WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 340 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 28.2 C -1.0 C Saturday, February 06, 2021 | 24-10-2077 Biratnagar Jumla Speaker moves court bringing key institutions of state in confrontation Agni Sapkota files petition against the constitutional body appointments made by the Constitutional Council where prime minister is the chair and chief justice a member.

BINOD GHIMIRE KATHMANDU, FEB 5

In what appears to be an unprecedent- ed incident in Nepal’s democratic practices, the head of the legislature has approached the Supreme Court to file a case against the heads of all key state agencies—the executive, the judiciary and the presidency. House Speaker Agni Sapkota on Friday filed a writ petition at the POST FILE PHOTO Supreme Court against Wednesday’s Speaker Agni Sapkota appointments of office bearers to various constitutional bodies inviting appointments were unconstitutional a direct confrontation with the two because the Constitutional Council, other state agencies. headed by Prime Minister KP Sharma The Speaker moved the court two Oli, had made those recommendations POST PHOTO: PRAKASH CHANDRA TIMILSENA days after President Bidya Devi after amending the Constitutional Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli addresses a mass meeting, organised by the Bagmati provincial committee of his faction of Nepal Communist Party, in front of Narayanhiti Palace, which used to appointed 32 office-bearers to 11 con- Council Act through an ordinance and be the seat of the abolished monarchy, in Kathmandu on Friday. stitutional bodies. the nominees had not gone through a The 32 office bearers were recom- parliamentary hearing, a process mended by the Constitutional Council made mandatory by the constitution. on December 15. Along with the 32 appointees, “A writ challenging the appoint- the Office of the President, Prime Oli counts his achievements as if in a poll rally ments has been registered,” Kishor Minister Oli as the chair of the Poudel, a communication expert at the Constitutional Council, Chief Justice Supreme Court, told the Post. “Speaker Cholendra Shumsher Rana and Sapkota himself was present to file National Assembly Chairman Ganesh and defends move of dissolving the House the petition.” Timilsina as the council members, the The hearing on the petition will secretary at the council secretariat, commence on Sunday. and Chief Secretary Shankar Das Wednesday’s move has invited wide- Bairagi have been made defendants. Addressing a mass gathering, prime minister expresses his commitment to the federal democratic republic. spread criticism, as many say the >> Continued on page 2

TIKA R PRADHAN allegations that he is in a bid to take ing the House because experts say KATHMANDU, FEB 5 the country on a regressive path. “No Nepal’s constitution does not allow a one should even think of altering the majority prime minister to do so. In Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on federal democratic republic. We have giving Britain’s example, however, Oli Friday tried to defend his House fought for it.” was right to say that the country does dissolution move, as he encouraged Oli, who returned to power on the not have a written constitution but he his party cadres to create an environ- nationalistic plank, lately has been wrongly drew reference to justify his ment for the polls, and asserted his trying to woo the pro-monarchy, House dissolution move. commitment to the federal democratic pro-Hindu constituency. His visit to House dissolution in Britain is gov- republic. Pashupatinath Temple, the first by a erned by the Fixed-Term Parliament Addressing his supporters—the sitting communist prime minister, and Act-2011. number was estimated to be around his unending lectures on Hinduism The act not only stipulates a clear 40,000 to 50,000 even though the party and Lord Ram in recent days have schedule for elections but also has had claimed to bring in 200,000—from given ample room for people to ques- removed the ability of the monarch to a stage in front of Narayanhiti, which tion his commitment to secularism. formally dissolve Parliament at the used to be the seat of kings until mon- It was, however, the first occasion prime minister’s recommendation. archy was abolished, Oli appeared when Oli publicly expressed his com- The act also has two exceptions. defensive. mitment to the federal republic. Early elections could be held if a “This KP Oli, who fought for half a Oli charged his opponents with try- motion for an early general election is century for a republican set-up, ing to spread rumours against him, agreed either by at least 434 Members democracy and social justice and saying he would declare the revival of of Parliament out of 650; or, if a equality, will declare revival of mon- monarchy from Friday’s gathering. motion of no confidence is passed and archy, they say,” said the 69-year-old, Justifying his December 20 House no alternative government is con- in what looked like his response to dissolution move, Oli said that he had firmed by the House of Commons declared elections for April 30 within 14 days. and May 10 for [political] stabili- In Oli’s case, he has cited articles t y. that are meant for the formation of a But instead of offering any government to dissolve the House. grounds provided by Nepal’s Constitutional experts say Oli killed constitution, Oli presented the House even before giving it an Britain’s example to back his opportunity to explore if there was House dissolution move. any possibility of forming an alterna- Oli said that the United tive government. Kingdom does not have a written Oli also said that he was forced to constitution, but the prime min- dissolve the House because he was not ister there recently dissolved the allowed to perform by his opponents House, using his inherent power. in the party. Oli faces criticism for dissolv- >> Continued on page 2 Home minister announces ‘third people’s movement’, but many wonder what it means In a bid to win Oli’s favour, Thapa warns his former comrade Dahal that if his agitation turns violent he, as home minister, will lock up the former rebel leader in the zoo.

