#802 1 - 7 April 2016 16 pages Rs 50 A jungle out there

fter returning from has begun. key posts. It will take him at least EU officials in Brussels. A joint China early this week, UCPN(M) spokesman three months. He is not expected press statement underlined ‘the APrime Minister KP Oli Dinanath Sharma publicly said to create any trouble for Oli till need for a lasting and inclusive told journalists that Chinese this week that the Oli government that happens. constitutional settlement in Nepal President Xi Jinping had had failed and there should be But Khand was sure that the in a timebound manner’. accepted his invitation to visit an alternative -- this from the present government would not be Nepal’s Foreign Ministry Nepal by the end of 2016. The UML’s main coalition partner in in power to present the national reacted swiftly on Thursday, question is: will Oli still be government. budget for the next fiscal year. accusing India and the EU of around to welcome Xi? The RPPN, the other important Analysts say that as long ‘interfering in Nepal’s internal Even while he was in China, UML ally in the government, is as the UCPN (M) Chair Pushpa affairs and hurting the sentiment’ speculation was rife that the also on the verge of a split with Kamal Dahal stands by Oli, the of the people’. days of the UML-Maoist-RPPN senior leader Keshar Bahadur present ruling coalition will not Om Astha Rai coalition was numbered. Bista putting pressure on the unravel. Dahal has said that in the The gossip mills had started party president and Foreign worst case the present coalition spinning as soon as three-time Affairs Minister Kamal Thapa to can be transformed into an all- Prime Minister Sher Bahadur quit the government. party government by bringing in SUN AND MOON Deuba was elected the Nepali We asked NC leader the NC and Madhesi parties also Korean spiritual movement gains Congress president. Deuba is a Balkrishna Khand, a close aide to on board. political foothold in Nepal veteran political coup-maker Deuba, if the main opposition is Deuba would benefit if the with a reputation for toppling trying to topple the government. Madhesi parties take to the streets BY SEULKI LEE PAGE 14-15 incumbents. His reply: “We do not need to again. If that happens, Oli may But the Oli camp tried to topple this government, it will have to give way for an all-party quash the rumours. ‘Government collapse on its own.” government led by the NC. now stronger’ read the banner Deuba has told close aides On Thursday, the Madhesi SAVE NATURE headline in the UML’s party to focus on electing him as the Front threatened more protests FROM POLITICIANS organ, Budhabar. But the more party’s parliamentary leader next not only in the Tarai but also in EDITORIAL Oli and his allies try to reassure week. If he is party president and Kathmandu. That came a day the public and party cadre, parliamentary leader, Deuba will after Nepal figured prominently PAGE 2 the more they believe that try to consolidate his hold in the in talks between Indian Prime the countdown for his ouster NC by nominating his aides into Minister Narendra Modi with Restoring Resorts Re-introduce resorts inside Chitwan National Parks, or not? PAGE 8-9

LIEW YU WEI 2 EDITORIAL 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802 SAVE NATURE FROM POLITICIANS Patronage and corruption threaten to undo Nepal’s achievements in conservation.

