WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 10 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 32.0 C 0.9 C Sunday, February 28, 2021 | 16-11-2077 Nepalgunj Jumla Nepal needs strategy, robust trade deals to graduate from poor club, experts say As the United Nations recommends Nepal’s graduation from least developed country after 2026, challenges are of sustained growth since nation will lose existing support.

ANIL GIRI five-year preparatory period. KATHMANDU, FEB 27 In order to make this recommenda- tion irreversible during the review After being labelled a least developed after three years, Nepal has to meet country, an euphemism for being one several challenges to make the econo- of the poorest countries in the world, my stable and, first and foremost, for 50 years, Nepal may by 2026 climb chart out a national level strategy to a notch and be officially recognised as this end, say experts and diplomats. a developing country. “This is an opportunity for Nepal The United Nations Committee for and challenges remain but it should Development Policy (CDP), following a not delay in charting out a national four-day review that ended on Friday, strategy on how to graduate in recommended Nepal’s graduation five years,” said Gyan Chandra from the least developed country Acharya, former UN under secre- (LDC) category with a preparatory tary-general and High Representative period of five years, according to a for the Least Developed Countries, statement issued by Nepal’s Landlocked Developing Countries Permanent Mission to the United and Small Island Developing States Nations in New York on Friday. (UN-OHRLLS). POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC Nepal has met the criteria for “We should work on structural A farmer rides a buffalo along the highway in Lahan, Siraha. graduation for three consecutive reforms to meet the criteria.” reviews based on two of the In particular as Nepal is set to lose three set categories. donor support and this has to be offset Nepal has met the criteria by income through trade. threshold of the Human While Nepal scored 72.1 in the India introduces Assets Index (HAI) and the Human Assets Index, the threshold They spoke up and they Economic and Environmental being above 66 and 25.5 in the Vulnerability Index (EVI) but Economic and Environmental procedure that will not that of the gross national Vulnerability Index, the threshold income (GNI), the statement being below 32, in the Gross National are receiving threats said. Income Nepal’s was $1027 while the allow Nepal to The promotion is not, howev- threshold is $1230. er, a done deal and Nepal has the >> Continued on page 2 Harassment, death and rape threats, and bigotry against export power to it women are a silent epidemic affecting their right to speak up against issues, women activists say. Regulation restricts import of power generated with investment from a country that ‘borders India’.

PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA KATHMANDU, FEB 27

At a time when Nepal is keen to enter the Indian power market as it is expected to have surplus power from later this year, India has taken a step toward power trade with neighbour- ing countries, including Nepal, by introducing the procedure of approval and facilitation of power trade. In the Procedure for Approval and Facilitating Import/Export (Cross Border) of Electricity by Designed Authority published on Friday, the Central Electricity Authority of India has detailed the process of the coun- POST ILLUSTRATION try importing and exporting electrici- SAMIKSHA BARAL every other girl who had suffered from ty with its neighbours allowing KATHMANDU, FEB 27 such horrendous acts in the past.” Nepal’s power to be traded into the Her performance had been the high- Indian power exchange market. On February 15, Anshu Khanal, a the- light of the march. She was receiving But there is a caveat. atre artist who has been an active part a lot of praise as well as media atten- The procedure imposes restrictions of several recent protests against tion for being bold to portray the trag- on trading of power if there is invest- widespread cases of rape and violence edy of all those dead girls and women ment from a country with which India against women in the country, was who had suffered from such a grue- shares land border in the generation jubilant for her contribution to the some crime. of such power, which Nepali officials movement. She had spoken to the media, una- believe is aimed at Chinese invest- “We will continue our fight till the ware of what was coming her way. ment in Nepal’s power sector given the last battle,” the 21-year-old artist had “I felt like I was going to fall on my strained ties between the two rivals. shouted after reading her poems in face as soon as I saw the comments on Clause 6.3 of the procedure states, front of an audience of hundreds at one of my video interviews,” said “Indian entities may import electrici- the Tribhuvan University premises. Anshu. “Though I used to get a lot of ty from the generation projects locat- She had been receiving accolades for abusive comments earlier, those com- ed in neighbouring country(ies) her performances from her friends ments on the video were something directly or through Government or a and those who know her. These words beyond my imagination. It left me Government Company or a licensed of praise were given either face-to- completely shattered.” trader of that country after taking face or over the phone. Not only Anshu but many girls and approval of the Designated Authority, But not everyone was in a mood to women who have come out on the provided that the generating company congratulate her. streets and spoken for justice, demand- is not owned, directly or indirectly by As soon as she turned on the inter- ing the government create a safer any natural/legal personality(ies) net on her cellphone while returning environment for them, have been whose effective control or source of home that day, she saw she had been abused online. funds or residence of beneficial owner, bombarded with hateful and violent “Extreme defaming and demeaning is situated in/citizen of a third coun- invective comments. The deluge of on social media of activists, especially try with whom India shares land bor- derogatory comments online was in youths, are remarkably common these der and that third country does not response to her previous performance days. These threats come from those have a bilateral agreement on power during the Women’s March on who are not willing to see changes in sector cooperation with India.” February 12. our society and do not support inclu- For any relaxation in this provi- That march, a voluntary turnout of sion and strongly possess patriarchal sion, the procedure says the designat- the general public in rage against ris- beliefs,” Mohna Ansari, a former com- ed authority of India would consult ing cases of violence against women missioner at the National Human with India’s Ministry of Power and and girls, was attended by students, Rights Commission, told the Post. Ministry of External Affairs. Amid members of the general public, activ- “When young people and their per- strained relations between India and ists, human rights defenders and art- spectives are targeted, they will not China due to the border clash in ists, among others. have the courage to come out next time Galwan Valley, India has been restrict- Then, too, Khanal had put on a mem- to speak up against discrimination.” ing Chinese investment in India and orable performance. In a symbolic act, According to the Amnesty this has been extended in power trade she performed as a girl who had been International report, 2018, violence with neighbouring countries. raped and murdered and her funeral and abuse experienced by women are However, the ‘Guideline for Import/ procession was taken around the city. often sexist and misogynistic in Export (Cross Border) of “I was lying as if I was dead while I nature. Documenting women’s experi- Electricity-2018’, on whose basis this was taken around the city. I did not ence of violence and abuse on Twitter, procedure was introduced, has no pro- feel any pain in my body, but much in what the rights group called, ‘Toxic vision barring the import of electrici- my heart and soul,” Khanal told the Twitter’, it said such abuses on the ty from the projects that have invest- Post. “In those moments, I could feel microblogging site have become a far ment from a third country with which the pains of my other sisters like too common experience for women. India shares its border. Nirmala Pant, Bhagirathi Bhatta and >> Continued on page 2 >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Road track from Kalikot to Humla Nepal needs strategy ... >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 year had stated that Nepal also needs to conduct a The government is, however, planning to fresh review of the scheduled graduation plan con- announce $1400 as the gross national income on the sidering the impact Covid-19 pandemic and must opens after seven years basis of revised indices, according to Kewal Prasad prepare a transition strategy in cooperation with Bhandari, secretary at the National Planning trade and development partners to avoid adverse Commission. impacts from the country’s graduation as it risks The construction work has now reached its final stage with only a kilometre of the track to be opened. Since Nepal will lose the economic support given losing preferential treatment and as the Covid pan- to least developed countries once it graduates, demic has had a profound impact on global econo- preparations need to be made so that it does not my, with new risks of rising trade and export costs suffer economically, experts said. impacting external markets, and the need for more “Nepal should start immediate negotiations concessional aid, including debt relief, to overcome with the EU, India, China, Japan and other coun- multiple crises. tries so that our trade will not be hampered,” said Govinda Raj Pokhrel, former vice chairman of Acharya. the commission, said that Nepal should not have Nepal had earlier too requested for the gradua- requested the United Nations to consider the grad- tion in 2015 and 2017 but later rolled back the deci- uation from least developed country status at this sions. The Sushil Koirala government had decided moment because he does not see any advantage to to backtrack on seeking gradual graduation from Nepal. the least developed country category after the 2015 “We have to stabilise the economic indicators for earthquake. at least three years. I see big challenges. Second, we Again in January 2018, the National Planning will lose some concession and facilities as an LDC Commission asked Prime Minister Sher Bahadur nation. We need to negotiate with multilateral and Deuba to take a decision to seek graduation in 2021 bilateral donors to ensure aid and investment even only after meeting robust and sustainable econom- after the graduation. Our income level has not met ic development and respectable average per capita the threshold and some other vulnerability is still income though Nepal had met the criteria. posing risk due to the Covid pandemic,” said Then Nepal had set the target to become a mid- Pokhrel. dle-income country by 2030. Nepal’s former permanent representative to the But with Friday’s decision the graduation of United Nation, Madhu Raman Acharya agrees Nepal will be effective in 2026 after the preparatory with Pokharel’s assessment. period ends. Due to the circumstances of Covid-19 “It is not good to be part of poor’s club as we have pandemic, the three years of normal preparatory been tagged as LDC for 50 years,” Acharya told the period has been expanded to five years. Post. “But we may lose some opportunities after Although it is good for Nepal’s standing on the graduating like concessions and facilities received world stage and its confidence to graduate from the as an LDC country. We should ensure that our aid least developed country category, it could lose some regime or economic cooperation that we are receiv- multilateral funds and opportunities although it ing from India, the US, China, the EU and other will continue to get the support till 2026. countries would not hamper during the transition POST PHOTO: RAJ BAHADUR SHAHI But with the right strategy and planning during time and after being graduated.” Local residents say vehicular movement along the road section has eased transportation of daily essentials from city areas. these five years, Nepal should not lose much, Nepal has to prepare the strategic plan for five according to experts. years and should have alternative plans when its RAJ BAHADUR SHAHI According to him, retaining walls have to the remaining 16 kilometres road section is “LDCs are getting huge concessions on doing access to many international funds will be cut off, MUGU, FEB 27 be constructed along some parts of the road completed. trade and once we graduate, we will lose the con- according to Acharya. section while some sections need to be wid- According to Dhami, around 250 workers cession. Therefore, we have to begin negotiations “We should build our economy competitively The recent opening of a 122km road track ened. At present, only jeeps and other small have been deployed in the road project to now with major trading countries,” said Acharya. and begin trade negotiations with the trading from Khulalu in Kalikot to Balukuna in vehicles are operating from Khulalu in complete the work on time. He informed “We also have to hold talks with major donors like countries,” said Acharya. Humla along the Karnali Corridor has eased Kalikot to Balukuna in Humla. that the responsibility to carry out blast India, China, the US, Japan and others to seek But government officials are not worried. vehicular movement in the region. Anga Bahadur Shahi, a resident of Soru works was given to the army on this section more help to meet the threshold from graduation “We will continue to get bilateral and multilater- Nepal Army had begun the construction Rural Municipality Ward No. 4 in Mugu, as well. so that we can easily take off.” al loans from the World Bank and the Asian of the road track in March 2015. The con- says the opening of the road track has eased The estimated budget of the corridor con- There are other concerns. Nepal is the fourth Development Bank but after we graduate, the struction work has now reached its final transportation of daily essentials from struction is Rs 2.84 billion, out of which most vulnerable country to climate change in the chunk of foreign direct investment will have to stage with only a kilometre of the road track Nepalgunj and Surkhet, among other cities. around Rs 1.45 billion has been spent so far. world and mitigation efforts need to be addressed, increase,” Bhandari, the Planning Commission to be opened. “Our life has become easier now, as local Rs 200 million has been allocated for the according to Acharya. secretary, told the Post. The total length of the road from Khulalu produce has reached market places outside road project this fiscal year, according to “The situation of multi-dimensional poverty is The government is preparing a strategy and to Salisalla is 123 kilometres. the district,” he said. Karki. not improving. The cost of doing business is high,” already making the exit plan from the least devel- “The remaining one kilometre of the road The Division Road Office in Jumla is con- Bailey bridges have also been installed in said Acharya, the former foreign secretary who oped country category. track will be opened by mid-May. If structing a 35-kilometre road stretch from five different places along the Karnali served as UN under secretary general from 2010 “We will identify the areas that will be affected everything works as expected, the road sec- Salisalla to Simkot, the district headquar- Corridor. The road construction workforce to 2017. after graduation,” said Bhandari. “But it is not tion will be handed over to the government ters of Humla. The road stretch is also a said a sixth bridge is currently under con- Whether Nepal will be able to meet the challeng- good to remain poor. The graduation process will within the current fiscal year,” said Major part of the Karnali Corridor. struction. According to Karki, two bridges es of graduation remains to be seen. build the national confidence that we are no longer Milan Karki, who is also chief at the Nepal Joshi Dhami, the vice-chairperson of each have been constructed in Kalikot and A report released by the National Planning a least developed country. The stature and credit of Army Road Construction Task Force in Sarkegad Rural Municipality, said that the Humla while one has been installed in Commission, the focal agency to prepare the coun- the country will increase following the graduation Karnali. corridor will come into operation soon after Bajura. try strategy for the graduation, in December last process.” They spoke up and they are receiving threats India introduces

