WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 37 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 34.9 C 0.5 C Saturday, March 27, 2021 | 14-12-2077 Bhairahawa Jumla Haze and smoke turn Kathmandu most polluted, low visibility affects flights Unprecedented fires after prolonged drought across the country and winds partly responsible, meteorologists say. With wildfires peaking in April, worse may be yet to come.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL Information for Resource Management KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 System) showed numerous fires from east to west. Smoke and haze covered Kathmandu According to Sundar Prasad and some other hilly areas for most of Sharma, an under-secretary at the Friday, with the weather condition Department of Forest and Soil becoming more severe in the after- Conservation, the country is witness- noon. ing one of the worst forest fire sea- As the air quality deteriorated, sons, evidently that a record 479 wild- Kathmandu became the most polluted fire incidents were reported on city in the world in the afternoon. Thursday. With visibility at just 1,000 metres, Sharma, who is also the forest fire Tribhuvan International Airport was focal person at the department, said: closed from 2:10 pm. “It is not limited to one or two districts “The atmospheric condition has or a particular region. Forests are been hazy. There is haze, with a mix- burning across the country.” ture of smoke in the atmosphere,” According to Sharma, forest fires said Raju Pradhanang, a senior mete- had broken out at 437 places in 54 dis- orologist at the Meteorological tricts all over the country on Friday Forecasting Division under the afternoon. Most of the fires were Department of Hydrology and recorded in the western districts of Meteorology. “Raging wildfires could Kanchanpur, Banke, Bardiya and also be one of the factors. We have not Kailali, among others whereas central confirmed that though.” hill districts and Tarai districts across Nepal witnessed a relatively hot and the country also have fires spreading dry winter as the country received massively. only 25 percent of normal rain- As per the data on forest fires accu- POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI fall in the season. With scant mulated by the Nepal Forest Fire A woman plays on the swing at Halchowk with the haze-enveloped Kathmandu Valley in broad view. The city on Friday afternoon became the rainfall in three winter months Management Chapter, 524 fires were most polluted in the world with smoke from the forest fires raging in the surrounding districts blown in by winds getting trapped in the Valley. (December-February), the coun- detected in Nepal in the 24 hours of try experienced a severe drought- March 25. like situation, which is a recipe On Thursday, an elderly man was for wildfire. killed in a wildfire in Gorkha. The dry condition has ushered Since the 2015-16 dry season, this in one of the deadliest forest is the first time forest fires have been INSIDE fires the country has seen of late. recorded in 73 districts. Janata Samajbadi Forests are burning across the The record for wildfires during this country. period was 63 districts in the 2018-19 Valley’s educational institutions The Infrared satellite images forest fire season. in a fix over Covid-19 advisory from NASA’s FIRMS (Fire >> Continued on page 2 KATHMANDU: Educational institutions looks set to support in Kathmandu Valley are in a fix after the government issued a circu- lar advising the public to avoid crowds and strictly observe health Oli even as some and safety protocols for Covid-19. Schools and colleges across the coun- try have already started in-person classes permission to reopen in the second week of January. But now leaders oppose idea there has been a surge in the number of infections in neighbouring India, forcing the authorities there to issue Those holding talks with the prime minister say there is lockdown orders in some of the towns. Cases are also rising in Nepal, no harm in joining the government if their demands, causing an alarm. On Thursday, the Ministry of Education, Science and including freeing Resham Chaudhary, are met. Technology issued a notice asking all educational institutions to follow the health and safety protocols like the use of wearing masks and sanitiser to contain the coronavirus spread. (Details on Pg 3)

India’s Prime Minister Modi visits Bangladesh, sparking violent protests DHAKA: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived on Friday in Bangladesh’s capital to join celebra- tions marking 50 years of the coun- try’s independence. His visit sparked violent protests at Dhaka’s main mosque that were dispersed by police using tear gas and rubber bullets — injuring scores of people — after clashes broke out between groups of POST FILE PHOTO demonstrators, officials and witness- The Janata Samajbadi Party is deeply divided over whether to support the Oli government. es said. Critics accuse Modi’s Hindu- nationalist party of stoking religious TIKA R PRADHAN and revived the constituent forces— polarisation in India and discriminat- KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 Oli’s UML and Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s ing against minorities, particularly Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Muslims. Modi’s two-day visit, his Prime Minister and CPN-UML chair Centre). first abroad since the coronavirus KP Sharma Oli appears to have taken The two parties had merged in May pandemic began last year, will his plan to rope in the Janata 2018 to form the Nepal Communist include commemorating 100 years Samajbadi Party one step forward so Party (NCP). since the birth of Bangladeshi inde- as to continue in power. The Janata Samajbadi Party, which pendence leader Sheikh Mujibur On Friday morning, Mahesh was the third force in the House, sud- Rahman. (Details on Pg 4) Basnet, a Central Committee member denly became the fourth force. But to considered Oli’s trusted lieutenant, its own surprise, it became the king- Tricky situation awaits Nepal met with Resham Chaudhary, the maker. Samajbadi Party lawmaker who is It had the option to either support as they face Bangladesh doing time in Dillibazar prison on the Nepali Congress, the primary KATHMANDU: Nepal face a tricky situa- charges of masterminding the 2015 opposition, and the Maoist Centre, tion when they lock horns against the Tikapur incident. which became the third largest force, South Asian rivals Bangladesh in the The release of Chaudhary, who cur- and become part of the government or last group stage match of the Three rently remains suspended as a law- join hands with Oli. Nations Cup football tournament at maker, from jail is one of the precon- As the Congress and Maoist Centre the Dasharath Stadium on Saturday ditions of the Samajbadi Party if it hemmed and hawed, Oli saw an oppor- which will decide the second finalist were to support Oli. tunity. side. While Bangladesh have already “I conveyed to Chaudhary that there On Tuesday earlier this week, Oli made it to the final after 1-0 victory has been an agreement between the invited top Samajbadi Party leaders over Kyrgyzstan U-23 in the first government and the Janata Samajbadi including Mahantha Thakur, Rajendra match played on Tuesday, Nepal or Party to begin the process of releasing Mahato, Sarbendra Nath Shukla and the central Asian country will book him,” Basnet told the Post. Laxman Lal Karna to Baluwatar to place for the title decider depending Apart from Chaudhary’s release, discuss how they could move ahead on the outcome of the Nepal- the Janata Samajbadi Party has also jointly. Bangladesh encounter. Both Nepal demanded that the government with- “At that meeting, task force mem- and Kyrgyzstan have one point each draw court cases against its leaders bers from the government side briefed after playing 0-0 draw on Thursday. and cadres and make a commitment to on the recent developments. We told Nepal could progress to the final if constitutional amendments. them to come up with something con- they beat or play a draw against the Two weeks after the Constitutional crete,” Mahato told the Post. South Asian team. They could also Bench overturned Oli’s House dissolu- But two top leaders of the Samajbadi progress to the next round even if tion decision, the Supreme Court on Party—Baburam Bhattarai and they lose by a single goal margin. In March 7, the day a meeting of the Upendra Yadav—were conspicuous that situation both Nepal and Kyrgyz reinstated House had been called, by their absence at the Baluwatar youth team will have equal one point passed a dramatic verdict, scrapping meeting. each in the standings. (Details on Pg 6) the Nepal Communist Party (NCP), >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Team formed to hold talks with government regarding release of Tikapur riot convicts Tharuwan/Tharuhat Rashtriya Morcha says it will continue movement until government releases all prisoners related to Tikapur incident and withdraws cases filed against them.

