WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 30 | 10 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 34.5 C 3.5 C Saturday, March 20, 2021 | 07-12-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla As Janata Samajbadi rift grows, so does uncertainty over new coalition formation While the Thakur-Mahato faction of Janata Samajbadi Party supports Oli, the Yadav-Bhattarai faction wants to join hands with the Congress and the Maoist Centre.

ANIL GIRI chair, and Bhattarai, president of the KATHMANDU, MARCH 19 party’s federal council, are against it. They are in favour of joining hands The possibility of plum ministerial with the Nepali Congress and the portfolios if it joins government—as Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist the key to Prime Minister KP Sharma Centre) to form the government. Oli’s bid to continue in power—has With its 32 votes in the House of apparently created a deep division Representatives (two of its 34 members within the Janata Samajbadi Party. are suspended), the Samajbadi Party is On Thursday top Janata Samajbadi the kingmaker. Party leaders, including Mahantha While officially the Maoist Centre Thakur and Rajendra Mahato, held continues to support the government a meeting in Kathmandu and formed as the incumbent Oli-led government a six-member task force to ‘settle was formed in February 2018 with its the outstanding issues’ of the unifica- backing, the Maoist-Centre could with- tion between Rastriya Janata Party draw support. Nepal and Samajbadi Party Nepal In that case, Oli would need just 16 to form the Janata Samajbadi Party in more votes to survive and the Rastriya April last year. Janata Party Nepal faction could On Friday it was the turn of provide that. That would mean that POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI leaders of the former Samajbadi Janata Samajbadi Party splits. A man carves the wood used in the chariot drawn during Bisket Jatra at Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The week-long Bisket Jatra, celebrated in Party Nepal, formed in May 2019 But leaders say the party is not Bhaktapur next month, marks the Nepali New Year and is the only festival that does not follow the lunar calendar as other Nepali festivals do. with a merger between Sanghiya going to split and it will make an The festival commences after a special tantric ritual in the Bhairab temple in Taumadhi Tole of Bhaktapur. Samajbadi Forum Nepal led by appropriate decision on government Upendra Yadav and the Naya formation when the time comes. Shakti Party led by former prime “For any new power sharing deal, minister Baburam Bhattarai to we are the decisive factor but we are hold its own meeting. not divided,” said Raj Kishore Yadav, a In a bid to boost While Thakur, chair of Janata leader of Janata Samajbadi Party. Rise in tiger numbers may Samajbadi Party, and Mahato, its “We are not going to split and will senior leader, are in favour of take an appropriate decision when tourism, Nepal lifts joining the Oli government, time comes.” Upendra Yadav, another party >> Continued on page 2 quarantine need for be good news but people vaccinated tourists in Bardiya live in terror Others visiting Nepal Nine people have been killed since July, three in March must stay in mandatory alone. Authorities say the victims had gone to the forest quarantine for a minimum for fodder but tigers are seen in human settlements too. of seven days upon arrival.

SANGAM PRASAIN KATHMANDU, MARCH 19

Nepal has removed quarantine requirements for visitors who have got both doses of Covid-19 vaccine, a move aimed at boosting pandemic-de- pressed travel and tourism business. Tourism Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal told the Post on Friday that the decision to remove quarantine require- ments for such foreign tourists was taken by Thursday’s Cabinet meeting. “The new guideline to visit Nepal will be implemented soon,” said Dhakal. Last week, the Tourism Ministry had proposed removing quarantine requirements for travellers who have received both doses of the vaccine and resume the on-arrival visa at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan PHOTO COURTESY: BARDIYA NATIONAL PARK International Airport. In the past few days authorities have captured two tigers that killed people. It is, however, not clear whether the Cabinet has approved the ministry’s CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL est victim of tiger attack. She was plan to resume issuing on-arrival KATHMANDU, MARCH 19 killed on Tuesday. According to park visas at the airport. officials, she was killed deep inside Taranath Adhikari, spokesperson Santa Kumar Shah has been living in the protected area where she had gone for the Tourism Ministry, said that constant fear for the last few months. to collect fiddlehead ferns. they were yet to receive a copy of the He has reason to. Three other people who had accom- Cabinet decision. A tiger has been regularly seen panied Rawat managed to flee. “We will make the details public prowling near his house in Bhagraiya On March 10, another woman was once we receive the copy of the deci- of Madhuwan Municipality, Bardiya. killed. Renuka Sunar, 27, of Kothiaghat sion,” Adhikari told the Post. “As per “I cannot gather the courage to in Madhuwan Municipality, too had the proposal, tourists coming to Nepal walk even in broad daylight,” said gone to a community forest adjoining have to submit documentation or Shah, 57. “Tigers have been attacking the protected area to collect fodder. cards as proof that they have been locals during the day.” Of the nine tiger attack victims, vaccinated. With no market nearby, he has to go four were women. Many countries have termed docu- to Orali Bazaar, a few kilometres away, “On Tuesday, women had gone ments of immunisation against Covid- even to buy daily essentials. inside the park which is an illegal 19 as vaccine passports. Some coun- It is not just Shah who is scared. activity as trespassing is not allowed tries have rolled out digital passports Most of the people living near Bardiya there,” said Ashim Thapa, informa- as well so as to facilitate travelling. National Park and the adjacent forest tion officer of the Bardiya National The trade group for global airlines, areas are too. Park. “Even earlier, such deaths were the International Air Transport Sudhan Tharu gets restless until reported from forest areas.” Association, is testing a version it calls her children return home from school. Before the two incidents within the Travel Pass. IBM has already devel- “I keep waiting for them to return span of a week, 62-year-old Lal oped a Digital Health Pass that is being home as soon as they leave for school Bahadur Chaudhary of Kalabanjar, trialled in the US as a health passport, in the morning,” said Tharu. “People Rajapur Municipality was killed in capturing Covid-19 test results, temper- have not been going even to each oth- Nawaranga Bajhpur Community ature scans and vaccine records. er’s places after sunset.” Forest, adjacent to Bardiya National There are several other private-sec- Communities around the national Park, where he had taken his cattle for tor initiatives globally to launch vac- park and adjoining forests have seen grazing, on March 1. cine passports to provide a safe way several tiger attacks, leaving local res- In January, a tiger from Bardiya for people to travel. idents dead and injured. National Park snatched 52-year-old Spokesperson and joint-secretary In this fiscal year alone, nine people Nandakala Thapa off a moving motor- Adhikari said that non-vaccinated have been killed in different parts of cycle while she was riding pillion with tourists entering Nepal have to submit Bardiya district, causing widespread her son at night time along the a negative polymerase chain reaction fear among local residents. Amreni-Chisapani stretch of East- (PCR) report. The report must show But park officials say that tiger West Highway that traverses the park. the test was conducted 72 hours prior attacks have occurred only in those In late October, a man in his late to their departure from the country of areas that fall under the park’s juris- fifties was killed by a tiger in Geruwa origin. diction—core areas of the park and Rural Municipality. Before that, in the As per the proposal, visitors have to buffer zone—and in areas that fall same month, two men from Madhuwan do another PCR test after arrival, and within the scope of Division Forest Municipality lost their lives in tiger before heading to their respective des- Office, Bardiya. attacks within a few hours in tinations in Nepal. Dalli Rawat, 62, of Mohnapur, Beljhundi Community Forest. >> Continued on page 2 Thakurbaba Municipality, was the lat- >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL As Janata Samajbadi rift ... >> Continued from page 1 House of Representatives. On Wednesday too, senior leaders On the other hand, the Samajbadi from the former Rastriya Janata Party Party Nepal faction is, in principle, Nepal had held a similar meeting to against joining hands with Oli as the discuss the future strategy of the party had called Oli’s move “undemo- Thakur-Mahato faction. cratic and unconstitutional” after he Ironically, the merger of the dissolved the House on December 20. Rastriya Janata Party Nepal and “Both RJPN and SPN had 17 parlia- Samajbadi Party Nepal last April was mentarians each and if Thakur and hastened by Oli’s issuing two ordi- Mahato decide to support Oli, then the nances–one related to the Political number [who support Oli] could even Parties Act-2017 which sought to ease reach 25,” said a leader from the rival provisions related to party split and Bhattarai-Yadav faction on condition registration of a new party. Fearing of anonymity. “Then Oli will bring a party split after introduction of the law, which is already drafted, to facili- ordinance, the leaders of the two par- tate party split in a way for them to ties had come together and abruptly revive the RJP-N.” formed the Janata Samajbadi Party. Given that the Janata Samajbadi The ordinances itself were withdrawn Party is the kingmaker in the current after widespread opposition to it. power equation, even if there is a It is the outstanding issues of party chance of forming a government by unification that the six-member task an alliance of Nepali Congress having force is said to be mandated to look 63 seats (two suspended), Maoist into. Centre with 53 seats and Samajbadi “Earlier, we were not able to do Party with 34 seats (two suspended), enough homework to finish the party the Janata Samajbadi is likely to split, unity and so we are working to com- with the Thakur and Mahato faction plete the remaining task of unifica- unlikely to join such an alliance, tion between us and the Samajbadi according to another leader. Party,” Keshav Jha, a member of the Former prime minister Bhattarai task force, told the Post. and Yadav are in close contact of “Our merger has not been complet- Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre ed so both sides—RJPN and SPN—are leaders for forming a new government conducting parallel activities and led by Congress President Sher there are clearly two factions in the Bahadur Deuba, leaders privy to party. This is known to every active developments said. member of the party,” a leader from “Since the Nepali Congress has not the former Samajbadi Party Nepal taken an official decision on leading a said on condition of anonymity. new coalition government, how can POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR But within the party, there are sus- we lend our support to it?” Samajbadi Actor Rajesh Hamal and Kantipur Television station head Dinesh DC at the launch of Kantipur Cineplex HD, a channel dedicated to films, in Kathmandu on Friday. picions about the intent of the task Party lawmaker Mohammad Ishtiyaq force. Rayi told the Post. “It is true that we “Although the mandate of the task have two different political lines in the force is said to identify the agenda of party but we are also waiting for a the party merger but its intent is to formal response from the Congress revive the dissolved RJP-N,” one for- and Maoist Centre to our agendas.” Butwal-Narayanghat road expansion mer Rastriya Janata Party leader told Its demands for amendment to the the Post. But according to Jha, the constitution and the release of intent is not to revive the former Chaudhary are complex as it is not Rastriya Janata Party. clear how that can be done without a Meanwhile, Bhattarai has spoken to consensus among all political actors. project stares at delay Mahato to bridge the differences in The amendment needs a two-thirds the party, according to a leader close to majority and Chaudhary has been Bhattarai. convicted by court. Work to expand the two-lane road to six lanes began two years ago, but only a fraction has been completed. Talks between the Thakur and But with its position as the most Mahato faction and Oli have been important power player in the present NARAYAN SHARMA the Butwal-Narayanghat road—48km Narayanghat section has also become ing contract manager of the China going on a number of key demands of scenario, the Samajbadi Party is a NAWALPARASI (EAST), MARCH 19 Daunne-Gaidakot section and 66-km accident-prone due to poor visibility State Construction Engineering the Janata Samajbadi Party such as divided house. Daunne-Butwal section. caused by dust clouds kicked up by Corporation, to ask about the the release of its lawmaker Resham “If we observe the developments, The Butwal-Narayanghat road expan- “The expansion work of the road passing vehicles. The condition is par- road’s expansion and maintenance Chaudhary, who is serving a life sen- things are not going well inside the sion project has failed to gain momen- has been delayed due to the negligence ticularly poor along the Daunne road works but he was not available for tence for his involvement in the 2015 JSP,” said Tula Narayan Shah, an ana- tum since its initiation two years ago. of the Chinese contractor company. stretch between Dumkibas and comment. Tikapur riots in which nine people lyst who has been closely following According to road project officials, the We have been requesting the contrac- Bardaghat, as it takes more than three “The local residents have been were killed, release of the report of Madhesi politics for a long time. “It delay in the road expansion work has tor to speed up the work but they have hours for vehicles to pass through the requesting the authorities to spray the Lal Commission on the atrocities looks like both factions are struggling been caused due to the contractor’s not been very responsive to our 14km stretch. water on the road to control dust pol- that took place during the Madhesh to stay together.” negligence. request,” said Hari Acharya, an engi- “The contractor had agreed to spray lution. But the contractor did not even movement in 2015-16 and constitution- “The fate of JSP is instrumental for In February 2019, the Department neer of the Daunne-Gaidakot road sec- water on the road section to control listen to the request of the District al amendments. the future of the Oli government. Oli of Roads had signed an agreement tion of the project. dust pollution. But they are not doing Administration Office,” said Dambar The Thakur and Mahato faction has is the primary factor inside the JSP with China State Construction In the first phase, the contractor so. Normal life has been affected in Bahadur GC, chairman of Binayi been saying that Oli is positive now. If the Maoist Centre withdraws Engineering Corporation to imple- had started the construction work of Daunne and other bazaar areas Tribeni Rural Municipality. towards addressing the demands of its support to the government, it is ment the road project. As per the plan, 250 bridges along the Daunne- because of dust pollution,” said The government has allocated the Janata Samajbadi Party, an indica- sure Oli will rope in the JSP and sur- the existing two-lane road has to be Gaidakot road section and 150 Acharya, adding that the project had Rs16.99 billion, of which 85 percent tion that it is not averse to supporting vive. In that case, the Janata Samajbadi upgraded to six lanes within the next bridges along the Daunne-Butwal also notified the Prime Minister’s will be covered by loan assistance Oli in case there is a no-confidence will split,” said Shah. “If the Nepali four years. road section. Office and other concerned ministries from the Asian Development Bank, motion against him or the Maoist Congress and the Maoist Centre form The contractor had initiated the Since the initiation of the road about the matter. for the road expansion work along the Centre withdraws its support and Oli the government too, the JSP is likely construction work in two sections of expansion project, the Butwal- The Post tried to contact Chen, act- 114km Butwal-Narayanghat stretch. has to seek a vote of confidence in the to be divided.” In a bid to Rise in tiger numbers may be good news but people in Bardiya live ...

