WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 101 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 33.7 C 11.0 C Sunday, May 30, 2021 | 16-02-2078 Biratnagar Jomsom A bloated budget of Rs1.64 trillion through ordinance With some focus on fighting the coronavirus, the financial plan of Oli administration carries lofty promises which observers say are aimed at the uncertain elections.

PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA & SANGAM PRASAIN KATHMANDU, MAY 29 BUDGET 2021-22 A week after dissolving the House of Representatives, the caretaker govern- Total Rs1.64 trillion ment of KP Sharma Oli presented the federal budget for the fiscal year 2021- Resources 22, through an ordinance, in the midst of a second wave of the pandemic. Foreign grants Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad 3.85% Paudel on Saturday presented a bloat- ed budget of Rs1.64 trillion, which is External debt 63.37 12 percent bigger than that for the 18.77% 309.29 ongoing fiscal year, giving a sem- blance of focus on the pandemic, but 1024.9 Revenue the funds earmarked to fight the virus Internal debt 250 62.21% barely scratch the surface. Paudel said he has set aside funds 15.17% POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR for vaccine procurement and Covid-19 Women with babies wait for a free meal provided by a charitable group at Basantapur, Kathmandu on Saturday. Without means amid the prevention and control. To fight the restrictions imposed to curb the coronavirus spread, the women said they got no food relief on Friday but were lucky today to find another pandemic, Rs37.53 billion, less than 3 group offering a free meal. percent of the total budget has been allocated. Paudel said he allocated an additional Rs26.75 billion for vaccine procurement. The overall budget allo- cated to the Health Ministry stands at Expenditure Rs122.77 billion, a rise of 35 percent As monsoon nears, Nepal will have to compared to the ongoing fiscal year. Fiscal transfer Recurrent Expenditure The document mostly makes lofty 23.50% 41.20% promises, appearing, prima facie, aimed at elections the Oli government 386.71 678.61 cope with virus and seasonal diseases has declared for November 12 and November 19 after dissolving the Financing House on May 21. The fate of the polls, 12.60% Since seasonal diseases have symptoms similar to Covid-19, experts warn that however, hangs in the balance, as the 207.97 dissolution move is currently at the treatable conditions may not be diagnosed in time and this may be fatal. Supreme Court. 374.26 The Rs1.64 trillion financial plan ARJUN POUDEL Post over the phone. and pandemic at the same time.” has earmarked Rs678.61 billion [41.2 KATHMANDU, MAY 29 According to Lama, lately, every day Public health experts have warned percent] for recurrent expenditure, two to three patients suffering from that at a time when the entire focus of Rs374.26 billion [22.7 percent] for capi- Capital Expenditure The monsoon is imminent. severe diarrhoeal disease, with their authorities is on containment and tal expenditure, and Rs2o7.97 billion 22.70% Along with the rains, the season health condition serious, are being management of the rising coronavi- [12.6 percent] for financing provisions. Figures in billion rupees also brings a number of diseases. This admitted to the hospital. rus cases, the country could face sev- >> Continued on page 2 year with Nepal’s fragile health sys- This number is very low compared eral other epidemics, which is normal tem battling the second wave of the to previous years as people have been in the monsoon season. Covid-19 pandemic, the number of restricted to their homes but this “Apart from containing the spread seasonal epidemics will mean a dou- could rise once the prohibitory orders of ongoing coronavirus infections, ble whammy, especially for rural are lifted, he said. we have our regular duties of contain- Nepal. Thousands of people from across ing the possible epidemics,” Dr Sher “The number of new cases of water- the country get ill with dengue, malar- Bahadur Pun, chief of Clinical borne diseases could rise in the com- ia, kala-azar, scrub typhus, Japanese Research Unit at Sukraraj Tropical ing days as we have been witnessing encephalitis, jaundice, typhoid, diar- and Infectious Disease Hospital, told heavy rainfall for the last few days,” rhoea, and cholera during the mon- the Post. Dr Tashi Lama, superintendent of soon. Scores die, according to the “There could be losses of lives from Simikot Hospital in Humla, told the Epidemiology and Disease Control other epidemics too and the authori- Division. ties should be prepared for the worst.” The monsoon season in Nepal Not only in urban centres but also generally begins in mid-June. in villages, coronavirus continues to “Coronavirus cases too are be the focus of health officials. also rising in the remote villages “We are focussed on containment of of the district,” said Lama. the coronavirus cases,” Shankar “The number of total positive Duwadi, health coordinator of cases has reached 146 and we Benighat Rorang Rural Municipality have 96 active cases at present in of Dhading, told the Post. “An out- the district,” said Lama. “The break of seasonal epidemic has not coming days will be more chal- been reported yet in our rural munici- lenging for us as we have to deal pality but it is not unexpected.” with all the seasonal diseases >> Continued on page 2 Everest climbing season extended to June 3 as scores wait for fair weather The spring season ends in May as the summer heat melts ice, making climbing dangerous. But with snowfall over the last few days, officials rule out the risk.

SANGAM PRASAIN KATHMANDU, MAY 29

In an extremely rare move, Nepal has extended the spring mountaineering season for Everest to June 3 as scores of climbers are still waiting for fair weather to make their bid to reach the summit of the 8,848.86-metre peak. The season traditionally ends at the end of May but two back to back cyclones in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal have disrupted climb- ing activities. Mira Acharya, director at the Department of Tourism, the agency responsible for issuing climbing per- mits, said that the department on Friday decided to allow the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee to extend the closing date of the spring Everest climbing season. “As there are many climbers who have completed their acclimatisation PHOTO COURTESY: MINGMA G and are waiting for good weather at Climbers crossing the Khumbu Icefall earlier in the spring climbing season this year. Everest base camp [5,300 metres] and Camp 2 [6,400 metres], we have decid- permits. With each climber hiring one doned their climbs citing the risk of ed to give them a chance to make their guide, the total number of climbers coronavirus infections amid a short- summit bids after reassessing the was expected to be more than 800. age of sherpas. weather forecast which had been According to expedition outfitters, How many climbers have exactly expected to be favourable at the end of around 350 climbers have reached the been affected is not available, but May,” said Acharya. summit so far, the last of them sum- according to expedition outfitters, Since 1997, the Sagarmatha miting on May 26 and the first of them most of the infected are the sherpas, Pollution Control Committee has been on May 7. whose number is estimated to be more entrusted with the task of preparing But there are still around 250 climb- than three dozen. the climbing route through the ers who are waiting at the base camp Although the weather was reported Khumbu Icefall up to Camp 2 during and Camp 2 waiting for the weather to to be fine for climbing on May 20 and the climbing season. improve, according to officials and 21, the plan was affected because of This year, amid Covid-19 pandemic, outfitters. Cyclone Tauktae on the Arabian Sea. Nepal issued a record 408 climbing Nearly 200 climbers have aban- >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Rains brought by cyclone Yaas send Everest climbing flood displaced scrambling for shelter season extended to Families displaced by last year’s flood in Dhorpatan Municipality of Baglung yet to receive government-announced relief. June 3 as scores wait

