WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 317 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 23.7 C -4.0 C Thursday, January 14, 2021 | 01-10-2077 Dipayal Jumla Money should be no issue for government to procure Covid-19 vaccines, experts say Public health experts react after government publishes a notice seeking contributions to vaccinate Nepalis saying saving lives is its legal and moral responsibility. ARJUN POUDEL KATHMANDU, JAN 13

The government has money to hold parliamentary elections which costs billions. But apparently it does not have the resources to buy vaccines to protect its people from Covid-19 and save lives which would also rescue the economy. The Ministry of Health and Population on Wednesday published a notice asking international aid AP/RSS agencies, businesses and social organ- Covishield, one of the two vaccines made in isations and philanthropic organisa- India, is Nepal’s choice against Covid-19. tions to contribute to the immunisa- POST PHOTO: KABIN ADHIKARI tion fund. former health secretary, told the Post. A girl sits leisurely in the colonnade space of the Vishwanath Mandir at Patan Durbar Square on Wednesday. Places like this in the traditional Nepali architecture serve as a social space. “As per the November 9 Cabinet “Saving lives of the people from the decision, purchasing vaccines which pandemic is the constitutional as well will get emergency use approval and as primary moral responsibility of provide them free of cost for targeted the government.” groups on a priority basis will cost a The call for contributions to fund huge amount,” reads the notice. the purchase of the vaccine could “The Nepal government requests delay its procurement to the detri- Border row on agenda, but political talks likely foreign aid agencies, businesses and ment of people’s health, they said. social organisations and philanthrop- “The government can request aid ic organisations to deposit amounts in agencies and other philanthropic the immunisation fund of which the organisations for financial help, but to get more focus during Gyawali’s Delhi stay bank account is provided.” that should not be the cause for delay Public health experts have lambast- in vaccinating the people,” Dr Sarad ed the government for seeking funds Onta, a public health expert, told the The foreign minister is travelling to India on the heels of political turmoil caused by Prime Minister KP Sharma to protect the lives of the people. Post. “Authorities should be prepared “Financial resources should not be to buy vaccines at the earliest even if Oli’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives and declare snap polls for April 30 and May 10. an issue, while procuring the corona- they have to spend internal resources.” virus vaccine,” Dr Sudha Sharma, >> Continued on page 2

ANIL GIRI Officials privy to the preparations foreign secretary level mechanism. KATHMANDU, JAN 13 of the visit say Nepal has a long list of “We are not expecting more than agenda—getting Covid-19 vaccines in this when it comes to discussions on Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali is grants or procuring them at a subsi- the boundary issues,” an official at the travelling to New Delhi on Thursday, dised rate from India, raising bounda- embassy told the Post over the phone marking the first-ever high-level visit ry disputes between the two countries seeking anonymity, citing the sensitiv- from Kathmandu to the south in over and seeking India’s acknowledgement ity of the matter. a year, amid signs of bilateral ties that boundary row is an issue. Rajan Bhattarai, Oli’s foreign rela- returning to track. “India seems to be open to discuss- tions adviser, said it is too unrealistic Gyawali is flying to Delhi to take ing Covid-19 vaccine supply and bilat- to expect a conclusion on such sensi- part in the sixth meeting of the Nepal- eral cooperation when the foreign tive issues like boundary from one India Joint Commission, which looks ministers of the two countries meet,” meeting. after the entire gamut of bilateral an official told the Post on condition “On our behalf, we will raise the relations. of anonymity because he was not boundary issue during the meeting His visit, on the heels of political allowed to speak to the media. “On the and we would seek an acknowledge- turmoil at home caused by Prime boundary issue, Delhi might, at maxi- ment of the dispute from the Indian Minister KP Sharma Oli’s December mum, acknowledge Kathmandu’s con- side,” Bhattarai told the Post. 20 House dissolution move, is being cerns but it is most likely to keep it for Relations between Nepal and India closely watched in Kathmandu and further discussion later.” started to sour after India in its new Delhi. There’s little likelihood of Delhi political map in November 2019 put Apart from regular bilateral issues agreeing to reach a conclusion on the Kalapani within its borders. as well as procurement of Covid-19 boundary row, as this is the first meet- Delhi cold-shouldered Kathmandu’s vaccines, Gyawali is expected to hold ing at the foreign minister level ever calls for diplomatic dialogue. In May talks with the Indian leadership about since the dispute arose back in last year, India opened a road link via the political situation in Nepal. November 2019. Lipulekh to Kailash Mansarovar in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Nepal responded by publishing its own map depicting Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhuara as parts of the Nepali territory resulting in the two countries entering a state of car- tographic war, as both claimed the areas. Bilateral ties between the two countries hit a rock bottom. Dialogue at the highest level resumed in October after India’s for- eign spy chief Samant Goel visited Kathmandu and met with Oli. In November, Indian Army Chief MM Naravane and Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla came to Kathmandu in a span of three weeks. POST ILLUSTRATION But a month later, politics suddenly Boundary dispute is one of the issues the foreign minister will take up in New Delhi. changed in Kathmandu. Faced with a crisis in his own Nepal The Nepali side has said border The meeting could agree to activate Communist Party, Oli decided to dis- row—Nepal and India are at logger- the foreign secretary-level mechanism solve the House of Representatives on heads over Kalapani, Lipulekh and constituted in 2014 during the Third December 20. Limpiyadhura—will be a major issue Meeting of the Joint Commission in Delhi so far has not made any other during talks with the Indian side, but Kathmandu. statement except saying it’s Nepal’s many say a headway is not likely for As per the agreement in 2014, the internal matter. multiple reasons. foreign secretary level mechanism “We have noted the recent political Gyawali is travelling to Delhi less would seek technical support from the developments in Nepal. These are than a month after Oli dissolved the Boundary Working Group in order to internal matters for Nepal to decide as House, thereby reducing his govern- resolve the boundary disputes in per its democratic process,” said ment to the caretaker status. Susta and Kalapani. Though the meet- Anurag Srivastava, spokesperson for Caution has been advised from var- ing at the foreign secretary level India’s Ministry of External Affairs, ious sections not to reach any under- decided to set up such a mechanism to on December 24. “As a neighbour and standing on sensitive issues, not to deal with boundary disputes between well-wisher, India will continue to sign any deal on issues that will have the two countries, not a single meeting support Nepal and its people in mov- long-term repercussions and not to has taken place in the last seven years. ing forward on the path of peace, agree on any big-ticket projects as The same meeting had formed the prosperity and development.” elections have been announced for Boundary Working Group, which had About a week before Oli dissolved April 30 and May 10. been working at borders but due to the the House, Vijay Chauthaiwale, who Covid-19 pandemic, it has halted heads the foreign department cell of its task since May last year. The India’s governing Bharatiya Janata Boundary Working Group has Party, was in Kathmandu to meet with the mandate to construct, restore the Nepali leadership, including Oli. and repair boundary pillars Political, diplomatic and strategic including the clearance of no circles in New Delhi too are watching man’s land and carrying out Gyawali’s visit with keen interest, as other technical tasks. it is taking place after China’s unsuc- At least two officials, one in cessful attempts to save the Nepal Kathmandu and the other at the Communist Party unity. China’s grow- #daagramrochha Nepali Embassy in Delhi, said ing interest in Nepal’s politics over both sides are likely to task the the last couple of years had caused Boundary Working Group with concerns in Delhi. facebook.com/surfexcel.np providing technical inputs to the >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Wildfire burns 700 hectares of forest cover in Manang AASH GURUNG According to ACAP officials, wild LAMJUNG, JAN 13 animals like Himalayan Goral, Tahr, Musk deer and other deer species, Around 700 hectares of forest cover snow leopards are at risk due to the has been destroyed by a wildfire that wildfire. has been raging in Manang district for “The areas affected by the wildfires the last two months. The wildfire that would usually be covered by snow this started in November last year has time of the year. However, this year reached the Raindu forest area. the area has not received sufficient “The fire had started from the for- snowfall,” Gautam said. “Excessively ests of Thanchok and Kote in Koto last dry forest floor could have led to the month,” said Sol Bahadur Gurung, a wildfires in the area.” resident of Tachai in Ward No. 8 of The fire has spread in areas at an Nason Rural Municipality. “The forest elevation of 3,000 metres to 5,000 floor is covered with dry leaves and metres where temperature can dip as woods. We have not been able to put low as minus 13 to 14 degrees Celsius. the fire out.” Heavy gusts of wind have only fanned The fire is burning the forest the wildfire flames. resources and putting wildlife in dan- Chief District Officer Bishnu ger. Meanwhile, villagers have been Lamichhane said security personnel trying to keep the wildfire from reach- from Nepal Army, Nepal Police and ing their settlements. Armed Police Force and the local resi- The 700-hectare forest cover falls dents were making efforts to control under the protected area of the the wildfire. Annapurna Conservation Area Project. “A few days ago, we walked to Ward “The fire has become massive since No 8 of Nason Rural Municipality for December 28. The habitat of Himalayan two and a half hours to douse the fire. Goral and Jharal (Himalayan Tahr) We got the fire under control. But we has been affected,” said Lekhnath couldn’t reach the other side of Gautam, chief at the Annapurna Raindu,” said Lamichhane. Conservation Area Project (ACAP) in Security forces and local residents Lamjung. “The fire has also destroyed have constructed a 500-metre long fire POST PHOTO: DEEPAK KC precious medicinal herbs including line to keep the fire from spreading A motorcyclist drives his motorcycle across a pedestrian suspension bridge at Farsidol, Lalitpur on Wednesday. Yarsaguma and Panchaule.” into settlements. Landslide victims await relocation Border row on agenda, but political talks ... >> Continued from page 1 During his stay in Delhi, Gyawali is become very visible and public,” Rae Some say since Oli is now looking scheduled to meet with Indian Prime told The Print. “So all these factors led Almost 700 houses were destroyed and 1,771 partially damaged by landslides triggered up to Delhi, Gyawali as his emissary is Minister Narendra Modi, Defence the government of India to conclude likely to seek the support of the Indian Minister Rajnath Singh, Home that it’s not a very good idea to have a by heavy rainfall in Kalikot last year. political leadership for Nepal’s House Minister Amit Shah and National very long gap in the engagement... at dissolution and the snap polls. Security Adviser Ajit Doval, among least on normal interaction and eco- TULARAM PANDEY landslides had asked the local and Acharya. According to him, the district A Nepali diplomat, who spoke on others. nomic and other kinds of cooperation KALIKOT, JAN 13 provincial governments to manage administration is coordinating with condition of anonymity, said that nat- Besides meeting with the top Indian should continue. Hence there was this relief for them and relocate them to a the local units to find safer places for urally Gyawali will apprise the Indian leadership, Gyawali will also address flurry of visits.” Brihaspati Shahi, aged 45, lost her safe location but most of them, like the relocation. The relief amount, leadership of the latest political situa- a gathering at the Indian Council of “But now Prime Minister Oli has husband, two sons, a daughter and a Brihaspati, are still living in difficult according to Acharya, was given to the tion in Nepal after the House dissolu- World Affairs on Nepal-India rela- dissolved the House, and there is a big niece when a landslide swept away her conditions. families of the deceased but the budget tion. The other faction of the Nepal tions, hold talks with Indian diplo- crisis in Nepal,” added Rae. “So this is house at Badoltala in Raskot Seventy-one-year-old Jash Bahadur is not enough to resettle survivors. Communist Party led by Pushpa mats and experts, according to the the dilemma… if you don’t engage, Municipality, Kalikot in July last year. Shahi, who lost his house to a land- The victims are also deprived of the Kamla Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepali Embassy in Delhi. there are problems. So I think we must Since then, she has been living in a slide last year, has been living with his insurance amount of those killed in Nepal has taken to the streets, protest- Before wrapping up his three-day continue our engagements. So you poorly built hut erected with the help relatives. “We don’t have a house. My the landslides. The Karnali Province ing against Oli’s House dissolution visit, Gyawali will also speak to the have to see Foreign Minister Gyawali’s of her relatives. seven-member family is taking shelter government had announced Rs 200,000 move. The Nepali Congress and the Indian media. visit in this context.” “The hut is flimsy and cannot keep at a relative’s shed,” he said. “We have as insurance to those who die in natu- Janata Samajbadi Party too have Rae, the former ambassador, told Niahar Nayak, a fellow at Manohar cold winds out during winter,” she overstayed our welcome here but we ral disasters. objected to the House dissolution. the Post that the visit from Kathmandu Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies said. “I have asthma and it has gotten have no other place to go.” “But we are yet to receive the insur- “Gyawali in Delhi is likely to justify formalises that the process of dia- and Analyses in New Delhi, said that worse over the last few months.” Gita Shahi, another landslide-dis- ance amount,” said Brihaspati, who why Oli dissolved the House and logue has begun at the bilateral level. strengthening bilateral relations in Kalikot, a remote district in Karnali placed victim from Raskot-1, said, “We lost her entire family to last year’s declared the polls,” said the diplomat. “I am sure the Nepali side will raise the post-Covid-19 period, preliminary Province, is one of the districts worst built a hut using zinc sheets with the landslides. “He is also likely to seek support from the boundary issue with India,” said discussions on pending bilateral dis- hit by water-induced disasters every relief provided by the government. It According to Lalpura Acharya, the India for holding the polls in April and Rae in a text message. “To resolve the putes, discussion on water, energy and year. As many as 44 people died in is difficult to take care of my five- focal person at the District Natural May.” boundary dispute and disagreement, trade and transit trade issues, among several landslides last monsoon while month-old baby in these conditions.” Disaster Management Committee, Ranjit Rae, India’s former ambassa- we already have a mechanism. It can others, are expected during Gyawali’s seven others were never found. The provincial government around 700 houses are at high risk of dor to Nepal, told The Print on be activated. There are also mecha- visit. According to the District Natural had promised relief and relocation landslides in the district. Wednesday that Oli’s turned to India nisms at the survey level, we can take “It looks like all bilateral issues and Disaster Management Committee, 685 to those displaced by last year’s She said the committee, following a after he realised he was losing the support from them [as well].” the status of Nepal-India ties, espe- houses were destroyed and 1,771 hous- landslide. field inspection, has recommended Chinese support. As far as Nepal’s political issues are cially after Nepal unveiled its map, es were partially damaged by last “But more than six months into the government to shift 582 families “After they [Chinese] started sup- concerned, India’s dilemma is likely would be reviewed,” Nayak told the year’s landslides. their displacement and the victims of Naraharinath, 82 of Raskot and porting unity of the [Nepal to continue in the face of Oli’s move of Post in a text message. “Most impor- The committee said that the land- are still waiting for help,” said 14 families of Sannitribeni to safer Communist] Party rather than the House dissolution, which is being tantly, this visit [by Gyawali] indicates slides damaged 2,238 drinking Dirgharaj Shahi, principal at Kalika locations due to the high risk. leadership and once Prime Minister heard by the Supreme Court, that the relationship is getting to nor- water projects, 12 health posts, 45 com- Basic School. But the relocation process has not Oli got a sense of this, that’s when he and the declaration of snap elections, mal. On boundary issues, very prelim- munity schools, 222 irrigation canals Under Dirgharaj’s leadership, the begun yet. really turned to India,” said Rae. observers say. inary discussions are expected where and 12 rural road sections in landslide victims had submitted a Similarly, hundreds of students of “Then there was a flurry of visits “In the last few months and years, the joint commission may activate the Kalikot. The committee, however, memorandum to Chief Minister the community schools damaged by [from India].” Nepal’s northern neighbour has foreign secretary level mechanism.” does not have any record of the culti- Mahendra Bahadur Shahi while he last year’s landslides have been affect- vable land damaged by the floods and was visiting the area in December. ed, as the buildings are yet to be recon- landslides. They demanded relocation of several structed. The school managements The natural disasters triggered by settlements at high risk of landslides have no alternative but to run classes heavy monsoon rain last year left sev- to safer locations. But their demands in open spaces due to a lack of proper eral settlements in the district at high have remained unaddressed. infrastructure. Money should be no issue for ... risk of landslides. The committee said “We distributed Rs 200,000 to each “Our school building was damaged 51 human settlements of all nine local family who lost their family members by the landslide this monsoon. We are >> Continued from page 1 cines to inoculate 12 million in the try should support it,” Dr Shyam Raj units in the district are at risk of land- in the landslides. But the resettlement compelled to run classes outside,” said The Cabinet meeting on November first phase and India is the preferred Upreti, coordinator of Covid-19 vac- slides. process is yet to begin,” said Chief Ramesh Rawat, a teacher at Badoltala- 9 had decided to buy coronavirus vac- source, according to Minister for cine advisory committee, told the The victims displaced by last year’s District Officer Krishna Prasad based Shivamasta Basic School. cines, which have received emergency Health and Population Hridayesh Post. “Neither has the [Russian] vac- approval and administer them to peo- Tripathi. cine got a licence nor does our exist- ple free of cost on the basis of priority Nepal’s Ambassador to New Delhi ing storage system support it.” with those at risk getting vaccinated Nilamber Acharya has held two Upreti said that the Health Ministry first. rounds of talks with senior officials has not made any effort to buy Russian It has estimated that Rs48 billion of the Pune-based Serum Institute of vaccines. would be required to inoculate 52 per- India and met senior officials of Doctors say that getting a coronavi- cent of the population. Bharat Biotech in order to speed up rus vaccine on time lies in successful As children under 15 years of age, the vaccine procurement, according to diplomacy but not all doctors are very who constitute 28 percent of the popu- officials. optimistic about the government’s lation, can’t be immunised as vaccines India is the world’s largest producer success in this regard. haven’t been tested on them, only 72 of different kinds of vaccines and the “Expecting something good from percent of the Nepalis will need to be Serum Institute of India has started the incumbent government is futile,” vaccinated and the World Health rolling out the production of Dr Kedar Nursing KC, former presi- Organisation’s COVAX programme Covishield of the pharmaceutical dent of Nepal Medical Association, will provide vaccines for 20 percent of giant AstraZeneca which Oxford told the Post. “We hope the authorities the population for free. University developed. will take the vaccine procurement The Health Ministry has estimated Bharat Biotech is manufacturing issue seriously, as it is linked with the that each dose of the vaccine will cost Covaxin that has been developed public’s safety.” $10 including management costs in India but has not completed Phase Doctors have said that will be a which also involve transportation and III trials. huge blunder, on part of the govern- storage. Each individual needs two Nepali authorities prefer Covishield ment if financial constraints are made doses of the coronavirus vaccine. since the country’s storage facilities an issue to procure vaccines, like in The Rs48 billion budget includes support it. the case of conducting adequate poly- Rs2 billion as management cost of “If the vaccines developed by merase chain reaction tests. POST PHOTO: TULARAM PANDEY vaccines that Nepal will get through Oxford University and AstraZeneca A Cabinet meeting on October 5 had Fifty-one settlements in all nine local units of Kalikot district are at risk of landslides, according to the Disaster Management Committee. the COVAX programme, according to are not possible, we will look at anoth- decided to perform free tests and pro- officials. Government officials, howev- er option—Covaxin, which is devel- vide free treatment for only those who er, do not see anything wrong with oped by Bharat Biotech,” Dr Roshan cannot afford to pay and to single seeking funds for the procurement of Pokhrel, chief specialist at the Health women, disabled people, frontline vaccines. Ministry, told the Post. health workers, security personnel “It is neither the first time nor is As India has restricted the sale of and cleaning staff, saying it lacked the there anything unusual in seeking vaccines until its citizens are suffi- resources for free services for all. financial help for an immunisation ciently inoculated, Nepal is looking to The decision was enforced by the programme from aid agencies.” Dr the Indian government to facilitate Health Ministry from October 17 but Shyam Raj Upreti, coordinator of procurement, according to officials. was reversed later after a Supreme Covid-19 Vaccine Advisory Committee, In November the government had Court ruling. However, contact trac- told the Post. “The government can sent separate diplomatic notes to ing has stopped since then and as a give businesses some tax concessions China, India, United Kingdom, Russia result the number of tests has done for contributing to the immunisation and the United States of America, down dramatically as has the number fund.” which are producing Covid-19 vac- of people testing positive. From a high Doctors said that money would cines. In December it had also request- of 5,743 testing positive for the corona- not and should not be an issue, after ed the Indian government for help to virus on October 21, the number of the government decided to purchase buy a vaccine sufficient for the 20 positive reports lately is lower than vaccines. percent Nepali population while it is 500 per day. “Arrangement of financial resourc- procuring for its population. Public health experts have repeat- es should not be an issue and we Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health edly said that the number of positive should be ready to use our internal and Population said that it is unaware cases has gone down because the num- resources if we have to immunise our of the supply of the Russian “Sputnik ber of tests has decreased. people at the earliest,” Onta added. V’ vaccine. As of Wednesday, the total number The government is hoping for a News agency Reuters on Tuesday of positive cases in the country stood breakthrough in talks with India to reported, quoting RIA news agency, at 266,143 with 1,937 deaths. On procure a coronavirus vaccine during that Russia intends to supply 25 mil- Wednesday, the Ministry of Health Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali’s lion doses of Sputnik V vaccine. and Population reported that 445 had Delhi visit which is set to begin on “For the vaccine to be brought to tested positive out of the 4,154 tests Thursday. Nepal, it should first get a licence, and conducted and five had died within Nepal is looking to procure vac- second the storage system of the coun- the last 24 hours.

