WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 308 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in , , Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 25.3 C 0.6 C Tuesday, January 05, 2021 | 21-09-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla Oli’s claims House can’t be restored objectionable, analysts say Since dissolving Parliament, Oli has in almost all his public appearances said it cannot be revived, even though the Supreme Court is hearing the matter.

TIKA R PRADHAN function, Oli reiterated the same. KATHMANDU, JAN 4 Observers say Oli, who has been reduced to a caretaker prime minister Ever since Prime Minister KP Sharma since he dissolved the House, is mak- Oli dissolved the House of ing a mockery of the country’s judi- Representatives, in a move that led to cial system by constantly speaking on a split in the Communist Party, a matter that is already with the court he has resorted to two things–vituper- of law. According to them, since the ative words for his opponents and court is set to resume the hearing and constant refrain that the House can- has even called for an amicus curiae, not be restored. no statements should be made that While bitter remarks for his former could influence the decision. fellow comrades Pushpa Kamal Dahal “It is advisable that a responsible and among oth- person like the prime minister, who is ers can be taken as his outburst exercising executive powers, respect against them in the wake of the party the court and rule of law and not split, many have wondered why Oli repeatedly talk about a matter which has been constantly–and confidently– is sub-judice,” said Balaram KC, a for- saying the House cannot be restored, mer Supreme Court Justice. “One even as the Supreme Court is testing round of hearing has been concluded the constitutionality of his move. and the next hearing has already been POST PHOTO: CHHAPAL LAMA The Constitutional Bench is resum- scheduled. If the prime minister A blanket of snow covers Simkot, the district headquarters of Humla, on Monday. Temperatures have dipped across the country as a result of snowfall and rain brought by westerly wind ing the hearing on as many as 13 peti- believes in rule of law and constitu- in mountain and hill regions. tions against Oli’s December 20 move tionalism, he should refrain from of dissolving the House on Wednesday. making such statements.” In response to a show cause notice Experts on constitutional affairs issued by the court on December 25, have called Oli move unconstitutional. Oli on Sunday furnished his explana- They have argued that the 2015 UK judge refuses tion, arguing that the House dissolu- constitution does not allow a majority Letting provinces hold grade 10 exams is just tion was a political move and that it prime minister to dissolve the House. does not warrant a judicial review. On Some have described Oli’s action a extradition of December 30, Oli said the possibility blatant attack on the constitution delegation of administrative task, experts say of the House reinstatement is not even and democracy. WikiLeaks founder 1 percent. On Saturday, addressing a >> Continued on page 2 Until provincial governments are allowed to prepare Julian Assange their own curricula, there is no devolution of ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON, JAN 4 powers as per a federal dispensation, they argue.

A British judge on Monday rejected the United States’ request to extradite WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to face espionage charges, saying he was likely to kill himself if held under harsh US prison conditions. District Judge Vanessa Baraitser rejected allegations that Assange is being prosecuted for political reasons or would not receive a fair trial in the United States. But she said his precar- ious mental health would likely deteri- orate further under the conditions of “near total isolation” he would face in US prison. “I find that the mental condition of Mr Assange is such that it would be oppressive to extradite him to the United States of America,” the judge said. She said Assange was “a depressed and sometimes despairing man” who had the “intellect and determination” to circumvent any POST FILE PHOTO suicide prevention measures taken by Until now the provinces only printed the answer papers examinees wrote on. American prison authorities. BINOD GHIMIRE ter for social development of Province KATHMANDU, JAN 4 2, although he was not aware of the decision, as it has not been approved Four years after the eighth amend- by the federal Cabinet, welcomed it. ment to the Education Act decentral- “We have been demanding authori- ised the conducting the Secondary ty for a long time,” he told the Post. Education Examination taken at the The provincial examinations end of grade 10, the federal govern- boards will be headed by the secretar- ment has finally decided to implement ies at the provincial social develop- AP/RSS the legal provision. ment ministries and the provincial Assange had been charged in the US A meeting of the Social Committee education directors will act as the under its 1917 Espionage Act. of the Cabinet agreed to allow the controller of the boards, according to seven provinces to hold the examina- the decision of the Cabinet’s Social The US government said it would tion starting this academic year. Committee. appeal the decision. Assange’s lawyers “Yes, the committee has concluded According to Junga Bahadur Aryal, plan to ask for his release from a that provincial governments should spokesperson at the National London prison where he has been held be allowed to hold the Secondary Examinations Board, it will assist the for more than a year-and-a-half. Education Examination,” Krishna provinces if necessary. Assange, who sat in the dock at Gopal Shrestha, Minister for According to Minister Shrestha, the London’s Central Criminal Court for Education, Science and Technology, details on different aspects of provinc- the ruling, wiped his brow as the deci- told the Post. “However, it needs the es conducting the examination still sion was announced. His partner Cabinet’s approval before it comes need to be worked out. Stella Moris, with whom he has two into an effect.” The provinces will now have to pre- young sons, wept. The Cabinet last week, following a pare rosters of experts to make ques- “The effort by the United States to request from the National tion papers and also grade answers, prosecute Julian Assange and seek his Examinations Board, had asked its fix dates for the examination and pub- extradition was ill-advised from the Social Committee to decide over the lish the results. start,” Assange’s American lawyer, modality of the examination, the “If we get the responsibility it will Barry Pollack said. “We hope that authority to hold it and the date to be upon us to conduct the tests of a set after consideration of the UK court’s hold it. standard,” said Sah. “We won’t com- ruling, the United States will decide Headed by the home minister, the promise on the future of our chil- not to pursue the case further.” committee has the education minister, dren.” >> Continued on page 6 law minister and women and children The process for conducting the minister as members. Secondary Education Examination Given the Covid-19 pandemic, usually starts in August with the reg- the examination will be held in istration of the students and con- June, rather than at the end of cludes in August next year with the March during normal times, this publication of results. But it was academic year. delayed this year owing to the Covid- The board had asked the gov- 19 pandemic, and as a result, the regis- ernment in November to make tration began in November. the decision on decentralising According to the National the examination since the time Examinations Board, it can pass on had come for registration of stu- the details of the registration of stu- dents but the government had dents if a decision on the matter is been delaying the decision. made. Nawal Kishor Sah, the minis- >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K TUESDAY, JANUARY 05, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Bhandari removed as NCP chief whip in Province 1 The Dahal-Nepal faction of the also relieved Shankar Pokharel and as the party’s in-charge of Lumbini and Gandaki provinces.

DEO NARAYAN SAH the province assembly secretariat, the parliamentary party. MORANG, JAN 4 said that his office had not received On Monday, the Dahal-Nepal group any information regarding the remov- relieved Shankar Pokharel and The parliamentary party meeting of al of the chief whip and the exchange Prithvi Subba Gurung from the posts the Dahal-Nepal faction in Province 1 of NCP’s representatives in the of the party’s provincial in-charge. has decided to remove Buddhi Business Advisory Committee. The group’s standing committee meet- Kumar Rajbhandari from the Angbuhang claimed that the parlia- ing held in Kathmandu decided to post of Nepal Communist Party’s mentary party meeting was held in remove Pokharel as the in-charge of chief whip. Rajbhandari is close to the the presence of 40 provincial assem- and Gurung from Oli faction. bly members of the NCP. However, . The meeting According to Tanka Angbuhang, assembly member Kul Prasad chaired by Madhav Kumar Nepal also the NCP’s deputy parliamentary party Shamba, who is considered to be close decided to appoint Yuvaraj Gyawali as leader in Province 1 assembly, the with the Dahal-Nepal faction, said the in-charge of Lumbini and POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI meeting held on Sunday decided to that he was not present in the meeting Devendra Paudel as the in-charge of Pedestrians are obstructed as a worker digs a hole on a footpath to install fibre-optic cables at New Road, Kathmandu relieve Rajhandari from the post and that decided to recall the chief Gandaki. on Monday. hand over the responsibility of the whip. He admitted that a few members chief whip to Saubhagya Rai. of his group remained absent in the “The meeting chaired by the NCP’s meeting. parliamentary party also decided to There are a total of 67 NCP mem- call back Rajbhandari and province bers in the provincial assembly of Local authorities in Achham intensify anti-Chhaupadi campaign assembly member Indramani Parajuli Province 1. As many as 38 members from the Business Advisory are close to the Dahal-Nepal faction MENUKA DHUNGANA Chhaupadi is a tradition where is around 300 metres away from her The team rescued Sunita and helped Committee of the assembly. A deci- while 26 are with Chief Minister ACHHAM, JAN 4 menstruating women and those in house. She said she eats when she can her back to her house. They also man- sion has been taken to appoint prov- Sherdhan Rai who is close to the Oli their postpartum period are forced to prepare meals but sleeps hungry aged to convince the family of another ince assembly members Upendra group. Local authorities in Achham, a hill live in seclusion because they are when she cannot. nursing mother staying at a Chhau Ghimire and Lila Ballav Adhikari in The rival faction continued taking district of Sudurpaschim Province, deemed impure. Women following the “I am very worried about my new- shed to take her back. the committee,” said Angbuhang, add- action against the province assembly have intensified their anti-Chhaupadi practice usually live in small huts or born’s health. It’s cold and I don’t The women in the village say the ing that the party would soon inform members of the Dahal-Nepal faction drive of late. sheds. want to stay in this awful place. I team’s arrival has given them the the province assembly secretariat after 37 members of the group filed a In a bid to make the campaign effec- On January 2, a team comprising would like to go back to my house,” courage to stand up to the society that about its decision. no-confidence motion against Chief tive, the chief district officer and Upadhyay and Deputy Superintendent said Sunita. “The male members of practices Chhaupadi. Rajbhandari and Parajuli have been Minister Rai a few days ago. The chiefs of security agencies visit of Police Yogendra Singh Thapa our village forced us to stay in chhau “The team did an exemplary job. We representing the NCP in the Business Dahal-Nepal faction removed Rai from remote villages every Saturday to reached Sutar, a remote village in sheds, stating that we have to follow will stay in our own house now Advisory Committee. the post of parliamentary party leader destroy Chhau sheds and raise aware- Ramroshan Rural Municipality Ward our tradition.” onwards. We will call the police if Provincial Chief and elected Bhim Acharya as the new ness about the evil practice. No. 7, which is around 45 kilometres According to her, women in her vil- anyone tells us otherwise,” said has called the winter session of the leader. Chief Minister Rai has also “Chhaupadi is an inhuman prac- from the district headquarters, lage stay in Chhau sheds not due to Rambha Kumari Bhandari, a local province assembly for January 20. The suspended 18 members who had tice. We go from village to village to Mangalsen. Security personnel from the fear of god but because they fear health volunteer. Dahal-Nepal faction recalled signed the no-trust-motion filed eradicate this social evil. We have Mugabazaar Police Post demolished backlash from the society. The district administration had ini- Rajbhandari and Parajuli to represent against him. simultaneously launched the Chhau seven Chhau sheds that day. Upon hearing her grievances, the tiated the Chhau shed demolition its group in the Business Advisory Hikmat Karki, minister for Internal shed demolition drive and the aware- There, the team met a postpartum chief district officer and his team drive in January last year. But the Committee, which prepares a worklist Affairs and Law who is also the mem- ness campaign,” said Chief District mother of five days at a Chhau shed in called Sunita’s husband Lal Bahadur campaign was suspended three to be discussed in the assembly meet- ber secretary of the Business Advisory Officer Gokarna Prasad Upadhyay. Aidi settlement. Sunita Aidi, aged 24, Aidi. Lal Bahadur consulted with his months later due to the nationwide ing. There are 11 members in the Committee, said a faction cannot According to him, local governments had been staying with her newborn in family members to take his wife home. lockdown enforced amid Covid-19 Business Advisory Committee headed remove the chief whip as Chief in Achham have launched the the communal shed, which was hardly “I will take my wife home now. We fears. The second phase of the cam- by Speaker Pradip Kumar Bhandari. Minister Rai is the parliamentary anti-Chhaupadi campaign across the two feet high and three feet long and made a mistake keeping her here at paign was launched in the district in Gopal Prasad Parajuli, secretary at party leader as per the constitution of district. wide. She was alone in the shed, which the chhau shed,” he said. December last week. Infrastructure Development Office Oli’s claims House can’t be ...

