Politics Becomes More Complicated in Ways That Will Exacerbate Gridlock

WITHOUT F EAR OR FAVOUR

Nepal’s largest selling English daily Vol XXIX No. 11 | 8 pages | Rs.5 O O Printed simultaneously in Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Bharatpur and Nepalgunj 32.0 C 3.0 C Monday, March 01, 2021 | 17-11-2077 Nepalgunj Jumla Politics becomes more complicated in ways that will exacerbate gridlock Oli refuses to budge as the Dahal-Nepal faction explores options, only to realise that there are none as of now.

TIKA R PRADHAN unless there is a new equation in KATHMANDU, FEB 28 Parliament. And that’s not possible if the Nepali Congress chooses to stay Days after the Supreme Court over- quiet. turned Prime Minister KP Sharma The current composition of the Oli’s House dissolution move, calling House goes thus: The Dahal-Nepal fac- it unconstitutional, Oli on Sunday tion controls around 90 seats, the Oli said that he would not resign and chal- faction has 80 to 83, the Nepali lenged his opponents to unseat him. Congress 63 (two suspended) and the “You have reinstated the House by Janata Samajbadi Party 34 (two sus- winning the case. Now remove me. Get pended). Rastriya Prajatantra Party, a no-confidence motion endorsed,” Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party and said Oli at a function in Jhapa district Rastriya Janamorcha have one seat on Sunday. each. There is one independent law- Oli was referring to Pushpa Kamal maker. Dahal and Madhav Kumar Nepal, who “The only option we have is to force have fallen out with him. Oli to resign, but if he refuses to do so, The Supreme Court on February 16 we will oust him through a no-confi- sent Nepali politics back to Parliament dence motion,” said Barsaman Pun, a by asking authorities to call a House Standing Committee member of the meeting within 13 days. The govern- Dahal-Nepal faction. “We are confi- POST PHOTO: ELITE JOSHI ment has accordingly recom- dent that the Nepali Congress will A man works at a plastic recycling plant in Khokana, Lalitpur on Sunday. The facility collects discarded plastic goods from different parts mended the winter session of the support us when the House session of Kathmandu Valley and recycles them. federal parliament to commence begins.” on March 7. The Congress, however, has decided Since Oli has not resigned, to play safe and has not expressed its which, in principle, he should commitment to the Dahal-Nepal fac- have done on moral grounds, the tion’s request for support. The Nepali Dahal-Nepal faction is now in a Congress has been in a wait-and-see INSIDE Oli does not want to quit on fix. mode, saying the Nepal Communist And politics has become more Party has not split yet, legally. complicated than ever before. The Election Commission so far has At least 18 dead on bloodiest moral grounds but instead There is no legal or constitu- refused to take any decision on the day of Myanmar protests tional way to oust Oli, which the Nepal Communist Party. Dahal-Nepal faction wants, >> Continued on page 2 MYANMAR: Myanmar police fired on protesters around the country on is talking of horse trading Sunday in the bloodiest day of weeks of demonstrations against a military coup and at least 18 people were Implying elected representatives are for sale is disrespecting killed, the UN human rights office said. Police were out in force early the House and electorate, lawmakers and analysts say. and opened fire in different parts of the biggest city of Yangon after stun grenades, tear gas and shots in the air failed to break up crowds. Soldiers also reinforced police. Several wound- ed people were hauled away by fellow protesters, leaving bloody smears on pavements, media images showed. One man died after being brought to a hospital with a bullet in the chest, said a doctor who asked not to be identified. “Police and military forces have confronted peaceful demonstra- tions, using lethal force and less-than- lethal force that—according to credi- ble information received by the UN Human Rights Office—has left at least 18 people dead and over 30 wounded,” the UN human rights office said. (Details on Pg6) POST FILE PHOTO Prime Minister Oli has been saying horse trading begins if the House is reinstated.

10 megawatts of solar power BINOD GHIMIRE Oli has been making similar state- evacuated to national grid KATHMANDU, FEB 28 ments. in Province 2 A day before the Supreme Court’s Are Nepal’s lawmakers for sale? verdict to reinstate the House of JANAKPUR: A Nepali private company They are, if some recent statements Representatives, Oli on February 22 has generated about 10 megawatts by Nepali politicians are anything to said the dirty game of horse trading of solar power in the southeastern go by. will begin if the House is reinstated. region of Dhalkebar, Mahottari of Ever since the Supreme Court over- “The game for the formation of a Province 2 where hydropower turned KP Sharma Oli’s December 20 new government will begin if the potential is almost nil and evacuated decision to dissolve the House of court decides to reinstate the House of it to the national grid. This is the Representatives on February 23, ask- Representatives,” he said while largest solar power fed into the ing authorities to convene the House addressing a mass gathering in national grid by a private company meeting within 13 days, “horse trad- Kanchanpur. “This will lead to the till date. On November 10, 2020, ing” is something many people, dirty game of horse trading.” private producer, Ridi Hydropower including politicians, are talking Both Oli and Gyawali are elected Development Company, had about. Members of Parliament, and their evacuated 8.5 megawatts of solar In principle, Oli should have statements hinting that other elected energy to the national grid from its resigned on moral grounds after the people could be bought and sold so plant in Manigram, Rupandehi. The Supreme Court’s decision, but he has easily undermine not only the law- Dhalkebar plant is spread over been challenging his opponents— makers but also the hallowed House, nearly 40 bighas [6.3 hectares] of Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Madhav according to leaders and analysts. land. The developer—Eco Power Kumar Nepal—to oust him. So far, leaders of the Oli faction Development Company—had If Oli does not resign of his own have been constantly talking about the contracted the project to Kushal volition, the House is likely to be dead- dangers of the horse trading game Projects Nepal under the design, locked. The only way the Dahal-Nepal taking centre stage, just while Oli supply, construction, operation and faction can unseat Oli is through a himself has not given two hoots about maintenance modality. (Details on Pg5) no-confidence motion, but since it resigning on moral grounds despite lacks the numbers, it will need the the Supreme Court saying his House Nepali Congress support to do so. dissolution was unconstitutional. Make way for rhino The Dahal-Nepal faction claims to Lawmakers from both factions of KATHMANDU: The several phones in have around 90 Members of the Nepali Communist Party say such Alisha Shah’s office in Nepal Leather Parliament on its side. That leaves the statements about horse trading are Craft’s factory, in Maitidevi, keep Oli faction with 80 to 83 members sup- condemnable. ringing throughout the day. Most calls porting it. The Nepali Congress has 63 “Such statements from Oli and a are from the marketing, branding and seats in the House and the Janata senior leader from his faction are production team, and every now and Samajbadi Party 34. uncalled for,” said Surendra Karki, then, a phone call is for her father No party has a majority. And now also known as Ram Karki, a leader Amit Shah, who founded the compa- politicians themselves are expressing from the Dahal-Nepal faction. “There ny more than 20 years ago. In 2014, concerns if lawmakers could switch is no match to them in making irre- after completing her MBA, Alisha sides for their personal gains. sponsible comments.” joined Nepal Leather Craft. Until that Speaking at a programme in the According to Karki, if anyone is year, Nepal Leather Craft (NLC) man- Capital on Saturday, Minister for making attempts to “buy” lawmakers ufactured and supplied leather prod- Foreign Affairs Pradeep Gyawali, who then it’s those from the Oli faction. ucts to leather goods wholesalers and is also the spokesperson for the Oli- “But they must understand no one retailers to dealers in Nepal and faction of the Nepal Communist Party, is for sale,” Karki told the Post. abroad. The company also took bulk said House reinstatement has raised Leaders from the Oli faction also corporate orders. But when Shah possibilities of horse trading. say it’s wrong for senior leaders, joined NLC, she had one singular “We fear the House would turn into including the prime minister, to make aim—to start a successful brand a place of horse trading,” said such irresponsible statements, which under NLC, a brand that’s known for Gyawali. “What if it becomes a plat- not only disparage lawmakers but also quality leather products, and that’s form for an unnatural alliance devoid belittle the House. how Rhino was born. (Details on Pg8) of any policy and ideology?” >> Continued on page 2

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 01, 2021 | 02 NATIONAL Menstrual hygiene campaign benefits girl students in Mangalsen MENUKA DHUNGANA ACHHAM, FEB 28

Aayushma Subedi of Mangalsen Municipality-5 in Achham used to miss her school when she was men- struating. But ever since her school started providing sanitary pads to its girl students, the 14-year-old has been a regular attendant. “I did not like to go to school when I was having my period. My studies had also been affected due to my irregular school attendance,” said Subedi. “But now I go to school even when I am menstruating since the school has started distributing sanitary pads.” In the last fiscal year, Mangalsen Municipality started allocating budget to each community school to manage sanitary pads for girl students. There are a total of 10 secondary schools in Mangalsen Municipality. The pad distribution programme has benefitted many girl students in the local unit, according to Subedi. “The girls in my school never talked about menstruation earlier but now they discuss the topic openly,” said Subedi, an eight grader at Shodasha Secondary School in Mangalsen-5. Kalpana Thapa, an eighth grader at Kunti Secondary School in Mangalsen-1, also expressed similar sentiments. “We are very happy with the pad distribution scheme. Madams in our school provide us with a pad whenev- POST PHOTO: SANJOG MANANDHAR er we need it so we are greatly relieved Civil society members demonstrate outside the office of Kathmandu Metropolitan City to protest the use of concrete materials in the Kamal Pokhari restoration project. now,” said Thapa. Along with the easy availability of sanitary pads, the local unit has also formed child clubs in all community schools to educate its girl students about menstrual cycle, sanitation dur- ing menstruation and their reproduc- Garbage from Beni pollutes Kaligandaki river tive health. Thapa said girl students were also made aware of social evils like The municipality has been disposing of its waste in the riverbank for the last 17 years for a lack of a designated dumping site. Chhaupadi, a practice of banishing girls and women to period huts, GHANSHYAM KHADKA up a proper waste management sys- a waste recycling, reusing and reduc- through the child club. MYAGDI, FEB 28 tem following complaints from local ing facility here. Garbage is spilling Tulasi Nath, a teacher at Sodasa residents. But the issue remains onto the roads due to the narrow river- Secondary School in Mangalsen, said Beni Municipality in Myagdi has been unsolved. bank area of the Kaligandaki River,” that girl students from grade six to 10 dumping its waste on the banks of “Kaligandaki is home to several said Yam Bahadur Pariyar, chief at were most likely to miss their classes Kaligandaki River for the last 17 aquatic animals. The municipality, the Mission for Waste Management during their periods in the past. years for lack of a designated dump- which is responsible for the river’s Company. “But now, the problem has been ing site. preservation, has been dumping gar- The company had agreed to make solved since girl students can easily “We are compelled to dump solid bage on the riverbank and causing compost fertilisers from decomposa- avail of sanitary pads in the school,” waste on the river banks since we hav- environmental pollution,” said Atreya ble waste and dump the remaining he said. en’t found a suitable dumping site,” Ghanshyam Mumukshu, a sage in waste in the area designated by the The school management informed said Chhabilal Subedi, the chief Muktihari Radhakrishna Temple in municipality. that the campaign launched by the administrative officer at the munici- Galeshwor. “The area is dirty and “The municipality says it is looking municipality has been a great success. pality. “We also plan to build a gabion stinking.” for permanent solutions to the waste Deputy Mayor of Mangalsen wall to stop the waste from spilling For the last two years, the munici- management problem,” said Mohan Municipality Sarita Upadhyay is of onto the road.” pality has assigned Mission for Waste KC, a resident of Beni Ward No. 9. the opinion that girl students feel The solid waste disposed of on the Management, a private company in “But they have yet to do anything.” much safer and comfortable in their river banks has polluted the waters in Pokhara, with the responsibility to According to him, pilgrims who schools since the introduction of the the Kaligandaki River and the sur- manage garbage. But local residents arrive in Beni to visit Galeshwor, campaign. rounding area. say they are yet to see the company Muktinath and Damodar Kunda also “The municipality has also been Beni, the district headquarters of take responsibility as per the agree- complain about the pollution in the making sure that each girl receives Myagdi, generates around one metric ment. area. sanitary pads in their schools,” she ton of solid waste in a day. The gar- According to the agreement, the “It’s difficult to walk outside due to said. “There are some issues with toi- bage is dumped on the riverbank company should recycle, reuse and the stink from garbage along the Beni- lets, water supply and management of about a kilometre north of Beni reduce waste materials as much as Galeshwor road section. The stink is used sanitary pads in some schools. POST PHOTO: GHANSHYAM KHADKA Bazaar. possible. unbearable especially during the sum- The municipality has been taking ini- Beni Municipality generates around one metric ton of solid waste in a day. The municipality had assured to set “There is not enough space to set up mer season,” said KC. tiatives to resolve such problems.” Politics becomes more complicated ... Oli does not want to quit ...

>> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Party” name. confidence in the House within 30 days. >> CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 established. sion those who elected them and Even though the Nepal Communist The Nepal Communist Party was reg- For this, the Dahal-Nepal faction and the Sher Bahadur Tamang, a law- In 2010, an alleged audio record- the House. Party had filed an application at the istered with the Election Commission Nepali Congress must come together. maker from the Oli faction, said ing of Krishna Bahadur Mahara “Either they have to establish Election Commission saying that a under the name of Rishiram Kattel. A lot now depends on the Congress one gets to Parliament through was released in which he appeared what they are saying and bring majority of the 441 Central Committee Kattel moved the Supreme Court in party, according to Bipin Adhikari, for- the mandate of his or her constitu- to be seeking millions of rupees to facts before the public or they members are with it, the poll body con- December 2018 after the Election mer dean of Kathmandu University ency. offer to lawmakers. In the audio should stop spreading such tinues to recognise Oli and Dahal as Commission agreed to register the Oli- School of Law. “Saying that lawmakers are for tape in which the voice was said to rumours,” Bidur Prasad Phuyal, a party chairs. Dahal-led Nepal Communist Party as “The Congress party has to decide sale is hence directly undermining be of Mahara’s, the speaker was professor of political science at In the poll body’s eyes, there is just one “Nepal Communist Party (NCP)” with whether it wants to become ‘king’ or the electorate who send them to the heard asking money from China to Tribhuvan University, told the Nepal Communist Party which was reg- the NCP within brackets. ‘kingmaker’,” Adhikari told the Post. “It House,” Tamang told the Post. pay around 50 lawmakers–Rs 10 Post. “Responsible people don’t istered with it in May 2018. If the court gives the verdict in favour can play a crucial role in government “Such statements make light of the million each. make such statements that bring Unless there is a decision by the of Kattel, it could mean Nepal Communist formation. Because of it, an election can faith the people have put in those No proper investigation was disrespect to a hallowed institution Election Commission, the House too rec- Party (NCP), over which the Oli and be a compulsion. For stability and rule of who elect their representatives.” launched and the issue died down. like Parliament where the ognises just the Nepal Communist Party, Dahal-Nepal factions are squabbling, law, giving the best way out should be the Both Tamang and Karki say Whether Mahara actually made the sovereign people send their repre- not the factions led by Oli or Dahal and null and void, thereby taking it back to party’s objective.” horse trading might have been pos- phone call also could not be estab- sentatives.” Nepal. the pre-merger state when there was the Political complexities, however, have sible in the past, but these days lished. According to Phuyal, it will be One way to remove Oli as prime minis- UML and the Maoist Centre. occurred largely because of Oli’s refusal everyone is closely watching their Now, three years after the first wrong to say that Nepali politics ter could be the Dahal-Nepal faction mak- As of now, the Dahal-Nepal faction to step down despite losing political representatives and keeping an eye elections under Nepal’s new consti- has not seen the game of horse ing a move by showing that the majority appears to be out of options. legitimacy. on their activities. tution, which was said to have ush- trading in the past. But to get rid of of lawmakers are on its side, according Constitutional experts say things The general understanding of the Horse trading has for long ered in political stability, horse such practices, Nepali people sup- to observers. could be clearer once the House com- Dahal-Nepal faction was that Oli would plagued even countries like India, trading is once again getting trac- ported political parties in various Hari Roka, a political economist, said mences. According to them, Oli had resign on moral grounds once the House the United Kingdom and the United tion. movements so that there would be if the Dahal-Nepal faction has a majority formed the government under Article was restored. States. Since the Nepal Communist clean politics aimed at serving the of lawmakers on its side, it should get Oli 76(1) but since his House dissolution “Resignation on moral grounds is The Oxford dictionary defines Party, formed in May 2018 after the people. removed as the leader of the move has been overturned and there are applicable only for those who have the horse trading as hard and shrewd merger of Oli’s UML and Dahal’ “No one has the right to disgrace Parliamentary Party first. clearly two factions in the Nepal moral principle,” said Roka, the political bargaining, especially in politics. Maoist Centre, has not split legally the House and it looks like its mem- “The best legal option the Dahal-Nepal Communist Party, a new process could be economist and writer. “Yes, in principle, In political parlance, it refers to yet, even though it has been cleaved bers are doing so by making such faction can pursue is to call a meeting of started. Oli should have stepped down and cleared negotiations characterised by hard into two politically, politics has statements,” said Phuyal. the Parliamentary Party with 25 percent “Overturning of the decision of the the way for someone else to become bargaining and give-and-take, and become complicated. There indeed was a semblance of of lawmakers,” said Roka. government formed under Article 76(1) prime minister after the House was rein- various degrees of compromise. While Oli does not appear to be political stability in Nepal after a For that, around 43 lawmakers of the means such a government has already stated.” Nepal has its own experience of in any mood to resign, the Dahal- government with nearly two-thirds Dahal-Nepal faction should make such a faced a defeat,” said senior advocate Now that Oli is refusing to resign, horse trading in the past. Nepal faction looks desperate to majority was installed in 2018 move. But there are still complications. Chandra Kanta Gyawali, a constitutional unless the Dahal-Nepal faction makes The term got wider currency unseat him after the Supreme under Oli after then UML and the On December 22, two days after the expert. “There is not even the need of some moves, which no one knows what in Nepali politics after the restora- Court verdict, calling it a victory Maoist Centre swept the 2017 House was dissolved, the Dahal-Nepal a no-confidence motion against Oli those could be, he is likely to continue as tion of democracy, especially after for them. elections. faction held a meeting of its Central now and any lawmaker with claims prime minister. the 1994 interim election. At that While the Dahal-Nepal faction But the Nepal Communist Party Committee and decided to oust Oli as a of 138 members on his or her side According to Gyawali, the existing sit- time, parliamentarians were said needs support of lawmakers to oust unity was fragile, and continuous member of the party. The faction also can directly go to the President, seeking uation of confusion has arrived also to be “bought”, even taking to Oli through a no-confidence infighting put the hard-earned sta- elected Dahal as the leader of the to form a new government under because of the Dahal-Nepal faction’s Thailand on excursions and motion, Oli himself would need bility in danger. Parliamentary Party and apprised the Article 76(2).” weaknesses as well as the Election hauled into a hotel, as parties made dozens of parliamentarians to save And Oli did most of the damage, Election Commission as well of the deci- Article 76 (2) says in cases where no Commission’s delay in deciding on the desperate attempts to form a gov- his position. according to experts. sion. But the House does not recognise party has a clear majority in the House Nepal Communist Party legitimacy ernment. Or else, the House will remain Shyam Shrestha, a political com- these decisions. For the Dahal-Nepal fac- of Representatives under clause (1), the dispute. Similar claims were made after deadlocked, and there is no other mentator who closely follows tion to remove Oli as the leader of the President shall appoint as the Prime According to analysts, if the Nepali the 2000s but that were never sub- legal or constitutional way to make Nepal’s left politics, said Oli Parliamentary Party, it first needs to roll Minister a member of the House of Congress and Janata Samajbadi Party stantiated. Oli step down. attacked the constitution, dissolved back its December 22 decision of ousting Representatives who can command a refuse to join hands with the Dahal- In 2009, then prime minister Experts say the Supreme Court the House, dragged the Office of Oli as a general member of the party and majority with the support of two or more Nepal faction, Oli is likely to continue Baburam Bhattarai had claimed of Nepal did a commendable job by the President into controversy and electing Dahal as the leader of the parties representing to the House of until a new situation emerges while the CPN-UML was offering a hefty bringing politics back within the now he is spreading rumours about Parliamentary Party. Representatives. either passing the bills or the budget. sum of money to Constituent constitutional framework and to horse trading. Pun admitted that a lot depends on the “To claim a government formation “Since this government is a caretaker Assembly members to form a gov- Parliament and that now it’s the job “I don’t think people’s represent- Election Commission. under Article 76(2), a lawmaker does not one, it is as good as a government that ernment led by Madhav Kumar of political actors to maintain the atives will sell their ideology,” But that’s a long shot. Before the House even need to be the leader of the has already resigned and therefore Oli Nepal. He had claimed that sanctity of politics. By spreading Shrestha told the Post. “The meeting commences, the Supreme Court Parliamentary Party.” does not even have to resign,” said Constituent Assembly members rumours of horse trading, accord- rumour about horse trading is a is set to deliver a verdict on a three-year- But a lawmaker elected prime minister Adhikari. “The question now is how the were being offered as much as Rs3 ing to them, leaders themselves are manifestation of the Oli faction’s old case regarding the “Nepal Communist under Article 76 (2) must win a vote of president addresses the situation.” million each. His claim too was not belittling lawmakers, and by exten- insecurity and frustration.”

