WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 298 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, , Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 26.2 C -6.8 C Saturday, December 26, 2020 | 11-09-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla Constitutional Bench asks for reasons for House dissolution, seeks amicus curiae The five-member bench also asks about the time of the no-confidence motion filed against the Oli government. There are conflicting versions on when it was registered.

BINOD GHIMIRE Attorney General,” reads the order. KATHMANDU, DEC 25 The five-member Constitutional Bench led by Chief Justice Cholendra Indications are that it will be a while Shumsher Rana also asked the gov- before the Supreme Court will give a ernment to present the original copy verdict on the constitutionality of the of its decision regarding the House KP Sharma Oli government’s Sunday dissolution. Another significant order move of dissolving the House of is to produce before court the original Representatives. copy that shows the exact time a A hearing on 13 writs against no-confidence motion was registered President ’s dis- against Prime Minister KP Sharma solution of the House on the recom- Oli in the Parliament Secretariat on mendation of the Oli Cabinet began Sunday, the day President Bhandari on Friday, but the next hearing is dissolved the House of Representatives. scheduled for January 6. “As one of the writs (077-wc-0037) The Constitutional Bench ended mentions the registration of a no-con- Friday’s hearing after listening to fidence motion at the Parliament opening remarks of a handful of law- Secretariat, produce the original copy yers and making four significant that shows when and at what time the orders. These include a show cause application was registered,” reads the POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL notice against the Office of the order. Communist Party leaders Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal scroll their phones as their faction of the stages a protest at Maitighar, Kathmandu on President and the government The time of no-confidence motion Friday against the dissolution of the House of Representatives. They later marched to the Election Commission at Kantipath where their faction claimed its legitimacy as the registered party demanding a written justification for registration is important as the with signatures of the majority of its Central Committee members. their move to dissolve the House. Supreme Court in 1995 had ruled It has sought clarification from against then CPN-UML-led Manmohan them asking why the court should not Adhikari minority government’s dis- issue an order as demanded by the solution of Parliament saying that the petitioners who have sought revoca- recommendation for dissolution was tion of the President’s approval to made after a no-confidence motion Nepal Communist Party split was expected to dissolve the House based on the gov- had been filed against it. The other ernment’s recommendation. reason that the court had given for its “If there is any legal ground not to ruling was there was still the possibil- issue a ruling as demanded by the ity of forming a government through have repercussions. There are hints already petitioners, submit the details by a House vote. January 3 through the Office of the >> Continued on page 2 Members of Dahal-Nepal faction in Bagmati file no-confidence motion against Chief Minister Dormani Poudel, a close ally of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli.