PRAKASH BARAL BAGLUNG, MAY 29 for fair weather Families displaced by last year’s flood >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Sherpas on the Khumbu icefall. in Dhorpatan Municipality, Baglung, Then came Cyclone Yaas, which Thirteen bodies were recovered while have been greatly affected due to wreaked havoc on east Indian coastal three of the bodies were buried heavy rains brought by the effect of states earlier this week and has left beneath the frozen debris and never cyclone Yaas. various parts of Nepal also drenched found. On September 2 last year, rain-swol- in rain. Meteorologists have predicted This was the same icefall where the len Bhujikhola stream had swept away more adverse weather conditions 1970 Mount Everest disaster had taken 126 houses in Wards 8 and 9 of across Nepal for the next few days. place. On April 5, 1970, an ice-fall ava- Dhorpatan. The disaster killed as Nepal’s Home Ministry in a notice on lanche in the Khumbu icefall killed many as 22 people while 15 others are Thursday had asked expedition agen- six sherpas. still unaccounted for. cies to immediately return from the But due to the winter-like situation The displaced families have been mountains. even in summer this year with the living under flimsy huts ever since. But on Friday, the Tourism heavy snowfall, Khumbu icefall route But the rainfall over the past couple of Department issued a statement that would not pose a risk, according to days has once again sent them scram- all people in the Everest region are Ang Tshering Sherpa, former presi- bling for shelter. fine although weather has been caus- dent of Nepal Mountaineering “We were taking shelter in a hut ing havoc, mostly for the people sta- Association. waiting for relief to rebuild our hous- tioned at Camp 2. “After May 30 normally the icefall es. But it’s been raining for days now Nepal’s spring season generally doctors start dismantling the route and we cannot stay in the filmy huts ends at the end of May as after that the across Khumbu icefall announcing anymore. Where should we go in the four-month long monsoon season the end of the spring season upcoming rainy season?” said Hum begins and the government’s decision because it’s too risky to climb in Bahadur BK, who has been staying at could be a breach of the mountaineer- June,” said Sherpa. “When the ice a neighbour’s house with his two sons. ing safety protocol. However, officials melts in the icefall section due to sum- He had lost his wife and sister in said since there has been a heavy mer heat, there are high chances of last year’s flood. POST PHOTO snowfall in the Everest region since avalanches as the lower sections Hum Bahadur complained that the A flooded Ghatte stream damaged six hotels in Chame, the district headquarters of Manang, on Friday. May 25, it does not raise the risk sig- develop cracks.” government authorities have ignored nificantly. He, however, said that since there the situation of scores of flood-affect- Bahadur are concerned for their safe- distribute the relief amount soon,” In Gorkha, a wooden bridge was “This decision has been made in has been a heavy snowfall on Everest, ed people in the municipality. ty with the onset of the rainy season. Nepali said. swept away by the flooded Machha consultation with the Department of the icefall route would not be affected Following last year’s flood, high-lev- They are neither able to reconstruct stream on Friday, according to Santosh Tourism and Expedition Operators’ much this year. el government officials had reached their flood-ravaged houses nor have Rain wreaks havoc in several places Gurung, chairman of Dharche Rural Association considering the adverse “The snowfall on Everest makes the flood-and landslide-hit area and they received any relief from the gov- In Tanahun, a 62-year-old woman of Municipality. Continuous rainfalls weather conditions in the Everest climbing easy,” he said. announced relief packages for the vic- ernment authorities so far. Bhadgaun in Byas Ward No. 1 died in have also caused a landslide near region due to the effect of Cyclone Every climbing season, icefall doc- tims. The then Home Minister Ram Nearly Rs 30 million was collected a landslide triggered by continuous Tatopani Kunda, he said. Yaas. We request all expedition teams tors—highly skilled and experienced Bahadur Thapa had announced with the help of the municipality, var- rainfall at 1am on Saturday. Deputy According to Dilip Gurung, ward at the Everest base camp and Camp II sherpas of the committee—fix ropes that the federal government would ious organisations and individuals for Superintendent of Police at the chairman of Dharche Ward No. 1, over to remain safe,” the Sagarmatha and aluminum ladders to prepare the provide at least Rs 300,000 to each fam- the relief of the flood victims. But the District Police Office of Tanahun 20 sheep were buried to death in a Pollution Control Committee said in route. ily displaced by the floods and land- municipal office has yet to release the Yubaraj Timilsina said, “The critical- landslide at Tanji Kharka. its notice issued on Friday. According to the Tourism Ministry slides to reconstruct their houses. The collected amount. ly injured woman died while being In Sindhuli, the structure of an It’s highly risky to walk around data, successful climbs on Everest in Gandaki provincial government had “The victims are yet to be provided taken to the District Hospital for treat- under-construction bridge over the Khumbu Icefall route in June June have been rare. also declared support of Rs 100,000 per with the relief amount to reconstruct ment. Her house sustained damages Sunkoshi river in Nawalpurghat was because the millions of tonnes of On June 2, 2005, the American David family and Dhorpatan Municipality their houses. They visit my house ask- in the landslide.” damaged by floodwaters on Friday. icefall starts to melt in the summer C Morton, Brazilians Waldemar had pledged to provide additional ing for help but I am unable to help In Manang, a flooded Ghatte stream According to the contractor company, heat. The section, which is also the Niclevicz and Iravan Gustavo Burda amounts for the reconstruction of pri- them,” said Hari Bahadur Gharti, the damaged six hotels in Chame, the dis- 40 metres of the bridge’s structure route to the 8,516-metre Lhotse, the and Nepal’s Pemba Chhori Sherpa had vate housing. ward chairman of Dorpatan-8. “I have trict headquarters of Manang, on was damaged by the floodwaters. The world’s fourth highest peak and the climbed Everest from the Nepali None of the packages has reached requested the municipality to release Friday. According to DSP Subash proposed bridge connects Phikkal of 7,861-metre Nuptse, passes over deep side—the first such climb. the victims yet. the relief amount several times but to Khadka of Manang, the floodwaters Sindhuli with Champadevi of crevasses. The same year on June 5, American Around 40 flood-displaced families no avail.” inundated 20 houses in the area. Okhaldhunga district. On April 18, 2014, an overhanging climbers Claybourne Fox Clarke, are now taking shelter at their neigh- When asked, Mayor Dev Kumar “The incessant rainfall caused mas- wedge of ice on the western spur of Daniel Lee Mazur and two Nepalis bours’ houses. Nepali said that the relief amount is sive floods in Chame,” said Chief (With inputs from our correspondents Everest broke, resulting in an ice ava- Tenji Sherpa and Lakpa Sherpa had Many flood displaced like Hum deposited in a bank account. “We will District Officer Bishnu Lamichhane. in Gandaki and Bagmati provinces.) lanche that killed sixteen climbing also reached the summit. As monsoon nears, Nepal A bloated budget of Rs1.64 trillion through ordinance will have to cope with ... >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Kathmandu Valley, additional 250 intensive being tested by the Supreme Court. If the According to Pun, Oli seems to be trying to The remaining Rs386.71 billion [23.5 per- care unit beds at government hospitals of the court reinstates Parliament, then the situa- turn every event to his favour. If the House is >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 cent] will be mobilised for provinces and Valley and provincial capitals, and separate tion will reverse. The party that forms a new restored, he would claim that he tried to do Along with the seasonal epidemics, severe malnu- local governments. infectious disease hospital in the capitals of majority government will bring [a new] things, and if elections happen, he will use trition is also seen among the children from the poor- Paudel aims to generate Rs1.02 trillion— all seven provinces. budget,” said Mahat, who represents the sec- the distributive programmes to earn votes, est communities in the monsoon season in the rural around 62 percent of the funds—from reve- They haven’t all been built. ond largest party. “The ordinance will be said Pun. municipality. People also die from consumption of nue and Rs63.37 billion will come from for- In December last year, the government had automatically null and void if the House is “A caretaker government does not have the wild mushrooms, Duwadi said. eign grants. According to Paudel, the laid the foundations for the construction of reinstated.” right to take decisions like increasing social According to him, coronavirus infections have resource deficit of Rs559.30 billion will be 300 basic hospitals with capacity of 5 to 15 Paudel in his budget talks about quite security allowance and changing tax rates,” spilled over in communities and there are 149 financed through foreign loans of Rs309.29 beds each in various local units on a single some issues that many say could directly said Pun, who represents the Communist active cases in the rural municipality. So far , five billion and domestic loans of Rs250 billion. day as a part of an inauguration drive. None impact the elections. Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre). deaths have been recorded from Covid-19 complica- Even though the government had no con- of them has been completed. The government has increased the Pun, however, said the decision to allocate tions there. stitutional obligation to present the budget Paudel on Saturday said the government social security allowance to all the benefi- a separate budget for Covid-19 control is On Saturday, Nepal recorded 4,311 new coronavi- on May 29 with the House dissolved, it decid- is committed to protecting all Nepalis from ciaries by 33 percent including the elderly praiseworthy. rus infections taking the total infections tally to ed to present the financial outlay for the the Covid-19 pandemic and his budget is to Rs4,000. “We have been saying that we have no 553,422. The number of active cases stands at 111,509. next fiscal year, which starts from mid-July, aimed at that. The government has decided to waive the issues if more money is allocated to fight With the Ministry of Health and Population report- without delay. Paudel said he has made arrangements for demand fee and tariff on electricity con- Covid-19,” he said. ing 116 new Covid-19 related fatalities, the death toll Last year, then finance minister Yubaraj free Covid-19 tests and treatment at all gov- sumed by domestic and small consumers Shanta Raj Subedi, a former finance secre- is 7,163. Khatiwada presented the budget amid a lock- ernment laboratories and hospitals. up to 20 units per month during the period tary, described the budget as populist. Although the number of infections is lower than down imposed in the wake of the first wave of prohibitory restrictions. Paudel said that “It is essentially populist,” Subedi told the the near 7,000 mark reported in the last three days, of the coronavirus pandemic. But to the sur- the government has decided to give a 50 per- Post. “It is aimed at pleasing all by targeting the number of tests was also lower at 14,006 in the prise of many analysts, Khatiwada had pro- cent discount to those consuming up to 50 the planned elections. Various schemes for last 24 hours compared to about 20,000 in the previous jected an ambitious 7 percent growth target. units monthly and a 30 percent discount up people including senior citizens, government three days. Positivity rate on Saturday was more than Paudel’s projection is a little less but still to 250 units. employees, the private sector, security agen- 30 percent. looks too ambitious given the uncertainty Paudel said that up to 20,000 litres of water cies and students and farmers clearly look Doctors say what is also worrying is most of the created by the pandemic and Nepal’s inabili- will be distributed free of cost. like they have been included with the elec- symptoms of the seasonal diseases like dengue, ty to procure vaccines. The government has decided to provide tions in mind.” typhoid fever, diarrhoea overlap those of Covid-19. Paudel has estimated a 6.5 percent growth, seed money up to Rs2.5 million at 1 percent According to Subedi, introduction of sev- “Last week, we had a patient who told me that he hoping that the vaccination drive, budget interest rate for startup businesses by keep- eral programmes, including a hike in social was suffering from fever, chest pain, body ache but spending and development activities would ing their projects as collateral to motivate the security allowance, will increase the state’s came down with a negative coronavirus report even enable the country to achieve the target. youth in entrepreneurship. long-term liability. after undergoing polymerase chain reaction tests He said the budget will encourage a The government has announced conces- Indigent citizens, incapacitated and help- three times,” said Pun. “Chances of late diagnosis of rebound in consumer demand and invest- sional loans of Rs80,000 for a period of two less citizens, helpless single women, citizens diseases and subsequent delay in treatment due to ment to put the economy on track to recovery years at an interest rate of 1 percent for the with disabilities, children, citizens who are overlapping symptoms could make common seasonal in the next fiscal year from the projected slow purchase of laptops to support alternative unable to take care of themselves and citi- ailments life threatening.” growth rate this fiscal year. education. zens belonging to the tribes on the verge of The World Health Organisation’s global influenza Nepal’s economy faced headwinds, techni- To the students who have completed the extinction are also the beneficiaries of social surveillance and response system shows that at least cally recording an economic recession for the bachelor’s or higher level, the government security allowances. 30 cases of A H3N2, which is known as Hong Kong first time in almost 40 years with the country PHOTO COURTESY: PM’S SECRETARIAT has offered a loan up to Rs 2.5 million against At a time when the number of people flu, have been recorded in the country since the witnessing negative growth rates for two con- Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Paudel their certificates as collateral at a 5 percent receiving cash transfers as social security beginning of 2021. These symptoms are exactly like secutive quarters because of the pandem- annual interest rate. allowances has nearly doubled in the last those of Covid-19 but the ailment can be treated with ic-induced supply and demand shock on the “I have earmarked a budget for buying To promote domestic tourism, the budget decade, a rise in social security allowance timely diagnosis. economy. oxygen plants, cylinders and liquid oxygen,” has announced implementing “Leave Travel might substantially add a heavy burden on In Humla too, several patients suffering from sea- According to the Central Bureau of said Paudel. “I have made arrangements for Concession”. Under the scheme, civil serv- the national coffers, according to officials sonal influenza have come to the hospital for treat- Statistics, in the fourth quarter of the last constructing oxygen plants of their own at all ants and employees of public enterprises will and experts. ment in recent times, according to Lama. fiscal year 2019-20 ending mid-July, the coun- the hospitals that have more than 100 beds.” be given 10 days of travel leave with allowanc- According to the Department of National But with the focus on the pandemic, health work- try’s economic growth rate, or output of the He said the government will give 100 per- es equivalent to the salary for the said days. ID and Civil Registration, the government ers may not be getting the training that they require gross domestic product, plunged 15.4 percent cent waiver on customs and value added tax The budget has announced a waiver of visa agency responsible for coordinating the to treat the seasonal epidemics. compared to the same period in 2018-19, on importing equipment needed for establish- fee for foreign tourists for a month. transfer of cash for beneficiaries of social Officials at the Ministry of Health and Population which resulted in a year-on-year negative ing oxygen plants. The government has allocated Rs45.09 bil- security allowances, the number of benefi- admit that some health workers, who were recently growth rate of 2 percent. “I have allocated Rs4 billion for procuring lion for agriculture and livestock develop- ciaries reached 3.06 million during the last recruited or hired to deal with pandemics, The negative growth rate continued in the ICU, HDU [high dependency units], ventila- ment. The government has allocated Rs12 fiscal year 2019-20 from to 1.56 million in the have not been provided training to deal with seasonal first quarter of the current fiscal year 2020- tors, test kits and others required in the treat- billion to provide subsidies in chemical fertil- fiscal year 2010-11. diseases. 21. The economy was on the road to recovery, ment of Covid-19 patients,” said Paudel. isers, up from Rs11 billion in the current fis- Subedi said the government, however, has Earlier, the Epidemiology and Disease Control but the second wave hit the country in April Experts and observers say from the out- cal year. The government has decided to set not announced any programmes for industri- Division trained medics serving in state-run health and subsequently, coronavirus cases surged look of the budget, the Oli administration up a challenge fund of Rs1 billion to help new al development. facilities across the country, supplied testing kits and at an exponential rate. Then the second lock- appears to be laying the groundwork for the entrepreneurs financially, said Paudel. “The budget has failed to introduce any kept medicines in stock in view of the outbreaks. down was enforced. elections. Barsaman Pun, another former finance effective measures to increase capital With the implementation of federalism, however, Paudel admitted that the severe second Ram Sharan Mahat, a Nepali Congress minister, said the government’s focus is on expenditures and reduce recurrent expendi- the responsibility of controlling epidemics has virus wave will slow the economic recovery stalwart and six-time finance minister, called those issues which can influence elections, if tures,” he said. come on the provincial and local governments’ shoul- and it could weigh on longer-term growth the budget “excessively large”, wishing to they happen. Subedi, however, called scrapping of the ders but they too are embattling the coronavirus dynamics. spend money to make people happy from var- “By making announcements like salary Local Infrastructure Partnership pandemic. When the second wave of the coronavirus ious walks of life. hike of government employees, increasing Programme, under which lawmakers get “Provincial as well as local governments have been began, the Central Bureau of Statistics in “The expenditure measures unashamedly social security allowance and salary for the funds, a good move. However, continuing the provided the budget to deal with the epidemics,” late April had projected a growth of 4 per- reflect the party’s manifesto for the election,” teachers of primary child development cen- fund could have earned Paudel a lot of criti- Lila Bikram Thapa, a senior public health adminis- cent, provided that prohibitory orders were said Mahat. “There are incentives, tres and school staff, the government has cism, as people would have argued there was trator at the Division told the Post. “Health agencies lifted in early May, but these measures con- tax rebates, increases in allowances for sought to influence the elections it has called no point doling out money in the name of under all three tiers of governments have to deal tinued till the end of May with 75 out of 77 elderly people, a hike in civil servants’ sala- for November,” said Pun. “The motive is loud lawmakers when there is no House. The pro- with all possible epidemics, along with the coronavi- districts under lockdown, according to the ry… all these look like the party’s election and clear now, as no such measures were gramme was criticised in the past as a mis- rus pandemic.” Home Ministry. manifesto.” taken by the government which has been in placed priority. However, all this may simply be too much for the “It will be challenging to meet the 4 percent According to Mahat, there are two key place since 2018.” Even though the government has declared country’s severely stretched health infrastructure. growth as envisaged this fiscal year as things issues with the budget—implementation and No matter what its components, according elections, Paudel did not announce any “Yes, we have to deal with all kinds of challenges,” became uncertain,” said Paudel, who read whether this financial plan of the govern- to Pun, the budget itself is not going to get budget for the same. Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson for out a more than 100-page budget for nearly ment will stand in the coming days, as the implemented. However, as much as Rs83.37 billion has the Health ministry, told the Post. “Health facilities three hours. House dissolution move is currently being “If the House is restored, a new govern- been set aside under the “miscellaneous are ill-equipped, overwhelmed, health workers are in Khatiwada, while presenting the budget heard by the court. ment will be formed and this ordinance will heading” under the Finance Ministry from limited numbers but we can’t give up. We have to deal on May 29 last year, had promised a separate “This budget hangs in the balance as the be scrapped,” said Pun. “A new government where the budget could be allocated for the with any potential challenges.” 300-bed infectious diseases hospital in Parliament dissolution move is currently will bring a new budget.” elections, if they happen.