ANIL GIRI Representatives on December 20, the KATHMANDU, FEB 5 Nepal Communist Party has split into two—one led by Oli and the other by Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal. was deputy to Pushpa Kamal Dahal Despite efforts by Dahal to bring his when he led the decade-long armed former comrade-in-arms Thapa into conflict launched in 1996 to abolish his fold, the latter chose to side with monarchy. the prime minister keeping his home On Friday, Thapa, standing on a minister’s chair intact. stage set up in front the main entrance The two factions have been at each to Narayanhiti Palace, the seat of other’s throats since the dissolution. Nepal’s Shah monarchs and where the Being the powerful home minister last Shah king, Gyanendra, announced POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI with the Nepal Police and the Armed his abdication in 2008, challenged his Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa Police Force under his command, former chief Dahal. Thapa can afford to threaten Dahal “If anyone tries any reckless effort to change the style of ongoing agita- with the might of the state. to carry out the ‘non-vegetarian’ agita- tion against the House dissolution Besides, Thapa has now become a tion, that person will be locked inside from “vegetarian” to “non-vegetari- trusted lieutenant of Oli, who seems the zoo,” the usually taciturn Thapa an”, meaning that the leaders and to be acting as if he is the state, thundered in front of thousands. “Our cadres of his faction of the Nepal threatening the judiciary, filling the law and constitution consider such Communist Party must be more constitutional bodies that are ‘non-vegetarian’ agitation a crime.” aggressive and violent on the streets supposed to keep a check on the Thapa was referring to Dahal’s so that the government will respond to functioning of the government with words. them. his henchman and making a mockery Some days back, Dahal had said at a After Prime Minister KP Sharma of the constitution. public function that there was a need Oli dissolved the House of >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Teenage girl found dead in Baitadi forest Speaker moves court bringing The girl’s family suspects that she was murdered and have demanded authorities to arrest the perpetrators. key institutions of state ... TRIPTI SHAHI when she did not come home on >> Continued from page 1 According to Adhikari, the ongoing fric- BAITADI, FEB 5 time. The constitution stipulates a six-member tion between the different state agencies is a “There were scars on her body Constitutional Council headed by prime clumsy example of partisan politics, which A teenage girl was found dead at and her clothes were torn,” minister, with House Speaker, deputy does not bode well for democracy. Chadepani in Dogadakedar Rural said Adhikari. “Her undergarment Speaker and the leader of the main opposi- “The Dahal-Nepal faction is using the Municipality-7, Baitadi, on had bloodstains. Police tion among the members. Speaker as a tool to put pressure on the gov- Thursday. The 17-year-old had gone investigators have also recovered There was no deputy Speaker elected, and ernment,” said Adhikari. “Sapkota’s role as to school on Wednesday and never her mobile set and bag from the the Oli government had amended the provi- Speaker has been dubious. At times, he returned home. incident site.” sions in such a way that the presence of the absented himself from the Constitutional According to the District Police The girl’s family suspects that Speaker and leader of the opposition was Council meetings, and other times, he Office in Baitadi, her body was dis- she was murdered and have not necessary. delayed some bills in Parliament.” covered in Lovelake forest on demanded authorities to arrest the The Speaker had already expressed his Oli has argued that he was forced to intro- Thursday. The body has been sent perpetrators. dissatisfaction at the December 15 recom- duce the ordinance to amend the to the District Hospital for post The family of the deceased, local mendations saying that he was not informed Constitutional Council Act as members, mortem. residents and students from about the meeting as per the mandated including Speaker, were refusing to attend “We can’t confirm the cause of POST PHOTO: TRIPTI SHAHI Sanatan school staged rule—that members must be informed the meetings, while constitutional positions her death until we receive the post The family of the deceased and local residents staged demonstrations in Dogadakedar demonstrations in Dogadakedar about the meeting 48 hours beforehand. remained vacant. mortem report,” said Deputy on Friday, demanding justice for the deceased. on Friday, demanding swift Earlier on Sunday, the Speaker had sent The amendment to the Act meant the Superintendent of Police Narayan justice for the deceased and back documents related to the Constitutional meeting could convene if the majority of Prasad Adhikari. The deceased was a 12th grader around 2pm after classes. strong action against the perpetra- Council’s recommendations to its secretari- members—three—are present and take a A sniffer dog along with a special at Sanatan Dharma Secondary “The distance between her house tors. They also obstructed at. Experts say Sapkota’s moves are question- decision through the majority. team from Kathmandu have been School in Khochlek, Ward No. 3 of in Chadepani and the school is Mahakali Highway for four hours able but the situation the country is facing is Earlier provisions also called for the pres- deployed to investigate the inci- the rural municipality. around one hour,” he said. on Friday. invited by Oli who has been making uncon- ence of majority members for the meeting dent. “A team led by SSP Janak Raj Baladev Nath, principal of Shankar Bhatta, the victim’s “We will continue to protest until stitutional moves one after another. to convene, but without the Speaker and the Pandey of Sudurpaschim Police Sanatan Secondary School, said the uncle, said that the family assumed the police arrest the culprits and Over the years, since assuming office in leader of the opposition, it was almost has also been mobilised to investi- victim had attended school on that she had gone to a relative’s take action against them,” said February 2018, Oli has taken a slew of deci- impossible for holding the meetings. Earlier gate the incident,” said Adhikari. Wednesday and had left for home at house after school on Wednesday Bhuwan Karki, a local student. sions aimed at centralising power. And in provisions said the decision must be taken doing so, he has not spared any institution. through consensus and if that did not hap- His actions have brought disgrace upon the pen, the next meeting could decide on the Office of the President, with many saying basis of majority. that the head of executive had reduced the But by changing the provisions, Oli made head of state to the clerical status, where the it easier for the council to take decisions, as Oli counts his achievements as if in a poll rally ... high office’s job has been just to put a stamp a meeting could take place without the on the government’s decisions. Speaker and leader of the main opposition. >> Continued from page 1 “People are saying they want polls. Now every- front of the former royal palace. Many believe But Oli’s House dissolution decision cre- As Dahal had already upped his ante But at the same breath, Oli claimed that one might have heard,” said Oli. “The country with his nationalist card fading, Oli is now try- ated more mess, as with a stroke of the pen, against Oli, Sapkota was reluctant to attend under his leadership the country has made has gone to the polls now. Now the election will ing to use the Hindu card. he dragged other key institutions—the judi- the meetings, thereby creating a lack of massive progress and achieved unprecedented determine who should form the government.” Even though Oli spoke nothing on the matter, ciary and the legislature—into controversy, quorum in the council. development. Oli also refrained from making acerbic com- some of his confidantes believe that the issue of giving rise to dirty partisan politics. According to Adhikari, while the decision No prior government has ever achieved such ments, a permanent fixture otherwise of all his federalism and secularism, which according to “The way the situation is unfolding in to issue the ordinance to revise the quick development, he declared. addresses, against his opponents. them were adopted forcibly, could be the agenda Nepal is an ugly example of partisan poli- Constitutional Council Act was against the “In the last three years, we have blacktopped “I would like to say whether we want instabil- of the party during the upcoming polls. tics,” Krishna Pokhrel, a professor of politi- spirit of the constitution, the Speaker’s 6,000km of roads; constructed more than 400 ity or we want polls,” said Oli. “We don’t threat- “Though Oli did not talk anything about these cal science at Tribhuvan University, told the refusal to attend the meetings [before the bridges and built over 400 suspension bridges,” en anyone like they [Dahal-Nepal faction]. They issues, I believe our party could make a referen- Post. “Oli started it by dissolving Parliament ordinance] was also wrong. said Oli. “We are inaugurating substations and use threatening languages but we make requests dum on both secularism and federalism one of and others seem to be in a competition to “It was incumbent upon Sapkota as a key transmission lines each day. We are focused on with respect. They threatened the Supreme the agendas for the upcoming polls,” said Karna further ruin the system.” member of the Constitutional Council to infrastructure and modernising the agriculture Court and the Election Commission. So I want to Bahadur Thapa, a central member of the Oli By now it has become apparent which key participate in the meetings and conduct the sector.” urge our institutions which are independent to faction. person stands where. required vetting of the nominees,” said He said that Pancheshwar Power Project will make decisions with their conscience.” Though there are some pro-Hindu, pro-monar- National Assembly chair Timilsina has Adhikari. “The way politics of the country be constructed soon, irrigation will begin at Leaders of the Dahal-Nepal faction have been chy forces in Nepal, they are scattered and are made his position clear that he is with Oli, is moving ahead shows there are many Chandani-Dodhara in six months, flood issues saying that the House must be restored and elec- not well organised. In recent months, they have just as Speaker Sapkota has—that he will more events on the cards that could harm will be resolved in the Tarai, postal highway is tions could invite instability. been organising rallies in different parts of the toe Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s line. democracy. ” almost complete, East-West Highway widening Geja Sharma Wagle, a political commentator, country, including in Kathmandu, demanding Sapkota was picked for the Speaker’s post After registering the petition at the work is underway and railway services will said Friday’s gathering by the Oli faction looked reinstatement of the Hindu state and monarchy. by Dahal after a long-drawn tug-of-war in Supreme Court on Friday, Sapkota at a press begin after a few days. more like an election rally. The Oli administration, which has been swift January last year over the appointment. conference said that he had decided to chal- “We can reach Keyrung [on China border] “Oli’s silence on secularism, however, was in deploying security apparatus when protests Rana as chief justice is wearing multiple lenge the appointments to “safeguard the within one hour after two tunnels are construct- meaningful,” said Wagle. are held, however, has rarely used force hats—he leads the Supreme Court and is a constitution”. ed,” he said. He also took credit for making “tre- Though Oli repeatedly expressed his commit- against pro-Hindu, pro-monarchy demonstra- member of the Constitutional Council. The “The act of administering oaths to the mendous” achievements in controlling the coro- ment to the federal republic, he chose not to tions, stoking speculation if Oli holds a soft cor- council had made recommendations in his chairs and members of constitutional com- navirus pandemic. touch upon anything Hindu, unlike in his recent ner for them. presence on December 15. Rana was the one missions without the mandatory parliamen- “We have controlled an increasing mortality programmes where he oftentimes brought one The one politically organised party in Nepal who administered the oath to the appointees tary hearing is a blatant attack on the con- rate due to Covid-19. Now we have already thing or the other related to the religion. with pro-Hindu, pro-monarchy agenda is the on Wednesday. stitution,” said Sapkota. “At this adverse brought its vaccine. The vaccination has already Wagle said Oli will continue to try to woo con- Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which won just one Constitutional experts say it is unfortu- situation, I urge intellectuals, mediaper- started from those working on the frontlines. servative and rightist constituencies of the seat in the federal parliament in the 2017 elec- nate for the country to see an open confron- sons, civil society and members of the pub- This will continue until we become Covid-19 Nepali society. tions. tation among the key state agencies which lic to unite against such moves.” free,” he said. “Treatment of Covid-19 is going “I think by holding the function today, Oli just Though it initially objected to Oil’s House dis- are supposed to ensure the checks and bal- Balaram KC, a former justice at the well. Today swab tests are taken from 82 places wanted to show his strength,” Wagle told the solution move, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party ances. Supreme Court, said Oli’s highhandedness, every day. We are vaccinating from more than Post. “So in terms of content, there was little.” later welcomed the government’s bid to seek a Bipin Adhikari, former dean at the anarchism and arbitrariness have thrown 300 booths. We laid the foundation stones of 309 Friday’s mass gathering by the Oli faction fresh mandate. Kathmandu University School of Law, said the country into a big mess. hospitals in a day.” came as a response to other parties, especially Mohan Shrestha, a central member of the the extraordinary jurisdiction of the judici- “It would have been better for this situa- Nepal rolled out its coronavirus vaccination the Dahal-Nepal faction which has been holding Rastriya Prajatantra Party, said it was unlikely ary basically is for the ordinary people, not tion not to come, but today’s petition by drive on January 27 with one million doses of demonstrations ever since Oli dissolved the that Oli would make any announcements on for the ones who lead the state agencies. Sapkota should also not be taken otherwise, Covid-19 vaccine provided by India under grant House. Hindu state. According to him, if state agencies start as he has used his right to challenge the assistance. But according to South Asia Check, On January 22, Oli had ridiculed the Dahal- “At least I was not in confusion of any sort. I challenging each other in the court of law, government,” KC told the Post. “This hap- Oli’s claims that the government is vaccinating Nepal faction’s demonstrations, saying his party had not expected anything related to Hindu state the balance of power gets disturbed. pens in other countries including the United people from 300 booths is wrong. Citing the will show what a mass gathering really means. from Oli,” Shrestha told the Post. “He cannot The principle of separation of powers States of America as well.” Health Ministry, South Asia Check said that on In the lead up to Friday’s programme, criti- take the risk of going beyond the democratic and divides the tasks of the state into three Experts say Oli, through a series of February 1, people were vaccinated against cism had come thick and fast. A governing party republican framework now.” branches: the legislature, the executive and actions, disturbed the balance of power and Covid-19 in 77 districts from 191 booths. in Nepal has not held any programme in a show Analysts say Oli might continue to try wooing the judiciary. hence the country is facing a situation Oli on Friday appeared to be out on the of force in recent past. Oli was facing more cen- the pro-monarchy, pro-Hindu constituencies but The tasks are assigned to different insti- where major state agencies are in a legal hustings. sure for the choice of venue—Durbarmarg in making any announcement on those issues tutions in such a way that each of them can battle. And this confrontation between the would have been like shooting oneself on the put a check on others. As a result, no one state agencies is not good for democracy and foot. institution can become so powerful in a the constitution, according to them. “Oli knows very well that speaking in favour democracy as to destroy this system. “Now the country is facing a situation of such matters publicly would make him lose It was therefore Oli’s December 15 ordi- where the key state agencies seem to be in a the ground on which he stands,” said Hari Roka, nance to amend the Constitutional Council confrontational mode,” said Adhikari, the a political commentator. “Any announcement Act that attracted widespread criticism, law professor. “This is going to cost high regarding Hindu state and monarchy would because he had disturbed the power balance for our hard-earned democracy and mean going against the constitution.” envisioned by the constitution. constitution.” Home minister announces ‘third people’s ...

>> Continued from page 1 tion said that Thapa is trying to show his own Some security experts say that individuals Thapa, on his part, has also been trying to foil strength inside the faction to increase his clout. like home minister should not speak the lan- the agitation of the Dahal-Nepal faction, accord- “That is why Tamang-led youths held a sepa- guage of threat: otherwise, there will be no dif- ing to leaders of the faction. rate motorcycle rally in Kathmandu on ferences between the home ministers of the “We have reports about his instructions to Thursday,” the leader said on condition of ano- Panchayat era and now. security agencies to foil our agitation, his direc- nymity. “The home minister should speak the lan- tives to take stern action against our movement Before Friday’s protest, Thapa had instructed guage of rule of law, should remind the people and our cadres,” a standing committee member his own district leaders and cadres of Bagmati what is written in the law,” former deputy of the Dahal-led faction said. Province to bring the maximum number of peo- inspector general of Nepal Police Hemanta On the other hand, now that he is in the Oli ple to Friday’s mass gathering, the leader of the Malla said. “A person holding such a sensitive camp, Thapa as the home minister had a role to Oli faction said. post should not speak the language of threat. play to bring supporters from different parts of While Thapa may be trying to cozy up to Oli The home minister should tell what the law says the country to Friday’s mass gathering of the and create his own base within the faction as is if anyone is going to break the rule and should faction. natural in political games, what surprised many sensitise them accordingly.” According to a senior Home Ministry official, was Thapa’s announcement on Friday of the Security agencies deal with issues related to Thapa had also instructed security agencies to “third people’s movement”, despite being part of law and order, Malla said. facilitate people coming from outside Kathmandu the government. Sharma, a former Maoist commander, on Thursday despite the nationwide strike called The people’s movement of 1990, led by the was even more scathing in his reaction to by the Dahal-Nepal faction to protest the 32 Nepali Congress and the United Left Front, an Thapa’s announcement of a ‘third people’s appointments in 11 constitutional bodies on alliance of seven left parties, ushered in mul- movement’. Wednesday. ti-party democracy ending three decades of “He must have forgotten what revolt and agita- If Thapa seems to have a point to prove to monarchial one-party Panchayat rule. tion is. I want to remind him. Morally speaking, Dahal, he also seems to have a point to prove to The people’s movement led the seven main- how can he lead the revolt now! He is now part of Oli that he deserves to be his deputy. stream political parties and the armed CPN regression and is now giving us a lecture on He is now playing a role to bring about a tie-up (Maoist) against the autocratic rule of another round of revolt and revolution,” said between Prime Minister Oli and some former Gyanendra Shah came to be known as the second Sharma. “This is pathetic. He must be pleasing Maoist combatants in order to bring them into people’s movement. Oli by speaking such nonsense. But if he does their fold by making some commitments to the “We do not know what he wanted to say but not speak like that, how can he secure his posi- former fighters of the armed conflict. this is not a political language that one expects,” tion in the Oli camp?” Thapa is also trying to revive the Young Dev Gurung, a former colleague of Thapa who is Long-time Oli ally Pradeep Gyawali, the for- Communist League, a controversial youth organ- now with the Dahal faction. “As the home minis- eign minister, however, was diplomatic when isation of the dissolved CPN (Maoist) formed ter, he should speak political language but when asked to comment on his Cabinet colleague’s after the Maoists signed a peace deal in 2006. the fall is near, people use such language.” outburst. After the merger between CPN (Maoist- As Thapa is known to speak little in public and “He [Thapa] has his own style of speaking so I Centre) and CPN-UML in May, 2018 to form the is considered introverted, it was all the more do not want to make comments on his state- Nepal Communist Party (NCP), the Young reason for those who know him to be surprised ments,” Gyawali said. “Since we have a strong Communist League was merged with Yuwa at his outburst. people’s mandate, that is why he was referring to Sangh Nepal, a youth organisation of the UML “His statement as home minister is very dis- another people’s movement.” to form Rastriya Yuwa Sangh Nepal. graceful,” said another former Maoist leader, As for his statement on locking up agitators But with Nepal Communist Party vertically who is in the Dahal-Nepal faction, on condition inside the zoo, Gyawali said that it was due to divided, its sister organisations too have been of anonymity. Thapa’s old schooling [from the days he was an divided with Ram Prasad Sapkota, chair of the Janardan Sharma, a former home minister armed fighter]. Rastriya Yuwa Sangh Nepal joining the Dahal- and long-time colleague of Thapa’s during the But observers are, nonetheless, shocked by Nepal camp. Thapa, therefore, is trying to revive ‘people’s war’, said Thapa’s “third people’s move- what Thapa said on Friday in front of the Young Communist League under the leader- ment” announcement did not even deserve to be Narayanhiti Palace. ship of Biru Tamang, a former league leader. commented on. “The home minister’s statement or warning is A 99-member central committee of the Young “What should I say for such a nonsense state- not law,” said Malla. “He is inviting a very seri- Communist League was formed in the last week ment?” Sharma said. “I could not get the mean- ous confrontation. This is a provocation. People of January. ing of what he wanted to indicate that Oli and sitting in responsible positions should be aware A central committee member of the Oli fac- Thapa will go for the third people’s movement.” of this fact.”

