WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 66 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 39.9 C 5.5 C Sunday, April 25, 2021 | 12-01-2078 Nepalgunj Jomsom As cases surge and hospitals fill up, doctors are worried With only seriously ill cases coming for treatment, doctors say that the virus is much more widespread than daily infection data shows and the next two months will be critical.

Daily new confirmed Covid-19 deaths and active cases

SOURCE: MINISTRY OF HEALTH The number of active cases may be lower than the number of actual cases due to limited testing and the actual death toll is also likely to be higher than the confirmed deaths due to problems in the attribution of the cause of death, according to experts. POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA Members of Nepal national cricket team celebrate after taking a wicket against the Netherlands in their Tri-Nation T20 International Series final ARJUN POUDEL about the possible worst-case scenar- are in need of ventilator support. at the Tribhuvan University cricket ground in Kirtipur on Saturday. The hosts thrashed the Dutch by 142 runs after setting a target of 239 runs KATHMANDU, APRIL 24 io,” Dr Ravi Shakya, director at the “Last year too the recovery after to register their highest run-margin victory in a T20I match. (Report on page 7) hospital, told the Post. “We too do not ventilator support was very rare but On Friday, Patan Hospital held a meet- have answers about what to do if such this time no one has recovered after ing of doctors and administrators to a situation emerges.” being given such support,” said discuss the growing surge of the coro- Of the 21 intensive care unit beds Shakya. “Ventilators become free only navirus cases and the possible scenar- and 17 ventilators at Patan Hospital in after patients placed on them expire.” INSIDE io in the coming days. Lalitpur, all are occupied with the Given the growing number of Amid fears of oxygen Doctors at the hospital were wor- seriously ailing patients infected with Covid-19 patients being admitted, the ried about themselves getting infected Covid-19. Even beds with high flow of hospital, which had allocated 60 gener- and if they and their family members oxygen are occupied. al beds for the infected patients, has People ignoring social would get intensive care unit beds and And what is alarming is no patient already expanded capacity three fold distancing measures despite ventilator support if the need arose. put on ventilator support has recov- to 180 beds in recent weeks. spike in infections shortage, government “We doctors too are very worried ered this year and even young patients >> Continued on page 2 KATHMANDU: On Saturday morning, Ram Kumar Shrestha’s meat shop was filled with customers. But only a talks to suppliers few were wearing masks while social distancing was completely ignored. Shrestha who has been running the Manufacturers say production is sufficient but supply meat shop at Kageshwari Manahara-7, Kathmandu for the past could be disrupted if hospitals start hoarding oxygen. eight years, said that in the beginning when his shop reopened after months To increase capacity, more cylinders need to be imported. of lockdown, he followed the govern- ment order to ensure social distanc- ing. He painted red circles on the floor outside the shop for the custom- ers to wait their turn and avoid crowding. “People did follow the queue system in the beginning as many were in fear of contracting the virus , but now most people seem to have lost the fear, so they cause a crowd at the shop,” Shrestha told the Post. (Details on Pg 2)

Committee questions ministry over delay in scrapping expressway contractor selection process KATHMANDU: The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has sought clarification from the Ministry of PHOTO COURTESY: MEDIOXY.COM.NP Defence on why the Nepal Army Oxygen manufacturers say it would be difficult for them to increase production immediately. hasn’t followed the committee’s direc- tive to scrap the bidding process for PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA would be difficult for them to increase the second phase of the construction KATHMANDU, APRIL 24 production immediately. of tunnels and bridges along the “Had the government asked a few Kathmandu-Tarai expressway. The It was only on Thursday after the hos- months ago to increase our capacity, parliamentary committee on April 1 pitals in Kathmandu Valley started we could have taken steps towards it,” had directed the army, through the worrying about a possible shortage of said Gaurav Sharda, president of the Defence Ministry, to scrap the bidding oxygen that the Ministry of Health association. “But the government process after it found a serious and Population invited the Nepal never consulted us during the entire non-compliance of the existing law in Oxygen Industry Association to dis- pandemic period.” the pre-qualification process for the cuss the situation. Oxygen manufacturers, however, selection of contractors for the con- Amid death toll skyrocketing in say that they are, for the moment, in a struction of two tunnels and several India due to the lack of oxygen for position to supply more oxygen to bridges totalling 2.77 kilometres. Covid-19 patients, Nepali authorities Kathmandu’s hospitals. However, the army, which is under- have finally woken up to the need to According to the association, which taking the construction, is continuing ensure the supply of oxygen. represents eight oxygen plants in the the selection process saying it hasn’t “It was the first time the govern- Kathmandu Valley, currently the heard anything from the line minis- ment invited us for consultations demand for oxygen per day is around try. Roj Nath Pandey, secretary at the since the pandemic began last year,” 4,500 to 5,000 cylinders and their exist- committee which oversees public said Narayan Timilsina, general sec- ing production capacity is 8,000 cylin- spending, said they wrote to the min- retary of the association, who attend- ders per day. istry on Thursday seeking informa- ed the meeting. “The government was Although capacity of cylinders dif- tion within seven days on the pro- concerned about the availability of fer, those used in hospitals hold seven gress in implementing the committee oxygen.” cubic metres of oxygen and require- directive. (Details on Pg 3) Since oxygen levels go down in seri- ments differ from patient to patient. ously ill Covid-19 patients, giving About 30 percent of the total them supplemental oxygen till they demand comes from various business- One billion Covid jabs: A recover can save lives, according to es and the rest from hospitals, accord- doctors. And as caseloads continue to ing to the association. pin-prick of hope for humanity surge, increasing production of oxy- “We can also divert oxygen going to PARIS: On December 8, 90-year-old gen is the first line of defence against businesses to hospitals which will also British woman Margaret Keenan, the illness. help bridge the supply gap,” said resplendent in her Christmas T-shirt, But, oxygen manufacturers say it Sharda. He, however, said soon it received the Western world’s first could be difficult for them to Covid vaccination—a chink of light meet the demand as hospitals at the end of the tunnel for humanity and business have already start- after a devastating pandemic year. Six ed hoarding oxygen. months on, nearly one billion Covid “Fearing oxygen shortage, the jabs—both first and second shots— hospitals have started placing have been administered globally, higher demands than usual. according to AFP’s database. The That’s why, when we supply to unprecedented inoculation drive is one hospital, we struggle to seen as the world’s ticket out of the meet the demand of another,” coronavirus disaster, despite con- said Timilsina, who is chairper- cerns about rare side effects, worries son of Sagarmatha Oxygen over supply, and a glaring inequality Nepal Pvt Ltd. between rich and poor. (Details on Pg 6) >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL People ignoring social distancing Lax health security measures despite spike in infections checks at Darchula When government officials and politicians themselves have been organising functions and rallies in defiance of border points Covid-19 restrictions, ordinary people have stopped taking precautions, experts say. There is no official record of entries through five of the SHUVAM DHUNGANA sultant psychiatrist, people’s under- six border points in Darchula. KATHMANDU, APRIL 24 standing of the virus has changed. “In the beginning after all that news on MANOJ BADU tests have been conducted. Out of On Saturday morning, Ram Kumar the traditional media and social media DARCHULA, APRIL 24 them, only one individual showed Shrestha’s meat shop was filled with people thought the virus was very symptoms of Covid-19. The patient customers. But only a few were wear- dangerous, but later when they saw The flow of Nepali migrant workers has been admitted to the District ing masks while social distancing was people catching the virus and recover- returning to Darchula from Indian Hospital for treatment.” completely ignored. ing without serious illness, their atti- cities has increased in the past few The local people say that although Shrestha who has been running the tude towards the virus has changed,” weeks, according to the District Police the official data reflects a low number meat shop at Kageshwari Manahara-7, Pokharel said. Office in Darchula. However, out of of positive cases, returnees entering Kathmandu for the past eight years, “In the beginning, people followed the six Nepal-India border points in Darchula by crossing the Mahakali said that in the beginning when his restrictions in fear of getting the district, only Pulghat border point river on tuins and tyre tubes have not shop reopened after months of lock- the virus but over time they have lost in Khalanga, the district headquar- been accounted for. down, he followed the government that fear.” ters, has set up a health desk to run “Many migrant workers are using order to ensure social distancing. He “Besides, the government has not antigen tests on the returnees. wire crossings (tuins) and tyre tubes painted red circles on the floor outside been imposing the restrictions strictly The migrant workers entering the to cross the river to enter Darchula,” the shop for the customers to wait as earlier and we now see the govern- country through five other border said Anil Karki, a local resident of their turn and avoid crowding. ment officials and politicians them- points--Tigram, Dattu, Jolajibi, Lali Darchula. “This has increased the “People did follow the queue system selves have been organising public and Sitapul--have reached their native risk of a Covid-19 spread, as there’s no in the beginning as many were in fear gatherings and rallies. So ordinary villages without any health check-up, presence of security personnel in ille- of contracting the virus, but now most people also have stopped taking the say local residents. gal border crossings.” people seem to have lost the fear, so precautions,” he added. Most returnees are from New Delhi they cause a crowd at the shop,” Amid the growing number of cases, where Covid-19 caseload has Shrestha told the Post. on Monday the government announced escalated beyond control in the last “I cannot tell each individual to stay a slew of restrictions like shutting few weeks. Police say the flow in a distance or wear a mask as I am down schools, cinemas, banquet ven- “Many returnees who had arrived of returnees from busy taking orders, and I know mak- ues, dance bars, dohori places, dance- in Khalanga from New Delhi and ing red circles again would be useless halls, clubs, health clubs, gyms, swim- Mumbai during the Nepali New Year India to Darchula as no one observes social distancing ming pools and futsal courts. have already reached their villages. these days,” he added. Similarly, assemblies, political ral- They weren’t following any health has increased in Last year on March 24, when the lies, and participation in stadiums POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI safety protocols,” Jaya Singh government imposed a nationwide were also banned. However, on With more than 297,087 Nepalis infected so far, health experts and frontline workers have Raikhola, a local resident of Khalanga, recent days. lockdown, the country had recorded Saturday during the final cricket been asking people to adhere to health safety protocols. told the Post. “Both the public and just one active Covid-19 case. Even match of the Tri-Nation Series government authorities have become though it was just one case, people between home team Nepal and the expressed their frustrations at the his home but when I saw the crowd at complacent.” Last year, some migrant workers were fearful and had followed the gov- Netherlands at TU cricket ground, lack of social distancing during the the wedding, I got scared and Over 2,000 individuals have entered swam across the Mahakali River from ernment’s instruction to wear masks Kirtipur, hundreds of people had gath- inauguration. returned,” said Nikesh Phuyal, 26, of Khalanga from Pulghat border point India to enter Nepal during the and maintain physical distance while ered to watch the match and support “I am scared. I am afraid of catch- Kathmandu. According to Dr Anup since the first week of April, accord- nationwide lockdown. They were venturing out. Nepal. “Though entry inside the ing Covid again. I am afraid I might Bastola, spokesperson for the Sukraraj ing to the record of the District Police detained on the Nepali side of the But now when the country is ground was restricted, people had spread the virus to others. My one Tropical and Infectious Disease Office in Darchula. The police office border by security personnel already in the grip of a second wave of gathered in large numbers outside the mistake could take others not only to Hospital, people ignoring the Covid does not have the data of entries from the Nepal Police and Armed the pandemic, people appear to be ground and we could not do anything,” hospital but to death bed. I don’t safety measures are ‘in fact jumping through Tigram, Dattu, Jolajibi, Lali Police Force. careless. said Deputy Superintendent Rupesh want to be a hero. Today, the drama into the fire’. and Sitapul border points. “The flow of returnees from India With more than 297,087 Nepalis Tandukar, in-charge of the of Dharahara inauguration has “People are not only getting infect- However, the office estimates the has increased after the Nepali New infected so far including 3,136 deaths Metropolitan Police Circle, Kirtipur. mocked at frontline workers,” wrote a ed themselves by exposing themselves number to be around 500 per day. The Year. India is seeing a huge surge of from Covid-19, health experts “They were not following social twitter user. to crowds but they are also spreading District Health Office in Darchula, in Covid-19 cases and the situation is and frontline workers have been distancing while many even did The government on Monday had the virus rapidly,” said Bastola. “The coordination with the provincial gov- getting worse by the day. We can’t say pleading for people to adhere to the not have masks on their faces. It also decided to restrict gatherings of new variant of the virus is more ernment, started conducting antigen that we are safe here,” said Jayaraj safety protocols as the government is seemed they did not have any fear of over 25 people at festivals, weddings, dangerous than before as we have tests at Pulghat border point from Bhatta, a public health officer in fighting the pandemic with its limited the virus.” other life rituals and funerals. seen a patient who has been in ICU for March 29. Darchula. “All of the concerned stake- resources. On the same day, Prime Minister KP However, as the wedding season is 21 days now and he is on oxygen “Symptomatic returnees and those holders and local people should adopt Psychology experts however said Sharma Oli inaugurated the newly here, no one appears to be following support from the start and has not entering Khalanga from Covid-19- strict safety measures to limit the they are not surprised by the public constructed Dharahara tower at the restriction order and at the same recovered yet.” affected regions in India have to spread of the virus.” behaviour as Covid-19 is no more a Sundhara amid a special function. time there are no officials to monitor In the last 24 hours alone, a total undergo an antigen test,” said Baitadi and Bajhang districts in new thing to them. Hundreds of people had gathered in if the order is being observed. of 2,486 people got infected from Rajendra Singh Thagunna, a health Sudurpaschim Province use various According to Dr Prabhakar the area to watch the inauguration. “I went to my friend’s wedding on the virus while 14 people were assistant deployed at the health desk border points in Darchula to enter Pokharel, a Kathmandu-based con- Many people on social media Wednesday which was organised at reported dead. in Pulghat. “So far, over 60 antigen Nepal from India. Amid fears of oxygen shortage, government talks ...