C M Y K 03 | SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 NATIONAL School dropout Tilkechaur village in Udayapur at high remains a challenge, risk as land starts caving in survey report shows Frightened villagers have urged the local government to move them to safety before the start of monsoon. Poverty, parents’ illiteracy and lack of learning environment are major reasons behind high dropout rates, education experts say.

BINOD GHIMIRE ble for higher dropout rates in schools. KATHMANDU, MAY 29 A large number of public schools lack toi- lets and other infrastructure and they also Despite an increase in the enrolment rate, don’t provide a conducive learning environ- high dropout remains a challenge in school ment for students, Kusiyait said. education. “The government always prioritised The government’s economic survey report increasing the enrolment which is a good unveiled on Friday shows over two-thirds of move. However, proper attention hasn’t been the students enrolled in grade one get out of given to increase retention and boost quality the school system by the time they reach of education,” he added. grade 12, which is the final year of the school The net enrolment rate for grade one education. The report shows that the reten- which was 91 percent in the fiscal year 2013- tion rate up to grade 12 in the present fiscal 14 has increased to 97.3 percent in the cur- year stands at 29.2 percent. rent fiscal year, according to the survey The retention rate up to grade 10 is also report. poor. Out of 100 students enrolled in grade Though the Ministry of Education, one, 36 students leave their study by the time Science and Technology receives the highest they reach grade 10. “The retention rate till budget, over 85 percent of it is spent on pay- grade 10 is 64.6 percent,” the report shows. ing salaries to teachers and school staff The survey doesn’t give the reasons behind while only a small portion of the budget is the high dropout rate, though the govern- allotted for resource materials and boosting ment has implemented different pro- the quality of education. grammes to increase the retention rate in The government has allocated Rs 180.4 schools. billion in the education sector for the upcom- Free mid-day lunch in a majority of the ing fiscal year which is an increase of Rs 9 districts, free sanitary pads to around 1.35 billion compared to the current fiscal year. million girls, scholarships to the girls and The Education Ministry has received Rs 171 the students from the marginalised commu- billion in the present fiscal year. nities are some of the programmes that have As the government has decided to double been launched in an attempt to lower drop- the payment of the teaching staff for early out rates in schools. childhood development classes and the sup- POST PHOTO: DILLIRAM KHATIWADA Education experts say these programmes port staff in schools, most of the increased The ground where Tilkechaur stands has developed several fissures, causing alarm among the residents. haven’t delivered the desired results because budget in the upcoming fiscal year will once they don’t address the underlying causes of again be spent on paying salaries. DILLIRAM KHATIWADA above the settlement in November last year and The people’s representatives and security per- children dropping out of schools. Education experts say the decision to open UDAYAPUR, MAY 29 since then the landmass has been loosening and sonnel have also visited the affected village and They say poverty is the major reason for residential schools in 13 districts and con- sinking, says Dil Bahadur Thapa, a local man. asked the municipal office to take the necessary high school dropout rates, as the parents nect all the public schools with internet The villagers of Tilkechaur in Katari “The land developed a crack some six months action to prevent disasters. from poor communities tend to mobilise facilities within two years are progressive Municipality Ward No 10, Udayapur, are seeking ago and the crack is gradually widening. The “The settlement has started developing their children in income generating activi- steps that have been announced in the budget relocation to a safer place fearing landslides in land is sinking, putting us at high risk of fissures and the landmass is caving in,” said ties to support their families. on Saturday. the coming monsoon season, as the ground in landslides,” said Thapa. Bhattarai. “We have asked the higher The scholarship amount which is less than “The budget still lacks focus mainly in the the village has started caving in. He also said that the villagers are having authorities to conduct a geological study of Rs 1,000 per year on an average, according to post-Covid situation as students’ learning The land where the village stands has started sleepless nights since the area has been the area.” the experts is too little to incentivise the par- achievement during the pandemic is not developing fissures and in some parts the experiencing pre-monsoon rains for the past According to Gyanendra Shrestha, the mayor ents to send their children to school. even. Lowering dropout and boosting the ground sinking, say local people. couple of days. “We are all restless. We don’t of Katari Municipality, the local unit held Lack of parent education is another factor. quality of education should have been its “Thirteen households in the village are at sleep for the fear of being swept away by land- its executive committee meeting on Tuesday “The uneducated parents and those from priority,” Bal Chandra Luitel, a professor at high risk of landslides. The land has sunk in the slides,” said Thapa. after it was informed about the fissure and the poor and marginalised community still Kathmandu University, told the Post. “Also, it area,” said Lilanath Bhattarai, the ward chair- According to the ward chairman, the villagers sinking land. He said that preparation is under- aren’t aware of the impact of education,” lacks necessary programmes to promote the man of Katari-10. have asked for a geological study of the way to shift the villagers to a safer place. Binay Kusiyait, a professor at Tribhuvan teaching-learning activities during the pan- The villagers have put in an application with area to be conducted to determine if the area “The meeting decided to shift the houses University, told the Post. demic. Its implementation will depend on the ward office requesting to be moved else- is safe or not. “They have sought relocation if that are at risk to a safer location. Search is Lack of proper school infrastructure and how well the federal government coordinates where, said Bhattarai. the study concludes the area is unsafe,” said underway to find a safer place and relocate the poor learning environment too is responsi- with the local and provincial governments.” A fissure appeared on the hill some 200 metres Bhattarai. affected families,” said Shrestha.