>> Continued from page 1 the problem-causing tigers has been displacement of some tigers to the boost tourism, This spike in deaths of late from difficult, as four different tigers were forest periphery or nearby human tiger attacks is worrying. According recorded on camera in Khata settlements. to the park’s records in the four years Corridor. “In such a situation, a tiger might Nepal lifts ... up to the fiscal year 2019-20, only six “We had even kept a buffalo calf as look for easy prey, which could be people had been killed and 12 others a bait to capture the tigers, but the cattle or even human beings,” said >> Continued from page 1 injured in tiger attacks. tiger did not show up. Earlier, we had Pokharel Presently, as per the Department of Chiranjibi Pokharel, a wildlife to retract from the area [Khata Such negative interaction between Tourism, prior approval documents expert, says such frequent attacks Corridor] after 12 days,” said wildlife and local communities result required for entry to Nepal are a negative and killing of local residents by Shrestha. “We believe these are dif- in human-wildlife conflict leading to PCR report taken less than 72 hours before tigers are unusual. ferent tigers causing havoc in retaliatory killing of predators. departure, hotel booking for at least “Tigers attacking and killing peo- Bardiya.” Locals often demand that the author- seven days’ quarantine in Nepal and insur- ple inside the park could be normal. As most of these killings have ities kill tigers, claiming that the ance of at least $5,000, per person, against But tigers regularly killing local resi- taken place when the locals have animals have become maneaters. Covid-19. dents and venturing out of its territo- entered the forests for collecting fod- A study in 2014 that investigated Tourists must go into hotel quarantine ry is strange,” said Pokharel, also the der for their cattle or firewood and the incidence and perception of for a minimum of seven days upon their project manager of Central Zoo in taking out their cattle for grazing, human-tiger conflict in the buffer arrival in Nepal. Lalitpur. “It could be either because they have become prone to tiger zone of Bardiya National Park found Tourists are also required to take a PCR tigers are facing some problems or attacks. that the annual loss of livestock test on the fifth day of hotel quarantine at due to the increasing tiger popula- “All these attacks have taken place attributable to tigers was 0.26 ani- their own expense, and they will be allowed tion inside the park.” in the jungle—either community for- mals per household, amounting to a to go on their expedition or trek if they test This is also the assessment of park ests or the park’s core area—but yearly loss of 2 percent of the live- negative. officials. tigers have not taken out anyone stock. Dhananjay Regmi, chief executive “According to our analysis, it is from human settlements,” said While park tigers have only killed officer of Nepal Tourism Board, said that because of the increased number of Acharya. “Women have been people in the forests in recent times, removal of quarantine requirements is, tigers in Bardiya,” said Thapa. “The attacked because they tend to go to they have been entering human set- actually, an announcement that Nepal is victims are those who are living in collect fodder. Likewise, members of tlements frequently, causing fear open and normal now. the buffer zone and are dependent on marginalised groups have died among local communities. “The experience of some of the coun- the forest for resources. They were because they are the ones who live in According to Shrestha, sightings tries shows that the risk of infection from attacked when they entered the forest nearby forest areas and are depend- of tigers have been recorded even vaccinated individuals is very small or despite the risk.” ent on forest resources.” outside the park and tigers have also negligible. We have been through a lot of While Nepal may take pride in the PHOTO OBTAINED BY THE POST It is not a problem limited to attacked livestock after entering vil- pressure in the past 12 months, and we are increase in its tiger population, with There were 87 tigers in Bardiya in 2018, according to the national parks department. Bardiya. Two persons were killed last lages. “Tigers have snatched cattle all hoping for a safe resumption of travel the country set to achieve its target October by tigers in Chitwan forests from sheds, but they have not killed in Nepal.” of doubling the tiger population of Madhuwan Municipality on Saturday “Even local community leaders are where they had gone to collect fodder. any humans there,” said Shrestha. According to Regmi, the Tourism Board 121 in 2009 by 2022, the added risk has prohibited local residents from enter- being made aware so that they can According to Acharya, who is also But villagers are scared. is participating at the 28th edition of South been the increase in conflict between ing Khata Corridor and Samjhana impart the message to others.” an ecologist, tigers should get ade- Villages like Bhagraiya, with near- Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo humans and tigers for resources. Community Forest. The local govern- Other measures taken include quate prey inside their habitat. ly 60 households, of Madhuwan (SATTE), one of the largest travel trade The increase in tiger population in ment barred its residents from enter- installing camera traps to monitor “Since extending their habitat is Municipality are reeling under the shows in the subcontinent, that will be Bardiya National Park has been ing the forest and the corridor to col- the problem-causing tigers. difficult, what can be done is to tiger’s threat the most. For nearly held at India Expo Mart, Delhi on March impressive. There were 87 individual lect fodder and firewood and graze “We have placed cameras where reduce the dependency of local com- seven months, locals have not been 24. This is the first travel event to be held tigers in 2018, a rise from 50 in 2013, their cattle after five individuals Tuesday’s incident took place. We munities on forest products,” said able to walk around or work in their after a year. “We have started formal pro- according to the Department of were killed in separate tiger attack need to identify the tiger before man- Acharya. “Promotion of home-stay fields freely, fearing tiger attack. motional activities abroad after nearly a National Parks and Wildlife incidents in the community forest aging it,” said Bishnu Prasad and other tourism activities as alter- “We never know when a tiger will year,” he said. Conservation. area alone. Shrestha, the chief conservation native enterprises should be done so attack. My home, which is not a con- Nepal’s heavily tourism-based economy Tigers have wandered outside of “Park authorities have been taking officer of Bardiya National Park. “If that they do not have to go to the for- crete one, doesn’t have a toilet struggled in 2020 as the country saw a mas- the protected area earlier too, but initiatives in managing the tigers we identify and locate the tiger, we ests as often.” inside,” said Shah. “Due to the fear of sive revenue fall. The pandemic resulted in attacks on humans were not as fre- and warning the locals so that they can remove it from the area. With Pokharel, who has conducted sev- a tiger outside, we have been manag- tens of thousands of jobs lost as well. quent, according to authorities. do not reach risky areas,” said this approach, the problem can be eral research studies on tigers, says ing inside.” According to the statistics of the “The regular killing of humans by Acharya. “Even local FM stations solved effectively.” tigers usually do not venture out of Not only have people altered their Department of Immigration, only 230,085 tigers is worrisome,” said Haribhadra and park officials have been dissemi- In October last year, the tiger that their territories. lifestyles like going to the market less foreign tourists visited Nepal last year, Acharya, spokesperson for the nating messages to alert the local killed a man in his fifties was darted “Tigers do not like even the slight- often or managing the toilet inside, about the same number that came in 1986. Department of National Parks and people while other measures have and captured from the Geruwa area est disturbance. They do not usually they are also scared to death about Most of them arrived before the country Wildlife Conservation. also been deployed.” after nine days. The tiger is still wander outside like leopards. The how they will manage in case of an imposed entry restrictions on March 20. Most incidents of tiger attacks Following the tiger attack incident being held captive at the park head- tiger is a territorial species and emergency. The year 2021 started on a disappointing have taken place along the Khata on the East-West Highway, the park quarters at Thakurdwara. strictly maintains its territory hence “Even when we have to take an ill note. Nepal received less than 9,000 foreign Corridor, a vital strip of forest that had earlier barred movement along On Wednesday, two separate teams does not go out much,” said Pokharel. person outside, we need to gather visitors in January. The disappointment connects Bardiya National Park with the Amreni-Chisapani section of the of park officials and wildlife techni- “Even if it wanders outside, it hardly 10-12 people and walk in a group,” continued in February with 9,146 arrivals, adjoining forests as well as highway from 8pm to 6am. cians were in the field on elephants to attacks. But to understand what is said Durga KC, from Bhagraiya. “The a steep 87.6 percent year-on-year drop, bat- Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in On Wednesday, the park authori- capture tigers at two locations— happening in Bardiya, there must be hospital is far from here. There is no tering the local economy. Uttar Pradesh, India, used by ties banned ‘jungle walk’ for visitors. Khata Corridor and Geruwa. A male a detailed study. The study can find guarantee of getting an ambulance Nepal hopes to see travellers return to wildlife. “We have stopped jungle walk and tiger was captured from Gola out whether it is because of an inade- on time. The path to the main road is the country this spring that runs from According to officials, at least six public movement along the highway Community Forest of Geruwa on the quate prey base or because of the through a dense forest and there is March to May-end and is considered the deaths this fiscal year have been at night on two-wheelers and on foot. same day. Another male tiger was high number of tigers.” always the fear of a tiger attack.” peak tourist season. It is the only time reported from the area. The park has been regularly asking captured from the Khata Corridor According to Pokharel, competi- when there is a window to climb Everest, Following frequent losses of locals not to walk at night time or area on Thursday. tion for territory is usually among Kamal Panthi contributed reporting the world’s tallest mountain. human lives in tiger attacks, enter the jungle alone,” said Shrestha. According to Shrestha, capturing male tigers and this could lead to from Bardiya.

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 NATIONAL

BRIEFING Kharel puts in his papers KATHMANDU: Attorney General Agni Kharel resigned on Friday. Kharel was appointed attorney general by President Bidya Devi Bhandari in February 2018 on the recommenda- tion of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. He served as the chief legal adviser to Oli and the government for over three years. Kharel, who announced his resignation at a press conference, said that he plans to return to active politics and “perform whatever role” his party, CPN-UML, provides him.

Couple held with drugs DHARAN: The Area Police Office in Dharan on Friday made public a couple who were caught in possession of controlled pharmaceu- tical drugs on Wednesday. The couple was arrested at Dharmapath with 500 capsules of controlled drugs. A few days ago, Dharan police had arrested another couple with brown heroin.

Covid-19 toll reaches 3,016 KATHMANDU: Nepal on Friday reported one more Covid-19 related fatality, pushing the death toll to 3,016. The country also recorded 125 new case. The overall infection tally has reached 275,750 with 1,001 active cases. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, 271,610 infect- ed people have recovered from the disease so fa r.

