WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 07 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 33.5 C 0.6 C Thursday, February 25, 2021 | 13-11-2077 Dipayal Jumla Congress weighs options as both Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions make overtures to it The party has emerged as a clear beneficiary but its leaders are hesitant to make any move until a formal split of the Nepal Communist Party.

ANIL GIRI KATHMANDU, FEB 24

The Nepali Congress—or party President Sher Bahadur Deuba for that matter—is having a field day. After the Supreme Court over- turned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s House dissolution move and ordered the authorities to convene a meeting of Parliament by March 8, exercises have already started to form a new government. And the Congress party, the main opposition with 63 seats, has taken the centre stage. POST FILE PHOTO Both factions of the Nepal Sher Bahadur Deuba Communist Party, led by Oli as well as Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav has shown no signs of stepping down. Kumar Nepal, have already reached His aides say he would rather face out to Congress President Deuba. the House than resign. Congress leaders, however, say they Pradeep Gyawali, spokesperson for are in a wait and watch mode, basical- the Oli faction, told journalists on ly because the Nepal Communist Wednesday that the House would be Party, in legal terms, has not split yet. called within 13 days, as ordered by According to at least half a dozen the court, but Oli would do whatever leaders the Post spoke to, both from “is in the best interest of the country”. Deuba as well as Ram Chandra If Oli does not resign, he is likely to Poudel groups, there are still chances face a no-confidence motion moved POST PHOTO: ANGAD DHAKAL that the two factions of Nepal by the Dahal-Nepal faction, which A participant of a rally taken out by the Dahal-Nepal faction of Nepal Communist Party in Kathmandu on Wednesday in support of the Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate the lower house. Communist Party might come togeth- claims to have 90 Members of er in the future. Parliament on its side. “There is no reason for us to make a That leaves the Oli faction with 84 move at this point in time,” a leader members in Parliament. told the Post. “Technically, it’s still the The Congress has both the options Nepal Communist Party leading the open—to side with either faction— in government. Had there been a formal order to lead the government. How KP Sharma Oli’s authoritarian split and two parties, not factions, we “The role of Nepali Congress will could have paid heed to the calls to be defined based on how Dahal and form a new government.” Nepal will take forward their party,” Even though the top court’s deci- said Congress leader Minendra Rijal. politics bid boomeranged on him sion came as a huge setback for Oli, he >> Continued on page 2 House dissolution move turned out to be a trap for Oli, as he is set to lose prime minister’s post and even likely to be reduced to playing second fiddle either to Deuba or Dahal.

its 173 Members of Parliament, the party still commands a majority. “However, Oli might wish to win the vote of confidence from Parliament,” Yubaraj Sangroula, a senior advocate and former attorney general, told the Post. “If he wins the vote of confi- dence, he will continue to lead the government, or else he will have to resign.” The Dahal-Nepal faction controls around 90 of the 173 Members of Parliament of the Nepal Communist Party. With around 82 Members of Parliament on his side, Oli will need the support of 55 lawmakers to win the vote of confidence. And this is possible only if the Nepali Congress, which has 63 seats, supports him. But the Congress seems to be play- ing its cards close to its chest. According to Congress leaders, POST FILE PHOTO Sher Bahadur Deuba, the party presi- Analysts say the House dissolution move has put Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in a tight spot. dent, has received offers from both Oli as well as Dahal-Nepal factions. BINOD GHIMIRE Thursday as well to prepare the par- Given Oli’s House dissolution move, KATHMANDU, FEB 24 ty’s strategy.” which the Supreme Court has now There, however, is no clarity yet as termed unconstitutional, the Congress Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli until a to when the House meeting will be will face a moral question if it sup- few days ago appeared confident–he called and how it will proceed. ports Oli. Supporting the Dahal-Nepal was telling his party members that the The Parliament Secretariat said it faction to install Dahal as prime min- House won’t be reinstated at any cost has already started preparations for ister or leading the government may and encouraging them to devote them- the new House session. not pay the desired dividends either, selves to elections. “The Supreme Court’s order has according to Congress insiders. Every other function he participat- brought the Parliament to the pre-De- The Dahal-Nepal faction, however, ed in looked like a poll campaign. cember 20 state,” Speaker Agni is working on a strategy to first oust But things then came crashing Sapkota told the Post. “The Parliament Oli as prime minister. down. The Supreme Court on Tuesday Secretariat has already started its “If Oli does not resign, we will overturned Oli’s December 20 deci- work. House meetings will proceed the unseat him,” said Pampha Bhusal, a sion to dissolve the House of way political parties want.” Standing Committee member of the Representatives and asked authorities Sapkota hinted that how Oli makes Dahal-Nepal faction. “We were expect- to summon Parliament within 13 his moves and how the Nepal ing Oli to resign immediately after the days—by March 8. Communist Party appears before court’s verdict.” Oli is left with little options–and Parliament will determine the future The Dahal-Nepal faction is likely to none to his liking. He either has to political course as well as how the revive the same no-confidence motion step down on moral grounds or face a House will proceed. that it had registered at the Parliament no-confidence motion. Even though Oli’s House dissolu- Secretariat on December 20, hours Oli’s aides so far have said that the tion move had led to a split in the after the House was dissolved by prime minister would face the House. Nepal Communist Party politically, as President Bhandari on the recommen- According to Satya Narayan Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav dation of Oli. Mandal, a leader close to Oli, a meet- Kumar Nepal have their own factions, “Once the House meeting convenes, ing of the Standing Committee of the legally it is still the same party which we’ll start the process to remove Oli,” Oli-led Nepal Communist Party on the House recognises. Bhusal told the Post. Wednesday decided to move ahead as The House does not recognise fac- In the no-confidence motion, the per the Supreme Court’s verdict and tions led by Oli or Dahal and Nepal, Dahal-Nepal faction has proposed face the parliamentary process. according to experts. Dahal as prime minister. For the “Now everything will be decided in The easier way out, say experts, will Dahal-Nepal faction to get the no-con- Parliament,” Mandal told the Post. be Oli’s resignation. fidence motion against Oli, it will “The meeting will continue on In that case, President Bidya Devi need the support of the Nepali Bhandari will call for the Congress. If the faction gets the major- formation of government as per ity vote for the motion, Bhandari will Article 76 (1) of the Constitution have to appoint Dahal as the new of Nepal which states that prime minister. the President shall appoint the Will the Congress support the leader of a parliamentary party Dahal-Nepal faction’s no-confidence that commands majority in the motion with Dahal as prime minister? House of Representatives There’s no answer yet. as prime minister, and the But if the Dahal-Nepal faction is Council of Ministers shall be bent on ousting Oli at any cost, it will constituted under his or her have to file yet another no-confidence chairpersonship. motion proposing Congress President Since the Nepal Communist Deuba as prime minister. Party has yet to split legally, with >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Maternity services ineffective in Karnali Province Lack of awareness and geographical remoteness lead women to deliver their babies at home instead of visiting health facilities, health workers say.

CHHAPAL LAMA IN HUMLA many women still opt to deliver their expecting mothers delivered their BIPLAB MAHARJAN IN SALYAN babies at homes,” said Basantaman babies in health institutions in the CHANDANI KATHAYAT IN BIRENDRANAGAR Shrestha, the public health officer at fiscal year 2017-18 whereas 73 percent FEB 24 the Karnali Health Directorate. “Most did so in the fiscal year 2018-19. women in remote areas have to deliver To encourage more pregnant On Monday, Bindu Thapa had to be at home, as the nearest health facili- women to visit health institutions, the taken to the Provincial Hospital in ties are located far from their houses. Karnali government provides Rs 4,800 Surkhet after having delivery compli- This has increased the risk of mater- to each woman who delivers her baby cations. The 21-year-old from Dullu in nal deaths.” at such facilities. Sarkedard Rural Municipality, Humla, Poor road conditions in remote loca- “This includes encouragement and had earlier been admitted to the health tions have also created obstacles for transportation allowances as well,” post of her village for child delivery child delivery in Salyan. Bimala Shrestha told the Post. “From the last but she could not deliver even after 12 Budha, a resident of Kalimati fiscal year, the provincial government hours of labour and was referred to Rural Municipality in Salyan, said 15 has started distributing an additional the Provincial Hospital. women from her village delivered Rs 2,000 as nutrition allowance for On February 1, 2020, Gita Budha, a their babies on the way to the hospital postpartum mothers who deliver their 21-year-old woman from Gopka in last year. babies in health facilities.” The POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI Kharpunath Rural Municipality died “Critical patients and those having government had allocated Rs 40 A girl offers biscuits to a deer at Mrigasthali in Pashupati, Kathmandu on Tuesday. due to excessive bleeding during child delivery complications have to be million for the programme in the last delivery at the local health post. Eight taken to Nepalgunj or Surkhet for fur- fiscal year. months ago, a pregnant woman from ther treatment,” she said. The data of the directorate showed Namkha Rural Municipality also died that 473 infant deaths and 568 under- due to delivery complications. five children deaths have been report- How KP Sharma Oli’s authoritarian ... Although 24 maternity centres In the past seven ed in the province since the fiscal year have been established in Humla, 2017-18. >> Continued from page 1 er to become the prime minister. and register a new party with 40 per- maternity care is still not as years, 123 women However, Minister for Social Article 100 (7) of the constitution As of now, since the Nepal cent of lawmakers (members of the accessible as expected. Development in Karnali Province Dal says the President will appoint the Communist Party still remains legally Parliamentary Party) “or” 40 percent “There are no maternity centres in in the province died Rawal said that the provincial govern- Member of Parliament named in the one party, Oli is the leader of the Central Committee members. Oli, Limi and Sarkegard. Pregnant and ment has launched various pro- no-confidence motion as the prime Parliamentary Party. With Nepal however, was forced to withdraw the postpartum women from remote areas while giving birth. grammes for safe motherhood. minister of the country. A prime min- Communist Party vice-chair Bamdev ordinance after widespread criticism. of Humla and Dolpa have to be res- “We have started a nutrition ister appointed thus, however, will Gautam, who has stayed neutral over So the door for Oli to split and regis- cued via helicopter if they face deliv- programme and hired gynaecologists have to win the vote of confidence the past two months, publicly demand- ter a new party is also closed. ery complications. Even minor health According to Thalaraj DC, coordi- in all 10 districts of the province. within 30 days from the date of ing Oli’s resignation, the Oli faction According to Sangroula, who also is problems cannot be treated here,” said nator of Safer Motherhood In the current fiscal year, the appointment. has the support of a maximum of 82 the executive director at Kathmandu Chief District Officer Chiranjibi Giri. Programme at the District Health province has allocated Rs 80 million to Chandra Kant Gyawali, a senior lawmakers. Oli now is not even in a School of Law, the Oli faction will In the running fiscal year, 10 women Office in Salyan, it is difficult to take upgrade 304 birthing centres,” said advocate who specialises on constitu- position to split the Nepal Communist have to accept the leadership of Dahal have already died due to delivery com- pregnant and postpartum women to Rawal. tional law, said the issue of the Nepal Party and form his own party. and Nepal and remain within the plications in Karnali Province. Among health institutions due to the geo- Since the fiscal year 2018-19, the Communist Party split and who is the As per the Political Parties Act-2017, Nepal Communist Party. them, seven died in health institutions graphical remoteness of the region. federal government has been rescuing leader of the Parliamentary Party for anyone to split a party and register “If the faction decides to split with- whereas the remaining three died “Women are taken to health facili- pregnant and postpartum women of won’t be of much significance when a new one, he or she has to submit the out 40 percent members of the while being taken to health facilities ties only when they face complica- mountainous districts under the the prime ministerial candidate is signatures of 40 percent lawmakers Parliamentary Party and Central for child delivery. tions. Pregnant and postpartum President’s Women Upliftment named in the no-confidence motion. (members of the Parliamentary Party) Committee, those with the Oli faction In the last fiscal year, delivery com- women are at risk due to a lack of Programme. But many such women According to him, if Dahal is named and Central Committee members. could lose parliamentary seats as per plications claimed the lives of 21 awareness among villagers,” DC said. are still at risk, as helicopters cannot the prime minister in the no-confi- Back in April last year, Oli had intro- Clause 32 of the Political Parties Act,” women in the province. According to However, the number of women always reach mountainous districts dence motion and if he gets enough duced an ordinance to change the said Sangroula. “Oli’s move of dis- the data of the Ministry of Social delivering at health facilities is gradu- due to bad weather. support, he does not even need to be “and” provision into “or”, which solving Parliament has turned out to Development in Karnali Province, 123 ally increasing in the last few years, Man Kumari Gurung, the senior elected the Parliamentary Party lead- would have meant anyone could split be a trap for him.” women in the province died while giv- according to the directorate. In the community nursing officer of the ing birth in the last seven years while first six months of the current fiscal directorate, said 33 pregnant and post- 63 died in the last three years. year, 16,265 women delivered their partum women in the province were “The child and women mortality babies in health facilities. The data rescued via the air lifting service in rate has not decreased in Karnali, as showed that 67 percent of the total the last fiscal year.