C M Y K 03 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 NATIONAL Constitutional Bench still unsure which Oli claims his faction’s bench will hear House dissolution case Central Committee is While government wants Constitutional Bench to hear the case, petitioners say full bench must look into it. the legitimate one It was Rana whose single bench on December 23 decided to send 12 writ As tenure of Central Committee expired in May, it was up petitions filed against the dissolution of the House of Representatives to the to him to form new one to hold party’s convention, he says. Constitutional Bench. Two days later. Rana constituted a five-member Constitutional Bench led by himself PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA to look into the case. KATHMANDU, JAN 13 His decision to form the Constitutional Bench leaving out the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has senior-most justices was dragged into claimed that the Central Committee a controversy. When the hearing of the ruling Nepal Communist Party began on January 6, the plaintiffs and he formed after inducting loyalists to lawyers advocating on behalf of the it is the legitimate Central Committee petitioners flagged two issues: the of the party. presence of justice Hari Krishna In a response to the Election Karki on the bench and the practice of Commission’s asking for clarification sending writs related to the dissolu- on the dispute within the party, Oli tion of the House of Representatives claimed that the erstwhile Central to the extended full bench. Committee of the party had a fixed The lawyers argued that since Karki tenure of two years and it expired on had served in the capacity of the attor- May 15 after the general convention ney general (the government’s chief couldn’t be convened by then. legal advisor) to the Oli government Oli added that as serious questions back in 2015, his presence on the were raised about the legitimacy of POST FILE PHOTO bench constituted a conflict of inter- the Central Committee, he as the prin- Prime Minister Oli est as the bench was hearing petitions cipal office-bearer, formed the new POST FILE PHOTO against Oli. Central Committee and set fresh dates Kumar Nepal as party chair and The Supreme Court has the final power to interpret the constitution. Karki had then decided to recuse for the general convention, the informed the Election Commission himself from the bench and was supreme decision-making body of the that Oli had been sacked. BINOD GHIMIRE Constitutional Bench.” well after lawyers representing the replaced by Justice Sapana Pradhan party. Oli told the commission that his KATHMANDU, JAN 13 As per Article 128 (1) of the consti- defendants couldn’t finish presenting Malla on Wednesday. In his letter to the Election new and improved Central Committee tution, the Supreme Court has the their arguments during Wednesday’s Meanwhile, senior advocate Raman Commission, Oli, who leads one of the has decided to organise the party’s The Constitutional Bench of the final power to interpret the constitu- hearing. Lawyers representing the Shrestha responded to Rana saying factions of the ruling Nepal general convention from November Supreme Court hasn’t yet decided tion and the country’s laws. Article petitioners have finished presenting that along with the interpretation of Communist Party after it split into 18-22 this year. whether to send cases involving writ 137 (1), says that the Constitutional their arguments. the constitution, the Supreme Court two, refused to accept that the party But members of the Dahal-Nepal petitions filed against the dissolution Bench shall hear and decide cases As many as 12 lawyers, who have had to decide whether the case is polit- had split and maintained that his camp say that the arguments present- of the House of Representatives to the related to disputes over the jurisdic- challenged the dissolution of the ical in nature as claimed by Prime group—not the one led by the Pushpa ed by Oli are full of lies. They say that extended full bench or to continue to tion between the federation and a House of Representatives, are Minister KP Sharma Oli. “The Kamal Dahal-Madhav Nepal faction— according to the interim statute pre- conduct hearings itself. province, between provinces, and demanding that an extended full Constitutional Bench doesn’t have the should be recognised as the “real” pared by the Nepal Communist Party Lawyers representing the petition- between a province and a local level. bench comprising 11 justices hear the authority to do so,” he said. Nepal Communist Party. after it was formed in May 2018, the ers have demanded that the extended Similarly, Article 137 (3) authorises case. The five-member constitutional In its written response to the “Meetings of the Standing chair does not have the right to nomi- full bench of the Supreme Court look the chief justice to allocate the cases bench is too small to decide an impor- Supreme Court, the Prime Minister’s Committee and the Central Committee nate members to the Central into the case, instead of the under consideration at the Supreme tant case such as the dissolution of Office has claimed the dissolution of held after that period last year had no Committee. Constitutional Bench, as the court— Court containing questions of serious the House, they argue. the House of Representatives is a meaning,” Oli said in his letter to the Barshaman Pun, a senior leader of not the bench—is the final interpreter constitutional explanation to the During Wednesday’s hearing, sen- political issue and doesn’t require a constitutional body, which had earlier Dahal- Nepal faction, criticised Oli for of the constitution. But the defend- Constitutional Bench. ior advocate Shambhu Thapa said that judicial review. Oli had made the same asked both factions of the ruling party presenting arguments based on lies. ants say the matter should be decided “Hearing on the constitutionality of there was no alternative to forming an argument when he defended his deci- to present evidence to support their “If the Central Committee had lost its by the Constitutional Bench as it the dissolution of the House of extended full bench to decide the case sion to announce snap elections, at the claim over the party. authority after May 16, from where involves issues related to constitution. Representatives will begin once the as this approach had been adopted in National Assembly on Sunday. Both the Oli and the Dahal-Nepal did Oli derive the legitimacy for his “The Constitutional Bench has lim- bench is finalised,” Kishor Poudel, the past as well when the dissolution Another argument the defendants camps are after the ruling party’s elec- post?” asked Pun. ited jurisdiction. Cases like the ones communication expert at the Supreme of the House was challenged in court. have presented is that cases related to toral symbol (the sun) as it is widely involving the dissolution of the House Court, told the Post. “While the peti- In response to Thapa, Chief Justice the dissolution of Parliament were recognised by voters and carries the of Representatives need to be decided tioners are demanding an extended Rana questioned, “Don’t these writs heard by the full bench in the past as legacy of the Nepal Communist Party Both the Oli and by a bench with wider jurisdiction,” full bench, the defendants want the require that the court explain the arti- the then-constitution didn’t have pro- and the erstwhile UML party. said senior advocate Hari Uprety, one Constitutional Bench to decide the cles of the constitution? If you agree visions for a constitutional bench. But As per Section 44 (1) of the Political Dahal-Nepal camps of the lawyers representing the peti- matter.” that this is a serious constitutional the new constitution has provisions Parties Act-2017, following a split in a tioners. “It wasn’t necessary to send The bench, meanwhile, has decided issue, doesn’t it come under the juris- for a bench to hear cases that require party, the faction that claims to be the are after the Nepal these writ petitions to the to continue the hearing on Friday as diction of the Constitutional Bench?” interpretation of the constitution. legitimate one must substantiate its claim with, among other things, signa- Communist Party’s tures of at least 40 percent of the electoral symbol. members of the Central Committee within 30 days. But as neither faction resorted to BRIEFING the provision to split the party—both Oli also claimed that his party con- camps don’t want to portray them- vened the central committee meeting selves as the ones responsible for the by following the due process pre- Motorcyclist hit by bus split before their supporters — the scribed in the statute of the party. He dies in Salyan commission wrote to both the groups held that the meeting was convened by to settle the dispute as per clause 25 (4) general secretary Bishnu Prasad SALYAN: A motorcyclist died when a of the regulation on Political Parties Poudel in consultation with the chair- bus hit his motorcycle at Barala in Act-2017 by seeking updated details of person (Oli) by adopting the proce- Salyan district on Wednesday. Police the groups concerned. dure prescribed in Clause 18 (K1) of identified the victim as Birendra Oli, in his updated details presented the party’s statute. Bhandari, 30, of Sharada before the commission, claimed that The prime minister told the Election Municipality-6. Critically injured, after the Central Committee complet- Commission that as co-chair Dahal Bhandari died while being rushed to ed its tenure on May 16, he as the did not object to the nomination of the hospital. The bus driver is at principal office-bearer and first chair- new Central Committee members in large. Local people have disrupted person of the party, had the responsi- his letter to the commission on vehicular movement on the Salyan- bility of leading the entire party as December 23, the commission had no Rukum road, demanding action per Clause 18 (I2) and 18 (I5) of the alternative but to accept the legitima- against the guilty. statute. It was for this reason that he cy of the new central committee he decided to form the new central com- formed. mittee to replace the old one. Pun, however, said that Dahal was Schools closed due to cold The letter said that Oli formed the the executive chairperson of the party spell in Khotang new central committee on December and the general secretary can’t con- KHOTANG: Jantedhunga Rural 21 (in the absence of the Dahal-Nepal vene a meeting of the Central Municipality in Khotang district has faction) in accordance with the meth- Committee without his nod. “Earlier, decided to close schools for a week as od used to do so when the erstwhile the general secretary had convened a students started falling ill due to CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist Centre) meeting of the Standing Committee severe cold. According to Shankar entered into a merger. He also claimed after securing consent from both Bahadur Rai, chairman of the local that Nepal is still a senior leader of chairpersons—Oli and Dahal. It was unit, the meeting of the education the party and Dahal its co-chair. the Standing Committee that had con- committee of the rural municipality In a bid to dilute the strength of the vened a meeting of the Central decided to close all the schools for a Dahal-Nepal faction in the Central Committee (organized by Dahal Nepal week starting from Wednesday. There Committee, the Oli camp expanded faction),” said Pun. are a total of 36 community schools, the central committee to include 1,199 Oli also claimed that the Dahal- including six secondary schools, in members, adding 556 new members Nepal faction is backed by less than the rural municipality. POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL and making room for 197 more to be one-third of the central committee (if Police detain a protester during a Nepal Student Union demonstration against the dissolution of the House of Representatives at Baneshwor, added in the future. In response, the the new Central Committee he formed Kathmandu on Wednesday. Police detained some of the demonstrators who were shaving their heads as part of the protest. Dahal-Nepal faction declared Madhav is taken into account). Khalanga bus park yet to come into operation JUMLA: Although it’s been a year since the construction of a bus park in Khalanga, the district headquarters of Jumla, began, the bus park is yet Easier driver’s licence tests go against road safety, officials say to come into operation. The bus park hasn’t come into operation due to pro- tests by of transport entrepreneurs. The move is aimed at easing the pressure of service seekers and discouraging corrupt practices, transport department director-general argues. They have been citing after the municipality imposed maximum ANUP OJHA increasing the licence pass rate. reconsider its decision. Rohit charges on for vehicle parking with- KATHMANDU, JAN 13 “The current licence pass rate Pokharel, spokesperson for the trans- out consulting them. However, munic- stands at about 24 percet and we want port management office in Chabahil, ipality officials said that the bus park After being unable to handle a deluge to increase it to over 50 percent. For is also uncertain about the proposed will be operated soon after conduct- of requests from service seekers to get this, we have already set a criteria and licence test criteria. ing talks with the transport entrepre- new drivers’ licences, the Department sent it to the Ministry of Physical If the criteria is introduced, 95 per- neurs. of Transport Management is planning infrastructure and Transport,” said cent of the applicants will pass the to introduce much lenient criteria to Gogan Bahadur Hamal, chief at the licence test. “It’s like everyone who increase the licence pass rate. Department of Transport applies for a new licence will get it. Two children die in According to the department, near- Management. Hamal believes the This could be very dangerous in terms Kalikot village fire ly one million people are yet to get move will also discourage service of road safety,” said Pokharel. KALIKOT: Two children were killed in a their licences. The department closed seekers from resorting to bribery to Under the proposed licence test cri- fire incident at Ward No. 7 of its services across the country on obtain licences. teria, the department will be publish- Naraharinath, Kalikot, on Wednesday March 24 last year due to the coronavi- “Earlier when people failed their ing a set of 500 to 1,000 questions on its morning. According to the District rus pandemic and opened the services licence test, some of them would website and the test questions would Police Office in Kalikot, Bhaire only on December 29. Now it is strug- obtain the licences by bribing offi- be asked from the same set. Batala, a local resident, had lit a fire gling to handle the pressure of service cials,” he said. For the driving test, no one will fail in a thatched roof house where two seekers, those who had applied before Meanwhile, traffic police and even POST FILE PHOTO for making minor mistakes, like they sons (12-year-old and nine-year-old) March 24 and as well as those after some officials associated with the There has also been an issue with the department’s online registration service, with many used to in the past. Likewise, the were sleeping. Chakra Bahadur December 29. transport office have said that by mak- service seekers complaining about its webpage freezing and crashing. department has proposed a marking Budha, Deputy Superintendent at the There has also been an issue with ing the licence test easier, there could system for the test. District Police Office said, “Batala the department’s online registration be more road accidents in the future. Metropolitan Traffic Police Division. eral while issuing a driver’s licence is “Out of 100, those who obtain 60 had burnt his house in an influence service, with many service seekers “If drivers’ licences are issued with- Ever since the authorities lifted the like issuing a “licence to kill”. will qualify for licence. While giving of alcohol. His wife had gone to her complaining about its webpage freez- out strict tests, there will be more odd-even vehicle rule on December 18, “The proposed licence test criteria the ‘figure eight’ trial, even if the maternal home after having a dispute ing and crashing apparently due to accidents, particularly in places like as per the data gathered by the divi- are not going to work here in Nepal examinee fails to complete the figure two weeks ago.” An investigation is high web traffic. Kathmandu. There could be more sion, there have been 1,171 road acci- because one should be a good rider” but meets the other criteria and has on, officials say. The department officials reckon road fatalities,” warned SP Shyam dents and 21 fatalities in the Valley. said Adhikari. scored the pass marks, he or she can they can get around this issue by Krishna Adhikari, spokesperson for SP Adhikari said becoming too lib- He requested the department to qualify,” said Hamal.