Building remains unused KANCHANPUR: An assembly building, which was built nearly three years ago at the cost of Rs90 million, in Mahendranagar, has remained unused. Mohanraj Awasthi, engineer at Urban Development and Building Constructions Project office, said the POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR building, without being used, is fall- Activists take part in a Global Climate Strike March in front of the Ministry of Forest and Environment at Babarmahal in Kathmandu on Friday. The participants demanded environmental justice and that the ing into disrepair due to the lack of government stop the planned Nijgadh Airport project in Bara. The march was announced to be held globally on March 19 by Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg and the Fridays for Future weekly climate strikes. maintenance. According to an environmental and social impact assessment carried out by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministry in February 2017, more than 2.4 million small and large trees need to be felled to build the airport. Oli wants to prove House irrelevant, critics say Two teenage boys found The prime minister neither attends meetings, nor does his government provide any business to the House of Representatives.

BINOD GHIMIRE comments. In his address on Friday, Gyawali said dead at KATHMANDU, MARCH 19 the Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate the House has compelled the government to seek stability During the first meeting of the reinstated House through the House, though the government wanted Chalnakhel of Representatives on March 7, Prime Minister a fresh mandate. “However, the way the initial meet- KP Sharma Oli was supposed to table an ordi- ings of the House have gone, it shows we are not SHUVAM DHUNGANA nance to amend the Constitutional Council heading in the right direction,” he said. KATHMANDU, MARCH 19 (Functions, Duties, Powers and Procedures) Experts say the government is committing Act-2010. fraud by not giving business to the House. Two teenagers were found dead at Parliament officials had prepared the agenda Shyam Shrestha, a political expert who Chalnakhel in Dakshinkali for the meeting accordingly. However, by the time follows leftist politics closely, said Oli and his Municipality of Kathmandu on the meeting started, Oli had already left. In his ministers can’t blame the House for being ineffec- Friday. absence, Minister for Law, Justice and tive when the government is reluctant to cooper- According to police, the bodies of Parliamentary Affairs Lila Nath Shrestha tabled ate with it. 16-year-old Arjun Khadka and 17-year- the ordinance amid sloganeering by opposition Shrestha said government reluctance to pro- old Mangal Tamang were discovered parties. vide business to the House is unheard of in par- by some locals. The two boys were On Friday, Oli was supposed to table the annual liamentary democracy. He said though Oli said he friends who studied in grade ten. reports of the National Human Rights and the respects the verdict of the Supreme Court, his “We were informed about the bodies Public Service commissions. He, however, didn’t POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC behaviour shows otherwise. at around 10 in the morning. A sniffer show up. Oli hasn’t attended any meeting of the On Friday, Oli was supposed to table the annual reports of the National Human Rights and the Public Service “The actions of the government are a curse to dog along with forensic experts were ongoing session of Parliament. Though he visited commissions. He, however, didn’t show up. parliamentary democracy,” he told the Post. “Oli, deployed to the scene,”said Parliament on March 7 and March 10, he chose in an attempt to prove his move to dissolve the Superintendent Krishna Koirala of not to attend the meeting claiming that Speaker reinstated House yet despite there being a tradi- from the opposition. The succeeding meetings House was right, is crossing all limits. Backed by Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Agni Sapkota couldn’t convene the meetings tion to do so. ended merely by endorsing condolence motions. the president, he is trying to establish that the Range. “The team recovered a bottle on time. Bal Krishna Khand, Nepali Congress chief It is the responsibility of the government to House has become irrelevant and the election is of poison at the site where the two Bishal Bhattarai, chief whip of CPN-UML, said whip, said his party chief Sher Bahadur Deuba provide the business to the House. Political the only solution.” bodies were discovered and there were Oli’s has been unable to attend the was preparing to address the House on Friday experts say Oli is making every effort to create an President Bhandari, on the recommendation of no visible signs of struggle.” House due to circumstances beyond his expecting that Oli would do it first. environment to demonstrate that the House is not Oli, dissolved the House on December 20. But the The bodies were collected and taken control. “He couldn’t attend Friday’s meeting However, Deuba asked Khand to do it after it necessary and therefore, the country should go decision was overturned by the Supreme Court to Tribhuvan University Teaching because of some minor health issues,” he told the became clear that foreign minister and CPN-UML for fresh elections. on February 23. Hospital for postmortem. Deputy Post. “Earlier, he wanted to attend the meeting, Spokesperson Pradeep Gyawali was going to “It is clear that Oli has no respect for this Experts say the opposition should also be Superintendent of Police Rukesh but Sapkota couldn’t convene the meeting speak on Oli’s behalf. “It is clear that Oli doesn’t House,” Surendra Labh, a political economist, blamed for the present situation as it has been Pandukar, in charge of Metropolitan on time.” want the House to function effectively. He is not told the Post. “He is making and will continue to able to exert necessary pressure on the govern- Police Circle Kirtipur, said the boys But Oli, who couldn’t attend the House because only absent during the meeting, he is even reluc- make every attempt to dissolve it go for early elec- ment. Labh said he is surprised that the could have died on Thursday night. of his poor health, took part in an interaction tant to provide business to Parliament,” he told tions.” Oli during Tuesday’s meeting called by opposition parties haven’t been demanding that with the business community even when the the Post. “Oli is making every attempt to devalue President Bidya Devi Bhandari had said the Oli attend the House and provide necessary House was sitting. the House.” House has failed to perform its duties and there- business to it. The bodies were Opposition parties say Oli’s absenteeism is On March 7, the government was obliged to fore, it needs to be dissolved. Bhandari also “The arbitrariness of the Oli government is deliberate as he doesn’t want to face the House. present before the House the eight ordinances it reportedly told leaders that the move to opt for increasing because of weak opposition,” he said. taken to TU They say it is because of Oli that top leaders from had issued in the absence of Parliament. However, fresh elections shouldn’t be taken otherwise. “It is the job of the opposition to hold the govern- various political parties haven’t addressed the only one could be presented due to obstruction Oli’s ministers also have been making similar ment to account.” Teaching hospital for an autopsy.

“We cannot say for certain if it was Environmentalists suspect drop in Rara water level a case of suicide. The postmortem report will determine the cause of their deaths. But we are in touch with Farmers have been facing shortages of water to irrigate their fields because of the drying up of a stream that originates in Rara Lake. the families of the deceased boys to find out if they had been acting unu- instruments at our disposal.” “The melting snow usually feeds the low water level in the lake has affected sual lately,” Pandukar said. It’s natural for water level in lakes lake during this time of the year water flow in Khatyad too,” said An investigating officer said they and rivers to drop in the dry season which keeps the water level normal Devi Singh Rokaya, a local resident of could be dealing with a case of suicide but the water level in Rara this year, but this year, the area did not receive Murma. “It’s become difficult to meet pact, given that there they found a according to Dahal, could be the low- sufficient snowfall which led to the our water needs.” bottle of poison at the scene and there est in years. decrease in Rara lake’s water level,” The Khatyad stream flows from were no signs of struggle to suggest Rara Lake, a major tourist destina- said Juddha Rokaya. Majhghatta and meets Karnali river the involvement of a third party. tion, lies at an altitude of 2,929 metres Bharat Budhthapa, division forest in Sukadhik of Khatyad Rural Incidents of suicide have been ris- above sea level. Around 60 streams officer in Mugu, said, “The water level Municipality. ing every year in the country. Even and rivulets empty into the 167 metres- in the lake is low this year compared Tek Bahadur Baniya, a local during the first 74 days of the Covid-19 deep lake. to previous years. Further study and resident of Murma, said, his wheat lockdown last year, a total of 1,227 “Most of the streams and rivulets investigations should be conducted to and barley crops have started to people (16.5 a day) across the country that feed Rara are also dry now, as the verify the exact drop in the water dry up. took their own lives. area has not received sufficient rain- level. These studies can’t be conducted Rara National Park covers 160 The data provided by Nepal Police fall and snowfall since September,” at the district level. Authorities from square kilometres including Khatyad show that a total of 5,124 people com- said Juddha Rokaya, a resident of the central government should take Rural Municipality, Chhayanath Rara mitted suicide in the fiscal year Murma. initiatives to conduct such a study.” Municipality and Kanaka Sundari 2016/17. The number rose to 5,317 in POST PHOTO Birkha Bahadur Rokaya, former In the Panchayat era, a device was Rural Municipality in Jumla. 2017/18 and to 5,785 in 2018/19. Most of the streams and rivulets that feed the lake are dry this season, environmentalists say. chairman of Rara Buffer Zone Area installed in the Okharbot area to It is home to 272 bird species and 51 There are several helpline services Development Committee, links the measure the water level of Rara but it mammal species, including the endan- run by the government as well as RAJ BAHADUR SHAHI officials from Rara National Park decrease in water level to climate now lies defunct, said Dahal. gered red panda, which will be direct- non-governmental agencies to help MUGU, MARCH 19 where the famous lake is situated. change. “But studies and researches Meanwhile, local farmers have been ly affected if the water level in Rara those people dealing with mental “The stream that flows out of the must be conducted to ascertain the facing a shortage of water to irrigate fails to reach its normal level. health issues. The drying up of a stream that origi- lake has gone completely dry since exact cause of the drop in Rara’s their fields because of the drying up Fire incidents have also been nates in the country’s largest lake, Sunday,” said Badri Binod Dahal, the water level,” he said. of streams that originates in Rara reported in the buffer zone area of the If you think someone you know needs Rara, has raised concerns among conservation officer at the Rara According to local residents, Lake. Local people from the non-farm- park this dry season, residents of the help, you can call the following environmentalists about the suspect- National Park. “We estimate that the high-altitude watershed areas like ing families too stand affected by the area say. “A bushfire inside the park, numbers: Tribhuvan University ed decrease in water level at the lake. water level [in Rara] has decreased by Chuchumar, Murmatap, Milichaur shortage of water in the area. which started a week ago, was doused Teaching Hospital hotline Although the stream experiences a 10cm this year. But we cannot and Thakurjyula in Mugu would be “We used to utilise water from only after three days of continuous (9840021600); Patan Hospital hotline drop in the water level during the dry ascertain the exact measurement covered in snow till April in the past Khatyad stream to run our mills. efforts,” said Baniya. “This dry (9813476123); and Transcultural season every year, the sharp fall in since we do not have scientific data but the entire area received less than Khatyad stream is one of the streams season has become particularly Psychosocial Organization hotline water level this year is alarming, say for a lack of proper measuring usual snowfall this year. that’s fed by water from Rara but the difficult for us.” (16600102005).

