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

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 146 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 36.6 C 15.6 C Wednesday, July 14, 2021 | 30-03-2078 Nepalgunj Jumla Deuba returns as prime minister with challenges ahead Congress leader has taken over the reins for fifth time with a duty to fight pandemic and clean up the mess left by Oli.

ANIL GIRI KATHMANDU, JULY 13

In February 2018, when Sher Bahadur Deuba handed over the government mantle to CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli, his party Nepali Congress had faced an unprecedented drubbing in the elections. Deuba led a coalition government, backed by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), that oversaw the elections. But during the elections, UML and the Maoist Centre formed an alliance. Oli returned to power with a bang—he had the mandate to govern for the full term. Deuba had no option than to wait for five years for next elections, in hopes of making a comeback. But three and a half years later, Deuba, 75, replaced Oli, 70, on Tuesday. This time again, he has the backing of the Maoist Centre. Post Photo: Angad Dhakal President Bidya Devi Bhandari Sher Bahadur Deuba administered the oath of office and secrecy to Deuba on Tuesday, a day image. According to party leaders, Post photo: Elite Joshi after the Supreme Court passed experts and observers, Deuba’s chal- People aged 55 and above, frontline workers and workers going abroad wait at Civil Hospital in Kathmandu as the government resumed an order to do so. lenges begin from day one. Covid-19 vaccination on Tuesday with the Vero Cell doses procured from China. Deuba has assumed office, for First, he has to win a vote of confi- the fifth time, at a time when the dence in the restored House within country is battling a pandemic one month from his appointment—by and questions are being raised August 12. Since the Madhav Nepal about political parties’ lack of faction of the UML has already made Confidence vote will commitment to the constitution, it clear that it no longer will stay with After court’s observations, system and democracy. the Deuba-led alliance, Deuba could Deuba, who has returned to win the vote of confidence only if all decide how long new power earlier than he had 32 lawmakers from the Janata thought, while has challenges Samajbadi Party, which is a divided questions arise over fate galore ahead of him, he also has house, support him. government lasts an opportunity to improve his >> Continued on page 2 of ordinance budget If Deuba wins, it will be 18 The court called the introduction of the budget through months. If not, he’ll have to an ordinance a week after House dissolution fraudulent. hold polls in six months. BINOD GHIMIRE Legal experts say Deuba government can bring a new one. KATHMANDU, JULY 13

