WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 169 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 35.3 C 14.7 C Wednesday, August 12, 2020 | 28-04-2077 Bhairahawa Jomsom Nepal braces for a return to locked-down life as rise in Covid-19 cases rings alarm bells Earlier date of August 17 for resumption of flights, long-distance bus travel, and start of school admissions has been pushed back by at least 15 days.

SANGAM PRASAIN & TIKA R PRADHAN been pushed back by 15 days. KATHMANDU, AUG 11 Restaurants have been limited to takeaway services and all non-essen- Three weeks after lifting the lock- tial services like salons, shopping down, the federal government has malls, theatres must remain closed, given local administrations and gov- according to the new government ernments the authority to decide on directive. restrictions and lockdown measures Hotels were told to prepare for as Covid-19 cases continue to rise. guests as international flights had “The districts with more than 200 been earlier scheduled to start arriv- active cases of coronavirus can ing from August 17, but that too has impose necessary restrictions. We been pushed back by 15 days. have not imposed the nationwide lock- “After assessing the risk, the local down and the Cabinet has decided not administrations and local units can to,” said Finance and Information and take the necessary decisions,” said Communication Minister Yubaraj Khatiwada, who is also the govern- Khatiwada, making public the govern- ment spokesperson. ment’s decisions on Covid-19 contain- The government’s unplanned and ment on Tuesday. abrupt decision to cover up for its The restriction orders, however, shortcomings, however, has worried POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL could lead to similar situations as many. Firefighters douse a fire at a chemical factory in Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Bhaktapur on Tuesday. lockdown at some places, according to “We [hoteliers] are increasingly Khatiwada. worried about the future. There are Other containment measures holes in the government’s Covid-19 include restrictions on domestic and response plan and we are becoming international passenger flights until the long-term sufferers,” said Binayak August 31. Shah, senior vice president of the Problems of Nepali theatre extend beyond the pandemic The government had announced on Hotel Association of Nepal. July 20 that flights, both domestic and “We were asked to resume business, international, would be allowed from and accordingly we started bookings Nepali theatre has been struggling financially for a long time. If the condition before the pandemic was poor, it’s now dire. August 17. and had started calling employees back Long distance buses will now be to work. Now we are in a dilemma. Our room rental in Kalopul. “I was getting artistic directors discussing the sys- allowed to ply from September 1. clients will not trust us anymore.” offers in plenty and was regularly temic problems that plague this small All educational institutions includ- A senior official at the Home doing what I loved to do.” Kathmandu-centric art industry of ing schools, colleges, tuition centres Ministry said that around 40 district Then Covid-19 struck. Sandeep was about 1,000 people. and training centres will remain administrations and local govern- in Bangalore for a workshop before Theatre in Kathmandu, over the closed. No date for their opening has ments have already imposed various the lockdown in both Nepal and India. past decade, has been booming--in been announced. kinds of restrictions, lockdowns and He had to cut short his trip and, like terms of the number of theatre hous- The government on July 20 had said curfews, and sealed border crossings many of his colleagues, was soon out es, the audience and the productions. schools could take admissions from since the lifting of the nationwide of work. All of his savings was spent Since the fall of the single private- August 17 but according to the lockdown on July 21. during the Bangalore tour and he ly-owned theatre house, Gurukul, in announcement on Tuesday this has >> Continued on page 2 didn’t want to get back to the family 2012, Kathmandu has seen as many as either, he said. seven theatre houses with their own The only option then was to take black boxes, either self-owned or rent- loans from his circle of friends, and ed--namely, Mandala, Shilpee, Theatre that’s how he has been getting by late- Mall, Kausi, Sarwanam, Theatre ly, sequestered in his room, smoking Village, Shailee, and Kunja. The cigarettes and jotting down drafts of expected new entrant to the scene, plays and film scripts. Purano Ghar, was under construction But not many actors in Kathmandu’s before the pandemic. POST FILE PHOTO theatre scene share Sandeep’s privi- >> Continued on page 2 There is no possibility of a return to theatres until people are safe to gather in a place. lege, if one could call it that. Many have returned to their TIMOTHY ARYAL earn enough to sustain himself. He homes in villages, and they may KATHMANDU, AUG 11 could perform in both Nepali and never come back at all, said Raj English-medium plays (whose remu- Shah, an actor-director with Five years ago, Sandeep Shrestha neration on an average tends to be Sarwanam Theatre. abandoned his family to focus on thea- slightly higher than the former’s). Like all sectors of the tre. His family wanted him to be a Sandeep, who is 32, would go on to society, the pandemic has software engineer but his passion was appear in 27 plays, and write and brought theatre to its knees. But in acting, directing and writing. He direct two in his eight-year-old career. it’s problems, theatre insiders built his network in Kathmandu’s His relationship with his family had say, extend well beyond the pan- small yet robust theatre scene. Soon, smoothened again. demic. he would be involved in new shows “I was on a roll,” Sandeep told me The leisure of the pandemic POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA almost on a monthly basis and would recently over video chat from his one- has led to theatre owners and Shops closed in Bhaktapur. Increasing curbs due to rising virus cases worry businesspeople.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 | 02 NATIONAL Laboratories in Province 1 overwhelmed with increasing number of samples Delay in test results has not only caused distress but also risked community transmission of the disease, Covid-19 suspects and patients say.

