WI THOUT F EAR O R F A V O U R

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 140 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 36.0 C 14.2 C Thursday, July 08, 2021 | 24-03-2078 Dipayal Jomsom With Delta variants circulating, experts warn of new second virus wave peak All ICU beds and ventilators allocated for Covid-19 patients at TU Teaching Hospital and 22 of 24 ICU beds meant for such patients at Sukraraj Hospital, Teku are occupied.

ARJUN POUDEL after two weeks, as the virus is active KATHMANDU, JULY 7 in communities and people’s mobility has increased.” Kathmandu, the capital city with a The Epidemiology and Disease high population density, is behaving Control Division has said that the as if there is no coronavirus. Delta and Delta Plus variants of After two months of a strict lock- SARS-CoV-2 have been circulating in down, almost everything has reo- the country. Both sub-lineages of the pened. Tuesday onwards, public vehi- virus are reported to be highly conta- cles too have started operating with gious. The World Health Organisation little restriction and marketplaces are in May declared Delta a variant of seeing growing crowds. concern. Public health experts, who have Existing vaccines are said to be long warned that a third wave could effective against the Delta variants, hit the country, say a second wave but only when people are fully vacci- peak of cases cannot be ruled out yet. nated. Two major concerns, according to Research suggests that Delta, offi- doctors, are that the Delta and Delta cially known as B.1.617.2, is the most Plus variants are circulating and contagious of all the known variants Post photo: Dipendra Rokka Nepal’s vaccination coverage is to date, possibly 40 to 60 percent more People wearing face masks are seen walking at Ason, an old shopping district in Kathmandu, on Wednesday. Following the relaxation of most of abysmally low. transmissible than the Alpha variant, the pandemic-related restrictions, a semblance of normalcy is returning to the Capital. “During the first wave of the though studies are ongoing. coronavirus also, infections had The second coronavirus wave that reached the peak only after the hit the country in early April had lockdown was lifted. The ongo- exposed Nepal’s fragile health system ing surge in cases indicates which crumpled as cases multiplied. As its convention date nears, another peak of the second Hospitals were forced to turn patients Inside wave,” said Dr Krishna Man away for lack of beds, oxygen and ven- Shakya, vice-president of Nepal tilators. Around 6,000 people died. Public Health Association, a But cases started to decline, giving a Two dead, three missing in Congress keeps a close eye group of public health experts. false sense that the country had “The projection is that new reached a plateau. floods, landslides in Gandaki cases will increase massively >> Continued on page 2 PARBAT: At least two persons died and three others have gone missing in on fresh developments separate incidents of floods and land- slides in Parbat, Baglung and Myagdi districts of Gandaki Province in the The party awaits court verdict on House dissolution just as past 24 hours. In Parbat, two persons have gone missing after the flooded it keeps track of talks in the UML between Oli and Nepal Sundare stream swept away a vehicle at Kusma Municipality-8 on Tuesday factions, as a lot depends on how the situation unfolds. night. Rajaram Acharya, an engineer working at the Parbat section of the Mid-Hill Highway, and driver Indra Tharu have gone missing in the inci- dent, police said. “Rajaram and his driver were having snacks at my shop. When the water from the stream came flooding in, Rajaram told me to run before driving off. I ran towards the highway from where I saw the flooded stream sweep away their vehicle,” said Bishwo Shrestha who operates an eatery in Dobilla. The flooded stream swept away four huts, including that of Shrestha. (Details on Pg 2)

Legitimacy of Maoist Centre challenged at poll commission KATHMANDU: A group of former CPN (Maoist Centre) leaders has chal- lenged the legitimacy of the party at the Election Commission. Advocate Saroj Budhathoki, on behalf of Post file Photo For the party, early elections under Deuba’s leadership will be a godsend, observers say. around two dozen former Maoist leaders who defected to the CPN- ANIL GIRI UML, registered a complaint at the well,” said Minendra Rijal, a Congress KATHMANDU, JULY 7 commission on Wednesday, saying the leader and aspirant for the post of the party, the Maoist Centre, is illegal as party general secretary. “We are eager- it has not abided by the Constitution The Nepali Congress is keeping a ly waiting for the Supreme Court ver- of Nepal and the Political Party Act, watchful eye on the goings on. dict on House dissolution.” 2017. Budhathoki has claimed that It is waiting for the Supreme Court According to Rijal, if the Supreme the Maoist Centre has breached the verdict with bated breath—its Court endorses the House dissolution, mandatory constitutional provision President Sher Bahadur Deuba had the country will head for polls declared of holding the party’s general conven- led a petition against the dissolution for November. tion on time as well as Section 54(c) of the House of Representatives and “In that case, our convention in of the Political Party Act, also man- the Office of the President’s rejection September is unlikely,” Rijal told dating timely conduct of the party’s of his bid for the post of prime minis- the Post. conventions at the central and pro- ter. It is closely following the talks Oli dissolved the House on May 21, vincial committees. “The commis- between the two factions of the CPN- for a second time in less than six sion would take necessary decisions UML. It is also taking note of ques- months, after President Bidya Devi after going through the complaint tions raised against the legitimacy of Bhandari rejected his and Deuba’s and studying the legal provisions,” the Communist Party of Nepal claims for the post of prime minister. Raj Kumar Shrestha, spokesperson (Maoist Centre), as a complaint has Deuba, backed by 145 lawmakers for the Election Commission, told the been filed against the Maoist party at from the dissolved House, has filed a the Election Commission saying it has petition at the court demanding that Post. (Details on Pg 3) failed to abide by the constitution and the Parliament be restored and he be Political Parties Act-2017. appointed prime minister. Nepal cautiously reopens The Congress itself runs a risk of After completing the hearing from becoming an illegitimate party if it the petitioners and defendants and international flights fails to hold its general convention taking briefs from the amici curiae, KATHMANDU: Nepal cautiously reopens within three months. The party has the Constitutional Bench said on international flights while allowing announced to hold its 14th general Monday that it would sit next on July domestic services to operate at full convention from September 1 to 4 in 12. Many, including Congress leaders, throttle, following a drop in Covid-19 Kathmandu, but preparations for the believe a verdict is likely on that day. cases in the country. Tourism Joint same are not adequate. And growing Within the Congress party, the gen- Secretary Buddhi Sagar Lamichhane factional feuds have made things eral understanding is that the court told the Post that a Cabinet meeting worse. would restore the House. But whether on Monday had authorised the minis- Multiple leaders from rival camps the court would go to the extent of try to resume passenger flights on told the Post that there are some inter- ordering Deuba’s appointment as international sectors based on the nal issues, but external factors too are prime minister is anyone’s guess. country’s needs and travel demand. “affecting” the party’s general conven- For the Congress party, early elec- The Cabinet has also permitted regu- tion. They said they are still not sure tions under Deuba’s leadership will be lar domestic flights by following if the convention will take place on a godsend. The grand old party for the health protocols. Lamichhane said the scheduled date. last three years has been licking its domestic flights would be allowed to “Internally we can sort things out wounds after facing an unprecedented operate at full capacity from Sunday. and the party is committed to holding drubbing in the 2017 elections, as it “With regard to international sectors, the general convention on the could win just one fourth of the total we will meet on Thursday to decide announced date, but we need to take seats in the House of Representatives. how to proceed. (Details on Pg 5) into account some external factors as >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K THURSDAY, JULY 08, 2021 | 02 National Two dead, three missing in floods, landslides in Gandaki Vehicular movement along several road sections has been obstructed due to landslides.

AGANDHAR TIWARI banks of Modikhola some 700 metres No. 3 went missing in the flooded Tara PARBAT, JULY 7 downstream from the incident site on stream on Tuesday night. Wednesday afternoon. According to the Area Police Office At least two persons died and three “We recovered the vehicle at around in Tarakhola, the man had gone to others have gone missing in separate 4:30pm but there was no one inside it. save his goats from floodwaters when incidents of floods and landslides Search is underway to find the miss- he went missing. Forty-one goats were in Parbat, Baglung and Myagdi dis- ing duo,” said Police Inspector swept away by the stream, police said. tricts of Gandaki Province in the past Pradeep Paudel. Prakash Gharti, chairman of the 24 hours. The floods in the Sundare stream rural municipality, said Tara stream In Parbat, two persons have gone also damaged a section of the Mid-Hill was blocked by a landslide above missing after the flooded Sundare Highway. Authorities repaired the Ghusmeli for some time on Tuesday stream swept away a vehicle at Kusma damaged road section and resumed night. “The stream was swollen Municipality-8 on Tuesday night. one-way traffic from Wednesday because of the blockage,” he said. Rajaram Acharya, an engineer work- afternoon. In Myagdi, the flooded Khahare ing at the Parbat section of the Mid- Meanwhile, around 100 metres of stream at Chhiswang in Mangala Hill Highway, and driver Indra Tharu the Dobilla-Phalebas road section has Rural Municipality Ward No. 5 swept have gone missing in the incident, been badly damaged by floods. It will away a 19-year-old woman and her police said. take a few days to resume transporta- 22-year-old husband, according to the “Rajaram and his driver were hav- tion along the road section, police District Police Office in Myagdi. Their ing snacks at my shop. When the water said. The flooded Sundare stream also bodies were recovered downstream on from the stream came flooding in, damaged the infrastructure of the Wednesday morning, said police. Rajaram told me to run before driving United Modi Hydropower Project Vehicular movement along Beni- off. I ran towards the highway from operated in Modi Khola area. Jomsom, Beni-Darbang, and Beni- where I saw the flooded stream sweep “The 10 MW hydropower project Baglung road sections has also been away their vehicle,” said Bishwo stopped production after the flooded obstructed because of multiple land- Post Photo: Deepak kc Shrestha who operates an eatery in Sundare stream damaged the canal of slides, according to the District Police A woman sells food from a cart on the roadside at Teku, Kathmandu on Wednesday. Dobilla. the powerhouse on Tuesday night,” Office in Myagdi. The flooded stream swept away four said Bhuwan Adhikari, an employee huts, including that of Shrestha. of the project. (Prakash Baral in Baglung and Security personnel and local resi- In Baglung, an 18-year-old man of Ghanshyam Khadka in Myagdi With Delta variants circulating ... dents recovered the vehicle on the Tarakhola Rural Municipality Ward contributed reporting)

