WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 02 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 30.5 C -3.0 C Saturday, February 20, 2021 | 08-11-2077 Janakpur Jumla To reclaim democracy, citizens hold Tundikhel march Brihat Nagarik Andolan vows to fight to protect the country from falling into an abyss.

TIKA R PRADHAN out and discriminated communities KATHMANDU, FEB 19 including Aadibasi, Janajati, women, Dalit, Madhesi and sexual and gender Nepal’s civil society members on Friday minorities. organised a Tundikhel march to assert In the declaration, the Brihat Nagarik that the open space, a symbol of democra- Andolan has said that all citizens need to cy in Nepal, belongs to the people. join hands to ensure that the Nepali socie- People from different walks of life ty becomes democratic and social justice under Brihat Nagarik Andolan, a broad is established. citizen movement, however, were barred “Respecting the spirit of the previous from entering Tundikhel. Security was people’s movements and struggles and beefed up since early in the day. people’s aspirations, it’s time for a strug- After circumambulating Tundikhel gle to end the regression that has been starting from Ratna Park, the citizens going on for a long time,” reads the 5-page gathered at the side of its main gate close manifesto. to Mahankal temple, from where they “Remembering the sacrifices of the peo- announced their first declarations ever, ple, standing here now we vow that we need vowing to ensure people’s supremacy. a free Tundikhel and a free democracy,” “What is the present fate of Nepal said Wagle, addressing the function. “We Mandal developed by the communities in need such a democracy in which citizens 2,000 years? The sugarcane field has been can face the world with heads held high.” turned into an army parade ground, thus According to Wagle, now the civil socie- making Kathmandu a thirsty town,” said ty will have to vow that they will join writer Narayan Wagle, one of those at the hands with the people who struggle for forefront of the Brihat Nagarik Andolan. and dream of a better future and continu- “After destroying ancient free water ously raise their finger and create pres- spouts, the rulers are selling the dream of sure on the rulers. expensive Melamchi. Kathmandu itself Seventy years after the country became was prosperous, your slogan of prosperity a democracy, having been released from was just a conspiracy.” the clutches of the oligarchic Rana Another writer Khagendra Sangraula regime, thousands of people from differ- said the people’s rights are always at risk ent walks of life marched around the and autocrats always want to snatch peo- Tundikhel and gathered at the main gate ple’s rights. of the open space where the government “Today in this gathering the presence organised the ‘Democracy Day’ event of police is more than the participants. hours before the citizens’ march. What it means is that when an autocrat The organisers of the Brihat Nagarik fears people, he or she sends police, army, Andolan deliberately chose Democracy tank and fireballs—all that they have,” POST PHOTO: PRAKASH CHANDRA TIMILSENA Day to issue their manifesto—and reclaim said Sangraula. “So our citizen movement According to campaigners, they will now continuously raise their finger and create pressure on the rulers to respect citizens’ rights. the historic open space where the declara- is becoming stronger. This is our victory. I tion of democracy was made seven dec- salute all the brothers and sisters of the Kharibot here, according to Wagle, but of law. According to them, Oli’s December movement. “What we want is people’s ades ago. security forces present to listen to the now there is neither the tree and the cul- 20 House dissolution dealt a massive blow supremacy.” As Kewal Binabi, a poet from Bajhang voice of the people.” ture that goes with it nor democracy with to democracy, risking that the hard-earned The major objective of Friday’s gather- district, delivered his message through Security personnel including those from people’s mandate, but instead the salute gains of various movements in the past ing was to announce what actually the the poem ‘Aandhi ko Parkhaima’ (Waiting Nepal Police and Armed Police Force were has become a culture in the name of could fast unravel. movement is for through the declarations, for the Storm), the civil society movement standing nearby in riot gear to make sure democracy now. “Actually we wanted to tell everyone in probably the first of its kind by the civil that had erupted after the abrupt dissolu- no one entered the parade grounds. Behind The Brihat Nagarik Andolan has con- a symbolic way by protesting the capture society. tion of the House of Representatives by the gate were Nepal Army soldiers. cluded that the KP Sharma Oli govern- of public space that we are against autoc- The citizen’s manifesto has imagined a Oli, is expecting more people to join after It has been 70 years since the country ment over the years has gradually inflict- racy and militarisation,” said Bhaskar lively democracy that ensures rights, own- the manifesto is unveiled. declared democracy in the presence of ed damage to the constitution and the rule Gautam, one of the leaders of the citizens’ ership, self-respect of the historically left- >> Continued on page 2

POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC Participants of a cycle race at Ligligkot, Gorkha on Friday. Laxman Malla of Dhading won the 52.9km race completing it in 2 hours 22 minutes and 55 seconds. The Liglige Cycle Race was organised by Palungtar Municipality with an aim to develop the historical site as a tourist destination. With hearing over, justices will now study legal briefs and discuss case before verdict More than 100 lawyers, including amicus curiae members, spoke on the legality of Oli’s move. Arguments on both sides were weak and repetitive and waste of time, analysts say.

BINOD GHIMIRE Chief Justice Cholendra Shumsher of those who wanted to take part in KATHMANDU, FEB 19 Rana, who is heading the the hearing was over 200. Constitutional Bench hearing the The hearing on the writs began on After nearly two months of hearing on writs, asked the plaintiffs and lawyers December 23, three days after the writ petitions against the representing them and the defend- President Bidya Devi Bhandari dis- December 20 dissolution of the House ants’ lawyers to present their legal solved the House of Representatives of Representatives, lawyers finished briefs to the court by Monday. on the recommendation of Prime putting forth their views on Friday. “The process for the final verdict will Minister KP Sharma Oli. A single The last of the five members of the commence on Tuesday which could bench of Rana through the first hear- amicus curiae, Gita Pathak Sangraula, take a few days,” Chief Justice Rana ing had decided to send 12 of the 13 rounded up the arguments. said on conclusion of the hearing. writ petitions against the dissolution With the conclusion of the hearing, According to officials at the to the Constitutional Bench claiming Supreme Court, the five-member the matter required serious constitu- Constitutional Bench will study tional interpretation. the legal briefs which will be fol- The Constitutional Bench formed lowed by a consultation among on December 25, after listening to the the justices on the final verdict. opening remarks of a handful of law- “It will take at least a few days yers, directed Bhandari and Oli to for the study and consultations,” present written justifications for their Kishor Poudel, a communication move to dissolve the House. The bench expert at the Supreme Court, also requested the Nepal Bar told the Post. Association and the Supreme Court More than one hundred advo- Bar to recommend three and two sen- cates had put forth their argu- ior advocates respectively for the ami- ments before the bench from the cus curiae. two sides although the number >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Family performs final rites of Bhagarathi Upgradation work of 15 days after she was found murdered Nagma-Gamgadhi road The family had earlier refused to receive her body demanding forensic medical reports yet to arrive from Kathmandu lab. halted due to funds crunch

