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

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXVIII No. 101 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 33.5 C 10.0 C Friday, June 05, 2020 | 23-02-2077 Dhangadi Jomsom Ministry suggests declaring health emergency but Cabinet undecided A public health emergency will allow the government to make use of all healthcare infrastructure, both public and private, and redistribute funds to fight Covid-19.

ARJUN POUDEL Supplies Lekhraj Bhatta. KATHMANDU, JUNE 4 “The government will study the situation for a day or two before a As the number of Covid-19 cases con- decision is made,” Bhatta told the tinues to rise unabated, the Health Post. Ministry has recommended that the Another minister, who did not wish Cabinet declare a nationwide public to be named, said the prime minister health emergency. is still in favour of strict implementa- If the Cabinet follows through with tion of the lockdown, but a decision the proposal, the ministry will be able will be taken after the high-level com- to concentrate all resources—logisti- mittee to prevent and control Covid-19 cal as well as financial—in the fight presents its report on the new modali- against the coronavirus. ty of restrictions. “We have recommended the Cabinet “Whether to declare a health emer- declare a nationwide public health gency was not discussed at today’s emergency due to an exponential rise Cabinet meeting,” the minister told in cases of Covid-19,” said Dr Bikash the Post. Devkota, spokesperson for the Health There are some concerns as to what Ministry, at a regular press briefing on a health emergency actually entails. Thursday. “We have also recommend- After the declaration of a public Post Photos: Angad Dhakal ed that the Cabinet mandate the health health emergency, all available People staying in poor conditions at the Namuna Primary School quarantine in Narainapur, Banke. secretary to enforce the public health resources in the health sector—public emergency.” as well as private—will be used to Thursday’s Cabinet meeting was treat and contain the spread of the undecided on the issue but it remains coronavirus, according to officials. up for discussion, said officials. “Until now, we’ve been keeping all In Narainapur, worst seems to be over but fears linger Calls have been growing lately to infected people in isolation at hospi- ease the lockdown and reopen the tals,” said Dr Sameer Adhikari, depu- economy, but the government has yet ty spokesperson for the Health Narainapur, with 118 cases, had emerged as a hotspot for Covid-19 due to poorly managed to come up with a concrete plan. Ministry. “After a public health emer- On Thursday, traders in Kathmandu gency is declared, health facilities will quarantine facilities but things have improved in recent days. decided to open their shops, defying be able to send asymptomatic cases the lockdown and prompting chief into home quarantine.” old Lazim told the Post while standing plain to? Who will listen to us?” district officers of the Valley to hold Clause 48.4 of the Public Health in the courtyard of his home in Banke, with 255 cases as of an emergency meeting. Service Act 2075 allows the govern- Narainapur. Thursday, is among the districts with Thursday evening’s Cabinet meet- ment to declare a state of public health Anish, Lazim’s 25-year-old son, had the highest number of Covid-19 cases. ing dwelt on easing the lockdown but emergency if a “public health disas- been in quarantine at the Dipendra Of these 255 cases, 118 were in the did not take any decision, said ter” occurs in more than one province. Basic School ever since he had rural municipality of Narainapur Minister for Industry Commerce and >> Continued on page 5 returned from Mumbai on May 12. He alone. And many believe that the poor had come home after the restaurant state of the quarantine facilities has where he worked closed. been largely to blame for the explosion According to officials at the rural of cases. municipality, Anish had complained Krishnachandra Maurya, chair of of a headache and had been vomiting Ward No 5 in the rural municipality, since the previous night. himself admitted that the number of Despite his health condition wors- cases increased in Narainapur as ening overnight, nobody dared take they failed to manage proper quaran- Anish to the hospital as they suspect- tine facilities and maintain physical ed he had Covid-19. Anish died at 6:40 distancing. am the next morning. >> Continued on page 5 When nose and throat swabs taken from Anish tested positive for Covid-19, he became the coun- try’s second fatality from the Lazim Nau, who lost his son Anish at a quarantine facility in Narainapur. coronavirus. Anish’s family believes that he JANAK RAJ SAPKOTA stayed on the brick kiln premises for a would’ve lived if he had been BANKE, JUNE 4 few days, as he didn’t want to walk taken to the hospital on time, as nine kilometres back home. On the he was young and healthy. Lazim Nau of Narainapur Rural third day, May 17, he was in the midst “My brother died because he Municipality in Banke had gone to a of burning bricks when a villager was not taken to the hospital,” brick kiln looking for work on May 14. arrived with news. said Farid, Anish’s younger Post Photo: Elite Joshi He was going to be paid Rs 500 for “It was unbelievable. He told me brother. Heritage Party Palace in Sallaghari, Bhaktapur has been turned into a quarantine centre for every thousand bricks he burned. He that my eldest son was dead,” 52-year- “But whom should we com- Nepalis to be rescued from abroad. The facility is estimated to house almost 500 returnees.

C M Y K FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 | 02 Medley

Inside the Post Quote of the day

Pandemic and lockdown provide veil for government National to withhold information, Page 3 The Rukum (West) District Court has allowed police to remand 18 people arrested over the alleged murder of six people, including a Dalit man who came to the district with his friends to tie the knot with a girl from an “upper-caste”, in cus- “The pandemic and the lockdown have tody for 10 more days. provided an excuse for the Oli Opinion administration to keep the people Those who advocate internationalisation should ask what our fall back position in the dark.” is if India refuse to accept the World Court’s ruling.

Tara Nath Dahal of Freedom Forum on the government’s Money suspicious reticence regarding its activities in recent months. After three years in multilocation trials, Nepal’s second domestically developed hybrid maize variety has been launched for commercial production. The new high yielding heat stress resilient Rampur-10 hybrid was registered in 2017, and commercial production started this year. Most read online World Brazil and Mexico reported record daily coronavirus death tolls as governments The lockdown is killing the poor and the marginalised in Latin America battled to fortify their defences against the pandemic with fresh lockdown orders and curfews. It was mid-April, a month into the nationwide lockdown, when Malar Sada came home empty-handed to Pathari. Malar had walked 120 kilometres to his village in Saptari, all the way from Biratnagar where he had gone to work a month Arts & Culture before the lockdown came into force. As Shyam Thapaliya puts on his daura suruwal, arranges his holy books in the order of the rituals he is going to perform, and places his phone in front of him Public health experts point at government failure amid and opens Zoom at his home in Kalanki, his clients sit in front of their open lap- top in Chabahil. projections of spike in cases Covid-19 has spread across the country, with 64 out of 77 districts reporting cas- es.”Positive cases as well as the number of people in quarantine are rising at an alarming rate,” Dr Bikash Devkota, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, told the Post. But the worst is yet to come, as Health Ministry officials estimate that News Quiz the number of cases is likely to double within a week, ultimately reaching a peak of 20,000 infections and between 400 and 500 deaths.

1. Which online video meeting a. 45 service has earned more than b. 32 Thousands of people are struggling under lockdown but $328 million in the fiscal quar- c. 12 Post PHOTO: KABIN ADHIKARI government has offered no real solution ter that ended April 30? d. 20 A man transports egg crates on a bicycle in Kathmandu on Thursday. On a recent Friday evening, Mohan Bahadur Budhathoki was sleeping outside a a. Zoom shuttered shop in Kalimati. Between him and the cold, cement floor was just a b. Google meet thin bed sheet; his bed for the night. His pillow, a beat-up backpack containing c. Join.me his clothes and belongings. He had to be up at 2am for his job, loading vegetables d. GoToMeeting On this day in history onto trucks at the Kalimati Fruits and Vegetable Market. 2. The World Bank approved what amount of credit for Nepal to US against a developed Iran: Khamenei For the first time, the government announces cash incentives reform energy sector? a. 50 million Post Photo TEHRAN - Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday accused the United to promote merger of private schools in the public b. 80 million 5. Which cyclone struck India’s States of trying to stop Iran from developing itself in a bid to discredit Islam. The government for the first time has announced a cash incentive package to c. 100 million west coast near the densely pop- “The enemy wants to show that Islam equals poverty, that an Islamic system promote the merger of private schools with the public ones. The Centre for d. 150 million ulated city of Mumbai on of government is incapable of managing its affairs,” Khamenei said in a speech Education and Human Resource Development, under the Ministry of Education, Wednesday? delivered on the occasion of the sixth anniversary of the death of his predeces- on Wednesday announced three categories of the incentive package. 3. The Sudurpaschim government a. Fani sor Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. has declared which hospital as b. Amphan “That’s why the United States, having failed to destroy us in other ways, is the coronavirus referral centre c. Nisarga trying to deprive us of scientific progress and to prevent us from development in the province? d. Phailin our country,” he said. a. Seti Provincial Hospital The United States has announced an economic embargo against Iran, accus- Corrections b. Bayalpata Hospital 6. Which English football club ing Tehran of supporting Terrorism and seeking nuclear weapons. c. Mahakali Zonal Hospital player has tested positive for Our reporters and editors do their best to make sure our reporting is free from d. Kanchanpur Sub-divisional coronavirus in the latest round The Kathmandu Post errors. But when we make mistakes that warrant correction, we will be transparent Hospital of testing conducted by the June 5, 1995 and clarify at the bottom of the specific article. Premier League? If you believe we have got something wrong and it requires correction, please 4. The government has announced a. Newcastle United email us at [email protected] with “correction” in the subject line. to open how many border points b. Everton Answers to News Quiz: 1(a), 2(c), 3(a), 4(d), 5(c), 6(d) For the most recent corrections, visit kathmandupost.com/corrections. with India to allow in Nepali c. West Ham United migrant workers? d. Tottenham Hotspur HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) CANCER (June 22-July 22) LIBRA (September 23-October 22) CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** *** *** **** It’s go time in every sense of the word for you, In a relationship, things are well on their way If you’ve been looking for the perfect time to get This is the perfect day to start any new projects because your concentration and your endur- toward gaining real momentum. This is a part- back in touch with someone from your past, or relationships. Your energy is only going to ance are at an all time high. Today is a very good nership built on mutual respect and a shared this is the day! Think back. Is there someone increase as the day goes on, and your concentra- time to initiate any business projects, even if sense of the right thing to do. It’s rare to find a who knows someone who can get you in the tion is laser sharp. Other people have been wait- starting things up just entails mulling things person who brings out the best in you no matter door at your dream job? Shoot them an e-mail. ing for you to make the first move, because they over. It’s also a good time to review any legal what your mood. This is a person you can rely What about that cutie with whom you were want to follow your lead and do things the way documents that need your attention. on—a person you should rely on. speaking the other day? that you do them.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) LEO (July 23-August 22) SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** **** **** **** Cream rises to the top, meaning, of course, that Get ready for some fun conversations today! Due Don’t push any of your relationships—espe- Intimidation is a paradoxical thing. Usually premium quality becomes obvious when it’s to a rare combination of positive feedback and cially the romantic ones—past their natural when someone is trying to make you feel power- compared to subpar quality. To find the quality coincidence, you’ll be able to hold your own with dynamic right now. As much as you might be less compared to them, they’re actually feeling in your life today, do some comparing of your a wide variety of people. You can make real con- itching for a major change, you can’t force insecure and worried that you have too much own. If you’ve grown too comfortable in your nections if you step out of the autopilot mode things to go in a certain direction. If it’s meant power over them. The person who tries to intim- routine, you might be settling for less than what that’s so easy to slip into. Skip the comments to happen, it’s meant to happen at a certain idate you today assumes that there is always a you deserve. about the weather or the weekend. time. And that time may not be today. power struggle to be won.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) VIRGO (August 23-September 22) SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) PISCES (February 19-March 20) **** *** *** *** Fun and romance usually go together, but this Take another look at the big problems that you If you step back and look at the big picture You’ll need to utilise your ability to evaluate a isn’t always the case. If you’re single, feel grate- think are blocking your path toward progress. today, it will become immediately apparent that situation accurately today. There could be some ful that you don’t have to worry about the stress You might see that they’re actually just minor not everything has been resting on your shoul- misunderstandings, and you can help to clear up of accommodating another person. This is a setbacks. Rather than keep you from moving ders. You can let go a bit. This is the point of the confusion. Be ready to serve as the calm, time to relish your freedom by doing something forward, they’re merely forcing you to devise a least resistance with a usually cantankerous clear voice of reason and set things straight. new and spontaneous. If you’re in a relation- new way to navigate around them. They’re co-worker. Could there be signs of peace and Maintain all the objectivity you can, and be fair ship, you could find some bumpy times coming. doing you a favour. reconciliation in the future? in how you assess things.