members may table in writing a motion of no-confidence against the chief minister, the Dahal-Nepal fac- tion can easily make a move if it wants. “It is obvious that the long-standing contradictions in Province 1 and over the selection of chief ministers will reappear after the split in the party,” said Raghuji Pant, a Standing Committee member now with the Dahal-Nepal faction. “The incumbent chief ministers of the two provinces were appointed forcibly.” There were disagreements when Poudel and Rai were elected chief ministers in Province 1 and Bagmati. However, Oli had managed to bulldoze his decisions. In Bagmati, Shakya, a Standing Committee member considered to be close to Madhav Nepal, was tipped to POST PHOTO be the chief minister, but Poudel was A no-confidence motion has been filed against Bagmati Chief Minister Dormani Poudel. chosen later through an election con- ducted at Oli’s insistence, party lead- TIKA R PRADHAN inces quickly, leaders say. ers say. KATHMANDU, DEC 25 In the 110-member Bagmati In Province 1, Bhim Acharya and Provincial Assembly, Nepal Rai, both from then UML, were in the As expected, repercussions of the split Communist Party has 80 seats, which fray for the post of provincial parlia- in the Nepal Communist Party have are now divided between the Dahal- mentary party leader. Acharya was now started to emerge in provinces, Nepal and Oli factions at 46 and 34. defeated by Rai by just two votes. with Bagmati Province standing in Internal Affairs Minister Shalikram Acharya is with the Dahal-Nepal fac- line to be the first casualty. Jamarkattel proposed the no-confi- tion now. As many as 45 members of the dence motion, which was seconded by According to Pant, changes are Bagmati Provincial Assembly on Minister for Industry, Tourism, Forest likely to happen in other provinces Friday filed a no-confidence motion and Environment Arun Prasad Nepal. as well. against Chief Minister Dormani Jamarkattel is a former Maoist Despite having a majority in Poudel. leader close to Dahal while Nepal is , whose Chief The members, belonging to the close to Madhav Nepal. Minister Shankar Pokhrel is Oli’s Pushpa Kamal Dahal-Madhav Nepal “We have proposed Ashta Laxmi close ally, the equation can change faction, have proposed Asta Laxmi Shakya as the next chief minister,” quite easily, insiders say. Shakya as the new chief minister. Ratna Dhakal, a member of the assem- In the 87-member assembly, the Poudel belongs to the faction led by bly and a central committee member, Nepal Communist Party had won 61 KP Sharma Oli. told the Post. seats. After the split, the Daha-Nepal Prime Minister Oli’s decision to dis- Both Jamarkattel and Nepal, along faction has 25 seats while the Oli fac- solve the House of Representatives on with Minister for Social Development tion has 36. Sunday resulted in a split in the Nepal Yubaraj Dulal, resigned on Friday. The , Janata Communist Party, which was formed The next province that is likely to Samajbadi Party and Janamorcha in May 2018 through a merger between be affected is Province 1 where Chief have 19, six and one seats, respectively. then CPN-UML and the Maoist Centre. Minister Sherdhan Rai is already in Leaders say the Dahal-Nepal faction Both Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions the minority. Rai is one of the close can easily file a no-confidence motion now are in a bid to wrest control of confidants of Oli. against Pokhrel and form a govern- the party. In the 93-member Provincial ment by seeking support of the After the 2017 elections, the Nepal Assembly, Rai has only 20 seats of 67 Congress party in Lumbini. Communist Party had formed govern- that went to the Nepal Communist The Dahal-Nepal faction controls a ments in six out of the seven provinc- Party—51 to former UML and 16 to the majority in Karnali and Sudurpaschim es. Now with the party split between former Maoist party. as well. In the 40-member Provincial the Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions, The Dahal-Nepal faction now con- Assembly in Karnali, the Dahal-Nepal equations are likely to change in prov- trols 47 seats. faction has 20 seats and the Oli faction “I don’t think the leaders are has 13. In Sudurpaschim, which has a preparing for a no-confidence 53-member assembly, the Dahal-Nepal motion in Province 1 but that is faction controls 31 seats and the Oli inevitable now,” said Hemraj faction 8. Bhandari, a central member who The only province where the Oli belongs to the Dahal-Nepal fac- faction appears to be strong is tion representing Province 1. Gandaki. “Having a majority in the In the 60-member assembly, the Oli Provincial Assembly, it is unlike- faction controls 27 seats. The Dahal- ly that Dahal and Nepal will Nepal faction controls 13 seats. The accept Rai as chief minister.” Nepali Congress, Janamorcha and Since Article 188 (4) of the Janata Samajbadi Party have 15, 3 and constitution says one-fourth of two seats, respectively. the total number of the assembly >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Few Nepalis apply for Malaysia amnesty scheme for undocumented workers Illegal workers in Malaysia can voluntarily return home without facing serious legal actions.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL the country with the application pro- Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, KATHMANDU, DEC 25 cess and booking their appointment Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, day,” said Karki. Kazakhstan, India, and Indonesia) are The Malaysian government has once “Due to Covid-19 safety issues, prior eligible under the Illegal Immigrant again rolled out an amnesty scheme appointments have to be made, and Recalibration Plan. targeting illegal immigrants, includ- there are fewer slots which keep on Local authorities have expected that ing undocumented Nepali workers, filling up quickly.” nearly 250,000 illegal immigrants will giving them a chance to return home. However, Nepali workers’ enthusi- utilise the scheme, which will contin- Under the latest scheme, Nepalis asm to take part in the scheme has ue until June 2021. living in Malaysia illegally can volun- remained lukewarm compared to that Nepali workers have also benefited tarily return home without facing any for similar schemes in the past. from such amnesty schemes in the serious legal actions. “So far, some 100 plus have applied, past. Earlier this year, nearly 6,000 “Nepali workers can apply to return and we have fixed their appointments. Nepali workers returned home under home under this scheme,” Pratik But, the response to the scheme has ‘Back for Good Programme.’ In 2018, Karki, second secretary at the Nepali not looked encouraging as of now,” nearly 15,000 Nepali workers had Embassy in Malaysia, told the Post said Karki. “It seems people are more returned home under the Voluntary over the phone. “The difference interested in rehiring programme.” Deportation Programme, also called between the previous amnesty scheme Under the rehiring programme of the “3-plus-1” programme. and the new one is that workers will Labour Recalibration Programme, Malaysia remains one of the most be required to pay only 500 Malaysian local employers engaged in four sec- popular labour destinations for Nepali POST PHOTO: KABIN ADHIKARI ringgits (approximately Rs20,295) tors—construction, manufacturing, migrant workers. It is estimated that A stray bull with a plastic bag used to transport vegetables stuck to its head walks at Kalanki, Kathmandu on Friday. compared to RM700 in the past.” plantation and agriculture—can sub- the number of undocumented Nepali The Malaysian government mit applications for hiring workers workers could be between 10,000 to launched its Illegal Immigrant among the illegal ones under the 15,000. Recalibration Plan to manage illegal quota fixed by the Department of “The response to the scheme has immigrants in the country. There are Labour. Such workers should not have been slow as those undocumented Nepal A Rukum (West) local unit two distinct programmes under the any police case against them. could be thinking of applying when plan—the Labour Recalibration Workers from 15 countries the deadline nears,” said Karki. “Also, Programme and the Return (Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, most Nepalis in Malaysia are working Communist funds tuition fees of 17 students Recalibration Programme. Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, legally.” The Return Recalibration HARI GAUTAM for food and accommodation,” said Programme allows illegal immigrants RUKUM (WEST), DEC 25 Gorkha Bahadur KC, mayor of the to return home voluntarily. In con- Party split was municipality. “The beneficiaries were trast, the Labour Recalibration Aathbiskot Municipality in Rukum selected as per the application filed by Programme aims to allow illegal (West) has provided full scholarship to those students who had passed the immigrants to get registered and find expected to ... 17 students of various technical sub- entrance examinations of their con- employment with eligible Malaysian jects this year. The municipality had cerned subjects.” According to the employers. >> Continued from page 1 also provided education loans to stu- municipality, five students had got The Nepali Embassy in Kuala “We have not discussed any changes dents taking MBBS and pilot courses scholarships in the fiscal year 2018-19 Lumpur has been asking undocument- in the government yet,” said Hari two years ago. and 12 students had got scholarships ed Nepali workers in the Southeast Chuman, internal affairs minister of The municipality has selected stu- in the fiscal year 2019-20. Asian country to utilise the scheme who belongs to the dents—12 male and five female—from According to KC, the municipality and return home without facing any Dahal-Nepal faction. “But it also economically weak backgrounds for has been continuing this programme legal hurdles. depends on how the Oli faction the three-year-programme. According to help aspiring students from impov- Those willing to return via the behaves in the near future.” to the municipality, of the 17 benefi- erished families. “The right to educa- Return Recalibration Programme Even if the Dahal-Nepal faction ciaries of the scholarship, three stu- tion has been categorized as a funda- have to take an appointment with the does not make any move in provinces, dents are studying engineering, two mental right. We have initiated the Malaysian Immigration Department. concerns are growing if Oli are studying health, three sub engi- campaign to help students from poor On the stipulated day, the worker has himself will dissolve the provincial neering, two law, three IT, two agricul- families get education.” to be present with all the required governments. ture and two staff nurse courses. The municipality has invested Rs documents and pay the fine of RM500 In a television interview aired on “The municipality will pay the tui- 3.9 million to provide scholarship to 17 for receiving a checkout memo from Wednesday, Oli said that he will have tion fees of the beneficiaries until students. Each of the students has the authority for leaving the country. POST FILE PHOTO to take “tough steps” if no-confidence they complete their courses but they received a maximum of Rs 103,000 to a “The embassy has been facilitating The number of undocumented Nepali workers in Malaysia is estimated to be between 10,000 motions are brought to make provin- will have to bear their own expenses minimum of Rs 50,000 as scholarships. interested Nepalis who want to leave and 15,000. cial governments unstable. The President has constitutional power to dissolve the provincial governments. Article 232 (3) of the constitution which is related to relations Five bighas of forest land encroached in Bardibas, Mahottari between the federation, provinces and local level states that if any prov- ince indulges in an act that would The encroahers are working in collusion with the forest officials, forest consumer committee, and Bardibas Municipality, local residents say. have a serious effect on Nepal’s sover- eignty, territorial integrity or inde- SUNITA BARAL The villagers have also filed a complaint to the “Land mafias are the reason why incidents like Karki, a local resident of Ward No. 1 in Bardibas. pendence, autonomy, the President MAHOTTARI, DEC 25 Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of this continue to occur. The area of Ramtel Danda According to Hemanta Prasad Sah, chief at the shall, according to the need, Authority. Fifty-one of them have signed the doc- Community Forest is shrinking due to human Division Forest Office in Mahottari, the ward reprimand such a province, suspend People have started encroaching the forest land ument and filed the complaint to the CIAA for a encroachment. That’s why we have filed a com- office, forest consumers committee and revenue or dissolve the Council of Ministers of Ramtel Danda Community Forest in Bardibas, detailed investigation into the matter. plaint at the CIAA for investigation,” said Dipak and survey offices have verified that the land of the province and the provincial Mahottari in collusion with the forest officials, belongs to Acharya and Gautam. assembly. forest consumer committee, and Bardibas “This is the reason why the forest office gave But at a time when the President Municipality, local residents say. permission to cut down trees,” Sah said. has already attracted a lot of criticism Around five bighas of the forest land have been Sher Bahadur Raut, chairman of the for swiftly endorsing Oli’s move of encroached upon so far, they say. community forest, had provided recommenda- dissolving the House of Recently, Lilamani Acharya and Krishna tions for the tree felling, saying that the landown- Representatives, many say dissolu- Prasad Gautam, local residents of Ward No. 1 in ers have planted tree saplings in five bighas of tions of provincial assemblies by her Bardibas, fell down more than 300 trees of the land elsewhere. are not quite likely. community forest and encroached forest land “I provided the recommendation to cut down The House dissolution by Oli and after their land plots were swept away by the trees on the basis of documents prepared by the President has already landed in the floods of Bhapsi in the monsoon. Revenue and Survey Offices,” Raut said. court and the Constitutional Bench Ramtel Danda Community Consumers Meanwhile, Chudamani Pokharel, ward chair- started a hearing on writs against the Committee, Bardibas Municipality and the man of Bardibas Ward No. 1, said his office pro- move on Friday. Division Forest Office in Mahottari had given vided recommendations to cut down trees after Ram Narayan Bidari, a National permission to Gautam and Acharya to cut down looking at the recommendations of the forest Assembly member, said the constitu- trees, local residents say. The duo asked for per- office, forest consumer committee and the survey tion does allow the President to dis- mission to cut down trees, citing that their land office. solve the provincial assemblies but plots fall under the forest cover. Sah, however, said that an arrest warrant has there are conditions. The Revenue Office in Bardibas has also veri- been issued in the name of Gautam and Acharya “The conditions are clear. The fied the documents, saying that around five on deforestation charges. The forest office has President can dissolve them only bighas of the forest land belong to Gautam and also suspended seven employees, including an when there is an act having a serious Acharya. The incident came to light after the assistant forest officer, and started an investiga- effect on sovereignty, territorial integ- local residents found out about the tree felling. tion into the case. The Post tried to contact both rity or independence and autonomy,” Twenty-eight years ago, 21 hectares of Ramtel Acharya and Gautam, but their mobile phones said Bidari, also an advocate, who Danda Community Forest was handed to the were switched off. belongs to the Dahal-Nepal faction. community forest consumers committee. According to the Division Forest Office, 120 “That said, who knows the provin- “They had shown the recommendation of the teak, 80 masala and 35 other trees in the five cial assemblies could also face the fate government offices before fencing around five bighas of forest land were also cut down. of the House of Representatives, as it bighas of the forest land,” said Bijaya Pokharel, “Most of the trees were felled along with their was dissolved despite the constitution- a local resident of Bardibas Ward No. 1. “The roots. Fifty tractors were used to transport the al provisions not allowing the prime people’s representatives, forest officials and gov- POST PHOTO: SUNITA BARAL felled trees,” said Jagendra Shrestha, a local res- minister to do so.” ernment employees are all working in collusion.” More than 300 trees in the Ramtel Danda Community Forest were recently felled. ident of Bardibas. Constitutional Bench asks for reasons for House dissolution, seeks amicus ... >> Continued from page 1 advocates. Constitutional Bench led by the chief Constitutional Bench Hari Krishna justice together with Karki and tional provisions. In his writ, However, there are conflicting ver- The amicus curiae is a group of justice incorporating four justices as Karki is a former president of Nepal Shrestha in April 2016 from the Nepali Simkhada has demanded a verdict be sions on the exact time of the registra- experts comprising lawyers and recommended by the Judicial Council. Bar Association who belonged to the Congress quota. given within 30 days, as the tion of the no-confidence motion. experts on the constitution called by Although the chief justice has the Progressive Lawyers’ Association According to a senior official of the country cannot afford to be in limbo Roj Nath Pandey, spokesperson for the Supreme Court whenever it con- authority to pick four justices from which is close to the left parties, par- judiciary, Sinha is among the few in for a long time. the Parliament Secretariat, issued a siders that the issue it is looking into the roster prepared as per the recom- ticularly the erstwhile CPN-UML. He the apex court to maintain a high level But that is unlikely as when the statement on Thursday, saying the is a serious one and the view of mendation, there is a practice to con- was appointed attorney general in of integrity. hearing resumes on January 6, it will motion was registered at 3:30pm— experts would be helpful. stitute a Constitutional Bench from October 2015 after Oli became prime Lawyers and even the officials of already have been 17 days since the after the President had dissolved The apex court in November 2017 among senior most justices. minister for the first time. Karki, who the court were particularly surprised House dissolution. Parliament. had called an amicus curiae on the Rana, however, did not pick Deepak ranks fourth among the justices of the to see KC on the bench. Constitutional experts said it seems On the other hand, according to the writ demanding voting rights for civil Kumar Karki and Meera Khadka who Supreme Court, will succeed Rana as “KC is close to Rana and that may be it will take some time for the final secretariat of Speaker Agni Sapkota it servants and security forces assigned are the second and third senior most chief justice. the reason why he may have chosen verdict but that shouldn’t be taken was registered at 10:30am—before the to election duty. justices after him. Shrestha, a cadre of the Judicial him despite being ranked 11th,” a sen- otherwise looking at the gravity of the dissolution. Similarly, it was called in December As the preliminary hearing began Service Commission, was appointed ior court official told the Post on the issue. The Constitutional Bench has also 2016 to decide on the election modality on Friday, senior advocate Dinesh Supreme Court justice from among condition of anonymity because he is They, however, welcomed the ruling asked for the list of lower house mem- for the local level polls. Tripathi, one of the writ petitioners, chief judges of the high courts togeth- not allowed to comment on the matter. that there can be no extension of the bers showing their party affiliation Before the start of the hearing, had raised a question over the consti- er with Karki and Sinha. He ranks Although Tripathi raised the ques- time given to the Office of the and the strength of different political Rana on Friday constituted the tution of the bench. fifth among the justices and would tion over the formation of the bench, President and the Cabinet to furnish parties in the House. Constitutional Bench comprising He had particularly asked about the have been selected for the Tulasi Simkhada, another petitioner, their explanations behind the House Given the gravity of the case, the Justices Hari Krishna Karki, presence of KC who is 11th in ranking. Constitutional Bench if the bench doesn’t see a problem with it. dissolution. Constitutional Bench also decided to Bishowambhar Prasad Shrestha, Anil In response, Rana said the bench is comprised only the senior most justic- “We have to believe everyone in the “It’s a serious constitutional issue. form a seven-member amicus curiae Kumar Sinha and Tej Bahadur KC. constituted from among the senior es. He is also in line to be the chief 14-member roster is competent to be Therefore, it can take some time,” comprising three advocates from The chief justice leads the five-mem- justices and, therefore, it was justice after Rana and Hari Krishna on the bench,” he told the Post. Balaram KC, a former justice at the Nepal Bar Association, two from the ber bench. unnecessary to raise questions over Karki. “Friday’s ruling has proved it.” Supreme Court, told the Post. “It’s fine Supreme Court Bar and one each Article 137 of the constitution has a its composition. Sinha, another member of the He said he expects the court will to take time but that has to result in a from among senior advocates and provision for the formation of the Among the members of bench, was appointed Supreme Court make a decision based on constitu- mature decision.”