C M Y K SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 | 04 OPINION Indifference is not an option

SHUTTERSTOCK the facilities required to save lives: where we are: good, bad and all. a CNN reporter, ‘The virus is under decades. They had pinned a lot of another revolution takes place. We must challenge Hospitals are crowded and refuse to control.’ He blamed the ‘undisci- their hopes on Oli. They gave him a History shows no dictatorship lasts accept any more patients; oxygen cyl- Understanding the apathy plined’ public who participated in near two-thirds majority in Parliament forever. the politicians inders, ventilators, and vaccines are The apathy speaks to people’s help- crowded events for the surge in infec- and expected him to turn politics It is over 70 years since we Nepalis unavailable.’ In the last three months, lessness. It is not a lack of interest but tions. His party had organised these from an instrument of public loot to a started imagining a prosperous demo- and expose their I have lost five of my near and dear a surrender to the evils of Nepal’s events (political rallies) and he was vehicle committed to public service. cratic Nepal. During this period, we ones to this disease. The country has politics. It is borne out of our citizens’ the key speaker. Two days after the When he turned out to be another have had two ‘people’s movements’ treachery. lost thousands. As I write this, a close inability to bring to account corrupt, CNN report, The Guardian published charlatan, not averse to even repeated- and four constitutions; we suffered friend and my aunt are in hospital in incompetent, self-aggrandising an article by KP Oli appealing to the ly trashing the constitution to hang on from a brutal communist insurgency critical condition. politicians who have taken the coun- government of the United Kingdom to power, little wonder if the ordinary and 30 years of royal dictatorship. NARESH KOIRALA About a month ago, I wrote a col- try to ransom for personal and parti- for help to fight the virus. The prime public became indifferent to politics. Thousands of people gave their lives umn in this paper titled ‘Perspectives san benefit. Take, for example, Prime minister does not have any plan for Alas! Indifference does not solve prob- so we could realise that imagination. on pandemics’. In it, I argued that Minister Oli’s mismanagement of the managing Covid-19; he simply lems. Every time after a successful people’s Covid-19 was perhaps nature’s virus. reacts to the moment. His focus movement, after a new constitution, response to our indiscriminate For the last 18 months, Oli’s party, in the last few months has been Totalitarianism takes over we feel tantalisingly close to that destruction of the earth’s habitats. I first the Nepal Communist Party and using the services of the complicit Indifference is the abandonment by dream, only to be frustrated by the did not discuss Prime Minister KP after its break-up the CPN-UML, has President Bidya Devi Bhandari, to the people of their relationship with same political leaders who we trusted Sharma Oli’s mismanagement of the been embroiled in an intraparty power defy the constitution, so he can hang the government. This is exactly what to lead the revolution. It has been a As the Covid-19 crisis deepens, mes- public health crisis; his dereliction of struggle. Oli’s adversaries accuse him on to power. government leaders with authoritari- difficult 70 years. sages in my social media network get duty. A young medical doctor, who sel- of monopolising government power The latest Oli-Bhandari dance cul- an tendencies want. Once the relation- If we give in now and be indifferent increasingly dark. I know, it is not just dom comments on my writings, wrote: (read benefits from power) and not minated in the darkness of the early ship is abandoned, the government is to the political maladies, our children me. All of us are dreading the next ‘Thank you very much for not bring- sharing it equitably among the party morning of May 20 when the presi- free to do whatever it wants. What that will inherit the same wretched state ‘ping’ on our phones. There is hardly ing politics and Oli in your article.’ leaders. While the fight was going on, dent drew her presidential sword, means is more political corruption, through which we lived our lives. We any Nepali not impacted by SARS- These words summed up the doctor’s the government was caught in a cor- which experts agree is unconstitution- more misery for the ordinary will dishonour the thousands who CoV-2. In response to my query on her apathy with the current state of poli- ruption scandal in the procurement of al, to axe Parliament for the people, and public administration have given their lives for the better- welfare, my sister-in-law wrote, ‘We tics and disgust with politicians personal protective equipment. second time in three months to driven by the leader’s whim ment of the country. If we do not want are all dependent on Pashupatinath’s shared by millions of Nepalis. Members of Oli’s coterie were alleged- save her prime minister. While all this instead of the rule of law. When indif- that, we must hold our politicians to goodwill.’ A message from an activist I understand the apathy, but I am wor- ly complicit. It got so bad, the procure- was happening, people continued to ference becomes widespread, account. We must be involved and from the Nepal Library Foundation ried. How will Nepal move ahead if ment contract had to be torn. die in the hundreds for lack of oxygen the government slides into authoritar- challenge them; expose their treach- read, ‘We are all in the throes of death; young, educated, self-respecting citizens With the surge in infections and cylinders; vaccines are not even in ianism, democracy declines and total- ery. Indifference is not an option. be kind and compassionate to every- become indifferent to national politics? deaths due to a total lack of prepared- sight. itarianism takes over. This is what is one.’ A friend despaired, ‘We are help- After all, it is politics that drives the ness, Oli took to defending his posi- The Nepali people have endured bad happening in Russia under Putin. Koirala is a geotechnical consultant in less. We do not have the most basic of country. It is politics that has brought us tion internationally. On May 8, he told politics and corrupt politicians for This will continue until, eventually, Vancouver, Canada.

A new chance for genetically engineered crops

to ‘contribute to sustainability,’ while Looser restrictions ‘addressing concerns’ by, for example, preventing gene editing in agriculture on genetically from ‘undermining other aspects of sustainable food production,’ such as engineered crops organic agriculture. That will be a difficult path to walk. As the study are long overdue. shows, there is still significant resist- ance to GE crops among member states, and many are calling for a more WANDILE SIHLOBO intensive risk assessment. Yet there is also significant support for change. German Agriculture Minister Julia Kloeckner welcomed the possibility of an ‘overdue modern- isation’ of the EU’s approach to GE crops, which are currently subject to the same rules as GMOs. France has The European Union is reviewing its previously expressed support for cre- rules on genetically modified organ- ating separate rules for GE crops. isms (GMOs), with an eye to loosening If the EU does loosen its restric- restrictions on genetically engineered tions on GE crops, the effects will (GE) crops. It is a welcome move, and extend far beyond its borders. For one African countries should consider thing, larger European crop yields emulating it. would put downward pressure on There are fewer controversial topics world grain prices by creating addi- in global agriculture. Many worry tional competition for major grain that GE crops have adverse environ- exporters, such as the US, Ukraine, mental and health effects, and that Argentina, Russia, Brazil, Canada, they risk undermining food sover- and South Africa. eignty, as the handful of corporations But that’s just the beginning. The making the seeds can gain undue EU’s decision could also inspire power over global agricultural out- African countries that have not yet put—and the farmers who produce it. embraced GE crops to rethink their It is because of these fears that the EU approach. Like the EU, African coun- and most African countries currently tries would need to ‘address concerns’ restrict the cultivation of GE crops. related to GE-crop adoption. For exam- And yet, many countries—includ- ple, they would need to ensure that ing Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, smallholder farmers—who may not be Brazil, Chile, Colombia, the United able to afford to purchase GE seeds States, Uruguay, Paraguay, and my every season—are not left behind. country, South Africa—have embraced The obstacles are real, but tackling GE crops. These countries generally them will be well worth the effort. subscribe to the view that gene editing Amid rapid population growth and in crops is safe, because it mostly just intensifying competition for land, accelerates natural processes. water, and other resources, the case Moreover, advocates argue, gene for taking advantage of proven tech- editing may be the key to developing nologies to produce more food more more resilient, sustainable crops. efficiently is stronger than ever. These claims are backed by significant evidence: countries that have embraced Sihlobo, Chief Economist of the GE crops report lower insecticide use, SHUTTERSTOCK Agricultural Business Chamber of more environmentally friendly tillage ure was 5.9 tons per hectare. As a accounts for only 15 percent of Sub- cent of South Africa’s maize is irrigat- Genomic Techniques products have South Africa (Agbiz), is a visiting practices, and improved crop yields. result, South Africa managed to pro- Saharan Africa’s output, according to ed; the rest of the crop is rainfed, like the potential to contribute to sustaina- research fellow at the University of the South Africa is a case in point. We duce nearly 20 percent of Sub-Saharan data from the International Grains in the rest of Sub-Saharan Africa. ble agri-food systems in line with the Witwatersrand’s Wits School of began planting GE maize seeds widely Africa’s maize on only about 2.5 mil- Council. Across the region, maize For the EU, the benefits of GE crops objectives of the European Green Deal Governance and the author of in the 2001-02 season. Prior to that, lion hectares of land. yields average less than two tons per are becoming impossible to ignore. As and Farm to Fork Strategy.’ Finding Common Ground: Land, average maize yields were around 2.4 By contrast, Nigeria typically plants hectare. And irrigation does not a recently published study by the The Commission hopes that it can Equity, and Agriculture. tons per hectare; last season, that fig- about 6.5 million hectares of maize, but explain the discrepancy: only 10 per- European Commission puts it, ‘New take advantage of GE crops’ potential — Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 MONEY Travel numbers up Incentives and tax rebates galore in new federal as Americans hit budget with focus on midterm elections the road for holiday ASSOCIATED PRESS Incentives include deduction of value added tax on diesel and cooking gas for businesses and on payments through electronic mode. WASHINGTON, MAY 29