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C M Y K 03 | FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 National Kathmandu city officials repairing pavements that don’t need fixing, residents allege ANUP OJHA KATHMANDU, JUNE 4

Officials from Kathmandu Metropolitan City are removing paving stones, and repaving alleys even when it’s not necessary, just to finish the allocated budget, locals complain. The ongoing construction work has affected people ferrying vegetables and those going on morning walks, locals from Mahabouddha area at the heart of the city, who have seen officials work on the alleys since Saturday said. Locals say that it’s not just this year that offi- cials are fixing things that don’t need fixing. “Every year they change the stones even when they are not damaged,” said Nabin Pradhan, 37, who owns a wholesale electric shop. “They [city officials] are doing it so that they can earn a commission from the work,” added Pradhan. When the Post visited Mahabouddha on Wednesday morning, officials from Ward No. 27 had deployed workers to remove paving stones and repave an alley behind Bir Hospital. “Was it necessary? This is their way of earn- ing extra money?” said Devi Manandhar, 43, a resident at Mahbouddha. “Instead of wasting Post Photo: Deepak kc money on such futile tasks, they could have A woman makes offerings outside a temple which has been closed due to the coronavirus lockdown in Kathmandu on Thursday. invested in maintaining present greenery in the city,” said Manandhar. The ward office has also been repaving alleys in Jyatha and Chadani Galli, where locals say the pavings don’t need fixing. When the Post contacted Chiniya Man Bajracharya, chair of the ward, he denied alle- Pandemic and lockdown provide veil for gations the work was being done for commis- sions.“ It’s just an accusation. They [local peo- ple] are making it a political issue,” said Bajracharya. “We are at the end of this fiscal government to withhold information year, so we are utilising the money we have to fix the alleys,” he said. The ward office received Rs 15 million from Nepal’s political parties advocate transparency when in the opposition but ignore it while in government, observers say. Kathmandu Metropolitan City as its budget for the 2019-2020. “Now we have 1.2 million left, and BINOD GHIMIRE Tuesday. The expenditure total was made pub- able with, like the daily updates on the number countries including Nepal were targeting the we are working on repaving the inner alleys KATHMANDU, JUNE 4 lic on the 72nd day of the lockdown. of Covid-19 infections and the tests the media against the principle of freedom of because it’s easy to work during the lockdown as Information rights activists say the pandem- Ministry of Health and Population has per- expression. Cases of journalists facing people are not moving around.” More than two months after the government ic and the never-ending lockdown have provid- formed. However, the government is surpris- obstruction from the authorities in accessing According to the city’s Department of imposed a lockdown in an attempt to contain ed a shield for the government, which has ingly silent when it comes to disclosing infor- information and disseminating it are increas- Physical Development and Construction, eight the spread of Covid-19, officials have chosen not to make much information public mation about the expenditure. ing in Nepal, the statement said. The Ministry wards are carrying out development works such announced that around Rs 10 billion has been since it came to power. Against the years-long “Why can’t the Finance Ministry hold press of Foreign Affairs, however, said there was no as laying of drainage pipes, paving of alleys and spent on combating the pandemic. practice, the KP Sharma Oli government meets and give details about the expenditure truth in the statement. Right to information cleaning of roads during the lockdown. The federal government is said to have spent stopped sharing Cabinet decisions the same once a week?” Aryal questioned. “The govern- activists say the government must be even Ram Thapa, chief of the department, said at Rs 6.03 billion while the provincial and local day since November 11, 2018. It had been hold- ment is giving what it wants without caring more transparent at a time of crisis because present development works worth Rs 750 mil- governments spent Rs 1.08 billion and Rs 2.76 ing press meets on Thursdays but that too has for what people want to know.” everyone relies on the government to handle lion are going on in different wards: 6, 11, 14, 15, billion, respectively. Narayan Prasad Bidari, a stopped since mid-May. The daily press briefings by Dr Bikash the emergency. On the contrary, the govern- 16, 21, 26 and 31. secretary at the Office of the Prime Minister Though government spokesperson Yuba Raj Devkota, spokesperson for the Health Ministry, ment is becoming more and more rigid in dis- “Due to the lockdown, it’s easy to do such and Council of Ministers, shared that Rs 9.87 Khatiwada, the finance minister who is also in also don’t reveal how many test kits have been seminating information, which is only adding work. We have not heard of irregularities, we billion has been spent so far, without giving a charge of the Ministry of Communication and used up and what remains in stock. Amid to public frustration. will take action if we find any irregularities,” breakdown of the expenditure. Information Technology, is making the deci- reports that the 20 Polymerase Chain Reaction Observers say that Nepal’s political parties said Thapa. Amid reports that quarantine facilities have sions public through the state-owned Nepal testing labs currently in operation are over- advocate transparency when in the opposition Ganapati Lal Shrestha, a heritage activist and not been managed properly, people in isolation Television, there is no interaction with jour- whelmed with samples, Devkota is silent on but forget it when they are in government. The local of Basantapur, said officials are in a hurry centres have not got proper care and enough nalists. “We stopped the press meet after an the government’s further plan. incumbent government has tried to conceal to finish their budget at the end of every fiscal tests are not being carried out, the govern- increasing threat of Covid-19. These days the Aryal said the local and provincial govern- information more. year. ment’s announcement of the expenses run- government’s spokesperson is making public ments are no better. He finds incidents where “The pandemic and the lockdown have pro- “This is a perfect time to repair the inner ning into billions has surprised many. major decisions through Nepal Television,” local governments have not allowed journal- vided an excuse for the Oli administration to alleys and historic and culturally important There was a demand for making the expendi- Rishiram Tiwari, spokesperson for the com- ists to report about the meagre relief they keep the people in the dark,” Tara Nath Dahal, places such as Ason, Indrachowk because the tures public from different quarters, mainly munication ministry, told the Post. were providing to the locals. chief executive at Freedom Forum, a non-gov- roads are empty. But in some places they are from those who had contributed to the govern- Advocate Tanka Aryal, a right to informa- The United Nations Commissioner for ernment organisation that advocates the right dismantling the pavement of an entire area, ment’s Coronavirus Control and Treatment tion campaigner, said the government is effec- Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, issuing a to information, told the Post. “This also has even when only a certain section needs repairs,” Fund, which received Rs 2.31 billion as of tively imparting the information it is comfort- statement on Wednesday, said the Asia Pacific come as a boon to hide its incompetencies.” said Shrestha. Migrant rights groups slam government plan to charge workers for their repatriation