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 NATIONAL Election Commission to settle dispute over legitimacy of Nepal Communisty Party After the Dahal-Nepal faction submitted the necessary documents claiming legitimacy, the commission will now ask the Oli faction for its response to the claim. PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA given to one faction, the commission However, Pandey claimed that Oli KATHMANDU, DEC 25 will recognise the faction which faction does not have any authority to proves it has the majority in the hold the Central Committee meeting The faction led by Pushpa Kamal Central Committee before the claims as the party statute does not allow Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal in were made. The officially recognised holding the meeting without fulfilling the Nepal Communist Party on Friday faction is entitled to stay as the parent the quorum. registered an application at the party while the other faction can reg- “In order to hold the meeting, there Election Commission claiming that it ister a new party, according to Section should be the presence of over 50 per- is the legitimate ruling party. 44 (6) of the Political Parties Act. cent of Central Committee members The two factions of the ruling The Dahal–Nepal faction has which the Oli faction failed to do,” he party—one led by Dahal and Nepal claimed that it has submitted the sig- said. “The other faction has also and another led by Prime Minister KP nature of 295 central committee mem- enlarged the Central Committee in Sharma Oli which are practically split bers to the commission so far. When large numbers which cannot be done but not split yet legally, have been formed in May 2018, the Nepal as per the party’s statute.” making claims that their factions Communist Party (NCP) had notified He referred to the provision in legitimately represent the Nepal the poll body that its Central Clause 18 (E 17) of the party’s statute POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC Communist Party. Committee was 441-strong. Five mem- as per which the Central Committee People taking photos of a Santa Claus mannequin put on display at a shopping mall on Christmas Day at New Baneshwor, Kathmandu on Friday. Chief Election Commissioner bers were added later. can nominate a maximum 10 percent Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said that the “We have got support of more of the total Central Committee mem- faction led by Dahal and Nepal formal- Central Committee members,” bers as new members and that too ly started the process to get recogni- Surendra Pandey, a senior leader from only from a group that comes to merge tion by registering an application at the commission. Dahal, Nepal and other senior lead- Experts question if caretaker prime ers on Friday had reached the election body along with cadres protesting against the dissolution of the House of Representatives. minister can reshuffle the Cabinet As per Section 44 (1) of the Political Parties Act-2017, the faction that claims to be the legitimate faction The decision is against the spirit of constitutional and political cultures, observers argue. representing the party must substan- tiate the claim, among other things, TIKA R PRADHAN & ANIL GIRI Forest and Environment), Ganesh mer prime minister Madhav Nepal through the signatures of at least 40 KATHMANDU, DEC 25 Thagunna (Minister for Federal was elected chair of the faction, Sah percent members of the Central Affairs and General Administration), had objected to it and. Both Nepal and Committee within 30 days since the Constitutional affairs experts have Juli Kumari Mahato (Minister for Sah have their constituencies in dispute in the party arose. questioned Prime Minister KP Women, Children and Senior Citizens) Rautahat and they don’t share good Thapaliya said that even though the Sharma Oli’s decision to reshuffle his and Bimala Biswokarma (Minister of relations, a central committee mem- two factions had earlier submitted the Cabinet to induct eight ministers, five State for Industry, Commerce and ber said. Oli tapped into his dissatis- decision of the Central Committee of them former Maoist leaders, and Supplies). faction and offered him a post in his held by the factions, it was the first change the portfolio of five of his Oli’s trusted lieutenant and deputy Cabinet, a ruling party leader said. time that the formal process was initi- ministers. parliamentary party leader Subas Former Maoist leaders and ated by any faction as per the legal While critics say the Oli govern- Chandra Nembang rejected criticism Standing Committee members provision. ment has been reduced to a care-taker levelled against Oli for exercising his Rayamajhi and Thapa were lobbying “Now, the process begins to settle status and the prime minister can’t authority. “Who said the prime minis- in favour of Prime Minister Oli since the dispute regarding which faction is reshuffle his Cabinet, supporters say ter cannot reshuffle his Cabinet ?” the relation between Oli and Dahal legitimate,” Thapaliya said. “We have he has every right to do so. said Nembang. “In the US, even turned sour. told the leaders that the commission “The Oli government has been President Trump whose government Minister for Sports and Youth Jagat would take decisions within the peri- reduced to a caretaker status and a Bishowkarma and Minister of State od set by the law. We have to do it as prime minister of such a government for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, early as possible even to be able to does have the moral, political and con- Most of the new Moti Dugar have been left out of the hold elections.” stitutional authority to reshuffle his reshuffle. As per the Political Parties Act-2017, Cabinet,” senior advocate Chandra ministers in the Oli Oli has also reshuffled the portfoli- the commission should decide on such PHOTO PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA Kanta Gyawali, an expert of constitu- os of existing ministers--Health matters within 90 days since one fac- Dahal, Nepal and other senior leaders on Friday had reached the election body along with tional affairs, told the Post. Cabinet are former Minister Bhanubhakta Dhakal has tion makes formal claims about cadres protesting against the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Six days after the dissolution of the now been given the tourism portfolio legitimacy . House of Representatives and the sub- Maoists. Minister for Federal Affairs and The commission will now have to the Dahal-Nepal faction told the Post. with the party or joins the party. sequent resignation of seven minis- General Administration Hridayesh seek written feedback, along with the “We told the Election Commission Clause 60 of the party’s statute ters, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli Tripathi is now the new Health necessary supporting documents, that we can verify the signatures with authorises the Central Committee to on Friday inducted eight ministers has turned into a lame-duck is taking Minister. Similarly, Minister for from the Oli faction which it will have the presence of Central Committee take decisions based on the majority and a minister of state into his major and important decisions.” Women, Children and Senior Citizens to present within 15 days. members or without them.” vote if no consensus is reached. Cabinet, changed the portfolio of six Oli’s picks for ministerial berths Minister Lilanath Shrestha takes Officials at the commission said The faction led by party chair and But, Mandal claimed that Dahal had ministers and sacked a minster and a seem to be targeted at rewarding charge of the Ministry of Law. Shiva that the documents submitted by both Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on also added Central Committee mem- minister of state. members of his party for their loyalty, Maya Tumbahangphe, the erstwhile factions in the recent days would also Tuesday informed the Election bers in the past in the absence of Oli. Senior advocate Bipin Adhikari after seven members of his Cabinet law minister, will now oversee the be taken into account while settling Commission that its Central For legal experts, it will be hard for also criticised the move. “The decision stepped down recently. Ministry of Land Management, the dispute. “The Dahal-Nepal faction Committee had been expanded to the Oli faction to get recognition as to expand the Cabinet of a caretaker At a time when the ruling party has Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. has been submitting documents as make it 1,199-member with the addi- the legitimate Nepal Communist government is against the spirit of the virtually split into two factions, Prime Minister for Land Reforms, required by the law in the last few tion of 556 members now and with the Party. political and constitutional culture.” Minister Oli was under pressure to Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation days,” said Raj Kumar Shrestha, provision of adding 197 members in “Whichever faction has majority in The newly appointed ministers are: accommodate some former Maoist Minister has been given the responsi- spokesperson for the commission. the future. the Central Committee before the dis- Top Bahadur Rayamajhi (Ministry of leaders in his camp so that he could bility of the Agriculture Ministry and After receiving the feedback, the Satya Narayan Mandal, a close ally pute arose is the legitimate faction to Energy, Water Resources and show the people that the majority of Urban Development Minister Krishna commission will invite both sides to of Oli, who was appointed as coordi- represent the original party based on Irrigation) Mani Thapa ( Ministry of members of the Nepal Communist Gopal Shrestha will now lead the the commission for dispute settlement nator for Province-2 by the Oli faction the law and practice,” said Bhimarjun Water Supply), Prabhu Sah (Ministry Party are with him, leaders close to Education and Science Ministry. and make efforts to settle the dispute on Thursday, told the Post that their Acharya, a senior advocate with of Urban Development), Gauri Oli said. Meanwhile, the Cabinet meeting, through consensus, according to faction represents Nepal Communist expertise on constitutional law. Shankar Chaudhary (Ministry of Prabhu Sah, who had earlier which convened after the new minis- spokesman Shrestha. Party as the faction has a clear “The change made in the Central Labour, Employment and Social opposed Oli’s move to dissolve the ters took their oath of office on Friday, If no consensus is reached, it will majority. Committee sent after the dispute sur- Security) House, had joined the Dahal-Nepal recommended President Bidhya Devi give legitimacy to one faction’s deci- “The chair has enlarged the central faced, should not be the basis for And Dawa Lama (Ministry of Youth camp and participated in the group’s Bhandari to summon the regular ses- sion or the faction itself as the estab- committee by using the authority of determining legitimacy as far as legal and Sports) from among the former central working committee meeting sion of the Upper House from January lishment, based on the evidence sub- being the chair and we have a clear provisions and practices are con- Maoists and Prem Ale (Minister for until Wednesday. But as soon as for- 1, according to a minister. mitted. If such recognition cannot be majority in the party,” he said. cerned.”

BRIEFING Political protests cause long traffic jams in Valley Online applications for driving Just 15 minutes of traffic jam in core city areas could cause at least two hours of snarl-ups in various parts of the Valley. licence to resume ANUP OJHA have kept the Valley’s traffic police on KATHMANDU: Online applications for KATHMANDU, DEC 25 their toes. new driving licences will be available According to the Metropolitan from Tuesday, nine months after it Protests broke out in Kathmandu on Traffic Police Division, rallies have was suspended over the coronavirus Friday against the move of the KP broken out in different parts of the scare, the Department of Transport Sharma Oli government to abruptly Valley in the last four days, obstruct- Management said on Friday. Online dissolve the lower house of Parliament ing the traffic. forms for new driving licences will be and call for a fresh election. “The traffic in the valley has come available from December 29, the The dissident faction in the ruling to the pre-lockdown period and it has department said in a statement on its Nepal Communist Party, led by already become problematic. The lat- website. The forms have been una- Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and the main est political situation in the country is vailable since March 24 when the opposition, Nepali Congress, have all going to make our job difficult, “said country went into a lockdown to con- condemned Oli’s action and now they Janak Bhattrai, Senior Superintendent tain the spread of coronavirus. are challenging his move through the of Police, also chief of the Division. streets. Around one million vehicles are Addressing a factional gathering at plying the Valley roads daily ever Two held with pistols Babarmahal, Dahal suggested that the since the government decided to dis- SUNSARI: Police arrested two persons protest could continue in the days to continue the odd-even rule last week, in possession of two country-made come. according to an estimate of the traffic pistols in Bhantabari, Koshi Rural But with the prospect of daily pro- police division. Municipality-8, Sunsari, on Thursday. test rallies comes traffic congestion on The division has deployed 1,500 traf- Mohammad Muktar Miya, 35, and the city streets. fic police officers to manage the Valley Saddam Miya, 27, of Koshi-8 were “This is going to be another blun- traffic. held with the weapons, said police. der from our political parties. Now “It’s always the common people like Security personnel also seized five thousands of us have to face the pro- us who suffer. They are protesting on bullets, two cell phones and two test and jam inside the Valley,” said the streets and we are compelled to sit motorcycles from the suspects. Nilam Subedi, 26, an educational in traffic jams for hours,” said Mohan counsellor. Shahi, who had to walk from New “Now political parties have Road to Lagankhel because of the pro- Fire engulfs store in announced a series of demonstra- test. “The Valley’s traffic jam was JANAKPUR: A massive fire broke out at tions, and most of them happen in already notorious, the protests have Mithila Department Store in Shiva between New Baneshwor and made it worse.” Chowk, Janakpur on Thursday morn- Babarmahal. This will delay my Superintendent Shyam Krishna ing. The fire destroyed the store and work.” Adhikari, spokesperson of the traffic other shops and a restaurant. Just 15 minutes of traffic conges- police division, said it was tougher Harikanta Mishra, owner of the tion in core city areas, such as for them to manage the Valley’s store, said, “Fire was contained only Maitighar, Ratnapark or New POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL traffic now. after two hours. The fire was started Baneshwor, means at least two hours According to Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, rallies have broken out in different parts of the Valley in the last four days, obstructing traffic. “Earlier we used to get notice when- at 10 am. But, fire engines were late of snarl-ups in various parts of ever there was a protest rally. Right to arrive at the scene. Because of this, Kathmandu Valley, according to the not only disrupted the traffic in the Many people were stuck in traffic cles and walk to their destinations. now we are in a situation where pro- property worth millions were city’s traffic police office. area but also in different parts of the jams for hours while several commut- The series of protests announced by tests could happen anywhere and at destroyed in fire.” On Friday, the protest at Maitighar city throughout the day. ers were forced to get off from vehi- the disgruntled political parties any time,” he said.