Birgunj, Parsa >> Continued from page 1 forth his views; he is just saying what he The Dahal-Nepal-led Nepal Communist believes in.” Invitation to Bids (IFB) No: 02- IDO/ Parsa/ Road

th Party, the Nepali Congress and Janata Some analysts and legal experts say the First Date of publication : 207 7 / 09 / 21 (5 Jan 2021) Samajbadi Party have resorted to protests, worry is recent statements by Oli, who has 1. T he Pr o v inc e G o v er nm ent , Pr o v inc e 2 ha s a llo c a t ed funds t o w a r ds t he c o s t o f, Upgrading of Roads a nd int ends t o a p p ly p a r t o f t he funds t o c o v er eligib le demanding the restoration of the House. already dragged the executive, the judiciary p a y m ent s under t he following contracts. Bidding is o p en t o a ll eligib le b idder s a s p er S ec t io n V o f b idding do c um ent . After dissolving the House, Oli has called and the legislature as well as the Office of for a fresh mandate and declared snap polls President into controversy, could lead to the 2 . Infrastructure Development Office, Birgunj, Parsa inv it es o nly elec t r o nic b ids fr o m eligib le b idder s fo r t he fo llo w ing Br idges under N a t io na l for April 30 and May 10. erosion of public’s confidence in rule of law Co m p et it iv e Bidding . In his almost every public speech, Oli has and judicial independence as well as his own been asking all to prepare for elections–and office. O nly eligib le b idder s w it h t he fo llo w ing k ey q ua lific a t io ns s ho uld p a r t ic ip a t e in t his b idding: even making claims that parties have already According to Daman Nath Dhungana, a Bid Validity committed themselves to polls–thereby rul- former Speaker, if a prime minister is party Cost Of Time for ing out the possibility of House restoration to a case, he or she has every right to defend Period/ Bid Bid Security E stimated Bid Completion W ork ex perience of which, according to experts, is possible if the their position, but the executive cannot dis- Contract ID Name of Project Security Amount Amount with court overturns the government’s House dis- play highhandedness to influence the judi- Document from date of key activities validity (NRs. ) VAT solution move. cial process. (NRs. ) W ork order But that’s the way Oli does it, according to “Since the prime minister can easily build Period Shyam Shrestha who has followed leftist pol- public opinion, it could influence the verdict IDO / PA R / N A s p ha lt c o nc r et e / Pr e itics for decades and knows some communist and give room for moral questions to arise,” Up gr a ding o f Dho r e- Pa k a ha - 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 leaders including Oli from close. said Dhungana. “It seems that his attempts CB/ R O A D- 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 3,10,000.00 12,620,952.0 0 m ix c a r p et ing ( 1 9 6 . 0 Po k ha r iy a R o a d 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s “He is actually foolhardy enough to make are intended at influencing the court.” 0 4 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 m 3 in S ingle c o nt r a c t ) such claims,” Shrestha told the Post. “The Dhungana said that he believes democrat- confidence he is exuding that the House won’t ic practices and rule of law will prevail. IDO / PA R / N A s p ha lt c o nc r et e / Pr e be reinstated seems to be stemming from his “But there is no answer to arbitrariness Up gr a ding o f S a b a it ha w a - 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 CB/ R O A D- 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 10,203,620.00 m ix c a r p et ing ( 1 6 0 . 0 understanding that he has already fixed up and autocratic tendency.” Oli’s arbitrary Bhediha r i- H a r iha r p ur R o a d 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s things. Maybe he thinks he has already influ- decisions and authoritarian impulses have 0 5 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 m 3 in S ingle Co nt r a c t ) enced all who he needs to influence.” been on display ever since he took office in According to Shrestha, Oli has that uncan- February 2018. Starting from centralising IDO / PA R / N Up gr a ding o f G ulb a r iy a - w a r d 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 ny knack of getting his people to believe power, Oli has tried to curtail press freedom, CB/ R O A D- 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 10,196,088.00 N o t R eq uir ed what he says, even if those are based on curb civil liberty and shrink civic space. o ffic e p a t er w a s uga uli 3 R o a d 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 0 6 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 wrong arguments. An ordinance on the Constitutional “Basically, he is pandering to his loyalists, Council Act days before his House dissolu- IDO / PA R / N Up gr a ding o f Pr a ga t ina ger t o le- when he is arguing with confidence that the tion move was described by many as yet 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 DBS T w o r k ( 6 3 5 0 . 0 0 House won’t be restored, even when the case another display of his authoritarian streak. CB/ R O A D- R a m p ur w a A m a o - Pa t ha r a 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 is being heard by the court,” said Shrestha. Bhimarjuna Acharya, an expert on consti- 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 10,499,454.27 s q m . in s ingle c o nt r a c t 0 7 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 Da ur uw a - Bis unp ur w a R o a d But there are some who do not find any- tutional matters and a fierce critic of Oli’s thing wrong in Oli’s public statements that House dissolution move, said it’s objection- Up gr a ding o f J eet p ur s im r a the House dissolution is a political matter, able that the prime minister is repeatedly IDO / PA R / N UP. M a . N a . 1 8 La m ida nda 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 DBS T w o r k ( 6 3 5 0 . 0 0 that it does not require a judicial review and making claims that the House cannot be CB/ R O A D- 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 that the House won’t be restored. restored. K us m a r i- Pa s a ha k o k o r ido r - 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s s q m . in s ingle c o nt r a c t 0 8 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 10,231,925.40 Ramesh Badal, an advocate, said as a citi- “Such claims are exceptionable. He is K a la iy a 2 7 R a m p ur R o a d zen of the country, Oli has all the right to party to a case which is sub-judice and his defend his case. statements undermine the dignity of the IDO / PA R / N Up gr a ding o f K happartatta - 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 “All are equal in the eyes of the law–be it’s court and judiciary,” said Acharya. “How CB/ R O A D- K uk ur b huk k a - G a m b ha r iy a - 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 a prime minister or a general citizen,” said does he know that the House cannot be 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 10,239,930.36 NR 0 9 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 J o t p ur R o a d Badal. “If Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav revived when the hearing is pending?” Nepal can say the House will be reinstated, According to Acharya, Oli, even though Up gr a ding o f Pip a r p a t i- why can’t the prime minister say it won’t be?” his status has been reduced to caretaker, is IDO / PA R / N La lc ha na ha - R a m na ga r c ho k - 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 According to Badal, the only thing the still a prime minister and a person with CB/ R O A D- 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 prime minister cannot say is that he won’t power. Ba ldus hw a - K unda w a - 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 1 0 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 accept the verdict. “And a prime minister constantly saying Langadacho k R o ad 10,496,124.49 NR “No one can use a threatening language that the House cannot be restored,” said against the court,” said Badal. “The prime Acharya, “is tantamount to abuse of power IDO / PA R / N Up gr a ding o f S im r a unga dh N.P. minister has not done so. He is just putting to influence the court of law.” 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 CB/ R O A D- J ha r o k ha r p o k ha r i- G a t e -Pa t er w a 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 10,498,295.38 1 1 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 H ula k i R o a d NR

IDO / PA R / N Up gr a ding o f La nga da c ho k 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 Letting provinces hold ... CB/ R O A D- Ba j a r - Pip r a - Ba s a t p ur c ho k - 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 10,492,941.27 >> Continued from page 1 The decision to hold the examinations in 1 2 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 R o a d NR Once the Cabinet makes the decision, the June will affect the academic calendar of local governments will be responsible for schools. IDO / PA R / N conducting the examination. “Conducting the Secondary Education Up gr a ding o f N a r a hic ho k - 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 CB/ R O A D- 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 The National Examinations Board Examination in June means, the entire Bet a una - A r na w a c ho k R o a d 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 10,497,692.72 NR will, therefore, manage only grade 12 school calendar will be pushed by a couple of 1 3 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 examinations. months,” said a senior official at the minis- IDO / PA R / N Up gr a ding o f Pip r a dhi N a ha r - Although the provinces have been given try on the condition of anonymity as the 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 some authority with this decision, education decision is yet to be formalised. CB/ R O A D- Dhur a ha - K a ila nw a - K athahariya 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 experts say that this is just an administra- With plans to wrap up the ongoing aca- 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 10,497,692.00 NR 1 4 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 R o a d tion delegation of authority and not devolu- demic session by March-April, the tion of power as per a federal dispensation. Curriculum Development Centre in IDO / PA R / N Up gr a ding o f S ir s iy a Bo a r der - “Allowing to conduct the tests is just a September reduced the school curricula load 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 CB/ R O A D- Dr y p o r t - A t hr a ha - S uga ulib ir t a - 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2,60,000.00 decentralisation of administrative work,” by 30 percent and this is still in force despite 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 10,182,268.79 NR Binay Kusiyait, a professor at Tribhuvan the academic year will now end in June. 1 5 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 A p a uni R o a d University, told the Post. “The federal gov- This means that the academic year 2021-22 IDO / PA R / N Up gr a ding o f Bha luhi- ernment should authorise the provinces to will also be curtailed by two months in order 1 5 t h A s ha dh 9 0 design their curriculum and give them the to have the academic year end in March- CB/ R O A D- Bha r b a liy a - Bij b a liy a - G a nda k 3 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 2 , 6 0 , 0 0 0 . 0 0 entire responsibility of the education to April, the official said. 2 0 7 8 da y s / 1 2 0 da y s 10,233,377.34 NR 1 6 / 0 7 7 / 0 7 8 N a ha r - Ba r eniy a R o a d them.” Last year the government cancelled the The Social Committee has also decided Secondary Education Examination as there 3 . E ligib le Bidder s m a y o b t a in fur t her info r m a t io n a nd ins p ec t t he Bidding Do c um ent s a t t he o ffic e o f Infrastructure Development Office, Birgunj, Parsa o r that the Secondary Education Examination was no prospect of conducting it owing to m a y v is it PPM O e- G P s y s t em w w w .bolpatra.gov.np/egp . will be held in June because, according to a the pandemic and the National Examinations senior official of the education ministry, the Board issued the certificates based on the 4 . T he Infr a s t r uc t ur e dev elo p m ent O ffic e, Pa r s a r es er v es t he r ight t o a c c ep t o r r ej ec t , w ho lly o r p a r t ly a ny o r a ll t he b ids w it ho ut a s s igning a ny r ea s o n, teaching-learning process was hampered internal evaluations by the respective w ha t s o ev er . due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the virtual schools. The government has ruled out inter- learning facility wasn’t effective and uni- nal evaluations in the current because of Office Chief form across the nation. large scale anomaly in the results.