C M Y K 03 | MONDAY, MARCH 01, 2021

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 01, 2021 | 04 OPINION EDITORIAL Bridging the gender gap Graduating wisely in higher education We need a solid post-graduation plan to enjoy the perks of becoming a developing country. Just improving literacy rates as a token of With the United Nations Committee for Development Policy recommending Nepal’s graduation from a least developed inclusion may not improve country to a developing country after a preparatory period of gender parity. five years, Nepal is poised to take a giant leap forward in its global portfolio. Although Nepal is yet to meet the gross nation- al income threshold, it has already met the human assets index ROSHEE LAMICHHANE and the economic and environmental vulnerability index, and with some rigorous homework on the economic front, it stands to rise to the status of a developing country by 2026. The expected graduation has brought widespread euphoria among various stakeholders across the country, not least the government that swears by the samriddhi slogan every so On the face of it, the number of female often. There is no harm in graduating to the status of a devel- students in higher education seems to oping country; in fact, that is what we must aspire to. There is be in the majority, and they have over- taken their male counterparts in some certainly no fun in being a permanent member of the club of courses such as education, manage- the destitute; we have to graduate from it, and the sooner the ment, medicine including nursing. But better. But graduating without laying sufficient groundwork in reality, they are being even more could lead to increased vulnerability since we will not have systematically discriminated against, as males in the same category are being much to fall back on. rewarded with more lucrative opportu- Beyond the rhetorical elevation, the graduation involves seri- nities to study abroad that entails much ous efforts towards buttressing the economic infrastructure of higher costs and better returns. Therefore, girl students are ‘cursed’ to the country even as we sacrifice the support system we have let settle down with a lower quality domes- ourselves become dependent upon for a long time. Our success, tic education system. therefore, depends upon our ability to adapt to the rigorous On the supply side, despite the plati- requirements of becoming a developing country and dealing tude of women being natural educators, the number of women teachers is dis- with the significant risks that come with it. The most visible proportionately low across all levels of pitfall of the graduation is that Nepal stands to lose a host of education. Thus, the gender gap contin- donor support programmes aimed at least developed countries. ues to persist today, owing to many and varied reasons. Among them, the issues For a country that has been dependent on foreign aid for of unequal access and exclusion struc- SHUTTERSTOCK sustenance, it might feel like a big aftershock. What’s more, tural barriers stand out glaringly. Right ratio into the first and last grade of or the distance involved in commuting Education, aims to ensure inclusive that gap has to be filled with a substantial increase in trade. policy initiatives and planning interven- primary education is higher for girls. to college, or the sheer absence of prop- and equitable quality education and Having faced a financial setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic tions alone can facilitate and promote However, there is no data as to how er and adequate transportation facili- promote life-long learning opportuni- equal access to education for women. many of them continue to reach the ties. But gender-specific issues are ties for all, this would have no real as well as the perennial lethargy that characterises the coun- last grade of primary education. This related to perceptions that there are no effect unless the government comes up try’s trade profile, Nepal will have to up its game for real. Unequal access and exclusion suggests there is disregard for making real payoffs from making daughters with policy initiatives, especially those However, in losing a substantial part of concessions and facili- Despite an impressive growth in enrol- data on women accessible which can be highly educated; many families believe focused on women. To effectively foster ties as an LDC nation, Nepal also stands to gain by buttressing ment numbers, the systematic exclu- considered as an equity issue. that daughters need to be married off girls’ education, budgetary allocations sion of girls, especially in the case of Girls, on a day-to-day basis, face a eventually. For example, if they need to need to be made available for sanitary its economic sector and becoming sustainable on its own in the science, technology, engineering and number of barriers to in the pursuit of buy a smartphone for educational pur- pads, women’s hostels and so forth. long run. If we have little to fall back on, we will learn to stand mathematics (STEM) courses, remains education that are caused by poverty, poses, the son must get it first but not It is accepted that mothers continue on our own. one of the biggest problems in higher cultural barriers, conservatism, poor the daughter as the parents have to to be the first schools, probably long education. Higher female enrolment infrastructure, violence and their save the money for her marriage. before the babies are born. While this For that, Nepal should assess the vulnerability that comes rates across a few disciplines should inherent issues due to biological fac- is the case, the gender gap continues to associated with graduation to developing country status and not be used to gloss over their overall tors such as menstruation. Besides, Interventions and way forward imperil education across all levels. The devise a resilience strategy that covers the transitional period, exclusion. For instance, among the 963 attitudes appear to be playing a major Conducting research to find out the gender gap in education is not just the including getting its long-term trade partners to pledge sup- students enrolled in PhD courses in part as parents do not want to send a reasons for girl students opting for cer- problem of a society, community, or one 2017, only 144 were women. Female girl child to school due to fear of har- tain courses and distancing themselves single nation, but the problem of port, including through increased trade. An efficient national enrolment as ‘consumers’ might have assment, security issues and the need from others might help to reduce the humanity. This is so as more than half transition strategy will help Nepal cope with the transitional increased, but the abysmally low num- to help with household chores. One gender gap in STEM courses and also of the population living in any geo- shock and emerge stronger than ever before. It must, therefore, ber of female faculty members in uni- thing that keeps girls away from school the subsequent lag in workforce partic- graphical area is forced to take sub-op- versity education suggests that women is abject poverty, which is, by and large, ipation. In India, due to the pragmatic timal or shoddy treatment from the expedite consultation with long-term trade partners to ensure lag behind as ‘producers’ of knowledge. universal. Marriage is another chal- measures taken by the government, government, societies and families too. a smooth transition from dependency to self-reliance. What is worth noting is the increas- lenge that prevents them from getting perceptible changes are being observed Today, there is a shortfall in women With formidable natural resources at its disposal, Nepal can ing gross enrolment rates of girls at the into the higher education threshold. in terms of higher enrolment in techni- being able to experience meaningful also boost its economic profile during the transitional period primary level since 2017 which has UNICEF data shows that almost one- cal courses and doctorate programmes. educational outcomes and enjoy gain- been higher than that of men. While third of women aged 20-24 years in Extending the maternity and child care ful employment. Bridging the gender by using those resources sustainably while also considering this is the case, 4,460,819 of the 6,275,174 Nepal get married before the age of 18, leave to 240 days for pregnant women gap in education is the only way to how it can mitigate natural disaster shocks. The success of the illiterates are females, in the category which is comparable across the nations while pursuing their MPhil and PhD build a more inclusive and just society. graduation, therefore, depends on how well Nepal can bolster of 15 years and older. The literacy rate of South Asia. Covid-19 is likely to programmes is a case in point. However, just improving literacy rates economic growth. The perks of graduating to the status of a among the same age group stands at worsen the gains made in women edu- The establishment of colleges exclu- as a token of inclusion may not improve 78.6 percent for men vis-à-vis 59.7 per- cation in Nepal as many females are sively for women might encourage gender parity on a sustainable basis. developed country are manifold if we can assess our capabili- cent for women in the year 2018. This not likely to return to school even after rural girls and embolden their parents We are already running late and appear ties and vulnerabilities well and take calculated risks. It is time gap in the literacy rate should ring the crisis is over. to send them for education away from to have missed the bus. to devise a solid post-graduation plan and deliver on it rather alarm bells to policymakers to delve Gender-neutral and gender-specific home. This requires government inter- deeper into the agenda of girl educa- issues pose a real challenge in bridging vention by making girls’ education a Lamichhane is an assistant professor at than question our capabilities and staying put where we are tion. As per the statistics released by the gap. Some of the former challenges strategic development priority. While the Kathmandu University School of right now. UNESCO for 2019, the gross intake arise due to poverty, parents’ ignorance Sustainable Development Goal 4, Management, Lalitpur.

Pulling up the inflation anchor

partly an increase in the conventional The US Federal Reserve Treasury yield, from 0.7 percent to 1.2 percent, and partly a decrease in the should rethink its policies indexed-bond yield, from -0.3 percent to -1 percent. before the inflation genie The upshot, according to the finan- cial markets, is that the higher infla- escapes from the bottle. tion experienced since last May will not be temporary. Bond yields are sig- naling long-term inflation above 2 per- ROBERT BARRO cent per year. On the bright side, this is still well below the 6 percent of the 1970s. Again, the Fed, particularly Chair Jerome Powell, seems highly confi- dent that it can keep a lid on inflation by eventually raising short-term nom- inal interest rates if necessary. The Five decades ago, the United States’ problem is that hiking short-term biggest macroeconomic problem was rates will have little impact on infla- high inflation, which averaged more tion once high long-term expected than 6 percent in the 1970s and rose to inflation has taken root. as high as 10 percent by the end of the The only way to keep the genie in decade. Then came US Federal Reserve the bottle is with the ‘whatev- Chair Paul Volcker, who was appoint- er-it-takes’ philosophy that Volcker ed by President Jimmy Carter in 1979 pioneered in the early 1980s. Financial and reappointed in 1983 by President markets, businesses, and households Ronald Reagan. would have to believe that the Fed, in In 1981, Volcker famously broke the cooperation with the Treasury, would back of inflation through a policy of maintain high-interest rates as need- high interest rates. By sticking to this ed even in the face of recession. policy despite a recession, he convinced Powell should be emphasising the financial markets, businesses, and perils of high inflation, as befits a households that the Fed would hence- central bank chief. And Secretary of forth do whatever was necessary to the Treasury Janet Yellen—herself a ensure low and stable inflation. former Fed chair—should be stressing Many years later, this strong com- fiscal discipline, rather than favoring mitment by a top monetary policy- SHUTTERSTOCK a ‘go big’ approach that pays little maker may have served as the model the Fed soon found that it had a lot of to observe no limits, and fiscal deficits from early 2010 to early 2020, the infla- expected inflation coincided with attention to unrestrained public debt. for Mario Draghi, when, as European short-term policy leeway: it could as a share of GDP are running at tion rate for the consumer price index recent actual inflation. Then, the To ensure that inflation will not Central Bank president in 2012, he adjust short-term nominal interest unprecedented peacetime levels. (CPI) averaged 1.7 percent per year, severe recession that started in March reemerge, we need policymakers to committed to ‘do whatever it takes’ to rates and quantities of monetary The Fed now exudes confidence—or and the average rate calculated for the 2020 generated a short-term fall in the fashion themselves in the mould of a preserve the euro. No doubt, Draghi’s aggregates without jeopardising its rather, overconfidence—that nothing Fed’s favourite price-level measure— price level, leaving inflation temporar- Volcker or a Draghi. But my fear is success in that mission explains why long-run credibility. For example, it it does will affect long-term inflation the deflator for personal consumer ily in negative territory (-4 percent per that weak policymakers, incapable of he just became Italy’s prime minister. kept short-term nominal rates close to expectations. Indeed, if anything, it expenditure—was similar, at 1.5 per- year from March to May). At the same serious commitments, will squander The key to Volcker’s legacy is the zero for extended periods and dramat- wants inflation to rise from around 1.5 cent per year. time, long-term expected inflation fell the reputational capital that was cre- anchoring of long-term inflation ically expanded its balance sheet, all percent per year toward its target of A reasonable measure of long-term to around 1 percent per year. ated at high cost by Volcker more than expectations at a low value, around 2 while maintaining the key anchor of near 2 percent. But rather than wring- expected inflation is the ten-year But the inflation rate soon ticked 30 years ago. percent per year since the 1990s. This low long-term expected inflation. ing its hands over below-target infla- break-even inflation rate, which up—averaging 3 percent per year from anchor translated into actual price Unfortunately, this reputational tion today, the Fed should be worrying equals the difference in yield between May 2020 to January 2021—and long- Barro, Professor of Economics at stability, with inflation remaining at a capital that Volcker bequeathed is more about the potential for a sharp conventional and inflation-indexed term expected inflation increased sub- Harvard, is a visiting scholar at the low average rate of about 2 percent. now being threatened by reckless rise in long-term expected inflation. ten-year US Treasuries. In January- stantially from 1 percent per year in American Enterprise Institute and a Having established confidence monetary and fiscal policies. The Consider the current US inflation February 2020, this rate equalled 1.7 March-May 2020 to 2.2 percent by research associate of the National about long-term expected inflation, Fed’s balance sheet nowadays seems figures. Before the Covid-19 recession, percent per year, so that long-term February 2021. This change reflected Bureau of Economic Research.