MOHAN BUDHAAIR Court by April 2. then Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal DHANGADHI, MARCH 26 Resham Chaudhary was the main fielded him from Kailali-1. He was accused in the August 17, 2015 Tikapur elected to the House of Representatives A meeting of the families of convicts (Kailali) incident that took place fol- with a huge margin despite being in and other accused of Tikapur incident lowing the government’s decision to hiding. In January last year, he was held under the chairmanship of put Kailali district in one province sworn in as a member of the federal Tharuwan/Tharuhat Rashtriya along with seven other hill districts. parliament. Morcha’s coordinator Laxman Tharu The Tharus of Kailali opposed Seven people, including Resham has formed a team to hold talks with the decision and took to the streets to Chaudhary, are now serving jail terms the government regarding the 2015 protest. in connection with the Tikapur inci- Tikapur incident and its repercussions. dent. The High Court in Sudurpaschim Organising a press meet at Hasuliya Province convicted 18 people guilty in Kailali district on Friday, Laxman The front made the regarding the incident. Tharu, the central coordinator of the “The verdicts of the Kailali District front, informed of the formation of a announcement at Court and the High Court were injus- six-member talk team led by Resham tice to the Tharus. We have now decid- Chaudhary, who is serving his term in a press meet in ed to go to the Supreme Court,” said Dilli Bazaar Prison in Kathmandu. Laxman Tharu, adding that the meet- Other members of the team are Kailali on Friday. ing also issued a month-long ultima- Laxman Tharu, Ram Prasad Tharu, tum to the government to release the Chuniram Tharu, Bina Chaudhary prisoners and withdraw false cases POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR and Yamuna Chaudhary. All of them The protest, largely branded the filed against them. “We are seeking a A vendor shows a water gun to a customer for the upcoming Holi Festival that falls on Sunday, at Ason, Kathmandu on Friday. The government are convicted by the court in connec- Tharuhat movement, led by Resham solution through talks, legal process has banned public Holi celebrations and mass gatherings to prevent a possible outbreak of the coronavirus. tion with the Tikapur incident in Chaudhary in Kailali was part of a and political pressure. But the govern- which nine people were killed in a larger movement that was going on for ment should face the consequences if violent clash. months in several Tarai districts it is not sincere about the issue.” “We have formed a talk team as the against what they called Kathmandu’s Tharu said they would continue government seems willing to sit down conspiracy to discriminate against a with their movement until all the for discussions with the Tharu com- large section of the Tharu, Madhesi cases in connection to the Tikapur Janata Samajbadi looks set to support ... munity. However, we have one condi- and Janajati population. incident were withdrawn. tion--the talks should be held outside As the Tharuhat protest continued, “We want Nepali Congress, Janata >> Continued from page 1 Chaudhary would be released and But even if Bhattarai and Yadav the prison with the participation of the local administration in Kailali Samajbadi Party and CPN (Maoist Bhattarai is the chair of the party’s cases against party members and cad- continue to stick to their stance, they Resham Chaudhary,” said Laxman. He issued a prohibitory order. On August Centre) to take initiatives to release federal council while Yadav is another res withdrawn. might not have enough members on said the front is ready to hold 24, 2015, the Tharuhat group called for Resham Chaudhary and others from chair of the party, along with Thakur. “We are clear on our roadmap,” their side to split the party. discussions regarding the release breaching the prohibitory orders. the prison and withdraw the false Bhattarai and Yadav maintain that Karna told the Post. “If our precondi- What if the majority of leaders of the prisoners and that the govern- Protesters and police clashed, and cases. But we don’t want any party to the Samajbadi Party in no way should tions are met, we will support the decide to join hands with Oli? ment should withdraw “false” cases nine people, including a senior police take the issue as a ladder to join the join hands with Oli. government.” “That’s a hypothetical question,” filed against Tharu people in official and a child, were killed. government,” said Laxman Tharu. He Bhattarai, who has long demanded The Janata Samajbadi Party has said Bhattarai. connection with the Tikapur incident. Resham Chaudhary went into hid- asked the parties not to link the that Chaudhary must be released, also demanded that the government According to Bhattarai, chances of The meeting held on Friday also ing after the Tikapur incident. But Tikapur incident to form or topple the however, said that the party make the Lal Commission’s the party joining the Oli government decided to appeal at the Supreme when elections took place in 2017, the government. joining the Oli government is report public and endorse the are very low. unthinkable. Citizenship Bill. When the Oli government was “Some leaders may have been think- The Lal Commission, formed in formed in February 2018, both Yadav’s ing of joining hands with Oli, but the September 2016 to investigate a deadly Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal party has not taken any decision yet,” violence in the Tarai in 2015, was sub- and the Rastriya Janata Samajbadi Bhattarai told the Post. “Oli has been mitted to the Sher Bahadur Deuba-led Party Nepal supported it. Congress leader Nabindra Raj Joshi dies at 57 trying to seek favour ever since the government in December 2017, but it The Rastriya Janata Party Nepal House was reinstated. So far, whatever has not been made public yet. withdrew support to the Oli govern- talks have taken place are aimed at With Bhattarai and Yadav opposed ment in March 2019 after Resham The former industry minister, known as a humble and soft-spoken person, was battling securing the release of our leaders to joining the Oli government, there Chaudhary, its lawmaker from and cadres including Chaudhary.” are speculations that the Janata Kailali-1, was sent to jail for life over for life for the past one month after suffering a brain haemorrhage. Bhattarai is one of the most vocal Samajbadi Party could see a rift and a the deadly Tikapur violence. critics of Oli, his government and his split ultimately. Yadav’s Sanghiya Samajbadi POST REPORT ways of functioning. Bhattarai and Yadav’s Sanghiya Forum-Nepal and Bhattarai’s Naya KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 Over the past few months, especial- Samajbadi Party and the Rastriya Shakti Party had formed the Sanghiya ly after Oli dissolved the House, Janata Party of Thakur, Mahato and Samajbadi Party in May 2019. Nepali Congress leader Nabindra Bhattarai in a series of tweets has other Madhes-based leaders had Yadav until December 2019 was a Raj Joshi died on Friday evening. criticised Oli, at times even compar- merged in April last year to form the minister in the Oli government. His He was 57. ing the UML chair with Hitler. Janata Samajbadi Party. ouster was a bit unceremonious, According to Rajendra Bahadur According to Bhattarai, Oli has The union, however, was, in a way, hence chances of him agreeing to sup- Singh, executive director at Norvic been trying for quite some time to prompted by Oli. port Oli don’t look plausible. International Hospital in Thapathali, rope in his party to stay in power. On April 20, last year, Oli had intro- In an interview to the Post’s sister Joshi breathed his last at 8:24pm. “But our party has formed a duced an ordinance to amend the paper Kantipur on Thursday, Yadav Joshi, a former industry minister, five-member talks team comprising Political Parties Act-2017 so as to ease said Oli still appears to be in a mood to had been admitted to Norvic Hospital top leaders to discuss power sharing,” a party split and registration of a new dissolve the House again. on February 26 after suffering a brain Bhattarai told the Post. “The party has party. Sensing that some leaders could “We must give an alternative to this haemorrhage. not given the mandate to any other defect, the Sanghiya Samajbadi Party [Oli-led] government,” Yadav told His health, however, continued to task force. There is no point in dis- and the Rastriya Janata had Kantipur. “Our party has said Oli’s deteriorate and he was under ventila- cussing what individuals say.” announced a hasty midnight merger. move was regressive.” tor support for the last one month. PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK On March 10, the government and Both constituent parties share 17 Insiders, however, say politics “I am saddened by the untimely Nabindra Raj Joshi Janata Samajbadi Party had formed a members (two suspended) each. is a strange game and anything can demise of Nepali Congress leader, task force. The ordinance, however, was with- happen. excellent organiser and former minis- to 1997 at the age of 27. Nepal (Maoist Centre) and the Nepali Shukla and Karna from the drawn within days. Mahato, a senior Samajbadi Party ter, Nabindra Raj Joshi,” Nepali He is remembered for his contribu- Congress. Samajbadi Party and Rajan Bhattarai, But politics ever since has moved leader who comes from the Rastriya Congress President Sher Bahadur tion to the preservation of cultural During his tenure as the industry Oli’s foreign affairs adviser, Subas ahead and political equations have Janata Party, a few days ago was Deuba wrote on Twitter. “The Nepali heritages of Kathmandu while also minister, he earned accolades for Nembang, deputy leader of the UML changed dramatically. opposed to supporting Oli. But lately, Congress has lost an honest and faith- modernising the Capital city. reviving the Nepal Drug Limited that Parliamentary Party, and Finance It all started with growing infight- he has been making a push for joining ful leader.” Joshi also served as the produces cheap and affordable medi- Minister Bishnu Poudel from the gov- ing in the then Nepal Communist the Oli government. A native of Kathmandu, Joshi spokesperson of the Nepali Congress cines like paracetamol. ernment were in the task force. Party (NCP), which prompted Oli to Mahato, as well as some other lead- started his political career as a from 2008 to 2013. “We were friends for three decades After Yadav and Bhattarai raised dissolve the House. He refused to step ers from the former Rastriya Janata student leader. He was elected to the Constituent and I found him thoroughly gentle, questions at the Parliamentary Party down even after the top court over- Party, says the Oli led government is He was elected the general secre- Assembly in 2008 and 2013 from kind and hardworking,” Ramhari meeting on March 12, the two leaders turned his decision and reinstated the serious about addressing their tary of Nepal Students’ Union, the Kathmandu. In the 2017 parliamenta- Khatiwada, a Nepali Congress leader along with Thakur, Mahato and Ashok House. demands this time. student wing of the Nepali Congress, ry elections, he lost to CPN-UML can- said of Joshi. Rai were entrusted with the task of After the court revived his UML and “Oli seems to have realised the grav- in 1986. didate Jeewan Ram Shrestha in “When he was the industry minis- carrying out political dealings with the Maoist Centre, Oli started cultivat- ity of the situation,” said Mahato. “If Joshi was elected deputy mayor of Kathmandu. ter, he organised the first ever invest- other political parties—the UML, the ing the Janata Samajbadi Party. he addresses our demands, we will Kathmandu Metropolitan City in the He served as industry minister from ment summit in Nepal and tried to Nepali Congress and the Maoist And now the party may split if disa- extend our support with thanks. The first election of local bodies after the August 27, 2016 to September 11, 2017 attract foreign investment in Nepal. Centre. greements among leaders continue in party, however, will decide if such a restoration of democracy in 1990, in the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led gov- The way he tried to revive the sick Karna, a member of the task force, the Samajbadi Party over joining the support will be from outside or it will thereby becoming the youngest mem- ernment formed as a coalition industry in Nepal was his other com- however, said his party is hopeful that Oli government. join the government.” ber ever to hold public office from 1992 between the Communist Party of mendable job.” Haze and smoke turn Kathmandu most polluted, low visibility affects flights

>> Continued from page 1 whereas summer fires begin in March hectares of forest and 15 people were fling between the top three positions According to Deo Chandra Lal Affairs and Ministry of Forests and Sharma’s data shows there have till mid-May and occur in Tarai dis- reported dead in forest blazes, accord- competing with Beijing and Mumbai. Karna, a spokesperson for the Environment--have started working been 2,087 forest fires in 73 districts tricts and the mid-hills. ing to Sharma. While 2017 was a Zero With the Air Quality Index (AQI) Tribhuvan International Airport, the under a special programme for com- between November 15, 2020 and March “This year, however, winter fires Forest Fire Casualty Year, the threats level reaching 198 by 3:45 pm, the air disturbance started at 2 pm, forcing bating wildfires in the country. 25, 2021. started earlier. There were wildfire of wildfire and the destruction they quality level was ‘unhealthy’ for the eight domestic flights to divert and an Sharma has been tasked with lead- “The number of wildfire incidents incidents in Manang and Mustang and wreak remain. residents. At 5:45 pm, it further wors- international flight coming from Hong ing the mechanism under the Home has been unprecedented and we are other districts,” said Sharma. Besides burning valuable natural ened reaching 340, which is consid- Kong to circle the Nepali skies from Ministry for fighting wildlife inci- worried about the situation,” said “Besides, fires have been more intense resources like forest, land and wild- ered ‘hazardous’ level. 3:30 pm. dents, according to Pokhrel. Anil Pokhrel, chief executive officer and are more frequent.” life, forest fires also contribute signifi- The PM2.5, the most dangerous pol- “The visibility level on Friday after- “Such a mechanism never existed of the National Disaster Risk Nepal, which boasts an improved cantly to air pollution by generating lutant, was recorded highest at noon was not feasible for even before. We have realised that various Reduction and Management Authority. green cover, loses a significant area of haze and smog, which have a direct 171micrograms per cubic meter (µg/ Instrument Flight Rules, which allow agencies need to collaborate together,” The wildfire season in Nepal begins forests to wildfire incidents every effect on human health. m3) by 9:45 am, showed the IQ Air pilots to fly aircraft under instrument said Pokhrel. “Sharma’s experience sometime between November and year. The annual wildfire is consid- The poor air quality in Kathmandu, data. The highest AQI measurement meteorological conditions,” said will be used for dealing with wildfire December and continues until the ered the leading threat to sustaining for which fossil fuels are mostly was also recorded at 9:45 am with a Karna. events whereas the Home Ministry onset of the monsoon. Around 80 per- the country’s forests area and the bio- responsible, was further exacerbated reading of 221. Visibility improved to 1600 metres has the resources, like security forces, cent of wildfire incidents occur diversity that it preserves. by the burning forests in nearby dis- Such a level of pollution means the at 4:09 pm, allowing flights to resume. which can be mobilised. Soon, there between March and April with the last Unofficial estimates, according to tricts, topography and wind direction. air quality of Kathmandu was several A Himalaya Airlines flight from will be a dedicated action plan too for week of April as the peak. Sharma, who voluntarily compiles “Westerly wind that is blowing from times higher than the acceptable Dammam, Saudi Arabia and a Nepal overseeing wildfire incidents.” “We are yet to see the worst of wild- data on forest fires from across the west to east has brought more smoke limit, according to the WHO Air Airlines flight from New Delhi landed Following the deterioration of the fires,” said Sharma. “If the weather country, show that the country has from western districts, where wild- Quality Guideline (10µg/m3). at the airport. However, a Cathay air quality in Kathmandu Valley, doesn’t support us, then the country been losing some 200,000 hectares of fires are raging,” said Pradhanang, A three-day forecast of the weather Pacific flight from Hong Kong was which reached an unsafe level on will suffer a massive loss of forests, forest area annually since 2005. the senior meteorologist. “As the office says the weather in the coun- diverted to New Delhi, the airport Friday, the Health Ministry issued an lives and the property.” Besides, at least 106 deaths are atmosphere is stable, pollutants and try’s hilly regions will be partly authority said. advisory to the general public to Forest fire incidents were relatively reported to have been caused by wild- smoke have remained trapped inside cloudy. The country has been witness- ‘Unhealthy’ level of air quality was remain safe and avoid outdoor activi- smaller last year when the country fires since 2005, according to the data the Valley.” ing massive wildfire incidents in sev- recorded also in Butwal, Pokhara, ties. “The bad air quality in was fighting the pandemic. Reports he maintains. The worst forest fire With forests burning across the eral districts. Dhankuta, Bhaktapur on Friday after- Kathmandu is also due to forest fires also showed that forest fires had season, in terms of lives lost, in recent country, the atmosphere in hill areas, According to Pradhanang, the visi- noon. Lalitpur recorded a ‘very around Kathmandu. In Nuwakot, reduced amidst the pandemic. years was in 2009 when 49 people, including Kathmandu, has become bility level was reduced to 1,000 unhealthy’ quality of air with an AQI Rasuwa, Makwanpur and other dis- This could lead to more forest fires including 13 Nepal Army personnel, hazy, worsening the air quality in metres, whereas a minimum of 1,500 level of 270. tricts, forests have been burning in this year, according to Sharma. died in Ramechhap district while Kathmandu. metres is required for regular flight “Dust particles had been in the the Tarai and mid-hills,” said Sharma. “The forest fire fuels are dry and fighting a wildfire. IQ Air, a Swiss air quality technolo- operations. atmosphere. There is smoke as well,” “We are looking up to the weather have accumulated this year, which can Meanwhile, some 268,618 hectares gy company that provides real-time The hazy weather has already said Pradhanang. “Only if there were for the rescue. Fire incidents will peak result in more fire incidents in the of forest cover across the country worldwide air quality data, showed affected flights operating from the rain would the dust particles settle around April 25. The number of fires coming weeks,” said Sharma. were lost to fires during the months of that Kathmandu became the most pol- Tribhuvan International Airport, down.” is already crossing the 400 mark. We Winter fire begins from mid-Novem- January-May in 2016. luted city in the world on Friday after- which was closed on Friday from 2:10 According to Pokhrel, three agen- can’t imagine what will happen at the ber, mostly in the mountain region In 2016, Nepal lost nearly 1.3 million noon. The capital city kept on shuf- pm due to haze and smoke. cies--the authority, Ministry of Home peak time.”