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Those throwing vitriol at her said she had to be more likely than men to be harassed. Pradhan, a programme coordinator at the procedure that The aim of violence and abuse is to create a punished for making derogatory remarks about “Social media gives people anonymity which Women’s Rehabilitation Centre. hostile online environment for women with the the Hindu society. gives such online abusers strength to continue Experts feel that a massive awareness cam- goal of shaming, intimidating, degrading, belit- “I have already taken legal action against harassing others. As one doesn’t have to go to paign is needed to protect girls and women from will allow ... tling or silencing them. those accounts but I can do nothing about those the person and pass such comments, this gives potential online abuses and make laws more Sapana Sanjeevani, another youth activist hateful comments directed at me,” Sanjeevani the person the power to write abusive com- effective. >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 and an artist, recited a poem in the Maithili told the Post. “I have now stopped reading com- ments,” said Sudhamshu Dahal, assistant pro- “In order to reduce the number of online “Even though India introducing the pro- language during the Women’s March. She faced ments on Facebook, Twitter and other social fessor of new media and information technolo- abuses, the main solution would be a massive cedure of power trade will help Nepal to the same fate in the aftermath of her act. media platforms.” gy at Kathmandu University School of Arts. awareness campaign to educate people about export power to India, the restrictive provi- “We are no longer tolerant like Sita and blind- Most often, that’s the only alternative for tar- “Until and unless efforts are made to rein these proper internet etiquette and toxic online sion in the procedure may discourage for- folded like Gandhari,” Sanjeevani had geted women and girls for speaking out. They attacks on women, we won’t be seeing much behaviour and formulating effective laws,” eign investment in Nepal,” a senior official said in front of thousands who had roared in tend to avoid using social media, at least for change.” Dahal told the Post. “There are many instances at the Energy Ministry told the Post on appreciation. some time, if not forever. Fear of potential abuses works as a prior-cen- where the police are not aware of new condition of anonymity because he had Sita, the wife of the Hindu god Ram, is cele- In Nepal, 5,574 cases of online harassment sor or a deterrence tool and gag individuals’ technologies while abusers are keeping up with not yet gone through the details of the new brated for her wifely virtues while Gandhari were reported to the cyber bureau of Nepal right to express their views, thereby encroach- technology.” procedure. blindfolded herself because her husband Police between the fiscal year 2016-17 and ing on their democratic rights, according to But others feel that the problem of online Similar guidelines introduced in 2016 Dhritarashtra, the king of Hastinapur, 2019-20. activists. abuses of girls and women is the result of a had certain restrictive provisions such as a was blind, according to the Hindu epic According to Baburam Aryal, a lawyer who “Online abuses also have an unhealthy impact deep-rooted patriarchal mindset in society. project with at least 51 percent stake of an Mahabharata. specialises in cyber law, as per Electronic on our democracy and if this issue is not “Women are not considered as human beings Indian firm or only the state entity of a Her poem challenging patriarchy imposed Transactions Act-2008, a person can face a jail addressed in time, there might not be a presence if you look at societal and cultural aspects of neighbouring country like the Nepal through Hindu practices was a representation term of up to five years for cases of online har- of women in the public sphere since those hid- our society. The power-worshipping patriarchal Electricity Authority would be able to sell of new voices coming out to shake the founda- assment but proper implementation of the law ing behind the mask are aiming at them,” said society would like to keep us in prison, oppress electricity to India. tion of age-old patriarchy. is lacking. Ansari. “Digital media should be used with us as much as they can. Society cannot bear Nepal had continuously lobbied “I chose that poem to tell people that we are “Besides, in Nepal, women don’t usually file discipline and those who violate it should be seeing women being independent and speaking with India against these restrictive provi- no longer going to tolerate oppression and we complaints of online harassment as the legal penalised.” up,” said Pranika Koyu, human rights activist sions citing potential impact on foreign are going to speak against gender violence,” process is a bit cumbersome and women don’t Case studies conducted by the Women’s and a poet. direct investment in the power sector said Sanjeevani. “We are not remaining silent want to reveal their identity,” he said. “The Rehabilitation Centre showed that perpetrators “There are people who think in Nepal. The new guideline introduced now onwards.” police must be pressured to do their work sin- are sometimes not punished because of a lack that our laws have already guaranteed the safe- in 2018 had removed this provision But as soon as her reading of the poem was cerely when it comes to online harassment.” of evidence during the investigations. Also, ty of women in many aspects and women are allowing companies in India and neigh- posted online and it went viral, Sanjeevani According to a 2015 UN report ‘Cyber Violence many victims fear the consequences of speak- more privileged than men. But women continue bouring countries to trade power inde- started getting threats--even rape and death against Women and Girls: A Worldwide Wake- ing up against cyberbullying and they are also to be abused both at home and on digital pendently. threats. up Call’, one in three women will experience not aware of the kind of complaints they can platforms.” Nepal needs the Indian market to sell its From the Facebook account of Raju Jaiswal, some form of violence in her lifetime and 73 file as evident from one case of Morang district According to the UN Committee on the energy as the country is expected to have a Sanjeevani’s poster was made with a Rs 10,000 percent of women have endured cyber violence. studied by the centre. Elimination of Discrimination against Women, surplus in the monsoon once the 456MW cash award for anyone who blackened her face. The report also states that women are 27 times Twenty-year-old Mahima (name changed) discrimination against women includes gen- Upper Tamakoshi Hydropower Project is from Morang used to der-based violence, that is, “violence which is completed, according to the Nepal tolerate egregious directed against a woman because she is a Electricity Authority. behaviour like assault, woman or that affects women disproportionate- The project is expected to produce verbal abuse and ly, and, as such, is a violation of their human electricity by mid-April from at least one non-consensual shar- rights.” turbine which will produce 76 megawatts ing of an image to her But youths like Khanal vow that they will of electricity while the whole project, because she was not continue to speak up against violence and dis- with five more turbines, is expected to aware of the law and crimination against women. They have been start production by the end of the did not believe that performing and reciting poems against the sys- current fiscal year in mid-July, the author- she could get justice tem since the rape and murder of the 17-year- ity said. even if she reported to old Nirmala Panta in 2018, when thousands of “Once this project starts producing authorities. people marched to the streets and appealed to power, our estimate is that we will have “We found that the government to punish the culprits. surplus energy in the monsoon season,” women across the dis- Despite the failure of the system to find and said Dirghayu Kumar Shrestha, chief of trict did not report punish the perpetrators of the 2018 case, Khanal the transmission directorate, told the Post. cases of online abuse did not give up and she was on the streets again “Our plan is to reduce the power import because first, they are to demand justice for a 17-year-old schoolgirl from India and export power to the south- not aware of the law from Baitadi who was raped and murdered on ern neighbour.” and secondly they do February 4. A 17-year-old boy was subsequently In order to sell electricity in India, the not believe they will arrested in connection with the Baitadi rape generation project(s) of Nepal should get justice even after and murder case. obtain permission to export power to India filing a complaint But the battle has not been easy for women from the Nepali government, according to since women are like Khanal. the procedure issued by Central Electricity re-victimised,” said “Existing oppressions towards women, trans- Authority of India. The Indian importer Shristi Kolakshyapati gender and queer people are made worse by too should submit a copy of Power digital violence,” said Koyu, the activist. Purchase Agreement or Letter of Intent “The victims, who have gone through so from the generator of Nepal for import of much mentally, have to bear the burden of such power. financial resources and police doubting Any Indian power trader, on behalf of them and making it hard to even make use any entity of a neighbouring country, may of the existing laws.” trade in Indian Power Exchanges, after For Khanal and others who dared to speak obtaining approval from India’s Central up, the effects of online violence can be seen Electricity Authority up to a specified in the offline world, causing significant quantum in megawatt and duration. The emotional and psychological distress. Nepali company too needs to have an “No matter how much I tell myself that I agreement on cooperation in the power am strong enough to deal with such things, sector with India, according to the latest deep down it breaks my heart and affects my procedure. mental health and productivity,” said “Having these procedures for export and Khanal. “We have been subjected to the import is important for Nepal to be able same violence and threats we have been export energy to India,” said the Ministry fighting against.” of Energy official.