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 | 04 WORLD BRIEFING Tough talk at first face-to-face Dozen countries resume Erdogan chastises Biden for ‘killer’ Putin comment US, China meeting of Biden era AstraZeneca shots after ISTANBUL: Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday waded into the While US raises issues related to Hong Kong, Xinjiang, China denounces sanctions. war of words between the US and EU, UK regulators say Russian presidents, chastising Joe Biden for calling Vladimir Putin a “killer.” “Mr Biden’s comment about Putin does not suit a head of state,” the Turkish president told reporters benefits outweigh risks after Friday prayers in Istanbul, laud- ing Putin for giving a “smart” and REUTERS price, compared to mRNA vaccines “classy response”. In an interview AMSTERDAM/LONDON, MARCH 19 made by Pfizer and Moderna. with ABC News, Biden was asked if “What we really should be focusing he thought Putin was “a killer”. “I Nearly a dozen countries resumed use on is that this is incredibly reassur- do,” Biden replied, immediately of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 shots on ing. The processes are working, the sparking the biggest crisis between Friday as EU and British regulators safety monitoring that we all Russia and the United States in years. said the benefits outweighed any risks expect from our authorities is happen- Putin on Thursday mocked the US after reports of rare instances of ing,” Andrew Pollard, who runs the leader, saying a Russian phrase that blood clotting that temporarily halted Oxford Vaccine Group, told BBC radio, translates roughly as “it takes one to inoculations. after both regulators said vaccina- know one”, and wishing Biden, 78, The end of suspensions will kick tions could continue after reports of good health. “I’m saying this without off a test of public confidence, both in blood clots. irony, not as a joke,” Putin, 68, said. the shot and in drug regulators whose “We do need to continue to monitor Erdogan’s comments reflect a new AP/RSS conclusions are under unprecedented safety, but in the end it’s the virus spell of tensions that have entered US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (second right) speaks while facing Chinese Communist Party foreign affairs chief Yang Jiechi scrutiny, as virus variants spread and we’re fighting, not the vaccines.” Turkey’s relations with Washington (second left) and China’s State Councilor Wang Yi, at the opening session of US-China talks in Anchorage, US. the global death toll, now at nearly 2.7 Oxford University is partnered with since Biden replaced Donald Trump million, rises. AstraZeneca on the vaccine. in the White House in January. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE “This is not supposed to be the Visibly stung by the American accu- Indonesia joined Germany, France Germany resumed administering Erdogan is still waiting for a phone ANCHORAGE, MARCH 19 way one should welcome his guests,” sations, he reproached the United and others in re-administering the the AstraZeneca vaccine from Friday call from Biden, whose administra- Wang said. States at length, demanding shots after they suspended vaccina- morning, while French Prime tion has highlighted Turkey’s deterio- American and Chinese diplomats Tensions between Washington and Washington “stop advancing its own tions on reports of around 30 cases of Minister Jean Castex said he would rating record on human rights. clashed Thursday in their first face-to- Beijing remain high after relations democracy in the rest of the world.” rare brain blood clots, after millions seek to promote a similar resumption face talks since President Joe Biden were pitched into turmoil during “The vast majority of countries in of injections, that sent scientists and in his country by getting the shot him- took office, with the world’s top two Donald Trump’s presidency, which the world don’t recognise US values as governments scrambling to determine self on Friday. Plague of mice hits parts powers digging in on a laundry list of saw a damaging trade war and spats global values,” he said, according if there was a link. of rural Australia issues on which they diverge broadly over everything from defense to tech to a readout in Chinese state news The European Medicines Agency SYDNEY: Some rural communities in as the meeting opened in Alaska. and rights in Hong Kong. agency Xinhua. (EMA) came to what it called a clear The agency says link the Australian state of New South China’s actions “threaten the rules- With its frigid temperatures and a The two countries, Yang added, conclusion that the vaccine’s benefits Wales are suffering their worst based order that maintains global sta- remote, Pacific location, Anchorage “share many common interests” in protecting people from coronavi- between blood clots plague of mice in decades after a bility,” United States Secretary of was considered a more neutral meet- including in the fights against Covid- rus-related death or hospitalisation bumper grain harvest, local people State Antony Blinken said at the open- ing ground than Washington or 19 and climate change. outweighed the possible risks. and the shot can’t be said. Eyewitness video obtained by ing of the two-day meeting in Beijing for the three-session talks that Blinken responded: “I have to tell Still, EMA said a link between rare Reuters showed thousands of the tiny Anchorage. finish on Friday morning. you what I’m hearing is very different events of blood clots in the brain and definitely ruled out. rodents swarming around a farm in The US side will “discuss our deep But expectations are limited on from what you described.” the shot could not be definitively ruled the town of Gilgandra. “At night... the concerns with actions by China, both sides and the tone set by the “I’m also hearing deep concern out and that it will continue its scruti- ground is just moving with thousands including Xinjiang,” where opening statement confirmed the about some of the actions your gov- ny, along with the British Medicines Italian Prime Minister Mario and thousands of mice just running Washington has accused Beijing of depth of the divide between the rivals. ernment is taking,” he added. and Healthcare products Regulatory Draghi said Italy would follow suit, around” farmer Ron Mckay told the “genocide” against Uyghur Muslims, Their last meeting in June did noth- A senior Biden administration Agency (MHRA). echoing sentiments from Cyprus, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Blinken told the Chinese Communist ing to help thaw frosty relations. official in Anchorage accused the “This is a safe and effective vac- Latvia and Lithuania. Supermarkets are storing food in Party’s top diplomatic official, Yang Biden has maintained a tough line Chinese delegation of “grandstand- cine,” EMA director Emer Cooke told Spain will resume inoculations sealed containers and at least three Jiechi, and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. on China, and Blinken has said it rep- ing,” and said it was “focused on a briefing on Thursday. “If it were me, from Wednesday. Canada also gave its patients in the local hospital have He added that there would be dia- resents America’s “biggest geopoliti- public theatrics and dramatics over I would be vaccinated tomorrow.” backing to the vaccine. been bitten by the mice, the broad- logue on “Hong Kong, Taiwan, cyber- cal test of the 21st century.” substance.” The EMA said it would update its Britain’s MHRA is investigating caster said. “You can imagine that attacks on the United States, economic Still, the Biden team has said it After journalists from variou inter- guidance on the vaccine to include an five cases of the rare brain blood every time you open a cupboard, coercion toward our allies.” wants to engage diplomatically on the national media outlets were invited to explanation for patients about the clot that had been reported out every time you go to your pantry, Beijing was equally sharp in its world stage, in a pivot from Trump’s leave the room, Chinese diplomats potential risks and information for of 11 million shots administered in there are mice present,” said Steve response. isolationist and ally-berating stance. asked that they stay longer to witness healthcare professionals, to help peo- the UK. Henry, a rodent expert. “And they’re “China is firmly opposed to US White House National Security the “condescending tone” of the ple recognise instances when they It said it would investigate reports eating into your food containers, interference in China’s internal Advisor Jake Sullivan said Thursday Americans. may need to seek medical assistance of clots in the cerebral veins (sinus they’re fouling your clean linen in affairs,” Yang warned. “We will take that the United States didn’t want But behind closed doors, the two following a vaccination. vein thrombosis, or CSVT) occurring your linen cupboard, they’re running firm actions in response.” Wang “conflict,” but “we welcome stiff com- sides then held a “substantive, seri- After the EMA move, others also together with lowered platelets soon across your bed at night.” denounced the latest US sanctions petition.” ous, and direct” conversation, a senior sought to reinforce confidence in after vaccination. But the agency said against senior Chinese officials over Yang called on him to “abandon American official later said. AstraZeneca’s vaccine, which is seen use of the vaccine should continue what Washington considers Beijing’s the Cold War mentality,” saying A second session of the meeting globally as an important asset due to and one official said Britain’s roll-out UN biodiversity summit quashing of Hong Kong’s freedoms, Beijing wanted “no confrontation, began in the evening, with a third its relatively easy storage and trans- would likely not stop even if a link delayed yet again announced on the eve of the talks. no conflict.” scheduled for Friday morning. port requirements and inexpensive was proved. BRUSSELS: A UN biodiversity summit, held up as the chance to strike a glob- al agreement to protect the planet’s plants, animals and ecosystems, has been delayed for a second time, the Mumbai logs most cases Fleeing Myanmar police: ‘We organisers said on Friday. The event will now take place from Oct. 11-24 in Kunming, China, the United Nations said in a statement, citing the COVID- since start of pandemic defied orders to kill protesters’ 19 pandemic as the cause of the delay. The summit had been originally AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE 40,000 new cases—almost double the scheduled for October 2020, before MUMBAI, MARCH 19 rate of a week earlier—although still ASSOCIATED PRESS the pandemic pushed it back to May less than half the peak of almost MIZORAM, MARCH 19 2021. Nearly 200 countries will negoti- India’s wealthiest state Maharashtra 100,000 seen in September. ate the text of a new global treaty on and its capital Mumbai recorded on Several badly hit states including A group of police officers who defied protecting nature - akin to the 2015 Friday the most daily coronavirus Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya the Myanmar army’s orders to Paris Agreement, under which nearly cases since the pandemic began, stok- Pradesh have imposed fresh restric- shoot opponents of the coup recount- 200 countries pledged to take action ing a new nationwide wave. tions such as curbs on movement and ed their experience after they to avert catastrophic climate change. The Asian nation of 1.3 billion peo- public gatherings in some cities. escaped to India. While speaking, they With growing recognition that it will ple was this month overtaken by However, major nationwide restric- raised a three-finger salute—a symbol not be possible to tackle climate Brazil as the country with the second tions imposed during a months-long of resistance to Myanmar’s military change without restoring the health most infections after cases dipped in lockdown last year have mostly been rulers. of nature, scientists have said a mini- December and January. lifted, with immense religious and “We cannot hurt our people, that’s mum of 30% of the planet must be But recent weeks have seen political gatherings taking place. why we came to Mizoram,” said one of safeguarded through protected areas an uptick, particularly in Maharashtra “There is going to be no lockdown the men, who hails from the north- and conservation. A draft of the which on Friday reported a record in the state,” Gujarat chief minister western town of Tedim. Mizoram Kunming agreement included this 25,833 new cases, with financial capi- Vijay Rupani said on Thursday. PM state in India’s northeast shares a pledge, which has the backing of the tal and megacity Mumbai logging Narendra Modi told regional leaders border with Bangladesh and Myanmar. EU, Canada and Britain. (AGENCIES) 2,877. In total India recorded almost earlier this week to step up efforts to After the army coup, the police were contain the pandemic. ordered to “shoot people and not just “We have to stop the the people, we were told to shoot our emerging second peak of own family if they are not on the side the pandemic through quick of the army,” he said. The Associated and decisive steps,” Modi Press has not been able to inde- AP/RSS told the virtual meeting. pendently verify their claims, though A police officer who fled from Myanmar following a military coup looks out to the mountains “In recent weeks, some 70 images and accounts of the security from an undisclosed location bordering Myanmar, in Mizoram. districts have witnessed a forces’ crackdown inside Myanmar more than 150 percent have shown intensifying violence Village Council in Mizoram state, a increase in the number of against civilians. community-based body, said 116 cases and if we do not stop Indian villagers in Mizoram have BBC says its Burmese Myanmar nationals crossed the Tiau the pandemic right now, it given shelter to 34 police personnel reporter missing River and reached Farkawn Village could lead to a nationwide and one firefighter who crossed into through a stretch where India’s para- outbreak.” India over the last two weeks. They in Myanmar military Assam Rifles personnel were spoke to an AP photojournalist on not present. He uses one name. condition of anonymity because of YANGON: A Burmese journalist with India’s state and federal govern- fears of retribution against family the BBC’s Myanmar language service ment officials haven’t given an exact members still in Myanmar. is ‘missing’ after being taken away by number of people from Myanmar who Back in Myanmar, the three-finger unidentified men on Friday, the media have crossed over to India after the salute, which traces its origins to the outlet said, voicing deep concern for coup. Last week, India’s Home Hunger Games books and movies by his safety. “We are extremely con- Ministry told four Indian states bor- Suzanne Collins, is being used by cerned about our BBC News Burmese dering Myanmar—Mizoram, Manipur, youth protesters at massive anti-army Reporter, Aung Thura, who was taken Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh—to demonstrations. away by unidentified men”, the BBC’s take measures to prevent refugees Meanwhile, K Vanlalvena, a law- press team said on its verified Twitter from entering India except on human- maker from Mizoram state, urged the account. It said he disappeared around itarian grounds. Indian government not to deport refu- midday in the Myanmar capital, The ministry said the states were gees from Myanmar until the return Naypyidaw, and that the BBC was not authorized to accord refugee sta- of normalcy there. The lawmaker doing everything they could to locate tus to anyone entering India from belongs to the Mizo National Front, an him. “We call on the authorities to Myanmar, as India is not a signatory ally of India’s governing Bharatiya help locate him and confirm that he is to the UN Refugee Convention of 1951 Janata Party. Those who escaped safe.” Local media outlet Mizzima also or its 1967 Protocol. spend their time watching television said that one of their reporters, Than Myanmar has been ruled by the and doing chores. Some have carried Htike Aung, was “arrested” along military for most of its history mobile phones and are trying to con- with Aung Thura. (AFP) since gaining independence from nect to families they were forced to Britain in 1948. leave behind. At night, all of them A gradual move toward democracy sleep on mattresses on the floor of a “We cannot reach our parents due in the past decade allowed Aung San single room. to telecommunication problems, Suu Kyi to lead a civilian government One of them told the AP that they but what we heard is they are very beginning in 2016, although the coun- were under the command of scared to go out of their homes ... I’m try’s generals retained substantial Myanmar’s army. hoping that one day we will meet power under a military-drafted consti- “We are all policemen working again,” he added. tution. Her party won last November’s under the Myanmar government. We Earlier this month, Myanmar asked election by a landslide, but the mili- left our family in Myanmar. We do not India to return the police officers who tary stepped in before Parliament was know what is happening to our family, crossed the border. India shares a to convene on February 1, detained but they will face a lot of problems 1,643-kilometer border with Myanmar, Suu Kyi and other government offi- from the army. We came to Mizoram and is home to thousands of refugees cials and instituted a state of emer- for shelter, we will die if we go back from Myanmar in different states. gency, alleging the vote was tainted there,” he said. Last week, Ramliana, president of a by fraud.