C M Y K 03 | SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 NATIONAL Only 217 migrant workers availed of government’s pandemic repatriation scheme Poor implementation of the programme led to low numbers, labour rights experts say.

CHANDAN KUMAR MANDAL support, a large number of workers KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 returned home at their own expense. Many had to take loans to fund for Only a small number of Nepali expensive chartered flight tickets. migrant workers who were stranded But officials at the Foreign in various parts of the world due to Employment Board claim that it the Covid-19 lockdowns availed of the looks like fewer people benefitted government’s pandemic repatriation from the government’s repatriation programme, data of the Foreign programme because many of them Employment Board show. returned home on flights, the fare for According to the data, only 217 which were paid by their employers. workers were able to benefit from the “The directive said that employers programme and return home from would be made accountable for paying various labour destination countries. the airfare of migrant workers. “The rescued migrant workers were With the initiatives of Nepal-based provided with flight tickets and other recruiting agencies and Nepali support for their safe return home missions, a large number of workers amid the pandemic,” said Din Bandhu who had returned during that time Subedi, spokesperson of the board. had got free tickets from their “The workers facing trouble in vari- POST FILE PHOTO employers,” said Subedi, the spokes- ous labour destination countries were Most of the migrant workers have returned person of the board. POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI provided assistance through the home at their own expense. He added many more workers A man helps a motorcyclist cross a road section dug up for a pipeline installation project at Halchowk, Kathmandu on Friday. Nepali missions in respective would have returned on flight tickets countries.” financial assistance to other 186 paid by their employers had the After tens of thousands of Nepali migrant workers who were placed in international flights not been migrant workers were stranded in holding centres upon arrival. suspended for several months. various labour destination countries Earlier, the Foreign Employment As per the repatriation guidelines, amid the pandemic, the Supreme Board had estimated to support only those workers who haven’t BRIEFING Nepal issues first Everest Court had asked the government to around 10,000 Nepali workers by allo- received air tickets and other repatriate them at its own expense. cating Rs750 million for their repatria- expenses from their host countries, Following the court’s order, the gov- tion. But against the estimate, the employers, or recruiting agencies to Province 1 Chief Minister Rai ernment had introduced a directive on government could only extend sup- return home would be entitled to reshuffles Cabinet climbing permit after a year repatriation of stranded workers who port to only a fraction of workers financial support from the Nepal gov- had migrated to various countries for who returned home after months of ernment. MORANG: Chief Minister of Province 1 jobs after receiving labour permits. struggle for basic needs in foreign The complicated provisions in the Sherdhan Rai has reshuffled the A 16-member team from the Bahrain Defence Force has As per the directive, the govern- countries. repatriation guidelines, which Cabinet. The chief minister ment could use the foreign employ- Advocate Shom Prasad Luitel, one could take a long time in checking the appointed Tanka Angbohang as been issued with the permit to climb the mountain. ment welfare fund to repatriate the of the petitioners who moved the eligibility of workers, had been financial affairs and planning minis- workers. Supreme Court seeking repatriation criticised for only adding hassles to ter; Ram Bahadur Magar as land POST REPORT But they landed into controversy But the number of workers repatri- of stranded Nepali citizens due to the stranded workers who were planning management, agriculture and cooper- KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 after it was found that the vaccine ated under the programme was far pandemic, said not many people to return home on government ative minister; Ushakala Rai as social they brought was without approval fewer than anticipated. could take advantage of the support. development minister; and Ambir Nepal on Friday issued a climbing from Nepal’s drug regulator. As many as 500,000 workers were repatriation programme because the Labour rights activists like Luitel Babu Gurung as physical infrastruc- permit for a Bahrain military expedi- Al Khalifa declined to comment on expected to return home after losing government’s directive was poorly say there should not have been any ture development minister. Similarly, tion to climb the 8,848.86 metre Mount the issue. their jobs due to the pandemic. As of implemented. conditions when it comes to helping Kala Ghale and Raj Kumar Ojha have Everest, the first group to be allowed He, however, said that the team was Wednesday, over 356,107 Nepalis, “The government agencies, mainly the citizens languishing in foreign been appointed as state ministers. in a year as the world’s tallest peak excited to climb the world’s tallest including migrant workers, have the Nepali missions abroad, did not countries. The newly appointed ministers reopens after being closed due to the peak which they had dreamt of for returned home on chartered and regu- show any intention of implementing “As the board was reluctant to took the oath of office and secrecy coronavirus pandemic. months. lar flights. The majority of them the directive that was aimed at spend the fund on bringing on Friday. Mira Acharya, director of the The Bahrain prince had successful- returned home at their own expense. helping the Nepali migrant workers,” migrant workers home, criteria were Department of Tourism, the govern- ly climbed Lobuche (6,119 meters) and According to the Foreign said Luitel. “Even the board was defined for providing the support and ment agency responsible for issuing Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain Employment Board, nearly Rs24.8 mil- hesitant to help the workers from the hence the directive looked rigid,” said Local unit closes office after the climbing permits, said that a in the world at 8,163 metres, in October lion budget was spent on repatriating beginning.” Luitel. “The directive could have been surge in Covid-19 cases 16-member team from the Bahrain 2020 as part of their preparations to Nepali migrant workers. An addition- Due to the long-wait for flights and amended anytime to help the migrant POKHARA: Machhapuchchhre Rural Defence Force was issued with the climb Everest. al Rs 197,100 was spent on providing hassles in accessing the government workers.” Municipality in Kaski district has permit on Friday, after they completed “Now, we are ready to climb decided to close its office for six days the 7-day quarantine requirement. Everest,” Al Khalifa told the Post. starting from Friday as the local unit The mandatory seven-day quaran- “Climbing Everest and raising the witnessed an increase in the number tine requirement for visitors, howev- Bahraini flag on the highest point of of Covid-19 cases. According to er, has been lifted, effective from the earth is an honour to my country.” Karna Bahadur Gurung, chairman Thursday. “We understand it will be extremely of the local unit, 16 people tested The expedition of the royal guard difficult. People die on this mountain. positive for the coronavirus recently. of Bahrain is led by Prince Mohamed We are not taking it easy,” he said. “We Meanwhile, the Gandaki province Hamad Mohamed Al Khalifa. The are confident to reach the top.” government has also decided to take team is scheduled to head to the The royal team has hired 42 Sherpas coronavirus-infected people from Everest base camp from Kathmandu to help in the expedition. “Sherpas are all 11 districts of the province to next week. really strong. We cannot imagine Pokhara for treatment. The Tropical The team arrived in Nepal on March climbing without them,” said Al and Infectious Disease Hospital 15, with about 2,000 doses of the coro- Khalifa. in Pokhara will be used for the navirus vaccine, meant for the resi- Jabal ad Dukhan is the highest treatment of Covid-19 patients. dents of Samagaun, a village in point in Bahrain. It is 440 ft (134 m) Gorkha district. high from the sea level. Valley’s educational institutions in a fix over Covid-19 advisory Schools say the rule advising against holding gatherings will be impossible to implement while conducting in-person classes.

ANUP OJHA no infection outbreak. Thapa, office in charge of St Xavier’s KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 Public health experts have been School, Jawalakhel. saying that educational institutions The school has yet to resume the in Educational institutions in are at high risk of virus transmission. person classes for its primary level Kathmandu Valley are in a fix after School operators in the Valley students. Thapa said they were the government issued a circular say they are more confused about the planning to start the classes from advising the public to avoid crowds present situation than they were next week, but with the latest and strictly observe health and safety earlier when the pandemic had just development, they have been forced to protocols for Covid-19. started. reconsider their plan. Schools and colleges across the “We have less than three months to The school has 2,200 students and it country have already started conduct Secondary Education has been running classes in morning in-person classes permission to Examination (SEE), and the classes and day shifts in an effort to reduce reopen in the second week of January. have not been going on smoothly,” the infection risk. But now there has been a surge in said Ganesh Chand, principal of When the Post contacted some local the number of infections in Gandhi Adarsha Higher Secondary bodies and inquired about their plans neighbouring India, forcing the School at Kadaghari. for running the educational authorities there to issue lockdown Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic institutions safely, most of them said orders in some of the towns. Cases and the lockdown, the government they had none. are also rising in Nepal, causing an had decided to cancel last year’s They said they have circulated the alarm. SEE and grant marks for the tenth Education Ministry’s notice to schools On Thursday, the Ministry of grade finals based on internal evalua- and colleges. Education, Science and Technology tion of students conducted by their “We have sent notice to all issued a notice asking all educational schools. 640 private and 92 community schools institutions to follow the health and Gandhi Adarsha Higher Secondary to strictly follow health protocols in safety protocols like the use of wear- School school, which has 1,350 stu- their school,” said Ram Thapa, chief ing masks and sanitiser to contain the dents, closed for nine months before of the Education Department of coronavirus spread. It also asked resuming the in-person classes in Kathmandu Metropolitan City. schools and colleges not to organise January. Public health experts say the local gatherings or functions. “If the infection numbers increase governments should play a proactive Schools and colleges do not know again then we will be forced to shut role in monitoring schools and what to make of the ministry’s state- down again. We cannot rely on online colleges. ment. It is impossible to implement classes because most of the students Dr Sher Bahadur Pun, chief of the “no gathering” rule while conduct- don’t have the resources to access Clinical Research Unit at Sukraraj ing in-person classes, according to them,” Chand said. “We had run Tropical and Infectious Disease teachers. online classes for 300 students during Hospital said the local authorities that “Even following the health and safe- the lockdown and hardly 80 students gave permission to reopen ty protocols could get difficult, par- had attended them.” the educational institutions should ticularly for primary level students,” Some private schools in the Valley, make sure that every school is said Shiva Hari Adhikari, principal of meanwhile, are already considering following the health and safety proto- Sanskrit School, which conducts its conducting online classes if the infec- cols for Covid-19. classes at Durbar High School. tion numbers continue to rise. “School operators should also The school cancelled its picnic pro- “We have been following the pre- be mindful about keeping the gramme planned for Friday, but the scribed health and safety protocols at children safe. They should make the teachers are not sure how they will go our school, but if the situation necessary arrangements at schools about running the regular classes becomes severe, we could go back to considering what is now the while also making sure that there is running online classes,” said Niraj ‘new normal’,” said Pun.