C M Y K 03 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 NATIONAL Oli’s unconstitutional House dissolution leads to unwanted burden on state treasury

PRITHVIMAN SHRESTHA head office in Kathmandu.” KATHMANDU, FEB 27 According to Shrestha, a large por- tion of the budget allocated for the After the government announced snap district offices was spent on repairing polls on December 20, the Election and maintaining machines such as Commission started preparing for it— computers and printers. Updating the the constitutional body spent nearly voters’ registration and making provi- Rs100 million on it. The government sions for polling centres also cost also went on a spending spree to money. “The head office spent its organise events to inaugurate develop- budget to repair equipment and vehi- ment projects aimed at influencing cles, organise meetings, prepare laws, voters. and provide incentives for employees But after the Supreme Court rein- to work overtime.” stated the House of Representatives According to the commission, it had on Tuesday, it is now clear that the finalised an updated voters’ list and elections scheduled for April 30 and was preparing to decide where to May 10 have been called off. place the polling booths. It was prepar- Analysts say that the ‘unconstitu- ing the election programme, code of tional move’ by Prime Minister KP conduct, procurement plan, election Sharma Oli resulted in unnecessary security plan, voters’ education mate- POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA expenditure from the state coffers, rials, and orientation training for the Labourers dig a trench to lay drainage pipes in Kumbheshwor, Lalitpur on Saturday. and this should be considered employees assigned for holding the corruption. elections among others. “Expenses made from the state Shrestha said that the expenditure treasury for the benefit of oneself and for most poll-related activities should one’s people by violating the not be considered wastages as they constitution and laws is akin to cor- could be useful for future elections ruption,” said Khem Raj Regmi, for- considering that the next elections for COVAX jabs supply to fall short of forecast mer president of Transparency local, provincial, and federal elections International Nepal, an anti-corrup- are due in 2022. tion watchdog. “Had the Supreme Court delayed WHO likely to provide only 380,000 doses of 2.25 million it was expected to deliver to Nepal in the first phase of scheme. “Not only has the Election its verdict, money would have been Commission spent millions to prepare wasted,” he said. The government had for polls, but a sizable chunk of money released around Rs1 billion to the ARJUN POUDEL ceded that it will not be not be easy to has also been spent on various rallies commission for election preparations. KATHMANDU, FEB 27 immunise all the people of the target- and events,” said Regmi. “State Just over Rs7 billion budget was ed group from the existing doses resources or donations from various approved for the commission to hold At a time when the government is secured by the government. interest groups must have been spent the elections. preparing to launch the second phase Officials at the Health Ministry said on the rallies. Politicians tend to com- On the same day the Supreme Court of the immunisation campaign that the government has already pensate for such financial support issued its verdict reinstating the against the Covid-19, the World Health requested Serum Institute of India to with policy corruption.” House of Representatives, the Election Organization has informed Nepali provide an additional five million After the polls were announced, the Commission had invited tender for officials that it will only provide 13 doses of Covishield. The vaccine is the Oli government had been reduced to procurement of 11 types of different percent of the vaccine doses it had preferred choice of the authorities in caretaker status. Under such a govern- products, including ballot box stick- earlier forecasted to provide Nepal Nepal, as the existing system used in ment, the bureaucracy does not per- ers, identity cards, poll books, securi- through its COVAX facility in the first regular immunisation of the children form its duty effectively and this ty seals, stamps, markers, stamp pads, phase of the programme. supports the storage and supply. affects the quality of service delivery, ink, polythene bags photocopy paper, While the decision to provide Covishield vaccines have to be experts say. “Depriving people of glue sticks, stapler machines, rulers, 380,000 doses (against the 2,256,000 stored in plus temperatures between 2 development and service delivery ille- scissors and pens, among others. But, forecasted earlier this month), may and 8 degrees Celsius. gally also amounts to corruption,” the commission said that tender will not affect the planned vaccination “We are awaiting a response from Regmi claimed. be scrapped in view of the Supreme drive, the new development makes it the Serum Institute of India,” Dr According to contractors, the gov- Court verdict. necessary for the government to pro- POST FILE PHOTO Roshan Pokhrel, chief specialist at the ernment has been reluctant to imple- After the court verdict, the poll cure additional doses of the vaccine Officials at the Health Ministry said that the government has already requested Serum Health Ministry, told the Post. ment development projects after the body says it won’t spend additional on its own to “remain on the safe Institute of India to sell an additional five million doses of Covishield vaccine. The ministry plans to use the five polls were announced. “Even though money for elections. But, the expenses side”, officials say million doses to administer second it is time to speed up the implementa- made by the state targeting the polls “We were informed that the World chief of Child Health Section, at the one million doses provided by India doses to people who have already tion of development projects, we see have yielded little to no benefit for the Health Organization will provide us Family Welfare Division under the under grant assistance on January 21. received their first dose. Officials said little effort from the bureaucracy to do people. only 380,000 doses in the first phase of Department of Health Services. “We China has also decided to provide that a fraction of the five million so. The government is also delaying Former Chief Commissioner of the the COVAX programme,” an official at will have to procure more doses at the 500,000 doses of its BBIBP-CorV vac- doses expected to arrive from India payment for completed works,” said Commission for Investigation of the Ministry of Health and Population, earliest to remain on the safe side for cine developed by the Beijing Institute may have to be used in the Rabi Singh, president of the Abuse of Authority Surya Nath told the Post, asking not to be named. the second phase of the immunisation of Biological Products Co Ltd (BIBP) second phase if more than 80 percent Federation of Contractors’ Upadhyay said time and resources “Due to short supply of vaccines, the campaign.” under Sinopharm. of the targetted population seek Association of Nepal. were spent on preparations for elec- UN health agency could not meet its The ministry has decided to immu- “We will have around 3.4 million immunisation. The prime minister’s move not only tions due to Prime Minister Oli. forecast.” nise all eligible people above 55 years doses available for the second round The WHO has said it will eventually translated into losses to the state but “The expenditure made by the elec- The Health Ministry is preparing to under the second phase of the drive as of immunisation. This will be suffi- provide 12 million doses of Covishield also affected the implementation of tion body may be useful for the future launch the second phase of the vacci- death rate is comparatively high in cient if around 80 percent of the tar- under its COVAX programme, suffi- development projects. While the cost but millions of rupees were spent on nation drive from March 7. As the the age group compared to others. The geted population seek immunisation,” cient for six million people (around 20 of slow implementation of the devel- rallies and events targeting the doses the government expected to estimated population of the age group Dr shyam Raj Upreti, coordinator of percent of Nepal’s population). opment project is not visible, the elec- elections. The prime minister receive from the WHO were one of the is around 3.7 million. Covid-19 vaccine advisory committee Meanwhile, the Child Health tion body’s expenses for poll prepara- should be held accountable for this,” main sources of vaccine for the The government recently procured told the Post. “But officials are also Section said that all necessary prepa- tions are visible. he said. campaign, the government now two million doses of the Covishield trying to secure another deal to pro- rations for the second phase of the “We had spent around Rs100 million He said the Prime Minister’s move needs to procure additional doses to vaccine produced by Serum Institute cure additional doses so that even if immunisation drive has been to make necessary preparations for resulted in losses to the state resourc- run the fresh campaign smoothly, offi- of India. Of the two million doses, more than 80 percent of the targetted completed. the polls when the Supreme Court es. “The drive to inaugurate cials say. Serum has already supplied one mil- population decides to take the vaccine, “We have already started to send announced its verdict,” said Raj various development projects “I have not seen a letter from the lion doses and officials say that the we will not fall short.” vaccines to the provincial storage Kumar Shrestha, spokesperson for the launched by the prime minister and UN’s health agency but have been company will supply the remaining Officials at the Health Ministry say facilities,” Sharma, chief of the sec- commission. “We had released over ministers with much fanfare targeting informed that they (WHO) could not million doses within a few days. that the World Health Organization tion, told the Post. “Vaccines will Rs40 million to our district offices and elections has also resulted in the supply all doses immediately, due to Similarly, the government has over has informed that it will supply addi- reach all provincial storages in a cou- an equivalent amount is estimated to unwanted burden on the state resourc- short supply,” said Dr Jhalak Sharma, half million doses in stock from the tional doses only in May. Upreti con- ple of days.” have been spent by the commission’s es,” said Upadhyay.

BRIEFING Qatari employers to pay service fees to Nepali recruiting agencies One dead in jeep plunge MYAGDI: A person died and four others From next month, the Nepali mission in Doha will not verify workers’ demand if Qatari employers do not agree to pay them. were injured when a jeep plunged into a local river at Phaparkhet in Ward No. 4 of Beni Municipality on CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL recruiting agencies will also mean Thursday night. The vehicle was car- KATHMANDU, FEB 27 there will be an official record that rying a patient to Beni from Malika. they were paid for hiring workers for According to police, the vehicle Qatari employers who wish to hire foreign employers.” plunged into Myagdi Khola. Nepali workers will have to commit to As per the existing provisions of paying service charges to Nepal-based the ‘Free Visa and Free Ticket’ policy, recruiting agencies during the hiring recruiting agencies cannot charge Token system launched to process from now on. more than Rs10,000 from a foreign job provide speedy service The Nepali mission in Doha has applicant in exchange for their servic- made it mandatory for Qatari employ- es. Also, the Nepal government’s SINDHULI: A local government in ers who apply for approval of Nepali recent understanding of destination Sindhuli district has initiated a token workers’ demand letter that they must countries provisions that workers system at its office to provide speedy agree to provide service charges to should not be paying any fees for over- and fair services to the people. Nepali agencies. Otherwise, they will seas jobs. Ghyanglekh Rural Municipality for- not be able to hire Nepali workers. However, Nepali workers continue mally started the system at its office According to stakeholders, the new to spend thousands of rupees for get- on Wednesday. Chief Administrative provision enforced by the Nepali mis- ting jobs abroad, and recruiting agen- Officer Ram Kumar Karki said the sion is likely to promote transparency cies also express their dissatisfaction newly introduced system would be in the hiring of Nepali workers for at the existing ceiling of service helpful to manage crowds in the Qatar jobs. charges. office. “This is the right decision that the While Jha welcomed the new Nepali mission wants to know how rule in making employers cover the Forest encroachment rampant much these employers are paying to recruitment fees, he thinks the Nepal-based recruiting agencies,” REUTERS Nepali embassy in Doha could develop KANCHANPUR: Forest land in Shibir Tikamani Neuapane, spokesperson The Nepali mission has notified employers that they need to commit to providing service charges to Nepali recruiting agencies from March 1. a specific format so as to fix the and Bayalkundi areas have been for the Department of Foreign amount to be received by such encroached upon by flood victims in Employment, the main agency which demand verification document if they labour migration expert, the new rule agencies. hopes of receiving land from the oversees the foreign employment sec- wish to employ Nepali nationals, will help in ensuring that workers do “If only there is a fixed ceiling of Land Problems Resolution tor, told the Post. “This will make the which is the first process of hiring Stakeholders say the not have to pay any amount to recruit- minimum to maximum amount Commission. According to Shivadatta whole process transparent.” Nepali migrant workers. ing agencies since the employer has recruiting agencies would receive Panta, chairman of the Community Nepali mission in Doha has notified The process of getting workers’ new provision is already paid them the amount on from Qatari employers, it would Forest Coordination Committee, over local employers that while applying demand verification from Nepali mis- likely to promote behalf of workers. make the whole process even more 300 huts have been set up in the forest for demand attestation at the embassy, sions based in the country concerned “The provision makes it easier to transparent. The service charge can area within one-and-a-half weeks. they need to express commitment to was made mandatory as per a 2018 transparency. monitor whether the employer has be fixed as per the nature of the jobs,” providing service charges to Nepali directive. The rule was enforced to paid recruitment fees to agencies or said Jha. recruiting agencies effective from make the overall hiring process more not. Such a move will make recruiting “Even the Qatari embassy in Nepal Self-defence training for teens March 1. transparent and minimise fraud tion of Nepali workers in the same agencies accountable if they grab can discuss with Nepal-based recruit- RUKUM (EAST): A total of 122 teenage “Any demand attestation requests which was happening through fake company; basic salary; facilities, ser- such fees from both the employers and ing agencies their challenges and the girls have started receiving self-de- without such commitment will not be demand letters. vices and remunerations provided to workers,” said Jha, coordinator of the amount they might need in the service fence training. The Lumbini provin- entertained for further procedure,” While assessing the demand letter workers; condition of the workplace, National Network for Safe Migration, charge. Recruiting agencies also have cial government is providing training said the Nepali embassy in Doha. verified by agencies of the destination housing, health and security situa- a group of organisations working for a business and make their invest- to girls of four community schools in Foreign employers have to approach country, the foreign mission would tions. promoting safer migration. “Asking ments so that they should not be Sisne Rural Municipality. Nepali missions abroad with the also gather information on the situa- According to Swarna Kumar Jha, a employers to pay for services of impacted unfairly.”