C M Y K 05 | MONDAY, MARCH 01, 2021 MONEY

FOREX Chinese investment US Dollar 117.85 10 megawatts of solar power evacuated Euro 142.32 in Australia plunges Pound 164.22 Japanese 11.06 to national grid in Province 2 as relations sour, Chinese 18.2 virus bites Qatari 32.36 Nepal needs at least 200MW of energy to become self-reliant during the dry season and solar energy is the best option. Australian 90.82 AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE SYDNEY, FEB 28 Malaysian 29.07 AJIT TIWARI JANAKPUR, FEB 28 Chinese investment in Australia Saudi 31.42 plunged almost two-thirds last year to Exchange rates fixed by Nepal Rastra Bank A Nepali private company has gener- less than $1 billion as the impact of ated about 10 megawatts of solar coronavirus was compounded by power in the southeastern region of increasingly fraught relations Shares Dhalkebar, Mahottari of Province 2 between the two countries. where hydropower potential is almost The reading marks the fourth Nepse 2,474.39pts -3.12% nil and evacuated it to the national straight drop and is just a fraction of grid. the $13 billion injected into the coun- HIGHEST LOSERS This is the largest solar power fed try in 2016, with Canberra growing GMFBS NFS NIFRA NHDL API BARUN -7% -6.74% -6.45% -6.13% -6.11% -5.96% into the national grid by a private increasingly wary of the Asian super- company till date. power’s intentions. MODERATE LOSERS EIC GMFIL FMDBL NMBMF SGI CLBSL On November 10, 2020, private pro- Data from the Australian National -4.13% -4.11% -4.09% -4.09% -4.04% -4.04% ducer, Ridi Hydropower Development University released Sunday showed

MODERATE GAINERS Company, had evacuated 8.5 mega- direct investment plunged to US$800 PBLD84 SIC LUK SRD80 SBLD2082 watts of solar energy to the national million last year, from US$2.05 billion 0.95% 0.64% 0.49% 0.48% 0.19% grid from its plant in Manigram, in 2019. HIGHEST GAINERS Rupandehi. The pandemic has almost halved CGH CMF2 SICL NICAD8283 NICAD8182 NLG The Dhalkebar plant is spread over investment globally according to the 9.81% 2.84% 2.80% 1.71% 1.50% 0.99% nearly 40 bighas [6.3 hectares] of land. United Nations trade body UNCTAD, The developer—Eco Power but a much larger drop was seen in Development Company—had con- China-Australia flows, according to tracted the project to Kushal Projects ANU economics professor Shiro PRICE PER TOLA Nepal under the design, supply, con- Armstrong. BULLION struction, operation and maintenance Last year China’s direct investment to modality. Australia focused on just 20 projects in Fine Gold Rs 88,300 The developer said that the project three sectors—real estate, mining and was completed in a record duration of manufacturing—the fewest in a decade. Silver Rs 1,325 7 months despite the Covid-19 lock- “Naturally, this kind of data is down. The power was evacuated to the lumpy, because of big projects, but SOURCE: FENEGOSIDA national grid on February 18. there is a pretty clear trend we can The solar energy has been sold to see, since the peak in 2016 it has fallen the Nepal Electricity Authority at every year quite steadily, quite dra- GASOLINE WATCH Rs7.30 per unit. The total investment matically,” Armstrong told AFP. cost of the project is around Rs900 In 2016 there were a number of large million. investments from the China Investment Each solar panel covers an area of PHOTO COURTESY: KUSHAL PROJECTS Corporation, a sovereign wealth fund, 2.22 square-meter. According to Energy mix of Nepal, which till date is dominated by hydropower, is expected to be more diverse in coming years with more private developers and China’s State Power Investment Kushal Projects, a total of 28,504 pan- showing interest in installing solar plants in different locations. Corporation bought Pacific Hydro. els has been installed at the plant. While China remains Australia’s larg- Sandeep Agrawal, managing direc- energy projects are in the pipeline. megawatts which will account for working as per the government’s ener- est trading partner, political relations tor of Kushal Projects, said power Kushal Projects has already received almost 70 percent of the total installed gy mix plan that aims to produce 15 are at their lowest in decades, with generated from the sun would address solar projects in five more places in capacity of 56 solar plants that have percent of energy through solar Canberra recoiling at Beijing’s efforts the scarcity of energy during the dry Nepal. received survey licences from the power. to translate economic might into politi- season and reduce dependence on Energy mix of Nepal, which till department till date. According to experts, Nepal imme- cal and military power. importing electricity. date is dominated by hydropower, is The largest among them is 120 meg- diately needs at least 200 megawatts of China has slapped punitive sanc- From December to February— expected to be more diverse in coming awatts Solar PV Project Dhalkebar in energy to become self-reliant during tions on a range of Australian exports which are the dry months in winter— years with more private developers Mahottari district owned by the dry season and solar energy is the as the two countries clash on a range the country’s power generation drops showing interest in installing solar Chaudhary Group, one of the biggest best option. of issues from influence operations, due to a fall in water levels in the riv- plants in different locations. business houses of the country. Province 2 had also announced to national security rules, China’s inter- ers as snow in the mountains doesn’t In the fiscal year 2019-20, the Similarly, the second and third install 50 megawatts of solar energy nal crackdowns and transparency melt. Department of Electricity largest plants are 50 megawatts in its first policy and programme in over its handling of the coronavirus In Province 2, there is no possibility Development had awarded survey Solar PV Project Barju in Sunsari 2018-19. Although the province pandemic. for the development of hydropower licences to various developers willing and 30 megawatts Parwanipur Solar government’s plan has not moved There is also growing concern in projects. But the province has abun- to install solar plants at 21 different Farm in Parsa—both owned by the forward, for the construction of Australia that Beijing has used trade, dant sun energy that could be tapped, locations within the country. same group, according to the depart- solar energy, the private sector is investments and diaspora groups to according to energy experts. As a The combined installed capacity of ment. aggressively investing in the solar gain political leverage, which has result, a number of solar-powered these 21 solar plants will be 317.14 Agrawal said that they have been plants. prompted a slew of legislation. BIZLINE Women fight for funding in In pandemic e-work, Greece sees Ncell launches Sahayatri SIM chance to reverse brain drain for outbound workers man’s world of tech startups KATHMANDU: Ncell Axiata Limited AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE improved, but unemployment remains more has launched ‘Sahayatri SIM’, a spe- And while last year set a record ATHENS, FEB 28 than double the European Union and euro- cial offer for individuals who are for venture capital funding, back- zone average. planning to go abroad for foreign ing for women-led startups The pandemic was a wakeup call that The exodus of half a million people cost employment, and their family mem- plunged despite data that such reminded Christophoros Xenos of what he the Greek economy more than 15 billion bers. From bundled services in the companies actually deliver better misses most in London—the Greek sun and euros ($18 billion), according to a report by starter pack to attractive bonuses return-on-investment, according pleasant Mediterranean way of life. the Hellenic Authority for Quality in Higher and free roaming service are the to Kapin. 36-year old risk manager left Greece in Education (ADIP). key features of the SIM. This attrac- “This isn’t about altruism or his early 20s for Britain, aiming to complete Around 90 percent of those who left were tive SIM offer came into effect on charity, this is about making a his studies, gain professional experience college graduates and 64 percent held a post- February 26, the company said in a (load) of money,” Kapin said of abroad and come back. graduate degree, according to a survey by statement. Sahayatri SIM aims to sup- backing women-led startups. This never happened, as the decade-long consulting firm ICAP. port potential outbound workers in Prospects for funding get even Greek crisis that followed killed thousands The government offers a hefty tax their whole journey once they make a more dismal for women of colour. of jobs. incentive to those who move back to Greece mind to go for employment in over- Black entrepreneur Fonta But during the first coronavirus wave, from abroad—a 50 percent exemption on seas job markets. All the offers Gilliam worked overseas with Xenos took advantage of remote work to income earned here for the next seven included in the SIM are related to financial institutions for the US return to Greece for three months—and years. their journey and easy communica- State Department before creating homesickness hit him hard. Xenos says taxation is one of the main tion of family members with workers. social banking startup Invest Sou “I worked for three months from Athens issues still keeping people abroad and the There is also an offer in this SIM Sou. and the Greek islands and really enjoyed the new lower taxation policy will be a big which allows subscribers to call India Gilliam took the idea of village weather, the quality of life, the return to the incentive. at a local rate. The special SIM costs AFP/RSS savings circles she had seen thrive homeland,” he told AFP. “I want to return. I know that the salary Rs99 including taxes and comes with Entrepreneur Fonta Gilliam displays a prototype of her Sou Sou app during an in places such as Africa and With thousands of employees like Xenos won’t be the same, but I don’t want to make a Rs20 main balance, 200 MB data interview in Washington, DC. built it into a free mobile app, add- capable of working remotely, Greece sees an a huge compromise that would make no valid for 7 days, 20 minutes of on net ing artificial intelligence and opportunity to bring back some of the sense professionally,” he said. talk time along with 20 on net SMS AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE When it comes to getting back- partnering with financial institu- minds the country lost during the past dec- However, there are other major issues valid for 7 days. There are multiple SAN FRANCISCO, FEB 28 ing for a startup it is about trust, tions. ade. that need to be tackled: low salaries, state valuable features which include a and that seems to be lacking when She created a Sou Sou prototype “We want you back,” Alex Patelis, chief bureaucracy and internet bandwidth that is bonus on the first recharge, 10 per- Lauren Foundos has excelled at it comes to women entrepreneurs, and started bringing in revenue to economic adviser to Prime Minister both slow and expensive. cent bonus balance on every recharge just about everything she has put according to Foundos and others show it could make money, but still Kyriakos Mitsotakis, said at a recent Delphi According to a study by the EU’s founda- for 12 months, free roaming service her mind to, from college sports interviewed by AFP. found it tougher to get funding Forum online event. tion for the improvement of living and of 15 minutes for making calls to and Wall Street trading to her “I don’t think women need to be than male peers. “Open offices, set up new companies or working conditions, Greece significantly Nepal and in respective roaming Forte startup that takes workouts given things,” Foundos said of “We always have to over-per- move part of your businesses to Greece. We lags behind the European average in terms countries. online. venture capital backing. “But I form and overcompensate,” have the sun, the technology, and we are by of creating high-quality jobs with good Being a woman in the over- think they are not seeing the same Gilliam said. “Where startups run your side,” he said. financial gains and prospects. whelmingly male world of venture amount of deals.” by men would get believed, we’d Some 500,000 people moved abroad during Greece also ranks among the worst-per- Hulas Steel launches capital was still a barrier—but, Forte has grown quickly as the have to prove it 10 times over.” the Greek crisis. The economy shrank by a forming countries in the OECD in the ‘Galvaalum’ roofing like many other female entrepre- pandemic has gyms and fitness Gilliam got insultingly low valu- quarter and unemployment skyrocketed to employment of higher education graduates sheets in Nepal neurs, she only worked harder to centres scrambling to provide ations for her startup, some so 28 percent. Since then, job figures have aged 25-64. succeed. online sessions for members. predatory that she walked away. KATHMANDU: For the first time in “In some cases, before I even Foundos brought on a “right- “We are still lean and mean Nepal, Hulas Steel has announced spoke, they were asking me if I hand man,” a male partner with a bootstrapping, but I think it is the launch of revolutionary roofing would step down as chief execu- British accent, to provide a more going to pay off in the end,” sheets, Hulas Galvaalum and Hulas tive,” Foundos said of encounters traditional face to potential inves- Gilliam said. Dura Colour in Nepal. Galvaalum with venture capitalists. tors and increase the odds of get- “One thing about women-owned, sheet is a cold rolled sheet coated “This was a whole new level.” ting funding. black-owned startups: because with 55 percent of Aluminum, 43.5 Men would speak past her in She has taken to asking venture there is such a high bar to get sup- percent of zinc, and 1.5 percent meetings, discussing whether she capitalists she meets if they have port our businesses tend to be of silicon. ‘Galvaalum’ offers could emotionally handle the job invested in women-led companies scrappier, stronger and more resil- superior corrosion resistance com- as if she wasn’t there, or wonder- before, and the answer has always ient.” pared to other coating technology ing out loud who would take care been “no.” Women-led startups tend to be and increases the durability and of the books. A paltry few percent of venture on the outside of the “pipeline” strength by three times compared “When that happens, I tell them capital money goes to female-led that unofficially funnels entrepre- with galvanised roofing sheets, the I am right here,” Foundos said. “I startups in the United States, neurs to venture capitalists, company said in a statement. The am the finance guy; I worked at big according to Allyson Kapin, according to Kapin and others. coating is done using Australian banks for more than 10 years. I’ve General Partner at the W Fund In Silicon Valley, that channel is technology and will increase the life been the best at everything I have and founder of Women Who Tech open to male, white tech entrepre- of roofing sheets by three times. ever gone into.” (WWT). neurs from select universities Hulas Steel Industries limited, Startups can only get by so long Being sexually propositioned in such as Stanford. established in 1981 with the first gal- relying on friends, family or sav- return for funding, or even an “The pipeline becomes filled vanised sheet in Nepal and in 1989 ings before eventually needing to introduction to venture capital- with people from the same univer- with the first colour coated sheet find investors willing to put money ists, is common for women found- sities; from similar backgrounds,” using Japanese technology has into young companies in exchange ers of startups, according to a Kapin said. changed the definition of roofing for a stake in the business. recent WWT surve y. “It is not representative of the sheets in Nepal and now proudly Money invested in startups in Some 44 percent of female world, which is problematic takes the Nepal Roofing industry to their earliest days, perhaps founders surveyed told of harass- because you are trying to solve the global standards with the launch of when they are no more than ideas ment such as sexual slurs or world’s problems through the lens ‘Hulas Galvaalum’ and ‘Hulas or prototypes, is called “seed” unwanted physical contact while of very few people—mostly white DuraColour’. funding. seeking funding. men.”