>> Continued from page 1 we experienced in April and May,” expert, told the Post. “We do not have As its convention ... Just as restrictions have been eased, said Dr Anup Bastola, director at to do many things, we just need to fol- Workers leaving for hospital beds have started to fill up Sukraraj hospital. low the basics—enforce safety >> Continued from page 1 again. About one fourth of the total poly- measures, increase testing, make con- Early polls give hope to the party to All 30 intensive care unit beds and merase chain reaction tests are still tact tracing effective and isolate the make a comeback in less than five years 30 ventilators allocated for Covid-19 coming out positive, which doctors infected.” India ask government and it will also mean it does not have to patients at the Tribhuvan University say is quite high. Subedee, however, believes that the hold the general convention immediately. Teaching Hospital were occupied on “Instead of taking a proactive health facilities might not get over- The party’s general convention is Wednesday. approach, authorities in Nepal have whelmed immediately like they were fraught with challenges as there are too Just a few days ago doctors at the been reactive. They wait until the situ- during the second wave even if new for free PCR tests many aspirants. The party has not been hospital had said up to 30 percent of ation becomes grave and then they cases increase in the coming days. able to complete the basic task of updating the intensive care unit beds and venti- enforce restrictions,” said Shakya. “A lot of people might have been the list of active members. lators were vacant. Nepali authorities face criticism for infected and have recovered already,” “The row over distribution of active “We can take no more patients who making similar mistakes again and said Subedee. “Those who have not membership is yet to be resolved. That is need intensive care beds and ventila- again—they enforce lockdowns and been infected are more at risk.” one major factor to ensure the general con- tors,” Dr Santa Kumar Das, deputy forget and when cases decline, they lift Health Ministry officials admit that vention,” said Rijal. “If Deuba becomes director at the hospital, told the Post. the restrictions. The lockdown period they have not been able to ramp up prime minister, the scenario will change. “Patients have been visiting the hospi- is barely used for preparations. testing and make contact tracing more There is a pandemic too.” tal only after becoming serious and During the first wave, the effective. The party has constituted a task force critical.” authorities failed to build infrastruc- “Our suggestions are also being led by Ramesh Lekhak, a leader close to The Sukraraj Tropical and ture and arrange for hospital beds, ignored by the public,” said Dr Samir Deuba, to look into the active membership Infectious Disease Hospital said that ventilators and oxygen. The second Kumar Adhikari, joint spokesperson issue. As of Wednesday, the Lekhak-led of the 24 intensive care unit beds ded- wave made everyone realise how frag- for the Health Ministry. “Everyone at team has been able to look into the active icated for Covid-19 patients, 22 are ile the health system was. After the all agencies concerned and members membership issue in three dozen districts. occupied. The condition at Patan second wave, countries around the of the public must understand the To kickstart the ward-level election, the Hospital is no different. world provided medical aid. But the importance of safety measures.” Lekhak panel has to resolve the active Even though the cases have fallen, Nepal government failed to manage The coronavirus has taught one membership issue within 20 days. the current pattern suggests the coun- vaccines. hard lesson to the world that no one is “Lekhak and his team, however, are not try is reporting the same number of As the cases are rising and doctors safe until everyone is safe, and as doing their job fairly,” said a leader close to new daily infections it was recording are warning about a second wave peak there is no end to the pandemic in Ram Chandra Poudel, who leads a rival in the initial days of the second wave. before the country is overwhelmed by sight, the only measure that can save Post Photo: MOHAN BUDHAAIR faction in the Congress party. “In some There were 1,015 new cases on April the third wave, the government is lives is vaccination. The Uttarakhand state government has made PCR test mandatory for migrant workers districts where Deuba is weak, the Deuba 18; 1,227 on April 19, and 1,667 on April scrambling for vaccines. Doctors say until vaccines are avail- crossing into the state from Nepal. faction is creating unnecessary trouble. It 20—the period when the second wave In the last four months, Nepal has able, every individual must consider seems Deuba is not interested in holding made its way to Nepal. managed to sign a deal to buy just 4 themselves responsible not to become MOHAN BUDHAAIR testing for migrant workers going to the general convention on time and wants On May 11, 9,317 people tested posi- million doses of vaccine. The Vero the cause of virus spread, as new and DHANGADHI, JULY 7 India,” he said. “The Indian securi- to hold it only when the situation becomes tive throughout the country, which Cell doses, developed and manufac- more lethal variants cannot be ruled ty personnel asked us for a PCR test favourable for him.” was the single day highest ever. tured by Sinopharm, will start arriv- out. According to Dr Prabhat On Sunday, Bir Bahadur Dhami, a report at Jhulaghat border but I Within the Deuba camp, leaders are Two and a half months later, cases ing in tranches from China starting Adhikari, an infectious disease and resident of Jogbudha in Dadeldhura, don’t have one so I came to upbeat about the court possibly giving a have gradually started to rise again. Friday. Apart from some doses— critical care expert, delays in deci- reached the Gadda Chauki border Gauriphanta. For now, as far as I verdict in their favour–restoration of the Experts say if more tests are per- 348,000 doses of AstraZeneca and an sion-making could be costly given the point in Kanchanpur to cross into know, only the Uttarakhand govern- House and the party president’s appoint- formed, more positive cases will be additional 1.5 million doses Johnson & deadliness of the Delta variants that India in search of a job. ment has made PCR tests mandato- ment as prime minister. reported. Johnson—committed by COVAX, are circulating in the country. But Dhami was turned away ry to enter India. But soon all Even if the court stops short of appoint- On Wednesday, 7,835 polymerase Nepal has failed to sign any other “We should not forget that the case since he could not furnish his PCR other Indian states might start ask- ing Deuba as prime minister, leaders see chain reaction tests returned 2,077 agreements with any other vaccine doubling time of the Delta variants is test report. He then made his way ing for one.” the likelihood of him succeeding Oli, pro- positive results. On Tuesday, 1,718 manufacturing firms to purchase four days,” said Adhikari. “If we take towards Trinagar Gauriphanta bor- He says the migrant workers who vided that the Madhav Nepal faction con- tested positive in 7,503 PCR tests and the jabs. more time to make decisions on pre- der point in Kailali district, where a had returned home during the pan- tinues backing him. on Monday 1,745 tested positive in Nepal needs to inoculate 72 percent ventive measures, a third wave is not negative PCR test report is not man- demic are in a rush to return to But the dynamics in the UML appears to 7,499 PCR tests,according to the Health of its 30 million population, or around very far.” datory to enter India. India before their host country and be changing. UML chair Oli has now made Ministry. 22 million people for which it will need Das of the Tribhuvan University The Uttarakhand state govern- their employers make vaccination a volte-face, and he has been trying to The number of active cases on 44 million doses of double-shot vac- Teaching Hospital said the increasing ment in India has made negative against coronavirus compulsory for appease the Nepal faction. If the court tells Wednesday throughout the country cines. COVAX has committed to pro- public mobility and crowding could PCR reports mandatory for those all workers. Oli to go for floor test as per Article 76 (4) stood at 26,544. viding around 13 million doses, but make the virus situation worse and crossing into India through various The India-bound workers have and all 23 members of the Nepal faction, On April 18, just when the second there is no certainty by when Nepal that the people must follow safety pro- border points. However, the Uttar urged the government authorities who have thrown their weight behind wave had started to take hold, could get the supplies. tocols for their own sake. Pradesh government has been in Nepal to prioritise them for Deuba, decide to vote for Oli, the prime there were just 6,290 active cases Doctors say that all sectors must “Infection conditions had not yet allowing Nepalis to enter the state Covid-19 vaccination. minister will survive. across the country. But the number of make coordinated efforts to prevent come to the level for us to say the situ- through the Gauriphanta border “We have to go to India to earn a In that case, the Congress will have to active cases rose rapidly, leading the another catastrophe and delay the ation is under control,” said Das. point without a PCR test report. livelihood for our family. The gov- hold its general convention in September authorities to enforce prohibitory third wave. “Despite having huge risks, we have The relaxation of rules at the ernment can neither provide us at any cost, or else the party will be illegal. measures. “We have been repeating the same reopened almost everything. Members Gauriphanta border point has jobs here nor can it make our lives As the convention date of the grand old “If the number of new cases keeps thing for months. Our suggestions of the public are also behaving as if prompted many Nepali migrant easier by providing us with vac- party nears, Congress leaders now are increasing at the current pace, we have never been implemented,” Dr there is no risk. There actually is a workers from across Sudurpaschim cines,” said Surat Bahadur Bam, pointing fingers at other parties. cannot rule out the repetition of what Anup Subedee, an infectious disease huge risk, still.” Province to make their way to India who was on his way to India along “It’s not just us, look at other parties–the through Gauriphanta. with his friend Dil Bahadur Bam. UML and the Maoist Centre,” said a leader Migrant workers who would usu- “At this rate, many Nepali close to Deuba who wished to remain anon- ally use other border points—Gadda migrant workers will soon not have ymous. “When did the UML hold its last Chauki, Darchula and Julaghat— a job to go back to and will have to convention? Seven years ago. What about have been lining up at Gauriphanta stay back in Nepal unemployed,” the Maoist Centre? It’s last convention was to enter India, security personnel at said Surat Bahadur. held nine years back. The law should apply the Gauriphanta border say. To earn a living in Nepal is not an to all equally.” According to the Border Police option for many migrant workers But political observers and some leaders Post in Gauriphanta, over 2,000 since the pandemic has led to many within the party believe that the Nepali migrant workers have been enter- job cuts within the country, says Congress should follow the law and the ing India in search of jobs from Laxman Saud of Rithapata in constitution instead of pointing at others. Gauriphanta border on a daily Achham district. According to them, a general convention is basis. “We have to go to India to avoid not just about abiding by the law, it is also RE-INVITATION FOR SEALED BID Before the pandemic, migrant starvation. Staying in Nepal is a about electing a new leadership, rejuvenat- This notice aims to inform the interested firms/ companies about the extension of notice period for various Bids notice workers like Dhami would swim luxury we can’t afford,” said Saud. ing the party and giving it the right direc- published on various dates in Kantipur National Daily Newspaper as per the details mentioned below: across the Mahakali river to enter “Now, even crossing into India has tion as per the changing times and needs. India to save time and money. become a hassle for those of us who Many say Deuba should have stepped Details of Original 1st 2nd 3rd 4th New Bid “It takes us three days to travel can’t afford a PCR test.” down soon after the party faced defeat in SN Title of Bid/EOI Notice Original Notice submission Extension Extension Extension Extension Opening from Dadeldhura to Kanchanpur Dirgha BK, a resident of the 2017 elections. Deuba instead is eyeing Published Deadline Deadline Deadline Deadline Deadline Date and again from Kanchanpur to Nakakedar in Doti district, reached yet another term, and this time some stal- Dhangadhi. My last trip home was Gauriphanta border point with his warts like Bimalendhra Nidhi, Prakash costly,” said Dhami. “But since the wife and two children on Sunday to Man Singh and Shekhar Koirala are chal- 1 Supply, delivery, 20th July 18th April 2021, 2nd May 17th May 17th June 2nd July 14th July pandemic hit both the countries, make his way to Gujarat in India. lenging him. Geja Sharma Wagle, a politi- installation and testing of 2021, 11:30 Page No. 11 2021 2021 2021 2021 2021 security has been tightened and “Some people question us about cal commentator, said the Nepali Congress various Office Equipment AM swimming across the Mahakali is our decision to go to India in the general convention is still up in the air, 2 Supply, delivery, prohibited.” midst of the pandemic. But what especially because the Supreme Court ver- Dil Bahadur Bam, a local man choice do we have?” asked BK. “We dict on House dissolution is due. installation, implementation nd th rd th th 22 July from Purchaudi in Baitadi, tried to are also scared of getting infected “Deuba is strategic, others are divided,” and commissioning 19 April 2021, 3 May 18 May 18 June 3rd July 14th July 2021, 3:00 enter India from Jhulaghat border but now the choice is between dying Wagle told the Post. “If the Supreme Court of Electronic Queue 2021 2021 Page No. 8 2021 2021 2021 PM point but was turned away for a lack of hunger and taking a chance with orders the appointment of Deuba as prime Management System of a PCR test report. He says many Covid-19.” minister, then the general convention (EQMS) migrant workers like him cannot A very limited number of people might happen only when he feels it is con- Interested Companies/Firms can obtain Bid Document from Bank’s General Administration & Projects Management spare extra money to have them- have undergone testing for Covid-19 venient to hold it.” Ecosystem at Registered Office, Thapathali. For further information regarding the BID Documents (i.e. Bid Document Fee, selves tested for Covid-19. in Sudurpaschim Province. According to Wagle, the equation in the Documentation Requirement, Eligibility Criteria etc.), please go through the original notice published in Kantipur National The government has set a ceiling According to the Provincial Ram Chandra Poudel camp is not clear yet. Daily Newspaper as detailed above. price of Rs 1,000 per PCR test in Health Directorate, only 250,000 out “If Deuba becomes prime minister, he government hospitals and laborato- of the total 2,800,000 people across will buy time by managing the dynamics in ries, while it has allowed private the nine districts of Sudurpaschim the party,” said Wagle. “Even if the court labs to charge up to Rs 2,000. Province have undergone Covid-19 does not appoint Deuba prime minister, his “We haven’t had a source of tests as of now. It is estimated that chances of leading the government are income for almost a year now and more than a million Nepalis from still there. The situation could be different we can’t afford the test. The least the province go to various places in for the party, and we can expect some our government can do is offer free India for work annually. changes in the dynamics of Congress.”