TRIPTI SHAHI Poor road conditions have made it difficult to transport BAITADI, FEB 19 daily essentials from Gamgadhi, the district headquarters, The funeral rites of murdered Baitadi teenager Bhagarathi Bhatta were per- to remote areas of Chhayanath Rara Municipality. formed on Friday. Her body had been lying at Baitadi RAJ BAHADUR SHAHI Gamgadhi road,” said Bhandari. District Hospital for the past 15 days MUGU, FEB 19 The federal government had started as her family had refused to receive the road upgradation work on the the body demanding a thorough inves- The upgradation work of Nagma- Nagma-Gamgadhi road section nine tigation into the case. Gamgadhi road along the Karnali years after it was opened to vehicles. Bhagarathi’s body was found in a Highway has been affected due to a Mugu was connected to the national forest at Chadepani of Dogadakedar budget shortage. road network nine years ago. Rural Municipality-7 on February 4, a In the current fiscal year, the feder- “Local residents and tourists visit- day after she went out of contact. al government has allocated Rs 97 ing Rara Lake have been facing diffi- The incident stoked protest rallies million for the road upgradation pro- culties due to the delay in road upgra- in different parts of the country, call- ject but the budget was spent by dation work. The road gets muddy ing for a fair investigation into the October 2020. The construction work during monsoon and becomes dusty case and justice for the murdered has come to a halt since then, accord- during winter, making it difficult for teenager. ing to the Division Road Office in vehicles to pass through it,” said Jaya Police arrested a suspect, a teenage Jumla. The Division Road Office in Bahadur Malla, chairman of District boy, behind Bhagarathi’s murder on Jumla oversees road construction Red Cross in Mugu. Tuesday. He has since admitted to the works in Mugu. crime. But the victim’s family mem- In the second phase in November, bers have reservations about the inves- the federal government has allocated Local residents tigation. They suspect that more per- an additional Rs 50 million for the sons could be involved in the incident. road upgradation work. complain that the Until Thursday, Bhagarathi’s family “The budget is not enough for the had refused to receive her body second phase as well,” said Lila road gets muddy demanding forensic medical reports. Bhandari, chief at the Division Road The teenager’s vaginal and mouth Office. “We have been facing problems during monsoon and swabs have been sent to the National in making payments of Rs 120 million dusty during winter. Forensic Science Laboratory in to various contractor companies. An Kathmandu. additional Rs 200 million is needed Shivaraj Bhatta, Bhagarathi’s uncle just for the construction of said they agreed to receive the POST PHOTO: TRIPTI SHAHI roadside canals and retaining walls “We are facing difficulties due to body after the police assured to study Friends and relatives take Bhagarathi’s body to carry out her funeral rites on Friday. and gravelling of Nagma-Gamgadhi poor road conditions. It has been the medical reports and verify other road section.” difficult to transport daily essentials evidence. suspect has already confessed to the Attorney Office during the statement is still not over. According to the Division Road from Gamgadhi, the district head- “We will believe in the investigation murder. recording process.” “Vaginal and mouth swabs have Office, 34 kilometres of Nagma- quarters, to remote areas of only after we receive the medical “He confessed to the crime at the On Wednesday, the District Court been sent to the National Forensic Gamgadhi road has been gravelled in Chhayanath,” said Karna Bahadur reports,” he said. District Attorney Office on Thursday Baitadi had remanded the suspect to Science Laboratory in Kathmandu. the current fiscal year. Rawal, a local resident of Chhayanath Deputy Superintendent of Police as well,” Adhikari said. “The boy’s five days in judicial custody. We are waiting for a medical report “Gravelling works on the remaining Rara Municipality. Narayan Prasad Adhikari said the father was also present at the District Adhikari said that the investigation from the lab,” he said. 59 kilometres of the road section could Meanwhile, the construction work not be completed due to budget to open the Gamgadhi-Nakchenangla crunch,” said Bhandari. “The plan road track was started 14 years ago was to complete the upgradation work but is still incomplete. So far, only 17 by the end of this fiscal year but it kilometres of the road track has been may not be possible.” opened, according to the Division Bajhang people benefit from To reclaim democracy, Himdung/Thoker, Hira/Namita, Road Office. Khadka Krishna/Galwa, Baniya and “More than 60 kilometres of the Shankar Construction Services were track is yet to be opened. In the cur- citizens hold ... awarded the contracts for the Nagma- rent fiscal year, the federal govern- upgraded district hospital Gamgadhi road upgradation project. ment has allocated Rs 30 million for >> Continued from page 1 such change would ensure justi- In the current fiscal year, the the road opening project but the allo- In the last two years, the hospital established several medical The focus of those participat- fiable distribution of resources, Division Road Office is going to start cated budget is not sufficient to com- ing in the function was not just political and economic progress tender processes of 10 motorable plete the project,” said Bhandari. units to enhance its services. on reclaiming peoples’ right to of the country, address the cul- bridges along the Nagma-Gamgadhi- According to Harichandra Shahi, the open space captured by tural and social diversity and Nakchenangla road. Nakchenangla is the ward chairman of Chhayanath BASANTA PRATAP SINGH women to purchase essentials from private Nepal Army, but also to oppose establish constitutional cul- the border point connected to Tibet. Rara Municipality Ward No. 7, his BAJHANG, FEB 19 medical stores. But now we have our own Oli’s ‘regressive’ move. ture,” the manifesto made pub- “We need Rs 800 million to con- office has requested both the provin- pharmacy which has made it easier for Knowing that the main focus lic on Friday said. struct those bridges. And we have cial and federal governments to Bajhang District Hospital in Chainpur has everybody.” of the protests was reclaiming “Let’s fight together to demanded Rs 3 billion from the federal release the necessary budget for the been upgraded from a 12-bed facility to a The hospital also provides essential medi- the Tundikhel through the end the centralised mentality of government to blacktop Nagma- road projects. 35-bed hospital. The upgrade has come as a cines free of cost to patients who can’t afford march--security forces were the rulers in the name of welcome move for the local population who it, said Okheda. deployed heavily throughout federalism.” earlier had to rely on Dhangadi-based health “It was difficult to provide services with the rally and the function. There Shah expressed happiness facilities to seek health services. only two doctors. Sometimes, nurses and was a four-layer security to that, though late, the civil socie- According to the data of the hospital, the other health workers had to work overtime,” make sure that the demonstra- ty movement is gradually gain- facility now receives 100,000 patients annu- said Devraj Ratala, senior auxiliary health tors wouldn’t enter Tundikhel. ing momentum. “Had the civil ally as opposed to a mere 7,000 to 8,000 worker at the hospital. “Our work has Another activist and poet society been active earlier, I patients before the upgrade. become much easier now.” Rajbhai Jakami said people think Oli would not have dared In the last two years, the hospital estab- Dr Milan Rawal, another doctor at the would sacrifice their lives but to take the situation to this lished several medical units to enhance its hospital, says the hospital now caters to they won’t let the people’s con- level,” he said. “Since the civil services, says Dr Sandip Okheda, chief at patients of all illnesses, except those in need stitution die. society itself is divided into dif- the District Hospital. The hospital now has a of critical care. With his paralysed legs, ferent political lines it has been Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, a blood bank, “Local residents don’t have to go out of Jileshan Shah, 45, of Rautahat, difficult to gather people.” a High Dependency Unit, a ventilator unit, a the district to receive specialist health ser- who teaches English at St Shah said the latest move of maternity unit, a PCR laboratory, a pharma- vices these days,” Rawal said. Xavier’s College, stood at the Oli to arrest lawmaker of the cy and an Emergency Unit. In the past, Bajhang residents had to go to forefront of the rally on crutch- dissolved Parliament Ram “The hospital is now fully equipped to private health institutions and pay exorbi- es having taken leave from work. Kumari Jhakri galvanised the provide all necessary medical services to the tant prices to get services. There are over 20 “Sometimes I feel frustrated people because it became evi- rural population from far-flung villages of medical clinics in Chainpur, the district seeing the situation of our coun- dent that Oli was not going to Sudurpaschim Province,” said Okheda. headquarters of Bajhang. try,” Shah told the Post. spare anyone. Parbati Aidi, a resident of Talakot Rural But people these days have started going “Therefore, I have been partici- “Today we have declared that Municipality in Bajhang, says the hospital to the District Hospital for treatment, says pating in most of the protests Tundikhel belongs to people and upgradation has come as a relief for local Ashok Malla, a medical operator in programmes organised by the it will remain with the people,” residents like her. Chainpur. “The number of patients going to Brihat Nagarik Andolan.” Sangraula said. “Today no “The District Hospital has changed for the private clinics has decreased because of the “The basic aspiration of fed- door of Tundikhel is open but if better. It now provides treatment on par reform in services at the district hospital,” eralism was to bring drastic it remains closed they will be with Dhangadhi-based hospitals. We are Malla said. changes in the form of govern- broken.” very happy,” Aidi said. The hospital, which According to Dr Okheda, the hospital ance by transforming the state The thousands of members of POST PHOTO: RAJ BAHADUR SHAHI had only two doctors, now has eight, accord- administration is also taking initiatives to structure. It was expected that the civil society cheered. Only 34 kilometres of Nagma-Gamgadhi road has been gravelled in the current fiscal year. ing to Hospital chief Okheda. establish a two-bed ICU Unit. “Until two years ago, the hospital was in a “We are winning the trust of service seek- pitiable condition. There was no electricity ers. That is why the number of patients to and no necessary equipment or infrastruc- the hospital has been increasing of late,” he ture,” said Okheda. “We had to ask pregnant said. With hearing over, justices will now study legal ... >> Continued from page 1 statute when there is a hung parlia- tive to dissolve the House, which is the side of the plaintiffs and the The hearing began on January ment and there is no possibility to a feature of a Westminster system, defendants, Adhikari said. 15. After the lawyers representing form a government. was deliberately withdrawn in our “They only killed the crucial the plaintiffs and defendants pre- The move to dissolve the House constitution,” said Adhikari, com- time of the court. The bench sented their arguments for and was defended by the Office of the menting on the defendants’ defence. shouldn’t have allowed that,” he against the House dissolution, the Attorney General and around three “The claim from defenders that Oli said. senior advocates in the amicus dozen private lawyers. Attorney dissolved the House using the pre- Before the Constitutional Bench curiae started their arguments on General Agni Kharel on February 1 rogative doesn’t hold water.” began the hearing on January 15, Monday, concluding them on started the defence. He, however, After the two sides finished their Justice Sapana Pradhan Malla on Friday. failed to provide concrete constitu- arguments it was the turn of the January 13 replaced Hari Krishna Commenting on the court pro- tional grounds for doing so and amicus curiae. Karki after he decided to recuse ceedings, constitutional experts instead continued to offer Of the five friends of court, himself from the hearing on the said there was clearly a lack of political reasons for the act, in line Satish Krishna Kharel, Purna Man grounds that he was once Oli’s coordination among the advocates with the written clarification Shakya and Pathak categorically counsel in the capacity of the attor- from both sides. Prime Minister Oli had furnished said there are no constitutional ney general. Justices Anil Kumar “The arguments from both sides to the court. grounds for Oli to dissolve the Sinha, Bishowambhar Prasad were weak,” said Bipin Adhikari, “The defendants’ presentation House while Bijay Kant Mainali Shrestha and Tej Bahadur KC are former dean at the Kathmandu was even weaker as there were no defended the move arguing that the other members of the bench. University School of Law. articles from the constitution they prime minister, in a parliamentary Raju Prasad Chapagain, “There was room to contest their could cite to prove that Oli’s move democracy, has an inherent author- chairperson of the Constitutional PHOTO COURTESY: MILAN KHADKA arguments.” was constitutional,” said Adhikari. ity for the dissolution. Lawyers’ Forum, said the quality The upgraded hospital receives 100,000 patients annually. Advocates representing the Kharel maintained that House Badri Bahadur Karki, on the of a hearing also depends on plaintiffs repeated the same argu- dissolution is a prime minister’s other hand, wavered arguing that the bench. ment that the prime minister’s prerogative but stopped short of several ambiguities in the “Along with the lawyers, the move was unconstitutional with- providing the constitutional provi- Constitution of Nepal regarding bench is also responsible for the out presenting strong arguments sions that vested Oli with the the House dissolution which needs low quality of the hearing,” he told based on the constitution explain- power. A majority of the lawyers to be interpreted by the court rath- the Post. “Despite the issue having ing why, according to Adhikari. who stood in defence of the House er than saying clearly whether a such huge implications, the overall “They failed to clearly define the dissolution repeated the argument prime minister can dissolve the hearing was superficial.” reasons to prove their claim that saying it was a political decision House or not. He, however, said as The resolution of the most the dissolution was unconstitution- and inherent authority of the Oli’s move was guided by a mala important political crisis in the al,” he said. prime minister in a parliamentary fide intention, and therefore, it was country since the promulgation of More than 60 advocates on behalf democracy. unconstitutional. the new constitution in 2015 of the plaintiffs presented their “Rather than standing on consti- According to Adhikari, the mem- will now be discussed by the arguments for 15 days claiming tutional provisions, the lawyers bers of the amicus curiae could five Supreme Court justices before that Oli’s move to dissolve the tried to justify the dissolution say- clearly present their arguments the Constitutional Bench gives a House was a breach of the ing that it is the prime minister’s explaining the constitutional pro- verdict. Constitution of Nepal. They said prerogative in the parliamentary visions and legislative intent. “It is difficult to specify the exact the House of Representatives is system to dissolve the lower house. However, there was a repetition date for the verdict,” said Poudel, dissolved as per Article 76 (7) of the But the prime minister’s preroga- from the lawyers who pleaded on the communication expert.