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Assault on Capitol Hill A tale of two ponds If Islamic militants are Authorities must stop becoming habitual driven by ideology and a offenders and instead listen to specialists. skewed worldview, so are white nationalists. When President Bidya Devi Bhandari inaugurated the newly reconstructed Rani Pokhari in October, it was considered a PRAMOD MISHRA major feat in post-earthquake reconstruction in Nepal. The iconic pond was said to have regained its glory and was expect- CROSSROADS ed to be a role model for the reconstruction of other heritage structures that had been ravaged by the earthquake. But the lake’s water has now been covered by algae just two months after the inauguration. Conservationists say the accumulation The ransacking of the United States of algae is due to the lack of an outlet in the pond, and that Capitol on January 6 by President various methods, including oxidisation as well as fish farming Donald Trump’s Make America Great apart from manual cleaning, would help remove the algae tem- Again (MAGA) mob officially signals the arrival of the age of extremism in porarily. America. The age of extremes other- However, authorities cannot depend on short-term remedies wise occurred elsewhere and at other to preserve the historical value of Rani Pokhari. It is clear that times—in 20th century for historian Eric Hobsbawm. But the urban sociolo- they did not consider it necessary to maintain the natural flow gist Manuel Castells confirmed that the of water in the pond, the most fundamental aspect of recon- post-Cold War world would not be struction of a water-based heritage. Rani Pokhari, though, is Francis Fukuyama’s ‘end of history’ but more like his teacher Samuel not the first and the last historical site to have its reconstruc- Huntington’s ‘clash of civilizations’ tion botched up. Just a kilometre away, Kamal Pokhari is set to when identities would take extreme face a similar fate as its reconstruction work is underway, with forms. This meant that the search for identi- unnatural building materials being used aplenty. ty ending in extremism would occur At first glance, Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s plan to recon- only in the non-West, especially in the VASILIS ASVESTAS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM struct Kamal Pokhari seems quite earnest: To clean up the Muslim-dominated areas. Then, the British Army 200 years ago in 1814, was Convention last August. It began in inciting insurrection. The federal and bug of extremism would later spread to vandalising the centre of American garishness and ended in criminal local law enforcement agencies have pond, restore its past glory, and turn it into a centre of attrac- even Hindu and Buddhist areas, such democracy. absurdity. begun apprehending the rioters. While tion. It plans to do so by building a park, a play area, toilets and as India, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. And Comical because the ‘diverse’ crowd Trump’s fall may be imminent but he the US state institutions have set in other amenities around the pond. If done right, these additions the West would provide democracy, consisting of Proud Boys, neo-Nazis, has opened up Pandora’s box of white motion their instruments to punish rationality and progress as its civilisa- white supremacists and nationalists, nationalism; the genii of white identity Trump and his shenanigans, American do not sound too bad, as they may complement the beauty and tional contrast. How wrong he appears MAGA enthusiasts, and run-of-the-mill extremism is out of the bottle of liberal capitalism, too, has spread its long ten- accessibility of the pond. However, the plan also includes build- now! Trump loyalists, was equipped with all democracy and humanism. And it’s out tacles. Businesses and organisations ing a walkway around the pond and a concrete flower in the It also seemed that the forces of mar- kinds of paraphernalia, including in full force. Racism has been camou- have begun cutting off relations with ketisation and consumerism—the guns, zip ties, camouflage, tattoos, flaged as nationalism, like Hindu Trump. Twitter, Facebook and middle, potentially harming the natural source of water in the prime drivers now being Amazon and beards and long hair. Like in a circus, hatred for non-Hindus being disguised Instagram have cancelled Trump’s wetland as the water in the pond has now been sucked out for the social media giants such as there were some who had come with as Hindu nationalism or Islamic accounts. Apple, Google and Amazon the purpose. In all likelihood, the pond, named after the flower Facebook and Twitter—would confine painted faces, bear furs and buffalo extremism as Quran-sanctioned Jihad. kicked Parler (a conservative commu- the wave of extremism primarily to horns to exhibit themselves. There The battle between West’s liberal nications app) off their platforms. The lotus, is going to be anything but beautiful after the ambitious those areas outside the West with spo- were others who had come to achieve democracy with all its concomitant business magazine Forbes has issued a beautification plan turns it into a commercial zone full of con- radic minor instances of acts of Islam- their nefarious purpose in full combat values and the long-suppressed warning to corporations not to hire crete structures. inspired terrorist acts in the West such gear. This was frightening. It was car- white pride and supremacy has Trump’s White House communications as 9/11, the London Underground nivalesque criminality. One guy (it commenced out in the open in 21st-cen- officials, ‘Let it be known to the busi- Apart from their historical significance, ponds in the bombing and the Charlie Hebdo attack turns out that his wife is a physician) tury America. Which side will win ness world: Hire any of Trump’s fellow Kathmandu Valley, as everywhere else, work as repositories for in Paris as egregious examples. posed gleefully for photographs with depends on how America’s hallowed fabulists above, and Forbes will assume Initially, it seemed that the new the Speaker’s lectern. One posed in the institutions respond to this epochal that everything your company or firm rainwater and natural flood control mechanisms. In the dry finance capitalism generated from Speaker’s chair with his boot on the threat. talks about is a lie’. season, they help recharge deep wells in the surrounding areas. within the West would tame any major desk; another posed in the Senate pres- The initial signs appear promising. While these corrective measures The bed of the pond is, therefore, a potential resource of water upsurge of extremism within the West, ident’s chair. Others had come planned Even on the day of the siege on Capitol show the resiliency of American such as Christian fundamentalism and and prepared with guns, bombs and Hill, as soon as the law enforcement democracy and capitalism, will that may get permanently damaged if it is ravaged by bulldoz- white nationalism, whose monstrous Molotov cocktails. Any attempt at com- agents managed to expel the rioters America’s political and economic sys- ers filled with concrete. This fundamental message seems to outbreak the world had seen after the edy and circus exhibition was bound to from the Capitol building, the business tem come up with effective preventa- have been lost on the authorities keen on using modern tech- First World War. But Wednesday’s produce tragic consequences. A woman of ratifying Joe Biden’s victory in the tive measures? As America has assault on the over two-hundred-year- from California named Ashli Babbitt presidential election began in rein- emerged with Moderna and Pfizer vac- nologies that have little significance in heritage restoration. old citadel of American democracy received a fatal bullet in her neck and a forced solemnity and urgency. cines to prevent Covid-19, will its sys- The idea is to restore heritages in such a way that they do not belied that assumption. police officer named Brian Sicknick Resuming the proceedings, the Senate tem respond to the twin American lose their historical and cultural essence. In one sense, it seemed that American died when he returned to his office. President, Vice President Mike Pence, dilemmas—of Black pathology in society had been gearing for it for some Trump’s patriots had come to an otherwise Trump loyalist for all four American urban war zones (Chicago It has become all too clear that the National Reconstruction time now, but it still came as a shock. Washington to perform the most unpat- years of Trump’s presidency, said, ‘To alone had 800 homicides in 2020) and Authority did the Rani Pokhari reconstruction work hastily The visuals of the event added to the riotic act. those who wreaked havoc in our Capitol discontent and disenchantment of its and failed to consider the option of natural and sustainable shock element. The breaking of the Even though Wednesday’s invasion today, you did not win. Violence never left-behind white population? If police barriers, scrambling up the came as a sudden shock, it had been wins. Freedom wins’. Senate majority Islamic militants are driven by ideolo- water recharge. Conservationists are aghast at the blatant dis- walls of the building, breaking through there all along in the subterranean leader and staunch conservative Mitch gy and skewed worldview, so are white regard for traditional skills, community knowledge and indige- the gates and doors, smashing through American world. It became visible McConnell said, ‘We have never been nationalists and Trumpists. Even if nous materials in the reconstruction of several heritage sites windows, ransacking of senators’ and since Trump’s successful presidential deterred before, and we will not be one Trump goes away, another will House representatives’ offices—these campaign began. In both form and con- deterred today. They tried to disrupt emerge tomorrow in the form of in the valley. And they are right in suspecting that Kamal produced all kinds of emotions. It was tent, the absurdist, tragic vandalism of our democracy. They failed’. Ted Cruz or Josh Hawley. What can Pokhari may face a similar, or even more tragic, fate. Authorities shocking, comical, terrifying, and January 6 was a fitting finale to the end Indeed, the institutions and machin- America do to inoculate its politics, its must stop becoming habitual offenders and instead listen to angering. It dismayed America’s of Trump’s presidency that had begun ery of American capitalism and democ- vulnerable minds? What happens in friends and offered a moment to gloat with the monstrous display of fire- racy have put their wheels in motion. America in the coming months and local communities, heritage experts and indigenous artisans for its enemies. It was shocking because works from the White House lawn at The House has launched the impeach- years depends on the answer to these when it comes to conservation and reconstruction of heritages. America’s own ‘patriots’, unlike the the end of the Republican National ment proceedings against Trump for questions. Narendra Modi’s Potemkin democracy