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 01, 2021 | 06 WORLD BRIEFING At least 18 dead on bloodiest US authorises J&J’s Hong Kong detains 47 activists on subversion charges Covid-19 vaccine, HONG KONG: Hong Kong police on day of Myanmar protests Sunday detained 47 pro-democracy activists on charges of conspiracy to commit subversion under the city’s national security law, in the largest Myanmar has been in chaos since the army seized power on February 1. making it third available mass charge against the semi-autono- mous Chinese territory’s opposition REUTERS REUTERS BioNTech SE and Moderna vaccines, camp since the law came into effect MYANMAR, FEB 28 WASHINGTON, FEB 28 which must be shipped frozen. last June. The former lawmakers and “It potentially could play a very democracy advocates had been previ- Myanmar police fired on protesters The US government on Saturday substantial role if we have enough ously arrested in a sweeping police around the country on Sunday in the authorized Johnson & Johnson’s sin- doses because it’s only a single-dose operation in January but were bloodiest day of weeks of demonstra- gle-dose Covid-19 vaccine, enabling vaccine and that will make it attrac- released. They have been detained tions against a military coup and at millions more Americans to be vacci- tive to people who are difficult to again and will appear in court on least 18 people were killed, the UN nated in the coming weeks and setting reach,” said Dr. William Schaffner, an Monday, police said in a statement. human rights office said. the vaccine up for additional approv- infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt They allegedly violated the national Police were out in force early and als around the world. University Medical Center in security law that was imposed by opened fire in different parts of the The J&J vaccine is the third author- Nashville. “It’s one and done.” Beijing for participating in unofficial biggest city of Yangon after stun gre- ized in the United States, following The US government, which has pur- election primaries for Hong Kong’s nades, tear gas and shots in the air ones from Pfizer/BioNTech and chased 100 million doses of the J&J legislature last year. failed to break up crowds. Soldiers Moderna, both of which require two vaccine, plans to distribute about 3 also reinforced police. doses. million to 4 million next week. That Several wounded people were The US Food and Drug would be on top of the around 16 mil- Russia launches satellite to hauled away by fellow protesters, leav- Administration announced the emer- lion doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech and monitor climate in Arctic ing bloody smears on pavements, gency use authorisation of the J&J Moderna vaccines the government MOSCOW: Russia launched its space media images showed. One man died vaccine for adults aged 18 and older already planned to ship across the satellite Arktika-M on Sunday on a after being brought to a hospital with following Friday’s unanimous country. mission to monitor the climate and a bullet in the chest, said a doctor who endorsement by the agency’s panel of “We are ready to roll it out,” White environment in the Arctic amid a asked not to be identified. outside experts. House senior adviser Andy Slavitt push by the Kremlin to expand the “Police and military forces have President Joe Biden hailed the wrote on Twitter after the authorisa- country’s activities in the region. The confronted peaceful demonstrations, move but cautioned Americans tion. Johnson & Johnson said it had Arctic has warmed more than twice using lethal force and less-than-lethal against celebrating too soon. “Things begun shipping vaccines to the gov- as fast as the global average over the force that—according to credible are still likely to get worse again as ernment. last three decades and Moscow is information received by the UN REUTERS new variants spread,” he said in a J&J plans to provide a total of 20 seeking to develop the energy-rich Human Rights Office—has left at least Demonstrators clash with riot police officers in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. statement, urging people to continue million doses by the end of March, region, investing in the Northern Sea 18 people dead and over 30 wounded,” washing their hands, wearing masks, which along with the more than 220 Route for shipping across its long the UN human rights office said. ruling military council did not The crackdown would appear to and maintaining social distancing. million total doses expected from northern flank as ice melts. The satel- Myanmar has been in chaos since respond to phone calls seeking com- indicate determination by the mili- “There is light at the end of the tun- Pfizer and Moderna would be enough lite successfully reached its intended the army seized power and detained ment. tary to impose its authority in the face nel, but we cannot let our guard down to fully vaccinate 130 million orbit after being launched from elected government leader Aung San The dead in Yangon included a of defiance, not just on the streets but now or assume that victory is inevita- Americans. Kazakhstan’s Baikonur cosmodrome Suu Kyi and much of her party leader- teacher, Tin New Yee, who died after more broadly in the civil service, ble,” he said. So far, the United States has distrib- by a Soyuz rocket, Dmitry Rogozin, ship on February 1, alleging fraud in a police swooped to disperse a teachers’ municipal administration, the judici- Both the Pfizer and Moderna vac- uted more than 90 million doses of the head of Russia’s Roscosmos space November election her party won in a protest with stun grenades, sending ary, the education and health sectors cines, which are based on new mes- Covid-19 vaccines, some of which have agency, said in a post on Twitter. landslide. the crowd fleeing, her daughter and a and the media. senger RNA technology, showed high- been used for second shots. About 14 The coup, which brought a halt to fellow teacher said. “The Myanmar security forces’ er efficacy rates in pivotal trials that percent of Americans have received at tentative steps towards democracy Police also hurled stun grenades clear escalation in use of lethal force used two doses versus J&J’s sin- least one dose, according to US gov- Rooster kills Indian man after nearly 50 years of military rule, outside a Yangon medical school, in multiple towns and cities ... is out- gle-shot vaccine. Direct comparison, ernment data. has drawn hundreds of thousands sending doctors and students in white rageous and unacceptable,” Phil however, is difficult because the trials Covid-19 has claimed more than during banned cockfight onto the streets and the condemnation lab coats scattering. A group called Robertson, deputy Asia director of had different goals and J&J’s was con- half a million lives in the United HYDERABAD: A man was killed by a of Western countries. the Whitecoat Alliance of medics said New York-based Human Rights Watch, ducted while more contagious new States, and states are clamouring for rooster with a blade tied to its leg Among the dead were three people more than 50 medical staff had been said in a statement. variants of the virus were circulating. more doses to stem cases, hospitalisa- during an illegal cockfight in south- in Dawei in the south, politician arrested. The Canadian Embassy said it was “We believe that people should take tions, and deaths. ern India, police said, bringing focus Kyaw Min Htike told Reuters from Police broke up protests in other “appalled by a trend of increased vio- the vaccine they are able to access,” Public health officials have warned on a practice that continues in some the town. towns, including Lashio in the north- lence and use of force against protest- the FDA’s acting commissioner, Dr. about a rise in the prevalence of more Indian states despite a decades-old The Myanmar Now media outlet east, Myeik in the deep south and ers” and Indonesia, which has taken Janet Woodcock, said in a call after contagious variants of the virus, add- ban. The rooster, with a 3-inch knife reported two people had been killed in Hpa-An in the east, residents and the lead within the Association of the authorization, noting the three ing to the urgency to get millions more tied to its leg, fluttered in panic and a protest in the second city of media said. Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in vaccines had not been studied head-to- people vaccinated as quickly as possi- slashed its owner, 45-year-old Mandalay. Security forces fired again Junta leader General Min Aung efforts to resolve the turmoil, said it head. ble. Meanwhile, they said, mask wear- Thangulla Satish, in his groin last later in the day and one woman was Hlaing said last week authorities were was deeply concerned. “We feel that each of these vaccines ing and other measures to curb the week, police inspector B. Jeevan said killed, Mandalay resident Sai Tun told using minimal force to deal with the State-run MRTV television said will be effective, will prevent hospital- virus spread should remain in place Sunday. The incident occurred in Reuters. protests. more than 470 people had been arrest- ization, deaths and should be used,” as recent declines in Covid-19 cases Lothunur village of Telangana state. “The medical team checked her and Nevertheless, at least 21 protesters ed on Saturday when police launched she said. appear to be levelling off. According to Jeevan, Satish was confirmed she didn’t make it. She was have now died in the turmoil. The the nationwide crackdown. It was not In J&J’s 44,000-person global trial, The J&J vaccine is also under injured while he prepared the rooster shot in the head,” Sai Tun said. army said a policeman has been clear how many were detained on the vaccine was found to be 66 percent review by the European Union, where for a fight. (AGENCIES) Police and the spokesman for the killed. Sunday. effective at preventing moderate-to-se- deliveries are expected starting in vere Covid-19 four weeks after inocu- April and would build on the region’s lation. It was 100 percent effective in thin supplies of the Pfizer/BioNTech, preventing hospitalisation and death Moderna and AstraZeneca Plc shots. due to the virus. In South Africa, regulators were There were very few serious side awaiting the FDA decision as their effects reported in the trial, which government looks to deploy more J&J Yemen rebels claim Saudi strikes, threaten attacks also offered preliminary evidence that vaccine against a variant of the virus the vaccine reduced asymptomatic called B.1.351 that is able to evade AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE crisis in Yemen. infections. some vaccine protection. SANAA, FEB 28 US President Joe Biden halted sup- More study is expected. The FDA on J&J’s vaccine is being rolled out port to Saudi offensive operations in Saturday dismissed the idea that evi- there prior to official authorisation Yemen’s Iran-backed Huthi rebels on Yemen’s war, which he called a dence proved the vaccine prevented for about 500,000 healthcare workers Sunday claimed the attempted strikes “catastrophe” that “has to end”. transmission between people in a bid to stem infections from the that targeted neighbouring Saudi But he has also reiterated US sup- and added there was no data to deter- variant, which has swept across the Arabia overnight and threatened port for Saudi Arabia in defending its mine how long the vaccine’s country and spread globally. more attacks, as fighting in the grind- territory. protection lasted. The vaccine is one of the few that ing civil war escalates. On Sunday, in the latest violence in J&J’s vaccine is expected to be used has been tested in clinical trials Huthi fighters have intensified Yemen, five civilians including a child widely around the globe because it can against the variant and had a 64 per- operations against the kingdom as air were killed when their home was be shipped and stored at normal cent efficacy rate at preventing mod- strikes by the Saudi-led military coali- destroyed in a bombardment near the refrigerator temperatures, making erate-to-severe disease in South tion pound rebel positions in the north strategic rebel-held Red Sea port of distribution easier than for the Pfizer/ Africa. of Yemen, in a bid to stop their offen- Hodeida. sive to seize the government’s last The warring sides traded blame northern stronghold of Marib. over who was responsible, with the Years of war have already pushed government accusing Huthis of firing Yemen to the brink of famine. AFP/RSS a mortar bomb, and the rebels saying Saudi Arabia—which has been Forces loyal to Yemen’s Huthi rebels carry the coffins of fighters killed during battles with the explosion was caused by twin air backing the Yemeni government Saudi-backed government troops, in the capital Sanaa’s al-Saleh mosque. strikes by the Saudi-led coalition. against the rebels since 2015—said Alongside the cross-border attacks, Saturday it thwarted a Huthi missile damaging at least one home but no attacks as well, warning residents in the Huthis are pressing ahead with a that targeted Riyadh. casualties were reported, Saudi’s state- the region to “stay clear from all mili- offensive to seize the government-held “The operation was carried out run Al-Ekhbariya television said. tary airports and sites.” Marib region, where some of the with a ballistic missile and 15 drones... AFP correspondents in the Saudi The Huthis have escalated cross-bor- country’s richest oil fields are found. targeting sensitive areas in the ene- capital reported hearing multiple loud der attacks on the kingdom even after Hundreds of fighters from both my’s capital of Riyadh,” said Huthi explosions, with state television foot- the United States delisted the rebels as sides have been killed in recent fero- spokesman Yahya al-Saree, according age showing the night sky light up terrorists, reversing a decision by the cious fighting, government source say. to the rebels’ Al-Masirah TV channel. with a bright flash. administration of former president The Huthis now control most of the “Our operations will continue and Separately, the coalition said it had Donald Trump. country’s north and the government will expand as long as the aggression intercepted six Huthi drones targeting The designation had been widely has been struggling to defend Marib and seige on our country continues.” the kingdom, including the southern criticised by aid organisations, who province and the city, which lies some Fragments of the missile scattered cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan. warned it would hamper their 120 km east of the rebel-held capital REUTERS over several Riyadh neighbourhoods, Saree on Sunday claimed those efforts to alleviate a humanitarian Sanaa. Vials of Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine candidate are seen in an undated photograph. Donald Trump the dominant force at conservative conference