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 NATIONAL

BRIEFING Authorities still Students padlock school undecided over SINDHULI: Students of Nayakharka Secondary School in Golanjor Rural Municipality Ward No. 5 have pad- removal of bus locked the school for an indefinite period demanding that the adminis- tration immediately hire an English station from teacher. Bibash Thapa, one of the pro- testing students, said the school has been without an English teacher for a Khula Manch long time. “We were compelled to pro- test since the school management did ANUP OJHA not pay heed to our request for an KATHMANDU, FEB 19 English teacher,” Thapa said. Meanwhile, headmaster Manoj Shah The Kathmandu Metropolitan City said the school’s English teacher is on has started clearing a portion of the leave. The administration will take Khula Manch area that had been occu- action against the teacher for remain- pied by construction materials and a ing absent for so long, he added. makeshift encampment for workers hired for the restoration work of Bir Hospital and Durbar High School. Municipality provides loan But the city office is still undecided RUKUM (WEST): Chaurjahari about the bus station occupying the Municipality in Rukum (West) has remaining land. started providing soft loans to local Khula Manch has served as the farmers. Mayor Bishal Sharma said venue for rallies and mass gatherings 1,009 groups, each consisting of five during critical periods of Nepal’s farmers, have been formed for loan political history, and is considered by distribution. He said each group will many a hallowed space, a place that receive a maximum loan of Rs1 embodies the country’s democratic million. A total of 5,045 farmers have struggles. applied for the loan programme, In 2016 the Kathmandu Metropolitan according to the municipal office. City decided to temporarily move Purano Bus Park from across the road to Khula Manch to facilitate the con- Woman held on murder charge struction of a view tower and a new CHITWAN: District Police Office bus depot at the old site. Chitwan has arrested Shova BK, a The original plan was to move the resident of Makwanpur, on the old bus station to Khula Manch just charge of killing a senior citizen in for six months. It’s been more than Bharatpur. Five months ago, a five years, and the bus station is still 74-year-old woman of Sharadpur in there. Bharatpur Metropolis was found dead What little open space remained of with missing jewelry. Surya Bahadur the historic over the years was also Thapa, DSP at the District Police turned into a storage yard for con- Office, said, “The deceased’s mobile POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI struction materials and a temporary phone was found with BK.” A Nepal Police band performs during the Democracy Day celebrations at Sainik Manch, Kathmandu on Friday. living quarters for construction workers. The city office started clearing the site from Wednesday following the instruction of the Prime Minister’s Office. “Now that the area has been cleared, Poll body continues election preparations while we are not going to allow any more encroachment there. The place is now open,” said Ishwor Man Dangol, spokesman for the city office. But the area occupied by the bus ignoring the dispute in Nepal Communist Party station is unlikely to be cleared any time soon, as the proposed view tower and a new bus station at the site of old After it said 30-day deadline for claiming legitimacy had passed, Dahal-Nepal faction submitted another set of papers which the poll body is studying. bus park is nowhere near complete. Dangol didn’t have a definitive PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA Party. On February 2, the faction led Election Commissioner Narendra own on December 22–two days after formed after the merger between erst- answer when asked if the city office KATHMANDU, FEB. 19 by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav Dahal said that the commission was President Bidya Devi Bhandari dis- while CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist was planning to clear the land occu- Kumar Nepal made claim over the still studying the claims made by the solved the House of Representatives Centre) in 2018 as legitimate Central pied by the bus station. On Friday the Election Commission party at the Election Commission as Dahal-Nepal faction. on December 20 on the recommenda- Committee before the latest dispute. “There has been consultation issued a statement saying that per the Section 44 of the Political “Once study concludes, we will take tion of Oli and announced fresh Oli on December 22, had unilaterally regarding the issue, but the city has preparations for midterm elections Parties Act which has provisions to the necessary decision regarding the elections. expanded the central committee to not decided it yet,” he said. slated for April 30 and May 10 have claim legitimacy in case of dispute matter,” he told the Post. As per the section 44 (1) of the 1199 members which was later expand- In October 2019, a citizens’ group intensified. within party. As per the Political Parties Act-2017, Political Parties Act-2017, a faction ed further to 1501. had launched a three-months long “The tasks related to preparations Earlier, the commission on January after receiving response from the rival making claims of legitimacy to repre- Pokharel claimed that his faction demonstration, including activities of the election programme, introduc- 24 had refused to recognise either of faction, the commission needs to first sent the party, should submit an appli- made claims of legitimacy in less than like photo exhibition, poetry recita- tion of election code of conduct, pro- the factions as the authentic Nepal cation within 30 days after the dispute 10 days after the dispute officially tion, sapling plantation and painting curement plan, procurement of elec- Communist Party after both fac- arose. began in the party. Dahal-Nepal fac- exhibition, to build pressure on the tion materials, budget estimate, prepa- tions—one led by Prime Minister KP The commission is When the Dahal-Nepal faction made tion has, however, been wary about government to vacate Khula Manch. ration of election security plan, vot- Sharma Oli and the other by Dahal claims, it has already crossed 42 days. the commission’s delay in making a At the time, Kathmandu Mayor ers’ education programme have and Nepal—failed to lay claim to the yet to seek response But the Dahal-Nepal faction disa- decision even after the faction submit- Bidya Sundar Shakya had dismissed moved ahead in a speedy way,” the party as per clause 44 (1) of the grees that the deadline of making ted an application claiming legitimacy the demonstration as “a publicity commission said. Political Parties Act 2017. from the Oli faction claims is the reason why the commis- to represent the Nepal Communist stunt of some politically motivated The elephant in the room—in the As per this provision, a faction that sion is undecided. Party. people”. form of the dispute of legitimacy of seeks to claim the ownership of the on Dahal’s claim. “We had asked the commission to “Since we registered applications “What stopped Mayor Shakya from the Nepal Communist Party—howev- original party, stamp, flag and symbol update the party’s decision of remov- on February 2, we have already taking the decision earlier? This clear- er continues to be ignored. needs to submit papers with all the ing KP Sharma Oli from the post of requested the commission to take a ly shows the inability of local author- With just 70 days remaining before documents to the commission along allow rival factions to settle their dis- chair (on December 22),” said decision early twice,” said Pokharel. ity to take a decision independently,” the first phase of elections, the dis- with signatures of at least 40 percent putes. Lilamani Pokhrel, Standing “We are surprised that the commis- said Alok Siddhi Tuladhar, a heritage pute in the Nepal Communist Party, of the party’s Central Committee Only if they fail to settle their dis- Committee member of the Nepal sion is yet to proceed ahead regarding conservationist who was part of the which is practically split but techni- members within 30 days after a dis- pute, does the commission need to give Communist Party representing the our application,” added Pokharel. citizens-led campaign against Khula cally united, has emerged as the major pute arises. legitimacy to the faction which can Dahal-Nepal faction. “How can the commission hold an Manch occupation. challenge for holding the elections. After the claims are made as per prove the majority support in the cen- “After the commission refused to election by ignoring the dispute in the Ganapati Lal Shrestha, another her- “The political environment for the this provision, the commission needs tral committee that existed before the update our central committee’s deci- party which had nearly two-thirds of itage conservationist, welcomed the election will not be created without to seek a written response from the dispute while allowing the rival sion and decided to maintain the seats in the controversially dis- city’s move but said it does not put settling dispute in the ruling party,” rival faction by giving a 15-day dead- faction to register a new party as per 441-memeber Central Committee as it solved Parliament.” Mayor Shakya in the positive light in said Kapil Shrestha, vice-president of line as per the section 44 (2) of the Act. the section 44 (6) of the Political in its record book, dispute in the party The commission is taking time to any way. Nepal Election Observation But, the officials at the commission Parties Act. officially begun,” said Pokharel decide on the dispute of the party “It was not his decision. The Committee, an institution which has said that it is yet to seek response from According to officials at the com- On January 24, the commission had although it is finalising the task of Kathmandu Metropolitan City decid- long been observing the elections. the Oli faction even 17 days after the mission, it is in dilemma to take deci- refused to give legitimacy to either updating voters’ list and determining ed to act only after PM Oli’s direction. Elections, of course, depend on Dahal-Nepal faction claimed sion as Dahal-Nepal faction registered faction arguing that both factions polling centres. It shows the inability of Mayor Shakya whether the Supreme Court which legitimacy. an application seeking legitimacy failed to follow the statute of the party “But, the commission appears to be to make his own decision,” said will uphold the dissolution of the “Letter has not been sent to the Oli after the deadline for submitting the in their decision making. hesitating to take a decision inviting Shrestha. House of Representatives. faction yet,” said Raj Kumar Shrestha, application had expired. By refusing to accept an enlarged doubt if the commission is under the Mayor Shakya seems to have earned But the election body has been spokesperson at the commission. “It is The dispute in the party surfaced Central Committee by the Oli faction, influence of the government,” said no friends by partially vacating Khula showing no urgency in settling the the issue that the office bearers of the after both factions held separate the commission had recognized the Shrestha from the Nepal Election Manch, since it was a decision of the dispute of the Nepal Communist commission needs to decide.” Central Committee meetings of their 441-member central committee Observation Committee. Prime Minister’s Office and not his. Kantipur Publications marks 28th anniversary Jha replaces Pariyar as The Post’s Arjun Poudel, who reported on the Covid-19 health crisis, among employees awarded this year. Province 2 governor POST REPORT POST REPORT ernor follows a split in the Nepal KATHMANDU, FEB 19 KATHMANDU, FEB 19 Communist Party after Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s move to Kantipur Publications marked its 28th President Bidya Devi Bhandari on dissolve the House of Representatives. anniversary on Friday. Friday removed Tilak Pariyar as the The Nepal Commuist Party is now The publications this year kept its governor of Province 2. split into two–one led by Oli and the formal programme brief and with a According to a statement issued by other by Pushpa Kamal Dahal and limited number of staff members the Office of the President, Bhandari Madhav Kumar Nepal. because of the Covid-19 pandemic. removed Pariyar as the Province 2 The reason behind Pariyar’s remov- On the occasion, the publications governor as per Article 165 (1) of the al was not known immediately but a honoured 11 employees for their out- constitution on the recommendation source from Oli’s orbit said that the standing work throughout the year. of the federal Council of Ministers. decision could have been taken given Arjun Poudel, assistant senior The President’s Office said that Pariyar’s closeness with Dahal. sub-editor of the Post, Binu Subedi, Rajesh Jha has been appointed the Originally from Liwang, Rolpa, assistant senior sub-editor of new Province 2 governor. Pariyar is known as a popular Dalit Kantipur, Elite Joshi, photographer, Jha, usually known as Rajesh leader in western Nepal. Pariyar, an and Manoj Badu, Darchula district Ahiraj, is a journalist and holds a PhD active member during the Maoist correspondent of Kantipur, were on Madhesi issues. movement, was elected twice to the among those honoured with the best Jha is known as a staunch support- Constituent Assembly. employees of the year awards. er of Oli. “I was surprised when I received an Similarly, Sanjeev Kumar Bhujel, Pariyar was picked under the quota email from the Office of the President junior executive of press in Bharatpur, of the former CPN (Maoist Centre) about my removal as the province Santosh Sharma, senior executive of and was appointed the governor on governor,” Pariyar told the Post. the finance department, Anand November 5, 2019. He said he had tried to play his role Kumar Singh, executive of the mar- Besides Pariyar, two more gover- independently, without any allegiance keting department, Rekha Karki, jun- nors were appointed in the quotas to any faction. ior executive of the circulation depart- allotted to the former Maoist party. But he doubted that his removal ment, Keshav Prasad Parajuli, a deliv- POST PHOTO At that time, the Maoist Centre had could have been guided by political ery boy from the circulation depart- Kantipur Media Group’s Chairman and Managing Director Kailash Sirohiya (centre) and Director Swastika Sirohiya (fourth right) with already merged with then CPN-UML vendetta, as he was appointed under ment, Babu Ram Mishra, a security employees awarded for their outstanding work throughout the year. to form the united Nepal Commuist the former Moist quota. staff member from the general admin- Party. The governors were appointed Pariyar was appointed the head of istration, and Jitendra Kumar Yadav, their respective departments. Publications, handed over the awards gratulated the awardees as well as the as per an understanding between the Province 2 when the Oli government an assistant from the IT department, Kailash Sirohiya, chairman and and certificates to the winners. entire staff members for their hard two communist forces. in November 2019 appointed gover- were the other award recipients from managing director of Kantipur In his brief speech, Sirohiya con- work amid the pandemic. The removal of Pariyar as the gov- nors to six provinces.

C M Y K SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 | 04 WORLD Africa reaches 100,000 known Covid-19 deaths as danger grows The continent of 1.3 billion has barely seen arrival of large-scale supplies of Covid-19 jabs.