DEO NARAYAN SAH family susceptible to contracting the you need to get a PCR test,” Mehata MORANG, AUG 11 disease from them. added. “Those who have maintained “The health officials in the munici- physical distance with the infected do A 50-year-old man from Ward 11 in pality traced me through an infected not come under contact tracing. But Biratnagar had his swab sample col- individual. It took them five days to the local units are collecting swabs of lected for a Polymerase Chain give me my result,” said a coronavirus those people as well.” Reaction test by the metropolis’ health patient who is in his early sixties. According to him, the social officials on Saturday. The long wait for “Five days after they took my sample, development ministry is preparing to his test result is causing him much I found out that I had tested positive draft a guideline to systematise the distress, he says. for the virus. I put my family and collection of swab samples in the local “I am very worried about the test friends at risk of getting infected. Had bodies. result and the safety of my family,” he I known about the result earlier, I However, Kuikel from the Health said. “If I am carrying the virus, then would have been more careful in Unit of Biratnagar Municipality says I might have already infected my par- self-isolating.” that his office has been collecting ents, wife, children and even my Dr Suresh Mehata, chief at the swab samples for testing based on the POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR neighbours.” Health Division of Social Development demand of the metropolis. Broken glass at the Tribhuvan University vice-chancellor’s office after Nepal Student Union members vandalised it, in Kirtipur on Tuesday. According to the health unit of Ministry in Province 1, believes that if “The risk of infection has become Biratnagar Metropolis, the city col- the local units prioritised contact trac- high in the province since the easing lected around 1,100 swab samples for ing instead of focusing on random of lockdown measures,” he said. “All PCR tests in the past week. swab collection, then the labs would local units in the province, including “We are yet to conduct tests on 400 be able to release the test results soon- our municipality, have been prioritis- specimens,” said Rajendra Kuikel, an er. “We have to prioritise PCR tests ing expansion of PCR tests.” Over 20,000 people booked for flouting officer at the health unit. based on contact tracing and of people As of Tuesday, the laboratories in It usually takes only a day for PCR with Covid-19 symptoms. But the local Province 1 have conducted a total of test reports to come but the PCR labo- units have been collecting swab 60,680 PCR tests. Among them, 1,563 ratories in Province 1 are over- samples of people who are not in need samples tested positive for the virus. mask and social distancing rules in Valley whelmed with the rising number of of a test right away,” he said. “This Morang has been a hotspot of the dis- Covid-19 cases. This has led to a delay has also overwhelmed the labs in the ease in recent days with 608 positive SHUVAM DHUNGANA districts and the Nepal Police of Police Kuber Kadayat, spokesper- in conducting PCR tests on the collect- province.” cases. Biratnagar alone has 342 posi- KATHMANDU, AUG 11 Headquarters to take necessary action son for the Nepal Police, his office has ed samples and releasing the test “Just because you know someone tive cases, among them 273 are active against the offenders. directed its personnel to avoid crowds results. There are three PCR labs— who has been infected does not mean cases. The government on July 21 lifted the and strictly follow safety protocols Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of nationwide lockdown, almost four after the surge in Covid-19 cases Health Sciences, Koshi Hospital and months after it was imposed, with More than 350 police among security workforce. Public Health Laboratory—currently certain public health guidelines like “There are fewer police personnel in operation in the province. compulsory wearing of masks in pub- officials across the seen on the roads now as compared to According to Jayabendra Yadav, lic, observing social distancing and the past,” said Kadayat. director at the Public Health restricting large gatherings. However, country are infected The Baggikhana office of the divi- Laboratory, each laboratory has the many people in the Valley have been sion was also recently sealed and all capacity to conduct 500 PCR tests on a found flouting the health and safety with the virus. 300 officers, including the division’s daily basis. rules. chief SSP Bhim Prasad Dhakal, are “The three labs have a total capacity According t0 the Metropolitan currently in quarantine. of conducting 1,500 PCR tests per day. Police Office, Ranipokhari, a total of The police took action against those Former officials fear that if But the local units from across the 20,302 people were caught in the Valley who were found out in the public with- the cases among police keep on province collectively send 2,200 to as of Tuesday for not following safety out wearing masks while the traffic rising at this rate, it may affect 2,700 swabs every day,” said Yadav. “So protocols. police ensured that everyone in public regular policing. there is a backlog of swab samples to “Of them, 2,127 people were fined Rs vehicles were wearing masks. “Security lapses could be seen if be tested in the labs.” 100 each while 18, 294others were However, with the rising number of they have to seal more offices,” said A PCR machine installed in Mechi released after a warning,” said Senior Covid-19 cases among police Hemanta Malla, the former deputy Hospital of Jhapa is expected to ease Superintendent of Police Sushil workforce, there has been a decline in inspector general. the burden on the three labs to some Kumar Yadav, spokesperson for the the number of security personnel on “Criminals may take advantage of extent. The lab in Jhapa has the capac- Metropolitan Police Office, duty, raising concern among many such a situation and the crime rate ity to run 500 tests per day and has Ranipokhari. that more people will violate safety could rise due to inadequate person- come into operation from Tuesday. In view of the growing number of protocols. nel working in the field.” According to Yadav, as many as 2,750 Covid-19 cases, the Ministry of Home According to the data provided by Since the lockdown was eased on swab samples remain to be tested in Affairs on July 6 had directed the the Nepal Police, over 350 police per- June 11, allowing private vehicles to the three laboratories as of Tuesday. authorities to take action against peo- sonnel across the country have been operate on an odd-even basis and busi- Meanwhile, coronavirus suspects ple who do not wear masks in public. infected with Covid-19; out of them, nesses to open, public movement has who have given their swab samples for The ministry had issued a circular 119 have recovered. gradually increased. The Valley has so testing say the delay in receiving their POST FILE PHOTO to the local administrations of all 77 According to Senior Superintendent far recorded 980 cases of Covid-19. reports is making their immediate The province’s labs have the combined capacity of conducting only 1,500 PCR tests a day. Youth leaders ask Deuba Nepal braces for a return to Problems of Nepali theatre ... >> Continued from page 1 to be watching the performances on Meanwhile, institutions with a venerable the stage to really enjoy it, and that’s one of to scrap nominations history such as Actors’ Studio and One the things that distinguishes theatre from locked-down life as rise ... World Theatre had been consistently pro- cinema.” POST REPORT ducing plays, showcased in hired spaces. But with growing cases of coronavirus, KATHMANDU, AUG 11 >> Continued from page 1 decision. The scene, however, was not all rosy. It has hitting the stage again is a no, Shrestha There were demands on Sunday from mayors Government and private offices, banks, had its share of hiccups, with a temporary added. As an aside, some theatre groups like Twelve youth leaders of the Nepali Congress on of Kathmandu Valley to seal all entry points cooperatives, financial institutions and other closure of Theatre Village, and the shift of Kausi have staged open air plays in support Tuesday urged party President Sher Bahadur Deuba to to Kathmandu Valley and a total ban on pub- organisations are allowed to mobilise only 50 Theatre Mall from Sundhara to Kirtipur. of the protesting Enough is Enough cam- respect the party charter and scrap his decision to lic vehicles. percent of their employees in districts which Contributing to both of these unfortunate paigners. “The passion for theatre among form various party departments. But the Cabinet rejected the proposal, said have more than 200 coronavirus cases, as well events were financial reasons. Moreover, in the actors is high as always. Some actors Despite repeated warnings from rival factions led by an official at the Prime Minister’s Office. as in Kathmandu Valley. early 2019, the scene was rocked when three walked for three hours just to perform a lit- Ram Chandra Poudel and Krishna Prasad Sitaula, As of Tuesday, Nepal has reported 23,948 Offices where services through online, vir- veteran actor-directors were implicated in tle skit,” Akanchha Karki, director of Deuba has kept on forming party departments. He has Covid-19 cases with 83 deaths. The Health tual or electronic mediums are not possible sexual harassment accusations in the Nepal Kausi, told the Post. nominated over 668 cadres for them as of Monday. The Ministry said on Tuesday that 638 new cases should be closed until further decision, the episode of the global #MeToo reckoning. “But we couldn’t pay the actors, many of party has already announced to hold its general con- and four deaths were confirmed in the last 24 Cabinet has decided. (The accused are back to work.) whom come from lower-income families. I vention in February, 2021. hours. A total of 10,462 polymerase chain Buying and selling vegetables, fruits, Theatre was suddenly pushed into main- felt quite dejected. But still, to maintain By Tuesday, Deuba has formed 15 departments in reaction (PCR) tests were performed. clothes on footpaths and roadsides, open plac- stream conversation, but a deep-seated sanity, we are doing small-scale projects and spite of strong opposition from party members. The “The worry is that the numbers es, pushcarts and bicycles, and collection of problem plaguing the scene has always been private classes.” party’s code of conduct bars any nomination after may increase further because several scrap have been banned all over the country. overlooked: that despite the growth of pro- Going open air could have been an option announcement of the date for general convention. local bodies have reported that the coronavi- The government has said that such activi- ductions and audience, theatre actors had the pandemic not become more pro- The youth leaders mostly belong to the Poudel and rus has spread in the community,” the official ties could become leading causes of virus couldn’t sustain themselves only by doing nounced, says Ghimire Yubaraj of Shilpee Sitaula factions of the party. told the Post on the condition of anonymity transmission. theatre. Theatre. Coronavirus cases continue to rise They urged Deuba to respect the party charter and because he was not allowed to speak to the Factories can operate only if they set up If the pre-pandemic situation was poor, across the country and in the Capital. withdraw the nominations made for various depart- media. private quarantine ensuring strict health pro- the pandemic has made it dire. “There was “The possibility that theatre could be ments and end the culture of factional politics, accord- Businesses want a proper plan and have tocols for their workers. All large construc- always a pandemic in the theatre,” says restarted soon, either inside the house or in ing to a joint statement. described the government decision as “hap- tion projects and industrial areas should pro- Kedar Shrestha, artistic director of Theatre open air, is thinning out,” he said. “We have The signatories are Chandra Bhandari, Dhanraj hazard”. vide food and shelter for their workers inside Mall. “Theatre houses were struggling, and to be responsible for public health today Gurung, Gururaj Ghimire, Gagan Thapa, Badri Pandey, “We started bookings as soon as the govern- their premises. even if not for the coronavirus pandemic, in more than ever, so doing theatre is currently Ratna Serchan, Pradip Poudel, Jeevan Pariyar, Ram ment asked us to restart the business. Now, Pashupati Murarka, former president of a few years many theatre houses would have out of option.” Krishna Yadav, Kiran Yadav, Sarita Prasai and Kamala the situation is uncertain again,” said Shah. the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of shut down.” Amid an air of uncertainty, about a Pant. At a time when the conventions of various Another official from one domestic airline Commerce and Industry who is also the Theatre in Kathmandu is something run month ago, representatives from 57 theatre party committees have been scheduled, the told the Post that they had sold over 20 per- owner of Murarka Organisation, told the Post out of sheer passion of the actors and the groups operating across the country came formation of departments has raised serious questions cent of seats on sale in most of the sectors but on Monday that such provision may be possi- crew and their strong desire to remain together in Shilpee to discuss how theatre over the impartiality of the general convention, they things are uncertain now. ble only in big factories because they have involved, actor-director Srijana Subba has can move ahead from the current stasis. The said. “We haven’t yet decided whether to refund enough spaces. told the Post. “To meet our expenses, we meeting decided to present a letter of Since the party president is the patron of the party or tell passengers to wait for another two “It may be an important decision consider- need to engage in initiatives of NGOs or demands to the state-owned Academy of charter, he should respect it and make others comply weeks to travel. We are not sure what another ing the increase in Covid-19 cases but it’s not INGOs, which mostly consist of staging Music and Drama. with the rules, the Congress leaders said. It is the role decision could be. But it’s frustrating,” the practical at all,” Murarka told the Post on plays in far-flung villages. We usually get Among the letter’s demands were that the of party President Deuba to maintain democracy with- official said, requesting anonymity as he Monday. decent pay from that,” she said. academy should “assume the guardianship” in the party and to ensure that the party follows the doesn’t want to openly criticise the govern- All religious activities except daily worship “And yes, we get paid from regular stag- of the theatre, address the financial crunch system. They argue that Deuba should make the leader- ment’s decision. at temples have been restricted. The govern- ings too, but that is only nominal. There’s the actors and theatre officials are grap- ship handover process acceptable to all. Tourism Ministry Secretary Kedar ment has said festivals should be observed nothing like a fixed rate according to the pling with, and help and create platforms to The party charter allows a maximum of 50 members Bahadur Adhikari told the Post that it’s not among the family members at their homes stature and experience of the actors, as revive the industry. in one department. Deuba is preparing to form seven the ministry that makes decisions on when to following health protocols. there are in movies.” The academy hasn’t responded yet, more departments soon, according to Congress leaders. allow the resumption of flights. International arrivals through passenger Shrestha says the problem lies in the lack according to Ghimire. Meanwhile, the state- If the Poudel faction does not come to a consensus, “We follow the Coronavirus Crisis repatriation flights have been limited to 500 of a government policy to regulate and owned Rastriya Nachghar has become a Deuba is preparing to form all 42 departments unilater- Management Committee’s directives,” he people—300 based on recommendations by assist theatre. “The state and the society shell of its former self. ally. In the process, he’ll assign roles to over 2,200 party said. diplomatic missions and 200 under the doesn’t even recognise theatre,” he said. “The problems of the actors and directors leaders, a central member said. Poudel can object to the The Tourism Ministry has been told to pre- Foreign Employment Welfare Fund’s repatri- “It’s referred to under the umbrella term are in our thoughts,” said Harihar Sharma, delay in forming the party departments but he cannot pare guidelines for testing, quarantine and ation programme. ‘entertainment spaces’. We don’t feel seen or veteran actor and vice-chancellor of the stop the process, the leader said. other measures for tourists once the country The arrivals will be quarantined in identified.” The government has the Academy. “We have been aiming to engage As per the party charter, all the departments should is open. Kathmandu Valley and sent home once they Academy of Music and Drama tasked with them with some financial support but the have been formed within six months of the general “We are working on the guidelines,” said test negative for the coronavirus. looking after the two entertainment sectors, Covid-19 situation is getting more serious convention, which was held in 2016. However, Deuba Adhikari. The Health Ministry will take the responsi- but it is largely out of the picture. and there’s no way the actors can spring up never formed them on time but rushed to set them up Though Monday’s Cabinet meeting took a bility to test returnees after five-seven days of Despite everything, however, since the to action as of now. We will have to wait and after the term and mandate of the Central Working slew of decisions, the government stopped their arrival. pandemic, theatre makers have engaged in watch.” Committee was extended by one year for holding the short of making them public the same day. Travelling has been restricted to and from creative pursuits, from holding live talk While the Academy may wait and watch, party’s 14th general convention. At least two ministers the Post spoke with the districts with more than 200 infections shows with actors, directors and writers to there’s much uncertainty among theatre When Poudel and other leaders urged Deuba to stop said that the meeting decided to continue except those with permission from respective holding online workshops. Right at the artists. Only thing Sandeep is certain now is the nominations, Deuba reportedly said that he was restrictions at all entry points to the country District Covid-19 Crisis Management Centres beginning, Shrestha’s group hosted a that merely doing theatre will no longer be following the footsteps of Girija Prasad Koirala and until September 16 midnight, except for goods and local governments. Facebook live streaming of plays recorded attainable or sustainable. Sandeep said he is Sushil Koirala, arguing that they had done the same. and cargo movements and Nepalis returning Passes can be issued only for essential pur- previously. While the experiment was popu- not sure whether the plays and scripts he is The party president is not a person; it’s an institu- home. poses, according to officials. lar, with the streamings collectively garner- writing might see the light of the day. For tion, the NC youth leaders stressed. “Deuba does not The meeting also decided to designate Analysing the rate of increase in the num- ing over half a million views, theatre is pri- the question is existential. have the luxury to skip and bypass the system, and the 10 entry points on the Nepal-India border ber of infections, necessary beds would be marily a live medium and there’s no option “To survive the pandemic and its after- party’s legacy and tradition,” they said, asking Deuba for people’s movement. People were allowed managed to keep the patients in isolation, to do live theatre online, Shrestha said. shocks,” he said, “I will have to think of to stop promoting factionalism in the party. to enter through 20 border points prior to the said Khatiwada. “The very essence of theatre is you have alternatives to theatre.”