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL where they are based. KATHMANDU, JUNE 4 The forum has also demanded that the govern- ment make arrangements for recovering the The government plan to charge repatriation fees workers’ unpaid salaries and benefits from their to Nepali migrant workers stuck in various employers, bring back the stranded bodies of labour destination countries amid the Covid-19 migrant workers, and provide compensation pandemic has been lambasted by migrant rights from the welfare fund to those workers who have activists. returned before the end of their contract period. Just days after the government unveiled its “Cases of Nepali workers being deprived of strategy to bring home the stranded Nepali their salaries were common even during normal workers from various countries, the plan has times. The government should make sure the met with criticisms and a writ petition at the due payments owed to the workers by their Supreme Court from the rights activists. employers are cleared when they return,” Luitel According to migrant rights activists, rescue, said. “The government should also compensate repatriation and medical treatment of migrant these returnee workers by drafting working pro- workers should be free of charge. cedures, which will set criteria, depending upon On Wednesday, they filed a writ petition in the file Photo their work period, as most of them had taken Supreme Court, challenging the government’s Thousands of Nepali workers are waiting to return loans to fund their overseas jobs.” plan to charge its own citizens for their rescue home from various labour destination countries. Right activists have also suggested that and repatriation. the government come up with reintegration The petition says the provision of the “Order employers of the stranded workers and the gov- programmes for returnee workers to employ of the Government of Nepal, 2020” which ernments of host countries to arrange for their them at home. requires the migrant workers to bear the costs rescue and repatriation, he said. “There should be reintegration programmes for airfare and hotel quarantine is against “The government should not make the belea- targeting the returnee workers. The recent the country’s constitution and governing guered workers pay for their arrival back home budget had nothing promising for tens of thou- legislations. during these hard times. The government can sands of migrant workers who are expected to According to Anurag Devkota, one of the peti- bear the cost of undocumented workers as well return home,” Luitel said. “If the government tioners and a human rights lawyer, the provision as those who had gone on foreign employment fails to come up with reintegration schemes, in the Order (Paragraph 7 (c) and 7(d)) regarding recently,” he added. “Travel and medical expens- there could be a severe unemployment crisis in the cost of airfare and hotel quarantines levied es of the workers who had migrated for work the country. The government should turn this on returnees from third countries and the cost with valid labour permits should be covered situation to the country’s favour by creating jobs of transportation from holding centres to local from the welfare fund. The government has the for its youths within the country.” quarantine centres charged on returnees legal obligation to bear their from India contradicts the Foreign Employment expenses.” Act, 2007. Meanwhile, the forum has also “The provision is against Section 75(2) of the submitted a policy paper to the gov- Act on rescue and repatriation of migrant work- ernment recommending ways to ers in a situation of disaster and distress and manage and employ migrant Section 33(1) on utilising the foreign employ- workers. ment welfare fund for the purpose of rescue and The Civil Society Policy Paper on repatriation,” said Devkota. Repatriation and Reintegration of The writ petition, filed by advocates Barun Migrant Workers, which was pre- Ghimire, Prabin Subedi, Anurag Devkota, and pared after consultations with the Binaya Rimal, has demanded that the state stakeholders from 47 districts of all should cover the costs of rescue and repatria- seven provinces, contains more tion of the troubled migrant workers. than 70 recommendations for the People Forum for Human Rights, a migrant management of migrant workers in rights group, has also raised its concern on the destination countries and their issue. The government should foot all the repatriation and reintegration.. expenses from air tickets, to quarantine, to med- The paper, which was submitted ical check-up, the forum has said. to the Labour Ministry on “The government’s rescue plan, where work- Wednesday, also talks about ensur- ers would be made to pay for air tickets, trans- ing employment security of the portation and other services, is unacceptable. migrant workers and healthcare These workers are returning without money,” facilities. It has also recommended Som Luitel, the forum’s founding president and that the government should facili- a lawyer with expertise in migrant rights, told tate the migrant workers, who have the Post. lost their jobs, in finding work The government should negotiate with the alternatives in the same countries

C M Y K FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 | 04 Opinion EDITORIAL Limpiyadhura-Kalapani-Lipulekh dispute