C M Y K 03 | TUESDAY, JANUARY 05, 2021 NATIONAL BRIEFING Experts warn reopening Butwal-Narayanghat road expansion work resumes cinemas and schools now is NAWALPARASI (EAST): The expansion work along the Butwal-Narayanghat road has resumed after the contractor inviting second virus wave agreed to address the demands of the workers. The construction work of the road had come to a halt two weeks ago due to the workers’ protest. On Prime minister and ministers have been attending Monday, the workers returned to work after an agreement was reached meetings and gathering crowds ignoring the risks. between the representatives of the ARJUN POUDEL 2020 would go to waste if people contractor, labourers and the District KATHMANDU, JAN 4 dropped their guard now. Administration Office. Epidemiologists also question the Of the 12 patients admitted to Sukraraj government’s decision in the past few Information centre set up in Tropical and Infectious Disease days to reopen all businesses across Hospital a month ago, the condition of the country. FNJ Baglung branch six is still critical. “People who should be discouraging BAGLUNG: The Baglung chapter of the The hospital has been unable to large gatherings are doing the oppo- Federation of Nepali Journalists, discharge even the other six patients, site by overlooking safety measures,” with the financial assistance from even after they tested negative for the Dr Keshab Deuba, an epidemiologist Prabhu Bank Limited, has set up an coronavirus, as they suffer from told the Post. information centre in the district. breathing complications. As new variants of the coronavirus The centre with 10 computers came “The number of patients in critical believed to be more contagious than into operation on Sunday. “Some condition has not declined,” Dr Sagar the old variant spread across the journalists in Baglung do not have Rajbhandari, director at the hospital, world, including in neighbouring their own computers. They can told the Post. “The risk of infection India and China, authorities should use the centre for their professional has also not declined.” behave more responsibly, doctors say. work,” said Dil Shirish, POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI The doctor’s comment comes as a Nepal has been speeding up to reopen the FNJ Baglung chief. People sit around a fire to warm themselves at Basantapur with the daytime temperature plummeting in the Capital on Monday. meeting of the Covid-19 Crisis businesses even as several countries Management Centre’s directorate on in Europe have reintroduced restric- Sunday evening decided to discuss the tions to prevent the spread of the prospect of reopening businesses and virus and its variants. services such as schools and movie According to Deuba, it’s not time theatres, which have remained shut yet to let the guard down as the coun- since March last year, during the try has not become coronavirus-free. China’s foreign aid agency is all set to upcoming Cabinet meeting. With the dissolution of Parliament, However, officials said they haven’t the numbers of political rallies, pro- taken a decision on reopening schools tests and gatherings have been and cinemas. “We have not taken any increasing throughout the country. decision, but agreed to discuss the Even ministers, including the prime make foray into Nepal’s northern region opening up of businesses that still minister, responsible for containing remain shut, during the Cabinet meet- the spread of infections and saving ing,” Mahendra Prasad Guragain, sec- lives, have been giving speeches in China International Development Cooperation Agency to fund 15 pilot projects in 13 of the 15 districts that border Tibet. retary at the CCMC, told the Post. “As closed rooms in front of large crowds. the number of new cases has been “Those taking part in political ANIL GIRI low geo-strategic significance, but in doing so, it can they have already sent the projects for approval. declining, we have agreed to discuss meetings and protests might be young KATHMANDU, JAN 4 ward off the presence of India and the West from “We could not hold meetings with the Chinese side coming closer to Tibetan border. Such investment because of the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s been nearly For the first time, China’s external aid and develop- will advance China’s goodwill in the northern one month since we selected the projects and sent ment agency, China International Development region,” Jaisawal said. them for approval,” Karki told the Post. Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) is making a foray into Earlier, the Tibetan autonomous government used “Each project is based on its size and the total Nepal, pledging to finance 15 pilot development pro- to supply food and other essentials in the districts of budget may be somewhere around Rs 1 billion. These jects in 13 northern districts of the country. Darchula, Bajhang, Humla, Mugu, Dolpa, Mustang, are pilot projects so each project’s cost will not In March 2019, the Nepal government had permit- Manang, Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok, exceed Rs 50 million.” ted the agency to provide development assistance so Dolakha, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha and In a deal signed by Nepal and China in 2014, China as to create capital in 15 northern districts of Nepal Taplejung. has agreed to provide 10 million yuan ($1.63 million) to meet their developmental needs. But this time, the Chinese development agency annually from 2014 to 2018 to help Nepal develop its A framework agreement was signed between the and the Tibetan government are directly assisting northern districts bordering China’s Tibet Ministry of Finance and CIDCA during the state projects in northern districts, something quite dif- Autonomous Region. The aid was spent in health, visit of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to China in ferent from the previous one, according to officials at education and road sectors. June 2018, allowing CIDCA to work in Nepal. the Ministry of Finance. Now, China aims to invest one to three billion The project has been named “Northern Region CIDCA was established in 2018 with an objective to rupees for development projects in Nepal’s northern Border Development Programme”. While the money strengthen the strategic planning and overall coordi- region, a telling sign of Chinese growing interest in in the projects will be invested by the cooperation nation of the Chinese aid to various developing and Nepal because of the Tibet issue, say observers. POST FILE PHOTO agency, the Ministry of Commerce of China will be under-developed countries. “China does not like the movement of Indian and Experts say it’s not right time yet to reopen schools. the implementing agency. Bishnu Datta Gautam, joint secretary at the western donors in the north due to the sensitivity of Besides these projects, CIDCA is executing pro- Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Tibet,” said Jaisawal. allowing businesses to resume.” people, who may not become serious jects like improvement of Araniko Highway and the Administration, said the ministry had initially iden- “With China’s investing in the northern region, it With the government halting free about the infection but they could Ring-Road Improvement Project(Phase II) , which tified 24 projects in 15 districts for Chinese invest- might even say to Nepal not to permit the other testing and contact tracing, the num- take the virus to their homes and are going to be initiated soon. ment, but they were later whittled down to 15 at the donors to invest in the north as it is ready to pour ber of polymerase chain reaction tests jeopardise their elderly parents and Fifteen of Nepal’s 77 districts share borders with request of Chinese officials. any investment that Nepal needs.” carried out each day has declined by children,” Dr Arun Kumar Koirala, China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. The districts of Darchula and Dhading were also Anand Pokharel, a former minister, meanwhile several fold and so have the new cases. professor at University, told Officials at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and the excluded, thus reducing the number of districts to views the issue differently. But despite the decline in new cases, the Post. Ministry of Finance say China seems interested in 13. All 15 projects have been selected and categorised He says the Chinese investment interest in the the number of serious patients who “People in authority and concerned the development of and direct connection with into clusters based on the selection criteria of the northern region of Nepal was also to do with the need intensive care and ventilator agencies should strictly enforce safety Nepal’s northern region just as India’s interest lies Chinese aid agency. “extensive lobbying we did with both the provincial support has not declined, which measures if they have to let business- in the development of the southern Tarai region by “They (Chinese officials) told us to select the pro- and central governments of China.” prove that the infection rate has not es open.” investing in small and big projects. jects based on clusters so that one or two contractors “Earlier, China did not pay much attention to the declined whatever the officials claim, “Opening up everything without Observers and experts on diplomacy, however, can complete the pilot projects without moving development of the northern region of Nepal. China experts say. knowing about the exact condition is interpret it differently. They say the primary reason much in a difficult geographical terrain,” an official has started paying attention to the region since Apart from schools, cinemas and unwise,” Koirala added. “Even if the behind China coming forward to invest in the north- at the Ministry of Federal Affairs told the Post. “As 2009,” said Pokharel. fitness centres in metropolitan cities, infection has reached its peak and is ern region of Nepal is the Tibet issue. per their request, we developed three clusters--east- “It is not good that the other side of the border is most businesses are back to the declining now, time has not come to “China’s concern about Tibet is the major reason ern, mid and far-west.” poor, lacking in resources and hit hard by poverty. So pre-pandemic state. Schools in some give up safety measures.” behind the investment in the northern districts,” As per the agreement between Nepali and Chinese the Chinese central and Tibetan governments start- of the municipalities reopened Doctors say that contagious viruses said Pramod Jaisawal, China watcher and a former officials reached in March 2019, the Chinese aid ed supporting the other side of the Himalaya on the months ago. like SARS-CoV-2 spread in a wave and senior research fellow at Institute of Peace and agency has expressed its intent to work with local principle of shared prosperity,” he said. Public health experts said that the second wave could be more severe Conflict Studies. governments of Nepal in various infrastructure pro- He noted that the Chinese investment was about reopening everything without than the first. He sees China’s investment as a soft-power ploy to jects, like roads, health facilities, school buildings eradicating poverty, bringing two peoples and following safety measures is like invit- Some countries which have success- earn goodwill of the Nepali people living in the and irrigation channels. countries closer and about expediting economic ing a second wave of coronavirus fully controlled the virus have been region while it prepares the groundwork for long- Prahlad Karki, under secretary at the Ministry of activities. infections too early. Rajbhandari said reimposing the restrictions and shut- term gains. Federal Affairs and General Administration, said “Chinese support and interest in Nepal’s northern that all the efforts and resources put ting down schools after new cases “Chinese investment in the northern region holds they were waiting for the Chinese side to respond as region always remains high,” said Pokharel. in to contain the spread of the virus in started to rise. Infrastructure projects threaten biodiversity conservation, affect wildlife: Study A rapid assessment of projects in the Tarai has found adverse consequences on forests, habitats, animals’ movement and growing negative interactions between humans and wildlife.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL for the disturbing movement of wildlife and these projects fragment their habitats,” said KATHMANDU, JAN 4 killing a large number of wild species every Sherchan. “For terrestrial species, there year. should be underpasses, overpasses and tunnels Nepal’s linear infrastructure projects in The East-West Highway, which traverses whereas for arboreal animals there can be can- lowland Tarai regions have been adversely through the Banke National Park and Bardiya opy bridges. But we are far behind in installing impacting the environment, biodiversity, National Park, results in several dozen deaths such measures.” including wildlife movement from the protect- of wildlife living in these parks annually. The study has recommended that green and ed parks and adjoining forests, a study has “There are minimal and recent realisations smart infrastructure should be promoted to pointed out. that these infrastructure projects should be allow minimum adverse impact on the envi- At a time when the death of a tiger in a road environment and wildlife-friendly. The realisa- ronment and biodiversity. accident in Parsa National Park has shaken tion is pretty new that these projects should “With the magnitude of infrastructure conservationists, the new study has outlined not only be for the locals,” said Sherchan. development, if we do not ensure safeguarding the potential threats development activities “Although the four underpasses in the environment by implementing mitigation are posing on the country’s biodiversity and Barandabhar Forest Corridor were not built measures, it will be too late,” said Sherchan. “A wildlife conservation sectors. appreciating the need for wildlife and are larger chunk of the budget spent by the local According to the study, ‘Impacts of POST FILE PHOTO merely culverts, they have been functional in level is on infrastructure development or Infrastructures on Environment and Road accidents killed 42 wild animals inside the Parsa National Park in the fiscal year 2018-19. helping wildlife cross the highway. Medium upgradation. Such funds should also be allocat- Biodiversity in Tarai, Nepal,’ adverse impacts size animals have been frequently using those ed for implementing measures, which is not of these infrastructure projects were observed safeguard practices were not enforced serious- Wildlife Sanctuary in India and vice versa. underpasses, showing that such measures happening most of the time.” on the tropical/subtropical forests, wild habi- ly in infrastructure projects that required mas- According to the study, the important biolog- work if only we built more for the wildlife at As per the study, provincial governments, tats, wild animals’ movement, hydrological sive felling of trees and were built along forests ical corridor, which is home to more than two suitable locations.” district forest officers and protected areas cycle and human-wildlife conflict. areas that serve as habitats and support rare dozen mammals, has the risk of vehicle-wild- The Narayanghat-Butwal road improvement should coordinate with the local governments “Our motivation was to assess how linear and endangered wild animals. life collision leading to injuries and deaths of project also carried adverse impacts on envi- in order to make a large number of infrastruc- infrastructure projects like road networks, According to the rapid study, the EIA report both humans and wildlife. ronment and biodiversity particularly in ture projects green and safe by implementing irrigation canals and petroleum pipelines are of proposed Nijgadh International Airport was “The Postal highway has obstructed the Bhedabari Community Forest, Navadurga mitigation measures. affecting environment and biodiversity in the prescribed to cut over 2.4 million trees in the movement of animals like megafauna such as Community Forest, Madyabindu, Dhumkibash Biological corridors, habitat forests and crit- Tarai belt,” Roshn Sherchan, the team leader Nijgadh corridor forest, a native hardwood tigers, rhinos and elephants,” said Sherchan, and Daunne, said the study. ical bottlenecks should be identified and of the study conducted by the Nepal Forum of forest with high biodiversity value and an ele- who has more than two decades of experience The Narayanghat-Butwal stretch borders mapped out in advance so it would be useful Environmental Journalists, told the Post. phant corridor. in the conservation sector. “The corridor is buffer zone of Chitwan National Park covering information while planning and designing “We selected highways, irrigation projects, “Also, the quality of EIA has been an issue in functional for connecting wildlife habitats. nearly 24 kms and eight forest patches with infrastructure projects, said the study, when the pipeline and the proposed airport to meas- Nijgadh International Airport,” stated the However, it is facing negative consequences.” about 64 km length. the country’s aspiration for infrastructure ure such impacts through field study and con- report. “Moreover, the Postal Highway in Traffic congestion is likely to increase along The road improvement projects will lead to development is growing. sultation with key stakeholders.” Khata and Madan Bhandari Highway do not the Postal Highway, exerting increased pres- more obstruction in free movement of wild “With connectivity and infrastructure devel- For rapid assessment, the team had selected have EIA study reports.” sure on wild animals’ free movement through animals, according to the study. Irrigation pro- opment, negative interaction between humans Motihari-Amlekhgunj oil pipeline project, Besides, these projects, which traverse natu- the corridor. jects like Sikta and Rani-Jamara-Kulariya have and wildlife will also increase. The govern- Madan Bhandari Highway, Narayanghat- ral habitats, have severely hindered the wild- The Narayanghat-Muglin stretch, which also blocked free movement of wildlife while ment agencies should push for environ- Butwal road improvement project, life’s free movement and resulted in the deaths passes via the Barandabhar Forest Corridor, animals also drown in canals laid to supply ment-friendly designs and compliances,” said Narayanghat-Muglin road section, Postal of animals. has also caused deaths of wild animals due to water. The study team found that existing Sherchan. Highway, East-West Highway, Rani Jamara The Postal road, which passes via Khata vehicular collision and led wild animals to canals have no enough structures for helping “There are hardly such measures. There are Kulariya Project, Sikta Irrigation Project, Corridor, a narrow strip of forest area that move or disperse towards higher altitudes and wild animals cross them. sign boards along the roads, but sign boards Kathmandu Tarai Expressway and the pro- facilitates wild animals’ movement, has hin- affect the free movement of wild animals. “Most of the places do not have any such are for the people. Animals cannot read them posed Nijgadh Airport. dered the free movement of wild animals from The East-West Highway, which touches five measures. As a result, animals have been killed and these measures are merely human-cen- The study team revealed that environmental Bardiya National Park, Nepal to Katarniaghat protected areas, has already been responsible in road accidents and have drowned while tric—not for wildlife.”