C M Y K 03 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 NATIONAL

BRIEFING High court interim order

Bhanu Municipality halts bars investment board services to contain virus spread chief executive Bhatta TANAHUN: Suspecting community transmission of Covid-19, Bhanu Municipality in Tahanun has decided from assuming his office to shut down all services for a week PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA from Monday. The municipality how- KATHMANDU, AUG 11 ever, said emergency services related to health and disaster management The Patan High Court has issued an interim will be active. The civic body took the order barring Sushil Bhatta, newly appointed decision following confirmation of chief executive officer of Investment Board coronavirus infection in a man from Nepal, from assuming office for at least Ward 1 with no travel history. five days. On Monday, advocate Jaya Bahadur Bhujel Banke extends prohibitory had filed the writ petition challenging Bhatta’s appointment, saying that he was not fit for the order until Friday job and that his appointment was in violation BANKE: The Banke administration on of the legal provision. Tuesday decided to extend Covid-19 A Cabinet meeting on August 3 had decided prohibitory orders in the district for to appoint Bhatta to the post of the CEO of the three more days. With this decision, investment board. the prohibitory order will be effective According to a copy of order obtained by till midnight on Friday. Similarly, the Post, a single bench of Chief Judge Triyuga, Chaudandigadhi and Belaka Nahakul Subedi on Tuesday issued an interim municipalities in Udayapur district order barring Bhatta from assuming his new have decided to impose a 12-day pro- role as the CEO of the investment board at hibitory order starting from least until August 16, the day when the Wednesday with an increase in Covid- court is due to conduct a hearing on Bhatta’s 19 cases. qualifications. In his writ petition, Bhujel has argued that Bhatta does not have the managerial Nepal’s Covid-19 toll reaches 83 experience as required by Public Private KATHMANDU: Nepal on Tuesday report- Partnership and Investment Act to helm the ed four more Covid-19-related investment board. deaths—two from Dhanusha and one The petitioner has also questioned Bhatta’s each from Sindhupalchok and reputation as an agent for various building Kavrepalanchok districts, taking and contracting firms, whose contracts had the toll to 83. The ministry confirmed been terminated by the government for failing 638 new cases from the 10,462 poly- to deliver the projects. merase chain reaction tests per- The government had to terminate contracts formed between Monday and with 13 companies handled by Bhatta after Tuesday, taking the national POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN poor performance in project implementation, case tally to 23,948. A devotee hands over a butter lamp to a local volunteer to offer it to Lord Krishna in front of Patan Krishna Mandir, which remained closed even on the Janmasthami day this year. Bhujel has stated in the petition. The court has summoned both parties in the case for the August 16 hearing. The defend- ants in the case are Bhatta, Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Ministry of Finance and the Investment Board Nepal. Woman arrested over man’s murder in Gongabu “The court will decide whether to continue the interim order after listening to the argu- ments from both sides,” said Shambu Prasad Regmi, spokesperson at the high court. Investigators, who recovered the body in a suitcase on Sunday, say the premeditated murder was an act of revenge over a relationship gone sour. The court has also ordered the defendants to come up with evidence as to why the order SHUVAM DHUNGANA ship gone sour and the motive behind the pre- asked for,” said Gyawali. The police believe is a trained dog of Nepal Police who had found should not be issued as demanded by the writ KATHMANDU, AUG 11 meditated crime is revenge. there were financial disputes between the two the head and legs of the man some 300 metres petitioner within 15 days, excluding the days According to Senior Superintendent and Mudvari wanted to get married which away from the rest of the corpse. required for delivery of evidence. Police on Monday arrested a woman for alleg- Shyamlal Gyawali, chief of Kathmandu Bohara refused. “After getting rid of the body, she had left “These details were sought to take decision edly killing the man whose body was found on Metropolitan Police Range, during interroga- Kathmandu Metropolitan Police Range and Kathmandu [with her daughter and son] and on whether to annul the appointment of Sunday morning at Gongabu in the Capital. tion, Mudvari said she and Bohara got Metropolitan Crime Branch held a joint press gone to Chitwan in an ambulance,” said Bhatta,” said Regmi. The High Court has also The dismembered body had been found acquainted some four years ago through conference on Tuesday to make public the SSP Thapa. The police made the arrest after its bar to present two senior advocates or advo- inside a suitcase at the Baniyatar area in Facebook. investigation report and the accused. identifying the connection between her and cates to form an amicus curiae to help settle Gongabu. “Then, over the years, their relationship According to the investigation, the accused, Bohara and contacting the Chitwan District the issue of public importance. Police have identified the woman as Kalpana grew. There could be several aspects to this Mudvari, is a housewife who occasionally plays Police Office. The government’s decision to appoint Mudvari, 37, of Chitwan, who currently resides relationship–from financial transactions to small roles in teleserials. She told the police Police said they have uncovered some new Bhatta had invited widespread criticism from in a rented flat in Tokha with her 14-year-old sexual intimacy–which are being investigat- that she does not have a good relationship with information on Bohara as well. different quarters. Many have argued that son and 15-year-old daughter. She also has ed,” said Gyawali. her husband, who has been working in Dubai “It has recently come to light that Bohara Bhatta’s appointment was influenced by his another 21-year-old daughter, who is married According to police, the two were having an for over five years now. had also duped some women on the pretext of brother, Deepak Bhatta, who remains the and does not live with her. affair for the past year. According to the police, the murder took sending them abroad,” said Senior agent of many foreign companies including The deceased has been identified as Krishna “It has come to our understanding that place in Mudvari’s rented flat in Tokha on Superintendent Dipak Thapa, chief of China Gezhouba Group, which was awarded Bahadur Bohara, 45, of Rolpa, who for the past Krishna Bahadur had also created a fake Saturday night. In her statement to the police, Metropolitan Crime Division. the contract to develop the 1200 MW Budhi eight months had been residing in a hotel at the Facebook account in the name of a woman and Mudvari said that she invited Bohara over, Police said Bohara had two wives: the first Gandaki Hydroelectric Project in September Capital’s Gongabu area. was blackmailing the woman that he would made him a meal, offered him some vodka and wife is living with her son in India, while the 2018. In his petition, Bhujel has said that Police said the case seems to be a relation- post her nude pictures if she didn’t do what he then served him curd, in which she mixed five second wife is in Dang. Bhatta’s appointment as the board’s CEO crushed sleeping tablets, which rendered him However, Bohara had not been in touch with could lead to conflict of interest as his brother unconscious. any of his family members and had been living is working for a major project and he himself Mudvari also admitted to have killed the in Kathmandu, working as a clothes dealer. had worked as an agent for many building and unconscious Bohara by first striking him with He was also involved in running Thakali contracting companies in the past. a hammer on his nether region and then Restaurant and Lodge at Sundhara. Bhujel has also warned that Bhatta’s strangulating him to death with a black He had returned to Nepal nearly three years appointment could discourage domestic and shawl, said Superintendent Ishwar Karki, ago after working abroad for over six years. foreign investments. spokesperson for the Metropolitan Crime Division. Police have discovered a hammer, a khukuri, the black shawl and some clothes of the victim in the flat, he said. “It is learnt that the body was taken to the bathroom, where the head and legs were sev- ered. They were then put in the black suitcase and a big plastic bag and disposed of on the roadside in Gongabu,” he said. According to Karki, Mudvari had cut off the head and legs so it would be easy for her to dispose of the body. The accused then dumped the suitcase near the hotel where Bohara was staying. The police have also arrested Mudvari’s 15-year-old daughter for allegedly assisting her mother in disposing of the body. Her son, how- ever, was asleep in another room, according to the police. After the body was found in the suitcase, the POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI police started an investigation into the inci- Police say the alleged murderer and the deceased met on Facebook four years ago. dent under the name of Operation Jo Jo. Jo Jo With many traffic officers in quarantine, other police personnel mobilised to enforce odd-even vehicle rule A total of 8,302 motorists have been booked for violating alternate-day driving rule in the past six days.

ANUP OJHA ists from flouting the alternate-day driving rule including at six entry points of Kathmandu KATHMANDU, AUG 11 that was imposed as a curb to control the spike Valley,” said Yadav. of coronavirus cases in the Valley. The government had imposed the odd-and The Metropolitan Traffic Police Division office There was a noticeable presence of Nepal even rule for public and private vehicles inside in Baggikhana has been sealed for nearly a week Police personnel on the Valley roads since Kathmandu Valley for the second time last week. now following the detection of coronavirus Monday. Besides, the government has also been regu- infection in four officers. “Any motorists driving out of turn are being lating the vehicles and people entering the Nearly 300 traffic officers at the division in stopped at this checkpoint. We have already Valley from various entry points: Thankot- Baggikhana are currently in quarantine. Thirty- booked over two dozen motorcyclists,” said the Nagdhunga, Pharping, Jagati, Tinpiple-Mudkhu three officers at the Metropolitan Traffic Police constable. “This is my first experience doing a Bhanjyang, Jaharshing Pawa and Kattike. Section in Tripureshwor are also observing traffic policeman’s job.” According to Yadav, the Nepal Police has quarantine after two traffic policemen there Bam Dev Gautam, spokesperson at the traffic mobilised 3,196 personnel in Kathmandu, 810 in tested positive for coronavirus. police division office, said: “With many traffic Bhaktapur and 1,127 personnel in Lalitpur with Due to its reduced strength, the traffic police officers put under quarantine, Nepal Police has the instruction to enforce the Covid-19 public has asked for support from Nepal Police to man- mobilised its staff to monitor the traffic move- health safety and rules, like odd-even vehicle age and monitor the traffic in Kathmandu Valley. ments and they are helping traffic personnel rule and social distancing. “Various police units Nepal Police has mobilised its constables all enforce the odd-even rule,” have deployed their officers on the road to nab across the Valley to regulate the traffic and Gautam himself is also staying in quarantine the rule violators,” said Yadav. enforce the odd-even rule for vehicles. along with Superintendent of Police Bhim Gautam, the spokesperson for the traffic divi- “We have been strictly monitoring the odd- Prasad Dhakal, chief of the traffic division sion office, said a total of 1,602 odd-even rule even rule enforced by the government,” said a office. vehicle rule violators, including 4oo four-wheel- 25-year-old- police constable mobilised to moni- Senior Superintendent of Police Sushil Kumar ers were seized, on Tuesday alone. tor the traffic in the Bhadrakali area. Yadav, spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police In the past six days, the division’s records Earlier, only few traffic police were present on Office, Rani Pokhari, said most of the Nepal show that 8,302 motorists were booked for taking the Valley roads, resulting in poor implementa- Police personnel deployed on traffic duty are out their vehicles when it was not their turn. tion of the odd-even rules. newly recruited constables. “With the help of Nepal Police, the traffic The mobilisation of Nepal Police constables “Nepal Police civvies have also been deployed officers are strictly monitoring the odd-even on traffic duty is expected to discourage motor- to monitor the movement of people and vehicles, vehicle rule,” said Gautam.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Yunnan in a development dilemma Table for two It risks exposing its ethnic Bloated egos of a handful of individuals should not cultures and cultural ecology too hamper Indo-Nepal bilateral relations. much, and eroding the basic principles of sustainability.