C M Y K SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 | 04 OPINION Political interference at Tribhuvan University Today’s problem is to bring politics within everybody’s grasp and use it to fight against its abusers.

ABHI SUBEDI WORDS & ECHOES

Yug Pathak issued a statement on behalf of the Brihat Nagarik Andolan, or the Wider Citizens’ Movement, on February 23. His statement came immediately after the Supreme Court ruled that Prime Minister KP Oli’s dis- solution of the House of Representatives on December 23 last year was unconstitutional. The Court ruled that the authorities should sum- mon Parliament by March 8. What struck me in this statement made by Pathak, who is also the President of the Writers Union of Africa, Asia and Latin America and coordinator of the citizens’ movement, is the following conclusive statement: ‘The Wider Citizens’ Movement after discussions and deliberations with various social groups and bodies of citizens will con- tinue to work vigilantly for bringing politics within the grasp of the people.’ I am in full agreement with this call of the Nagarik Andolan to bring poli- tics within the grasp of the common people. The Court’s pronouncement of the time from the day of the dissolu- tion of the House to the day of the Court ruling as a blank period has a great metaphorical and symbolic sig- nificance insofar as the politics of POST FILE PHOTO Nepal is concerned. The semantics of the hearts of the teachers and academ- have to go very far. You can still find will try to make my lecture shorter.’ So when we speak about the politi- and ethics by making people political- Yug’s statement is that the politics of ics who are dedicated to their works, dedicated teachers and academics They agreed. They were familiar stu- cal meddling in the affairs of the ly aware, which means making people Nepal that has become fluid and and who want to be recognised and who can tell you about that because dents. But shortly after that, the noise University we should answer these conscious of freedom. The students derailed is moving beyond the grasp rewarded for that dedication. That is they have witnessed all that over a of a political leader’s speech and clap- questions: Who is making political and teachers participating in the of the common people, which is a seri- precisely in short supply. Not only period of time. Political leaders espe- ping rose in the air, drowning us all. I meddling in the affairs of the demonstration in Kirtipur were criti- ous matter. A few political parties and that, the perennial political interfer- cially the unscrupulous ones, those could recognise Kisunji’s voice. University—political parties or the cising the political parties and their those in the helms of affairs, the exec- ence and the shameless mismanage- students and teachers who have slow- After cutting the class short I went party-affiliated students’ wings? But government leaders who glibly slide utives, act unscrupulously at the cost ments of the University’s affairs and ly connived to ‘politicise’, to use the to meet him and complained about more broadly, how can we keep politi- into the realms of autocracy, and were of the democratic structures and materials have severely damaged the word in common currency here, have how the students had breached the cal education as part of the academic saying how an independent education norms. As an academic and a teacher academic character of the University. done no service to the University. agreement. Kisunji summoned the programme? And how do we develop it system can free the university from who has spent over half a century I want to speak like a witness in the There are lost opportunities for learn- student leaders and said how politics as the condition of consciousness such meddling. teaching, I want to put the following following lines and put my own ideas ing. I want to recall one very telling should not interfere in the educational building energy among the university We should ask ourselves whether caveat. on this subject. My idea of a free uni- incident here. process, how everybody should abide graduates who can understand the we are all prepared for that. Students A huge demonstration was taken versity is simple. Stop misusing aca- That was a time when Krishna by what he called ‘the holy covenant’. mantra of taking political awareness and the academic fraternity should be out in Kirtipur as part of the Nagarik demic programmes for the advantage Prasad Bhattarai, alias Kisunji, was If you drown education in the din of within the grasp of the people when vigilant about it. I can say from the Andolan a couple of weeks ago. The of political parties and their cadres. active. One afternoon, I noticed a flur- political sloganeering you will do the they act as politicians or as responsi- evidence of my long experience of most catching slogans that the partici- Let competent people work freely. ry of activities on the turf outside a greatest damage to the country. He ble citizens? That is exactly the mes- teaching, and dealing with students, pants echoed loudly outside the closed Make your activities transparent and classroom in Kirtipur where I was asked the student leaders, ‘why didn’t sage of the culture of education. But who are some of my best friends in gates of the central office of be fair to the academics who are com- going to teach after some time. you inform me about the agreement sadly, by overplaying with what is life, that the University is an impor- Tribhuvan University were to stop petent and dedicated. I want to make Students had created a makeshift with your teacher?’ That was a histor- called politics at the University, we are tant place where we can find answers meddling in the affairs of Tribhuvan one point very clear here. Some aca- stage for a programme. Loudspeakers ical event. I was so moved by his producing just the opposite results. to all kinds of questions, including University, stop political interference, demics are greatly responsible for were being tested. I approached the approach. I have since met no other Kisunji was not openly asking stu- those of politics. Today’s problem is, and stop appointing political support- inviting political parties and the gov- student leaders and said ‘since I am leaders of Nepali Congress or dents to renounce politics that after- to cite the phrase again, to bring crea- ers and party cadres to the key posts ernments they support to play into the going to teach in this room after some Communist Party of Nepal who had noon. He was saying instead how you tive politics within the grasp of every- of the University. system and admitting them into the time make sure people don’t tinker or has even an iota of concern about can repel the uncanny political med- body and use it as a means to fight They were making loud the cries of texture of the university. You do not with the loudspeakers until then. I that ‘holy alliance’ that Kisunji had. dling in the educational institutions against its abusers.

Asia beckons

added connectivity will bolster a rapid- It is the beating heart ly rising north-south corridor. Supply chain shifts precipitated by United of the world that will States-China tensions on top of the already revved-up engine of Asia’s pump vibrancy back into emerging consumer base will bring about a structural rebalancing of global the global economy. trade corridors. The East will increas- ingly be producing for the East. And other advances—including enhanced BENJAMIN HUNG connectivity within the Greater Bay Area and across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)— will add whirls of vitality.

Asia’s re-engineering After all, Asia is in a different place to where it was even a year ago. Covid-19 Every day, we are bombarded with has wrought structural changes, but it headlines and news flashes. Reading is these exact shifts that are present- these pings, we could all be forgiven ing underrated opportunities for busi- for asking, ‘Will this year be any dif- nesses. Through a wider lens, I see in ferent from the last?’ Infection rates Asia new supply chain dynamics and are hitting record highs with travel digital innovation, creating jobs, restrictions being further tightened transforming skills requirements and and jobless rates facing a lagged hit. remaking economies. The geopolitical landscape appears as Experiencing last year’s growing febrile as ever. fragility of the international supply Amid the lacklustre news flow, it is chain, those businesses quick to adapt easy to overlook the profound shifts have re-engineered their approach to which are rapidly taking shape. Here sustain growth. With the certainty of in Asia, there are increasing reasons supply now valued as highly as costs for optimism. Already home to over and speed-to-market, supply-chain par- half of the world’s population and a ticipants have rebalanced their priori- rising middle class, Covid-19 and geo- ties, focusing on a ‘just-in-case’ model politics have accelerated seismic with greater emphases on self-suffi- shifts in the region’s business land- ciency and business continuity. scape, much of which are structural The pandemic has also brought digi- and enduring. Globalisation is giving talisation to the fore, compelling tradi- way to regionalisation. Fundamental tional and new players alike to adopt changes are happening in supply technology to ensure resilience and chain approaches, trade pacts, digital sustainability. Everything from educa- and consumption patterns, and finan- tion, shopping and food to healthcare is cial innovation. shifting online. Asia has already sur- Although Covid-19 set back pro- passed North America and Western gress, we have seen the region’s poli- Europe in terms of the share of e-com- cymakers act decisively to mitigate its merce retail sales, with the fastest impact, protecting economies from growth coming from India, China and their worst ravages. As it stands, Asia Indonesia. Governments are also accel- CHUTTERSNAP/UNSPLASH is rebounding faster than the rest of erating digital interconnections. tion dynamics against a rapidly evolv- merce platforms, ride-hailing apps and fail-fast-learn-fast mentality. mate change, where public and private the world. Research estimates Asia’s China’s digital currency, Singapore’s ing context. For the bold and decisive, and payment wallets. Companies that look to revamp their sectors’ ability to heed sustainability growth of 7.5 percent in 2021, with Networked Trade Platform and Hong it is this backdrop in Asia that pro- Recognising that this gap exists is strategies now while factoring in the considerations to generate long-term China and India leading at 8 percent Kong’s eTradeConnect all serve to vides a unique, broad and exciting key—it’s indicative of the potential profound structural shifts underway economic growth will be critical. and 10 percent, respectively, spear- bring greater connectivity to facilitate canvas—albeit a fragmented one. No opportunities that are available. will make a meaningful impact. Caveats aside, Asia is the beating heart heading the global economic revival. trade and payment flows. single business player has dominated Businesses that act upon what Asia Success in Asia is unlikely to be of the world and I have no doubt that it Slingshotting the comeback will be any sector in Asia as Google, Amazon has to offer today will be well-placed to straightforward. Much will also will pump vibrancy back into the glob- the Regional Comprehensive Economic Act now, act decisively or Apple have in the US and around emerge as tomorrow’s leaders. And depend on extraneous factors, includ- al economy. My message, then, is sim- Partnership (RCEP). The RCEP is A year from now, the world could look the world. Take messaging apps: LINE that reinforces another element: Time ing regional stability, US-China rela- ple: Watch this space, but don’t wait too expected to boost intra-Asian trade, vastly different from what it is today, dominates in Taiwan and Japan is of the essence, and the first-mover tions, the speed at which the pandemic long to act. For Asia beckons! which already accounts for half of just like how it did from the last 12 whereas Telegram, WeChat, Signal advantage is real. Prospective players, can be controlled, and how govern- Asia’s trade volume. With harmonisa- months. At the heart of a resurgent and WhatsApp are popular in other then, need to approach this market ments implement their public policies. Hung is CEO, Asia, of Standard tion in trade standards, the RCEP’s Asia will be fast-changing digitalisa- parts of Asia. Likewise for e-com- with an aggressive, dominant-player Asia also faces substantial risks in cli- Chartered Bank.