ASSOCIATED PRESS will use the speech to reassert his “I thought it was an important committee tasked with electing WASHINGTON, FEB 28 power. stand to take,” he said. Republicans to the Senate. “If we do, The programme underscored the Others argued the party would lose we will lose the working base that A conference dedicated to the future split raging within the GOP, as many if it turned its back on Trump and President Trump so animated. We’re of the conservative movement turned establishment voices argue the party alienated the working-class voters going to lose elections across the coun- into an ode to Donald Trump as speak- must move on from Trump to win drawn to his populist message. try, and ultimately we’re going to lose ers declared their fealty to the former back the suburban voters who aban- “We cannot — we will not — go back our nation.” president and attendees posed for doned them in November, putting to the days of the failed Republican Scott is dismissing pressure on him selfies with a golden statue of his President Joe Biden in the White establishment of yesteryear,” said to “mediate between warring factions likeness. House. Senate Republican leader Florida Gov Ron DeSantis, who out- on the right” or “mediate the war of As the Republican Party grapples Mitch McConnell and others worry lined a new Trumpian GOP agenda words between the party leaders.” with deep divisions over the extent to Trump will undermine the party’s focused on restrictive immigration He has refused to take sides in the which it should embrace Trump after political future if he and his bitter ongoing fight between Trump losing the White House and both conspiracy theories continue to and McConnell. chambers of Congress, those gathered dominate Republican politics. “I’m not going to mediate any- at the annual Conservative Political But at the conference, speakers McConnell and thing,” he said.” Action Conference on Friday made continued to fan disinformation and But in speeches throughout the day, clear they are not ready to move on conspiracy theories about the 2020 others worry Trump the GOP turmoil was front and centre. from the former president—or from election, with panels dedicated to will undermine Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr his baseless charges that the amplifying false claims of mass voter lit into Wyoming Rep Liz Cheney, the November election was rigged against fraud that have been dismissed by the the party’s political No. 3 House Republican, who has him. courts, state election officials and faced tremendous backlash for her “Donald J Trump ain’t going any- Trump’s own administration. future. vote to impeach Trump for inciting where,” said Texas Sen Ted Cruz, one Indeed, Sen Josh Hawley, R-Mo, the Capitol riot. of several potential 2024 presidential another potential 2024 hopeful, drew And as the programme was wrap- contenders who spoke at the event, among the loudest applause and a policies, opposition to China and lim- ping up, Trump issued a statement being held this year in Orlando to standing ovation when he bragged iting military engagement. endorsing Max Miller, a former staffer bypass Covid-19 restrictions. about challenging the election certifi- “We will not win the future by try- who has now launched a campaign AP/RSS Trump on Sunday will be making cation on January 6 despite the storm- ing to go back to where the Republican challenging Ohio Rep Anthony A woman takes a photo with a golden Donald Trump statue at the Conservative Political his first post-presidential appearance ing of the Capitol building by Trump Party used to be,” echoed Florida Sen Gonzalez, another Republican who Action conference in Orlando, Florida. at the conference, and aides say he supporters trying to halt the process. Rick Scott, who chairs the fundraising voted in favour of impeachment.