The news of the eighth meeting of the Indo-Nepal Oversight Mechanism being scheduled for August 17 has come as a major MAHENDRA P LAMA relief for those closely following the goings-on between the two friendly South Asian neighbours in recent months. The meeting has been a long time coming, as the current reticence between these otherwise gregarious nations following the cartographic tussle over the disputed territories of Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura had caused a great deal of inconvenience in other China’s western region, covering two- areas of bilateral cooperation. thirds of its territory and nearly 23 The upcoming meet is part of a mechanism that oversees the percent of the national population, implementation of bilateral projects. The meet, therefore, is man- comprises nine provinces and autono- mous regions—Gansu, Guizhou, dated mostly to review and assess large India-funded projects in Ningxia, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Nepal, and is not expected to make big forays into the bilateral Tibet, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Chongqing relations vis-à-vis the border dispute. However, even the drop of a Municipality. After eastern China’s 14,000-km coastline brought fortunes to pin in an empty room serves well to break the monotony of silence. the country during the period 1980- At a time when the two friendly nations are maintaining complete 2000, western China with a 3,500-km silence, any discussion, however small and off syllabus, carries land frontier was considered to become with it big meaning and hope. the second golden area of reopening. During these two decades, China wit- Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali couldn’t have been nessed glaring regional disparity, and any clearer when he said there was no alternative to talks and that the western region emerged very vul- ‘we can’t hold our entire ties hostage to the differences over the nerable. Its seven coastal divisions han- boundary issue’. Gyawali, speaking with the Post on Monday, dled 75 percent of national exports, more than 90 percent of all processing sounded pretty confident, as any foreign minister should, about the exports and 67 percent of imports. In beginning of formal talks after a nine-month hiatus, and after 1998, Tibet and Gansu had the lowest Nepal sent at least four diplomatic notes calling for talks. India had per capita rural consumption of 710 yuan and 939 yuan respectively. for quite some time been avoiding a table talk citing the Covid-19 China received foreign direct invest- pandemic. ment inflows of $250.02 billion from But the pandemic was just a lame excuse considering its zeal to 1985-98 in which the share of the east- SHUTTERSTOCK settle the dispute with China amicably and immediately following ern region was over 86 percent against Views of the city of Kunming from a nearby mountain park. the western region’s 3.4 percent. the skirmishes along the actual line of control on the high Beijing’s biggest concern was that this of the industrial structure, promotion ing three counties’ model was adopted completed in 2021. Besides two dozen Himalaya in May and June. The principles of international diplo- blatant development laggardness in of science, technology and education, with a focus on aspects of production, land, air and water ports, the three macy mandate that nations show the same zeal and honesty when these politically and strategically vola- and economic reforms. These measures living, education and medicine. cross-border waterways from Lancang it comes to settling disputes with smaller countries as well. tile provinces could trigger huge politi- brought significant development in the Yunnan’s total foreign trade increased to the Mekong, Red River and Irrawaddy cal dissent and social upheavals. whole of western region. These prov- from $548 million in 1990 to a hefty are likely to be connected with the The absence of formal communication has hampered other Therefore, a provision of autonomy inces started interacting intimately $29.90 billion in 2018. Border trade, oceans and ports therein. areas of bilateral relations of importance. It came quite late this and flexibility in their cross-border with the neighbouring countries, par- mostly with Myanmar through the year, the blame on Nepal for the floods in northern India. Bihar interactions were considered a central ticularly Southeast Asian countries. Muse-Ruili point, jumped from a mere Damage to cultural ecology point. It was at this critical juncture Yunnan’s development status, along $74 million in 1990 to $3.3 billion in 2018. With all these, Yunnan has encoun- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday complained to Prime that Yunnan, a core province on the with Tibet and Sichuan, has undergone Its trading partners are spread over tered a serious development dilemma Minister Narendra Modi that non-cooperation from Nepal had traditional Tea Horse Road, was pro- massive transformation. They have countries in Asia, Europe, North of exposing its unique ethnic cultures resulted in northern Bihar being flooded, and asked him to take up jected as the torchbearer of this open- moved from the basics to more sophisti- America, Latin America and Africa. and fragile cultural ecology too much, the matter with Nepal. ing of the western region to neighbour- cated interventions and to more pivotal The openness was clearly reflected in and steadily eroding the basic princi- ing countries. roles within China. Just two decades the number of foreign direct investment ples of sustainability. Its dependence The annual blame game by northern Indian politicians— ago, Yunnan—a mountainous land- projects that increased from 11 to 182 on Southeast Asia has grown so much Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati have done their bit during their Kunming Initiative locked province with Myanmar in the resulting in an investment flow of $8.28 that any dislocation by issues related to rules—exposes their own political calculations than a genuine China launched the Kunming Initiative west and Laos and Vietnam in the billion in 2018 alone. More than 5.49 the South China Sea and other strate- concern for solving the flood problem once and for all. After all, the in 1999. The core rationale was to grav- south—was considered to be a slow million foreign and 681 million domestic gic and nationalism-based resistance itate the ‘backward zones of eastern growing poverty-stricken province tourists visited Yunnan in 2018 as could derail its entire development pro- major barrages that control the flow of water towards India are South Asia and its periphery’ including majorly dependent on cattle rearing against 0.66 million and 38 million in cess. The ongoing India-China imbro- controlled by India itself. But the fact remains that Nepali and Bangladesh, the north-eastern region and tobacco farming. It had huge infra- 2000. Foreign exchange earnings from glio has indefinitely grounded its Indian administrators and governments need to be constantly in of India, Bhutan and Nepal to the structural gaps and poor connectivity tourism increased from $339 million in sub-regional ventures, like the K2K, sub-regional idea of Kolkata to with major Chinese cities and develop- 2000 to $4.41 billion. Domestic tourists and entry into the Indian Ocean. How touch for greater cooperation and wellbeing of the citizens on Kunming (K2K). This was both to sub- ment centres. Its overwhelming ethnic left behind earnings of $131.21 billion. much of these development gains have either side of the border. sume India’s Look East policy intro- population of 24 minorities kept it as a Yunnan is already a crucial part of inbuilt inclusiveness, and what is the India and Nepal should also hold talks at the highest level to duced in 1992 and facilitate China’s sensitive zone for any major develop- the Greater Mekong Subregion. Besides extent of its percolating down to strik- silence speculations among political pundits and the media that a entry into the Indian Ocean from its ment intervention. oil and gas pipelines originating from ingly varied ethnic communities unexplored western flank. Today, it is one of the most vibrant Myanmar and electricity transmission including Achang, Bai, Bulang, Buyi, third neighbour, China, is fishing in muddy waters. Nations outlive In Premier Zhu Rongji’s report on provinces and an over-bridge to lines linking neighbouring countries, Dai, Dulong, De’ang, Hani, Hui, Jingpo, the lives, lies and egos of political leaders, pundits and journalists. National Economic and Social Southeast Asia. During the period 1990 landlocked Yunnan has four cross-bor- Jino, Lahu, Lisu, Miao, Mongolian, The bloated egos of a handful of individuals should in no way ham- Development during the 10th Five-Year to 2018, the gross regional domestic der highways connecting Kunming Naxi, Nu, Pumi, Shui, Tibetan, Wa, per the deep cultural, economic and historical relations between Plan (2001-05), developing the western product increased from $9.41 billion to with Bangkok, Hanoi, Yangon, Yao, Yi and Zhuang is yet to be scientif- region for regionally balanced econom- $269.7 billion. Its per capita income Vientiane. It has been deftly connected ically studied. So far, propaganda has the two neighbours. The only way forward, therefore, is talks, talks ic development and also deepening recorded an almost 22-fold jump. with other parts of China. As a major ruled the roost. and talks. The meet next week, therefore, carries greater signifi- reform were major deviations. It Initiatives under the west-east beginning in its railway connectivity cance than just a routine meet between two development partners launched the ‘develop-the-west’ cam- (Shanghai-Yunnan) cooperation made with Southeast Asian countries, the Lama headed the government- paign in 2000 with five major compo- huge investments, and helped alleviate ongoing $7 billion Kunming-Vientiane appointed Nathu La Trade Study as it can possibly help begin a series of much-needed, meaningful nents—infrastructure construction, poverty among various ethnic minori- (Laos) 415-km railway project under the Group to reopen the trade route dialogues between the two neighbours. environmental protection, adjustment ties. In 2011, the ‘three prefectures help- Belt and Road Initiative is likely to be between Sikkim and Tibet in 2005.

The preventable trauma of childbirth during the pandemic

emphasising that C-sections should be carried Governments and donors must out only when medically justified. Furthermore, most African countries were allocate far more resources for already off track to meet their targets for reducing maternal and infant deaths by 2030, advocacy in problematic areas part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. As Jesca Nsungwa Sabiiti, such as maternal health. Uganda’s maternal and child health commis- sioner, has noted, the pandemic is likely to delay achievement of the targets even further. MARY FITZGERALD But just as the Covid-19 crisis can impede progress, it can also spur change, by forcing governments and civil society to rethink how our health systems, economies, and societies are organised. So far, discussions—especially among policymakers—have tended to be nar- row, focused on short-term solutions. If we are to build the ‘equitable, resilient, and sustaina- ‘The baby is dead. We can’t assist you here’. By ble’ post-Covid world that many leaders advo- the time she heard these devastating words, cate, we must embrace a much more ambitious the pregnant Yasmelis Casanova had endured vision of what public health really means. a long and painful journey, passing through For example, laws protecting the vulnerable multiple Covid-19 checkpoints, to the hospital need to be enacted and enforced. Health bodies in Caracas, Venezuela. She bled for hours with- and other agencies must investigate violations out treatment. When doctors at a second hospi- and hold medical providers accountable. And tal finally operated on her, they removed her governments and donors must allocate far more ovaries without her prior consent. Then, she resources for advocacy in problematic areas spent 20 days there almost entirely alone; due such as maternal health, and for implementing to Covid-19 restrictions, visits were banned. a rights-based approach to medical training and Venezuela’s health-care infrastructure was SHUTTERSTOCK service provision across the board. crumbling well before the pandemic, but the countries—women have been forced to give this is necessary to prevent the spread of ics to domestic violence shelters. And it fits a The issue extends far beyond direct medical Covid-19 crisis has pushed it to the point of birth without companions. Covid-19. wider global pattern of downgrading women’s care. Today, women can be imprisoned for hav- collapse. Many women experiencing obstetric Likewise, the WHO asserts that procedures Likewise, there have been multiple reports rights and needs, including during childbirth. ing miscarriages (as in El Salvador) and emergencies now struggle to reach hospitals, like C-sections should be performed only when of pregnancy deaths in Africa, after transport Just last year, a WHO-led study reported that 42 detained for nonpayment of hospital bills after let alone gain access to adequate care. Yet such they are medically necessary or have the wom- and other lockdown restrictions prevented percent of the women interviewed by research- childbirth (as in Kenya). Structural inequality failures can be seen far beyond Venezuela, in an’s consent. Yet in 11 countries, women women from reaching hospitals. Many women ers in Ghana, Guinea, Myanmar, and Nigeria and discrimination based on gender, race, rich and poor countries alike. reported that they didn’t consent to C-sections, in developing countries have been forced to said they had experienced physical or verbal class, disability, and more still shapes every Last month openDemocracy released the inductions, and episiotomies (the cutting of a give birth in unsanitary and unsafe conditions. abuse, stigma, or discrimination in health aspect of our lives, in rich and poor economies results of a global investigation into the treat- woman’s vagina) that were performed on them, Experts now warn that over the course of just facilities during childbirth. alike. All of these failures undermine public ment of women in childbirth during the Covid- or said that they did not believe these proce- six months, Covid-19 restrictions and In Latin America, several countries—includ- health. 19 pandemic. Across 45 countries—from dures were medically necessary. health-service disruptions could cause up to ing Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Uruguay, and Far too many women have felt alone, scared, Canada to Cameroon, from the United Kingdom WHO guidelines also dictate that women 56,700 additional maternal deaths in low- and Venezuela—have passed laws against the per- and traumatised while giving birth during the to Ecuador—we found what doctors and law- receive breastfeeding support and the opportu- middle-income countries. formance of medical procedures, such as pandemic. One woman in Italy expressed her yers describe as ‘shocking’ and ‘unnecessary’ nity for skin-to-skin contact with newborns. If this is not enough to expose the flaws in C-sections, without informed consent. But they hope that policymakers and medical providers breaches of laws and World Health Yet mothers have been separated from new- current Covid-19-prevention measures, consid- are very rarely enforced, and advocates report would learn from her suffering, and the suffer- Organisation guidelines intended to protect borns in at least 15 countries—including at er how unevenly they are implemented (and that authorities and medical staff normalise ing of those like her, so that other women women and babies during the pandemic. least six European countries—and prevented lifted). In some parts of England, women can such obstetric violence. wouldn’t have to endure what she did. We owe The WHO’s specific Covid-19 guidelines from breastfeeding in at least seven, even now take their partners to the pub, but not to In fact, before the pandemic, 40 percent of it to these women to ensure that they do. affirm, for example, that women should be though there is no conclusive evidence that antenatal appointments. babies across Latin America were already accompanied by a person of their choice while Covid-19 can be transmitted through breast This reflects a long history of the ‘postcode being delivered by C-section, though this meth- Fitzgerald is Editor in Chief of the media giving birth. Yet, across Eurasia and Latin milk. lottery’ dictating access to healthcare and od poses higher risks for mother and baby. The organisation openDemocracy. America—including in at least 15 European Doctors and health experts agree: none of other services, from in vitro fertilisation clin- WHO recommends a rate of around 15 percent, —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 MONEY