C M Y K 05 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 MONEY

FOREX TikTok agrees $92 US 117.85 Falling prices drive demand for gold but Euro 142.92 million deal to settle Pound 164.29 Australian 92.06 officials say no to increasing import quota US privacy lawsuits Japanese 11.08 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Chinese 18.23 Prices are expected to go down but increasing the quota could dent foreign currency reserves, central bank officials say. SAN FRANCISCO, FEB 27 Saudi 31.42 KRISHANA PRASAIN TikTok has agreed to pay $92 million Qatari 32.36 KATHMANDU, FEB 27 in a deal to settle a cluster of US class-action lawsuits accusing the vid- Malaysian 29.1 With an increase in demand for gold eo-snippet sharing platform of invad- Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank while the supply quota remains the ing the privacy of young users. same in the domestic bullion market, A legal filing on Friday in federal consumer rights activists and traders court in the state of Illinois urged a PRICE PER TOLA say black marketing has been observed judge to approve the settlement, which BULLION in the past few weeks. includes TikTok being more transpar- However, Nepal Rastra Bank says ent about data gathering and better Fine Gold Rs 88,800 there is no significant reason to training employees about user privacy. increase the import quota as it is the The litigation combined 21 class-ac- Silver Rs 1,335 off-season for gold. Demand for the tion cases taking aim at TikTok and precious metal is high in the wedding its China-based parent company SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA season but since economic activity ByteDance. has slowed down as a result of the “The TikTok app infiltrates its Covid-19 pandemic, officials say the users’ devices and extracts a broad GASOLINE WATCH demand is low. array of private data including biome- “There should be a reason to justify tric data and content that defendants the increase in import quotas,” use to track and profile TikTok users Gunakar Bhatta, spokesperson for the for the purpose of, among other things, Nepal Rastra Bank said. “If there is a ad targeting and profit,” Illinois attor- valid reason for the increase in neys said in a filing. demand, then government agencies Attorneys estimated in a filing that will discuss it to increase the quota.” the settlement would apply to 89 mil- The central bank slashed the daily lion TikTok users in the United States, import quota of gold from 20 kilos to POST FILE PHOTO with most of them eligible for pay- 10 kilos in March last year expecting Contrary to expectations, gold import has jumped 66 percent in the first seven months of the current fiscal year. outs of 96 cents each if they all filed the pressure in foreign exchange claims for settlement money. reserves due to the pandemic. the daily price set by the federation.” and Supplies a few weeks ago, request- and demand also slowed down, hitting TikTok software identified users’ Contrary to expectations, gold Consumer rights activists said that ing an increase in daily import quota almost zero due to the lockdown before faces to let people apply special effects import has jumped 66 percent in the opportunist traders tend to increase of gold. The ministry responded that Dashain and Tihar,” said Shakya. to videos, but also gleaned insights first seven months of the current fis- the price with the problem in demand it will coordinate with the central “But the demand started to rise with about age, gender and race for content cal year due to a rise in demand with and supply and to stop it the demand bank to increase the quota, according the festival.” recommendation and other features, declining prices, domestic bullion needs to be fulfilled. to Shakya. Domestic bullion traders expect legal filings contended. traders say. Madhav Timalsina, president of the “The governor had also said the there will be a gradual fall in prices in Attorneys also accused TikTok of According to the Trade and Export Consumer Rights Investigation Forum, import quota would be increased soon the coming days going by the interna- sending or storing data in China Promotion Center, the country import- said that after not getting the gold as but it has not happened so far,” Shakya tional market. where its parent company is based. ed gold worth Rs15 billion in the first demanded, traders say they are buying told the Post. According to Shakya, new US presi- TikTok has denied any misuse of seven months of the current fiscal it in black market and this has affected But with the change in the com- dent Joe Biden is planning new alter- data, saying it only uses anonymous year, up from Rs9 billion during the the price for the past few weeks. merce secretary, traders have not native energy projects. Since solar markers to detect where faces are and same time last fiscal year. The country “Nepal Rastra Bank should take an heard anything since. power equipment needs silver, the left that data on users’ devices, accord- imported gold worth Rs13.63 billion in initiative immediately to increase the The gold price increased from demand for metal is expected to rise. ing to legal paperwork. Attorneys told Global stocks slump despite the fiscal year 2019-20. import quota as per the demand and Rs64,000-65,000 per tola in the first People therefore have started invest- the judge that ByteDance had been Tej Ratna Shakya, former president supply trend,” said Timalsina. month of the fiscal year 2019-20 to ing in silver by selling gold. motivated to settle due to pressure by drop in bond yields of the Federation of Nepal Gold and An official at the central bank said Rs73,000 to Rs74,000 in mid-February The vaccination programme in the US officials to sell TikTok. Silver Dealers’ Association, said daily there is no reason to increase the of the fiscal year. Due to the sudden US and stimulus packages and also The administration of US President NEW YORK: Stocks slumped worldwide demand has increased to around 20 import quota immediately as there is hike in prices demand had fallen, plans to improve relations with China Joe Biden has reportedly shelved a on Friday despite a drop in bond kilos while the supply has declined no reason to buy for personal use till according to traders. will cause further decline in gold pric- plan by his predecessor Donald Trump yields, as rattled investors did not step since March last year. mid-April. Another reason for the increase in es. to require the sale of TikTok to US in to pick up bargains. According to the Department of “The demand can increase from demand now is that people have start- Gold traded at $1,735 per ounce on tech giant Oracle with Walmart as a The dollar rose against its main Customs, the import quantity has also mid-April [Baisakh] and by observing ed buying gold for the upcoming wed- Saturday and is expected to decline to retail partner. Trump had aimed exec- rivals in anticipation of the US increased from 1,684 kgs in the first the foreign exchange level, the quota ding season that starts in mid-April, $1,700 per ounce, which means the utive orders at TikTok and other Congress later Friday voting later seven months of the fiscal year 2019-20 can be increased,” he said on condi- according to traders. price is expected to decline to around Chinese online services allegedly pos- Friday on President Joe Biden’s enor- to 2,109 kilos in the same period of tion of anonymity. “But as the fuel The bullion price reached a record Rs85,000 per tola in the Nepali market ing security risks because of ties to mous $1.9-trillion economic rescue 2020-21. price is increasing in the internation- high of Rs103,500 per tola in mid-July soon, Shakya said. the Beijing government. package. “With supply not meeting the al market, this can create pressure on last year and gradually started to Meanwhile, Nepali investors are A Trump administration move to Oil prices fell after striking demand, the bullion market is wit- foreign exchange reserves in the com- decline reaching Rs88,800 per tola on prioritising gold as a safe haven to ban downloads of TikTok had been 13-month peaks Thursday on keen nessing black marketing in recent ing days.” Friday. The price has declined by invest to keep up the purchasing stalled amid legal challenges. TikTok, demand. Vaccine rollouts, slowing times,” Shakya told the Post. “It is Representatives of the Federation around Rs15,000 in seven months and power. As a result, the demand is the app with an estimated 100 million Covid-19 infection rates, and Biden’s heard that bullion traders have start- of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ the falling price trend pushed the increasing with uncertainty in the US users, has defended itself against stimulus package have sent stocks up ed hiking the price by Rs2,000 to Association met with the secretary of demand, Shakya said. market, economic slowdown and infla- allegations of data transfers to the in recent weeks. (AFP) Rs3,000 per tola [11.6638 grams] than the Ministry of Industry, Commerce “Prices have reached all-time high tion, traders say. Chinese government.

$1.9 trillion Covid plan clears US House, heads to Senate

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE signed last March to fight the WASHINGTON, FEB 27 pandemic’s devastating spread. The US House passed an Even as the Senate parlia- enormous, $1.9 trillion coro- mentarian ruled against navirus relief package early including the minimum wage Saturday, hailed by language in the bill as writ- Democrats as a critical step ten under budget reconcilia- in funneling new funding tion rules, Democrats kept toward vaccinations, over- the provision, highlighting burdened local governments, their “fight for 15” as a top and millions of families dev- party priority. astated by the pandemic. “We will not rest until we Four days after the Covid- pass the $15 minimum wage,” 19 death toll surpassed Speaker of the House Nancy 500,000 in the United States, Pelosi said. Even without the the sprawling measure wage hike, she said the bill backed by President Joe was critical and it would be Biden and seen as a moral “catastrophic” if it does not imperative by many now become law. heads to the Senate for con- “The American people sideration next week. need to know that their gov- “After 12 months of death ernment is there for them,” and despair, the American she told the chamber. “As recovery begins tonight,” President Biden has said, congressman Brendan Boyle help is on the way.” told the House chamber Republicans fumed over shortly before lawmakers the bill’s historically high approved the package on an cost—and the optics of hold- rare post-midnight vote of ing such a consequential vote 219 to 212. in pre-dawn hours. No Republicans voted for “Democrats are so embar- the bill. The sharply partisan rassed by all the non-Covid result comes weeks after waste in this bill that they Biden’s January 20 inaugura- are jamming it through in the tion, when he called for unity dead of night,” House in the face of a once-in-a-cen- Minority Leader Kevin tury health crisis. McCarthy said. The package cleared the The measure is “bloated,” House despite a major set- partisan and “unfocused,” back for Democrats, when a with the majority of funding key Senate official ruled on going to projects not directly Thursday that the final ver- related to fighting the pan- sion of the bill cannot include demic, McCarthy said. a minimum wage hike. He and fellow Republicans Biden had campaigned accused Democrats of using extensively on raising the a pandemic to push forward a national minimum wage to liberal wish list. $15 an hour, from a rate of The package “just throws $7.25 that has stood since out money without accounta- 2009. He aimed to include it in bility,” McCarthy added. the rescue plan, which direct- Over in the 100-member ly provides $1,400 checks to Senate, the rules of so-called most Americans and allots reconciliation relate to budg- billions of dollars to boost etary bills that are allowed to vaccine delivery, help schools bypass Republican filibuster re-open and fund state and efforts and pass with just a local governments. simple majority, rather than It extends unemployment the typical 60 votes. benefits, set to expire mid- The parliamentarian March, by about six months, concluded that the wage as well as a moratorium on hike does not meet the stand- evictions for millions of peo- ard, and since there is no ple struggling to pay rent. Republican support for the The bill is on track to be bill in the evenly split Senate, the second largest US stimu- the measure will be taken lus ever, after the $2 trillion out in order for Covid relief package Donald Trump to pass.