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2021 NATIONAL Westerly disturbance, moving eastwards, Government has not brings much-needed rain and snow procured essential drugs Other than the ongoing spell, the country has only received eight percent of normal winter rainfall so far. for over 18 months CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL KATHMANDU, FEB 5 The essential drugs provided for free are key to preventing

With an active westerly disturbance deaths by non-communicable diseases, doctors say. making its way to the east, the coun- try, which has remained dry and warm ARJUN POUDEL that those suffering from these ail- so far this winter, is likely to witness KATHMANDU, FEB 5 ments should not discontinue their some rainfall. medicines, even when their health According to the Meteorological Thousands of people suffering from returns to normal. Forecasting Division, the disturbance, non-communicable diseases across According to Dr Megnath Dhimal, which entered the country’s western the country have been deprived of free chief researcher at the Nepal Health parts on Thursday, has made its pres- essential medicines for months, as the Research Council, 68 percent prema- ence felt throughout the country lead- government hasn’t procured such ture deaths in the country are respon- ing to overcast conditions and light drugs since the beginning of the fiscal sible for non-communicable diseases. drizzle in many parts. year 2019-20. The government has listed medi- “The weather is generally cloudy People suffering from high blood cines for non-communicable diseases throughout the country. The distur- pressure, diabetes, respiratory diseas- as essential drugs and committed to bance which came from Sudurpaschim es, and heart ailments, among others, distributing them free of cost. and Karnali Province reached have been compelled to buy the medi- “We will procure and supply the Bagmati Province on Friday after- cines out of their own pockets or to medicines to health facilities this noon,” said Nirajan Sapkota, a senior discontinue consuming the drugs. year,” Baral said. meteorologist with the weather office. “The budget allocated for essential Several studies show that two out of “The weather can be attributed to a medicines for non-communicable dis- three deaths in Nepal are caused by westerly low-pressure system support- eases got frozen last fiscal year,” Dr non-communicable diseases. The ed by moisture coming in from the Phanindra Prasad Baral, the chief of country’s burden of non-communica- southwest of India.” Non-Communicable Disease and ble diseases has been ever-increasing. Rainfall has been scarce in the Mental Health Section at Epidemiology Nepal Burden of Disease-2017, a country so far this winter. The and Disease Control Division, told the report published by the Nepal Health Department of Hydrology and Post. “We did allocate a budget to pro- Research Council, shows that Meteorology had forecasted that the cure medicines this year, but the pro- non-communicable diseases are the country would witness a hot- curement process is yet to start.” leading causes of death—66 percent of ter-than-usual and dry winter in its He, however, said that the budget all deaths—in the country. Heart dis- Winter Climate Outlook. has been reduced this year to only ease, chronic obstructive pulmonary “This is only the second spell of around Rs 30 million from Rs 40 disease, lower respiratory infection, rainfall in the country [this winter] million last year. and stroke are the leading killers. after a brief spell of rain was recorded POST PHOTO: AASH GURUNG The Ministry of Health and Doctors say that authorities con- in the first week of January,” Indira People walk towards their destinations during a snowfall in the mountain district of Manang on Friday. Population reduced the budget for cerned should not take the issue of the Kadel, a senior meteorologist with the treatment of non-communicable dis- medicine for non-communicable dis- department, told the Post. “The pre- snowfall may occur at many places in Saturday. “Chances of rainfall in By Saturday night, partly to gener- eases by more than two-thirds during ease lightly, as a lot of people suffering vailing weather system has already the high mountain districts. Kathmandu Valley are high until ally cloudy conditions will persist in the last fiscal year compared to the from such ailments cannot afford reached Province 1 and will contrib- Several places in the high-moun- Saturday. Rainfall can also be expected Province 1, Province 2 and Bagmati funds allocated for 2018-19. to pay. ute some rainfall across the country.” tains received snowfall on Friday. In in the evening on Saturday,” Sapkota Province with light rainfall in one or A total of Rs 135 million was set “Our experience from the coronavi- According to the Department of Mugu, where farmers had been wor- told the Post early on Friday. two places and snowfall in few places aside for the procurement of medi- rus pandemic shows that people suf- Hydrology and Meteorology, the coun- ried about their winter crops, snowfall However, the rainfall will not be of high hills and mountains of cines for non-communicable diseases fering from non-communicable diseas- try has so far received only 8.1 percent from Thursday night has brought heavy in the hills. Isolated spells of Province 1, Bagmati and Gandaki in 2018-019. es are highly vulnerable to communi- of the average annual winter rainfall much-needed relief. rainfall could be recorded in the Tarai, Province. The Ministry of Health and cable diseases such as Covid-19,” Dr so far, excluding the latest spell. “Except in Province 1, the mountain said Sapkota. The weather will improve on Population provides more than 70 dif- Megnath Dhimal, chief researcher at “Winter rainfall has been signifi- region has experienced snowfall and According to the daily forecast, Sunday, when except for overcast con- ferent types of medicines for commu- the Nepal Health Research Council, cantly low this year,” said Kandel. the mid-hills have received drizzle,” light rain is likely to occur at a few ditions in the hills, the rest of the nicable and non-communicable dis- told the Post. “Most people who died On Friday morning, the weather said Sapkota. “While the disturbance places of Province 1 and many places country will get clear weather. eases to all district hospitals with at of Covid-19 were suffering from office forecasted partly to generally will slowly spread across Province 1 in the hilly areas of Bagmati, Gandaki, “We will not see heavy or persistent least 25 beds. Patients get more than 60 non-communicable diseases.” cloudy weather throughout the coun- and Province 2 on Saturday, the weath- Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim rainfall across the country. But this types of essential medicines at prima- Data from the Health Ministry try with the possibility of light to er will start to clear from the western Province. rain spell will surely come as a relief ry healthcare centres and 35 types of shows that over 60 percent of the moderate rain at many places of part of the country. But before that, The meteorological forecasting divi- as we have had only one spell of rain drugs at health posts. deceased were over 60 years of age. Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and there will be rain and snow.” sion’s three-day weather forecast said this winter,” said Sapkota, the senior Doctors say medication for most Among them, around 80 percent had Sudurpaschim Provinces and at some According to Sapkota, many places many places of Province 1 and few meteorologist. “Winter rainfall has non-communicable diseases—high underlying conditions such as high places of Province 1 and Bagmati in the hills, including Kathmandu places of Province 2, Bagmati and been delayed, but will help watering blood pressure, diabetes, respiratory blood pressure, renal ailments, diabe- Province. The weather forecasting Valley, will receive rainfall Friday Gandaki Province will see rainfall on winter crops and restoring snow in diseases, heart diseases—works only tes, respiratory problems, heart dis- division also said light to moderate night and this will continue even on Saturday afternoon. the mountains.” when taken regularly. They advise ease, and others. Oli’s show of strength strikes different notes with different people While commuters see it as a traffic nuisance, supporters rally behind the prime minister.

POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA A traffic jam seen at a street in Kathmandu due to the rally organised by Prime Minister Oli’s faction of Nepal Communist Party on Friday.

ANUP OJHA Marg and Bhadrakali areas were over- again become a Hindu kingdom. KATHMANDU, FEB 5 run by a sea of people attending a “Though we are Muslims, we want protest rally organised by the Dahal- the Hindu kingdom back. At least For Rabindra Prajapati, who works at Nepal group. there was not much corruption when a bank at Durbarmarg, Prime Minister On Friday, according to the the king was there,” said Kalamudin KP Sharma Oli’s political rally in Metropolitan Traffic Police Division, Ansari, 57, from Birgunj Metropolitan front of the Narayanhiti Palace, was a rallies were organised from 13 differ- City. nuisance. Prajapati faced a lot of trou- ent locations in the city. Around 700 The demonstration venue saw brisk ble commuting to work on Friday. buses entered Kathmandu from out- business for hawkers, who were seen “This is disgusting. They are show- side Valley--most passengers coming selling peanuts, oranges, noodles and ing their power within the party in to take part in the demonstration. water. “Mass gatherings like this are instead of serving people at a time Buses used to ferry demonstrators good for us. At least we can earn some when the Covid-19 pandemic is not were parked on major road sections in money without being harassed by over,” said Prajapati. the city such as Tripureshwor, police,” said Parbati Tamang, 33, who But try saying that to the thousands Koteshwor and Kupondole--adding to was selling oranges to protesters. of supporters of the prime minister. the traffic woes. “We support those who let us work Oli received praise and adulation from But Oli’s supporters didn’t mind the and earn a little and treat us like his supporters who applauded him traffic snarls as they rooted for the humans,” said Tamang. “I do not throughout his speech. prime minister the whole day. know what the constitution is.” Meanwhile, thousands of people “If we look at the constitution, what Meanwhile, few of the participants were stuck in traffic jams and public he did was wrong. But he didn’t have from different parts of Kathmandu vehicles were not allowed inside the any alternative than to dissolve the said they were neutral to the whole Ring Road due to the mass gathering House,” said Krishna Kumar Koirala, controversy and were there just to lis- organised by the caretaker prime min- 29, who came from Dhading to take ten to Oli for the jokes he cracks. ister’s Nepal Communist Party fac- part in the demonstration. “Dahal and “During depressing times like tion. Nepal didn’t let him work.” these he gives you hope, with humour,” This came just a day after the gener- Some of the people who attended said Surpa Raj Panday, 47, a resident al strike enforced by the Pushpa Friday’s demonstration didn’t know of Durbarmarg. “Oli’s move was Kamal Dahal-Madhav Kumar Nepal about Oli breaching the constitution. unconstitutional, but I equally do not faction of the party. Earlier, on They said that they attended the rally believe in Dahal, Nepal or any other January 23 the city’s traffic was as there were rumours that Oli was political party, as all of them are thrown into chaos as the Pradarshani going to declare that Nepal would once self-centric.”