BIZLINE India inflation likely Maximum retail price set for bottled edged up in July on F1Soft bags South East Asia Business award higher food prices: KATHMANDU: F1Soft water not to apply to premium brands International, a Nepal based software Reuters poll company, has been Traders charging more than the maximum retail price may be fined Rs 200,000 to Rs 300,000, officials say. awarded the South REUTERS East Business Award KRISHANA PRASAIN BENGALURU, AUG 11 by APAC Insider, a KATHMANDU, AUG 11 Department clarifies prices leading business magazine in UK. India’s retail inflation edged up slight- This is the first time that a Nepalese The maximum retail price set for bot- KATHMANDU: The department on ly in July due to higher food prices, company has won the coveted award, tled water will not apply to premium Tuesday clarified that the maximum remaining firmly above the RBI’s states the press release issued by the brands, said the Department of retail price for packaged water fixed medium-term target of 4 percent for a company. The award is based on the Commerce, Supplies and Consumer on Monday was lower than the market 10th straight month, a Reuters poll impact created by businesses in Protection, which recently capped bot- rate, amid criticism that the depart- showed. South Asia. Biswas Dhakal, President tled water at Rs16 for a 1-litre bottle ment had hiked prices in the name of Food prices, which account for near- of F1Soft Group of Companies and Rs50 for a 20-litre jar. setting the maximum retail price. ly half the inflation basket, have shared, “We are proud to be recog- Netra Prasad Subedi, director gen- “The processed jar water company’s soared since April due to supply-side nised internationally among South eral of the department, said they price is Rs20, the distributor price is disruptions caused by a nationwide Asia’s prestigious companies for our would set the maximum retail price Rs35, the retail price is Rs40 and the lockdown imposed to contain the efforts. The world needs more innova- for premium brands too in the future. maximum retail price is Rs50. The spread of the coronavirus which tive companies especially during the According to the department, the company price for processed water in has infected more than 2 million coronavirus pandemic”. F1Soft devel- new maximum retail price is for ordi- 1-litre bottles is Rs110 per carton con- people and killed over 44,000 in oped popular mobile payment and nary processed drinking water and taining 12 bottles, the distributor price the world’s second-most populous mobile banking solutions such as not for bottled water for export or is Rs130 per carton, the retail price is country. eSewa and Fonepay. specially sealed bottled water. Rs150 per carton and the maximum While the central government grad- Subash Bhandari, president of the retail price is Rs16 per bottle,” said the ually eased restrictions in June, Nepal Bottled Water Industries department. A market inspection regional lockdowns in some major FOREX Association, said almost 90 percent done by the department found that agricultural producing states of the bottled water plants in the 20-litre jars were being sold for up to continued to disrupt supplies of country were producing ordinary Rs125, and 1-litre bottles for Rs85- essential perishables like fruits and US Dollar 119.94 processed drinking water and the Rs115 per carton. vegetables. Euro 141.43 rest produced premium processed The inspection team also found bot- The August 6-10 Reuters poll of over drinking water. tled water companies using jars or 45 economists showed Indian retail Pound Sterling 157.18 “Premium brands such as Aqua 100, labels belonging to other firms, not inflation rose to 6.15 percent last Bisleri, Bailley, Himalayan Spring, printing the maximum price on the month from 6.09 percent in June. Japanese Yen 11.30 H2O and Rasuwa have a comparative- package, disregarding hygiene stand- Forecasts for the data, scheduled Chinese Yuan 17.27 ly high cost of production due to the ards, not using acro filter and UV to be released on August 12 at 1200 raw materials they use, and the con- machine, not obtaining water quality GMT, ranged from 5.00 percent to Qatari Riyal 32.94 sumer segment is also different for certificate and selling water of dubi- 6.55 percent. Australian Dollar 86.13 these brands,” said Bhandari. ous quality cheaply to consumers. The “We see July CPI inflation to be According to Bhandari, these new maximum retail price will be steady above the Reserve Bank of Malaysian Ringit 28.61 brands are packaged in polycarbonate implemented on a trial basis in the India’s 6 percent policy limit. Food jars. Ordinary bottled water is sold in Kathmandu Valley and Kavrepala- remained a dominant inflation driver Saudi Arab Riyal 31.98 20 gram plastic bottles while premium nchok district from August 26. but high utility and transport costs Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank brands come in 24 gram or 30 gram also contributed,” said Prakash bottles which have a PCO cap and a Sakpal, Asia economist at ING. PRICE PER TOLA different labelling system. The premi- could be flooded with imported prod- The government suspended the BULLION um brands use spring source water ucts, he said. Premium bottled water release of CPI inflation headline num- and have a different door-to-door deliv- brands like Rasuwa are exported to bers for April and May due to insuffi- Fine Gold Rs 101,600 ery system, he added. Korea, Japan and Europe, but in limit- cient data during the lockdown. The retail price of premium brand PHOTO COURTESY: AQUA HUNDRED FACEBOOK PAGE ed quantities and not on a regular The RBI kept interest rates on hold Silver Rs 1,435 bottled water is more than Rs25 for a The government maintains premium brands like Aqua 100 have a comparatively high cost of basis, said Bhandari. last week after reducing the repo rate 1-litre bottle. A 20-litre jar costs more production due to the raw materials they use. The National Consumer Forum has by a total of 115 basis points since SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA than Rs80. Rasuwa brand water is pro- repeatedly complained about custom- February—despite a recent rise in duced from processed water obtained retail price had been reduced, and Rs50 retail. If the company or depot ers being overcharged for bottled retail consumer prices—but said it Shares in Dhunche and costs Rs200 for a no one can stop somebody from selling sells directly to consumers, they water. The maximum retail price would ensure inflation remains 20-litre jar. at less than the set price in a free mar- can charge Rs35 to Rs40, he said. was set on the basis of a report pre- within target. Nepse 1,423.81pts -0.46% In 2016, the government and the ket. “Our main aim is to provide pro- Retailers have been charging Rs60-70, pared by a task force consisting of According to the RBI’s latest survey, association agreed to set the maxi- cessed drinking water at reasonable he added. Traders charging more than department officials, representatives household inflation expectations for HIGHEST LOSERS mum retail price of bottled water. The prices,” he said. Bottled water compa- the maximum retail price may be from the association and consumer the three-month and one-year hori- NFS KMCDB GLBSL NSEWA KRBL ACLBSL -9.8% -5.45% -5.45% -3.81% -3.77% -3.75% maximum retail price was fixed at nies can reduce prices to undercut fined Rs200,000 to Rs300,000, said rights activists. zons rose to over 10 percent in July, Rs18 for a 1-litre bottle and Rs60 their competitors. Sagar Mishra, director at the depart- “We had said that the price of a suggesting Asia’s third-largest econo- MODERATE LOSERS for a 20-litre jar. But the base price was The department said retailers ment. Consumers were being cheated 1-litre bottle and a 20-litre jar should my could enter a period of stagfla- SIFC GHL OHL SHL PROFL PMHPL -3.72% -3.57% -3.35% -3.1% -2.77% -2.7% not implemented and retailers were buy jar water at Rs35 wholesale for lack of a fixed maximum retail be set at Rs17 and Rs55 respectively, tion—a phase with lofty inflation,

MODERATE GAINERS found charging more than Rs60 for a from bottled water companies price, said Bhandari. but our recommendation was reject- high unemployment and stagnant SAND2085 NICBF RADHI MLBBL AKJCL NICAD8283 20-litre jar. Subedi said the maximum and they cannot charge more than If prices are not set, the market ed,” said Bhandari. demand. 3% 3.12% 3.59% 3.8% 3.84% 3.98%

HIGHEST GAINERS GMFIL BFC UIC UNHPL SDLBSL AIL 4.91% 5.1% 5.22% 8.77% 9.81% 9.94%

GASOLINE WATCH Floods, coronavirus dent India’s tea output in first half of 2020

REUTERS the Tea Board said. MUMBAI, AUG 11 Sujit Patra, secretary at Indian The country Tea Association said a recovery in India’s tea production in the first exports CTC grade the crop was unlikely in the sec- half of 2020 fell 26.4 percent from a ond half of the year. year ago to 348.26 million kilo- mainly to Egypt, In July, weekly auction prices grams (kg) as heavy floods and jumped to a record of 232.60 rupees coronavirus movement restric- Pakistan and the ($3.12) per kg, up 57 percent from a tions curbed output in the main year ago, according to the Tea producing region, the state-run United Kingdom. Board. Tea Board said in a statement. India’s tea exports in the first Tea growing areas, notably five months of 2020 fell 26.6 per- Assam—which accounts for more enabling Kenya and Sri Lanka cent from a year ago to 74.40 mil- than half the country’s produc- to ship more, multiple trade lion kilograms, it said. tion—suffered flooding in May, sources said. The country exports CTC June and July. In June, India produced 138.52 (crush-tear-curl) grade mainly Domestic prices have risen to a million kilograms of tea, down to Egypt, Pakistan and the record high as a result, which may 8 percent from a year ago as United Kingdom, with the ortho- limit exports by the world’s sec- plucking was affected by floods dox variety shipped to Iraq, Iran ond-biggest producer, potentially in north-eastern state of Assam, and Russia. Coronavirus surge makes United States weak link in global economic recovery