Feed the hungry The only option Nepal The government can’t abandon the poor in has is to try and resolve the face of a humanitarian crisis. the issue through Malar Sada, of Saptari district, starved to death, on May quiet diplomacy. 19, after he lost his job due to the nationwide lockdown imposed by the government to tackle Covid-19. Two weeks NARESH KOIRALA later, on Wednesday, the government claimed to have spent Rs10 billion on Covid-19 control and relief distribution. Contrast Sada’s death with the government’s grandiose claims and all you see is a system that has failed to protect the most vulnerable section of the society when they need it the most. Nepal’s publication of a new map show- Like the Sadas, thousands of families across the country ing the Limpiyadhura-Kalapani- Lipulekh area within its territorial that have lost their means of livelihood struggle to stave boundary has raised passions here and off hunger and malnutrition. The government must across the border in India. The area in bear responsibility for Sada’s death and more such deaths question, a 370-square-kilometre strip located at the north-western corner of to come. the country, has been under Indian That the government has spent huge amounts of money administration for a long time. But Nepal in the name of relief distribution is partly true. The real argues that, under the terms of the 1815 concern, though, is whether those relief packages have Sugauli Treaty, it is her land and should be returned. It looks like the newly benefitted the poor. Relief packages distributed at the local unveiled map will bring India to the level have reportedly gone to the rich and the powerful negotiating table. That is a good thing. CNN rather than to the destitute and the powerless. A relief History will tell whether the publication of the map was an effective strategy the then Home Minister Biswabandhu And there is one more complication. logue and forming Indian public opinion package that does not support the needy is as good as not towards resolution of the dispute or a Thapa. In 1961, Mahendra signed a The new map makes the tri-junction at in our favour. This requires leadership distributed at all. gamble with the potential for a long-term boundary treaty with China, which says, Tinkar invalid. Settling the location of with a very high moral standing; sensi- What’s more, the food grains distributed by the govern- conflict with India. ‘The boundary line starts from the point the new tri-junction will require the tivity, international respect, statesman- The territorial boundary of modern where the watershed between the Kali agreement of all three parties—Nepal, ship, and an ability to communicate com- ment have turned out to be rotten and hence inedible—an Nepal was defined by the Sugauli Treaty River and the Tinkar River meet the India and China. The long Indian pres- plex issues openly, politely, respectfully, unmistakable assault on the dignity of the poor. The poor signed with the British East India watershed between the tributaries of the ence in the area, the national security and with firmness. have only lost their means of income—and not their digni- Company in 1815. It said that the course Mapchu (Karnali) River on the one hand importance India attaches to the area, ty—due to the ill-planned lockdown. The right to food is a of the Kali River, called the Mahakali and the Tinkar River on the other hand’. and the neglect by Nepali rulers for near- Shameful rabble-rousing downstream, marked Nepal’s western This treaty makes Tinkar, about 10 kilo- ly 200 years to claim what rightfully Prime Minister Oli’s speech in non-negotiable right of the citizens, especially when they boundary which is the subject of the metres south of Lipulekh—the tri-junc- belonged to Nepal has added to the com- Parliament was contrary to everything are on the verge of starving to death. They should be current row. But there was no map tion where the China-India-Nepal bor- plexity of the problem. called diplomacy, respect, politeness spared the humiliation. attached to it; and if there was one, it has ders meet—and supports India’s current Given the lack of Nepal’s presence on and statesmanship. It was full of bravado not been found. The Mahakali has two position. the disputed land for over 200 years, and and contained little substance. By Despite grave uncertainties, the poor continue to look tributaries—one starting at Lipukekh In 1991, Nepal formally raised the bor- the relative strength of India’s economic mocking India’s national emblem and for opportunities to toil—rather than depend on the benev- and the other at Limpiyadhura. The trea- der issue with India, and a technical and military might and international declaring that ‘the Chinese virus was olence of others—so that they can survive on their own. ty did not specify which of these two committee was formed to resolve it. The stature, it is doubtful much can be better than the Indian virus’, Oli was tributaries would be considered the Kali panel identified several areas with con- achieved by a confrontational approach insulting 1.4 billion Indians. This is For immediate relief, the least the government can do is to for the purpose of delineating the bound- tested claims and resolved 90 percent of or by internationalising the dispute, as not how we can build Indian public opin- open community kitchens across the country and provide ary. India says the Kali starts at Lipulekh, them. But, according to Nepali sources, some hotheads in Kathmandu are sug- ion in our favour. What he did was petty cash to the destitute. But it must ensure opening and Nepal says Limpiyadhura is the riv- India repeatedly baulked at Nepal’s gesting. Despite accusations by Indian shameful rabble-rousing, impolite and ways for them to get back to work if not provide them with er’s source. request for talks on Limpiyadhura- opinion-makers’ that Nepal is playing unbecoming of a prime minister, any Kalapani-Lipulekh. The committee has the China hand, China may not support prime minister. long term financial support. The hunger of the few today A long time ago not been active for the last few years. Nepal’s position. What China will do in Our opposition in Parliament and civil should in no way acquire the magnitude of mass starva- India (pre- and post-independence) has Since the Sugauli Treaty states that the current dispute will depend on how it society is faced with a difficult prob- tion in the near future. held the disputed area for nearly 200 the area east of the Kali is Nepal, fixing fits with Xi Jinping’s global agenda of lem—simultaneously steering the gov- years since the Sugauli Treaty was the source of the river should resolve ‘rejuvenation of China’s glory’—China’s ernment away from any major confron- Rather than spin propaganda, the government must signed. Nepal’s presence in the area has the dispute. Under the international ambition to dominate the world. The tation and towards a diplomatic solution focus on taking concrete steps towards easing the lives of been sporadic and minimal, if any. convention, the tributary with the larg- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson on the border issue, and fighting the the citizens. Entrepreneurs in several parts of the country, India’s active police post at Lipukekh est water volume or with the longest has already given an indication of their government’s incompetence and com- pass, which was established during the course carries the name of the main position: bilateral matter between Nepal plicity in pervasive political corruption especially in the capital city, have begun disobeying the British days, continues to date. There is river. This would make Limpiyadhura and India. that has hollowed out the country. A dif- lockdown orders, having realised that the government is also an Indian military establishment in the source of the Kali, but no border Those who advocate internationalisa- ficult position, but Nepal has been intent upon collecting taxes from them rather than sup- Kalapani. issue has been resolved on technical tion should ask what our fall back posi- through a lot. It will find a way out of porting them during these trying times. This is a wake-up In the early 1960s, king Mahendra gave arguments alone. Realpolitik kicks in tion is if India refuses to accept the this one too. consent to Indian Prime Minister when solutions based on technicalities World Court’s ruling. The only option call for the government: if it does not correct its course Jawaharlal Nehru to continue the use of do not address the disputants’ unde- Nepal has is to try and resolve the issue Koirala is a geotechnical engineer based immediately, it will go down in history as one that contin- the Lipulekh-Kalapani area, according to clared agenda. through quiet diplomacy, through dia- in Vancouver, Canada. ued to browbeat citizens into paying taxes even as they rummaged through their last grain baskets to scramble up one final meal. Let the patients choose We want to hear from you It is time we started to We regularly publish Letters to the Editor on contemporary issues or direct responses to something the Post has recently pub- routinely ask patients lished. Please send your letters to [email protected] with about their wishes for ‘Letter to the Editor’ in the subject line. end-of-life care. Please include your address, phone number we can reach you at and your email address. RANJAN PATHAK How to make sure your letters are published? It’s simple—just follow these basic guidelines: Keep it short. Your letters will have a better chance of success if you keep it within 400 words. If you’re writing commentary, pitch an op-ed instead. Tell us what we got wrong, but back it up with resources. Imagine this scenario: Kopila, a 70-year- old-woman, is rushed to hospital with Avoid jargon, use clear words and sentences. Keep in mind you’re high fever, cough and difficulty in breath- communicating with other readers who may not be aware of the ing. She requires supplemental oxygen subject. in the emergency room. She is admitted for further care and tests positive for We welcome witty letters. But please don’t go overboard. Covid-19. Both she and her family face an uncertain next couple of weeks. In just a Avoid abuse and diatribes. few months, the coronavirus has swept oShutterst ck across the world like a wildfire, resulting decline, for example, due to terminal tinely ask our patients about their ‘code ly sensitive and appropriate manner. in an unprecedented global crisis. In cancer or chronic lung disease, and there status’. The importance of addressing On a societal level, hospitals and gov- addition to overwhelming the healthcare is a question, say of whether to intubate the wishes of our patients for these end- ernment agencies should collaborate to sector, it has paralysed economies and because of a complication such as pneu- of-life scenarios has never been greater— devise ethical guidelines to tackle poten- brought the whole world to a standstill. monia. especially given the low survival rates of tial ventilator shortages, and make it Available evidence suggests that older Despite encouraging gains in the Covid-19 patients who need intubation. compulsory to document code status Have something to say? people and those with underlying health healthcare field in the past few decades, Although asking for ‘code status’ is a with every admission. The Nepal Medical conditions such as diabetes, obesity, can- these end-of-life issues, especially for routine practice in most parts of the Council and the government should The Kathmandu Post invites you to submit well-researched, cer and other immune compromising patients with incurable and terminal Western world, this is not done routinely address legal issues regarding the docu- unapologetic opinion pieces. To make sure your articles get our conditions are at a significantly higher sicknesses, remain somewhat alien con- outside of the ICU in Nepali hospitals. mentation and implementation of code attention, we ask that you keep the following things in mind when risk of catching the disease. Almost a cepts in Nepal. One can partly blame the Although the Nepal Medical Council’s status conversations. inquiring and submitting content to the Post: quarter of the hospitalised patients can for-profit healthcare enterprise: Patients code of ethics and professional conduct require intensive care unit (ICU) level who can afford to pay continue to get guidelines clearly define the concept of Cultural shift All your opinion pieces should be pitched to the Opinion desk— care, including intubation (where a tube aggressive medical care until the very DNR, the legal framework for its imple- Covid-19 presents itself with an opportu- not to the editor-in-chief. Email your piece or idea (accompanied is inserted down the throat and into the end—even when cure is no longer possi- mentation is less clear. The most ideal nity to accomplish a cultural shift by with a high-resolution headshot) to [email protected]. windpipe) and mechanical ventilation (a ble and a shift in focus to symptom con- setting to discuss the code status is when addressing these end-of-life issues, and machine that helps patients breathe). trol is needed. In many instances, lack of people are in stable health. In many potentially start a dialogue around We will only respond to pitches that have original ideas. We Despite aggressive care, most patients proper training of doctors on how to Western countries, this happens when broader goals of care and palliative care suggest that you google your pitch before writing to us. If you’re who need ICU care do poorly—death address these matters in a culturally patients visit their primary care in our society. Although there are diffi- submitting an article that either the Post or other publications rates upwards of 60 percent have been sensitive manner is also to blame. physicians. However, this is currently cult conversations to have, even during seen in patients requiring mechanical In addition, some doctors and hospitals not possible in Nepal as the majority of ‘non-Covid’ times, patients and families have already covered in the past, tell us in a sentence or two why ventilation even in the most advanced are fearful of talking about end-of-life the population lacks primary care should be given a chance to take charge your story offers something new. health systems. issues due to the culture of aggression physicians. of their outcomes. After all, the purpose The Post receives dozens of pitches every day from aspiring and mistrust towards healthcare profes- Another obvious avenue to address of having these tough conversations Addressing patient wishes sionals. Finally, there is the question of patient wishes for end-of-life care is in early on is to empower patients and fam- writers, students, political commentators, entrepreneurs and dip- A ‘no code’ or ‘do-not-resuscitate’ (DNR) patient autonomy which remains a weak the hospital setting. At the time of ilies to control what happens at the end, lomats. We are not able to respond to every single email, but if we order refers to the concept of avoiding concept in Nepal. In the absence of a admission to hospital, doctors should and to prevent societies and govern- like your idea, we will get back to you soon. Please DO NOT pitch cardiopulmonary resuscitation (which clear patient voice, multiple family mem- make every effort to discuss the code ments from making those decisions on us an idea if you’re already pitching it somewhere else. involves vigorous chest compressions, bers often get involved in patient’s deci- status—meaning whether or not patients the patients’ behalf. and possibly electric shock to the heart sions, complicating the picture, and mak- would like to be intubated if their breath- As for Kopila, she was able to get out of We carefully review submissions to ensure that no plagiarism and intubation) if a patient’s breathing ing it difficult for the doctors to engage in ing were to stop or revived if their heart the hospital and make a full recovery. has occurred. If we find any articles that have been plagiarised, stops or the heart stops beating. effective end-of-life conversations. were to stop beating. If a patient tests Had she needed intubation and mechani- such practice will lead to blacklisting. A more recent and nuanced concept in No matter what the cause, our inabili- positive for Covid-19, doctors should cal ventilation, she knew what she would this area is that of physician orders for ty to address end-of-life issues such as revisit the code status by emphasising have chosen—DNR—thanks to the doc- Finally, please tell us who you are in a sentence or two when you life-sustaining treatment (POLST), DNR and POLST has real consequences the high death rates and explaining that tors who took the time to explain to send us your story ideas. We want to know where you have which gives patients more options, and for the patients and families—physical intubation and aggressive ICU care are her the concept of DNR at the time of published before or what your expertise is on the topic you’re addresses the aggressiveness of care at (for example, unnecessary tests and pro- likely to cause more harm than benefit. admission. interested in exploring. the end of life in addition to the orders cedures), emotional and enormous finan- Hospitals and medical colleges should for resuscitation. This is particularly cial costs. Despite these barriers and make efforts to train doctors on how to Pathak, MD, MHS, FACP, is a final year hae- useful when a patient has gradual health challenges, it is time we started to rou- address code status in the most cultural- matology-oncology fellow at Yale University.