complex for the vice president and the examination and debate being a mere The country’s old prime minister are also part of the formality. plans. Environmentalists have Parliamentary committees have parliament, led by Modi and obtained a stay on construction from struggled to meet in recent months the Supreme Court, but did not chal- even after the easing of the initial the BJP, will be left with lenge the ground-breaking ceremony draconian lockdown, because travel for the new parliament building to restrictions and quarantine rules in animated discussions. proceed. MPs’ home states have made it diffi- Parliament itself barely met in 2020. cult to assemble a quorum. Pleas by The official reason, of course, was the committee chairs, including me, to SHASHI THAROOR Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the connect some members virtually by shortening of the year’s first two ses- secure video conference have been sions and the cancellation of the third. rejected on confidentiality grounds. Parliament sat for only 23 days in The irony of conducting a ground- the budget session that began the leg- breaking ceremony for a new parlia- islative year, before being adjourned ment building during the pandemic, in March because of the pandemic. while suspending the work that should The government then showed no have been taking place in the old one, Indian legislators woke up in the new desire to convene the monsoon ses- was lost on the government. Even the year to two realisations. First, the sion, which normally starts in late confidentiality excuse does not apply annual winter session of Parliament, June or mid-July and continues until to regular parliamentary sessions, from which they should just have been August. It might happily have ruled by which, unlike committee meetings, emerging, had not taken place at all. decree were it not for the constitution- are televised. The inescapable conclu- And, second, New Delhi’s magnificent al requirement that Parliament con- sion is that the government would parliament complex, a tourist attrac- vene within six months of the end of rather dispense with the inconven- tion since it was built in 1927, had the previous session. ience of being accountable to the leg- been turned into a construction site. The monsoon session was belatedly islature. These two facts sum up the reality called on September 14 to meet for just Such tendencies were apparent of Indian democracy under Prime 18 days with no weekend breaks. But it even in the shortened monsoon ses- Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling was abruptly adjourned after 10 days, sion, when Parliament dispensed with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On one again because of the virus. And the Question Hour, the one time when hand, the government has shrugged winter session, which should normal- MPs can demand unscripted answers off the very concept of accountability ly have started in mid-November and from ministers. I have previously to the people’s representatives, the continued until Christmas (on some noted the Modi government’s propen- cornerstone of parliamentary democ- occasions, it has even extended sity to sidestep debate on important racy. On the other hand, Modi, an through the holiday session) simply issues and use its majority to increasingly larger-than-life figure never happened. reduce Parliament to a noticeboard whose flowing beard and other-world- There is no doubt about the current for its decisions. This is an adminis- ly air make him resemble the ‘Raj dangers of 750 MPs and hundreds of SONDEEP SHANKAR/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM tration that does not like to be ques- Rishis’ or emperor-sages of ancient officials and journalists crowding into ing to discuss its cause, in this case, ratifying previously issued executive Under the BJP government, that rate tioned. days, is doing all he can to transform the parliament complex. Three minis- the pandemic and how policymakers decrees) while deferring debate on the has decreased to 25 percent, and since India will eventually have a new the republic physically as well as ters, two dozen MPs, and several par- are managing it. But that appears to issues that opposition parties wanted Modi’s re-election 20 months ago, not a building to showcase its democracy. politically. A new, grander parliament liamentary officials tested positive for be exactly what the government wants to raise. These included the border single bill has benefitted from such Sadly, under Modi and the BJP, the building is to arise alongside the old the coronavirus during the monsoon to avoid. As the truncated monsoon standoff with China, during which 20 scrutiny. This sorry record includes spirit of deliberation and debate that one, as part of his determination to session; three MPs and a minister of session showed, it sees the legislature Indian soldiers were killed in June, a the three farm laws whose passage animated the country’s old parliament leave his visible mark on the national state died after contracting Covid-19. as a mere rubber stamp for decisions controversial draft Environment sparked major protests, with angry will be left there. capital. But it seems absurd that a country it has already taken. Key legislation— Impact Assessment, the government’s farmers besieging the capital for sev- Modi’s ‘edifice complex’ includes claiming to be a world leader in infor- including hugely controversial labour New Education Policy, and financial eral weeks in late 2020. Tharoor, a former UN under-secre- plans to construct an array of new mation technology finds itself unable and farm bills—was pushed through and tax compensation to state govern- The protests again proved the utili- tary-general and former Indian government buildings alongside New to connect its MPs virtually through both houses without significant ments. ty of thorough legislative considera- Minister of State for External Affairs Delhi’s Central Vista, the grand sweep videoconferencing, as so many other debate. Under the previous Congress-led tion before bills are passed. But the and Minister of State for Human of which leads past parliament to the national parliaments have done. The government imposed its own government from 2009-14, 71 percent government seems to believe that its Resource Development, is an MP for Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential A national crisis is precisely the priorities, ensuring that the presiding of all bills were first scrutinised in electoral mandate is all the approval the Indian National Congress. palace. A new residential-cum-office time when Parliament should be meet- officers took up its bills (mainly those parliamentary standing committees. it needs, with parliamentary —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 MONEY

FOREX US Dollar 117.34 Onion prices still on high side For many, Covid-19 Euro 143.00 Pound Sterling 160.59 has changed the world Japanese Yen 11.30 despite resumption of import Chinese Yuan 18.14 Qatari Riyal 32.22 Traders say that prices are not dropping due to high demand in the global market. of work for good Australian Dollar 90.94 REUTERS home-working and were above all Malaysian Ringit 29.02 LONDON, JAN 13 keen on retaining such flexibility. But while he said there were already Saudi Arab Riyal 31.28 The upheaval in global labour markets signs that some sectors were now Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank triggered by the coronavirus pandem- ready to allow up to 70 percent of their ic will transform the working lives of workforces to operate remotely all the Shares millions of employees for good, policy- time, such benefits would often be makers and business leaders told a reserved for better-educated white-col- Nepse 2,286.54pts 0.83% Reuters virtual forum on Tuesday. lar workers.“We believe equity and Nearly a year after governments inclusion will be the next frontier,” he HIGHEST GAINERS first imposed lockdowns to contain warned. “Disparities that already CORBL ACLBSL FMDBL ILBS NABBC GUFL 10% 9.99% 9.97% 9.96% 9.89% 9.88% the virus, there is a growing consen- exist in society are going to be height- sus that more staff will in future be ened and exposed.” MODERATE GAINERS hired remotely, work from home and Some of those sectors most badly PLI GMFBS SFCL NMBMF BARUN UFL 9.72% 9.53% 9.52% 9.21% 8.74% 8.7% have an entirely different set of expec- hit by the pandemic now face a long tations of their managers. haul back to anything like their for- MODERATE LOSERS RADHI LEC PIC NICL SLICLP CBL Yet such changes are also likely to mer health. -1.36% -1.38% -1.41% -1.46% -1.77% -1.79% be the preserve of white-collar work- Australian Competition and