C M Y K SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING US to approve third jab, but Myanmar launches Five protesters die, dozens injured in clashes in Iraqi city extensive crackdown, NASSIRIYA: At least five protesters fears grow for poorer nations were killed and more than 175 people injured on Friday in clashes between demonstrators and security forces in J&J says vaccine works with single shot, can be stored long-term at fridge temperatures. one woman dead the southern Iraqi city of Nassiriya, a Reuters witness and other sources AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE REUTERS surged through town streets chanting said. Among the fatalities, most died WASHINGTON, FEB 27 YANGON, FEB 27 defiance, an activist video feed from bullet wounds, a hospital source showed. One protester told Reuters said, adding that about 120 protesters A US panel has recommended Johnson Police in Myanmar launched their the crowd was demanding the release were wounded. At least 57 members & Johnson’s one-dose Covid-19 shot for most sweeping crackdown in three of people detained by the security of the security forces were injured, emergency approval, as some of the weeks of protests against military forces. according to a another hospital world’s most powerful countries rule on Saturday in towns and cities Junta leader General Min Aung source and a security source. The issued a unified call for better vaccine across the country, with media reports Hlaing has said authorities were using clashes continued on Friday evening access for poorer nations. of a woman shot dead and dozens of minimal force. Nevertheless, at least after a week of violence that erupted The United States is the world’s people detained. three protesters had died over the hardest-hit country, and its emergency The violence came after Myanmar’s days of turmoil up to Saturday. The use authorisation of the J&J vaccine UN envoy urged the United Nations to army says a policeman was killed in Kidnappers release would follow those for the Pfizer and use “any means necessary” to stop the earlier violence. Nigerian schoolboys Moderna doses. February 1 coup. In Yangon, crowds came out to MAIDUGURI: Gunmen in Nigeria on “We’re going to use every conceiva- Myanmar has been in turmoil since chant and sing, then scattered into Saturday released 27 teenage boys ble way to expand manufacturing of the army seized power and detained side streets and slipped into buildings who were kidnapped from their the vaccine... and make even more elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and as police advanced, firing tear gas, school last week in the northern state rapid progress,” said President Joe much of her party leadership, alleging setting off stun grenades and shooting of Niger, while security forces contin- Biden as the country tries to finally fraud in a November election her guns into the air, witnesses said. ued to search for more than 300 get on top of the virus that has already party won in a landslide. Some protesters threw up barri- schoolgirls abducted in a nearby claimed 510,000 US lives. AP/RSS Uncertainty has grown over Suu cades across streets. Crowds eventual- state. Schools have become targets for J&J stressed its vaccine was proven A medical worker receives a dose of the Pfizer BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine at the National Kyi’s whereabouts, as the independent ly thinned but police in Yangon were mass kidnappings for ransom in to work with a single shot, and could Medical Center in Seoul on Saturday. Myanmar Now website on Friday still chasing groups and firing into the northern Nigeria by armed groups, be stored long-term at standard fridge quoted officials of her National air in the late afternoon, witnesses many of whom carry guns and ride temperatures, which “offers logistical League for Democracy (NLD) party as said. Numerous people were seen motorcycles. On February 17, 27 stu- and practical advantages.” UN adopts resolution urging saying she had been moved this week detained and some beaten through the dents, three staff and 12 members of A diplomatic gathering on Friday from house arrest to an undisclosed d a y. their families were abducted by an looked further ahead to discuss the equitable access to vaccines location. Similar scenes played out in the armed gang who stormed the pandemic, with G20 countries discuss- The coup has brought hundreds of second city of Mandalay and other Government Science secondary ing post-pandemic economic recovery UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security waive IP to increase production, thousands of protesters onto the towns from north to south, witnesses school in the Kagara district of Niger in a video conference. Council gave unanimous approval coverage of vaccine and get rid of streets and drawn condemnation from and media said. state. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Friday to a resolution calling for this virus as soon as possible,” he Western countries, with some impos- Among those detained in Mandalay has signalled openness to new assis- improved access to Covid-19 vac- told reporters, saying: ing limited sanctions. was Win Mya Mya, one of two Muslim tance to less developed countries cines in conflict-hit or impover- “The UNSC can do it if there is Police were out in force in cities and members of parliament for the NLD, India rebuffs UN criticism of through the International Monetary ished countries, diplomats said. political will.” towns from early on Saturday in their media said. Fund. It was the second resolution on In a rare gesture, the resolution most determined bid to stamp out the At the UN General Assembly, UK arms dealer’s detention Also in Washington, Democratic the pandemic passed by the council was co-sponsored by all 15 members protests. Myanmar’s Ambassador Kyaw Moe NEW DELHI: India on Saturday hit back leaders expressed confidence that since it began a year ago. “Voting of the council, diplomats said. In the main city of Yangon, police Tun said he was speaking on behalf of at UN rights experts who accused the Biden’s $1.9 trillion Covid relief pack- for vaccine equity is important and “We are all facing the same took up positions at usual protest sites Suu Kyi’s government and appealed country of jailing a British arms age would pass the House of we appreciate that,” said World threat, the same pandemic and and detained people as they congre- for “any means necessary to take dealer extradited from the United Representatives overnight Friday. Health Organization director-gener- international cooperation and mul- gated, witnesses said. Several journal- action against the Myanmar military Arab Emirates in a suspected swap The bill—which will still need to al Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, tilateral action is needed,” one dip- ists were detained. and to provide safety and security for for a runaway princess. Christian pass in the Senate—is on track to be in welcoming the vote. “But the lomat said on condition of Confrontations developed as more the people”. Michel has been imprisoned in India the second-largest US stimulus ever, concrete steps should be taken, and anonymity. (AFP) people came out to demonstrate “We need further strongest possible since December 2018 after he was after the $2 trillion package that despite the police operation. action from the international commu- extradited from Dubai on charges of Donald Trump signed into law last Three domestic media outlets said a nity to immediately end the military bribing and conspiring with Delhi March to help the coronavirus-bat- But many poorer countries have President Jair Bolsonaro dismisses woman was shot and killed in the cen- coup ... and to restore the democracy,” officials over a major helicopter deal. tered economy. struggled to secure supplies and restrictive measures and the use of tral town of Monwya. The circum- he said. On Friday the UN Working Group on In Africa, Ivory Coast received its launch inoculations, and there have face masks. stances of the shooting were not clear Delivering his final words in Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) raised first jabs—a consignment of half a been repeated warnings over the con- Many restrictions worldwide are and police were not immediately avail- Burmese, the career diplomat raised concerns that his extradition repre- million doses funded by the Covax sequences. unlikely to disappear soon, including able for comment. the three-finger salute of pro-democ- sented “a de facto swap” for India’s initiative for poorer countries. In Brazil, several cities and states in France, where a debate erupted Earlier, a protester in the town said racy protesters and announced, “Our capture and return of a high-profile And just over half of the population imposed a new round of curfews and over how to respond to infections in police had fired water cannon as they cause will prevail.” detainee to the UAE, without provid- of Israel has now had at least a first restrictions in a bid to contain a surge Paris. surrounded a crowd. Reuters was not immediately able to ing more details. Michel’s detention dose. of cases. Scepticism greeted a suggestion by “They used water cannon against contact the army for comment. was politically motivated and without Russia and Austria have meanwhile The country, whose death toll passed Paris city hall for a three-week lock- peaceful protesters - they shouldn’t UN Special Rapporteur Tom a legal basis, WGAD said, demanding agreed to talks over the delivery and 250,000 Thursday, has had a piecemeal down to help restore normality, with treat people like that,” Aye Aye Tint Andrews said he was overwhelmed as his immediate release and compensa- joint production of Russia’s Sputnik V response to the crisis, with local critics accusing mayor Anne Hidalgo told Reuters. he watched the ambassador’s “act of tion from both nations. (AGENCIES) vaccine. authorities setting policies as far-right of a PR stunt. A big crowd of protesters later courage”. Prince approved Khashoggi murder, says US but spares him sanctions

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE son,” explaining Biden was trying WASHINGTON, FEB 27 “not to rupture the relationship, but to recalibrate to be more in line with our The United States has for the first interests and our values.” time publicly accused Saudi Crown An advocacy group founded by Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Khashoggi, Democracy for the Arab approving the gruesome murder of World Now, called on the president to dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, impose sanctions on Prince but stopped short of targeting the Mohammed—with a number of law- powerful heir apparent. makers from Biden’s Democratic The prince, who is de facto ruler of Party also pushing for more action. the US ally and oil provider, “approved “We must also ensure that there are an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to real consequences for individuals like capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal MBS; if not, autocrats around the Khashoggi,” said an intelligence world will get the message that impu- report newly declassified by President nity is the rule,” said Bob Menendez, Joe Biden’s administration. chairman of the Senate Foreign The report said that given Prince Relations Committee. Mohammed’s influence, it was “highly The Saudi foreign ministry in a unlikely” that the 2018 murder could statement denounced the “negative, have taken place without his green false and unacceptable assessment” light. The killing also fit a pattern of and rejected “any measure that “the crown prince’s support for using infringes upon its leadership.” AP/RSS violent measures to silence dissidents The Saudi government, which ini- Officers shower flower petals from a helicopter on to pilgrims gathered at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and the Yamuna on Maghi Purnima, or the full-moon day, abroad.” tially said it had no information on during the annual traditional fair of Magh Mela In Prayagraj, India, on Saturday. Khashoggi, a US resident and critic Khashoggi, says it accepts responsibil- of Prince Mohammed who wrote for ity for the killing but casts it as a The Washington Post, was lured to rogue operation that did not involve Istanbul’s Saudi consulate in October the prince. 2018, then killed and cut into pieces. Biden’s decision to release the The Treasury Department report—first completed under Donald No obligation to accept stranded Rohingya, Dhaka says announced it was freezing assets and Trump—was a sharp departure from criminalizing transactions with a for- his predecessor, who had vowed to mer intelligence official as well as the keep working with Saudi Arabia due REUTERS More than 1 million Rohingya refu- Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit to the kingdom’s lavish purchases of DHAKA, FEB 27 gees from predominantly Buddhist the report said “exists to defend the US weapons and shared hostility Myanmar are living in teeming camps crown prince” and “answers only to toward Iran. Bangladesh is under “no obligation” in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, him.” Biden spoke late Thursday with to shelter 81 Rohingya Muslim refu- including tens of thousands who fled Biden said Friday that “we are 85-year-old King Salman after the gees adrift for almost two weeks on the after Myanmar’s military conducted a going to hold (Saudi Arabia) accounta- White House made clear he had no Andaman Sea and being assisted by deadly crackdown in 2017. ble for human rights abuses. This intention of speaking to the crown neighbouring India, said Bangladesh Traffickers often lure Rohingya ref- report has been sitting there, the last prince, who by contrast had formed a foreign minister AK Abdul Momen. ugees with promises of work in administration wouldn’t even release friendship with Trump’s son-in-law India’s coast guard found the 81 sur- Southeast Asian countries like it... it is outrageous what happened.” Jared Kushner. vivors and eight dead crammed onto a Malaysia. But the United States stopped short A veteran Saudi journalist who had crippled fishing boat and were trying The United Nations refugee agency, of directly targeting the 35-year-old gone into self-exile, Khashoggi was to arrange for Bangladesh to take UNHCR, expressed alarm this week crown prince, known by his initials told by Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to them, Indian officials said on Friday. over the missing boat. MBS. the United States to go to the king- But Momen told Reuters late on India on Thursday said around 47 of In honor of the slain writer, dom’s Istanbul consulate if he wanted Friday that Bangladesh expects India, the occupants of the boat are in pos- Secretary of State Antony Blinken to obtain documents for his forthcom- the closest country, or Myanmar, the AP/RSS session of ID cards issued to them by announced the “Khashoggi Act” that ing marriage to a Turkish woman, Rohingyas’ country of origin, to This February 15 photo shows Rohingya refugees heading to the Bhasan Char island prepare the UNHCR office in Bangladesh, stat- will ban entry into the United States Hatice Cengiz. accept them. to board navy vessels from the south eastern port city of Chattogram, Bangladesh. ing that they are displaced Myanmar of foreigners who threaten dissidents Within minutes of entering the “They are not Bangladesh nationals nationals. or harass reporters and their families building on October 2, 2018, the and in fact, they are Myanmar nation- not respond to requests for comment. declined to be named as he was not The refugees have been drifting in and immediately placed 76 Saudis on 59-year-old was strangled and his body als. They were found 1,700 km away External Affairs Ministry spokes- authorised to discuss the matter with international waters after leaving the blacklist. dismembered by a 15-member team from the Bangladesh maritime territo- man Anurag Srivastava said on media, said India planned to help the southern Bangladesh on February 11 “We have made absolutely clear that allegedly sent from Riyadh under the ry and therefore, we have no obliga- Thursday that India was “in discus- refugees with food and water, but it in the hope of reaching Malaysia. extraterritorial threats and assaults direction of a top aide to Prince tion to take them,” said Momen, who sions with the Government of was not planning to take them ashore. On Saturday, they were under the by Saudi Arabia against activists, dis- Mohammed, Saud al-Qahtani. is in the United States. Bangladesh to ensure their safe and New Delhi did not sign the 1951 aid and surveillance of India as offi- sidents and journalists must end. The intelligence report said seven “They were located 147 km away secure repatriation.” Refugee Convention, which spells out cials were holding talks to return They will not be tolerated by the of the 15 Saudis came from the Rapid from Indian territory, 324 km away India’s foreign ministry did not refugee rights and state responsibili- them to Bangladesh, said the senior United States,” Blinken said in a state- Intervention Force, which it said had from Myanmar,” he said by phone, respond to requests for comment on ties to protect them. Nor does it have a Indian official who is not authorised ment. over the years allegedly acted to sup- adding other countries and organisa- whether it would accept the refugees law protecting refugees, though it cur- to speak to the media. The boat had Blinken, questioned by reporters, press dissent in the kingdom and tions should take care of the refugees. onto Indian soil. rently hosts more than 200,000, includ- sailed from the massive Cox’s Bazar said “this is bigger than any one per- abroad . Indian foreign ministry officials did One senior Indian official, who ing some Rohingya. refugee camp.

