winter.” one surveyed pilot said. India could unveil plan to Singapore faces talent crunch as firms scale up REUTERS “Certain member companies In response to a Reuters query on SINGAPORE, JAN 31 The country is have been expanding their opera- the figure, the communications boost oilseeds output, cut tions ... and looking to hire more ministry said in mid-September At least three recruiters approach aiming to become a data scientists, more coders,” said there were nearly 10,000 tech-relat- Singapore-based software engineer Lei Hsien-Hsien, chief executive ed job postings on a govern- Xiao Yuguang every day with job regional tech hub. officer at the American Chamber of ment-run careers portal and anoth- veg oil imports, sources say offers. Commerce in Singapore. er 6,800 jobs and traineeships would Demand for Xiao’s skills has “So the demand is very strong be created by June 2021 through soared since he graduated in 2014 in, interviews with more than a but the supply is relatively weak, industry partnerships. REUTERS tion of 180 billion rupees to 200 billion with a computer engineering dozen recruiters, companies and which then slows down some of the Border curbs due to the coronavi- NEW DELHI, JAN 31 rupees,” he said. A finance ministry spokes- degree but now he just ignores the workers show. China’s Tencent, expansion plans.” rus and tighter foreign worker poli- man was not immediately available for offers, having recently joined Bytedance, US-based Zoom Video Up to 500 new tech vacancies are cies are delaying overseas hiring, India is likely to announce a five-year comment. Finance Minister Nirmala TikTok owner Bytedance after sev- Communications and unicorn Grab posted each week on job sites, exacerbating the shortage, some plan to cut expensive vegetable oil imports Sitharaman is set to present the fiscal 2021- eral years with Southeast Asia’s and Sea Ltd are among companies according to NodeFlair. headhunters said. For now, the worth $10 billion a year in next week’s 22 budget on February 1. Grab. “It’s not like I want to change expanding in Singapore, fuelling a The information communica- labour crunch does not seem to be federal budget by providing farmers A switch toward oilseeds would also jobs frequently,” said Xiao. war for tech talent in the city-state, tions sector would need another putting anyone off. The Economic with financial incentives to switch to oil- bring down India’s surplus output of wheat Singapore is aiming to become a where the jobless rate had reached 60,000 professionals over the next Development Board is getting seeds from grains, said three senior govern- and rice and effectively slash subsidies of regional tech hub but faces a severe a 16-year high due to a coronavi- three years, cabinet minister Vivian healthy interest from tech firms ment officials. billions of dollars on a food grain procure- talent crunch as more firms move rus-induced recession. Balakrishnan said in June. keen to expand operations, it said. Higher oilseed production in India, the ment programme that farmers fear New world’s biggest buyer of cooking oils, will Delhi may want to discontinue after the cut palm oil imports from Malaysia and rollout of the government’s new farm laws. Indonesia and trim soyoil and sunflower oil Thousands of farmers have been protest- purchases from Brazil, Argentina, Russia ing on the outskirts of New Delhi and Ukraine. The officials, who asked not to for months against the new laws they say be named as the discussions are still pri- help large private buyers at the expense of vate, said the plan could dramatically cut producers. India’s vegetable oil imports, India’s import bills. the third biggest import item after crude oil “A country of India’s size cannot afford and gold, have surged to 15 million tonnes to be so heavily dependent on edible oil from 4 million two decades ago. imports, and that’s why in the upcoming Trade estimates suggest vegetable oil budget you will likely see a new push to imports could reach 20 million tonnes by raise domestic oilseed production,” said 2030, boosted by a growing populace with one of the officials. higher incomes and appetite for curries The government has already mapped and deep-fried food. out an ambitious five-year programme aim- The government would encourage ing to boost the country’s oilseed produc- farmers, especially from states such as tion to more than 47 million tonnes Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and from over 30 million tonnes now, said the Madhya Pradesh to switch to sunflower official. and rapeseed from rice and wheat, said a “It is likely to have a budgetary alloca- second official.