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 | 06

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 MONEY

FOREX

US Dollar 116.32 Construction of Rasuwa dry World Bank approves Euro 138.33 Pound Sterling 161.92 port stalled since virus outbreak $75 million for Nepal to Japanese Yen 10.69 Chinese Yuan 17.88 It is slated to be ready by May 2022, but only 10 percent of the work has been completed. Qatari Riyal 31.95 buy Covid-19 vaccines Australian Dollar 90.14 KRISHANA PRASAIN KATHMANDU, MARCH 19 POST REPORT Malaysian Ringit 28.32 KATHMANDU, MARCH 19 Construction work on Rasuwa dry It is expected Saudi Arab Riyal 31.01 port on the northern border with The World Bank on Friday approved to facilitate Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank China has been on hold for a year as $75 million from the International workers stayed away due to the Covid- Development Association to support vaccination of at PRICE PER TOLA 19 pandemic. access to safe and effective Covid-19 BULLION The inland container depot is slated vaccines and equitable vaccine distri- least one-third of to be ready by May 2022, but only 10 bution by strengthening Nepal’s Fine Gold Rs 86,700 percent of the work has been complet- health and vaccination system. the population. ed so far. The financing is expected to facili- Silver Rs 1,275 Ashish Gajurel, executive director tate vaccination of at least one-third of the Nepal Intermodal Transport of the population through an equita- nation,” said Gail Richardson, World SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA Development Board, said that the ble distribution plan. Bank Practice Manager for South Asia Chinese contractor had not returned “The pandemic presents immense for the Health, Nutrition and to work for a year citing the coronavi- challenges and an uncertain environ- Population Global Practice. GASOLINE WATCH rus outbreak. ment, particularly in the purchase, “Providing fast and fair access to The board has repeatedly asked supply and distribution of vaccines,” the approved Covid-19 vaccines for the the construction company for an said Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank most vulnerable people will expedite updated plan of the remaining tasks, Country Director for Maldives, Nepal, population-level immunity, which is officials said. and Sri Lanka. central to resilient recovery from the “We have not heard anything from “It is a testament to our strong part- devastating effects of Covid-19.” them,” Gajurel told the Post. “Until nership with Nepal that the Bank has Meanwhile, Nepal and the World the Chinese contractor submits a new been able to move quickly to support Bank on Friday signed loan and plan, the board cannot say when the government’s ambitious plans to grant agreements for the $24 million work will resume, when the project vaccinate at least 72 percent of the Forests for Prosperity Project ($6.1 will be completed and how much it population.” million as grant and $17.9 million will eventually cost.” The additional financing builds on as concessional loan) that will help On May 12, 2019, the board signed the $29 million for the original Covid- Nepal advance sustainable forest an agreement with Tibet Fuli POST FILE PHOTO 19 Emergency Response and Health management. Construction Group Company The dry port is being constructed as a gift by the Chinese government with an investment Systems Preparedness Project that The project will contribute to trans- Limited to build the inland container of Rs2.2 billion. was approved in April 2020, the exist- forming Nepal’s forest sector by depot at Timure in Rasuwa district ing Bank-supported health pro- improving sustainable forest manage- which straddles a major trade route Nepal. “It will promote commerce the Arniko Highway linking the grammes, and confirmed support of ment and developing a strong for- with China. The Chinese company with China,” he added. Chinese border further east was cut other development partners in the est-based private sector. was to complete the facility in 30 Customs clearance and storage of off due to landslides and flooding of context of the government’s These activities will result in multi- months. goods will be systematised after the the Sunkoshi River in August 2014. overall Covid19 response, the multilat- ple benefits for forest-dependent peo- According to Gajurel, the contrac- dry port opens. The dry port in Rasuwagadhi is the eral funding agency said in a press ple in selected municipalities in tor had said that they would return “Traders will be able to save money second of its type that the northern statement. Most of the new financing Province 2 and Lumbini Province, to work after the staff had been vacci- because customs clearance will be neighbour is constructing for Nepal. (90 percent) will go towards the pur- including inclusive economic benefits, nated against Covid-19, but the board faster,” he said. Poor infrastructure on the Nepal side chase of Covid 19 vaccines and deploy- ecosystem services, and greater cli- has not received any word from them “As customs clearance will be pro- is a hindrance to trade through ment for prioritized populations mate resilience. It will help strengthen after that. cessed from a single infrastructure, it Rasuwagadhi, and China has been beyond the 20 percent that will be ongoing community-based conserva- “They have probably not returned will reduce expenses and minimise helping to improve the facilities. vaccinated through COVAX. tion efforts while promoting inclusive to work as most Nepalis have not hassles for traders,” he said. In January 2012, during the visit The rest of the financing will help sustainable use. BIZLINE received the jabs,” he said. “The dry The dry port is being built on 165 of the then Chinese prime minister strengthen the health system to sup- “Strengthening local communities, port should be ready within one and a ropanis of land and is situated 2.5 km Wen Jiabao, China agreed to support port the Covid 19 vaccination effort for whom forests are a traditional safe- half years after construction work from the Nepal-China border. Nepal in upgrading dry ports and procure other Covid 19-related ty net during times of crisis, is espe- CDC, FMO, SDC launch Nepal starts again.” In April 2015, Nepal and China at six major customs points along supplies such as diagnostic tests, labo- cially important in the Covid-19 era. Invests, a platform to drive The dry port is being constructed as signed a memorandum of understand- the northern border including ratory equipment and therapeutics. In that same spirit, the project will a gift by the Chinese government with ing to construct the dry port. The Rasuwagadhi. The additional financing also sup- facilitate Nepal’s forest-based private investment in the country an investment of Rs2.2 billion. board in association with the According to the Department of ports community engagement and sector to invest in jobs and reduce KATHMANDU: CDC Group, the UK’s It will have space for 350 container Architectural Reconnaissance and Customs, trade with China was valued risk communication, and strengthen- dependence on timber imports,” said development finance institution, trucks. There will be a warehouse, Design Institute of the Tibet at Rs207.62 billion in the fiscal year ing existing digital technology based Sishir Kumar Dhungana, Finance FMO, the Dutch development bank parking lot, customs building, post Autonomous Region finalised the lay- 2018-19. pandemic data, surveillance and mon- Secretary. and Swiss Agency for Development office and quarantine facility. out plan in 2016. Nepal imported Rs205.51 billion itoring systems. “The project will also provide time- and Cooperation SDC have launched Gajurel said that the construction The importance of the Rasuwagadhi worth of goods from China and export- “This support is critical for Nepal to ly support to the institutions at the Nepal Invests, a platform that will of the dry port would facilitate import customs point as an alternative gate- ed goods valued at Rs2.10 billion to the safeguard the physical health of its provincial and local levels to strength- drive increased investment into the and export trade between China and way to China was highlighted when northern neighbour. people and economic health of the en natural resource governance.” country. This group comprising of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and a Development Partner, will complement existing efforts to attract more investments and advance the development of the coun- Coronavirus pandemic US green energy push sets global edible try, by channelling efforts to unlock the possibilities of investing patient, flexible capital to support private sec- tor growth and innovation—helping pushed 32 million Indians oils alight, raises food inflation fears to solve the biggest development chal- lenges in Nepal, reads the press REUTERS imports as consumers are forced to release issued by the group. The plat- out of middle class: Report SINGAPORE, MARCH 19 cut back despite moves to reopen the form intends to mobilise additional economy from Covid-19 lockdowns. supporting projects and contributions US President Joe Biden’s green fuel Malaysian palm oil futures, the from other DFIs and development REUTERS Bank forecast almost the same level of push using edible oils is helping drive price benchmark for the world’s partners, whilst engaging closely NEW DELHI, MARCH 19 economic growth for India and up vegetable oil prices that are already most-traded edible oil, have recently with the needs of the Nepalese pri- China, at 5.8 percent and 5.9 percent near record highs, hitting key cost-sen- topped 4,000 ringgit per tonne for the vate sector. Financial woes brought by last respectively, in 2020. sitive consumers in India and Africa first time since 2008. Rapeseed oil has year’s coronavirus pandemic have But nearly a year into the pandem- and stoking global food inflation fears. added roughly a quarter to its value

pushed about 32 million Indians out of ic, the World Bank revised its forecast The United Nations’ vegetable oils this year, while Black Sea sunflower Jawa Perak hits the streets the middle class, undoing years of this January, to a contraction of 9.6 price index has rallied 70 percent oil is up almost 30 percent. Soybean oil in Nepal economic gains, a report showed on percent for India and growth of 2 per- since last June to nine-year highs has jumped over 27 percent in 2021. Thursday, while job losses pushed mil- cent for China. after labour shortages at Asian palm “There is this age-old argument KATHMANDU: Agni Moto Inc Pvt Ltd, a lions into poverty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plantations and bad weather in key about food versus fuel but no one dare subsidiary of Agni Group and the The number of Indians in the government has taken steps to sunflower, rapeseed and soybean hubs talk about it as it is all about green authorised distributor of Classic middle class, or those earning between support the economy, while pinched edible oil output and cut energy now,” Mistry, a director at Legends in Nepal, launched the Jawa $10 and $20 a day, shrunk by about projecting a contraction of 8 percent inventories to 10-year lows. Godrej International, told Reuters. Perak with a BS-VI engine today 32 million, compared with the in the current financial year, which The run-up in edible oil prices has REUTERS “It will take a long time, and noises across all Jawa motorcycles dealer- number that could have been reached ends this month, before economic helped fuel a rise in the UN’s broader A tractor grabber collects palm oil fruits at from the developing countries, before ships. The Jawa Perak will be availa- in the absence of a pandemic, the growth picks up to about 10 percent in food price index to its highest since a plantation in Pulau Carey, Malaysia. people actually try to slow down the ble at an introductory price of US-based Pew Research Centre said. the next financial year. 2014, stinging consumers in develop- rate at which green energy is being Rs750,000. Motorcycle enthusiasts can A year into the pandemic, the The Pew Centre estimated the ing countries and posing a challenge that they will terminate refining fossil produced.” now book this factory custom motor- numbers of those in the middle class number of poor people, with incomes to policymakers trying to spur eco- fuel [and] instead start producing veg- Food consumers are already cutting cycle and test ride it in the following has shrunk to 66 million, down a third of $2 or less each day, has gone up by nomic growth. etable oil based fuel.” back. Agni Moto Inc dealers—Birtamode, from a pre-pandemic estimate of 99 75 million as the recession brought by A steep recovery in edible oil The sharp price climb in all edible India’s palm oil imports fell 27 per- Dharan, Itahari, Biratnagar, Lahan, million, it added. the virus has clawed back years of demand as consumers and businesses oils, which are critical for food prepa- cent in February from a year earlier to Pokhara, Narayanghat, Butwal & “India is estimated to have seen a progress. restocked following Covid-19 lock- ration and in the daily diets of billions their lowest in nine months, a leading Bhairahawa. Jawa Perak a distinctive greater decrease in the middle A rise of nearly 10 percent in downs has exacerbated the tightness, of people, is already hurting some trade body said last week, reflecting a Bobber that embodies the spirit of class and a much sharper rise in domestic fuel prices this year, job as has Biden’s election win and prom- consumers. slowdown in domestic demand. Stealth, Vigilante and Dark in a poverty than China in the losses and salary cuts have further ised ‘Clean Energy Revolution’ that A 20 percent rise in palm oil prices “We are also told by people who factory custom avatar. The Perak is Covid-19 downturn,” the Pew hurt millions of households, forcing looks set to ignite biofuel demand. in Myanmar since a February 1 mili- ship palm oil packed in tins that powered by a 334cc liquid cooled, sin- Research Centre said, citing the many people to seek jobs overseas. “There’s been a new factor which tary coup is one of many troubling the demand from Africa has gle cylinder, four stroke, DOHC World Bank’s forecasts of economic In China, however, the fall in living has come after the election of signs for vulnerable people there, the slowed down,” Mistry added.With US engine, producing 30.64 PS of growth. standards was modest as numbers President Biden that has projected World Food Programme (WFP) said soybean inventories set to fall below 4 power and 32.74 Nm of torque, Nearly 57 million people had joined in the middle-income category higher demand for soyoil, which is 100 this week. million tonnes this season from over breathing out through signature twin the middle income group between 2011 probably decreased by 10 million, percent biodiesel,” leading edible oils Pricier oils are also stifling demand 14 million last year, US soy oil prices Jawa exhausts chopped for the and 2019, it added. while poverty levels remained analyst Dorab Mistry said. in India, the top global vegetable oil may stay strong for months longer, authentic bobber stance. In January last year, the World unchanged, the report added. “Four refineries have already said buyer, and are expected to curb said Mistry. Room with a view: Investors check out Italy’s top hotels