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 | 04 WORLD BRIEFING India’s Prime Minister Modi visits Russia says India tells vaccine buyers it has it is seeking to to prioritise local needs NEW DELHI: India, the world’s biggest Bangladesh, sparking violent protests strengthen military vaccine maker, said on Friday it would make domestic Covid-19 inocu- lations a priority as infections surge Modi’s trip is mainly focused on Bangladesh’s anniversary celebrations, the visit also has a political agenda at home. ties with Myanmar and had told international buyers of REUTERS its decision. Reports that India will ASSOCIATED PRESS MOSCOW, MARCH 26 delay deliveries of AstraZeneca’s vac- DHAKA, MARCH 26 cine to a global programme to inocu- Russia wants to strengthen military late poorer countries triggered alarm Indian Prime Minister Narendra ties with Myanmar, its state media on Thursday, with the head of Modi arrived on Friday in reported on Friday, after a meeting Africa’s disease control agency Bangladesh’s capital to join celebra- between top defence officials describing the continent as “help- tions marking 50 years of the coun- and a junta condemned by Western less”. India has exported 60.5 million try’s independence. countries for killing hundreds of civil- doses, more than the number of inoc- His visit sparked violent protests at ian protesters. ulations at home, and says there is no Dhaka’s main mosque that were dis- Russia’s deputy defence minister, outright ban on exports. “In the com- persed by police using tear gas and Alexander Fomin, met in the capital ing weeks and months ... there will be rubber bullets—injuring scores of Naypyitaw on Friday with junta lead- a demand spike and obviously people people—after clashes broke out er Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, are preparing for it,” Subrahmanyam between groups of demonstrators, who seized power in a February 1 coup Jaishankar told the Times Network’s officials and witnesses said. that triggered weeks of nationwide India Economic Enclave. Critics accuse Modi’s Hindu- protests and a lethal response by secu- nationalist party of stoking religious rity forces. polarisation in India and discriminat- Fomin said Myanmar was a reliable China sanctions UK entities, ing against minorities, particularly ally and strategic partner of Russia in individuals for Xinjiang ‘lies’ Muslims. Asia, state-run TASS said, during a BEIJING: China sanctioned British Modi’s two-day visit, his first visit that came a day ahead of a big organisations and individuals on abroad since the coronavirus pandem- parade to mark Myanmar’s Armed Friday over what it called “lies and ic began last year, will include com- Forces Day, the military’s most pres- disinformation” about Xinjiang, days memorating 100 years since the tigious event. In a video shown on the after Britain imposed sanctions for birth of Bangladeshi independence Russian Defence Ministry’s Zvezda human rights abuses in the western leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the TV, Fomin is seen shaking hands and Chinese region. Britain’s government father of current Prime Minister receiving a medal and a ceremonial condemned the move as an attempt Sheikh Hasina. sword from Min Aung Hlaing in a by Beijing to stifle criticism, with Hasina, a key partner for India in meeting room full of military officers Prime Minister Boris Johnson saying maintaining regional stability, wel- in green uniforms. he stood in solidarity with those comed Modi at Hazrat Shahjalal AP/RSS “You, distinguished Senior General, affected. The Chinese foreign minis- International Airport in Dhaka on Two factions of protesters clash after Friday prayers at Baitul Mokarram mosque in Dhaka. Witnesses said violent clashes broke out after one took part in our parade last year, our try said in a statement it had sanc- Friday morning. faction began waving their shoes as a sign of disrespect to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and another group tried to stop them. parade commemorating the 75th anni- tioned four entities and nine individ- By Friday afternoon, hundreds of versary of victory in the Great uals, including lawmakers such as protesters had gathered outside the mosque after trying to flee when vio- Matua community back in West Modi was chief minister in the Patriotic War,” TASS quoted Fomin as former Conservative Party leader Baitul Mokarram mosque. Witnesses lence erupted during the prayer. Bengal. The Matua sect’s vote is western state of Gujarat in 2002 when telling the junta leader, referring to Iain Duncan Smith and the said violent clashes broke out after “I had a feeling that something was expected to determine the winner of Hindu-Muslim riots left more than World War Two. Conservative Party Human Rights one faction of protesters began wav- going to happen. I am still inside the at least seven seats in a close race for 1,000 people dead. Allegations that “And this visit of ours—it’s a Commission, that “maliciously ing their shoes as a sign of disrespect mosque,” he said by phone. “There is control of the state assembly. authorities allowed and even encour- response to yours.” spread lies and disinformation”. to Modi, and another group tried to huge violence, I can see from here.” Modi, in a tweet late Thursday aged the bloodshed have long followed The visit is the firmest sign yet of stop them. A police official said members of ahead of his trip, said the two coun- Modi, who has repeatedly denied hav- Russia’s support for the new military Local media said the protesters several Islamist groups had joined the tries share a vital relationship. ing any role. India’s Supreme Court rulers in Myanmar, amid outrage in Tornado outbreak rips across who tried to stop the shoe-waving protests, but it was not immediately “Our partnership with Bangladesh has said it found no evidence to prose- the West and deep concern among its are aligned with the ruling Awami clear which groups they were repre- is an important pillar of our cute him. Asian neighbours, some of which Deep South; at least 5 dead League party. The party criticised the senting. The official spoke on condi- Neighbourhood First policy, and we The protesters also criticized have condemned the violence against ALABAMA: Tornadoes and severe other protest faction for attempting to tion of anonymity in line with regula- are committed to further deepen and Hasina for inviting Modi, saying the civilians and urged the restoration of storms have torn through the Deep create chaos in the country during tions. He declined to give any figures diversify it. We will continue to sup- two countries have many unresolved Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected govern- South, killing at least five people as Modi’s visit. for how many people were injured. port Bangladesh’s remarkable devel- disputes. The protesters accuse Modi ment. The United States, Britain, strong winds splintered trees, Local TV showed protesters throw- While Modi’s trip is mainly focused opment journey, under Prime Minister and his Hindu-nationalist party of Australia and the European Union wrecked homes and downed power ing stones at the police, who were on Bangladesh’s anniversary celebra- Sheikh Hasina’s dynamic leadership,” discriminating against Muslims, such have imposed sanctions on the ruling lines. The tornado outbreak rolled heavily present on the streets near the tions, the visit also has a political he said. as a controversial 2019 amendment to military council and the army’s vast into western Georgia early Friday. mosque. Somoy TV reported that at agenda at home, as voting begins In recent weeks, demonstrators the citizenship law. network of businesses. Meteorologists said one large, danger- least 40 people were injured, including Saturday in several state-level elec- have urged the Indian leader not to They’ve also criticised the killings Defence ties between Russia and ous tornado moved through Newnan journalists, and were taken to the tions, including West Bengal, which come to Bangladesh and chanted of Bangladeshis by Indian border Myanmar have grown in recent years and surrounding communities in the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for borders Bangladesh. anti-India and anti-Modi slogans. guards. with Moscow providing army training Atlanta metro area. A day earlier, a treatment. With an eye on galvanising Hindu Student protesters called Modi “the India says such casualties happen and university scholarships, as well as sheriff in eastern Alabama said a tor- Abdul Mazid, a businessman who support in the key battleground state, butcher of Gujarat.” Others carried when Bangladeshis are involved in selling arms to a military blacklisted nado cut a diagonal line in his county, joined the prayer, told The Associated Modi is set to visit a Hindu temple signs reading “Go Back Modi, Go Back cross-border smuggling and attempt by several Western countries for striking mostly rural areas. (AGENCIES) Press that he was trapped in the outside Dhaka that’s sacred to the India,” and “Go Back Killer Modi.” to cross the border illegally. alleged atrocities against civilians.

Sticky bombs Men forced to rape family latest weapon in members in Ethiopia’s Afghanistan’s arsenal of war Tigray, UN says ASSOCIATED PRESS KABUL, MARCH 26

Sticky bombs slapped onto cars trapped in Kabul’s chaotic traffic are the newest weapons terrorizing Afghans in the increasingly lawless nation, as Washington searches for a responsible exit after decades of war. The primitive devices, sometimes made in mechanics’ workshops for lit- tle money, are used by militants, criminals or those trying to settle per- sonal scores. Over the past year, one or more cars have been exploding in Kabul almost every day and residents are terrified. Kabul, a city traumatised by war, has been the scene of many suicide bombings and shooting attacks. But the heavy use of sticky bombs is rela- REUTERS tively new, said former interior minis- An Ethiopian woman who fled the fighting in Tigray, carries her child near Setit River on the ter Masoud Andarabi. “What is new is Sudan-Ethiopia border in Hamdayet of eastern Kassala state, Sudan on November 22, 2020. that they [attackers] have created a simple model,” he said, noting that REUTERS crops during the conflict. sticky bombs are easy to make for NEW YORK, MARCH 26 Eritrea’s Information Minister about $25 and easy to carry. Yemane Gebremeskel, responding in Some victims are targeted, while More than 500 rape cases have been general terms to the UN briefing, said others appear to have been chosen at reported to five clinics in Ethiopia’s on Friday that sexual violence and random, with the aim of terrorising Tigray region, the United Nations said rape “are an abomination to Eritrean an entire population, Andarabi said. on Thursday, warning that the actual society” and should be harshly pun- One motive appears to be to under- numbers might be far higher. ished if they occurred. mine faith in peace efforts among “Women say they have been raped Eritrea has repeatedly denied its ordinary Afghans, with the Taliban by armed actors, they also told stories troops were in Tigray, although and the government blaming each of gang rape, rape in front of family Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy other for the chaos. members and men being forced to Ahmed on Tuesday acknowledged The campaign has had an impact, rape their own family members under Eritrean troops were present in leaving motorists navigating Kabul’s the threat of violence,” Wafaa Said, the region. chaotic traffic wondering if the near- deputy UN aid coordinator in A dozen top U.N. officials called on by car might explode, or whether a Ethiopia, said in a briefing to UN Monday for an end to indiscriminate beggar weaving through the traffic member states in New York. and targeted attacks against civilians might be carrying a sticky bomb. She said at least 516 rape cases had in Tigray, particularly calling out Typically, sticky bombs consist of been reported by five medical facili- reports of rape and “other horrific explosives packed in a small box, a ties in Mekelle, Adigrat, Wukro, Shire forms of sexual violence.” magnet attached to the box and a and Axum. Fighting in Tigray broke out in mobile phone. The bomb-maker pro- “Given the fact that most health November between government grams a number into the phone num- facilities are not functioning and also troops and the region’s former ruling ber and dials it, with the last digit set- the stigma associated with rape, it is party, the Tigray People’s Liberation ting off the blast once he is clear of projected that actual numbers are Front. the targeted car. much higher,” she added. The violence in Tigray has killed Tactics vary, say security forces. Ethiopia’s UN ambassador, Taye thousands of people and forced Occasionally, a small child begging for Atskeselassie Amde, told Reuters his hundreds of thousands from their money will be used to distract the government took the allegations of homes in the mountainous region of driver, while the bomber sticks the sexual violence “very seriously” and about 5 million. small box under the wheel well. A new had deployed a fact-finding mission. The United Nations has raised con- ruse is to drop the sticky bomb from “Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance poli- cerns about atrocities, while US inside a hole cut near the gearshift of cy for sexual crimes and anyone found Secretary of State Antony Blinken the attacker’s vehicle as the target responsible for the despicable acts will has described acts carried out as eth- vehicle approaches from behind. be held accountable to the fullest nic cleansing. Ethiopia rejected When the target is over the small extent of the law,” he said. Blinken’s allegation. bomb it is detonated. Dozens of witnesses in Tigray Abiy on Tuesday acknowledged for In January, a mechanic was arrest- have told Reuters that soldiers from the first time that atrocities such as ed in Kabul. Abdul Sami, 30, was neighbouring Eritrea routinely killed rape had been committed and said accused of putting sticky bombs civilians, gang-raped and tortured any soldiers committing crimes would inside newly repaired vehicles. women and looted households and be punished.