C M Y K SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2021 | 04 WORLD

BRIEFING Indian protests Hundreds protest military coup in against agriculture Taliban attack kills 10 Afghan militiamen reforms attract KUNDUZ: At least 10 pro-government Myanmar as resistance spreads Afghan militiamen were killed in fierce overnight fighting after their new supporters checkpoint came under attack from The latest politician detained is Win Htein, a senior member of Suu Kyi’s deposed National League for Democracy party. Taliban fighters in northern REUTERS Afghanistan, officials said on Friday. ASSOCIATED PRESS BHAINSWAL, INDIA, FEB 5 The attack came as violence surges YANGON, MYANMAR, FEB 5 across the country despite peace talks Thousands of farmers in a politically between the warring Taliban and Hundreds of students and teachers important Indian state on Friday ral- Afghan government. Insurgents took to Myanmar’s streets on Friday lied in opposition to new agricultural attacked the checkpoint in Kunduz to demand the military hand power laws, signalling growing support for a province during the night, provincial back to elected politicians, as months-long campaign to have the governor Abdul Sattar Mirzakwal resistance to a coup swelled with government reforms scrapped. told reporters. “Their attack was demonstrations in several parts of the Angry at what they see as legisla- repelled initially but the militiamen country, even in the tightly controlled tion that benefits private buyers were attacked again by Taliban fight- capital. at the expense of growers, tens of ers which led to intense fighting,” In the largest rallies since the take- thousands of farmers have been Mirzakwal said. “Unfortunately, 10 over, protesters at two universities in camped on the outskirts of the capital, uprising forces (pro-government mili- Yangon flashed a three-fingered New Delhi, for more than two months, tiamen) were killed.” Kunduz provin- salute, a sign of resistance borrowed calling for the withdrawal of laws cial council member Amruddin Wali from “The Hunger Games” movies, introduced in September. confirmed the attack but said at least that they adopted from anti-govern- Much of the initial support for the 15 militiamen were killed. ment protesters in neighbouring protests has come from rice and wheat Thailand. They chanted “Long live growers from northern India, particu- Mother Suu”—a reference to ousted larly opposition-ruled Punjab state. US warship sails near leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has But in a sign of a growing challenge South China Sea islands been detained — and “We don’t want to the government of Prime Minister TAIPEI: A US warship sailed near the military dictatorship.” Narendra Modi, more than 10,000 Chinese-controlled Paracel Islands in “We will never be together with farmers from across the political and the disputed South China Sea on them,” lecturer Dr Nwe Thazin said of religious spectrum rallied on Friday Friday in a freedom of navigation the military at a protest at the Yangon in Uttar Pradesh state to show their operation, the US Navy said, the first University of Education. “We want support for the protests. such mission under President Joe that kind of government to collapse as Ramkumar Choudhary, a local lead- Biden’s new administration. China’s soon as possible.” er from Bagpat district, told the crowd military condemned the move, saying Resistance has been gathering of Hindu and Muslim farmers in it had dispatched naval and air units steam since the military declared on Bhainswal village thousands more to follow and warn away the ship. The Monday that it would take power for would head to Delhi unless the govern- busy waterway is one of a number of one year—a shocking setback for the ment rolled back the laws. flashpoints in the US-China relation- Southeast Asian country that had “Only one percent of people have ship, which include a trade war, US been making significant, if uneven AP/RSS come out of the villages so far. The day sanctions, Hong Kong and Taiwan. progress, towards democracy after Teachers from the Yangon Education University hold signs reading ‘Civil Disobedience’ to protest the military takeover in Yangon on Friday. we send 50 percent of our people, China has been infuriated by repeat- decades of military rule. The opposi- there will be no place to move in ed US sailings near the islands tion began with people banging pots Htein, a senior member of Suu Kyi’s again in the next generation.” pital gathered behind a big banner Delhi,” he said. Beijing occupies and controls in the and pans outside their windows in deposed National League for The military’s takeover on Monday condemning the coup. Devender Singh, a sugarcane South China Sea. Yangon, the country’s largest city— Democracy party. began with the detention of senior Another protest was held in farmer who attended the rally, said the under the cover of darkness each Despite that pushback, on Friday, government officials, including Myanmar’s southern Tanintharyi agitation was drawing widespread evening to avoid being targeted. But about 200 people joined the protest at Suu Kyi, who was the country’s de Region, where about 50 chanting peo- support. Norway arrests Syrian teenager now people are beginning to take to the Yangon University of Education, facto leader. ple marched, reported the online news “100 percent farmers from all the streets, including students and and a similar number marched at the Win Htein, Suu Kyi’s longtime agency Dawei Watch. communities are joining the protest,” on terror suspicion medical workers, some of whom are city’s Dagon University, with many confidant, meanwhile, was taken According to Myanmar’s Assistance he said. COPENHAGEN: Norway’s domestic secu- refusing to work. carrying papers printed with images from his home in Yangon to Naypyitaw, Association for Political Prisoners, at Uttar Pradesh is India’s largest rity agency said on Friday that a Students have been central to previ- of red ribbons—the symbol of the on Friday. least 133 officials or lawmakers and 14 state and a critical battleground state Syrian teenager has been arrested in ous protest movements against mili- civil disobedience campaign that Suu The 79-year-old told Britain’s BBC civil society activists were detained by in elections. the Norwegian capital, Oslo, on suspi- tary dictatorship. Kyi’s party has called for. radio in a phone call early Friday that the military in connection with its The protests have been largely cion of planning an act of terror. The The military has tried to quash the Leading that march were four stu- he was being arrested for sedition, takeover, though some have already peaceful but flared into turmoil on agency, known by its acronym PST, opposition with selective arrests and dents carrying the party’s pea- which carries a maximum penalty of been released. The NLD has said Suu January 26 as some farmers clashed said the suspect, who was arrested on by blocking Facebook to prevent users cock-adorned red flag. At the student life imprisonment. Kyi and ousted President Win Myint with police in New Delhi and one per- Thursday, was a boy aged 16. The from organising demonstrations. union, another held a sign saying, in There was also at least one demon- are being held on minor charges unre- son was killed. Norwegian broadcaster NRK quoted Facebook is the primary tool for English, “soldier back to barrack!” stration on Friday in Naypyitaw— lated to their official duties—seen by To the government’s annoyance the PST head Hans Sverre Sjoevold say- accessing information on the internet “I believe we will have to lead this highly unusual for city, which was many as merely providing a legal protests have drawn increasing inter- ing the youth was a Syrian national for most people in Myanmar, where movement,” said student Min Han purpose-built under the previous mili- veneer for the military to detain them. national scrutiny, with celebrities but declined to say whether the attack traditional media is state-controlled Htet. “All the people, including tary government, has a heavy military The takeover has been criticised by including pop star Rihanna and envi- was planned to take place in Norway. or self-censored because of threats of the students, will have to bring presence and lacks the tradition of US President Joe Biden and others ronment campaigner Greta Thunberg No details were given as to when the legal action by the state. down the military junta. We will have protest of the former capital, Yangon. internationally who pushed for the announcing their support for the attack was to be carried out. (AGENCIES) The latest politician detained is Win to make sure that juntas never appear Medical staff at the city’s biggest hos- elected government to be restored. farmers. Moscow jails overwhelmed with Navalny supporters Climate change may

ASSOCIATED PRESS MOSCOW, FEB 5 have had ‘key role’ in The video, shot by a man detained in a Moscow protest, shows a group of people jammed into a police minibus. pandemic, study shows One of them says on the recording that they had already been held there AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE destruction in Asia had driven for nine hours, with some forced to PARIS, FEB 5 virus-carrying species into ever closer stand because of overcrowding and no contact with human populations. access to food, water or bathrooms. Climate change may have played a “It’s two sides of a similar coin: Another video taken in a dingy “key role” in the transmission of the we penetrate deeper into their holding cell intended for eight inmates novel coronavirus to humans by driv- habitat but at the same time climate shows 28 men crammed inside await- ing several species of pathogen-carry- change can have the effect that it ing transfer, with no mattresses on the ing bats into closer contact, research pushes the pathogen in our direction,” cots and a filthy pit latrine-like toilet. showed on Friday. he said. Detainees are recounting their mis- The virus, which has killed more The study, published in the journal erable experiences as Moscow jails than two million people and caused Science of the Total Environment, were overwhelmed following mass unprecedented global disruption, is urged governments to take measures arrests from protests in support of thought to have originated in bats in including limiting urban expansion opposition leader Alexei Navalny this Southeast Asia. and farming, which it said would week. They described long waits to be Researchers from the University of help to manage the risk of another processed through the legal system Cambridge used temperature and pandemic. and crowded conditions with few coro- rainfall data over the last 100 years to navirus precautions. model populations of dozens of bat “We were detained on January 31 species based on their habitat require- 100 virus strains are during a peaceful protest, and we ask ments. for help and public attention to the They found that over the last centu- now concentrated in inhumane conditions we’re forced to ry, 40 species had relocated to south- be in,” pleads the man in the police ern China, Laos and Myanmar—the China, Laos and minibus video. area where genetic analysis suggests More than 11,000 protesters were the virus known as SARS-CoV-2 first Myanmar. reported detained across Russia in the AP/RSS appeared. pro-Navalny rallies on two straight People clash with police during a protest against the jailing of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in Moscow, Russia on January 31. Since each bat species carries an weekends last month and in Moscow average of 2.7 coronaviruses, the It also called for greater effort to and St Petersburg on Tuesday, after he half of the detentions, the capital’s observes the treatment of prisoners jail but didn’t get into his jail cell until researchers said 100 strains of corona- mitigate climate change to avoid large was ordered by court to serve nearly jails quickly filled up as scores of peo- and detainees, said Moscow simply January 27. Kuznetsov told AP he virus were now concentrated in this accumulations of wild species near three years in prison. ple were sentenced by the courts. could not handle such an influx of spent the first night in a holding “hotspot” area. human habitation. Some of the protesters were beaten Many received misdemeanour charg- protesters. cell, and the second night in a police “Our paper is a long way away Kate Jones, Professor of Ecology on the streets by riot police or subject- es that resulted in jail terms of five “The first crisis occurred when bus waiting for the detention centre from saying the pandemic would and Biodiversity at University ed to other abuse. Human rights advo- to 15 days. police vans and buses (with detainees) to accommodate him and about a not have happened without climate College London, said Friday’s cates said many police precincts Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov were driving around Moscow anxious- dozen others. change,” lead author Robert Meyer research was interesting but that refused to let lawyers in to help detain- acknowledged on Thursday there ly and jails didn’t let them in. They “It was a very unpleasant situa- of Cambridge’s zoology department the pandemic was a result of a variety ees, citing what is known as the were more detainees than detention didn’t know where to put people,” tion,” Kuznetsov said. said. of factors. “Fortress” protocol. centres in Moscow could swiftly Litvinovich told the AP. “Some people Gleb Maryasov, also detained “But I find it difficult to see that this “Climate change certainly has a “Many violations (of detainees’ process, but he blamed the problem on were brought back to police precincts. January 23, had to wait for a bed in a climate-driven increase in bats and role to play in changing species rights) we’ve seen before. … But prob- the protesters themselves. Some were standing the whole day cell to free up for him for 25 hours, bat-borne coronaviruses make distributions to increase ecological ably the scale we see now is much “This situation wasn’t provoked by inside police vans near the jails. Some spending that time on the back seat of something like this less likely to hazard,” said Jones, who was not scarier than before,” Alexandra law enforcement; it was provoked by got lucky and they were given food a police car, said his lawyer, Dmitry happen.” involved in the study. Bayeva, coordinator with the OVD- participants of unauthorised rallies,” and taken to toilets. Some didn’t have Zakhvatov. While the precise chain of SARS- “However, spillover risk is a com- Info rights group that monitors politi- Peskov said. luck and they had to pee in a bottle.” As jails in Moscow filled, authori- CoV-2 transmission from animals to plex interplay of not only ecological cal arrests, told The Associated Press. Marina Litvinovich, member of the Filipp Kuznetsov was arrested ties moved people to detention centres humans is yet to be determined, Beyer hazard but human exposure and While it accounted for less than Public Monitoring Commission that January 23 and sentenced to 10 days in outside the capital. said the changing climate and habitat vulnerability.”

Hong Kong activists appear in court over banned vigil

REUTERS Hong Kong traditionally holds Chinese rule in 1997, including national security law. Wong is serv- HONG KONG, FEB 5 the largest vigil in the world every rights of expression and assembly. ing more than 13 months related to year, although it was banned in Released from jail to attend the an unlawful anti-government rally. Twenty-four activists appeared in a 2020, with authorities giving the court hearing were media tycoon Five of the group, including Hong Kong court on Friday on coronavirus risk as the reason. and staunch Beijing critic Jimmy Wong, indicated they planned to charges related to a June 4 vigil last But thousands of Hong Kong Lai, 73, and prominent democracy plead guilty to charges related to year marking the anniversary of people defied the ban and took to activist Joshua Wong, 24. illegal assembly and their case was China’s military crackdown on the streets to stage candlelight ral- Lai is being held pending a bail adjourned to April 30. The rest pro-democracy protesters in and lies in the former British colony hearing after he became the city’s were expected to plead not guilty around Beijing’s Tiananmen which was promised wide-ranging most high-profile person to be and their case was adjourned Square in 1989. freedoms when it returned to charged under a controversial to June 11.