REUTERS Grand Hotel Via Veneto, a few min- empty. Deals more than halved to 31 in million euro purchase of Venice’s his- MILAN, MARCH 19 utes walk from each other on Rome’s 2020 for a total of 1 billion euros ($1.2 toric Luna Baglioni hotel earlier this famed Via Veneto. In the north, Hotel billion), down from a peak of more year. A fragmented market and fewer International investors are casting an Britannia is for sale on the shores of than 3 billion euros from 67 transac- brands are also features boosting the eye over some of Italy’s grandest Lake Como, while real estate equity tions in 2019, according to EY. appeal of Italy’s large hotel sector, hotels whose family owners may be firm Aina Hospitality has put Milan’s That trend was reflected across according to Francesco Calia, Italy’s persuaded to part with properties that Four Points Hotel on the block, the Europe, with real estate consultancy head of hotels at CBRE. can be refurbished in time for tourists sources said, on condition of anonym- CBRE pointing to a 75 percent decline With 90 percent of Italian hotels to return. ity as the information is not public. in France and a 60 percent drop in currently shut, according to industry The number of guests in Italian The hotel owners did not respond to both Spain and Germany. association Federalberghi, there are hotels more than halved in 2020 and requests for comment. In Venice, But there are signs that is changing, expectations that more family-owned the chances of a rebound this year which in 2020 took the lion’s share of with Italy high on investors’ wish-list. hotels could have to be put on the mar- have dimmed as the country fights a investments in Italy’s hotel sector, the “Italy is the country most in demand ket, driving down prices which have third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. private owners of Hotel Palace when it comes to hospitality assets,” so far proven resilient. Italian tourism agency ENIT sees Bonvecchiati next to St Mark’s Square said Raimondo Gaetani, business Marco Michielli, chairman for the visitor numbers bouncing back to sur- held preliminary talks with an inves- development director at real estate northeastern Veneto region of pass pre-pandemic levels by 2023, but tor last year, the sources said. private equity firm Patrimonia. Federalberghi, said he gets three or investors hope the wait will prove too REUTERS Eligio Paties, one of the hotel’s two “That’s because it has more high- four calls a week from European long for many struggling owners. A general view of the five-star Grand Hotel de la Minerve in Rome, Italy. owners, told Reuters the talks ended end destinations than other European investment funds interested in Italian “M&A activity is concentrated on quickly, and they were not interested countries, meaning investors can properties, compared with two or trophy assets for which the pandemic hold discussions,” said Marco rently up for sale, according to two in a sale for now. “People are calling us build hotel portfolios and benefit from three a year before the pandemic. has been a game-changer: family own- Zalamena, head of hospitality at con- sources with knowledge of the mar- every day,” he said. Fewer hotels higher margins.” “They are sitting on the fence wait- ers that would never have considered sultants EY. ket. Among them are the family-owned changed hands in Italy last year as the Patrimonia advised British private ing to find hotel owners who cave in,” selling in the past are now willing to At least four luxury hotels are cur- five-star Majestic Hotel as well as the pandemic raged and rooms stood equity firm Reuben Brothers on its 100 he said.

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 | 08 SPORTS | MEDLEY NSL auction sees eight major signings Tottenham’s Europa Sujal Shrestha, Bikash Khawas, Arik Bista, Sunil Bal, Bishal Sunuwar, Tej Tamang, Dinesh Rajbanshi and Dip Karki exit leaves Mourinho were drafted at a maximum price of Rs200,000 at the auction of Nepal’s first franchise football tournament. SPORTS BUREAU KATHMANDU, MARCH 19 in the firing line The auction of the first ever franchise AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE football tournament, Nepal Super LONDON, MARCH 19 League (NSL), witnessed eight most significant drafts on Friday as the Tottenham were branded “a disgrace” clubs spent a total of Rs7.8 million in by captain Hugo Lloris after an embar- buying players. rassing Europa League exit to Dinamo Sujal Shrestha, Bikash Khawas, Zagreb left manager Jose Mourinho Arik Bista, Sunil Bal, Bishal Sunuwar, fighting to keep his job. Tej Tamang, Dinesh Rajbanshi and Spurs travelled to the Croatian cap- Dip Karki were the most expensive ital holding a 2-0 first-leg lead and picks during the auction, with all the Mourinho showed no signs of compla- eight category ‘A’ players drafted at a cency with his team selection, with maximum price of Rs200,000. Lloris and Harry Kane named in a Nepali football’s big names Rejin strong line-up. But two goals from Subba, George Prince Karki, Rabi Mislav Orsic forced the game into Paswan, Jumanu Rai, Subash Gurung, extra-time before the Croatian inter- Hemanta Thapa Magar and Biraj national completed a brilliant hat- Maharjan were among as many as 98 trick to complete a miserable night for players who remained unsold at the Mourinho’s men. auction. In a stinging post-match interview, A total of 149 footballers—including Lloris, who is in his ninth season at 28 category ‘A’, 63 category ‘B’ and 58 Tottenham, criticised not just the per- AP/RSS category ‘C’ players—were on the formance but the underlying culture Jose Mourinho’s future at Tottenham is now auction list. There were seven teams at the club. “It is just a disgrace,” said in doubt with a return to the Champions bidding. the French World Cup winner. “I just League next season looking unlikely. Auction’s big spender Pokhara POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA hope everyone in the training room Thunders drafted national team cap- Seven participating clubs spent a total of Rs7.8 million at the Nepal Super League auction. The tournament starts from April 24 to May 8. feels responsible for the situation League Cup final next month. But tain Shrestha and goalkeeper Karki because it’s a disgrace. time is running out for the 58-year-old while Lalitpur City FC picked mid- were signed at maximum Rs120,000. Budhathoki, Bikram Dhimal, Surya ‘C’ players. Mourinho was just as scathing of to dispel the notion that his best days fielder Bista. Shrestha had led Nepal Dhangadhi signed Rupesh KC, Bibek Adhikari, Manish Thapa, Rup Each team will have 20 players. One his players for failing to match the are behind him. to the gold medal at the 13th South Basnet and Pujan Uperkoti, Bahadur Lama and Gautam Shrestha team can recruit three overseas play- desire of a Dinamo team that had been In Milan, Paul Pogba returned from Asian Games. Kathmandu roped in Bishwas were the high-valued catogory ‘C’ ers and field two at a time. rocked earlier this week by the resig- injury to score the winner as Dhangadhi FC bought defender Shrestha and Lalitpur bought players at the auction, each selling at Kathmandu and Biratnagar on nation of manager Zoran Mamic. Manchester United beat AC Milan Rajbanshi, Kathmandu Rayzrs FC Kamal Shrestha, Prabesh Danawar, Rs75,000. Thursday unveiled national team Mamic was sentenced to jail over a 1-0 on Thursday to advance to the picked midfielder Tamang and Mikchhen Tamang and Bimal Rana. Category ‘A’ players Arpan Karki goalkeeper Bikesh Kuthu and defend- multi-million euro fraud involving Europa League quarter-finals 2-1 on Biratnagar City FC scooped midfield- Similarly, Bijay Dhimal and Hem and Darshan Gurung were later er Ranjit Dhimal as their marquee player transfers, including Luka aggregate. er Bal. Tamang were recruited by Biratnagar picked by Lalitpur and Dhangadhi players respectively. Chitwan have Modric’s move to Tottenham in 2012. World Cup winner Pogba had been FC Chitwan also made two expen- while Rabin Shrestha and Amir respectively at Rs100,000 each. recruited striker and A Division outfit “To say I am sad is not enough. sidelined for over five weeks with a sive signings picking goalkeeper Shrestha were bought by Butwal. The participating teams, who made Tribhuvan Army Club skipper What I feel goes much further than hamstring injury. But the 28-year-old Sunuwar and defender Khawas. Dipak Gurung, Nitin Thapa and 14 signings each, will buy the unsold Bharat Khawas while Dhangadhi have sadness,” said Mourinho. “To be a Frenchman scored four minutes after Category ‘A’ players Seshang Rajesh Pariyar were drafted by players as per their choices. The teams signed Bishal Rai as their marquee professional you must have attitude coming off the bench at the start of Angdangbe was the other top draft. He Pokhara. Tek Budhathoki was picked were given a mandatory requirement players. every day and in every minute of the second half in the last 16, second was bought by Butwal Lumbini FC at by Chitwan. of drafting at least three category ‘A’ The tournament will be played in a every game. Then more talent, less leg clash at the San Siro. Rs130,000. Yuddha Sahi, Ashok Khawas, Bimal players, four to six category ‘B’ round-robin format at the Dasharath talent makes a difference between United join Arsenal in the quarters A total of 16 category ‘B’ players Pandey, Niroj Basnet, Gaurav players and five to seven category Stadium from April 24 to May 8. players but what is never negotiable is who qualified despite suffering a 1-0 attitude and they beat us on attitude.” loss to Olympiakos in the second leg. Mourinho had previously bragged Youssef El-Arabi’s deflected sec- about his Europa League record, hav- ond-half strike earned Olympiakos ing won the competition on both his another victory at the Emirates but previous tries as manager of Porto Arsenal advanced 3-2 on aggregate, Bayern Munich draw PSG, Real Madrid face Liverpool and Manchester United. The Europa avenging their exit to the Greeks on League also offered a route back into away goals last season. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE final, with the Spaniards beating the Reds 3-1 will be expected to get the better of Portuguese the Champions League next season, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers finished PARIS, MARCH 19 in Kiev in 2018 to win the last of their record 13 titles champions Porto, who ousted Juventus in the last 16. with Tottenham sitting eighth in the with nine men in a 2-0 home loss to to date. Liverpool bounced back from that to However, that tie could also be relocated given travel Premier League and unlikely to bridge Slavia Prague, as the Czech side won Holders Bayern Munich will face last year’s beaten lift the trophy for the sixth time in Madrid in 2019 restrictions between the United Kingdom and a six-point gap to the top four on cur- 3-1 on aggregate. finalists Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals but their Premier League title defence this season Portugal which prompted both legs of the recent rent form. Ajax made sure of their passage of this season’s Champions League, while Friday’s has unravelled, with the Anfield club sixth in the Europa League clash between Arsenal and As recently as December, Spurs into the next round as a David Neres draw for the last eight also threw up a clash between table having lost nine times in 17 games in 2021. Benfica to be played at neutral venues, in Italy and topped the table, leading to talk of a goal and Dusan Tadic penalty rounded Liverpool and Real Madrid. Klopp’s side are due to be away from home in the Greece. first league title for 60 years. However, off a 5-0 aggregate win over Young The draw also pitted Premier League leaders first leg, but it remains to be seen where that match Meanwhile City will be strong favourites against the wheels have come off spectacular- Boys. Manchester City against Borussia Dortmund, with will be played. Dortmund, with the winner of that tie going through ly in Mourinho’s first full season in Gerard Moreno’s double in Spain Chelsea set to play Porto in the other tie. Atletico Madrid’s home leg against Chelsea in the to a semi-final showdown with either Bayern or PSG. charge. If Tottenham miss out on the gave Villarreal a second 2-0 victory Bayern defeated PSG 1-0 behind closed doors in last 16 ended up being moved to the Romanian capi- Travel restrictions between the UK and Germany riches and prestige of Champions over Dynamo Kiev, while Granada Lisbon last August to win their sixth European Cup tal Bucharest due to restrictions imposed on travel to could also have an impact on City’s tie against Erling League football for a second consecu- extended their debut run in Europe, and remain the team to beat in Europe, having won Spain by British authorities. The winner between Braut Haaland’s Dortmund. Both legs of City’s last- tive season, it is not just the Portuguese going through 3-2 overall despite a 2-1 18 and drawn one of their 19 games in the Champions Liverpool and Real will go onto a semi-final against 16 tie against Borussia Moenchengladbach were manager’s future that will be the loss to Norway’s Molde in Budapest. League since the beginning of last season. The first either Chelsea or Porto, throwing up the possibility played in Budapest, as were both legs of Liverpool’s source of speculation. Roma also progressed as a 2-1 victo- leg is set to be played in Germany on April 6 or 7, of an all-English last-four tie. Liverpool beat Chelsea tie against RB Leipzig in the last round. Mourinho has one last shot at ry courtesy of two goals from Real with the return in Paris a week later. in the semi-finals in 2005 and again in 2007. This season’s semi-finals are due to be played in redeeming this season when Spurs Madrid loanee Borja Mayoral against Meanwhile, the meeting of Jurgen Klopp’s Unbeaten in 13 games since the appointment of late April and early May, with the final scheduled for aim to halt Manchester City’s quest Shakhtar Donetsk in Kiev wrapped up Liverpool and Real is another re-run of a recent Thomas Tuchel as coach in late January, Chelsea May 29 in Istanbul. for an unprecedented quadruple in the a 5-1 win on aggregate. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** You’re stepping into the spotlight today, Aries! The It’s your time to shine, Cancer. The sun departs from As a Libra, part of your mission in life is to explore As a Capricorn, it’s not always easy for you to dis- sun abandons the dreary waters of Pisces and deep-feeling Pisces and moves forward into pioneer- the complex world of human relationships. This cern when you need to slow down and take a break. marches into your sign today, bringing a much ing Aries today, propelling you into the most impor- narrative sees heaps of new development in the The cosmos arrive with a helping hand today, as the desired change of pace to your doorstep. tant career month of your year. weeks ahead, as the sun moves forward into your sun moves forward into solitary Aries. opposite sign of self-interested Aries.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** A sensation from deep within is beckoning you into You’re coming back to the light today, Leo. After It’s time to get your ducks in a row, Scorpio. The sun This time of year has you coming back to the basics a quiet, private headspace, Taurus. It’s important to weeks of psychological digging and relationship moves forward into pioneering Aries today, rerout- of who you are, Aquarius. After weeks of reconnect- listen to that inward call—as the sun’s forward move- rumination, you’re ready to begin crafting a new ing your focus from play towards productivity ing with your talent and abilities, it’s now time to ment into individualistic Aries today is at the fore- philosophy to apply towards life. foster a deeper relationship with your mental and front of that feeling. verbal world.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** You’ve been pushing ahead with everything you’ve Saturday’s skies arrive with a change of pace to Sagittarians were made to bring laughter and life to Your season is coming to a close today, Pisces. After got, Gemini. Now, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your adapt to, Virgo. The sun departs from passive Pisces this world. In recent weeks, you’ve been so enmeshed weeks of leaning into self-exploration and sorting labor! The sun departs from feel-it-all Pisces and into passionate Aries today, propelling you deeper in family drama and personal problems that that’s out who it is you want to become, you’re ready to take moves forward into passionate Aries today. into the relationship stories you’ve been exploring in felt exceedingly difficult to do. things to the next level. recent weeks. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 09 | SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE Reflections of a self-made entrepreneur In Desh Deshawar, Jiba Lamichhane laments the nation’s utter failure—which he blames on a paucity of visionary and strong-willed leadership.