ne achievement that Nepalis can justifiably feel proud villagers were allowed in to cut thatch once a year, and in of is nature conservation. In a country where a vertical return they helped by providing intelligence about the activities Otopography bestows such a stunning spectrum of of poachers. biodiversity, preserving nature is Nepal’s contribution to protecting Chitwan also became a model for eco-tourism and sustainable the global environment. nature protection. In the 1970s and 80s, it was Tiger Tops Jungle The foundations of conservation in this country were laid Resort -- with rooms located on the high branches of tall sal during the much-vilified Panchayat, and it was royal patronage that trees -- that introduced exotic Chitwan (and Nepal) to the world. saved our national parks from the devastation that has been seen in Not only did the lodge showcase the amazing work done to India and elsewhere. conserve Nepal’s biodiversity but, by attracting upmarket world In earlier times, the jungles of the Tarai were decimated by travellers, brought the government substantial revenue that was trophy hunting. In 1850, Jang Bahadur Rana infamously killed 30 ploughed back into conservation work in Chitwan and other tigers in just one hunt. In 1911, Nepal’s rulers hosted King George national parks. V in Chitwan, and the 600-elephant hunting expedition massacred In 2012, Tiger Tops and a few other concessions lost their 36 tigers, 18 rhinos, an innumerable leopards, bears and even contracts. The argument was ostensibly that such resorts porcupines in a day of bloodshed. That gory record was broken by disturbed the wilderness area, but as we reported in this paper Juddha Shamsher who personally slaughtered 433 tigers from 1933 back then, it was mainly due to political pressure exerted by to 1940. lodge owners in Sauraha who thought they could corner Nepal’s royal families later turned from being avid hunters the upscale tourism market. Today, Sauraha has become a to ardent conservationists. But, by then there was an even more backpacker strip, overrun mainly by cheap eateries and sleazy lethal threat to wildlife: habitat loss caused by national policy of bars, earning it the moniker ‘Thamel by the Park’. Meanwhile, transmigration of hill peoples to the plains during King Mahendra’s Nepal lost the only destinations it once had for high-end safari reign. tourism in the same league as Cottar’s 1920s Camp in Kenya’s The tide turned in 1973 when enlightened Nepali Masai Mara, or Four Seasons in Tanzania’s Serengeti. environmentalists and the royal government set aside what was left The debate about whether or not concessions should be of Chitwan into a 923 sq km national park and a World Heritage Site. given out to the highest bidders to set up resorts inside the park The tiger and the rhino were rescued from the brink of extinction, has hotted up again after the Supreme Court overturned its own and there are now over 200 tigers and 500 rhinos in Chitwan alone. earlier ban in a decision in 2014. The government is drawing up Gharials released into the wild from a breeding centre in Nepal have guidelines to regulate future contracts for park lodges. been found as far downstream as the Ganges delta in Bangladesh. We have misgivings about allowing resorts inside the park After the democratic transition, however, political interference given the state of lawlessness and impunity, the politics of and corruption threaten to undo past achievements. Wildlife patronage and reckless kleptocracy prevalent in Nepal today. poachers with political protection thrive amidst Nepal’s unstable As we have seen with shady petroleum contracts, the protection transition. There is demographic pressure as the population of of black-marketers and the state’s involvement in illegal sand- the Tarai explodes. The proposed East-West Railway alignment mining and logging, Chitwan concessions could very well go bifurcates Chitwan, jeopardising the park’s integrity. Pollution, not to the most bonafide bidder, but to the ones offering the overfishing and dam construction on the Narayani endanger aquatic juiciest kickbacks. fauna and the reptiles and birds that depend on it for food. Even so -- and indeed we cannot -- halt progress any more Despite all these hazards, Chitwan survived because of the than we could stop breathing just because the air is too polluted. pragmatism shown by Nepal’s early conservationists in partnering Our effort should be targeted towards cleaning up the park with local communities. The antagonistic ‘people vs park’ practice lodge industry, and revive the successful eco-tourism model seen in other nature reserves was replaced by a ‘people for park’ that allowed Nepal’s national parks to be sustainably conserved approach. Community forests were set up in the buffer zone, through revenue from high-end tourism. BIKRAM RAI