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 days provided the government sup- present, up from 24 last week, accord- on Friday fully which will be enough Most hospitals in the country rely on ports us with tax exemptions and ing to the hospital administration. for 15 days to one month,” said external supply of oxygen. According facilitates the import,” said Sharda. The hospital estimates that it may Rajbhandari. “It is enough to supply to the Health Ministry, out of the 185 “We have already started talking with have to serve around 400 Covid-19 oxygen to 50 patients requiring a high hospitals across the country, only 26 the Chinese suppliers.” patients in the worst case scenario. amount of oxygen for 15 days round have oxygen plants and not all of them The government, on its part, has “At present, our oxygen require- the clock.” are in operation. also taken steps towards facilitating ment is being met from our own The hospital imports oxygen in a According to the manufacturers, the import of cylinders. plants,” said Santa Kumar Das, chief tanker from Madhya Pradesh, India major hospitals in the Kathmandu “On Friday, we wrote to the Finance of the Covid-19 Management but Rajbhandari is not worried about Valley like Patan Hospital, Grande Ministry for exemption of customs Committee at the Tribhuvan supply despite the ongoing oxygen International Hospital, Human Organ duty on the import of oxygen cylin- University Teaching Hospital. “But, if crisis in India. According to him, the Transplant Centre in Bhaktapur, ders,” said Jageshwar Gautam, cases continue to jump then our inter- shortage in India is of the oxygen sup- Bhaktapur Hospital, Hams Hospital, spokesperson at the Health Ministry. nal supply will not be enough.” plied in cylinders, but not the liquified Himal Hospital, Madhyapur Hospital Some hospitals outside the After the peak of the first wave of oxygen supplied in tankers. and Everest Hospital among others Kathmandu Valley have already start- the pandemic, global supply chain dis- “We are confident that supply from have been buying oxygen from private ed facing oxygen shortage, according ruptions had eased. But, the hospital India won’t stop,” Rajbhandari said. sector suppliers. to media reports. Some hospitals in was still unable to import the kit. But authorities say that they are According to the association, their the Kathmandu Valley have their own “The supplier failed to bring the kit concerned about possible shortage in members have an estimated 70,000- oxygen plants but currently many of from France citing frequent lock- the event of a sharp spike in cases. 80,000 oxygen cylinders. them are not in operation. downs in Europe and other supply “If the situation worsens compared “With a proper management of the For example, the Tribhuvan chain disruptions,” said Das. “But to the peak of the first wave of Covid- cylinders in coordination with the University Teaching Hospital has now the supplier is saying it could be 19, managing adequate oxygen could government, hospitals and business- three separate oxygen plants—one brought in two weeks.” be challenging,” said Gautam, spokes- es, we can address the potential short- with a capacity of producing 1,000 Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious person at the ministry. age of oxygen particularly in the litres per minute while the capacity Disease Hospital, which has once On Saturday, 2,486 new cases were Kathmandu Valley,” said Sharda, who of two others is 500 litres each per again been designated as a dedicated confirmed through the polymerase is also the director of Kantipur minute. Covid-19 hospital since last week, has chain reaction tests and 133 from anti- Oxygen Pvt. Ltd. But, the big plant has not been in its own refilling plant with capacity of gen tests. Active cases in the country During the meeting at the Health operation for the last one year in lack 20,000 litres, through which it supplies stand at 16,828, according to the Ministry, the association has also sub- of a kit, which needs to be imported piped oxygen to the hospital. Health Ministry. The ministry has mitted its plans to increase the num- from France. Sagar Kumar Rajbhandari, director projected that an additional 300,000 ber of cylinders by 20,000-40,000. There has been a rapid rise in the of the hospital, claimed that his hospi- people could be infected with the virus POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI “We have told the government that number of hospitalizations with 55 tal has no shortage of oxygen. by July 15 and the daily cases could Workers at the construction site of a water reservoir at Sano Khokana, Lalitpur on Saturday. we can add cylinders in the next 45 beds occupied by Covid-19 patients at “We refilled our plant with oxygen reach up to 11,000. As cases surge and hospitals fill up, doctors are worried

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 own oxygen plants and all are not in cases reached 297,087. tors and hospitals may not help in the operation throughout the country. The mend restrictions and the virus must It is now mulling allocating additional proper working condition. On Saturday, 213 seriously ailing coming days.” number of general beds, which can be be fought together, experts say. beds and even preparing to convert Intensive care unit beds are filling patients were receiving treatment at Nepal reported its highest daily allocated for coronavirus patients, “There will be no point in enforcing the entire hospital for the service up in other hospitals too besides Patan intensive care units and 69 were on count of 5,743 on October 21, four stands at 18,917. restrictions after the situation goes of the patients infected with the Hospital. ventilator support in Nepal. months after the four-month lockdown The Health Ministry has estimated out of control,” Dr Prabhat Adhikari, coronavirus. Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Public health experts say that Nepal was lifted. up to 800,000 new cases within July 15 an infectious disease and critical care “This year the situation will be Disease Hospital said that 90 percent is heading towards a grim situation in But there was a dramatic decline in a worst-case scenario. Up to 15,000 expert, told the Post. worse than last year,” said Shakya of its 60 general beds and all 20 beds in the coming days and it will not make in cases. Even public health experts people could require intensive care Since the lockdown last year from Then there is the issue of oxygen the intensive care unit and ventilators much difference even if restrictions were surprised. But they continued unit beds and ventilators and 45,000 March 24 to July 21 was a failure, and supply. Hospitals are now gasping for have been occupied for the last few are enforced, as the virus has already to ring alarm bells about a possible could need high flow oxygen supply. the government was criticised for the oxygen, as the majority of hospitals days. Over half a dozen patients are in penetrated the society. second wave. However, the agency concerned has decision, authorities this time have do not have their own oxygen plants the emergency unit waiting for beds “Due to complacency from all levels, There was complacency all around. still not taken the issue with the insisted that blanket restrictions and in the few that do, the plants are in the intensive care unit and the gen- we have reached a very difficult situa- When the number of cases declined, urgency it deserves. Doctors say if would be enforced only as the last not in operation. eral ward. tion,” Dr Bhagwan Koirala, chairman the government acted as if the coun- work is done on a war footing, several resort. A section of experts and ana- The oxygen plant at Patan Hospital “We will set up an oxygen supplying of Nepal Medical Council, told the try had triumphed over the virus. hundred intensive care unit beds lysts are also for not imposing a lock- is not in working condition but it has facility in the corridors and elsewhere Post. “The situation is really serious.” Governance took a backseat after and a few thousand general beds can down given the sufferings the poor now initiated the process to fix it. But in the hospital so that critically ill New cases are being diagnosed only Prime Minister Oli dissolved the be added. and marginalised could face. But with that will take at least three months patients waiting for beds can be after seriously ailing patients reach House on December 20. The season of “The condition will be very difficult the number of cases and deaths grow- given the bureaucratic procedures saved,” Dr Sagar Rajbhandari, direc- hospitals for treatment, which means protests and demonstrations returned. in the coming days compared to now,” ing, calls too have been growing that need to be followed, according to tor at the hospital, told the Post. “We the virus has already spread severely Amid political bickering, the govern- added Koirala. “The time has come for for a lockdown to break the chain of Shakya. will add 10 more beds in the emergen- in society. ment and agencies concerned ignored all agencies concerned to start prepa- transmission. In the meantime, the hospital has cy department.” Doctors have been recommending health experts’ warnings. Members of ration. Instead of regretting in the Mahendra Prasad Shrestha, chief been reliant on oxygen cylinders. But According to him, entire families various restrictions, including two the public happily threw away masks. future, people should strictly follow specialist at the Health Ministry, said now the supplier has informed the are getting infected and getting seri- weeks’ lockdown in disease-hit areas, Only 338 intensive care unit beds safety measures whether the govern- that a lockdown should have been hospital administration that demand ously ill. but authorities concerned have been and 192 ventilators were added to the ment enforces lockdown or not.” enforced in the Valley long ago. is high and supply may be disrupted. Nepal on Saturday reported 2,486 ignoring their suggestions. public health facilities after the first An official at the Health Ministry “The Cabinet meeting has given “Until now they have been supply- new cases from polymerase chain “Whatever the government says wave of the coronavirus. The number said on condition of anonymity that authority to the local levels and the ing but we don’t know if they can reaction tests and 133 from antigen people should abide by the safety of general beds which could be allo- they have stopped recommending chief district officers to enforce lock- continue supply in the coming days,’ tests. The Health Ministry said that 14 measures strictly to save themselves cated for Covid-19 patients was restrictive measures, as the other gov- down but they are hesitating to do it,” said Shakya. deaths have been recorded in the last and their family members,” said increased by 4,021. ernment agencies concerned do not Shrestha told the Post. “All [Covid-19] According to the Health Ministry, of 24 hours, pushing the total toll to 3,136. Koirala. “The next two to three months Currently, there are 1,486 intensive implement them. hospitals in Kathmandu Valley are the 185 hospitals, only 26 have their Active cases stand at 16,828 and total will be too tough for us. Even the doc- care unit beds and 634 ventilators in But that is no reason not to recom- already full.”