C M Y K 07 | MONDAY, MARCH 01, 2021 SPORTS | MEDLEY BRIEFING Arsenal dent Leicester’s Khumaltar edge Jhamsikhel Bayern Munich crush Cologne 1-0, join leaders Satdobato MUNICH: Bundesliga top scorer Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry both Premier League title hopes SPORTS BUREAU who also claimed that his side were struck twice as Bayern Munich KATHMANDU, FEB 28 superior in terms of performance. crushed Cologne 5-1 on Saturday for a In the early kick-off, Milan Limbu first win in three league games to The defeat against the north Londoners leaves the Foxes in third place in the league Khumaltar Youth Club came on level completed a hat-trick for Boys Union stay two points clear at the top. Eric with leaders Satdobato Youth Club Club in their 3-0 win over Nayabasti Maxim Choupo-Moting opened the standings, trailing leaders Manchester City by 13 points with 12 games remaining. after a 1-0 victory over Jhamsikhel Youth Club. champions’ account with his first Youth Club in the Martyrs Memorial Forward Rai opened scoring in the league goal this season, heading in Chelsea. The Brazilian winger finally ‘B’ Division League at the ANFA 21st minute and added second in the Leon Goretzka’s cross at the far post enjoyed a moment to savour as Arsenal Complex, Satdobato, on Sunday. first half stoppage time as they were in the 18th minute. Lewandowski drew level in the 39th minute. Willian’s Mahesh Rai scored the lone goal as into the break with a 2-0 cushion. Rai struck 15 minutes later, combining out-swinging free-kick arrowed early as the third minute to seal the completed his hat-trick in the 57th with Goretzka after a bad pass back, towards Luiz and the defender stooped victory for Khumaltar. Despite coming minute to ensure the victory. and the Pole got his 28th league goal to direct a powerful header past on level with leaders Satdobato on With the outcome, Boys Union from an assist by Thomas Mueller, Kasper Schmeichel from 10 yards. equal 19 points, Khumaltar, however, remain stable in fourth place with 14 seconds after the midfielder came on Arsenal had barely finished cele- remain in second spot on the basis of points in their accounts. They have in the 65th minute following a corona- brating when promising midfielder head-to-head record. won three and drawn two matches. virus infection. Substitute Gnabry Emile Smith Rowe limped off injured. Khumaltar were defeated 3-2 by Nayabasti, who face a point deduction completed the rout with two late They ignored that setback to take the Satdobato, who have a match advantage punishment for finishing in last two goals in four minutes. lead in first half stoppage-time. Pepe’s over their closest rival, in their match positions in the last edition of the cross hit Ndidi’s out-stretched arm on Friday. Jhamsikhel are 10th in the league which did not have the provi- Juventus held by Hallas Verona and VAR ruled the block had taken table with six points in their kitty. sion of relegation, are fifth with 11 place just inside the area. Lacazette Khumaltar assistant coach Binod points. TURIN: Juventus were held to a 1-1 stepped up to slam the penalty past Dangol said that his side failed to play Boys Union assistant coach Ranjit draw by Hellas Verona after Cristiano Schmeichel for his 11th goal of the to their potential. “I think the boys Singh expressed satisfaction at the Ronaldo’s opener was cancelled out season. were tired after the high tempo last performance of his side. “We played by a towering header from Antonin There was another blow for match against Satdobato. The match better than last game. Both sides are Barak in Serie A on Saturday. The Leicester—already without the plan was properly executed only in the of similar level but we were better result leaves Juve in third place on 46 injured James Maddison—when first 10 minutes and our players scored today and converted our chances,” points while Verona are ninth with 35 Harvey Barnes was stretchered off during that time,” said Dangol. said Singh. points from 24. League top scorer with his left knee heavily wrapped Jhamsikhel coach Purushottam Nayabasti coach Chet Narayan Ronaldo fired in his 19th goal this early in the second half. Leicester Dangol termed the game as an evenly Shrestha said that his side failed to season early in the second half but AP/RSS were on the ropes and Arsenal landed contested affair. “The only difference maintain ball possession as per the Barak guided home a 78th-minute David Luiz, Alexandre Lacazette (right) and Nicolas Pepe gave Arsenal a 3-1 win over Leicester. the knockout punch in the 52nd min- in the match was that we failed to cap- match plan. “Our midfield could not equaliser as the champions’ poor run ute with a superb counter-attack. italise on scoring opportunities while play to their potential and injuries of of away form continued. Andrea Pirlo’s AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE With Arsenal languishing in mid-ta- Xhaka found Pepe wide on the right the opponents utilised scoring chanc- our influential defenders hampered side have picked up only four points LEICESTER, FEB 28 ble, Arteta has prioritised winning the and the Ivorian picked out Martin es,” said Jhamsikhel coach Dangol, the performance,” said Shrestha. from their last four league games on Europa League as his side’s only hope Odegaard on the edge of the area. the road. Earlier, Lazio missed out on Arsenal delivered a hammer blow to of qualifying for next season’s Odegaard clipped a deft pass to Willian the chance to go fourth as they fell to a Leicester’s faint hopes of winning the Champions League. and his cutback was perfectly placed shock 2-0 defeat at Bologna, with goals Premier League with an impressive Having picked his best team for the for Pepe to tap into the empty net. from Ibrahima Mbaye and Nicola fightback to win 3-1 on Sunday. dramatic come-from-behind 3-2 win In Sunday’s other early match, Sansone either side of the break giv- Mikel Arteta’s side fell behind to against Benfica in the last 32 second Fulham had to settle for a 0-0 draw at ing the mid-table hosts a deserved Youri Tielemans’ early goal at the leg on Thursday, Arteta made six Crystal Palace. win. Relegation-battling Parma, lan- King Power Stadium. They had lost changes. He left Pierre-Emerick On Saturday, West Brom kept their guishing second-bottom in the table, nine of 11 league games when they Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka on the hopes of avoiding the drop alive with squandered a two-goal halftime lead conceded the opening goal this term. bench after the long trip back from the a 1-0 win over Brighton thanks to Kyle to draw 2-2 at Spezia after the But David Luiz equalised and neutral venue in Greece. Bartley’s early header. 16th-placed hosts’ Emmanuel Gyasi Alexandre Lacazette’s penalty gave Arsenal’s reshuffled line-up initial- Victory for the Baggies hauls Sam struck twice in the second half to the Gunners the lead just before half- ly lacked cohesion and Leicester took Allardyce’s men to within eight points cancel out strikes from Yann time. Nicolas Pepe’s second half goal advantage to open the scoring in the of safety, while Brighton remain just Karamoh and Hernani. sealed Arsenal’s second win in their seventh minute. Tielemans was gifted four points clear of the drop zone in last six league games. time and space by the lumbering 16th. Barcelona defeat Sevilla 2-0 The north Londoners’ stirring Granit Xhaka to break into the Newcastle are also now four points escape act left Leicester in third place, Arsenal area. Pablo Mari was slow to clear of the bottom three despite blow- SEVILLE: Barcelona forwards Ousmane trailing leaders Manchester City by 13 react to the danger, allowing the ing the lead to draw 1-1 at home to Dembele and Lionel Messi fired the points with 12 games remaining. Belgian midfielder to advance Wolves. Catalans to a confidence-boosting 2-0 Arsenal have virtually no chance of unchecked before drilling a low strike Aston Villa coped without the win at in-form Sevilla on Saturday to finishing in the top four, but this was into the far corner. injured Jack Grealish and kept their keep the pressure on La Liga leaders still a significant result as it under- Willian has endured a difficult first bid for the top four alive with a 1-0 win PHOTO COURTESY: ANFA Atletico Madrid. Dembele latched on lined the potential in Arteta’s team. season at Arsenal after his move from at Leeds. Milan Limbu (left) scored a hat-rick for Boys Union in their 3-0 win over Nayabasti on Sunday. to a through ball from Messi and knocked it through the legs of Sevilla keeper Bono to give Barca a deserved lead in the 29th minute. Sevilla improved after the break but Barca EPL T20 cricket from Sept 25 continued to have the edge and found Ministry honours sports journalists a second goal five minutes from time SPORTS BUREAU celled owing to the coronavirus when Messi played a one-two with KATHMANDU, FEB 28 pandemic. The last edition of the SPORTS BUREAU mediapersons—one each from all seven Muna Karki got the female sports jour- teenage midfielder Ilaix Moriba and competition had drawn some of KATHMANDU, FEB 28 provinces—and a female journalist. nalism award while Himal Kharel netted with a scrappy finish after his The organisers of Everest the global cricketing stars Khatri, who has been working as a (Province 1), Ranjan Kumar Bhandari first effort was saved. The result Premier League (EPL) have including Chris Gyale and Kevin Nepalgunj-based sports journalist Kamal sports reporter for more than a decade, (Province 2), Anil Malla Thakuri ended a six-game winning streak in announced to hold the upcoming O’Brien before the event was Khatri was honoured with the National received a purse of Rs 50,000 along with the (Bagmati), Madhav Aryal (Gandaki), the league for Sevilla, who remained edition of the Twenty20 fran- cancelled at the last moment. Sports Journalism Award at the Ministry letter of appreciation. Minister for Youth Mukti Babu Regmi (Lumbini), Sitaram fourth in the standings on 48 chise-based cricket tournament According to the organisers of Youth and Sports in Singha Durbar, and Sports Dawa Lama Tamang, secretary Ojha (Sudurpaschim), and Bhupesh points, while Barca climbed above from September 25 to October 9. Everest Premier League Pvt Kathmandu, on Sunday. Kedar Neupane and Nepal Sports Upadhayaya (Karnali) won the motivation- Real Madrid into second place The tournament set to be held Limited, the cricket governing The ministry also gave sports journal- Journalists Forum president Durga Nath al awards. Each received a purse of Rs with 53 points. (AGENCIES) from March 14 last year was can- body CAN has endorsed the event. ism motivational awards to seven other Subedi handed over the awards. 25,000 and letter of appreciation. HOROSCOPE ARIES (March 21-April 19) **** CANCER (June 22-July 22) *** LIBRA (September 23-October 22) *** CAPRICORN (December 22-January 19) **** Monday’s skies work to smooth things over on the As a Cancerian, you tend to do a lot of psychological Monday’s skies are helping you shine, Libra! The You’re ready to get on your grind today, Capricorn. social scene, Aries. The moon meanders through pondering. You find yourself occupying this reflec- moon meanders through your sign, sharpening your The moon parades through balanced Libra all after- bond-building Libra, focusing your energy on relation- tive headspace today, but with the welcome ability to awareness around your own identity and helping noon, focusing your attention on your part in the ship matters. Luna forms a strong connection with make sense of things in an easier, more digestible you prioritize your own needs accordingly. world at large. aspirational Jupiter and communicative Mercury. way.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) *** LEO (July 23-August 22) *** SCORPIO (October 23-November 21) *** AQUARIUS (January 20-February 18) *** You’re all business under Monday’s cosmic land- Monday’s cosmic landscape provides the chance to Balance is the ultimate goal under Monday’s skies, Your mind is hungry for a fresh perspective, scape, Taurus! Follow the drive you’re feeling start the week off right, Leo. The moon roams Scorpio. You need to level yourself back out from the Aquarius. Monday’s skies arrive with the perfect towards productive action today, as the skies are through balance-seeking Libra, prompting a busy excessive socialization you’ve partaken in over antidote, as the moon cruises through option-weigh- aligning to catapult you towards new realms of pos- day full of movement and messages to reply to. recent days; the equilibrium-providing Libra moon ing Libra. You’re in need of a new environment, a sibility. helps you do just that. fresh philosophy.

GEMINI (May 21-June 21) **** VIRGO (August 23-September 22) **** SAGITTARIUS (November 22-December 21) *** PISCES (February 19-March 20) *** Monday’s skies were built for your enjoyment, You need something to sink your teeth into today, You’ve got everything you need to make a good The week is slow to start, Pisces. The moon mean- Gemini. Save the heavy lifting and labor for another Virgo. The moon marches through rational Libra, impression today, Sagittarius. The moon cruises ders through other-oriented Libra today, pointing time, for today’s cosmos work to get you reconnected focusing your attention on activating your talents through socially smooth Libra all afternoon, focus- your attention on the unaddressed realities at hand with the passions in your life that bring you joy. and bringing them to life. ing your attention on the people both in and out of in your love life. your network. CROSSWORD SUDOKU

YESTERDAY’S SOLUTION

C M Y K MONDAY, MARCH 01, 2021 | 08 CULTURE & LIFESTYLE (C.R.P.D.) - 3/052/053 Make way for Rhino Rhino, a Nepal Leather Craft brand, has become synonymous with high-quality leather products—and their journey has only just begun.