C M Y K SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | 04 WORLD Chinese coronavirus vaccines are Politics overhangs US poised to fill gap, but will they work? Christmas as government For those countries that have not yet secured a vaccine, China may be the only solution. shutdown nears, Covid ASSOCIATED PRESS TAIPEI, DEC 25 aid uncertain With rich countries snapping up sup- plies of Covid-19 vaccines, some parts REUTERS Trump, who was represented in the of the world may have to rely on WASHINGTON, DEC 25 negotiations with lawmakers by Chinese-developed shots to try to con- Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin quer the outbreak. The question: Will President Donald Trump will spend and had not objected to the terms they work? Christmas Day at his Palm Beach prior to the House and Senate votes, There is no outward reason to resort as millions of Americans face complained that the package was too believe they won’t, but China has a the risk of losing jobless benefits full of money for special interests and history of vaccine scandals, and its on Saturday and a partial government foreign aid, and said the $600 in direct drugmakers have revealed little about shutdown looms next week, following payments to most Americans was too their final human trials and the more his threat to not sign a $2.3 trillion small, demanding instead that the than 1 million emergency-use inocula- coronavirus aid and spending amount be increased to $2,000. tions they say have been carried out package. A White House official said on inside the country already. Democratic President-elect Joe Thursday that Trump’s threat to not Wealthy nations have reserved Biden, whose victory Trump still sign the bill should not come as a sur- about 9 billion of the 12 billion mostly refuses to acknowledge nearly two prise, noting that Trump had once Western-developed shots expected to months after the November 3 election, signed a mammoth omnibus bill be produced next year, while COVAX, is spending the day at his Delaware against his better judgment and a global effort to ensure equal access home and has no public events, said at the time that he would not do to Covid-19 vaccines, has fallen short according to his staff. it again. of its promised capacity of 2 billion Meanwhile, the US Congress, which In December 2018, Trump started a doses. normally is adjourned the last week 35-day government shutdown when he For those countries that have not of December, will be preparing to refused to sign a spending bill that yet secured a vaccine, China may be return to work. didn’t include the funding he wanted the only solution. On Monday, following the Christmas for a border wall. China has six candidates in the last weekend, the House of Representatives Without his signature on the coro- stage of trials and is one of the few is scheduled to vote on overriding navirus aid bill, about 14 million peo- nations that can manufacture vaccine Trump’s veto of a $740 billion bill ple will lose unemployment benefits on a large scale. Government officials authorising the country’s defence pro- on Saturday, and a partial government have announced a capacity of 1 billion grammes. If the House vote succeeds, shutdown will begin on Tuesday. doses next year, with President Xi the Senate could hold its vote as early It is unclear if Trump will ultimate- Jinping vowing China’s vaccines will as Tuesday. ly sign the $2.3 trillion bill. Trump be a boon to the world. The fight over the spending and aid could also choose to take advantage of The potential use of its vaccine by AP/RSS package comes as Americans face an a situation known as a “pocket veto,” millions of people in other countries A worker inspects syringes of a vaccine for Covid-19 produced by Sinovac at its factory in Beijing on September 24. With rich countries unprecedented holiday season, amid a rather than outright vetoing the coro- gives China an opportunity both to snapping up supplies of Covid-19 vaccines, some parts of the world may have to rely on Chinese-developed shots to conquer the outbreak. pandemic that is killing people in navirus aid package. Because the cur- repair the damage to its reputation record numbers. Nearly 320,000 rent Congress expires on January 3, from an outbreak that escaped its bor- ond country to approve a Chinese Brazilians won’t be used as “guinea Jin Dong-yan, a medical professor at Americans have died of Covid-19 this Trump could let the normal 10-day ders and to show the world it can be a Covid-19 vaccine, joining the United pigs.” the University of Hong Kong. year and the daily death toll is repeat- period that a president has to sign or major scientific player. Arab Emirates. Morocco plans to use Many experts praise China’s vac- “There are no major outbreaks in edly well over 3,000, the highest since veto a bill simply run out. Bills die if Yet past scandals have damaged its Chinese vaccines in a mass immunisa- cine capabilities. China for any of these diseases,” he the pandemic began. they are not enacted during the own citizens’ trust in its vaccines, tion campaign slated to start this “The studies look to be well done,” said. “That means the vaccines are On Christmas Eve, Trump played Congress in which they are intro- with manufacturing and supply chain month. Chinese vaccines are also said Jamie Triccas, head of immunol- safe and effective.” golf at his course in West Palm Beach, duced. problems casting doubt on whether it awaiting approval in Turkey, ogy and infectious diseases at the China has worked with the Gates Florida, and tweeted a series of griev- If he does issue a veto, the House can really be a saviour. Indonesia and Brazil, while testing University of Sydney’s medical Foundation and others to improve ances repeating his baseless claims and Senate could try and override it “A question mark remains over how continues in more than a dozen coun- school, referring to clinical trial manufacturing quality in the past about the election result. next week. Congress might also have China can ensure the delivery of reli- tries, including Russia, Egypt and results published in scientific jour- decade. The World Health Organization Trump stunned members of both to pass a stopgap spending bill on able vaccines,” said Joy Zhang, a pro- Mexico. nals. “I wouldn’t be overly concerned has prequalified five non-Covid-19 parties when he unexpectedly Monday, before money that funds gov- fessor who studies the ethics of In some countries, Chinese vac- about that.” Chinese vaccines, which allows announced this week his dislike of the ernment operations expires at mid- emerging science at the University of cines are viewed with suspicion. China has been building up its UN agencies to buy them for other $2.3 trillion spending bill, a package night. Kent in Britain. She cited China’s Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro has immunisation programmes for more countries. that had taken the House and Senate Also on Monday, the Democratic- “non-transparency over scientific repeatedly sown doubt about the effec- than a decade. It has produced suc- The companies whose products won months to negotiate. The bill provides controlled House plans to vote on leg- data and a troubled history with vac- tiveness of Chinese company cessful vaccines on a large scale for its prequalification include Sinovac and $892 billion in coronavirus relief, and islation providing one-time, $2,000 cine delivery.” Sinovac’s vaccine candidate without own population, including vaccina- state-owned Sinopharm, both leading $1.4 trillion in regular government checks to individuals to help them Bahrain last week became the sec- citing any evidence, and said tions for measles and hepatitis, said developers of Covid-19 vaccines. appropriations. during the coronavirus pandemic.

BRIEFING India’s Modi calls farmer

Magnitude 6.3 earthquake strikes Philippines island protests over contested MANILA: An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 struck the Mindoro region of the Philippines, the European laws politically motivated Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said on Friday. The quake REUTERS occurred at a depth of 144 km (89 MUMBAI, DEC 25 miles), EMSC said. The temblor, Modi repeatedly which was also felt in the capital India’s Prime Minister Narendra said ‘some people’ region, also registered at magnitude Modi said on Friday that protests by 6.3 at the Philippine Institute of farmers against three laws brought by were spreading lies Volcanology and Seismology his government were politically (Phivolcs). The centre was traced at motivated, as he touted the success and rumours. Calatagan in Batangas province, of an agricultural scheme launched according to an initial report from last year. Phivolcs, which said it did not expect Thousands of farmers from several about farmers’ troubles, and dis- damage but warned of aftershocks. It Indian states have been camped on the missed the protests as motivated by issued no tsunami warning. outskirts of New Delhi for over a political opponents. month, blocking highways to demand “All these people who are protesting that Modi’s government repeal the in support of farmers, what did they Russia opens criminal case farm laws passed in September that do when they were in power?” he against ally of Navalny they say threaten their livelihoods. said, referring to opposition politi- But Modi’s virtual public address cians. “Those with political motives... MOSCOW: Russian law enforcement on Friday was not focused on the laws are firing the gun from the farmers’ agencies opened a criminal case under contention. shoulders.” against Lyubov Sobol, an ally of Instead, he spoke via video Modi also said he was open to dis- Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, and conferencing to seven farmers from cussions with farmers. “I ask even took her in for questioning early on different states, asking them how they those opposing me today, that my gov- Friday after raiding her home, had benefited from ‘PM Kisan’—a ernment is ready to talk to them on Navalny and his supporters said. cash transfer scheme his government farmer issues.” There was no immediate comment launched in February, 2019, under At least six rounds of talks between from the police. Supporters of which farmers get minimum income Modi’s government and farmer lead- Navalny said the police action support. ers on the new laws have failed. appeared to be a response to The farmers Modi spoke with on Modi used his address to also to Sobol visiting the home of an Friday praised his scheme—but none take a dig at his political rivals, chiefly alleged FSB security service were among the thousands who have the fiery leader of the eastern state of agent in Moscow. Navalny had been protesting. West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, ahead AP/RSS earlier said the man took part in a Modi repeatedly said “some people” of legislative assembly elections in Indian Christian boys wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus peep through the glass of the church as they are not allowed botched plot to poison him in August. were spreading lies and rumours the state in 2021. to attend the Christmas mass due to Covid-19 restrictions in Gauhati, India, on Friday. The FSB has dismissed Navalny’s allegations as a provocation designed to discredit it. Sobol was briefly detained on Monday after visiting the alleged agent’s flat and ringing the doorbell. She was not let into the man’s flat. In Christmas message, pope calls on nations to share vaccines

Trial of Hong Kong people REUTERS ic, it is all the more important for us to others because Jesus himself was VATICAN CITY, DEC 25 acknowledge one another as brothers born a poor outcast, Francis said on detained in China from and sisters,” he said. Thursday night at his Christmas Eve Monday, supporters say Pope Francis called in his Christmas Stressing that health is an interna- Mass, which started two hours early message on Friday for nations to tional issue, he appeared to criticise so the few participants could get home HONG KONG: Ten of 12 Hong Kong peo- share Covid-19 vaccines, saying walls so-called ‘vaccine nationalism’, which in time before a 10 p.m. curfew. ple captured by China at sea as they of nationalism could not be built U.N. officials fear will worsen the pan- “May the Child of Bethlehem help tried to flee by boat four months ago to stop a pandemic that knows no demic if poor nations receive the vac- us, then, to be generous, supportive will go on trial in the mainland city borders. cine last. and helpful, especially towards those of Shenzhen on Monday, supporters In a sign of the times, Francis “May the Son of God renew in polit- who are vulnerable, the sick, those said on Friday. The case has attracted delivered his traditional “Urbi et ical and government leaders a spirit unemployed or experiencing hardship great interest in Hong Kong and Orbi” (to the city and the world) mes- of international cooperation, starting due to the economic effects of the pan- abroad as a rare instance of the sage virtually from a lectern inside with health care, so that all will be demic, and women who have suffered Beijing authorities arresting people the Vatican instead of from the cen- ensured access to vaccines and treat- domestic violence during these trying to leave the financial hub at a tral balcony of St Peter’s Basilica ment. In the face of a challenge that months of lockdown,” he said in his time of growing concern about the before tens of thousands. knows no borders, we cannot erect Friday address. prospects for the city’s high degree of The pandemic and its social and walls. All of us are in the same boat,” Francis called for peace and recon- autonomy. The families had asked economic effects dominated the mes- he said. ciliation in Syria, Yemen, Libya, this week for 20 days’ notice to allow sage, in which Francis called for Italians are under a nationwide Nagorno-Karabakh, South Sudan, them to attend the trial, given a global unity and help for nations suf- lockdown for much of the Christmas Nigeria and Cameroon and Iraq, 14-day Covid-19 quarantine upon fering from conflicts and humanitari- and New Year holiday period. The which he is due to visit in early March. entering mainland China. Instead, an crises. restrictions mean people are not be He also asked to comfort those suf- the families of seven detainees were REUTERS “At this moment in history, marked able to go to St. Peter’s Square or the fering from humanitarian crises or notified of the trial date by govern- Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve mass with only a few faithful able to participate due to by the ecological crisis and grave eco- basilica for papal events, all of which natural disasters in Burkina Fasso, ment-appointed lawyers, a support the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) regulations in order to stop a rise in infections, in St nomic and social imbalances only have been moved indoors. Mali, Niger, the Philippines and group said. (AGENCIES) Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, on December 24. worsened by the coronavirus pandem- Christmas is above all a time to help Vietnam.