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THIS WEEK DYING FOR OTHERS came out of those. It is unfortunate that some Being recruited into the Gurkha Army Cartoonist organisations take advantage of is 100 times better than slaving it those wanting to volunteer. There out in the Arabian desert or working Perhaps the ghosts of the 1962 are others out there committed as a darban in Mumbai (‘Dying for Sino-India war is still haunting India, to responsible volunteer travel. Working with reputable local groups others’, Om Astha Rai, #801). I would and its colonial schizophernia has not ended. That is why it cannot is an important factor, and as an suggest young Nepali men to get an organisation, we make that part see Nepal as a bridge to normalise education and do something worthy in of our commitment, with Nepal their villages in Nepal, but if they want realtions with China through trade. being one of our areas of specialty. to serve in the British Army or other Sabita Thapa We support local communities by forces they should be free to do so. employing local guides, staying and R Rai VOLUNTOURISM dining in family and locally owned It’s a two way street (‘So you want to lodging. We also connect humanity TRANS-HIMALAYAN CONSEQUENCES be a voluntourist?’ Michael Nishimura, by helping people to understand the anti-Nepal lobby will poke fun at #801). A lot of missionaries disguised different cultures. the new Nepal-China relationship, as volunteers come to Nepal only Zoe Katsulos while pro-Nepal ones will go gaga to sell Nepalis their religion. Many over it (‘Un-intended Trans-Himalayan volunteers come to Nepal for a Weekly Internet Poll #802 YUVARAJ SHRESTHA consequences’, Kanak Mani Dixit, vacation and spend most of their time hanging around in Thamel. There are Q. Should Nepal discontinue the recruitment of its men Most reached on Facebook #801). Like it or not, it is a milestone. in foreign armies? very few real orphanages in Nepal And the rest of the news that didn’t fi t by The Ass It may take time to get the incomplete Total votes: 116 Weekly news roundup to bring our valued customers up to speed on goings-on connectivity fi nished and get really these days, and so are very few real in this great country of ours. (17,287 people reached) moving. But it will provide the much volunteers. needed alternative to the Blockade, Hurray which is precisely what it is. Most shared on Facebook Most visited online page Armugam It is best to do a thorough So you want to be a voluntourist? by So you want to be a voluntourist? research before visiting a foreign Michael Nishimura (81 shares) by Michael Nishimura (2,817 views)  country to volunteer. This kind of Weekly Internet Poll #803 Kanak Mani Dixit could have To vote go to: www.nepalitimes.com also laid out the many agreements problem exists in orphanages in Most popular on Twitter Most commented Q. Should the government permit wildlife resorts to be Forecast: more thunderstorms by Un-intended Trans-Himalayan politicians of this country have Cambodia too. set up inside the Chitwan National Park? Om Astha Rai (51 retweets, 90 favourites) Consequences by signed in the past and what really Eira Torvinen Kanak Mani Dixit (15 comments)

Publisher and Chief Editor: Kunda Dixit Associate Editor: Tsering Dolker Gurung | Online Producer: Ayesha Shakya | Design: Kiran Maharjan Published by Himalmedia Pvt Ltd | Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur | GPO Box 7251 Kathmandu Nepali Times on Facebook [email protected] | www.nepalitimes.com | www.himalmedia.com | Tel: 01-5005601-08 Fax: +977-1-5005518 Follow @nepalitimes on Twitter Marketing: Arjun Karki, Surendra Sharma [email protected] | Advertorials: Ram Krishna Banjara | Subscriptions: Santosh Aryal [email protected] Follow @nepalitimes on Instagram Printed at Jagadamba Press | 01-5250017-19 | www.jagadambapr.com 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802 OPINION 3