C M Y K 05 | FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 National Single quarantine reports over Soti incident In Narainapur, worst suspects seems to be over but a half of Dailekh’s Covid-19 cases remanded in All returnees are placed in the facility at Narayan Campus before being sent to their local custody for ten fears linger >> Continued from page 1 Narainapur has decreased since May units. This, many believe, has turned the centre into a breeding ground for the virus. On March 18, the local authorities had 24. “Very few individuals are crossing more days estimated that around 500 individuals the border from illegal routes too. We most of the returnees who passed would return to the village from India. estimate that around 1,200 individuals through the Banbasa border point are HARI GAUTAM The rural municipality accordingly have entered Narainapur from India found to be infected. “Those who came RUKUM (WEST), JUNE 4 set up four health desks. But over 900 since the beginning of the lockdown.” from Banbasa were found travelling in individuals entered Nepal from India said GC. groups and sharing food and shelter. The Rukum (West) District Court has in just three days, overwhelming the According to data from the rural Because of this, the virus spread easi- allowed police to remand 18 people quarantine facilities. municipality, around 300 individuals ly like wildfire,” said Bhandari. arrested over the alleged murder of But ever since the beginning, quar- have yet to arrive in the coming days The district is witnessing an almost six people, including a Dalit man who antine facilities have been crowded from India. daily increase in Covid-19 cases, and came to the district with his friends to and mismanaged. There were no the authorities are struggling to stem tie the knot with a girl from an “upper- health workers and there were prob- the spread of the virus. caste”, in custody for 10 more days. lems accommodating newcomers with Locals say they “Eighty percent of the infected in The 18, including Dambar Bahadur a shortage of food. There were no Narayan Campus quarantine facility Malla, ward chairman of Chaurjahari health workers deputed to the quaran- cannot feel safe until are asymptomatic and are not in need Ward No. 8, were presented before the tine facilities, which could’ve helped of hospitalisation,” said Bhandari. court for the second time on Thursday, save Anish’s life. testing is done at the “We have kept them in a separate after they were arrested based on a With cases rising, primarily inside room in isolation.” complaint filed by the kin of the quarantine, on May 10, Narainapur community level. The Ministry of Social Development deceased. Of 18 arrested, 12 were held Rural Municipality wrote a letter to in Karnali Province has decided to set on May 26 and others on May 28. the District Administration Office Post Photo up 200 isolation beds—50 each in Earlier, the district court had requesting a high-level doctor’s team The number of new cases might Out of teh 218 coronavirus cases in Dailekh, 194 were reported from Narayan Campus. Narayan Campus, Lakandra Primary remanded them in custody for 10 days and more security personnel as the have decreased but locals say they Health Centre, Rakam Karnali Health on the same day they were caught. situation was on the verge of spiral- cannot feel safe until testing is done at JYOTEE KATUWAL quarantine facilities for returnees. Post and Dullu Hospital— in Dailekh, “Police had urged that court to ling out of control. The rural munici- the community level. The rural DAILEKH, JUNE 4 According to the data of the District as the district currently has only 40 allow the accused to be remanded in pality had also notified the Office of municipality has so far focused on Administration Office, around 10,700 isolation beds. custody for 11 days,” said Krit Bahadur Prime Minister and Council of keeping newcomers in quarantine and Dailekh has reported a total of 218 people have reached Dailekh from Karnali Province has reported 383 Bohra, an official at the district court. Ministers, the Home Ministry and conducting tests. coronavirus cases as of Thursday. India since mid-May. A majority of positive cases as of Thursday. “The court, however, gave police ten the Province 5 government of the “Until now, we have only conducted Among them, 194 were reported from them were kept at Narayan Campus On Sunday, the provincial govern- more days.” On May 23, locals from same risk. 11 tests of locals in the village,” said a quarantine facility set up at Narayan quarantine before being sent to their ment decided to provide treatment to Soti in Chaurjahari Municipality in On May 12, the rural municipality Istiyak Ahmed Sah, chair of the rural Campus in Narayan Municipality. respective local units. Covid-19 patients in three phases: Rukum (West) allegedly attacked started construction of more quaran- municipality. “We are mainly focused Many believe that the facility at “We haven’t been able to manage asymptomatic patients will be kept at Nabaraj BK of Jajarkot and 18 of his tine facilities. A total of 19 facilities on testing individuals who returned Narayan Campus has turned into a quarantine facilities given the mas- the isolation units of various quaran- friends accompanying him to the vil- were constructed in various parts of from India. But we realise it is neces- breeding ground for the virus, as all sive influx of migrant workers,” said tine facilities, those who show symp- lage to help him elope with his girl- the rural municipality, housing 978 sary to conduct testing of locals.” returnees to Dailekh from India are Kattel. The district’s quarantine facil- toms will be kept at the isolation friend who belonged to an upper caste. individuals. According to a security official sent to the facility before being sent to ities have the capacity to hold 7,552 wards of the district hospitals and “The victims’ family has filed a Among them, 709 have returned to deployed at a quarantine facility, con- their local units. individuals, but currently there are critical patients will be sent to special- complaint against 20 individuals,” their homes while 153 remain, and tact tracing of those who’ve tested “The number of positive cases in 9,208 people quarantined in various ised hospitals for treatment. said police. “Two of them are at large.” new cases continue to be identified, positive for Covid-19 has not been the facility has increased exponential- facilities of the district. The government has prepared On May 24, the bodies of Nabaraj albeit at a much lower rate. done effectively. ly in the past few weeks,” said Yubaraj The rate of infection has increased, Karnali Provincial Hospital in and his friend Tikaram Sunar, both of With the number of people living in “But local officials do not seem to Kattel, chief district officer of as most of the returnees from India Surkhet, Karnali Academy of Health them Dalits, were found on the banks quarantine decreasing, district offi- accept this fact,” he said on condition Dailekh. “A large number of return- travel to the district in groups. In Sciences Teaching Hospital in Jumla of the Bheri river. cials said that they have decreased the of anonymity. “It is not possible to ees arrived in Dailekh in the past two Ward No. 5 of Narayan Municipality, and Community Hospital in Rukum The bodies of Ganesh Budha, number of quarantine facilities to just stay safe until testing is expanded at weeks, and they were allowed into the 17 people recently tested positive for (West) as coronavirus special hospi- Lokendra Sunar and Sandip BK, who three and improved the state of the the community level.” crowded and mismanaged facility coronavirus. All of them had entered tals. There are 120 beds in Jumla, 70 in went missing in the incident, were facilities. Meanwhile, Roj Ali, Anish’s young- without any health check ups.” the district in a group. Surkhet and 15 in Rukum (West) recovered on May 25, whereas that of Inspector Man Bahadur GC of the est brother, remains in quarantine He added that most local units in Reeta Bhandari, director at the where the government plans to treat Govinda Shahi was recovered from in police post in Bhagwanpur, said that since returning from India, and Lazim the district are ill-prepared to manage Provincial Health Directorate, said critical patients of Covid-19. Khodakhola, Jajarkot on Tuesday. the number of newcomers to remains afraid for his youngest son. Ministry suggests declaring health emergency but ... >> Continued from page 1 ed to ask that the Cabinet declare a nationwide national as well as international assistance in According to Adhikari, all criteria set out by the public health emergency to contain the Covid-19 the fight against Covid-19. Health Ministry in its Covid-19 emergency scourge. The government has already shut down response plan have been met to declare a public As per the health sector emergency response schools, colleges, universities, sports events, cin- health emergency—the World Health plan for the Covid-19 pandemic prepared about ema halls, shopping malls, and halted public Organization has declared a pandemic; the num- three months ago by the Health Ministry, the movement across the country since March 24. ber of Covid-19 cases in an immediate neighbour, government may declare a public health emer- Public transportation, both air and land, have India, continues to increase with limited ground gency after active Covid-19 cases cross 2,000, been halted with the borders closed. crossing controls; and Covid-19 cases are increas- which is when the healthcare system will begin But there have been increasing calls to ease ing in more than two provinces. to strain under the weight and international the lockdown, which has been in place for over After the declaration of a public health emer- humanitarian assistance may be required. two months, given the massive economic and gency, private hospitals, including their infra- As of Thursday, 2,634 people had been infected, health toll it is taking on the most vulnerable. structure and human resources, will be employed including 10 deaths. Nepal is currently in Level Even if a public health emergency is declared, in the fight against Covid-19. II of the four phases identified by the emergency the lockdown will be slowly relaxed, said Karki. “The government will not take them forcefully, response plan. A Level II situation is when there International land crossings will be opened up to but that does not mean they can deny their ser- are 2,000 to 5,000 active cases and a public health allow citizens to come home and the internation- vices, infrastructure and human resources for emergency needs to be declared. al airport will also eventually be opened, accord- use in combating Covid-19,” Dr Khem Karki, the In Level III, when cases are between 5,000 and ing to Karki. Karki, however, took pains to stress health minister’s advisor, told the Post. 10,000, all private hospital resources will be that the public The government will also be able to mobilise mobilised; mild cases will be sent to home isola- health emergen- health workers to any area it deems necessary tions; hotels will be used for accommodation and cy is not of politi- and redistribute the budget allocated for the food for health care workers and support staff; cal nature, health sector. All responsibilities will be divided telemedicine services will begin; and provisions although some among the federal, provincial and local govern- will be put in place for mass counselling. rights, like the ments and all agencies will work under a chain- In Level IV, the most extreme scenario with right to free of-command established by an official appointed over 10,000 cases, the government will declare a movement, may by the government. As per the Infectious Disease “disaster” as per the Disaster Risk Reduction be curtailed. Act 2020, the government may designate an offi- and Management Act 2074, Clause 32.1 and call cial to enforce the public health emergency. for international humanitarian assistance. Tika R Pradhan Earlier on Wednesday, a meeting of public Spokesperson Devkota said that the ministry contributed health experts at the Health Ministry had decid- has already prepared a work procedure to receive reporting.

Ajirkot Rural Municipality Office of the Municipal Executive Bhachek, Gorkha Gandaki Province, Nepal Invitation for Sealed Quotation for the Supplying Gabion Box Sealed Quotation No: ARM/SQ/GOODS/03/2076/077 Date of first Publication: 2077/02/23 1. Ajirkot Rural Municipality office, Bhachek, Gorkha invites sealed quotations from registered Suppliers for the supply and delivery of 2m*1m*1m and 3m*1m*1m size machine made GI Gabion box Medium Coated. 2. Eligible Bidders may obtain further information and inspect the Bidding Documents at the Office of Ajirkot Rural Municipality, Bhachchek, Gorkha. 3. Bidders should deposit the cost of bidding document in the Office’s Sanchitkosh account as specified below or pay cash at Revenue Section of a non-refundable fee of NRs. 1000/-till 2077/03/05 17:00 during office hours Information to deposit the cost of bidding document in Bank: Name of the Bank: Rastriya Banijya Bank Ltd., Gorkha Name of Office: Ajirkot Rural Municipality Office code no: 44-365-21 Sanchitkosh Account no: 3600304010003 4. Bids must be submitted manually on or before 12:00 noonon 2077/03/06. Bids received after this deadline will be rejected. 5. The bids will be opened in the presence of Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at 14:00 hr 2077/03/06 at the office of Ajirkot Rural Municipality, Bhachhchek, Gorkha. Bids must be valid for a period of 45 days after bid opening and must be accompanied by a bid security amounting to a minimum of NRs38000/-, which shall be valid for 30 days beyond the validity period of the bid.Bid security amount must be deposited at Name of the Bank: RastriyaBanijya Bank Ltd., Gorkha Name of Office: Ajirkot Rural Municipality Dharauti Account No: 30600303000003 6. If the last date of purchasing and /or submission falls on a government holiday, then the next working day shall be considered as the last date. In such case the validity period of the bid security shall remain the same as specified for the original last date of bid submission. 7. The Purchaser reserves the right to accept or reject, wholly or partly any or all the Sealed Quotations without assigning any reason, whatsoever. Chief Administrative officer