C M Y K MONDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2021 | 06 WORLD

BRIEFING India’s Modi Russia detains over 1,000 at protests vows to pursue Trump parts ways with impeachment lawyers reforms after WASHINGTON: Former President against jailing of Kremlin critic Navalny Donald Trump has parted ways with his lead impeachment lawyers just deadly farmer riot over a week before his Senate trial. The protest is a test of Navalny’s support after many of his prominent allies were targeted in a crackdown this week. Butch Bowers and Deborah Barbier AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE are no longer with Trump’s defence REUTERS in the city, OVD-Info said. NEW DELHI, JAN 31 team, two people familiar with the MOSCOW, JAN 31 In Tomsk, the Siberian city that situation said on Saturday One of Navalny visited before suddenly col- India will push on with sweeping agri- them described the parting as a Police detained more than 1,000 people lapsing on a domestic flight last culture reforms, Prime Minister “mutual decision”. New additions to and broke up rallies in Moscow and August, demonstrators gathered in Narendra Modi said on Sunday, as he the legal team were expected to be across Russia on Sunday as support- front of a concert hall and chanted criticised last week’s deadly riot in the announced in a day or two. The ers of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny “Let him go!”. capital following a long-running pro- upheaval injects fresh uncertainty took to the streets to protest his jail- Dozens turned out in the east test campaign by farmers. into the makeup and strategy of ing, despite biting cold and the threat Siberian city of Yakutsk despite tem- Thousands flooded New Delhi on Trump’s defence team as he prepares of arrest. peratures of -42 C . Tuesday, driving tractors from border to face charges that he incited the The nationwide rallies follow large “This is the first time I’ve come to a camps where they have been holding insurrection at the US Capitol on protests last weekend that are part of protest. I’m just fed up with the total sit-ins since November 26; but the January 6. a campaign to pressure the Kremlin lawlessness of the authorities,” said rally turned into a rampage which left into freeing President Vladimir Ivan, a protester who declined to give one person dead and hundreds of Putin’s most prominent opponent. his surname. police injured. Modi called the farm- Family of journalist Pearl to The opposition politician was The protest is a test of Navalny’s ers’ assault on a historic fort an appeal against freeing of men arrested on January 17 after return- support after many of his prominent “insult” to the national flag. convicted of his murder ing to Moscow from Germany where allies were targeted in a crackdown His government have insisted that he had been recovering from a nerve this week. Several, including his the agriculture sector needs to be KARACHI: The family of US journalist agent poisoning in Russia last sum- brother Oleg, are under house arrest. modernised, but farmers fear the Daniel Pearl, who was kidnapped mer. He accuses Putin of ordering his “If we stay quiet, then they could deregulation laws will place them at and beheaded in Pakistan in 2001, murder, which the Kremlin denies. come for any of us tomorrow,” Yulia the mercy of big corporations that plans to appeal to Pakistan’s Supreme Police in Moscow detained at least Navalnaya, the Kremlin critic’s wife, already dominate other industries. Court to overturn a decision to free 100 people as the rallies began under wrote on Instagram. In his first public comments on the four men convicted of his murder. snowfall around 0900 GMT amid a Navalny, 44, is accused of parole Tuesday’s events, Modi stressed that The court on Thursday threw out the huge police presence. OVD-Info, a pro- REUTERS violations which he says are trumped the government remained “committed 2002 murder convictions against the test monitoring group said police had Police detain a man during a rally in support of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny up. A court is due to meet next week to to modernising agriculture”. four Islamists, including group’s detained 1,009 people nationwide. in Moscow, Russia, on Sunday. consider handing him a jail term of “The efforts of the government British-born ringleader, Ahmad Omar Yulia, a 40-year-old protester in up to three and a half years. shall also continue in the future,” the Saeed Sheikh. Kidnapping convic- Moscow, said she had come to the pro- ised and would be broken up. protest at around 300 people. The West has told Moscow to let Indian leader said in his regular tions were left in place, but the men tests despite having a panic attack the Authorities have said demonstrators In the far eastern city of Navalny go and his allies have monthly radio address on Sunday. were ordered freed as they had night before because of worrying could spread Covid-19. Vladivostok, police prevented protest- appealed to US President Joe Biden to “On January 26, seeing the insult of already served out sentences for the about repercussions for taking part. Crowds of protesters were scattered ers from accessing the city centre, impose sanctions on 35 people who our tricolour, the country was very kidnapping charges. The Pearl family “I understand that I live in a totally about in Moscow after the organisers forcing them to relocate to the water- they say are Putin’s close allies. sad,” he added. “intends to file a review petition lawless state. In a police state, with no twice changed the planned gathering front by the frozen Amur Bay. Seeking to galvanise supporters at The demonstrators swarmed the against the illegal and unjust majori- independent courts. In a country point as police took highly unusual Video footage showed protesters home, Navalny put out an online video 400-year-old World Heritage-listed Red ty decision of the Supreme Court of ruled by corruption. I would like to steps to seal off pedestrian access to chanting “Putin is a thief” as they this month that has been viewed over Fort on Tuesday, raising religious and Pakistan,” said a statement issued by live differently,” she said. areas of the capital and shut down linked hands and marched on the ice 100 million times, accusing Putin of farm union flags, though they did not the family’s lawyer, Faisal Siddiqui, Police have said the protests were metro stations. in temperatures of around -13 Celsius. being the ultimate owner of a sumptu- remove the national flag from the top on Saturday night. (AGENCIES) illegal as they had not been author- Police put turnout at the Moscow Police detained more than 100 people ous Black Sea palace. of the monument.