C M Y K 05 | SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 MONEY Broadband internet users up by Cases filed against nine firms for 10 percentage points in one year dodging nearly Rs3 billion in taxes Nepalis went online en masse after being forced to stay indoors due to the pandemic. Four of these firms, with involvement of the same person, were found to be selling goods that they had not procured legally. The racket involves purchase of fake VAT bills. KRISHANA PRASAIN KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 POST REPORT charges of evading tax of Rs408.79 proprietor of the Vision Enterprises KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 million. The total amount of tax eva- and its bank account operator—Nasib The number of broadband internet sion was determined combining both Kumar Jha; Suresh Sahani Mahala, users in Nepal rose by 10.63 percent- The Department of Revenue income tax and value added tax eva- proprietor of Guru Ganesh Import age points in the past year as Nepalis Investigation filed cases against the sion by using fake VAT bills. and Export and its bank account oper- went online en masse after being owners of nine firms at High Court, “Kishori Yadav is the main designer ator—Ram Prasad Mahato; and forced to stay indoors by the Covid-19 Patan on Thursday and Friday for of these firms,” said Ram Prasad Bhupendra Karki, proprietor of NIC pandemic. dodging taxes by using the fake value Acharya, director general of the Traders and its bank account opera- Broadband subscriptions are added tax bills of nearly Rs3 billion. department. “These firms have been tor—Gopal Prasad Bhattarai face tax expected to swell at a faster rate in the The department said in two sepa- found to have sold the goods using evasion charges. coming days as almost everything is rate statements that it filed cases fake VAT bills but not those that they The department had started the moving to the internet, said the latest against owners of the four enterprises had purchased authentically.” investigation into the fake VAT bill management information system promoted by a single person in collab- On Friday, the cases were filed scandal in early 2019 after a number (MIS) report released by the Nepal oration of different groups on against the promoters and operators of firms were found to be involved in Telecommunications Authority. Thursday for evading tax amounting of bank accounts of the firms—Om doging tax by using such bills. Broadband penetration expanded to Rs2.17 billion. According to the Sriram Enterprises, Nepal Trade According to Acharya, over 200 from 72.16 percent of the population in department, it is one of the largest Concern, the Vision Enterprises, firms have been found to have sold mid-January 2020 to 82.79 percent in fake VAT bill cases involving a Guru Ganesh Import and Export and fake VAT bills worth around Rs27 bil- mid-Jan 2021, according to the report. SHUTTERSTOCK single person. NIC Traders. lion in the last fiscal year 2019-20 and Min Prasad Aryal, director of the People are using the internet for education, health and services and using it to access video Likewise, the department on Friday Birendra Ram Chamar Hajara, pro- this fiscal year. regulatory body, said the growth was a sharing services like TikTok and social media platforms for recreation and communication. filed the cases against the owners of prietor of Om Sriram Enterprises; “We have filed cases against most result of the initiatives launched by five enterprises for dodging tax Mahesh Hajara, proprietor of Nepal of the firms that had sold such bills,” the government to promote informa- Nepal Telecom had 10.56 million Nepal occupies the 114th position with amounting to Rs560.94 million. Trade Concern; Durgesh Kumar Jha, he said. “We are now focussing tion technology for socioeconomic internet subscribers as of mid-Janu- 25.42 Mbps download and 23.90 Mbps On Thursday, cases were filed investigation on those who had pro- growth like the information commu- ary 2020 which increased to 12.51 mil- upload speeds compared to the global against the promoters of ONS cured such bills and used them to nication and technology policy, broad- lion in mid-January 2021. average of 97.52 Mbps download speed Enterprises, Renu Trade Enterprises, The department evade taxes.” band policy and Digital Nepal policy. During the same period, Ncell saw and 51.79 Mbps upload speed. Rupam Trade Concern and Arju According to him, the department He added that the authority had prior- the number of internet subscribers Nepal plans to roll out 5G mobile International, all promoted by a group started investigating has been investigating around 1,500 itised expanding broadband coverage dip from 6.66 million to 6.65 million. internet by mid-July as it races to represented by Kishori Yadav for sell- firms that had procured such bills. accordingly. The number of Smart Telecom become the first country in South Asia ing goods that they hadn’t procured the fake VAT bill Similar investigation launched in 2010 The government seeks to make internet subscribers rose to 257,453 to offer super fast connectivity. using the fake VAT bills. Whatever had exposed the use of fake VAT bills greater use of the internet to improve from 219,708 in one year. The Radio Frequency Policy goods that they had imported, were scandal in early 2019. by a number of firms promoted by governance and provide faster service According to Aryal, international Determination Committee under the not sold, according to the department. reputed businessmen. to the citizens, Aryal said. internet consumption has reached 780 Ministry of Communication and Yadav, a resident of Kalyanpur Broadband coverage in rural areas Gbps (Gigabits per second) while local Information Technology has decided Municipality-11, Siraha has been stay- is being extended by utilising the consumption is three times that. to conduct a 5G trial for telecommuni- ing in Imadol, Lalitpur. rural telecommunication develop- International internet consumption cation service providers. The govern- Yadav is a director of the firm ONS ment fund and service providers are was around 500 Gbps a year ago. ment has said that no charges should Enterprises while Pramila Devi Yadav expanding their service in different With the growth in demand, both be collected from customers during is the proprietor. The bank account is, places. international and local bandwidth the trial phase. however, in the name of Bishal Aryal admitted that 4G service was consumption has increased, he added. The authority is preparing the Agrawal. They have been charged of not operating properly even in major According to the report, mobile terms and conditions for the test, dodging tax amounting to Rs766.78 cities. “We are allocating additional broadband subscription had increased Aryal said. “Once the terms and con- million. frequency for 4G to resolve the prob- to 60.34 percent of the population as of ditions are prepared, Nepal Telecom Yadav is also the director of Renu lem,” he told the Post. Internet service mid-January 2021 from 55.30 percent will be permitted to conduct a 5G trial Enterprises whose proprietor is Renu providers also need to update their last year. Fixed broadband subscrip- test,” he said. “The company needs to Kumari. Binaya Lihala Agrawal, networks, he added. tion also increased to 21.68 percent of submit a report after the trial test another person is also involved in this People are using the internet for the population from 16.10 percent. before launching commercial usage.” firm, according to the department. education, health and services besides Nepal’s population is estimated to be The number of internet subscribers All three have been charged of using it to connect to video sharing 29.87 million, according to the Central increased steeply after the govern- evading tax amounting to Rs506 mil- services like TikTok and other social Bureau of Statistics. ment imposed a lockdown to control lion by selling the goods that the firm media platforms for recreation and Speedtest Global Index Ookla has the spread of the coronavirus a year had not purchased by using the fake communication. ranked Nepal in the 96th position ago. Internet consumption rose sharp- VAT bills. “As a result of the convergence worldwide in terms of mobile data ly as people were confined to their Kishori Yadav along with Agrawal trend, people are receiving varied ser- speed, with a download speed of 21.28 homes and had to work remotely, take are also involved in Rupam Trade vices from a single platform, and the Mbps and upload speed of 13.07 Mbps. online classes, attend online meetings Concern while Umesh Kumar Singh is number of internet users has The global average is 46.94 Mbps or webinars and spend their leisure their partner. All three face charges of increased with more people turning to download and 12.49 Mbps upload. time watching movies on the web or dodging tax of Rs491.86 billion by the streaming television,” he added. Nepal had ranked 127th a year ago browsing social sites. firm. As of mid-January 2021, the total in February 2020 with 12.74 Mbps The number of online shoppers and Similarly, Murti Devi Singh is the number of broadband subscribers in download and 8.30 Mbps upload digital payers also jumped amid the proprietor of Arju International and SHUTTERSTOCK Nepal had reached 24.73 million, up speeds. pandemic due to the need for contact- Yadav and Agrawal are also involved Over 200 firms have been found to have sold fake VAT bills worth Rs27 billion in the last fiscal from 21.29 million a year ago. With regard to fixed broadband, less shopping and transactions. with the firm. All three of them face year 2019-20 and this fiscal year, according to the Department of Revenue Investigation.