ASSOCIATED PRESS is difficult to find other markets FRANKFURT (GERMANY), AUG 11 that could digest such a great amount of high-quality hats...We People in China are back to buying have no alternative but to focus on German luxury cars. Europe’s the US market.” assembly lines are accelerating. The United States is unlikely to Now the global economy is waiting pull the world economy out of its for the United States to get its coro- rut as it did in past downturns such navirus outbreak under control as after the Asian financial crisis and boost the recovery, but there’s of the late 1990s. little sign of that. “The US won’t be the locomo- The United States’ fumbling tive,’’ said Nariman Behravesh, response to the pandemic is casting chief economist at IHS Markit. doubt on its economic prospects The American economy shrank and making it one of the chief at an annual pace of 32.9 percent risks to a global rebound. from April through June, by far the After springtime restrictions, worst quarter on record. The num- many US states prematurely bers are expected to bounce back declared victory over the virus and REUTERS strongly in the second half but to began to reopen their economies, Shoppers are seen wearing masks while shopping at a store in Pennsylvania, US. leave the US economy well short leading to a resurgence in Covid-19 of where it stood at the beginning cases. Confirmed infections are ris- bags in Bologna, Italy, that sells 60 directly through newsletters and of 2020. ing in most states, and many busi- percent its vintage motorcycle-in- social media, but remains cautious The European Union, which has nesses have had to scale back or spired satchels to US customers. about the future, as she sees the US reduced the number of contagions even cancel plans to reopen. And Company owner Allison Hoeltzel market for her goods continuing to more effectively than the US, while it does not dominate global Savini said retail sales dried up slow down. shrank at a similar pace but is commerce like it did 20 years ago, during the spring. She had already “I am really concerned for the forecast to grow more quickly next America is still by far the biggest suffered a blow when Barneys, her next season, if wholesale clients year and government support for economy—accounting for 22 per- main client, went bankrupt and will be placing orders,’’ she said. workers has contained the rise in cent of total economic output, ver- didn’t pay for the spring-summer Same for of Shenzhen Aung unemployment for now. China, sus 14 percent for number 2 China, collection that had shipped. Crown Industrial Ltd, which makes meanwhile, was the first major according to the World Bank. Hoeltzel Savini said she has had baseball hats. The company usually economy to resume growth That makes its handling of the to hold off on new hires, and hasn’t sells about 60 percent of its output since the pandemic struck, record- pandemic and its economy crucial been able to do her usual sales trip to the United States. “We can’t ing a 3.2 percent expansion during for companies like Officina del to the United States. She got some afford to lose the US market,” said the April-June period from the Poggio, a producer of luxury hand- orders by trying to find consumers general manager Kailyn Weng. “It quarter before.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING Global coronavirus cases top Explainer: When will a Coronavirus found on frozen Covid-19 vaccine be ready? seafood in China 20m as Russia registers vaccine BEIJING: Authorities in China have REUTERS early 2021, and that by the end of the found the novel coronavirus on the year there could be more than a bil- packaging of imported frozen seafood Number of new cases continues to rise in India, hitting an average of 58,768 a day. Around the world, politicians, drug- lion. That contrasts with more opti- that arrived from the port city of makers and regulators offer contra- mistic guidance from US President Dalian, which recently battled a dictory outlooks on when a Covid-19 Donald Trump, who said a vaccine surge of cases, a local government vaccine will be ready. Much depends could be ready before the Nov 3 presi- said on Tuesday. The virus was found on what ‘ready’ means and for what dential election, though he did not on the outer packaging of frozen sea- group of people. Some key questions define ‘ready’. Several companies, food bought by three companies in around the timeline are: including Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Yantai, a port city in eastern Pfizer Inc, say they each expect to Shandong province. The Yantai city When will we know a vaccine works? make more than 1 billion doses next government said in a statement the year. That could mean several billion seafood was from an imported ship- More than half a dozen drugmakers available by the end of 2021. ment that landed at Dalian but did around the world are conducting not say where it originated. In July, advanced clinical trials, each with When can I get it? customs officers in Dalian, a major tens of thousands of participants, and port in the northeastern province of several expect to know if their Covid- First supplies late this year or early Liaoning, found the coronavirus in 19 vaccines work and are safe by the next would likely go to those in rich the packaging of frozen shrimps end of this year. nations who are deemed by govern- imported from Ecuador, and China The most optimistic timeline comes ments to work in essential industries then suspended imports from three from AstraZeneca Plc, which is run- or who are at greatest risk from the Ecuadorean shrimp producers. The ning a study in Britain that it says virus. That is likely to include people novel coronavirus is believed to have could be completed as early as August. with issues such as diabetes, health- emerged in a market that sold seafood Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infec- care workers, and members of the and wildlife in the central Chinese tious diseases expert, told Reuters last military. city of Wuhan late last year. week that a trial by Moderna Inc could Countries including Canada, Japan, produce decisive results by November Britain, and the US have locked in or December. Others will come later, deals putting their citizens first in line Hong Kongers rush to buy some much later. for inoculations as they become broad- pro-democracy newspaper Some experts are sceptical that the ly available during 2021. AP/RSS trials, which must study potential side Most vaccines are being tested as HONG KONG: Hong Kongers rushed to Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a cabinet meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow, on Tuesday. effects on different types of people, two shots given a month apart, giving buy copies of pro-democracy newspa- can be completed that quickly. Peter full strength protection only after the per Apple Daily on Tuesday in a show ASSOCIATED PRESS given testing limitations and that as July 22nd, but remains high at over Hotez, dean of the National School of second shot is administered. of support for its owner, who was ROME, AUG 11 many as 40 percent of those with the 53,000. South Africa has more than a Tropical Medicine at Baylor College arrested a day earlier as police round- virus show no symptoms. half-million cases. In the country with of Medicine in Texas, says that collect- When will the world be inoculated? ed up critics of China. In one of the The number of confirmed coronavi- In Europe, countries that appeared the world’s largest number of HIV- ing data to prove a vaccine is safe for most dramatic days of the crack- rus cases worldwide topped 20 million, to have gotten their outbreaks under positive people, the virus has disrupt- the world could take until mid-2021. The wait time for Covid-19 vaccines down, media tycoon Jimmy Lai was more than half of them from the control during nationwide lockdowns ed the supply of antiretroviral drugs will likely be longer for people in among 10 people detained under the United States, India and Brazil, as and lifted many public restrictions that a United Nations agency says When will the first shots be ready? developing countries, which don’t new law on Monday as around 200 Russia on Tuesday became the first worked to prevent a resurgence of the could lead to 500,000 additional AIDS- have early supply deals. Some may police officers searched the news- country to register a vaccine against virus. Finland joined France and related deaths. Several drugmakers are building man- struggle to pay for vaccines that could room of his tabloid, which is unapolo- the virus. Germany in announcing it would In the 45 days it took reported coro- ufacturing capacity so they can begin cost upwards of $40 per person. getically critical of Beijing. In a show Russian President Vladimir Putin test travellers from at-risk countries navirus cases worldwide to double to production as soon as vaccines are “I am worried that Operation of solidarity for Lai, people in the announced the registration at a gov- upon arrival. 20 million, the number of reported approved by regulators. Some efforts Warp Speed vaccines will not reach city rushed to buy Tuesday’s Apple ernment meeting and added that one Spain, which along with Italy was virus deaths climbed to 736,191 from are backed by a US government pro- developing countries any time soon,” Daily, with the newspaper saying it of his two adult daughters had already hardest hit when the virus first 499,506, according to the Johns gram called ‘Operation Warp Speed’. Hotez said. Gavi, a vaccine alliance for had upped its print run to 550,000 been inoculated. “She’s feeling well exploded on the continent, now has Hopkins count, an average of more Fauci told Reuters he expects “tens developing countries, aims to secure from its normal circulation of 70,000. and has high number of antibodies,” the most confirmed cases in western than 5,200 a day. of millions” of doses to be available in 2 billion doses of vaccine in 2021. he said. Europe at nearly 323,000. The number About one-fifth of reported deaths, Singapore crushes ivory Russia has reported more than of new cases have risen steadily in or more than 163,000, have been in the 890,000 cases, the fourth-most in the Spain since its strict, three-month US, the most in the world. SINGAPORE: Singapore started crush- world, according to a Johns Hopkins lockdown ended on June 21, reaching New Zealand Prime Minister ing nine tonnes worth of elephant University tally that also showed total 1,486 on Monday. Jacinda Ardern said Tuesday that ivory on Tuesday, in what authorities confirmed cases globally surpassing In Greece, which imposed strict authorities found four cases of the said was the biggest such event glob- 20 million. lockdown measures early and kept its coronavirus in one Auckland house- ally in recent years and signalled its It took six months or so to get to 10 reported cases low during the height hold from an unknown source, the fight against illegal trade in wildlife. million cases after the virus first of the European epidemic, the govern- first cases of local transmission in the The city-state, a nautical way point in appeared in central China late last ment announced new measures country in 102 days. shipments of banned animal prod- year. It took just over six weeks for Monday to prevent an outbreak. It Caseloads are still rising quickly in ucts between Africa and Asia, is that number to double. ordered bars, restaurants and cafes in many other countries, including destroying tusks worth an estimated An AP analysis of data through Aug several regions to shut between mid- Indonesia and Japan. $13 million, including a record 8.8 9 showed the US, India and Brazil night and 7 am In Mexico, President Andrés tonne seizure last year which authori- together accounted for nearly two- Outside Europe, infection rates are Manuel López Obrador, like Brazil’s ties said came from nearly 300 thirds of all reported infections since exponentially higher. President Jair Bolsonaro and US African elephants. In the event, the world hit 15 million coronavirus The number of new cases reported President Donald Trump, seldom streamed online, workers in hard cases on July 22. daily continues to rise in India, hit- wears a mask and has resisted calls hats were seen emptying trolley-loads Health officials believe the actual ting a rolling seven-day average of for a strict lockdown, saying Mexicans of tusks into a skip where they number of people infected with the 58,768. In the US, which so far has should be convinced to observe social were then pulverised by an industrial virus is much higher than that tally more than 5 million confirmed cases, distancing, not forced to do so by REUTERS rock crusher. (AGENCIES) kept by Johns Hopkins University, the daily average has decreased since police or fines. A woman holds a small bottle labelled with a “Vaccine Covid-19” sticker and a medical syringe.

Nepal Oil Corporation Limited Bagmati Provincial Office, Thankot, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4311203, Email: [email protected] Indian watchdog to check heavy rain-hit airports Notice for Amendment REUTERS flight was repatriating Indians approach. At Calicut airport, th Date of publication: 12 August, 2020 NEW DELHI, AUG 11 stranded in Dubai due to the novel where the plane crashed on Friday, Nepal Oil Corporation Limited, Bagmati Provincial Office Thankot, Kathmandu has made India’s aircraft coronavirus pandemic. The black the pilot landed a third of the way the amendments in the bidding documents for following supply of Goods published on India’s air safety regulator plans accident probe boxes have been recovered and along the runway, Kumar said on th to conduct special audits of air- their data is being examined. Sunday, leaving less room to bring 28 June, 2020. ports across the country affected bureau leads an India’s Aircraft Accident the plane to a halt. Amendment by heavy rain, the watchdog’s chief Investigation Bureau is leading the Airports with table-top runways Existing Provision Made told Reuters, days after an air crash investigation into probe into the crash. Boeing and are subject to the same rigorous S. Contract Identification Requirement of killed 18 people and raised ques- the US National Transportation regulatory requirements and are N. Number Goods Bid Opening Date Bid Opening Date tions about safety. Friday’s crash. Safety Board are also taking part in periodically audited for safety, and Local Time and Local Time An Air India Express plane the effort, Kumar said. Kumar said. with 190 people on board, overshot “Once the findings are finalised, In 2010, an Air India Express Total Sulfur 12 August 2020, 20 August 2020, 1 NOC/BP/ICB/G/2019/20-03 the rain-soaked runway at an air- “We will review everything - the and if something is amiss we will plane overshot a similar runway in Analyser 12:30 P.M. 12:30 P.M. port near the southern city of condition of the runway, its incline, take action to rectify it,” he said. the southern city of Mangalore. It Kozhikode on Friday. The Boeing the lighting as well as drainage.” The crash was the worst in India fell down a hillside and burst into Portable Multifuel 12 August 2020, 20 August 2020, 2 NOC/BP/ICB/G/2019/20-04 737 landed in tailwind, skid off the Kumar said the special audit in a decade, and the second fatal flames, killing 158 people. Analyser 1:00 P.M. 1:00 P.M. runway and broke in half. was over and above the DGCA’s accident on a “table-top” runway A government-led committee “We will conduct additional routine checks and could cover a which is typically found in high-al- looking into that crash had sug- Auto Pour Point 12 August 2020, 20 August 2020, checks at major, busy airports dozen airports including those in titude areas. gested installing an Engineered 3 NOC/BP/ICB/G/2019/20-05 & Freeze point 1:30 P.M. 1:30 P.M. across India that are affected by the Chennai, Kochi, Trivandrum as Table-top runways are built by Material Arresting System (EMAS) Instrument monsoon rains,” Arun Kumar, well as Mumbai, all of which get excavating the peaks of hills and on table-top airports. EMAS is a head of the Directorate General of heavy annual rains. have steep drops at one or both special surface usually installed at Interested eligible bidders shall submit the electronic Bids through e-GP System of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in an Air India Express is the low cost ends, increasing the danger if the end of the runway to quickly PPMO:www.bolpatra.gov.np/egp on or before 12:00 Noon Local time on 20 August, 2020. interview late on Monday. arm of state carrier Air India. The pilots under- or over-shoot their stop an aircraft.