ASSOCIATED PRESS pitalizations is crucial. wave,” the Africa CDC’s Nkengasong NAIROBI, FEB 19 But the latest trend shows a slow- told reporters last week. down. In the week ending on Sunday, While the continent is not seeing a Africa has surpassed 100,000 con- the continent saw a 28 percent “massive” number of deaths, he firmed deaths from Covid-19 as the decrease in deaths, the Africa CDC asserted that most people in Africa continent praised for its early said on Thursday. now know someone who has died of response to the pandemic now strug- Africa has reached 100,000 con- Covid-19. “People are dying because of gles with a dangerous resurgence firmed deaths shortly after marking a a lack of basic care,” he said, citing and medical oxygen often runs desper- year since the first coronavirus infec- medical oxygen as a critical need. ately short. tion was confirmed on the continent, Twenty-one countries in Africa now “We are more vulnerable than we in Egypt on February 14, 2020. have case fatality rates that are higher thought,” the director of the Africa But many more people across Africa than the global average, Nkengasong Centers for Disease Control and have died of Covid-19, even though said, including Sudan, Egypt, Liberia, Prevention, John Nkengasong, told they are not included in the official Mali and Zimbabwe. The Associated Press in an interview toll. The case fatality rate continent-wide reflecting on the pandemic and a mile- South Africa, the hardest-hit coun- remains higher than the global aver- stone he called “remarkably painful.” try on the continent, saw over 125,000 age at 2.6 percent. He worried that “we are beginning excess deaths from natural causes “The second wave came with full to normalize deaths,” while health between May 3 and January 23. might, partly because of this new var- workers are overwhelmed. While it is not clear how many were iant (in South Africa), partly because The 54-nation continent of some 1.3 from the virus, there was a “close cor- we created superspreading opportuni- billion people has barely seen the respondence of the time of the excess ties” such as holiday parties, said arrival of large-scale supplies of deaths with the increases in con- Salim Abdool Karim, the top Covid-19 Covid-19 vaccines, but a variant of the firmed Covid-19 cases in each prov- advisor to South Africa’s government. virus dominant in South Africa is ince,” the South African Medical “The virus adapts and gets better REUTERS already posing a challenge to vaccina- Research Council said. with time because it’s mutating pro- A medical worker prepares to administer a vaccine against Covid-19 as part of a Tel Aviv municipality initiative to offer a free drink at a bar to tion efforts. Still, if doses are availa- Since most countries in Africa lack gressively to be better adapted.” residents getting the shot. ble, the continent should be able to the means to track mortality data, it is In the unusual case of Tanzania, no vaccinate 35 percent to 40 percent of not clear how many excess deaths one knows how many deaths, or even its population before the end of 2021 have occurred across the continent infections, have occurred since the and 60 percent by the end of 2022, since the pandemic began. country of some 60 million people Nkengasong said. “We are definitely not counting all stopped updating its number of cases In a significant development on the deaths, especially in the second in April. India virus infections at three-week Friday, an African Union-created task force said Russia has offered 300 mil- lion doses of the country’s Sputnik V vaccine, to be available in May. high; Kerala, Mahrashtra lead tally The AU previously secured 270 mil- lion doses from AstraZeneca, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. REUTERS southern state of Kerala and deployed on the rail network, city Health officials who breathed a sigh NEW DELHI, FEB 19 Maharashtra, home to Mumbai, a authorities said. Indians have largely of relief last year when African coun- densely populated city of 20 million given up on masks and social distanc- tries did not see a huge number of India reported on Friday its biggest people. The two states already ing, Reuters reporting shows. Covid-19 deaths are now reporting a jump in new coronavirus infections in had the highest number of reported “Coronavirus ... has not yet left the jump in fatalities. The Africa CDC on three weeks, with 13,193 cases, while infections. country,” the health ministry said on Friday said overall deaths are at thousands of marshals fanned out to Health experts suggest the re-open- Twitter. “We still need to follow Covid- 100,294. enforce mask wearing across the ing of educational institutes in appropriate behaviour. No careless- Deaths from Covid-19 increased by financial capital of Mumbai, which is Kerala and resumption of suburban ness till there is a cure.” 40 percent in Africa in the past month battling a recent spurt. train services in Mumbai could be Despite the recent rise infections, compared to the previous month, the The tally of confirmed infections is key factors. India’s daily tally of new cases World Health Organization’s Africa 10.96 million, the second highest after After a gap of 11 months, Mumbai remains well below a mid-September chief, Matshidiso Moeti, told reporters the United States, with more than resumed on February 1 full suburban peak of nearly 100,000. Testing num- last week. That’s more than 22,000 peo- 156,000 deaths. But actual infections train services, which before the pan- bers have also fallen to about 800,000 a ple dying in the past four weeks. could range as high as 300 million, a demic carried a daily average of 8 day from more than 1 million. The increase is a “tragic warning government serological survey million people. Since starting its vaccine campaign that health workers and health sys- showed this month. The city has begun hiring marshals in mid-January, India has adminis- tems in many countries in Africa are AP/RSS In recent days, 75 percent of India’s to enforce mask wearing. Out of near- tered nearly 10 million doses, aiming dangerously overstretched,” she said, This April 16, 2020, photo shows relatives grieving after the death of a man who died of new cases have been reported from the ly 5,000 marshals, around 300 would be to cover 300 million people by August. and preventing severe cases and hos- Covid-19, at his burial ceremony at a park outside Johannesburg, South Africa.

BRIEFING China’s army says it lost four troops Myanmar grieves after It’s official: US back in the anti-coup protester’s death Paris climate club in 2020 border clash with India WASHINGTON: The United States ASSOCIATED PRESS clash, was awarded the title of “Hero AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Graphic video had circulated online officially rejoined the Paris climate BEIJING, FEB 19 regimental commander for defending YANGON, FEB 19 of the long-haired teenager falling to agreement on Friday, reinvigorating The announcement the border.” the ground and onlookers scrambling the global fight against climate China’s military said om Friday that Earlier, unconfirmed reports had Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing was a to give her first aid. change as the Biden administration four of its soldiers were killed in a comes six months put the number of Chinese dead as teenage grocery store worker in Amnesty International says it has plans drastic emissions cuts over the high-mountain border clash with after the bloody high as 45, and Lt Gen. YK Joshi, who Myanmar’s sparse and isolated capital verified footage of the incident and next three decades. Scientists and for- Indian forces last year, the first time commands the Indian Army’s until less than two weeks ago, when a that “police recklessly targeted pro- eign diplomats have welcomed the US Beijing has publicly conceded its side hand-to-hand fight Northern Command, said Indian gunshot turned her into a national testers, with no respect for their lives return to the treaty, which became suffered casualties in the deadliest observers counted more than 60 symbol of resistance. or safety whatsoever”. official 30 days after President Joe incident between the Asian giants in between soldiers. Chinese troops being taken away on The death of the young anti-coup Immediately after her shooting, Biden ordered the move on his first nearly 45 years. stretchers, though it wasn’t clear how protester has sent a ripple of grief Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing became a day in office. Since nearly 200 coun- The announcement, coming more many suffered fatal injuries. through the country, days after a bul- household name across Myanmar and tries signed the 2015 pact to prevent than six months after the bloody hand- announcement that it did indeed lose Joshi told Indian station News18 let struck her in the head during a a rallying point for a civil disobedi- catastrophic climate change, the to-hand fighting, should help global soldiers comes now that the two sides that Chinese forces had appeared confrontation with police. ence campaign against the new mili- United States was the only country to audiences “understand the truth and are engaged in a phased pullback from unwilling to make concessions until She had joined a massive rally in tary regime. exit. Former President Donald Trump the right and wrong of the incident,” their original positions following mul- Indian forces occupied commanding Naypyidaw demanding the release A 15-metre-long banner with art- took the step, claiming climate action Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesper- tiple rounds of negotiations. heights on Aug. 29-30. An agreement to and return to power of the country’s work depicting the moment she was would cost too much. son Hua Chunying said. The People’s Liberation Army Daily begin pulling back was reached ousted civilian leader Aung San shot was hung off a bridge in Yangon, Yet the delay also appeared to reflect newspaper said Friday that the four February 10. Suu Kyi. while some protesters have carried China’s deep culture of military secre- killed were named as official state “This disengagement is happening Police dispersed the protest with photos of her as they march. China considers new actions cy, as well as concerns over the poten- martyrs and awarded other posthu- because we had taken the dominating rubber bullets, but Mya Thwate Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing’s inju- to lift flagging birthrate tial domestic and international fallout mous honors. position on the Kailash range. So, now Thwate Khaing was one of two people ry also brought scathing global con- BEIJING: China is considering addi- from the bloodshed. It said the title of “border-defending the purpose has been achieved, we are critically wounded by live rounds. demnation of the junta. tional measures to increase its flag- Immediately after the clash atop a hero” was conferred on Battalion going back to status quo ante April Her family marked her 20th birth- “They can shoot a young woman but ging birthrate, more than four years high ridge on June 2020 in the Ladakh Commander Chen Hongjun, while 2020,” Joshi told the station. day two days later while she lay they can’t steal the hope & resolve of a after ending its controversial one- region’s Karakoram Mountains, India Chen Xiangrong, Xiao Siyuan and Separately, an Indian security offi- unconscious on an intensive care hos- determined people,” UN Special child policy. For decades, China announced it had lost 20 of its soldiers Wang Zhuoran received first-class cial said Friday that the military esti- pital bed. Rapporteur Tom Andrews tweeted. enforced strict controls on additional in the battle that saw fists, clubs, merit awards. It attributed their mates at least 14 Chinese soldiers were Hospital staff confirmed that she Her death sparked an outpouring of births in the name of preserving stones and other improvised weapons deaths to fighting in “a clash with wounded, eight of whom later died. had died shortly before midday on emotional tributes on social media as scarce resources for its burgeoning used to avoid a firefight. trespassing foreign military person- That assessment was based on the Friday, 10 days after she was shot. the news spread on Friday. economy. But its plunging birthrate is China was believed to have also suf- nel,” without mentioning India. number of stretchers used to remove Mya Thwate Thwate Khaing is the “We will regard you as our Martyr,” now seen as a major threat to eco- fered casualties but did not provide Qi Fabao, a regimental commander the injured, input gathered from the first confirmed death from the anti- wrote one supporter of the protest nomic progress and social stability. any details, saying it didn’t want to from the PLA Xinjiang Military Chinese forward hospital and field coup movement since the military movement on Twitter. On Thursday, the National Health further inflame tensions. The Command who was wounded in the reports from the ground. seized power on February 1. “We will bring justice for your loss.” Commission issued a statement say- ing it will conduct research to “fur- ther stimulate birth potential.” It said the initiative will focus first on north- eastern China, the country’s former industrial heartland that has seen a NASA’s Perseverance rover makes historic Mars landing major population decline as young people and families depart for better opportunities elsewhere. REUTERS km per hour) to begin its descent to The landing represented the riski- LOS ANGELES, FEB 19 the planet’s surface. est part of two-year, $2.7 billion Moments after touchdown, endeavor whose primary aim is to Iran will reverse nuclear actions NASA’s Mars rover Perseverance, the Perseverance beamed back its first search for possible fossilized signs of most advanced astrobiology lab ever black-and-white images from the microbes that may have flourished on when US lifts sanctions sent to another world, streaked Martian surface, one of them showing Mars some 3 billion years ago, when TEHRAN: Iran will “immediately through the Martian atmosphere on the rover’s shadow cast on the deso- the fourth planet from the sun was reverse” actions in respect of its Thursday and landed safely inside a late, rocky landing site. warmer, wetter and potentially hospi- nuclear programme when US sanc- vast crater, the first stop on a search Because it takes radio waves 11 min- table to life. tions are lifted, Foreign Minister for traces of ancient microbial life on utes to travel from Mars to Earth, the Scientists hope to find biosigna- Mohammad Javad Zarif said on the Red Planet. SUV-sized rover had already reached tures embedded in samples of ancient Friday, reiterating Tehran’s position Mission managers at NASA’s Jet Martian soil by the time its arrival sediments that Perseverance is on Washington’s offer to revive talks. Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) near Los was confirmed by signals relayed to designed to extract from Martian rock The Joe Biden administration said on Angeles burst into applause, cheers Earth from one of several satellites for future analysis back on Earth - the Thursday it was ready to revive a and fist-bumps as radio beacons orbiting Mars. first such specimens ever collected by 2015 agreement between Iran and signaled that the rover had survived The spacecraft’s self-guided descent humankind from another planet. world powers that former president its perilous descent and arrived and landing during a complex series Two subsequent Mars missions are Donald Trump abandoned in 2018 as planned on the floor of Jezero of maneuvers that NASA dubbed “the planned to retrieve the samples and before reimposing sanctions on Iran. Crater, site of a long-vanished Martian seven minutes of terror” stands as the return them to NASA in the next dec- When sanctions are lifted, “we will lake bed. most elaborate and challenging feat in ade, in collaboration with the then immediately reverse all remedi- The six-wheeled vehicle came to the annals of robotic spaceflight. European Space Agency. al measures. Simple,” Zarif said on rest about 2 kilometers from towering REUTERS Acting NASA chief Steve Jurczyk Thursday’s landing also came as a Twitter. On Thursday, Zarif had cliffs at the foot of a remnant fan- Members of NASA’s Perseverance rover team react in mission control after receiving called it an “amazing accomplish- triumph for a pandemic-weary US, tweeted that Iran’s “remedial meas- shaped river delta etched into a corner confirmation the spacecraft successfully touched down on Mars, ment,” adding, “I cannot tell you how still gripped by economic and social ures” were in response to violations of the crater billions of years ago and overcome with emotion I was.” upheaval from the Covid-19 pandemic. of the accord by the US, Britain, considered a prime spot for geo-biolog- tions specialist announced from the space for nearly seven months, cover- Deputy Project Manager for the The public health crisis emerged in France and Germany. Other ical study on Mars. control room. “Perseverance safely on ing 293 million miles (472 million km) rover, Matt Wallace, said the descent the months before the rover was signatories to the 2015 deal were “Touchdown confirmed,” Swati the surface of Mars.” before piercing the Martian atmos- and landing systems “performed launched in July and complicated exe- China and Russia. (AGENCIES) Mohan, the lead guidance and opera- The robotic vehicle sailed through phere at 12,000 miles per hour (19,000 flawlessly.” cution of the Mars mission.