With the appointment of Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba as the country’s new prime minister, the question now is how long he will remain in the post. The House of Representatives has completed more than three and a half years of its five-year tenure. It still has a year and a half to go. In its order to appoint Deuba as prime minister, the Supreme Court said on Monday that he should “com- plete the process of getting the vote of confidence as per Article 76 (6) of the constitution”. According to Article 76 (6) he will have to go for a floor test in Parliament within 30 days of appointment. “The result of the vote of trust will decide the fate of the Deuba govern- ment,” Bipin Adhikari, former dean at Kathmandu University School of Law, told the Post. Despite his Nepali Congress having only 61 seats in the 275-member House of Representatives, Deuba had staked claim to form the government as per Article 76 (5) of the constitution with the support of lawmakers from four other parties—Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), Madhav Kumar Nepal faction of CPN-UML, Post file Photo the Upendra Yadav faction of Janata The Oli government introduced budget for the new fiscal year after dissolving the House. Samajbadi Party and Rastriya Janamorcha. PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA and exercising discretionary powers.” Altogether 149 members of the KATHMANDU, JULY 13 Legal experts say it is up to the new House of Representatives supported government whether to continue with him—including 26 from the Nepal fac- The Supreme Court’s observation in the current budget for the next fiscal tion of the UML. Monday’s verdict that the introduc- year or introduce a new one. Deuba will continue as prime min- tion of the budget for the next fiscal “As the court didn’t issue any order ister until the periodic general elec- year 2021-22 by the outgoing Prime on scrapping the budget despite ques- tions to be held after a year and a half Minister KP Sharma Oli-led govern- tioning the intent of budget presenta- if the 26 UML dissidents continue to ment as inappropriate and against the tion through an ordinance after dis- support him. If not, fresh elections representative governance system, solving the House, it is up to the new have to be called within six months, as has raised questions about whether government whether to introduce a per Article 76(7) of the constitution. the new government should imple- new budget,” said Gandhi Pandit, a Leaders of the UML say it is unlike- ment the budget. corporate lawyer. “If the House of ly that they will support Deuba. The court’s verdict on Monday that Representatives fails to pass the ordi- “The UML will be a united party by reinstated the House of Representatives nance under which the budget was then [by the time of the vote of trust]. has also commented on the outgoing introduced, introducing a new budget It will make a decision where to stand government’s move to introduce a full will be imperative.” and we will follow that,” Gokarna budget through an ordinance despite As per constitutional provisions, an Bista, a UML secretary close to Nepal, being a ‘caretaker’ government. ordinance must be presented in the told the Post. “It is not appropriate to dissolve the House during the first meeting of its A 10-member task force of the party, House of Representatives and give new session and passed within 60 days with five from the Nepal faction and estimates of income and expenditure of its presentation. Otherwise, it gets five from the faction led by outgoing a legal form just a week ahead of the annulled. prime minister and UML party chair date of budget presentation and to The court also said that the dissolu- KP Sharma Oli, had on Sunday come introduce policies and annual pro- tion of the House of Representatives up with a 10-point recommendation. grammes of long-term importance by just a week ahead of the constitution- Bista was one of the members of the a caretaker government instead of ally-arranged budget presentation task force. introducing expenditure arrange- date can also be explained as fraud on One of the points of the recommen- ments for just compulsory liabilities implementation of Article 119 (3) of dation says, “On the House dissolu- of the government,” the court the constitution which mentions that tion case that is being examined by observed. “If such non-parliamentary the annual budget must be presented the Supreme Court, we will move practices are continued, it leads to the on Jestha 15 every year, which fell on ahead by following institutional deci- tendency of avoiding Parliament, May 29 this year. sions and the spirit of party unity.” devaluing constitutional provisions >> Continued on page 2 >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 | 02 National Army officer convicted in death Deuba returns as prime minister with challenges ahead of man inside Chitwan park >> Continued from page 1 to return to Baluwatar, only to be dis- day after declaring that there was no If he wins the vote of confidence, he missed by Gyanendra again when he political situation for him to secure a will remain prime minister for one assumed absolute power on February majority. Deuba too had reached out to Sergeant Chiran Kumar Budha was arrested last September. He was released from and a half years, until periodic elec- 1, 2005 in a royal coup. Two years President Bhandari with the signa- tions are held. later, Deuba decided to mend fences tures of 149 lawmakers demanding prison on Monday on account of completing nine-month jail term handed down by court. But if Deuba fails to win the vote of with Girija Prasad Koirala. The that he be appointed prime minister. confidence, the House would be dis- Nepali Congress (Democratic) was After the President rejected the RAMESH KUMAR PAUDEL The group was released on the same filed another complaint at the police solved, and elections must be held dissolved. claims by both Oli and Deuba, Oli dis- CHITWAN, JULY 13 day. But Raj Kumar was taken ill after office mentioning the names of those within six months. And his He became party president from the solved the House. he was released and died on July 22 of involved in the incident. government will be overseeing the 13th general convention in March The Supreme Court on Monday The Chitwan District Court has con- what is believed to be injuries inflict- The Chitwan police had arrested snap polls. 2016, months after the promulgation ordered the Office of the President to victed a Nepal Army (NA) officer in ed by the Army personnel, according Budha 10 days after receiving the sec- That, however, is just a political of the constitution. In July 2016, the appoint Deuba as prime minister by connection with the death of 24-year- to his family. ond complaint. The post mortem of part, according to analysts and observ- Maoist Centre suddenly pulled out its 5pm Tuesday as per Article 76 (5). The old Raj Kumar Chepang. the deceased was conducted at the TU ers. Fighting the pandemic, strength- support to then prime minister Oli Office of the President appointed Chepang of Rapti Municipality-2 Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu. ening institutions, putting the consti- who had succeeded Sushil Koirala in Deuba on Tuesday afternoon. had been detained and thrashed for Raj Kumar Chepang Budha, a resident of Geruwa tution back on track and upholding October 2015. Deuba struck a deal But as controversy has either fol- trespassing in the Chitwan National in Bardiya district, was released the rule of law will be major challeng- with Maoist Centre’s Dahal for the lowed or preceded Deuba’s prime min- Park in July last year. died of injuries from Bharatpur Prison on Monday es for Deuba, they say. formation of a coalition government. istership in the past, the trend contin- A single bench of judge Gayatri after completing his nine-month Deuba’s earlier stints as prime min- After leading the government for nine ued this time also. Prasad Regmi on Monday sentenced inflicted by Army jail term. According to Kamal ister have not been successful, and on months, Dahal paved the way for Deuba’s swearing-in function was army sergeant Chiran Kumar Budha Prasad Kafle, chief at Bharatpur one occasion in 2002–he was sacked by Deuba to lead the government in June delayed by hours due to a fresh contro- to nine months imprisonment for his staff, family says. Prison, the prison administration then king Gyanendra branding him 2017, which oversaw the elections that versy over the appointment letter in involvement in Chepang’s death. freed Budha upon completion of the incompetent. his party lost. which the Office of the President did According to registrar and informa- sentence. “Whenever he has become prime not mention under which article he tion officer at the court Ishwar Budha, who was deployed at Liglig Raj Kumar’s family had initially minister, controversies have tailed was appointed prime minister. After Acharya, the convict has also been Post of the Nepal Army’s Batuk Dal refused to receive the body, suspecting him,” said Bhojraj Pokharel, who was Maintaining a fine much debate and discussion, the fined Rs 9,000. “The court’s verdict Battalion at the Chitwan National foul play by government authorities in home secretary in 1991 when Deuba Office of the President corrected the also orders Budha to provide Rs Park when the incident took place, investigating the death. They had was home minister. “His past is cheq- balance with his letter, following which Deuba was 200,000 to the family of the victim,” was arrested on September 20 follow- received the body after a written uered. Will he be able to clean up his administered the oath of office at said Acharya. ing a complaint at the District Police agreement was drafted on July 31 to image this time? Can he manage the coalition partners around 8:20pm. Oli decided to skip the On July 16, 2020, Raj Kumar and six Office by Bishnulal Chepang, Raj provide Rs 1million compensation to coalition? He has lots of challenges to ceremony. of his friends, including two women, Kumar’s father. Raj Kumar’s family and take legal overcome,” added the former chief won’t be easy Deuba then administered oath to had been detained by an Army patrol On July 24, Bishnulal had filed a action against the guilty. As per the election commissioner and a champi- for Deuba. Balkrishna Khand, Gyanendra inside the park. They had gone to col- complaint at the District Police Office agreement, the park had agreed to on of good governance. Bahadur Karki, Janardan Sharma lect ghongi, a species of snail consid- in Chitwan demanding legal action provide Rs 700,000 and the Rapti Deuba currently has the backing of and Pampha Bhusal as ministers for ered a delicacy, in the Jyudi river against those involved in assaulting Municipal Office Rs 300,000 to the the Maoist Centre and the Upendra home, law and parliamentary affairs, inside the park. his son. On September 10, Bishnulal bereaved family. Yadav-led faction of Janata Samajbadi “Deuba is one of the fortunate lead- energy and finance, respectively. Party. Deuba on Tuesday formed a ers in Nepali politics. He is not a man Questions were immediately asked small Cabinet with two ministers of ideology or he is not someone who why Deuba did not appoint a from his party and as many from the follows some philosophy,” said Suresh health minister at a time when the Maoist Centre. The Yadav faction is Chalise, Deuba’s friend from student country is reeling under the coronavi- most likely to join the Deuba days and former ambassador to the rus pandemic. After court’s observations, questions ... Cabinet soon. United States and the United Kingdom. “Deuba faces a host of challenges as Maintaining a fine balance with his “He is just a pragmatic leader.” prime minister, and due to his past, >> Continued from page 1 ficient, or that a need has arisen for had not been formed after the coalition partners won’t be easy for Pragmatic, however, is a term for people have already started question- “If legal provision is made to intro- expenditure upon new services not Constituent Assembly elections. Deuba, as his supporters are leaders Deuba which he uses well for his ing his credentials,” said Kishore duce a budget through an ordinance, provided for by the Appropriation Act After he became finance minister in like Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Upendra gains. Despite his party failing badly Nepal, a senior journalist who has there will be no meaning of represent- for that year, or the expenditures made the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led govern- Yadav, both known as clever in the 2017 elections, Deuba refused to known Deuba closely for years. “The ative governance system. Nepal’s cur- during that fiscal year are in excess of ment, Baburam Bhattarai later intro- politicians. step down as party president. Deuba is country’s economy is in a bad shape. rent constitution does not allow a the amount authorised by the duced a full budget for the fiscal year But creating a history by becoming eyeing yet another term. We have to fight the pandemic. Deuba move towards such authoritarian- Appropriation Act,” reads the Article 2008-09. a prime minister for five times too is As the leader of the opposition, also needs to clear up the mess left by ism,” the court said. 121 (1). The court’s observation is signifi- no mean feat, and this also makes Deuba’s role was called into question Oli on political, constitutional and Despite the censure, the court has Even though then opposition par- cant in that it has warned against Deuba a successful politician. But his on various occasions, and at times he governance fronts.” not termed the outgoing government’s ties and experts had been calling for introducing a budget through ordi- delivery as prime minister has been was branded Oli’s biggest ally as the Deuba took over from Oli almost move of introducing a budget through introduction of a temporary budget nance in the future. questioned in the past too. latter trampled upon the constitution exactly three years and five months an ordinance as unconstitutional, for expenditure of compulsory liabili- “It is a clear guideline for future Five months after he first became and the system. after he had handed Singha Durbar to said Bipin Adhikari, former dean of ties of the government, the Oli gov- governments against introducing a prime minister on September 12, 1995, “Deuba has been tested time and the communist leader. the Kathmandu University School of ernment had rejected such calls and budget by avoiding parliament,” said the Maoists declared their war, led by again and he has failed as a politi- If Oli, who once had a near two- Law. introduced the full budget through Adhikari. Dahal, against the state. The Maoists cian,” said Krishna Khanal, a profes- thirds majority in the House, had con- “The court has only said that by ordinance on May 29. Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan had submitted a 40-point demand to sor of political science at the tinued, he would have overseen elec- dissolving the lower house, the gov- The outgoing finance minister Mahat, who has served as the coun- Deuba and served an ultimatum. A Tribhuvan University. “He has a cheq- tions next year. But time has once ernment undermined the parliamen- Bishnu Poudel presented a budget of try’s finance minister multiple times, month after the Maoists launched uered and controversial past. I am again brought Deuba to a position that tary process on budget presentation,” Rs Rs1.64 trillion for the fiscal year says a full budget should be presented their “people’s war”, Deuba left office doubtful about his performance.” his government once again will con- he told the Post. “But the verdict has 2021-22, which begins July 16. The gov- when the parliamentary session on March 12, 1996. As Deuba has taken over, his imme- duct the elections–regardless of paved the way for introducing the new ernment has allocated Rs678.61 billion begins and a temporary type of budget But he returned to power again in diate challenges are ensuring vac- whether he wins or loses the vote of budget by scrapping this one. It is up for recurrent expenditure, Rs374.26 before the new fiscal year begins to 2001 in the midst of the “people’s cines for all, implementing the consti- confidence. to the new government billion for capital expenditure, cover the compulsory liabilities of the war”. He imposed a state of emergen- tution, managing the alliance and “Coming days are very crucial for whether to continue this one or intro- Rs207.97 billion for financing and government such as salary, pension cy to quell the Maoists’ violent attacks delivering on governance, according Deuba,” said Nepal, the senior jour- duce a new one.” Rs386.71 billion for fiscal transfer. and payment of domestic and foreign across the country. He had his own to Khanal. nalist. There is a constitutional provision As per the budget, Rs1024.9 billion loans. However, there is no constitu- fight to battle against then Congress “If we see his past, he had always Following Deuba’s oath as prime that the government can bring a sup- will be raised from revenue, Rs309.29 tional provision on a temporary President Girija Prasad Koirala. tried to please the king and the army minister, Gagan Thapa, a Congress plementary budget by continuing the billion from external debt, Rs250 bil- budget. As peace talks failed to make any so as to ensure that he got to rule the leader, put the challenges and oppor- budget introduced by the outgoing lion from internal debt and Rs63.37 As per the Supreme Court’s order headway, pressure was building on country,” said Khanal. “Last time tunities before his party president government, he said. billion from foreign grants. on Monday the new session of the him from his own party to lift the state when he left Singha Durbar, he hand- succinctly. As per Article 121 of the constitu- If the incoming Finance Minister House has to begin by July 18. of emergency. ed it over to the communists.” “On the one hand, there is a tion, the government has power to Janardan Sharma does introduce a “A new full budget should be intro- In May 2002, he dissolved the Many believe the basis for Deuba’s responsibility to implement the con- introduce a supplementary budget. supplementary budget, he will not be duced at the parliament after the par- Parliament. But when he sought to return to power for the fifth time stitution. And on the other, [we have “The finance minister shall, in any the first to do so. liamentary session begins,” Mahat postpone the elections scheduled for was partly created by Oli’s folly. Oli’s to] give hope to the people who have financial year, present supplementary In 2008, the Nepali Congress-led gov- said. “After the Supreme Court point- October that year, Gyanendra dis- misadventures, with the constant been made to suffer from various estimates before the House of ernment had presented a temporary ed out the move of introducing a full missed him. backing of President Bidya Devi problems including the pandemic Representatives, if it is found that the budget authorising the government to budget by avoiding Parliament as a In September 2002, he decided to Bhandari, reached the peak when he because of the Oli government’s inac- sum authorised to be spent for a par- spend just one-third of the total budget fraudulent activity, the budget intro- part ways with Koirala and formed his dissolved the House on May 21 for a tions,” Thapa wrote on Twitter. ticular service by the Appropriation as per the provision of the Interim duced by the outgoing government own party–Nepali Congress second time. “We don’t have the luxury to fail. Act for the current fiscal year is insuf- Constitution, as a new government cannot be implemented.” (Democratic). Before dissolving the House, Oli had Hope he will fulfil his responsibility But politics continued to favour demonstrated the audacity to lay by converting these challenges into him. In 2004, he once again managed claim to the post of prime minister a opportunities.” g]kfn ;/sf/ vfg]kfgL dGqfno vfg]kfgL tyf 9n Joj:yfkg ljefu ;+3Lo vfg]kfgL tyf 9n Joj:yfkg cfof]hgf, g]kfnu~h Confidence vote will decide how long cfly{s k|:tfj vf]Ng] ;DaGwL ;"rgf k|sflzt ldlt @)&*÷)#÷#) new government lasts o; cfof]hgfaf6 tklznsf] lgdf{0f sfo{sf] nflu e-GP df btf{ x'g cfPsf af]nkqx?sf] k|fljlws k|:tfj vf]nL ;fj{hlgs vl/b P]g, @)^# sf] >> Continued from page 1 However, leaders of the Thakur fac- the confidence vote,” he told the Post. bkmf @# / ;fj{hlgs vl/b lgodfjnL @)^$ sf] lgdo %(, ^), ^@ / ^# adf]lhd d"NofËsg ubf{ of]Uotfsf] ;j} cfwf/df ;kmn x'g] tklzn During a meeting with other lead- tion have not closed the doors yet. He was referring to other lawyers adf]lhdsf] ;f/e't?kdf k|efju|fxL af]nkqbftfsf] cfly{s k|:tfj tklznsf] :yfg, ldlt / ;dodf vf]lng] ePsf]n] ;fj{hlgs vl/b lgodfjnL, ers of the parties that supported “Whether they will support Deuba who argued that the provision is only @)^$ sf] bkmf #!-ª_ sf] pkbkmf % cg';f/ ;DalGwt ;a}sf] hfgsf/Lsf] nflu of] ;"rgf k|sflzt ul/Psf] 5 . Deuba following the Supreme Court in the vote of confidence depends on for extending support when Deuba tklzn verdict on Monday evening, Nepal how he approaches them,” said made his claim for the post of prime 7]Ssf g+=÷ljj/0f lgdf{0f sfo{sf] ljj/0f ;kmn af]nkqbftf said he might not remain in the alli- Laxman Lal Karna, leader of the minister. ance now on. Thakur faction of Janata Samajbadi “The verdict is just for the govern- Contract ID: 01/077-78/CF/ FWSSMP-NEPALGUNJ Construction work of Mrit Sanjiwoni-Swaminarayan-Sagun JV Butwal-13, That will leave Deuba with the sup- Party. ment formation as per Article 76 (5). Date of Publication: 2021-04-28 (2078-01-15) Beljhundi Co-financing port of just 123 lawmakers—61 from Another legal issue is that the two The lawmakers are subject to the whip Rupendehi, Nepal The Kathmandu Post National Daily Water Supply Project the Nepali Congress, 49 from the factions of Janata Samajbadi Party of their parties when voting is done @)&*.)$.)^ ut] lbgsf] !M)) ah] ;+3Lo vfg]kfgL cfly{s k|:tfj vf]lng] ldlt, ;do / :yfgM Maoist Centre, 12 from the Upendra have already informed the Election on the confidence motion,” advocate tyf 9n Joj:yfkg cfof]hgf g]kfnu~h, afFs] . Yadav faction of Janata Samajbadi Commission that they are parting Om Prakash Aryal, who specialises on Note: k|flalws sf/0fn] q'6L x'g cfPsf]n] ldlt 2078.03.21 df The Kathmandu Post df k|sflzt ;"rgf /2 ePsf] hfgsf/L u/fOG5 ;fy} Party and one from Rastriya ways. The Election Commission is set constitutional law, told the Post. Janamorcha. The prime minister to decide on which of the two factions Adhikari, the former dean at ldlt 2078.03.30 sf] ;r" gf dfGo x'g]5 . needs 136 votes as there are at present is legitimate and will get the Kathmandu University School of Law, only 271 members in the House. party’s name and the umbrella elec- agreed with Aryal. Deuba, however, would have enough tion symbol. He said that the verdict categorical- votes if the other 20 lawmakers that In Deuba’s probable favour, there is ly says the whip as per the Political belong to the Janata Samajbadi Party a legal loophole for the Nepal faction Party Act does not apply at the time of sided with him. of the UML to support Deuba and yet prime minister’s appointment under According to Surendra Labh, a not be expelled from the party. Article 76(5). political economist, the Yadav faction In its verdict on Monday, the “Taking a vote of trust is not part of may get a few more lawmakers on its Supreme Court said that party whip is the appointment,” Adhikari told the side but not enough to give Deuba a not applicable in the case of support- Post. “Also, the provision of the trust majority. ing a prime minister to be appointed vote is in Article 76(6), which is not “Even then, there could be a deficit on the basis of Article 76 (5). mentioned in the verdict.” of around 10 seats for the vote of “As action cannot be taken for aban- Whatever the legal interpretation trust,” he told the Post. doning the party as per Political Party of the Supreme Court verdict, Nepali He does not see the possibility of Act-2017 for expressing confidence or Congress leaders are confident that Mahantha Thakur siding with Deuba. support in the appointment of a prime the Nepal faction will continue to sup- “Thakur isn’t the person who minister as per Article 76 (5) of port them. changes sides overnight,” he said. “If Constitution of Nepal, a prohibitory Bal Krishna Khand, chief whip of the UML remains intact, as it seems it order has been issued in the name of the Nepali Congress who was appoint- will, the country will head for snap the defendants not to take action ed home minister on Tuesday evening, polls.” against any member of the House of said it is only logical for them to The Thakur faction had sided with Representatives for expressing confi- expect that the parties who supported Oli after the House dissolved on dence, support, opinion or voting with them in the government formation December 20 was reinstated by the regard to the appointment of the will support the vote of trust Supreme Court on February 23 after prime minister as per that provision,” motion too. then prime minister Oli pledged to said the order. “We will approach all the parties for address the grievances of Janata According to senior advocate support. As the Supreme Court in its Samajbadi Party. Govinda Bandi, the verdict means that Monday verdict said no whip is Eleven leaders of the Thakur fac- the party cannot take action against applied against supporting govern- tion were even inducted to the Cabinet its lawmakers for supporting Deuba in ment formation as per Article 76 (5), I after the May 21 dissolution of the the vote of confidence as well. think there will be no problem for House, but they lost their jobs when “It would be illogical to say the law- lawmakers from the UML’s Nepal fac- the Supreme Court on June 22 ruled makers who could extend support for tion to support us,” he told the Post. that a caretaker prime minister could the appointment of the prime minis- “We believe we will survive till the not expand the Cabinet. ter are not allowed to support during regular elections.”