C M Y K 07 | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Man City beat West Ham 2-1 to move 13 points clear New Zealand’s fourth T20 against Australia shifted Pep Guardiola’s men are enjoying the longest-ever winning streak by an English top-flight team and closing in on their third Premier League in four seasons. WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s fourth AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Chelsea and Arsenal respectively on sion in the City defence at times and Twenty20 International against MANCHESTER, FEB 27 Sunday. Antonio nearly exploited their vulner- Australia has been shifted to But it is hard to imagine anyone ability when he met Jesse Lingard’s Wellington where it will be played Manchester City moved 13 points catching City over the last 12 games of cross with a shot that clipped the out- behind closed doors on Friday as clear at the top of the Premier the season. They survived a stern test side of the post. It was a warning that Auckland enters a seven-day Covid-19 League as John Stones sealed a 2-1 win from fourth-placed West Ham and City failed to heed and they were pun- lockdown on Sunday, the country’s against West Ham that made it 20 suc- home games against Wolves and ished in the 43rd minute. cricket board has said. Prime cessive victories in all competitions Manchester United next week offer a Aguero surrendered possession in Minister Jacinda Ardern announced for the leaders. chance to put the title within touching midfield, leaving City’s back four the lockdown in the country’s biggest Pep Guardiola’s side are closing in distance. exposed, and the ball was quickly city after a new local case of the coro- on their third Premier League in four Ominously for the rest of the league, worked wide to Vladimir Coufal as he navirus of unknown origin emerged. seasons thanks to priceless contribu- Sergio Aguero returned to the City surged away from the out of position Wednesday’s double-headers will go tions from their in-form centre-backs. starting line-up for the first time in Oleksandr Zinchenko. Coufal’s cross ahead in Wellington as planned but Ruben Dias, imperious since sign- four months, making just his 11th was diverted goalwards by Lingard without a crowd, New Zealand ing from Benfica in September, put appearance this season due to injury before Antonio applied the finishing Cricket said in a statement on City ahead with his first goal for and illness. Once he gets his sharp- touch from virtually on the line. Saturday. NZC will wait for govern- the club. Michail Antonio equalised ness back, City’s record goalscorer Having conceded a league goal at ment advice regarding fans in the sta- for West Ham just before half-time, will provide a boost to their bid to win home for the first time since December, dium for the March 7 double-headers but the revitalised Stones bagged the an unprecedented quadruple. City took a while to shake off the scheduled in Tauranga. New Zealand winner with a fine strike after the West Ham had won seven of their shock. But Guardiola’s men have too are 2-0 ahead in the five-match break. previous nine league games, but even much quality to be subdued for long Twenty20 series against Australia. City are enjoying the longest ever they couldn’t halt City’s relentless and they sealed the points in the 68th winning streak by an English top- march to the title. minute. flight team, with 14 of those 20 victo- Hammers boss David Moyes com- Zinchenko found Riyad Mahrez on India’s Jasprit Bumrah to miss ries coming in the league to leave their pared Guardiola to celebrity chef the left and the Algerian’s dazzling final Test against England title rivals trailing in their wake. They Heston Blumenthal this week for the footwork left Ben Johnson bewildered NEW DELHI: India will be without pace are unbeaten in 27 games across all way City’s manager successfully AP/RSS as he flashed over a cross that Stones spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in the competitions, one match shy of their cooks up winning teams from unlikely Ruben Dias and John Stones (second left) sealed the victory for Manchester City on Saturday. met with a superb finish from 12 final Test against England after the longest run without defeat under ingredients. Guardiola was at it again yards. 27-year-old was released from the Guardiola in 2017. as he concocted a tasty dish with After half an hour without a single cross that picked out Dias’s run to the Issa Diop nearly provided a sting in squad for personal reasons, the Second-placed Manchester United seven changes to the team that beat shot, Dias put City in front from their far post, where the centre-back pow- the tale when the West Ham defender Indian cricket board (BCCI) said on and third-placed Leicester can close Borussia Monchengladbach in the first incisive attack. Kevin De Bruyne ered his header past Darren Randolph. headed just wide in the final seconds Saturday. The right-arm seamer took the gap back to 10 points if they beat Champions League last 16 first leg. was the catalyst with a sublime driven There was an unusual lack of cohe- of stoppage-time. four wickets in the opening Test in Chennai but was rested for the sec- ond match, which India won to level the series. Bumrah returned to play his first Test at his home ground in West Indies recall Ahmedabad, where India triumphed Bansbari squander chance to go second in league inside two days to go 2-1 up in the four-match series. “Jasprit Bumrah Gayle, Edwards for made a request to BCCI to be released SPORTS BUREAU ness. “We came up with short-passing style from India’s squad ahead of the KATHMANDU, FEB 27 of play. We had devised a plan to stop their fourth Test owing to personal rea- forward and we were successful in that but Sri Lanka T20 series sons,” the board said in a statement. Third placed Bansbari Club squandered an we failed to convert our chances,” said Rai. “Accordingly, the fast bowler has been opportunity to climb to second in the His Shree Kumari counterpart Sandesh REUTERS released and he will not be available Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division League foot- Kumar Shrestha said they should have won LONDON, FEB 27 for selection for the fourth Test.” ball tournament after a 0-0 draw against the game but goals eluded them. Shree Kumari Club at the ANFA Complex, “The boys played well and even created Opener Chris Gayle is set to play Satdobato, on Saturday. some good chances. Our forwards should his first match for West Indies in Werder Bremen end Bansbari, who played the first draw of the have scored at least a couple of goals,” two years after he and veteran fast season after seventh match, have 15 points lamented Shrestha. bowler Fidel Edwards were recalled Frankfurt’s unbeaten run with five wins and a defeat. The early kick-off between Pulchowk for the three-match home BREMEN: Werder Bremen’s United They are four points behind leaders Sports Club and Shree Bhagwati Club also Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka States forward Josh Sargent scored Satdobato Youth Club and one behind sec- finished in a goalless draw. Despite creating next week. the winner as his struggling side ond placed Khumaltar Youth Club after the some beautiful chances, both sides failed to Former captain Gayle last played came from a goal down at halftime to completion of seventh round. achieve their targets. for West Indies in a one-day interna- beat Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 in the Bansbari could have been level on 16 Pulchowk coach Mangal Maharjan said tional against India in 2019 in what the Bundesliga on Friday and hand the points with Khumaltar had they not faced that his side failed to produce a perfor- 41-year-old then described as his last visitors a first league defeat of the punishment of a point deduction for finish- mance similar to that of the first half after international appearance. year. Victory moved Werder eight ing in bottom two position in the last edition the interval and instead they came under The swashbuckling batsman has points above the relegation zone of the league, which did not have the provi- pressure. kept himself busy in Twenty20 leagues while ending fourth-placed sion of relegation. Shree Kumari are eighth “Some of my key players are injured and across the world and played two Frankfurt’s 11-match unbeaten run in with seven points in their kitty. their replacements came under pressure matches for Quetta Gladiator in the the Bundesliga, stretching back to Bansbari had to thank their goalkeeper especially in the second half. We also lacked ongoing Pakistan Super League before early December. Bremen fought back Roshan Nepal for rescuing a point as he sharpness upfront,” said Maharjan. returning to Antigua. with a strong second-half perfor- made some heroic saves to deny Shree Shree Bhagwati coach Sailesh Fast bowler Edwards, 39, has been mance after Frankfurt had taken a Kumari victory in the late fixture of the day. Karmacharya said his side have recruited recalled for potentially his first ninth minute lead when Andre Silva Shree Kumari kept pushing for the goal some new players in the team and that they match for West Indies in more than headed his 19th goal of the season. and almost broke the deadlock in the stop- are yet to have good understanding with eight years. Theodor Gebre Selassie equalised two page time but goalie Nepal poured cold other players. “The performance of the Antigua’s Coolidge Cricket Ground minutes into after the break but only water on their ambition. The custodian team will gradually improve once my team will make its international debut host- following a VAR check after initially punched Santosh Kumar Singh’s goal bound gets fully set,” said Karmacharya. ing the three Twenty20 matches being flagged offside. Sargent then header to safety. Pulchowk, looking for their first win, hit between March 3 and 7. grabbed the decisive goal in the 62nd Bansbari coach Yugal Kishor Rai at the bottom of the standings with two The teams will also play three minute, which also required VAR PHOTO COURTESY: ANFA expressed satisfaction at the draw and points from seven matches. Shree Bhagwati one-dayers and two Tests later in the verification. (AGENCIES) Bansbari (blue) played a goalless stalemate with Shree Kumari on Saturday. pointed out that his forward lacked sharp- are ninth with six points. series. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** You can get one more day of productive action if You’re quick to speak your truth under Sunday’s Sunday’s skies encourage you to keep things low-key, It’s easy to get restless under Sunday’s skies, you’re up for it, Aries. It’s easy to get ahead of your skies, Cancer. That being said, be careful of being too Libra. The moon moves through introspective Virgo. Capricorn. It’s easier than usual to take action and workload, stay energised, and remain on task inflammatory. Things soften later, when the moon Later, the moon cruises into your sign, helping you speak your mind today—but be careful of overex- through the first half of the day. sinks, which will help you relax your pace and recon- sync back up with your own needs. tending yourself. nect with your home life.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Sunday’s skies are far from slow and sleepy, Taurus. Sunday’s skies are anything but relaxed, Leo. You’re You’re clear about the goals you want to accomplish Your relationships are requiring more energy today, You’re either ready to make moves in a creative in the mood to accomplish things and the universe is today, and the universe is fully in support of your Aquarius. Sunday’s skies offer the chance to take a capacity or to broach important topics in an honest ready to back your efforts. Focus on communicating endeavours. The mood changes halfway through the deep-dive into your heart. It’s an ideal day to speak capacity with your current love interest today. and smoothing over any rough patches with people day, slowing the pace and making the evening more your truth, as action feels part and parcel to the day. around you. introverted.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Two different modes of operation colour Sunday’s As a Virgo, you’re never one to rest on your laurels. Get after your goals today, Sagittarius. You’re given Your social life is being funneled energy under skies, Gemini. The first half of the day encourages Sunday’s skies see you primed for action. This offers the gift of energy and drive for your ambitions Sunday’s skies, Pisces. The moon forms a variety of dealing honestly with unspoken feelings. The latter you the chance to express yourself directly and to today—why not take advantage? The latter part of motivated aspects throughout the day, prompting half of the day is best for enjoying light moments advocate for your own needs. the day sees a shift. This fixes your focus on the honest conversations and impulsive actions. with loved ones and letting loose. important friendships in your world. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 | 08 BLACKBOARD (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Protection or attack? Unbreakable me AARATI RAY