POST PHOTO: BIPLAB MAHARJAN Critical patients in remote areas of Karnali have to be carried to health posts. Congress weighs options as both Oli ... >> Continued from page 1 A leader from the Dahal-Nepal fac- from either faction of the Nepal “We have nothing to say in the tion said that it’s natural for them to Communist Party to become prime change of the Parliamentary Party try to forge an alliance with the forces minister. leader of the Nepal Communist Party. who fought against Oli’s regressive Congress General Secretary Yes, if the Nepal Communist Party move. Shashank Koirala and former general splits and there is a situation, our “In that context, our chairs [Dahal secretary Prakash Man Singh, accord- party can consider its role in the for- and Nepal] met with Deuba today to ing to insiders, met on Tuesday over mation of a new government.” discuss possible equations,” Raghuji lunch and discussed ways not to let Technically, Oli is still the leader of Pant, a Standing Committee member Deuba take any decision without hold- the Parliamentary Party of the Nepal of Dahal-Nepal faction, told the Post. ing wider consultations within the Communist Party. The Dahal-Nepal faction is also in a party. How equations evolve in the coming bid to woo the Janata Samajbadi Party, Both Oli and Dahal-Nepal factions days is not clear yet, but some say a which has 32 seats in Parliament. have been offering prime ministership legal split in the Nepal Communist According to Congress leaders, the to Deuba, and many Congress leaders Party is not required to form a new Oli faction too had reached out to believe that given the party presi- government—nor the change in the Deuba on Tuesday, seeking the Nepali dent’s history, he is highly likely to leader of the Parliamentary Party—if Congress’ support. take the bait. the Dahal-Nepal faction moves the But Deuba has not given any con- Congress leaders say it will be bet- no-confidence motion by proposing a crete response, they say. ter for the party to weigh options certain leader as prime minister. And Subas Nembang, a Standing rather than make any move in a hurry. that could be someone from the Dahal- Committee member of the Oli faction, The Congress believes it should wait Nepal faction or anyone from the said that they are in regular touch and see how the feud between the Congress party. with various parties. Nepal Communist Party factions Dahal and Nepal reached “Through our Standing Committee evolves. Budhanilkantha on Wednesday after- meeting today we have decided to “It won’t be wrong to say that at this noon to meet with Deuba. implement the Supreme Court’s ver- moment, we can join any govern- After the meeting, Nepal told dict and take further steps after hold- ment—led either by Oli or Dahal,” reporters that they requested ing discussions with the parties,” said Prakash Sharan Mahat, a leader Deuba to join hands in forming a new Nembang told the Post. close to Deuba. “But the point is since government. But given the equations in his own the Nepal Communist Party has not “We requested him [Deuba] to come party, Deuba is not in a position to legally split yet, what if the two fac- along as we believe the Congress, take a decision on his own and with- tions decide to bury the hatchet?” Janata Samajbadi Party and those out consulting with his party col- That the Congress has become the forces who are against Oli’s regressive leagues. kingmaker is something everyone in move must form an alliance,” said Ever since the House was dissolved, the party understands very well. Nepal. the Poudel faction had pressured “We are not in a hurry to join the Deuba’s aide Bhanu Deuba said that Deuba to strongly oppose Oli’s government or lead the government,” the Congress president told Dahal and move. Deuba, however, continued to said Mahat. “Discussions within the Nepal that he would get back to them maintain a softer stance, saying the party on government formation and after holding a discussion within the party must wait for the Supreme other political scenarios are but a nat- party. According to Bhanu, the Court verdict. ural phenomenon. Let’s wait for the Congress president has called a meet- The rival faction in the Congress House to convene.” ing of senior leaders and office-bear- has already started initial discussions ers at his residence on Thursday. “to stop” Deuba from taking a bait Tika R Pradhan contributed reporting.

C M Y K 03 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 NATIONAL

INTERVIEW Sapkota: The fate of no-confidence motion against Oli depends on the party that registered it The House speaker on Supreme Court verdict, how the parliamentary process will move ahead, his relations with Prime Minister Oli and his petition in the court. The Supreme Court on Tuesday overturned Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s decision to dissolve the House of Representatives and asked the authorities to call a House meeting within 13 days. Speaker Agni Sapkota, who comes from the former CPN (Maoist Centre), had vehemently objected to House dissolution. Sapkota had even issued a statement urging political parties, civil society and the general public to stand against the House dissolution which he called an uncon- stitutional move. The Post’s Binod Ghimire spoke to Sapkota to talk about the court decision, how the Parliament process will move forward and other scenari- os after the House was reinstated. The interview has been condensed for brevity.

POST PHOTO: ANISH REGMI Children play on a dusty ground at Tripureshwor, Kathmandu on Wednesday. Government seeks another 5 million doses of Covishield from India vaccine maker Identifying the virus variants spreading in the country is equally important to contain the infections, health experts say.

ARJUN POUDEL cases in India, numbers have picked of the key biological characteristics Post. “It will be costly for the country KATHMANDU, FEB 24 up in at least four states again due to of SARS-CoV-2, which enables the if we only focus on the vaccine and new variants of the virus. According virus to penetrate host cells and cause forget the risks.” The government has requested the to the Times of India, the number of infections. According to Adhikari, even if the Serum Institute of India to sell an coronavirus cases is surging, particu- Without spike protein, the coronavi- state-run laboratories do not have the additional five million doses of its larly in Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala rus cannot infect people but doctors capacity to perform gene sequencing, Covishield vaccine to Nepal. and Madhya Pradesh. say that if the polymerase chain reac- authorities should use the capacity of The five million doses are required At least two new coronavirus vari- tion tests are failing to detect the spike the private sector. Along with study- to administer a second dose to those ants—N440K and E48K—are spread- proteins in the swab samples of the ing the gene of the virus, authorities receiving the first dose of vaccine, ing faster in some states, according to infected people or negative s-gene tar- should also enforce safety measures, officials at the Ministry of Health and timesnownews.com. get, there is a possibility that the virus which is still effective in lessening the Population say. Nepal too had recorded three cases may have undergone mutations or the spread of infections. “We are awaiting response from the of a new variant of the coronavirus, virus could be of a different variant Meanwhile, the Health Ministry on Serum Institute of India to our pro- the one identified in the United than the one commonly found in the Wednesday said that deaths of an posal,” Dr Roshan Pokhrel, chief spe- Kingdom in December. country. S-gene target or spike protein additional 619 people were responsible cialist at the Health Ministry, told the “We don’t know if the UK variant of is one of the key biological character- for Covid-19 infection. With this, death POST FILE PHOTO Post. the virus was present only in the three istics of SARS-CoV-2, which enables toll from the coronavirus infection in What is your response to the verdict? imous voice when Parliament The serum Institute of India pro- people or is spreading in society,” said the virus to penetrate host cells and the country has reached 2,684. Is it as per your anticipation? session resumes? duces Covishield vaccine, developed Subedee. “New variants of the virus cause infections. “We found that data of people who by the University of Oxford and can develop within the country also Without spike protein, the coronavi- died at home due to coronavirus infec- The Supreme Court has corrected the Anything is possible. The House pro- AstraZeneca, the British-Swedish and the vaccine being used may not rus cannot infect people but doctors tion were not included in the minis- unconstitutional move. The constitu- ceedings will depend on the move of multinational pharmaceutical and work on them.” say if the polymerase chain reaction try’s record but were recorded in the tion has prevailed. The voice against the parties in the House, not the biopharmaceutical company. The Epidemiology and Disease tests are failing to detect the spike Covid-19 Crisis Management Center’s the dissolution got stronger by the day. Parliament Secretariat. Covishield is the preferred choice of Control Division said that at least 13 proteins in the swab samples of the system,” Dr Jageshwor Gautam, Most of the political parties, civil soci- Nepali authorities, as the country’s suspected cases of the new variant infected people or negative s-gene tar- spokesperson for the Health Ministry, ety and a majority of the people stood The defending lawyers said your existing system supports storage and have been found in Kathmandu and get, there is a possibility that the virus told the Post. “We have formed a com- against the dissolution claiming it non-cooperation towards the govern- supply of the vaccine. Pokhara. Samples of those people, may have undergone mutations or the mittee to study the differences in the was an unconstitutional move. The ment was one of the prompting The government has already pur- who came in close contact with the virus could be of a different variant data and have adjusted it as suggested advocates from the plaintiff side made factors for the prime minister to chased two million shots of Covishield people returning from abroad, were than the one common in the country. by the committee.” powerful arguments to prove how it dissolve the House. What’s your take vaccine at $4 per dose from the Serum found positive in the polymerase “We need to conduct whole-genome Those people died before November was unconstitutional. We rarely have on this? Institute of India, paying 80 percent of chain reaction tests but negative for sequencing on a regular basis,” Dr at their homes, whose bodies were seen such a unity for a cause in our the total amount in advance. The com- s-gene targets. Prabhat Adhikari, an infectious dis- managed by the Army, according to history. The overwhelming support The claim is fallacious. The House has pany has already supplied one million S-gene target or spike protein is one ease and critical care expert, told the Gautam. against the dissolution had given a always supported the government. I doses and officials say another million hope that the House will be reinstated. believe the House in my tenure was doses will arrive within a week. And it did. the most cooperative towards the gov- The government started the first ernment. Even the cross-party law- phase of immunisation on January 27 So how will the parliamentary makers including from the opposition with the one million doses provided by process move ahead now? were cooperative. There was not a India in grant. According to the Child single incident of protest in the well Health Section of the Family Welfare The Supreme Court’s verdict has of Parliament. The House showed Division under the Department of brought Parliament prior to the situa- exceptional unity when it endorsed Health services, 429,705 people took tion of December 20. Giving a dead- the second constitution amendment the jab in the campaign, meeting 85.65 line to call the House session was bill tabled by the government to adjust percent of the target. another remarkable part of the ver- the national map depicting Kalapani, So far, 1.4 percent of the total popu- dict. Now the President, as per the Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura. The lation has received the first dose of recommendation of the government, Parliament Secretariat has called the vaccine. will call the House session and it will House meeting on Saturday to allow Meanwhile, public health experts get back into business. The Speaker the prime minister to present his say that identifying virus variants and the Parliament Secretariat will views. These series of events prove spreading in the country is equally play the role of facilitator. The course how supportive Parliament has been important to lessen the risk of new of Parliament will be determined by all along. waves of contagion. the parties. “We need to know the virus variant, But the two houses of Parliament whether or not the vaccine is work- What will be the fate of the no-confi- seem to be divided. You and the ing,” Dr Anup Subedee, an infectious dence motion registered by the National Assembly chair have taken disease expert, told the Post. “To con- Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav opposite positions on some issues. tain the spread of infections and to Kumar Nepal faction of the Nepal Won’t it affect the federal parliament know if the vaccines are working, it is Communist Party? to work in coordination? important to know the virus variant.” Several new variants of the corona- It has been registered in the We merely expressed our respective virus have been spreading in coun- Parliament Secretariat. The motion’s positions on those issues. There is tries across the globe. Some of them fate depends on the party that nothing personal. We enjoy a cordial are the UK variant, the South African registered it. relationship. Both houses have worked variant and the Brazilian and in close coordination in the past and Japanese variants. POST FILE PHOTO Do you mean the two factions of the will maintain the same mutuality in After a consistent decline in new Nepal government has already received one million doses of Covishield vaccine that it purchased from Serum Institute of India. ruling party could come with a unan- the future. Court issues stay order after President unveils golden Jalahari at Pashupati temple Two petitions were filed at the Supreme Court against the government’s decision to release a large sum of money from the state coffers to the temple.