C M Y K 03 | SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 NATIONAL Ministry quizzed over delay in As Covid-19 cases surge, bus operators scrapping contractor selection worry about another lockdown ANUP OJHA Citing violation of Public Procurement Act, committee had ordered scrapping of the KATHMANDU, APRIL 24 bidding process for construction of tunnels and bridges along the 72.5km expressway. Uday Kumar Thapa, a micro bus driver on the Kathmandu-Pokhara route, is BINOD GHIMIRE from the Ministry of Defence to scrap which has quoted the lowest price for worried about making a living as the KATHMANDU, APRIL 24 the bidding process,” he told the Post. the construction work. number of Covid-19 infections has been “We are continuing our work as it is However, only Poly Changda of increasing rapidly. The Public Accounts Committee of important for us to complete the pro- Guangdong, China—was selected in “As the number of Covid-19 infection the Parliament has sought clarifica- ject within the deadline.” The army, the pre-qualification process for is going up, I am sure the government tion from the Ministry of Defence on after postponements of the comple- the second phase of construction of will impose a lockdown. But if it did why the Nepal Army hasn’t followed tion deadline twice, has announced the tunnels and bridges. Two compa- like last year, this would be another the committee’s directive to scrap the to complete the national pride project nies—Poly Changda and China State misfortune,” said Thapa, a father of POST FILE PHOTO bidding process for the second phase by July 2024. Construction Engineering three schoolchildren. Public transport workers are concerned about their livelihoods. of the construction of tunnels and The government had, in May 2017, Corporation—were selected in the “Last year for over six months, I was bridges along the Kathmandu-Tarai decided to hand over the responsibil- pre-qualification process in the first not allowed to ply my micro bus on the the contagion. Night business operators are also expressway. ity of the construction of the express- phase. The latter won the contract. road, but I had to pay the room rent and Yogendra Karmacharya, chairman unhappy with government decisions. The parliamentary committee on way to the Nepal Army after the for- However, the company that was qual- feed my family,” said Thapa, 48. “The at the Federation of Nepalese National Dowanj Thapa, chairperson of April 1 had directed the army, mer’s attempts to construct the pro- ified for the construction of the first government should be sensitive about Transport Entrepreneurs, said the gov- Ratrikalin Byawasayi Sangh, said the through the Defence Ministry, to ject under the BOOT (build, operate, phase of the project didn’t qualify in working class people like me.” ernment should learn from its deci- government closing only particular scrap the bidding process after it own and transfer) model failed. the second, which according to the Lockdown has been imposed in sions last year. businesses was a biased one. found a serious non-compliance of The Nepal Army had, in 2009, House committee, was not natural. Nepalgunj Sub-metropolitan City from “When the government announces On Monday the government the existing law in the pre-qualifica- started working to open the passage The expressway has a total of 86 April 21 to April 25 to contain the lockdown showing the pandemic, we announced that restaurants must close tion process for the selection of con- for the expressway as per the govern- bridges including 16 categorised as Covid-19 surge. Thapa said he had to need to abide by its new rule because by 8pm. tractors for the construction of two ment’s instructions and completed special and 6.415 km of tunnels. take a Rs60,000 loan from the owner of public vehicles are mediums for spread- “People are still flocking to malls, tunnels and several bridges totalling the work in 2013. After the technical assessment, the the micro bus he drives. ing the disease,” said Karmacharya. jatras are being held openly. And look 2.77 kilometres . However, the army, After a detailed study and discus- army is currently studying the finan- “I paid the loan when the long-haul “But it should not stop our business for at the people on footpaths in the which is undertaking the construc- sions with the Ministry of Defence cial bid of the Poly Chagda for the buses were allowed to ply in September as long as it did last year as it is directly evening. The government does not tion, is continuing the selection pro- and the army, the committee had, final selection. third week last year,” said Thapa. “I linked with the bread and butter of monitor them,” said Thapa. “But when cess saying it hasn’t heard anything three weeks ago, ordered scrapping Defence Ministry spokesperson have just paid my loan but I do not have thousands of families.” we said we will run our business fol- from the line ministry. of the bidding process for the con- Gyawali said he was unable to say any savings now.” Officials at the federation said they lowing the government’s health proto- Roj Nath Pandey, secretary at the struction of bridges and two tunnels when would the ministry make its Like Thapa, hundreds of thousands have asked the government to let them cols, we are not allowed.” House committee, which oversees totalling 2.77 km in the Simpani- decision regarding the directive. of drivers and their assistants are wor- serve people following strict health pro- According to Sangh, Kathmandu government spendings, said they Chalise Kholsi and Ghattepakha- Currently Prime Minister KP ried about losing their jobs if the gov- tocols. In the measures announced Valley has over 30,000 night business wrote to the ministry on Thursday Bandare Khola sections of the 72.5 Sharma Oli himself heads the minis- ernment announces another lockdown. recently, public buses cannot carry operators providing employment for seeking information within seven kilometre expressway. try and he has publicly denounced According to the Federation of more passengers than capacity and all over 100,000 people. days on the progress made towards The highway, which will be of the House committee directives as Nepalese National Transport passengers must wear masks, and if “Last year, the losses incurred when implementing the committee Asian standards, will link the Capital arbitrary. Entrepreneurs, around one million they do not have masks the driver or night time businesses were closed directive. He said the committee with Nijgadh in the southern plains “The House committees are taking drivers and their assistants were ren- his assistant must provide masks at a across the Valley were estimated at sought the progress report after and cut travel time to less than an decisions in an arbitrary fashion. dered jobless due to the pandemic cost of not more than Rs10. Hand sani- over Rs1 billion,” said Thapa. learning that the army was continu- hour from several hours now. The They can indeed inspect if there are across the country last year, when the tiser must be provided on the bus. “We were at a phase of gradual ing the selection process against the project’s cost has been estimated at irregularities,” Oli had said while government banned public vehicles for There are around 300 transport recovery but the government asked us directive. Rs213 billion including the contin- inaugurating the construction of 165 six months starting from March 24, organisations under the federation all to close down again.” “We have received a follow-up let- gency costs. road projects in all electoral constitu- when the nationwide lockdown was from across the country. He said the businesses will wait for a ter from the Public Accounts The army had shortlisted just one encies on April 3. “However, their announced. While micro driver Thapa was week and then take decisions against Committee,” Krishna Prasad company from among 22 bidders that whimsical decisions are hampering The Federations’ data shows more lamenting the hardship caused by the the government’s decision. Gyawali, the spokesperson at the had participated in the global bid- development works.” than 400,000 public vehicles were prolonged lockdown last year, Meanwhile, according to the ministry, told the Post. “The ministry ding. But House committee officials Nepal Army spokesperson garaged during that time. Kathmandu Chief District Officer Kali Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, has yet to decide whether or not to say the army, as per the Public Paudyal also says the project could The Cabinet on Monday made a slew Prasad Parajuli hinted that lockdown since the announcement was made the stop the selection process.” Procurement Act-2015, should have be delayed by at least seven to eight of decisions of closing night business- may be announced soon. number of vehicles plying the road has He said the ministry is still study- shortlisted more than one company. months and the cost would increase es such as bars, pubs and nightclubs, “Hospitals’ intensive care units have come down. ing the April 1 directive and will As per the rules, the contractor for if a new bidding process is started and dohori restaurants. Stakeholders started to fill up, and if the situation “It could be because the government make a decision after consulting var- such a project is selected in three as per the directive of the House called the government’s decision “uni- becomes worse then there is no alterna- announced to close schools from ious stakeholders including the army. phases. committee. lateral and unfair”. tive to announcing restrictions,” said Monday,” said Senior Superintendent The ministry has already received In the first phase, global bids are Bharat Shah, chairperson of the Now it’s transport entrepreneurs Parajuli. “We are studying the present Janak Bhattarai, the division chief. feedback from the army regarding called. The second is the pre-qualifi- Public Accounts Committee, said his who are concerned over the govern- situation and based on our analysis we According to the division office, at the directives. Brigadier General cation phase, in which bidders’ tech- committee issued the directive after a ment’s plan to announce blanket will take our decision.” normal times 1.4 million vehicles oper- Shantosh Ballave Poudyal, the Nepal nical documents are evaluated, and proper study and it is the duty of the restrictions including on public vehi- On Saturday the country reported 14 ate within the Valley but in the past few Army spokesperson, said the army bidders are shortlisted according to agency concerned to follow it. “We cles. With the second wave of infections more Covid-19 related fatalities with days an estimated 1.2 million vehicles has informed the ministry that the their strength. And in the third know our duty,” he said. “It is our from new more transmissible variants 2,486 new cases and 133 antigen posi- are on the roads. contractor selection process is com- phase, the project seeks financial pro- authority and duty to check possible of the coronavirus, the government tives. Kathmandu Valley alone record- “The second wave has made a few pletely in line with the Public posals from the bidders that have irregularities. The agencies con- had made a slew of restrictions ed 872 new infections in the past 24 sections of people conscious, and they Procurement Act and its regulations. passed the technical evaluation and cerned including the executive and directed provincial and local gov- hours. Of them, 644 are in Kathmandu, have restricted their mobility but this “We haven’t received any directive the contract is awarded to the bidder should follow our directive.” ernments to take measures to check 141 in Lalitpur and 87 in Bhaktapur. does not apply to all,” said Bhattarai.