C M Y K 03 | THURSDAY, JULY 08, 2021 National People with comorbidities deprived of health care amid pandemic Infection fears and restrictions enforced by the authorities have affected the follow-up visits of many patients.

ARJUN POUDEL smoking, whose attributable death KATHMANDU, JULY 7 was 17.7 percent, followed by high sys- tolic blood pressure 12.3 percent, For the last 15 months, Radhika Oli household air pollution 11.2 percent, has been unaware of her medical con- ambient air pollution 9.3 percent, dia- dition. She suffers from diabetes, high betes 8 percent, high cholesterol, kid- blood pressure and thyroid disorder. ney dysfunction among others. “My condition requires regular fol- Another study, Nepal Burden of low-up visits to my doctor, but I hav- Disease, conducted in 2017 found that en’t been able to do that because of two in every three deaths (66 percent) Covid-19,” the 43-year-old housewife in the country are caused by non-com- from Surya Binayak, Bhaktapur said. municable diseases—heart disease, Infection fears and restrictions chronic obstructive pulmonary dis- enforced by the authorities to contain ease, lower respiratory infection and the coronavirus spread have affected stroke. the follow-up visits of many patients In other words, people with like Oli, who are living with chronic non-communicable diseases have non-communicable diseases. increased risk of getting severely sick A 2019 study on the prevalence of or dying if they get infected with the non-communicable disease by Nepal coronavirus. Health Research Council found that Dr Samir Kumar Adhikari, joint non-communicable diseases account- spokesperson for the Health Ministry, ed for 71 percent of the deaths in the admits that the majority of Covid-19 country. patients who get severely sick and die Doctors say the findings of the are likely to have some comorbidities. study are even more concerning “People having comorbidities because Covid-19 severity and deaths or suffering from non-communicable are high among people with comorbid- diseases should not take risks. They ities. have to undergo regular tests and Post Photo: ELITE JOSHI “At a time when we are focusing on visit their doctors,” Adhikari told the A young woman runs playfully towards a flock of feeding pigeons on the premises of Bouddha Stupa in Kathmandu on Wednesday. containing the coronavirus spread, Post. authorities should also not forget But with many health facilities about the issues of non-communica- deprioritising regular services to ble diseases,” Dr Megnath Dhimal, make room for Covid-19 patients, pre- chief researcher at Nepal Health vailing infection fears and travel Research Council, told the Post. restrictions, the Health Ministry’s With the second wave of infections advice for people with comorbidities Legitimacy of the CPN (Maoist Centre) hitting the country, most of the state- to go for regular doctor visits is not run health facilities as well as private possible. and community hospitals have been “It is really absurd that all the agen- converted into Covid-19 dedicated hos- cies have been focusing only on the pitals. This has halted the regular management and treatment of Covid- challenged at the Election Commission health care services, preventing peo- 19 cases while ignoring the issue that ple with chronic conditions from get- is killing people many times more ting treatment. than the coronavirus,” an official at Former Maoist leaders claim the party has breached the constitutional provision of holding the periodic general convention. Of late, hospitals have resumed the the Department of health Services regular services, but with travel said on condition of anonymity. BINOD GHIMIRE the federal law, the party loses its reg- Maoist Centre leaders have said the “It is wrong that the Election restrictions still in place, people living Dr Padam Bahadur Chand, former KATHMANDU, JULY 7 istration. case filed by the former party leaders Commission has entertained the com- in villages are still unable to visit chief of Policy Planning and “The party is illegitimate. The con- does not hold water because the UCPN plaint filed by the UML leaders to split health facilities. International Cooperation Division at A group of former CPN (Maoist stitutional commission must scrap the (Maoist) was converted into CPN our party. The act doesn’t even deserve The study of Nepal Health Research the Health Ministry, agrees that the Centre) leaders has challenged the CPN (Maoist Centre) for flouting the (Maoist Centre) in May 2016 after a a comment,” Pokharel told the Post. Council was primarily focused on authorities should not neglect the legitimacy of the party at the Election constitution and the law,” said merger of 10 different political par- “The complaint doesn’t hold any legal behavioural risk factors—tobacco and problems of people who suffer from Commission. Budhathoki. ties. Taking the 2013 general conven- ground.” alcohol consumption, biological risk non-communicable diseases. Advocate Saroj Budhathoki, on Article 269 (4) (b) of the constitution tion as a reference is pointless, they The former Maoist leaders, mean- factors—raised blood pressure, over- “Of course, the pandemic is a behalf of around two dozen former makes it mandatory for a political argued. while, are planning to move the weight, obesity, abnormal lipid preva- major medical emergency and focus- Maoist leaders who defected to the party to hold its general convention at The constitutional deadline of max- Supreme Court if the case is thrown lence, coronary artery disease, chron- sing on controlling it is important. CPN-UML, registered a complaint at least once in five years. In special cir- imum five and a half years for out by the Election Commission. ic obstructive pulmonary disease and But, at the same time, we should the commission on Wednesday, saying cumstances, the constitution allows holding the general convention has “We expect the commission to make diabetes. not be ignoring the regular medical the party, the Maoist Centre, is illegal postponement of the convention by a passed even if the date of the a decision in favour of the rule law,” The findings showed that the lead- problems of the people,” Chand told as it has not abided by the Constitution maximum of six months. formation of the Maoist Centre is said Rayamajhi. “If it doesn’t, we will ing risk factor of deaths in 2019 was the Post. of Nepal and the Political Party Act, The last convention of the Maoist taken into account, but Maoist move the Supreme Court.” 2017. party was held in February 2013. The leaders say that argument could be He said they will also ask the apex Budhathoki has claimed that the party was named UCPN (Maoist) at dismissed considering the 2018 merg- court to revive their lawmaker posi- Maoist Centre has breached the man- the time. The convention, which er between the Maoist Centre and the tions in case the House of datory constitutional provision of re-elected Pushpa Kamal Dahal as UML to form Nepal Communist Party Representatives gets reinstated, holding the party’s general conven- party chair, had also decided to hold a (NCP). because an illegitimate party cannot tion on time as well as Section 54(c) of special convention within one year. “The entire duration of existence sack popularly elected representa- the Political Party Act, also mandat- The special convention was never of the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), tives. ing timely conduct of the party’s con- held. which was formed after the merger Along with Rayamajhi, ventions at the central and provincial Former Maoist leader Top Bahadur between the Maoist Centre and the Gaurishankar Chaudhari, Prabhu committees. Rayamajhi, who is now a Standing UML, must be discounted,” said Sah and Lekh Raj Bhatta, who were “The commission would take neces- Committee member of the UML, said Maoist Centre leader Lilamani elected to the House of Representatives sary decisions after going through the while they were in the Maoist Centre, Pokharel. from the Maoist Centre, had lost their complaint and studying the legal pro- they had repeatedly demanded that The NCP was formed in May 2018 seats following the action from the visions,” Raj Kumar Shrestha, spokes- the party leadership follow the consti- after the merger of the two Communist party. person for the Election Commission, tution, law and the party statute, but parties which lasted for around Ram Bahadur Thapa and Chandra told the Post. to no avail. three years until a Supreme Court Bahadur Khadka lost their seats in the The complainant has demanded He accused Dahal of running the order in March dismissed the merger National Assembly as they sided with that the commission invalidate the party as an autocrat even after joining and revived the Maoist Centre and the UML after the NCP split. Maoist Centre as per Section 13 of the mainstream politics in 2006. UML. “The CPN (Maoist Centre) cannot Political Party Act. “He didn’t give up his working style Pokharel said if the three years be above the law. As the party Section 13 of the Act states that if even after entering the political main- period when the Maoist Centre was has clearly breached the constitution- any party fails to provide necessary stream. Neither the Maoist Centre is a not in existence is deducted, the party al and legal provisions, it must be details or doesn’t follow the provisions legitimate party, nor Dahal is a legiti- still has three more years to hold its scrapped,” said Budhathoki, the Post file Photo as prescribed by the constitution and mate chair,” Rayamajhi told the Post. general convention. advocate. Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the regular health care services across the country. Fewer flights, expensive tickets and Covid-19 restrictions hit migrant workers Vaccination rule has added uncertainty to Nepal’s foreign employment sector. Nepali diplomats in labour destination countries say workers are facing similar hardship as last year.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL visa for leaving the country, which is had already obtained their check out vaccination programme and has also KATHMANDU, JULY 7 not being issued regularly. At our ini- memos, which are issued to foreign been offering free vaccines to every- tiation, nearly 2,000 exit visas were workers for leaving the country, but one who has been staying in the coun- Tens of thousands of Nepali youths at granted to Nepali workers.” they remain stuck as tickets are not try legally. home and in labour destination coun- Rai said even when workers have easy to come by.” “At first, Nepal suspended flights to tries continue to face numerous hur- secured their exit visas, their pros- According to Dhakal, while tickets the UAE as part of Covid containment dles due to the ongoing second wave of pects of returning home have been are already expensive, travel agencies measures and later the UAE govern- the Covid-19 pandemic. diminished by the limited number of are also collecting quarantine charges ment also stopped flights to Nepal,” After Nepal and its labour-receiving flights. at the time of buying tickets, adding said Thapa. “In the UAE, Nepalis are countries once again imposed various “Some companies are not even financial burden on the workers. more worried about whether they will measures for containing the spread of allowing their workers to leave, giving “Also, obtaining a check out memo be able to return if they flew to Nepal. the coronavirus over the last couple of excuses of limited flights and ticket has been another major challenge as They are not much worried about months, Nepali workers have encoun- shortage. Also, flights to and from most of the services have been affect- returning home.” tered problems while pursuing over- Saudi Arabia have so far been limited ed lately, so many workers are stuck in According to Thapa, the demand for seas jobs and returning home. to Dammam, not Riyadh, the capital Malaysia,” said Dhakal. “The embassy Nepali workers in the UAE is high as During a virtual interaction on city,” said Rai. “So those headed for has requested the local governments there has been a severe shortage of Wednesday, Nepali foreign mission Nepal have to either reach Dammam facilitate the process of issuing the workers in various sectors due to the officials in major destination coun- or take a transit flight to Doha of memos.” restrictions imposed by the UAE and tries—the United Arab Emirates Qatar. Even tickets are exorbitantly Countries coming forward with the labour-sending countries. (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Malaysia— expensive and then they are required strict rules for non-vaccinated for- Nepali workers’ prospects of reach- listed out the problems faced by Nepali to stay in quarantine upon landing in eigners have added to the uncertain- ing Malaysia, which once was the migrant workers that are almost simi- Nepal, adding to the financial burden ties facing Nepal’s foreign employ- most popular destination for Nepali lar to the situation of the last year. on them.” ment sector. job seekers, also remain uncertain, at According to them, Nepali migrant According to Rai, the labour coun- Post file Photo “Lately, the UAE government has least until the end of the year. workers at home have not been able to sellor, while some employers are With fewer flights in operation, airfare has become expensive. stopped taking workers from Nepal “Local employers have been regu- take up foreign jobs due to the recent reluctant to bear the airfare of and other South Asian countries. As a larly contacting the embassy and movement restrictions in destination such expensive flights, some are even higher than the regular rate. second wave of the pandemic. The result, even those who had gone home inquiring when will Nepali workers countries and those in destination offering the maximum amounts they “Even during normal times, Nepal- country has imposed an enhanced to Nepal on vacation have not been be able to come to Malaysia. This countries are struggling to return can provide to workers for buying bound flights from Saudi Arabia are movement control order, which is able to return to the UAE,” said shows there is a good demand for home as there are not enough flights. tickets. mostly packed,” said Rai. “As there stricter than the previous measures, Nirmala Thapa, a labour counsellor at Nepali workers,” said Dhakal, the “As Covid-19 cases once again When a limited number of regular were no flights between Kathmandu to contain the spread of the virus. the Nepali Embassy in the UAE. “We labour counsellor. “However, the picked up in recent months and scheduled flights had resumed after and Riyadh even prior to the pandem- “In the past most Nepali workers have been even exploring options to Nepal government cannot do anything restrictions were enforced, Nepali several weeks of international flights ic, it would be better if the Nepal would visit us with pay-related prob- allow Nepali workers on annual vaca- about it. Malaysia’s Covid-19 recovery workers’ residence permits have not suspension, flights had resumed to Airlines considered operating on the lems, but now their only concern is to tions and those vaccinated to return to plan is still silent about the timeframe been renewed. Anyone caught with an destination countries, including Saudi Riyadh route even if a few flights a return home,” said Deepak Dhakal, the UAE. If Covid situation improves for welcoming foreign workers, but expired residence permit, locally Arabia. However, there are only two week.” labour counsellor at the Nepali back in Nepal and also in the UAE, we they are hopeful normalcy would known as iqama, can face jail,” said weekly flights to Saudi Arabia. The hardship faced by Nepali Embassy in Malaysia. “Flights hope the UAE government may allow return by December. So we hope Jiwan Kumar Rai, labour counsellor Himalaya Airlines has been operating migrants is no different in Malaysia, between Kuala Lumpur and Nepalis to come for work.” things will be better by December and at the Nepal Embassy in Saudi Arabia. two weekly flights from Dammam of another major labour destination Kathmandu have resumed but their According to Thapa, the UAE has Nepali workers will be able to come to “Then there is a problem with the exit Saudi Arabia, but the airfare is much country, which is also hit hard by the numbers are limited. Many workers impressively rolled out its Covid-19 Malaysia.”