ANUP OJHA of Justice Purushottam Bhandari culture, and Pradeep Dakal, member should not be politicised. that structures over 100 years old must Bhandari, who attended Wednesday’s KATHMANDU, FEB 24 ordered the government to put on hold secretary of the trust, and the Guthi “The court’s ruling came after be preserved in their original design. function. the decision to install the Jalahari Sansthan. installing the Jalahari. This is a very Their petition also states that the gov- On January 25, Oli had pledged to The Supreme Court on Wednesday until March 1. He also ordered the “The trust called President sensitive matter,” he said. ernment’s decision violates the provide Rs 300 million to the temple to issued a stay order on the govern- plaintiffs and the defendants to be Bhandari and unveiled the golden Earlier this week, the trust had UNESCO World Heritage site’s crite- install a golden Jalahari and instruct- ment’s decision to install a golden present before court for discussion on Jalahari although the case has been brought 25 priests from India to per- ria and it goes against the spirit of ed the Ministry of Culture to allocate Jalahari at Pashupatinath temple, the issue. filed in the court. By the time the form Kshama Puja (forgiveness ritual) secularism, as a secular government the amount. hours after President Bidya Devi On Monday, Narottam Baidya, for- court made the decision, they had at Pashupatinath temple to initiate is not supposed to allocate money in Since then the trust had been work- Bhandari had already unveiled the mer treasurer of the Pashupati Area already replaced the Jalahari,” said the work of installing the new the name of religion. ing to install the golden Jalahari in 108kg golden structure. Development Trust, and advocate Baidya, one of the petitioners. Jalahari. Kedar Man Bhandari, chairperson place of the silver one. Jalahari is the foundation on which Nitika Dhungana had filed petitions “Even knowing that the writ [peti- “The government is working unlaw- of Pashupatinath Sewak Sangh, also The government’s decision to issue the Shivalinga stands and from where against the government’s decision to tion] had been filed in the court, the fully. We won’t give up our legal fight one of the priests at the temple, said a large sum of money from the state the water and milk offered by devotees install a golden Jalahari at trust proceeded with the installation because the government’s move is the Jalahari was installed on Tuesday. coffers to the temple has been widely flows out. Pashupatinath temple. of the Jalahari,” said Baidya. unethical,” Baidya told the Post over “I am also not happy with the trust criticised. President Bhandari unveiled The petitioners had 13 named Pradeep Dhakal, member secretary the phone. and the government because they The trust said 142kg of gold was the new Jalahari after performing a defendants in the case, including of the trust, however, said they were The petitioners have argued that installed the golden Jalahari without procured for the temple, of which special puja at Pashupatinath Temple Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, unaware of the petitions. the government’s decision goes consulting the stakeholders. There is 108kg was used to replace the Jalahari at 11:45. also the patron of the trust, Govinda Tandon, former member against the Ancient Monument no good mechanism to handle or pro- and the remaining 34kg was going to But later in the day, a single bench Bhanu Bhakta Dhakal, minister for secretary of the trust, said the issue Preservation Act-2013, which states tect the golden Jalahari” said be used to be for beautification works.

C M Y K THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Citizens’ manifesto Prisoners of uncertainty The Citizens’ Movement has called for freedom from We can’t afford to return to the old days political regression and of horse trading. justice for the marginalised. By nullifying Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli’s unconstitu- tional dissolution of the lower house, the Supreme Court on PRAMOD MISHRA Tuesday rectified one of the many wrongs going on in Nepali politics today. The apex court has done its bit for now, bring- CROSSROADS ing on track the political process that had been thrown off track by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and President Bidya Devi Bhandari. But the political crisis is clearly not going to get over anytime soon. While the top court has ordered that The Supreme Court has reversed the the winter session of the House be resumed by March 8, it political regression that KP Oli, the goes without question that much of that time will be spent on prime minister, had begun by unconsti- who forms the next government, and who gets kicked out of tutionally dissolving Parliament on the hunt for the coveted chair. December 20, 2020. The Supreme Court The phrase kursi ko khel appeared in newspaper headlines deserves thanks for doing its duty and playing by the book. It has also put to and tea shop debates in the 1990s so often that the generation rest all the rumours that had been float- that grew up during that decade loathed politics as a dirty ing around among Nepalis, even the game. In all likelihood, the abominable term, which was syn- educated ones, about various kinds of onymous with parliamentary politics in the days of yore, is ‘settings’. The rumours began because, in the past, Nepal’s rulers had been set to make a comeback in the next few weeks. We are possi- wayward and very often violated demo- bly going back to the days of horse trading and all kinds of cratic norms and constitutionality. The sinister plots against democratic politics and political cul- Supreme Court has also reversed its ture. As of today, Oli’s ego has only been wounded but not own past by supporting the constitu- POST FILE PHOTO defeated altogether, and he will make every attempt to hold tion. So, democracy-loving Nepalis are rightly rejoicing this decision. Oli’s tice. Freedom from political regression And their source of power is their and fair elections between and among on to power and put up one last fight, as his advisers and penchant for proverbs may not cease and justice for the marginalised. intellect and the streets. That is why parties but within the parties as well. acolytes made it clear after the Tuesday verdict. altogether, but may not grab headlines But like the philosophes, those who they emphasised freeing Tundikhel, But the second component of full All eyes are now on the goings-on in the ruling Nepal from now on. The Parliament will have provided the intellectual founda- the largest open space in the middle of democracy is no less important. In its Communist Party, which has split politically but is still intact reconvene, the violators may be pun- tion for this citizens movement come Kathmandu from the monopoly of absence, political democracies all over ished and a new prime minister may from the ranks of writers, poets, artists Nepal’s military and officialdom and the world, especially in the non-West- legally. Unless the warring factions of the party decide to be elected, but the fundamental ques- and public intellectuals, who write not for the use of the people. ern world, have faltered and failed. patch up their differences, the chain of instability is unlikely tions the Citizens’ Movement has just for the libraries and academic This manifesto or declaration for full Justice for the marginalised means to end anytime soon. After all, Nepali Congress is waiting to raised to realise full democracy will journals but for the general public— democracy shows that those who made participation of those who have tradi- assume its role as the kingmaker at the slightest opportunity. remain to be addressed. not only to change public discourse but it possible are not just citizens who tionally been excluded from state The sooner this imbroglio ends, the better; the idea is now to On the national day of democracy to give a new direction to the country’s have the right to vote or hold the coun- power. In Nepal’s case, those would be last Friday, February 19, the movement future politics and thought. try’s citizenship papers or passport. Madhesis, women, the indigenous begin working towards bringing the political process back on issued its manifesto. One can call it the How these ideas will influence They are cosmopolitan humanists who nationalities and the Dalits but also the track so that we can take care of more pressing issues that Full Democracy Manifesto of the Nepal’s future course of action, only love their country and its people and disadvantaged of any ethnic group. concern the lives of citizens. We cannot remain perennial Citizens’ Movement of Nepal 2021. Like time will tell. But from the initial signs, land with the diversity of cultures, And justice would also include jus- prisoners of political uncertainty. many other declarations and manifes- it appears that these ideas will have a flora and fauna and altitudes. tice to the environment and justice to tos, such as the Declaration of long-term effect not just in Nepal but Now that the Supreme Court has salvageable cultural heritage, as the For the sake of political stability, the various factions and Independence of 1776, which was a across the border in India as well and reinstated Parliament, how are these Citizens’ Manifesto has made clear. leaders of the party must sacrifice their egos and calcula- philosophical justification for the war from there to the rest of South Asia. political parties going to behave? Will Nepal is richly endowed with natural tions. That sounds like expecting too much from the leaders of independence of the American colo- Nepal here has a chance to be a thought they continue to act in the same old beauty—its mountains, its rivers, its who think of nothing but grabbing power, but the people nies against Britain, or the Communist leader in South Asia. ways of horse-trading? Or, alternative- flora and fauna. Why can’t develop- deserve to be led by leaders who put ethics and values before Manifesto of 1848 by Marx and Engels These intellectuals, writers, poets, ly, will they follow the precepts of the ment happen that sustains the environ- that laid the foundation for future com- artists call themselves citizens but they Citizens’ Movement by handing over ment and protects the country’s rich anything else. Leaders from across the political spectrum munist movements, this concept paper are not the freighted and hauled mass- the reins of the parties and the govern- cultural heritage? Development, pro- must now understand that the people are in no mood to put is for a future roadmap. It is based on es that fill the crowd at political party ment to the next generation of leaders gress and prosperity can go together up with their lust for power at the cost of political culture an analysis of past failures. Like the events. Nor are they politicians who so that the new leaders will bring in a with the preservation of the rivers, any longer. It is time for the leaders to clear the political mess philosophes of the European are officially aligned with one party or newer vision, newer perspectives, mountains and salvageable cultural Enlightenment, the manifesto makers another. Except for rare exceptions, absorbing newer thoughts about heritage. Salvageable cultural heritage they have created if they wish to remain relevant in the are artists, writers and intellectuals. such as BP Koirala and Baburam women, indigenous groups, Dalits and means not all cultural heritage is sal- changing times. Unlike the philosophes, this Citizens’ Bhattarai, Nepali politicians lack the implementing them? We will see how vageable. For example, casteism, sex- One of the reasons why the Supreme Court gave an une- Manifesto for full democracy is not ability to be intellectuals and original non-Oli parties will act. But one ism and those cultural tendencies quivocal verdict against KP Sharma Oli’s unconditional dis- merely a philosophical assertion but thinkers. They grab one line of thought thing is clear. The new generation that create othering and marginalisa- solution of the lower house could be because it had gauged has resulted from citizens’ participa- or another (and versions of Marxism in of intellectuals has announced its tion are not worth saving. But for tion in the country’s multiple move- its various manifestations from arrival on Nepal’s public scene. And that, critical thinking and vigorous the public desire for democratic process. The question is, ments for democracy. In the earlier Leninism to Maoism has been the dom- this new generation is not going to debate in the public sphere are indis- whether the top court’s adherence to constitutionalism paves movements of 1990 and 2006, citizens inant strain) and run with it. They merely spectate. pensable. The Citizens’ Movement’s the way for the democratisation of institutions and insulates who were also intellectuals, educated at repeat old slogans ad infinitum. They What is the concept of full democra- manifesto has opened up that door for them from the infiltration of Oli-style manoeuvres in the home and abroad, led the charge by build their parties and run for elections cy that the Citizens’ Movement has such a debate. holding meetings and making speeches for the share of state power. On the proclaimed? In my view, it has two So, Oli may be departing soon but his future. The times have changed, and with that the way politi- but had not issued a collectively drafted other hand, these citizens are not inter- chief components: democracy and jus- proclivities must not remain intact. cal debates and discussions are conducted need to change too. declaration. In this sense, this declara- ested in state power or any active polit- tice. Just holding elections is not Nepal will truly move forward only As of today, leaders across the board have shown little com- tion is both a result of political action ical career. They just want a democracy democracy, as the leaders of the when it leaves behind both Oli and Oli- mitment to foster democratic politics within the party and and philosophical thought, theory and that would include the rule of law, Citizens’ Movement have repeatedly garchy and internalises what the outside. Continued vigilance from the public and civil society, praxis fused together that Jean-Paul freedom of expression and freedom pointed out. Democracy means free- Citizens’ Movement has laid out in its Satre practised in France. It embodies from corruption—and justice for the dom. It means transparency. It means manifesto. These are the lessons of the is, therefore, paramount. the twin principles of freedom and jus- marginalised and the environment. the rule of law. It means not just free Oli imbroglio.