The current New Delhi establishment with its famously jet-setting Prime Minister is clearly not doing something Escape velocity right. India with all its soft power, its goodwill and warm people- There should be no reason why India should tie itself in knots over to-people relations across South Asian countries fails miserably Nepal seeking closer relations with China when it comes to establishing a regional political leadership. he transit treaty signed endure hardships that made For its smaller neighbours, between Nepal and China Oli’s bold foray to the North India represents a coercive and Tlast week undoubtedly possible. disruptive power, incapable of marks a milestone in bilateral With the unthinkable rising above petty insecurity relations between the two achieved, one could endlessly and imperial hangovers from countries. There are detractors speculate what would be India’s the British era. The onus lies who have said the agreements next move: Will it punish Nepal on India to try and change this are impossible to implement. even more harshly? Will there perception. Some have gone further, spelling be another blockade? Will new All said and done, Nepal doom, reminding Nepalis of their violence erupt in the Madhes? cannot escape its geography. absolute dependence on India But frankly, Nepal cannot plan The unique and long-standing and warning of the wrath they its long-term policies around civilisational and cultural ties are likely to incur for challenging ‘what India wants’ when that Nepal and India share Indian hegemony in the region. India continues to act like an are a source of strength, and impulsive and irrational bully. should remain so. But equally, There is no reason why Nepal there should be no reason should be chastised for exploring why Nepal as an independent THIS IS IT alternatives when it faces the country cannot seek better Rubeena Mahato risk of another blockade for relationship with China. India even a small perceived slight. should be confident enough to Nepal should do what is in let a sovereign Nepal conduct its To be sure, we have to wait economy like China. But Oli went to India for his first its best interest: diversify its domestic and foreign affairs in and see how the agreements geopolitics meant that until now, official visit, careful not to break trading options, end its reliance the manner it deems fit. will play out in real terms and Nepal was happy to orient itself the tradition and hurt Indian on one country and balance the Instead of lamenting the the tangible benefits that will towards the more accessible and sensibilities, even though there security and economic interests loss of a nation from its so- accrue, if any. But more than culturally closer India. China were strong voices in Nepal of both neighbours. We should called ‘Sphere of Influence’, anything, the agreements mark appeared fine with assuming a suggesting he do the opposite. also do all we can to safeguard India should accept the a major shift in how Nepal has lesser role in the region. India will continue playing a India’s security sensitivities changing reality. If the ‘special’ conventionally engaged with The accusation from the decisive role in Nepal’s domestic and assure it that Nepal’s new relationship that Indian and China. The days of a subdued, Indian end that Nepal is playing politics, and predictably engagement with China does Nepali politicians so love cautious diplomacy, practiced by the China Card is laughable. In there are rumours of efforts not come at the cost of its to harp on about is merely both countries in relation to each fact, so well-entrenched and already underway to topple relationship with India. a euphemism for ‘partial other, largely to avoid alarming pervasive is Indian influence the current government. It was India for its part, needs to sovereignty’, it is not acceptable and offending India, is over. in Nepal that under normal only India’s rash adventurism seriously introspect the failings to the Nepali people. And for all There was no reason for a circumstances, Prime Minister that culminated in a nearly of its foreign policy, one that has his failures and misadventures, country like Nepal not to foster Oli or any Nepali politician, five-month long blockade, led it to sabotage relationships Prime Minister Oli deserves better access and connectivity could not have dared to take such and its gross miscalculation of with one friendly nation after credit for driving this point with a booming next-door a drastic step. Prime Minister the ability of Nepali people to another in its own backyard. home. 4 NATION 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802

LOKMANI RAI 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802 BUSINESS 5

Kitchen appliances

Mobile phones

TVs

Vaccum cleaners

Photocopiers 6 OPINION 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802

MOVING TARGET Foreign Hand KKATHMANDUATHMANDU

SMRITISM BASNET IN CHITWAN

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SMRITI BASNET IN CHITWAN

KRISTJAN EDWARDS 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802 9 10 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802 EVENTSOF DINING MUSIC GETAWAY