C M Y K THURSDAY, JULY 08, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL A bunch of hogwash When the lights go out The government is known for bullshit, but even it could The NEA cannot continue to maintain its have supported citizens lackadaisical attitude on this. better against Covid-19.

“Batti gayera match hernai paiyena” is an oft-repeated phrase among football enthusiasts in many parts of the country these Deepak Thapa days. Even as Copa America and Euro 2020 inch towards their finals, Nepali football fans have something other than the per- AS I LIKE formance of their favourite teams to worry about: The fre- quent power outages that ruin their football viewing experi- ence. Imagine staying up until quarter to one a.m. and still being unable to watch the match on TV and scrambling at the last minute to watch it on your mobile phone! But it is not only Finance Minister Bishnu Poudel must the football fans who are inconvenienced by unscheduled have known that he was doling out a lot power outages. of hogwash when he announced that As the monsoon rages on and heavy rainfall and lightning the world’s top 10 electric vehicle man- ufacturers would be invited to begin continues to be an everyday affair, the incidences of frequent making cars in Nepal. It really beats electricity cuts have become all too common. Resultantly, rational thinking how anyone could Zoom meetings are interrupted as speakers’ screens go blank, come up with such a harebrained idea, professionals are unable to meet their deadlines, and rice and expect us to accept it with any remains uncooked in electric cookers. And most of the time, degree of sincerity. Nepal does not have people are not even prepared for such crises. a single automobile factory (yes, we do Short-term power outages remain a problem throughout the have Hulas Motors but with no output for years). That is so for the simple rea- country, but people living in the Tarai, where summers are son that it is too small a market to be of extraordinarily hot and humid, are especially inconvenienced. interest to anyone. Hence, to even Unable to use their fans, people end up sleeping outdoors, lead- assume that someone like Elon Musk ing to other risks including getting bitten by mosquitoes and along with nine of his peers would be reptiles. People cannot continue to become collateral damage attracted by the idea of setting up shop of a problem that can be solved if the authorities concerned in Nepal is no more than a pipe dream that does no one any credit, not Poudel were to do their jobs properly. nor the current government. Nepal went through over a decade of darkness as the Nepal We all know it is the lot of politicians Electricity Authority (NEA) imposed power outages to “man- to make fantastic statements and most age” electricity supply. As it turned out, it was often the result times they get away with it because of a corrupt nexus whereby the authorities diverted precious such is expected of them. We have electricity supply to business houses. That phase of darkness heard enough from Prime Minister KP is thankfully over for some years now as electricity supply in Sharma Oli and the wild claims he makes about himself and the ‘achieve- large parts of the country remains mostly uninterrupted. ments’ of his government to stop tak- But all is not well with the electricity supplied by the NEA ing whatever he says with any modi- these days. As Nepalis have gotten used to living without a cum of seriousness. Harry Frankfurt, a Post File Photo load-shedding timetable for a few years now, they do not keep philosopher at Princeton University, should have stopped at that somewhat bullshit is stimulated whenever a per- ment is going to cost them dearly. The power backup handy. In any case, backups are expensive and captured such a trait very well in his vague proposition and not get caught son’s obligations or opportunities to title of one news report said it all: difficult to maintain, which makes it difficult for common 1986 paper, ‘On Bullshit’. He writes: ‘It up with peddling the impossible dream speak about some topic are more exces- ‘Have to slog for one year to pay for the Nepalis to keep them. is impossible for someone to lie unless of raising the per capita income of sive than his knowledge of the facts ticket and quarantine.’ Not having he thinks he knows the truth. Producing Nepalis to $5,000 within 10 years. Of that are relevant to that topic. This received vaccinations in Nepal, our The NEA blames heavy rainfall and storms for the crisis, bullshit requires no such conviction. A course, the Covid-19 pandemic has discrepancy is common in public life, workers are being forced to quarantine claiming that the damage to electricity transmitters, poles and person who lies is thereby responding intervened to provide the government where people are frequently impelled themselves in expensive hotels in desti- wires hinder uninterrupted transmission of electricity. When to the truth, and he is to that extent with the fig-leaf to excuse its failure to — whether by their own propensities nation countries. Taken together with consumers call the utility helpline in their respective cities respectful of it. When an honest man make any substantive progress towards or by the demands of others—to speak the steep ticket prices due to the limit- and towns, the most common response they receive from speaks, he says only what he believes to a goal that would have required sus- extensively about matters of which ed number of flights, their migration authorities is that the snag was because of a tree falling over be true; and for the liar, it is corre- tained growth of nearly 20 percent in they are to some degree ignorant.’ sojourn now begins with a huge loan the transmission line or a short circuit in a transmitter, and spondingly indispensable that he con- each of those 10 years. All the while the plight of common burden that will take them months to siders his statements to be false. For The unfortunate fact is that for near- Nepalis continues to be heart-rending. pay off. The same is true for those that they were attending to it. the bullshitter, however, all these bets ly half the time this government has Two recent news reports suffice to returning home with a mandatory But clearly, more than natural causes, it is the weak physical are off: he is neither on the side of the been in power, Oli has simply taken the demonstrate how things are far away 10-day hotel quarantine. Despite Oli’s and technical infrastructure set up by the NEA that is to true nor on the side of the false. backseat in terms of actual governance from the realm of politics. One is the repeated promises on the matter and blame. The utility must invest more on expansion of transmis- His eye is not on the facts at all, as the and been obsessed with staying in haphazard vaccine rollout which saw one such was made just last week, we sion lines as well as substations to ensure that electricity sup- eyes of the honest man and of the liar power. No matter how adept anyone is, elderly folks forced to stand for hours know it is not entirely the govern- ply remains uninterrupted. After decades of giving the same are, except insofar as they may be per- and Oli certainly thinks he is, it is under the July sun for their second ment’s fault that the vaccination drive tinent to his interest in getting away clearly impossible to be both preoccu- dose, but without any certainty that could not take off in Nepal. But surely old answers, the NEA must now come up with a more perma- with what he says. He does not care pied in political skullduggery and gov- they would get the jabs. Having made a the government could have subsidised nent solution to the power snag problem and let its consumers whether the things he says describe erning a country. Hence, we are treated hash of vaccine distribution the first the quarantine costs of those outbound rest assured that their chores do not get snapped midway. reality correctly. He just picks them to gratuitous spells of Oli’s supposed time around and been roundly criti- labour migrants while also setting up Having suffered as long as 18 hours of load-shedding at the out, or makes them up, to suit his pur- encyclopaedic knowledge about any cised then, one would have expected the free quarantine facilities for the peak of the dark days, Nepalis may find it ridiculous to com- pose.’ and everything under the sun. Since it government to have found a more effec- incoming ones. That is the least the plain about intermittent power outages. But uninterrupted Perhaps nothing stands out so stark- is pertinent to this discussion here, we tive way of ensuring that getting vacci- country could do for this highly vulner- power supply is an essential part of public service delivery, ly on this front than the fraudulent can go back to Frankfurt again as he nated would not turn out to be a dread- able and desperate group who have promise made to the people of Nepal by writes further with the likes of Oli in ed ordeal. But that would assume a propped up the national economy for and the NEA cannot continue to maintain its lackadaisical Oli’s party during the last parliamenta- mind: ‘Bullshit is unavoidable whenev- government looking out for all the nearly two decades. Again, that would attitude on this. It has no option but to rev up its infrastructure ry elections. The slogan of a prosper- er circumstances require someone to people. assume we have a government that and human resources to ensure that its service does not get ous Nepal was too enticing for people talk without knowing what he is talk- As Nepal’s migrant workers are find- cares—cares beyond clinging on to affected by natural causes or technical glitches. not to be taken in. But CPN-UML ing about. Thus the production of ing out, the absence of such a govern- power at all costs. Transforming education after the pandemic