C M Y K FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 | 06 Money

FOREX

US Dollar 121.23 Nepal launches domestically US job losses in May Euro 135.78 Pound Sterling 151.98 could raise 3-month Japanese Yen 11.14 developed hybrid maize variety Chinese Yuan 17.03 Qatari Riyal 33.30 Farmers plant corn on 954,000 hectares, most of them using imported seeds. total to 30 million Australian Dollar 83.71 variety has low productivity. ASSOCIATED PRESS Malaysian Ringit 28.37 According to the journal Maize WASHINGTON, JUNE 4 Research and Development 2015, pub- Saudi Arab Riyal 32.29 lished by the Ministry of Agriculture The epic damage to America’s job Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank and Livestock Development, the poul- market from the viral outbreak will try industry needs about 664,000 come into sharper focus Friday when tonnes of feed annually. Maize is a the government releases the May Price Per tola major raw material for the production employment report: Eight million bullion of poultry feed. more jobs are estimated to have been Maize demand is increasing at a lost. Unemployment could near 20 per- Fine Gold Rs 77,000 rate of 11 percent annually in Nepal. cent. And potentially fewer than half To fulfil growing demand for milk, of all adults may be working. Silver Rs 720 meat and meat products, the country Beneath the dismal figures will be imports about 45 percent of its signs that job cuts, severe as they are, Soceur : FENEGOSIDA requirement of maize from India, the are slowing as more businesses gradu- AP/RSS journal said. ally or partially reopen. A man walks past signs of a closed store Maize is a traditional crop grown Still, the economy is mired in a due to Covid-19 in Niles, Illinois, US. gasoline watch for food, feed and fodder. According to recession, and any rebound in hiring the journal, the per capita maize con- will likely be painfully slow. For now, most people who have lost post photo: RAMESH KUMAR POUDEL sumption in Nepal is 98 gm per day. At Economists foresee unemployment jobs still say they expect their unem- Maize is a traditional crop grown for food, feed and fodder. this rate, the total maize requirement remaining in double-digits through ployment to prove temporary. for food per year works out to around the November elections and into 2021. Even if just one-third of the job RAMESH KUMAR POUDEL temperatures drastically affect crop 2.9 million tonnes. The deficit is met If their forecast of 8 million jobs losses turn out to be permanent, CHITWAN, JUNE 4 productivity. by imports. lost in May proves correct, it would though, that would leave 10 million The National Maize Research Dawadi Agrovet in Bharatpur has come on top of April’s loss of 20.5 mil- people who will need to find work at After three years in multilocation tri- Programme first developed a hybrid started selling the new seeds. Mitra lion jobs—the worst monthly loss on new employers or even in new occupa- als, Nepal’s second domestically devel- variety of maize called Gaurab in Raj Dawadi, who is also a member of record—and bring total job cuts tions. That is still more than all the oped hybrid maize variety has been 2003. But its commercial production the National Seed Committee, will in the three months since the jobs lost in the Great Recession. launched for commercial production. could not flourish. be supplying 650 kg of seeds in the viral outbreak intensified to nearly A hole that size would take years to According to the National Maize According to Keshab Babu Koirala, market soon. 30 million. fill. Hiring will likely rebound over Research Programme, Rampur, the chief of the National Maize Crop “This is the first time that produc- That’s more than three times the the summer and fall as states and cit- new high yielding heat stress resilient Research Programme, maize is tion of Nepali hybrid maize seeds jobs lost in the 2008-2009 Great ies further lift restrictions on econom- Rampur-10 hybrid was registered in cultivated on 954,000 hectares has started in a commercial way,” Recession. And if the jobless rate does ic activity. 2017, and commercial production across the country, and a majority of said Dawadi. reach 20 percent for May, it would be But it won’t match the huge job cuts started this year. farmers plant hybrid seeds imported Koirala said that other companies double the worst level during that pre- this spring. Oxford Economics, a con- Narayan Dawadi, a farmer from from India. like Maharani Joda Agricultural vious recession. sulting firm, estimates that the econo- Dibyanagar, Bharatpur, had planted Nepal’s average maize yield is 2.67 Cooperative, Gorkha Seeds, Lumbini Overhanging the jobs picture is my will regain 17 million jobs by Nepali hybrid maize and Indian tonnes per hectare, one of the lowest Seeds, Unique Seeds and Panchashakti widespread uncertainty about how year’s end, a huge increase by historic hybrid varieties on his 8-kattha farm in South Asia. The productivity of Seeds of Jhapa have also started com- long the unemployed will remain out standards. to compare the results. Rampur-10 is 7 tonnes per hectare in mercial production of Rampur-10. of work. Most of the layoffs in recent But that would make up for barely “Initially, we were doubtful about irrigated conditions, Dawadi said. “It’s a good sign that Nepali firms months were a direct result of the more than half the losses. the new variety. The productivity of This new variety has been recom- have started producing seeds. This sudden shutdowns of businesses in Seth Carpenter, an economist at Rampur-10 was equal to that of Indian mended for the Tarai and Inner Tarai will help Nepal to be self-sufficient in response to the coronavirus pandem- UBS, said that after an initial bounce- hybrids which most Nepali farmers or up to 700 metres above sea level. its own hybrid variety, ” he said. ic. As many of these businesses reo- back, future hiring will likely be slow plant in their fields,” he said. “The Mitra Raj Dawadi, former president Nepali farmers have been facing pen, at least partially, workers who and could be interrupted by another roasted maize also had a sweet taste.” of the Seed Entrepreneurs’ problems time after time due to sub- had been laid off have held out hope wave of the pandemic. In Nepal, the reasons for low maize Association, said that the country standard imported seeds. of being rehired soon. Adam Ozimek, chief economist at Amazon in talks to yield are high temperature, drought, imported 2,000 tonnes of hybrid maize In 2014, the government had to dis- But some small employers might Upwork, notes that the fastest year for stalk rot infestation, high input seeds annually. tribute relief valued at Rs230 million not reopen at all if the recession drags job growth since the Great Recession buy $2 billion stake rates and use of low quality and According to different research due to the failure of imported hybrid on much longer. was 3 million jobs in 2014. Even at that substandard seeds. journals, proliferating feed factories seeds in 2014. And even once companies do reo- pace, it would take at least several Heat and drought stress have had encouraged farmers to grow “Now such problems will not occur pen, their business may not fully years to return to the pre-pandemic in Bharti Airtel emerged as a common problem which maize commercially. But still, a large as Nepali hybrid seed is heat stress return until Americans are confident job market. can reduce maize crop productivity. amount of maize is imported resilient,” said Koirala. Rampur has they can shop, eat out and return Since mid-March, more than 40 mil- REUTERS Heat stress in the flowering and from India to meet the demand also developed a hybrid Khumaltar-2 to other previous habits without lion Americans have applied for NEW DELHI/HONG KONG, JUNE 4 grain filling periods due to elevated of the feed industry as the local maize suitable for hilly areas. becoming sick. unemployment benefits.

Amazon.com is in early-stage talks to buy a stake worth at least $2 billion in mobile operator Bharti Airtel, three sources with knowledge of the matter Traders hopeful told Reuters, underscoring the grow- ing attraction of India’s digital econo- my for US tech giants. government will The planned investment, if complet- ed, would mean Amazon acquiring a roughly 5 percent stake based on the ease restrictions current market value of Bharti, which is India’s third-largest telecoms company with more than 300 million on shops and subscribers. The discussions between Amazon businesses and Bharti come at a time when global players are placing major bets ANUP OJHA on the digital arm of Reliance KATHMANDU, JUNE 4 Industries, which owns Bharti’s tele- com rival Jio. Nepal National Traders’ Federation Reliance’s digital unit has raised has welcomed the decision made by $10 billion in recent weeks from the local administrations of Facebook, KKR and others. Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur The talks between Bharti and to recommend the government to ease Amazon are at an early stage and the the lockdown restrictions for traders. deal terms could change, or an agree- The chief district officers of the ment may not be reached, said two of three districts in Kathmandu Valley the three sources, all of whom had held an emergency meeting to declined to be identified because the discuss ways to ease the lockdown discussions are confidential. after the traders in different parts of An Amazon spokeswoman said the the Valley opened their shops and company does “not offer comments on businesses on Thursday morning. speculation of what we may or may “All three CDOs are positive about not do in future.” Bharti said they allowing shops and businesses to open routinely work with all digital players for certain hours, preferably between to bring their products, content and eight to eleven in the morning. They services to customers. “Beyond that have forwarded this recommendation there is no other activity to report,” it to the Home Ministry,” Anjan Shakya, said in a statement. general secretary of the federation, Amazon counts India as a crucial told the Post. growth market where it has commit- post photo: Elite Joshi “We hope that the ministry will con- ted $6.5 billion in investments mainly Traders open their shops in New Road, Kathmandu after boycotting the lockdown on Thursday. Traders decided to open their businesses from 8 to 11 in the morning by taking sider the recommendation and allow toward expanding its e-commerce the necessary health and safety precautions advised by the World Health Organisation. The chief district officers of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur held an emergency us to resume our businesses.” footprint. meeting to discuss ways to manage the lockdown in a safe and proper way. The federation has assured to adhere to the social distancing rule and other health and safety guidelines. Around 10,000 Valley traders are affiliated with the federation. Swamped by diesel, refiners struggle with coronavirus recovery The government on Saturday had extended the nationwide lockdown for additional two weeks until May 14 in REUTERS er, analysts said. “This situation is not In Turkey, the new STAR refinery view of the rising number of Covid-19 LONDON/NEW YORK/SINGAPORE, JUNE 4 going away and will only be resolved cut jet fuel production to near zero, infections and fatalities. by refinery closures,” said Robert said Hédi Grati, a refining analyst at The federation has been asking Brimming diesel inventories and Campbell, head of oil products at con- IHS Markit. the government to let the businesses stronger oil prices are driving sultancy Energy Aspects. As a result, global diesel stocks have open, as hundreds of thousands of down refining profits, stifling incen- He said that at least 1 million bar- swelled. US distillate inventories have businessmen and traders have been tives to hike production even as rels per day (bpd), or about 1 percent risen for nine weeks, reaching 174.3 facing financial loss due to prolonged fuel demand recovers from the of global refining capacity, would million barrels in the week to May 29, lockdown. coronavirus hammering. need to close. the highest in a decade. “We have forwarded the concerns of European cracks, the profit margin The US refined products crack As more people world returning to the traders to the government,” for producing diesel from crude, have spread, a proxy for refining margins, their offices and start using cars, the Hemkala Pandey, chief district officer hit an all-time low, while cracks in the is hovering around $9 a barrel, com- diesel glut is weighing on refineries at Bhaktapur, told the Post. “I am United States and Asia have also pared to nearly $21 at the same which now want to meet rising gaso- hopeful that the government will lift plummeted. time last year, according to Refinitiv line demand. the lockdown restrictions on shops With diesel accounting for around Eikon data. US refinery utilisation rose to 71.3 and businesses.” 50 percent of the output of an average European diesel margins hit an all- percent last week, well below the 91 According to the federation, nearly refinery, any weakness hits refiners’ time low of $2.9 a barrel last week, percent in the same period in 2019. 30 percent of shops and businesses recovery plans. while Asian diesel cracks averaged “Refineries may even have to cut were opened on Thursday morning Dozens of tankers carrying diesel $4.26 per barrel over Dubai crude in back runs further to get diesel down to following the federation’s call to defy are moored off Europe’s coast as refin- May, compared with an average of where it should be and there’s a the lockdown. ers in Asia, the Middle East and the $15.49 a barrel for the whole of 2019. big battle refiners are having “We patiently obeyed the lockdown United States wait to find a buyer. When countries began lockdown between gasoline yield and distillate rules by closing our businesses for the “The situation looks awful,” measures, refiners boosted output of yield,” said Patrick DeHaan, head of past 75 days. But we have families to an executive at a big European diesel, used mostly for trucks and petroleum analysis at tracking firm look after, rents to pay and not to men- refiner said. industry, given its relative strength GasBuddy. tion the loans over our heads,” Rakesh Consumption, particularly by air- compared to gasoline and jet fuel, as With international aviation expect- Kothari,who runs a mobile phone lines, is expected to take years to people stopped driving their cars and ed to remain depressed, refiners shop in New Road, said. “The govern- recover to pre-coronavirus crisis lev- airlines grounded planes. would continue diverting jet fuel ment has also issued a decree to pay reuters els, pushing many refineries to contin- Many refiners blended unwanted to the diesel pool, further weighing the taxes at the earliest. How can we Seagulls fly over a deserted parking lot near a refinery in the port of Antwerp amid the ue low processing run rates, while jet fuel into diesel, adding to extra on cracks, Energy Aspect’s Campbell pay the taxes when we have not been coronavirus disease outbreak, Belgium. some may need to shut down altogeth- supplies in the market. said. doing any business for months?”