WHO team visits Wuhan food market in search of virus clues

AP/RSS A worker in protective overall disinfects a vehicle from the World Health Organization convoy as they visit the Baishazhou wholesale market on the third day of field visit in Wuhan, China, on Sunday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS and a member of the WHO WUHAN, CHINA, JAN 31 team, said in a tweet. “Very informative & critical for our A World Health Organization joint teams to understand the team looking into the origins epidemiology of Covid-19 as of the coronavirus pandemic it started to spread at the end on Sunday visited the food of 2019.” market in the Chinese city of Earlier in the day, the team Wuhan that was linked to members were also seen many early infections. walking through sections of The team members visited the Baishazhou market—one the Huanan Seafood Market of the largest wet markets in for about an hour in the Wuhan—surrounded by afternoon. Chinese officials and repre- The market was the site of sentatives. The market was a December 2019 outbreak of the food distribution centre the virus. Scientists initially for Wuhan during the city’s suspected the virus came 76-day lockdown last year. from wild animals sold in the The members, with exper- market. The market has since tise in veterinary medicine, been largely ruled out but it virology, food safety and epi- could provide hints to how demiology, have so far visited the virus spread so widely. two hospitals at the centre of “Very important site visits the early outbreak—Wuhan today—a wholesale market Jinyintan Hospital and the first & Huanan Seafood Hubei Integrated Chinese and Market just now,” Peter Western Medicine Hospital. Daszak, a zoologist with the On Saturday, they also vis- US group EcoHealth Alliance ited a museum exhibition dedicated to the early history of Covid-19. The mission has become politically charged, as China seeks to avoid blame for alleged missteps in its early response to the outbreak. A single visit by scientists is unlikely to confirm the virus’s origins. Pinning down an outbreak’s animal reser- voir is typically an exhaus- tive endeavour that takes years of research including taking animal samples, genet- ic analysis and epidemiologi- cal studies.

C M Y K 07 | MONDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Police beat Chandrapur 3-1 to go second Inter maintain Messi’s contract with Barcelona pressure on worth up to 555 million euros The departmental team have eight points from five matches. Tribhuvan Army Club and Biratnagar Metropolitan are MADRID: Lionel Messi’s most recent leaders AC Milan contract with Barcelona is worth third and tied on seven points, with both teams set to face each other on Monday seeking to reclaim the second spot. up to 555 million euros ($673 million) over four seasons, the El Mundo SPORTS BUREAU AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE newspaper reported on Sunday. KATHMANDU, JAN 31 MILAN, JAN 31 The Spanish daily said it had access to the document Messi Nepal Police Club defeated Chandrapur Romelu Lukaku scored a second-half dou- signed with the Catalan club in 2017, Municipality 3-1 to climb second in the National ble as Inter Milan kept the pressure on which included fixed incomes and Women’s Football League on Sunday. Serie A leaders AC Milan with a 4-0 win variables that could reach nearly 138 Police broke the deadlock in the 27th minute over Benevento on Saturday. Antonio million euros ($167 million) each when Nirmala BK blazed in a rebound from Niru Conte’s Inter sit two points behind their season. The newspaper said it is the Thapa’s header. city rivals, who beat Bologna 2-1 earlier on most expensive contract ever Chandrapur levelled in the 39th minute after an Saturday. agreed with an athlete in any sport. error from Police goalkeeper Sapana Rai. Sapana A Riccardo Improta own goal put the Messi would have to pay about fumbled Sabita Rana Magar’s header from a cross hosts ahead early on against 11th-placed half of that in taxes in Spain. The by captain Ghim Kumari Gurung. Benevento at the San Siro. Lautaro report said the 33-year-old player has Police established their lead soon after the break. Martinez scored 12 minutes after the break already secured more than 510 mil- Substitute Rekha Paudel collected a pass from before Lukaku added two more. lion euros ($619 million) of the total. defender Amrita Jaisi at the edge of the box and set Champions Juventus moved into third, Barcelona denied responsibility for up Niru Thapa, who coolly slammed the ball into seven points off top spot with a game in leaking the document and said it the right-bottom corner in the 50th minute. It was hand, after a 2-0 win over Sampdoria. would take legal action against the her first goal for the departmental side. Ibrahimovic on Saturday drew a blank newspaper. Messi did not immediate- Another substitute Anushka Sherpa made for