FOREX Race to dislodge Suez blockage as shipping rates surge US Dollar 116.32

Euro 137.18 REUTERS Rising demand for Atlantic Basin on energy markets is likely to be miti- Pound Sterling 160.35 CAIRO, MARCH 26 crude within Europe will also increase gated by demand for crude oil and liq- the use of these smaller tankers and uefied natural gas (LNG) being in the Japanese Yen 10.62 The Suez Canal stepped up efforts on support freight rates, it added. The low season, analysts said. Chinese Yuan 17.79 Friday to free a giant container ship cost of shipping clean products, such Several LNG tankers have been blocking the vital trade waterway that as gasoline and diesel, from the diverted, one Singapore-based ship- Qatari Riyal 31.76 has sent shipping rates for oil product Russian port of Tuapse on the Black broker said, adding that sentiment for Australian Dollar 88.59 tankers soaring and disrupted the Sea to southern France increased LNG tanker rates are more positive global supply chains for everything from $1.49 per barrel on March 22 to following the incident. Malaysian Ringit 28.05 from grains to baby clothes.Shipping $2.58 a barrel on March 25, a 73 per- He added that some European buy- rates for oil product tankers have cent increase, according to Refinitiv. ers anticipating delays of LNG from Saudi Arab Riyal 31.02 nearly doubled after the 400 metre (430 The shipping index benchmark for Qatar may be considering other Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank yard) long Ever Given, almost as long LR2 vessels from the Middle East to options such as buying in the spot as the Empire State Building is high, Japan, also known as TC1, had climbed market. ran aground in the canal on Tuesday. to 137.5 worldscale points as of early Still, with demand for LNG being in BULLION PRICE PER TOLA Efforts to free the vessel may take Friday, compared with 100 worldscale the low season, the impact may be weeks and be complicated by unstable points last week, said Anoop Jayaraj, minimal, analysts said. Fine Gold Rs 86,300 weather conditions, threatening cost- clean tanker broker at Fearnleys If the blockage lasts for two weeks, ly delays for companies already navi- Singapore. about one million tonnes of LNG gating Covid-19 restrictions. Similarly, the index for freight rates could be delayed for delivery to Silver Rs 1,230 Shoei Kisen, its Japanese owner, REUTERS for Long-Range 1 (LR1) vessels on the Europe, Rystad Energy’s head of gas denied a news report that it aimed to Stranded container ship Ever Given, one of the world’s largest container ships, is seen after it same route, known as TC5, stood at 130 and power markets Carlos Torres Diaz SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA dislodge it by Saturday night, saying ran aground, in Suez Canal, Egypt. worldscale points on Friday, up from said in a note on Thursday. refloating efforts were ongoing. 125 at the end of last week. Worldscale Meanwhile, oil traders told Reuters The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) impact on smaller tankers and oil data on Refinitiv showed. is an industry tool used to calculate they are adopting a wait-and-see GASOLINE WATCH said that tugging efforts to free the products, like naphtha and fuel oil About two dozen ships could be freight rates. approach to see if a higher tide due on ship would resume as soon as dredg- exports from Europe to Asia, if the sighted from the shores of Port Said The impact of the shipping delays Sunday would help. ing operations at its bow to remove canal remained shut for weeks. on Friday morning, 20,000 cubic metres of sand are “Around 20 percent of Asia’s naph- according to a Reuters wit- complete. tha is supplied by the Mediterranean ness, as the backlog built “In addition to the dredgers already and Black Sea via the Suez Canal,” up along the Egyptian on site a specialised suction dredger said Sri Paravaikkarasu, director for coast. is now with the vessel and will Asia oil at FGE, adding that re-routing “Aframax and Suezmax shortly begin work. This dredger can ships around the Cape of Good Hope rates in the Mediterranean shift 2,000 cubic metres of material could pile about two more weeks to the have also reacted first as every hour,” said Bernhard Schulte voyage and more than 800 tonnes of the market starts to price Shipmanagement, the Ever Given’s fuel consumption for Suezmax tank- in fewer vessels being technical manager. ers. Fuel is a ship’s single biggest cost, available in the region,” The SCA said it welcomed a US offer representing up to 60 percent of oper- shipbroker Braemar ACM to help. Turkey also said it can send a ating expenses. Shipbroking said. vessel to the canal, amid a recent push By contrast, an already weak Asian At least four Long-Range by Ankara to repair its strained ties gasoil, or diesel, market is also being 2 tankers that might have with Egypt after years of animosity. made worse by the blockage since been headed towards Suez The suspension of traffic through Asia exports the fuel to markets in the from the Atlantic basin are the narrow channel linking Europe west, like Europe, of which more than now likely to be evaluating and Asia has deepened problems for 60 percent flowed via the chocked a passage around the Cape shipping lines that were already fac- Canal in 2020, according to FGE. of Good Hope, Braemar ing disruption and delays in supplying More than 30 oil tankers have been ACM said. Each LR-2 tank- retail goods to consumers. waiting at either side of the canal to er can carry around 75,000 Analysts expect a larger upward pass through since Tuesday, shipping tonnes of oil. ladfn]v x/fof] oxL ldlt @)&&.)@.)# ut]sf Thailand relaxes visitor quarantine rule lbg a'9f}nLaf6 k;f{ ahf/ hfFb} ubf{ tn pNn]lvt gDa/ / 7]ufgf ePsf] REUTERS ing to secure vaccines for its population nfOkm OG;f]/]G; skf]{/]zg -g]kfn_ BANGKOK, MARCH 26 and reopen the country to foreigners in a lnld6]8sf] ladfn]v x/fPsf] x'Fbf pilot project for vaccine passports. km]nf kfg'{x'g] dxfg'efjx¿n] glhs}sf] Thai authorities on Friday agreed to allow “If we can inoculate 50 percent to 60 per- k|x/L rf}sL jf tn pNn]lvt gDa/df foreigners inoculated against the coronavi- cent of the population we can open the ;Dks{ u/L ;xof]u ul/lbg'x'g rus to travel to its biggest holiday island country safely and move the economy and cg/f]w/ ub{5' . without undergoing quarantine, and tourism forward,” senior health official gfd M s'df/ atf}{nf announced a new order for five million Kiattiphum Wongraijit said. ladfn]v gDa/ M !)))$$!)* more doses of AstraZeneca’s vaccine. Its main vaccination drive is expected to kmf]g gDa/ M (*$%)*()^! With arrival numbers plummeting this start in June, with the goal of immunising past year, tourism-reliant Thailand is rac- half of its population by year-end. 7]ufgf M v}/xgL–!@, lrtjg

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 | 06 SPORTS | MEDLEY Tricky situation awaits Nepal Germany, Sukra Rai wins Dharan England make Open Golf Tournament as they face Bangladesh wining start REUTERS The hosts must win, draw or lose by a single goal margin to advance into the final. LONDON, MARCH 26

Former champions Germany, England and Italy got off to winning starts in their World Cup qualifying campaigns on Thursday but Spain were held to a 1-1 home draw by Greece. Four-times winners Germany enjoyed a 3-0 win over Group J rivals Iceland in Duisburg thanks to goals from Leon Goretzka, Kai Havertz and Ilkay Gundogan. Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored twice and Ollie Watkins marked his debut with a goal as England crushed San Marino 5-0 at Wembley. San Marino, who have never won a com- petitive game, held out for 13 minutes PHOTO COURTESY: NPGA before James Ward-Prowse opened his Sukra Bahadur Rai (left) receives trophy and winner’s cheque from Dharan Sub-metropolitan England account with a smart finish City Deputy Mayor Manju Subedi Bhandari after winning the Dharan Open Golf Tournament. and Calvert-Lewin made it 2-0 with a header. Raheem Sterling made it 3-0 SPORTS BUREAU (75) were eighth with scores of six- just after the half-hour mark at which DHARAN, MARCH 26 over 216 each. They got Rs22,000 each. point it seemed England might run Dinesh Prajapati finished last scoring riot. But San Marino’s mostly part- Local pro Sukra Bahadur Rai won the seven-over 217. He carded two-over 72 time players dug deep with Calvert- Dharan Open Golf Tournament, the and took home Rs19,000. Lewin’s second goal the only addition second event under the Surya Nepal Yubraj Bhujel won the amateur title to the score until substitute Watkins Golf Tour 2020-21, at the par-70 with a total score of nine-over 219. He slotted in late on as England moved Nirvana Country Club Health and carded six-over 76. Ritesh Tamang fin- top of Group I. Golf Resort in Dharan on Friday. ished behind Bhujel scoring 14-over In Parma, Roberto Mancini’s Italy Rai fired one-under 69 for a total 224 after carding six-over 76. had a tougher task but also made a score of four-under 206 to register a A total of 43 golfers, including 24 positive start with a 2-0 win over comfortable sev- Northern Ireland in Group C. Two en-stroke victory POST PHOTO: HEMANTA SHRESTHA goals inside the first 39 minutes from as both Bhuwan Nepal national team players participate in a training session at the Dasharath Stadium in Tripureshwor, Kathmandu. Domenico Berardi and Ciro Immobile Nagarkoti and settled Italy’s nerves as they look to Niraj Tamang fell SPORTS BUREAU over the central Asian opponent, team match to be an evenly contested banish the disappointment of failing behind on the KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 Nepal is adamant to earn points affair. We will play total football to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. final round. Rai against the well known foes. “We are against them.” A frustrating night for Spain in bagged a purse of Hosts Nepal face a tricky situation not thinking about defeat at this point Unlike Nepal, Bangladesh are Granada began promisingly when Rs90,000. when they lock horns against the and we will play at least to secure a expected to come pressure-free into Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Krishna Man South Asian rivals Bangladesh in the point [draw] or win,” said Maharjan the game, as they have already made it the hosts after 32 minutes. However, Rajbahak made a last group stage match of the Three who saw his side squander more than to the final. Bangladesh’s British shortly before the hour mark, substi- total of three- Nations Cup football tournament a dozen scoring opportunities against coach James Day, who fielded three tute Inigo Martinez - on for captain over 213 carding three-under 67 that pros and 11 amateurs, took part in the at the Dasharath Stadium on the youth team. new players against the Kyrgyz team, Sergio Ramos - was penalised for a tied him with Bhuwan Nagarkoti and 54-hole tournament organised by Saturday which will decide the second Maharjan said his side lacked the is likely to try more rookie players. rash tackle on Greek midfielder Balbhadra Rai on second. Nagarkoti Nepal PGA and Dharan Golf Club finalist side. cutting edge in the attacking zone “We are taking the tournament as Giorgos Masouras. Anastasios carded seven-over 77 and Rai scored under the sponsorship of Dharan Sub- While Bangladesh have already against Kyrgyzstan and they would preparation for the World Cup qualifi- Bakasetas smashed the ball in from one-over 71. Each pocketed Rs43,666. metropolitan City. made it to the final after 1-0 victory try to improve on the aspect while er matches in June,” the Briton said at the spot to stun Luis Enrique’s side. Rame Magar and Niraj Tamang The supporters of the event were over Kyrgyzstan U-23 in the first playing Bangladesh. “We have been a pre-event conference. “If we are Robert Lewandowski struck a thun- were joint fifth, both finishing at four- RC Cola, Himalayan Reserve and match played on Tuesday, Nepal or the unable to deliver at the finishing line assured of a final before Nepal- derous 83rd-minute equaliser as over 214. Magar scored two-over 72 Magic Footwear that carried a purse central Asian country will book place for a long time and we must improve Bangladesh fixture, I will definitely go Poland fought back to earn a 3-3 draw and Tamang carded seven-over 77. of Rs500,000 and top 21 pros received for the title decider depending on the on it. But improvement is not possible for new players to see if they are good with Hungary in a pulsating Group I They received Rs28,500 each. their shares of cash. Deputy Mayor of outcome of the Nepal-Bangladesh overnight. I have pointed out the enough for Qualifiers,” Day said. game in Budapest. Deepak Acharya ended at seventh Dharan Sub-metropolitan City Manju encounter. Both Nepal and Kyrgyzstan weaknesses during our team meet- However, the match will have an Denmark beat Isreal 2-0 in Tel Aviv place after carding one-over 71 for a Bhandari Subedi, Dharan Golf Club have one point each after playing 0-0 ing,” said Maharjan. impact on FIFA rankings. While Nepal while Scotland twice came from total score of five-over 215. He earned President Tika Limbu and Vice- draw on Thursday. “I can only decide on the match day currently are 171st in FIFA rankings, behind to snatch a 2-2 draw with Rs25,000. president Santosh Karki handed over Nepal could progress to the final if if there will be changes in the striking Bangladesh are 186th. Austria in Group F. Rabi Khadka (71) and Sanjay Lama the prizes to the winners. they beat or play a draw against the line-up or not,” added Maharjan, who Looking at past records, the two South Asian team. They could also had paired Anjan Bista with Avishek sides have played 21 matches. While progress to the next round even if Rijal in the attacking department. He Bangladesh have won 13 matches, they lose by a single goal margin. In started with Tridev Gurung and Nepal have won six and two matches such a situation both Nepal and Sanjog Rai in midfield along with Rabi have finished in draws. In the last five Nepal to host Tri-Nation Twenty 20 International Series Kyrgyz youth team will have equal Paswan and Tej Tamang. encounters, Nepal and Bangladesh one point each in the standings and Star player Rohit Chand will spear- have won two each and the fifth match SPORTS BUREAU Kirtipur. during the series and will need to also minus one goal each. And Nepal head the defence line-up along with had ended in a draw. KATHMANDU, MARCH 26 The cricket governing body said in undergo mandatory PCR tests. could progress on the basis of nega- Ananta Tamang, Dinesh Rajbanshi Apart from Nepal and Bangladesh, a statement on Friday that the This is the first time after February tive cards conceded by Kyrgyzstan as and Ranjeet Dhimal. Captain Kiran Kyrgyzstan are also concerned about Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) tournament will be played in the 2020 that Nepal will be hosting inter- they were shown three yellows against Limbu will take charge of the post. the outcome. “I hope the last game is set to organise the Tri-Nation double round robin format, with national cricket. the hosts including two to their cap- Regarding Bangladesh, Maharjan between Nepal and Bangladesh will be Twenty20 International Series top two finishers advancing Nepal had played host to the United tain Tashiev Kamolidin. Unlike them, said: “They are a strong side with well competitive and fair,” Kyrgyz coach involving the Netherlands, Malaysia in the final. States of America and Oman in the Nepal did not see a single yellow. balanced players in defence, midfield Zholdoshov Nurbek had said after the and hosts Nepal from April 17 The players and match officials ICC World Cricket League 2 matches Despite having a slight advantage and attacking line-ups. I expect the draw against Nepal. to 24 at the TU cricket grounds in will remain in a biosecure bubble last year. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** It’s hard to keep your feet on the ground today, Aries. It may be difficult to locate reality under Saturday’s You’re desperately in need of a recharge, Libra. You’re likely to be pining for greener pastures today, You’re likely to be caught up in a wave of fantasy and cosmic landscape, Cancer. It’s easier to surrender to Allow yourself to carve out some space for solitude Capricorn. The moon floats through earthy Virgo, imagination, as the typically practical Virgo moon the fogginess than fight it. Focus your attention on and explore your inner world privately. It’s an ideal sending your focus towards the big picture view of finds herself out to sea with dream-maker Neptune. your mental health, communication style, and your day to channel your feelings into a creative outlet. your life thus far. Let yourself leave reality for a ability to speak up directly. while today.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** Saturday’s skies were built for your leisure, Taurus. Saturday’s skies are pleasantly disconnected from Saturday’s skies are all about pleasure, Scorpio. The Be aware that you may not be seeing everything with The moon slides peacefully through grounded Virgo, reality, Leo. Let yourself lean into your need for fan- pleasure of friendship, of connection, and of crea- total clarity. This disorienting energy can either be directing your energy towards pleasure and enjoy- tasy, escape, and romantic imaginings. Today you tive possibilities. The moon saunters through felt like a warm, romantic escape or an unwelcome ment of the finer things in life. You deserve a day of might get your hands dirty with any untapped tal- thoughtful Virgo all day, sending your attention riptide that pulls you downward into your psyche. indulgence. ents. towards your social network.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** As a Gemini, your hyperactive mind tends to run you It’s easy to lose your story under Saturday’s The universe is giving you mixed messages today, One of your most important lessons is that of estab- ragged. Let Saturday’s skies soothe your weary head, skies, Virgo. Be mindful of who you expend your Sagittarius. The productive Virgo moon encourages lishing safe, secure boundaries. Be mindful of that as the moon floats through introverted Virgo. It’s an energy toward. The moon floats through your sign you towards getting ahead with your ambitions. But narrative today. This placement sends your focus ideal day to deep clean your living space or nourish all day, trying her best to focus your efforts on your energy can make you sleepy, spaced-out. towards the expectations, and current reality of your yourself. self-care. close personal relationships. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K 07 | SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE Memories and musings Manindra Ranjan Baral has done a commendable job of writing a book that—besides unravelling his life’s work—also encapsulates the state of affairs in Nepal.