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 MONEY EU nations Japan aims to start assessing Protesting sugarcane farmers fear eliminate gasoline post-Brexit trade being elbowed out of public view vehicles by deal with UK The farmers from the Tarai have been holding a sit-in to demand payment for their crops sold to sugar mills. mid-2030s

ASSOCIATED PRESS KRISHANA PRASAIN ous mills owe them more than Rs900 REUTERS BRUSSELS, DEC 25 KATHMANDU, DEC 25 million. But the mills say the com- TOKYO, DEC 25 bined outstanding amount is less than European Union ambassadors were Sugarcane farmer Shyam Babu Sah Rs550 million. Japan aims to eliminate gasoline-pow- convening on Christmas Day to start from Sarlahi gets up early in the The agitating sugarcane farmers ered vehicles in the next 15 years, the assessing the massive free-trade deal morning and joins the sit-in at charged that the sugar mills had been government said on Friday in a plan the bloc struck with Britain that Maitighar Mandala like he has been trying ‘to weaken the protest’ by hand- to reach net zero carbon emissions should kick off next next week when doing everyday for nearly two weeks. ing out small amounts and asking and generate nearly $2 trillion a year the acrimonious Brexit divorce pro- He and dozens of other farmers from them to go home. in green growth by 2050. cess finally comes to an end. the Tarai have come to the nation’s Ram Raya, secretary of the ad-hoc The “green growth strategy,” After the deal was announced on capital in desperation as sugar mills committee, said that sugar mill own- targeting the hydrogen and auto Thursday, EU nations already showed have not paid them for their sugar- ers were providing accommodation to industries, is meant as an action plan support for the outcome and it was cane crops for years. some of the farmers in a bid to break to achieve Prime Minister Yoshihide expected that they would unanimous- The farmers, used to the warm cli- up the protest. “They are planning to Suga’s October pledge to eliminate ly back the agreement, a prerequisite mate of the Tarai plains, have been disperse the farmers from the protest carbon emissions on a net basis by for its legal approval. braving the shivering cold of site by saying that they will pay all the mid-century. Speedily approving the deal is Kathmandu to push the government money,” he said. Suga has made green investment a essential, since a transition period to get their money from the mill own- “It’s nearly two weeks since top priority to help revive the econo- during which Britain continued to ers. Some of them are living with rela- we started the sit-in, but the govern- my hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and trade by EU rules despite its January tives while others are forced to sleep ment has only been inviting us to bring Japan into line with the 31 departure from the bloc runs out on in the open in the bitter weather. for talks instead of taking action European Union, China and other New Year’s Day. Without a trade deal, On Friday morning, Sah arrived at against the mills for non-payment,” economies setting ambitious emis- it would have acerbated chaos at the the Mandala as usual and was stunned said Mishra. sions targets. border where checks on goods will to see three former prime ministers “We are suffering extreme hardship have to be increased since Britain is and a whole bunch of party workers sitting out in the cold, but the govern- fully out of the 27-nation bloc. already occupying the protest site. ment is not becoming serious,” he The UK parliament is expected to The former prime ministers Pushpa said, adding that some of the farmers The government approve the deal in the coming days, Kamal Dahal, Madhav Kumar Nepal had started falling sick. has set ambitious but the agreement will have to be and and their com- The government asked for 21 days’ applied provisionally, since the EU’s rades were there to demand that they time to make the mills to clear their targets to achieve legislature can only give its consent be allowed to form their own govern- outstanding payments. “We have next month at the earliest. There, too, ment after the ruling party split fol- agreed to that, but what if the mills a carbon neutral approval is expected. lowing months of wrangling. fail to keep their promise?” Mishra The strong show of unity is testa- “We fear that the unfolding political said. society by 2050. ment to EU chief negotiator Michel situation will overshadow our pro- POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA Sugar mills say that they have Barnier, who has worked relentlessly test,” said Rakesh Mishra, patron of Farmers protest at Maitighar in the Capital on Friday demanding payment of their dues. started depositing the money in the to keep all EU nations and the groups the Sugarcane Farmers Struggle farmers’ accounts, but the farmers say “The government has set up ambi- within the EU parliament in the loop Committee, an ad-hoc panel formed to little hope that the demands of the when we don’t get our money for that there has been only very small tious targets to achieve a carbon neu- of developments throughout the tor- pressurise the government to make farmers will be heard or met, said years,” said Sah. deposits tral society in 2050,” said Yukari turous negotiations. It took more than the sugar mills clear outstanding pay- Mahato. Sah received Rs82,000 recently Birendra Kanodia, owner of Takamura, professor at the University three years of wrangling before ments to the farmers. But the 42-year-old sugarcane farm- from the sugar mill. “But that is less Mahalaxmi Sugar Mill in Sarlahi, said of Tokyo. Britain left the bloc’s political struc- “Our protest is not driven by poli- er Sah is adamant. “Our protest will than 20 percent of what the mill that they had already cleared their “Making clear goals and policy tures last January. Disentangling the tics,” he said. “We fear the govern- not be affected by changes in the polit- has to pay me,” he said. “We are here dues. “I don’t have a single penny direction in the green growth strategy two sides’ economies and reconciling ment will not pay attention to the ical condition. We are here to get our to protest although the time for plant- owed to the farmers,” he said. “And if will give incentives for companies to Britain’s desire for independence with farmers. As the Oli administration hard-earned money. We eke our living ing winter crops has already begun,” they say that the mill still owes them invest in future technology.” the EU’s aim of preserving its unity has announced that polls will be from sugarcane farming,” he said. he added. money, they can file a suit.” The government will offer tax took months longer. held in April and May, we doubt the According to Sah, Annapurna Farmers have been saying that the Mishra said, “The mill needs to incentives and other financial support government will alienate the sugar Sugar Mill of Sarlahi has owed him mill owners are not honest enough to pay the farmers Rs471 per quintal to companies, targeting 90 trillion yen mill owners who bankroll their elec- Rs588,489 for six years. He says he show the actual amount that remains of sugarcane, but it has paid only ($870 billion) a year in additional eco- FOREX tion campaign,” Mishra told the Post. is not going to budge until he gets to be paid. Rs435,” said Mishra. The mill has not nomic growth through green invest- “Now the situation is not in favour of his money. According to Ram Bilash Mahato, paid the government subsidy of Rs25 ment and sales by 2030 and 190 trillion the farmers.” “We depend on the money we earn another sugarcane farmer, Annapurna million, he added. But Kanodia yen ($1.8 trillion) by 2050. A 2 trillion US Dollar 117.98 Parliament was dissolved on from growing sugarcane to pay our Sugar Mill still owes him Rs50,000 to said that the remainder is the yen green fund will support corporate Euro 143.58 December 20 following a prolonged children’s school fees, buy farm Rs60,000 even though it claims that it subsidy which should be paid by the investment in green technology. power struggle in the ruling party that materials, repay bank loans and buy has paid off almost all the farmers. government. The plan seeks to replace the sale of Pound Sterling 159.86 has pushed the country into another kitchen utensils. Our sugarcane “They don’t show us the account “We are here to get our money. No new gasoline-powered vehicles with political crisis. With the country going crop is our only source of income. books,” he said. The sugarcane matter what the political situation is, electric vehicles, including hybrid and Japanese Yen 11.40 through a political upheavals, there is Imagine what happens to our family farmers have been charging that vari- we will not move,” said Sah. fuel-cell vehicles, by the mid-2030s. Chinese Yuan 18.04

Qatari Riyal 32.40

Australian Dollar 89.73 Malaysian Ringit 29.06 China will conduct talks Saudi Arab Riyal 31.44 Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank on EU investment pact BULLION PRICE PER TOLA ‘at its own pace’ Fine Gold Rs 94,200 REUTERS Silver Rs 1,280 BEIJING, DEC 25 Talks on the SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA China will conduct talks on an investment pact with the European investment pact Union “at its own pace”, its foreign have gone on for GASOLINE WATCH ministry said on Friday, raising doubts about whether a deal can be six years. sealed by year-end. Negotiations for the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Thursday that reaching an agreement Investment, which would grant required effort from both sides to European companies greater access to “meet each other halfway”. the Chinese market, have gone on for Wang’s latest comments were also a six years. walk-back from a day earlier. On An EU official said last week that a Thursday, Wang had denied that talks deal was close following a push from were stuck due to China making more Germany, which holds the EU presi- demands on nuclear energy. “As I dency until the end of the year and is understand, talks are goings smooth- the biggest European exporter ly,” he had said. to China. But the latest comments A senior Western diplomat in by the Chinese government suggest Beijing told Reuters that China had otherwise. asked Europe for “impossible things”, China will “conduct talks at its such as access to sensitive sectors own pace on the premise of safeguard- such as energy, water treatment and ing its security and developmental public utilities. interests”, foreign ministry spokes- Another major sticking point is man Wang Wenbin told a news brief- China’s reluctance to ratify interna- ing on Friday. tional laws related to labour and other His comments echoed that of the aspects of sustainable development, POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR commerce ministry, which said late on the diplomat added. People watch a movie at a mall in Lalitpur on Friday. Cinemas have reopened after being closed for more that nine months due to the pandemic. US retailers brace for flood of returns from online shopping