C M Y K SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 | 04 OPINION Nepali sculpture and modernity debate An important feature of modern Nepali sculpture is the creative activism of the artists.

ABHI SUBEDI WORDS & ECHOES

The term modernity is widely bandied about in Nepal. It is used to describe diverse fields of life in this country. Those of us who work in the field of arts, literature and theatre use mod- ernism to claim that we have opened up new avenues in the field of experi- ments and ideas at the same time. That being the case we have begun to define the new forms, experiment and modus operandi of its dissemination as part of the modern consciousness. The favourite candidates for modern- ism in our areas of work are ‘modern literature’, ‘modern paintings’ and lately ‘modern sculpture’. Modern is a favourite term in the field of development and progress as well. Modernisation of the country, modernisation of the agricultural sys- tem, modernisations of technology are some of the other terminologies that we encounter very often. But in this short column piece I want to con- centrate on the modern sculpture which has come fairly recently in the Nepali parlance of art. In one colloquium I was asked to explain the difference between mod- ernism in art and modernism in poli- tics, and the relation between the two if there are any. I was struck by the following questions appended to this brief discourse. The questions were: As communism has become a major subject in political parlance in Nepal, do you think it has the propensity to SHUTTERSTOCK enter any modernist phase? Can we one’s field of art. to the sculptors from home and abroad work’ made of cement and concrete each. Mainali must have made other Harnamari earlier. It was an amazing say Nepal’s variety is a modern com- The latest candidate in the Nepali who were sculpting away their art created in 1966 stands on the turf of sculptures over this period since then. sight to see sculptors from Nepal and munism? Can communism become experiments with modernism is seen works on stones collected from differ- Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. And The other important feature of abroad working together. They have modern? Or is modernism a bourgeois in the field of sculpture. Though I ent quarries. A great lover of Nepali Pramila Giri’s minuscule statue of a modern sculpture is the creative activ- published a catalogue in which I have term that does not go hand in glove have always been a great lover of the traditional sculpture and a reader Yeti stewarding the travellers of Nepal ism of the artists of the young genera- written a review of the works. I want with communism? tangible sculptural art involving about them, I have always believed Airlines is stalled on its ground. tion. Two features of their work to cite my own words from that: ‘To It was beyond my ability and exper- stone, metal or cast as the medium, I that sculpture is the soul of Nepali One morning, a well-known sculp- should be mentioned. First, they are become modern is certainly to break tise to answer all these questions. But have not written much about this art. Though stone sculptures are my tor and academic named Laya Mainali bold about sculpting and moulding the form but not without knowing one thing I could certainly say is that great genre. My first major participa- favourite form, and I have always been came to give me his book written their themes on stone. Second, they where you are differing. That requires communism and modernism are not tion in an extensive sculptural activi- awed by the metal sculptural works of about his father, the pioneering are experimental and can work on the careful not casual work.’ I have writ- easy bedfellows. But we in literature ty happened in an inner hillock of this valley, I have not written much Thakur Mainali, entitled Thakur nuances of sculptural art. They treat ten the following about the Harnamari and the arts are flexible about the Makawanpur called Harnamari on about this form of art. Prasad Mainali and his eco-friendly their subject with confidence. open ground sculptural works, ‘Quite term modernism. Though the term November 25, 2012. My encounter with But the short history of modern sculptures (2004). Mainali, who studied What is also true, however, is that a number of these sculptural pieces evokes many political debates, we use the modern sculptor Om Khatri Nepali sculpture is a fascinating sub- under the apprenticeship of a famous all of them are not successful in their have addressed the question raised in it to cover new techniques and experi- changed my perception. This young ject in its own right. The pioneer of sculptor Sankho Chaudhari from a efforts. But the overall feature of mod- modern sculptural art, which is the ments. But very importantly, we use and talented sculptor exposed me to modern sculpture Thakur Mainali university in Baroda, did embark ern sculptures is that the artists are biophysical phenomenon, the dynam- modernism in literature and the arts the modern sculptural works and the and his contemporary (though a little upon making outdoor sculptural intensely engaged in sculpting their ics, and the propensity for movement to characterise a mode of conscious- works of the sculptors of the younger junior to him) Pramila Giri are men- works of various sizes and heights as themes. Doing work in the open and in sculpture.’ (Sirjana 3:34). ness that involves an individual and generation. The sheer experiments tioned by art critics. These two sculp- soon as he returned to Nepal after leaving them in nature is another We should not celebrate mere depar- his or her position in that system. and the sudden surge of interest in tors are commonly known as the mak- finishing his studies. Laya Mainali in important dynamic of their work. I ture from the great Nepali sculptural Modernism is not only a technique, it this medium of art was quite a phe- ers of the two sculptural works placed his book lists 29 major sculptural was invited to visit the ongoing works tradition as modern. Instead, it is the is a state of individual consciousness nomenon; that fascinated me. in two very public places. Mainali’s works of Thakur Mainali with appro- of sculptors in the forest side open spirit of sculpting the very power of that and the methods of showing that in I observed the workshop, and talked 35-foot-tall ‘first modern sculptural priate descriptions and review of field of Taltalaiya, near Itahari as in tradition in newer experimental styles.

New world disorder and South Asia

growth are creating new potential for India’s peaceful conflict at a time when the institu- tions of global governance are weaker growth principles than ever before,’ write Shashi Tharoor and Samir Saran. are beckoning They make it amply clear how the newly disrupted world is not short on for all the good reasons. opportunities for the countries that have been hitherto given no due by a niche group of countries. Desperate ATUL K THAKUR times call for desperate measures, and as an aspirational country, India’ stake is certainly high as the world is reassured of seeing a complete reset.

Braving the new world order There is no single multilateral institu- tion including the United Nations that ‘O brave new world that has such peo- can exactly ascertain the level of loss- ple in’t!’ Miranda said in Shakespeare’s es the world has witnessed with the The Tempest, on first sighting the ship- Covid-19 global pandemic. In fact, the wrecked courtiers. Today, at the end of UN’s failure in communicating the the second decade of the 21st century, imminent dangers of unknown bio- most of us have a sense of it as the logical warfare disguised as a malady, world is in a state of disorder. All about and making a concerted effort to con- us is prominently chaotic. The world is stitute an international task force for ravaged to an extent by Covid-19 and a global approach to save the world, is the failure of governments and multi- too big to be ignored. Today, we are lateral institutions, and an attempt to already living in a ravaged world that see the light at the end of the tunnel can’t live in harmony if the old insti- may be too simplistic. With the future tutions find no new way to justify of humanity threatened and uncer- their existence. tain, the ‘new world’ has failed to At the cusp of a defining change, it believe in a consensus-based approach is wishful that the South Asian coun- to finding a mechanism to decode the tries come forward for reimagining global pandemic, and creating a com- South Asia and staking a claim in the mon task force to save humanity from new world order. To brave the chal- suffering an unprecedented crisis con- lenges, some of the inherent weak- secutively in the second year. nesses have to be addressed, especially While reading The New World on the bilateral front. Essentially, for Disorder and the Indian Imperative by finding a strong basis for regional and Shashi Tharoor and Samir Saran, one sub-regional economic and strategic gets a very clear sense of the new SHUTTERSTOCK integration, the bilateral hiccups and world order in transition. The book with scepticism and fear by the West, incorrigible in maintaining a stand on unity and bilateral relations. Not often the construction and management of unhelpful baggage of the past have to prominently deals with the roots of precisely so, as somewhere it is erro- this! discussed, though also not beyond the international systems of governance be effectively dealt with. In South the universal predicaments--from the neously made synonymous with the As the South Asian countries are obvious, a very promising regional for seven decades, it is no surprise Asia, a new chapter of cooperation inequity of the post-war international ‘rise of China’. This may just be one facing a sort of humanitarian crisis association like the South Asian that as sweeping change overtakes the should be driven by regional unity power politics to the fundamental of the factors of a serious perception amid the second wave of Covid-19, one Association for Regional Cooperation world, there are no longer many tak- rather than symbolisms of bilateral- causes of the new world’s illiberal gap, however, it is strong enough to be can wonder whether they can explore (SAARC) could not do as well as ers for these arrangements. ism and trilateralism. A shared vision leadership. In the South Asian region not undermined by the West’s strate- the potential of ‘the new world order’ expected with China’s territorial and Globalisation is confronted by eco- for regional peace and prosperity will too, the wind of change is well felt. Yet gic and economic thinkers. India’s with the aim of gaining in the post-re- market overreach. In comparison, nomic nationalism. Strong leaders are help bilateralism and trilateralism the authors overlook India’s growing peaceful growth principles are beck- covery phases. Sharing a broad mis- India’s posture in the neighbourhood exploiting the grievances of citizens too. If the region gets a new lease of leadership issues and rightly believe oning for all the good reasons. sion can be helpful to India, Nepal, has been conciliatory, and its domi- (whether imagined or real) to discard life through a renewed approach of in its potential in the long run where Notwithstanding its short-term pre- Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, nance in the region merits being seen global ideals and champion local cooperation, the new world disorder it has a major role to play in shaping cariousness on home turf and in the Afghanistan, Pakistan and the through the same perspectives. interests. And the prospects of a will be rather eventful after the crisis. future global trends. immediate neighbourhood, India’s Maldives. It would be crucial how ‘The international liberal order is “global village”, of the world coming potential is something that should be these countries view China’s aggres- facing a moment of crisis. With ever closer together, seem to be in Thakur is a writer and policy analyst Rise of the East debated before writing off the ‘Asian sion in the South Asian region and its Darwinism (or the survival of the reversal. A zero-sum approach to with a focus on the interface of politics The rise of the East is wrongly viewed Century Dream’ in haste. One can be adverse implications for regional strongest and fittest) having guided development and the securitisation of and economics in South Asia.