Stepping up to the climate challenge

package with other development part- fight the effects of climate change. Nepal punches ners to help Nepal ‘bounce back green- The world, and particularly the UK, er’ from Covid-19 and create up to 1 will be listening. above its weight on million jobs. The package will help I am determined to ensure that Nepal recover sustainably from the Nepal’s voice, and that of its moun- climate action—and immediate impacts of the pandemic, tain neighbours in the Hindu by investing in clean energy, water Kush Himalayas, are heard in the it is clear why. and projects such as flood prevention, inclusive climate negotiations and tree planting, whilst mobilising we will host at COP26. This matters support for sustainable job creation in not only for the people of Nepal but ALOK SHARMA agriculture, forestry, and tourism. also for the continent of Asia. In South I hope that this news will embolden Asia alone, 40 million people could Nepal to go further. Because Nepal is sink into poverty because of the already showing strong climate cre- impacts of climate change. dentials, as determined as those Nepal offers attractive investment Nepalis that recently returned from prospects too. I have had the pleasure the first winter ascent of K2. Where of hearing from business and invest- they proudly declared that climate ment leaders here in Kathmandu and Landing in Kathmandu, a buzzing action is possible. the potential for the green economy city surrounded by the towering I warmly welcome Nepal’s commit- seems promising. I hope that this in Himalayas, I defy anyone not to be ment at the UK’s Climate Ambition turn will help to mobilise the private awestruck by the wonder of our planet Summit in December last year to sector around climate action. Through and by humanity’s relationship with reach Net Zero emissions by 2050. our planned Green Growth Nepal it. The mountain range is a critical Additionally, I look forward to the pub- Programme, the UK is working with water source for the 250 million people lication of their Long-Term Strategy the Investment Board of Nepal on pro- in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya moun- later this year on how to get there, and jects that will deliver clean energy, tains and a further 1.65 billion people also for Nepal to consider increasing smart urbanisation and forestry work downstream. climate ambition further ahead of to support Nepal’s Covid-19 recovery. So, it is sobering to think that Nepal COP26. Equally, Nepal is leading the The UK recently launched the Race is the country fourth most-at-risk way on adaptation with initiatives to Resilience campaign to mobilise from the damaging effects of climate such as Local Adaptation Plans of business, cities, civil society and oth- change. Glaciers are retreating by up Action, through which Nepal’s local ers around projects that help protect to 60 metres per year, leading to the governments are identifying the best people from the worst impacts of cli- creation of glacial lakes and the risk ways to adapt to the local impacts of mate change. We did so because we of catastrophic outburst floods looms WIKIMEDIA COMMONS climate change. know that the challenge of protecting large. This vulnerability does not threaten the lives and livelihoods of impressive women climate leaders for a year and protect 3.2 million peo- Through these, local communities our planet demands action beyond always dominate headlines around the people who have the fewest resourc- from Joint Secretary Radha Wagle to ple. In the Gandaki River Basin, UK can respond to very varied impacts of governments. world as it should. So that’s why I vis- es—also often those that have done the Nepal women’s K2 expedition lead- funds will help 1.9 million people climate change from melting glaciers I saw the harsh reality of climate ited last week, in my role as COP26 least to cause climate change. Indeed, ers. President Bhandari is one of a cope better with the extreme cli- in the mountains to new diseases in change first hand, when I observed the President, to better understand the Nepal is one of the lowest per capita growing group of women leaders com- mate-related events that are becoming the hills, or floods and high tempera- effects of the melting Himalayan gla- pressures facing this great country. carbon emitters in the world. mitted to delivering tangible progress more common. tures in the plains. This country is ciers this week, and heard of the dev- In November, the UK will welcome Globally, 80 percent of people dis- at COP26, and this clear leadership As we know, these climate shocks also uniquely placed to take advantage astating effects that our changing cli- 197 countries to Glasgow for vital placed by climate change are women; from the top will serve us well. are both becoming more intense and of the green revolution, through mate can have on people living in the United Nations climate change talks. here in Nepal, women are dispropor- Through the UK COP26 presidency, more frequent so we want to do more hydro and solar power generation. Hindu Kush Himalaya. So, I call on These are the most important talks tionately at risk, whether from floods, we want to help amplify women’s voic- to help communities across Nepal. Having avoided dependence on fos- people throughout Nepal to step up to since the gathering in Paris in 2015, in which more women drown than es—and that of Nepal. We also want to Strong international collaboration sil-fuelled power, Nepal is ready to the challenge. I assure you, the people where action was agreed to limit glob- men, or through working in agricul- help provide practical support to pro- will be key to this, and we will contin- leapfrog the ‘dirty development’ that I have met and the very real effects of al temperature rises to well below two ture, where women shoulder most of tect communities and the wonderfully ue to press our international partners fuelled growth throughout the 20th climate change that I have seen here degrees on pre-industrial levels. the additional labour required to cope unique landscape. on the road to Glasgow to partner with century. By investing in sustainable will stay with me as I continue my At COP26, we must take action to with lack of water and the new diseas- I am proud that International us on practical projects like our new tourism and infrastructure, Nepal has conversations with leaders around the stop the effects of climate change on es that climate change will bring. Climate Finance funding from the UK Adaptation Action Coalition. And a real opportunity to build a low car- world to press for strong climate smaller countries. Higher tempera- Frustratingly, women’s voices is helping to protect vulnerable com- of course, we need to ensure that bon, climate-resilient economy and action ahead of COP26. tures and more frequent and intense around the world often go unheard, munities in the Churia Region, finance flows to countries like Nepal create inclusive green employment. climate-induced disasters are predict- despite them being essential in the through climate-resilient land-use that are facing the harshest effects of Nepal can seize this opportunity Sharma, a member of the UK parlia- ed as the Himalayas warm at twice the fight against climate change. I am practices which will avoid 11.5 million climate change. and demonstrate regional leader- ment, is the President-Designate of the global average. If these impacts aren’t delighted that this is not the case here, tonnes of emissions equivalent Indeed, we are already coordinating ship—and shout from the mountain- 26th United Nations Climate Change tackled, they will disproportionately having had the pleasure of meeting to taking 2.5 million cars off the road a $7.4 billion Green Recovery Support tops about the work that it is doing to Conference, COP26.

C M Y K 05 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 MONEY

FOREX

US Dollar 116.02 Sales of masks, sanitisers drop as people become carefree Euro 140.99

Pound Sterling 164.08 The pandemic is not over yet, and people should take precautions even if they have been vaccinated, health experts say.

Japanese Yen 10.97 KRISHANA PRASAIN more local sanitisers than imported Chinese Yuan 17.99 KATHMANDU, FEB 24 products, he added. With the decline in demand and sales of masks and Qatari Riyal 31.86 Kamal Lama commutes to work daily sanitisers, it will be hard for the firms Australian Dollar 91.82 by bus, and is terrified that he might that opened to cash in on the pandem- catch the coronavirus because he sees ic, Ranjitkar said. Malaysian Ringit 28.70 so few of his fellow passengers wear- “We offer diverse personal hygiene ing masks. Even during rush hour, and home care products like wet wipe, Saudi Arab Riyal 30.93 when the bus becomes quite crowded, bathing soap, laundry soap, detergent Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank most travellers are barefaced. powder, dish wash soap, surface clean- “When you are walking around a er and disinfectant, among others, and public place and see all those people the decline in sales of masks and san- Shares who don’t seem to care that there is a itisers will not hit our revenue much,” pandemic going on, it’s hard to believe he said. Nepse 2,599.07pts 0.49% that we confined ourselves to our Byanjankar expects sales to drop homes for four-five months not to get further as people become more relaxed HIGHEST GAINERS infected. Now it looks like everything because they know that vaccines are IGI NFS CGH NBL SIGS2 NICGF 10% 9.97% 9.94% 5.3% 5.17% 4.99% is fine,” said Lama. available, and gradually forget to wear The 34-year-old from Maharajgunj masks and use sanitisers. MODERATE GAINERS says he always wears a mask, Traders say that as the vaccines KLBSL TRH SEF CMF2 GIMES1 NEF 4.4% 4.38% 4.35% 3.33% 3.31% 3.27% and never forgets to carry a sanitiser have started arriving and people are