C M Y K 03 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 National As Nepal struggles to contain Covid-19, risk of Zika outbreak rises Nepal is highly vulnerable to Zika outbreak as the virus vectors are present in almost all parts of the country. Epidemiologists say government lacks testing kits to carry out surveillance. ARJUN POUDEL but gives lasting impacts. KATHMANDU, JULY 13 Even if the coronavirus is a severe and deadly disease, its long term impact is not Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mos- known. quitoes that transmit the dengue virus According to Pun, many people infected have been present in almost all districts with the Zika virus show mild symptoms throughout the country. These mosquitoes like fever, rashes and red eyes. also transmit the Zika virus. “Studies show that pregnant women and And what is concerning is, there has their foetuses are at high risk,” said Pun. been an outbreak of Zika virus in neigh- “If infected with the Zika virus during bouring India with which Nepal shares a pregnancy, it leads to congenital defects in Post Photo: Anish Regmi long open border. the newborn, which is called microcephaly. Two women, carrying loads of freshly cut grass on their backs, walk past blooming bougainvillea trees in Kirtipur, Kathmandu on Tuesday. As thousands of people enter the country The brain of an infant is small and under- every day from India, the chances of the developed. Imagine what would happen, if virus spreading into Nepal is high, experts hundreds of such children were born.” s a y. Despite the high risk of the outbreak, “We already have Zika-transmitting vec- concerned authorities in Nepal have done tors which are found in almost all districts nothing. Even after the experts from the Government prepares to scrap Poverty throughout the country,” Dr Basudev UN health agency warned of possible out- Pandey, former director at the Epidemiology breaks, authorities have not taken the risks seriously. Officials at the Epidemiology and Alleviation Fund in next three months Disease Control Division concede that the government doesn’t even have testing kits to carry out surveillance. Relevance of the fund has been questioned after elected local governments were established. “Yes, with the several new cases of the Zika virus detected in India, we are at high PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA update accounts of the revolving other purposes. be operated by local communities risk of a Zika outbreak,” Lila Bikram KATHMANDU, JULY 13 funds and close some of the “The PAF had no work because it is a community-driven Thapa, an official at the Epidemiology and accounts which are not currently throughout the current fiscal year,” programme and it empowers local Disease Control Division, told the Post. “We Nearly three years after deciding to not in operation,” said Bhattarai. said Bhattarai. communities. have alerted all the health agencies about scrap the Poverty Alleviation Fund In order to implement the According to officials and “The local governments should the possible risks.” (PAF), the government is moving anti-poverty programmes, the PAF experts, the PAF is no longer need- be involved in monitoring their and Disease Control Division, told the Post. However, health workers are focussed on forward to dismantle the institution had created around 32,000 revolving ed as the local governments are in works,” he said. “What is needed is a person infected with the containment and management of the formed in 2003 to run anti-poverty funds to be managed by local com- place to work on poverty alleviation When it was established in the virus for the aedes mosquitoes to spread coronavirus cases. Along with the corona- measures at the local level during munities. These funds are being at the local level. 2003, the country was in conflict the virus.” virus cases, they have to deal with regular the conflict period. used to provide credit to people in In fact, they say giving continuity and the government agencies could Health authorities in Kerala state of health problems, monsoon-related prob- With elected local governments local communities for income gen- to the PAF would contradict the not be mobilised in rural areas. India declared a state of alert in all dis- lems and contain possible outbreaks. in place, the Cabinet had decided to eration activities. Guidelines on Operation of So the PAF was established to run tricts on Friday following the detection of Thapa said that surveillance should be scrap the PAF in November 2018. The revolving funds have com- Community Organisations and anti-poverty programmes through 14 cases of the Zika virus. stepped up to minimise the risk of an out- But it has been allowed to continue bined resources of Rs19 billion. Small Infrastructure Development the mobilisation of local Doctors say Zika causes microcephaly, a break. For that testing is required but the without assigning it any task, and Rs15 billion of the funds came from Programmes. communities. condition in which babies are born with authorities lack the testing kits. the government’s resources are the government, most of them in The guidelines, approved by the “Winning the hearts and minds underdeveloped head and brain damage. “We don’t have testing kits,” said Thapa. being spent in administrative the form of grants from the World PAF board on April 7, 2019, make of people to prevent the influence Zika is also linked to Guillain-Barre syn- “We have not yet purchased testing kits, as expenditure including the payment Bank, while Rs4 billion was gener- local governments responsible for of the then rebel—the Maoists— drome, a condition in which the immune we didn’t have any cases so far. But now of staff salaries for nearly three ated by local communities across keeping records of community was another objective of the system attacks the nerves causing muscle having such kits is necessary.” years. The budget for the next fiscal the country. organisations and small infrastruc- initiative,” said Mallik, who was weakness and sometimes paralysis. Doctors say Zika virus symptoms match year 2021-22 has once again When the government decided to ture projects; facilitating also involved in the fund. “Due to the high mobility of people those of the dengue virus--mild fever, rash- announced that the fund would be scrap the PAF in November 2018, it community organisations to But its performance remained between the two countries, Nepal is highly es, muscle pain, headache, red eyes and scrapped. had also appointed Bhattarai the continue anti-poverty initiatives; mixed, according to the World vulnerable to outbreak of any disease seen general feeling of discomfort. Aedes mos- “We have received a letter from vice-chair with the responsibility monitoring the operation of Bank’s assessment. In an in India,” said Pandey, who is also an quitoes are day biters and lay eggs in clear the Finance Ministry on Friday of clearing arrears and preparing revolving funds established at the assessment in 2017, the World Bank expert on vector-borne diseases including water accumulated in used tires, flower asking us for details on our bank the exit strategy. community level; involving termed the outcome of the PAF’s dengue and the Zika virus. “And what is pots, discarded plastic cups and bottles accounts and assets including vehi- According to Bhattarai, he has community organisations in policy programmes as well as the perfor- concerning is we already have vectors of among other things. cles by mid-October,” Nirmal already submitted the exit strategy. making of local governments and mance of the government as the virus.” “Even if we don’t have testing kits, tests Kumar Bhattarai, vice-chairperson But, during the board meeting on monitoring their transactions; and satisfactory. But the fund has had In 2018, the Ministry of Health and for Zika can be done in the polymerase of the PAF, said. “The letter received April 7, 2019, the Prime Minister launching skills development pro- its share of scandals. Population had carried out a risk assess- chain reaction labs,” said Pun. “As testing through the Prime Minister’s Office had insisted that the PAF would be grammes. The Commission for the ment survey with technical and financial of the coronavirus has declined, authori- has also stated that the Prime continued, Bhattarai said. Former minister and finance sec- Investigation of Abuse of Authority support from the World Health ties can use those technologies to test Zika Minister’s Office will take ahead The government had allocated retary Bidyadhar Mallik said fol- filed two corruption cases at the Organisation, which showed that Nepal virus for surveillance purposes.” the process of scrapping the Rs150 million to the PAF in the cur- lowing the formation of elected Special Court against 50 senior offi- was a high-risk country for dengue and Zika virus was first identified in Uganda Poverty Alleviation Fund Act.” rent fiscal year. The PAF was sup- local governments, the PAF was no cials and staff members of the fund Zika outbreaks. in 1947 in monkeys, according to the UN As the institution was formed posed to help local governments longer indispensable. in March 2015 and April 2016. In Two experts deployed from the UN health health agency. It was later detected in under the Act, scrapping of the Act form 600 cooperatives involving the “The federal government can September 2018, the Special Court agency in Nepal inspected places across the humans. Brazil saw the worst outbreak of is a must to discontinue the legal users of more than 32,000 revolving have a unit to provide technical convicted nine PAF officials, includ- Kathmandu Valley and had found eggs, the virus in 2015 and it has then spread to existence of the fund. With the funds set up across the country to assistance and advisory services to ing then executive director Raj larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti and 24 other countries. The WHO had declared Supreme Court on Monday order- provide credit for income genera- local governments to implement Babu Shrestha, of corruption. albopictus mosquitoes, and warned of Zika outbreak an international health ing reinstatement of the House of tion activities. programmes related to poverty In 2019, a probe conducted by the looming threats of outbreaks. emergency in 2016. Representatives, the government But, with several board member alleviation,” he said. “The PAF can National Vigilance Centre, a cor- “Authorities should step up surveillance Officials say what is concerning now is might need to take the proposal to positions remaining vacant, it play this role if it is continued ruption watchdog under the Prime to monitor the presence of the virus,” Dr the vectors carrying dengue and Zika scrap the law to Parliament. could not take any decision regard- but its existence should not be Minister’s Office, also unearthed Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of Clinical viruses are thriving in places where they According to Bhattarai, the ing the utilisation of Rs150 million. prolonged without giving any several irregularities in the PAF. Research Unit at the Sukraraj Tropical and did not earlier, largely due to climate Finance Ministry’s letter has also While the Poverty Alleviation Act- responsibility as the government’s According to a report obtained by Infectious Disease Hospital, told the Post. change. A study by the National Health asked the fund to extend the employ- 2006 has envisaged nine board mem- resources are being wasted.” the Post, the centre found “Though Zika is a mild disease, it has grave Research Council has shown that changing ee contracts until mid-October— bers, there are at present only four Poverty alleviation comes under possible irregularities worth consequences on the foetus. We should not climate patterns are increasing the risk of until the entire accounts of the PAF members on the board, with prime concurrent jurisdictions of the Rs185.96 million under the fund’s ignore the risk.” diseases like dengue, chikungunya, Zika are handed over to the ministry. minister as chairperson. The other federal, provincial and local Infrastructure Sub Project and As the entire focus of the authorities is and yellow fever. There are about a dozen staff, board members have not been governments as per the constitu- Income Generation Programme. on the containment and management of Nepal witnessed a dengue outbreak in mostly junior-level, running the appointed . tion. The centre also found equipment Covid-19 cases, Nepal could face an out- 2019, which killed at least seven and infect- office for the last three years. The Finance Ministry had then Mallik, however, said that the worth Rs41.47 million missing from break of the Zika virus, which seems mild ed thousands. “We have also been asked to transferred the unused budget for revolving fund should be allowed to the PAF’s Kathmandu office. Malaysia extends amnesty scheme deadline for undocumented workers The deadline extension till December 31 is expected to benefit over 10,000 undocumented Nepali workers based in the Southeast Asian country.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL Programme and the Return Since the beginning of the pro- tickets and must be present at the KATHMANDU, JULY 13 Recalibration Programme. gramme, due to concerns over Covid- Immigration Special Counter at Kuala “During normal times, illegal or 19, fewer slots were available for Lumpur International Airport at least Malaysia has further extended the undocumented foreign nationals appointments. six hours before departure. They will amnesty deadline for undocumented would be arrested and even jailed,” The Nepali embassy, meanwhile, not be required to apply for an appoint- foreign nationals including Nepalis. said Dhakal. “Unlike those times, this used to help the undocumented Nepali ment as before. Malaysian authorities, through the amnesty scheme is a good chance for workers, who wanted to leave the Besides, they must also make pay- amnesty scheme introduced last undocumented workers to return country under the amnesty scheme, ment of RM500 and produce RT-PCR November, offer an opportunity for home or legalise their status.” with their application process and test results issued at least 72 hours undocumented foreign workers to The Return Recalibration scheduling their appointments. before the flight date. either return home voluntarily with- Programme allows illegal immigrants When the Covid-19 situation got “We have been encouraging undoc- out facing any legal action or apply for to return to their respective countries worse with the second wave hitting umented Nepalis to utilise the scheme legal status. voluntarily. In contrast, the Labour the country and imposition of restric- for returning home and avoid legal The amnesty deadline, which ended Recalibration Programme aims to tions on movement, targeted benefi- actions, which they would be subject- last month, has been extended one allow illegal immigrants to get regis- ciaries could not take advantage from ed to once the amnesty period ends,” more time until December 31. tered and find employment with eligi- the scheme. said Dhakal. “The embassy has also The extension of the deadline is ble Malaysian employers. “Most of their offices are still closed been facilitating them by issuing trav- expected to benefit more than 10,000 Under the rehiring scheme of the due to the high number of cases here. el documents and helping them with undocumented Nepali workers in the Labour Recalibration Programme, We had written to the relevant the payment which needs to be done Southeast Asian country who could Malaysian employers engaged in four Malaysian offices stating the difficul- online.” not use the scheme before its deadline sectors—construction, manufactur- ties in fixing online appointments for Malaysian government’s amnesty expired on June 30. ing, plantation and agriculture—can those wishing to return home,” said programmes have remained popular “The amnesty scheme is a good submit applications for hiring work- Karki. “It should be significantly easi- among undocumented Nepali workers opportunity for undocumented Nepali ers from among the undocumented er for people to return home with the in recent years. In 2018, nearly 15,000 workers to either return home by pay- ones as per the quota fixed by the establishment of an office at the air- Nepali workers had returned home ing minimum fines or start working Department of Labour. reuters port itself.” under the Voluntary Deportation legally after getting legal status,” said Workers from 15 countries Undocumented workers in Malaysia can either return home or apply for legal status. After extending the amnesty dead- Programme, also called the ‘3-plus-1’ Deepak Dhakal, labour counsellor at (Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, line, the Immigration Department of programme. Likewise, nearly 6,000 the Nepali Embassy in Malaysia. “But Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, the during the initial months of the ber involved those applying for repa- Malaysia has also opened special Nepali workers returned home under as the country went into a lockdown Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, scheme, the response had been luke- triation,” Karki told the Post. “We can counters at Kuala Lumpur the ‘Back for Good Programme’, during the last month of the scheme, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, warm compared to the past. safely say that up to 90 percent of the International Airport for those wish- which ended in December 2019. we had asked the Malaysian govern- Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India, and According to Pratik Karki, second travel documents were issued to work- ing to apply for the recalibration What makes the latest scheme even ment for an extension. Now, the Indonesia) are eligible under the secretary at the Nepali Embassy in ers wishing to return home.” programme. more beneficial for undocumented scheme is available until December, Illegal Immigrant Recalibration Plan. Malaysia, the mission has issued more Those willing to return via the According to the department, Nepali migrant workers, who wants to which is a good news for undocument- However, such workers should not than 2,500 travel documents in the Return Recalibration Programme undocumented immigrants in return home, is a lower fine amount. ed Nepali workers.” have any police case against them. past seven months. Travel documents have to make an appointment with the Malaysia will be able to proceed “Going by the law, the fine would be The Malaysian government had Since the programme was launched, are issued to those undocumented Malaysian Immigration Department. directly to these counters before head- up to RM3,000,” said Karki. “Even the launched the Illegal Immigrant the Nepali mission in Kuala Lumpur workers who do not have valid docu- On the scheduled day, the worker must ing home, provided that they have ‘Back for Good Programme’ required Recalibration Plan in a bid to manage had been asking undocumented ments like passports. be present with all the required docu- complete documents and fulfilled all them to pay RM700, making the cur- illegal immigrants in the country. Nepali workers in the country to uti- “Although not all of the travel docu- ments and pay a fine of RM500 for other conditions for this programme. rent scheme a good opportunity for Under the plan, there are two distinct lise the scheme and return home with- ments were for the purpose of the receiving a checkout memo from the For returning home, they must pos- undocumented workers to return programmes—Labour Recalibration out facing any legal hurdles. However, return programme, a significant num- department for leaving the country. sess valid travel documents and air home.”