KRISHANA PRASAIN mencement of business. If private cookers, fans and other electrical Americans hit the road in near-record KATHMANDU, MAY 29 sector companies and firms provide a home appliances. numbers at the start of the Memorial maximum of Rs100,000 seed capital to To promote infant health and nutri- Day weekend, as their eagerness to The government on Saturday five start-ups, the amount can be tion, the upcoming fiscal year budget break free from coronavirus confine- announced massive incentives and tax deducted while calculating the taxable has reduced the customs duty on ment overcame higher prices for rebates in the budget announced for income. infant milk by 50 percent. flights, gasoline and hotels. the fiscal year 2021-22 beginning Kavi Raj Joshi, founder and manag- The government has kept the rate More than 1.8 million people went mid-July. ing director of Next Venture Crop said of value added tax unchanged and has through US airports on Thursday, and Some observers say the tax rebate that the execution part plays an made general adjustments in the rates the daily number was widely expected and incentives is just a stunt aimed at important role as the government of customs duty. It has increased to cross 2 million at least once over elections the Oli government has failed to implement its provisions in excise duty on alcohol, beer, wine, the long holiday weekend, which declared for November 12 and the previous fiscal year’s budget. cigarettes, tobacco and soft drinks. would be the highest mark since early November 19 after dissolving the “But if the government implements There is also a provision for imme- March 2020. House on May 21. The fate of the polls, the provision then it will have a huge diate refund of 10 percent of the value Homeland Security Secretary however, hangs in the balance, as the impact on the start-up sector,” he said. added tax on payments made on pur- Alejandro Mayorkas warned people to dissolution move is currently at the “I take it as natural progress and also chasing goods and services through expect long lines at airports and Supreme Court. a positive step from the government debit card, credit card, quick response appealed for travellers to be patient. But for businesses and traders, the for start-up entrepreneurs. But (QR) code, scan and pay and payment The rise in travel appears to be budget has come as a respite. if the government fails to effectively made using other electronic means. fuelled by an increase in Covid-19 vac- The budget has abolished excise implement it then entrepreneurs For the protection of domestic cinations as well as an improving duty on import of electric vehicles are not going to trust the government industry, the tariff rate of industrial economy. The US Commerce and reduced customs duty significant- next time.” raw material has been provisioned to Department said consumer spending ly to increase the internal consump- The budget for the fiscal year 2020- be at least one tier lower than that of increased in April, although not as tion of electricity and to promote the 21 has also provisioned to provide finished goods. Excise duty on some much as in March, showing how con- use of environmentally-friendly tax waiver and subsidies on the indus- items for domestic production has sumers are driving a recovery from means of transportation. try and business impacted by the been removed. last year’s pandemic recession. Krishna Prasad Dulal, president of Covid-19. The government has waived cus- At Miami International Airport, Nepal Automobile Dealers’ The budget has provisioned to give toms duty on the import of machinery, officials expected crowds equal to Association, said that the govern- 90 percent income tax exemption to equipment and parts used in tea, jute, pre-pandemic levels. ment’s announcement to remove the taxpayers with an annual turno- film, pashmina, hatchery industry It was a similar story in Orlando, excise duty for electric vehicles will ver of up to Rs2 million, 75 percent to and agriculture and nursery farms. where airport traffic has reached 90 encourage sales in a massive way. the taxpayers with annual turnover of Customs duty on the import of con- percent of 2019 levels as tourists “The provision will have a price Rs2 million to Rs5 million and 50 per- tainers by shipping companies regis- flocked to theme parks that have differential of Rs1 million to Rs3 mil- cent having annual turnover of Rs5 tered in Nepal has been reduced. recently loosened restrictions. lion depending on electric motor million to Rs10 million. In order to increase production and Along the Florida coasts and around capacity of the automobile and this Extending the period bringing for- employment by commercializing agri- Orlando, many hotels were booked will increase the use of electric vehi- ward losses to 10 years in the sectors culture, the budget gives a 50 percent solid through the weekend. cles,” Dulal said. like hotels, travel, trekking, transport exemption on tax on commercial agri- “We are going into off-season, and it The government has been imposing and air services, film industry and cultural income. has not slowed down,” said Cathy 60 percent to 120 percent of excise media houses that have been badly Also provisioned is a 50 percent Balestriere, general manager of duty on electric vehicles, he said. impacted by the Covid-19, the govern- waiver on the customs duty on a Crane’s Beach House, a boutique hotel The private sector has been setting ment in the budget has provisioned means of transportation imported by in Delray Beach, Florida. up charging stations and the govern- only 1 percent income tax in the taxa- a collective commercial agricultural Vacation destinations like Las ment said it will build 500 charging ble income. cooperative. Vegas, Hawaii and Myrtle Beach, stations across the country. Companies and firms which have In order to accelerate the economic South Carolina, were among the top Though the government in the not submitted annual statements and PHOTO COURTESY: RAJAN KAFLE/PRIME MINISTER’S SECRETARIAT recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, destinations for holiday revellers, budget has not mentioned exact cus- renewed their licenses up to the fiscal Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel holds the budget for fiscal year 2021/22 at Singha Durbar. the policy of reducing the corporate according to AAA. Paula Twidale, a toms waiver on electric vehicles but as year 2019-20, as per the Company Act- income tax rate by 1 percent every spokeswoman for the auto club and it said that significant waiver has 2006 and Private Firm Registration budget for upcoming year has exempt- sale and distribution of oxygen gas, year will be adopted to maintain the insurer, said the pickup in travel been provided so it might be good, Act-1958, will be waived the remaining ed value added tax on transportation liquid oxygen, oxygen cylinder, institutional income tax rate at 15 per- began in April as more Americans got he said. fees and penalties if they pay 10 per- service, freight, cargo service, e-li- oxygen concentrator and other cent within 5 years for productive vaccinated and the weather improved. “The budget has addressed many cent of the details and fees and fines brary service, security deposit fee, life-giving materials and medicines industries starting from the fiscal “People are just excited to get out,” issues raised by the automobile sector by mid-October 2021. trekking and tour package and in the till mid-January 2022. year 2021-22. she said. of the country,” he said. The budget has provisioned to issuance of certificate of origin. The government has reduced the The budget has provisions for Memorial Day coincides with some The government in the budget for deduct value added tax paid on the The government on the budget of customs duty of induction cookers domestic and foreign investment pro- states eliminating their remaining the upcoming fiscal year has exempt- purchase of diesel and cooking gas upcoming fiscal year has exempted to 1 percent and decreased the cus- motion through its revenue policy and pandemic restrictions as the number ed 100 percent in income tax for start- used in the taxable business of the customs duty, value added tax and toms duty by abolishing the excise preservation and trade facilitation of of new Covid-19 infections, hospitali- ups for 5 years from the date of com- taxpayer. The government on the excise duty on import, production and duty on refrigerators, grinders, rice domestic industry. zations and deaths decline. China, US can find common ground on tariff exclusions Philippines lifts ban on workers

REUTERS first half of this year, Washington deploying to Saudi Arabia XIAN (CHINA), MAY 29 may look to reduce the tariff burden through tariff exclusions, which REUTERS had been unable to board because of The Biden administration is unlikely would avoid resistance in congress MANILA, MAY 29 the deployment ban. Bello apologised to remove tariffs on Chinese goods in and ease political pressure, the report for the “inconvenience and momen- the short term, but China and the said. The Biden administration is con- The Philippines on Saturday said the tary anguish” caused by his Thursday United States might find a middle ducting a comprehensive review of country’s workers could again go to ban, saying, “I understand that the ground by increasing tariff exclu- US-China trade policy, ahead of the work in Saudi Arabia, reversing a suspension order drew confusion and sions as a way to reduce tensions, a expiry of the Phase 1 deal at the end of brief deployment ban after the king- irritation among our affected depart- Chinese think-tank said. 2021. The report noted that the US dom said they would not be charged ing overseas Filipino workers. With even free trade advocates in government still retains additional for Covid-19 tests and quarantine More than a million Filipinos work the US lobbying that Washington tariffs on $370 billion of Chinese upon arrival. in Saudi Arabia, the most preferred should use tariff cuts as a tool for new exports to the United States. “Our Saudi-bound workers will no destination of overseas Filipino work- trade negotiations with China, tariffs The report also noted that the longer be disadvantaged,” said Labour ers in 2019, government data show. are likely to remain in place, said a Biden administration was more Secretary Silvestre Bello. Many Filipinos are hired as construc- report from China Finance 40 forum concerned about the impact of China’s Flag carrier Philippine Airlines tion workers, domestic helpers or on Saturday, an economic and finance support for the technology sector and said it will accept Filipino workers on nurses. REUTERS think tank. But with the United States wanted the US to focus on its own tech flights to Dammam and Riyadh, waiv- In 2020, Filipinos in Saudi Arabia Chinese and US flags flutter outside a company building in Shanghai, China. facing inflationary pressures in the support. ing rebooking fees for passengers who sent home $1.8 billion in remittances.