half of them girls. Moreover, GPE The divergence between funds attract other donor contribu- tions to multiply the organisation’s private and social valuation financial support, in line with nation- al education priorities. can lead to sub-optimal This approach is fundamental to catalysing necessary change and investment. delivering it at the scale demanded by today’s education emergency. To date, 97 percent of GPE-backed educa- Julia Gillard tion-sector plans include strategies to reach the most marginalised children in lower-income countries, particular- ly girls and children with disabilities. In the wake of the pandemic, gov- ernments also must find the funds to shock-proof their education systems for the future. That means not only As many countries cautiously reopen developing and integrating dis- classrooms, schools remain crucial tance-learning options, but also ensur- barometers of our progress toward ing that schools have proper sanitary ending the Covid-19 crisis. We need to facilities and are teaching basic keep children healthy while protect- hygiene. Teachers need training in ing their right to an education, but the new methods, and we need to ensure pandemic has hit the most vulnerable that children who rely on their school children hardest and exposed the for at least one meal a day don’t go worsening inequality of learning hungry during a crisis. opportunities. We must now heed To achieve all of this, we must these harsh lessons and transform immediately help governments in low- education systems to make them more er-income countries to ensure that equitable, effective, and resilient. their education budgets are protected School closures have been one of from any belt-tightening resulting the many measures that governments from the pandemic’s economic fallout. have adopted to contain a virus that so Domestic resources account for the far has claimed 3.4 million lives. At vast majority of education funding, their peak, over 1.6 billion children but international support can play a were cut off from education—half of bigger role to help insulate and expand them in low- and lower-middle-income existing resources. That will allow countries. governments to start reshaping learn- Although we cannot yet fully grasp poltu shyamal/Shutterstock.com ing even before their countries’ eco- the long-term implications of this lost tially change children’s lives perma- they are. And we need to begin by ble learning beyond the traditional GPE support enabling children to ben- nomic rebounds are underway. learning for the hundreds of millions nently for the better. But rather than ensuring that children can return classroom. In Afghanistan, for exam- efit from education programmes that This year, the GPE is asking govern- who are still missing out on school, it simply return to pre-crisis approaches safely to schools that offer a clean ple, advanced learning centres and were broadcast while schools were ments to pledge at least $5 billion clearly will have a life-changing to learning, we must transform educa- environment with effective ventila- more accessible and equitable commu- shut. toward transforming education for impact on the most vulnerable chil- tion systems entirely. We cannot go tion, sufficient toilets, and other basic nity-based education have proven suc- Initiatives like these can be woven children in 90 countries and territo- dren, especially girls. An estimated 20 back to a status quo of unequal oppor- amenities. cessful. These options give children in into education systems to make them ries where schools are not only essen- million girls may never set foot in a tunities and poor learning outcomes, Countries can also use dis- remote areas—especially girls, who more inclusive, so that they deliver tial for learning but also critical to classroom again because they have in which a quarter-billion children tance-learning tools to reach children had often been excluded from educa- learning at the scale needed to address children’s welfare and security. Safe, been sent to work to help provide for were already out of school and over outside the classroom, opening up tion altogether—a chance to learn. past inequities. That in turn can help inclusive, and quality education can their families. As many as 13 million half of all ten-year-olds in lower-in- new possibilities to educate those who In Pakistan’s Balochistan and Sindh to bridge the education gaps left not be a springboard for recovery from the could be forced into early marriage come countries lacked basic reading were previously cut off from formal provinces, we have seen how technolo- only by the Covid-19 pandemic, but pandemic, and a buffer against the and thus forego their education alto- skills. education. School closures due to gy, including smartphone applications also by conflicts, poverty, natural dis- next crisis. gether. For millions of others, school Together, we must deliver a global Covid-19 have only hastened the need like WhatsApp, can support teachers asters, or the effects of climate change. closures have increased their risk of recovery built on a foundation of edu- for alternative delivery methods so in serving children in less accessible By channelling support through Gillard, a former prime minister of teenage pregnancy or of becoming cation systems that deliver quality that every child can continue to learn. areas. And Sierra Leone, drawing on partner-country governments to Australia, is Chair of the Board of victims of domestic violence. learning to all children, no matter Even before the pandemic, organi- its experience during the 2014-16 Ebola national education systems, the GPE Directors of the Global Partnership Given this grim reality, each school where they live, how prosperous or sations like the Global Partnership for outbreak, has emphasised radio learn- has so far helped to get 160 million for Education. reopening is a victory that can poten- poor their families might be, or who Education (GPE) were helping to ena- ing during the current crisis, with more children into school, more than — Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | THURSDAY, JULY 08, 2021 Money

FOREX US Dollar 119.69 Nepal cautiously reopens international flights Euro 141.57

Pound Sterling 165.30 The Cabinet has also permitted regular domestic flights by following health safety protocols.

Japanese Yen 10.81 SANGAM PRASAIN Chinese Yuan 18.52 KATHMANDU, JULY 7

Qatari Riyal 32.87 Nepal cautiously reopens internation- Australian Dollar 89.95 al flights while allowing domestic services to operate at full throttle, Malaysian Ringit 28.76 following a drop in Covid-19 cases in the country. Saudi Arab Riyal 31.91 Tourism Joint Secretary Buddhi Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Sagar Lamichhane told the Post that a Cabinet meeting on Monday had Shares authorised the ministry to resume passenger flights on international sec- Nepse 2,801.13pts -0.60% tors based on the country’s needs and travel demand. highest losers The Cabinet has also permitted reg- UPPER UMRH RADHI SSHL GHL UPCL -5.45 -5.19 -3.73 -3.55 -3.28 -3.2 ular domestic flights by following health safety protocols. Lamichhane moderate losers said that domestic flights would be OHL CFCL KKHC HDL HDHPC RHPC -3.17 -3.14 -3.14 -3.09 -3.08 -2.92 allowed to operate at full capacity from Sunday. moderate gainers MLBSL SABSL MBLD2085 MMFDB NABBC KMCDB “With regard to international sec- 1.7 1.73 1.99 2.07 2.15 2.33 tors, we will meet on Thursday to

highest gainers decide how to proceed. There will be EICPO SDLBSL SLBSL CLBSL PCBLP CCBLPO some limitations on some sectors 2.5 2.59 2.84 3.16 3.55 3.57 as the Covid-19 risk still prevails in some countries.” “The Cabinet decision has come as a relief to people travelling in and out of Nepal as there will be adequate Price Per tola bullion flights from next week,” said Lamichhane. “There are concerns Fine Gold Rs 92,200 over flight tickets becoming expensive due to the limited number of flights.” Silver Rs 1,320 The government had restricted domestic flights from midnight of Source: FENEGOSIDA May 3 and international flights from midnight of May 6 as the second wave of Covid-19 gripped the gasoline watch country. On June 21, the government post photo: deepak kc allowed a limited number of sched- As per the existing travel protocols, fully vaccinated arrivals need to isolate themselves at home for 10 days, and those who have not been vaccinated have to spend seven days in quarantine in uled international flights after virus hotels recommended by the government. caseloads started to drop. Flight frequencies on domestic sectors The Narayanghat-Mugling and Kececi said that passengers would 11, the number of new cases on were capped at 50 percent of pre-​Covid Narayanghat-Butwal highways be relieved if regular passenger Wednesday has been reported at 2,077, levels. including other key routes have been Passengers have flights are not stopped again. taking the nationwide infection tally Airlines have been urging the gov- blocked from last week due to land- “Allowing regular flights will allow to 650,162. ernment to fully unshackle domestic slides. According to airline officials, been complaining airlines to plan and also people to plan The countrywide death toll has now flights after heavy monsoon rains the onset of the wedding season has about expensive their travels. This will help the market reached 9,291 with 28 Covid-related damaged several national highways also increased demand for air seats. to work in a healthy way.” deaths on Wednesday. The number of connecting Kathmandu with the rest “Flight tickets are expensive air tickets in the Despite the resumption of regular active cases stands at 26,544. of the country, severely curtailing as airlines are allowed to conduct services, there are many countries, As per the existing travel protocols, overland travel. only 50 percent of their services. As international sector. including China, that have not allowed fully vaccinated arrivals need to iso- “There has been massive demand soon as flight frequencies return to flight connectivity with Nepal. late themselves at home for 10 days, for air seats due to the damage caused normal levels, ticket prices will come Dhiraj Shrestha, deputy sales man- and those who have not been vaccinat- by floods and landslides to national down due to an oversupply of seats,” manager of Turkish Airlines for ager at the China Southern Airlines ed have to spend seven days in quaran- highways across the country,” said said Basnet. Kathmandu, told the Post that they office in Nepal, said that China tine in hotels recommended by the Birendra Basnet, managing director Passengers have been complaining plan to raise their frequency to three Southern had no immediate plans government. of Buddha Air. “As per our assess- about expensive air tickets in the weekly flights from the current two to resume its Nepal flights. “The com- The government issued prohibitory ment, there could be demand for near- international sector since the govern- weekly flights. Turkish Airlines, the pany has no immediate plans to orders in most parts of the country at ly 15,000 air seats in the domestic sec- ment allowed a limited number of only carrier connecting Nepal and resume flights based on the Covid-19 the end of April to help check the tor daily if flights are operated as per flights to some key destinations. Europe, flies on Thursdays and cases assessment in Nepal.” spread of the virus as the second wave normal schedules.” Abdullah Tuncer Kececi, general Saturdays. From a high of 9,317 cases on May of the pandemic hit Nepal. Indian billionaires face off in