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL How to reduce disaster risks Telling it like it is Nepal’s disaster management models The court has made it clear that snollygosters should be proactive, must be thrown out. but it is still reactive.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, during his tenure, left no stone unturned to derail the constitution. So defiant was he that he Roshan Kumar Chhetri brushed aside an earlier court order that had called his December 20, 2020 dissolution of the House of Representatives unconstitutional, and repeated the same in less than six months. This time around, the country’s highest court not only called the move unconstitutional, but also gave a rap on Oli’s knuckles. The court also minced no words in calling out President Bidya Nepal is highly vulnerable to various Devi Bhandari, making a straightforward observation that the types of natural disasters. They cannot be stopped but the extent can be holder of the highest office should refrain from considering reduced by taking preventive measures oneself above the constitution, and that the judiciary holds the for which pragmatic government poli- right to correct any unconstitutional moves made by the resi- cies and technological advancement dent of Sheetal Niwas. are of utmost importance. Disaster The constitution is a living document. Every democratic risk management is on the verge of going digital in Nepal. The National country cherishes its top law, and those in power are mandated Disaster Risk Reduction and to make utmost efforts to implement it in earnest, uphold its Management Authority is a legal ethos and protect it from unravelling. In the case of Nepal, how- framework for understanding disaster ever, the constitution, within six years of its birth, was being risk. It has a Building Information torn apart by those who were elected to strengthen it. The court Platform Against Disaster (BIPAD) por- tal which was developed by pooling all verdict is not just aimed at Bhandari, the sitting President; it is, credible digital and spatial data availa- in fact, a precedent for all those who will hold the office in the ble within different government agen- future that as the custodian of the constitution, their first and cies, non-government organisations, foremost duty should be safeguarding it. academic institutions and research Dwi Martono Photo/Shutterstock.com That the court has observed that there was a malafide inten- organisations on a single platform. USAID issued a flood alert in the Kankai sible by high-resolution numerical tiple stakeholders to make use of tion in the President’s role, it raises a serious moral question for It is an integrated and comprehen- River basin through SMS in 2017, thanks weather prediction information and drones for disaster monitoring and sive national disaster information to which there were few deaths although round-the-clock surveillance of tropi- damage assessment and robots for res- Bhandari because she failed to protect the sanctity of the consti- management system designed to foster many houses were submerged, and cal cyclones by three satellites over the cue operations. Real-time information tution and her office. As far as Oli is concerned, the court has disaster data partnership and data crops and livestock destroyed. Bay of Bengal. This example demon- should be given through Facebook, made it clear that he does not deserve to continue in office sharing. It builds upon the concept of Despite the huge opportunities, there strates that Nepal can also explore Twitter, Instagram and YouTube which because he misinterpreted and violated constitutional creating a national portal embedded are a few challenges for disaster risk applicable solutions for disaster risk should be further analysed and validat- provisions. with independent platforms for nation- reduction in Nepal. The main chal- reduction. Responsiveness, technology ed by artificial intelligence to filter and al, provincial and municipal govern- lenge is that our disaster management and coordination are the three impor- classify information and make predic- Now that Oli has been shown the door, and Deuba has already ments with a bottom-up approach of models are based on historical data and tant factors to be prioritised for effec- tive analysis. Internet of things includ- been appointed the new prime minister, the focus should shift disaster data partnership. Users can observation, assuming that the past is a tive disaster risk management. More ing sensors can send alerts about towards achieving the larger goal of saving constitutionalism see alerts of various disaster events reasonable guide to the present and scientific research is needed to under- potentially dangerous situations. For and democracy. Nepal’s Supreme Court has, once again, not throughout the country by province, future whereas such assumptions have stand disaster risks. The disaster infor- example, river levels can be monitored only rescued its parliamentary democracy, but it has also district and local unit on the BIPAD now been rendered obsolete on almost mation management system needs to by sensors for possible flooding, and portal. It also shows the basic details of every front. Risks are emergent and be institutionalised at all tiers of gov- ground sensors can detect earth move- reminded one and all of the ramifications of arbitrarily inter- the incident including losses so users increasingly non-linear, but our con- ernment from local to federal. Similarly, ments that might signal earthquakes. preting the constitution to fulfil their personal and political can analyse the severity of the incident ventional response is linear. There is coordination with international coop- Tree sensors can detect if a fire has ambitions. As the ultimate arbiter and the final interpreter of and respond accordingly. an information, technology and knowl- eration should be done for knowledge broken out by testing the temperature, the constitution, the apex court has made it clear that the top edge gap in the practical aspects of and technology transfer. moisture and carbon dioxide levels. law of the land must be explained and interpreted in such a way Early warning system disaster management. Limited work Coordination can be done with the Non-governmental organisations that it keeps the democratic ethos intact. Disaster information management sys- has been done on scientific risk assess- Central Bureau of Statistics during the need to be motivated to work in disas- tems and online databases are under ments so far. There are not sufficient census for generating, managing and ter-affected remote areas. Planned set- It is now incumbent upon Deuba to stick to the principles set development with features for increas- hydro-meteorological stations while digitising data. For big data processing tlements are needed and building codes by the court, which has shown that the larger goal is a forward ing accessibility for public use. They some of the existing ones have been and modelling, there should be a provi- should be strictly implemented. Mass march to democracy. The court can just show the path; it is the include SAHANA, DesInventar, Nepal damaged and not updated. The country sion for high power computing education, literacy and awareness cam- duty of the political parties to make democracy move on that Disaster Risk Reduction Portal, Nepal lacks advanced technology including machines like supercomputers. paigns should be launched in order to path. Over the last three and a half years, Oli transformed him- Government GeoPortal and primary early warning systems. There is weak Sufficient meteorological and hydro- educate and make the people aware. data of real-time water and flood moni- coordination between different disas- logical data along with sediment dis- Finally, emergency response planning self in such a way that he became a tendency. Today, with the toring system of the Department of ter-related agencies, and few non-gov- charge stations needs to be installed. and capacity enhancement, strengthen- change of the guard, the individual holding office in Singha Hydrology and Meteorology. The depart- ernmental organisations are The existing hydro-met stations should ing the policy and legal environment, Durbar has been replaced, but the spectre of a highhanded and ment has a mandate from the govern- willing to work in disaster prepared- be upgraded with the latest early warn- and efficient and effective reconstruc- authoritarian tendency could raise its ugly head any time, and ment to monitor all hydrological and ness, mitigation and rehabilitation ing system and automatic hydrological tion and rehabilitation work are par- the political parties must keep a close watch on such meteorological activities in Nepal. It work. Rapid urbanisation and stations including a telemetry system. ticularly necessary. Nepal’s disaster has established hydro-meteorological unplanned settlement combined with a Similarly, information technology and management models should be proac- possibilities. stations in Rasuwa, Solukhumbu, lack of public awareness about preven- user-friendly technology needs to be tive, but it is still reactive. Such models In politics, leadership positions change hands, but democra- Kaski, Dolpa, Humla, Dolakha, Jumla, tive measures to reduce the impact of developed for the early warning sys- are essential to minimise the risk of cy’s permanent enemies are the dictatorial, authoritative and Sankhuwasabha and Manang. These natural disasters are some other tem. Satellite-based emergency map- disasters; and through ongoing techno- whimsical instincts of some individuals. Nepali political par- stations collect temperature, precipita- challenges. ping needs to be improved both in logical advancement and rational poli- ties would do well to comprehend constitutional morality and tion, relative humidity, solar radiation, In 1970, Cyclone Amphan killed quality and response by enhancing cies, Nepal has much to achieve on wind speed and direction and water 300,000 people in Bangladesh. In 1991, radio systems and geographic informa- this front. their obligations to the constitution. The court has made it level data. The information helps to the tropical cyclone killed about 145,000 tion system-based technology. extremely clear that snollygosters must be thrown out of office. issue forecasts and early warnings to people; but in May 2020, only 26 people Chhetri is a mechanical engineer and It’s now up to the political parties not to let politics slip out of minimise losses from disasters. The died as nearly 2 million people were Drones for disaster monitoring works as a renewable energy officer at their hands. early warning system installed by evacuated in time. This was made pos- Collaboration should be done with mul- WindPower Nepal. Lipstick and Covid-19

nomic and other inequalities cannot evidence that inequality has driven The pandemic is a stark be ignored, and these often interact this and previous pandemics. Our with and reinforce gender inequali- tracker collates data from 195 coun- reminder that gender is a ties. tries to explore the relationship The concern with social inequali- between gender and Covid-19. Other, deep-rooted and universal ties and health is not new. In the more localised datasets assess the mid-nineteenth century, Friedrich impact of race or ethnicity, occupa- social determinant of health. Engels described how the English pro- tion, and other inequalities on the letariat’s appalling living and working pandemic. conditions led to ‘excessive mortality, Despite this, pandemic responses Sarah Hawkes & Kent Buse an unbroken series of epidemics,’ and have focused overwhelmingly on bios- a ‘progressive deterioration in the ecurity rather than addressing ine- physique of the working population.’ qualities. Instead, Covid-19 must A few decades later, the German phy- serve as a wake-up call to sician, pathologist, and politician reinvigorate a social-medicine Rudolf Virchow helped establish the approach and what we call a neo-pub- field of ‘social medicine,’ which lic health movement. regards health and disease as out- Given the entrenched, universal, ‘Is my lipstick protecting me against comes of society itself. and historical nature of many ine- Covid-19?’ ranks as one of the more In the late 1930s, Chile’s health min- qualities, building fairer—and thus intriguing email queries we have ister (and future president), Salvador healthier—societies in the midst of a received from a member of the public Allende, one of the architects of social pandemic will be a Herculean task, since we began coordinating the medicine in Latin America, proposed requiring a shift in thinking and world’s largest tracker of sex-disaggre- political and economic reforms aimed action. gated data on the pandemic. In fact, the at improving the health of the public. Above all, policymakers must recog- question points to an important uni- Allende advocated for fundamental nise that individuals’ good health and versal truth regarding public health. changes in social structures and envi- improved well-being are vital to social We established the tracker in March ronments rather than a focus on spe- flourishing. That means demanding 2020 because we thought that Covid-19 cific diseases or their treatments. that leaders in the public, private, and was unlikely to be equally distributed civil-society sectors address the social, in any population. That hunch has The gender factor political, and economic factors that proved correct. Our data show, for Drawing on this relationship between leave so many exposed and vulnerable. example, that women are more likely social environments and health yields We must shift our focus from treating than men to get tested (and vaccinat- a more detailed explanation of the disease to a more radical reform of ed) for Covid-19, less likely to be hospi- male-female differences in our data the environments and conditions in talised, much less likely to have a tracker. While biology is clearly play- which all can have equal opportuni- severe infection requiring admission ing a role, gender, a social construc- ties to achieve good health, well-being, to an intensive-care unit, and around tion, also is driving unequal Covid-19 Shutterstock and dignity. 30 percent less likely to die from the outcomes. Where women are more likely to be can access testing and care. If testing both production (including occupa- While lipstick may be a harmless disease. Gender is embedded in the institu- employed in public-facing occupations is carried out in clinics with restricted tional exposure to carcinogens and reflection of gender norms in some More generally, the pandemic has tional structures that govern our lives, such as care work, retail, and hospital- opening hours, people in the formal particulates) and consumption. Two societies, it symbolises a powerful, shone a much-needed light onto une- such as families, legal and economic ity, their risk of exposure to Covid-19 paid workforce, which in many coun- of the world’s biggest killers—tobacco deep-rooted, and universal social qual health and well being, and laid systems, religions, financial institu- may be higher—particularly if their tries comprises more men than and alcohol—have been marketed determinant of health. The pandemic bare the relationship between inequal- tions, education systems, and work- personal protective equipment is women, may have reduced access. through the exploitation of specific, has highlighted the need to ensure ity and disease. It has highlighted places. It is also experienced and designed for men, and thus fits them Conversely, women with restricted and often explicit, gender norms since that everyone understands that gen- unequal risks within societies—with enacted through the everyday norms poorly. On the other hand, Covid-19 social freedoms outside the home will at least the 1920s. This has contributed der equality is a public good—one that marginalised populations and those representing what it means to be a has been widespread among male have limited access to health services. to higher rates of heart and lung dis- will help to usher in the healthier who have suffered historical and con- man, woman, or transgender or migrant labourers in many settings. Once admitted to a hospital with ease—both of which are associated societies we seek. temporary injustices reporting higher non-binary person in a particular This reflects the poor and unhygienic Covid-19, men suffer from more severe with Covid-19 mortality—in men. rates of Covid-19—and unequal bur- society. conditions in which many foreign disease and are at greater risk of Another question is why male-fe- Hawkes is Director of the Centre for dens between societies. Gender drives our expectations and workers live, and, more broadly, the death. Along with underlying biologi- male Covid-19 mortality gaps are much Gender and Global Health at While our own focus is on under- opportunities, and determines wheth- global economy’s reliance on unequal cal differences, men’s higher rates of larger in low-income countries. One University College London and standing the role of gender in the er it is socially acceptable for someone power relationships between high- exposure to harmful environments possible explanation centres on the Co-Director of Global Health 50/50. pantheon of health inequalities, our to smoke, drink, drive a bus, or work and low-income countries and between may increase their risks of chronic appallingly low rates of registration of Buse is Director of the Healthier tracker shows that low-income coun- in a factory, and even whether wearing citizens and non-citizens. diseases, which in turn can lead to women’s deaths in some countries. Societies Programme at the George tries’ male-to-female Covid-19 mortali- lipstick is considered transgressive or Following exposure to the coronavi- poor Covid-19 outcomes. Institute for Global Health and ty ratio is more than double that of acceptable. It also influences our rus, gender-related factors can influ- These ‘gendered environments’ are Reviving social medicine Co-Director of Global Health 50/50. high-income countries. Clearly, eco- health outcomes. ence the likelihood that an individual associated with harmful norms of The world is not lacking empirical — Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 Money