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2021 MONEY India central bank Traders say China imposing ‘undeclared blockade’ holds rates steady, Shipments are still being held up at the northern border for over 16 months now on the pretext of Covid-19 pandemic, much to importers’ chagrin. assures markets of KRISHANA PRASAIN Rs1.02 billion in the same period in sul general in Lhasa had gone on a KATHMANDU, FEB 5 the last fiscal year. field visit to check both border points. Nepal imports readymade garments “They said that maintenance work liquidity support Nepali traders have accused China of for all age groups, cosmetic products, at Tatopani would be finished by conducting an ‘undeclared trade footwear, fast-moving consumer elec- February 8, and 20 cargo containers REUTERS blockade’ as their merchandise-laden tronic items and stationery goods, would be dispatched daily after that,” MUMBAI, FEB 5 container trucks have not been among other products, from China. Dahal told the Post. “Let’s wait and allowed to cross the border into Nepal “We have been trying to sort out the see,” he said. “But there is no such India’s central bank kept rates steady for the past 16 months. issue, but nothing is going in our thing as an unofficial blockade as the at record low levels as expected on Naresh Katuwal, president of the favour,” said an official at the Ministry traders have charged,” he said. Friday and said it would maintain Nepal National Traders’ Federation, of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Dahal said that the traders had support for the economy’s recovery said their shipments were still being who wished to remain unnamed. inflated the number of container from the pandemic by ensuring held up at the northern border on the “Not more than two-three contain- trucks stranded in China. ample liquidity for markets to absorb pretext of the Covid-19 pandemic. ers have been crossing the border “We talked with two cargo compa- a massive government borrowing Almost 2,000 containers loaded with daily from the Kerung and Tatopani nies in China, and they said that no programme. clothes, shoes, cosmetics, electronics border points. Now Tatopani has been more than 25-30 containers were left at “Going forward, the Indian econo- and industrial raw materials were shut down for maintenance,” Katuwal the Kerung border point. There is not my is poised to move in only one direc- stopped at the border during the said.Traders have stopped ordering one container left at the Tatopani bor- tion and that is upwards. It is our October-November festive season. new goods from China, he said, adding der point,” he added. strong conviction, backed by forecasts, Only a fraction of the goods have been POST FILE PHOTO that Kerung was the easiest route for “We have been trying to fully open that in 2021/22, we would undo the released, traders said. Almost 2,000 containers loaded with clothes, shoes, cosmetics, electronics and industrial raw traders to import goods. the border, but the Chinese side is damage that Covid-19 has inflicted on “Around 300 containers have materials were stopped at the border during the October-November festive season. Manish Lal Pradhan, president of reluctant to do so until the virus situ- the economy,” Reserve Bank of India remained stranded at the Kerung and the Export Promotion Committee at ation comes down to zero,” a ministry Governor Shaktikanta Das said. Tatopani border points for the last 16 Affairs to resolve the issue diplomati- raised from RMB 15,000-16,000 to the Federation of Nepalese Chambers official said. The repo rate or RBI’s key lending months,” Katuwal said. cally. But no outcome has been forth- 60,000-65,000 per container. of Commerce and Industry, said that “A joint secretary-level meeting of rate was held at 4 percent while the China permitted only a few trucks coming,” Katuwal said. According to the Trade and Export the trade points in China were almost the Foreign and Commerce ministries reverse repo rate or its borrowing rate to enter Nepal for the festive season, “We have taken this gesture of Promotion Centre, imports from closed, and they were unable to export has already been held. We have also was left unchanged at 3.35 percent. and most importers rerouted their China as an unofficial blockade,” China dropped 18.5 percent year-on- handicraft items like metal statues. raised the issue of the higher trans- goods through Kolkata port in India, Katuwal told the Post. “If this situa- year in the first half of the current “The government should be serious portation charges with the Chinese adding tremendously to their trans- tion continues, there is no point in fiscal year. Nepal bought Rs96.33 bil- and resolve the issue through bilateral Foreign Ministry and communicated The recent budget portation costs, several traders told doing trade with China,” he added. lion worth of Chinese goods in the talks. It’s not only a matter of imports, with them twice,” Dahal said. the Post. While the traders were waiting anx- first six months, down from Rs118.25 exports too have plunged,” Pradhan “We have been fulfilling all the proposals and “Some goods are still stuck at the iously for their goods to be allowed to billion in the same period in the last said. The goods that used to come requirements as asked by China to border. We have discussed the matter pass, Chinese transporters hiked the fiscal year. directly from China are now being follow Covid-19 protocols,” Dahal said. expenditure plans multiple times with China, and have freight charges, he said. The cost of Exports to China also fell by 50 per- rerouted through Kolkata port in “A high-level delegation from the asked all key political leaders includ- transporting goods over the 26-km dis- cent in the first six months of the India.Prakash Dahal, joint secretary Foreign Ministry needs to be formed have raised hopes ing the concerned ministries. We even tance from the Chinese border point to current fiscal year. Shipments were of the Ministry of Industry, Commerce to hold intensive talks with China to requested the Ministry of Foreign the Nepali border point has been valued at Rs500 million, down from and Supplies, said that the Nepali con- resolve all trade issues,” he said. for a strong recovery.

The repo rate has been cut by a total FOREX 115 basis points since March 2020 to cushion the shock from the Covid-19 Coup yet another blow for Myanmar’s economy pandemic. Das said all six members of US Dollar 116.98 the monetary policy committee (MPC) Euro 140.10 were unanimous in their decision to ASSOCIATED PRESS risks of falling afoul of such sanc- keep rates on hold and maintain an Pound Sterling 160.06 BANGKOK, FEB 5 tions, many US companies have held accommodative monetary policy and back on major direct commitments, liquidity stance. Japanese Yen 11.08 The military coup in Myanmar is instead opting for local partnerships. “The RBI clearly communicated Chinese Yuan 18.08 unlikely to do the country’s struggling Fast food giant Yum! Brands Inc., for that it doesn’t intend to yank away economy, once considered a promising example, opened its first Kentucky the liquidity carpet in a way that Qatari Riyal 32.12 “last frontier,” any good at all. Fried Chicken outlet, a franchise with topples the vases of growth recovery Australian Dollar 88.99 Myanmar’s economy has lan- local partner Yoma Strategic Holdings, and fiscal financing resting on it,” guished as the pandemic added to its in downtown Yangon last year. said Aurodeep Nandi, India economist Malaysian Ringit 28.74 challenges and the prospect of fresh President Joe Biden said Monday at Nomura. Western sanctions in the wake of this the coup would bring an immediate Das said the economy’s growth out- Saudi Arab Riyal 31.19 week’s army takeover will only make review of US sanction laws, “followed look had improved and that inflation Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank things tougher for those on the by appropriate action.” was expected to remain within the ground, economists say. “We will work with our partners to RBI’s targeted range over the next It’s unclear if China might help support restoration of democracy and few quarters. PRICE PER TOLA BULLION make up for lost business due to the the rule of law, and impose conse- “Given that inflation has returned increased political risks and potential quences on those responsible,” he said within the tolerance band, the MPC Fine Gold Rs 90,000 for turmoil if public anger over the AP/RSS in a speech to State Department judged that the need of the hour is to ouster of massively popular Aung San Vehicles make their ways on a road in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. employees on Thursday. continue to support growth, assuage Silver Rs 1,290 Suu Kyi and fellow civilian leaders The potential impact of sanctions the impact of Covid-19 and return the erupts in mass protests. had refused to address voting irregu- Oxford Economics estimates the coup would depend on how far-reaching economy to a higher growth trajecto- SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA Apart from raising the risk of polit- larities in November’s election, which will likely cut growth this year by half, they are. Many Western brand names, ry,” Das said. ical unrest, economic sanctions and her National League for Democracy from an earlier forecast of 4.1 percent including Samsonite, LL Bean, H&M The policy statement however other disruptions, the coup likely won in a landslide. to 2 percent. The past decade’s average and Bass Pro, have suppliers in pointed to ongoing inflation concerns, GASOLINE WATCH will prove to be a huge setback to That provoked a rush to ATMs and annual growth rate of 7.6 percent had Myanmar, based on shipping data as core inflation remains high. It said efforts to improve Myanmar’s invest- food stalls. TV signals were cut and slowed to just 2.9 percent in 2019. Last from Panjiva. record pump prices of petrol and die- ment environment, curb crony capi- passenger flights were grounded. year, the World Bank estimates the Exports of clothing, shoes and other sel were adding to worries and cited a talism and build a more sustainable Authorities urged calm, while moving economy grew 0.5 percent. consumer goods are a vital source of need to create conditions that result in path to growth. to suppress dissent through Facebook The economy’s performance fell growth. The garment and textiles sec- “durable disinflation”. “With this kind of situation the sad and other social media. short of popular expectations as tor employs 450,000, mostly women, in Das said the recent budget propos- thing is that you don’t even need to put Commander-in-Chief Senior Gen. growth benefited a tiny part of the more than 600 factories, according to als and expenditure plans have raised sanctions in place because the dire Min Aung Hlaing, who now controls population and reforms took a back the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers hopes for a more robust recovery, and economic consequences of the con- the government, met with business seat to efforts to end decades of ethnic Association. the bank stood ready to offer support. flict, combined with what happening leaders and pledged to maintain finan- civil conflict. Tourism has now makes the country look very cial stability and “continue work on suffered and new sanc- unstable and not the right place to international projects.” tions were imposed follow- invest right now. So the repercussions Meanwhile, the central bank prom- ing a 2017 counterinsur- are immediate,” said Laetitia van den ised it would not demonetize any of gency campaign that Assum, a former diplomat and a mem- the currency, a reasonable fear: three drove about 740,000 of the ber of the Advisory Commission on past demonetizations provoked much mostly Muslim Rohingya Rakhine State, which was set up by anguish and anger. to flee the country. former UN Secretary General Kofi “The general public can continue Min Aung Hlaing is one Annam to improve Myanmar’s treat- using the banknotes and banking ser- of four generals who were ment of minority Rohingya Muslims. vices without any worries, and all the blacklisted by the US The military seized power shortly banks have been instructed to provide Treasury Department for before a new session of Parliament regular banking services,” the Central the military’s abuses in was to convene on Monday, declaring Bank of Myanmar said in a notice. Rakhine and other ethnic its actions were legal and constitu- The economy already was faltering majority regions. tional because Suu Kyi’s government before the pandemic. Sian Fenner of Given the recurring

China’s appetite for barley sucks in French and Canadian new crop, raising prices REUTERS PARIS, FEB 5

China is scooping up millions of tonnes of barley from France and Canada that have yet to be harvested, as its appetite for animal feed grain spills over into orders for next year’s crop. China has bought huge volumes of foreign crops to feed a pig herd that is rebuilding after the deadly African Swine Fever epidemic led to the culling of hundreds of mil- lions of hogs. Chinese buying has contributed to higher prices for key crops and to food inflation worldwide as concerns about food security during the Covid-19 pandemic drive govern- ments and industry to stock up. Benchmark corn prices recently hit their highest level in 7-1/2 years. Beijing is aiming to plug a gap in supply after diplomatic tensions with Canberra led to the imposition of a trade-sap- ping 80.5 percent tariff on Australian barley. A large amount of Canada’s 2021 barley crop has already been booked by Chinese buyers, traders said, with one cit- ing at least 1 million tonnes. That would be in line with at least 1 million tonnes of new-crop European barley thought to have been sold so far, traders said. Some said France would supply the European volume, with one trader putting French sales at up to 2 million tonnes, although others said the sales were on an optional basis and could be sourced partly from Ukraine. Shipment would be mainly over July-September, traders added. Barley export premiums for this summer’s French crop surged last week as traders said exporters cov- ered some of their hefty advance sales made to China since late 2020. This has put feed barley prices unusually well above bread wheat. China also imports malting barley to make beer ingredi- ent malt.