race to solar domination

REUTERS operator of coal-fired thermal stations CHENNAI, JULY 7 and the country’s largest coal trader. India is the world’s third biggest Indian tycoon Mukesh Ambani’s $10 emitter of greenhouse gases. Coal- 1. billion entry into renewable energy based power generation could drop could drive solar tariffs further to the dramatically as the major players go ground and ignite bidding wars with green, analysts say.Rishab Shrestha, fellow billionaire Gautam Adani, senior analyst at consultancy Wood industry analysts say. Mackenzie said he expects India’s coal India’s two richest men are vying to generation share to drop to 50 percent be at the forefront of Prime Minister in early 2030s from over 70 percent Narendra Modi’s ambition to ramp currently. 2. up green energy capacity in the “We expect cost of building new world’s second-most populous country coal plants in India to be $62/MWh by more than four-fold to 450 gigawatts 2030, 25 percent higher than that of 3. (GW) by 2030. solar,” Shrestha said. Adani has not They have mostly avoided operating REUTERS announced plans to build any new in each other’s space and the renewa- Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing thermal power plants, and his ble energy push by Ambani’s flagship director of Reliance Industries. companies are unlikely to be affected Reliance Industries and the Adani by relatively higher costs of coal-fired 4. group of companies will be the high- as a part of India’s ambitious green power. est profile faceoff between them. energy target, but tariffs could fall Both groups are trying to improve Ambani, 64, built up his fami- further as companies try to outdo each their clean energy credentials as 5. ly-owned petrochemicals and textiles other in aggressive bidding wars to investors pay more attention to the business into a sprawling empire win projects. environmental impact of their busi- including telecoms and retail. Adani, Solar tariffs in India are already nesses and make decisions based on 59, is a self-made billionaire who has among the lowest in the world, having ESG ratings, analysts say. focused on electricity generation, fallen below 2 Indian rupees ($0.0269) One of Adani’s main businesses, transmission and distribution and the per kilowatt hour in auctions conduct- Adani Green Energy, currently domi- operation of ports and airports. ed in Gujarat. nates India’s renewables space. Its The two billionaires—and Modi— “I would expect by 2030 that they shares have soared over 156 percent in are all from the western Indian state [solar tariffs] will probably touch 1 the past year. Ambani wants Reliance of Gujarat. rupee per kilowatt hour,” said Tim to become net carbon zero by 2035, Ambani announced last month he Buckley, director of energy finance much ahead of 2050 target of global 6. will build 100 GW in solar energy studies at the Institute of Energy oil majors such as Royal Dutch Shell 7. capacity over the next nine years. He Economics and Financial Analysis. and BP. said his group would spend $10 billion Reliance has a track record of dis- “Reliance will emerge as the most 8. over the next three years in building rupting rival businesses. With cheap credible renewables player in the solar manufacturing units, a battery smartphones and data plans, its tele- country in the next two years. Its ESG factory for energy storage, a fuel cell com venture Jio has in five years scores will also improve, meaningful- 9. factory, and a unit to produce green dethroned market leaders Vodafone ly attracting money from ESG funds hydrogen. Three days later, Adani Idea and Bharti Airtel to become the globally,” Jefferies said in a note. announced that his green energy ven- largest telecom operator in India.Both If both companies hit their targets, ture would add 5 GW every year this Ambani and Adani have built busi- Reliance’s targeted solar capacity of 10. decade, from a current level of about nesses based on fossil fuels. Reliance 100 GW will be twice as large as 3.5 GW. runs the world’s biggest refining com- Adani’s, and the companies would

Analysts say there is sufficient plex at Jamnagar in Gujarat while together account for a third of all of space for multiple companies to grow Adani is India’s largest private sector India’s 2030 target.

BIZLINE

ADB appoints new country director for Nepal KATHMANDU: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Arnaud Cauchois as new Country Director for Nepal. As Country Director, Cauchois will lead ADB operations in the country and policy dialogue with the government of Nepal and other development partners. He will oversee the implementation of ADB’s country partnership strategy for Nepal that focuses on the country’s long-term development needs through improved infrastructure for private sector-led growth, improved access to devolved services, and environmental sustainability and resilience, reads the press release issued by the bank. Cauchois has almost 3 decades of pro- fessional experience, including over 15 years with ADB.

C M Y K THURSDAY, JULY 08, 2021 | 06 Sports | Medley

Briefing Martinez sends Argentina into Copa final against Brazil Inter await Christian Messi-led side beat Colombia 3-2 on penalties in the semi-final after Argentina stopper saves three spotkicks in the shootout following 1-1 draw. Eriksen with open arms Agence France-Presse ROME: New Inter Milan coach Simone BRASiLIA, July 7 Inzaghi said on Wednesday he will welcome Christian Eriksen back with Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was “open arms” after the Denmark mid- the hero as Argentina defeated fielder suffered a cardiac arrest dur- Colombia on penalties on Wednesday ing last month’s Euro 2020 defeat by to set up a dream Copa America final Finland. The 29-year-old spent several against Brazil. Argentina stopper days in hospital and had a defibrilla- Martinez saved three penalties in the tor implanted to regulate his heart- shoot-out after a bruising 1-1 draw in beat after the game on June 12. Brasilia. Eriksen’s prospects of resuming his Hosts Brazil beat Peru 1-0 in career are in doubt and the use of Monday’s first semi-final meaning such devices in professional football their star forward Neymar will line up in Italy are not clear but the club are against Lionel Messi’s Argentina on set to undergo medical tests on the Sunday at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic former Tottenham playmaker. “For Maracana stadium. now, he needs to rest, but as Inter Two years ago a Brazil team miss- coach I wait for him with open arms,” ing the injured Neymar knocked out Inzaghi said. “I spoke to him before Argentina in the semi-finals before the Euro, not since his accident. He’s winning their ninth Copa title on a player who I would count on,” he home soil. added. For Messi, 34, time is running out to win a first major international title with his national team, having previ- Balotelli joins newly-promoted ously lost in three Copa finals and the Turkish side Adana Demirspor 2014 World Cup final. For once he wasn’t his country’s ISTANBUL: Italy striker Mario Balotelli main hero, although he did create the on Wednesday joined newly-promoted opening goal for Lautaro Martinez on Turkish side Adana Demirspor, seven minutes, before Luis Diaz equal- where he will meet up with former ised just after the hour mark. In the Nice team-mate Younes Belhanda. shoot-out, goalkeeper Martinez three “World star Mario Balotelli has times dived to his left to save penalties signed a three-year contract,” his new from centre-backs Davinson Sanchez AFP/RSS club tweeted in saluting a “historic” and Yerry Mina, as well as midfielder Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez stops ball during the penalty shootout against Colombia in their Copa America semi-final match in Brasilia on Wednesday. transfer. Former Manchester City and Edwin Cardona. Liverpool forward Balotelli, 30, born And although Rodrigo De Paul skied pandemic and social unrest in Martinez to fire into the far corner. Gonzalez powered a header from a urgency to his side’s attack. But Di in Sicily to Ghanaian parents, arrives his penalty for Argentina, Messi— Colombia. Colombia almost hit back immediate- Messi corner goalwards, with Maria and Martinez contrived to after a short spell in Italy’s Serie B who finished with blood seeping visi- Despite the defeat, Colombia coach ly but goalkeeper Martinez was down Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina butcher a glorious chance to give with Monza last season. He previous- bly from his left ankle—was amongst Reinaldo Rueda was feeling positive, quickly to keep out Juan Cuadrado’s somehow scooping ball over the bar. Argentina the lead again. ly played for both Milan clubs, win- the scorers to give them a 3-2 victory saying their performance “invites us low strike. Colombia remained the better side Daniel Munoz’s wayward back pass ning three league titles with Inter, but on spot-kicks. to dream, to think we’re on the right After Argentina’s fast start, after the break with Duvan Zapata sent Di Maria scampering towards disciplinary problems have dogged Saving penalties “is a question of path.” “We should lift our heads, look Colombia started to dominate and having a shot blocked and substitute goal. He dribbled round Ospina and much of his career—though he luck and today it was my turn to be the each other in the eyes and know we Cuadrado sent a free-kick just over the Miguel Borja firing wide. But they teed up Martinez whose shot was starred for Italy in Euro 2012—that glorious one,” said Martinez. “We said have nothing to reproach ourselves bar. The Cafeteros cranked up the deservedly equalised on 61 minutes blocked on the line by Barrios before season he also won the Premier it the first day, we want to play the about,” he added. pressure and hit the woodwork twice when Cardona took a quick free-kick Di Maria blazed the rebound over. Di League with Manchester City. final and what better than playing Messi produced some early magic to in quick succession. After Wilmar from inside his own half and sent Diaz Maria then played in Messi who thud- Balotelli has won 36 caps, the last Brazil on their pitch.” beat three players and cross for Barrios’s half-volley deflected off Lo scampering away to hold off German ded a shot off the post before De Paul’s coming in 2018. Adana Demirspor Argentina and Colombia were actu- Martinez to head wide. Colombia Celso’s hand and struck the post, Mina Pezzella and dink a clever finish over follow up was charged down by won promotion back to the top flight ally supposed to be joint hosts but didn’t heed the warning and on seven headed resulting corner onto the bar. Martinez. Sanchez. for the first time since 1995 and have South American football’s governing minutes, Giovanni Lo Celso found But Argentina were a whisker away Argentina brought on Angel Di Messi shot a late free-kick into the also added Morocco attacker body CONMEBOL switched venues at Messi in the box, the diminutive star from doubling their advantage on the Maria for Gonzalez and the tricky wall but after the 90 minutes were up, Belhanda, 31, to their ranks. (AGENCIES) the 11th hour due to the coronavirus held off the giant Mina and picked out stroke of half-time when Nicolas winger immediately brought more it was Martinez who took centre stage. Djokovic marches on as Federer bows out in quarter-final Stokes urges England to enjoy series Agence France-Presse squad, with Stokes parachuted in as Agence France-Presse Federer, who turns 40 next month, Era and only the third in history to The top seed broke for the only time LONDON, July 7 captain in place of fellow World Cup- London, July 7 lost 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-0 to Poland’s Hubert complete a calendar Grand Slam of all in the second set in the ninth game winner and regular white-ball skipper Hurkacz, potentially bringing down four majors. which was enough for a two sets lead. Stand-in captain Ben Stokes has urged Eoin Morgan. Stokes had originally World number one and five-time the curtain on the Swiss legend’s All “I’m aware of certain stats, I love Djokovic had spent three hours fewer England’s new one-day squad to been left out by Englad to continue his champion Novak Djokovic reached his England Club career. It was the eight- this sport with all my heart, body and than the muscular Fucsovics in get- “enjoy” their unexpected chance recovery from a finger injury suffered 10th Wimbledon semi-final and 41st at time Wimbledon champion’s 14th soul and have been devoted to it since ting to the last-eight and his freshness against Pakistan and play with “a during Indian Premier League. the Grand Slams on Wednesday as defeat at the tournament in 119 match- I was four,” he said. “Sometimes showed when he crucially broke in smile on our face”. But the star all-rounder now finds 20-time Grand Slam winner Roger es and his first straight sets loss since things do look surreal for me but I try the first game of the third set and England’s original plans for a three- himself captaining an England squad Federer crashed out from the an opening round exit against Mario to live in the moment and take every then fought off two break points in match one-day international series featuring nine uncapped players and quarter-final. Ancic in 2002. opportunity I have on the court.” the sixth. were torn to shreds just 48 hours several surprise recalls. . Djokovic, chasing a record-equal- For the 34-year-old Djokovic it was Djokovic raced into a 5-0 lead in the Shapovalov fired 17 aces and 59 win- before Thursday’s opener in Cardiff “Situations like these are so rare ling 20th major, defeated Hungary’s 100th career grass court victory. first set before 29-year-old Fucsovics ners past Khachanov to reach his first after all the originally selected squad and such a fluster, I would say you Marton Fucsovics 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. He will Djokovic became only the third man to got on the board. The world number Grand Slam semi-final. The left-hand- were forced to self-isolate when three have got a chance to represent your face Canada’s 10th seed Denis capture all four majors more than 48, bidding to become the first ed Canadian will be a huge underdog players and four support staff all test- country so let’s do it with a smile on Shapovalov, who beat Russia’s Karen once with his second French Open Hungarian man since 1948 to make the against Djokovic having lost all ed positive for Covid-19. our face and just enjoy it as much as Khachanov 6-4, 3-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-4, for a victory last month. Now he is halfway semi-finals at Wimbledon, saved five six matches against the world That led England having to hastily we can as a group,” Stokes told a con- place in Sunday’s final. to becoming the first man in the Open set points. number one. assemble an entirely new 18-man ference call on Wednesday. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) ***** CANCER (June 22-July 22) **** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) ***** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Spend some quiet time tucked away on the home You’re stretching yourself like you never have Let yourself embrace the wild energy you’re Direct your focus towards your close relation- front today, Aries. The moon slides forward into before, Cancer. Be prepared to enter into this picking up on today, Libra. Your ruling planet, ships today. The moon wades through sentimen- sentimental Cancer today, directing your atten- new phase of self-expansion! Luna slides into peace-seeking Venus, locks into an electrifying tal Cancer and meets up with big-hearted tion towards family connections and the state of your sign this morning and forms an immediate square with change-demanding Uranus. Jupiter. This connection offers ample room for your living space. connection with optimistic Jupiter. This unsettling aspect dials up your need for healing and hopeful conversations around freedom. future plans.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) **** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** You easily get bogged down in routine. Honour your need for solitude, Leo. The moon Thursday’s cosmic landscape helps you break You need a sense of order and workflow efficien- Thursday’s skies work to awaken you from this crawls into cosy Cancer this morning, prompt- through worn-out perceptions of your world, cy to feel good today, Aquarius. The waning slumber, as electric Uranus squares off with ing you to disconnect from social media and to Scorpio. The moon wades into deep-feeling moon’s entrance into initiative-hungry Cancer your ruling planet, bond-building Venus. This reconnect with your spiritual centre. Today you Cancer and immediately links up with big-heart- helps you direct energy towards completing pro- unsettling contact can increase your need for will have an intense need for freedom around ed Jupiter, bringing a boost to your creative jects and crossing things off your to-do list. independence. career demands. potency.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Thursday’s cosmic landscape is ripe for relation- Pull back from needing to push ahead, Virgo. As a Sagittarius, it’s not always easy for you to It’s hard to focus on anything but pleasure-seek- ship revelations, Gemini. Lover Venus locks into The moon floats into docile Cancer this morn- be present with your emotions. Rather than ing under Thursday’s skies, Pisces. The moon an electrifying square with freedom-seeking ing, directing your focus towards your sense of chase some distant horizon, aim to venture wades into soulful Cancer and forms a sweet Uranus today. This aspect allows for honest con- belonging among friendships. It’s an ideal day inward and examine your feelings today—as the connection with your ruling planet, big-hearted versations that help keep everyone in the loop. for reconnecting with your cherished friends. moon slips into sensitive Cancer. Jupiter. This offers room for growth on the crea- tive front. Crossword Sudoku