FOREX US 119.5 Overland commerce suffers due to damaged highway Euro 141.51 Pound 165.57 The road linking Kathmandu with the Tatopani border was damaged at two points—Kodari Bazaar and Liping—about a month ago. Australian 89.39 PRITHVI MAN SHRESTHA normalises as they have had a difficult Japanese 10.84 KATHMANDU, JULY 13 time for one and a half years.” The road linking Kathmandu with Chinese 18.48 An oxygen plant destined for Unified the Tatopani border was damaged at Saudi 31.86 Covid-19 Hospital situated inside Bir two points—Kodari Bazaar and Hospital arrived at the Tatopani bor- Liping—about a month ago. Officials Qatari 32.81 der in late June, but it had to be say that it will take at least another rerouted back through Chinese terri- two weeks to get the road ready for Malaysian 28.51 tory to the Rasuwagadhi border as the temporary movement of vehicles. Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank road on the Nepal side was badly dam- An official of the Division Road aged by floods and landslides. Office, Charikot, which oversees the “It took more than a week to bring roads in Dolakha and Sindhupalchok Shares the oxygen plant as the shipment districts, said it would repair the road had to make a detour through another at Kodari Bazaar in two-three days for Nepse 2,871.03pts 0.57% border point,” said Dr Nabin Pokharel, temporary use while it would take deputy director at Unified Covid-19 around 15 days to repair the damage at highest gainers Hospital. Liping. CFCL SFCL MFIL PROFL ICFC NICAD8283 6.98% 6.79% 6.66% 6.59% 6.52% 6.5% “We had to make a special request Bijaya Kumar Mahato, divisional to the Chinese side to clear the oxygen engineer at the Division Road Office, moderate gainers KMCDB CMF2 MDB SKBBL NICA RSDC plant and not put it in a queue with said it would take some time to repair 1.93% 1.91% 1.9% 1.81% 1.78% 1.75% other Nepal-bound cargo.” the road as the portion washed away

moderate losers After the oxygen plant, which has a by the Bhotekoshi River has to be NICBF CIT EIC NICL IGI HDL capacity to produce 150 cylinders filled to bring it to the original level, -0.15% -0.14% -0.13% -0.1% -0.08% -0.04% daily, was delivered, former Prime which is about 60 metres above the highest losers Minister KP Sharma Oli on Sunday water. SLCF CHDC ILBS GIMES1 NLIC LICN inaugurated the surgical ward build- “As there is a village containing -3.08% -1.61% -1.34% -1.26% -1.12% -0.94% ing of Unified Covid-19 Hospital. around 100 houses just above the road According to Dr Pokharel, the oxygen where the damage occurred, locals plant is currently being tested. didn’t allow the hillside to be cut to The oxygen making equipment was widen the road fearing landslides,” Price Per tola slated to arrive more than a month said Mahato. “So we are trying to bullion ago, but when the shipment reached bring the washed out part of the road the Tatopani border point, it could not to the original level by filling the gap Fine Gold Rs 92,400 be brought immediately to Kathmandu with boulders.” because of the damaged highway. According to Dipendra Shrestha, Silver Rs 1,320 While cross-border movement chairperson of ward number 2 of through Tatopani has been halted Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality, there Source: FENEGOSIDA from the middle of June, the Chinese is a real risk for the village if the hill- side has been allowing seven contain- Post file Photo side is cut, and it is natural for locals ers to pass through Rasuwagadhi into Officials say that it will take at least another two weeks to get the road ready for temporary movement of vehicles. to be concerned. gasoline watch Nepal daily, citing Covid-19 risks. As it is still uncertain when the “As more cargo is diverted to the After the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, of the Nepal Trans-Himalayan Border much different for land and sea routes, repair work will be completed, Nepal- Rasuwagadhi border point from China in late 2019, both border points Commerce Association, a grouping of according to traders. bound shipments are being diverted. Tatopani via Chinese territory, the between Nepal and China were closed traders involved in Nepal-China trade. It takes around 45 days for cargo During the peak of the second wave amount of Nepal-bound shipments for several months. “Due to uncertainty over when nor- dispatched from China by sea to arrive of Covid-19, this route was heavily awaiting clearance through Chinese They have been reopened and closed mal movement of goods will be in Kathmandu while the overland used for bringing medical goods from customs has swelled,” said Ram several times in the last one and a half allowed, most importers are now route takes 14-21 days, they said. China. Prasad Regmi, chief customs officer years, which has badly affected bilat- using sea routes to bring Chinese “As traders suffered due to frequent “Our usual work of clearing cargo at the Rasuwa Customs Office. “I do eral overland trade. goods.” closures of the border points, most are through customs has stopped due not have the specific number of con- “We had to wait for more than a When these border points were now transporting their cargo by sea,” to delays in repairing the road and tainers waiting in the queue.” year to clear Nepal-bound goods stuck operating normally, importers would said Poudel. “They will not be confi- diversion of containers,” said Narad In normal times, China used to inside Chinese territory since early use land routes for faster delivery of dent enough to resume shipments by Gautam, chief customs officer of release around 250 containers daily. 2020,” said Bachchu Poudel, president goods as the freight charges were not land routes even after the situation Tatopani Customs. EU airlines fear fuel tax as Boeing to reduce 787 production climate push takes off after identifying new jet issue AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Administration (FAA) on a system of 787 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ferent types of kerosenes are. and economically counterproduc- NEW YORK, JULY 13 inspections after earlier production prob- BRUSSELS, JULY 13 The aim is to convince carriers tive,” complained Laurent lems on the plane. to switch to more “sustainable” Donceel, from the lobby group Boeing will temporarily reduce production The FAA described the problem as a “man- The European Commission will mixes that contain some biofuels. Airlines for Europe. of the 787 Dreamliner plane after identifying ufacturing quality issue near the nose on Pandemic hit propose a raft of measures to These would not be taxed. “It reduces the aviation indus- a new issue with the jet during inspections, certain 787 Dreamliners in the company’s slash EU aviation emissions Due to international legal con- try’s capacity to invest and inno- the company announced Tuesday. inventory of undelivered airplanes,” an Commonwealth when it unveils a bumper pack- straints, private jets and cargo vate whilst potentially shifting Boeing is “reprioritising production agency spokeswoman said. age of legislation Wednesday planes would remain exempt CO2 emissions to other regions, resources for a few weeks” after it “identified “Although the issue poses no immediate aimed at reaching its climate from the new levy. an effect known as carbon leak- additional rework that will be required on threat to flight safety, Boeing has committed economies hard, goals. The commission also plans to age.” European Parliament mem- undelivered 787s,” the company said, without to fix these airplanes before resuming deliv- But the push, including an issue a separate directive aimed ber Dominique Riquet, from the providing further details. eries. Based on data, the FAA will determine unprecedented tax on highly pol- at boosting the—still very mod- liberal Renew Europe bloc, said The aviation giant has been working with whether similar modifications should be study shows luting jet fuel, is facing strong est—use of “sustainable fuels”. there would be a big debate regulators at the Federal Aviation made on 787s already in commercial service.” AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE headwinds from airlines in the Some member states have among lawmakers “if competi- LONDON, JULY 13 bloc, who fear they will have their already come out in favour of the tiveness is not preserved” for EU wings clipped. plan. Belgium, Luxembourg and carriers. Commonwealth countries lost up to Brussels argues that a new levy Austria wrote an open letter call- Any knock-on effect that might $345 billion in trade last year as the on kerosene for flights inside the ing for a kerosene tax to be see ticket prices go up for travel- coronavirus pandemic triggered a EU is a must if the 27-nation bloc applied “without delay” in the lers would “not be very popular”, global economic slump, according to a is serious about reaching its EU—and pushing for the same he warned. report published on Tuesday. ambitious target of cutting green- measure to be adopted interna- But environmental groups are The Commonwealth Trade Review house gas emissions by 55 percent tionally. Meanwhile, the EU’s air- already worried that the commis- found the pandemic caused $1.15 tril- compared with 1990 levels by line sector has hit back with its sion’s proposal is too weak—and lion in lost economic activity in one 2030. The aviation sector—which own concerns. fear any further push to water it year. makes up about three percent of A group of eleven major com- down could be disastrous. Commonwealth economies shrank current EU emissions—insists panies including Air France- “A low tax rate, a delayed imple- by roughly 10 percent during the pan- the tax would make it unable to KLM and Lufthansa warned that mentation, and a series of exemp- demic, with developing countries suf- compete with rivals from outside the moves would “significantly tions, including for private trips, fering the most, the study said. the bloc. increase the competitive advan- air cargo and business aviation, The Commonwealth, an association And the proposal is set to be tage of non-EU airlines and non- could gut new measures of any of 54 nations and 2.4 billion people one of the thorniest issues when EU hub airports compared to real impact in this crucial dec- headed by Queen Elizabeth II, includes European lawmakers, EU mem- their EU counterparts”. ade,” Greenpeace said. many developing economies that suf- ber states, lobbyists and green The carriers, struggling to The group said more radical fered acutely during the pandemic. activists start what is expected to overcome the huge hit to business plans were needed to wean people Small Caribbean island nations be months of furious haggling to from the coronavirus pandemic, off air travel all together includ- dependent on tourism and travel expe- shape the final laws. cautioned the plan could spur ing banning short haul flights rienced the greatest economic shock, The proposed legislation, seen so-called “carbon leakage”— when there were convenient with their exports shrinking by by AFP, lays out the strategy envi- including seeing airliners fill up alternatives. almost 20 percent. sioned by the EU executive. in countries on the EU’s fringes Aviation remains heavily The Commonwealth also lost $153 The tax—to be introduced like Turkey or Britain to avoid dependent on kerosene to get its billion of foreign direct investment in gradually over a decade—would the charge. planes in the air—and biofuels 2020. It declined most precipitously in be based on how energy efficient “Climate policy regulation in are blamed for adding to other Australia and Rwanda, which both and environmentally friendly dif- the form of taxes is ecologically problems like deforestation. recorded 50-percent drops in invest- ment from their average levels between 2017 and 2019. Foreign direct investment in नेपाल सरकार Commonwealth countries is predicted to fall by 18 percent this year and by Oil demand surges, market set कृ षि तथा पशपꅍछीु षिकास मꅍरालय seven percent in 2022. It is expected to be $220 billion lower ृ next year than it was in 2019. for deficit and volatility कषि षिभाग But Commonwealth Secretary- General Patricia Scotland said mem- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE 2019, which the IEA said is a result of ber states could harness a PARIS, JULY 13 easing Covid restrictions and increas- के ꅍरीय कृ षि प्रयोगशाला “Commonwealth advantage” of famil- ing vaccination. iar administrative and legal systems Oil demand surged last month as ris- While OPEC+ had been set to grad- हररहरभिन, लललतपरु and the English language as a ing vaccination rates helped underpin ually raise oil output, the stalemate “post-pandemic tailwind to accelerate robust economic activity, but with means production is frozen at current recovery”. OPEC+ nations pumping less than levels until an agreement is found. बोलपर िीकृ त गने आसयको सूचना According to the Commonwealth, needed prices are set to be volatile “Oil prices reacted sharply to the ० २ ७८/०३/३०ﴃtrade between member countries costs until it reaches a deal to raise output, OPEC+ impasse last week, eyeing the सूचना प्रकाशशत लमलत 21 percent less on average. the IEA warned on Tuesday. prospect of a deepening supply deficit Last year saw $60 billion of lost A meeting of OPEC+ nations earli- if a deal cannot be reached,” the IEA यस प्रयोगशालाको तपशील बमोशिमकोे ठक्कामा प्राप्त बोलपरह셁े म鵍य देहायको बोलपरदाताको बोलपर छनौट गने intra-Commonwealth trade, which er this month was deadlocked over said in its latest monthly report. dropped to a 10-year low, but the plans to gradually ease production The main international oil con- लन셍णय भएकोले सािणिलनक खररद ऐन, २०६३ को दफा २७ को उपदफा २ को प्रयोिनाथण योू सचना प्रकाशशत Commonwealth’s global exports are cuts, imposed to reverse the plunge in tracts have been trading around $75 expected to reach $3.76 trillion in 2021 oil prices at the start of the coronavi- per barrel, and some analysts see a गररएको छ । and $3.94 trillion next year. rus pandemic as demand tumbled. spike to $100 as possible. “Trade can offer positive solutions But demand is rebounding, with the But there is another possibility: the छनौट भएको कबलु गरेको रकम 셁 ठे क्का नं लबिर셍 to manage the pandemic,” Scotland International Energy Agency estimat- overall OPEC+ deal breaks down and added. Digital commerce and new ing it surged by an estimated 3.2 mil- producers open the taps and try to बोलपरदाता (म.अ.करु बाहेक) technologies were cited as tools to lion barrels per day (mbd) last month, gain market shares, which would like- 1,15,61,557.18/ achieve a sustainable and inclusive which is more than a third of the ly lead to prices crashing. Supply, Delivery And recovery. The report comes after the overall drop in demand last year. “At the same time, the possibility of श्री CAREWIND NIRTTP/PCO/MOALD/ Installation Of (एक करोड पꅍर लाख ₋एकसठ्ठी Commonwealth warned that the ineq- The IEA expects oil demand to rise a market share battle, even if remote, Medical Solutions uitable distribution of Covid-19 vac- by another 3.3 mbd in the three is hanging over markets, as is the G/NCB₋2 Furniture And हिार पा更च सय सꅍताउन्न 셁पैया cines would hit developing countries months from July. That is more than potential for high fuel prices to stoke Accessories Pvt.Ltd., Kathmandu in the Caribbean and Pacific and twice as large as the seasonal increase inflation and damage a fragile eco- र अठार पैसा) Indian Oceans hardest. registered during the same period in nomic recovery,” said the IEA.