MADAN KUMAR BHATTARAI of news reports and articles in admira- Secretary (page 57). tion of Baral. He seems to loathe the way Similarly, Nepal’s ambassador to Egypt r Manindra Ranjan Baral people become authors these days The book intends to was Dr Rambhakta Thakur not Dr Ram is one of the most senior through a flourishing phenomenon portray the deep Prasad Manandhar (page 270). Meer paediatricians of the called ghost writing. Baral, avowedly a Subba Ram Prasad Manandhar, who was country. At 84, Baral has liberal and democrat, presents his malaise that has a topper in his student days from class I brought out his autobiog- home district, Siraha, as a unique amal- to MA levels and also served as Foreign raphy with a very perti- gam of royalists, democrats, republicans, infected Nepali Secretary, was Nepal’s Ambassador to Dnent title, ‘Niyati ra Anubhuti’ that can intellectuals, businessmen and even society at large. the United Kingdom from 1956 to 1961. roughly be translated as ‘fate and reflec- diplomats. Dhundi Raj Sharma (D Raj) who became tions’. The book though published in the Some of the major names included in zonal commissioner and Health Secretary closing months of 2018 is less known to his book are Dr Tulsi Giri, Vedananda after serving as chief of police organisa- many as it seems to have suffered the Jha, Upendra Yadav, Dr Ishwar Nepal’s system of governance. tion, was not the first but sixth IGP as pangs of distribution as the publishers Upadhyaya, Leelanateshwar Sharma Dr Baral is an authority not only in mentioned in the book (page 108). are not that familiar. Baral, more popularly known as Ishwar terms of chosen areas of medicine and Likewise, the system of celebrating Baral, an established name in terms of Baral, Dr Upendra Mahato, and Ram music, he is also a connoisseur of people the birthday of the maker of modern both public and private services as a sen- Raja Prasad Singh. He also compliments of all hues, their relations and family Nepal King Prithvi Narayan Shah as a ior doctor, has done a commendable job other public figures like Ambassador linkages. While he is very positive in national holiday that was scrapped after of writing his autobiography that, Bindeshwari Shah and laments the styles dealing with people, Baral minces no the declaration of republic still stands besides unravelling his life’s work and of some people including top medical words in calling a spade a spade in case and has not been changed (page 248). his contributions to society at large, also people who behaved in a different man- of many people he has come across in Despite these minor mistakes, Baral has encapsulates the state of affairs in Nepal. ner owing to their connections to the his life. rendered a yeoman’s service by author- The book starts with a wonderful Royal Palace. Despite all these plus points, there are ing the most comprehensive book. introduction of both the book and the The book can also be taken as an ency- some obvious mistakes in the book. For writer by one of the rare brains in poli- clopedia of not only medicos but also example, Radha Raman Upadhyaya, who Bhattarai is a former Foreign Secretary tics, Pradeep Giri, who greets Baral with public figures of various disciplines came to Bastipur from his home district and author involved in the study of his family name Shambhu Dai, as they including politics and even places of of Udayapur for enrolment in a primary Nepal’s foreign relations from a belong to the same area, Bastipur, of interest. For outsiders, the author has Gaku Hashimoto meaning mountain in school, was never a Chief Secretary as historical perspective. He is available on Siraha district. Baral belongs to an intel- special compliments for people like the Japanese. mentioned in the book (pages 7 and 32). [email protected]. lectual family and has a flair in Sanskrit late Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Baral, through the book, intends to Upadhyaya retired as a Secretary and and English; he is also gifted in music— Shastri and Ryutaro Hashimoto who portray the deep malaise that has infect- became Chief Commissioner of the apart from his chosen field of medicine. served as Prime Minister of Japan. Being ed Nepali society at large in recent years Commission for the Investigation of the NIYATI RA ANUBHUTI The book intends to picture the life of instrumental in mobilising support for through what can be called a process of Abuse of Authority, an outfit that has of Manindra Ranjan Baral the noted paediatrician since his birth at Kanti Children’s Hospital, Hashimoto, an deconstruction and disharmony prac- late sadly earned notoriety as if it is the Bastipur, his educational pursuits in established photographer, was a great tised through blatantly partisan politics, agency to foster rather than control the Publishers: Kulchandra Gautam Nepal and various parts of the world friend of Nepal, who loved the Himalayas which is eating into the very essence of abuse of authority. Laxmi Nath Gautam, Smriti Sanstha, Kathmandu, 2018 including India and the United Kingdom and visited our country as many as 33 Nepali society. father-in-law of the author, served as Pages: 353 in 23 chapters. Nineteen pages of the times and even named his son who has He also laments the increasing deficit Secretary and Governor of Nepal Rastra Price: Rs 1,000 book are devoted to write-ups in the form followed his father in terms of politics, as of transparency and accountability in Bank but was never the Cabinet BEST-SELLERS | NEW RELEASES

Fiction

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Ayo Gorkahali The Ultimate Goal The Code Break Author: Tim I Gurung Author: Vikram Sood Author: Walter Isaacson Non-Fiction Publication: Westland Publication: HarperCollins Publication: Simon & Schuster Price: Rs 1,278 Price: Rs 1,118 Price: Rs 1,438 1. Fast This Way by Dave Asprey Ayo Gorkhali, possibly the first work of Vikram Sood, former chief of India’s Walter Isaacson, the bestselling 2. Neither Settler no Native by Mahmood history from within the community, tells external intelligence agency, the author of Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Mamdani the story of a people who have served Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Jobs, writes about how Nobel Prize 3. Narrative Economics: How Stories Go countries with honour, even as they have tells how a country’s ability to con- winner Jennifer Doudna and her col- Viral & Drive Major Economic attempted to keep their native warrior struct, sustain and control itself leagues came up with an easy-to-use 4. Think Again by Adam Grant traditions alive in letter and spirit. It trac- enhances its strength and position. tool that can edit DNA ‘CRISPR’. es the history of the Gurkha serviceman And Sood connects the dots as to why Isaacson’s story involves the most pro- 5. Nepal: How India Lost the Plot to China and tells how and why they have made a intelligence agencies play a signifi- found wonders of nature, from the by Sanjay Upadhya mark in world history. cant role as a statecraft. origins of life to the future of species.

New ‘Lord of the O’Farrell’s ‘Hamnet’ wins book Rings’ edition to include critics award for fiction Tolkien artwork Hamnet is an imagined take on the death of Shakespeare’s son from the bubonic plague.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Lord of the Rings” had been exhibited in HILLEL ITALIE NEW YORK 2018 in New York, Paris and in Oxford, NEW YORK England. n upcoming edition of ‘Yet the author himself was character- aggie O’Farrell’s JRR. Tolkien’s “The Lord istically modest, dismissive of the obvi- “Hamnet,” an of the Rings” trilogy will ous and rare artistic talent he possessed imagined take on the include paintings, draw- despite having had no formal training,” death of Shakespeare’s ings and other illustra- Brody said in a statement. “This modesty son from the bubonic tions by the British author meant that relatively little else of his plague, has won the fAor the first time since it was published in artwork was known of or seen during his MNational Book Critics Circle prize for the mid-1950s. lifetime, and generally only in scholarly fiction. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books & books afterwards.” “Hamnet,” an unfortunately well Media announced Thursday that the new “The Lord of the Rings” books, which timed story for the current pandemic, version will come out October 19. Deb include “The Fellowship of the Ring,” explores the impact of the boy’s illness Brody, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s vice “The Two Towers” and “The Return of and death on his family. He was president and publisher, noted that the King,” are among the best-selling Shakespeare’s only son, and scholars Tolkien was already known for his fantasy novels in history. They were have long speculated about his influ- illustrations which appeared in “The adapted into a blockbuster trilogy of ence—if any—on “Hamlet,” which Hobbit” and that his artwork for “The films by director Peter Jackson. Shakespeare worked on in the years fol- lowing Hamnet’s death. Tom Zoellner’s “Island on Fire: The Revolt That Ended Slavery in the British Empire” won for nonfiction, and Amy Stanley’s “Stranger in the Shogun’s City: A Japanese Woman and Her World” was the winner in biography. The autobiography award went to Cathy Park Hong for “Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning.” Other winners announced during Thursday night’s virtual ceremony included francine j harris’ “Here Is the Sweet Hand” for poetry and Nicole Fleetwood’s “Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration” for criticism. Raven Leilani received the John Leonard Prize for best first book for her novel “Luster.” Career achievement awards were pre- sented to New Republic writer Jo Livingstone for “excellence in review- AP/RSS ing” and to the Feminist Press for its long In a file photo, author Maggie O’Farrell poses for the media at the Costa book awards in London. history of championing women’s equali- ty, publishing authors ranging from of numerous NBCC board members convinced some who had resigned to stay Grace Paley to Anita Hill to Pussy Riot. last summer in the wake of a dispute on, resulting, according to the critics The book critics circle was founded in over the organisation’s response to the circle, in “the most diverse board in 1974 and has hundreds of members killing of George Floyd and the Black NBCC history and one of the most around the country. This year’s Lives Matters protests. The leadership experienced.” awards are the first since the departure brought in several new members and — Associated Press

C M Y K SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Taking a nostalgic look at Mahi Way Although released almost a decade ago, Mahi Way is one of the most poignant Indian shows ever made, dealing with pertinent issues like body shaming, fixation with unrealistic romance, and the need for self-love.