HIGHEST LOSERS ers, with new labour market entrants Consumer Commission Chairman GIMES1 PBLD84 SRD80 SBI MSMBS MPFL and the less well-educated set to face (ACCC) Rod Sims was pessimistic -1.87% -1.96% -1.97% -3.72% -3.82% -4.71% post-Covid-19 economies where most about the outlook for the aviation POST FILE PHOTO jobs growth is in low-wage sectors. industry, seeing no return to normal Onion imports were valued at Rs4.22 billion in the last fiscal year. Nepal is almost totally dependent on India for its onion requirement as “I think it would be a fallacy to international travel to and from domestic production is negligible. PRICE PER TOLA think we will go back to where we Australia throughout 2021. BULLION were before,” Philippines central bank “I think free international travel KRISHANA PRASAIN Onions cost Rs75 per kg wholesale According to Shrestha, the Kalimati Governor Benjamin Diokno told the between Australia and overseas will Fine Gold Rs 92,900 KATHMANDU, JAN 13 at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Fruits and Vegetable Market is cur- Reuters Next forum. be a long time away, unfortunately,” Market, the country’s largest vegeta- rently receiving 70-80 tonnes of onions “We were already geared towards Sims told Reuters Next, noting how Silver Rs 1,260 Rachana Subedi is surprised that peo- ble bazaar. The vegetable costs around daily. The market used to receive an the digital, contactless, industries ... the virus has made a resurgence in ple still have to pay Rs110 for a kilo of Rs80 per kg at the Balkhu Agriculture average of 80 tonnes of onions daily That will define the new normal.” Australia after being virtually SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA onions even though prices have and Vegetable Market. when supply was normal. The pandemic, which according to a stamped out late last year. plunged in India which fulfils almost On September 14 last year, India During the ban also, the market was Reuters tally has so far infected at Other changes are more subtle, but all of Nepal’s requirement. imposed an export ban on all varieties receiving 40-50 tonnes of onions daily, least 90.5 million people and killed will start to transform the way work- GASOLINE WATCH The pungent bulb, which is an of onion and lifted the ban after three he added. around 1.9 million worldwide, has ers are hired and managed. essential item in every kitchen, had and half months following a sharp fall Resham Tamang, administrator at up-ended industries and workers Indeed’s Hyams said the job inter- become scarce and expensive after in the price, reported Indian media. the Balkhu Agriculture and Vegetable across the globe. view by Zoom had proven its worth India slapped a ban on its export. The But prices in Nepal have still not come Market, said that supply had declined Hospitality and tourism are among and predicted a “secular shift” price then had gone up to Rs150 per kg. down. Nepali traders contend that due to a sudden rise in demand in those sectors worst-hit by stringent towards such practices. Now the embargo has been lifted onion prices are not coming down due most South Asian markets which social-distancing rules and travel “Employers and job-seekers found it following bumper harvests and abun- to a sudden hike in demand in the pushed the price up. Tamang expects bans, while sectors that support the safe, more convenient and much faster dant supply, but Nepalis are still international market. the price to decline once supply work-from-home economy are adding ... The future of hiring is going to very being made to pay through their nose, As soon the ban on export was increased. jobs, albeit often in low-wage roles. much start with remote and video fumes the 40-year-old housewife from imposed, Nepali traders hiked the The Balkhu Agriculture and “Driving, warehouse, construc- interviewing,” he said. Chabahil. wholesale price to Rs90 per kg from Vegetable Market is receiving around tion—they’re actually ahead of where Observers of the workplace Subedi said she had expected the Rs60. Many traders in the Kalimati 100 tonnes of onions daily, he said. they were last year,” Chris Hyams, also expect the pandemic to funda- price to come down to Rs40-50 per kg. vegetable market were found hoarding According to the Department of CEO of the global jobs listings website mentally alter the way managers oper- “I don’t know why onions are still onions to create an artificial shortage Customs, the country imported shal- Indeed, said in an interview to be ate—not least because the current expensive.” and jack up prices. lot and dried onion worth Rs1.51 bil- aired at the forum later on Tuesday. uncertainties mean they must remain The retail price of onion in India The Department of Commerce, lion in the first five months of the Hyams said job searches on Indeed open to change. dropped to just over IRs30 per kg Supplies and Consumer Protection current fiscal year. last year showed that office workers— “It’s no longer the role of the CEO to (Rs50) since December 31, 2019 when launched an inspection and seized 12 Onion imports were valued at who before the pandemic would typi- have all the answers,” said Laura the nationwide average price of onion tonnes of onions stashed away in a Rs4.22 billion in the last fiscal year. cally flood the website on Monday Storm, founder of Regenerators, was as high as IRs100 per kg, accord- warehouse in Kathmandu. Nepal is almost totally dependent on mornings looking for a change in a collective formed to spur new think- ing to Indian media reports. Binaya Shrestha, deputy director at India for its onion requirement as job—were now more interested in sta- ing about products, services and “Traders had increased the price the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable domestic production is negligible. bility in their working life. organizations. “The role of the CEO is overnight when India imposed the Market Development Board, said that India is the world’s biggest exporter “What we saw for the first six to be a chief ecosystem officer or a export ban on onions. But it’s not com- despite the normal supply, onion pric- of onions, a staple in South Asian months of pandemic was that employ- facilitator.” ing down although there is an abun- es had not come down. “Traders are cooking. Countries such as ees were much less likely to be looking Hephzi Pemberton, CEO of Equality dant supply of onions in the market,” saying that the price has not declined Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia and Sri for something new,” he said, adding Group, a consultancy and executive said Subedi. in the Indian market.” Lanka rely on Indian shipments. those workers had now got used to search firm, agreed. BIZLINE

Students of The British College TikTok tightens privacy LNG price boom set for fall as get opportunity to transfer and work in the UK features for younger users warmer weather looms in Asia ASSOCIATED PRESS REUTERS CALIFORNIA, JAN 13 TikTok is also SINGAPORE, JAN 13 A month after federal regulators The breathtaking rally in liquefied ordered it to disclose how its practices blocking users’ natural gas (LNG) is likely set for a affect children and teenagers, TikTok ability to download fall in coming weeks as a cold spell in is tightening its privacy practices for Asia gives way to milder weather and the under-18 crowd. videos created by lower heating demand, traders and KATHMANDU: The UK government will Starting on Wednesday, default pri- analysts said. give future students of The British vacy setting for accounts with users those 15 or younger. Spot LNG prices have jumped by College (Kathmandu) the opportunity aged 13 to 15 will be private. That nearly 200 percent in the last month to work in the UK after they graduate. means only someone the user approves as freezing temperatures across Students who sign up now to study as a follower can view their videos, collected personal information North Asia boosted demand and undergraduate courses at The British which was not the case previously. But from children. It also agreed to pay depleted inventories. Over the last six College will be allowed to transfer to teens can still change this setting to $5.7 million. months, they have soared by a dizzy- the UK after one to two years of public if they want. A tool called “family pairing,” ing 1,000 percent. study, states the press release issued Older teenagers won’t see this meanwhile, lets parents link their “Once temperatures rise and more by the school. Then by the time they default setting change. For users aged TikTok account to their teen’s to ena- LNG supply returns to the market, the graduate, they will qualify for the 16 or 17, the default setting to let peo- ble content and privacy settings. rally should ease,” said Chong Zhi new ‘Graduate Route’ that the UK has ple download the videos they created Last month, the Federal Trade Xin, director of Southeast Asia gas introduced. This means that students will now be “off,” rather than “on.” Commission asked TikTok’s parent and LNG at IHS Markit. The return of completing bachelor courses at The TikTok is also blocking users’ company, along with Facebook, cargoes from Shell’s Prelude floating REUTERS British College will be able to trans- ability to download videos created by Twitter, Amazon and five other social facility in Australia after being offline A file photo shows employees working next to tanks for liquefied natural gas (LNG) at a fer to Masters Courses in the UK and those 15 or younger. This age media companies to provide detailed for nearly a year will also help boost factory in Xian, Shaanxi province, China. then be eligible for an automatic two group will also see direct messaging information on how they collect supply, Chong noted. year work visa. Furthermore, after restricted and won’t be able to host and use consumers’ personal data and “US LNG cargoes that are produced thermal units (mmBtu) on Tuesday, LNG (APLNG), for instance, on two years, if students have secured a live streams. how their practices affect children today can also reach Asia in 38 days, hitting a fresh record and up from just Tuesday sold a cargo for loading in permanent job they will then be also TikTok is wildly popular with teen- and teens. even if they travel via the Cape of above $11 in mid-December. late February at about $15 per mmBtu, allowed to extend their work visa fur- agers and younger kids. A feature TikTok users are asked to put in Good Hope, so prices should definitely But with temperatures expected to two traders said. ther. If a student then continues to called TikTok for Younger Users their birthday when they sign ease by mid-February.” rise above average levels in Tokyo, There are signs buyers from China work in the UK on a work visa for five offers pre-selected, “age appropriate” up for the service, but, as with other S&P Global Platts’ Japan-Korea- Seoul and Shanghai over the next few are holding off from buying at current years, they will be eligible for perma- videos. The feature was added after social media platforms, there is Marker (JKM), a reference for spot weeks, prices for spot cargoes deliv- record highs and instead opting for nent residency (indefinite leave to TikTok’s predecessor, Musica.ly, set- no real verification to ensure it is cargoes in Asia (for February deliv- ered into North Asia in March will be deliveries at later dates such as in remain: ILR). tled FTC allegations that it illegally accurate. ery), rose to $32.494 per million British lower, traders said. Australia Pacific March, several traders said. Indian partying hotspot Goa counts losses, braces for change

ASSOCIATED PRESS Morjim, many landmark coffee shops, overdue. Rent is three months behind. tempted many business owners to call GOA, JAN 13 tattoo parlours and shack bars with “This virus has devastated our it quits. sunbeds have shut permanently. lives,” Rajgarh said. Sitting at home last summer during The sun’s golden rays fall on Goa’s Nightlife in popular party hubs has In 2019, more than 8 million tourists the lockdown, designer Suman Bhat, smooth, sandy beaches every evening, died. Seema Rajgarh, 37, is a lonely visited Goa, including more than whose luxury label “Lola by SumanB’’ magical as ever but strangely quiet figure on nearly deserted Utorda 930,000 foreign tourists. Some 800 with its flowing draped silhouettes is and lonely. This holiday season, few beach in South Goa, her blue sari set chartered flights arrived from Russia, popular among Bollywood celebrities, visitors are enjoying the celebrated against the expanse of the Arabian Ukraine, the UK and Japan among struggled over whether to shut sunsets in the Indian party hotspot. sea as she hawks jewellery made of other countries, according to the state down her flagship brand store in Goa’s The unspoken fear of the coronavi- beads and stones. None of the handful tourism department. capital Panjim or wait out the slump rus is sapping Goa’s vibrant beach of domestic tourists is interested in As of August, only 1.1 million had in sales. shacks and noisy bars of their buying them. visited, including just over 280,000 for- Bhat managed to retain her workers lifeblood. On good days during the holiday eign tourists. but had to give up her beloved retail A Portuguese colony until 1961, this season, the mother of three girls, the An official report on the impact of space, moving to a less costly location western Indian state usually comes youngest not yet two years old, said Covid-19 on Goa released in December in August. alive in December and January, its she used to make 2,000 rupees ($27). estimated a loss of nearly $1 billion for “It was a hard goodbye for me. You tourism-led economy booming with Now, times are bleak. the tourism industry due to the lock- put in so much money into the busi- foreign travellers and chartered “Some days, I make barely 200 down in April-May. Potential job loss- ness to create a customer experience— flights bringing in hordes of rupees ($2.7), not enough to even es are expected to be the range of 35 and that is completely taken away vacationers. AP/RSS buy milk and food for my children,” percent to 58 percent. More than one from you. There is no way for someone Over the past decade, Goa had been Seema Rajgarh, 37, hawks jewellery made of beads and stones on nearly deserted Utorda she said. in-three of Goa’s 1.6 million people to see, touch and feel your product transforming from a seasonal mecca beach in South Goa, India. Rajgarh’s husband, a cook, lost his work in tourism. anymore,” she said. for both hippy backpackers and rich job during the nation-wide lockdown Goa has accounted for over 51,000 of Bhat says her workers are exhaust- vacationers to a second home destina- environments. Apartments overlook- ing travel restrictions have changed imposed in March to contain the India’s more than 10 million reported ed by the new routines of sanitizing, tion for India’s middle class. ing the sea, on river fronts or sur- everything, possibly forever. spread of the coronavirus infections. coronavirus cases, with 749 deaths. testing and worry. With the pandem- Construction was booming, raising rounded by forests have been in great Along the popular beaches in North He remains unemployed. The lingering aftermath of the abrupt ic’s end still not in sight, the future worries over the impact on fragile demand. The pandemic and the ensu- Goa from Candolim to Calangute to School fees for the children are long disruption in economic activity has remains uncertain.