a second straight league game for the ly make any public comments about sure Police were home and dry with three first time this season. Bologna goalkeeper the report. points tapping in a pass from Rekha in the Lukasz Skorupski made a brilliant double stoppage time following a muddle in the save from the Swede early on. Chandrapur box. The visitors were awarded a penalty Bayern overrun Hoffenheim 4-1 The win ensured Police unseat Tribhuvan Army when Mitchell Dijks brought down Rafael MUNICH: Bayern Munich crushed Club and Biratnagar Metropolitan City in the sec- Leao, with Ibrahimovic stepping up to take visitors Hoffenheim 4-1 on Saturday ond spot in the league table with eight points from it. But the 39-year-old’s poor record from with four different scorers to remain five matches. the spot continued with his fourth penalty seven points clear at the top of the Despite the win, Police coach Sanjiv Joshi miss in all competitions this season. Bundesliga in their quest for a ninth lamented benching key players. Luckily, Ante Rebic was on hand to slide in consecutive league crown. Goals “We gave chances to fresh players thinking PHOTO COURTESY: ANFA the rebound after Skorupski’s save. Nirmala BK (left) from Nepal Police Club vies for the ball with her opponent from Chandrapur Municipality. from Jerome Boateng, Thomas Chandrapur were weak. But we could have scored Franck Kessie took Milan’s second pen- Mueller, Robert Lewandowski and more, said Joshi. alty 10 minutes after the break following Serge Gnabry secured a comfortable “We conceded because of a simple mistake from assistant coach Chitra Darlami Magar. the second place. an Adama Soumaoro handball. The Ivorian win and lifted Bayern to 45 points, the goalkeeper, which is unfortunate,” he added. “Our players are still battling injuries,” Unbeaten Armed Police Force Club lead the made no mistake, planting the ball into the with second-placed RB Leipzig, Chandrapur remain in the sixth position in the he added. standings with 15 points from five matches, and middle of the net. on 38 after they beat Bayern seven-team league with three points. Army and Biratnagar are one point behind will take on bottom club Chaudandigadhi in the Substitute Andrea Poli pulled a goal Leverkusen 1-0. Christopher “We played better today comparing to our previ- Police and are tied on seven points, with both other fixture on Monday. back for 13th-placed Bologna against his Nkunku fired in a second-half ous matches. We are improving,” said Chandrapur teams set to face each other on Monday to reclaim Chaudandigadhi are winless in the league. former club with nine minutes to go. winner for Leipzig. “It was a strong response from the team. A victory that gives us confidence at the end of a difficult week,” said Milan coach Osaka willing to quarantine Stefano Pioli. In Genoa, Ronaldo failed to score for the again for the Olympics third consecutive league game, but MELBOURNE: Naomi Osaka said she Chelsea notch up first win under coach Tuchel Juventus continued their climb up the would be willing to undergo two table. The Portuguese striker has been crit- more weeks of quarantine to play at REUTERS new German manager, and fellow United. Jesus slotted home from 56th-minute curling free kick that icised for breaking coronavirus rules with the Tokyo Olympics later this year, LONDON, JAN 31 Chelsea academy product Mason close range after Ferran Torres took struck the bar. a visit to a mountain resort for his girl- if it helped ensure the safety of the Mount were at the heart the Blues’ advantage of poor defending to wrig- The best two chances for United friend’s birthday. people of her home country. Two Chelsea notched up their first win best moves as they tried to turn gle free and pick out his unmarked fell to Uruguayan forward Edinson “Ronaldo always does his bit for the days after completing 14 days of under Thomas Tuchel on their dominance of possession into team mate. Cavani but he was wide of the target team and it’s not a problem if he doesn’t isolation in Adelaide ahead of the Sunday with a 2-0 victory over more goals. City were not at their slickest best both occasions. score,” said Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo. Australian Open, the US Open Burnley thanks to goals by Spanish The youngsters’ form contrasts against Chris Wilder’s well-organ- United set a new club record of 18 Federico Chiesa opened the scoring on champion said she would be prepared defenders Cesar Azpilicueta and with the struggles of the club’s two ised defence, although goalkeeper away games unbeaten in the league 20 minutes after a move involving all three to do it all again to play in the Marcos Alonso who have both been expensive German signings Timo Aaron Ramsdale did well to keep out while Arsenal, eighth on 31 points, Juventus forwards. Alvaro Morata played Olympics on home soil. “The way given a chance to shine under the Werner