C M Y K SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2021 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Tuchel revives Chelsea, Tottenham endure new lows Eight Nepali cricketers registered for IPL auction The Blues have bagged two wins and a draw under their new coach but for Jose Mourinho’s side, it’s three consecutive league losses since 2012. KATHMANDU: Eight national cricketers ASSOCIATED PRESS pandemic so could not vent their irri- of Nepal including Sandeep LONDON, FEB 5 tation at the slump. Lamichhane have been registered for Mourinho, though, wasn’t so pessi- the auction of the next season of A Chelsea victory that extended the mistic. “In the second half we were Indian Premier League T20 cricket team’s revival under Thomas Tuchel different, the spirit was different, the tournament, according to the Cricket left Tottenham experiencing new lows confidence too,” Mourinho said. “At Association of Nepal. Along with leg under Jose Mourinho. the end the feeling that I have is that spinner Lamichhane, who was Not since 2012 have Tottenham the team stuck together until the end, enrolled with Delhi Capitals for the endured three consecutive Premier fought until the end ... and to finish the last seasons, Binod Bhandari, Karan League losses. Never before in his game with this positive spirit helps.” KC, Sompal Kami, Kushal Malla, managerial career has Mourinho lost Still, the situation at Spurs seems Sharad Vesawkar, Abinash Singh back-to-back home league games. miles away from the glory days of Bohara and Dipendra Singh Airee Being top of the league two months Mourinho’s two spells at Chelsea have been registered. The auction for ago is becoming a distant memory for when he lifted the Premier League the cash-rich mega event will take Tottenham after losing 1-0 to trophy three times and turned place by mid-February, according to Mourinho’s former side on Thursday. Stamford Bridge into a fortress. media reports. Altogether 1,097 crick- Tottenham’s poor form was punctuat- Given the team’s current slump, eters have been registered for the auc- ed by the way Eric Dier recklessly Mourinho will be hoping Tottenham tion out of which 814 are Indians and tripped Timo Werner to concede the chairman Daniel Levy is more patient 283 from abroad. Among the overseas penalty, which Jorginho converted in than Chelsea owner Roman players, 61 will be sold during the the 24th minute. Abramovich. It was Abramovich’s auction. A team could enroll a maxi- Now it’s Chelsea on the up again restlessness that saw Mourinho fired mum of 25 players including eight since Frank Lampard was fired 10 twice, part of a managerial carousel at overseas players in a squad. (SB) days ago, with two wins and a draw Chelsea that also led to Frank under Tuchel moving the London club Lampard being dismissed last month. up to sixth, four points from Liverpool Chelsea had been leaking goals Bayern Munich to meet Al Ahly in fourth place. under Lampard but have yet to con- DOHA: The African champion will While only a single goal separated cede in three games under Tuchel. play the European champion in the the sides, Chelsea controlled the game “Every experience we make is a step semi-finals of the Club World Cup and avoided being unsettled by defend- forward if we are open to learn from after Al Ahly beat Qatari team Al er Thiago Silva limping off in the first it,” Tuchel said. Duhail 1-0 on Thursday to clinch a half. “It is the style the manager wants Tottenham’s toothless performance meeting with Bayern Munich. In a us to play and it has been working also raised questions as to why winger rare scene during the pandemic, well,” said Mason Mount, who was so Gareth Bale was left on the bench. thousands of fans were in the stadi- often the impetus of Chelsea’s attack- AP/RSS However, Mourinho wouldn’t say why um to see the Egyptian side score ing threat. Jorginho (left) scored from the spot in the 24th minute to hand Chelsea a 1-0 win over Tottenham in the English Premier League on Thursday. Bale—back on loan at Tottenham from with a long-range shot from Hussein “It is new, it is different for some of Real Madrid—is overlooked so often. El Shahat. Al Ahly will play Bayern us players. We are all learning but it is box a little bit more I need to work on season in charge for Mourinho. Tottenham were also beaten at their Mourinho was more vocal criticis- on Monday in Qatar. The other obviously going well so far. It makes my finishing.” Tottenham are seven points from stadium last Thursday by Liverpool, ing a penalty that seemed an obvious semi-final on Sunday will be contest- it difficult for any team we play While Chelsea’s pursuit of the fourth in eighth place having played a before collapsing at Brighton. one given away by Dier. “It is a penalty ed by newly-crowned South American against they don’t know what we are Champions League places was given a game less, and are sorely missing the Perhaps the only relief for that is difficult to accept,” Mourinho champion Palmeiras and Mexican going to be coming with. I’ve been lift, Tottenham are slipping away from injured Harry Kane, who could return Mourinho is that supporters remain said. “So to lose the game to a penalty side Tigres. The CONCACAF playing a bit deeper so being up in the the top four in a disappointing second from ankle injuries next week. shut out of the stadium due to the like this is a bit painful.” Champions League winner came from behind to beat Ulsan of South Korea 2-1 on Thursday with Andre- Pierre Gignac scoring twice. (AP)

Bangladesh in control of first Nortje five limits Pakistan, but England in charge after day 1 Test against West Indies REUTERS break. Burns made 33 before attempting CHENNAI, FEB 5 a reckless reverse-sweep against CHATTOGRAM: Mehidy Hasan took 4-58 Ravichandran Ashwin and offering a sim- as Bangladesh took control of the hosts fight back in Rawalpindi England’s Joe Root celebrated his 100th ple catch to Rishabh Pant. first Test against West Indies on REUTERS Nortje (5-56) was superb with the deceived Markram (32) and the lat- Test with an unbeaten 128 against India as Bumrah then trapped Dan Lawrence lbw Friday. Bangladesh reached 47-3 in RAWALPINDI, FEB 5 ball, his aggression and accuracy ter chipped a simple catch to he and opener Dom Sibley put the tourists for a duck but Root and Sibley denied India their second innings at stumps on day leading to a third five-wicket haul Shaheen Shah at mid-wicket. in a commanding position in the opening a wicket in the steady second session. Root 3, stretching their lead to 218 with Anrich Nortje took five wickets as in Tests to restrict Pakistan to a Pakistan had resumed their match on Friday. survived an early run-out chance and the Captain Mominul Haque (31) and Pakistan were dismissed for 272 manageable first innings score. innings on 145 for three but lost The England captain had demanded a lack of carry in the wicket meant a couple Mushfiqur Rahim (10) at the crease. but South Africa’s struggles with South Africa’s openers Dean Elgar their two set batsmen from the day big first-innings total from his team after of edges fell short of the fielders behind the West Indies, who were bowled out for the bat in the sub-continent (15) and Aiden Markram were pos- before in quick succession. Captain electing to bat at Chennai’s MA stumps. His battle against Ashwin is one of 259 in their first innings in reply to continued as they limped to 106 for itive at the start of the innings, but Babar Azam (77) edged the second Chidambaram Stadium. the sub-plots of the four-Test series and the Bangladesh’s 430, resumed on 75-2. four at the close on the second day disaster struck as they lost two delivery of the morning from When they threatened to squander their England captain took a single off the spin- Taijul Islam (2-84) dismissed of the second Test in Rawalpindi wickets in the final two balls of the Nortje to Du Plessis at second slip, strong start, Root partnered Sibley in a ner to bring up his 20th hundred. Nkrumah Bonner for 17. But skipper on Friday. middle session. Elgar was caught before the centurion from the first marathon 200-run stand to help England Root jumped in celebration while India Brathwaite led the repair job, sharing Captain Quinton de Kock (24 not by wicketkeeper Mohammad Test, Fawad Alam (45) was run out post a strong 263-3 at stumps. Root’s unbeat- counterpart Virat Kohli clapped. Root, who a 55-run partnership with Kyle out from 11 balls) and Temba Rizwan off the bowling of Hasan by a direct hit from Bavuma. en knock was studded with 14 boundaries suffered cramps towards the end, provided Mayers before Nayeem Hasan (2-54) Bavuma (15 not out) survived in Ali (2-29), and the very next deliv- Babar and Fawad had put on 127 and a six. Sibley made 87 before Jasprit a template for playing spin bowling, using ended the stand. At 154-5, West Indies the gloom at the close, but the tour- ery Rassie van der Dussen was for the fourth wicket to rescue the Bumrah trapped him lbw with the final his feet and frequently playing the sweep were in trouble but Jermaine ists still trail by 166 run. South deceived by a ball that kept low and home side from a precarious 22 for delivery of the day. shot after his early caution against Ashwin. Blackwood (68) and wicketkeeper Africa have passed 300 just three clattered into his stumps. three on the first morning. Faheem Earlier, Root won an important toss and India, playing their first home series Joshua Da Silva (42) shared 99 runs times in their last 25 innings on the Faf du Plessis (17) looked in con- Ashraf picked up the momentum unsurprisingly elected to bat, avoiding the since the Covid-19 pandemic struck last for the sixth wicket. Nayeem dis- sub-continent, and have been trol until he inexplicably tried to with a superb unbeaten 78, but ran potentially tricky task of batting in the year, looked sloppy in the field with several missed Da Silva and Mehidy removed prone to spectacular collapses, as cut a wide Faheem Ashraf delivery out of partners as Nortje chipped fourth innings on a crumbling wicket. midfields while Pant dropped a low catch to Blackwood-- before cleaning up the they seek to level the two-match and edged to Rizwan. The visitors away at the wickets column to England got off to a steady start with a reprieve Burns early in his innings. tail as West Indies lost their last five series after a seven wicket defeat in were dealt a further blow when leave the home side all out just 63-run stand between Sibley and Rory They bowled 11 no-balls, four of them by wickets for only six runs. (AP) the first Test in Karachi. left-arm spinner Nauman Ali before tea. Burns but faltered ahead of the lunch left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** If you see that a friend is about to make a misstep, Even if you just received some awesome news, this Spend your morning getting the rest of your day Obvious choices are boring choices, so if you’re in don’t intervene. Just let them do it. First of all, you isn’t a good time to indulge in any expensive celebra- organised and you’ll create free time in the after- the midst of a decision that’s causing you to rip your could be wrong in thinking what they’re doing is a tions. You need to pare down luxuries in order to noon. And if you call up that friend you haven’t been hair out, take heart. Would you rather not have this mistake. Second, you shouldn’t inflict your opinions beef up your rainy day fund. It’s going to start rain- able to hang out with, ask them if they want to run dilemma in your life? Think long and hard before on others who are trying to learn. ing pretty soon. some errands with you. you answer that.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Your charm and intellect are both at their highest Your impulsive side wants to take control and you Your needs are going to be met without question It won’t be easy for you to work in a team peak right now, so this makes this a good day to move should let it! Follow your urges as much as you can. by other people. They will be falling all environment today. You’re working extremely effi- forward with getting what you want. You’ll be able to Want to wear pajamas all day? Enjoy it. Feel like over themselves to be of service to you. The ciently right now and might feel like you’re constant- negotiate like an expert and get a great deal on a driving around and getting lost on purpose? Fill up reason behind this sudden solicitude won’t be a ly stopping and waiting for other people to catch up to big-ticket item. your gas tank and go. mystery. you.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** One of your friends has been holding out on you If you think you don’t have time to do all your All the people around you could be super excited When discussing a continuing conflict with about something exciting, and today they could come chores, think again. It’s easy to reorganise a few about something that’s really quite boring to you, a family member today, move away from your emo- clean. All the tenseness you had with them in the things to give yourself all the time you need to tidy which could drive you crazy. Luckily, your tolerance tions. Take a more analytical approach to the recent past will suddenly make sense in light of this up a messy drawer or empty out the stuff that has for odd behaviour is high right now, so you’ll be able situation. This is not the time to bring up old issues new information. been piling up in your car. to get through the day. either. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2021 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE One good thing for the future of art literature is here Asia Art Archive and Siddhartha Arts Foundation’s Mobile Library: Nepal could be a start to engaging more people with art—a place to understand art better.