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 MONEY

FOREX

US Dollar 116.55 Mobile imports nearly double despite tattered economy Euro 141.05

Pound Sterling 162.91 The rise in legal imports has also been attributed to the immobilisation of the grey market by virus restrictions.

Japanese Yen 11.03 KRISHANA PRASAIN plan still has not materialised. Chinese Yuan 18.03 KATHMANDU, FEB 19 “The government is not only losing a huge chunk of revenue due to the Qatari Riyal 32.01 Nepal imported mobile phones worth grey market with no system in the Australian Dollar 90.86 Rs24.06 billion in the first seven country to regulate it, the traders are months of the fiscal year 2020-21, an also suffering,” said Agrawal. Malaysian Ringit 28.81 84.67 percent year-on-year jump. “We have been putting pressure on Traders said imports nearly dou- the Nepal Telecommunications Saudi Arab Riyal 31.08 bled even though the economy flat- Authority to implement the provision, Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank lined due to the coronavirus, and tens and it has said that it will be done of thousands lost their jobs. One within three months,” he said. reason why smartphone sales Min Prasad Aryal, director at PRICE PER TOLA swelled is that students had to attend the Nepal Telecommunications BULLION online classes due to the virus threat, Authority, admitted that delays had traders said. occurred in launching the system. The Fine Gold Rs 88,200 The rise in legal imports has also authority had planned to introduce been attributed to the immobilisation the system by creating separate Silver Rs 1,305 of the grey market by Covid-19 related infrastructure, and the project was restrictions. held up while buying land to construct SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA According to the Department of the building. Customs, the country imported 4.36 “Then Covid-19 came and put a stop million mobile sets in the first seven to everything. But the building being GASOLINE WATCH months of the current fiscal year that built at Chabahil will soon be ready, began mid-July. and the first batch of equipment has The government collected Rs3.80 also arrived--consisting of both hard- billion in customs and tax revenue ware and software. International from mobile imports during the experts will also be coming soon to period. install the system,” he said. “We plan Sanjay Agrawal, vice-president of to start trials within three months.” the Mobile Phone Importers’ SHUTTERSTOCK The infrastructure is being con- Association, said that there was a sig- Most of the phones sold in Nepal are imported from China and India followed by Vietnam. structed by the authority while a nificant rise in government revenue Malaysian company will be installing collection after the grey market was end. Traders said that the grey mar- almost 40-50 percent of the mobile the rate of 20-30 percent annually, but the hardware and software which will snuffed out following travel and trans- kets in other countries also disap- phones sold in the country are believed this year the lockdown boosted sales track the illegal entry of mobile portation bans. peared due to various restrictions. to be imported through grey channels. by 200 percent, said mobile phone phones, he said. “Mobile sets used to be imported Agrawal said that the spread of During the lockdown, the grey mar- dealers. Once the building is completed, the through illegal channels before, but online education too helped to push up ket lost its supply lines after the Sales of mobile sets saw a sharp mobile connectivity of telecom opera- the closure of the border and air demand for mobile phones. “But Indian border was closed, and custom- growth during the lockdown with tors like Nepal Telecom, Ncell and transport, particularly in India, shut demand has started to slow of late ers turned to legitimate sellers, push- most educational institutes offering Smart Telecom will need to be con- them down. with schools and colleges re-opening.” ing up demand. online classes. nected in the system. Under the air bubble arrangement, Agrawal said the decline could be Grey market mobile phones come Most of the phones sold in Nepal According to Aryal, as soon as the which allows airlines of two countries the result of the re-opening of the especially from India in hand bag- are imported from China and India system comes into operation, the grey to operate services between them by borders which allowed the flow of gage, and no customs duty is paid on followed by Vietnam.Three years ago, market will be totally shut down, complying with safety protocols, contraband to resume. “Prices are sta- them. Many travellers also bring the government had announced a plan chances of theft will be minimised, Nepal and India re-started regular ble and they have not increased phones for their friends and relatives, to implement the Device Identification and criminal activities that are con- flights in mid-December. All land recently,” he added.According to according to domestic mobile dealers. Registration and Blocking System to ducted through the use of mobile entry points were opened in January- Agrawal, no official figures exist, but Mobile sales have been swelling at eliminate the grey market, but the phones will be reduced. China hikes rare Australian PM urges Facebook to lift news blockade World Bank names earth output quotas first African head of ASSOCIATED PRESS Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, the CANBERRA, FEB 19 minister responsible for the proposed for the first half News Media Bargaining Code, had a IFC private sector Australia’s prime minister on Friday telephone conversation with Facebook urged Facebook to lift its blockade of chief executive Mark Zuckerberg of the year Australian users and return to the after the blockade began on Thursday finance arm negotiating table with news publish- and again on Friday. REUTERS ing businesses, warning that other “We talked through their remaining REUTERS BEIJING, FEB 19 countries would follow his govern- issues & agreed our respective teams WASHINGTON, FEB 19 ment’s example in making digital would work through them immediate- China on Friday hiked its rare earth giants pay for journalism. ly. We’ll talk again over the weekend,” The World Bank on Thursday named output quotas for the first half of the Prime Minister Scott Morrison Frydenberg tweeted on Friday. the first African chief executive of its year by more than 27 percent to record described Facebook’s move on “I reiterated Australia remains private sector arm, the International levels, potentially easing concerns of Thursday to prevent Australians from committed to implementing the code,” Finance Corp, a position key to the supply restrictions after a stellar price accessing and sharing news as a Frydenberg added. bank’s efforts to finance vaccines and rally for the group of prized minerals. threat. Frydenberg maintains that drive investment in low-carbon ener- China is the world’s dominant pro- The blockade has escalated a fight Facebook had been having construc- gy projects. ducer of rare earths, which are used with the government over whether tive negotiations with Australian Makhtar Diop, a Senegalese in consumer electronics and military powerful tech companies should have media on pay deals immediately national and the former minister of equipment. The release of the quotas to pay news organizations for content. before the surprise blockade. economy and finance of the West follows a report this week in the “The idea of shutting down the AP/RSS News Corp Australia executive African nation, is taking over the job Financial Times that China was sorts of sites they did yesterday, as Front pages of Australian newspapers are displayed featuring stories about Facebook in chairman Michael Miller was more after serving as the World Bank’s vice exploring curbing exports of rare some sort of threat—well, I know how Sydney, on Friday. equivocal about Facebook negotia- president for infrastructure, oversee- earths that are crucial to US defence Australians react to that and I thought tions. “Having been someone who’s ing the bank’s work across energy, contractors. The rare earth mining that was not a good move on their ing to Britain’s Daily Telegraph and organization Seven West Media also dealt with Facebook over the past transport, digital development and output quota for the first half of 2021 part,” Morrison told reporters. Sky News. Both share names with reached a deal earlier in the week. months, we have some weeks where other sectors. has been set at 84,000 tonnes, a joint “They should move quickly past news outlets in Australia. Rival Nine Entertainment is reported- we’re getting good engagement and Earlier this week, the World Trade statement from China’s Ministry of that, come back to the table and we’ll The blockade was a response to the ly close to its own pact, and state- think we’re progressing and then you Organization selected former Industry and Information Technology sort it out,” he added. passage of a bill by the House of owned Australian Broadcasting Corp. get silence. I think the door is still Nigerian finance minister and World (MIIT) and the Ministry of Natural There was public outrage at how the Representatives on Wednesday night is in negotiations. open,” Miller told a Senate inquiry Bank Managing Director Ngozi Resources said. That is up 27.2 percent Facebook blockade was bungled, cut- that would make Facebook and Google Morrison said he discussed the into Australian media diversity. Okonjo-Iweala as its new director from 66,000 tonnes a year earlier. ting access—at least temporarily—to pay Australian media companies’ fair Facebook dispute with Indian Prime Facebook said on Thursday the pro- general. The quota for rare earth smelting pandemic, public health and emergen- compensation for the journalism that Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. posed Australian law “fundamentally and separation—or the processing of cy services. the platforms link to. The legislation Morrison was also discussing misunderstands the relationship rare earth ore into material that can Newspaper headlines included: “No must be approved by the Senate to Australia’s proposed law with the between our platform and publishers be used by manufacturers—has been likes for unsocial network,” and become law. leaders of Britain, Canada and who use it.” set at 81,000 tonnes, up 27.6 percent “Faceblock.” Google has responded by quickly France. Morrison said his government was from the first half of 2020. An article about how fake news working out licensing content deals “There is a lot of world interest in “happy to listen to them on the techni- Prices for rare-earth magnet inputs would replace credible journalism in with major Australian media compa- what Australia is doing,” Morrison cal issues,” but remained determined terbium oxide, dysprosium oxide and Australian feeds carried the headline, nies under its own News Showcase said. “That’s why I invite, as we did to pass the law. praseodymium-neodymium (PrNd) “’Fakebook’ shows all it cares about is model. Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp with Google, Facebook to construc- “It’s not OK to unfriend Australia oxide in China have reached mul- profit, not people.” has announced a wide-ranging deal tively engage because they know that because Australia is very friendly,” ti-year highs on the back of strong Some non-Australian outlets also with Google covering operations in what Australia will do here is likely to Morrison said. “We’d like to remain demand and concerns Beijing will appeared affected, with posts disap- the United States and Britain as well be followed by many other Western very friendly and it’s time for them to seek to impose export controls. pearing from Facebook pages belong- as Australia. Major Australian media jurisdictions.” friend us again.”