FOREX US Dollar 116.21 Vietnam coronavirus Euro 141.61 Government of Nepal Pound Sterling 164.83 Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation Japanese Yen 10.58 outbreak threatens to Chinese Yuan 18.25 Alternative Energy Promotion Centre Qatari Riyal 31.44 disrupt tech supply chain Central Renewable Energy Fund Australian Dollar 89.74 Call for Expression of Interest for Independent Evaluation Malaysian Ringit 28.11 REUTERS HANOI, MAY 29 Saudi Arab Riyal 30.99 Suppliers for Apple, Panellists to Evaluate Viability Gap Funding-based Sustainable Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank A rapidly spreading Covid-19 outbreak Energy Challenge Fund Applications has left factories operating below Samsung and other capacity in Vietnam’s industrial global tech firms are northern provinces, where suppliers First Date of Publication : 30 May 2021 BULLION PRICE PER TOLA for Apple, Samsung and other global located in Vietnam’s The Nepal Renewable Energy Programme (NREP) is a Government of Nepal programme dedicated to tech firms are located, industry Fine Gold Rs 93,800 sources said. northern provinces. increasing private sector investment in distributed renewable energy (DRE) and increasing universal energy After successfully containing the access, while facilitating a policy, planning, legal construct, and regulatory environment conducive to both Silver Rs 1,350 new coronavirus for most of last year, enabling and sustaining progress in DRE market development and universal energy access. Vietnam is now battling an outbreak Vietnam have had one dose of Covid- SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA that is spreading more quickly. More 19 vaccine, but just 28,529 have The Central Renewable Energy Fund (CREF), a financial mechanism of the Alternative Energy Promotion than 3,000 people have been infected in been fully vaccinated, according to Centre (AEPC), has recently established a Viability Gap Funding-based Sustainable Energy Challenge Fund 30 of its 63 cities and provinces since official data. GASOLINE WATCH late April. Bac Ninh, where Samsung (SECF) with funding support from UK-Aid. SECF provides financial and technical assistance to DRE projects, The capital Hanoi, and the southern Electronics has significant opera- to ensure their technical and economic viability and sustainable operation. business hub of Ho Chi Minh City, tions, imposed a curfew and other have shut restaurants and banned travel restrictions on Tuesday, state In order to evaluate the full applications received for SECF support, AEPC/NREP will establish an Independent public gatherings. media said. Vietnam accounts for Evaluation Panel (IEP). The main objective of the IEP is to evaluate the applications in terms of technical Four business sources said their half of Samsung’s global phone and feasibility, financial viability, innovation, appropriateness of the proposed project cost, the applicant institutions’ operations had been affected as tablet production, according to the capacity, and financial soundness to manage the proposed project in a sustainable way. some areas have entered lockdown, government. raising concerns about supply chain Last week, Vietnam’s government The AEPC/CREF provides an honorarium to the IEP members based on number of proposals evaluated. disruption. urged Bac Ninh and Bac Giang prov- A source at one Apple supplier said inces to boost efforts to prevent a The terms of reference can be downloaded from the following websites: the company had split its workforce Covid-19 outbreak disrupting indus- over two shifts, describing it as a “tem- trial production. LG, Foxconn and www.moewri.gov.np, www.aepc.gov.np, www.cref.gov.np, www.nrepnepal.com porary solution, for maybe two Luxshare have operations or supply Interested IEP applicants are requested to send the expression of interest together with recent CV and copies weeks.” chain companies in the area. “Otherwise, the supply chain will A human resources manager at an of the academic certificates via hard copy submission or by email to [email protected] no later than be more or less disrupted,” said the electronic parts manufacturer in Bac 5:00 pm Nepali Standard Time, 29th June 2021, Please mention “Reference: AEPC/NREP- IEP Applicant” in source, who requested anonymity Ninh said workers were living and the subject line of the email or at the top of the envelop. Shortlisted candidates shall be called for an interview. because they were not authorised to working within the industrial zones, speak to the media.Vietnam’s health with office space temporarily convert- AEPC/CREF reserve the right to accept or reject, wholly or partly any or all the applications without assigning ministry said on Friday it had begun ed into worker accommodation. any reason, whatsoever. vaccinating workers in Bac Ninh and “We’re working on a longer-term Bac Giang, the two provinces most plan too since we have no choice but to Central Renewable Energy Fund Secretariat affected by the new outbreak. live with the virus,” said the manager, NMB Bank Limited (3rd Floor), Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal At least 1.04 million people in who also requested anonymity.

C M Y K SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Myanmar’s shadow government Ex-premier’s graft Philippines protests China’s South China Sea presence parades new armed force case a test of justice MANILA: The Philippines has protested China’s continuing “illegal presence and activities” near an island in the The military authorities say the National Unity Government is treasonous and that both in oil-rich Kuwait South China Sea held by the Southeast Asian nation, the foreign it and the People’s Defence Force have been designated as terrorist groups. ASSOCIATED PRESS cution began, and speculation has ministry said on Saturday. Manila DUBAI, MAY 29 swirled about his fate. Many doubt the lodged the diplomatic protest on REUTERS former prime minister is, in fact, lan- Friday over the “incessant deploy- YANGON, MAY 29 Where is Sheikh Jaber? Kuwait guishing at the notorious prison on ment, prolonged presence, and illegal was abuzz with the question as citi- the dusty outskirts of Kuwait City activities of Chinese maritime assets The underground government set up zens on social media demanded to riddled with reported coronavirus and fishing vessels” in the vicinity of by opponents of Myanmar’s military know the whereabouts of their outbreaks. Thitu island. It demanded its giant junta said its first batch of recruits 79-year-old former prime minister. That doubt reveals the deep-rooted neighbour withdraw the vessels. The have finished training for a new He’d been ordered detained pending distrust among Kuwaitis that Chinese embassy in Manila did not defence force, releasing video of them trial in an unprecedented move last authorities are pursuing the immediately respond to a request for parading in uniform. month over the alleged embezzlement case in earnest. Social media comment outside business hours. The National Unity Government of millions of dollars from a military has been ablaze in rumors in recent had announced it would form a aid fund. weeks even after the court accepted People’s Defence Force to challenge When the scandal involving the the defense team’s request to Colombia’s president deploys the army, which seized power on sheikh and another royal family mem- ban news and social media from military to protest-hit city February 1, ousting elected leader ber erupted into public view nearly publishing details about the trial BUCARAMANGA: Colombian President Aung San Suu Kyi and plunging the two years ago, it unleashed a rare sessions. Iván Duque on Friday announced the Southeast Asian country into chaos. wave of street protests. It prompted Kuwaiti newspapers—still report- deployment of military forces to the The video of the graduation cere- the Cabinet’s resignation and forced a ing despite the court order—said the city of Cali after at least three people mony was released on Friday in the reckoning in the Gulf Arab state defense team maintained the former died in increasingly violent protests name of Yee Mon, the shadow govern- about endemic corruption that has prime minister’s innocence during and talks to end the social uprising ment’s defence minister. entrapped ministers and stained the the most recent hearings. Sheikh stalled. Duque repeated his assertion “This military is established by the country’s sprawling bureaucracy for Jaber’s legal team did not respond to that the protests, which have been official civilian government,” an uni- REUTERS generations. repeated requests for comment raging for a month, are infiltrated by dentified officer says at the ceremony. A demonstrator shows the three-finger salute during a protest against the military coup in Activists believe corruption runs amid the gag rule. Kuwait’s illegal armed groups and promised to “The People’s Defence Force must be Yangon, Myanmar, on February 21. rampant through the region of oil- Information Ministry declined to com- deploy “all intelligence capabilities” aligned with the people and protect the rich Gulf Arab sheikhdoms, but pub- ment on the case, citing the court’s to demonstrate this. The protests people. We will fight to win this battle.” lic criminal cases against senior offi- secret investigation. erupted when Duque proposed a A junta spokesman did not answer SE Asia states want to drop proposed cials and royal family members Soon, WhatsApp groups crackled wide-ranging tax increase, but contin- calls seeking comment. remain rare, typically playing out with leaks that while other ued even after he backed off, trans- The military authorities say the behind palace doors. officials remained in detention, formed into a general outcry against National Unity Government is trea- UN call for Myanmar arms embargo That may be changing, however, Sheikh Jaber’s version of state growing poverty and inequality in a sonous and that both it and the with recent explosive feuds over custody was a special hospital country where the unemployment People’s Defence Force have been des- NEW YORK: Nine Southeast Asian Southeast Asian countries said the money laundering in Kuwait, a major wing decorated like a palace with rate doubled over the past year of ignated as terrorist groups. nations have proposed watering draft “cannot command the widest corruption sweep in Saudi Arabia and hotel service. A doctor at Kuwait’s pandemic. The video shows around 100 fight- down a UN General Assembly draft possible support in its current form, last week’s arrest of Qatar’s powerful state-run al-Amiri Hospital confirmed ers marching on a muddy parade resolution on Myanmar, including especially from all countries finance minister in an embezzlement to The Associated Press that Sheikh ground in the jungle. They march in removing a call for an arms embar- directly affected in the region” and probe. Jaber, who skipped the last court ses- Australia says citizen is in new camouflage uniforms behind the go on the country, in a bid to win the that further negotiations are need- Now, Kuwait’s justice system is test- sion due to reported health problems, flags of the new force, red with a white unanimous support of the ed “to make the text acceptable, ing government pledges to hold minis- was receiving treatment there. The arbitrary detention in China star. They are not shown carrying 193-member body. especially to the countries most ters accountable for $790 million gone doctor declined to give details and CANBERRA: Australia considers the weapons. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, directly affected and who are now missing from the Defense Ministry spoke on condition of anonymity for incarceration of a Chinese Australian Nearly four months after the coup, the Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, engaged in efforts to resolve the sit- fund years ago. fear of reprisals, like most people writer who has been tried in Beijing army is still struggling to impose order. Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam uation.” The ministerial court ordered interviewed. for alleged espionage a case of arbi- Anti-military protests take place wrote to Liechtenstein, which has The letter was from all of the two former ministers and “It wouldn’t be the first trary detention, the foreign minister daily in many parts of the country, drafted the resolution, after a ASEAN nations except Myanmar. royal family members, Sheikh Jaber time,” a Kuwaiti anti-corruption said. Yang Hengjun faced a closed strikes by opponents of the junta have planned vote last week was post- General Assembly resolutions al-Mubarak Al Sabah and his activist said. “We are waiting and trial on Thursday. The court deferred paralysed business and fighting has poned at the last minute. are not legally binding but carry ally, former Defense and Interior watching to see if this case ends up its verdict to a later date. “Given our flared with ethnic armed groups that In the letter dated May 19, the political weight. (REUTERS) Minister Sheikh Khalid al-Jarrah Al like the rest.” enduring concerns about this case, oppose the junta and new militias Sabah, detained last month in The case of the missing military including the lack of detail as to the formed to oppose it. Kuwait’s Central Prison over their money is one of several scandals that charges and the investigation made Two homemade bombs exploded in figures cited by the United Nations. scores of casualties. suspected misuse of the ministry’s have surfaced in Kuwait in available to Dr. Yang and to Australia, the main city of Yangon on Saturday, More than 4,000 people have been The army justified its coup on the funds. The court also sent lower-rank- recent years, damaging public confi- we consider this to be an instance of apparently targeting a police post and detained. grounds of fraud in an election swept ing officials to jail pending dence in its political establishment. arbitrary detention of an Australian an army truck, the Mizzima news ser- Junta leader Min Aung Hlaing says by Suu Kyi’s party in November. The trial and imposed a travel ban on Parliament has since shot down a pub- citizen,” Foreign Minister Marise vice said. It said one person speaking the civilian death toll is nearer 300 and allegations were rejected by the Sheikh Jaber, according to a state- lic debt law that would raise billions Payne said in a statement Friday. The to the soldiers had been wounded in has said around 50 members of the previous electoral commission. Suu ment widely published in Kuwaiti of dollars for the government to solve Chinese Embassy in Australia dis- the second incident. police have been killed. He gave no Kyi, 75, is on trial on a series of charg- media. its worst liquidity crisis since the 1991 missed the warning as “ridiculous” The junta’s forces have killed over figure for soldiers. Groups fighting the es that her lawyers say are politically But Sheikh Jaber has not been spot- Gulf War, in part over corruption and “disinformation.” (AGENCIES) 800 people since the coup, according to armed forces say they have inflicted motivated. ted in public since the criminal prose- fears. Vietnam detects hybrid of Indian and UK coronavirus variants REUTERS Long had described the new variant as HANOI, MAY 29 a hybrid of the Indian and UK variants. Authorities in Vietnam have detected “The new one is an Indian variant a new coronavirus variant that is a with mutations that originally belong combination of the Indian and UK to the UK variant,” Long was quoted Covid-19 variants and spreads quickly as saying, adding that authorities by air, the health minister said on would soon announce the name and Saturday. detailed characteristics of the newly After successfully containing the discovered variant. virus for most of last year, Vietnam is The World Health Organization grappling with a spike in infections (WHO) has identified four variants of since late April that accounts for more SARS-CoV-2 of global concern. These than half of the total 6,713 registered include variants that emerged first in cases. So far, there have been 47 deaths. India, in Britain, in South Africa and “Vietnam has uncovered a new in Brazil. Covid-19 variant combining charac- Officials at the WHO did not imme- teristics of the two existing variants diately respond to a request for com- first found in India and the UK,” ment regarding the new variant iden- Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long tified in Vietnam. said in a statement. Laboratory cultures of the new var- “The new variant is very danger- iant, which is much more transmissi- ous,” he added. ble than the previously known types, The Southeast Asian country had revealed that the virus replicated previously detected seven virus vari- itself very quickly, Long was quoted ants: B.1.222, B.1.619, D614G, B.1.1.7 - as saying. known as the UK variant, B.1.351, He said that could explain why so A.23.1 and B.1.617.2 - the “Indian many new cases had appeared in dif- variant”. ferent parts of the country within a AP/RSS Online newspaper VnExpress said short period of time. A traveller takes photos of windows titled ‘Harmonic Convergence’, by artist Christopher Janney, at Miami International Airport in Miami. Sri Lanka faces marine disaster as burning ship releases plastic waste The microplastic pollution could cause years of ecological damage to the Indian Ocean island, according to Sri Lanka Marine Protection Authority.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Fishing has been banned along an The pellets and waste were packed “No one is able to say how long we COLOMBO, MAY 29 80-kilometre stretch of coast near the into green and white polythene sacks will have the adverse effects of this ship that has been burning for 10 days and taken away by trucks. pollution,” Fernando told AFP. Sri Lanka faces an unprecedented pol- despite an international firefighting An officer leading another team “It could take a few years or a few lution crisis as waves of plastic waste operation. said that in certain parts of the beach decades, but in the meantime what from a burning container ship hit the “There is smoke and intermittent the microplastics and charred debris about our livelihoods?” coast and threaten to devastate the flames seen from the ship,” navy was 60 centimetres deep. An oil leak from the vessel, said to local environment, a top environment spokesman Captain Indika de Silva Local fisherman Peter Fernando, be carrying 278 tonnes of bunker oil official warned on Saturday. told AFP. said he had never seen such destruc- and 50 tonnes of gasoil, would increase Thousands of navy personnel have Orange-coloured plastic booms tion. the risk of devastation. been working on local beaches, using were set up in case oil leaks from the The December 2004 Asian tsunami Much of the ship’s cargo, including mechanical diggers to scoop tonnes of crippled ship reach the Negombo devastated much of the island’s coast- 25 tonnes of nitric acid, sodium tiny plastic granules that had come lagoon that is famed for its crabs and line and killed an estimated 31,000 hydroxide, lubricants and other chem- from the Singapore-registered MV jumbo prawns. people, but only damaged coastal icals, appeared to have been destroyed X-Press Pearl. The ship has been Thousands of small boats were infrastructure. in the fire, officials said. smouldering on the horizon for 10 days. beached at Negombo on Saturday Roman Catholic priest Sujeewa The X-Press Pearl caught fire as it The Sri Lanka Marine Protection because of the fishing ban. Athukorale said most of his parish- waited to enter Colombo harbour and Authority (MEPA) said the microplas- Naval rating Manjula Dulanjala ioners were fishermen who risked remains anchored just outside the tic pollution could cause years of eco- said his team had almost cleared the becoming destitute. port. logical damage to the Indian Ocean beach on Friday evening, but were “Their immediate need is to be An international salvage operation island. shocked to find it covered again the allowed to go back to the sea,” he said. is led by the Dutch company SMIT, “This is probably the worst beach following morning. “There are 4,500 fishing families in my which has sent specialist fire-fighting pollution in our history,” MEPA chair- “This is like the coronavirus. No parish alone.” tugs. India has sent coastguard vessels man Dharshani Lahandapura said. end in sight. We removed all the plas- Fisherman Lakshan Fernando said to help the Sri Lankan navy. AP/RSS The tiny polyethylene pellets threat- tic yesterday, only to see more of it people feared the plastic waste could SMIT was also involved in dousing a A Sri Lankan navy soldier clad in a protective suit walks on the mounds of debris that washed en tourism beaches and fish-breeding dumped by the waves overnight,” he destroy mangroves as well as the cor- burning oil tanker off Sri Lanka’s east ashore from the burning Singaporean ship MV X-Press Pearl. in shallow waters. said. als where fish breed. coast last September.