C M Y K TUESDAY, JANUARY 05, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Why Indo-US policies failed in Nepal Structural bottlenecks The two powers have often bet on the wrong The spillover effect of having a robust e-commerce side, attempting to fulfil strategy will create more jobs. short term interests. The year 2020 saw a massive boom for Nepal’s nascent e-com- merce sector, primarily due to Covid-19 restrictions; but the ACHYUT WAGLE disruptions amid the pandemic were a blessing in disguise. According to Nepal Rastra Bank, which has been collecting online sales data from mid-August last year, online sellers’ turnover has soared, and so has the use of electronic payment transactions. The period mid-November to mid-December 2020 alone recorded e-commerce business worth Rs8.2 billion from 112,706 Nepal received exceptionally unusual transactions, according to the central bank. The payments attention in the Indian and, to some were made through debit or credit cards and exclude other extent, Western media last week when a Chinese delegation headed by Vice popular alternatives like digital wallets and cheque or cash Minister of the International on delivery. Department of the Communist Party Consumer spending and behaviour are changing fast amid of China Guo Yezhou rushed to the pandemic, forcing businesses to reimagine their strategies Kathmandu. The four-member delega- to keep up with their customers, who are increasingly moving tion was here ‘to avert’ an impending vertical split in the ruling Nepal online. According to the latest management information sys- Communist Party. An extreme tem report of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, inter- extra-constitutional move to dissolve net penetration in Nepal had reached 77.91 percent of the total the House of Representatives by Prime population as of mid-October last year. Minister KP Oli on December 20 was These figures indicate that opportunities in the e-commerce the climax of the intra-party feud that sector will only grow in the future to create more jobs and had intensified in recent months. The general prognosis of these news attract investments; but in the absence of a law governing reports and op-ed pieces was that the e-commerce in the country, the consumers will continue Chinese influence in Nepal is growing to be the biggest losers while small and medium businesses will and the Communist Party of China suffer. was working hard to prevent the Leading online sellers have even lamented that the stakehold- break-up of its ‘brotherly’ Nepali POST FILE PHOTO ers’ concerns put forward during the draft preparation haven’t counterpart. The CPC, and Guo in Nepal and China’s ruling communist parties had signed a six-point bilateral agreement amid a training programme conducted by on particular, was credited for purported Xi Jinping Thought in 2019. been addressed clearly. At the same time, consumer rights success in unifying two communist activists say there are no clear provisions which would hold forces. The two parties had first substantive change in Chinese policy menting the coup as accomplished Nepal’s promulgation of a new federal online marketplaces accountable. formed an electoral alliance three and from absolute non-interference in the ‘with great secrecy and superb organi- constitution ‘without consulting India The draft bill defines e-commerce as selling and buying of a half years ago and merged into one in past to an active interest in Nepal’s sation’. After 1960, the US slowly shift- and at the behest of China’. goods and services through the internet or computer network May 2018. political developments. ed its approach in Nepal, embracing Much like the US, India has under- or any other electronic system as well as commercial transac- There is a sort of incessant battle the monarchy and moving away from mined Nepal’s democratic forces and between Indian and Chinese media Strategic interest first democratic reform. In later years, the processes. It has embraced hardliner tion, data transfer, the supply of goods and services, lease, hire over what happens in Nepali politics, For a moment, let’s put aside Nepal’s US chose to view Nepal through Indian communists like Dahal even to the purchase, exchange and professional and other services provid- including the current episode. When own worry of political instability and lenses and took the strategy of not utter surprise of China. In a bid to sup- ed through an electronic medium. Hindustan Times published an op-ed its fallouts. If China’s increased inter- antagonising India at the cost of sup- port pro-Indian parties in the Tarai, it Marketplace, according to the draft bill, is an inter-mediatory claiming that the split in the NCP est in Nepali politics is a cause of con- porting Nepal. It was paradoxically substantially weakened democratic business that facilitates deals between sellers and buyers ‘hurts China’ and accused China of cern for India, and also the US for that evident when Nepal was ravaged by the allies like Nepali Congress. By failing through a network of the electronic medium and includes interfering in Nepal’s domestic affairs, matter, to reiterate, both of them must Maoist insurgency with tacit Indian to recognise Nepal’s new constitution the Chinese official mouthpiece, the accept the fact that it is primarily due support to it, as highlighted in the book that was democratically voted in by 90 wholesalers, retailers, commercial agents, brokers and distrib- Global Times, countered it as an Indian to the dominance of communist forces R&AW & Civil Intelligence a Factful percent of the popularly elected utors that perform business through e-commerce. ‘tactic to drive a wedge between China that has overshadowed democratic pol- Analysis by CP Thakur, the US was Constituent Assembly members, and As reflected in the vague definitions above and other contest- and Southeast Asian countries’. The itics in the country. Ironically though, seen completely reluctant to provide then imposing a six-month-long con- ing provisions, the draft bill in no manner serves the purpose paper declared, ‘The coordinative role the rapid rise of the communists to political support to the democratic stricting blockade, India massively fue- to facilitate and regulate the e-commerce sector, more so for played by China should not be viewed power is largely due to the comprehen- establishment here. So much so, the US led the anti-Indian sentiments in an small and medium businesses. Instead, it demonstrates how as interference in Nepal’s internal poli- sive failure of Indian and US foreign has even now failed to convince the entire generation of young voters. This tics. The accusations from the Indian policies in Nepal. ruling communist stalwarts to accept was capitalised by Oli-Dahal brand of the officials who prepared the draft have failed to understand side are groundless’. Nepal very often The US policy failure came in two aid worth $500 million under the communist-nationalistic rhetoric and emerging instruments of trade and the opportunities technolo- than not finds itself at the middle of ways: one, an aberration from their Millennium Challenge Corporation forced Oli to posture as if leaning gy has created for start-ups and cottage industries. this battle for regional influence purported principles of promoting Compact. towards China. The government, which needs to play a proactive role in cre- between its two powerful neighbours; democracy and inconsistencies in Even now, if India is basking on the ating jobs and facilitating a better business environment, can- its top political leaders have often choosing partners for political engage- Disrespect to democracy feigned success of winning back Oli fallen prey to machinations from ment, and two, fleeting approaches in As for India, its recipe of economic and breaking the NCP, it would be not continue to kill potentials and sway investments. Given the both sides. policy pursuit. The promotion of blockades has been enough to give rise another wrong policy bet. This in no pace at which online activity is rapidly expanding across the There is no hiding of the fact that democracy in Nepal has come second to to the ultra-nationalist communist way is going to help consolidate Nepal’s country, primarily due to mobile phone penetration, it is only Chinese interest and engagement in its strategic interest. It began in the demagogy that catapulted communist democracy, without which communist natural that businesses will utilise emerging technologies to Nepali politics has exponentially 1950s at the height of the Cold War leaders like KP Oli and Pushpa Kamal influence in the country’s politics is deal with customers. grown in recent years. Also, it has when China became a communist state. Dahal into power. In recent history, unlikely to recede. China, on the other There is an urgent need to revise the draft bill and produce irked India, which fears losing its ‘tra- The US had a significant strategic India imposed three crippling econom- hand, is rather fast in changing its pol- ditional’ sphere of influence. For coun- interest in the region thus chose to use ic blockades—in 1970, 1989 and 2015. icy tack. When it realised Oli cannot be clear guidelines to govern the growing e-commerce sector in tries like the United States, the expan- and treat Nepal as an outpost and por- Incidentally, all these blockades actual- a dependable ally in the long run, last Nepal, and foremost, protect consumers. The spillover effect of sion of the Chinese model of socialism tal to China. ly were linked to Nepal’s relations with week’s visiting Chinese delegation also having a robust e-commerce strategy will create more jobs as seems to be the main cause for concern. The most significant policy distor- China. The 1970 blockade was against called on Nepali Congress President already seen last year when online sellers went on a hiring But the fact of the matter is: the grow- tion was the US’s support of king the construction of the Kathmandu- Sher Bahadur Deuba in an effort to spree to cater to record orders amid the lockdown. Officials ing influence and engagement of the Mahendra after he sacked the elected Kodari Highway that connected Nepal convey the message that CPC would need to be in tune with the evolving digital sphere that both CPC with the NCP is an obvious out- government in a coup d’état in 1960. with China by road. The second in 1989 like to revert to its ‘equidistance’ policy come of the gradual rise—and now an Hoping that Mahendra would be a nat- was to protest Nepal’s purchase of towards all major political parties consumers and businesses have embraced to tap into the poten- enveloping dominance—of communist ural adversary to communist China, it Chinese arms. And the third was to of Nepal. Perhaps other powers can tials that can truly transform the national economy. politics in Nepal. It is coupled with a chose the wrong bedfellow by comple- express India’s displeasure with take note. What is your moral plan for 2021?