Heritage ride, Join Tour De Lumbini, Kathmandu Cycle City 2020 and Cycle City Network Nepal as they ride along seven world heritage sites of Kathmandu Valley. Manny’s Eatery and Bar, 1974 AD Live, Temple Tree Resort and Spa, Celebrate this Nepali New A peaceful place to stay, complete with 23 April, 8am onwards, Special lunch packages for a quick snack Year with the new line up a swimming pool, massage parlour and Basantapur Darbar Square, or fi lling lunch. of Nepal’s popular rock sauna. It’ll be hard to leave once you go in. 9841303867 Jawalakhel, Shaligram Complex, (01)5536919 band 1974 AD. Gaurighat, Lakeside, (061)465819 13 April, 2 to 6 pm, Pharping Tamv Ground, Pharping Get sporty, #photoNepal, Run, ride or rock climb and participate Attend a travel photography exhibition Barahi Jungle Lodge, in the fi fth edition of Himalayan Outdoor by veteran photographer Tang Yue Fan Kanta dAb dAb, The fi rst eco-jungle lodge of Chitwan Festival. as part of the #photoNepal series. Enjoy a musical evening with the Nepali directly overlooks the Chitwan National 29 April to 1 May, Hattiban Hiils, 1 to 3 April, Nepal Tourism Board, fusion trio, Kanta dAb dAb. Park, spa, boutique guest room, www.himalayanoutdoorfestival.com, Pradarshini Marg, (01)4256909 1 April, 8pm onwards, House of Music, individual and two-in-one private 9823287228/ 9843817625 Thamel, 9851075172 villas, including a suite with a private Historical exhibition, swimming pool. Moving Mountains, A display of 40 paintings by celebrated Andrauli, West Chitwan, (01)4411113, A photo exhibition showcasing World mid 19th century Nepali landscape artist [email protected], Food Programme’s earthquake response Rajman Singh Chitrakar. Gokarna www.barahijunglelodge.com in Nepal. 10 to 24 April, Taragaon Museum, Forest Resort, 1 to 8 April, 10am to 6pm, Siddhartha Art Baudha, 9843722329 Get a taste of dishes from all around Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited, (01)5260607 the world every Saturday at Gokarna’s Ride along, BBQ brunches accompanied with Art exhibition, Get ready for the eighth Enfi eld foot-tapping live music. Enjoy a wide Park Gallery presents series two of its rendezvous and poker run starting from spread of Lebanese shawarma, bimonthly exhibition with artworks by Kathmandu and ending at Pokhara. Hyderabadi biryani, Mongolian/ Mango Tree Lodge, Saroj Bajracharya titled ‘The Missing Link’. 12 to 14 April, Rs 10,400. Japanese teppenyaki, Tibetan momos Culture walks, rafting in the Karnali, 31 March – 30 May, Park Gallery, Pulchok, For more information: and Italian pastas. Also feast on a wide Metal night, wildlife exploration, and jungle safari at (01) 5522307 9559112666/9793185744 variety of salad and sweet dishes. Book your seats for a night of the Bardia National Park. 12 to 3pm, Rs 1299 for children aged 6 to hard-hitting heavy metal featuring Bhetani, Bardia, (084)402008, Learning to click, 12 years (inclusive of a glass of soft drink bands Binaash, Aakrosh, Nude Terror, [email protected] Learn the art and history behind or juice), Rs 1999 for adults (inclusive of DISORDER, Crown Of Thrones and Vivace photography with a six-day photography a bottle of Carlsberg beer or glass of Octave. workshop for beginners. Invenio wine) 30 April, 12 to 6 pm, Reggae Bar, Thamel, Fee: Rs. 4000 + 13% VAT. (01)4700654 Application deadline: 5pm, 31 March 6 to 11 April, 2 to 5pm, photo.circle Fuji Bakery, headquarters, Arun Thapa Chowk, Tucked in Chakupat this bakery off ers From the Ground Up, Ciney Gurung live, Jhamiskhel, 9818830540, homemade goodies like apple pie, pain Listen and share stories with a young Fine dine with Ciney Gurung serenading [email protected] au chocolat and banana cake. group of people involved in reconstruction you. Rs 1,799 per person. Chakupat and rebuilding eff orts in Nepal. Trade Expo, Every Friday, 7pm onwards, Shambala Shangri-La Village Resort, 12 April, 5 to 7pm, Alliance Française, Teku, Garden Cafe, Hotel Shangri-La, (01)4412999 Escape the heat this summer with a two (01)4242832 A three-day trade expo organised by the Federation of Women Entrepreneurs day and three night package at Shangri La Association of Nepal (FWEAN). Village Resort in Pokhara. 1 to 3 April, 10am to 5pm, Army Offi cer’s Gharipatan, Pokhara, Rs 7500 per person KJC for Kids, Club, Bhadrakali, (01)2003080, including one way transportation from Music lessons, vocal training, ballet dance, www.fwean.org.np Kathmandu, rafting and lunch (self beat boxing, arts and more for your kids at Café Du Temple, transportation and non rafting package also available), (01)4420252/9808187015/9860 the KJC Spring Camp for Kids. For children Asian Enduro Series, Famous for its delicious food, warm 260894 aged 5 to 11 years old. An opportunity to ride on ambience and a beautiful roof top view. 4 to 15 April, 10am to 4pm, exciting terrains with the fi rst Asian Patan Darbar Square, (01)5527127 Music mania, Mondays to Fridays, Enduro Series. Be part of the rock and roll mania with Kathmandu Jazz Conservatory, Jhamsikhel, 5 to 10 April, Kathmandu, Tickets available the 12th edition of the KCM Inter College Milla Guesthouse, (01)5013554 at www.enduro.asia Irish Pub, Music Competition. Preliminary rounds If you prefer the quiet, and admire a mix For the simple reason that the place on 15 and 16 April. of old and new, this is the perfect place actually feels like a bar. Don’t miss out on Registration fee: Rs 5000, 10am onwards, to stay. Not too far away from the city, yet MISS MOTI-VATION KRIPA JOSHI their Irish coff ee. 23 April, Jawalakhel Football Ground, miles apart. Lajimpat, Ananda Bhawan, (01)4416027 9849149154, 9849465316, 9813505758 Bhaktapur, 9851024137 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802 REVIEW 11