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 | 06 WORLD

BRIEFING Intense Israeli China Covid-19 pandemic control goes airstrikes in Syria US executes first woman on federal death row in nearly rural ahead of Lunar New Year said to kill dozens seven decades ASSOCIATED PRESS INDIANA: The US government executed The government is bracing for the world’s largest migration in which hundreds of millions travel home for the festival. BEIRUT, JAN 13 convicted murderer Lisa Montgo- mery, the only woman on federal Israeli warplanes carried out intense death row, on Wednesday, after the ASSOCIATED PRESS the next week. All of Shijiazhuang’s airstrikes on eastern Syria on early Supreme Court cleared the last hur- BEIJING, JAN 13 roughly 10 million people have been Wednesday, apparently targeting dle by overturning a stay. Montgo- ordered to undergo a second round of positions and arms depots of mery was the first female prisoner to China is concentrating its pandemic testing as authorities seek to isolate Iran-backed forces. Dozens of fighters be executed by the US government prevention efforts in the rural areas the sources of infection, some of were killed or wounded, according since 1953. She was convicted in 2007 as officials urge people to not travel which have been tentatively linked to to an opposition war monitor. in Missouri of kidnapping and stran- home for the Lunar New Year festival wedding gatherings. A senior U.S. intelligence official gling Bobbie Jo Stinnett, then eight while the country combats its most Similar measures have been ordered with knowledge of the attack told months pregnant. Montgomery cut serious latest outbreak of Covid-19. around the country, particularly in The Associated Press that the Stinnett’s foetus from the womb. The Authorities said on Wednesday Wuhan where 11 million people were airstrikes were carried out with intel- child survived. Challenges were local clinics and hospitals in villages placed under lockdown for 76 days ligence provided by the United fought across multiple federal courts need to strengthen their vigilance for last winter during the early days of States—a rare incidence of publicised on whether to allow the execution of any new Covid-19 cases, and local the pandemic. cooperation between the two Montgomery, 52, who was put to death governments must take responsibility The increased numbers come as countries over choosing targets in by lethal injection in the Justice at every level—from county to town World Health Organization experts Syria. The official said the strikes tar- Department’s execution chamber at to village. prepare to fly on Thursday to Wuhan geted a series of warehouses in Syria its prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. The government is bracing for the at the start of their investigation into that were being used in a pipeline to world’s largest annual migration in the origins of the pandemic. Chinese store and stage Iranian weapons. which hundreds of millions travel officials said they would cooperate The US official, who requested Kremlin foe Navalny says he home for Lunar New Year break in AP/RSS “closely” with the WHO in the investi- anonymity to speak about sensitive will fly home despite threats February, many of them workers A maintenance worker wearing a face mask to protect against the spread of the coronavirus gation following rare criticism of national security matters, said from cities going back to their home walks outside of an office complex in Beijing on Wednesday. the WHO head that Beijing was drag- Secretary of State Mike Pompeo MOSCOW: Top Kremlin critic Alexei villages. ging its feet in issuing the necessary discussed Tuesday’s airstrike with Navalny said on Wednesday he would “In the period leading up to Lunar permissions. Yossi Cohen, chief of Israel’s spy go home to Russia over the weekend New Year, we urge the public that Sinovac defends vaccine after disappointing Brazil data China has strictly controlled all agency Mossad, at a public meeting despite the Russian prison service’s those who do not need to travel, should research into the origins of the coro- in popular Washington restaurant latest motion to put him behind bars not travel, and if one must travel, KUALA LUMPUR/SINGAPORE: China’s The news prompted Malaysia and navirus and have used state media to Café Milano on Monday. for allegedly breaching the terms of please observe all travel information Sinovac Biotech defended the safety Singapore, which have purchase promote theories that the virus may The official said the warehouses his suspended sentence and proba- and try to stagger travel to off-peak and efficacy of its experimental Covid- agreements with Sinovac, to say on have actually been brought to China also served as a pipeline for tion. Navalny, who has been conva- times,” Wang Bin, an official with the 19 vaccine on Wednesday, after Wednesday that they would seek more from outside. components that support Iran’s lescing in Germany from an August National Health Commission, told a researchers in Brazil released late- data from the Chinese firm on efficacy On December 15, China started a nuclear programme. poisoning with a nerve agent that he news conference. “And to do personal stage clinical data showing efficacy rates before they approved and bought mass vaccination campaign for select Syria’s state news agency SANA has blamed on the Kremlin, charged protective measures and avoid crowd- that was much lower than initially supplies. groups. Health workers have given said the strikes hit areas in and that Russian President Vladimir ed places with lots of people.” announced. “These Phase III clinical trial over 10 million doses of one of the near the towns of Deir el-Zour, Putin was now trying to deter him Meanwhile, millions of people are The vaccine was just 50.4 percent results are sufficient to prove that domestically produced Covid-19 vac- Mayadeen and Boukamal along from coming home with new legal lining up in freezing temperatures to effective at preventing symptomatic CoronaVac vaccine’s safety and effec- cines, officials said Wednesday. the border with Iraq. An unnamed motions. receive a second round of coronavirus infections in the Brazilian trial, tiveness are good around the world,” Currently, China has only approved military official was quoted as saying tests in a city south of Beijing that is including data on “very mild” cases, Sinovac Biotech Chairman Yin one vaccine for general use in popula- Syrian air defences responded to at the heart of the latest outbreak. researchers said on Tuesday. Weidong told a news conference. tions aged 18-59—an inactivated virus the incoming missiles. It gave no Estonia’s PM resigns over The health commission on Last week, they said the vaccine, Different countries used vaccines shot from state-owned Sinopharm. further details. corruption scandal in his party Wednesday announced another 90 called CoronaVac, showed 78 percent from the same batch in their trials, but It has also approved three vaccines An opposition war monitor HELSINKI: Estonia’s prime minister confirmed cases in Hebei province, efficacy against “mild-to-severe” the countries don’t have identical test- for emergency use, including two from reported at least 18 strikes in Deir has resigned over a corruption scan- whose capital Shijiazhuang has cases. ing protocols, he said. (REUTERS) Sinopharm and one from Sinovac, a el-Zour and along the border with dal in his Center Party that led to key accounted for the vast majority of the private company. Iraq, saying several arms depots party officials resigning overnight, recent surge. Another 16 cases were Sinovac’s CEO announced at the were hit. Britain-based Syrian and talks began on Wednesday among reported in the northeastern province tures have brought new outbreaks, proximity to Beijing. Travel to and same news conference that they have Observatory for Human Rights said political parties about forming a of Heilongjiang and one in the north- even as China pushes to vaccinate 50 from three cities—Shijiazhuang, supplied more than 7 million shots to 23 people were killed, including new ruling coalition. The move ern province of Shanxi. million people by mid-February. The Xingtai and Langfang—has been sus- provinces across the country. Its vac- seven Syrians, and the rest were automatically prompts the resigna- China had largely contained domes- Hebei outbreak is of particular con- pended and residents of some commu- cine has not yet been sent to regula- Iran-backed fighters. It said 28 were tion of Estonia’s three-party coalition tic spread but frigid winter tempera- cern because of the province’s close nities have been told to stay home for tors for final market approval. wounded. government but does not automatical- ly mean a new election. Estonian Prime Minister Juri Ratas said on early Wednesday on his Facebook page that he would step down as “the suspicion expressed by the Public Trump’s Republican wall eroding ahead of impeachment vote Prosecutor’s Office .... does not mean that someone is definitely guilty but they will inevitably cast a serious ASSOCIATED PRESS have already said they’ll join the party because of Trump. shadow over all those involved.” TEXAS/WASHINGTON, JAN 13 effort, a number that could grow as The stunning nature of the deadly Ratas said he personally has not the vote nears. insurrection—and Trump’s role in Republicans offered only modest The choice facing Republicans isn’t fuelling it—has shaken many lawmak- done anything wrong. (AGENCIES) reproach when President Donald just about the immediate fate of ers. Rep Liz Cheney, the No 3 Trump said there were “very fine peo- Trump, who has just seven days left in Republican in the House, gave ple” on both sides of a white suprema- his presidency. It’s about whether the rank-and-file conservatives the green cist rally. They stayed in line when party’s elected leaders are ready to light to abandon Trump in a scathing Trump was caught pressuring a for- move on from Trump, who remains statement on Tuesday evening. eign leader and later defended his popular with the GOP but is now toxic “There has never been a greater handling of a deadly pandemic. in much of Washington. betrayal by a president of the United But with a sudden force, the wall of How they proceed could determine States of his office and his oath to the Republican support that has enabled whether the party remains viable in Constitution,” she charged. Trump to weather a seemingly endless upcoming elections or splinters in a While stunning, the fast-moving series of crises is beginning to erode. way that could limit their relevance. developments do not ensure Trump Trump’s weakened standing among “We’re at the moment now where will be forced from office before his own party will come into sharper we’re seeing a fracturing, a breaking, Democrat Joe Biden’s January 20 focus on Wednesday when the House because of the unprecedented situa- inauguration. The timing of a Senate is expected to impeach the president tion—the sedition, the violence, the trial is unclear and could spill into for inciting a riot at the US Capitol death,” said Steve Schmidt, a longtime Biden’s presidency. last week. A handful of Republicans Republican strategist who left the But for the first time, there are real AP/RSS signs that a significant faction of President Donald Trump steps off Air Force One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Republicans want to purge Trump Maryland, Washington. from their party. Government of Nepal Already, three Trump Cabinet relationship with Trump has soured House fortress for the first time Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies members have resigned in protest. considerably since he and his family since the riots for a trip to the wall Former Attorney General Bill Barr, were forced into hiding during the his administration built along the Nepal’s Increased Sustainable Tea Exports Project who left the White House less than a Capitol siege, to publicly declare he Texas border. month ago, accused his former boss of would not to invoke the 25th As he left Washington, he was a “betrayal of his office.” Amendment of the Constitution to careful to insist “we want no vio- VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT It took almost a week for remove Trump from office. lence,” but denied any responsibility The first date of the publication: January 14, 2021 (2077.10.01) Vice President Mike Pence, whose Trump emerged from his White for the insurrection. Tea is prioritized as one of the export potential products of Nepal. Nepal Trade Integration Strategy (NTIS, 2016) and National Export Strategy (NES 2017) focus on improving Nepali tea qual ity with a view to increasing export revenues, diversify ing export destinations and leveraging opportunities in the international market for each production grade. More specifically, the NES identifies voluntary organic certification, supported by a traceability ‘Raped twice’: Pakistan’s virginity system throughout the production, as one of the key success factors for Nepal’s tea sector in the global market. Nepal’s Increased Sustainable Tea Exports Project (Nov 2020- Jun 2023) is designed with the overarching objective of increasing Nepali tea’s exports in a sustainable manner. With the financial support from Enhanced tests block justice for victims Integrated Framework (EIF), the project is implemented by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies in collaboration with National Tea and Coffee Development Board and other partners. The project seeks application AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE 15-year-old in a village outside the city from prospective candidates for the following positions no later than 15 days from the first date of publication of LAHORE, JAN 13 A woman is of Faisalabad was freed on appeal in this notice. 2014, after the judge considered Raped at 14, Shazia took the rare and supposed to conduct the results of the two-finger test and 1. National Project Coordinator 2. Monitoring and Reporting Officer courageous step of reporting the ruled that the teenager was a “lady of crime to Pakistani police, only to the examinations, easy virtue”. Academic qualification: Academic qualification: face a traumatic “virginity test”—a “The uncorroborated statement of • Master’s Degree in Agriculture, or Economics • Master’s Degree in Management long-standing practice that denies jus- but this guideline is (the victim) may not be relied upon as or Management with specialized knowledge in or Economics with specialization tice to victims. it came from the mouth of a spoilt horticulture, agriculture economics, agriculture business in Trade The teenager was still in a not always followed. girl,” the judgement said. daze after she was assaulted by her The invasive examinations are management, trade economics and international trade. Experience: father’s cousin when police forced her sometimes conducted without the full Experience: • At least five years of experience in to see a doctor, who conducted the and record whether they “entered understanding or even the consent of • At least ten years of experience in agriculture; trade promotion sector; invasive medical exam intended to easily” or not. rape victims, often by practitioners • At least seven years of proven, practical experience in • Experiences of working in donor- determine whether she had a history A woman is supposed to conduct the who lack sensitivity training, case of having sex. examinations, but this guideline is not workers and lawyers say. value chain of tea and trade promotion programme with funded project involving multiple “She told me to open my legs and always followed. Pakistan remains a deeply three years' experience in managerial position; stakeholders would be an inserted her fingers,” Shazia, not They can have a harrowing effect on conservative nation, yet there are • Experiences of managing complex, and large donor- advantage. her real name, told AFP in a written survivors of sexual assault, who signs of mounting anger over the han- funded project involving multiple stakeholders would be statement. already face terrible social stigma in a dling of sexual abuse cases. The an advantage. “It was very painful. I didn’t know country obsessed with upholding the recent gang-rape of a mother in front why she was doing it. I wish my moth- “honour” of women. of her children on a motorway sparked er had been with me.” Shazia’s parents, who filed the nationwide protests, fuelled by a Documents to be attached with the application: In a country where rape is vastly case, later dropped it following family police chief ’s comments that she 1. Maximum of two pages of strategy (based on the project document and given ToR) that candidate will underreported and survivors of sexu- pressure. should not have been driving alone adopt to achieve the desired results of the project (In Times New Roman, font size 12, single line space, al assault are viewed with suspicion, Pakistani health authorities have at night. standard format and indentation) virginity tests are often ordered as long encouraged all girls and women Following the outcry, Pakistan’s part of police investigations. who report rape claims to be subjected president last month approved a new 1. Curriculum Vitae with two referees from previous organizations; The result can be critical to any to the tests. anti-rape law which bans the two-fin- Selection process: criminal case, with an unmarried vic- “I count this as another rape in ger test but does not rule out visual tim discredited if she is deemed to be itself,” Sidra Humayun, an activist virginity examinations. Selection process will encompass three stages; namely shortlisting, presentation and interview. Only shortlisted sexually active. That goes some way who handles sexual assault cases, The law has yet to be ratified by candidates will be contacted and included in the next stages of selection process. towards explaining Pakistan’s abys- told AFP. parliament. Application must be submitted via email at within 15 days (28 mal rape conviction rate, activists and Court documents seen by AFP paint But activists this month achieved a [email protected] and [email protected] lawyers say, with official data putting a vivid picture of how female rape major win in the country’s most popu- January, 2021 by 16:00hr Nepal Time). The applications received after the given time will not be included in the it as low as 0.3 percent. victims can be shamed and ridiculed lous province of Punjab, where selection process. For further inquiries please contact at 014211460. The notice, project document and ToR can The “two-finger test” endured by if a medical officer concludes that the Lahore High Court outlawed all be accessed at www.moics.gov.np and www.teacoffee.gov.np. Shazia requires a doctor to insert they have a history of sexual inter- virginity tests—the first such ruling their fingers into the victim’s vagina course. A man convicted of raping a in Pakistan.