SCREENGRAB VIA YOUTUBE Stills from the 2010 show Mahi Way. The show talks about issues like eating disorders, unrealistic ideas of love set by movies, the convoluted notions of marriage and the need for self-love—all issues discussed for the very first time in an Indian television show.

ANKIT KHADGI wants to do? And what will happen writing and is determined in life, giving thinks of herself as a nobody. She fears Complex and multi-layered characters KATHMANDU between her and Ishan? The 25-episode her a wholesome personality, a rep- eating things she likes, goes on diets, and Since Mahi is the protagonist, we see series is dedicated to the central charac- resentation that is still rarely seen in the is even scared to visit a swimming pool. mostly everything from her eyes. But this ears before Naagins and Gopi ter’s journey of self-love and the choices media when it comes to full-figured Her low self-esteem impacts her so doesn’t stop other characters from shin- Bahus hijacked Indian televi- she makes that help her to get in touch women. much that it affects her professional life ing or making any impact. Be it her lov- sion, with their nerve-rack- with her real self. as well. But eventually, when the plot ing grandmother, who always tries to ing, idiotic content, there There’s no doubt that the series is too Handling pertinent issues without thickens as she passes many hurdles in cheer her up, or her friends, who stand by were smartly written and long and lacks subtlety at times. But in its being preachy her life, she slowly discovers the path her, or her childhood buddy, Shiva (played well-performed Indian shows melodramatic tone and presentation, we What made Mahi Way special was also its towards self-love and starts loving herself by Viraf Patel), who makes her realise Ylike Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, Rishta.com, get to witness significant issues like eat- depiction of pertinent issues. Hardly and through her whole journey, the audi- her self-worth, all of the characters in the Powder, and the popular classics like ing disorders, unrealistic ideas of love set were there any preachy or heart-thump- ence gets the message of how self-love show stand out individually helping Mahi Saans, Hip Hip Hurray, Aarohan. by movies, the convoluted notions of mar- ing dialogues in the series. Instead, the requires time and patience and the posi- realise her capabilities. But over the years, these kinds of riage and the need for self-love—all issues show’s makers used a straightforward tive impact it can have on one’s life. Meanwhile, another admirable aspect shows, which were filled with complex discussed for the very first time in an approach to highlight social issues in a of the show was also the fact that it never writings that dealt with pertinent issues, Indian television show. way that the audiences could relate to by A relatable heartfelt plot made Mahi pitiable. She wasn’t presented stopped being aired on Indian television. For all those who couldn’t watch the subtly inserting them in the plot. What made Mahi Way stand out even at as a ‘bichari’ who is living a miserable Then in 2010, amidst the changing milieu, show on their television screens, here’s a Be it society’s outdated obsession with its time of release was the story it was life, and all of the people who were around Mahi Way began airing, stepping into our breakdown on why the show is a good getting a woman married, believing that telling. We hardly see stories of her were there just to help her. She is an living rooms like a breath of fresh air. watch and it won’t be a bad idea to binge- it’s the solution to every problem she’s young independent people who are individual on her own, a loving and giv- So, what was so special about this Sony watch it during the weekend. going through, or society’s approach of figuring their lives in Indian shows. ing personality, who had her own talents television show? body shaming people, ultimately forcing And in such an environment, there and flaws. Directed by Nupur Asthana and pro- A never-seen-before representation them to have low self-esteem, the show was Mahi Way, with its relatable and But she wasn’t perfect either. At times duced by Yash Raj Films, Mahi Way, at How many good and progressive shows dealt with many issues. heartfelt story that many young people she makes selfish decisions as well as first glance, is a pretty simple story. Mahi are there that actually have a curvy But these issues weren’t shown in a can connect to. judges others, and this actually makes Talwar (played by Pushtiie Shakti) is a woman as a central character? There are preachy tone with an intention of making While at the core, the show depicted a her character very real and relatable as 25-year-old aspiring journalist/writer hardly any. people feel guilty or sympathise with coming-of-age story of a woman who well as multi-layered one. and she is unhappy with her life. The But Mahi Way is one such rare case, a Mahi. Using melodramatic elements, be overcomes her low self-esteem and body Her character arc in the series is equal- writer of an ‘agony aunt’ column, Talwar show which was way ahead of its time in it the back and forth scenes, where Mahi weight issues; however, the plot can be ly motivating, as seeing her transform is dealing with her weight issues and lack terms of representation. From depicting starts imagining things in daylight, or relatable to many young people, who are from a shy, timid individual who’s made of self-confidence. And to add to her prob- how people fall into eating disorders to the through the letters she writes for her col- at the age of discovering themselves. to feel insecure about her own body to a lems, her mother has given her an ultima- need to empathise with them rather than umn, the makers made sure that along Whether it is society’s obsession with confident woman, who wants to carve her tum to get married in six months. making them feel low about their habits, with enjoying the show, viewers can also making young people get married or the own path, is inspiring. Meanwhile, she’s madly in love with this show is filled with heartfelt relatable retrospect themselves and empathise realisation that love isn’t the same what And hence, even if it’s a little melodra- Ishaan Singh Alhuwalia (played by moments, helping everyone to understand with curvy people and treat them with movies project it to be, or the warmth we matic, Mahi Way still is one of the finest Siddhant Karnick), a business person, such issues more sensitively. equal respect and dignity. share in friendship or the issues we face Indian shows ever made. If you are feel- who has no clue about her existence. Similarly, Mahi’s character is also Similarly, another issue the show in our workplace and even within our ing low and want to watch something Will Mahi succumb to her mother’s beautifully written and shown in the touches on is self-love. As Mahi is con- family, the story the show projected is of heartwarming, this show can be a great pressure and the unrealistic and obnox- show, as the makers never limit or box stantly reminded of her weight by her every urban millennial, who is at the choice. Maybe like Mahi, you can choose ious standards of society? Or will she her into her weight. She is projected as a family and colleagues, she has developed verge of their adulthood and discovering your own way. Because that’s the way... choose her own path and do things she smart, witty individual who has a flair for low self-confidence, so much so that she their life. Mahi Way.

Maya ruins in Belize offer peek at ancient wealth inequality Archaeologists gauged wealth inequality based on the mix of large and smaller homes in a small city that flourished during the Classic Maya period from roughly 250 to 900 AD.

WILL DUNHAM Generally the more despotic the sys- WASHINGTON tem, the more wealth inequality exists, Prufer added. n examination of numer- “With despotic governance, the princi- ous houses excavated at pals do not depend on their local populace two sites in southern Belize for support. Hence, there is less concern is providing insight into with the well-being of those people or the gaping wealth inequality efficiency of their production,” said study in ancient Maya cities—a co-author Gary Feinman, the Field disparityA that researchers believe was Museum’s MacArthur curator of anthro- closely linked to despotic leadership. pology. Archaeologists said they studied The researchers compared their find- remains of 180 homes in the medi- ings to other studies of homes in contem- um-sized city of Uxbenká and 93 homes in poraneous ancient cities in Mesoamerica, the smaller nearby city of Ix Kuku’il, a region from central Mexico through which both flourished during the so-called Central America. Classic Maya period from roughly 250 to Classic Maya locales, known for auto- 900 AD. cratic leadership dominated by strong During this time, the Maya produced kings, appeared to have had greater soaring pyramids and wondrous works of wealth inequality than other sculpture and painting, employed hiero- Mesoamerican cultural and language glyphic writing and excelled at calen- dar-making and mathematics. The researchers gauged wealth ine- Classic Maya society quality based on the mix of large and smaller homes, along with the size and featured social groups nature of the structures. “Wealth inequality was dispersed including royal across the landscape, with larger houses surrounded by smaller houses in neigh- leadership, nobles, borhoods far from the monumental core merchants, artisans of the cities,” said archaeologist Amy Thompson, a postdoctoral fellow at the and craftspeople. Field Museum in Chicago and lead author of the study published in the journal PLOS ONE. The findings, the researchers said, help groups. For instance, in Mexico’s Oaxaca shed light on the phenomenon of wealth Valley, where more collective forms of inequality in human societies from antiq- governance existed, there was less dispar- uity to the present day, with the ancient ity in homes. Maya holding no monopoly on such dis- “Even the largest Classic period parities. Mesoamerican city, Teotihuacan in cen- Researchers are trying to understand tral Mexico, had lesser degrees of ine- how inequality forms, manifests itself in quality as measured by domestic space ancient cities and is perpetuated, said than did the Classic Maya sites,” said University of New Mexico anthropology Feinman. professor and study co-author Keith Uxbenká’s population was 3,000 to 5,000 REUTERS Prufer, director of the Uxbenká people while Ix Kuku’il’s was about Members of the local community working with a team of archaeologists share finds during excavations at the remains of a house at the ancient Maya Archaeological Project. 1,800, smaller than the biggest Maya cities site of Uxbenka, Belize. “Wealth inequality is a hallmark of all like Tikal in Guatemala with tens of thou- ancient civilizations, and has its origins sands of people. Teotihuacan’s popula- foundations of stone, dirt and plaster. goods including jade, marine shell, per- farmers and labourers. with the development of food production tion reached perhaps 200,000 people. Foundations of the small houses often sonal adornments and the volcanic glass “We assume the full spectrum of social - agricultural surplus - that allowed cer- Uxbenká and Ix Kuku’il, about 25 miles measured roughly 13 by 20 feet (4 by 6 called obsidian, used for blades and other groups were present at Uxbenká and Ix tain individuals to control disproportion- (40 km) from the Caribbean coast, boasted meters) and the large ones reached purposes. Kuku’il and have evidence for royalty and ate shares of resources and to compel, monumental architecture including tem- approximately 40 by 66 feet (12 by 20 Classic Maya society featured social nobles living in the larger houses in the through persuasion or coercion, others to ples about 30 feet (10 meters) tall. meters). groups including royal leadership, district centers, as well as farmers living provide labor and goods to increase The houses once had perishable wood- The larger ones had more elaborate nobles, merchants, artisans and in smaller houses,” Thompson said. wealth inequality,” Prufer said. en superstructures, now lost to time, over architecture and imported and luxury crafts people, and a larger number of — Reuters

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