ASSOCIATED PRESS lenges of shipping Covid-19 vaccines “It’s a great time to be in the returns given him confidence to buy more NEW YORK, DEC 25 in the weeks and months ahead could business. Every day, there’s a record,” online this holiday season. put further pressure on the system. said David Sobie, CEO and co-founder David Bassuk, global co-leader of A huge surge in online shopping dur- That means shoppers who return of Happy Returns, noting he’s pro- AlixPartners’ retail practice, says ing the pandemic has been a saviour items may not get refunds until two cessed 50 percent more returns in stores are increasingly making it easi- for retailers, but it comes at a price. weeks after they’re sent back to the December than November. er for shoppers to feel less guilty about Shoppers are expected to return store, said Sara Skirboll, shopping Walmart, the nation’s largest retail- returning items. twice as many items as they did expert at deals site RetailMeNot. er, announced earlier this week it will “If they’re not sure of their size, during last year’s holiday period, Many companies are offering more pick up items shipped and sold by they order both sizes,” he says. “If costing companies roughly $1.1 bil- locations where customers can drop Walmart.com from customers’ homes they’re not sure which colour, they lion, according to Narvar Inc, a soft- off returns, which cuts down shipping for free through a new partnership order both colours. And if they’re not ware and technology company that costs and gets refunds to shoppers with FedEx. The service will continue sure which item, they order them all. manages online returns for hundreds more quickly. beyond the holiday shopping season. But it’s costly to the retailers, and the of brands. Last year, Kohl’s began allowing A growing number of retailers are retailers are not well positioned to Retailers don’t want the returns, Amazon returns at all of its 1,000 asking shoppers to not even bother handle all the cost.” but they do want shoppers who may stores—customers drop off items for sending back certain rejected items. On average, people return 25 per- not feel safe going to stores to be com- free, with no box or label needed. This When Dick Pirozzolo wanted to cent of items they buy online, com- fortable buying things they haven’t year, Amazon customers can also return a too-small jersey he bought for pared with only 8 percent of what they seen or tried on in person. return items at 500 Whole Foods $40 on a website called Online Cycling buy in stores, according to Forrester People have been doing so much Market stores. That’s in addition to Gear, he was pleasantly surprised Research’s online analyst Sucharita online buying since March that carri- Amazon’s deal with UPS to allow sim- with the response. The site told him to Mulpuru. For clothing it’s even high- ers like UPS and FedEx were already ilar drop-offs at UPS stores. keep it, discard it, or give it to a friend er, about 30 percent. at full capacity before the holiday Happy Returns, a Santa Monica, or charity—and it will send him the But not all rejected items are the shopping season. And online sales just California-based startup that works right size for an extra $10. same and have varying levels of depre- keep soaring. From November 1 with about 150 online retailers like “I was fine with that,” said the ciation, experts say. After an item is though Tuesday, they spiked 32 per- Rothy’s and Revolve, has increased its 77-year-old cycling enthusiast from sent back to the retailer, the company AP/RSS cent to $171.6 billion, compared with number of drop-off locations to 2,600, Wellesley, Massachusetts. “I did a good must assess its condition and decide A customer is shown at the exchanges and return counter in a Target department store in the year-ago period, according to from more than 700 last year. That thing for a friend, and I got a new whether to resell it, send it to a liqui- Glendale, Colorado. Adobe Analytics. The massive chal- includes 2,000 FedEx locations. shirt.” The experience, he says, has dator or the landfill.

C M Y K SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Troubled Premier League Swimming sensation ANFA to hold provincial league from mid-January managers look for Christmas joy Gaurika vying for votes KATHMANDU: With a view to resuming domestic football, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on Arteta’s Arsenal are four points above the drop zone, Bruce’s Magpies are in the 12th but Friday decided to hold the provincial league from mid-January. A meeting next face Manchester City and then Liverpool and Wilder’s Sheffield have just two points. of the football governing body’s rep- resentatives and provincial represent- atives had decided to hold provincial league football in Province 2, Bagmati Province and Sudurpaschim Province. According to an ANFA statement, the province will send details of the proposal to ANFA with- in a week. ANFA has earlier decided to start ‘B’ division league from February 23 and ‘C’ division from March 14. (SB)

Man City’s Jesus and Walker test positive for Covid-19 MANCHESTER: Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus and defender Kyle Walker have tested positive for Covid- REUTERS 19, the Premier League club said on (From left) Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, Newcastle coach Steve Bruce and Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder all are under scrutiny. Friday. Two other City staff members have also tested positive for the novel AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Woolwich Arsenal. Areta will hope the after-effects of Covid-19. Bruce said coronavirus, and all four are self-iso- LONDON, DEC 25 board keep the faith and listened to after the Brentford defeat he had not lating. “Everyone at the club wishes the sterling defence his former boss at lost the dressing room, though it was our colleagues a speedy recovery Slaven Bilic’s sacking by West Brom Manchester City Pep Guardiola hardly a convincing response. over the Christmas period ahead of last week made him the earliest mana- mounted after the Gunners lost 4-1 to “Are the players playing for me? their return to work, training and gerial departure in a Premier League them in the League Cup on Tuesday. I think they are,” he said. POST FILE PHOTO competition,” City said in a state- season for six years after it took 18 “It’s just a question of time and he “Maybe they’re not playing well Swimmer Gaurika Singh is one among the five nominees of the Peoples’ Choice Award. ment. (REUTERS) games for Cardiff City to dismiss Neil will do well. Football changes in one enough, but it’s not without effort and Warnock in 2014. The next sacking week so quick,” said Guardiola. determination.” SPORTS BUREAU She is one among the five nominees may not be long in coming with sever- Steve Bruce knows all about the ups Bilic might well scratching his head KATHMANDU, DEC 25 of the Peoples’ Choice Award along Former England batsman al bosses having serious question and downs of football management at being the first manager sacked with basketball captain Sadina marks over their futures. especially after Newcastle’s disap- when he compares notes with Sheffield “I belong to Nepal and I play for my Shrestha, karateka Manday Kaji John Edrich dies aged 83 Mikel Arteta’s FA Cup success last pointing League Cup quarter-final United’s Chris Wilder. The Blades’ country,” an emotional Gaurika Singh Shrestha, volleyball captain Aruna LONDON: Former England batsman season and then victory over Liverpool exit at the hands of second-tier board have shown admirable grati- said during the 13th South Asian Shahi and football’s Sabitra Bhandari. John Edrich, who made more than in the Community Shield suggested Brentford. The Magpies look reasona- tude and restraint in retaining faith Games (SAG) that took place from According to the organiser of the 100 first-class centuries, has died at the turbulent period for Arsenal under bly comfortable in 12th place in the with the 53-year-old Englishman December 1 to 10 last year. There was award, the players were selected on the age of 83, the England and Wales his predecessor Unai Emery had been table. However, with a trip to despite garnering just two points this a reason for the teenage swim- the basis of their performance and Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday. laid to rest. However, heading into a Manchester City on Saturday and season—the worst start in Premier ming sensation’s state- popularity in the past Nepali cal- Edrich scored more than 5,000 runs tough home clash with highflying then welcoming champions Liverpool League history. Wilder is living off the ment. The 18-year-old endar year. The winner among for England during a 77-match Test London rivals Chelsea on Saturday a few days later the eight points sepa- currency he gained through guiding lives with her par- them will be decided on the basis career, including 12 centuries. The the bright new dawn has clouded over rating them from the relegation zone Sheffield United to the Premier ents in London. of votes received through former Surrey captain notched 103 and the former Gunners captain’s could be whittled away such is the League and then ninth spot last term. She has been eSewa, Facebook likes, votes hundreds and more than 39,000 runs future after just over a year in charge volatility of this campaign. Wilder has a tough test at home to honing her from organiser Nepal Sports in first-class cricket. “With John’s is in doubt. The 38-year-old Spaniard Bruce, 59, is believed to enjoy the Everton on Saturday but the board’s swim- Journalists Forum passing, we’ve lost a prolific and fear- has overseen their worst start since support of Magpies owner Mike patience may snap if he fails to secure ming members and chief less batsman—one of the select few the 1974/75 season—they have scored Ashley but there are growing rum- points at Burnley on Tuesday. A 3-2 s kills coaches of who have scored more than 5,000 runs just 12 goals to boot—and lie just four blings of discontent from the fans who loss to Manchester United and then a and try- sports for England,” ECB chief executive points above the relegation zone. aside from seeing a chance of a trophy draw with struggling Brighton has ing to get bet- associ- officer Tom Harrison said in a It says a lot about the gloom sur- disappear are far from happy with the given hope to Wilder. ter every other ations. statement.” Edrich made his Test rounding the club the board have unimaginative style of play. “If we don’t show that right atti- day. Despite living in Singh is debut against West Indies in 1963, inserted clauses in the players con- Bruce has not been helped by losing tude, we’re toast—we understand that, a foreign country, she has one of the best ending his career at the highest tracts of a cut in pay should they be influential players captain Jamaal so it won’t happen,” he said. “At least not forgotten her roots and known contempo- level against the same opposition relegated for the first time since Lascelles and French star Allan Saint- there’s a little bit of light at the end of has been representing the coun- rary sports personali- in 1976. (REUTERS) 1912/13 when they were known as Maximin who are both suffering the the tunnel after the last two games.” try in major events. ties of the country. Apart The 13th edition of SAG was the from the 13th SAG, she bagged biggest sports event for the country in global fame in the Rio Olympics of the past year (2076 BS) and the biggest 2016 when she became the youngest achievement at the mega event was player at the global sports meet at 13. Indian Premier League to add two more teams from 2022 the four gold medal haul by Singh. Before that she had made a strong Apart from gold, she also claimed two presence at the regional level during REUTERS drew record television and digital the IPL Governing Council - how and International Cricket Council (ICC) is silver and three bronze medals while the 2016 SAG held in India where she NEW DELHI, DEC 25 viewership this year despite being when to add the teams.” very keen on, but did not specify its winning the hearts of all Nepalis. bagged one silver and three bronze staged in the United Arab Emirates Local media has reported in the stance. “That still needs to be dis- Singh would definitely find her place medals at a tender age. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is following the Covid-19 surge in India. past that Indian conglomerates Adani cussed. We need some more clarity on in the history books as the most suc- It’s no exaggeration to say that set to become a 10-team affair from “We have received an in-principle Group and RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, this issue (from ICC),” Dhumal said. cessful athlete of the country. She has Singh is the best recognised Nepali 2022 after the Indian cricket board on approval to add two more teams after which owned the now-defunct Pune Another vexed issue that came up at been nominated in the popular catego- player at the global stage and her Thursday approved a proposal to add talking to all the stakeholders,” Board franchise for two IPL seasons, have the meeting was securing tax exemp- ry of the NSJF Pulsar Sports Award to much improved performance in last two more franchises to the world’s of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shown interest in buying new teams. tions, as demanded by the ICC from take place on January 12 in Satdobato. year’s SAG compared to the 2016 edi- richest Twenty20 competition. treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal told The board also discussed the possi- host nations, for the 2021 Twenty20 Singh achieved top finishes in 100m, tion signals that the teenager has a The eight-team league, with an esti- Reuters after the AGM in Ahmedabad. ble inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los World Cup and the 50-over World Cup 200m and 400m freestyle besides podi- bright future in the world of mated brand value of $6.8 billion, “Now the issue will be discussed in Angeles Olympics, something the in 2023. um finish in 200m backstroke. swimming. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Ever watch a cat play with a catnip mouse? They It’s no coincidence that emotions have always been You could meet someone now who really seems to If anyone is good at keeping a poker face, it’s defi- most certainly know it’s not a real mouse, but that your specialty. You know how to express them no like you. Still, the memory of past relationship fail- nitely you. Now, a certain person you’ve been doing doesn’t mean the game is any less fun. The game is matter who happens to be watching, because it never ures could haunt you. Everyone has experienced your absolute best to hide your feelings from could the point, not the toy. Think of the game you’re play- occurs to you to hold them back. After all, aren’t love on many levels, and it’s difficult to judge which suddenly approach you. You may be taken off guard, ing now the same way, but be more humane. feelings the best part of being human? level a new friend is on. but keep your cool!

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** If anyone makes a terrific companion, it’s you. You Things are going along so well right now that you’re You’re having visions right now, but they aren’t delu- You’re a cerebral creature who often blasts through have the endurance and tenacity of a bull. You’re almost afraid to mention what’s going on—the old sions; they’re visions of things you want to do. the routine of your day with so many thoughts and game for anything, as long as you can get back in “waiting for the other shoe to drop” paranoia, that is. Whether you’re seeing palm trees, spas, or Broadway simultaneously battling for attention that you forget time to shower and change for work. Today is going Relax. Share the good word and don’t be surprised if shows, you can start making plans. If you don’t, to notice small nuances. Today, take a breather and do to be fun. some friends turn up to take part in the fun. you’ll just be cranky and irritable. that.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** You’re usually pretty good at gauging the mood of the You want to let absolutely everyone know how happy At this particular moment in time, intimacy is defi- You’re set up to have one of those priceless days. person you’re keeping company with, especially if you are and why. Start by getting permission from nitely what you’re after, but not in the traditional Don’t take it for granted, but don’t get too carried you’re interested in more than just a friendship. At the other half of your joyous news. Once you get the sense. It’s not a physical connection you’re looking away being grateful either. You can enjoy it without the moment, though, you’re not quite sure which of okay, tell your friends, family, co-workers, and any- for. You want a meeting of the minds and the souls, feeling indebted to whatever person gets the show on your usual tactics to employ. one you make pleasant eye contact with. and you won’t stop until you get it. the road for you. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE In bits and pieces When trapped in the house for months, little things in life preserve your sanity, like a flock of pigeons and their gentle cooing.