The government ought to be doing more to ensure women’s safety in Nepal. Just because I’ve stumbled this time, Just because I’ve failed this climb, Don’t think I can be broken. Just because I have fallen from grace, And there’s no one to help me walk with the same brisk pace, Don’t think I can be broken down. Yes, there are tears streaming down my eyes, Yes, I’ve truly messed up my life, And there’s indeed something that’s broken deep inside me, But dream on my doom, I won’t be broken down that easily, Because if it had been that easy to break me down, My soul would have already left me. But I still exist, I will mend those broken pieces, To fly high in the sky, not for anybody but for my dear self, So, my dear—wait for me, I will come back and embrace you, Being mightier and stronger one day, Wait for time, when the past me and the future me Will be proud of who I am today.

Ray is a class 12 student at Koshi St James College, Itahari.

POST FILE PHOTO NUPUR PHUYAL face more violence inside of the country than Instead of spending time on idiotic law about while travelling abroad. And by taking our free how women can get harassed outside the coun- hen news spread about a will, the government will be doing us more try why doesn’t the country do something proposed rule that aimed harm than good. Here in Nepal, women get about the violence happening to all humans to restrict women under raped, catcalled and sexually harassed on a inside the country? 40 from travelling abroad daily basis and it amuses me that the govern- The government has to focus more on bring- without family’s permis- ment seems more worried about women’s safe- ing more stringent laws against rapists, and sion, public outcry against ty while travelling. those who harass women. And has the govern- Wit followed swiftly. People were told that the Another bitter reality here in Nepal is that ment noticed how domestic violence has intention was to “protect” women from abuse many women are victims of domestic violence. increased in our country during lockdown? In and trafficking. This is purely wrong on many And laws that restrict women’s freedom move- the last few months, the number of rapes have levels, not to mention a clear violation of the ment will only make it more harder (than it increased. What is the government doing to right to free movement, which is enshrined in already is) for victims of domestic violence to bring those perpetrators to book? the constitution. escape. Women are stronger than society credits Such a rule not only restricts one’s freedom These are exactly the reasons why when the them. The chain smoke screen that everyone but is also sexist. The government might have news of this proposed law caused outrage from projects women through should be wiped clean created this fiasco of a rule for a good cause different sections of the society. It was clear for because it’s the 21st century. The fact that the but many including myself don’t see anything everyone to see that the proposed law in no government even thought about proposing except taking away women’s right to be free. way shields women. With or without permis- such a law shows what it’s attitude towards is. If the government is so concerned about sion, women can be trafficked or abused. That It screams ‘injustice’ from all sides! This rule women’s safety, they have got to know that just shows how much the government here doesn’t ‘protect’ women; it attacks us. We are stripping us of our free will is not the way to go sees women as second class citizens. not children that need adult supervision while about it. Instead of senseless rules like these, Moreover, women are not the only ones who going somewhere, we can stand and fight on Nepal can provide campaigns and promote get abused. A 30-year-old male was allegedly our own feet without us getting seized of our organisations that work to ensure women safe- raped by two men in Jhapa and the govern- freedom! ty. They can give training and aware women ment let them go free because there was no about the situations they can be in while rule saying men cannot be raped. Or how travelling. about the cold case of Nirmala Panta’s rape Phuyal is a class 9 student at Aksharaa School, Apart from my point of view, Nepali women and murder? She is yet to receive justice. Bhaktapur. UNSPLASH

FICTION PARK In search for love The sun was shining, fresh wind was blowing, the sky was a serene blue but in Ghanashyam Bista’s heart, dark clouds hung.

PRATIK MAINALI Bista swallowed. “Madam,” Bista said, making his voice he sun, a cheerful ball of yel- deep and authoritative. “Come now, don’t low, hovered above the green drown in sorrow, I may be as dumb as a hills, giving Naxal Park a donkey, but I sure am a good listener.” pleasant golden hue. Dew Upon hearing Bista call himself dumb, drops, like golden grains, the lady’s face lit up, like a man who had trembled on the grass, trees, found his fellow countrymen in a foreign Tswings and the park benches. The restless land. Encouraged by his words, she wind bore from the east, bringing with it, began: “Well, you see, I have always been hope and merriment. Naxal park was the object of desire for many men. But of teeming with pulsing life. late, people have told me that I’m lacking A sea of people streamed briskly into in the grey cells. That I…” she choked, the park with love light in their eyes. “am not a mental giant.” They walked with an extra spring in their Bista chuckled encouragingly, “I say, step, like an excited student in his first that’s it?” he shrugged. “I’ve had school trip. The world seemed to be drip- people call me as sharp as a cane toad, ping with liquid passion. The smell of slow-witted, dim bulb, bone head, sap- romance filled the air. head… the list goes on.” Strewn hither thither on the grass were The lady’s face lit up like a happy couples sprawled like lazy toads after a child’s. Her eyes widened and she looked heavy lunch. On the park bench, holding at him adoringly. each other like a professional lawyer “You really are that stupid?” She asked holding a stack of important files, sat excitedly. nervous couples with rosy cheeks and “Dumber than a doornail” affectionate eyes. And on the cobbled She smiled assuredly. pavements, holding hands as if it were a Suddenly, it seemed to Ghanashyam spiral wire, gentle couples, walked with that there was a beautiful bond between jaunty confidence and quickening pulse. him and nature. He felt grateful for the The entire park was bustling with excite- golden sun, green grass, loamy air, noble ment. A passerby gazing at the wonderful trees, his blood flowed on his veins like scenery would’ve remarked to himself warm milk. how the scene looked like a poet’s dream. “I’ll be going. You must be waiting for a The sun was shining, fresh wind was date,” the girl said. blowing, the sky was a serene blue but in Ghanashyam’s face dropped. A sharp Ghanashyam Bista’s heart, dark clouds miserable breath like that of a trench hung. Sadness was spread on his face as whistle shot out of his nose. stubbornly as a wet sock to a swollen foot. “You see, it’s my first Valentine’s Day The thought that gnawed at Ghanashyam without a date.” Bista’s huge heart was the fact that it was The girl jumped from her seat, like a his first Valentine’s Day without a date. mongoose stung by a cobra. Year after year, he had brought dazzling “I say, really. A handsome man like you. beauties to the park for the world to feast Without a date?’ their eyes upon. Bespectacled eyes of ugly “You see, like I said before, I’m not so nerds had looked at him with uncon- UNSPLASH bright.” cealed envy. But this year things were tion it was beginning to dawn on him that Ghanashyams face softened, he felt a The lady put a hand on Ghanashyam’s different. The bespectacled nerds were he had been wrong. pang of pity for her. shoulder. Her touch seemed to have the having the temple of their spectacles *** On this day of painful “I say, madam,” Ghanashyams voice effect like that on a touch sensitive stroked by hands as pale as pearls. Big For an average person, the romantic was soft and soothing. plant. faced creatures were having their twisted scenes of Naxal Park was a beautiful realisation it was The shoulders stopped their movement. Ghanashyam’s face lifted up slowly and noses pinched by elegant fingers and dream. But to Ghanashyam Bista it was a beginning to dawn Slowly, the face lifted from the petal-like he fixed his eyes upon hers. A flicker of blood flowing on their veins like warm, painful reminder of his declining appeal hands and it made Bista’s heart jump to hope shone on his bulging eyes. delicious milk. As his eyes navigated the among the females, a twisting of the knife on him that he had his mouth. “Don’t be sad, my boyfriend works couples in the park, a spasm of sickening in his wounded heart. Ghanashyam Bista A shudder passed through Bista’s for a dating agency. He can fix a girl for sorrow swept through him. Ghanashyam had been uneasily aware of his cane toad- been wrong. frame. you.” Bista, a man who dismissed the sorrow of like intelligence. What he lacked in intel- “I say, madam,” Bista resumed, “what With these words, the lady took out a lonely singles as if it were an ignorant ligence he had made up with his good seems to be the problem? You look so...” card and thrust it towards Ghanashyam. animal suffering, wanted a friendly looks. But with growing age, he was the dirt off his pants when the leaden Ghanashyam looked at her eyes and Ghanashyam smiled weakly and shoulder to lean on and a sympathetic ear aware that the importance of the former stillness was broken by a sound like that said, “So sad.” took the card. The lady walked away to pour his heart out. He had reasoned was getting markedly stronger day by day. of a dog sniffing a slab of meat. The lady quickly wiped molten with bold, brisk steps. Ghanashyam sank two summers ago that it wasn’t painful As he reached adulthood, harsh realities Overpowered by curiosity, as his head pearl- like tears from her cheekbones. deeper into his seat like a deflated foot- for singles to potter around alone and of the world were beginning to eat at him. turned towards the direction of the Then controlling herself, she said “Oh, ball. plop in cold lonely beds, as they couldn’t Suddenly, the air became still. Clouds sound, he found, to his astonishment, a nothing you see. It’s just that,” the lady’s imagine anything but loneliness and sin- blocked the sun. Ghanashyam Bista was delightful woman, her face cupped in her voice choked. Tears welled up in her eyes Mainali is a student at the University of glehood. On this day of painful realisa- about to stand up from the seat and dust hands, her shoulders rising and falling. and she burst into uncontrollable tears. Wolverhampton, the UK.

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