C M Y K 07 | THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Can Man United sustain title push? Atletico Madrid Real Madrid forward Luka strengthen Jovic set for Eintracht return Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men move three points clear at the top with 36 points from 17 games. But despite their fine run of MADRID: Real Madrid forward Luka form, bookmakers still have United as third favourites for the Premier League title, behind Manchester City and Liverpool. La Liga lead Jovic is set to return to former club REUTERS Eintracht Frankfurt on loan until the AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE MADRID, JAN 13 end of the season after a poor spell at MANCHESTER, JAN 13 the Spanish champions in which he La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid scored two goals following his 60 mil- Manchester United are top of the proved their title credentials yet again lion euros ($73 million) move. Premier League table with nearly half by beating in-form Sevilla 2-0 at home Eintracht’s sporting director Fredi the season gone but are they title con- on Tuesday to stride four points clear Bobic was quoted by the club’s offi- tenders or mere pretenders? at the top of the standings. cial Twitter account as saying Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men beat Atletico got off to an ideal start Serbian Jovic was “on the verge” of Burnley 1-0 at the Turf Moor on when Angel Correa received a pass re-joining the Bundesliga side until Tuesday courtesy of a Paul Pogba goal from returning right back Kieran the end of the season and was soon to to move three points clear of champi- Trippier and took Sevilla by surprise undergo a medical. Jovic, 23, signed ons Liverpool after 17 games. It was with a shot which bounced in off the for Real from Eintracht in June 2019 the first time United had ended the near post to give them the lead in the but has been one of the Spanish day top of the table so far into the sea- 17th minute. side’s most disappointing transfers in son since their last title-winning cam- Midfielder Saul Niguez effectively recent memory, making only six La paign in 2012/13 under Alex Ferguson. clinched the victory with a thumping Liga starts while scoring twice. The Manchester United’s success in the effort from the edge of the area in the Serbia striker hit 17 league goals in transfer market has been more miss 76th to score his first goal of the sea- the 2018/19 campaign for Eintracht. than hit since Ferguson guided them son and condemn Sevilla to a first to a 20th top-flight title. But a glance at defeat in 10 games in all competitions. the substitutes’ bench at the Turf The victory took Atletico on to 41 Aryna Sabalenka wins third Moor shows Solskjaer has quietly put points after 16 games, four clear of straight title in Abu Dhabi together a powerful squad that gives second-placed Real Madrid who have ABU DHABI: Belarusian Aryna him enviable options. played 18. Sabalenka made a strong start to her The Norwegian started with Paul “We knew we would have to suffer 2021 season with a comfortable 6-2 6-2 Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Bruno in certain moments in the game but win over Veronika Kudermetova of Fernandes in midfield, with in-form they didn’t cause us too much danger, Russia to clinch the WTA 500 event in Scott McTominay, Fred and Donny they had a lot of possession but Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and extend van de Beek on the bench. Edinson couldn’t harm us,” said goalscorer her winning streak to 15 matches. Cavani was back as the focal point in Correa. “We prepare for every game in After finishing 2020 with season-end- attack after a three-match ban, with order to win it and that’s what we’re ing trophies at Ostrava and Linz, the academy graduate Mason Greenwood trying to do. We knew Sevilla would be strongly built Sabalenka started her used as a late substitute. In central difficult opponents, they are having a new campaign in the same vein in defence, Eric Bailly is impressing great season, so I’m very happy we Abu Dhabi and will rise to world alongside Harry Maguire, offering managed to win.” number seven when the WTA rank- United real pace at the back. But it is Atletico had enjoyed a rest over the ings are updated on Monday. It was not just the personnel that catch the weekend as their match with Athletic the ninth title overall for the eye—there is a palpable sense of Bilbao had been postponed due to a fourth-seeded Sabalenka, 22. She now togetherness at the club, shown by the snowstorm in the Spanish capital, heads to Melbourne for the first players’ wild celebrations when they although the freezing conditions had Grand Slam of the year at the recently beat Aston Villa 2-1. also disrupted their training schedule. Australian Open next month. Solskjaer—who won six Premier Thick mounds of snow could be seen League titles as a player at the Old AP/RSS on the sidelines of the Wanda Trafford—has not had an easy ride in Paul Pogba (centre), who scored the winning goal in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Burnley on Tuesday, has found form in the recent weeks. Metropolitano and with temperatures India’s Jasprit Bumrah charge. Whenever the club have hit a dropping to minus seven Celsius, rocky patch the pressure has been in domestic away fixtures since losing Atletico’s substitutes kept warm in a doubt for final Australia Test ramped up, with suggestions he does to Liverpool in January 2020, said the stands by warming up with MELBOURNE: India’s fast bowlers were not have the experience or nous to go United were looking forward to the exercise bikes placed next to electric rested from training on Wednesday toe to toe with Jurgen Klopp and Pep Sheffield United earn challenge. heaters. ahead of the fourth Test against Guardiola. An impressive 29 points “We just want to go there, knowing Sevilla midfielder Fernando admit- Australia amid reports pace spear- from a possible 33 show the strength we’re playing the best team in the ted his side, from one of the few cities head Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled of their revival after a poor start to country by a mile over the last year in Spain that were spared the snow, out of the decider in Brisbane. Indian the campaign but Solskjaer is not get- first Premier League win and a half,” he said. “They are cham- struggled to cope with the weather. media, citing unnamed team sources, ting carried away. pions by right and it will be a great “It’s difficult to play when it’s this cold said Bumrah would not be selected “We’re almost halfway through the REUTERS few complaints as their winless league test of where we are.” and they are an excellent side so it for the Test, which starts on Friday, season so it’s a little bit of an indica- SHEFFIELD, JAN 13 run extended to six matches. For their part, City have quietly put was tough for us, but they had only after suffering an apparent abdomi- tion of where you’re at,” said the 1999 Elsewhere, Everton claimed a sixth together an impressive run to move to really two chances and scored two nal strain in the draw at the Sydney treble hero. “But no one will remem- Billy Sharp’s second-half penalty win from nine away games this season within striking distance of the top of goals,” he said. Cricket Ground. Bumrah’s omission ber the league table on the 12th of earned Sheffield United a long-await- as Michael Keane’s late header earned the table. They are seven points The home side welcomed back would be a huge blow for Ajinkya January.” ed first Premier League victory of the them a 2-1 victory at Wolverhampton behind United but have two games in Trippier for the first time since Rahane’s side, with all-rounder Despite their fine run of form, season as they deservedly beat Wanderers. hand and are favourites to win their December 23 after his 10-week suspen- Ravindra Jadeja already confirmed to bookmakers still have United as third Newcastle United 1-0 on Tuesday. Without injured striker and talis- third title in four seasons. sion for breaking betting rules in miss the series finale with a thumb favourites for the Premier League Chris Wilder’s side had failed to win man Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Former United goalkeeper Peter England was put on hold pending an injury and batsman Hanuma Vihari title, behind Manchester City and any of their opening 17 matches of the Everton’s goal threat looked dimin- Schmeichel, who played alongside appeal and the England defender almost certain to be scratched due to Liverpool. Klopp’s men have failed to season—the worst start to a Premier ished, but Alex Iwobi scored his first Solskjaer at the Old Trafford, is not proved his value by playing a big part a hamstring strain. Spinner hit the heights of last season but are League campaign—but finally came Premier League goal in 15 months to sure his old side are “quite there yet” in both goals. Ravichandran Ashwin is also nursing still firmly in the title picture despite good to leave the pitch with three fire Everton in front before Ruben but believes they are not far away. “If Atletico coach Diego Simeone opted a sore back. An India team spokes- a defensive injury crisis this term. points in the bag for the first time in Neves replied for Wolves. we could add players like (forward to start 126-million-euro ($154 million) man declined to comment on the United will travel to the home of their six months thanks to to a 73rd-minute Wolves had looked the more likely Erling) Haaland from Dortmund or forward Joao Felix on the bench for team’s injuries, or Bumrah’s fierce rivals with a spring in their penalty by Billy Sharp. winners in a dull second half but (defender Dayot) Upamecano from the second game in a row in favour of availability for selection, but con- step—a far cry from last year, when Newcastle, reduced to 10 men when Keane’s towering header in the 77th Leipzig I would say then we would be Correa and the Argentine repaid his firmed the paceman did not take part defeat at the Anfield left them 30 Ryan Fraser was sent off just before minute sealed maximum points for championship challengers,” he told faith with an enterprising shot from in training at the Gabba on points behind the Merseyside outfit. halftime, were abject and could have Carlo Ancelotti’s side. the BBC. It is up to his ex-teammate to the edge of the area, flummoxing Wednesday. (AGENCIES) Solskjaer, whose side are unbeaten prove him wrong. Sevilla keeper Bono. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) **** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** You’ll easily be able to keep all of your emotions If something smells fishy to you today, steer Are you afraid to go too deep in a new relation- Friends aren’t the people who judge you in your in check no matter what kind of hassle you have clear of it. You’re smart enough to know that ship? This person seems like a wonderful addi- life. Your friends are the people who can help to deal with. Traffic woes won’t worry you in the you shouldn’t get involved with stuff you’re tion to your life, but there’s something about you get over whatever problems you may be least. You’ll have great music to keep you happy. unsure of, but not everyone has had as much them that either confuses or concerns you. Take struggling with. Don’t try to hide your faults Today you’ll be content to just do your work and experience as you. some time to think more about this. from them. You will only end up pushing them do it well. away.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Someone’s broken promises have been getting At work, now is the time for you to be a model Having a specific vision of what you want the If growing your career is your main focus right on your nerves, and today they might tip you employee. Important people are keeping an eye next several months of your life to look like is now, you should consider switching your sights over the edge. It’s fine for you to express your on you! Resist the urge to goof around. If you good, but don’t fall into the trap of being inflex- to another area of your life. Being too obsessed frustration with this person. In fact, it’s healthy, can, go back and double-check your work to ible about it. You can’t move forward in your life about your job and where you want to go next is but just be careful not to burn any bridges. make sure you’ve covered all the details. on railroad tracks. The path of life is much creating an imbalance in your life. more fluid than that.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) *** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) ***** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** If you have any concerns about your health, you The intellectual in you is very curious right Having complete harmony in your life isn’t Someone’s odd comments could confuse you. need to follow up on them. The stress you’re now, and it could start reading more into some- always possible, which is actually a good thing Are they complimenting you or insulting you? feeling by not knowing is probably worse than one’s statements than they actually mean. Be because harmony isn’t always helpful. To fight off this fuzzy feeling, try to spend the anything you might have to deal with later. And careful not to make any commitments based on Sometimes you need some friction to help real rest of your day with people you know, working this proactive attitude should be applied to the your hunches or assumptions. solutions come about and enable real learning on things you’re familiar with. rest of your life too. to take place. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 In between ideas and feelings Gallery Mcube’s latest exhibition ‘MAATO’ is a manifestation of concepts that reflect contrasting takes on the medium of clay by artists Sushila Singh and Zoe Williams.