MODERATE LOSERS in his bag. being vaccinated, sales of masks and MHNL SIFC HPPL GHL SNLB UNHPL Lama’s observation is true. Sales of sanitisers will continue to decline in -2.05% -2.08% -2.12% -2.19% -2.3% -3.17% face masks and sanitisers have the coming days. HIGHEST LOSERS dropped sharply—by more than half— Retailers and manufacturers said API SSHL UMRH ACLBSL AHPC NIFRA since January, according to retailers that what little demand for masks and -3.37% -4.04% -4.38% -4.42% -4.71% -5.39% and manufacturers. POST FILE PHOTO sanitisers exists is because they are The Post talked to several manufac- Entrepreneurs who invested in mask and sanitiser factories expecting to reap a bonanza with Covid-19 spreading are on the verge of collapse. still mandatory in a few public places, turers of face masks and sanitisers otherwise sales would have plunged to who reported that sales had nose- lightly after all public places were off another round of street marches. Himgiri Hygiene introduced the pre-pandemic levels. Demand for hand PRICE PER TOLA dived, and accordingly, their produc- allowed to open. “People are living under a false Aura brand mask after the virus out- sanitisers had jumped by more than 80 BULLION tion too. This shows that people Political demonstrations and coun- perception. They are confident break, and it had just launched the percent last February, with pharma- are not wearing masks or using ter-demonstrations have been that the virus caseload has dropped,” Aura brand sanitiser when the pan- cies and supermarkets instantly run- Fine Gold Rs 89,800 sanitisers, particularly in urban erupting across Nepal with the two said Ranjitkar. “But the risk has not demic hit. ning out of stock. areas outside Kathmandu, according factions of the Nepal Communist gone away.” Sabindra Byanjankar, sales manag- According to the Department of Silver Rs 1,345 to retailers. Party engaging in shouting matches Health experts and doctors say the er at Bhat Bhateni Supermarket in Customs, Nepal imported face masks If the carefree tendency continues, following the premature dissolution pandemic is not over yet, and people Tripureshwor, said that sales of masks valued at Rs515.93 million and sanitis- SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA there could be a public health catastro- of Parliament by Prime Minister Oli should wear masks and use sanitisers and sanitisers had shrunk by more ers and other disinfectants worth phe, said doctors. on December 20. even if they have been vaccinated. than 40 percent. “It seems that Rs766.33 million in the first seven Entrepreneurs who invested in The country is still fighting the Dr Baburam Marasini, former people are not wearing masks nowa- months of the current fiscal year. mask and sanitiser factories expect- Covid-19 pandemic, and officials have director at the Epidemiology and days,” he said. On Tuesday, 94 new cases were GASOLINE WATCH ing to reap a bonanza with Covid-19 been tirelessly issuing guidelines to Disease Control Division at the Byanjankar said that the number of recorded in the country and there was spreading rampantly are on the verge maintain social distancing and wear a Department of Health Services, said domestic companies producing masks one Covid-19 related fatality, pushing of collapse. mask. But these safety precautions the government was not working hard and sanitisers had also increased after the death toll to 2,066. The overall Rex Ranjitkar, marketing officer of were thrown to the winds by the enough to create awareness among the the pandemic as stores are selling infection tally has reached 273,760 Himgiri Hygiene that produces marchers at the political rallies in the general public. mostly local production. with 1,555 active cases. different hygiene products under the Kathmandu Valley. “People are interpreting the disease The price of imported hand sanitis- According to the Ministry of Health brand name Aura, said that mask On Tuesday, the Supreme Court and the risks on their own,” he said. ers has increased slightly, but the and Population, 270,139 infected peo- sales had plunged by 50 percent main- overturned Oli’s decision to dissolve “This will have a negative impact on price of locally made masks and sani- ple have recovered from the disease so ly due to people taking the virus issue the House of Representatives, setting public health.” tisers is stable, he said. Stores sell far, 71 of them in the past 24 hours.

US manufacturers grapple with steel shortages, soaring prices

REUTERS CHICAGO, FEB 24 The disruption is BIZLINE An aerospace parts maker in California is struggling to procure provoking a new cold-rolled steel, while an auto and round of calls to end Nepalese Youth Entrepreneurs’ appliance parts manufacturer in Forum inducts Birgunj Chapter Indiana is unable to secure additional former President supplies of hot-rolled steel from mills. and Janakpur Chapter Both companies and more are get- Trump’s steel tariffs. KATHMANDU: The induction and instal- ting hit by a fresh round of disruption lation programme of Nepalese Youth in the US steel industry. Steel is in Entrepreneurs’ Forum (NYEF) short supply in the United States and 2020 when orders plunged 50 percent. Birgunj Chapter and Janakpur prices are surging. Unfilled orders for Its order book is now 25 percent above Chapter was held with the objective steel in the last quarter were at the pre-pandemic levels. of developing and promoting young highest level in five years, while inven- To keep up, it is running its facto- entrepreneurs by empowering posi- tories were near a 3-1/2-year low, ries seven days a week and has tive business thoughts and attitude. according to data from the Census increased headcount by 40 percent. The induction and installation pro- Bureau. The benchmark price for hot- But steel that used to get delivered in gramme of the re-established NYEF rolled steel hit $1,176/ton this month, eight weeks last year now takes 12-16 Birgunj Chapter was organised at its highest level in at least 13 years. weeks. Mills are not accepting Viswa Hotel in Birgunj whereas the Soaring prices are driving up costs requests for additional purchases. inauguration programme of and squeezing profits at steel-consum- “We have been hand to mouth Janakpur Chapter was held at ing manufacturers, provoking a new with a lot of customer requirement,” Janakpurdham Hotel Sitasaran, reads round of calls to end former President said Stewart Rariden, the company’s the press statement issued by the Donald Trump’s steel tariffs. president. Domestic steel prices have group. The members of the working “Our members have been reporting risen more than 160 percent since last committee from Birgunj Chapter was that they have never seen such chaos August, leaving steel consumers in a formed under the chairmanship of in the steel market,” said Paul quandary—whether to absorb or pass youth entrepreneur Anup Kumar Nathanson, executive director at along the increased cost. Agrawal were inducted by the offi- Coalition of American Metal “We’ll be lucky if we break even at cials of the National Governing Manufacturers and Users. this price,” said Stuart Speyer, presi- Council of NYEF. While, a sev- The group, which represents dent at Tennessee-based Tennsco. en-member committee has been more than 30,000 companies in the Steel costs for the manufacturer of formed under the chairmanship of manufacturing sector and down- lockers, bookcases and cabinets are up Dr Soni Mahato from Janakpur stream supply chains, this month 98 percent in the past six months. Chapter. asked President Joe Biden to termi- Whirlpool last month said increased nate Trump’s metal tariffs. steel costs would shave 150 basis

Domestic steel mills that idled fur- points from its profit this year. Ncell launches new version naces last year amid fears of a pro- In its “flash” purchasing managers of Ncell App longed pandemic-induced economic survey for February, IHS Markit’s downturn have been slow in ramping prices paid index for factories was the up production, despite a recovery in highest since 2011 and its gauge of demand for cars and trucks, applianc- prices received for finished products es, and other steel products. Capacity was the highest since 2008. utilization rates at steel mills—a The run-up in steel prices comes at measure of how fully production a time when the expectation of addi- capacity is being used—has moved up tional fiscal stimulus and a faster vac- to 75 percent after falling to 56 percent cine rollout is fuelling fears of wide- in the second quarter of 2020 but is spread inflationary pressure. still way below 82 percent in last However, policymakers like Federal February. Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and Steel shipments are up, but still Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen do below last year’s levels. not foresee a prolonged and broad- Steel producer Steel Dynamics based rise in prices anytime soon with KATHMANDU: All Ncell customers can last month said it can’t get enough US unemployment still well above now avail various customer care and flat-roll sheets even for its own inter- pre-pandemic levels and more than 18 subscribe to services easily from nal operations. million Americans drawing some Ncell App. Ncell Axiata Limited “It is very frustrating,” said Hale form of government jobless benefit. launched its new version of the Foote, president at California-based self-service mobile app fully equipped aerospace parts maker Scandic with exciting features for the digital Springs. “I am looking at great busi- transformation of its customer jour- ness…but I don’t have any material ney, states the press release issued by supply. ” the company. With this updated ver- Scandic Springs faces the risk of sion, customers can now perform losing a $1 million annual contract multiple tasks including online as it can’t find a domestic supplier recharge and subscription of best ready to supply 240,000 pounds of cold- voice and data offers instantly. rolled steel. Once the app is downloaded, custom- Indiana-based Stone City Products, ers get product recommendation which supplies components to appli- in the home screen. Customer can ance and automotive companies, is also click on shop icon at the bottom also hard-pressed to procure 2 million to buy data and voice packs as per tons of hot-rolled steel a year for a their service requirement. The com- new project. pany is giving 1GB data for free to The company has seen a dramatic every customer who downloads the turnaround in business after the pan- app for the first time. demic lows in the second quarter of