and Kai Havertz who pose a fine drive from Oleksandr have not lost since December 19. a one-two with Ronaldo, before the that I feel is I will stay in my room German coach. Tuchel’s most immediate challenge. Zinchenko and Aymeric Laporte’s Wolverhampton Wanderers’ disap- Spaniard’s low cross was slotted in by |for two weeks to play the Olympics,” Azpilicueta, restored to Chelsea’s Werner wasted a good early chance header. pointing campaign continued with a Chiesa. the 23-year-old told reporters on starting line up by Tuchel in his two for Chelsea while Havertz was The visitors threw on attacking 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace. Wolves are Claudio Ranieri’s Sampdoria came close Sunday. “I missed out on the last one. games since replacing Frank dropped to the bench and only came players as they looked to sneak a without a win in eight games after to an equaliser, with Juventus goalkeeper Playing in Tokyo would be very spe- Lampard, scored with an angled shot on for the last 10 minutes. point and they gave Pep Guardiola’s Eberechi Eze’s goal gave Palace a Wojciech Szczesny denying Fabio cial to me. My concern would be the in the 40th minute after sprinting 80 Chelsea - who drew 0-0 last week side a scare with a late John Fleck much-needed win at the Selhurst Quagliarella a goal against his former club general safety of everyone else yards to be fed by winger Callum against Wolves in Tuchel’s first game effort that flashed wide. Park. on the eve of his 38th birthday. Morata had because you’re opening the country. Hudson-Odoi. - are 11 points behind Manchester City have 44 points from 20 games Ivan Cavaleiro came off the substi- a goal ruled out for offside on 56 minutes Everyone is flying in from different Alonso, playing in the league for City, who on Saturday, beat bottom with United three points behind but tutes bench to grab a late equaliser as for Juve, who had to wait until injury time places. I would just want the public the first time since September, club Sheffield United 1-0 to move having played a game more. Fulham held fellow strugglers West to score a second. Ronaldo’s cross-field to feel safe. I feel like the athletes secured the win in the 84th minute three points clear of Manchester Chances were also hard to find at Bromwich Albion to a 2-2 draw at the pass found the run of Juan Cuadrado who definitely would want to play, but I when he controlled a pass from United who were held to a goalless the Emirates where Manchester Hawthorns. laid it on a plate for Ramsey to tap in his would want the public to feel safe.” Christian Pulisic with his chest draw at Arsenal. United ended a disappointing week In Saturday’s late game, England second league goal of the season. Although plans are changing daily, and knee before swivelling to A ninth-minute goal from Brazilian having given up five points midfielder Jack Grealish fired in a “The attitude is right, we finish a posi- Tokyo organisers are not currently hit a shot past Burnley goalkeeper Gabriel Jesus gave City a 1-0 win over in the title race. Arsenal came out superb cross for Ross Barkley to head tive January in which we have grown a lot, considering wholesale quarantine Nick Pope. Sheffield United who had delivered strongly after the interval and home as Aston Villa overcame a slow even if we could have killed off the game for the 11,000 athletes taking part in Hudson-Odoi, another who has fea- the title-chasers a major boost with Alexandre Lacazette came closest start to beat Southampton 1-0 at the sooner,” said Juventus centre-back Giorgio the Games. (AGENCIES) tured prominently under Chelsea’s their midweek win at Manchester to scoring for the hosts with a St Marys. Chiellini. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Your opinions are valid, but you had better not Your intuitive feelings are going to be quite This is not a good time to indulge in any expensive Hobbies and pastimes can become a way of expect everyone to agree with them right now! Give distracting today. Weird hunches or troublesome purchases. Not only could it drain your wallet way channeling emotions. This could be very therapeutic up trying to change anyone’s mind. Everyone is feel- feelings could keep you from focusing on an too much, but it will probably fall short of your and quite healing in many ways. You may ing like sticking to their guns instead of opening important project that really needs your full hopes. The energy just isn’t quite right for a big also find certain relationships equally uplifting their minds attention. extravagance now. today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** When it comes to starting a new romance, you The pressure of a deadline could be bearing down on Travel is at the top of your mind right now, especial- If you’re in need of some energy today, look no fur- should err on the side of modesty. Instead of focus- you today, but once again you’re going to meet it with- ly travel to overseas destinations. But if this type of ther than one of your closest friends. See what’s going ing on having a sizzling affair with someone right off out any problems. Other people will be amazed by travel isn’t in your immediate future, simply use on with them. If the news is less than rosy, volunteer the bat, just be happy with the warm connection how skilled you are at finishing work that needs to be your creativity to feed your wanderlust. Your mind is to pitch right in and help them sort things out. you have. done in time. a wonderful place.