REUTERS A file photo shows a participant standing Carmakers wake up to new pecking order as chip crunch worsens near a logo of World Bank in Bali, Indonesia. In a statement, World Bank REUTERS ed the finger at suppliers, saying it capacity,” said a source at one tend to be basic products such as that we have been running a night President David Malpass praised BERLIN, FEB 19 gave them timely warning last April— European semiconductor maker, who micro controllers made under con- shift since the beginning.” Diop’s experience in both the when much global car production was spoke on condition of anonymity. tract at older foundries—hardly the While Infineon, the leading supplier public and private sectors, saying he The semiconductor crunch that has idled due to the coronavirus pandem- “If the carmakers are asking us to leading-edge production technology of chips to the global auto industry, will help attract investment to low-car- battered the auto sector leaves car- ic—that it expected demand to recover invest in new capacity, can they please in which chipmakers would be willing and Robert Bosch, the top ‘Tier 1’ bon energy, transportation, clean makers with a stark choice: pay up, strongly in the second half of the year. tell us who will pay for that idle capac- to invest. parts supplier, both plan to commis- water, digital services and other infra- stock up or risk getting stuck on the That complaint by the world’s num- ity in the next downturn?” “The suppliers are saying: ‘If we sion new chip plants this year, there is structure. sidelines as chipmakers focus on more ber 2 volume carmaker cuts little ice The auto industry spends around continue to produce this stuff there is little chance of supply shortages eas- “Makhtar’s skills at IFC will help lucrative business elsewhere. with chipmakers, who say the auto $40 billion a year on chips—about a nowhere else for it to go. Sony isn’t ing soon. the World Bank Group continue our Car manufacturers including industry is both quick to cancel orders tenth of the global market. By compar- going to use it for a Playstation 5 or Specialist chipmakers like Infineon rapid response to the global crisis and Volkswagen, Ford and General Motors in a slump and to demand investment ison, Apple spends more on chips just Apple for its next iPhone’,” said Asif outsource some production of auto- help build a green, resilient, inclusive have cut output as the chip market in new production in a recovery. to make its iPhones, Mirabaud tech Anwar at Strategy Analytics. motive chips to contract manufactur- recovery,” Malpass said. was swept clean by makers of consum- “Last year we had to furlough staff analyst Neil Campling reckons. Chipmakers were surprised by the ers led by Taiwan Semiconductor Diop replaces Philippe Le Houerou, er electronics such as smartphones— and bear the cost of carrying idle Moreover, the chips used in cars panicked reaction of the German car Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), but who stepped down in September 2020 the chip industry’s preferred custom- industry, which persuaded Economy the Asian foundries are currently after more than four years as the IFC’s ers because they buy more advanced, Minister Peter Altmaier to write a let- prioritising high-end electronics mak- CEO. Interim CEO Stephanie von higher-margin chips. ter in January to his counterpart in ers as they come up against capacity Friedeburg was appointed IFC’s sen- The semiconductor shortage—over Taiwan to ask its semiconductor mak- constraints. ior vice president of operations. $800 worth of silicon is packed into a ers to supply more chips. Over the longer term, the relation- Diop told reporters that his highest modern electric vehicle—has exposed No extra supplies were forthcom- ship between chip makers and the car priority was to reduce the risk premi- the disconnect between an auto indus- ing, with one German industry source industry will become closer as electric um for private sector investment in try spoilt by decades of just-in-time joking that the Americans stood a vehicles are more widely adopted and “fragile states,” particularly in Africa. deliveries and an electronics industry better chance of getting more chips features such as assisted and autono- In June, IFC launched a $4 billion supply chain it can no longer bend to from Taiwan because they could at mous driving develop, requiring more financing platform aimed at boosting its will. least park an aircraft carrier off the advanced chips. the production and supply of vaccines “The car sector has been used coast—referring to the ability of the But, in the short term, there is no and other critical healthcare products to the fact that the whole supply chain United States to project power in Asia. quick fix for the lack of chip supply: in developing countries. is centred around cars,” said Closer to home, a source at another IHS Markit estimates that the time it Malpass also said that he hoped to McKinsey partner Ondrej Burkacky. European chipmaker expressed disbe- takes to deliver a microcontroller has complete the next replenishment of “What has been overlooked is that lief at the poor understanding at one doubled to 26 weeks and shortages will the International Development semiconductor makers actually do carmaker of how it operates. only bottom out in March. Association fund for the poorest coun- have an alternative.” “We got a call from one auto maker That puts the production of 1 mil- tries in 2021 instead of in 2022. Automakers are responding to the that was desperate for supply. They lion light vehicles at risk in the first Asked whether he expected the shortage by lobbying governments to said: Why don’t you run a night shift quarter, says IHS Markit. European administration of new US President subsidize the construction of more to increase production?” this person chip industry executives and analysts Joe Biden to increase the US contribu- chip-making capacity. REUTERS said. agree that supply will not catch up tion to IDA, he said he did not want to In Germany, Volkswagen has point- A worker at the Volkswagen assembly line in Wolfsburg, Germany. “What they didn’t understand is with demand until later in the year. anticipate such a result.

C M Y K SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY

APF, Police victorious as Women’s League concludes Medvedev sets The champions beat Army 3-0 to end the league campaign with a perfect record while Police finish third after a 10-0 victory over winless Chaudandigadhi. up Djokovic DIL KUMAR ALE MAGAR KATHMANDU, FEB 19 final, Brady Champions Armed Police Force (APF) Club defeated Tribhuvan Army Club faces Osaka test 3-0 to wrap up their campaign with a 100 percent winning record while REUTERS Nepal Police Club demolished winless MELBOURNE, FEB 19 Chaudandigadhi Municipality 10-0 on the final day as the National Women’s Russia’s Daniil Medvedev lived up to League came to a conclusion on Novak Djokovic’s praise as the “man Friday. to beat” at the Australian Open when As APF were already crowned he charged into his first Melbourne champions before playing their two Park final with an impressive 6-4 6-2 remaining matches and Army were 7-5 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas on guaranteed second place finish, the Friday. two departmental rivals went to the The rangy Medvedev wrapped the Dasharath Stadium carrying different Greek fifth seed in a blanket of pres- ambitions. sure at a floodlit Rod Laver Arena, With the champions missing their capturing his 20th successive victory star striker Sabitra Bhandari, out due and 12th straight over top 10 oppo- to anterior cruciate ligament injury, nents to earn a shot at ending there were speculations that Army Djokovic’s dynasty in Sunday’s could finally put APF’s unbeaten run decider. to an end. Fourth seed Medvedev served like a Without Bhandari, who had scored machine until broken in the third set, 43 goals for her side, APF’s perfor- which revived the Greek fans in the mance in their previous match against terraces as Tsitsipas roared to a 5-4 Biratnagar had lacked their usual lead. But the Russian silenced a hos- spirit and relentlessness, something tile crowd with the decisive break in Army was looking forward to exploit. the 11th game, then smacked a fore- But it was not to be. hand into the corner on his first match APF’s midfielder Saru Lama scored point to seal it. twice, denting Army’s hopes. World number one Djokovic, who Lama put APF in front just before the beat Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev half time, thanks to a clever pass fed by to reach the final, will be a formidable Anita KC from the edge of the box. opponent for Medvedev in his second KC, who was adjudged player of the Grand Slam showpiece match. match, furthered the lead in the 86th Serbian Djokovic is bidding for a minute with an outstanding header. record-extending ninth Australian APF’s Bhujanga Rai dropped a long POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA Open title and has never lost a final in ball just outside the box between Champions Armed Police Force (APF) Club earned maximum 36 points winning all 12 matches conceding only one goal in their run to the title of National Women’s League that concluded on Friday. Melbourne. Army goalkeeper Anjana Rana Magar In women’s singles categories, and KC. Rana Magar advanced to seize they played a draw against Police in again for the team’s third. This time ball but her attempt to clear the ball Jennifer Brady will hope there is plen- the ball but KC reached there first, the league opener. WOMEN’S LEAGUE STANDINGS Police keeper Usha Nath led the bounced off Rai before making its way ty in reserve when she takes on Naomi bowed and lifted the low bouncing ball “That draw was a big blow to our attack. to defender Purnamaya Rai. But the Osaka in Saturday’s Australian Open with her head over the goalkeeper title chances,” said Tamang. “It Team P W L D GF GA GD PT She got out of her zone and fed a Chaudandigadhi defender took too final. towards the net. changed everything.” APF 12 12 0 0 77 1 76 36 long ball into the Chandrapur box. BK long to steer the ball clear and Police’s Now the rising 25-year-old faces the Lama then put the result beyond the Army took home a cash prize of Rs Army 12 8 2 2 63 7 56 26 raced to grab the ball and beat the two Rai snatched the chance and put the ultimate test of her resilience against doubt in the added time of the sec- 800,000 while Army’s Bimala chasing defenders before feeding ball past goalie Rai. Osaka, who beat her in the US Open Police 12 5 4 3 28 10 18 15 ond-half. In an action similar to the Chaudhary was named the best mid- Thapa, who slammed high aiming the BK completed her hat-trick in the semi-finals on the way to her third second goal, goalie Rana Magar went fielder. Waling 12 5 5 2 26 22 4 17 target. Chaudandigadhi keeper Rai 86th minute sending a low shot past Grand Slam triumph. too far ahead to punch a high ball from Meanwhile, Police ensured their Biratnagar 12 5 6 1 16 28 -12 16 stretched and got a hand on the ball indolent goalkeeper while Jaisi The odds are against it though, defender Srijana Chemjong but KC third position in the league hammer- Chandrapur 12 3 9 0 12 49 -37 9 but could not stop it. wrapped up Police’s season’s biggest with third seed Osaka rated a virtual- was there first to head the ball. Rana ing the bottom-placed Chaudandigadhi Chaudandigadhi 12 0 12 0 4 106 -102 0 Player of the match Thapa then victory deep into the injury time. ly unbackable favourite by bookmak- Magar somehow managed to block the Municipality 10-0 earlier in the day, scored her individual fourth in the The win helped Police replace ers to raise a second Daphne header but lost the grasp and KC was courtesy of Niru Thapa’s four goals 29th minute, converting a penalty Waling at third position with 18 points. Akhurst Memorial Cup at the Rod quick to link the pass to waiting Lama, and Nirmala BK’s hat-trick. Amrita AWARD WINNERS after Chaudandigadhi captain once Police took home Rs 500,000. Laver Arena on Saturday, two years who fired from a distance into an Jaisi and Sunkala Rai also scored a again brought down BK inside the “It is not bad to finish third in the after beating Petra Kvitova for the empty net. goal apiece for their side. Best goalkeeper Usha Nath (Police) box. tournament,” said Police coach 2019 title. Lama was declared the most valua- For Chaudandigadhi, it was a cam- Best defender Amrita Jaisi (Police) Police got their fifth goal two minutes Sanjeeb Joshi adding he was satisfied Brady, the 22nd seed, has shown grit ble player of the tournament and was paign to forget. The team failed to eke Best forward Sabitra Bhandari (APF) later when Chaudandigadhi defender with the result. to get this far, winning consecutive awarded with a Yamaha scooter. APF out even a single win throughout the Best midfielder Bimala Chaudhary (Army) Sujata Rai shot into her own post while But Chaudandigadhi coach Dipak three-set matches against semi-final- striker Bhandari was named the best league. Worse, they conceded a stag- Best coach Bhagawoti Thapa (APF) trying to clear a cross from BK. Thapa regretted lack of preparations. ist Karolina Muchova and Jessica forward. The champions returned gering 106 goals and scored just four BK got her first in the 37th drilling “To return home without a point is Pegula, but compared to Osaka’s tough Most valuable player Saru Limbu (APF) home with a reward of Rs 1.5 million. goals during the campaign. a low shot past goalie Rai, and netted a very saddening. We lacked prepara- draw the American has had an arm- APF coach Bhagawoti Thapa was Waling had climbed to the third spot Fair play award Chandrapur Municipality another in the added time after she tions and lost all the matches,” he chair ride. rejoiced. in the standings accumulating 17 was set up by Thapa. said. Brady made heavy weather beating “It’s a great feeling…especially to points after thrashing Chandrapur 3-0 finish after she was set up by BK Substitute Sunkala Rai made the Police’s goalkeeper Nath and a profligate Muchova, needing five win the title,” said Thapa, who was on Thursday, but a rejuvenated Police inside the six yard box. score 7-0 in the 61st minute taking defender Jaisi were adjudged best match points to finish it, while Osaka also named the best coach award. side were drawn a relatively easy fix- Thapa doubled the lead from the advantage of a confusion among goalkeeper and best defender respec- crushed Serena Williams in two sets “Our match against Biratnagar was ture in their final round and they spotkick three minutes later when Chaudandigadhi defenders. Forward tively. and sealed victory on the first match not the best. We wanted to improve showed no mercy against minnows Police were awarded a penalty after Thapa connected Police midfielder The fourth-placed Waling got Rs point. Add that to the fact that Osaka and we did it,” she added. “I am Chaudandigadi. Chaudandigadhi defender Rai inside the box. As the midfielder 300,000. Chandrapur Municipality, is on a 20-match winning streak and thrilled that we won.” Police began putting Chaudandigadi Chumlungma Rai tripped BK inside took a little longer to shoot, who finished sixth in the league with has never lost a Grand Slam final, it Army coach Raju Tamang conceded to rout from early on, with Thapa scor- the penalty area. Chaudandigadhi defender Anusha nine points, bagged Fair Play award would seem former college player their title hopes were dashed when ing in the third minute, a simple tap-in BK then combined with Thapa Thewe managed to get her foot on the and received Rs 150,000. Brady is up against it. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** You’re being given the cosmic green light today, Saturday’s cosmos bring a welcome sigh of relief, As a Libra, you’re deeply connected to the element of Get after it today, Capricorn. You’ve got everything Aries. Messenger Mercury finally stops its retro- Cancer. Communication-centered Mercury finalizes air. You need to frequently refresh your mental you need to get yourself organized and cross things grade phase this afternoon, helping you get things its retrograde motion and turns direct today, helping atmosphere and find ways to let “fresh air” into the off your work agenda today. This is possible as the back on track with your goals. you better sort out any relationship revelations stagnant parts of your world. So take a break and quick-thinking Gemini moon aligns with secure you’ve experienced in previous weeks. travel. Saturn.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Don’t miss the opportunity to make things happen All the pieces are beginning to fall into place, Leo. Saturday’s skies offer a welcome change of pace, It’s been an incredibly introspective time for you, today, Taurus. The agile Gemini moon forms a varie- Messenger Mercury stops its retrograde motion Scorpio. Communication-focused Mercury ends its Aquarius. Mercury’s retrograde phase in your sign ty of strong aspects in the sky, offering you the today and turns direct this afternoon, helping untan- retrograde phase and begins moving direct today, brought into the depths of your personality to help chance to take advantage of important career-ad- gle any communication knots that have been wrapped helping bring clarity and new direction to matters you sort out who you are from who you’ve been. vancing opportunities. up in your personal relationships. concerning your home and family life.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Saturday’s skies work to make you shine, Gemini. Your A Virgo’s work is never done! That sentiment feels Clarity is on the way, Sagittarius. In recent weeks, The cosmos bring you a fresh dose of clarity today, ruling planet, messenger Mercury, finally puts an end especially true this weekend, as your focus is your mind has probably felt like a storage container Pisces. After weeks of dealing with Mercury’s intro- to its retrograde phase and returns to direct motion this wrapped up around career and reputation issues. full of things you no longer need. Mercury’s retro- spective retrograde phase, which likely resulted in afternoon. Mercury’s forward movement helps you The fact-gathering Gemini moon forms a series of grade phase ends today, putting an end to the mental some psychological deep dives. regain momentum on any educational pursuits. positive aspects today. clutter. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE Who said art is just about paints and canvas? ‘Perception 2020’ is not your regular art exhibition. The works on display defy the conventional understanding of art—they deserve attention.