C M Y K THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | 06 WORLD Indonesia presses regional effort US seeks UN Human to resolve crisis in Myanmar Rights council seat International pressure also continues, with more than 130 civil society groups issuing an open letter to the UN. after Trump pullout being deprived of a democratically elected government and ongoing vio- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE “Institutions are not perfect,” lations of human rights by a military GENEVA, FEB 24 he said. with a history of major abuses. “We urge the Human Rights Council “Any sale or transfer of military-re- The United States is seeking a return to look at how it conducts its business. lated equipment to Myanmar could to the UN Human Rights Council, That includes its disproportionate provide the means to further repress three years after former president focus on Israel,” he said. the people of Myanmar in violation of Donald Trump’s administration with- “In addition, we will focus on ensur- international humanitarian and drew, the US top diplomat told the ing that the council membership human rights law,” the letter said. rights body on Wednesday. reflects high standards for upholding In addition to a sweeping arms “I’m pleased to announce the United human rights,” he added. embargo, the letter said any Security States will seek election to the Human The United States has long com- Council measures should make sure Rights Council for the 2022-24 term,” plained that prominent rights abusers there is “robust monitoring and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken are given seats on the council. enforcement mechanisms.” told the council in a video message. Currently the membership includes There have been past arms embar- “We humbly ask for the support of China, Russia, and Venezuela, along goes on Myanmar during periods of all UN member states in our bid to with Cuba, Cameroon, Eritrea and the military rule but not on a global basis. return to a seat in this body.” Philippines. China and Russia, both members of The United States announced earli- “Those with the worst human rights the security council, are among the er this month that it would re-engage records should not be members of this top arms suppliers to Myanmar, and with the 47-member council after council,” Blinken said. would almost certainly veto any effort Trump’s administration pulled the by the U.N. at a coordinated arms country out in June 2018. embargo. How effective the regional He complained about its “unrelent- Elections for the efforts at resolving Myanmar’s crisis ing bias” against Israel and the could be remains unclear. “hypocrisy” of allowing rights-abus- next term will be If Indonesia’s Marsudi met in ing nations a seat at the table. Thailand with her Myanmar counter- The US departure left a void that held towards the AP/RSS part it would have allowed them to China and others have been eager Anti-coup protesters stage a sit-in protest after riot policemen blocked their march in Mandalay, Myanmar, on Wednesday. talk face-to-face while sidestepping to fill. end of this year. possible controversy stemming from a While Washington has vowed to ASSOCIATED PRESS Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan- path of about 3,000 teachers and visit to Myanmar by Marsudi. begin active participation in the coun- BANGKOK, FEB 24 ocha, himself a former army chief students. Critics of the coup, especially in cil’s activities immediately, it could He harshly criticised Russia’s treat- who first took power in a military After about two hours, during Myanmar, charge that such a visit not automatically regain the ment of political opposition figures, Regional diplomatic efforts to resolve coup. That official also spoke on condi- which demonstrators played protest would be tantamount to recognizing membership it walked away from demanding that Moscow “immediate- Myanmar’s political crisis gathered tion of anonymity as they were not songs and listened to speeches the military regime as legitimate and three years ago. ly and unconditionally release Alexei pace on Wednesday, while protests authorised to release the information. condemning the coup, the crowd its takeover as legal. There had been Elections for the next term will be Navalny, as well as hundreds of other continued in Yangon and other cities There was no immediate word moved away. news reports that such a visit was held towards the end of this year. Russian citizens wrongfully detained calling for the country’s coupmakers whether Marsudi also met the On Saturday, police and soldiers imminent. “The United States is placing for exercising their rights.” to stand down and Aung San Suu Kyi’s Myanmar diplomat. shot dead two people in Mandalay as Indonesian Foreign Ministry democracy and human rights at the He also denounced “atrocities” com- elected government to be returned to Indonesia and fellow members of they broke up a strike by dock work- spokesman Teuku Faizasyah said centre of our foreign policy, because mitted in China’s Xinjiang region, power. the Association of Southeast Asian ers. Earlier the same week they had Wednesday that Marsudi left open an they are essential for peace and stabil- decried that fundamental freedoms Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Nations are seeking to promote violently dispersed a rally in front of a option to visit the Myanmar capital ity,” Blinken told the council’s main were being undermined in Hong Kong, Marsudi visited the Thai capital, some concessions by Myanmar’s mili- state bank branch, with batons and Naypyitaw, but had put off any plan annual session. and voiced alarm at the “backsliding Bangkok, as part of her efforts to coor- tary that could ease tensions before slingshots. for the time being. “This commitment is firm and of democracy” in Myanmar following dinate a regional response to the crisis there is more violence. The regional Also on Wednesday, about 150 peo- A statement from his office said grounded in our own experience as a the February 1 coup there. triggered by Myanmar’s February 1 grouping, to which Thailand and ple from a Christian group gathered in that taking in account current democracy: imperfect and often fall- Washington’s rights record has military coup. Myanmar also belong, believes dia- Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, to call developments and following consulta- ing short of our own ideals, but striv- itself been criticised before the Also making the trip to neighbour- logue with the generals is a more for restoration of democracy and the tions with other ASEAN countries, ing always for a more inclusive, council, including with a dedicated ing Thailand was the foreign minister effective method of achieving conces- release of Suu Kyi and other civilian “this is not the ideal time to conduct a respectful, and free country,” he said, special debate last June, without US appointed by Myanmar’s new military sions than more confrontational meth- leaders held since the coup. visit to Myanmar.” striking a very different tone than his participation, following the death of government, retired army colonel ods, such as sanctions, often advocated International pressure against the Demonstrations were held outside predecessor Mike Pompeo. George Floyd. Wunna Maung Lwin, said a Thai gov- by Western nations. takeover also continues, with more Indonesian embassies in Yangon and But while the United States Floyd’s killing on May 25, 2020 ernment official, who spoke on condi- Opposition to the coup within than 130 civil society groups issuing Bangkok on Tuesday in response to a under new President Joe Biden is after a white Minneapolis tion of anonymity as he was not Myanmar continued Wednesday, with an open letter to United Nations news report that Jakarta was propos- eager to return to the fold of the police officer—since charged with authorised to release the information. a tense standoff taking place in the Security Council calling for a global ing to fellow ASEAN members that council, Blinken stressed that the murder—pressed a knee on his Another Thai official said Wunna country’s second-biggest city, arms embargo on Myanmar. they offer qualified support for the country still agrees with some of the neck for nearly nine minutes, set Maung Lwin met with Thai Foreign Mandalay, where police holding riot The letter released Wednesday cited junta’s plan for a new election next criticisms lobbed by the previous off a global outcry over racism and Minister Don Pramudwinai as well as shields and cradling rifles blocked the concerns about Myanmar’s citizens year. Faizasyah denied the report. administration. police brutality.

BRIEFING China targets Uighurs with

Italy repatriates ambassador and bodyguard killed in Congo more prosecutions, longer GOMA: The bodies of Italy’s ambassa- dor to the Democratic Republic of Congo and his bodyguard arrived prison terms: Rights group back in Rome on Tuesday aboard a military aircraft, a day after they AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE China’s actions in Xinjiang amount to were shot dead following an ambush BEIJING, FEB 24 genocide, while Canadian lawmakers in eastern Congo. Ambassador Luca on Tuesday passed a similar Attanasio, 43, and his bodyguard China has dramatically increased its declaration. Vittorio Iacovacci, 30, were killed prosecution of Muslim minorities in HRW said criminal sentences in the while travelling in a United Nations’ Xinjiang through the formal court sys- Xinjiang region had spiked between World Food Programme convoy to tem, handing out long prison terms 2017 and 2019 during a crackdown on visit a school feeding project. WFP for dubious charges such as “picking Uighurs and other mainly Muslim driver Mustapha Milambo was also quarrels” and giving gifts to overseas minorities. killed. Italian Prime Minister Mario relatives, a rights group said on Xinjiang courts sentenced nearly Draghi joined bereaved relatives as Wednesday. 100,000 people in 2017, up from less the plane carrying the coffins These criminal convictions are in than 40,000 in 2016, the organisation touched down at Rome’s Ciampino addition to the detention of an esti- said, citing government data. airport following the flight from the mated one million Uighurs and other The rights group said police, prose- Congolese city of Goma, near the mainly Muslim minorities in “politi- cutors and courts had been placed Rwandan border. cal education” camps in Xinjiang. under pressure to “deliver swift and More than 250,000 people in the harsh punishment” in the name of northwestern region have been counter-terrorism, causing many to At least 62 killed in Ecuadorean formally sentenced and imprisoned be imprisoned without committing prison gang riots since 2016, according to Human any genuine offence. QUITO: At least 62 people have died in Rights Watch. Sentences were handed out for simultaneous violent riots in three “Despite the veneer of legality, activities including “telling others Ecuadorean prisons on Tuesday that many of those in Xinjiang’s prisons ‘what is haram and halal’” and the government described as a con- are ordinary people who were convict- bringing gifts to relatives in Turkey, certed action by criminal organisa- ed for going about their lives and prac- HRW said. tions. President Lenin Moreno has ticing their religion,” HRW researcher Prior to 2017, around 11 percent of sought to control prison violence in Maya Wang said in a statement. the sentences carried prison terms of AFP/RSS the Andean country, declaring the The US State Department has said over five years. In 2017, 87 percent did. A Palestinian mother washes clothes during a power cut at their home in Gaza City. The Gaza Strip gets eight hours of electricity cut. prison system in a temporary state of emergency, because of the frequent confrontations between criminal gangs. “These were two groups vying for criminal leadership within the detention centres,” said India warns of worsening Covid-19 situation; vaccinations to expand Edmundo Moncayo, director of Ecuador’s prison agency. The toll had risen to 62 confirmed deaths, REUTERS Britain and South Africa. The minis- cy RT-PCR tests in those places Moncayo said. With the help of an NEW DELHI, FEB 24 try said that while cases in the states was falling. Cases have also risen First vaccine doses from COVAX arrive in Ghana additional 800 police officers, of Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Kerala, in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Moncayo said, authorities have been India announced an expansion of its Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh West Bengal. ACCRA: The World Health “The only way out of this crisis is to able “to control and restore order vaccination programme on Wednesday and Punjab, as well as the federal ter- In the past week, a third of India’s Organization’s global vaccine-sharing ensure that vaccinations are available within the detention centers.” but warned that breaches of coronavi- ritory of Jammu and Kashmir, were 36 states and union territories have scheme COVAX delivered its first for all,” Anne-Claire Dufay of UNICEF rus protocols could worsen an rising, the proportion of high-accura- reported an average of more than 100 Covid-19 shots on Wednesday, Ghana and WHO country representa- infection surge in many states. as the race to get doses to the world’s tive Francis Kasolo said in a joint Russia increases fines for Nearly a month after the health poorest people and tame the pandemic statement. protest violations after minister declared that Covid-19 had accelerates. The delivery comes eight months been contained, states such as Almost a year after the WHO first after the launch of the COVAX initia- Navalny rallies Maharashtra in the west and Kerala described the novel coronavirus as a tive, aimed at pooling funds from MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir in the south have reported a surge in global pandemic, a flight carrying wealthier countries and non-profits to Putin approved legislation on cases, as reluctance grows over 600,000 doses of the AstraZeneca/ develop a vaccine and distribute it Wednesday beefing up fines for mask-wearing and social distancing. Oxford vaccine produced by the equitably around the world. offences committed during street India’s infections, the second high- Serum Institute of India landed in The shots, part of an initial tranche protests after thousands were est in the world at 11.03 million, Ghana’s capital Accra. Local repre- of deliveries for several low and mid- detained at unsanctioned rallies in swelled in the past 24 hours by 13,742, sentatives of the WHO and the United dle-income countries, will be used by support of Kremlin critic Alexei health ministry data shows. Deaths Nations children’s agency UNICEF Ghana to start a vaccination drive Navalny. The legislation increases rose by a two-week high of described the vaccines’ “momentous” from March 2 that will prioritise front- fines for insubordination to law 104 to 156,567. arrival as a critical step in bringing line health workers and others at high enforcement officers to up to 4,000 “Any laxity in implementing the pandemic to an end. risk of infection. roubles ($54.30) from 1,000 roubles in stringent measures to curb the addition to a maximum of 15 days in spread, especially in view of new detention. The amended law also strains of virus ... could compound new cases each day, with Kerala and about 11 million people have received introduces fines of up to 20,000 rou- the situation,” the ministry said in Maharashtra both reporting more one or two doses in a campaign that bles for protest organisers who vio- a statement. than 4,000, in a trend experts link to began on January 16, versus a target late funding regulations. Police India has confirmed the long-time the reopening of schools and subur- of 300 million by August. From March detained more than 11,000 people at presence of two mutant variants— REUTERS ban train services. 1, India will start vaccinating people nationwide protests this year in sup- N440K and E484Q—in addition A healthcare worker uses an oximeter to check oxygen level of passengers at a railway station, The government has also asked above 60 and those older than 45 with port of Navalny. (AGENCIES) to those first detected in Brazil, amidst the spread of Covid-19, in Mumbai, India. states to speed vaccinations. Just health conditions free of charge.