C M Y K 05 | SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 MONEY Kuwait follows UAE Chinese border closure hits Nepali entrepreneurs hard in suspending India With no export orders, manufacturers and exporters are facing tough times and have started looking for other sources of income observing the situation. flights over Covid KRISHANA PRASAIN year while the import bill remained at KATHMANDU, APRIL 24 Rs164.13 billion with a trade deficit of AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Rs163.33 billion. KUWAIT CITY, APRIL 24 The closure of the Chinese border in Shrestha said that the export early 2020 has affected a large number figure might have been the previous Kuwait has suspended all flights from of Nepali entrepreneurs exporting year’s order. India until further notice after the goods to the country. The Kerung and According to the Trade and Export south Asian giant recorded its highest Tatopani border points have been reo- Promotion Centre, Nepal’s export bill daily Covid death toll and some hospi- pened but trade has not picked up in to China plunged 43.5 percent to Rs1.19 tals ran out of oxygen. terms of both export and import. billion in the last fiscal year 2019-20 The region’s busiest international The export of carpet, thanka, silver compared to Rs2.11 billion in the fiscal air hub, the United Arab Emirates, jewellery, wooden crafts, pashmina, year 2018-19. had already announced on Thursday statue among others from Thamel, Dinesh Shrestha, secretary at the that it would suspend flights to and Patan and Bhaktapur is almost Ministry of Industry, Commerce and from India from Sunday. zero, said Rajesh Kaji Shrestha, imme- Supplies said that they have been con- “In view of the health situation, it diate past president of Nepal Chamber tinuously discussing the issue with has been decided to suspend direct of Commerce. There are more than the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and commercial air links with India until 700 members in the chamber the Chinese government. “We are try- further notice,” the Kuwaiti govern- and numerous throughout the coun- ing to ease trade between the ment tweeted late Friday. try, he said. countries through diplomatic talks It said Kuwait residents would only but we cannot give any dates for now,” be allowed to return to the emirate via he said. third countries if they stopped over Traders are unsure “Though the government seems to for at least 14 days. be taking the initiative to export goods Expatriate workers make up some as to when China at recent times, China does not seem 70 percent of Kuwait’s population to take the matter seriously as the and include hundreds of thousands will reopen the Nepali market is peanut-sized for of Indians. them,” Pradhan said. As the clock ticked down to the border point. Imports from China have also been shutdown of the air corridor between affected with few trucks crossing the India and the UAE—one of the world’s border. Nepali traders have accused busiest—fares soared as Indians who China closed its border points China of conducting an ‘undeclared could afford it scrambled to escape the due to the pandemic between January trade blockade’ as their merchan- Covid surge. and October last year and the dise-laden container trucks have not Price comparison websites showed border was closed again after January been allowed to cross the border into one-way commercial flights from 20 this year. POST FILE PHOTO Nepal for over 16 months. Mumbai to Dubai on Friday and With no export orders, manufactur- China closed its border points between January and October last year and the border was closed again after January 20 this year. Business with China started boom- Saturday costing as much as 80,000 ers and exporters are facing tough ing after 2015 when the Nepal govern- rupees ($1,000)—around 10 times the times and have started looking for road and flights but as charges have of the Export Promotion Centre in the neurs but the orders dried up in 2020, ment removed export duty. usual rate. other sources of income observing the increased, traders are unable to make Federation of Nepalese Chambers of he said. Traders involved in exporting No tickets were on offer from situation. a profit, he added. Commerce and Industry said that Traders are unsure as to when wooden utensils and woollen carpet Sunday when the 10-day flight suspen- The export rate has increased with With exports from Nepal not export from Nepal to China has been China will reopen the border point. from Olangchung Gola used to sion comes into force. a rise in transportation charges, no picking up anytime soon, entrepre- suffering since the Tatopani trade According to the Department of make billions by exporting the goods The UAE is home to roughly 3.3 mil- flights to China and hiked prices of neurs exporting goods to China are point was closed. Customs, the country’s total export to to the Chinese market but the border lion Indians who make up a third of chartered planes, said Shrestha. in trouble. The orders received in 2019-20 China stood at Rs796.41 million in the closure has severely impacted their the population—most of them in Traders had been exporting goods by Manish Lal Pradhan, chairperson provided some respite to entrepre- first nine months of the current fiscal livelihoods. Dubai.

FOREX Thai tourist island Phuket US Dollar 120.32 US to double public climate finance Euro 145.07 Pound Sterling 167.04 desperate to reopen to developing countries by 2024 Japanese Yen 11.15

Chinese Yuan 18.53 REUTERS would release a new Climate Change WASHINGTON, APRIL 24 Strategy in November 2021, at the 26th Qatari Riyal 33.05 The US says it Conference of the Parties to the Australian Dollar 93.06 The United States said on Thursday it is embracing United Nations Framework would boost public climate finance to Convention on Climate Change Malaysian Ringit 29.27 help poor countries reduce green- ‘ambitious but (COP26). house gas emissions and adapt to a USAID said it would leverage $250 Saudi Arab Riyal 32.08 changing climate, doubling funding by attainable goals’ for million in federal funding to attract Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank 2024 from high average levels hit dur- $3.5 billion in private sector financing ing the Obama administration. international aid. for climate-related work over the next The White House said it was three years, and aimed to sharply PRICE PER TOLA embracing “ambitious but attainable scale up climate finance programmes BULLION goals” for international aid to develop- in 20 fast-growing economies. ing countries, given the urgency of The US International Development Fine Gold Rs 91,700 the climate crisis and to compensate Finance Corporation (DFC) would for a sharp drop in US funding during change its development strategy to Silver Rs 1,320 REUTERS the Trump administration. include climate for the first time, and Local residents enjoy Kamala beach on Phuket Island, Thailand. The White House said that by 2024 it prioritize climate mitigation and SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA would triple financing of climate adaptation. REUTERS island freely without posing any coro- adaptation, which focuses on adjust- The Millennium Challenge PHUKET, APRIL 24 navirus risk to the rest of Thailand’s ments to current or expected climate Corporation’s new climate strategy GASOLINE WATCH population. change. It said it would work with would focus on climate-smart develop- A year after one of Southeast Asia’s Residents and vendors say they Congress to enact needed legislation. ment and sustainable infrastructure, most popular fun-and-sun destina- badly need the business. The Biden administration released aiming to put more than 50 percent of tions became an eerily quiet shell of “The situation is very bad. All its climate finance plan in tandem its funding into climate-related invest- empty resorts, shops and nightclubs, stores are closed. People are suffer- with a new goal to cut emissions by 50 ments over the next five years, it said. residents of the Thai island of Phuket ing,” said Uga, who sells coconuts and percent-52 percent from 2005 levels. The US Treasury, which this week are hoping to save their economy with drinks by an empty beach. Leonardo Martinez-Diaz, a top aide REUTERS named a climate czar, would direct US an inoculation programme. Thailand lost about $50 billion in to Biden’s climate envoy John Kerry, US President Joe Biden. executive directors in multilateral For now, beach umbrellas rest rolled tourism revenue last year—an 82 per- said total US international public cli- development banks such as the up on vacant hotel verandas, overlook- cent plunge. Phuket, where about a mate finance averaged around $2.8 forms of support to enable emissions World Bank to ensure they set and ing empty stretches of sand, while quarter of foreign tourists spend time, billion a year during the baseline peri- cuts in poorer countries, and to ensure applied ambitious climate finance tar- mannequins languish in dust-covered was hit particularly hard. od from fiscal 2013-2017, with around that frontline communities in those gets and policies. windows of shuttered shops. The prospect of reopening, even as $500 million going toward adaptation. countries can survive the climate The plan also calls for ending inter- “We are taking the opportunity to a third coronavirus wave kicks up That was the most recent period when impacts that are already happening,” national investments in carbon-inten- put our system to a test”, said vice hundreds of new cases in Thailand US climate finance was at an all-time said Niranjali Amerasinghe, execu- sive fossil fuel-based energy projects, governor of Phuket province, per day, has many hoping the worst is high, he said on Twitter. tive director of ActionAid USA. and steering capital toward cli- Piyapong Choowong, adding that now over, though rebuilding may be A handful of non-governmental In a fact sheet on the climate finance mate-aligned investments, a goal long more than 70 percent of Phuket’s pop- slow. The government hopes at least organizations said on Thursday the plan, the White House said US agen- sought by environmental groups. ulation of about 650,000 would be vac- 100,000 tourists will visit Phuket in the United States, the world’s second lead- cies, working with development part- Treasury, together with the cinated by July 1, when foreign vacci- third quarter. ing emitter after China, would have to ners, would prioritize climate in their Organisation for Economic nated visitors are allowed in without Just 6.7 million foreign tourists contribute $800 billion in internation- investments, expand technical assis- Co-operation and Development, will the long quarantines that have kept visited Thailand in 2020, spending al climate finance through 2030 for its tance and increase funding for adapta- spearhead efforts to modify guidelines most tourists away. some $11 billion. That compares with “fair share.” tion and resilience. for official export financing to reori- Phuket has its own international nearly 40 million in 2019, when they “The United States has an obliga- It said the US Agency for ent financing away from carbon-inten- airport, so tourists can roam the spent $61 billion. tion to provide finance and other International Development (USAID) sive activities, it said.