C M Y K 07 | FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 world

Briefing Police face new Brazil and Mexico see record deaths charges in Floyd Hong Kong passes China anthem bill amid protests killing, Mattis HONG KONG: Hong Kong passed a bill as virus rages across Latin America on Thursday that would criminalise disrespect of China’s national angry at Trump anthem, a move critics see as the lat- Europe is struggling to restart its stalled economies without sparking a second wave of infections. est sign of Beijing’s tightening grip Reuters on the semi-autonomous city. The recent weeks, European nations are Minneapolis, June 4 move comes just days after Chinese now reopening their borders, with authorities gave the green light to Austria set Thursday to scrap US protests over the death of a black move ahead with a national security entry checks at its frontiers except for man in custody dwindled overnight law, which the United States, Britain, with Italy. into early Thursday after prosecutors Australia and Canada, as well as Spain said it would reopen land bor- leveled new charges against four international human rights groups, ders with France and Portugal on Minneapolis policemen implicated in say will erode freedoms in the global June 22, after Italy opened its borders the killing. financial hub. The national anthem to European travellers Wednesday. Huge crowds have defied curfews bill orders that primary and second- Europe is anxious to save its sum- and taken to the streets of cities across ary school students in Hong Kong be mer tourism season, though experts the country for nine nights in some- taught to sing the “March of the have warned that travel restrictions times violent protests that prompted Volunteers”, along with its history will be needed around the world in President Donald Trump to threaten and etiquette. some form until a vaccine is found. to send in the military. Efforts to develop one are gathering George Floyd, 46, died after a pace, with Britain set to host a major white policeman pinned his neck Global CO2 measurement virtual meeting on Thursday with under the officer’s knee for nearly hits record high in May more than 50 countries as well as pow- nine minutes in Minneapolis on May WASHINGTON: A key measure of car- erful individuals such as Bill Gates 25, propelling the issue of racial jus- bon dioxide emissions in the Earth’s taking part, to raise money for Gavi, tice to the top of the political agenda atmosphere hit a record in May even the global vaccine alliance. five months before the presidential as a global pandemic brought the Gavi and its partners will launch a election on Nov. 3. world’s economies to a virtual stand- financing drive to purchase potential Former Defense Secretary Jim still this year, according to US gov- Covid-19 vaccines, scale up their pro- Mattis, after long refusing to explicitly ernment data published on Thursday. duction and support delivery to devel- criticize a sitting president, denounced Carbon dioxide recorded at the oping nations. a militarisation of the response Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii “I hope this summit will be the to civil unrest. Current Defense reached 417 parts per million (ppm) moment when the world comes togeth- Secretary Mark Esper also said he did in May, higher than the record of er to unite humanity in the fight not back the use of troops to patrol 414.8 ppm set last year, according to against disease,” British Prime the country. the announcement by the National Minister Boris Johnson said ahead of Oceanic and Atmospheric Reuters the talks. Administration and the Scripps Family members surround the coffin containing the body of a 52-year old woman who died of Covid-19, at San Rafael cemetery in Mexico City. China, meanwhile, said that foreign Institution of Oceanography at the airlines blocked from operating in the University of California San Diego. Agence France-Presse the region’s worst-hit country, report- global economy as millions were country over virus fears would be Rio de Janeiro, June 4 ed a record 1,349 daily deaths. forced into lockdown. allowed to resume limited flights, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro The virus was on the rise again in apparently easing a row with India, Australia sign military Brazil and Mexico reported record has staunchly opposed lockdowns but Iran, which reported 3,574 new infec- Washington following US plans to ban daily coronavirus death tolls as gov- many local authorities have defied tions on Thursday, its highest daily Chinese carriers. base and cyber accords ernments in Latin America battled to him and, with the crisis deepening, a toll since the outbreak began in The United States remains the hard- NEW DELHI/SYDNEY: India and fortify their defences against the vast section of Bahia state was placed February and the fourth straight day est-hit nation in the world, with 1.85 Australia sealed an accord on pandemic with fresh lockdown orders under curfew. of a caseload over 3,000. million infections and more than Thursday to grant access to each oth- and curfews. In Chile, the government said it was While hoping the worst of the 107,000 deaths, and there are fears that er’s military bases in order to facili- In Europe where countries have extending a three-week shutdown of health crisis has passed, Europe is the ongoing wave of protests in the tate mutual defence exchanges and been emerging from lockdowns, the the capital Santiago after a new record struggling to restart its stalled econo- country over racism and police brutal- exercises. The agreement - known as European Central Bank was expected for daily deaths. mies without sparking a second wave ity could fuel the spread of the virus. the Mutual Logistics Support to beef up its plans to help virus-bat- And in Peru, the second worst-hit of infections. Many have said that while they Agreement - was reached during a tered economies and Britain was pre- country in Latin America, desperate Governors of the European Central were aware of the danger of infection virtual summit between Indian Prime paring to host a summit to raise funds residents were lining up to buy oxy- Bank were to meet Thursday with at the big rallies, the cause was impor- Minister Narendra Modi and for a global vaccine alliance. gen tanks for their loved ones. analysts expecting them to boost the tant enough to take the risk. Australia’s premier Scott Morrison. But as European countries moved to “We haven’t found oxygen yet,” said 750 billion euro ($839 billion) Pandemic Cav Manning, a 52-year-old New “We share democratic values, the rule reopen their borders, South and Lady Savalla in the capital Lima. Emergency Purchase Programme Yorker, was among the tens of thou- of law, freedoms, and respect for Central America cemented their plac- “I’m worried about my mom more (PEPP) decided in March by a further sands across America willing to risk AP/Rss international institutions. When es as the new hotspots in the pandem- than anything else, because she’s 500 billion euros. infection as he joined a protest in A protest on Capitol Hill in Washington. these are being challenged, we need ic, while Iran—the hardest-hit coun- going to need a lot of oxygen and the An increase in the emergency Brooklyn earlier this week. to strengthen our cooperation,” try in the Middle East—announced a hospital doesn’t have enough.” bond-buying scheme would send a “What we saw is so disturbing that “Donald Trump is the first presi- India’s Modi said in opening remarks. surge in infections. Since emerging in China late last clear signal of support to European we’ve got to be out here right now,” he dent in my lifetime who does not try to “It is time for our relationship to Mexico on Wednesday announced year, the new coronavirus has infected governments, especially for hard-hit told AFP. unite the American people—does not grow broader and deeper,” Morrison more than 1,000 coronavirus deaths in nearly 6.5 million people, killed more countries like Italy, Spain and France. “Despite Covid, despite the fact that even pretend to try,” Mattis, who told Modi. (Agencies) a day for the first time, while Brazil, than 380,000 and wreaked havoc on the After easing national lockdowns in you might get infected.” resigned as defense secretary in 2018, wrote in a statement published by The Atlantic. “Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of India’s top three years of this deliberate effort.” Thousands of demonstrators massed near the White House lit up bureaucrats hit their cellphone flashlights and sang along to the 1970s soul tune “Lean on Me,” before resuming a chorus of by coronavirus anti-police chants. Several major cities scaled back or lifted curfews imposed for the past as cases spike few days. Derek Chauvin, 44, arrested on Reuters charges of third-degree murder and New Delhi, June 4 manslaughter, was also charged with second-degree murder. A top Indian civilian defence official The added charge, defined under has tested positive for coronavirus Minnesota law as unintentionally and is in home quarantine, govern- causing another person’s death ment officials said on Thursday, in the commission of a felony as the daily rise in infections hits a offense, can carry a sentence of up to new high. 40 years, 15 years longer than the India’s cases reached 216,919 after maximum sentence for third-degree 9,304 new cases were reported over the murder. previous day, the health ministry said. Chauvin was the white officer seen The densely packed cities of Delhi and in video footage kneeling on Floyd’s Mumbai are seeing a spike in infec- neck as Floyd gasped for air and tions as the government lifts a lock- repeatedly groaned, “Please, I can’t down imposed in March. breathe.” India has reported 6,075 deaths due The video immediately went viral, to the virus. igniting the nationwide protest and Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar is civil strife. Demonstrators have also the highest ranking official to have taken to the streets overseas, from tested positive for the virus that has Britain to New Zealand. also affected officials in the finance, Floyd, whom police suspected of foreign and law ministries based trying to pass a counterfeit bill to pay in a sprawling set of buildings in for cigarettes, was pronounced dead at central Delhi. Afp/rss a hospital shortly after the May 25 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Fishing boats are moored near a naval dockyard as Pakistan’s Metrological Department issued a warning of cyclone Nisarga in the port city of Karachi on Thursday. encounter. leading the response to an ongoing military standoff with China at their disputed Himalayan border, worked from home after Kumar’s test results came back positive, a defence Are asymptomatic Covid-19 patients safe or silent carriers? source said. It was not immediately clear if Singh had undergone a test. At least Reuters although little evidence so far - that claimed. Some countries in Asia four finance ministry employees have Beijing, June 4 people who are asymptomatic may include asymptomatic carriers in been infected. also transmit the virus. The WHO had their total confirmed cases. About three dozen staff in the China said 300 symptomless carriers said in early April that there had been In Vietnam, which has just over 300 defence, finance and law ministries of the novel coronavirus in Wuhan, no documented asymptomatic trans- Covid-19 cases, almost 37 percent were that came in contact with infected the epicentre of the pandemic, had not missions. symptomless, according to health staff have been advised to go on man- been found to be infectious, in a bid to China has reported around 83,000 ministry data. datory quarantine, the officials said. reassure people as countries ease cases of Covid-19, the disease caused Researchers concluded that asymp- “We have asked some of them to go restrictions. But some experts say by the new coronavirus. It does not tomatic infection was common and on a compulsory 14-day home quaran- asymptomatic infections are common, include asymptomatic cases in that found two asymptomatic patients had tine, then they will have to get tested presenting a huge challenge in the total official count, but began report- infected at least four other people. before joining back,” one official said. control of the disease. ing them separately on a daily basis South Korea, which had early suc- Meetings in conference rooms have The World Health Organization on March 31. cess in taming the outbreak through been cancelled and officials have been (WHO) defines asymptomatic cases as That has raised concerns about aggressive testing, said 20 percent-30 encouraged to minimise physical those who don’t show symptoms but Beijing’s commitment to transparen- percent were asymptomatic. A senior interaction. have been confirmed infected through cy, and some experts say it could also health official said the virus could be Some officials at key departments a lab test. WHO notes there are few paint a misleading picture of how the widely transmitted during the incuba- such as national security and foreign reports of truly asymptomatic cases. virus spreads. tion period, but asymptomatic patients affairs continued to work from the The incubation period, or the time a “If you watch (such asymptomatic were less likely to transmit it. office even when the lockdown was person takes to show symptoms after cases) really closely, you would see Singapore, which has the highest first imposed, and more were asked to getting infected, is the pre-symptomat- something ... that probably fits with a number of cases in Southeast Asia, attend later as the curbs were eased. ic phase, the WHO says. Carriers can more realistic mild disease than a does not give data on asymptomatic Prime Minister Narendra Modi infect others during this period. complete asymptomatic,” Ian Mackay, cases but has said an overwhelming held a virtual summit with his Health experts are not yet sure a virologist at the University of majority of positive cases in its crowd- Australian counterpart Scott whether asymptomatic or pre-sympto- Queensland said. AFP/RSS ed migrant workers’ dormitories show Morrison from his official residence. matic cases are infectious. Some say “But the term is around now and it’s People visit a night market in Wuhan, China’s central Hubei province, amid the pandemic. mild or no symptoms. Criticism has grown that Modi’s data so far suggests those cases are going to stick. It’s a nice piece of thea- The Philippines said about 13 per- lockdown of 1.3 billion people has probably equally likely to be able to tre, but I don’t think it’s going to give Wuhan has tested almost its entire ous reporting, said Zhong Nanshan, cent of its nearly 19,000 cases were failed to control the epidemic while it spread infection. useful information.” population of 11 million and found no the government’s senior medical asymptomatic. In India, some 28 per- destroyed thousands of jobs. “You The WHO agrees that pre-sympto- Asymptomatic cases under medical new Covid-19 cases. adviser, adding that the result showed cent of 40,184 people who tested posi- have definitely decimated the econo- matic carriers are infectious, and observation in China dropped to 357 as Wuhan’s low rate of symptomless that the country didn’t cover up the tive between Jan 22 and April 30 were my. You flattened the wrong curve. adds that there is also a possibility - of Tuesday from 1,541 as of March 30. carriers is in line with China’s previ- epidemic as some US politicians asymptomatic, according to a study.