C M Y K 07 | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Tuchel lauds Chelsea for suffocating Atletico Madrid Open half marathon on April 4 The Blues beat the La Liga leaders 1-0 in the first leg to give the German coach his most significant result since succeeding Frank Lampard in January. KATHMANDU: Nepal Democratic Sports Union Bagmati Province is organis- ing First Kisun Ji Memorial National REUTERS single shot on target to bother Chelsea Open Women’s and Men’s Half BUCHAREST, FEB 24 keeper Edouard Mendy. Marathon on April 4 in Kathmandu. Atletico coach Simeone said he felt The event being organised in Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel praised the game had been tight and did not memory of the late prime minister his players for suffocating Atletico agree that his side had been second Krishna Prasad Bhattarai will begin Madrid with relentless pressing as best. “Both sides worked really hard, from Golfutar Basketball court and fin- they beat Diego Simeone’s side 1-0 in there were really few opportunities to ish at the same point, said Deepak Bucharest on Tuesday in the first leg score and they took theirs, but apart Gurung, the president of Bagmati of their last 16 Champions League tie. from that it was really even,” said the Province. The organisers expect the Olivier Giroud’s stunning overhead Argentine, whose side have won only participation of some 80 runners in the kick in the second half handed once in their last five matches in all event. The top three finishers of both Chelsea the advantage going into the competitions. categories will receive cash prizes of second leg at the Stamford Bridge on In Rome, Robert Lewandowski Rs25,000, Rs15,000 and Rs10,000 respec- March 17 but Tuchel was most pleased became the Champions League’s third tively. The fourth and fifth place run- with how his players implemented top scorer of all time as holders ners will bag Rs5,000 each. The their game plan and deprived the La Bayern Munich put one foot in the expected cost of the event is Liga leaders of space and the ball. quarter-finals with a 4-1 thrashing of Rs900,000. (SB) “We knew they were ready to suffer Lazio in their last-16 first leg. with eight people in the box. The The Polish striker pounced on a intention was to keep the intensity poorly judged back pass after nine Australia, Qatar pull out high and we did that very well. We minutes to steer in his 72nd goal in the never let them breathe or come competition. In doing so, he surpassed of 2021 Copa America out for counter-attacks,” Tuchel told former Real Madrid striker Raul in PARIS: Australia and Qatar have reporters. the competition scoring charts to pulled out of the 2021 Copa America The French striker broke the dead- reach a total only bettered by Juventus’ starting in June, South American lock in the 68th minute with an outra- Cristiano Ronaldo, with 134 goals, and football’s governing body geous bicycle kick which was flagged Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, with 119. CONMEBOL said on Tuesday. offside but eventually given following Jamal Musiala doubled their advan- CONMEBOL’s deputy general secre- a lengthy VAR review as the ball had tage with a well-taken strike that tary Gonzalo Belloso said that the two come off Atletico’s Mario Hermoso made him the youngest English player members of the Asian Football before Giroud hit it. to score in the competition. Confederation (AFC) would not be Joao Felix had attempted an over- Leroy Sane tapped in a third before able to participate due to a clash with head effort earlier in the second half the break and a Francesco Acerbi own World Cup qualifying dates. Although but missed the target in one of few goal stretched the visitors’ advantage Qatar are hosting the 2022 World Cup, chances for Atletico, who were forced AP/RSS early in the second half, but Joaquin they’re taking part in the preliminary to play their home leg over 3,000 Oliver Giroud’s bicycle kick in the second half handed Chelsea advantage before going into the second leg at the Stamford Bridge on March 17. Correa soon pulled one back for Lazio, campaign because it is doubling up as kilometres from Madrid due to whose unbeaten run in the competi- qualification for the 2023 Asian Cup Spanish restrictions on arrivals from very disciplined performance, a Atletico have led the La Liga stand- atmosphere they would normally tion came crashing to an end. in China. The AFC has scheduled Britain to control the spread of Covid- deserved shut out.” ings for most of the season but have expect for a European knockout game It was an 18th consecutive match qualification matches for June 11 and 19 infections. Tuchel has led Chelsea to six wins in experienced a dip in form in February at the Wanda Metropolitano and without defeat for Bayern in the 15. The Copa, which was postponed “We wanted to dominate in the eight games in all competitions since and went into Tuesday’s match smart- forced to take a four-hour flight to the Champions League, 17 of which have last year due to the coronavirus opponents’ half, to never lose concen- succeeding Frank Lampard in January ing from a shock 2-0 defeat at home to game, there was little sense of them been victories, leaving the German pandemic, begins on June 11 and tration, not to make any easy mistakes but this was his most significant result. Levante after drawing two of their having a home advantage. champions in a dominant position will be played in Argentina and and always be aware of quick coun- The performance showed the impact he previous three games. They played with little ambition or ahead of the second leg in Munich on Colombia. (AFP) ter-attacks for all their quality. It was a has already had on the team. Deprived of the usual raucous intensity and could not manage a March 17.

Patel takes six as England collapse on opening day AHMEDABAD: Axar Patel claimed a career-best 6-38 as he and spin col- Ghimire double lifts Bansbari to third Five teams to compete in league Ravichandran Ashwin skittled out England for 112 on the opening SPORTS BUREAU matches. day to put India in charge of the day- KATHMANDU, FEB 24 In the late kick-off, Nawaraj Gurung Kathmandu Mayor Cup night third Test in Ahmedabad on starred for Shree Kumari Youth Club in Wednesday. The hosts were five for no Bhisma Raj Ghimire struck twice as their 4-1 thumping of Shree Bhagawati SPORTS BUREAU Province were the other semi-final- loss their reply at the world’s largest Bansbari Youth Club edged Tushal Club at the same venue. KATHMANDU, FEB 24 ists. The KMC will have an assem- cricket stadium which was named Youth Club 3-1 to climb third in the Gurung scored all four goals for Shree bled team consisting of best players after India Prime Minister Narendra Martyrs Memorial ‘B’ Division Kumari who played with 10 men after Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) from other six teams—Province 1, Modi on Wednesday. Rohit Sharma League football tournament at the Bivek Pun was shown second has confirmed that five teams will 2, Gandaki, Lumbini, Karnali and was batting on five at the dinner ANFA Complex, Satdobato, on yellow card in the 58th minute. compete in the maiden Kathmandu Sudurpaschim Provinces—who break and Shubman Gill was yet to Wednesday. Shree Bhagawati, however, failed to Mayor Cup one-day national crick- competed in the Prime Minister open his account with India Ghimire gave fifth minute lead to take advantage of their numerical et tournament set to be held from Cup. hoping to consolidate their position Bansbari before adding another in the superiority. March 6. The event will be played in the in the final session. Earlier, Joe Root’s 34th. Anil Gurung widened the goal Gurung opened the scoring in the In a statement on Wednesday, the round robin format and the team decision to bat backfired as the tour- margin in the 54th minute. Sunil Dhami 20th minute before adding three others cricket governing body named the finishing on top of the table will be ists wilted inside two sessions despite pulled back consolation in the 70th in the second half. He struck his second four semi-finalists of the recently crowned the champions. The tour- Zak Crawley’s fluent 53. Ishant minute. Tushal could have narrowed goal in the 53rd and completed a concluded Prime Minister Cup nament will be played at the Sharma had Dom Sibley caught in the goal margin in the 88th minute hat-trick a minute later. He put the apart from Kathmandu Mulpani and TU cricket grounds. the slip in the third over before the before striker Alon Rai failed to convert result beyond doubt in the 77th with his Metropolitan City (KMC)—assem- The eight-day event would conclude Indian spinners wreaked havoc. Patel a penalty. fourth goal. bled team—as the participants of on March 13. trapped Jonny Bairstow lbw for With the outcome, Bansbari climbed a Nawaraj Gurung hit the consolation the tournament. Earlier, CAN had signed a spon- nought with his first delivery. Ashwin spot up to third in the standings with 14 for Shree Bhagawati in the injury time. Tribhuvan Army Club and Nepal sorship deal with Kathmandu England captain Root lbw for 17 and points. They are two points behind joint With the second win, Shree Kumari APF Club were the winners and Metropolitan City to host the Mayor Patel ended Crawley’s knock as leaders Khumaltar Youth Club and PHOTO COURTESY: ANFA climbed to ninth with six points while runners up in the Prime Minister Cup. The Kathmandu Metropolitan England lost their last eight wickets Satdobato Youth Club. Tushal are fifth Bansbari have 14 points and are two points Shree Bhagawati are 10th with five Cup held from January 15 to 30. City has agreed to provide Rs with eight points after playing six behind joint leaders Khumaltar and Satdobato. points in the 12-team contest. Nepal Police Club and Bagmati 5 million to hold the event. for 38 runs. (REUTERS) HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) *** CANCER (June 22-July 22) **** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) **** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) *** Peace and positive moods are a hallmark of Sunday’s skies offer to soothe and replenish As a Libra, you naturally seek balance in all Sunday’s skies help get you back in sync with Sunday’s skies, Aries. Focus on projects that your spirit from any emotional taxations that areas of life. Sunday’s skies deliver this much your body, Capricorn. It may be hard to get moti- require your input or connect with friends that have occurred over the course of the week. longed for sense of equilibrium. Ease, relaxa- vated but you’ll feel your best if you can do can help you explore your thoughts. Spend the day unwinding, relaxing, and relat- tion, and smooth connections colour your social something that makes you feel good from the ing with those closest to you. life today. inside out.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) **** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) **** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) ***** You’re regaining your sense of equilibrium It’s been a busy week to say the least, Leo. So Lean into your need for privacy and intimacy Good times colour Sunday’s skies, Aquarius. under Sunday’s cosmic landscape, Taurus. many changes have been underway taking place today, Scorpio. Sunday’s skies work to recharge Enjoy it! Turn your attention to forgotten pas- Spend the day connecting with forgotten pro- in major areas of your life. The universe is ask- and replenish you with the people you trust the sion projects or activities that help you feel a jects, unused skills, and other resources waiting ing you to slow down and take a break today. most, as the moon glides through story-telling sense of childlike adventure. to be tapped and embrace your natural pace. Gemini.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) *** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) **** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Sunday’s skies offer up ample room to relax and You’ve earned your day of rest, Virgo. Yet, you As a Sagittarius, you cherish your freedom. In Let Sunday’s skies float you down the lazy river, pamper yourself, Gemini. Turn your attention probably won’t take it! It’s okay to embrace a recent times, being in close quarters or stuck in Pisces. Home and family matters are likely to be to your diet, health, and appearance. The day is leisurely attitude towards things that are wait- isolation has been stressful for your relation- your top priority today, save the heavy lifting for ideal to do something that helps you feel good ing to get done! Otherwise, good moods and a ship. Sunday’s skies work to help you smooth another time- you’ve earned a day of relaxation. from the inside out. sense of peace colour the day ahead. and soothe things in that arena. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 For this artist, tree roots are the canvas Bishwomvar Lamichhane, from Sindhuli, has been making unique artworks out of tree roots for the past 28 years—a passion he developed by chance.