a commendable job in introducing the different personas of the characters between scenes. The amateur cast that includes A MIDSUMMER students from Pokharel’s recent theatre training program is up to the task, led by Tamu’s nder the able direction NIGHT’S Chature, who swishes in and of Nepali theatre pioneer out of the set with his acrobatic USunil Pokharel, William moves and mischievous smile. Shakespeare’s epic fantasy A SAPANA Bijay Tamrakar does well as Midsummer Night’s Dream gets a the mischief making but well- Nepali rendition, A Midsummer meaning king of the fairies, Night’s Sapana, filled with Indra Dev, and Sapkota’s Lalit spectacular performances, is entertainingly filled with effectual lighting and a brilliant exaggerated facial expressions live score. and dialogue delivery. Currently being staged at But the star of the play was Gothale Natakghar at Shilpee Anil Subba, who shines through Theatre, this interpretation is and through as Baley, the cloth a milestone for Nepali theatre, merchant who wants to play all which is oftentimes plagued by the characters by himself in the pitfalls when adapting western reenactment of Kamdev and Rati plays. But coming from the man – a tragic comedy his group is who kicked off the theatre scene preparing for the royal wedding. in Kathmandu, you wouldn’t He is boisterous, self-indulgent, expect any less. and all-around hilarious. It takes The play begins with Maharaj tremendous skill to make the Trichandra Jung (Safar Pokharel) audience laugh out loud simply planning his wedding with with body movements and Subba his queen, when commoner does so effortlessly with his Akkalman (Suraj Chaulagain) expressions hidden behind a pig’s comes to the palace with a head. problem. He wants to marry SHILPEE THEATRE The play within the play off his daughter Hira, who is has the audience roaring with desperately in love with Lalit practicing a play to perform at poetic prose of the original and trio Baaja.music deserve special laughter and adeptly ties (Sangeet Sapkota), to another the royal wedding. With the is often laced with popular mention for setting the tone and everything together at the end. man, Kiran (Avash Adhikary). introduction of Chature (J.D. jargon and double entendre, mood for each scene without When the king commands she Tamu), the fairy king’s loyal imp, with costuming also reflecting being distracting. The director Until 2 April follow her father’s will or face the story progresses and takes the diversity within the Nepali playfully weaves the band into 5PM, Shilpee Theatre, Battisputali punishment, the lovebirds flee a supernatural turn with tricks, culture. the play, making them as much a Tickets: Rs 500,300 (200 for with Kiran and Hemlata (Hira’s mischief, and magic. A single, multi- part of the drama as the students) friend who is in love with Kiran) To those already familiar with level set designed REVIEW actors themselves. Director: Sunil Pokharel right on their heels. The four the original play, the story may be by Anup Baral is With music Cast: Safar Pokharel, Suraj of them wind up in the same predictable, but this production used for the entire play, and the comes dancing. Staying true Chaulagain, Nisha Joshi, Avash forest as fairy king Indradev and successfully creates an engaging actors utilise the stage beautifully, to Shakespeare’s original Adhikary, Sangeet Sapkota, fairy queen Tejashwi, who are tone to suit the taste of a Nepali popping in and out from under production, much of the dancing JD Tamu, Pujan Thapa, Bijay in the midst of a lover’s quarrel, audience. The dialogue translated the ramp. The lighting and is focused on the fairies, and Tamrakar and others. and a group of commoners into Nepali departs from the background score by musical choreographer Pradeep Lama does Duration: 2 hrs 12 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802