requires time and thought. We need to Setting goals works inform ourselves about problems like those just mentioned, decide on our better, especially if the priorities, and consider where we can make the most difference. That’s why goals are incremental, this is an appropriate area for the kind of commitment involved in making a steps along a path. resolution. We must consciously direct our attention to living ethically. It’s a mis- PETER SINGER & AGATA SAGAN take to think that we can wait until life puts us in a situation requiring us to make a difficult moral choice. Anyone sufficiently affluent to have choices about how to live, and what to do with their time and money, is already there. For these reasons, a resolution to be Many people make New Year’s resolu- a morally better person would not be a tions. The most common ones, at least matter of sticking to rules, like not in the United States, are to exercise smoking or eating sweets. Such reso- more, eat healthier, save money, lose lutions are rarely kept anyway. weight, or reduce stress. Some may Setting goals works better, especial- resolve to be better to a particular ly if the goals are incremental, steps person—not to criticise their partner, along a path. So make a moral plan. to visit their ageing grandmother Think about your values, and choose more often, or to be a better friend to one or two issues that are important to someone close to them. Yet few peo- you. Then you can affirm those values ple—just 12 percent, according to one by living in a way that addresses the US study—resolve to become a better issues you care about, whether it is by person in general, meaning better in a reducing your personal contribution moral sense. to climate change, or animals’ suffer- One possible explanation is that ing, or finding the most effective most people focus on their own organisations helping people in well-being, and don’t see being moral- extreme poverty, and supporting them ly better as something that is in their with your time or money. own interest. A more charitable expla- UNSPLASH When you do this, make a note of nation is that many people see morali- For those who take this view of choices arise only in unusual circum- requires much thought or research. ic raise complex questions about how what you have done, and the progress ty as a matter of conforming to a set morality, and can make an honest liv- stances, and many people thus simply We reject this view. Being a good we should spend our money, how you have made. You will not be perfect. of rules establishing the things we ing sufficient to meet their own essen- cross those bridges when they come to person today requires thought and much of it we should give to help oth- There are few saints, and for most should not do. tial needs, being a good person hardly them. What of the remaining 46 per- work. The moral intuitions that ers, what we should eat, and how we people, aspiring to sainthood is bound That is not very surprising in socie- seems worthy of a special resolution. cent? It seems that they never think evolved during many millennia of liv- should use our abilities to influence to be self-defeating. But take pride in ties built on the Jewish and Christian This is suggested in a survey of US about ethics at all! ing in small, face-to-face societies are others and our governments. Moral your achievements, and aim to build traditions, in which the Ten adults that found that only 23 percent These findings could be interpreted no longer adequate. Our actions codes written thousands of years ago on them in the months and years to Commandments are held up as the report that they often think about or as indicating that nearly half of now—or our failure to act—affect peo- are silent about climate change, and come. core of morality. But, today, tradition- research the ethical aspect of a choice Americans don’t regard ethics as ple all over the world and people who usually say nothing, or very little, al moral rules have only limited rele- in their life. important. But in the same survey, 87 will live on this planet for many centu- about protecting the environment, the Singer is Professor of Bioethics at vance to ordinary life. Few of us are Most people can just live as they percent said that it is important to ries to come. treatment of animals, and how we Princeton University and founder of ever in situations in which killing have always been living, and as their teach ethics to children, from kinder- That means we face moral choices should exercise our responsibilities as the charity The Life You Can Save. someone even crosses our mind. Most friends and co-workers live. In the garten through high school. The cor- all the time. Global problems like cli- citizens in a democracy. Sagan is an independent researcher of us don’t need to steal, and to do so same survey, another 31 percent rect interpretation, therefore, seems mate change, extreme poverty, the No short set of rules can possibly living in Warsaw, working on ethics is not a great temptation—most people reported that they sometimes think to be that at least three-quarters of cruel confinement of billions of ani- deal with the variety of circumstanc- and the persecution of Jews in the will even return a lost wallet with about ethical aspects of choices in Americans think that ethics is impor- mals in factory farms, overfishing of es in which individuals find them- Soviet Union. money in it. their lives, suggesting that moral tant, but they don’t believe that it the oceans, and of course the pandem- selves today. To be a good person today —Project Syndicate

C M Y K 05 | TUESDAY, JANUARY 05, 2021 MONEY

FOREX US Dollar 117.14 Many hotels face closure with no tourists coming Euro 144.01

Pound Sterling 160.22 Hotels are fighting for their lives and plan to implement a ‘no work, no pay’ system to stay afloat.

Japanese Yen 11.40 SANGAM PRASAIN minimum staff and retrench the rest The iconic Annapurna Hotel on Chinese Yuan 18.13 KATHMANDU, JAN 4 until the situation improves. “We have Durbar Marg is closing its doors for proposed a ‘work-based pay’ for the an indefinite period due to a severe Qatari Riyal 32.17 Nepali hotels, particularly in the employees.” loss of revenue as the coronavirus Australian Dollar 90.62 , may see a flurry of Sinking under the weight of over- snuffed out the tourism industry. temporary closures as they have been due payments, many hotels operating In May, hotels teetering on the edge Malaysian Ringit 29.24 struggling to pay their employees with out of leased properties have already amid the coronavirus closure had no hope of tourists coming back in the shut down for good, and many others decided to cut their losses by remain- Saudi Arab Riyal 31.23 near future, industry insiders said. are struggling to keep their heads ing shuttered for six months, as they Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank Almost all hotels closed their doors above water. didn’t expect tourists to visit Nepal for in March when the government Shah said that many hotels in at least another year. But the govern- Shares announced a complete lockdown Pokhara and Chitwan have been sur- ment opposed their move. to prevent the spread of the coronavi- viving due to the increased movement The first casualty of Covid-19 was Nepse 2,169.04pts -0.29% rus which wiped out tourism and busi- of domestic travellers; but in the Tiger Palace Resort in Bhairahawa. ness travel. Kathmandu, people don’t stay or dine On March 23, the Silver Heritage HIGHEST LOSERS “The shutdowns were supposed to in star-rated hotels. Group, the Australian-listed gaming NMFBS NFS EBL MPFL GLBSL LEC -5.84% -3.7% -3.41% -3.27% -2.9% -2.75% be temporary; but 10 months later, investor which operates two casinos tourists are still not coming back,” in Nepal, had announced a temporary MODERATE LOSERS said Binayak Shah, senior vice-presi- closure of its two properties—Tiger VLBS SHIVM AIL GBLBS UPCL NLBBL Hotels in Pokhara -2.7% -2.68% -2.48% -2.36% -2.36% -2.35% dent of Hotel Association Nepal. “The Place Resort and The Millionaires’ hospitality industry has been affected Club & Casino in Kathmandu. MODERATE GAINERS and Chitwan have SANIMA ALBSL GMFBS UFL MMFDB UIC the most among all the sectors of the Tiger Palace Casino Resort in 3.04% 3.29% 3.43% 3.75% 4.01% 4.35% economy, but it has not received any been surviving due Bhairahawa laid off all its 393 Nepali HIGHEST GAINERS support from the government.” employees, effective from September SHPC SICL RADHI NABBC KLBSL JFL On July 21, after the government to an uptick in 9, due to financial distress as the virus 4.76% 4.99% 5.17% 7.94% 9.5% 9.96% withdrew the stay-at-home order, lockdown brought tourism to a halt. Hotel Association Nepal unveiled a domestic travellers. In 2020, tourist numbers plunged uniform payout structure: All staff, by 80.78 percent from 2019 due to POST PHOTO PRICE PER TOLA from front office workers to general the Covid-19 pandemic, the worst year- BULLION managers, will remain on salary; but A view of Rupakot resort in Pokhara. Industry insiders say that many on-year drop in arrivals since they will get the same pay. hotels want to get rid of old employees Nepal opened to the outside world in Fine Gold Rs 95,300 The association, trade unions and But there has been no concrete out- between hoteliers and employees.” as they have become a big liability to the 1950s. hotel workers agreed on the uniform come from the meetings. He said that the uniform pay arrange- the company—in terms of both work According to the statistics of the Silver Rs 1,325 payout structure and signed a deal to “We understand that hotels are in a ment ended last week, and things productivity and fat salaries. Some Department of Immigration, 230,085 prevent mass layoffs. The new pay difficult situation. There are no tour- had become more complicated. “But five-star hotels have started giving foreign tourists came to Nepal last SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA structure lasted from April 13 till ists, and the situation in 2021 does we hope to settle the issue within voluntary retirement to old employees year, the same number that visited the December 31. not look good either,” said Madhav two weeks.” which the trade unions said was a country in 1986. For the last two weeks, the hotel Pandey, president of the All Nepal The hotels are fighting for their good way to give them a grateful exit. Most of them came before Nepal GASOLINE WATCH association and trade unions have Hotel Casino and Restaurant Workers’ lives and plan to implement a ‘no Pandey said that they understood started restricting visitors on March been holding a series of talks to find a Union. work, no pay’ system to stay afloat. the current and unfolding situation, 20. Less than 15,000 individuals way out to prevent hotels from going “Like the July agreement, we are Shah said that based on the amount and wanted to protect both employees entered the country between April bankrupt and avoid retrenchment. also looking for a win-win deal of business, hotels would retain a and employers. and December. Gold hits eight-week high as tighter virus lockdowns loom

Management in Hong Kong. The dollar slipped, making gold cheaper for other unit holders. Bullion received a boost after Britain’s prime minister hinted at stricter curbs, while Japan said it would consider declaring a state of emergency in its capital city area. Investors are also watching Tuesday’s runoff elections in the US state of Georgia that will decide the control of the Senate. BIZLINE “Gold will go higher if the Democrats win the Senate, basis [for] freedom to engage in more Hyatt Regency Kathmandu adventurous fiscal policy,” said awarded ‘Leading Hotel/Resort’ Nicholas Frappell, global general manager at ABC Bullion. by SATA Supporting factors from 2020 KATHMANDU: Hyatt Regency such as ultra-low real interest Kathmandu has been awarded rates and stimulus measures will ‘Leading Hotel/Resort’ by South push gold higher in the first half Asian Travel Award. The award was of the year, while the success of presented to the hotel in a virtual cer- REUTERS vaccine programmes will also emony on December 20, 2020, states Gold bullion is displayed at Hatton Garden Metals precious metal dealers in London. determine prices, he added. the press release issued by the hotel. Other commodities including “This is a momentous award for REUTERS $1,928.50. Doubts about a swift oil, iron ore and copper also Hyatt Regency Kathmandu and a trib- NEW YORK, JAN 4 global economic rebound rose kicked off 2021 on a strong note as ute to the management and associates after a business survey showed vaccine rollouts and further fiscal who work so hard to meet the needs Gold prices started the New Year the pace of expansion in China’s support hopes spurred demand of our guests needs,” said Rajesh on a high by notching an eight- industrial sector slowed in and boosted prices. Ramdas, General Manager. Hyatt week peak on Monday, as spiking December. Minutes from the US Federal Regency Kathmandu features 280 Covid-19 cases and prospects of Data for the United States and Reserve’s latest meeting are due rooms and suites that enjoy views of tougher restrictions boosted the Europe is due later in the day. on Wednesday. Silver gained 2.8 either the Boudhanath Stupa or the safe-haven metal’s appeal. The potential for weaker data as percent to $27.10 an ounce, while hotel’s gardens and surrounding Spot gold rose 1.4 percent to Covid-19 ravages livelihoods in the platinum rose 2.5 percent to mountain ranges. All rooms are well $1,923.70 per ounce by 0750 GMT, United States and Europe is sup- $1,095.34, after hitting it’s highest equipped and spacious, with a private having hit its highest since porting gold, said Dominic since Sept. 2016 at $1,102. bathroom, a walk-in shower, an November 9 at $1,925.29, while US Schnider, head of commodities Palladium climbed 0.2 percent in-room safe and a mini-bar. gold futures climbed 1.8 percent to and APAC forex at UBS Wealth to $2,452.87.

Government of Nepal National Reconstruction Authority Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) District Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) Chautara, Sindhupalchowk INVITATION FOR BIDS (IFB) First date of Publication: 5th January, 2021, 10:00 Hours 1) District Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) invites electronic bids from eligible bidders for the following bid under National Competitive Bidding – Single Stage Two Envelope Bidding procedures.