SCREENGRAB VIA KU GALLERY Among the display, eight artists have relied on studio art and 13 of them have used their expertise of illustrations, pictures and graphic designing.

ANKIT KHADGI she retells how each of the five al loss, many artists through makes an interesting and intrigu- Meanwhile, Aman Shahi’s pro- line of works that are on display. KATHMANDU food elements—syabaji (beaten their works also dwell on themes ing attempt in using his cultural ject to document the historic set- The exhibition tries to defy and puffed rice), haku musiya (black of cultural preservation in a practices and traditions in creat- tlement of Pyangau is also challenge the conventional merican author beans), paalu (ginger), chhwela nuanced, subtle manner. ing his artwork. remarkable. Creating a photo- notions attached to what should Seth Godin once (spiced grilled buffalo meat) and One such artist is Nikesh In ‘Echoes from the Serenity’, book, Shahi captures the pictures be considered as an art, as we the said that art isn’t aila (liquor)—of the samaya baji Yonjan who through his artworks Maharjan, on canvas, makes a of Newa inhabitants of the area, viewers are not only presented just a painting. It’s hold religious and cultural value recreate the tradition of writing maze-like structure through the which although is just a few kilo- with paintings, sculptures, draw- anything creative, in the Newa community. Choye (Buddhist script) and help of rato mato (red mud) and metres away from the Capital but ings or photographs. passionate, and It is believed that these five other traditional artforms of his mohani sina, a black tika that is has its own customs, traditions, a A considered number of art personal.A foods represent the five elements community, which his family usually worn by Newa people different dialect as well as the projects made by the students of These words stand true if one of nature—space, air, water, land were involved in as well. during Mohani (Dashain). unique craft of making pyang, a graphic communication are pre- sees the latest exhibition of the and fire. And for those who are While Yonjan’s artworks aren’t Similarly in ‘Echoes from the bamboo container, which sented as well, who through their graduating students of Design unaware of such intriguing facts, an exact replication of tradition- Serenity II’, he covers the whole was widely used in the ancient works showcase the significance and Arts, at Kathmandu Chitrakar, through the help of al Buddhist artworks, in his crea- canvas with dots made by mohani times. of art in everything and how any- University, as the 21 students, colourful illustrations, tries to tions, he tries to juxtapose the sina, whereas in ‘Echoes from the But not every artist has made thing related to creations, crea- whose final works of their gradu- educate in a fun, bright way, so themes that represent the present Serenity III’, through a photo their creations in the exhibition tivity and imagination can be an ation degree are exhibited, use that more readers, especially scenario. For instance, his art- series, Maharajan depicts a pro- by getting influenced by their art. various mediums of artistic young children, are fascinated to work ‘Choye’ isn’t just only a cess of making a mandala. communal life. A few of them For instance, in Dhiraj expression to showcase their cre- learn more about their culture. manuscript he recreates. Rather, In his art statement, Maharjan have shared their deep Manadhar’s project, ‘Dhau: ativity. Like Chitrakar, another artist he merges present-day themes writes that he is inspired by the emotions and feelings Rethinking the packaging for Titled ‘Perception 2020’, the Bishwo Manandhar also uses the and presents the Choye in a way tradition of daily worshipping through their artworks. One locally produced Yoghurt’, the exhibition, which can be viewed medium of an illustrated book to that it looks like a web browser, mandala in front of his house, as such artist is Kripa Shakya who artist uses his artistic knowledge on computer and mobile screens, express his creativity. In his complete with a search button it intrigues him how simple daily uses the medium of photos in creating a sustainable design is an unfolding of various emo- work, ‘Exploring Indra Jatra: An as her artistic expression for for packing the local yoghurt, tions, ideas and feelings of the Illustrated Book’, Manandhar her project. Juju Dhau. artists, whose medium of expres- through his two characters Titled ‘Maroon’, Shakya His idea of using local crafts- sion range from graphic design- Babu and his grandfather One of the common themes in most of through her black and white manship in making the packag- ing to paintings, illustrations, Bajya presents the intriguing photo series documents her ing is innovative as well as is a photographs and mix-media tales behind the celebrations of the artworks presented in the mother. From her workspace to reflection of how we use art and work. many customs during home, Shakya’s camera follows craft in other things. Among the display of such Kathmandu’s biggest festival, exhibition is cultural identity. her and we are presented with Similarly, Shelly Shrestha’s diverse works, eight of the artists Indra Jatra. images where her mother is project ‘Baja: Ceramic Jewelry’ is have relied on studio art, while 13 His illustrated book is equally doing normal things like equally interesting, as she uses of them have used their expertise colourful and the fact that he and other icons which normally rituals like these are connected to stitching, washing clothes, doing her craftsmanship to create wear- of graphic communication and tries to present the story based on appear when we are using the the whole human life. pooja and her other regular able jewelleries that are inspired through illustrations, pictures the characters of the present gen- internet. And channelling this inspira- chores. by traditional Nepali musical and graphic designing, they have eration rather than just retelling Through such juxtapositions tion not only he makes his art- But within the simplicity of instruments. exhibited their creations. ancient tales makes his book pal- of various visual images, Yonjan works fascinating to look at, but her mother’s daily routine, What’s also great about the One of the common themes in atable to the sensibilities of his is able to represent the current by encompassing the themes of Shakya is able to capture the exhibition is that it presents vide- most of the artworks is cultural target audience. cultural realities where there is a the mandala, he also gives mean- beauty and the warmth of her os that show the intentions of the identity. In many artworks, we While both Chitrakar and constant tussle of the modern ing and depth to his artwork. mother as she creates soulful artist and the whole process get a peek into the cultural reali- Manandhar might have been and traditional culture, which Religiously, dots, which are images of hers. They are images behind their creations—from ties of the artists who through lucky to witness the traditions the current generation is wit- also called bindu, are considered of hearts, making an everlasting them showcasing their artworks, their artworks depict stories and customs of their community nessing. the starting point of any crea- impact. ideas, and even promotional associated with various tradi- with their own eyes, and have Another equally poignant and tion. Similarly, it is also believed There are very rare occasions materials, which gives viewers a tions, norms, and values of the created the artworks based on evocative artwork is by Denish that it is the point around the when each artwork in an exhibi- peek into deeply understanding culture and community they their first-hand experiences, not Maharjan. In his artwork, bindu, mandala, which is a mani- tion can be unique and is filled every artwork. belong to. every person might be lucky like ‘Echoes from the Serenity’, festation and representation of with passion and thoughtful One thing that could have For instance in her work, them. Maharjan makes the audience the essence of the universe, is expressions and ideas. made the exhibition better was if ‘Samaya Baji’, an illustrated chil- Over the years, many cultural invested in knowing his personal created. ‘Perception 2020’ is one such rare viewers could see the final prod- dren’s book, Prastuti Chitrakar changes have taken place, which spiritual journey, his inner Since he creates his artworks exception, as finding flaws in the uct of a few projects instead of presents an intriguing and vis- has resulted in the changing of thoughts and experiences as well based on the concept of bindu, creations of 21 artists is a diffi- the prototypes that were availa- ually engaging story of the cultural values among many peo- as how he feels connected to his through his creations, Maharjan cult task, as every artist has given ble. Nonetheless, the interactive importance of samaya baji, an ple who either are forced to or roots and culture. is able to effortlessly encapsulate their best, in creating whatever display of works of 21 upcoming important meal of Newa cuisine. consciously leave their customs, For instance, in his artwork the essence and significance of they are passionate about. artists reflects the endless possi- In the illustrated book, which norms and artefacts and adopt ‘Echoes from the Serenity’ and mandala, making his artworks But what makes this exhibition bilities of art and the great future is specially designed for children, new ones. Depicting such cultur- ‘Echoes from the Serenity I’, he stand out from other artists. more special and unique are the they have ahead. BEST-SELLERS | NEW RELEASES

Fiction

1. The Touch of Eternity by Durjoy Datta 2. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo 3. Hidden in Plain Sight by Jeffrey Archer 4. Suheldev: The king who Saved India by Amish 5. The Archer by Paulo Coelho Source: Mandala Book Point Source:

Non-Fiction Twilight of Democracy: The Failure Gumnam Aamaharuko Katha This is Not Propaganda of Politics and The Parting of Friends Author: Baburam Bhattarai Author: Peter Pomerantsev 1. Beyond Possible: One Soldier, Fourteen Author: Anne Applebaum Publication: FinePrint Publication: PublicAffairs Peaks by Nimsdai Purja Publication: Penguin Price: Rs 400 Price: Rs 798 2. Caste Matters by Suraj Price: Rs 1,438 3. Himalaya: A Human History by ED Anne Applebaum brings an extraordinary Baburam Bhattarai, the federal Peter Pomerantsev discusses the dis- Douglas documentation analysing where democra- Chairman of the Janata Samajwadi information age, where he meets 4. Simultaneous Identities: Language, cy went wrong in Europe and America. Party, and the former prime minister Twitter revolutionaries and pop-up Education and the Nepali Applebaum looks into questions like how brings a collection of experiential sto- populists, “behavioural change” sales- 5. The Presidential Years 2012-2017 by do you deal with the re-emergence of ries in his new book Gumnam men, Jihadi fanboys, Identitarians, Pranab Mukherjee authoritarian or nationalist ideas in your Aamaharuko Katha revealing to read- truth cops, and many others. The book country. And when your leaders appropri- ers Bhattarai’s humanistic side. This explores how we can reimagine our ate history, or eviscerate the media and is Bhattarai’s second book after Artha politics and ourselves when reality the judiciary, do you go along with it? Rajnitik Vimarsha. seems to be coming apart.