Yesterday’s Solution

C M Y K THURSDAY, JULY 08, 2021 | 07

Resilient Italy show ability to suffer as well as entertain The Azzurri reach the final after defeating Spain 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time, completing a remarkable revival after failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

Reuters ROME, July 7

When the elated, exhausted Italians stepped up to face the cameras following their exhilarating Euro 2020 semi-final penalty shootout win over Spain, the same word kept coming up. “We all suffered together, now we are one centimetre away from becoming legends,” said Leonardo Bonucci. Man of the match Federico Chiesa said “we suffered as a team”, while manager Roberto Mancini pointed out: “There are games where you have to suffer. They can’t all be as smooth as our progress so far.” The theme continued into the following day’s newspapers. La Repubblica’s headline read: “Italy, how much suffering—now the dream is close”. Gazzetta dello Sport columnist and former Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri wrote: “What suffering, yet again, but this is international football at the top level. A magnificent spectacle, sport is also sweat, fatigue, struggle and tears.” None of this was intended in a negative sense. On the contrary, Italy’s ability to get over the line in by far their biggest challenge of the Euros so far has made many people on the pen- insula more convinced than ever of their abili- ty to go on and win it on Sunday. ap/rss Italy have won all six of their games at the Italy avenged their shootout loss to Spain in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals and their defeat in the Euro 2012 final, and completed a second straight Euro victory over the Spaniards after their 2-0 win in the last 16 at the Euro 2016. tournament, and in different ways. They domi- nated their three group games against Turkey, last 16, they toiled to an extra-time win of possession. The Spaniards also rained in 16 bursting forward and exchanging a one-two ing game, captain Giorgio Chiellini in their Switzerland and Wales, scoring seven goals against a physical side they were expected shots to Italy’s seven over the course of 120 with Olmo. second, and in-form full back Leonardo and conceding none. Against Austria in the to beat, lacking their usual verve and dyna- minutes, but the Italians soaked up the pres- The goal was the latest twist in an eventful Spinazzola against Belgium. But the way the mism but showing impressive sure and then showed composure when it was few weeks for Morata, who has been booed and collective has stepped up to surpass a series of resilience. A blistering first-half needed most in the shootout. even faced death threats from Spain supporters hurdles coming in different shapes and sizes of attacking football blew away the Jorginho coolly rolled the decisive kick after a couple of poor showings, before has impressed. Belgians in the quarter-final, with past Spain keeper Unai Simon at Wembley redeeming himself with a crucial goal in the There has been no single stand-out the two goals Italy scored after Alvaro Morata had been thwarted by a 5-3 win over Croatia. performer, demonstrated too by the fact that before halftime proving to be fine save from Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma But his tournament ended in dismay as his Mancini’s side has five different players on enough to win the game after a and Dani Olmo had blasted his effort over tame spotkick allowed Jorginho to clinch the two goals, becoming just the second team nervy second half. the bar. win for Italy. in Euros history to have as many after France But against Spain, it was a com- Mancini’s men took the lead on the hour Italy avenged their shootout defeat to Spain in 2000. pletely different task. through a sensational curler from Chiesa to in the Euro 2008 quarter-finals and their They have entertained and dazzled at times, Italy’s midfield has impressed so complete a sweeping counter-attack which resounding defeat in the Euro 2012 final, and but their ability to suffer, and their experience far in the tournament and the bat- began with keeper Donnarumma catching a completed a second straight European of doing so, could prove to be this team’s most tle in the centre of the park was Spain cross and rolling the ball out. Championship victory over the Spaniards after important attribute in Sunday’s final, where eagerly anticipated, but it proved Morata, who had been dropped from the their 2-0 win in the last 16 at Euro 2016. they will be looking to win the European to be no contest as Luis Enrique’s starting lineup after beginning all Spain’s pre- The Azzurri have taken knocks along the Championship for the first time since 1968 and side, led by the mesmerizing vious games, equalised with 10 minutes left, way in this tournament, losing Alessandro secure their first major trophy since winning 18-year-old Pedri, dominated 65% calmly slotting into the bottom corner after Florenzi to injury midway through their open- the 2006 World Cup. Semi-final Result TEAM STATS

Spain have hopes of a bright future 7 Shots 16 4 Shots on target 5 Associated Press was key in controlling the tempo in big tournament—the 2022 World Cup. MADRID, July 7 Spain’s midfield match after match. “We have to be happy and proud of 29% Possession 71% As of Wednesday morning, he was the what we have achieved,” Luis Enrique Losing big matches inevitably leads to player with the most distance covered said. “We have several young players 387 Passes 908 questions about the future. With Pedri at the tournament. He also had the and they contributed in such a way Gonzalez, Spain already seem to have highest passing accuracy in the that is hard to understand when you 74% Pass accuracy 88% the answer. semi-final match against Italy, at 98% look at their age. There are a lot of 17 Fouls 18 Still only 18, Pedri was the man in from 65 completed passes. positive things to look at going for- the middle at the European There were other young players ward.” 2 Yellow cards 1 Championship, starting every match helping out as well, like 23-year-old Six players from Euro 2020 were Italy 1 - 1 Spain for his team and controlling the tran- Dani Olmo. Although Olmo missed a included in the under-24 team that will 0 Red cards 0 sition between the defence and offence. penalty in the 4-2 shootout loss to Italy play at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics. 4 - 2 That quality and leadership, even on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium, he In addition to Pedri and Olmo, others 8 Offsides 1 coming from a teenager playing in his was still an important part of the run who are set to make the trip to Japan Penalties 1 Corners 6 first major tournament, helped Spain to the semi-finals. He led the tourna- include Unai Simon, Pau Torres, make it all the way to the semi-finals. ment in attempts and was second in Mikel Oyarzabal and Eric Garcia. And “What Pedri has done during this assists. there were more young players in the European Championship I haven’t Ferran Torres also contributed. The Euro 2020 squad, too, like Marcos seen done by any 18-year-old in any 21-year-old forward scored twice dur- Llorente and Adama Traore. Ansu other competition,” Spain coach Luis ing Spain’s run. Fati, also 18 and a teammate of Pedri’s Enrique said. “I’ve never seen any- Spain arrived at Euro 2020 sur- at Barcelona, missed the tournament thing like it.” rounded by doubts and under pres- because of injury. The constant comparisons to sure to overcome recent failures. The “This could be the start of some- Andres Iniesta, the great Spain play- country’s national team hadn’t gotten thing big for this national team,” the maker who helped the team win Euro past the round of 16 at a major tourna- 20-year-old Garcia said. 2008, Euro 2012 and the 2010 World ment since winning Euro 2012 with a All six players going to the Olympics Cup, don’t seem so exaggerated any- team that still included Iniesta and started at some point at Euro 2020. more. Not after this tournament. Xavi Hernandez. Simon stopped a penalty in the shoot- “Not even Iniesta did what Pedri The gritty performance by the out loss to Italy, and he had been key in did,” Luis Enrique said. youngsters, however, alleviated those the shootout win over Switzerland in Always calm and collected, Pedri concerns only a year before the next the quarter-finals. The 24-year-old goalkeeper made a bad mistake in the round of 16 against Croatia but made up for it with key saves later in the game. Olmo missed his penalty in the shootout against Italy, sending his kick over the bar, but he had set up Alvaro Morata’s equaliser that helped send the match into extra time at 1-1. Morata was the other player to miss from the penalty spot against Italy. “Dani Olmo was huge for us,” Luis Enrique said. “He is very smart, has a lot of quality. He is a very important player for us.” Spain played at Euro 2020 without longtime captain Sergio Ramos, who missed the tournament following an injury-filled season with Real Madrid. Sergio Busquets was the team’s most experienced player, and the only one left from the 2010 World Cup win- ning-squad. But now the focus is on next year’s World Cup in Qatar. And with Pedri, Ap/Rss AFP/rss Spain’s title-winning ways may just Danish football fans warm up before watching the European Championship 2020 semi-final football Spain exited the Euro 2020 painfully but Luis Enrique’s young side shone at the tournament. make a return. match between Denmark and England on the big screen at Sifs Plads in Copenhagen on Wednesday.