SRIZU BAJRACHARYA ficulty. now under the library project aspires to KATHMANDU But soon after Thapa’s conversation bring together a listing of art documen- with Hsue, they decided a library would tation together from South Asia to tell ooking at a well-curated be the perfect way to work on archiving users where it is available and can be exhibition should be an Nepal’s art and art history and to simul- accessed. effort that is not easily taneously introduce Nepali art practi- “Within this project, we also tried to (sic) digestable. It tioners and enthusiasts to the works of collect keywords to bring together should ultimately be an art from around Asia. The initiative themes and names, independent initia- educational, intellectu- aspired to build a foundation to support tives to help make these works of litera- “Lally stimulating, inspiring experience,” various art initiatives and the universi- ture more accessible to people and we read lines from Jens Hoffmann, an exhi- ties in the country through a library that hope when we are able to collect signifi- bition maker’s essay in the book ‘Who would constantly try to exchange and cant information we can organise an Cares?—16 Essays on Curating in Asia’. share knowledge about art. The project exhibition and share this with people,” The lines hit home as it’s one of the works in two parts together, one of bring- said Bose. things people, particularly in Nepal, have ing art literature to the Nepali diaspora The mobile library is also in prepara- continued to discuss—of how exhibi- and then of taking Nepal’s art to Asia. tion to organise reading circles to engage tions need to offer more to people—and “We had immediately thought of the more people with the literature available more so without the realisation this dis- mobile library as one intervention in in the library. cussion is happening globally. Nepal because we believed we could work “What we hope to do is make this To the average Nepali, the world of art on multiple programmes with this initia- library an active place of learning and has remained vast and yet narrow. The tive. We thought it would be the best way exchanging information as we also are understanding of what art is, what to make art literature accessible to locals quite aware of how the country’s reading are our art practises, and what an exhibi- POST PHOTO: KESHAV THAPA and organize educational and public pro- culture is not established and we hope to tion should offer have been mostly vague. At the newly established art library, currently in Bikalpa Art Center, Pulchowk, the vision of grammes through the project,” said work on it through these programmes,” And when books like these are inaccessi- strengthening conversation around art appears to be coming together. Susanna Chung, programmes manager said Thapa. ble and unknown, odds are people will and head of learning and participation at Additionally, the library will be engag- never even think to discuss issues of art practices and literature that for years Nepali art literature and engage with Asia Art Archive, Hong Kong. ing students and artists in research further. people from the art community have mainly students and educators to widen Chung and Bose both had also trav- and fellowship programmes and is hop- But at the newly established Mobile addressed. the horizon of art. elled to Kathmandu last year to conduct ing to organise a knowledge exchange Library: Nepal, currently placed in At Bikalpa Art Center, a small artistic “It’s not that we don’t have libraries research on how to go about with the programme from Kathmandu to Bikalpa Art Center, Pulchowk, the vision space provides a collection of content here in the country but there has always project and to understand the ground Janakpur and vice versa. The project of strengthening conversation and activ- on art, art history and trends from been a certain kind of boundary with reality of the country in terms of art and also looks forward for the users of the ities around art appears to be coming across Asia for people of diverse back- institutional libraries but with this pro- culture development to cater accordingly library to initiate more activities that together. grounds and for mainly, artists, creatives, ject, we hope to make this place more through the art library. can build a better ecosystem for an evolv- The book ‘Who Cares!’ by Para Site, students, educators and art writers and engaging. It won’t be a conventional read- “The research was important for us, as ing art scene. Hong Kong’s leading contemporary art critics. ing place where people should be quiet, we wanted a process of knowledge Around the world, libraries are recog- centre would probably have never made The library also includes Nepali art we want this place to be a space for art exchange and we didn’t want to be an nised as places that bring together peo- it to a Nepali’s Google search suggestion literature from art writers like Ram discussions and initiative,” said Mahima organisation that just brings resources to ple, diverse ideas and interests togeth- unless a specific keyword connects to the Dayal Rakesh, Mukesh Malla, Laya Singh Kushwaha, an artist and the coor- a place, we understand that we are also er—moreover, places like these are con- right data. But at a library, people’s Mainali, Ramesh Khanal, Saroj dinator at Mobile Library: Nepal. lacking in terms of art history in what is sidered pertinent to develop a communi- exploratory impulse can lead them to Bajracharya, Madan Chitrakar and The idea of the library initially had happening in Nepal,” said Chung. “And ty intellectually. In Sri-Lanka, AAA’s pull up any book and surprise them with Gyanendra Bibhas. And art books on evolved over a conversation between through this initiative, we want to make mobile library had sought to bring what they didn’t know, or with what they various themes like women in the arts, Sangeeta Thapa, the founder of the invisible visible.” together people to think about heritage knew but didn’t know what to search for. art in the time of crises, innovation Siddhartha Arts Foundation, and Claire The Mobile Library: Nepal team preservation. And in Myanmar the “That is what is special about librar- through traditions, art education, art Hsu, the co-founder of Asia Art Archive, believes for quite a long time our learn- library was used to think about building ies. When you are Googling things you and activism, alternative art spaces, on the significance of documentation of ing of art has been guided by Western art infrastructure, says Chung. The Mobile tend to anticipate what’s going to pop up, museums in Asia, popular forms of art and how their archives were devoid and history, while the Asian art practices Library: Nepal will be AAA’s fourth iter- but in a space like a library where you visual culture, cultural revolution, pho- of Nepal’s art history. Thapa had always and history have not been as conspicu- ation of the mobile library project. can just pull out things, there’s an ele- tography and video art and histories of felt the need to document art to foster the ous. Even today, in Nepal, the art history And the Mobile Library: Nepal team ment of surprise there—of seeing things social art. Nepali art scene. pedagogy is more dominant in teaching here in Nepal, hopes to bring people that you perhaps wouldn’t look out for or The project is a collaboration between “Archives are vital and are documenta- Western practices than the country’s together to think about art, generosity have not seen before,” says Samira Bose the Asia Art Archive, a non-profit organ- tions of the times we live in and the art- own art history. And for years, important and accessibility of the things the passionately resonating to the start of a isation based in Hong Kong, and ists being receptive to socio-cultural-po- histories have remained undiscovered. country already has. It hopes to advocate mobile art library in Nepal. Bose is the Siddhartha Arts Foundation, an organi- litical situations. And if we don’t have “But with our initiative, we hope to people in the existing art history and art programmes coordinator at Asia Art sation that promotes Contemporary arts the documentation we don’t know any- share with people art practices across that we have not recognised as art, to Archive, India. in Nepal. And it currently has a collec- thing, we don’t get to understand art,” Asia so that they can go deeper into discuss and strengthen the art ecosystem After a gloomy year in the pandemic, tion of about 484 books, including exhibi- said Thapa. understanding these art practices and from within. the mobile art library’s start looks like a tion catalogues, periodicals, and mono- Previously, in 2010, Thapa had initiated history,” added Chung. “So, the idea of the library is not just silver lining for the country’s evolving graphs. Going forward, it plans to expand an art library in Patan Museum, Besides bringing a good collection of to build infrastructures for shared expe- art world. And the people behind the on the collection and circulate it to differ- ‘Kathmandu Contemporary Art Centre,’ art literature to people, the mobile riences but also to unpack what already library believe the initiative will be a ent art institutions and independent with Celia Washington, with a collection library project is also working on a bibli- exists. That’s why our project is very significant start to many more art activi- organisations. of about 3,000 books. However, she was ography project which was first initiated open and we aspire this initiative to be a ties in the future. The library has filled a The mobile art library will be the first unable to continue with the art space in Asia Art Archive, India, to recognise space for learning to help them open the necessary gap of archiving Nepali art art library to unpack contemporary after the earthquake due to financial dif- art writing in the country. The project world of art to more people,” said Chung. BEST-SELLERS | NEW RELEASES

Fiction

1. Hidden in Plain Sight by Jeffrey 2. Suheldev: The King who Saved India by Amish 3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Deep End by Jeff Kinney 4. The Archer by Paulo Coelho 5. One Arranged Murder by Chetan Bhagat Source: Mandala Book Point Source:

Non-Fiction Caste Matters Himalaya: A Human History Our Malady: Lessons in Liberty Author: Suraj Yengde Author: Ed Douglas and Solidarity 1. Simultaneous Identities: Language, Publication: India Viking Publication: WW Norton & Company Author: Timothy Snyder Education and the Nepali Price: Rs 958 Price: Rs 1,278 Publication: Vintage Digital 2. Beyond Possible: One Soldier, Fourteen Price: Rs 798 Peaks by Nimsdai Purja Suraj Yengde reveals the challenges and Ed Douglas brings an epic story of the humiliation Dalits suffer on a daily people, cultures, and adventures from Snyder in this book outlines the les- 3. The presidential Years 2012-2017 by basis and their incredible resilience. He the world’s highest mountains. The sons we must all learn, wherever we Pranab Mukherjee also discusses how caste defeats human writer makes a thrilling case for the are, and finds glimmers of hope in 4. Hidden Hand: Exposing How the creativity and is a disturbing form of Himalaya’s importance in global his- dark times. He focuses on enshrining Chinese Communist Party is Reshaping structural oppression. The book argues tory and offers a soaring account of healthcare as a human right, elevating the World by Clive Hamilton, Mareike that until Dalits lay claim to power and life at the “roof of the world.” It the authority of doctors and truth, 5. Too Small to Fail by James Breiding Brahmins go against Brahminism, caste encompasses geology and genetics, and planning for our children’s future. will continue to matter. botany and art, and bursting with sto- And digs deeper at if we can ever live ries of courage and resourcefulness. freely. Hunter Biden’s memoir ‘Beautiful Things’ out in April The book will centre on the younger Biden’s well publicised struggles with substance abuse.

HILLEL ITALIE that is both heartbreaking and quite gor- lobbyist whose work helped lead to the er likely will face criticism from NEW YORK geous. He starts with a question: Where’s first impeachment of Trump. Biden Republicans for his memoir, although Hunter? The answer is he’s in this book, joined the board of the Ukrainian gas books by presidential family members are unter Biden, son of the good, the bad, and the beautiful.” company Burisma in 2014, around the nothing new. During Trump’s presidency, President Joe Biden and In a snippet released by Gallery, Biden time his father, then US vice president, son Donald Trump Jr released two books, an ongoing target for con- writes in his book, “I come from a family was helping conduct the Obama adminis- “Triggered” and “Liberal Privilege.” servatives, has a memoir forged by tragedies and bound by a tration’s foreign policy in that region. President Biden has pledged that, coming out April 6. remarkable, unbreakable love.” Trump and others have insisted that unlike during the Trump administration, The book is called The president and first lady released a Biden was exploiting his father’s name, no family members would work in the H“Beautiful Things” and will centre on the statement Thursday saying, “We admire and they raised unsubstantiated charges White House. The book was in the works younger Biden’s well publicised strug- our son Hunter’s strength and courage to of corruption. The House of before he became the Democratic front- gles with substance abuse, according to talk openly about his addiction so that Representatives voted to impeach Trump runner in the presidential campaign. Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & others might see themselves in his jour- in 2019 after learning that he had pres- New York publishers often take on Schuster. Acquired in the fall of 2019, ney and find hope.” sured Ukraine’s president to announce it authors with a wide range of political “Beautiful Things” was kept under wraps During one of last fall’s presidential was investigating the Bidens. Trump was viewpoints, and Simon & Schuster has even as Biden’s business dealings became debates, Joe Biden defended his son from acquitted by the Senate. released books by Trump and Sean a fixation of then-President Donald attacks by Trump. Last December, Hunter Biden con- Hannity, along with such anti-Trump best- Trump and others during the election “My son, like a lot of people, like a lot firmed that the Justice Department was sellers as former National Security and his finances a matter of investiga- of people you know at home, had a drug looking into his tax affairs, and The Advisor John Bolton’s “The Room Where tion by the Justice Department. problem,” the Democratic candidate Associated Press subsequently reported It Happened” and presidential niece Mary “Beautiful Things” was circulated said. “He’s overtaken it. He’s fixed it. He’s that he had received a subpoena asking Trump’s “Too Much and Never Enough.” among several authors and includes worked on it, and I’m proud of him. I’m about his interaction with numerous busi- The publisher signed up a book last advance praise from Stephen King, Dave proud of my son.” ness entities. Though Trump made clear fall by a leading Trump supporter in Eggers and Anne Lamott. Hunter Biden, who turned 51 Thursday, publicly that he wanted a special counsel Washington, Sen. Josh Hawley of “In his harrowing and compulsively is the oldest surviving child of the to handle the investigation, then-Attorney Missouri, but dropped it in the wake of readable memoir, Hunter Biden proves president, who lost his first wife and AP/RSS General William Barr did not appoint one. Hawley’s support for the January 6 pro- again that anybody—even the son of a 1-year-old daughter, Naomi, in a 1972 car The memoir by Biden will be released on April 6. Biden has denied any wrongdoing. test that led to the violent siege of the US United States President—can take a ride accident, and son Beau Biden to brain Financial terms for “Beautiful Things,” Capitol by Trump supporters who wrong- on the pink horse down nightmare alley,” cancer in 2015. The title of Hunter’s book diagnosis, meant to emphasize what was which was written in collaboration with ly believed that the president had been King writes in his blurb. “Biden remem- refers to an expression he and his broth- important in life. the author and journalist Drew Jubera, reelected. bers it all and tells it all with a bravery er would use with each other after Beau’s Hunter Biden is a lawyer and former were not disclosed. Biden and his publish- — Associated Press

C M Y K SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 A lesson on why art should be accessible to all Through their latest exhibition, Movement-Restriction-Space, Kaalo.101 makes a thoughtful attempt to bring art closer to the public. However, its dependency on technology deters it from achieving its mission.