Brands urged to extend workers’ safety deal in Bangladesh

REUTERS ers, helping make some 1,600 factories safer more collaborative and national,” said Centre for Worker Solidarity, said that the DHAKA, APRIL 24 for 2 million workers, according to Miran Ali, vice president of Bangladesh RSC would not be able to pressure brands labour activists. But Bangladeshi manufac- Garment Manufacturers and Exporters or suppliers without a legally-binding glob- Labour activists on Thursday urged brands turers are now backing the Ready-Made Association. al agreement. to extend a factory safety deal in Bangladesh Garments Sustainability Council (RSC), “I believe that RSC can only improve on H&M, one of Bangladesh’s biggest buy- ahead of the eighth anniversary of the which has taken over the work of the what the Accord did ... The Accord in 2013 ers, said in an emailed statement that it Rana Plaza disaster, in which some 1,100 Accord. It includes trade unions, brands was different, over time they modified their would support the RSC. workers died. and factory owners. practices and protocols. Similarly RSC will “We see continuous progress that The collapse of the eight-storey building “We have transitioned from the regime modify and develop their protocols to pro- has been carried on after the responsibility near Dhaka—the industry’s deadliest acci- of foreigners coming and prescribing what vide more safety.” was handed over from the Accord to the dent—on April 24, 2013 led some 200 brands, Bangladeshis have to do to one which is Kalpona Akter, head of the Bangladesh RSC,” said a company spokeswoman including H&M and Zara, to sign the Accord Masarrat Quader. on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. “We are now focused on securing the That agreement expires on May 31. independence, resources and financing of Labour leaders want the Accord to be this organisation to secure workplace safe- renewed in Bangladesh, the world’s sec- ty for all workers in Bangladesh and to ond-largest exporter of garments, and enable a sustainable change that the indus- extended to other countries with dangerous try can own and sustain.” working conditions. Bangladesh’s garment sector, which “It is vital that brands and retailers employs nearly 4 million workers, was hit sourcing from Bangladesh ensure that the hard last year as brands shut shops due to one major achievement that came out of the pandemic and cancelled orders worth this disaster is not lost,” said Ineke millions of dollars. The charity ActionAid Zeldenrust, coordinator of the pressure said on Thursday that almost 60 percent of group Clean Clothes Campaign. 200 Rana Plaza survivors that it surveyed “There are five weeks to go until the were unemployed and several still suffered Accord agreement runs out, but the first physical and mental trauma and could not Accord came about in only three. Brands work for extended periods of time. can make it happen if they want to.” “Rana Plaza survivors who are already The legally-binding Accord held thou- in a precarious state ... have been doubly sands of inspections and banned unsafe REUTERS impacted during the pandemic. They need factories from supplying its signatory buy- A file photo shows protesters taking part in a Labour Day rally in Dhaka, Bangladesh. relief,” ActionAid said.

C M Y K SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Indian hospitals turn away ASEAN leaders Avalanche kills eight Indians near China border demand Myanmar coup NEW DELHI: At least eight workers patients in Covid-19 ‘tsunami’ were killed and hundreds were res- cued after an avalanche struck a Experts say India became complacent in winter, when cases seemed to be under control. remote Himalayan region near the leaders end killings China border in northern India, offi- cials said Saturday. Six people were in critical condition in hospital after ASSOCIATED PRESS Min Aung Hlaing but did not address authorities used helicopters to JAKARTA, APRIL 24 him as Myanmar’s head of state in the retrieve trapped workers in Chamoli summit. Critics have said ASEAN’s district of Uttarakhand state. The Southeast Asian leaders demanded an decision to meet him was unaccept- avalanche is believed to have been immediate end to killings and the able and amounted to legitimizing the triggered by glacier collapse in the release of political detainees in overthrow and the deadly crackdown Himalayas late Friday, two months Myanmar in an emergency summit that followed. after a devastating glacial burst in with its top general and coup leader Rights watchdog Amnesty the same region left more than 200 on Saturday in the Indonesian capital, International urged Indonesia and dead. The Chamoli district chief said Indonesian President Joko Widodo other ASEAN states to investigate Min rescue and relief operations were said. Aung Hlaing over “credible allegations continuing in the remote Niti Valley, The leaders of the Association of of responsibility for crimes against close to the China border. Southeast Asian Nations also told humanity in Myanmar.” As a state Senior Gen Min Aung Hlaing during party to a UN convention against tor- the talks in Jakarta that a dialogue ture, Indonesia has a legal obligation to Israel and Palestinians clash on between contending parties in prosecute or extradite a suspected per- Myanmar should immediately start, petrator on its territory, it said. Gaza border as Jerusalem Widodo said. “The Myanmar crisis triggered by Ramadan violence flares “The situation in Myanmar is unac- the military presents ASEAN with the JERUSALEM: Palestinian militants in ceptable and should not continue. biggest test in its history,” said the Gaza Strip fired dozens of rockets Violence must be stopped, democracy, Emerlynne Gil of the London-based into Israel on Saturday drawing retal- stability and peace in Myanmar must rights group. “This is not an internal iatory air strikes, the Israeli military be returned immediately,” Widodo matter for Myanmar but a major said, after nightly Ramadan clashes said during the meeting. “The inter- human rights and humanitarian cri- between Palestinians and Israeli ests of the people of Myanmar must sis which is impacting the entire police had resumed in Jerusalem. always be the priority.” region and beyond.” The pre-dawn exchange of fire broke Daily shootings by police and sol- Indonesian police dispersed dozens months of relative quiet on the Israel- diers since the February 1 coup have of protesters opposing the coup and Gaza frontier, though it did not killed more than 700 mostly peaceful the junta leader’s visit. appear to signal a wider escalation protesters and bystanders, according More than 4,300 police have fanned after the military said it was not to several independent tallies. out across the Indonesian capital to imposing any safety restrictions on It was not immediately clear if and secure the meetings, held under strict Israelis living near the border. how Min Aung Hlaing responded to safeguards amid the pandemic. the blunt messages. It was the first Indonesia has reported the highest time he traveled out of Myanmar number of Covid-19 infections and China to hold talks on building since the coup, which was followed by deaths in Southeast Asia. the arrests of Aung San Suu Kyi and The leaders of Thailand and the asteroid defence system many other political leaders. Philippines skipped the summit to BEIJING: China will hold discussion on Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno deal with coronavirus outbreaks back building a defence system against Marsudi expressed hopes on the eve of home. Laos, which has the least num- near-earth asteroids, a senior space AP/RSS the summit that “we can reach an ber of infections in the region but this agency official said on Saturday, as Multiple funeral pyres of victims of Covid-19 burn at a ground that has been converted into a crematorium for mass cremation in New Delhi. agreement on the next steps that can week imposed a lockdown, also can- the country steps up efforts towards help the people of Myanmar get out of celled at the last minute. The face-to- realizing its longer term space ambi- REUTERS Crematoriums across Delhi said they demic that is waning in many other this delicate situation.” face summit is the first by ASEAN tions. Zhang Kejian, head of China NEW DELHI, APRIL 24 were full up and asked grieving fami- countries. Following the coup, ASEAN, leaders in more than a year. National Space Administration, lies to wait. The federal government had through its current chair Brunei, ASEAN’s diversity, including the didn’t provide any further details in Overwhelmed hospitals in India Hospitals in Delhi have gone to the declared it had beaten back the coro- issued a statement that did not expect- divergent ties of many of its members his opening remarks at a ceremony begged for oxygen supplies on city’s high court this week seeking it navirus in February. edly condemn the power grab but to either China or the United States, for China’s space day in the eastern Saturday as the country’s coronavirus to order the state and federal govern- Health experts said India became urged “the pursuance of dialogue, rec- along with a bedrock policy of non-in- city of Nanjing. China has made infections soared again overnight in a ments to make emergency arrange- complacent in the winter, when new onciliation and the return to normal- terference in each other’s domestic space exploration a top priority in “tsunami” of disease, setting a new ments for medical supplies, mainly cases were running at about 10,000 cy in accordance with the will and affairs and deciding by consensus, has recent years, aiming to establish a world record for cases for the third oxygen. a day and seemed to be under control. interests of the people of Myanmar.” hobbled the bloc’s ability to rapidly programme operating thousands of consecutive day. “It’s a tsunami. How are we trying Authorities lifted restrictions, Amid Western pressure, however, the deal with crises. space flights a year and carrying tens Max Healthcare, which runs to build capacity?” the Delhi high allowing for the resumption of big regional group has struggled to take a Aside from Myanmar, the regional of thousands of tonnes of cargo and a network of hospitals in north court asked the state and federal gov- gatherings. more forceful position on issues but bloc groups Brunei, Cambodia, passengers by 2045. It signed a memo- India, tweeted that it had less than ernments in response to this plea. Others said that it could also be a has kept to its non-confrontational Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the randum of understanding last month two hours of oxygen left while Fortis Television showed families tending more dangerous variant of the virus approach. Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and with Russia to set up an international Healthcare, another big chain, said to the sick in hospital corridors and coursing through India. It is the All ASEAN states agreed to meet Vietnam. lunar research station. (AGENCIES) it was suspending new admissions streets as they waited for medical world’s second most populous country in Delhi. attention. and people live in close proximity, “We are running on backup, One man identified as Amit who often six to a room. waiting for supplies since morning,” was grieving for his brother at Delhi’s “While complacency in adhering to Fortis said. Jaipur Golden hospital said he had masks and physical distancing India is in the grip of a rampaging seen families running around with might have played a role, it seems Indonesia navy second wave of the pandemic, hitting oxygen cylinders trying to get them increasingly likely that this second a rate of one Covid-19 death in just refilled. wave has been fuelled by a much under every four minutes in Delhi as “You can’t leave me in the lurch,” more virulent strain,” wrote Vikram declares lost sub the capital’s underfunded health sys- a lawyer appearing for the Patel, Professor of Global Health at tem buckles. Jaipur Golden hospital told the high Harvard Medical School, in the Indian sunk, all 53 The government has deployed mili- court on Saturday, seeking its inter- Express. tary planes and trains to get oxygen vention. Experts say the only way India can to Delhi from the far corners of the The court asked the government to turn the tide is to ramp up vaccina- aboard dead country and overseas including ensure supplies, as well to make secu- tions and impose strict lockdowns in Singapore. rity arrangements for medical centres the so-called red zones of high infec- ASSOCIATED PRESS The number of cases across amid people’s desperation. tion. It has opened up the immunisa- BANYUWANGI, APRIL 24 the country of around 1.3 billion “We know how people react, let’s tion programme to all adults but faces rose overnight by 346,786, the not have a law and order situation,” a shortage. Indonesia’s navy on Saturday declared Health Ministry said, for a total of the court said in its direction to the India is currently using the its missing submarine had sunk and 16.6 million cases, including 189,544 authorities. AstraZeneca shot and homegrown cracked open, killing 53 crew mem- deaths. India surpassed the US record Covaxin. It has also approved Russia’s bers aboard, after finding items from Covid-19 deaths rose by 2,624 over of 297,430 single-day infections any- Sputnik V and has urged Pfizer AP/RSS the vessel over the past two days. the past 24 hours, the highest daily where in the world on Thursday, mak- Moderna and Johnson and Johnson to Activists demonstrate against military coup in Myanmar near the Association of Southeast Military chief Hadi Tjahjanto said rate for the country so far. ing it the global epicentre of a pan- provide it with vaccines. Asian Nations Secretariat ahead of a leaders’ meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday. the presence of an oil slick as well as debris near the site where the subma- rine’s last dive on Wednesday off the island of Bali were clear proof the KRI Nanggala 402 sank. Indonesia ear- lier considered the vessel to be only One billion Covid jabs: A pin-prick of hope for humanity ‘Landmark’ missing. Navy Chief Yudo Margono told a cells and effectively turns them into Nekia Griffin, a 46-year-old medical press conference in Bali, “If it’s an vaccine-making factories. administrator and Harry Potter fan, advance as malaria explosion, it will be in pieces. The “Normally, it takes five to 10 years told AFP her trip to Universal Studios cracks happened gradually in some to produce a new vaccine,” European in California was her “first real out- parts when it went down from 300 Commission President Ursula von der ing” since last spring. “To get a piece vaccine first to hit meters to 400 meters to 500 meters ... If Leyen told the European Parliament of that magic is just, it’s indescriba- there was an explosion, it would be in February. “We did it in 10 months. ble. It’s just so wonderful to be back.” heard by the sonar.” This is a huge scientific success.” But it has been far from plain sail- WHO goal The navy previously said it believes With clinical trials showing efficacy ing. The scramble for vaccines has the submarine sank to a depth of 600- of up to 95 percent, attention turned to seen ugly political spats, with China AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE 700 metres, much deeper than its col- the logistical nightmare of producing, and Russia accused of “vaccine diplo- LONDON, APRIL 24 lapse depth of 200 metres, at which storing, delivering and administering macy” by offering home-made jabs to point water pressure would be greater the vaccine—in theory to everyone on strategic allies. A new malaria vaccine has proven 77 than the hull could withstand. Earth who wanted it. Britain and the EU became percent effective in trials on infants, The cause of the disappearance was Rollout was sluggish in many coun- embroiled in an unseemly post-Brexit British researchers said on Friday, in still uncertain. The navy had previ- tries, but faced with a life-or-death row over access to vaccines and the what could prove to be a potential ously said an electrical failure could race against time, some deployed crea- bloc came under fire for a shambolic game-changer against the deadly mos- have left the submarine unable to exe- tive logistical solutions, turning start to the vaccine rollout. quito-borne disease. cute emergency procedures to resur- cathedrals, iconic sports stadiums, “Getting these vaccines into the In a clinical trial in Burkina Faso, face. Margono said that in the past two and theme parks into emergency vac- arms of billions of people is now the the Matrix-M vaccine—developed by days, searchers found parts of a torpe- cination centres. most pressing challenge for the inter- the University of Oxford’s Jenner do straightener, a grease bottle France turned a velodrome into a national community. This is, in a man- Institute—was found to be 77 percent believed to be used to oil the peri- vaccino-drome. Venice created the ner of speaking, the ‘new arms race’,” effective after 450 infants inoculated scope, debris from prayer rugs and a AFP/RSS vaccination vaporetto. Hard-hit according to The Soufan Center, a in 2019 were followed up for a year, broken piece from a coolant pipe that Vials of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson Janssen Covid-19 vaccine in Amsterdam. Britain deployed tens of thousands of research body. the Oxford researchers said in a was refitted on the submarine in vaccine volunteers, dubbed the “jabs And with World Health Organization statement. South Korea in 2012. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE now racing to inoculate as many peo- army”. officials stressing that “no one is safe No serious adverse events were “With the authentic evidence we PARIS, APRIL 24 ple as possible before being over- World leaders from US President until everyone is safe”, there has been reported. It is the first candidate vac- found believed to be from the subma- whelmed by yet another wave of a Joe Biden, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth outrage over the gap between the rich cine for malaria to surpass a target set rine, we have now moved from the ‘sub On December 8, 90-year-old British pandemic that has already killed three and Pope Francis rolled up their world and poorer countries—a “shock- by the UN’s World Health Organization, miss’ phase to ‘sub sunk,’” Margono woman Margaret Keenan, resplendent million people. sleeves to take the shot—although not ing and expanding disparity,” accord- for researchers to create a jab of 75 said at the press conference, in which in her Christmas T-shirt, received the “A year ago I felt myself a young always in front of the cameras—in a ing to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom percent efficacy by 2030. the found items were displayed. Western world’s first Covid vaccina- man, now I am an old man,” said bid to counter public scepticism. Ghebreyesus. A broader “Phase 3” trial involving Margono said rescue teams from tion—a chink of light at the end of the Laszlo Cservak, a 75-year-old Biden told the world “there’s noth- Around half of the doses adminis- 4,800 children will now be carried Indonesia and other countries will tunnel for humanity after a devastat- Hungarian, after his first jab near the ing to worry about” as he received his tered so far have been in high-income out in four African countries, in col- evaluate the findings. He said no bod- ing pandemic year. River Danube. “I horribly miss not shot live on TV. countries accounting for 16 percent of laboration with the Serum Institute of ies have been found so far. Officials Six months on, nearly one billion going to the pool or gym, and travel- The few countries that rolled out a the population. The 29 lowest-income India and the US pharmaceutical previously said the submarine’s oxy- Covid jabs—both first and second ling, so I came here to get liberated vaccine quickly have seen cases and nations have received 0.1 percent, company Novavax. Professor Adrian gen supply would have run out early shots—have been administered global- and my old life back,” added Cservak, deaths fall, with a return to something according to an AFP count. Hill, head of the Jenner Institute— Saturday. ly, according to AFP’s database. reflecting the Covid weariness felt by of a normal life. Politicians and scientists stress that which developed the coronavirus vac- An American reconnaissance plane, The unprecedented inoculation billions worldwide. In Israel, where more than half of vaccination—combined with lock- cine now being distributed worldwide a P-8 Poseidon, landed early Saturday drive is seen as the world’s ticket out In the darkest days of the pandemic, the population is fully vaccinated, downs and social distancing—is the by Anglo-Swedish pharma giant and had been set to join the search, of the coronavirus disaster, despite the idea of rapidly creating, manufac- cases dropped to around 13 per 100,000 only way out of the Covid crisis. But AstraZeneca—said the test results along with 20 Indonesian ships, a concerns about rare side effects, wor- turing and authorising even one effec- people compared to around 650 in poor countries face many years before marked “a great day” in the global sonar-equipped Australian warship ries over supply, and a glaring inequal- tive vaccine against Covid looked far January. Deaths fell by a factor of 10. their populations are vaccinated. fight against malaria. and four Indonesian aircraft. ity between rich and poor. off. But the scientists, aided by public British pubs have reopened their WHO adviser Bruce Aylward said in “We need to build on this, we need Singaporean ships were also expect- With new Covid variants sparking a funding, worked around the clock to beer gardens, Israel dropped mask December: “There is light at the end to keep all our ducks in a row, we need ed Saturday, while Malaysian rescue worrying fresh spike of cases and develop several viable vaccines—the wearing outdoors, and theme parks of the tunnel. There is a bright light at to avoid any safety signal, but I think vessels were due to arrive on Sunday, uncertainty over the vaccines’ effec- first ones using cutting-edge mRNA and theatres have restarted in the the end of it, getting brighter, but it is the odds are now on our side, we can bolstering the underwater hunt. tiveness against them, the planet is technology that hacks into human United States. a long tunnel.” get this through,” he told the PA news.