TSERING NGODUP LAMA We have two showrooms—one in KATHMANDU Maitidevi and another in Durbar Marg. We have come a long way he several phones in since 2014,” said Shah. Alisha Shah’s office in Another area that Rhino has Nepal Leather Craft’s earned a lot of appreciation from factory, in Maitidevi, customers, says Shah, is the keep ringing through- brand’s customisation work. out the day. Most calls “In 2014, customised leather Tare from the marketing, branding products only made up 30 percent and production team, and every of overall sales. These days, 50 now and then, a phone call is for percent of our products are cus- her father Amit Shah, who found- tomised orders, and most of these ed the company more than 20 custom orders are for jackets,” years ago. said Shah. In 2014, after completing her According to Shah, custom MBA, Alisha joined Nepal Leather leather jackets take seven days to Craft. Until that year, Nepal make. Leather Craft (NLC) manufac- “But we have also completed tured and supplied leather prod- customised leather jackets in a ucts to leather goods wholesalers much shorter time frame for cus- and retailers to dealers in Nepal tomers who need their jackets and abroad. The company also urgently. Of course that comes took bulk corporate orders. with a fee,” said Shah. But when Shah joined NLC, she Shah credits the brand’s success had one singular aim—to start a to getting the basics right. successful brand under NLC, a “We were aware that the local brand that’s known for quality market is very price sensitive, and leather products, and that’s how from the get go, we were very clear Rhino was born. The journey, she on two things—providing quality says, has been anything but easy, products at a reasonable price. but given where Rhino is today, a This wouldn’t have been possible brand that has become synony- without NLC. Since NLC has been mous with leather products, she in this business for over two dec- says the journey has been reward- ades, and in all those years, it has ing. built a strong supply chain net- “For all these years, my father work. We only use quality raw single-handedly shouldered all the materials, all of which are import- responsibilities of the company, ed in large bulk directly from and it had always been my aim to sources, this gives us a price join the family business as soon as advantage,” said Shah. “Since we I finished my studies and help my have our production unit that father expand the business,” said POST PHOTO: BEEJU MAHARJAN manufactures our entire product Shah. “And one of the ways to do Alisha Shah (below) joined Nepal Leather Craft with a singular aim: to start a successful leather brand under her father’s company, continuing his legacy. range we do not have to rely on that I thought was by creating our any third-party producers. This leather product brand. My father porate contracts as possible,” said gives us advantage on two fronts— decided to name the brand Rhino.” Shah. “During my early days at quality control and cost.” But when Shah joined the com- NLC, I spent a lot of time visiting When Rhino Now the brand, says Shah, has pany and started working towards corporate houses and showing launched in 2014, set its sight on penetrating the creating Rhino, she realised very them samples of our products. international market, beginning soon that the journey ahead would The hard work paid off and I was there was a dearth with Australia, which is home to a be tough. successful in significantly increas- large Nepali diaspora. “I had identified certain areas at ing our corporate clientele.” of Nepal-made “Even though a retailer based in NLC that needed strengthening Another area Shah focused was the US sells Rhino products there, before we went ahead with creat- on training Nepali women on the branded leather Australia will be the first country ing Rhino. One of those areas was necessary skills that are required we will have our very own show- convincing our workers of our at the factory, where the pool of products. room,” said Shah. “We have com- vision, and a few of the staff who skilled workers were mostly made pleted most of the necessary had been with us for years were not up of workers from India and paperwork and will very soon very open to the idea of taking Bangladesh. heavily on social media for promo- start operations in Australia.” orders from me,” said Shah. “For In 2014, when Rhino was tion.” But the journey, says Shah, has the first few months, I had many launched, says Shah, there was a During Rhino’s early days, says only just begun. sleepless nights. My friends who I dearth of Nepal-made branded Shah, the brand’s product portfo- “We will be further expanding graduated along with were work- leather products. lio was also very limited. our product line up. We will soon ing at major organisations at plum “During those days, many were “Jackets made up the majority be launching our very own leather posts and during my weaker not even aware of the difference of the brand’s offerings, and we shoes. We will also be very soon moments I found myself doubting between leather and rexine or had very limited designs,” said coming up with a one-of-a-kind my ability in executing the vision.” faux leather products. Since leath- Shah. But as word about Rhino interactive website which will But she persevered and gradual- er products cost significantly spread and more people got to make it very easy for customers to ly the situation improved and higher than faux leather, it was know about the brand and busi- place orders for customised prod- things started aligning, says Shah. imperative that we first educate ness gained traction, Rhino ucts online,” said Shah. “The jour- “To fund Rhino’s operations, it people on the difference between expanded its product range. ney so far has been challenging was important that NLC had a the two,” said Shah. “Social media “Now we have a much wider but the kind of acceptance and steady cash inflow. I had identified was something we focused heavily range of jacket designs. We also appreciation Rhino has been able that one of the ways to achieve on. We were the first leather prod- make belts, bags, caps, belts and to get from people so far has been that was by bagging as many cor- uct brand at the time to rely so men’s wallets and women’s purses. rewarding.” Laying out data, Netflix touts its record on inclusivity For years, academic studies have sought to capture inequalities in Hollywood and to hold studios accountable for making film and television that doesn’t reflect American demographics.

JAKE COYLE Among series creators, only 12.2 NEW YORK percent were from an underrepre- sented racial or ethnic group. etflix released a Latino representational lagged study it commis- especially, accounting for just 4 sioned from top percent of film leads and 1.7 per- academic research- cent of series leads. LGBTQ leads ers that shows the were featured in only 2.3 percent streaming giant is of Netflix films and series, though Noutpacing much of the film indus- 12 percent of the US population try in the inclusivity of its origi- identifies as LGBTQ. nal films and television series. Stuber and Bela Bajaria, vice REUTERS For years, academic studies president of global series, said the The wax figure of Audrey Hepburn in front of a Martini greets customers. have sought to capture inequali- results show Netflix where it ties in Hollywood and to hold stu- needs work. But citing that Netflix dios accountable for making film improved from 2018 to 2019 in and television that doesn’t reflect nearly all metrics, Smith praised Diners enjoy meals with Audrey American demographics. Those the company for making inclusivi- studies have generally relied on ty central in its operations. box-office or ratings data, often “If we are making a show that Hepburn and Jon Hamm wax leaving out streaming platforms. another studio is producing and Netflix is trying a different AP/RSS we’re doing it from the beginning, route with both more transparen- This image released by Netflix shows Phoebe Dynevor (left) and Rege-Jean Page in a from episode one, we have all of figures at NYC steakhouse cy and more company control. The scene from Bridgerton. the discussions,” said Bajaria. streamer commissioned the USC “How many people of colour are As New York City restaurants reopen indoor dining, Annenberg Inclusion Initiative to directing? How many women are analyse its 2018 and 2019 original, In Netflix films and series, 31.9 percent directing? Who’s in the writers’ steak house and Madame Tussauds join forces. live-action films and series, and room? We have those conversa- presented the results to members of leads were from underrepresented tions all the time.” of the press in a presentation. Bajaria said Netflix has benefit- REUTERS Netflix achieved roughly gender racial and ethnic groups. ed from not having just a few NEW YORK parity among lead characters in token non-white series but a pipe- Restaurants both film (48.4 percent of leads line full of diversity. More at-bats s New York City res- accounted for were female) and TV (54.5 percent) “The point of this benchmark is we are doing, we hope to stimulate for minority creators, she said. taurants reopened in 2018 and 2019. The study to constantly be held accounta- change not just at Netflix but She cited shows like the Shonda indoor dining 9 percent of covers a total of 126 movies and ble,” said Scott Stuber, vice presi- across our industry,” wrote Rhimes-produced Bridgerton and rooms at 35 percent 180 series. It does not include dent of global film. He said 2020 Sarandos. Smith didn’t respond to the Spanish language La Casa de capacity on Friday, employment in documentary or films, animation, films like Ma Rainey’s Black questions about Netflix’s condi- Papel (Money Heist) as examples the Peter Luger the state in 2019. international productions or con- Bottom, Da 5 Bloods and Old tions for the study, or how much of how Netflix is remaking what’s SteakA House and Madame tent hosted on Netflix that it did Guard show Netflix is still pro- the company paid for it. traditionally been a success. Tussauds New York wax museum not itself produce. gressing. “But the whole auspice Last month, Netflix released its “We have big hit shows that joined forces to welcome diners Netflix films were more likely to here is not to pat ourselves on the first inclusion report, showing don’t look like what you’d expect back in a fun way and to enforce Restaurant Association says, res- have women directing (23.1 per- back. It’s to say publicly here’s that 47 percent of its global work- or maybe what the system has social distancing guidelines. taurants accounted for 9 percent cent), writing (25.2 percent) or what we’re trying to accomplish force is female and 46 percent of always told you,” said Bajaria. “I Wax figures of Audrey Hepburn, of employment in the state in 2019 producing (29 percent) than the and we’re going to be held account- its US employees are from under- do feel like for us, it’s having way dressed as her character Holly and brought in $51.6 billion in top-grossing movies of 2018 able,” he said. represented racial or ethnic more stories than the one failure.” Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s sales in 2018. and 2019. The study will continue for the groups. Netflix also said it will create a sitting in front of a Martini, and “It’s been rough,” said Michael In Netflix films and series, 31.9 next six years. It’s a level of trans- Not all of the findings were pos- fund of $100 million to bring more Jon Hamm as his character Don Costa, manager at Peter Luger’s percent of leads were from under- parency that traditional studios, itive. Speaking characters in underrepresented groups into Draper in Mad Men holding an Brooklyn steakhouse. represented racial and ethnic and other streaming companies, Netflix movies were dispropor- film and television. The Netflix Old Fashioned cocktail, greeted “We’re going to adapt to what’s groups. That trails demographics haven’t before embraced. In a blog tionately male (about 64 percent). Fund for Creative Equity will be customers while waiters rushed going on. Right now we’ll take (about 40 percent of the U.S. popu- post Friday, Netflix chief execu- Only 16.9 percent of film directors distributed within initiatives at by with plates of sizzling steaks. whatever they give us, 25 is good, lation according to census data) tive Ted Sarandos said he hoped were from underrepresented Netflix and in organisations out- The coronavirus pandemic hit 35, whatever they want to give us but Netflix showed marked the move would spur wider racial or ethnic groups, and the side the company over the next New York establishments especial- because we’re at the bottom,” improvement between 2018 (26.4 change. figures on film producers and five years. ly hard, where, the National Costa said. “But, we’ll survive.” percent) and 2019 (37.3 percent). “By better understanding how screenwriters weren’t any better. — Associated Press

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