BIBEK ADHIKARI canal—trembling in trepidation—into a cycle of unhappiness? one room to another. world full of panic and ordeal; the pros- *** What keeps me from running into the gravelled path runs from in pect of leaving the halcyon days of the Sometimes I think I’d be happier if I streets, screaming for help, are the stacks front of the house, worn- womb, only to live in a constant miasma stopped thinking altogether; if I didn’t of books caked in dust, a pile of spiral out by many feet and hard- of chaos and catastrophe. Plath would have a cranium with a thinking machine notebooks, a six-year-old laptop, the mild- ened by the bright after- have called it a “monumental grotesque floating in the ethereal void; if I believed ly uplifting view of box-shaped houses noon sun. The path takes a joke” had she lived through this age, this in the flawed comforts of home—ah, how from the window, the sunlight that comes right-angle turn in the cor- time. humans crave for security, especially dur- slanting in, the memories that never seem nerA and goes all the way to the market *** ing troubling times. A place where you to fade away. square, a place bustling with the daily With my mobility being constrained can feed and rest your body, and give your But is “sanity” such a grave topic when hubbub of traffic and pedestrians. within a rigid boundary, I think of the soul to people who you think care for you. heinous mutant viruses assail and blitz Of late, I have been missing the sights days when moving was easy. All you had Sometimes I think just the opposite. humankind? and sounds, the smell and touch of the to do was get out of the door, the bounda- What, after all, is a human if not a *** familiar. I miss the faces, the smiles, the ry wall, into the vast world—akin to com- thinking machine? Thoughts swallow up The Thoreau in me lies still. The idea cafés, the sweet aroma of spices, the ing out of that dark, dreary tunnel, with a the mind, its intricacies and complexi- of home-away-from-home, or a shack in soft-spoken conversations, the susurra- scintilla of hope that there would be light, ties. Thoughts consume the workings of the woods, terrifies me. Ensconced with tions . . . meeting the eyes of strangers, flickering and welcoming, at the end. Now an anatomical being, sending electric my parents, in the oddly familiar yet returning their nods or smiles. I even the light is out, and the tunnel stretches shrills down the spine. What good will be bizarre surroundings, I try my best to miss the overcrowded buses, the constant as far as the eye can discern. a human with no thoughts, no desire, no find comfort in accepting things as they honking, the insipid songs blaring from There is so much that goes into the passion, and no pain? are—yet the sceptic in me dreads the frog the overhead speakers . . . and the people, mind before one thinks of moving, rais- *** croaking in joy from the bottom of the of course. ing the metaphorical legs and taking slow Tired of being a kupamanduka, I seek well. Once an ardent supporter of Jefferson’s and steady steps. The boundaries encircle meanings in-between boundaries, in the What I want to do with this moment is inhumanism—the belief that humankind you; they cripple you. And you realise fluctuating liminal space, inside the blu- to take it in my hands and wrench a piece

is too self-centred and can do away with suddenly that mobility was an illusion, H ish haze of social media. I search for a of love and loneliness out of it—and some “uncentering”—I now despise that and turn away on the verge of tears. You human connection, my body aching with hopefully, transform it into the beauty of

theory and refuse to see any merit or give up your thoughts, your dreams, your UN SPL AS desire. I read between the lines, acknowl- the written word. Like many artists of glory in a person who chooses to live in a mind . . . for the illusory comfort that is edge the spaces and pauses, forgo the long the bygone days, I want to make art out of bubble. I shun the Thoreauvian idea of often called “home.” silences. The meaning of my life is the hurt and sorrow and the endless living in a cabin in the middle of the *** Where does this entrenched in every word I type in the chat entrapment. woods, no matter how romantic and uto- The proverbial frog in the well, the box—in every avoidance and rejection. To stop from being bored to tears by a pian it sounds. kupamanduka, is both smug and worried. wanting lead to? More In every typewritten word, I try my do-nothing life or run into the risk of *** Refusing to see any further, he foolishly wanting—and a best to seek assurance. No matter my ina- weeping into the pillows as the day ends, After being locked in the house for too considers the enclosing brick walls to be bility to compose a verse or spin a yarn, I I will have to find meaning and fulfilment many days, it’s not surprising that a bit- the limits of his knowledge. The dark and vicious cycle of struggle to accept the setbacks with equa- in smaller things. Say, for instance, the tersweet feeling or a tantalising revela- dismal entrapment becomes his safe nimity. crow cawing from the telephone wire or tion comes swirling out of thin air. I see it haven, yet he despises his abode. A glim- unhappiness? *** the neighbour’s dog barking ad nauseam. on the slow spread of the orange glow mering mist on the opening tells him When trapped in the house for months, Otherwise, I might end up living against the brick-and-mortar walls. I lis- there’s more to life than the murky waters little things in life preserve your sanity. A through this new tragedy, barely recog- ten to it in the daytime lull or in the night- and greyish moss. flock of pigeons and their gentle cooing nising its passing; confined in a well of time melody of my drowsy neighbour- I am that frog, wallowing in the com- taste of instant coffee, and the brightness on the neighbour’s terrace keep me from cold comforts—with a jaundiced and frac- hood. I taste it in the heavy air of my forts of my room—standing at the win- of a cell phone’s screen. But the frog in going crazy. I owe my sanity to the house tured sense of the world around me. room, and I quiver with longing, with this dow and watching the clouds float dream- me doesn’t know what more should a per- sparrows chasing each other, to the stray feeling, this sensation of being born. ily. I know there’s more to life than these son want. And where does this wanting dogs tottering in glee, to the shadows and Adhikari writes poetry and fiction. He That is, tumbling out of the dark brick walls, the varnished desk, the bitter lead to? More wanting—and a vicious silhouettes of my parents moving from tweets as @bibek_writes. BEST-SELLERS | NEW RELEASES

Fiction

1. Srilaaji by Shobhaa De 2. The Archer by Paulo Coelho 3. One Arranged Murder by Chetan Bhagat 4. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig 5. The Return by Nicholas Sparks Source: Mandala Book Point Source:

Non-Fiction Shameless The Room Where it Happened The Battle of Belonging Author: Taslima Nasreen Author: John Bolton Author: Shashi Tharoor 1. Everything is F*cked by Mark Manson Publication: Harper Collins Publication: Simon & Schuster Publication: Aleph Book Company 2. Azadi by Arundhati Price: Rs 638 Price: Rs 1,438 Price: Rs 1,287 3. Caste: The Lies the Divide us by Isabel Taslima Nasreen’s Shameless is a sequel The former National Security Advisor Bestselling author Shashi Tharoor Wilkerson to her bestseller Lajja about Suranjan. In to President Donald Trump, John examines the contested ideas of 4. Death: An Inside Story by Sadhguru this book, Taslima herself is a character Bolton brings a White House memoir nationalism, patriotism, citizenship 5. The India Way: Strategies for an revisiting the character of her book with a substantial account of the and belonging. Tharoor dives into Uncertain World by S Jaishankar Suranjan who has been living an incom- Trump administration. Bolton pro- what nationalism is and can mean for plete life in their so-called safe haven. vides an outlook of his days in the people and the meanings of patriot- The story revolves around the Dutta fam- White House and reveals what ism. He explores the identity of India ily, who have arrived in the Hindu land Trump’s motives and efforts looked that has evolved through time and from Dhaka. like from inside the office. lucidly establishes what true Indianness is in contemporary time.

Novelist Yu Miri: Olympics not helping Fukushima rebuilding Tokyo’s Ueno Park, where a homeless man kills himself in Miri’s award-winning story, looks very clean ahead of next summer’s Olympics. But that doesn’t help the delayed recovery of the disaster-hit Fukushima region.

MARI YAMAGUCHI TOKYO Miri’s novel ‘Tokyo u Miri, who won this year’s National Book Award for Ueno Station’ has won translated literature, says the National Book Tokyo’s Ueno Park, where a homeless man kills himself Award 2020 for in her award-winning story, Ylooks very clean ahead of next summer’s Translated Literature Olympics. Still, she says, that doesn’t help to raise hope amid the coronavirus in the United States. pandemic and the delayed recovery of the disaster-hit Fukushima region. The park is a main setting of Yu’s July 2020, were postponed until next sum- award-winning novel, “Tokyo Ueno mer due to the pandemic. Station,” in which the protagonist, Kazu, Many of those Yu interviewed had a seasonal worker from Fukushima, worked as seasonal workers in Tokyo ended up. The elderly man first came to during Japan’s post-war economic the Japanese capital a year before the 1964 advancement. When they finally came Tokyo Olympics for construction work. back to have an easy retirement life back Yu said at a Tokyo news conference in their hometown, they lost their homes that she visited the park recently and it in the Fukushima disaster. “A man told was surprisingly clean, but that an area me it was back luck, and the word got where she used to interview homeless stuck in my chest like a thorn,” she said. residents for her book has largely been Yu remembered another thorn she has eliminated. had in her chest from her past conversa- The book, first published in Japan in tion with a homeless man. He told her 2014, portrays the life of the seasonal that those who possess the roof and walls worker without a place to go back—a don’t understand the feelings of those theme for many of Yu’s works. who don’t. The story was based on her interviews AP/RSS “So I wrote the story of how the man with homeless squatters living in huts Japanese writer Yu Miri speaks during a news conference in Tokyo. named Kazu lived and chose death, not made of cardboard boxes and blue plastic from the outside but his inner self, think- tarp more than 10 years ago. She said she ment has tried to showcase the recovery amid preparations ahead of the hope,” she said. “Perhaps the story fit ing that perhaps I can convey how he felt was also inspired by about 600 Fukushima ahead of the Tokyo Games, but those who Olympics, and the coronavirus pandemic their thinking and that’s probably why to those who have places to go back,” she residents she interviewed while hosting returned to their homes are largely elder- that has made them more isolated, said the book has been widely read.” said. “As a novelist, my job is to play a a local radio program that she started a ly people. Yu. She has since moved to Minamisoma, She said disaster-hit areas have not role as an endoscope to look inside of a year after the March 2011 meltdowns at Many families, especially with small where she opened a book café in hopes of recovered enough and preparations for person, while also showing him or her the Fukushima nuclear plant. children, say they don’t plan to return to creating a place for locals to get recon- the Olympics have taken away resources with an external camera.” The triple meltdowns at the plant their homes due to radiation concerns as nected after displacement due to the and jobs from the recovery projects, Yu, an ethnic-Korean who was born caused massive radiation leaks to the well as loss of their former jobs and com- nuclear disaster. becoming part of the reasons delaying and raised in Japan, writes in Japanese outside, contaminated the surrounding munities. “Both the nuclear accident and the coro- their reconstruction. “Organizers should and has won a number of Japanese liter- areas and displaced as many as 160,000 But their lives have significantly navirus pandemic have revealed distortion have seen the level of progress of the ature awards, including the prestigious people from the no-go zones and else- changed—for the worse—since Yu fin- and inequality in society,” Yu said. reconstruction before deciding to host Akutagawa Prize in 1997 for “Family where in the prefecture. Most of those ished the book, with a growing sense of “Many people see the situation through the Games,” she said. Cinema.” places have been reopened as the govern- isolation among Fukushima residents a lens of despair instead of a lens of The Olympics, initially planned for — Associated Press

C M Y K SATURDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Celebrating the art in nudity Curated by Roshan Mishra and Kapil Mani Dixit, ‘The Virtually Nude Show’ is a thoughtful virtual exhibition that tries to break away from the conventional connotations attached to nudity in art.