MADAN KUMAR BHATTARAI But post the war, Rwanda made quick Dagestan that has geographical similari- progress in a span of two decades, almost ties with Nepal. The last three chapters he book entitled ‘Desh as a follow-up of exemplary accomplish- The writer combines again relate to Germany including the Deshawar’, which can be ments made by statesmen like Deng his credentials as beer festival and use of King Birendra’s roughly translated as ‘Across Xiaoping (in China), Lee Kuan Yew (in name as a brand for a particular beer and Countries’, is the second part Singapore) and Mahathir Mohammed (in an entrepreneur erection of Nepal Himal Pavilion at of the travelogue penned by Malaysia). But in the context of Nepal, in Regensburg located in the Catholic Jiba Lamichhane, an avid the wake of violence and insurgency, the with his interest in majority lander of Bavaria. Tdiarist. The first travelogue was ‘Sarsarti country failed to grow. Drawing parallels, literature in the book. The writer deserves accolades for his Sansar’, meaning ‘The World in Passing’. Lamichhane laments the nation’s utter lucid portrayal of the progress of the With an attractive front cover, portraying failure—which he blames to what he world—covering a wider canvas span- both natural and architectural variance calls paucity of visionary and strong- ning Asia, Africa, Europe, the United of the world, the new book reminds read- willed leadership and lack of transparen- programmes launched by Deng States and even Caribbean islands—and ers of the world’s diverse history and cy and accountability in governance. Xiaoping and comparative status of Hong comparing them to the progress of Nepal. geography. The second and third chapters respec- Kong in 1997 in the last year of the The central message of the book is his In the book, the writer, Jiba tively deal with two more countries of British rule and in 2013 under one and lurking frustration with the state of Lamichhane—an engineer from the erst- Africa, Tanzania and Mozambique, and half decades of China’s sovereignty affairs in Nepal under different dispensa- while Soviet Union, who is now settled in their trials and tribulations in the course respectively. tions that seem to have changed the Germany with business companies of their long history as they fell under The 15th chapter is special both from regimes, systems, governments, styles, spread even to Nepal, and a former the yoke of colonial masters along with the standpoint of the end of the Cold War semantics and forms but done precious President of the Non-Resident Nepali their strong points in terms of rich that accompanied the Second World War little to ensure better governance and Association (NRNA) International anthropological heritage and biological and from Nepal’s individual perspective. tackle the core issues of human and Coordination Committee (ICC)—com- diversity and natural wealth. The title of the chapter is self-evidently material development to the chagrin of bines the credentials of a self-made The fourth and last chapters on Africa catchy, ‘Mister Gorbachev, Tear Down majority of the people in the country. It entrepreneur of an increasingly vibrant contain details of Uganda, a country that This Wall’ attributed to the 40th President seems the prevailing state of affairs in Nepali diaspora. was once known for extreme cruelty, bar- of the United States Ronald Reagan. Nepal stings the inner conscience of the The book, which keeps readers abreast barity and dictatorship of Dada Idi Amin Reagan made this speech at the author. with cultures and socio-economic state but is now taking steps to slowly forget the mysterious Bermuda Triangle and Brandenburg Gate in Berlin on June 12, of various countries, is divided into 20 the excesses that once made headlines Haiti. The next three chapters are devot- 1987, receiving the most enthusiastic Bhattarai is a former Foreign chapters. The first four chapters talk across the world, including Amin’s treat- ed to the odyssey of three different response from the audience as he stressed Secretary and author involved in the about the treatise deal with four coun- ment of his own people and Asians who European countries, Croatia, Iceland and the demolition of the Wall erected in study of Nepal’s foreign relations tries of Africa. The first chapter deals were forced to leave the country. Finland. And the ninth chapter dwells on 1961. from a historical perspective. with Rwanda, and the most positive turn- One matter that is specially mentioned the entertainment capital of the United After the collapse of the Berlin Wall around the country witnessed, which the by the author is the provision of grant- States: Las Vegas. The 10th chapter within a period of a little more than two author personally experienced during ing visa to Nepali passport holders on includes the vagaries of artificial divi- years, this famous speech not only gained his travels to the country within a span arrival in Uganda that has sadly become sion as imposed on Cyprus relating to the its due prominence but also catapulted DESH DESHAWAR of 22 years. Rwanda was once ravaged by a vanishing phenomenon as a reflection agony of Nicosia. Two subsequent chap- Reagan to become one of the greatest Jiba Lamichhane a civil war, leaving hundreds of thou- of the increasing loss of the credibility ters respectively relate to Sri Lanka and presidents of his country and the most sands dead and many more displaced, that Nepal once enjoyed across the world. Canada and their salient features. popular leader after John F Kennedy. Publishers: Fineprint Books forcing them to flee to neighbouring The fifth chapter deals with the The 13th and 14th chapters depict Two more chapters are devoted to Pages 212 countries including Uganda and author’s exploratory tour of the China’s stupendous progress under Russia, specially the birthplace of litter- Price: Rs 395 Burundi. Caribbean region with special focus on what were called four modernisation ateur Leo Tolstoy, Yasnaya Polyana, and BEST-SELLERS | NEW RELEASES

Fiction

1. City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert 2. Patna Blues by Abdullah Khan 3. The Touch of Eternity by Durjoy Datta 4. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo 5. Suheldev: The king who Saved India by Amish Source: Mandala Book Point Source:

The Last Queen Fast This Way Ghosts in the Bamboo Author: Chitra Banerjee Author: Dave Asprey Author: Greta Rana Non-Fiction Divakaruni Publication: Harper Wave Publication: Book Hill Publication: Harper Collins, India Price: Rs 798 Price: Rs 555 1. Neither Settler nor Native by Mahmood Price: Rs 958 Mamdani Author of New York Times bestselling Set in a fantasy land, Lapalisthan, In her new book, Chitra Banerjee books, Dave Asprey, in his new book, Greta Rana’s novel brings a poignant 2. Nepali Itihasko Paribesh by Maheshraj Divakaruni writes about the rise of Jind shares some tips and his unique point but satirical story where she deep Pant Kaur, how she became the Queen of the of views in regarding how one can dives into the psyche of a woman who 3. Narrative Economics: How Stories Go Sikh Empire from the daughter of a royal make smart choices in regards to aspires to be a playwright. Viral & Drive Major Economic kennel keeper and her battle against the their diet and health. 4. Think Again by Adam Grant British Empire. 5. Nepal: How India Lost the Plot to China by Sanjay Upadhya

Atwood, Grisham among contributors to pandemic novel Titled ‘Fourteen Days: An Unauthorized Gathering’, the story is set on a Manhattan rooftop in 2020 as the virus spreads worldwide and the rich are fleeing the city.