HAPPENINGS

GOPEN RAI DUST ATTACK: A traffi c policeman stands with his face covered at Singha Darbar during a sudden dust storm in Kathmandu on Monday. One person died, and seven others were injured in the storm.

f you go to see Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice BATMAN V SUPERMAN: Iwith low expectations, then you might end up having not so bad a time. This is mainly because the DAWN OF JUSTICE with Metropolis in shambles after by a flying alien in a red cape with an alien (well, Kryptonian to be super-human powers. The seeds of MUST SEE precise) attack. Batman aka Bruce envy, disguised as suspicion of the Sophia Pande Wayne (played by a surprisingly “other” are firmly sown that fateful NARESH SHRESTHA tolerable Ben Affleck) is in day in the world of the Marvel FASHION WEEK: Models walk the ramp on the fi rst day of TGIF Fashion Week at the film, while not all that terrible, Metropolis for some unexplained universe. Hyatt Hotel in Baudha on Wednesday. does have its “Oh, my god, is this reason. Left without Batsuit or If the title itself is not enough really happening?” moments. Batmobile, he finds himself, of an indicator of those deeply The film picks up right where despite his millions, as vulnerable ill-thought out plot points, let me Man of Steel (2013), Zack Snyder’s as the next man, witnessing a near state clearly that two superheroes Superman origin story ended, apocalyptic event that is averted going up against each other is exactly as lame as you think it’s going to be, and far worse than two superbaddies fighting the usual eardrum shattering battle. There really isn’t much of a plot, to be honest, outside of this bizarre rivalry between two massive egos, although Superman (the extremely handsome, blue-eyed Henry Caville) is far more likeable than the brooding, churlish Batman, who is BIKRAM RAI redeemed only by Alfred (played by a calibrated Jeremy Irons) with CLEAN RIVERS: Deputy Prime Minister Bijay Gachhadar (centre) takes part in the his warmth, sense of humour, and Bagmati River clean-up campaign which marked its 150th week on Saturday. extremely keen radar for detecting (and trying to pre-empt) his master’s warped motivations. Jessie Eisenberg also livens things up as a sociopath with a will to make trouble, playing a young, extremely unstable Lex Luther. The film is almost saved by the presence of Holly Hunter as Senator June Finch with just the right amount of Southern sass, Amy Adams as the intrepid, lovely Lois Lane, and Gal Gadot as a mysterious, dark haired beauty who pretty much steals the show. While relatively meaningless BIKRAM RAI as a whole, Superman v Batman TIME TRAVEL: British scholar John Whelpton (right) discusses his forthcoming book is at its best when addressing Janga Bahadur in Europe at Yala Maya Kendra in Patan on Tuesday. the human relationships that motivate our superheroes. Much could also have been improved if Batman didn’t behave like an insular frat-boy whose pride is wounded. Luckily, his antics are nipped fairly quickly in the bud before most people start to lose their patience, and some special, sensible adult women intervene to avert disaster, albeit with a lot of collateral damage. This year’s season of blockbusters has begun, and with some luck, the ones to come will improve upon this $250 million indulgence. GOPEN RAI nepalitimes.com BANGLA IN PICS: A visitor looks at a photo on display at the ‘Bangladesh through Clicks and Brushes exhibition at Patan Museum Gallery on Monday.  Trailer 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802 FROM THE NEPALI PRESS 13 14 NATION 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802

SEULKI LEE 1 - 7 APRIL 2016 #802 NATION 15

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The Ass