ANKIT KHADGI mat, he has also used acrylic col- KATHMANDU ours as we see hues of reddish colour spreading around the pho- orsos, thighs, breasts, tograph. vaginas, and phallus- His artwork is simple, but it es. Slim, hairy, chub- leaves an everlasting impact—a by, and smooth bodies. thoughtful commentary on the Who would have society and the gender norms that thought that the most suffocates men, forcing them to Tintimate parts of our bodies, follow a certain behaviour and which we hide under our clothes, carry out roles, even when they can be not only the subject and don’t want to. medium of art but art itself ? The scream here both is an out- When one visits the website of cry, a release of anger and frustra- Nepalian Art, they are greeted tion towards society, and a call out with such pieces of art, which are to other men, who are equally made with compassion, love, disturbed by the timeworn gender anger, frustration—highlighting roles and norms. how our bare bodies can be forms But there are few artworks that of artistic expression. are either very plain or require a Curated by Roshan Mishra and lot of effort to understand. For Kapil Mani Dixit, ‘The Virtually PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB VIA NEPALIAN ART instance, ‘My Body My Home’ by Nude Show’ is a carefully chosen The exhibition celebrates artistic expression in nudity by giving space to 57 heartfelt and unique artworks from artists across the globe. Ricardo Coelho is bound to test and thoughtfully organised virtu- the patience of viewers. In an al exhibition that not only tries to and use of colours in his artwork is the space it gives the artworks eight-minute-long video, we see a break away from the stereotypes that succeeds in what he aspires that depict the bodies of men del- group of naked men and women that are usually associated with to do—warn the people about the One thing that also should be icately. Rarely do we get to see entering and coming out of a nude artforms but also celebrates doomed reality of the future. appreciated is the space it gives the bare-chested chubby, thin, old and cage. Likewise, they also utter bodies of all kinds. Another equally poignant work young men, embracing nudity in some words, which are difficult to One of the first artworks that is ‘Asylum Project’, a photograph artworks that depict the bodies of forms of art, as female nudity is understand, as it is in a different meet the eyes of the visitors is a layered with a digital painting of mostly given more focus in the language, due to which the view- piece by Roshan Pradhan. Titled George Strifatris, a Greek artist, men delicately. artforms, which too is filled with ers may not understand what the as ‘A New World’, through the which incites emotions of empa- the male gaze. artist is trying to say through the artwork, Pradhan depicts a thy and melancholy. However, in the exhibition, video. future, an apocalyptic world, In the photograph, we see the uality, there are many artworks juxtaposed along a maze-like there are plenty of bare and Sadaf Faiz’s ‘Poor Substitute of where robots rule the world. behinds of two naked men who that embody the essence of naked- structure. The woman has her naked men, who are embracing a George Keyt Woman’ in compar- In the painting, we see a woman are walking on a stairway. One ness without any skin show. eyes closed, and in her right hand, their sexuality, accepting their ison to other artworks is too plain, indulging in sexual intercourse man is putting his arms around And among such artworks, she is carrying a hammer. vulnerable, delicate side, and this as her work features only the fig- with a robot. The woman is so lost the other, who is holding a thin Mukti Thapa’s artwork ‘Sangam’ Meanwhile, the facial structure is is refreshing to see—a good break ure of a half-naked woman, mak- seeking pleasure that she has fabric in his right hand. The work (Confluence) stands out, both painted in such a way that it from all the macho, virile men ing her artwork forgettable. closed her eyes and has submitted talks about how human beings because of its simplicity and resembles a door lock. that we have been seeing from The curators should also have her body to the robot. Meanwhile, are migrants in their own land, intricacy. In the artwork, Thapa With the help of the informa- ages in various artforms when it taken heed in making the exhibi- at the bottom of the painting, we and the world isn’t as one sup- depicts male and female genitals, tion provided to the viewers, we comes to showing the bare and tion more engaging, with adding see two small kids. In between posed it will be. And to overcome which are surrounded by various get to know that Koinch is trying nude. features like music in the back- them is a tiny robot. the nothingness, the artist motifs, rich in intricate detailing. to depict the frustrations she One such artwork that not only ground or made it more appealing Through these motifs, Pradhan believes one needs to be brave and The male and female genitals went through during the lock- draws the eyes of the visitors but since it exhibits 57 artworks, depicts what the future could naked and find their own refuge. are infused together in the art- down and she succeeds in doing will also make people retrospect which can be a lot for the audi- have in store for us. The woman Hence the subjects of two bare work, hence the title Sangam so with the help of motifs in the about their surroundings is by ence, in regards to investing their represents the whole of human- naked men in the photograph suc- (Confluence), signifying the com- painting. The blue colour used in Roshan Mishra, the curator of the full time and watching the exhibi- kind, and Pradhan, through the cessfully convey his message: that ing together of the two body parts the woman symbolises her mental exhibition. Titled as ‘The Scream’, tion thoroughly. woman seeking pleasure from a if one needs to reach the state of who now have become one. state. Likewise, the maze, which the mix media artwork is a But their efforts in trying to robot shows how we are submit- nakedness, the shredding of the Sara Koinch’s ‘Lockdown’ is is in the background, also symbol- self-portrait of Mishra, where we change the orthodox concept ting our soul and body to robots inhibitions of the soul is neces- another equally evocative person- ises the confused mental state of see him screaming. While we use attached with nude artworks and for the sake of pleasure and sary to find one’s sanctuary. al artwork who through her paint- her mind. She says during the our eyes to watch and observe to provide a platform for inspir- excitement that isn’t going to last But not all artworks depict ing of a naked woman not only lockdown, she felt that her brain Mishra’s artwork, one’s hearing ing artists who use nudity as a forever. naked human beings. Breaking depicts her sentiments but also was like a door lock, meaning her sense will equally be equally form of artistic expression in an Meanwhile, the small tiny robot away from the idea that nude art reflects the feelings and the roller brain was stuck and fixed, as she active, as it feels that he is actual- unprogressive society is exempla- symbolises the future possibili- is equal to drawings, paintings, coaster of emotions, which most couldn’t use her mind in doing ly screaming aloud, even when we ry, opening possibilities to cele- ties of the union between human and photos of bare-chested people went through this year. things she used to do freely. don’t hear any noise. brate art in nudity in the future. beings and robots. There are human beings who flaunt their In the painting, we see a naked One thing that also should be In the artwork, which is a pho- The exhibition will be held until other equally captivating motifs body parts and embrace their sex- figure of a woman who’s all blue, appreciated about the exhibition tograph printed in a negative for- 31st January 2021, virtually. Review: Tom Hanks is doggedly heroic in ‘News of the World’ The film is a visually stunning film with a soulful message about forgiveness and moving past trauma.

MARK KENNEDY NEW YORK

om Hanks rides a horse and blasts a six-shooter in his new film, “News of the World.” Some of you might be thinking this must be his first cowboy role. To those, we respond: Have you forgotten about Woody so soon? TAll of Hanks—not just his voice—is employed in this second cowboy role, playing Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd in 1870, a gentle Texan whose quiet and itinerant life is interrupted by the arrival of a girl. Director and co-screenwriter Paul Greengrass reu- nites for the first time with Hanks since their 2013 outing “Captain Phillips.” This time, they’ve ditched the open water for an ambitious adventure firmly on land, based on the novel by Paulette Jiles. It’s a vis- ually stunning film with a soulful message about forgiveness and moving past trauma. Kidd is scarred—literally—by the Civil War and has found a life as a newsreader, a man who goes from town to town reading aloud the nation’s headlines to small-town residents or “for anyone with 10 cents and the time to hear it.”

Many of the best scenes are silent, enhanced by a wonderfully wistful score.

He comes across a feral 10-year-old girl who is an orphan twice over—her settler parents are dead and the Native Americans who raised her are also gone. She speaks no English and frightens everyone. “She’s got kind of a wild look about her, doesn’t she?” some- one comments. Says another: “Sure as I live, that child’s trouble.” The girl has distant relatives hundreds of miles away and, naturally, it falls on Kidd to be the hero. “This little girl is lost. She needs to be home,” he says. So these two broken souls embark on an epic odys- AP/RSS sey—like “The Searchers” mashed with “True Tom Hanks (left) and Helena Zengel appear in a scene from News of the World. Grit”—through hostile terrain and bandits, while he teaches her English along the way, like a cowboy cycle that he stands outside. He feels the frustration Hank’s Kidd never shoots first, despite being pur- and dark. Many of the best scenes are silent, enhanced Henry Higgins. “I guess we both have demons to face between Southern civilians and Union troops but sued by murderous thugs. He tries to connect North by a wonderfully wistful score by James Newton going down this road,” he notes. hopes all sides can get along. “We’re all hurting. All and South by showing cattlemen in Texas what they Howard. This is an ugly-beautiful film. You can almost feel of us,” he says. “These are difficult times.” have in common with coalminers in Pennsylvania. Anyone playing the girl faces a challenge the grime, hear the squelch through muddy streets All around him there is filth and violence and yet Even facing off a racist mob, Kidd doesn’t but German actress Helena Zengel is a marvel. and choke on the smoke. It practically reeks of leath- Hanks’ captain is not of it. back down—a champion of the poor and democracy. She can be wild in one scene, defiant later, er and wet cattle. It’s a setting where dogs bark inces- This is the film’s big weakness. The script tries to Here is the film’s heavy-handed message to us in curious the next and emotionally shut down in santly, dust is everywhere and socks have holes. In suggest that our patient captain is riddled with guilt (almost) 2021: “The war’s over,” he says. “We have to another. She speaks volumes even without this naturalistic world, Hanks sticks out, but not for for what he did as a soldier, but the Hanks we see is stop fighting.” dialogue. the right reasons. just too pure and noble. When someone asks him Greengrass’ approach is more slack here—certain- The film arrives in the same month we can see a His character is a former Confederate soldier who about the motives for his quest—”They paying you or ly from his work on the Jason Bourne films—but he grizzled George Clooney team up with a mute girl for is dismayed by the lynching of Black men and even are you doing it out of the goodness of your heart?”— manages to add tension to virtually every scene, often a similarly dangerous quest in “The Midnight Sky.” It kindly buries a victim of it. He notes ruefully that there’s just one answer. “I want to get you away from with just an actor scanning the horizon. must be a boom time for aging Hollywood heroes settlers kill Native Americans for their land and that all this pain and killing, get you clear of it,” he tells Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski frames things showing off their fatherly sides. Native Americans kill settlers for doing that, a deadly the girl. like a high-art photographer with careful use of light — Associated Press

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