C M Y K 07 | SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY Nepal thump the Netherlands to clinch maiden T20I title The hosts thrashed the Dutch by 142 runs to register their highest run-margin victory in a T20I after the player-of-the-series Bhurtel scored his fourth half-century of the Series.

SPORTS BUREAU Kushal and Dipendra Singh Airee KATHMANDU, APRIL 24 both played quickfire knocks remain- ing unbeaten. Kushal smashed two Hosts Nepal registered their high- fours and five sixes to score 50 runs est-ever run victory in the Twenty20 off 24 deliveries, Airee cracked five International to clinch their first boundaries and three sixes in his shortest format cricket title after they 18-ball blitz. thumped the Netherlands by 142 runs The Netherlands bowler Philippe in the final of the Tri-Nation Series at Boissevain grabbed two wickets in his the TU cricket grounds in Kirtipur on four over bowling conceding 43 runs. Saturday. Sebastiaan Braat picked one wicket. The hosts gave continuity to their Chasing the big target, the Dutch solid performance with bat as they side came under pressure from the amassed a mammoth total of 238-3 beginning and kept on losing wickets after being put into bat and restricted in regular intervals. Opener Max the Dutch side to 96 runs in 17.2 overs. O’Dowd captain Pieter Seelaar and The home team collected 81 runs in lower middle order Sebastiaan Braat the last five overs to surpass their pre- were the only batsmen for the Dutch vious highest total of 236 runs against team to reach double digit figures. Bhutan in December 2019 in South Opener O’Dowd scored 20 off 19 Asian Games (SAG). before he was bowled by medium It was the highest T20I total at the pacer Karan KC. Seelaar contributed TU grounds and also the biggest run 13 off 12 and he was also bowled by margin victory for Nepal. The home KC. Braat remained not out on 26 runs team had previously defeated Bhutan facing 27 deliveries. by 141 runs. Unlike Nepal, the Dutch KC was the pick of Nepal’s bowling, team also suffered their biggest run claiming three wickets in his three- defeat as they have previously gone over spell. He conceded 11 runs. Leg down by 115 runs against Scotland in spinner Sandeep Lamichhane and 2018. It was also the first victory for Kamal Airee bagged two wickets team Nepal at home turf after 11 years POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA apiece while Abinash Bohara pocket- who had previously won the World Members of Nepal national cricket team pose with the trophy as they celebrate after winning the Tri-Nation T20 International Series at the TU cricket ground in Kirtipur on Saturday. ed one. Cricket League Division 5 in 2010. Lamichhane gave away 26 runs in Opener Kushal Bhurtel, who sixth highest T20I scorer for Nepal. throughout the tournament was quite after his opening partner Aasif Captain Gyanendra Malla was anoth- his four-over bowling while Airee con- marked his T20I debut in the tourna- “It is a good feeling that we won the impressive. “We played positive crick- Sheikh was dismissed for 16 runs from er batsman to play remarkable innings ceded 22 runs in his four over haul. ment opener, crossed half century trophy after a long time at home et with a different approach. We eight deliveries with 30 runs on board. for Nepal. It was also the first official assign- milestone for the fourth time in five grounds and we were prepared for played with positive intent in batting, He smashed eight fences and three Bhurtel and Malla shared 57-run ment for Nepal’s Australian coach Dav matches of the tournament. The this,” said Bhurtel. “I want to thank bowling and fielding and the wicket sixes before he was caught by Pieter stand for the second wicket before the Whatmore who was appointed to the 25-year-old crowned player-of-the-se- my coach and captain that they trust- was also favorable,” said Malla. Seelaar off Philippe Boissevain in 15.5 captain was dismissed for 33 off 19. He hot seat in December last year. “The ries also put aside Nepal’s long strug- ed me and I delivered. My ambition “Winning the game as captain when overs. cracked three fences and two sixes. way which the boys won was a bit of a gle with openers. Bhurtel scored a was to give a good start because we the whole team performs is always Kushal Malla also reached his first Bhurtel and Kushal Malla shared surprise. It seemed that they saved total of 278 runs in the five innings of have good finishers in the team.” sweet. The young players have grabbed T20I half century remaining unbeaten 76-run partnership for the third wick- their best game for the last match. The the tournament facing 198 balls. The Nepal’s skipper Gyanendra Malla the opportunity very well.” while Dipendra Singh Airee played a et before the former was caught by Netherlands are a good team and such tournament debutant also became the said that the way his side played Bhurtel scored 77 runs off 53 overs crucial knock of not out 48 runs. Seelaar off Bas de Braat in 15.4 overs. type of results happen some time.” Kathmandu beat Lalitpur in Nepal Super League opener Newcastle hold Liverpool 1-1