S.N IFB No. Contract ID No. Description of Bid Last Date Bid Cost of Work Security of Bid Opening Bidding Amount Submission Date and Document (NRs.) Time (NRs.) 1. 07-2077-78-NRA/ NRA/DLPIU Construction of 12,00,000.00 4th February, 4th February, 5,000.00 DLPIU (Building)/ (Building)/ Two Health Post 2021, 12:00 2021, 14:00 Sindhupalchowk Sindhupalchowk/ Buildings (Type- hours hours 2077-78/NCB-07 4 H.P. Frame Structure) at Marming and Gorthali in Sindhupalchowk District 2) Eligible Bidders may obtain further information from the office of District level Project Implementation Unit (Building), Chautara, Sindhupalchowk, during office hours or may visit PPMO webportal www.bolpatra.gov.np/egp. DLPIU (Building) Chief

C M Y K TUESDAY, JANUARY 05, 2021 | 06 WORLD

BRIEFING Ma’s disappearing United Kingdom rolls out AstraZeneca act fuels online Iran acknowledges it seized Korean tanker speculations about LONDON/DUBAI: A South Korean- vaccine, hails lead in fight against Covid flagged tanker has been seized by Iran, Iranian media said on Monday. Other Western countries take a longer, more cautious approach to rolling out vaccines against coronavirus. his whereabouts Iranian media said the vessel had been seized by the country’s elite REUTERS 19 vaccines as of Saturday morning REUTERS Revolutionary Guards navy for pollut- LONDON, JAN 4 and distributed 13.07 million doses. BEIJING, JAN 4 ing the Gulf with chemicals. The But Israel is the world leader: more United Kingdom Maritime Trade Britain began vaccinating its popula- than a tenth of its population have Alibaba founder Jack Ma’s absence Operations (UKMTO) naval authority tion with the Covid-19 shot developed had a vaccine and Israel is now admin- from public view in the past two earlier said on its website that an by Oxford University and AstraZeneca istering more than 150,000 doses a day. months, including missing the final “interaction” between Iranian on Monday, touting a scientific Britain became the first Western episode of a TV show on which he authorities and a merchant vessel in “triumph” that puts it at the vanguard country to approve and roll out a was to appear as a judge, has fueled the Strait of Hormuz led the ship to of the West in inoculating against Covid-19 vaccine, betting that getting social media speculation over his alter its course and proceed into the virus. ahead with a vaccine will allow it to whereabouts amid a Chinese regulato- Iranian waters. British maritime Britain, which is rushing to vacci- exit the Covid crisis earlier than other ry clampdown on his sprawling busi- security firm Ambrey identified the nate its population faster than the countries, offering Johnson a rare ness empire. vessel as South Korean-flagged tanker United States and the rest of Europe, opportunity to shine. China’s highest-profile entrepre- HANKUK CHEMI and said it is the first country to roll out the Other Western countries have taken neur has not appeared in a public set- appeared to have been seized and had Oxford/AstraZeneca shot though a longer and more cautious approach ting since a late October forum in since been tracked inside Iranian ter- Russia and China have been inoculat- to rolling out vaccines, though Russia where he blasted China’s ritorial waters headed towards ing their citizens for months. and China have been inoculating their regulatory system in a speech that put Bandar Abbas. Just under a month since Britain citizens for months with several dif- him on a collision course with offi- became the first country in the world ferent vaccines still undergoing late- cials, resulting in the suspension of a to roll out the vaccine developed by stage trials. $37 billion IPO of Alibaba’s Ant Group Arrested DJ freed on bail Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech, dial- China on December 31 approved its fintech arm. RAMALLAH: A prominent Palestinian ysis patient Brian Pinker, 82, was first first Covid-19 vaccine for general pub- The Financial Times reported on disc jockey arrested after a dance to get the Oxford/AstraZeneca shot at lic use, a shot developed by an affiliate Friday that Ma was replaced as a event at a Muslim religious and cul- 0730 GMT. of state-backed pharmaceutical giant judge in the final episode in November tural site last week has been freed on “I am so pleased to be getting the AP/RSS Sinopharm. The company said it is 79 of a game show for entrepreneurs bail, her father said Monday. Covid vaccine today and really proud Brian Pinker receives the Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine from a nurse at the percent effective against the virus. called Africa’s Business Heroes. Palestinian Authority police arrested that it is one that was invented in Churchill Hospital in Oxford on Monday. The 82-year-old was first to receive the injection of Russia said on November 24 its An Alibaba spokeswoman told Sama Abdulhadi, 30, on December 27, Oxford,” Pinker, a retired mainte- the new vaccine in the UK after its rollout. Sputnik V vaccine, developed by the Reuters on Monday the change was the day after she performed at Nebi nance manager who has been having Gamaleya Institute, was 91.4 percent due to a scheduling conflict. Mussa, the burial place of Moses dialysis for kidney disease, said just a more than the rest of Europe put degrees, making it easier to distribute effective based on interim late-stage Chinese regulators have zeroed in under Islamic tradition, near the city few hundred metres from where the together, Health Secretary Matt than the Pfizer shot. trial results. It started vaccinations in on Ma’s businesses since his October of Jericho. Initially denied bail, vaccine was developed. Hancock said. Six hospitals in England are admin- August and has inoculated more than speech including launching an anti- according to her parents, Palestinian Pinker was looking forward to cele- “That’s a triumph of British sci- istering the first of around 530,000 100,000 people so far. trust probe into Alibaba and ordering rights groups demanded her freedom brating his 48th wedding anniversary ence that we’ve managed to get where doses Britain has ready. The pro- India approved the Oxford/ Ant to shake up its lending and other along with 100,000 signatories to an with wife Shirley in February. we are,” Hancock told Sky. “Right at gramme will be expanded to hundreds AstraZeneca vaccine on Sunday for consumer finance businesses. online petition. Her father, Saad “The nurses, doctors and staff today the start, we saw that the vaccine was of other British sites in coming days, emergency use. “I think he’s been told to lay low,” Abdulhadi, told AFP that she was have all been brilliant,” he said. the only way out long term.” and the government hopes it will One dose of caution was introduced said Duncan Clark, chairman of released Sunday evening after pay- Britain, grappling with the world’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s deliver tens of millions of doses with- by ITV political editor Robert Peston Beijing-based tech consultancy BDA ment of a $3,500 guarantee to attend a sixth worst death toll and one of the government has secured 100 million in months. who said scientists are not fully confi- China. “This is a pretty unique situa- future court hearing, whose date has worst economic hits from the Covid doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vac- The US Centers for Disease Control dent that Covid-19 vaccines will work tion, more linked to the sheer scale of yet to be fixed. crisis, has put more than a million cine which can be stored at fridge and Prevention said it had adminis- on a new variant of the coronavirus Ant and the sensitivities over finan- Covid-19 vaccines into arms already - temperatures between two to eight tered 4.2 million first doses of Covid- found in South Africa. cial regulation,” he said. Tehran says it has resumed uranium enrichment DUBAI: Iran has resumed 20 percent uranium enrichment at an under- ground nuclear facility, the govern- UK judge refuses extradition ... Afghanistan’s rival groups ment said on Monday, breaching a 2015 nuclear pact with major powers >> Continued from page 1 and detention in “draconian and inhu- sion, even though it was not made on and possibly complicating efforts by US prosecutors have indicted Assange mane conditions” that would exacer- free-speech grounds. to resume peace talks US President-elect Joe Biden to rejoin on 17 espionage charges and one bate his severe depression and other “This is a huge relief to anyone who the deal. Benjamin Netanyahu, prime charge of computer misuse over mental health problems. cares about the rights of journalists,” REUTERS guarantees. The Taliban have refused minister of Iran’s arch foe Israel, said WikiLeaks’ publication of leaked mil- The judge agreed with that argu- The Freedom of the Press Foundation KABUL, JAN 4 to recognise the US-backed govern- the move was aimed at developing itary and diplomatic documents a dec- ment, She said Assange suffered from tweeted: ment and that was an issue that nuclear weapons and Israel would ade ago. The charges carry a maxi- moderate to severe clinical depression “The extradition request was not Afghan government representatives would have to be tackled, said a never allow Tehran to build them. mum sentence of 175 years in prison. and was a “sometimes despairing decided on press freedom grounds; and Taliban officials are due to resume member of the team representing the The decision, Iran’s latest contraven- Lawyers for the 49-year-old man” genuinely fearful about his rather, the judge essentially ruled the peace talks in Qatar after a three-week government. tion of the accord, coincides with Australian argue that he was acting as future. US prison system was too repressive break, officials said on Monday, “An interim government is an unde- increasing tensions between Iran and a journalist and is entitled to First Lawyers for the US government to extradite. However, the result will although battlefield clashes and tar- niable topic of discussion, because we the US in the last days of President Amendment protections of freedom deny that Assange is being prosecuted protect journalists everywhere.” geted killings risk undermining want a ceasefire and the Taliban Trump’s term. (AGENCIES) of speech for publishing leaked docu- merely for publishing the leaked Assange’s legal troubles began in efforts to end the war. aren’t ready to agree to one with the ments that exposed US military documents, saying the case “is in 2010, when he was arrested in London The negotiations, due to get going current government,” the delegate, wrongdoing in Iraq and Afghanistan. large part based upon his unlawful at the request of Sweden, which want- again on Tuesday, are expected to Hafiz Mansoor, told Reuters in Kabul The judge, however, said Assange’s involvement” in the theft of the diplo- ed to question him about allegations cover contentious issues such as pow- before setting off for Qatar. actions, if proven, would “amount to matic cables and military files by US of rape and sexual assault made by er-sharing and a ceasefire after the A Taliban spokesman did not offences in this jurisdiction that Army intelligence analyst Chelsea two women. In 2012, to avoid being two sides reached an initial agree- respond to requests for comment. would not be protected by his right to Manning. sent to Sweden, Assange sought refuge ment on procedural rules in December. Under the terms of the agreement freedom of speech.” The prosecution of Assange has inside the Ecuadorian Embassy, where The talks began in Qatar in the United States struck with the The defence also argued during a been condemned by journalists and he was beyond the reach of UK and September months after the Taliban Taliban, the formation of a “new three-week hearing in the fall that human rights groups, who say it Swedish authorities—but also effec- reached an agreement with the United post-settlement Afghan Islamic gov- extradition threatens Assange’s undermines free speech around the tively a prisoner, unable to leave the States allowing it to pull its troops out ernment” would be determined human rights because he risks “a world. tiny diplomatic mission in London’s of Afghanistan and end its longest through negotiations between the two grossly disproportionate sentence” They welcomed the judge’s deci- tony Knightsbridge area. war in exchange for Taliban security Afghan sides.

Washington braces for intense opening to a pivotal year

ASSOCIATED PRESS REHOBOTH BEACH, JAN 4

The tumult of 2020 isn’t over yet. The opening week of the new year will be dominated by a collision of events that will test America’s com- mitment to democracy, shape President-elect Joe Biden’s incoming administration and determine the future of the Republican Party. It begins on Tuesday with two run- off elections in Georgia that will decide control of the Senate. Biden’s ability to easily set up his Cabinet and enact a legislative agenda hinges on Democrats capturing both seats. The focus shifts to Washington on Wednesday, where Congress is set to certify Biden’s victory in the Electoral College. The typically procedural afterthought is now a battle as some Republicans, eager to satisfy President AP/RSS Donald Trump’s most loyal support- US President-elect Joe Biden speaks at a drive-in rally in Atlanta. ers, say they won’t certify the results of a free and fair election. Others in This is still very much, and I think Raffensberger to “find” enough votes the GOP are warning that such moves will continue to be, Trump’s GOP.” for him to win. are destructive. Biden spent the weekend at his Raffensberger rebuffed Trump’s Trump, who spent part of the week- vacation house on the Delaware coast request and Biden’s victory in end pleading with Georgia’s election and has largely shrugged off concerns Georgia—and other states that pro- chief to overturn Biden’s win there, about the coming week. He plans to pelled him to victory—is not in doubt. has suggested he may make some type announce additional Cabinet picks There was no widespread fraud in of appearance at demonstrations soon in a sign that he’s preparing to the election, which a range of election expected in Washington on Wednesday. assume the presidency on January 20. officials across the country, as well as Some of the protesters who have indi- But the holiday weekend demon- Trump’s former attorney general, cated they will be in the city have ties strated some of the challenges ahead. William Barr, have confirmed. to white supremacy. In a sign of the hostility coursing Republican governors in Arizona and Even in a capital that has become through American politics, vandals Georgia, key battleground states cru- somewhat accustomed to the chaos of targeted the homes of congressional cial to Biden’s victory, have vouched the Trump era, the tension heading leaders from both parties. Republican for the integrity of the elections in into this week is particularly acute. Senate Majority Leader Mitch their states. Nearly all the legal The repercussions could be long-last- McConnell’s door in Kentucky was challenges from Trump and his ing, influencing the course of Biden’s spray painted with derogatory phras- allies have been dismissed by judges, administration and ultimately the es while someone left graffiti, a pig’s including two tossed by the Supreme American resolve to peacefully trans- head and fake blood at the San Court, where three Trump-nominated fer power from one party to another. Francisco home of Democratic House justices preside. “We will be reading about this in Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Yet following the president’s lead, history books for decades,” said And Trump’s Saturday conversa- Texas Senator Ted Cruz announced a Democratic strategist Andrew tion with Georgia Secretary of State coalition of 11 senators and sena- Feldman who works with labor and Brad Raffensperger, a fellow tors-elect who will join an effort to progressive organizations. “Anyone Republican, was an unprecedented attempt to subvert American voters who thought that Trump would cede effort by a sitting president to pres- during Electoral College certification, control of the Republican Party post- sure a state official to reverse the out- joining House Republicans who have an election loss is just dead wrong. come of an election. Trump pressed already pledged similar.