C M Y K THURSDAY, JULY 08, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.)—3/052/053 The pandemic is testing Nepal’s stand-up comedy scene With no in-person comedy shows, Nepal’s stand-up comics find themselves in unchartered territory.

Tsering Ngodup Lama Kathmandu

n last year’s Valentine’s Day, stand-up comic Prasiddha Dawadi performed a 20-minute set to an Oaudience of mostly young couples at a venue in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur. On that day, Nepal had only one known covid-19 case but the fear over the novel infection was already causing people to adopt caution and avoid crowded places. After Dawadi finished his per- formance, he had an ominous feel- ing that he wasn’t going to be doing stand-up comedy shows for some time. A little over a month later, on March 24, 2020, Nepal went into a lockdown. “Like most people, I thought that in a few months’ time, things would return to normalcy. But I was so wrong. I haven’t done a single in-person live show in more than 17 months now,” says Dawadi. Before the pandemic took hold last year, stand-up comedy culture in Nepal was growing and becom- ing increasingly popular. By the end of 2019, Kathmandu was host- ing more stand-up comedy shows and open mics than ever. Comics were also doing shows in cities such as Biratnagar, Butwal, Chitwan, Jhapa, Pokhara, etc. But the pandemic has brought a halt to the growth and forced comics to rethink and reimagine how they do stand-up comedy in a world

gripped by pandemic. Pixabay It was 2018 when Dawadi first began doing stand-up comedy. took it upon themselves to bring Dhumbarahi got in touch with me most parts of the world to come to such a way that people are seated ing, and I had almost forgotten the Kathmandu’s stand-up culture stand-up comedy to the people. and asked me to perform two sets. a stop, comics from across the close to each other so they get thrill of seeing people enjoy my was at a very nascent stage and At the time, many restaurants, I was paid Rs 500. Even though the world were forced to adapt to the influenced by each other’s laugh- jokes. It was great to be back on comics like Dawadi were begin- pubs and bars in the city had live amount was very little, that expe- changing times and many started ter,” says Shrestha. “But when it stage.” ning to explore the possibilities music shows to entertain and rience made me realise that one doing live virtual shows. Comics comes to virtual shows, this is But just as things appeared to be and testing comedic waters. attract patrons. can make money from stand-up in Nepal also followed suit, but the impossible.” heading towards normalcy, Nepal “When I entered the scene, there “So we began approaching res- comedy,” says Dawadi, who now transition has been anything but Another challenge of virtual was hit by the second wave of the were less than 10 stand-up comics. taurants, pubs and bars and charges around Rs 8,000 per show. smooth. shows in Nepal, says Shrestha, has pandemic. In April, many parts of It was a very close-knit communi- requested them to host stand-up Before the pandemic hit, Dawadi “As a comic, you feed off the to do with the financial aspect. Nepal went into a lockdown. ty and everybody knew each other comedy performances. But back in performed at open mics and did at energy of the audience. When you “People here are not very open “Before the pandemic, there personally,” said Dawadi. “At the 2018 and early 2019, stand-up com- least one comedy show a month. are performing on a stage in front to paying for virtual shows unless were a few comics who were doing start of 2020, there were around 30 edy wasn’t as well known as it is “At stand-up comedy shows, peo- of a live audience, you get instant they are charity shows. Comics shows regularly and were quite active stand-up comics and around today,” says Dawadi. “Many res- ple come specifically for comedy feedback on your jokes and that’s are still getting used to virtual successful. The pandemic has hit 10 of them were doing really well.” taurants didn’t really think of and there is often an entrance fee,” really important. You gauge the shows and we are still figuring out them the hardest. Many of them Based on how 2019 was for the stand-up comedy as a viable form says Dawadi, who works as a full- audience’s reaction and make how to make the best out of it,” are now doing podcasts, making stand-up comedy scene in the coun- of entertainment.” time multimedia content creator. changes accordingly,” says says Shrestha. “Virtual platforms YouTube videos and exploring try, 2020 was definitely looking like A handful of restaurants, says “But open mics are mostly hosted Dawadi. “But virtual shows are a also offer immense opportunities. other platforms,” says Shrestha. another year of more growth for Shrestha, did agree to provide by restaurants and pubs and com- whole different ball game and they Yozana Thapa Magar, a stand-up In June, the country began lift- the stand-up comedy scene, says stand-up comics with a platform. ics use the platform to test their come with their own sets of chal- comic, actually opened one of the ing the lockdown and some sem- Rajina Shrestha, who began doing “Until mid-2019, comics were new jokes and the audience mem- lenges. With virtual shows, you virtual shows of a famous Indian blance of normalcy has returned. stand-up comedy in 2018 and is one performing at a few restaurants, bers are mostly people who come don’t get instant feedback. And in comic Daniel Fernandes, which is But Dawadi, who hasn’t performed of the few active female stand-up pubs and bars, and as payments, to the establishments to eat and a country like Nepal, where inter- a big deal for a Nepali stand-up on stage in front of a live audience comics in the country. “I personal- these establishments provided drink.” net connection is not the most comic.” since February last year, says he ly know of some comics who were comics with free food,” says Before the pandemic took hold, reliable, there is a real risk of After more than 10 months of is cautious about performing working on doing their own solo Shrestha. “Around the same time, says Shrestha, three restaurants your audience not understanding no in-person shows, in early 2021, again. shows in 2020, and doing solo popular YouTube channels such as hosted open mics every week. your jokes because of internet as Nepal started seeing a consider- “Given that the number of daily shows is a big thing,” says The Storytellers, Nep-Gasm, “‘Beers n Cheers’ in Pulchowk, latency issues. Audiences on vir- able decline in the number of cases is still high, one can’t help Shrestha. “Nepal’s stand-up come- Viewfinders, also started giving ‘Paral’ in Maitidevi and ‘Dancing tual shows also often disrupt per- daily cases, people began hosting but think about the health risks dy culture has come a long way comics a platform, and stand-up Yak’ in Thamel hosted open mic formances by talking and making comedy shows once again. involved in doing live shows,” says since its early days in 2018.” comedy started gaining attention. once a week,” says Shrestha. “By comments in the middle of the “In January, a comedy show was Dawadi. “As a comic, one thing this Unlike countries that have dedi- By the second half of 2019, restau- late 2019, open mics were already show, and comics can’t even turn organised in Birgunj, and in the pandemic has made me realise is cated comedy clubs that host rants, clubs and bars were paying quite popular and there were peo- off audience members’ mics following weeks, a few stand-up that I have to be ready to perform stand-up comedy shows and pro- comics money to perform.” ple who came specifically to attend because then you don’t get to hear comedy shows were organised in on any kind of platform. At the vide a platform to promising new Dawadi fondly remembers his open mics.” their laughter.” Kathmandu as well. I performed end of the day, as a stand-up comic, comics, the Kathmandu of 2018, first paid stand-up gig. But the pandemic, says When organising live comedy two shows in March, my first since you have to be a good performer didn’t have any platform for aspir- “It was in 2018 and I had just Shrestha, has forced everything to shows, organisers, says Shrestha, February 2020,” says Shrestha. and be able to make people laugh. ing comics. begun dabbling in comedy. A a grinding halt. focus a lot on seating arrange- “Doing a live show after more than As long as comics can do that, The community, says Shrestha, newly opened restaurant in In 2020, as the pandemic forced ments. “Seating is arranged in a year was definitely overwhelm- things are going to work out.” Indian actor Dilip Kumar, who embodied melancholy on screen, dies at 98 Kumar’s role as the doomed lover in ‘Devdas,’ earned him the epithet of ‘tragedy king’.

Shilpa Jamkhandikar MUMBAI

ilip Kumar, one of India’s most respected actors known for his roles as a tragic hero in Bollywood films, Ddied on Wednesday morning, his family said. Kumar was 98 and had been ail- ing for some time, one of the doc- tors treating him told reporters. “He had breathing difficulties... We tried very hard. We had hoped he would reach 100,” the actor’s doctor Jalil Parkar said. Born Mohammed Yusuf Khan in 1922 in Peshawar, now in Pakistan, he was known by the screen name of Dilip Kumar once he joined Bollywood in the 1940s. He is survived by his wife, Saira Banu, a top Bollywood leading lady in the 1960s and 1970s. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan both expressed con- dolences, with Modi saying Kumar was “blessed with unparalleled brilliance”. “For my generation, Dilip Kumar was the greatest and REUTERS most versatile actor,” Khan said on Twitter. director-general of the archaeolo- playing tragic roles. Dilip Kumar”, actor Amitabh Dilip Kumar’s breakthrough role came At his residence in Mumbai, gy department. Bimal Roy’s adaptation of Sarat Bachchan said on Twitter. in 1949, with ‘Andaz’, where he played a Bollywood stars thronged to pay Chandra Chattopadhyay’s seminal Kumar said he felt weighed their respects, among them actor Tragedy King novel “Devdas” was the turning down after years of playing tragic jilted lover caught in a triangle between Shah Rukh Khan, producer Karan After moving from Peshawar to point in an already successful roles. In the late 1950s, he made a Johar and actress Vidya Balan. Pune, in India, Kumar did his first career, catapulting him to conscious attempt to play more the woman he loves and her husband. The funeral will be held later on film, “Jwar Bhata” in 1944, which super-stardom. His role as the upbeat roles, acting in romantic Wednesday. tanked. His breakthrough role doomed lover in “Devdas”, earned films like “Madhumati”, “Aan” Authorities in Peshawar in the came in 1949, with “Andaz”, where Kumar the epithet of “tragedy and “Naya Daur”. with a dancer girl, the 1960 film In his later years, although the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa he played a jilted lover caught in a king”—the man who embodied Another big career milestone was one of the most expensive hits were harder to come by, said they were planning to restore triangle between the woman he melancholy on screen. was K Asif ’s “Mughal-E-Azam”, in productions of the time but went Kumar retained his stature as the actor’s ancestral home in a loves and her husband. “An institution has gone .. when- which Kumar played Prince Salim, on to become the highest-grossing India’s first marquee star, whose narrow lane of the city. That role catapulted him to star- ever the history of Indian Cinema son of the Mughal emperor Akbar. film of the year, wowing audiences face on a poster was enough for “We are now working on its con- dom and was the beginning of a will be written, it shall always be A magnum opus that told the with opulent sets and a gorgeous audiences to throng the theatres. servation,” said Dr Abdus Samad, decade where he made a career of ‘before Dilip Kumar, and after story of the prince’s doomed affair musical score. — Reuters

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