C M Y K FRIDAY, JUNE 05, 2020 | 08 culture & arts (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 With movement restricted, priests take to virtual means to conduct rituals In such unprecedented times, some priests have gotten creative with worship: they are streaming services for the religious remotely.

Shashwat Pant he has been conducting online rituals Kathmandu for almost a decade now. Since he started doing it, in the early 2010s, he’s done s Shyam Thapaliya puts on around 50 rituals via the use of Skype, his daura suruwal, arrang- Viber and Facebook. But Khakurel, like es his holy books in the Thapaliya, says he never thought that order of the rituals he is he would be carrying out rituals virtually going to perform, and plac- in Nepal. es his phone in front of “I’ve been doing this for people in hAim and opens Zoom at his home in Australia, America and New Zealand. Kalanki, his clients sit in front of their And I don’t feel awkward, yet, doing it for open laptop in Chabahil. In the next 30 Nepalis here feels strange somehow,” says minutes, Thapaliya, a Hindu priest, gives Khakurel. Besides holding online rituals, step-by-step instructions to his clients, Khakurel also makes birth charts for peo- who are ready with essentials necessary ple abroad. But since the lockdown, many for the ritual. And by the end of it, he of the orders are from Nepal itself. successfully completes a virtual shrad- “Even in the pandemic, people are get- dha ceremony. ting married. They are giving birth. Such “My children use Zoom to study, and I things haven’t stopped. I haven’t conduct- thought why not use it for my work as ed any ceremony yet, but I’ve prepared a well,” says the 53-year-old, who has been few birth charts and sent it to my clients using Zoom, a video conferencing app, to via Facebook and Viber,” says Khakurel. conduct rituals amidst the lockdown. “I’d For his services, Khakurel says his cli- done something similar for my clients in ents send his payment via Moneygram, a the US, but I had never thought I would be global money transfer company, while the doing it in Nepal. I guess this is the new ones in Nepal transfer it to his bank normal now.” account. For Thapaliya, the months of April, But not everyone is happy about mix- May and June would have been busy. He ing religion with technology. would have been conducting weddings, Ghanshyam Acharya, 67, has worked as pasnis, and other cultural events, includ- a priest for nearly 40 years. He, like ing shraddhas. But due to the lockdown, Thapaliya, would have been very busy many people have either postponed or during these months. And as Acharya cancelled such ceremonies, and priests isn’t technologically adept, he hasn’t been like Thapaliya have been stuck at getting any jobs. home. But there are others who can’t do “I don’t own a smartphone. Even if I without carrying out such rituals, and for did, I wouldn’t be doing rituals online,” them, priests like Thapaliya have become says Acharya. “It’s not right to do it that a godsend. way. While many of my colleagues might “I have been doing rituals online a few disagree with me, I think we might be on times earlier too, for Nepalis abroad. But the verge of losing our culture and our many Nepalis here are very traditional way of doing things.” and not used to this medium, yet they call Acharya says not everyone has been me for they have no other choice right getting online ritual offers and adds that now,” he says. shutterstock what he misses more than his fees is Ramesh Hamal, from Dhangadi, Kathmandu to conduct my son’s nwaran says that many Hindus believe a house being present with his clients and seeing became a father during the lockdown. via a Facebook video call. Even though that does not host rituals or host a brah- the happiness in their eyes while they are Even though Hamal understood that my parents didn’t support the idea of But not everyone min who recites verses from the vedas is doing the rituals. having an event like a nwaran or a pasni doing the ceremony virtually fully, they considered impure. “Money was secondary. The entire pro- would be insensitive during the lock- were glad that we at least held it.” is happy about “What Ramesh has done is nice. But it cess and the connection we feel with the down, his parents insisted that they For much of the older population in seems to me he’s done it for us. So that we people is what I miss the most,” he says. have one. Nepal, conducting religious rituals is mixing religion with don’t become unhappy,” says Sita, “I hope this pandemic will get over soon, “It’s tough to argue with your elders. extremely important. Many believe that Ramesh’s mother. “But doing these ritu- because I miss visiting temples and con- They just don’t want to see things ration- for any auspicious event to take place, it technology. als just for the sake of it is wrong.” versing with people. It was a part of my ally,” Hamal said. “Because of my par- is important that a priest steps foot into Archarya Bala Ram Khakurel, a Hindu life and right now, that life is a distant ents’ insistence, I asked a priest in the house and recites prayers. Thapaliya priest based in Bal Kumari, Lalitpur, says memory.”

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