NEW SPOTLIGHT | July 16 . 2021 | 1 NEW SPOTLIGHT | July 16. 2021 | 2 NEW SPOTLIGHTFORTNIGHTLY Notes From The Editor Vol.:Vol.: 13, 15, No.-11, No-01, January-July-16, 202124, 2020 (Shrawan(Magh. 10.2076)01. 2078) Price:Price NRs.100NRs. 100 Following the order of the Supreme Court to reinstateRequesting the House Indian of governmentRepresentatives to lift while the restriction directing Editor and Publisher put on palm oil export, Nepal government has shown its Keshab Poudel President Bidya Devi Bhandari to appoint Sher Bahadur weaknessDeuba as tothe traders prime whominister, have Nepal’s been thriving politics and has making entered profitsinto a throughnew course. the misuseTaking of oath,trade agreement’sDeuba has startedloopholes. his Contributor Instead of restricting this kind of short term business, Sabine Pretsch fifth prime ministerial inning. 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Ltd., Dhapasi, Kathmandu Tel. : 977-1-4363624 Keshab Poudel Editor NEWNEW SPOTLIGHT | JulyJan. 16 24. 2021 2020 | 1 1 CONTENT JAPAN VACCINE DONATIONS Huge Generosity 3 NEWSNOTES 4 Business Brief 6 VIEWPOINT Dr. Tilak Rawal 8 SHER BAHADUR DEUBA COVERSTORY: COVID-19 VACCINATION: Back On Track 20 Fifth Inning As PM 10 NEPAL-INDIA RAILWAY Greater Access To Services 13 OPINION Dr Bipin Adhikari 14 EU DELEGATION REFUTES NEWS 17 ENVIRONMENT Batu Uprety 18 GLOBAL VIEW UML POLITICS: Divided We Stand 12 Abijit Sharma 26 SKBLBL Two Decades Of Service 27 DEVELOPMENT Promoting Climate Change Friendly Bricks 28 FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES Monsoon Havoc 32 ARITICLE Ashika Sharma 35 ISRAEL SUPPORT: From A Friend Indeed 16 ARITICLE Hemang Dixit 36 NEW SPOTLIGHT | July 16. 2021 | 2 JAPAN VACCINE DONATIONS Huge Generosity With the decision to donate about 1.6 million doses of Japanese-made COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine for Nepali friends, Japan has shown its generosity towards the elderly population By KESHAB POUDEL or people such as the former water Japan. The exact shipping schedule will be der the Japanese Grant Aid. It has confirmed resources secretary and seasoned bu- confirmed once the procurement arrange- to donate almost 300 oxygen generators, in Freaucrat, Dr. Dwarika Nath Dhungel, ments will be finalized by the international addition to 25 blood gas analyzers and 25 who has been showing his anger and frus- organization which is in charge of the mat- portable ultrasound image diagnostic sys- tration in social media for not receiving the ter. tems for the necessary medical care. Now second dose of vaccine, the announcement KIKUTA Yutaka, Ambassador 6 Made-in-Japan Ambulances are expected of Japan government to donate 1.6 million of Japan, stated this is a reflection of the to be here by October to save more lives in doses of Japanese-made AstraZeneca must long time friendship of Nepal towards Ja- the COVID-19 situation. The Embassy of have been a real sigh of relief. pan. He welcomed the decision by Tokyo Japan hopes that this vaccination assistance “It is a matter of relief for all of as the vaccine is urgently needed to save will save lives of more Nepali people from Nepali. Actually, I was almost losing hope. lives of many Nepali people. The Ambassa- COVID-19, and it strongly supports the This announcement gives me a huge relief,” dor hoped this vaccine will ease down var- vaccination campaign which is necessary said Dr. Dhungel. “I would like to thank the ious difficulties caused by the COVID-19 for the progress of post-COVID Nepali so- Government of Japan and Japanese people situation. Regarding these Japanese-made ciety and its economy. for this support. Nepal Government needs AstraZeneca vaccines, the Embassy would The Government of Nepal wel- to ensure now that all elderly people who like to coordinate with the Ministry of comes the decision of the Government have been waiting for the second dose get Health and Population of Nepal for the nec- of Japan to provide Nepal with about 1.6 the vaccine.” essary arrangements of receiving and using million doses of Japan-made AstraZene- Frustrated by Nepal Govern- them for the COVID-19 vaccination cam- ca COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX ment’s apathy towards providing the paign of Nepal. Those Japanese-made As- facility. An arrangement will be made to second dose of vaccine, former water re- traZeneca vaccine will effectively assist the transport the vaccines to Nepal at the earli- sources secretary Dwarika Nath Dhungel second injection tweeted, “Was wondering, if there is any of elderly people government in Nepal to take care of its citi- who already had zens? Yes I found one for paying the medi- the first vaccination cal bill of a political leader. What a govern- of Covishield, the ment we have, when we all Nepalese are AstraZeneca-type looking towards the International airport vaccine produced sky for COVID vaccine?” by Serum Institute Dhungel is not the only one to of India. feel relief from this news. Over 1.4 million Ac- elderly people above 65 must be expressing cording to a press the happiness. “Japan has come to rescue release issued by us. Thank you Government of Japan and Embassy of Japan, people of Japan for this great support. This furthermore, they came at a time when majority of people would be also use- of my age were losing hope,” said eighty ful to precede the years old former secretary Shyam Prasad vaccination cam- Adhikari. paign for the young This announcement has also generations who shown the concern of Japanese government are not yet vaccinated. The Embassy of Ja- est opportunity with the completion of due and people of Japan. pan has been working with the Government procedures. The Government of Japan donat- of Nepal to tackle COVID-19 together by The Government of Nepal has ed the 1.6 million doses of Japanese-made assisting Nepali hospitals with medical sincerely appreciated and thanked the Gov- COVID-19 AstraZeneca vaccine for Nepal equipment in multiple ways. ernment of Japan for providing the life-sav- as a grant through COVAX facility, which The Government of Japan stands ing vaccines at this trying time. was officially announced by MOTEGI with Nepal to overcome this pandemic and Toshimitsu, Minister for Foreign