C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 | 06 world Briefing Myanmar’s Covid-19 crisis worsens as Rioting, looting 64 dead in fire at coronavirus continues in hospital ward in Iraq BAGHDAD: The death toll from a cata- mistrust of junta infects health system South Africa, strophic blaze that erupted at a coro- navirus hospital ward in southern With many medical staff joining protest, government’s ability to treat patients is limited. Iraq the previous day rose to 64 on Tuesday, Iraqi medical officials said. REUTERS deaths up to 32 Two health officials said more than YANGON, JULY 13 100 people were also injured in the Protests against the ASSOCIATED PRESS fire that torched the coronavirus When Ma Yati felt weak and feverish junta, strikes and JOHANNESBURG, JULY 13 ward of al-Hussein Teaching Hospital and lost her sense of smell, she had no in the city of Nasiriyah on Monday. doubt she had Covid-19. But even with violence hampered South Africa’s rioting continued Anguished relatives were still looking up to 30 people a day dying of the coro- Tuesday with the death toll rising to for traces of their loved ones on navirus in her home town of Kale in the provision of 32 as police and the military struggle Tuesday, searching through the western Myanmar, she decided it was to quell the looting and violence in debris inside the torched remains better to hole up in a room at home health services. Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal of the ward. than get an official test or enter a provinces. quarantine centre. Many of the deaths occurred in cha- “My trust in this junta healthcare pitals and healthcare,” he told Reuters otic stampedes as scores of people Putin hosts leader of Belarus system is zero percent,” the 23-year- from Myanmar. looted food, electric appliances, liquor, for talks on closer ties old told Reuters by telephone from her With many medical staff joining and clothing from retail centres, MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir home, where she is now recovering the Civil Disobedience Movement KwaZulu-Natal premier Sihle Zikalala Putin on Tuesday hosted the authori- and trying not to infect others. their ability to treat patients is told the press on Tuesday morning. tarian leader of Belarus, who has “The quarantine centre has nobody limited. “Yesterday’s events brought a lot of increasingly relied on Moscow’s sup- to provide care. There will be nobody Only 40 of 400 health workers sadness. The number of people who port amid increasing tensions with to help in case of emergency,” she remained at the West Yangon General have died in KwaZulu-Natal alone the West. Belarusian President said. Hospital in Myanmar’s biggest city, stands at 26. Many of them died from Alexander Lukashenko thanked Though there are no figures to show doctors there said. being trampled on during a stampede Putin for a “very serious support how many, more people like Ma Yati The World Health Organisation while people were looting items,” said from Russia” and pledged that the are shunning the state health has recorded 240 attacks on health Zikalala. country would duly repay its loans. system even as Covid-19 cases multi- care workers, ambulances, clinics In Gauteng, South Africa’s most Putin, in turn, praised Belarus as a ply, fearing substandard treatment and hospitals in Myanmar since populous province which includes the “reliable and stable partner” during at hospitals abandoned by medics in the coup, nearly half of all such largest city, Johannesburg, six people their talks in St Petersburg. The protest against the February 1 attacks recorded worldwide in that have died, said officials. Belarusian economy, which suffered military coup and wary of giving time. The deployment of 2,500 soldiers to from the coronavirus pandemic, legitimacy to the junta by turning to it The junta has urged hospital work- support the South African police has received a new blow when the for help. ers to return to work, but some fear not yet stopped the rampant looting European Union imposed sanctions Hospitals were under intense pres- arrest. They also fear being ostracised although arrests are being made at against some of its top exports over sure even before the upsurge, with REUTERS by their peers. some areas in Johannesburg. Belarus’ diversion of a passenger jet some reporting most of their medics A relative sits with a Covid-19 patient being taken to a hospital in Sagaing region, Myanmar. About 70 health workers arrested Looting continued Tuesday in to arrest an opposition journalist. had joined the anti-junta Civil since the coup are among over 5,000 Johannesburg shopping malls in Disobedience Movement. current detainees, according to data township areas including Jabulani The latest Covid-19 wave crept up on EU reviews J&J shot for rare nerve disorder from the Assistance Association for Mall and Dobsonville Mall in Soweto. Iran says it is holding talks on the country of 53 million after the Political Prisoners activist group. There were also reports of continued coup against elected leader Aung ZURICH: The European Medicines EMA four days ago included a Queues for oxygen cylinders in looting in centres in KwaZulu-Natal. prisoner exchanges with US San Suu Kyi. Daily protests against Agency (EMA) said on Tuesday it warning for AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 Yangon are one stark indicator of the The violence started in KwaZulu- DUBAI: Iran said on Tuesday it was the junta, strikes and violence all was analysing data on rare cases of shot for people to be on alert for scale of the latest outbreak. The junta Natal last week as protests against the holding talks on prisoner exchanges hampered the provision of health ser- a nerve disorder reported among potential side effects. Around 12.8 said it had restricted supplies to indi- imprisonment of former President with the United States aimed at vices. recipients of Johnson & Johnson’s million people have received J&J’s viduals to avoid hoarding—rejecting Jacob Zuma, who began serving a securing the release of Iranians held On Monday, the official death toll Covid-19 vaccine, after the United one-dose vaccine in the United accusations of trying to monopolise 15-month sentence for contempt of in US jails and other countries over from Covid-19 was put at 89, the sixth States added a warning label to the States, while J&J has distributed them. court. He was convicted of defying violations of US sanctions. day out of seven that it had hit a shot. The “EMA’s safety committee 18.6 million doses to European Days before the coup, Myanmar had a court order to testify before a “Negotiations are under way on the record. Daily cases topped 5,000 for the (PRAC) is analysing data provided Union countries, according to the begun one of the region’s first state-backed inquiry probing allega- exchange of prisoners between Iran first time - more than double the high- by (J&J) ... on cases of Guillain- European Centre for Disease vaccination campaigns, but it tions of corruption during his term as and America, and we will issue more est figure last year. Barre syndrome (GBS) reported fol- Prevention and Control. In its deci- stalled amid widespread public president from 2009 to 2018. information if Iranian prisoners are “The recent rise of Covid-19 in lowing vaccination,” the European sion to add a warning label, the refusal to take any help from military The sporadic pro-Zuma violence released and the country’s interests Myanmar is truly alarming,” medicines regulator said in a state- FDA said 100 preliminary authorities. The former head of spiralled into a spree of criminal theft are secured and the talks reach a con- said Joy Singhal, Head of Myanmar ment to Reuters. reports of GBS included 95 serious the vaccination campaign, Htar in poor, township areas of the two clusion,” government spokesman Ali Delegation, International Federation “PRAC has requested (Johnson & cases that required hospitalisation Htar Lin, who was appointed by the provinces, according to witnesses. So Rabiei said. “Iran is ready to of Red Cross and Red Crescent Johnson) to provide further detailed and one reported death. The EMA ousted civilian government, is among far the lawlessness has not exchange all American political pris- Societies. data.” The EMA scrutiny comes said its review was part of regular dozens of medics who have been spread to South Africa’s other nine oners in exchange for the release of “The very high rate of positive after the US Food and Drug summary safety reports for J&J’s arrested. provinces. all Iranian prisoners detained around cases during the past few weeks points Administration (FDA) on Monday shot, and didn’t give any details The military government said on The Constitutional Court, the coun- the world at the behest of America,” to much more widespread infections. added a warning for GBS to the fact about potential GBS cases in Monday that vaccinations would now try’s highest court, heard Zuma’s he told a news conference carried on This is fast becoming critical as many sheet for J&J’s shot, and after the Europe. (REUTERS) be stepped up, partly with help from application to have his sentence a government website. (AGENCIES) people still have limited access to hos- its biggest foreign ally, Russia. rescinded on Monday. Taliban say do not want to fight inside Afghanistan’s cities The group says Turkey’s decision to provide security to Kabul airport when US-led forces leave was ‘reprehensible’.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE defence ministry said Afghan forces KABUL, JULY 13 had cleared Qala-i-Naw city after days of fighting. The Taliban do not want to battle gov- The Badghis province capital saw ernment forces inside Afghanistan’s sustained street fighting last week in cities and would rather see them sur- the first assault by the Taliban on a render, a senior insurgent leader said major urban centre since foreign on Tuesday, as the militants also troops commenced their final with- warned Turkey against extending its drawal in May. troop presence. The call also came the same day The hardline Islamist group has as a video emerged that CNN said it swept through much of the north as had verified showing a group of foreign troops complete their with- Afghan commandos being gunned drawal, and the government now down by the Taliban in June after sur- holds little more than a constellation rendering. of provincial capitals that must large- In a separate statement on Tuesday, ly be resupplied by air. the Taliban said Turkey’s decision to On Tuesday, the head of a Taliban provide security to Kabul airport commission that oversees government when US-led forces leave was “repre- forces who surrender urged residents hensible”. of Afghanistan’s cities to reach out to “We consider stay of foreign forces them. in our homeland by any country under whatever pretext as occupation,” the ap/rss group said, days after Ankara agreed Children sit on tree branches as they access their online lessons from a forest reserve in their village in Bibila, Sri Lanka. Climbing rocks and sitting on tree tops is not with Washington to provide security part of their curriculum but children in villages surrounding the capital city, Colombo, are doing so to be able to catch mobile signals to access their online classes. Peace talks between for Kabul airport. the insurgents and As foreign forces wind up their withdrawal—due to be completed by the government have August 31—the situation on the ground is changing rapidly. largely fizzled out. The top US general in Afghanistan World hunger was worse in pandemic year, UN says relinquished his command Monday at a ceremony in the capital, the latest “Now that the fighting from moun- symbolic gesture bringing America’s ASSOCIATED PRESS population, lacked year-round access also noted the paradoxical problem of ple—418 million—live in Asia, while tains and deserts has reached the longest war nearer to an end. ROME, JULY 13 to adequate food, according to the nearly 39 million children being over- 60 million live in Latin America and doors of the cities, Mujahiddin The pace of the pullout—and multi- report. This indicator, known as the weight. the Caribbean, according to the (Taliban) don’t want fighting inside ple offensives launched by the The United Nations on Monday prevalence of moderate or severe food “A full 3 billion adults and children report. the city,” Amir Khan Muttaqi said in a Taliban—have raised fears that lamented a “dramatic worsening” of insecurity, leaped in one year as much remain locked out of healthy diets, Oxfam’s Farr said the new figures message tweeted by a Taliban Afghanistan’s security forces could be world hunger last year, saying much as in the five previous years largely due to excessive costs, the UN “are a sombre reminder of how bro- spokesman. swiftly overwhelmed, particularly of that is likely connected to the pan- combined. agencies said, and Covid-19 made ken our global food and economic sys- “It is better... to use any possible without vital US air support. demic, and it urged billions of dollars “Despite a 300 percent increase in things worse. tems are.” channel to get in touch with our invi- Around 650 American service mem- to save millions of people from global food production since the mid- “In many parts of the world, the “More than half the world’s popula- tation and guidance commission,” he bers are expected to remain in Kabul, starving. 1960s, malnutrition is a leading factor pandemic has triggered brutal tion did not have social protection to said, adding this would “prevent their guarding Washington’s sprawling dip- A report issued jointly by five UN contributing to reduced life expectan- recessions and jeopardized access to cope with the adverse effects of the cities from getting damaged”. lomatic compound. agencies said hunger outpaced popu- cy,” the UN chief said. “In a world of food, the United Nations said in a pandemic,” she said. “Small farmers The strategy is one well-worn by the But Turkish President Recep Tayyip lation growth in 2020, with nearly 10 plenty, we have no excuse for billions summary of its findings. ”Yet even were forced to watch their crops rot Taliban—particularly during their Erdogan said on Friday he had agreed percent of all people estimated to be of people to lack access to a healthy before the pandemic, hunger was during the pandemic, even when first rise to power in the 1990s—cut- with the United States on the “scope” undernourished. diet. This is unacceptable.” spreading; progress on malnutrition global food prices rose by 40 percent, ting off towns and district centres of how to secure Kabul airport. It said the sharpest rise in hunger Emily Farr of the humanitarian lagged.” while the biggest food companies have and getting elders to negotiate a Peace talks between the insurgents came in Africa, where 21 percent of organisation Oxfam said the pandem- “Disturbingly, in 2020 hunger shot amassed over $10 billion of additional surrender. and the government supposedly the people—282 million—are estimat- ic was the last straw for millions of up in both absolute and proportional revenues last year.” Hours after Muttaqi’s message, a taking place in Doha have largely ed to be undernourished. people already battered by the impacts terms, outpacing population growth,” The United Nations said the pan- rush hour blast in the centre of the fizzled out, and the Taliban now UN Secretary-General Antonio of conflict, economic shocks and a the report’s authors concluded. The demic undercut a key UN goal of Afghan capital killed four civilians appear set on a complete military Guterres said the new “tragic data” worsening climate crisis. report said some 9.9 percent of the achieving zero hunger by 2030. Based and wounded five others, police said. victory. shows that between 720 million and Children paid a high price, with 149 world’s people were estimated to have on current trends, it estimates that the “The explosion occurred in the cen- But claims by the hardline group to 811 million people in the world faced million of those younger than 5 esti- been undernourished last year, com- goal will be “missed by a margin of tre of Kabul,” police spokesman control 85 percent of the country are hunger last year—as many as 161 mil- mated to have stunted growth since pared to 8.4 percent in 2019. nearly 660 million people,” and that Ferdaws Faramurz told reporters, impossible to verify independently— lion more than in 2019. they are too short for their age, and Geographically, in addition to the some 30 million of that figure without specifying what caused it. and strongly disputed by the More than 2.3 billion people, which more than 45 million children are too surge of Africans facing hunger, more “may be linked to the pandemic’s Muttaqi’s comments came as the government. represents 30 percent of the global thin for their height, the report said. It than half the undernourished peo- lasting effects.”