C M Y K 07 | TUESDAY, JANUARY 05, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Man City make title statement with vintage display Bayern Munich retain top spot MUNICH: Bayern Munich returned Pep Guardiola’s side outclass Chelsea to rise to fifth place with 29 points, having played one game less than leaders Liverpool and Manchester United. from the two-week Christmas break looking rusty before fighting back REUTERS from two goals down to beat sec- LONDON, JAN 4 ond-from-bottom Mainz 5-2 in Bundesliga on Sunday. The result left Manchester City shook off the impact Bayern on 33 points from 14 games of a Covid outbreak in their ranks to at the top, two more than sec- outclass Chelsea 3-1 at the Stamford ond-placed Leipzig who won 1-0 at Bridge and put themselves firmly in VfB Stuttgart on Saturday. Burkardt the Premier League title mix on had fired Mainz ahead in the 32nd Sunday. minute and Alexander Hack made it City manager Pep Guardiola had 2-0 12 minutes later. Kimmich pulled six players unavailable after positive one back in the 50th minute before tests but his team responded in scintil- Leroy Sane equalised five minutes lating fashion with goals by Ilkay later. Halftime substitute Niklas Gundogan, Phil Foden and Kevin De Suele turned the tide when he vol- Bruyne dismantling Chelsea in 16 leyed home from inside the area first-half minutes. before Lewandowski brace forced After that it felt like damage limita- Mainz into submission. Earlier on tion for a subdued Chelsea side whose Sunday, Borussia Dortmund beat season is unravelling alarmingly after Wolfsburg 2-0. a strong start, although substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi did grab a stop- page-time consolation goal. City’s vin- AC Milan beat Benevento to tage display lifted them to fifth in the table with 29 points, having played one remain unbeaten atop Serie A game less than leaders Liverpool and BENEVENTO: AC Milan beat Benevento Manchester United. A fourth defeat in 2-0 on Sunday despite playing most of six league games leaves Chelsea in the match with 10 men, to remain eighth place with 26 points having unbeaten atop Serie A. Rafael Leao played two games more than City. AP/RSS all but secured the victory for Milan Positive Covid tests robbed Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne (centre) and Phil Foden scored in a 16-minute first-half spell to thump Chelsea 3-1 at the Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Sunday. with a stunning strike shortly after Guardiola of Kyle Walker, Gabriel halftime. A Franck Kessie penalty Jesus, Ferran Torres and keeper time. We play a bit differently this the 21st minute when De Bruyne looked a forlorn side and rarely tested in the 55th minute, and when the out- had given Milan an early lead before Ederson for the first game of the new year but the team is finding the threaded a pass in to Foden who fin- City’s American goalie Zack Steffen standing Tielemans produced a great Rossoneri midfielder Sandro Tonali year. There was also the matter of rhythm in the last month.” ished clinically. who was making his Premier League finish to double the lead after 72 min- was sent off in the 34th minute for a Benjamin Mendy breaking Covid Chelsea manager Frank Lampard The wheels really fell of the Chelsea debut in place of Ederson. utes it seemed that Leicester’s seventh dangerous tackle. Milan remained the protocols, although he was on the City now faces the task of trying to pull his wagon in the 34th minute when The only blot on City’s copybook away win in the league was in the bag. only unbeaten team across Europe’s bench. Initially City looked vulnera- side out of a nosedive that has silenced De Bruyne headed a ball out and was the late goal by Hudson-Odoi who Newcastle manager Steve Bruce top five leagues. Stefano Pioli’s side ble but when De Bruyne missed a sit- all talk of a title challenge. Raheem Sterling had half the length turned in a cross from Kai Havertz. sent on Carroll, and the big striker are one point above Inter Milan, who ter in the 15th minute, it sparked them De Bruyne should have given City of the pitch at his mercy with Leicester City are also mounting rewarded him almost immediately won 6-2 at Crotone thanks to a into life and Chelsea were swept aside the lead when he was played in by a Chelsea’s defence desperately trying title challenge moving up to with a clinical volley — his first league Lautaro Martínez hat-trick. Juventus with ease. City are unbeaten in seven superb pass from Joao Cancelo but the to reel him in. Sterling looked to have third place in the Premier League goal since returning to the club in moved to fifth after Cristiano league games and have conceded only Belgian dragged his shot agonisingly over-elaborated as he was forced wide as second-half goals by James 2019. Suddenly the hosts came alive Ronaldo brace helped them secure a two goals in that run, scoring 14. wide of the far post. Three minutes but eventually turned to thud a shot Maddison and Youri Tielemans and Leicester were living dangerously 4-1 win over Udinese. Paulo Dybala “After five or 10 minutes we found later though City went ahead as Foden against the post with the ball rebound- secured a 2-1 victory away at Newcastle at times until they were relieved to netted in stoppage time shortly after our rhythm,” said De Bruyne, who played the ball sideways to Gundogan ing to De Bruyne who coolly slotted United. Substitute Andy Carroll’s hear the whistle. Marvin Zeegelaar had grabbed a con- was instrumental in City’s best who produced a silky turn before fir- home. Chelsea enjoyed more posses- strike for the hosts set up a tense fina- Newcastle’s winless run in the solation for Udinese. Roma beat moments. “After that we played very ing a right-footed shot past Edouard sion in the second half with City con- le but Leicester were worthy winners. league now extends to five games and Sampdoria 1-0 to remain third, while well and took our chances at the right Mendy. City doubled their lead in tent to play on the break but they Maddison blasted Leicester in front they stay in 15th spot with 19 points. Atalanta beat Sassuolo 5-1.

Isolated five Indian cricketers and staff cleared of coronavirus Williamson hits 112 as MELBOURNE: India’s cricketers and Barcelona win, Atletico Madrid go top staff have been cleared of Covid-19 following reports some of the team’s AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez pro- they defeated 10-man Alaves 2-1 to players breached health protocols MADRID, JAN 4 duced several fine saves to keep the move back above Real Madrid at the New Zealand eye big lead while on tour in Australia. Five India hosts in touch. top. Marcos Llorente gave Atletico the cricketers were placed in isolation Barcelona won 1-0 at bottom side After De Jong’s opener Messi was lead at Mendizorroza shortly before REUTERS Blundell (16) and Tom Latham (33) fell over the weekend while the Huesca on Sunday as Lionel Messi denied a second just before half-time half-time with a deflected strike from WELLINGTON, JAN 4 in successive overs while Ross Taylor Australian and Indian cricket boards became the first foreigner to make 500 when Fernandez superbly clawed just outside the area. departed early after making 12 at the investigated allegations of a breach appearances in La Liga, while a late away his free-kick heading towards Diego Simeone’s side appeared to New Zealand’s Kane Williamson Hagley Oval. With New Zealand poten- of biosecurity protocols after a video Luis Suarez goal secured leaders the top corner. The Argentine was have the game under control when proved why he is currently the top- tially in trouble at 71-3, Williamson surfaced showing the players eating Atletico Madrid victory against Alaves. again thwarted by the legs of Alaves defender Victor Laguardia was ranked Test batsman with a brilliant was initially circumspect and scored at a Melbourne restaurant. The Messi returned for Barca after miss- Fernandez in the second half after sent off on the hour following a VAR 112 not out to keep his country on 10 runs off the first 50 balls he faced. Indian cricket board (BCCI) said play- ing the final game of 2020 with an combining well with Pedri, moments review for chopping down Thomas course for a handy first-innings lead The New Zealand captain then bril- ers and support staff were tested on ankle knock and swung in a cross for after Marc-Andre ter Stegen reacted Lemar as the Frenchman ran towards against Pakistan in the second and liantly paced his innings, accelerating Sunday. “All tests have returned nega- Frenkie de Jong to divert home for the sharply to keep out Rafa Mir’s inven- goal. Florian Lejeune headed against final Test in Christchurch on Monday. once he notched up his half-century. tive results,” the BCCI said in a state- only goal on 27 minutes. tive back-heel. the post for Alaves before a spectacu- Williamson’s burgeoning 215-run Williamson, who had scored 251 and ment on Monday. Australia and India Although Ronald Koeman’s side That was a rare threat from Huesca lar own goal on 84 minutes from Felipe stand with Henry Nicholls, who was 129 in his last two Test innings, are in the middle of a four-Test began a potentially season-defining who have now won just once in 17 tries threatened to cost Atletico two vital batting on 89, helped the hosts finish smashed four fours in a Naseem Shah series, being played in the backdrop run of four consecutive away matches this season but had taken points off points. However, Suarez secured day two on a strong 286-3 in reply to over to go from 78 to 94 en route to his of strict health measures, with both with a comfortable win, they remain a most visitors to their Estadio El Atletico’s fourth consecutive win in Pakistan’s first innings total of 297. 24th Test century. Nicholls got two sides to travel to New South Wales distant 10 points behind Atletico in Alcoraz so far, including Atletico in the final minute as the Uruguayan New Zealand are already 1-0 up in caught-behind reprieves to remain on for the third Test in Sydney from fifth having played a game more. September. tapped in from close range after the the series and need only a draw to rise course for his seventh Test century Thursday. The series is Barca dominated possession and cre- Earlier in the day, Suarez struck a ball was slotted across goal by substi- to the top of the world rankings for the with Shaheen Afridi being the luck- level at 1-1. (AGENCIES) ated a number of chances but Huesca 90th-minute winner for Atletico as tute Joao Felix. first time. Earlier, openers Tom less bowler in both cases. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** You should definitely keep looking at things from Whether you want to expand your social circle, grow You might be eager to connect with someone who You may feel a sense of relief now. You’ve been busy different angles. It’s the right strategy for now and your career network, or just get some attention from can make life easier for you if you’re willing to lend and felt the pressure. But if you’ve used the past for your immediate future. Your gift for being flexi- a powerful person, today is the day when you need to a helping hand. Linking up with them socially and weeks to restructure your life and goals, your out- ble has given you a reputation for being fair and start showing everyone that you are unique and offering to do something for them can seal a deal. look may have changed. Any frustrations may begin considerate with others. worth listening to. This is also a good opportunity to network. to disappear.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Start getting more direct with your communication This is a great day to work with others, especially if This is the perfect day to just relax and go with the Strangers could have a positive impact on your life and you’ll start getting the answers you need. Stop they’re trying to improve. Don’t be too modest about flow. That flow can take you to some wonderful plac- now, especially the ones who have reached a goal playing phone tag, stop using text messages as your your ideas for the project either. Often it’s easy to es. Try not to push back or control things. The less you’ve been struggling to reach. That makes today a primary way to converse with friends, and forget influence people to agree with what you are saying by effort you put into directing how things will turn great time to reach out. Be more outgoing with people using e-mail to ask anyone anything. being enthusiastic and confident. out, the better everything will be. you don’t know.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** It would pay to be careful when making important This could be a very creative and inventive kind of Are all of your attitudes stuck in the past? Holding If you get stuck in a situation that could escalate into decisions, especially those involving a lot of money day. Original and effective ideas may seem to come to onto the same opinion forever doesn’t speak well of a confrontation, use your sense of humour to defuse or other resources. And be careful who you ask for you effortlessly. You could be intrigued by technolo- your flexibility or intelligence. If new facts or fig- things. If an annoying person comes into your world advice, because not everyone will be as honest as gy and gadgets that can help make life easier and ures come to light today, you need to take them seri- today, crack a joke to let them know you’re not intim- you’d like them to be. free you from too much drudgery. ously and listen without objection. idated by them. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K TUESDAY, JANUARY 05, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 The rising popularity of herbal tea Not long after the pandemic hit, many new companies cropped up and old companies remodelled themselves to meet the demand for a piping hot, niche commodity—herbal tea.