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Someone close to you has been having some money When you’re around others, keep your curiosity It’s going to be fun and easy to stay in sync You should know by now that relationships go issues, and it’s naturally going to start affecting their under control. It’s not wise to ask too many ques- with other people today. All the people you’re through phases. If one of yours feels like it’s enter- social life. Your job is to be sensitive to the fact that tions. While there’s tons of interesting stuff you working with are right on the same page as you, ing an off time, don’t panic. Either things between they might not be able to do the things you used to do could uncover, you are more likely to ask the wrong feeling the same things, and reaching for the same the two of you will get better again eventually, or it’s together. thing of the wrong person. goals. time for you to part ways. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K MONDAY, FEBRUARY 01, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Journalists sought for personal help by the Covid-19 curious Listeners and readers across the country are reaching out directly to journalists for help during the coronavirus pandemic, and many are responding.

DAVID BAUDER ing people who disparage NEW YORK “Trump’s vaccine.” He and col- league Mayra Moreno host tele- alling a hospital to vised town hall meetings aimed see if a bed was particularly at Black and Latino available for a residents. Covid-19 patient Alvarado similarly tries to isn’t part of Houston break down cultural barriers, and television news sends out a regular text message Canchor Chauncy Glover’s job of coronavirus news to listeners description. Neither is guiding a who don’t have Internet access. viewer online to find a place to be “For me, it’s rewarding,” Glover vaccinated. said. “You work so hard to become He’s done both, and isn’t alone. that voice that people turn to and Listeners and readers across the they trust what you’re saying. To country are reaching out directly me, that’s the ultimate goal of a to journalists for help during the journalist—to be trusted.” coronavirus pandemic, and many Davidson-Hiers generally are responding. guides people to help themselves. “We are now doing more than But on two occasions— once for a we bargained for,” Glover said. person who had no internet and “We have to be smarter on these another for someone at a loss for topics. We have to know more. For how to use it—she has set up vac- so many people, it may be life or cination appointments for read- death.” ers. It began for Glover last spring, In retrospect, she was queasy when he came down with Covid-19 for ethical reasons. Journalists and told his story to KTRK-TV are trained to observe and report, viewers. By phone, email and text, not to get involved in their stories. he was peppered with questions There’s nothing wrong with after getting back to work: What doing your best to help people did it feel like? Should I be worried with information, said Kathleen if I have this symptom? What did Culver, director of the Center for you do during quarantine to keep Journalism Ethics at the from going crazy? One viewer University of Wisconsin. But it’s described symptoms that made best to avoid situations where you Glover suggest he go to the hospi- learn someone’s medical records, tal, and the news anchor followed or make a specific medical up with calls to find space for him. appointment or recommendation, During the past month, inquir- she said. ies about how to get vaccinated What if something goes wrong? have become most common. “I make sure I stay within my