C M Y K 07 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 Sports | Medley Briefing Gaurika Singh to lead Nepal as flag bearer in Tokyo De Paul joins Atletico Madrid MADRID: Rodrigo de Paul, who Apart from swimmers Singh and Alexander Shah, Nepali team includes shooter Kalpana Pariyar, judoka Soniya Bhatta and sprinter Saraswati Chaudhary. helped Argentina to win the Copa America at the weekend, has signed SPORTS BUREAU Yadav is shooting coach, Suryanarayan International Olympic Committee a five-year deal with Atletico Madrid, KATHMANDU, July 13 Shrestha judo coach and Indra Kumari (IOC) scholarships. the Spanish champions announced Malla is athletics coach. Nepal Olympic Committee (NOC) on Monday. “Atletico Madrid have Swimmer Gaurika Singh will lead The Nepali team will have a total 26 also unveiled the Olympics campaign reached an agreement with Udinese Nepal as flag bearer during the members including nine from the named ‘Nepal Olympic Yatra’ at the for the transfer of Rodrigo de Paul” opening ceremony of the Tokyo NOC, four from National Sports press meet held in the capital on until June 2026, the La Liga winners Olympics 2020 scheduled for July 23 to Council, the secretary of the Ministry Tuesday. said in a statement. Atletico did not August 8. of Youth and Sports Kedar Neupane, Despite the claims made by give a transfer fee but, according to Singh, 19, who came into limelight and medical staff among others. Shrestha, Nepal’s Olympics campaign the Spanish press, it is in the region as the youngest athlete in 2016 Rio National Sports Council (NSC) has been heavily criticised by the of 35 million euros ($41 million). It Olympics at 13 years and 255 days, will member secretary Ramesh Kumar country’s sports fraternity after mara- will be a second spell in Spain for lead the five-member Nepali team in Silwal will lead the Nepali team in the thon runner Gopi Chandra Parki was the 27-year-old midfielder who the march past in the opening ceremo- capacity of chef-de-mission. It will be denied participation in the Games. played for Valencia between 2014 ny, said Nepal Olympic Committee the second participation of Nepal at NOC and Nepal Athletics Association and 2016 when he arrived from (NOC) at a press conference in the Olympic games in Tokyo, the same had assured Parki of his participation Racing in Argentina. Brazilian- Kathmandu on Tuesday. Singh place where Nepal started their cam- in the Olympics after he won the Portuguese winger Marcos Paulo claimed four gold medals during the paign in the games in 1964. Despite Nepalgunj Marathon held in joined Atletico last week while coach South Asian Games held in December participating in the Olympics for 14 November last year. Diego Simeone has extended his con- 2019 in Kathmandu. times, Nepal have not won even a sin- Parki had been training for the tract until 2024. Apart from Singh, swimmer gle medal in the mega sports event Olympics with the ambition of break- Alexander Gadegaard Shah, shooter and Nepal does not have hopes of ing the long-held South Asian record Kalpana Pariyar, judoka Soniya winning a medal in the upcoming of 2 hours 15 minutes 03 seconds set Norwich sign Lees-Melou Bhatta and sprinter Saraswati Games as well. by legendary runner Baikuntha LONDON: Norwich City have signed Chaudhary will represent Nepal in “We are hopeful that the players Manandhar. But the NOC informed French midfielder Pierre Lees-Melou the Games. Singh and Shah will com- would improve their personal records two weeks earlier that Parki was inel- on a three-year contract from Ligue 1 pete in women’s and men’s 100 m free- in the Games,” said chef-de-mission igible to compete in the Olympics team Nice, the newly-promoted style events. Pariyar will vie in the Post Photo/ Keshav Thapa Silwal. NOC President Jeevan Ram because they did not get enough quota Premier League club said on Tuesday. women’s 10 m air rifle while Bhatta Kalpana Pariyar (left) will vie in women’s 10 m air rifle, Soniya Bhatta (centre) in women’s Shrestha claimed that it was the best spots for the Olympics. They did not disclose the financial will battle in women’s -48kg weight under 48kg weight category in judo and Saraswati Chaudhary in the women’s 100 m race. ever and longest preparation of Nepali Instead of Parki, the NOC and details of the transfer but British category in judo. Saraswati will repre- team in the Olympics. Nepali team Nepal Athletics Association picked media reported that Norwich had sent Nepal in the women’s 100 m race. picked for Olympics under universali- tion. Swimmers Singh and Shah have had started their preparations for the Saraswati Chaudhary for the women’s paid around 3.5 million pounds ($4.85 Among them, swimmer Singh and ty place while the remaining two were already reached Tokyo accompanied Olympics from May 2019 with 12 play- 100 m sprint event without conducting million) for the 28-year-old. Lees- Shah, and athlete Chaudhary were given wild cards or entry by invita- by coach Shankhar Karki. Ashim ers of seven games receiving a qualifier. Melou scored five goals in all compe- titions for Nice last season and cap- tained the team in 16 games as they finished ninth in the French top flight. “I’ve heard a lot about how Gayle fires West Indies Norwich plays football in the right Managing coronavirus at Tokyo Olympics manner and style and also the club’s spirit and mentality. I love that and that got me very excited,” Lees-Melou Agence France-Presse requirement, but has been strongly allowed to compete, they may face addition- to Twenty20 series said in a club statement. Norwich TOKYO, July 13 encouraged. al restrictions, including being moved to a won the second-tier Championship The anti-coronavirus rules will be the separate room and eating meals alone. last season to earn promotion to the Tokyo’s Olympics will be like no other same for those taking part in the Games, victory over Australia Premier League. They begin their Games, with the spectre of coronavirus whether they’re vaccinated or not. Tokyo What if someone gets really sick? league season at home to Liverpool hanging over every part of the event, and 2020 has organised vaccinations for 38,000 Medical staff and facilities are key at any Reuters series win. I just want to com- on August 14. organisers determined to prevent an officials, volunteers, local media and air- Games, but the stakes are higher given the GROS-ISLET, July 13 mend stand-in captain Pooran outbreak. port staff, among others. pandemic. Organisers say there will be for winning a fantastic series Here’s a look at some of the ways they’ll some 7,000 medical staff, including doctors Chris Gayle hit 67 off 38 balls against a great team,” Gayle Real Sociedad rope in Ryan try to prevent infections among some 11,000 What happens if there’s an infection? and nurses, but have declined to specify the as the West Indies sealed a said. MELBOURNE: Real Sociedad have athletes, and what will happen if cases do Athletes will be given daily saliva antigen number of beds available. The push to find six-wicket win over Australia “You all knew I was strug- signed Australia goalkeeper Mat emerge at the Games, which open July 23. tests, and if they come back positive or these resources has been controversial in in the third Twenty20 gling with the bat and to be Ryan from English Premier unclear, they’ll have a follow-up saliva PCR Japan, given a recent surge in infections international in St Lucia on able to get some runs was League side Brighton & Hove What safety measures are there? test, which is more sensitive. If that that stretched the local healthcare system. Monday to take an unassaila- pleasing.” Albion on a two-year deal, the The latest rulebook for athletes and sports test is positive, they’ll have a nasal and To head off that criticism, the International ble 3-0 lead in their five-match Australia won the toss and La Liga club said. After four years officials is 70 pages long, and the require- throat swab PCR test. A third positive Olympic Committee has pledged to bring series. opted to bat first and had made at Brighton, 29-year-old Ryan returns ments start before they get to Japan. result will mean the athlete is out of the additional medical staff from outside to Chasing a modest 142 for vic- a steady start before opener to Spanish football, having had a Athletes must test negative for the virus Games. They’ll have to isolate or be hospi- reduce pressure on resources. tory after Moises Henriques Matthew Wade (23) was bowled three-year stint at Valencia from twice within 96 hours of travel, and again talised, with no chance of rejoining the (33) and Ashton Turner (24) by Obed McCoy and Mitchell 2015-17. Ryan’s deal includes an when they land. They’ll be tested daily competition. Is everyone insured? put on Australia’s first Marsh (nine) was trapped option for a one-year extension, Real while in the country, and they have to leave Olympic participants from overseas, half-century stand of the leg-before by Fabian Allen as Sociedad said. “I will work hard and the Olympic Village within 48 hours of What if you’re a close contact? including athletes, team officials and series, West Indies got home in the visitors reached 72-2 in 10 I can’t wait to get started playing for their competition ending. Things are a bit more complicated for media, are required to have insurance that style thanks to Gayle’s blitz- overs. the team,” Ryan, capped 61 times for And there won’t be any soaking up the “close contacts” of an infected person. The will cover medical treatment and repatria- krieg that included seven Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Australia, said in a media release. atmosphere: they aren’t allowed anywhere term only applies to people who have spent tion. Olympic rulebooks specify that the sixes. then dismissed Alex Carey (13) Ryan had one season remaining on except their accommodation and competi- 15 minutes or more within one metre of the insurance must include cover for Covid-19. It was the 41-year-old’s first and skipper Aaron Finch (30) his contract with Brighton. He was tion venues, with a ban on using public infected person without wearing a mask. Before they enter Japan athletes will need T20 half-century since 2016 in the 12th over to leave loaned to Arsenal midway through transport. Masks will be mandatory, even That might include a roommate, or a din- to sign a “written pledge” to obey coronavi- after barely featuring in the Australia in trouble at 80-4 but last season after losing his spot to on the medal podium, with exceptions ing companion but probably not a tennis rus restrictions, and take responsibility for shortest format for the nation- Henriques and Turner staged Brighton keeper Robert Sanchez. A only for eating, sleeping, training and partner, for example. Those considered their trip. al team in recent years. a recovery. veteran of two World Cups, Ryan competing. close contacts will face a nervous wait to “Despite all the care taken, risks and Skipper Nicholas Pooran, The duo put on 59 runs for helped Australia notch an eighth suc- hear whether they are judged safe to con- impacts may not be fully eliminated,” standing in for the injured the fifth wicket before cessive victory in Asian qualifying What about vaccines? tinue participating in the Games. warns the Olympic playbook, which details Kieron Pollard, was unbeaten Henriques was caught at deep for the 2022 tournament in Qatar with Olympic officials say 85 percent of the ath- Rulings will be made “case-by-case” and anti-virus measures. “Therefore you agree on 32. mid-wicket by Allen off a clean sheet in the 1-0 win over letes and teams staying in the Village will consider whether the close contact is likely to attend the Olympic and Paralympic “It’s a great journey. I’m so Dwayne Bravo in the last over Jordan last month. (AGENCIES) be vaccinated. Getting jabbed is not a to spread infection. If close contacts are Games at your own risk.” happy and so pleased to get a and Turner was run out. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Aries, Wednesday’s cosmic landscape is something It’s easier to float along than force yourself to swim You make your own best company today, Libra. The universe has been re-arranging your mental like being lost in a heavy fog. The sun and moon both upstream today, Cancer. The sun and moon both Wednesday’s skies are deeply dreamy and unrealis- atmosphere in recent years, Capricorn. You’ve been align with spaced-out Neptune, creating a hazy reach out to inspirational Neptune today, creating a tic, as the sun and moon simultaneously sync up opening up to new forms of self-expression and atmosphere that honours imagination over realism. deliciously day-dreamy atmosphere. Wednesday with reality-blurring Neptune. You’re better off learning to clear out the mental clutter, all thanks to skies offer ideal grounds for creative projects. keeping a lowkey day out of the limelight. ethereal Neptune’s influence.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Wednesday’s skies are decidedly dreamy, Taurus. Slow your pace with the arrival of Wednesday’s Wednesday’s cosmic landscape favours intuition Wednesday’s skies are ripe with creative energy, The sun and moon simultaneously sync up with skies, Leo. Your ruling planet, the life-giving sun, over intellect, Scorpio. The sun and moon find them- Aquarius. The sun and moon lock into a simultane- boundary-blurring Neptune today, lowering energy locks into a sweet and supportive alignment with selves deeply intertwined with ethereal Neptune—a ous alignment with illusory Neptune today, bringing levels and increasing imagination. It’s an ideal day mystical Neptune. This cosmic meeting offers a rich- pairing that brings a deeply mystical, otherworldly inspirational energy to your workflow. It’s an ideal for investing energy into creative pursuits. ly creative, healing energy to soak up and enjoy. feel to the day. day to make a vision board.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Your career has been in an evolving transitory stage, Your energy levels are likely to be running especially Potent forces are at play today, Sagittarius. The sun You can’t help but reflect on your current relation- Gemini. Reality-bending Neptune has been eroding low today, Virgo. Ease up on your pace and desire to and moon simultaneously meet with illusory ship story today, Pisces. Send your focus towards the that which needs letting go, allowing a new focus to be productive, as Wednesday’s skies put a hazy fog of Neptune today, which brings an imaginative but story stirring in your heart, as the moon floats slowly emerge in its place. Use your energy to dream confusion and idealism in the air. It’s an ideal day to unrealistic atmosphere to the day. Save any big deci- through your opposite sign of grounded Virgo. It’s an new visions and work on them. get into a meditative practice. sions that require clarity of mind for another time. ideal day for discussing future plans. Crossword Sudoku