HILLEL ITALIE NEW YORK Novelist Douglas ne of the first novels Preston came up with about the pandemic will be a collaborative effort, the idea to raise funds with Margaret Atwood, John Grisham and Celeste for the Authors Guild Ng among the writers. Foundation. OThe Authors Guild Foundation announced Thursday that it had reached a deal with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & Media to publish scheduled for May. “Fourteen Days: An Unauthorized But novelists so far have tended either Gathering.” The story is set on a to use it as a subplot, like Michael Manhattan rooftop in 2020 as the virus Connelly in his thriller “The Law of spreads worldwide and the rich are flee- Innocence,” or avoided it, like Stephen ing the city. Novelist and Authors Guild King, who in his upcoming “Billy President Douglas Preston came up with Summers” switched the date of his story the idea as a way to raise money for the from 2020 to 2019. Preston told The foundation. AP/RSS Associated Press on Thursday that he “At the Guild, we realised that we had File photos of author John Grisham (left) and author Margaret Atwood. isn’t ready to write a full-length work on an opportunity in these dark times to do the pandemic. something positive and even transforma- contributors, including Dave Eggers, getting into discussions, debates or out- Fiction writers usually need more “It’s too raw and too fresh, and as a tive through the creation of this unusual Ishmael Reed, Monique Truong, right quarrels—and sometimes finding time than poets or nonfiction writers to novelist you have to take in the experi- literary work. Human beings have always Hampton Sides, Mary Pope Osborne and resolution in unexpected moments of absorb historical events, and novels ence,” he says. “I was in New York that confronted tragedy by telling stories, and Emma Donoghue. “Fourteen Days” is empathy and connection,” Atwood said and short stories about the terrible week of March 9 when the city this book would be our answer to Covid- tentatively scheduled for the spring of in a statement. coronavirus remain rare a year into the shut down, a national emergency was 19,” Preston said. 2022. “To provide a narrative framework, pandemic. Several picture books declared and the national guard was sur- “Hunger Games” author Suzanne “The cast of lively fictional characters we structured the work so that have been published, including rounding New Rochelle (where an early Collins made a “major” donation to the on the Manhattan rooftop in ‘Fourteen the building’s super records the “Heroes Wear Masks: Elmo’s Super outbreak occurred). That was one of the Guild foundation to support the Days’ have much to say to one another stories and conversations on her Adventure” and “While We Can’t Hug.” most unbelievable weeks of my life and project. Atwood is editing “Fourteen about life during the pandemic and even cellphone to create an unauthorised gue- Michael Lewis’ nonfiction “The it’s very raw.” Days” and helped recruit a wide range of more about life in general, sometimes rilla text.” Premonition: A Pandemic Story” is — Associated Press

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2021 | 10 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Achieving peace through meditation Reeta Manandhar’s ‘Self Reflection’ is a visual treat that depicts a peaceful state of mind—one that can only be achieved through meditation.

ANKIT KHADGI white, luminous light in the artwork is KATHMANDU used, and it becomes symbolic as it is a way through which she shows the peace ext to the hustling street of and the state of consciousness one can Jhamiskhel, Lalitpur, receive if they meditate. inside the premises of GG Similarly, in another series of hers, Machaan restaurant, titled ‘Seven Chakras,’ Manandhar there’s a painting that depicts the very process of energy har- transports viewers to a dif- vesting in the chakras. However, the Nferent world. paintings differ and honestly stand out On the canvas, we see the face of a the most from the rest of her artworks. woman. She’s closing her eyes and it feels Through the painting, Manandhar tries like she is deep in a state of meditation. to portray the flow of energy in the chakras, Different colours flow around her face, and for that, she resorts to using the seven like water in a gentle river. Likewise, a colours, a representation of the seven whirlpool of waves is rotating around her chakras to depict the energy centres. The upper body. The painting on its own can vibrancy and the confident strokes are have multiple interpretations. But when POST PHOTOS: BEEJU MAHARAJAN what makes this series stand out, as it’s a one knows the theme of the artwork, the There’s no doubt that Manandhar’s artworks are brilliant and are a reflection of her talent and calibre as an artist. visual treat to watch this series. painting becomes more clear. As an artist, Manandhar’s artworks are Titled as ‘Intensity,’ the painting is one green background. Similarly, at the lower painting of a fish that is in motion. tion, which she can feel but can’t see. brilliant as they exactly mirror the emo- of the striking artworks of Reeta part of the painting, there are images of As fish are considered as an auspicious However, making it the central theme of tions she is trying to communicate through Manandhar, who currently has her solo money floating around. symbol among the eight symbols of her painting, she uses her skills to depict her skills. For her, meditation has most exhibition up at the premises of the res- Although it might not be an exact inter- Asthmanagala in Hindu and Buddhist the flowing of energy in the seven likely been a life-changing experience and taurant. pretation, as the artist hasn’t provided philosophy, through these motifs, chakras, which in fact becomes the high- she succeeds in depicting its value in her As her exhibition is titled ‘Self details of every painting, it can be assumed Manandhar is not only successful in light of the exhibition. life through the medium of her art. Reflection,’ we see many artworks that that through the artwork, Manandhar is depicting her cultural heritage but she For instance, in ‘Positive Energy’ she However, her choice of selecting a res- reflect deeply the thoughts that are on the depicting how she as a person has become also cleverly uses the motifs to reflect her simply depicts the process of harnessing taurant to exhibit her work can sadly artist’s mind. However, these thoughts free from worldly and materialistic pleas- emotions as well. the energy through meditation in the minimise the impact of the exhibition as aren’t ordinary and mundane. Rather, ures because of meditation. Since fish swim freely deep inside the chakras. In the painting, we see an image it contradicts the message she is trying to they reflect the state of her mind when The motifs of money represent the water, they are considered to be fearless of a human being who’s meditating. As convey. The artworks are not placed in a she is meditating, in peace. materialistic pleasure all human beings beings. Likewise, since they move around the person has started meditating, the designated space in the restaurant; they The exhibition is divided into two seg- chase after. However, a world filled with wherever they feel like, it is often believed chakras which are placed in the different are kept where diners sit and eat. And ments: In the first part, we see paintings such pleasure, even if we are able to in Hindu and Buddhist philosophy that parts of their body open up and the seven this placement can impact her artworks, that are filled with self-portraits as well achieve it, can be dull. And hence the we should also exhibit such behaviour of chakras are denoted by seven colours— as those who are interested to observe the as various images through which she second part, where she has placed the utter freedom of movement if we want to red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo artwork peacefully might not get the tries to depict the tranquillity and peace motifs, is painted in a light colour to attain peace. and violet. opportunity to do so. Maybe a peaceful of mind she receives through meditation. depict the dullness and emptiness of a And hence the use of fish in her art- On the other hand, a bright white lumi- environment or an art gallery would have Whereas the second part is dedicated to materialistic life. works becomes symbolic, as it can be nous light is entering the head of the done more justice to her artworks, as it colourful paintings, where she depicts the Meanwhile, on the upper part, we see assumed that she’s comparing her pres- person. And with the help of these motifs, would have been more apt for the theme power that is harnessed in the chakras of her holding her head high while various ent state of mind and soul to a fish’s. As Manandhar depicts the whirling energy of the exhibition. her body when she meditates. strokes of colour surround her. This rep- when she is deep in meditation, she produced in the chakras through medita- Regardless of her choice of location, As brilliant as her works are in the sec- resents how if one practises compassion reaches a fearless stage where she isn’t tion. there’s no doubt that her artworks are ond segment, there are a few paintings in over worldly pleasure, a state of such scared of anything. Like the fish, she As it is believed that if any of these brilliant and are a reflection of her talent the first segment that are deeply poignant. tranquillity can be achieved through swims deep into the ocean of life, freely chakras get blocked, the body may experi- and calibre as an artist. For all those who For instance, her painting ‘Compassion’ is meditation. moving from one place to another, a men- ence physical and emotional pain, it can are interested in arts and meditation, if a brilliant way through which she depicts One of the common underlying motifs tal state she was able to achieve only be safely assumed that the artist is depict- you are in the area, surely do give a visit. the internal changes that could have in her paintings is fish. In many of her through meditation. ing the process of how peace and tran- You never know, you might also start med- appeared in her soul after she started med- paintings, she has used fish as a way of Meanwhile, there are also a few art- quillity can be achieved if one is involved itating or think about going for Vipassana itating. In the painting, we see her self-por- reflecting her emotions. For instance in works in the exhibition, through which in meditation, as it can be a medium after getting inspired by her works. trait. She’s opening her arms wide and her ‘Coexistence I’ and ‘Coexistence II,’ she she reflects the changes happening through which one can balance the har- face and upper half body are covered in has painted two pairs of swimming fish. around the seven chakras, the energy monious flow of energy in the chakras. The exhibition will be held for a month at various strokes of colours, juxtaposed to a Likewise, in ‘Finding the Way,’ we see a centres of her body because of medita- And that’s why the motif of the bright, GG Machaan restaurant, Jhamsikhel.

As an artist, Manandhar’s artworks are brilliant, as they exactly depict the emotions she is trying to communicate.

In ‘The Courier,’ Cumberbatch is an everyman spy The film written by Tom O’Connor and directed by Dominic Cooke is more historical fiction than it is history.

LINDSEY BAHR that opens in select theatres Friday. delight to see Brosnahan in 60s garb. NEW YORK In “The Courier,” after Penkovsky But it also feels a little insincere to just makes an initial outreach to the West, insert women in specific historical set- he new Cold War film “The MI6 and the CIA are at a loss for how to tings where they weren’t. It was also Courier” about a Soviet cultivate him as a source. They decide done with the Felicity Jones character whistleblower and the a civilian who might do business in the in “The Aeronauts” and the effect is British businessman who Soviet Union is the best bet and some- often the opposite of empowering. helped transport informa- what casually land on Wynne. Since “The Courier” is so fictionalised, tion to Western intelli- Cumberbatch, who we’ve seen play however, it’s easier to accept here. Tgence agencies is both based on real suave, cruel and egotistical many Plus, she gets to be the more persua- events and people and also is very times over the years, plays Wynne as sive agent. much the product of a screenwriter’s an ordinary middle class schlub just Not that Wynne, who was in a bit of imagination. trying to keep his family afloat and a rut, needed much convincing. He That’s not to criticise the film writ- jumps on the opportunity and starts ten by Tom O’Connor (“The Hitman’s taking extended trips abroad, leaving Bodyguard”) and directed by Dominic his wife (Jessie Buckley) and young Cooke (“On Chesil Beach”). It’s simply It is a story we son at home. The film has an almost to say that it is more historical fiction haven’t seen on ebullient tone for much of the first than it is history. The whole truth of half as Wynne and Penkovsky get to this extraordinary chapter has likely film but it still feels know and like each other over caviar died with the principal characters lunches, big drunken nights out and and/or been obscured and distorted by very familiar most tearful evenings at the ballet. It lightly the people who write these things zips along despite the fact that the down. of the time. stakes include death and nuclear holo- What we know is that there was caust. The honeymoon is soon to end, indeed a Soviet official named Oleg though, as suspicions start to arise Penkovsky, played in the film by club memberships intact. He doesn’t around this business relationship and Georgian actor Merab Ninidze, who suspect he’s dining with spies when things get infinitely more complicated was an essential source for the his government friend Dickie (Angus for our protagonists, which I won’t Americans during the Cold War and Wright) and an American CIA agent, spoil here, but it’s a tonal whiplash. the leadup to the Cuban Emily (Rachel Brosnahan), sit down “The Courier” is a story we haven’t Missile Crisis. One of Penkovsky’s with him to recruit him into service. seen on film but it still feels very famil- contacts was a British civilian named He reacts with a boyish giddiness as iar most of the time, with espionage Greville Wynne, who though it was Ian Fleming himself sit- film tropes and cliches to spare. While wrote an autobiography about his ting across the table. it might not be on the same level as experiences. Even the reliability of Emily is one of the inventions of the “Bridge of Spies,” it’s solid, well-acted that account has been questioned. film. O’Connor has said he just decided and enjoyable nonetheless. Just don’t AP/RSS Still, it provided an intriguing jumping to make the CIA agent a woman. It use it as the text for any history This image released by Roadside Attractions shows Merab Ninidze (left) and Benedict Cumberbatch in a scene off point for O’Connor certainly breaks up the monotony of reports. from The Courier. to write a classic espionage thriller such a male cast and it’s always a — Associated Press

Published and Printed by Kantipur Publications Pvt. Ltd., Central Business Park, Thapathali, Kathmandu, Nepal, P. B. No. 8559, Phone: 5135000, Fax: 977-1-5135057, e-mail: [email protected], Regd. No. 32/049/050, Chairman & Managing Director: Kailash Sirohiya, Director: Swastika Sirohiya, Editor: Sanjeev Satgainya