C M Y K 07 | SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Portugal have what it takes to go all the way again Spalletti named Napoli coach NAPLES: Luciano Spalletti has been Coach Fernando Santos’ team have one of the most exciting squads around, full of proven matchwinners to take the burden off Cristiano Ronaldo. named the new coach of Napoli, suc- ceeding Gennaro Gattuso, the Serie A REUTERS with a number of top candidates to club confirmed on Saturday. The vast- LISBON, MAY 29 partner mainstay Danilo Pereira, but ly-experienced Spalletti left his last it is his attacking options which are role with Inter Milan in 2019 and Having won their first major trophy at the most exciting. Indeed, the enjoyed his most successful spell in Euro 2016, Portugal approach this only concern for the coach is finding a Italy at AS Roma, where he won back- year’s tournament with a far better place in the team for an overflowing to-back Coppa Italias in 2007 and 2008. squad than last time and crucially list of stars containing Joao Gattuso’s widely-expected departure have the belief which previous sides Felix, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo was confirmed this week after Napoli seemingly lacked. Silva, Diogo Jota, Andre Silva failed to qualify for next season’s For all the emotion released by as well as the insatiable Ronaldo, who Champions League following a final Portugal’s success five years ago, their is heading into his ninth major day draw at home to Hellas Verona. “I Euro 2016 campaign was laced with tournament. am delighted to announce that good fortune, highlighted by the fact Ronaldo, who has scored 103 times Luciano Spalletti will become Napoli they only won one of their seven for his country, is one of few survivors coach on 1 July,” Napoli president matches after 90 minutes. of the Euro 2016 side but a winning Aurelio De Laurentiis said in a short Aside from some notable names, thread remains in the current crop of statement. “Welcome, Luciano - we’ll their squad was short on quality and players after they lifted the 2019 do great work together.” Gattuso, who their triumph was built on excellent Nations League. has since taken over at fellow Serie A game management, an over-reliance To Santos, the experience of finally side Fiorentina, succeeded Carlo on Cristiano Ronaldo plus a kind draw getting over the line could be crucial. Ancelotti as Napoli coach in which saw them avoid the top sides “Since I can remember, Portugal December 2019 and led until facing France in the final. They always went to tournaments to win, them to Coppa Italia glory will get no such accommodation this that’s the standard. When I said in 2020. time as they have been placed in the I was going to Euro 2016 to win, I just unforgiving Group F containing verbalised what many thought in the Germany and world champions past,” Santos told newspaper Record Italy thump San Marino 7-0 France, with Hungary the weakest in May. CAGLIARI: Italy warmed up for the link. “The players were surprised but European Championship in style So it is a good thing they have one of now they believe it. It was not a ques- with a 7-0 thrashing of San Marino in the most exciting squads around, full tion of not wanting to, it was because a friendly on Friday. Roberto of proven matchwinners to take the they had never really thought about it Mancini’s side struggled to break burden off Ronaldo. Their list of and doubted it was possible. But I was down the minnows early on in defenders alone makes for impressive convinced if we did certain things and Sardinia, but captain Federico reading. Ruben Dias was arguably managed to instil in the players the Bernardeschi hammered them into a Manchester City’s most inspirational benefits of doing them, we could beat 31st minute lead before Sassuolo player in their dominant run to the anyone.” defender Gian Marco Ferrari added a Premier League title while club team If a lack of belief held back previ- second three minutes later on his mate Joao Cancelo has had his best ous talented sides containing the likes debut. Matteo Politano fired home ever campaign at fullback and comple- of Eusebio or Luis Figo, there can be four minutes into the second half to ments left back Raphael Guerreiro little excuse for the current team, make it 3-0 and Torino striker Andrea perfectly. which is both as talented as any that Belotti scored a well-taken fourth Coach Fernando Santos has a came before it and knows what it takes REUTERS before Matteo Pessina netted a fifth wealth of options in holding midfield to win on the biggest stage. Portugal have been pitted in the Group F, which also contains Germany and world champions France, with Hungary the weakest link. moments later. A brilliant volley from Politano and a close-range finish by Pessina late on sealed a seventh straight win for Italy. Italy play one more warm-up match ahead of the June 11-July 11 Euro 2020 against Suspended Indian Premier League Japan qualify for third round Czech Republic next Friday in Bologna. Italy are now unbeaten REUTERS On the pitch, Japan made light work of in 26 matches under Mancini, CHIBA, MAY 29 Antoine Hey’s side, with Takumi Minamino the country’s second longest run to be held in September and October opening the scoring early before Osako went without losing, one ahead of Yuya Osako’s five-goal haul helped Japan to a on a spree that gave the home side a comforta- Marcelo Lippi and only behind the REUTERS new coronavirus amid a devas- Giles has said that English 10-0 rout of Myanmar on Friday that sealed ble win. great Vittorio Pozzo, whose side did MUMBAI, MAY 29 tating second wave of Covid-19 in players will not be available to the Samurai Blues’ place in the next phase of Minamino’s deft finish from close not lose in 30 games between India. The UAE, the backup see out the IPL if it clashes with Asia’s qualifying tournament for the 2022 range in the eighth minute finished off an 1935 and 1939. The remaining matches of the venue for the Twenty20 World the international calendar and it World Cup in Qatar. incisive move by the Japanese that highlight- Indian Premier League (IPL), Cup which hosted the entire IPL is unlikely other countries would Japan’s victory, their sixth straight in qual- ed the gulf in class between the teams. which was suspended earlier in 2020 because of the pandemic, risk their players so close to the ifying for next year’s finals, means they can- Osako headed in the second after Yuto Real Madrid rope in Alaba this month, will be completed in was preferred “considering the World Cup. not be knocked off the top of Group F and will Nagatomo’s overlapping run and cross, MADRID: Austrian defender David the United Arab Emirates in monsoon season in India”, the That would take some of the take one of the 12 places available in the and the Werder Bremen striker added Alaba will join Real Madrid on a five- September and October, the BCCI said. gloss off the competition, third round of the continent’s qualifying Japan’s third from the penalty spot after year contract after leaving Bayern Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) said BCCI head Sourav Ganguly which usually attracts the best competition. Hiroki Sakai had been upended. The 31-year- Munich, the Spanish giants con- on Saturday. said this month that Covid-19 players in the world, but the The game was originally scheduled to be old completed his hat-trick before halftime firmed on Friday. The announcement The BCCI said in a statement restrictions meant it was impos- BCCI would probably be happy played in March, but was postponed amid a when he stabbed in Nagatomo’s downward of the signing of the 28-year-old, who that they had asked the sible to stage the remaining just to finish it off and fulfil their deadly crackdown by Myanmar’s military on header. had also been linked with several International Cricket Council games in India. broadcast and sponsorship nationwide anti-coup protests. There was no let-up from Japan in English Premier League clubs, comes (ICC) for more time to make a Organisers are likely to be contracts. As the Myanmar national anthem was the second half as Osako poked home a day after Zinedine Zidane quit as call on whether India would be looking to squeeze the matches The unanimous decision to played, none of the country’s players appeared Minamino’s shot four minutes after the Real coach. “Real Madrid has reached able to host the Twenty20 World into a window between the India resume the lucrative IPL was to sing and several squad members lowered restart and Hidemasa Morita added a sixth. an agreement with David Alaba, who Cup in October and November. Test tour of England, which fin- taken at a Special General their heads. One player made a three-finger Minamino stroked in his second and will be linked to the club for the next The popular IPL Twenty20 ishes in mid-September, and the Meeting of the BCCI, which also gesture that symbolises the pro-democracy Daichi Kamada added Japan’s eighth six min- five seasons,” Madrid said in a state- tournament was suspended with Twenty20 World Cup, decided “to seek an extension of movement’s defiance. About 30 protesters utes from time. A diving header gave Osako ment. Alaba will be presented as a 31 matches left to play on May 4 which is scheduled to start in time from the ICC to take an gathered outside the Fukuda Denshi Arena his fifth of the night and another headed effort Real player after Euro 2020, the after several players and back- mid-October. appropriate call on the hosting holding placards saying: “Myanmar’s soccer from Ko Itakura in stoppage-time completed statement added. (AGENCIES) room staff tested positive for the England cricket chief Ashley of ICC T20 World Cup 2021”. team does not represent its citizens.” the rout. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Aries people often require a mission in order to feel As a Cancer, you need intimate interactions with Sunday’s skies call for leisurely enjoyment, Libra. What skills are you not bringing to the table in your in line with themselves. Sunday’s skies centre trusted people that allow your emotions to safely The moon floats into levity-seeking Aquarius, push- everyday life, Capricorn? The universe is pushing around this story, as the moon floats into solu- surface. Keep this in the back of your mind today, as ing you to explore an artistic outlet, immerse your- you to get reacquainted with these underutilised tal- tion-seeking Aquarius. Luna’s presence here helps the reflective Aquarius moon pulls you into a with- self in a creative project, or get lost in a romantic ents. That aside, it’s easy to get productive and hone you hone in on your current aspirations. drawn and deeply psychological headspace. wonderland. in on your personal agenda today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** The moon glides into progressive Aquarius, prompt- Your relationships need attention today. Single or You need a break, Scorpio. Hide your phone and Take steps to nurture and treat yourself today. Luna’s ing you to prioritise your vocation. It’s an ideal day taken, you can’t help but mull over the current state hone in on the people in your immediate environ- presence here calls attention to where your needs to push ahead with personal projects and make of your love life. Devote energy to re-invigorating a ment that uplift and inspire you. Focus on projects have gone unmet and unexpressed. Do what you can course corrections with your ambitions. partnership if committed, or to reach out to someone around the home front, while highlighting your need to deepen your connection with your body and and establish contact if you’re single. for rest and a slowed down pace. appearance today.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Sunday’s skies urge you to find an adventure to par- You’re in the mood to get productive, despite having Don’t keep your thoughts to yourself today. There Sunday’s skies call you inward and away from the take in, Gemini. The moon glides into fellow air-sign second thoughts about certain elements of your are things you need to get off your chest in a big way. crowd, Pisces. Luna crawls into Aquarius, highlight- Aquarius, helping you find a welcome sense of equi- career. The solution-seeking Aquarius moon pushes Hone in on facing important conversations. It’s an ing your need for rest and a reinvigoration. It’s okay librium after several emotionally charged days. you to cross things off your to-do list in a way that ideal day to catch up on emails or any missed texts to sleep in, embrace solitude, or dramatically toss doesn’t overwhelm you. and calls that slipped through the cracks. your phone in a river. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K SUNDAY, MAY 30, 2021 | 08 BLACKBOARD (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Representing Nepal on a global platform Guilt DRISHYA SINGH The topic our team presented on was safety and hygiene. The children made a video on how they maintain hygiene and safety at home and Tripping here and there why doing so is important. While making the Guilt found its way video, the children practically engaged in the lesson— for example, they washed hands while It sat heavy in the room explaining why one should wash hands or brush I saw drops of sweat trickling down its forehead their teeth or not excessively use mobile devices. I wanted to tell it that it’s okay Benjamin Franklin once said ‘Tell me and I for- But I knew it would just tilt its head and give me a stare get. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.’ This is exactly what the symposium did. It provided an opportunity for the children to I wondered if I should be scared, engage in learning by doing. In this regard, one I could sense gloom looming heavy in my heart of the participants, an eight-year-old Aisha Lakai shares,“If I had to study this for my I knew that the feeling would soon get overwhelming exams, then it would have taken me a longer And I was right as I soon found myself feeling helpless time. But after making that video with my friends, I don’t think I will ever forget what I I looked out from the window learnt.” It was a beautiful night The rain poured and washed the world The symposium was the Between the clouds, I tried to look for the sky first of its kind for young But all I saw were clouds Dark, ominous clouds, all ready to strike children across the globe to present their views on I heard footsteps outside the room ‘This room is already occupied,’ I shouted living a healthy lifestyle. The sound of footsteps receded I turned back and saw guilt sitting there This time it had a wide grin on his face. The symposium has brought about many visi- ble changes in the behaviour of the children. After all the practice and rehearsal sessions and Singh is a grade 10 student at Nightingale School the actual presentation, the children now believe learning can be fun. They have also become more patient and attentive, feel more empow- ered and confident, and they also realise that PHOTO COURTESY: ARYA KHAREL they too have the ability to voice out their opin- ARYA KHAREL The symposium was the first of its kind for ions. One of the participants, a seven-year-old young children across the globe to present their Ayush Lakai mentions, “I never thought learn- n May 22, 2021, the Global Peace views on living a healthy lifestyle. The main aim ing could be this fun. I want to learn new things Institute (GPI) with AIAGESS was to make children aware of a healthy life- everyday! “ Georgia and STEMSpace style and how important it is to adopt an active When learning is made fun, children do not Maldives organised the first lifestyle. feel burdened. It is about time that we shift away Global Children’s Symposium on The symposium not only provided the chil- from the traditional course book-centric way of Healthy Lifestyle (CSHL 2021). dren an opportunity to learn about healthy life- teaching practice and adopt student-centric OOver 100 students participated from Maldives, style but also provided them with an opportuni- teaching practice. Not only does this fuel aca- Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Georgia and South ty to showcase their talents. The symposium demic growth but it also enables a child to grow Sudan. Representing Nepal was a team of five made a great impact on the young minds as they holistically as it improves participation, devel- students (Ayush Lakai, Samrat Prasain, Suyog were able to see children from different ops problem solving skills. Not only that, such a Poudel, Aisha Lakai and Devansu Khatiwada), parts of the world and present about a topic learning environment also enables creative all aged between 6 to 10. I was their group leader they would need in their daily life which thinking as well as critical thinking along with and young GPI Ambassador. Our team’s name would in turn contribute to their overall facilitating individualised learning and improv- was Helpful Hearts. The virtual event was held development. Along with providing the students ing knowledge retention. on Zoom and the special guest for the Symposium the much needed knowledge, the symposium After 25 teams completed their presentations, was Manana Ratiani from the Georgian Ministry helped engage them in a productive manner the jury took their time to decide the winners. of Education. Ratiani’s speech was followed by a during the stressful time of the lockdown and The Jury Tamar Lolishvili and Absar Ali briefed briefing by Jury Anna Leydon. Team Helpful helped them explore their creative and innova- the awardees during the award ceremony. The Hearts from Nepal was successful in bagging tive side. programme ended with the closing remarks three awards in the symposium. Aisha Lakai Ten-year-old Samrat Prasain, one of the par- from Dr Aiath Rafiyya, Director of The Global from our team was awarded as one of the 20 best ticipants, mentioned, “This is the best learning Peace Institute. presenters; I was awarded as one of the top five experience I have ever had and it has me want- leaders, and our team was awarded one of the ing to learn more. I wish I could take part in Kharel is a student at St Xavier’s College, top five groups. more programs like these.” Kathmandu UNSPLASH

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