SPORTS BUREAU Lalitpur came close to levelling the REUTERS minute when Willock found the net KATHMANDU, APRIL 24 score in the 76th minute when Ranjan LIVERPOOL, APRIL 24 for the third league match in a row Bista released Nuzlan Zahid inside the with virtually the last kick of the Kathmandu Rayzrs defeated Lalitpur box but Kathmandu captain and goal- Newcastle United substitute Joe match. City FC 1-0 as the Nepal Super ie Bikesh Kuthu was quick to inter- Willock equalised in the dying sec- Earlier on Friday, an own goal by League—the country’s first ever fran- vene. onds of stoppage time to earn his side Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno gave chise football league, kicked off at the Ranjan then chipped the ball over a precious point in a 1-1 draw away at Everton a 1-0 win at the Emirates, gift- Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwar the defenders in the way of captain Liverpool on Saturday that dented the ing the Toffees three valuable points on Saturday. Anjan Bista in the 90th but his header home side’s Champions League quali- in their quest for European football Messouke Oloumou scored the win- was cleared by Bishwas Udas inside fication hopes. next season and damaging the home ner in the second half as Kathmandu the six yard box. Liverpool had opened the scoring at side’s own hopes. held on to the lead to make a winning Lalitpur pushed for an equaliser in Anfield inside three minutes when Leno bundled Richarlison’s low start. the dying minutes of the added time. Newcastle defender Ciaran Clark cross into the net in the 76th minute to Stephane Binong, who had rattled Goalkeeper Karki sent a flying free failed to clear a cross, allowing for- decide the game. the bar at the half-hour mark, sent a kick inside the Kathmandu area ward Mohamed Salah to control the Calum Chambers and Ceballos went rocket from outside the box which was which Anjan headed but the ball hit ball and fire a left-footed half-volley close for Arsenal before Richarlison stopped by Lalitpur goalkeeper Arpan the post. into the roof of the net. skipped past Granit Xhaka to the Karki but the ball rebounded and fell Biratnagar City FC will meet But despite dominating the ball pos- byline and sent a low cross into the onto the path of unmarked Ooumou, Dhangadhi FC while Lumbini session and making 22 attempts on six-yard box, which Leno misjudged who gave Karki no chance. FC will take on Pokhara Thunders on goal, Liverpool failed to extend their and steered between his own legs and Binong also came close to scoring in Sunday. advantage. into the net. the 58th minute when Lalitpur defend- A total of seven teams are partici- Newcastle forward Callum Wilson It was Everton’s first win at Arsenal er Gaurav Budhathoki failed to clear a pating in the league that will run until had a strike ruled out for offside in the since 1996 and condemned the cross from man-of-the-match Sanjok May 8. The winners of the league will 90th minute but Steve Bruce’s side Gunners to a seventh home defeat of Rai inside the box but Binong flashed bag a purse of Rs3.5 million while the POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA continued to pile on the pressure. the season, their worst record since wide. runners-up will get Rs1.5 million. Kathmandu Rayzrs’ Messouke Oloumou (left) celebrates after scoring against Lalitpur City. They were rewarded in the 95th the 1992-93 season. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Try as you might, you have to deal with some mental Sunday’s skies remind you not to overextend your- The universe is making you mindful of your own Keep your ear to the ground, Capricorn. You may be blockages that still seem to be standing in your way. self and to make sure your own foundation is secure needs today. The moon’s presence in your sign helps receiving important news or revelations concerning Messenger Mercury squares off to heavy-handed before providing to others. Fortunately, Mercury’s you focus on self-care, while her trine to stabilise your creative personal endeavors or romantic flings, Saturn this afternoon, creating formidable commu- union with Venus helps you gain sweet support from Saturn helps you deal head on with creative issues or as messenger Mercury squares off with your ruling nication issues. friendships. romantic rumblings. planet, stabilising Saturn.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Your ruling planet receives a visit from news-bring- Sunday’s skies present a few more cosmic knots to Messenger Mercury locks into a square with Today’s skies witness the clashing square between ing Mercury. This may bring stress between your untangle.This aspect can make for a heavy mental wall-building Saturn, cropping up a variety of men- messenger Mercury and your ruling planet. This personal needs and your career’s demands. atmosphere, but it’s one that can be used to form a tal blockages that need sorting out. These tensions connection highlights the divide between the reality Thankfully, the Libra moon’s meeting helps Saturn more practical approach to getting ahead with your are likely to emerge around relationship matters and of your home life and the personal, developmental stabilise things on the work front. ambitions. long-term goals. aspects of your life as an individual.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Your ruling planet, messenger Mercury, squares off Your ruling planet squares off with cautious Saturn. Sunday’s skies witness the mentally frustrating Sunday’s skies present yet another obstruction to with pessimistic Saturn. This connection is likely to This pairing can feel mentally draining and can square between communicator Mercury and limit- face, as communicator Mercury squares off with stir up a variety of self-confidence issues, putting you place tough conversations or realisations in your ing Saturn. This may further highlight mental ten- cautionary Saturn. This pairing can feel mentally face-to-face with your own limiting beliefs around path, specifically regarding your identity and career sions on the work and communication front and can draining and may bring serious conversations to the your potential. potential. press you to face difficult conversations. table. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K SUNDAY, APRIL 25, 2021 | 08 BLACKBOARD (C.R.P.D.)—3/052/053 In the caravan The power of quietness SAPANA GAUTAM

I am a young lad While the world is too busy polishing their rhetorical skills, introverts are in their own world, comfortable in the quietness. with a caravan full of dreams Many opinions and thoughts inhabit inside me

I guess my goals are evergreen I wake up with the intention to do better every day My strength is deciduous sometimes but I recapture it by watching motivational speeches by inspirational figures

My mind is a big TV screen many motion pictures of always play.

I have the intention and need to mould myself into good shape I have the plan to stitch myself towards my goals

Laziness sometimes distracts me from my ambitions But I always get back on track Because I know I have a caravn of dreams to pursue.

Gautam is a class 12 student at Kathmandu University High School.

UNSPALSH SUSMITA ARYAL claims that if one does not master the collaborators in meetings and discus- find introverts not that way just art of tact and speaking, they will be sions for more plans. Yes, it’s true that because their approach is different. t has been a while that I have outperformed by those who do. most quiet people like to get in their Instead of letting introverts find fault thought about writing on this The theory of boldness and confi- own zone, taking a long time for pro- or self-doubt in themselves, it is the issue. But every time I have held dence is different for different people, cessing things out, but it doesn’t mean responsibility of all to understand a pen in my hand to start, some- but if a person is outspoken, he is they are deliberately seeking loneli- them and inspire them on how they thing or the other has held me instantly valued as a leader; while on ness. Yes, it’s true that they have to be want to live their lives and what they back. the other hand, if the person is quiet, dragged to parties or to hang out with want to do in life. II didn’t want to write again until the the validation is often undermined as peers, but that doesn’t mean that they While the world is too busy to polish time I came across the novel ‘Quiet’, they being ‘mellow’ or something is are purposely anti-social or are refus- their rhetorical skills, introverts are by Susan Cain, and realised what amiss with them. As skills like being ing to fit themselves into societal in their own world, comfortable in the keeping ‘quiet’ can really mean. The outspoken is valued more, it is really norms. quietness around them. phenomenon of quietness has been hard for quiet people to put them- Quiet people are quiet whether in I often wonder how the world we perceived as something marked as selves out there. They get overlooked. school or offices. Quiet people find live in today would be if all stayed lonely. But it is not so. themselves at odds with the chitchats cool, relaxed and still—like introverts. And this very misconception of qui- of social life but they are capable of I think the world would be saner, more etness marks the discrepancy between The society only more than what we deem for them to beautiful and more tranquil by keep- the relationships of what introverts be. A recent study done by the ing quiet, if people truly begin to and extroverts are like and sets the values forwardness, University of Surrey (2017) claims understand things without even limit to how much one can perform or that there is no such thing as introver- speaking. It would be our future’s loss carry themselves off with. leadership, and sion or extroversion. When it comes to if we fail to do so. So, next time, when The modern world we live in is a introversion or extroversion, there is we want to be vocal about the matter, perfect arena for outspokenness. The confidence. no distinct binary field. They are just we must be willing to accept that the society we live in only values forward- a spectrum of how some people are student who doesn’t raise their hand ness, leadership, and confidence in the Quiet people most of the time find it likely to fall in more sides than to the or the person who loves reading a workplace. The proverb in Nepali difficult to flip their mind switch and other. The differences lie in how much book on a couch alone is choosing to ‘Bolne ko pitho pani bikchha, nabolne become social when they head out. we validate these kinds of theories. be that way—and that it is okay. ko ta chamal pani bikadaina’, which They might struggle to get on their The realm of loneliness is different means the one who can speak elo- ‘work’ mode from switching off their and is based on our own perception. Aryal is a Bachelor’s student of quently can sell his flour while the one quiet bed or curling up with some Extroverts may seem to be persuasive English Literature and Journalism at who can’t talk can’t even sell his rice, book on a couch to interacting with when they speak but it’s our fault to St Xavier’s College, Kathmandu. UNSPLASH

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