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C M Y K WEDNESDAY, JULY 14, 2021 | 08 Culture & Lifestyle (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 An artist’s intuition for colours and her imaginings Shivangini Rana’s art exhibition is one vibrant sensual treat.

SRIZU BAJRACHARYA them bring their own subjective meaning LALITPUR of the colours. This trait is also distinct to abstract works that allow viewers the free- olours have a way of pulling dom of using their own semantics—there people closer to things in is no particular way of how the artworks life; they are sometimes should be read. Instead, they can mean what urges us to look deeper what people see in them. within life’s ordinariness. Rana also is not an artist who pre-plans At Siddhartha Art how her idea should manifest on canvas; CGallery, Shivangini Rana’s exhibition, she just ruminates over her feelings on the ‘Beautiful & Bold’, does just that. It pulls canvas, she said. you closer to the hues of life. At a glance, “My ideas mostly start with a colour her acrylic works may look like an artist obsession where I start imagining colours playing with colours but give it time, and and their combinations. It just happens to you will see your own meaning unfurling me when I see something beautiful or in her artworks. something captivating. So, when I am at Just a little ahead of the gallery’s home, I try to return to that feeling again entrance, on the first wall that greets visi- in my workspace. Sometimes it’s about a tors, two large paintings of a feather series I want to create but the initial crea- resembling the colours of peacock infatu- tion is always random,” said Rana. ate our imagination. When you let your As an artist, Rana prefers to work when mind wander into these worlds for a there is nobody around. moment, you can feel the colours spread- “The paintings you see here all hap- ing in water, perhaps a river, as the feath- pened during the wee hours of the morn- ers slowly float in it. You can feel the glis- ing, between 2 am to 3 am. I cannot work tening sunlight in the reflection of water when there are people around me. I need and feel a sense of calm. to be left on my own. But sometimes, I Rana painted the series ‘Peacock’ in can’t believe that I painted these works,” Nepalgunj a few years back when she said Rana. started gardening, she says. Since she started painting professional- “I was around nature so much at the ly five years ago, Rana has also been slow- time. Birds and flowers surrounded me, ly working on her visibility as an artist. and just like that, I was painting them,” Her Instagram page ‘shivanginirana_art’ said Rana, as she walked around her is where she curates all of her works and works at the gallery. it has more than 1,000 followers. Her art “Most of these paintings represent the page on Facebook has over 9,000 followers. feelings that embrace me and things I am And over the years, a lot of people have going through in life. It reflects how I feel bought her works as well. With her ongo- and see colours,” said Rana. “And to peo- ing exhibition, Rana says she is aware that ple, it may seem I use a lot of vibrant col- many people might choose not to come to ours, but if you look closely, you will see see her artworks as the Valley has just that black is a dominant colour in my art- reopened after more than two months of works.” Photos Courtesy: Srizu Bajracharya lockdown and many are still wary of One of the exhibition’s highlights is Shivangini Rana in front of her painting titled ‘Butterfly Abstracted’, which is one of the highlights of her art exhibition. being in public. Rana’s painting titled ‘Butterfly Holding an art exhibition at such a time Abstracted’, which portrays a kaleidoscop- ipated in the fifth season of MTV India’s “But I tried my level best to stay strong,” is a risk, but one both Rana and Sangeeta ic butterfly on a black base—a choice that reality show Splitsvilla. The following she said. Thapa are willing to take to restart the art successfully manages to hold the attention year her debut movie, Madhumas, was Most of her collection In her painting titled ‘Stranger Things’, scene. It’s a step towards recovering the of viewers. The mosaic coloured wings of released. Over the years, she has also in the solo exhibition Rana portrays her experience of battling losses of our times, they say. the insect look like splotches of coloured worked as a model and has appeared in the infection. The work uses hues of grey, “It’s a risk we are taking but with pre- water. many magazines. portrays Rana’s life black colours and the distinct colour gold cautions, and Shivangini has been opti- And at such a time when the city is Rana is also the founder of Lucky Ace that often captures the meaning of pros- mistic even with all the challenges we slowly reopening after almost two months Events & Entertainment, an event man- experiences and her perity and even hope in some sense. The have ahead,” added Thapa. of lockdown, the butterfly seems like a agement company, and a gallery in painting also resembles an X-ray of a Rana, too, is happy and enjoys interact- metaphor for trusting the change we have Nepalgunj. Currently, she is also the love for nature. smogged lung. The gold strokes hold the ing with visitors. gone through. owner of Hotel Batika, a boutique hotel in haze in, perhaps meaning the only way out “I am just excited about bringing my “I think butterflies are a sign of growth Nepalgunj, and Bardia Adventure Resort. of the doom is to hold on to your strength. works to people. There might not be many and change. In these trying times, I “I have always believed that there is a grinding halt. When the first of the pan- “Shivangini has this instinctive idea of viewers given our situation, but it’s still a thought this painting would resonate with always something to learn from the path demic-induced lockdowns began in 2020, colours that she knows how to explore. beginning for me to delve deeper into this our hopes for life,” explained Rana. we decide to take and have never shied Nepal’s hospitality industry was hit hard. Her command over colour is striking, and art journey,” said Rana. “And I hope peo- Rana, who is a self-taught abstract art- away from exploring things and giving my Rana, who was busy managing two of her her work reflects her spontaneity,” said ple who come will enjoy it.” ist, is as multicoloured and dynamic as all in what I set out to do. I stay open to hotels for the last few years, suddenly Sangeeta Thapa, the founder-director of her paintings. She studied hospitality opportunities in life,” said Rana. found herself with plenty of free time. the gallery. ‘Beautiful and Bold’ will be on display management and has worked at some of But when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the “It wasn’t easy going from leading a In many ways, Rana’s works in the exhi- until July 30, 2021, at Siddhartha Art Nepal’s leading hotels. In 2012, she partic- country, Rana’s busy life, she says, came to very hectic lifestyle to having nothing bition feel vast as the viewers viewing Gallery, Babar Mahal Revisited. much to do and seeing the hardships of everyone. And once I began painting, I just immersed myself in it. I found my joy and peace doing it. And it has been a medita- tive process,” said Rana, who began paint- ing professionally five years ago. Painting has been a part of her life ever since she was a child. As a girl, Rana would sometimes paint with her mother, who is also an artist. Most of her collection in the solo exhibi- tion portrays Rana’s life experiences and her love for nature. She captures colourful gardens and galaxies and stories of her imaginations. There’s also one work in the exhibition where she tries to portray her angst when she tested positive to Covid-19 twice. Rana first got infected with Covid- 19 last year. A few weeks ago, she got rein- fected. It was a difficult time that had her thinking if this was the end of everything. The Weeknd and BTS hope to raise billions for Global Citizen Global Citizen Live will encourage fans to urge their governments or individual corporations to donate or take actions to advance the group’s goal.

GLENN GAMBOA comparison—$6 billion to address is that there is this amazing appe- NEW YORK the famine relief efforts across tite to be part of it,” Evans said. Africa. Honestly, Jeff Bezos could Evans said education issues will he Weeknd, BTS and write that check tomorrow and it also be in the spotlight at the Billie Eilish will take would be a percentage point in his event, which hopes to get 4.5 mil- part in Global Citizen total net worth. I’m all for people lion kids back to school learning Live, a 24-hour event daring to dream, and may they by raising $400 million. Only one on September 21 that’s dream even bigger, but let’s also in three children globally can intended to raise dream about a world where the access remote learning. And the Tmoney and awareness to fight absolutely stupid social ills that number of children who have had worldwide threats including currently still exist in the world their educations interrupted has Covid-19, climate change and are addressed by those who have grown by 50 percent since 2020. extreme poverty. the means to do so.” “I always say that people care Hugh Evans, CEO of Global Global Citizen Live—which will either about planetary concern or Citizen, is hoping the event, timed run the gamut from pop stars about social issues,” Evans said. to the United Nations General H.E.R., Lizzo, Lorde and Ed “For September, we’re targeting Assembly, will encourage govern- Sheeran to rockers Coldplay, both.” ments, corporations and philan- Green Day, and Metallica and It’s an ambitious agenda. Evans thropists to fund a billion Covid-19 international artists from Andrea said he is hopeful because of vaccine doses by September, espe- Bocelli and Lang Lang to Global Citizen’s previous success- cially in Africa. The international Angelique Kidjo and Femi Kuti— es this year. advocacy group also hopes to raise will take place on six continents. In May, the organisation spon- $6 billion for famine relief efforts Live events are planned for sored VAX Live, which generated for the 41 million people world- Central Park in New York City, the more than 26 million Covid-19 vac- wide who are estimated to be on Champ de Mars in Paris, as well as cine doses and $302 million for the the brink of starvation, as well as venues in London and Los Angeles. Access to Covid-19 Tools enough money to plant a billion Performances and hosted seg- Accelerator initiative, which trees to help counter climate ments will come from Sydney; Rio includes the World Health change. de Janeiro; Seoul, South Korea; Organisation’s COVAX program For anyone who questions and Lagos, Nigeria. for more equitable distribution of whether these institutions will Like nearly all of the group’s vaccines. The event, which includ- manage to generate more money events, Global Citizen Live will ed appearances by President Joe to donate, Evans points to the cur- encourage millions of fans to urge Biden as well as the Duke of rent space race. their governments or individual Sussex, helped raise the issue of “As billionaires are leaping into corporations to donate or take vaccine sharing globally. space, we need to remind people actions to advance the group’s AP/RSS “I believe that VAX Live changed that we’ve really only got one plan- goal of ending extreme poverty by The Weeknd performs during the halftime show of the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game on February 7, in Tampa, Florida. the dialogue and tangibly resulted et and we need to make sure that 2030. Evans said that goal has suf- in vaccines that will be shared,” we actually care for it and for fered setbacks because of Covid-19 action toward helping the people Also set to participate are Adam Savage and Usher. Ticketing Evans said. “Yes, $302 million is those who are on it,” Evans told and the economic stagnation that of Ethiopia during this devastat- Lambert, Burna Boy, Camila details and performances for the still a small amount of money the Associated Press. “This is resulted from it, forcing 150 mil- ing humanitarian crisis they are Cabello, Christine and the Queens, individual cities, as well as addi- compared to what we need to something the ultra-high-net- lion people back into extreme pov- faced with,” The Weeknd said in a Davido, Demi Lovato, DJ Snake, tional artists, will be announced achieve. Our ambitions are much worth community can do to solve erty. statement. “It’ll be an honour to Doja Cat, Duran Duran, Hugh in August. bigger for September. And that’s the world’s problems right now. “It is very important to me to be perform and help bring support to Jackman and Deborra-lee “The artist community is very why we’re uniting the whole world “We’re literally talking about an a part of this historic event to these citizens who are suffering so Furness, Keith Urban, Shawn selective about what they all rally for this.” investment which sounds big in spread awareness and encourage severely.” Mendes, The Lumineers, Tiwa around, and the sense that I’ve had — Associated Press

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