ANKIT KHADGI renowned personalities like Bhanubhakta KATHMANDU Acharya, Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, and sev- eral others, Lamichhane’s artworks are henever Bishwomvar currently exhibited in Jarbutta Art Lamichhane speaks Museum. about his artworks, While his artworks mostly depend on his face lights up. the condition of the roots, there are sever- Even though he is al particular themes which he likes to talking virtually, via project on his artwork he says. Wvideo chat, his eyes appear bright and one “As an artist, I am more inclined to can feel his energy and the passion he has show the things that touch me. I am more for his work. interested in showing human emotions of “Each and every artwork is near and love, passion, sadness, grief and the things dear to me. I can never pick one and say that affect each of us,” says Lamichhane. that it’s my best or favourite work,” says Lamichhane believes his art speaks for Lamichhane, 59. people as well. They are his way of Born in Sindhuli, Lamichhane is an depicting the truth of the society we live advocate by profession. His days are most- in, he says. ly spent in courts, trailing after cases. But For instance, in one of his artworks, he in the mornings and evenings, he is a dif- has made a half mountain-like structure, ferent person—he is an artist who makes where the peak is visible but the middle is art from the root of trees. missing. When one looks at the work, they Most of the time, just after the sun get the illusion that the mountain is alight, rises, his day begins. He starts carving the which is exactly what Lamichhane want- root of the tree he has already collected or ed to show as, through the artwork, he he starts walking around his village to wanted to depict the rise of violence in the find one. Similarly, whenever he returns land of the Himalayas, he says. Likewise, home from his work, he in another artwork, we see a figure of a spends his time receiving PHOTOS COURTESY: BISHWOMVAR LAMICHHANE woman, who is carrying her child in a visitors who have come to Lamichhane at work in his home studio in Sindhuli. Till date, he has made more than 300 artworks from tree roots. doko (a bamboo basket), a common sight see his work. in rural Nepal. “I am mostly busy in the morn- ings and evenings, attending visitors who have come Root art is a form from different corners of of art where artists the country—even the world—to see my work,” use the roots of says Lamichhane, who has also started a root various trees to arts museum to dis- play his art- carve structures. works in his house. Root art, also And this is why he loves what he does, known as root carv- as, through the medium of his artwork, he ing, is a form of art is able to depict the stories of thousands where artists use the of people, he says. roots of various trees to “I can’t write poems, stories, and arti- carve structures and cles. But what I can do is depict the stories symbols mostly maintain- of people, their sufferings and emotions ing the structure of the people should do road on our own,” says Lamichhane. “It was a moment of self-discovery, a through my artwork,” says Lamichhane. roots. While colours and artifi- something remarka- Just at the final lap of the road con- eureka moment for me. I had never “That’s why whatever I create is based on cial polishing can be added to the ble, so others would struction, there was a large tree in thought that art would ever interest me. real human emotions. I believe that the artworks for aesthetic purposes, know and remember their between that had to be taken down as it But here I was, finding that one could goal of my art should always be to reflect most root artists refrain them- name, even after they came on the way. While, in the beginning, make art from the root of a tree as well,” the social situations.” selves from doing so, pass away,” says people were apprehensive, the tree was says Lamichhane. From morning to evening, his museum as their work is Lamichhane. “I eventually cut for the road construction, From that moment onwards, is open for visitors. And according to mostly guided by the used to think that politics was says Lamichhane. Lamichhane kept making as many art- Lamichhane, many local authorities have quality of the root. my future. But once I started The tree was the beginning of works as he could. Some would take only a shown interest in expanding his museum In Nepal, in comparison to making art, my interest and Lamichhane’s career in root art. When the few days but some would take months. and institutionalising it so more and more other artforms, root art hasn’t passion changed.” tree was cut down, his eyes fell on the But not everything he imagines can be people can look at his works. still developed institutionally. It was the year 1991 roots of the tree, and he felt a strong force carved into reality. As his artwork mostly “Local authorities have said that they Despite this, for almost 29 years, when he first made his of attraction to it. It seemed as though the depends on the kind of roots he is able to would love to contribute to institutionalis- Lamichhane has been persis- artwork. How he root of the tree was calling for my atten- collect, most of the time he can only make ing my museum and expanding the space tent in his pursuit, creating came to make it is tion, he says. something after keenly observing it and into a small building as well,” he says. more than 300 artworks of dif- another story. “Eventually I took the root home. Out of finding something special about it, he says. But for now, Lamichhane is content ferent shapes and structures. His mother was sick curiosity, I cleaned the root with water, “Every root art is unique in its way. You with his museum as well as his work, he But according to Lamicchane, and had to be taken to hos- and through whatever tools that were can’t recreate the same work from another says. Although he doesn’t earn anything he never planned to be an artist. pital. But there was no available, I started carving the root,” says root. Root artwork is more of an act of from his passion, as he dislikes the idea of A younger Lamicchane had road that could connect his Lamichhane. discovery, which requires keen aesthetic selling and putting a monetary value on political aspirations; he was driv- house to the main road. “We After hours of struggle, he could see observational skills. Since I can’t com- his work, he is mentally and emotionally en with a mindset that he should decided to take matters into that the root was taking the shape of a pletely change the natural structure of the satisfied with his artworks, which are his contribute to bringing change our own hands. Rather deer. There were antlers, the head and also root, I decide what to make only after I can priceless possessions, he says. in society, and art was some- than wait for someone to the neck of the deer. Once the shape of the see some structure and shape in the roots,” “Whenever I return from work and I am thing he was never passion- build the road, I along deer became clear, he polished it with says Lamichhane. alone, just seeing and touching artworks ate about, he says. with other villagers chocolate brown colour enamel paint col- From human figurines that depict vari- makes me happy. I forget everything. I am “I always believed that started making the our, says Lamichhane. ous human emotions to sculptures of content,” says Lamichhane. Comedy Champion returns Black Lives Matter designers make history in Milan with a brand new season After a year-long battle to improve diversity on the ramp, a group of five black designers made The reality television show is all set to keep their debut by opening the women’s Fall/Winter fashion shows. BRIGITTE HAGEMANN with a show in 2016. “For years we audiences entertained every weekend. MILAN came up against a wall of silence when knocking on the door” of the POST REPORT people who are looking for a plat- ast minute touches on a fashion chamber, said Ngonmo, KATHMANDU form to do comedy, Comedy white dress, a final coat the founder of Afro Fashion Week. Champions was able to give them a of powder and it’s show- The catalyst for change was the he popular come- good exposure and this year too we time for the Black Lives death last year in US police custo- dy-based reality show, hope to encourage the people who Matter-inspired collec- dy of an African-American man, Comedy Champion is want to pursue comedy,” said Rima tive making history at George Floyd, an event that trig- back again with its Bishwokarma, the host and execu- LMilan Fashion Week. gered anti-racism protests across second season. The tive producer of the TV show. After a year-long battle to the US and the world. show which is pro- The show will air every week, improve diversity on the Italian Carlo Capasa, head of the fash- Tduced by Three Production was on Fridays and Saturdays, on catwalks, a group of five black ion chamber, acknowledged that one of the most endeared reali- Kantipur Television at 9 pm. designers made their debut the death of Floyd was “an impor- ty-television series of Kantipur Audiences can also watch the Wednesday by opening the wom- tant moment of awareness for the Television last year. And the show on YouTube, on OSR Digital’s en’s Fall/Winter fashion shows. whole world”. organisers of the show are hope- channel. All this season’s shows are Thanks to the collective, “we ful that this year, the show will be “Last year we received a lot of pre-recorded due to coronavirus, have become more aware of this even bigger and better. appreciation from the audience, but AFP was given exclusive theme” of racism, he said, adding: The homegrown reality produc- even though it was our first time access to their preparations last The chamber now supports the tion provides a platform to upcom- and we were experimenting with week at Milan’s Circolo Filologico collective through tutoring on ing stand-up comics to show their the show,” says Keki Adhikari, library, not far from the Scala. design and business skills, and comic talent in front of the audi- actor and also the executive pro- Is opening fashion week a victo- finances the five designers’ fash- ence. Like the previous year, a ducer of the show. “Since the audi- ry? “I’d say it’s a first step,” said ions show and the collections of panel of eminent personalities— ence is expecting a lot from us Michelle Ngonmo, who chose three of them. including Santosh Panta, Manoj because of the success of the pre- those to include in the debut show. “As a woman and an immigrant Gajurel, Pradip Bhattarai and vious season, we are working to She is a co-founder of the collec- in Italy, I had to work twice as hard Reecha Sharma—will be judging deliver a quality show that every- tive dubbed Black Lives Matter in to prove that I have the same skills the show and guiding the selected one will enjoy.” Italian Fashion, named after the AFP/RSS as the others,” said Joy Meribe, a contestants. The last season of the reality anti-racism movement that swept A model presents a creation by Cameroonian fashion stylist Joy Ijeoma Meribe from 43-year-old born in Nigeria. “Comedy shows have always had show was won by Himesh Panta, the United States last year and the collective ‘Black Lives Matter in Italian Fashion’ in Milan. Her collection—dresses and an audience in Nepal and in recent who along with the title won a reached Europe. skirts in 100 percent organic silk— years, the viewership has steadily cash prize of Rs2,500,000 and also Longer term, “we have to make was made entirely in Italy, like all grown. And we believe for young a brand new car. the society we live in understand On an individual level, opening Milan the others. Buchanan, an African- that the ‘Made in Italy’ label is not American who has been in Italy a question of skin colour but of Fashion Week is a dream come for 25 years and co-founded the know-how”, she told AFP. collection, said he has experienced On an individual level, opening true for the designers. racism on a daily basis. Milan Fashion Week is a dream He said people often assume come true for the designers, all that he makes T-shirts, or other Italian but born in various African whose parents were killed in 1972 45, from Senegal. “Now we’re on garments for hip-hop fashion. countries. Claudia Gisele Ntsama, in ethnic violence in Burundi. the official calendar, I’ve been “They find it hard to imagine a 29-year-old from Cameroon, Ngonmo co-founded the collec- dreaming about it since I’ve been that I work in the luxury sector,” admitted being “a little nervous” tive last year alongside designers in fashion,” Fall said. In a nod to he said. as she fussed with the eco-friendly Edward Buchanan and Stella his African origins, his collec- But this first official show of looks in pastel tones made entirely Jean, who has been the only black tion—“works of art that I trans- the association gives hope to some. from hemp. member of the National Chamber pose on clothes”—featured satin “It’s a dream come true,” says Nearby, fellow designer Fabiola for Italian Fashion since 2016. lions and zebras in gold and red, Karim Daoudi, 27, a designer born Manirakiza played with silk in It participated in Milan’s his favourite colours. in Morocco. floral prints for her brand, Frida Fashion Week in September, with Previously, the presentation of Of his shoes featured in the Kiza. “In general, we are ignored, a video featuring the same five the collections of black designers show, he said: “I hope they will go POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN we are invisible. But this is a designers, but that “was just a was confined to Afro Fashion around the world.” The show organisers and promoters at the press meet in Kathmandu on Wednesday. rebirth,” exclaimed Manirakiza, teaser,” explained Mokudu Fall, Week, which launched in Milan — Agence France-Presse

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