SRIZU BAJRACHARYA herself not asserted her reference of LALITPUR bricks to the features of a woman, it is unclear what the design of her construct here’s an installation of is to express to an audience who is not bricks set in irregular concen- well-versed in the metaphor of her work. tric circles with black-painted And while it’s not necessary for artists patterns of fragmented pieces to guide the audience’s meaning-making of human bodies on the process, the works should be able to stand ground floor of Gallery alone and make their own meaning. TMcube. The immediate impression is one Besides the artworks, what was also of awe, as the installation drives the ques- unconvincing was the gallery’s prepara- tion: what do we make out of this art? tion for the exhibition—the way the The design is by artist Sushila Singh, works were presented felt a bit unfin- who attempts to represent a woman’s ished, there were no guides or briefs strength through the nature of clay. The placed next to the works displayed. For bricks in their unusual size—of about 18 example, a set of 55 sets of black clay cups inches, arranged in circles—also symbol- in a cupboard with 55 shelves meant to ises in some way the boundaries society depict an imagining of Pachpanna Jhyal has created for her and also how a woman Durbar was not distinct—but informa- is the one who builds a home. The instal- tion like these would have added to the lation also represents whirlpools, a motif experience of the exhibition. Singh often repeats in her work, which The rough sketches of the artists’ signifies a woman being sucked into her brainstorming process pasted roughly different roles and her boundless thoughts on a wall of the gallery could have been and concerns. presented in a better way to provide audi- And this concept of woman and femi- ences insight into the art presented. After ninity is repeated throughout her dis- all it’s the little details that show the played works in clay tiles in the exhibi- effort of a gallery and the artists to tell tion ‘MAATO’ by Gallery Mcube. people that their work was created with This is the Gallery’s first physical exhi- passion, love and care. bition in months and looking at one after For many reasons, ‘MAATO’ fails to so long provides one a whole new dimen- hold the interest of the audience. sion to how art is viewed. And for that Although it is understandable the reason itself, Gallery Mcube’s return to a pandemic played a huge challenge to the physical exhibition feels significant and POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARAJAN resident artists’ ventures, given that adds to the show’s excitement. This is Mcube’s first physical exhibition in months and looking at one after so long provides one a whole new dimension to how art is viewed. the word, ‘MAATO’ itself represents so ‘MAATO’ brings together the works of many sentiments, including patriotism Singh and Zoe Williams, a UK-based artist One important legend is of the one Her collection also includes large piec- it’s hard not to expect so much from the part of the 12th AIR_MCUBE residency where the bodhisattva Manjushree cut es of clay dish plates with the impres- exhibition. programme in association with the the gorge in Chobhar flushing out the However, in matters sions of wriggling snakes. And while this Maato, meaning earth, has portrayed British Council Nepal. And the exhibi- water from a lake to create an inhabitable of storytelling or could be her way of paying homage to the different meanings from representing a tion shows two contrasting viewpoints of valley that became Kathmandu. But in cultural motifs of snakes, Nepalis may culture of building and making to life the two artists. doing so, many serpents were left without presentation, the not be too keen with this coming together itself—and to a certain extent the exhibi- Unfortunately, the exhibition falls a home. Among them was the king of of motifs. That is because for Nepalis, tion does try to imbue this value but fal- short of giving momentum to the hushed nags, Karkotaka Maharaj. It is said that exhibition falls short. snakes are revered religious symbols— ters halfway. art scene. While there is much to mull the bodhisattva persuaded Karkotaka and and thus also feared—and serving food Also, in matters of storytelling or pres- over in the exhibition, a sense of ambigu- the serpents to resettle in Taudaha, a with ominous motifs of snakes is some- entation, the exhibition does not make an ity follows through the whole exhibition. small lake south of Kathmandu. estranged in absence of a milieu. thing many will not be able to take in. impression. In fragments, ‘MAATO’ On the first floor of the gallery, Zoe It is apparent that Williams is intrigued While Williams’ attempt does highlight The overall feeling of the exhibition explores multitudes of ideas that individ- Williams brings together various terra- with the snake motifs found in the Valley the culture of pottery distinct to Thimi, also somehow feels detached. As an exhi- ually seem fascinating but are not enough cotta pieces, manifesting her reflection of as representations of deities for worship. Bhaktapur, as an art, the pottery works bition, MAATO’s concepts—although for one to think them memorable. the Nepali culture and faith, moreover In her exhibition brief she writes, “I was are not extraordinary. Her take on the introspective, different and intriguing— Perhaps it’s time for galleries in that of the pottery tradition. fascinated with the association’s snakes pottery is no different from the practise do not come together to give an immer- Kathmandu to work together with artists At the gallery, her pottery works are have with air purification, rain and crop we have seen in Bhaktapur but her expe- sive experience to the audience. What we in their storytelling rather than just placed on top of sal leaves defining the fertility in the area, as this seemed to me rience is what makes her series unique. see is the two artists’ attempt to express being a medium to exhibit the artists’ work’s connection to earth. Her pottery to be interlinked with the notion of However, some of her ideas collide with themselves and their ideas through the work. And had this collaboration worked, works—which work both as functional respecting clay as a symbol and product the native practise of using pottery in medium of clay—but there is an unset- this exhibition would have found more and decorative objects—show intricately of the soil.” various ways. Some of her large pottery tling gap that hovers around the concepts meaning. carved snakes and impressions of them However, her works don’t provide works include vessels to hold baji (beaten and their manifestations. On the whole, ‘MAATO’ as an exhibi- through her own observations of how insight to these beliefs directly but give a rice) and dish plates to serve food. But in Take for example, Singh’s series of tion is not coherent with its motive. snakes are symbolic to the culture of the recognition to a culture that regards practise, such clay plates are not used to etching works in black clay tiles framed Everything is so distinct yet so vague. But Valley. What makes her work interesting snakes. And the end result of her engage- serve food because earthen clays cool in red-colourued wood. The series repre- there is still a lot to take away from the is the mythological stories she reminds ment with traditional art is raw. Her work down food quickly. Traditionally, earthen- sents the bodies of women to express works of artists if one is willing to give the Nepali viewers—of how the is self-reflective and depicts her under- wares were usually used to moderate a their nature, their strength and beauty time to understand the artists’ concepts. Kathmandu Valley’s origin is related to standing of the Nepali culture and tradi- cool temperature for delicacies like dahi, but it is hard to tell what these works The exhibition will be on display until the forfeit of the serpents. tion but the presentation of the works feel sanya khuna, takha and even alcohol. mean individually. Moreover, had Singh January 21 at Gallery Mcube, Chakupat. Spike Lee’s children named Golden Globe ambassadors Satchel, 26, and Jackson, 23, are the first siblings of colour to hold the position.

JONATHAN LANDRUM queer and intersectional arts and culture Jackson said he picked Big Brothers Big LOS ANGELES magazine. Sisters in an effort to mentor those the Satchel chose to partner with Callen- same way his father guided him. pike Lee’s daughter and son have Lorde, an organization that helps with “Having my dad mentor me changed my been chosen as the Golden Globe LGBTQIA+ communities with healthcare life,” he said. “Being able to give someone ambassadors to assist with the in New York City. Jackson is partnering else the opportunity and someone younger awards ceremony. with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the volun- than me, it’s kind of paying it forward. It The Hollywood Foreign Press teer-supported mentoring network. feels like a duty I have to do.” Association announced Tuesday “As a visionary creative, my dad taught An ambassador is traditionally the child Smorning that Satchel and Jackson Lee will Satchel and me the importance of enter- of a celebrity who assists with award pres- assume the ambassador roles for the 78th tainment as a cultural catalyst of change,” entations, handing out trophies to winners annual Golden Globes Awards in February. he said. and escorting them off stage. Satchel, 26, and Jackson, 23, are the first Callen-Lorde and Big Brothers Big Previous ambassadors include Pierce siblings of colour to hold the position. Sisters will each receive a grant from the Brosnan’s sons Dylan and Paris Brosnan, Jackson is the first Black male ambassador. HFPA for $25,000 made on the Lees’ behalf. Idris Elba’s daughter Isan Elba and Dwayne Wrapped in plastic, no picnic Both credited their maturation to their Satchel said selecting Callen-Lorde and “The Rock” Johnson’s daughter Simone filmmaking father and mother, Tonya Lewis the organization’s healthcare initiatives Garcia. Lee, who is a film and television producer. was important to her to “support the The Golden Globes ceremony will be held for Hungarian teddy bears “We’re proud to carry our father’s legacy LGBT+ community, because that is my com- Feb. 28 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in of storytelling to bring attention to commu- munity. Everything I do, I just to give back Beverly Hills, California. The show hon- nities close to our hearts,” said Satchel Lee, to the people and communities that have ours achievements in film and television. who was the creative director of DRØME, a given so much to me.” — Associated Press asleep in pandemic In a small village in eastern Hungary, more than 20,000 teddy bears are ‘hibernating’ in a warehouse, waiting for the pandemic to ease so they can bring joy to children.

KRISZTINA FENYO Her passion for the bears stems from HARSANY her childhood traumas. Schmidt’s par- ents divorced when she was four, she n a small village in eastern grew up in very poor conditions and Hungary, more than 20,000 teddy her mother drank heavily. bears are “hibernating” in a “Not only we did not have toys but warehouse, waiting for the coro- we barely had clothes,” she said. “That navirus pandemic to ease so is why I wanted a teddy bear so I could they can bring joy to children in hug it and get some love from it.” Ilocal nurseries. Nicknamed “Teddy Bear Mama”, Valeria Schmidt looks after her pre- cious collection of bears, now packed Nicknamed ‘Teddy up in plastic bags for their unusually long winter sleep as Hungary remains Bear Mama’, Valeria in partial lockdown due to a resur- Schmidt looks gence of the virus. “I give away teddy bears to nurser- after her precious ies, pre-schools and poor families. I make exhibitions for (children’s) insti- collection of bears. tutions, a kind of therapeutic teddy bear corner with about 30-50 bears which the children can play with,” She hugs and strokes her teddies Schmidt said. many times a day and she says they “Unfortunately, because of the virus have cured her soul. situation, I cannot do these now.” “Now these teddy bears make up for The 62-year-old Schmidt, who has all the hunger, all the lack of love, lack four adult children, has been collect- of toys and everything. Especially ing teddy bears for 40 years and when I see children coming to see my entered the Guinness Book of Records exhibition and I see the joy and happi- AP/RSS in 2019 for the world’s largest collec- ness in their eyes.” A file photo of director Spike Lee (second right) and his family (from left), son Jackson Lee, wife Tonya Lewis Lee and daughter Satchel Lee. tion of them. — Reuters

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