C M Y K 07 | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Fernandes penalty fires Man United past Copenhagen Cash-rich IPL gets government clearance for UAE edition The English giants will meet Sevilla or Wolves in the semi-final on Sunday. Lukaku goal secures Inter Milan a 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen. NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE The France striker was once more League has received final clearance COLOGNE, AUG 11 repelled by Johnsson at the start of from the country’s government to extra time, but Martial won a penalty host this year’s edition in the United Bruno Fernandes scored a penalty in as United kept the attack alive and the Arab Emirates, its chairman told extra time as Manchester United striker was upended by Andreas AFP on Monday. Due to the rising scraped past FC Copenhagen 1-0 on Bjelland. Fernandes blasted home coronavirus cases in India, the 13th Monday in the quarter-finals of the from the spot on 95 minutes but edition of the Twenty20 tournament Europa League, reshaped into an Solskjaer’s team were left to sweat is scheduled to take place between eight-team straight knockout tourna- until the end as Johnsson pulled off September 19 and November 10 in ment in Germany due to the coronavi- sensational stops from the Portuguese Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The rus pandemic. and substitute Juan Mata, with Victor Board of Control for Cricket in India The Portugal international notched Lindelof the third United player to confirmed this month that the league his competition-best seventh goal of strike the post. will be shifted outside its home coun- the season as United set up a semi-fi- United though ultimately ensured try, and IPL chief Brijesh Patel said nal clash against Sevilla or Wolves, their 2019-20 campaign will extend he had received the official confirma- joining Inter Milan in the last four into a second year, having started the tion from the government. The following the Italian side’s 2-1 victory season 365 days ago with a 4-0 Premier world’s richest cricket league will be over Bayer Leverkusen in Dusseldorf. League win over Chelsea. Awaiting played outside India for third time “Third time this season we’ve been them on Sunday will be Sevilla—who after being held in South Africa in to the semis, every competition we’ve have won the Europa League and its 2009 and the UAE in 2014 because it been in. Delighted we’ve gone through, precursor, the UEFA Cup, a record five clashed with national elections. The we deserved to win tonight,” United times—or domestic rivals Wolves. event normally starts in March, but manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Former United striker Romelu was repeatedly postponed this year. BT Sport. “Their keeper was fantastic, Lukaku grabbed the decisive goal for unbelievable. We hit the post a few Antonio Conte’s Inter against times, there were a couple of VAR Leverkusen as the Serie A runners-up Valencia confirm two decisions against us. It could have moved a step closer to adding to their positive tests for coronavirus been one of those nights that you end titles from 1991, 1994 and 1998. Inter MADRID: Valencia have been hit by two up with penalty shoot outs. They made struck first as Nicolo Barella guided positive cases for coronavirus, the La it hard for us.” in from the edge of the area on 15 min- Liga club announced on Tuesday, a All games from the quarter-finals utes, with Lukaku bundling in a sec- day after players and staff returned onwards in this season’s Europa AP/RSS ond six minutes later. for pre-season. The identities of the League are being played behind Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard (centre) in action against FC Copenhagen’s Robert Mudrazija (left) and Zeca during their Europa League Kai Havertz reduced the deficit in two individuals have been kept anon- closed doors as one-off ties across four match in Cologne, Germany, on Monday. All Europa League matches are being played behind closed doors in Germany. possibly his final game for Leverkusen ymous. They are both isolating at venues—Cologne, Duisburg, on 25 minutes after exchanging passes home while the club has notified the Dusseldorf and Gelsenkirchen—in a bouncing cross, and the Ivorian a VAR review. Rasmus Falk. with fellow Germany international Spanish health authorities. It contin- unique format following a five-month defender was then played into trouble He again went close early in the Appearing in their first European Kevin Volland, but Inter held on to ues a rise in the number of con- interruption. by Fred with Jens Stage’s subsequent second half when he slammed against quarter-final, and the first Danish seal their place against Shakhtar firmed infections among La Liga Solskjaer recalled Fernandes, effort blocked. the upright, with Fernandes promptly club to reach this stage since 1997, Donetsk or Basel in next week’s teams after Atletico Madrid’s Sime Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford, Mason Rashford finally tested Karl-Johan smacking the opposite post with a dip- Copenhagen continued to frustrate semi-final. Vrsaljko and Angel Correa tested pos- Greenwood and Anthony Martial but Johnsson just before the interval ping 20-yard drive. The Portugal inter- United as they sought a repeat of their “The defence did a tremendous job itive on Saturday. Real Madrid’s the 2017 competition winners strug- with a long-range shot—the first of a national, who scored five times in the 1-0 win when the clubs last met in the again tonight. We are growing but we Mariano Diaz and Sevilla’s Nemanja gled early, and 18-year-old Copenhagen multitude of saves for Copenhagen’s group stage with Sporting, stung the Champions League group stage in have to learn to kill games off when Gudelj have also been infected in the forward Mohamed Daramy was twice outstanding Swedish goalkeeper. palms of Johnsson with another hit 2006. Martial nearly won the game in we have the chances to do it, and we last two weeks. La Liga completed the involved as the Danish underdogs Greenwood looked to have put United from distance—shortly after normal time but again a sprawling didn’t tonight,” said Lukaku. “Now we 2019/20 season on July 19 and the threatened a creaking United back- ahead as he drilled in via the far Aaron Wan-Bissaka made a despera- Johnsson tipped away his curling have time to recover physically and plan is for the 2020/21 campaign to line. Eric Bailly intervened just as post moments later only for the tion block to thwart Bryan Oviedo attempt that appeared destined for the prepare for another great game. We begin on September 12. Daramy attempted to stab home a teenager to be ruled offside following after a mesmerising dribble from top corner. will have to be ready.”

Scottish season under threat due to quarantine breach GLASGOW: The Scottish government Misbah adamant Pakistan can fight back New Zealand confirms cricket tours has threatened to call a halt to the new Premiership season due to ano- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE published on Pakistan Cricket Board’s mentally down,” said Misbah. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE worked out. He said arrangements ther breach of the strict coronavirus MANCHESTER, AUG 11 website, wrote. “It’s easy to curse “There is disappointment, of WELLINGTON, AUG 11 were likely to follow the model of quarantine rules. Celtic’s Belgian yourself when you’ve lost. But, we course, but we must not keep that feel- bio-secure “bubbles” adopted in defender Boli Bolingoli said he had Pakistan coach Misbah-ul-Haq has should remember that we were right ing in our minds otherwise it will be New Zealand Cricket said Tuesday England for the recent West Indies not observed quarantine protocols insisted his side can “fight back” from on top until pretty much the last ses- difficult to come back but the team that Pakistan, Australia, Bangladesh tour—when teams’ accommodation after a trip to Spain. Anyone return- their agonising defeat by England in sion of the game. We will do our best believes we can fight back,” added the and the West Indies had all confirmed and training facilities were located at ing to Scotland from Spain must time for the second Test starting on to come back in this series, which I former captain. they will tour during the upcoming the match venue to isolate players. spend two weeks in quarantine. Thursday. believe this team is capable of doing.” Misbah paid tribute to the way home season, despite the coronavirus “We’re working through that with the Bolingoli played in the Scottish cham- The tourists, following six months Pakistan opener Shan Masood made Buttler and Woakes “took the game pandemic. government agencies at the moment, a pions’ 1-1 draw with Kilmarnock on on the sidelines because of the corona- a Test-best 156 at Old Trafford, while away from us,” but accepted a Pakistan New Zealand Cricket chief execu- similar concept... the agencies have Sunday. He has apologised for his virus, were on course to go 1-0 up in leg-spinner Yasir Shah took eight side led by skipper Azhar Ali might tive David White said managed isola- been really supportive, the govern- behaviour and Celtic have launched the three-match series after dominat- wickets in the match. Yet Pakistan have done more to stop them in their tion arrangements for the visiting ment’s been fantastic,” he said. an investigation. The Scottish govern- ing the majority of the first Test at Old failed to put the game completely tracks. teams were still being worked out with All international arrivals into New ment is already furious at eight Trafford. But Pakistan were undone beyond England’s reach by being dis- “They counter-attacked well and officials in Wellington, but the tours Zealand are currently required to Aberdeen players who visiting a bar by a stand of 139 between Jos Buttler missed for just 169 in their second there was a bit of inexperience—and would proceed. “I was just on the spend at least 14 days in quarantine. last week. Two of them tested posi- (75) and player-of-the-match Chris innings before, by Misbah’s own even panic—in the team that cost us,” phone to the West Indies, they’re con- But New Zealanders domestically are tive, forcing the postponement of last Woakes, who guided the hosts to a admission, a degree of “panic” set in he said. “We still need to improve, of firmed, Pakistan is confirmed, enjoying a near-normal, pre-coronavi- Saturday’s Premiership game with St three-wicket win with 84 not out on during Buttler and Woakes’ course, but overall we fought really Australia and Bangladesh, so (there rus lifestyle with no social distancing Johnstone. The government said if Saturday. Having played so well in a match-changing partnership. well against a top team in our first will be) 37 days of international crick- and spectators allowed at sports and they felt protocol had been broken, losing cause, fears have been expressed “Sure, we need to improve 10 to 15 international fixture for six months.” et,” he told reporters. cultural events. The country has then they could press the pause but- over Pakistan’s morale. percent and deal with pressure situa- Pakistan have not lost a Test series White declined to release schedules recorded only 22 coronavirus deaths ton on the season. (AGENCIES) Misbah, however, in a column tions a little better but we shouldn’t be against England for 10 years. of the tours until details had been in a population of five million. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) ***** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** Whether you do it through the food you eat, the You could be in the middle of all the action today, Get more aggressive with people who are dragging Everyone makes mistakes, so if someone you music you listen to, or the places you visit, immers- because no one else will be up to the task like you their feet today, especially where business is con- admire has let you down with their recent ing yourself in something new will invigorate you are! You can’t wait to be the boss. Your quick mind cerned. You’ve been held back by other people for far behavior, try not to be too tough on them. Remember and fill you with an incredible sense that anything is and boundless energy impress people more than you too long, and there’s no reason you should have to the times you’ve let people down and realize that no possible. realise. take it any longer! one is perfect.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) **** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) ***** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) **** You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. If some- You enjoy learning just as much as the next person, Your heart is open to new beginnings, and you’re If you’re feeling restricted, remember that you have one is putting pressure on you, tell them to mind but today when someone talks down to you, you’re ready to toss aside old habits and old ideas. Today, control over your destiny. No one else does, no matter their own business. You know what is best for you not going to have too much patience for it. Don’t moving forward has never felt so good, and it has how influential they might be. Freedom isn’t some- right now, and you just have to keep doing it at your waste time humouring someone who thinks they can never been more possible. It’s a good day to start thing that someone can give to you; it’s something own pace! teach you something when they can’t. anything! you have to take for yourself.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Start relying on your dreams for insight. These imag- Avoid combative people. The last thing you need Young people may not know the ways of the world, You can’t let someone else’s bad mood turn your es hold valuable clues about what’s going on with a right now is to deal with negative energy. You’ve but they do understand that anything is possible. sunny outlook cloudy today. As much as you’d like to friend. You’ve been a bit suspicious of this person for been in too good a mood for too long, and there’s no This is the kind of optimism you should expose your- sit with a blue friend and commiserate over life’s a while, but you haven’t been able to put your finger need to disrupt your positive vibe unnecessarily. It’s self to, so try to spend more time interacting with troubles, today you need to stay focused and on your on exactly what the problem is. best that way. children or teenagers if you can. own path. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2020 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 How, in the name of entertainment journalism, actors are still getting objectified and vilified The latest episode of Rajatpat, hosted by Prakash Subedi, exposes how much of mainstream media still commodifies women and how female actors are still viewed as objects.