TSERING NGODUP LAMA KATHMANDU

very morning around 8 am, a mild citrusy scent floats in Lhakpa Sherpa’s small kitch- en. On the stove is a pot of boiling water and swimming furiously in it are strands of Elemongrass, tulsi, giloy, and roasted green tea leaves, which have long lost their curl in the heat. “The herbs in the tea are said to be good for the body and in strengthening immunity. And from the early days of the pandemic, it had become known that hav- ing a strong immune system aids in fight- ing Covid-19 infection,” said Sherpa. “It has been months that we have been drink- ing herbal tea every morning. Many fam- ilies I know have been doing the same.” It has been almost a year since Shital Shrestha and her family have been drink- ing herbal tea every evening. “Everyone in my office has been drinking herbal tea since the pandemic gripped us,” said Shrestha, a public health officer at the District Public Health Office, in Lalitpur. In a country like Nepal, where drink- ing tea and the practice of using herbs to treat common ailments are so deeply root- ed in the culture, the strong emphasis on maintaining one’s health and strengthen- ing immunity due to the pandemic seems to have laid the foundation for herbal tea’s popularity in Nepal. It was this strong demand for herbal tea that led the founders of Nepal Herbs Store, a two-year-old company that makes herbal incense and deals in medicinal herbs, plants and spices, to venture into the herbal tea business. “The company was founded by four of us, and all of us come from different parts of the country—one from the mountain region, one from the Terai region, one from the hilly region, and one from PHOTOS COURTESY: MARA HERBALS Kathmandu,” said Robin Lama Theeng, Companies like Mara Herbals and Nepal Herbs Store have been doing fairly good business since the pandemic began, as people’s interest in herbal remedies increased for their immunity boosting properties. one of the co-founders of the company. “All of us source herbs from farmers from says Maharjan, are it’s 7 Herb Immunity and lemongrass—and it helps build the tea. For the rest, tea meant black tea. But ayurvedic experts is crucial, as excessive our respective regions. When the pan- Tea, which costs Rs 300 for a packet of 100 body’s immune system and strengthens the pandemic has introduced people to consumption of some herbs can have neg- demic spread in Nepal, we saw an grams, and chamomile tea, which costs the digestive system.” the world of herbal teas and made them ative effects. For example, excessive con- immense opportunity in herbal teas Rs 300 for a packet of 85 grams. “Our cus- When Nepal Herbs Store first launched aware of the many health benefits of sumption of guduchi can significantly and started collaborating with ayurvedic tomers seem to prefer the immunity tea its teas in May last year, Theeng says the such teas,” said Theeng. “It is important reduce blood pressure, which could lead doctors.” for its multiple health benefits and the company was selling around five packets that the old and new domestic players in to problems for people with low blood In May 2020, the company officially chamomile tea for its ability to aid in a day. the herbal tea market now focus on pro- pressure. That’s just one of the many rea- entered the herbal tea business with more reducing anxiety and insomnia,” said “But business has since picked up. We viding quality products to the customers sons why herbal tea manufacturers have than a dozen different types of herbal Maharjan. are now selling an average of 30 packets a to earn and maintain the trust in local to have ayurveda experts.” teas. Prices for the teas range from Rs 145 Similarly, of the more than a dozen day. Unlike regular teas in the market, herbal tea brands.” During the early days of the pandemic, to Rs 275. different types of teas Nepal Herbs Store quality herbal teas are much more expen- And the most important thing, says Sherpa says the market had a very limit- Last year when tea lover Monalisha offers, Theeng says the most popular are sive, so it’s a very niche market that we Maharjan, in doing that is ensuring qual- ed option of branded ready-to-drink herb- Maharjan met a herbal enthusiast, the Herbal Tea for Immunity, priced at Rs 275 are in,” said Theeng. ity herbs. al teas. meeting, says Maharjan, planted the idea for a packet of 100 grams, and Guduchi Mara Herbals, says Maharjan, sells “We source our herbs from herb and “There were a few international and of starting her own herbal tea brand. Herbal Tea, priced at Rs 245 for a packet anywhere between one to 10 packets a day. tea processing companies, which source ever fewer local brands,” said Sherpa. After researching various herbs and of 100 grams, both of which are mul- “Our clientele is made up of people who quality herbs from all over Nepal,” said “But things have changed. There are teas, Maharjan launched Mara Herbals in ti-herbs tea. are aware of the benefits of herbs and do Maharjan. many more options for customers from November last year. “Our Herbal Tea for Immunity has not mind spending the extra money for Nepal Herbs Store, says Theeng, sourc- both international and local brands. I “Before I launched the brand, I sent out seven herbs (tulsi, giloy, ginger, cinna- quality and fine tea-drinking experience,” es the herbs they use directly from have been using local brands for a lot of samples to my friends and family mon, brahmi, ashwagandha, liquorice) said Maharjan. farmers. several months, and I am quite happy and gathered their feedback and fine- which are known to develop the body’s The pandemic, says both Theeng and “We do the processing, cleaning and with what I am getting. Even though tuned my product accordingly,” said immune system and strengthen the res- Maharjan, have been a boon for those who storing of the herbs ourselves to ensure herbal teas are slightly more expensive, Maharjan. “When I was confident enough, piratory and nervous system,” said want to get into the herbal tea market. quality. We have in-house ayurveda the health benefits of drinking one in the I launched the brand.” Theeng. “Our Guduchi Herbal Tea has “Before the pandemic, the go-to tea experts to take care of product research midst of a pandemic supersede the Mara Herbals’ most popular products, four herbs—giloy, liquorice, cardamom among health-conscious people was green and development,” said Theeng. “Having price factor.”

‘You’ll Never Walk Alone:’ Singer Gerry The Hong Kong street refrigerator that keeps giving Marsden dies at 78 ALICE FUNG fridge to get food,” Khan said. HONG KONG “So I want the people to just feel Marsden’s family said that the singer died after a short illness related to a heart infection. that. Even if it’s a street, it’s ost people their community, it’s their who head to home, so they can simply just times of celebration or lament,” singer Elvis Woosung open it and then just put food Costello said, referring to Liverpool’s stadium. Street in there, and collect the food.” The song’s lyrics, showcasing unity and perse- Hong Kong’s Khan’s blue refrigerator pro- verance through adversity—including “When old-school ject went viral on social media you walk through a storm, Hold your head up Mneighbourhood of Jordan are and people have been dropping high, And don’t be afraid of the dark”—have visiting its popular restaurants by to leave food inside. been a rallying cry for the Liverpool faithful and serving everything from cur- Janet Yeung stopped by the song’s title are on the Liverpool club crest. ries to seafood. Others may be recently with a plastic bag filled The song has also been adopted by supporters headed for a lone refrigerator, with biscuits, instant noodles of Scotland’s Celtic and Germany’s Borussia painted blue, with a sign that and snacks. She stacked them Dortmund. reads: “Give what you can give, carefully inside. Liverpool tweeted alongside a video of the take what you need to take.” “I think doing good deeds fans in full voice that Marsden’s voice The door of the fridge sitting does not need to be on a large “accompanied our biggest nights” and that his outside a hockey academy scale,” Yeung said. “A small act “anthem bonded players, staff and fans opens to reveal it is stuffed with can already show our kindness, around the world, helping create something packets of instant noodles, bis- and contribute to this world.” truly special.” cuits, tins of food and even A resident who would only The song was embraced during the outset of socks and towels for anyone identify himself as Yeung (no the coronavirus pandemic last spring when a who may need them. relation to Janet Yeung) is one cover of the song, which featured World War II Ahmen Khan, founder of a of the people benefitting from veteran Tom Moore, reached number one. Moore sports foundation on the same the blue refrigerator, from time had captivated the British public by walking 100 street, said he was inspired to to time helping himself to some laps of his garden in England in the run-up to create a community refrigera- food or even masks left by AP/RSS his 100th birthday in April to raise some 33 tor after seeing a film about donors. In this file photo, Gerry Marsden holds his MBE. million pounds ($40 million) for the National others doing the same thing. He “Those who are really in need Health Service. found the refrigerator at a near- can take things from the fridge PAN PYLAS Pacemakers will always have a place in the city’s The Cavern Club in Liverpool, the music by refuse collection point and whenever they want without LONDON consciousness because of “You’ll Never venue which was the venue for many of The painted it blue. any worries, as the fridge is here Walk Alone.” Beatles’ early gigs, described Marsden as a “leg- “It’s like dignity, that when 24 hours a day,” he said. erry Marsden, lead singer of the “I thought what a beautiful song. I’m going to end” and a “very good friend.” you go home, you open your — Associated Press 1960s British group Gerry and the tell my band we’re going to play that song,” In 1962, Beatles manager Brian Epstein signed Pacemakers that had such hits as Marsden told The Associated Press in 2018 when up the band and their first three releases reached “Ferry Cross the Mersey” and the recalling the first time he heard the song at the No 1 in 1963—”How Do You Do It?” and “I Like song that became the anthem of cinema. “So I went back and told my buddies It” as well as “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Later Liverpool Football Club, “You’ll we’re doing a ballad called ‘You’ll Never hits included “Ferry Cross the Mersey,” and GNever Walk Alone,” has died. He was 78. Walk Alone.’” “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying.” The His family said that Marsden died Sunday Marsden is best known for his band’s rendi- group split in 1967 and Marsden pursued a solo “after a short illness in no way connected with tion of the song from “Carousel,” which was a career before reforming the bank a few Covid-19” and that his wife, daughters and 1945 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical that years later. grandchildren are “devastated.” became a feature film in 1956. The Pacemakers’ Paul McCartney from The Beatles said His friend Pete Price said on Instagram after cover version was released in October 1963 and Marsden was “a mate from our early days in speaking to Marsden’s family that the singer became the band’s third No. 1 hit on the British Liverpool” and that his group were “our biggest died after a short illness related to a heart singles chart. rivals” on the local scene. infection. It was adopted by fans of the soccer club “His unforgettable performances of ‘You’ll “I’m sending all the love in the world to (his Liverpool and is sung with spine-tingling pas- Never Walk Alone’ and ‘Ferry Cross the Mersey’ wife) Pauline and his family,” he said. “You’ll sion before each home game of the 19-time remain in many people’s hearts as reminders of Never Walk Alone.” English champion—before coronavirus restric- a joyful time in British music,” he said. Marsden was the lead singer of the band that tions meant many matches being played in Marsden is survived by his wife Pauline, found fame in the Merseybeat scene in the 1960s. empty stadiums. whom he married in 1965. The couple had two AP/RSS Though another Liverpool band—The Beatles— “I was saddened by Gerry Marsden’s passing. daughters. Ahmed Khan poses with a refrigerator at Woosung Street in Hong Kong’s reached superstardom, Gerry and the His voice will always lead the way at Anfield, in —Associated Press old-school neighbourhood of Jordan.

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