ANKIT KHADGI Overall, the decision of the gallery to KATHMANDU exhibit the works in a public place is refreshing, as usually artworks have he stage for Kaalo.101’s latest always been confined to galleries and pri- exhibition ‘Movement- vate spaces in Kathmandu. Through the Restriction-Space’ is not in its exhibition, the gallery thus makes art usual Patan building. The art- more accessible to the public, who often works are not put up on clean are the subject and inspiration for many walls, inside rooms where you artists regardless of the fact that they may Thave to take off your shoes to enter. This not be in a privileged position to buy it. time, the works are placed under the Likewise, the space where the artworks Thapathali bridge, on dusty walls next to are exhibited itself makes us question the grimy, smelly Bagmati river. and reflect on our privileges. It makes us In this unusual venue, the works of 10 think that unlike those who have to live artists are presented, all of which reflect nearby the polluted river, we enjoy the the mental and emotional chaos the art- freedom to move and find our own space ists endured when their mobility and of peace and tranquil. freedom were taken away from them dur- However, one thing that definitely ing the lockdowns enforced by the pan- backfires is the intention of the exhibi- demic and how they tried to redefine the tion in its dependency on the medium of meaning of space and movement for delivering information about the artists them. Every art is personal and that’s and to know the intentions and the what makes the pieces alluring. themes behind their creations. For instance, Pratik Gurung’s There are QR-codes pasted below the ‘Unfolding Senses’ is an ideal representa- artworks which interested viewers can tion of the experiences of every other scan through their phones to know in privileged millennial, who resorted to more detail the artworks, the artist as various hobbies and activities to distract well as the exhibitions. While this deci- their minds from the chaos. sion definitely tries to utilise the minimal In the artwork, using multiple expo- space, however not everyone who will sures, Gurung has put together photo- pass by and see the artwork can be tech graphs where we see her doing various literate. activities like reading a book, playing the And due to this, the intention of mak- ukulele, clicking photographs, using her ing artworks accessible for public con- phone, laptop, meditating and even bak- sumption to people from all strata, espe- ing. cially the working class, who are often In all of her photos, we see her wearing neglected by the art galleries, fails to a black dress, which reflects her mental make a mark. The exhibition does little to state. Dark clouds of unhappiness and make sure that the onlookers, the work- sorrow are looming around her. She feels ing class, who will mainly observe the art trapped in her own home, even when she than the privileged class people, get the can just sit and rest. And that’s why the opportunity to access information easily, black clothes in the photograph she’s POST PHOTO: ANKIT KHADGI even when they are the one who are most wearing, represent her dual and distinct Under the Thapathali bridge, the artworks of 10 artists are put together for the public to see. likely to view the artworks. emotions of strength and emptiness. Maybe additional information in the Another vividly striking artwork in the full attention to comprehend and empa- due to which the overall impact of the Nepali language, which more people exhibition is of Biplav Shrestha, who thise with him and his artworks. artwork can get compromised. understand than English, should have uses photographs to depict his internal And this is why his artwork is exempla- The space where Oshin Bista’s ‘Calming Control’, an art- also been pasted, so more people could process of self-reflection and his rigorous ry and stands out, as we rarely see Nepali the artworks are work through which she reflects the actually grasp the meaning behind the battle against the constant lunacy of the artists trying to incorporate various uprising of resilience in her against artworks. world during the lockdown. mediums to tell their stories and increase exhibited itself makes misogynistic social norms also loses the Nevertheless, the efforts and initiative In his series ‘Echoes from the Void’, he impact. impact and impression it would have left. of the gallery are rewarding and more merges and mainly plays with two col- While most of the artworks in the exhi- us question and reflect In the photograph, we see her clench- galleries should take heed of how they ours: pink and blue, which symbolise his bition deal with personal themes of ing her fist, symbolising the building can make their exhibitions more pub- two mental states: melancholy and vul- restrictions and movement, ‘Choose to on our privileges. resilience and inner strength in her, as lic-friendly, so more and more people can nerability. All of the pictures have white Comply’ by Himal goes beyond. In his she has reached a stage, where the bound- talk, enjoy and understand the impor- edges, which according to the artist repre- artwork, the artist talks about a larger aries set by the society aren’t of any con- tance of the art. sent the confinement and restrictions issue, of how the compliance towards the Similarly, the yellow cloth here stands cern to her. She has overcome every If galleries and curators really want forced on him because of the pandemic. social-cultural norms is restricting as a metaphor for hope, promised by reli- misogynistic rules and norms that the art sector to progress and flourish in Likewise, like Gurung, he also uses human souls. Here, religion becomes the gious leaders, which leads people to restricted her movement to the path of the country, maybe it’s time for them to multiple exposures in a few of his photo- primary subject and cause of human suf- entangle themselves in religious norms, self-discovery. limit catering to closed circles and make graphs, through which he showcases the fering. as they believe that religion and God can While the image itself is powerful there art accessible and approachable to every- two overbearing emotions that were occu- In the artwork, we see an image of a save them and show the path to peace. is a message, ‘I lack control but I resist’, one, so more people can understand the pying his mind. While his photographs man standing, with both his hands tied to However, the message which the artist written on the subject’s arms, which value of arts and feel connected to it. aren’t extraordinary, the letters that a yellow cloth. The reflection here is sym- is trying to deliver only becomes clear if makes the artwork too straightforward. accompany his artworks, through which bolic as through the reflective image, the one reads the information about the art- The message makes her art too direct, The artworks are displayed under the he briefs the viewers about his emotions artist depicts the duplication of religious work. Without reading the information, it forcing the viewers to spend and focus on Bagmati bridge, Lalitpur. They can also and the motivation behind his creations, beliefs which are passed on from one becomes difficult for the viewers to understanding and reciprocating the be viewed on the Instagram page of the is so poignant that one complies in giving human to another. decode the art as there are no direct cues, emotions reflected on the photograph. gallery.

‘Ma Rainey,’ ‘Minari’ and Boseman lead SAG nominations With two individual nominations and two ensemble nods, Chadwick Boseman’s four posthumous SAG nominations in a single year tie a record—and set a new one for solely film categories.

and the Black Messiah”), Sacha Baron The nominees differed Cohen (“The Trial of the Chicago 7”), Jared Leto (“The Little Things”) and notably from Golden Leslie Odom Jr. (“One Night in Miami”). In an already recurring theme for a Globe nominations movie year in which many theaters were often closed due to the pandemic, Netflix announced the led all studios. It accounted for 30 nomi- nees in all, about triple the closest com- day before. petitor. In the television categories, “The Crown,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “Ozark” The Screen Actors Guild’s field of dominated. All of the female leads in a ensemble nominees left out a pair of drama series nominees came from either frontrunners in David Fincher’s gold- “The Crown” (Gillian Anderson, Colman, en-age Hollywood drama “Mank” (which Emma Corrin) or “Ozark” (Laura Linney, led the Globes with six nominations) and Julia Garner). Chloe Zhao’s Western road movie Both series were nominated for best TV “Nomadland.” The stars of each—Gary drama ensemble, along with “Better Call Oldman in “Mank,” Frances McDormand Saul,” “Bridgerton” and “Lovecraft in “Nomadland”—were both nominated Country.” by the actors guild. Annie Murphy, Catherine O’Hara, Boseman, who died last August at age Eugene Levy and Daniel Levy were all 43, was nominated not just for his lead nominated for “Schitt’s Creek.” The performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black other nominees for best comedy series Bottom,” but also his supporting role in ensemble were “Dead to Me,” “The “Da 5 Bloods.” With two individual nomi- Flight Attendant,” “The Great” and “Ted nations and two ensemble nods, Lasso.” Boseman’s four SAG nominations in a The actors guild also helped atone for single year tie a record—and set a new one of the Globes’ other glaring over- one for solely film categories. sights, nominating Michaela Coel for her In 2019, he memorably accepted the performance in the limited series “I May SAG ensemble award for “Black Panther.” Destroy You.” “We all know what it’s like to be told that The SAG Awards will be held almost there is not a place for you to be fea- three months later this year, on April 4. tured—yet you are young, gifted and After postponing due to the pandemic to Black,” Boseman said then. March 14, the SAGs again moved when Aside from Boseman and Oldman, the the Grammy Awards also took that date. AP/RSS nominees for best male actor in a lead The Oscars won’t be held until April 28. This image released by A24 shows Steven Yeun in a scene from ‘Minari’. The Screen Actors Guild has nominated the cast for a SAG Award for outstanding role were Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”), Academy Award nominees, to be performance by a cast in a motion picture. Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”) and announced March 15, are still more than Steven Yeun (“Minari”). five weeks away. JAKE COYLE Foreign Press Association spurned films ly Korean dialogue, was even ruled ineli- Viola Davis, Boseman’s “Ma Rainey” In a first, the nominations Thursday NEW YORK with largely non-white casts in its tops gible for the category by the Hollywood co-star, was nominated for best female were streamed on Instagram, with Daveed awards, the actors guild nominated a Foreign Press Association. actor in a leading role alongside Diggs and Lily Collins serving as hosts. hadwick Boseman received strikingly more diverse slate of nominees But the SAG Awards, presented by McDormand, Carey Mulligan (“Promising At first, Diggs had trouble joining his two posthumous nomina- for its top award, best ensemble. SAG-AFTRA, are considered a far better Young Woman”), Amy Adams (“Hillbilly screen with Collins. tions from the 27th Screen Up for best ensemble are Regina King’s barometer for the Academy Awards, Elegy”) and Vanessa Kirby (“Pieces of a “There are so many more comments Actors Guild Awards, while “One Night in Miami,” about a 1964 meet- where actors account for the largest per- Woman”). than I thought there would be,” he said. the Korean American fami- ing of four Black icons; the August Wilson centage of the academy. Usually, the even- Nominated for best female actor in a It also meant Diggs was live when ly drama “Minari” and adaptation “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”; tual Oscar best picture winner is first supporting role were Maria Bakalova Collins announced his nomination for CSpike Lee’s Vietnam veteran drama “Da 5 Lee Isaac Chung’s “Minari”; Lee’s “Da 5 nominated for best ensemble by the SAG (“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”), Glenn best male actor in a television movie or Bloods” were among the nominees for Bloods” and Aaron Sorkin’s 1960s court- Awards, though “Green Book” and “The Close (“Hillbilly Elegy”), Olivia Colman limited series, for the film version of best ensemble. room drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7.” Shape of Water” were two recent excep- (“The Father”), Yuh-Jung Young “Hamilton.” He responded that the The nominees, announced on All of those films, except Sorkin’s, were tions. Last year, Bong Joon Ho’s “Parasite” (“Minari”) and Helena Zengel (“News of awards were “clearly rigged.” Instagram Live, differed notably from the overlooked Wednesday by the Globes in won the SAG’s top honor (and became the the World”). “This ‘Hamilton’ gift, it keeps giving,” Golden Globe nominations announced its top award, best dramatic film. first non-English film to do so) before tri- The other supporting nominees for said Diggs. the day before. While the Hollywood “Minari,” set in Arkansas but with large- umphing at the Oscars. male actors were Daniel Kaluuya (“Judas — Associated Press

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