Southern California Public Radio, SHUTTERSTOCK boundaries,” Glover said. “I don’t which has an aggressive commu- think there’s anything wrong with nity outreach program, had 275 published in the Mercury News of experience. Krieger has spent helping people navigate a website. questions about that in a two-day San Jose, California, and partner nights and weekends answering I’m not picking people up and tak- period last week, said Ashley newspapers in the Bay Area News During the past month, inquiries messages. She speaks to church ing them to doctors’ appointments Alvarado, director of community Group. about how to get vaccinated have groups and her newspaper has set or driving them to the hospital.” engagement. CC Davidson-Hiers, a reporter up online seminars. She realises Despite the extra work involved, Listeners have also asked for the Tallahassee Democrat in become most common. that her first responsibility is to San Jose’s Krieger and many of Alvarado’s team about unemploy- Florida, has lost track of how report and write stories, but said her colleagues are happy to find ment benefits, about whether or many requests she’s gotten, many management has supported her another way of connecting their not they should cancel a family from elderly readers who can’t gestions to readers who contact has staggered the work hours of efforts to help readers. news organisations to the commu- wedding or if it was illegal to hold navigate online vaccination sign- her. When she gets calls, she will people answering calls and simi- “This is payback time for us,” nities they serve. a graveside service for a relative ups. stay on the line and walk people larly guards the mental health of she said. “These are readers who “Over recent years we’ve been who died. It’s an abrupt turnaround from through the process when they’re colleagues who hear stories of are very loyal and they need us. told that journalism is dying and is A former journalist, Alvarado last year, when her inbox was struggling with the internet. trauma over and over again. The least we can do is return their becoming obsolete,” she said. “It’s frequently tips reporters to poten- filled with vitriol from people who “I absolutely love doing it,” Several of the people Krieger calls and emails.” gratifying to be a comfort to read- tial stories based on what her called her an alarmist or worth- Davidson-Hiers said. “I have to speaks to are simply grateful to Glover has spent considerable ers and provide them with infor- department hears. Similarly, ques- less human being trying to scare keep an eye on how sustainable it hear another human being, time trying to convince people in mation the literally can’t get any- tions that science and medical people, just because she was writ- is. It’s something we’re all fac- instead of speaking to machines Houston’s Black community that where else. It’s so rewarding and reporter Lisa Krieger gets are fod- ing about Covid-19. ing—the pressure of the pandemic and getting calls dropped, or the vaccines are safe. He’s met it’s why we’re in this business.” der for features and consumer tips Now, she emails links and sug- and the stress of it all.” Alvarado directed to an alienating online with hardened skepticism, includ- —Associated Press

For locked-down Parisians, taxis are a ticket to freedom With people barred from leaving home between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am, some are breaking dodging police and breaking curfew by taking a taxi.

REUTERS A view shows the deserted Iena Bridge near the Eiffel Tower during a nationwide curfew due to restrictions against the spread of the coronavirus disease in Paris, France.

MANUEL AUSLOOS to visit her boyfriend twice a week. PARIS “It’s a matter of preserving myself One taxi passenger emotionally and mentally,” said the oris Czajka, a 32-year-old passenger, an American working in driver with a Paris said she used Paris. ride-hailing service, now cabs to visit her “In times like these we must make has a new category of cli- choices and, for me, the choice is to ents because of the Covid- boyfriend twice take a ride-share car after work, from 19 pandemic: people who time to time.” Buse taxis as a clandestine way to break a week. Taxi drivers benefit too. Their usual curfew. night-time clientele, people heading With people barred from leaving home from bars and restaurants, has home between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am Accounts from taxi drivers and pas- evaporated because such places are except for essential business, some sengers in Paris suggested that people shut. “It brings us work,” another taxi have found that by taking a taxi dur- breaking curfew were more likely to driver, who gave his name as Soufiane, ing curfew, they can dodge police and be caught if they were on public trans- said of the curfew-breaking passen- the 135 euro ($163) fines they can port than if they were in a taxi. gers. impose on rule-breakers. Hailing a ride makes economic sense “They know that they are ‘outlaws’ “Lots of people believe a ride-shar- because a taxi fare will work out less as you might say, but they go to have a ing car or taxi is more discreet,” than the fine. drink at a colleague or a friend’s place Czajka, at the wheel of his black BMW Speaking anonymously because she because they are fed up with the cur- saloon, said as he drove a fare south was discussing breaking the rules, few,” he said. from the centre of Paris after dark. one taxi passenger said she used cabs —Reuters

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