C M Y K SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Reusable mask manufacturers thrive in the midst of the pandemic As the pandemic caused demand for face masks to skyrocket, a few Kathmandu-based companies started making reusable masks—and the trend is picking up.

PHOTOS COURTESY: KOKROMA TSERING NGODUP LAMA ing off the shelf, even resulting in a short- March, and two weeks later Nepal went The earliest of Kokroma’s clients were Last month, Shrestha, launched his KATHMANDU age of masks. To cater to this huge into lockdown. mostly non-profit organisations and the own mask label Unmasked by Rehan, a demand, companies like Kokroma that “Even though there was a lot of inter- company was also exporting its masks to luxury designer mask. n the beginning of March last year, once never manufactured masks have est from people for our masks, many hesi- countries like the US. “The idea behind my mask label is to at Kokroma’s factory in Jorpati, it now repurposed their business and have tated to travel to our store to buy them During the month-long lockdown, allow people to wear masks not only for was business as usual. started manufacturing reusable masks, over fears of contracting the virus, and Malla used the time to do extensive their practical purpose but also as acces- Workers were busy making and business, the companies say, is grow- when the lockdown started, things came research on masks to better his mask’s sories that allow one to express them- infant and maternity clothing, ing rapidly. to a grinding halt,” said Malla, whose design to make them more comfortable selves,” said Shrestha. “I launched the which the brand is known for. When Kokroma first started making masks are priced at Rs 225 per piece. and effective. label with 40 different designs and each IAs March progressed, things started masks back in April last year, the compa- Even Kokroma, says Gurung, learned “When the lockdown was eased, we hit design is limited to just 15 pieces.” changing rapidly. Covid-19 was declared a ny made masks with only two layers. the ground running with production and The response, says Shrestha, has pandemic, and face masks, which people “In June, WHO came up with guidelines there has been no looking back since,” exceeded his expectations. in Kathmandu wore primarily to protect for reusable masks and it stated that for a said Malla. “Until now, we have made “We have already sold out five designs themselves from the city’s notorious air mask to be effective, it has to have three lay- To cater to the huge around 5,000 masks and except for a few and some designs are also selling very pollution, had found newfound impor- ers. And we have since been producing three hundred, we have sold them all.” fast. I have also tied up with an organisa- tance—to protect from contracting the layer masks,” said Gurung. “Our masks are demand, companies Demand for Kokroma’s masks, says tion that feeds people and for every mask viral infection. priced from Rs 100 to 250 per piece.” that once never Gurung, has remained consistently high. we sell, we feed someone a meal and pro- On March 24, when the government Another company that started manu- “Earlier our clientele was mainly made vide them with surgical masks,” said imposed a nationwide lockdown to curb facturing masks very early on in the pan- manufactured masks up of non-profit organisations, but ever Shrestha, whose masks are priced from the spread of Covid-19, Kokroma’s factory demic is Kolpa, a Nepali brand that makes since the lockdowns were lifted, we have Rs 750 to 1,000. “Given the really good halted production and closed. personal accessories and home goods. By have now repurposed seen a surge in demand from for-profit response, I have already started working After closing operations for a week, March, Kolpa’s founder had already set organisations and individual orders,” on more designs.” Rewati Gurung, the founder of Kokroma, his sights on face mask production, some- their businesses. said Gurung. “We have been receiving a Both Gurung and Malla say that had made up her mind to start production thing the brand had never done before. lot of orders from banking and financial demand for their masks has vastly of children’s face masks, something the “By last year’s March, it had already institutions, schools, colleges, restau- exceeded their expectations. brand had never done before. become known that wearing masks was very early on that manufacturing masks rants for customised masks. A lot of com- “A month ago, after making masks for By mid-April, Kokroma was making one of the most effective ways to stop the is only a job half done. panies are using masks as a branding tool months, we decided it’s time to refocus hundreds of reusable masks for children virus from spreading,” said Malla. “We were in the midst of a pandemic and this has caused demand to surge.” more on production of infant and materni- everyday, and in May, owing to huge “Demand for masks were so high that and mobility was severely restricted and As masks started becoming an integral ty clothing but the demand for masks is so demand, Kokroma expanded it’s masks pharmacies in the city were running out this posed a huge problem to us in deliver- part of our wardrobes, it was only a mat- high that we haven’t been able to. Masks line-up by manufacturing adult masks. of masks and people were paying Rs 50 for ing our masks to clients,” said Gurung. ter of time, says Rehan Shrestha, a fash- still make up seventy percent of our total As demand for masks rocketed after the a single disposable mask that otherwise But despite the lockdown, says Gurung, ion blogger and digital content creator, production and the remaining 30 percent pandemic, sales of masks in the city’s cost only five rupees.” there was no shortage of demand for her that for some people masks became a tool is infant and maternity clothing,” said pharmacies and retail outlets started fly- Kolpa started manufacturing masks in masks. of self expression and style statement. Gurung. “Such is the demand for masks.”

DIY education: Greek teacher creates TV classes for inmates As Greek schools have shut, reopened, and closed again over the past year as authorities sought to curtail the spread of the virus, a teacher took it upon himself to make sure people kept learning.

ELENA BECATOROS hours a day, running six hours’ worth of AVLONA pre-recorded lessons on a loop on week- days, and eight hours of content on a loop etting up a television channel on weekends. from scratch isn’t the most obvi- The teachers record new lessons daily: ous or easiest thing for a math from math and handicrafts to economics teacher to do—especially with- and music. Karadosidis edits into the out prior technical knowledge night and broadcasts the classes the next and for use inside a prison. day, since live broadcasts are still beyond SBut that is exactly the task Petros their technical capabilities. Damianos, director of the school at For the students, going to class provid- Greece’s Avlona Special Youth Detention ed more than just education. Beyond the Center, took on so his students could series of barred metal doors, past the access the lessons that coronavirus courtyard with soccer balls caught in lockdowns cut them off from. coils of razor wire, school was a Greek schools have shut, reopened, and brief respite from the harshness of pris- closed again over the past year as on life. authorities sought to curtail the spread “School is something different. It’s a bit of the virus. Like their peers across much more human than the rest of the prison,” of the globe, the country’s students said MS, a 21-year-old who earned his adapted to virtual classes. high school diploma in Avlona. “We come But the online world isn’t accessible here and we joke around with our teach- to all. ers. They take care of us.... It’s a bit like a The Avlona detention centre, a former family.” military prison, holds nearly 300 young Under prison regulations, inmates can men aged 18-21, and sometimes up to 25. only be identified by their initials. The school Damianos founded in 2000 MS has about another two years to go now teaches primary grades through to after serving 31 months for robbery, theft college, following the national curricu- and beatings. He knows his criminal lum and awarding graduation certificates record has dashed his dream of teaching equivalent to any Greek school. literature, but he made it into university While attendance is voluntary, the pris- and is now studying photography and on school has grown in popularity and visual arts. saw record enrollment in September, Having graduated from high school, he when up to 96% of inmates signed up. But doesn’t need to watch Trying TV, but he with internet devices banned in their has followed a class on making purses out cells, the prison’s students had no way to of magazine paper and tape “because I’m continue learning when the lockdowns AP/RSS interested in handicrafts and stuff. It canceled classroom lessons. Inmates sitting inside a room watch a recorded music lesson in Avlona prison, north of Athens. gives me ideas.” He says the TV channel “Our teachers couldn’t reach the kids has become quite popular. like they reach all other kids in Greece,” critical for Avlona’s, some of whom have equipment. The next hurdle was obtain- TV signal—ran into delivery delays, so a “You run out of (cigarette) filters and said Damianos, a mild-mannered man in been convicted and others who are await- ing the equipment with shops also closed store lent them an older one. Two hun- you go into the next cell to ask for a filter, his 60s. “This was a big problem, a very ing trial. Many never graduated or even during the nationwide lockdown. Then dred meters (feet) of cable arrived, and and you see five big guys battling with big problem that seemed almost insur- completed primary grades, and education the school’s staff had to learn how to use inmates helped run it from the school to their little paper strips trying to make mountable.” is the most concrete tool they can use to it. the prison’s central aerial. purses,” he said. “Then you go to the next The fact that inmates are stacked four turn their lives around. The school’s music teacher, Nikos One prison classroom was converted cell later, and someone’s trying to solve an or five to a cell with less space per person “Essentially, our students are those Karadosidis, took on the role of techni- into a rudimentary studio, with a cheap equation.” than the prison classrooms didn’t matter. who ... before they got to prison, the edu- cian, using experience from occasional hand-held video camera taped to a tripod. Once the pandemic is over, Damianos Their school had to shut along with the cation system expelled them,” Damianos concert tech work and guidance gleaned Multicolored Christmas lights served as a would like to expand the channel to rest during lockdowns in March and said. “These kids are kids we didn’t catch from YouTube tutorials. makeshift recording light, warning those include documentaries and other worth- again in November. in time. To whom we as a society, when we “I very quickly realised—and this is the outside to keep quiet during recording while programs. But while it’s plugging a When he heard in early December that should have, didn’t give what we should magic of it, too—that this whole thing is sessions. hole in education and maintaining con- Greece’s schools wouldn’t reopen before have given.” essentially DIY,” Karadosidis said. “Do it On January 8, about a month after tacts between students and teachers, he Christmas, “I felt ... despair,” Damianos Desperate for a solution, Damianos had yourself, with whatever materials you Damianos had the idea, the channel was stresses that televised lessons can’t deliv- said. Making matters worse, the lock- an idea: he could reach his students have, with whatever tools you have, to try ready. They named it Prospathodas TV, er what in-person classes do. down ended visits and furlough leave, so through the televisions in their cells if he to do the best you can.” Greek for “Trying TV.” Through word of “Let’s be honest, the channel can’t inmates “experienced a double prison,” could figure out how to create a dedicated Through donations, volunteers and mouth, they got inmates to re-tune their replace the education that takes place in he said. TV channel to broadcast their classes. online orders, the staff cobbled together televisions to capture the new channel. school,” Damianos said. “It is very impor- While access to education is important Technician friends told Damianos it what they needed. A critical piece of The pilot program was a half-hour tant, but it’s not enough.” for all students, it is perhaps even more was possible with the necessary equipment—a modulator to transmit the math class. Now the channel operates 24 — Associated Press

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