ANKIT KHADGI 7, published a condescending and sexist Sharma believes that the mushrooming KATHMANDU ‘article’ on how actor Priyanka Karki has of YouTube ‘journalists’ is also a promi- changed into a ‘sanskari’ woman after nent factor for such sensationalised he third episode of the latest her marriage. Titled Sanskari Priyanka, news cropping up. “We are so reachable edition of Rajatpat, a pro- the piece states that after marriage Karki for interviews that the journalists gramme which film journalist has now become a ‘cultured’ woman, as take us and our work for granted. For Prakash Subedi hosts, began she doesn’t post pictures in short dresses views, they would put clickbait titles and with him sharing an account like she used to do before and if she keeps think that it’s okay to ask anything,” says of a female actor’s struggle in on following this path in her life, she is Sharma. TBollywood, and talked about how fickle bound to be a daughter-in-law who can Sharma’s views echo reality, as there fame is—particularly for the women in manage both her house and work. are indeed many videos on YouTube with the entertainment industry. “For a national weekly, why was such a sensational and clickbait titles which But his intention of bringing up this story important? Was it even news?” says receive thousands of views. issue at the show, which currently airs on Karki, who’s one of the most popular In response to the backlash he faced, AP1 channel, wasn’t to highlight how Nepali actors of recent times. According Subedi issued an apology video, saying fragile the film business is—in India or in to Karki, making ‘news’ out of something that his intention of passing such Nepal—nor was it to highlight how it that did not have any newsworthiness remarks wasn’t to hurt the sentiments of affects the mental state of the actors. was wrong. And that was not all that was anyone, and justified the body-shaming Rather, with pride, he used a conde- wrong with the piece, she says. remark was used in a friendly manner scending Hindi allegory, “Do din ki “Through the news article they have and not meant to offend the person. chandni… phir andheri raat,” which he promoted a stereotypical mindset that SCREENGRAB VIA YOUTUBE But, according to Gurung, such stereo- himself translated to Nepali as “Dui din supports that one is qualified to be a good A screenshot of Prakash Subedi speaking in the episode of Rajatpat which is currently typical and problematic coverage can ko chamak dhamak, feri aausi ko raat (or woman only when they stay at home and trending on YouTube. lead to adverse ripple effects. “Not only ‘Two days of good moonlit days then perform household chores,” says Karki. does it demotivate women so that they again night of darkness’, in English),” to “Likewise, through the article, they have published by Kantipur Media Group, quit their profession, but it can affect say that female actors shouldn’t be boast- also propagated the problematic mindset which also publishes this paper. The their personal life as well,” says Gurung. ful about their success as they can be of setting the standard of morality based The video, which was paper’s publication has been suspended For female actors, who have been work- replaceable quickly. on one’s clothing.” for now.] ing hard for years perfecting their art, However, that wasn’t the only problem- According to Keki Adhikari, a popular uploaded on August 6, According to Lina Gurung, who works such vilifying and condescending atic statement he made in the episode, actor, entertainment journalism in Nepal has been lambasted on gender sensitivity issues conducts remarks is something they can’t ignore which is trending on YouTube. has been running exactly this way only— research on gender at Kathmandu now, they say. In the video, he is seen making a per- with reporters writing sensational arti- for the anchor’s use of University School of Education, the male Although, Subedi, didn’t name the sonal attack on an unnamed actor by cles about female actors, denigrating gaze and patriarchal mindset is strongly actor on whom he passed the vicious making vicious body-shaming remarks. their hard work and contribution rather sexist language. embedded, especially in the media sector, body-shaming remarks on his pro- The video, which was uploaded on than taking them seriously or involving resulting in such reporting. gramme, Pooja Sharma, who earlier had August 6, has been lambasted on social them in constructive interviews and dis- “Women, especially public figures, are given an interview to him, and also had media for the anchor’s use of sexist lan- cussions. still objectified by men in the deci- requested to edit the final cut, said guage as well as how, in the name of jour- In 2002, actor Shrisha Karki committed movie and I have been working for a dec- sion-making positions, who are mostly through social media that she has filed a nalism, entertainment journalists cross suicide after Jana Astha weekly pub- ade now, yet people do not consider my concerned about their beauty and appear- complaint against the film journalist the boundaries of ethics and morality lished her personal photos, breaching her talent and hard work, as they believe that ance,” says Gurung. with the Film Artist Association of Nepal when it comes to interviewing and report- privacy and questioning her morality and female actors only get opportunities However, Gurung believes that it’s also for defamation. ing female actors from the Nepali movie character. The incident raised a hullaba- because of nepotism or in exchange for because of the fragile ego of men, espe- Likewise, Karki is also planning to file industry. loo in Nepali society, with them condemn- favours.” cially in power positions, who get intimi- a complaint against Shukrabar, the week- Reeccha Sharma, a popular film actor, ing the action of the paper, which in the Another actor, Reecha Sharma, has dated by women whenever there is a par- ly, at the Nepal Press Council. who also expressed her discontent name of journalism had crossed ethical also gone through something similar. In adigm shift in power, leading them to “It is high time we raised such issues. through social media, says that the and moral boundaries. 2015, in an interview with Rishi Dhimala, denigrate them, so they can make them For the past 10 years, baseless rumours remarks which Subedi made were “dis- And while one would think things have she was constantly asked about her per- submissive to the usual hierarchical have been written about me. But now we gusting and awful”. changed since then, actors the Post spoke sonal life. Dhamala, in his show ‘Dhamala structure. “If women come forward need to boycott these people who in the “How could someone, who calls him- to say things are more or less the same: ko Hamala’, repeatedly asked Sharma if and are vocal as well, the fragile ego of name of journalism are bullying us,” says self a veteran journalist, make such a women working in the film and entertain- she had been involved in any physical men gets hurt, restoring them to humili- Karki, who along with other actors are generalisation that every female actor ment business are still seen as objects relationship with her previous partner. ating them so they can intimidate the planning to set a proper guideline and will have a dark ending?” Sharma told the whose talent have no value. His questions were persistent, even women, and maintain their power over conditions for journalists before they Post. “Likewise, body shaming an actor “In my career that spans for 10 years in though Sharma had taken a strong stand them,” she says. interview them. that too on national television is just dis- the Nepali film industry, there have been and had said that she would not be But according to the actors the Post For actor Ayushman Desraj Shrestha graceful.” rare instances when I have been asked answering any of the questions that made spoke to the onus should not be only laid Joshi, the issue which the female actors Although not taken as a serious beat, insightful questions about my craft,” says her uncomfortable. on journalists, as they strongly believe are raising about unethical journalism entertainment journalism in Nepal in Adhikari. Likewise, last year, in an interview the audience are equally enjoying read- shouldn’t be viewed as a ‘women’ issue recent years has seen a rise due to an “Otherwise, most of the questions are with actor Neeruta Singh, titled ‘Neeruta ing/watching such stories, encouraging only. increasing interest among the audience sensational which often question my posi- Singh ko prem, sex ra romance ko bhayo and making entertainment journalists It’s about voicing the need to respect to know about the actors and makers tion in the industry as well as talk about Khualasa’ (or Neeruta Singh’s love, sex entitled to write sensational stories, they people and break the male chauvinistic behind their favourite movies. issues which have nothing to do with her and romance exposed), Dhamala has pes- say. attitude that the society is plagued with, However, there have been regular inci- professional life in the interviews.” tered Singh on whether she was a virgin “Society still can’t accept that women he says. dents that have raised questions regard- In a press conference of her previous or not. A question that has absolutely no can be successful on their own. They will “What the journalists are writing in ing the integrity and ethical considera- movie, Cha Maya Chapakai, Adhikari ties with the actor’s work. say luck is favouring a female actor or the name of journalism is highly tions of entertainment journalists, who shared that a reporter had asked how she Likewise, in the print media, Sapathik that she is there in the industry because ridiculous and disgusting,” says Joshi. in the name of journalism have been got the movie in the first place—question- and Shukrabar weekly have, for years, of someone’s support,” says Adhikari. “The writers and editors should be objectifying, and vilifying female actors ing her credibility and work as an actor. been publishing condescending articles “That’s why entertainment journalists taught about the power and responsibility as well using sexist and misogynistic lan- “I don’t think male actors are asked by on female actors, focusing more on their write sensational stories about us [female they have as whatever is being said guage and words for them. reporters how they get their roles every personal lives than talking about their actors] as society enjoys reading such by them are heard and perceived by the Shukrabar, a weekly tabloid, on August time,” says Adhikari. “It was my 24th careers. [Disclaimer: Saptahik used to be news.” public.”

Jolie seeks removal of private judge Politically charged in Pitt divorce case ‘black-ish’ episode gets The actress is asking the judge be disqualified from the case because of insufficient belated home disclosures of his business relationships with one of Pitt’s attorneys. LYNN ELBER freedom producers can gain outside LOS ANGELES the traditional confines of broad- casting. ANDREW DALTON politically charged Barris remains executive produc- LOS ANGELES episode of “black- er of “black-ish” (and its spin-offs, ish” from 2017 that ABC’s “mixed-ish” and Freeform’s ngelina Jolie asked Monday was shelved by ABC “grown-ish”). But he is making new that the private judge over- has found a home on shows, including the edgy family seeing her divorce from Brad Hulu, a corporate comedy “#BlackAF,” as part of a Pitt be disqualified from the siblingA of the Disney-owned broad- production deal with streamer case because of insufficient cast network. Netflix. disclosures of his business “I cannot wait for everyone to “Please Baby Please” joins the relationshipsA with one of Pitt’s attorneys. finally see the episode for them- “black-ish” library of past seasons In a filing in Los Angeles Superior Court, selves,” series creator Kenya Barris on Hulu. Jolie argues that Judge John W. Ouderkirk posted Monday on social media. The episode revolves around a should be taken off the divorce case that Barris said he hopes the half- sleepless night in the household of she filed in 2016 because he was too late and hour episode, titled “Please Baby Dre and Rainbow Johnson not forthcoming enough about other cases Please,” fulfills its original intent: (Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis he was hired for involving Pitt attorney to inspire vital dialogue about Ross). To calm his infant son during Anne C Kiley. “where we want our country to go a storm, Dre begins by reading a It says that during the Jolie-Pitt proceed- moving forward and, most impor- children’s book—the Spike Lee- ings Ouderkirk has “failed to disclose the tantly, how we get there together.” Tonya Lewis Lee work of the epi- cases that demonstrated the current, ongo- He asked producer Walt Disney sode’s title—then shares his own ing, repeat-customer relationship between Television to reconsider making anxieties. the judge and Respondent’s counsel.” the episode available and, in recog- As Dre offers up an improvised It goes on to say that Pitt’s attorney nition of “the importance of this fable, it’s the actions of the “actively advocated for Judge Ouderkirk’s moment, they listened and agreed,” then-fledgling Trump administra- financial interests in moving—over the AP/RSS he said. tion that are identified as part of opposing party’s opposition—to have his Angelina Jolie (left) and Brad Pitt were a couple for 12 years. The network and a representa- his unease. His monologue includes appointment [and his ability to continue to tive for Barris did not respond to a thinly veiled reference to “the receive fees] extended in a high profile process is for everyone involved to requests for comment Monday. shady king.” case.” ensure that there is transparency and The change of heart comes amid The episode widens out to look at An email to Kiley and Pitt’s lead attorney Pitt and Jolie were impartiality.” ongoing protests and calls for broad deep social divisions that Dre says Lance Spiegel seeking comment was not Pitt and Jolie were declared divorced, social change prompted by the followed the election of America’s returned, nor was an email seeking com- declared divorced, and the Pitt was dropped from her name, in death in May of George Floyd, a first Black president, Barack ment from Ouderkirk. and Pitt was dropped April of 2019, after their lawyers asked for a Black man, while in Minneapolis Obama, and the eye-opening revela- Pitt and Jolie, like other high-profile cou- bifurcated judgment, meaning that two police custody. tion that “not everyone’s a fan” of ples, are paying for a private judge in their from her name, in married people can be declared single When ABC decided to pull the change, as the character puts it. divorce case to keep many of its filings and while other issues, including finances and episode from the 2017-18 season and “Daddy’s scared too. ... the personal and financial details within April of 2019. child custody, remain. put it on ice, the network lauded Everything’s so crazy now,” Dre them sealed, though some legal moves must Because most of the documents have “black-ish” for its deft examination says softly to his son at one point. be made within standard court procedure. been sealed, it is not clear what issues of “delicate social issues” in an Through imagery and concerns Jolie’s filing emphasizes that a private Jolie’s attorneys have sought in private remain unresolved, but Jolie filed papers in entertaining and educational man- expressed by other family mem- judge must follow the same rules of disclo- proceedings to have Ouderkirk disqualify 2018 saying Pitt wasn’t paying sufficient ner. But “creative differences” over bers, the episode touches on issues sure and conflict of interest that other himself, but the filing says Pitt’s side has child support, which his attorneys disput- the episode couldn’t be resolved, besides racism, including mass judges must. insisted on keeping him. ed, calling the filing an effort to manipulate ABC said. shootings, climate change and gay The filing says “it doesn’t matter if Judge “As is set forth in the filing, all my client media coverage of the split. The Emmy-nominated series has rights. Ouderkirk is actually biased. Under is asking for is a fair trial based on facts, Jolie, 44, and Pitt, 56, were a couple tackled thorny social issues during “Black-ish” has four nomina- California law disqualification is required with no special favors extended to either for 12 years and married for two when its ABC run, which began in 2014. tions for next month’s Emmys on so long as a person aware of the facts ‘might side,” Jolie’s attorney Samantha Bley Jolie filed for divorce in 2016. They have six That a streaming platform ABC, including lead actor nods for reasonably entertain a doubt’ about Judge DeJean said in an email to The Associated children. was deemed suitable for “Please Anderson and Ross. Ouderkirk’s ability to remain impartial.” Press. “The only way litigants can trust the —Associated Press Baby Please” reflects the creative —Associated Press

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